Bhakti List Archives

Chithra Paddhathi SlOkam 936: Part 2

From the Bhakti List Archives

Sadagopan • Thu Jan 28 1999 - 20:01:15 PST 


Dear BhakthAs :

In the previous posting , reference was made to 
this slOkam serving  as examples of Ekasvara 
Chitram (made up of One Svaram : tonal aspect)and
Eka varNa chithram( made up of one Aksharam :Ya).
It was also pointed out that it is known as 
dhvisthAnakam , since only two specific loci
of the vocal apparatus is being used to recite this
slOkam . Thus this slOkam becomes a sthAna chithram as well.

The unmatched genius of Swami Desikan as a poet
is further attested to , when we recognize additional
Yamakams that make this slOkam earn the name of 
a MahA yamakam . The various bhandhams and chithrams
that this MahA Yamakam contain are :

1. gOmUthrikA : steady flow like a shower of Cow's Urine
   This is one of the lakshaNams of copious and
   fast flowing auspicious verse .

2. SarvathO Bhadhram : Auspicious on all aspects

3. KankaNa Bhandham : Bracelet like construction

4. Muraja Bhandham : Drum-shaped Construction 

5. Padhma Bhandham : Lotus like Bhandham 

6. SlOkAnulOma PrathilOma gathi Chithram : Regularly 
   ascending and  descending paced constrcution

7. Ardha Yamakam : One of a pair 

8. Paadha Chathuraavrutthi Ymaakam :Recurrence 
   to the same point at counts of four

9. PaadhArdha ashtAvrutthi Yamakam : recurrence to
   the same point at counts of Eight 

10. Paadha ShODasaavrutthi Yamakam : Recurrence to
    the same point at counts of sixteen

11. EkAksharaThrimsadhAvrutthi Yamakam :Thirty count
    based recurrence .

For ordinary mortals , even the construction of 
this slOkam alone would take a life time given
the geometric structure , sound alliterations 
and artha gouravam ( profound meanings ) based on
just one aksharam . It is not easy for us to
comprehend the divine power that led to these 
most magnificient slokams of PaadhukhA Sahasram 
by the Great AchAryA blessed by Sri HayagrIvan . 

In the concluding posting on the 936th SlOkam , I will
cover the deeper meanings of the words constituted 
by the permutations and combinations of the aksharam , Ya,
forming the unit of this slOkam .

Swami Desikan ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam ,
Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri SadagOpan