Swami Desikan's Sri VaishNava Dinasari: Part 2.1
From the Bhakti List Archives
• July 25, 1999
Paasurams 1&2 of Sri VaishNava Dinasari (Abhigamanam): (1)The dear devotees of Sri VaradarAjan's sacred feet recite Hari, Hari, Hari,Hari, Hari , Hari , Hari (a total of Seven times )with Bhakthi immediately after waking up from sleep at dawn . This way , their mind becomes tranquil . This is an ancient prctise observed by Sri VaishNavAs. Comments: Swami Desikan states that the darkness of sleep had enveloped us during the night and after that is chased away , we should recite with reverence and affection the name of Hari seven times . (2)Abhigaman Prapatthi: The just awakened BhagavathAs have nirvEdam (repentance) over the time wasted due to the power of the KarmAs and compose themselves first and then pray to the Lord to bless them with the boon of uninterrupted Kaimkaryam to Him during the rest of the day . They seek tranquility and seelk refuge at His sacred feet with Manas , Vaak and Kaayam (Mind, Speech and Body)in the Vedic manner to derive solace and joy. Comments: The exact words used by Swami Desikan here are: " Mahizh maRai neRi kodu tani mudaladi iNai adaibhavar TamarE ". The HaridAsAs are sluted as Thamars or Bhagavathars. Their method of approach of the Lord is the Veda maargam, that generates Joy . The tools that they use to perform this Abhigamana prapatthi are their Mind , Vaak and Body. (3)UpAdhAnam :The Sri VaishNavan collects flowers , prasAdham (naivEdhyam ) and water for Thirumanjanam , arkhyam, aachamaneeyam, paadhyam for the AarAdhanam of the Lord and understands clearly that all of the SaamagriyAs acquired by him are to please the Lord and not for them (na mama). Comments: Swami Desikan says in this context: "Malar mathi adiyavar yemathu ala yena aRibavar ". He explains that the Bhagavatha Sri VaishNavan marked by fully blossomed Jn~Anam becomes joyous over the thought that all the AarAdhana SaamagriyAs collected by him with Love is for the arpaNam to the Lord and not for him . (4)UpAdhAnam:The dhArmic way to acquire the AarAdhana SaamagriyAs: The acquisition of the material for the AarAdhanam of the Lord has to be done by the strict ways laid out by the SaasthrAs . Following these injunctions, Sri Vaishnavan will not ever receive any offering for AarAdhanam from one , who has swerved from the righteous ways .He will not acquire the material for AarAdhanam by pursuing unrighteous ways. Comments: Swami's words here are: "aRa neRi ilan yevan aNuhilum aNuhilar"( The Sri VaishNavan will stay far away from adharmic persons , when they approach him and offer material for Bhagavath AarAdhanam ). " thuRai alathu yenum oru thuRai paDuhilar " ( They will not travel in any path that is not righteous during their upAdhAnam realted activities ). (5)Ijyai:The Sri Vaishnavan will perform Thirumanjanam for Sri VaradarAjan and offer all other upachArams according to their sakthi (ability )in the proper manner prescribed by the Aagamams and present to Him naivEdhyams ( different kinds of tasty food and drinks )that would please the heart of th Lord. Comments: Swami Desikan salutes these BhagavathAs as " Sezhu mathi adiyavar " ( The bhagavathAs with fully developed Jn~Anam). These BhagvathAs will peform "kuLi mudhal kirisaikaL " ( UpachArams like Thirumanjanam ) and offer " teLi punal amudhu " ( Sweet and pure water as well as adisil/paayasam et al ). 6. Ijyai: The flood of Affection during Bhagavath AarAdhanam When BhaagavathAs perform AarAdhanam for the Lord ,they invite Lord VaradarAjan as the dearest relative (Bhandhu) and are elated over that thought .They will offer salutations and upachArams to Him as though He is the young Prince , who rules the entire land .They will express their affection to Him as a parent , who relates to his son , who was born after a long period of penance (tapas).They will be elated like the one, who sees a majestic male elephant in rut inthe forest .They will be filled with pride like the owner of a rare and prceious gem stone.With all these joyous feelings gushing out of every fiber of their body and mind , the Sri VaishNavAs present SaamagriyAs acquired in the most sAstraic manner to their Lord and offer upachArams and NaivEdhyams. This manner of performing AarAdhanam is known as ijyA . Comments: The moving words used by Swami Desikan to describe the Lord , who has arived at the Sri VaishNavan's house to receive the AarAdhanam is " aruhu aNai iRaivan " ( the Lord who sits right next to the BhAgavathan in response to his invitation to accept his AarAdhanam with ease and grace). The great poet that Swami desikan is in Tamil, Sanskrit and PrAkrutham rhymes his salutation to this "aruhu iNai iRaivan" in this paasurm as " aru vilai maNi yena adiyavar adaibhavar aru kaNai iRaivanai aru kaNaiudanE " Swami points out in a state of joy over the thought of the AarAdhanm performed by the adiyavars (VishNu dAsAs) and his words match beautifully. The Lord is the priceless gem ( aru vilai maNi ); He is the Soulabhyan (easy of access) sitting with grace and ease next to the Sri VaishNavan to accept his AarAdhanam (aruhu aNai iRaivan). He is the aruhil amarnthuLLa EmperumAn . Swami Desikqan rhymes further and says that the Sri VaishNavan surrenders himself at the sacred feet of the Lord with the SaamagriyAs acquired with love for the ThiruvArAdhanam ( arukaNai udan adiyavar adaibhavar).The "aruhu iNai iRaivan ' is approached with "arukanai" by the ecstatic Sri Vaishnavan during his AarAdhanam .ArukaNai means the vasthus assembled with love for the ThiruvArAdhanam (ijyai). (To be continued)
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