Sri Stuthi-8
From the Bhakti List Archives
• January 29, 1998
Dear Friends, I shall present a summary of verses 15 and 16 of the Sri Stuthi in this post. Swami Desikan brilliantly salutes the auspicious attributes of Thayar and points out that She is the manifestation of the Lord's limitless mercy. Swami Desikan adds that these auspicious attributes are responsible for granting Moksham to Prapannas. 15. ArtatrANavratibhiramrutAsAranIlAmbuvAhai: AmbOjAnAmuShasi MiShatAmantarangaIrapAngai: II YasyAm YasyAm Dishi ViharatE Devi DrushtistvadIyA TasyAm TasyAmahamahamikAm TanvatE SampadOGhA: II This verse contains a glorification of the KalyaNa GuNams of Periya Piratti. Swami Desikan describes her goal as one of offering protection to those who surrender. This mirrors the Raghuveera Gadyam salutation "Sakrut Prapanna Jana SamrakshaNa Dikshita". Her merciful glance is like the dark blue clouds which produce a shower of the divine nectar. Prapannas vie with each other to receive Thayar's benevolent gaze like the flowers near the lotus which blooms in the early morning sun. Swami Desikan has packed the essence of Thayar's KalyAna GuNams of AudArya (Magnanimity), KaruNa (Mercy), Kshama (Forgiveness), and Vatsalya (Untainted Love). One can compile a doctoral thesis by examining each of these auspicious attribtues in detail using the related works of Swami Desikan (Daya Shatakam and Padhuka Sahasram), and the Acharyas before him like Sri RamanujAcharya, and Sri Alavandaar. However for the purpose of this discussion, it is sufficient to note that these auspicious attributes arising from the benevolent glance of Thayar are instrumental in granting Moksham to Prapannas. Those who desire Aishwaryam as a result of offering eulogy to the Lord can be classified into two categories: (i) Those who have lost their glory due to some reason or the other. (ii) Those who seek the glory that has eluded them so far. This Shlokam refers to the former category and the benefits accorded to them by Periya Piratti Thayar's merciful glance. The Lord is glorified as Arta TrANa ParAyaNa, ArtAnAm ArtihantAram, ApannAnAnAm ParAgati:. In this salutation Swami Desikan notes that all these attributes of the Lord emanate only from the KatAksham of Sri. 16. YOgAramBhatvaritamanasO YushmadaIkAntyayuktam Dharma PrAptum PraThamamiha YE DhArayantE DhanAyam I TeShAm BhumErDhanapatigruhAdambarAdambuDhErvA GhArA NiryAntyaDhikamaDhikam VAnchitAnAm VasUnAm II Here, Swami Desikan describes Thayar as one who hastens the performance of SatkAryams. When those desirous of wealth necessary for performance of their KarmAnushtAnam, propitiate Perumal and Thayar, they are blessed with an abundance of wealth from the earth, the abode of Kubera, the sky and the ocean. Swami Desikan refers to the fruits attained by offering prayers to Perumal and Thayar for those who desire wealth for carrying out their prescribed duties. This is a characterization of Thayar as the Vimukta PhaladAyini along with Perumal. YogArambha denotes AshtAnga Yoga. This can also mean KarmayogArambham. Mastery of JnAna Yoga is a pre-requisite for successful pursuit of Bhaktiyoga. One can become adept in the practice of JnAna Yoga only through successfully pursuing Karma Yoga. Successful pursuit of Karma Yoga requires adherence to one's duties as prescribed by VarNAshrama Dharma. The AnushtAnams required for conducting Yagas and Yajnas demand wealth of a high order (TapObalam and VedAdyayanam). The Dravyas (ingredients) used in these events must also be obtained by righteous means. Otherwise the Yajna is rendered futile. Only through a prayer to Mahalakshmi Thayar is one blessed with the ability to discriminate between Dravya that is fit for use in the Yajna and that which is not. The Upanishads declare Vidya Samruddhi HEtu Avahanti Homa. Accordingly, the request for cows, horses, and gold for use in sacrifices is granted through Prayers to Sri. Similarly, those seeking wealth to practice other Yogas are blessed with the an abundance of the necessary wealth for their pursuits when they offer prayers to the Divine Couple (Lord Narayana and Sri). In the Lakshmi Stotram, we are reminded of this aspect again by the salutation Dampati Daivatam. This is also indicative of the wealth received by supplicants like Sudama (without asking for it) due to the grace of the Divya Dampatis. This Stotram also refers to the benefits obtained from the Pancha BhUtas (air, fire, water, earth, and ether) as a result of glorifying Periya Piratti. Thus, those who desire wealth for undertaking auspicious tasks are blessed with an abundance through the grace of Sri. This aspect of Sri is succinctly stated in the Sri Sooktam Rk: TAm PadminIm SharaNamaham PrapadyE AlakshmIrmenashyatAm TvAm VruNe Namo Narayana, Muralidhar Rangaswamy ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
- Next message: V. Sadagopan: "AparyApthmrutha DhyAna sOpanam--Third SlOkam"
- Previous message: muralidhar rangaswamy: "Fwd: Sri Stuthi-7"
- Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ] [ attachment ]