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Padhuka Sahasram Part 14.2

From the Bhakti List Archives

RANGASWAMY • February 14, 1997 


Dear Members of the List,

I would like to express my appreciation for Sri Sadagopan's 
excellent summary of Sri Padhuka Sahasram dealing with Naadam. 
The connections between Sri Ranganatha Padhuka, Naadam, Satakopan 
(of Tirukuruhoor) and Sama Vedam were brought out with consummate 
effect in Sri Sadagopan's post. 

It is instructive to note that Swami Desikan as Sarvatantra Svatantarar 
had mastery over Nadopasana. The connections between Nada and PraNavam 
can be inferred from the Hayagriva Stotram. PraNavam and Udgita Vak 
symbolized by Bhagavan Lakshmi Hayagriva are reflected in the PS summary. 
Verses 11-15 of the Hayagriva Stotram dwell on the PraNava Swaroopam of 
Bhagavan Hayagriva. The key passage here is "Vishuddha Satva Tatvena Jananti 
Tam Akshara MatrukAm TvAm" (the pure minded ones recognize your Shuddha 
Satvam form). It is believed that contemplating on this mantram even for a 
fraction of a second is sufficient to bless an individual with unmitigated 
eloquence of speech. 

Further connections between NAda and Sama GAnam can be 
seen in the Hayagriva Stotram. The Hala Hala sound emanating from the 
throat of Bhagavan Hayagriva contains the condensed Rks of Rg, Yajus and 
Sama Vedams. The Hala Hala sound removes all inauspiciousness and creates 
Shubam. Also at the end of the Hayagriva Stotram Swami Desikan requests 
to be blessed with Lalamrutam (nectar of Bhagavan Hayagriva's Saliva). This 
Lalamrutam again contains the essence of the Rg, Yajus and Sama Vedams. 
In response to this request Bhagavan Hayagriva appeared before Swami Desikan 
and blessed him with Lalamrutam and promised to remain at the seat of 
Swami Desikan's tongue while he was engaged in propagating Ubhaya Vedanta 
Siddhantam. A reflection of these blessings is seen in the Ranganatha Padhuka 
Sahasram. It is also instructive to note that Swami Desikan was initiated into 
the Hayagriva Mantram (detailing the PraNava, Udgita Vak, Mantra Maya 
Sariram and Veda Swaroopam) by Garuda Bhagavan. This is perhaps the reason 
for the association of Garuda and Jankara. Amazing indeed are the blessings of 
Bhagavan Hayagriva!

Sri Sadagopan informed me that Nammazhwar's outpourings in hsi Pasurams 
contain the essence of Sama Vedams. One can see the connection to Sama 
Vedam right away because, Madhura Kavi Azhwar (Nammazhwar's Shishya) 
belonged to Sama Shakha. The response to each of Madhurakavi Azhwar's 
questions in Sanskrit, was a Pasuram by Nammazhwar. The work of Nammazhwar 
had a tremendous impact on Swami Desikan. To see this, one can note Swami 
Desikan's salutation of the Guru Parampara in the Daya Shatakam "....SheetalAm
Guru Santatim. Srinivasa Dayambodhi: Parivaha Parampara". In this line, 
Swami Desikan salutes his Guru Parampara through the cool waters of the ocean 
of mercy known as the Lord of Seven Hills-the Guru Parampara itself which 
originated from the feet of this ocean of mercy. Contemplating on the feet of 
this ocean of mercy reveals the connection to Shatari or Satakopatvam. There 
would not have been a Guru Parampara to salute if it were not for Nammazhwar 
blessing Nathamuni with the knowledge of the Holy collects (4000). This 
is reflected in the Padhuka Sahasram as well which Sri Sadagopan summarized for 
our benefit.

Further connections between Nada and the Divya Mani Padhuka described in 
Swami Desikan's work can be seen in the outpouring of Thyagaraja. In the 
Dhanyasi Krithi Sangita JnAnamu Bhakti VinA, Thyagaraja declares in the line 
"KayajArishadripula Jayinche" that "I know to conquer the six enemies born 
out of the body (Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada and Matsarya) through the 
path of Nadopasana. Purandara Dasa in the Krithi Kagada Bandide Namma 
Kamalanabhanadu conveys the same message beautifully in simple language. 
In this Krithi, he addresses mankind through a letter received from Lord 
Krishna in which he exhorts them to rid themselves of Kama, Krodha, Lobha, 
Moha, and Mada. 

Finally, the attribute of the Padhuka in rushing to the succour of Bhaktas 
is beautifully demonstrated by Malola Lakshmi Narasimhar, for it is he alone 
(among all manifestations of Lord VishNu) who is seen constantly wearing the 
Padhukas. He is ready to rescue his Bhaktas any moment!

Namo Narayana,

Muralidhar Rangaswamy