Search:
Bhakti List Archives

SubhAshitha Paddhathi of Sri RanganAtha PaadhukhA Sahasram: Chapter 28

From the Bhakti List Archives

V. Sadagopan • June 10, 1997 


Dear Divya maNi paadhukhA sevakas :

In this paddhathi , Swami Desikan elaborates on 
the meanings of some of the happenings during 
RamAvathAram . There are ten slokams in the 
SubhAshitha Paddhathi ( SUP ) . He establishes 
the superiority of the PaddhukhAs through reference
to a number of apophthegms or learned sayings based
on the loka neethis ( Worldly laws ) .

Slokam 1 of SUP/ Slokam 821 of RPS
******************************************

kalAsu kAshtAmathishtan bhumnE sambhandhinAmapi I
paadhukhA Rangadhuryasya BharathArAdhyathAm gathA : II

For those , who have mastered any single art , that art confers
merit and respect on those associated with them . Therefore , 
it is no wonder that RanganAtha paadhukhAs are worshipped 
by those , who understand the rules of Bharatha naatyam , since 
the paadhukhAs participate in the dance drama conducted by 
RanganAthA at Srirangam . The literal meaning is that the paadhukhAs
become object of worship because of their close relationship 
to RamA , who is none other than Sri RanganAthA .

Slokam 2 of SUP/ Slokam 822 of RPS
******************************************

santha: svadEsa paradEsa vibhaga soonyam 
     hantha svavrutthimanagAm na parithyajanthi I
RaajyE vanE cha Raghupungava paadarakshA 
     naijam jahou na kalu kantakasOdhanam tath II

Here Swami Desikan points out that the PaadhukhAs teach us 
that one should never abandon one's own dharmA for whatever 
reasons . He says : " Righteous people will not abandon their 
codes of conduct learnt from their teachers either in their own land
or foreign lands . For instance , Rama paadhukhAs performed 
their assigned duties , be it in AyodhyA or in the DandakA 
forest . In AyodhyA , they  made sure that the enemies of the kingdom 
do not cause any harm to the citizens ; in the forest , they 
protected Rama"s feet from thorns and stones . 

Slokam 3 of SUP / Slokam 823 of RPS
*******************************************

Swami Desikan states here to the Loka Neethi , which
states that those associated with the Lord can accomplish
many things because of their special relationship to the Lord.
He says : " A mere blade of grass got empowered to be the 
powerful BrahmAsthrA . At another time , all the virtues ( Tapas )
accumlated by ParasurAmA was put away by the  arrow of RamA 
into the ocean . The PaadhukhAs although separated from the Lord's
feet ruled over the universe at AyodhyA . When those with true power 
conduct the affairs of the state, which object can not be empowered 
to perform miracles ? " .

Slokam 4 of SUP/ Slokam 824 of RPS
******************************************

Swami Desikan points out here to another loka neethi 
established from the concepts of PaadhukhA raajyam and
Raama Raajyam . He says : " Although DasarathA  had many 
sons , the blemishless RaamA , for no fault of his , lost the rights
to the throne of Raghus . The paadhukhAs of RaamA , 
which are equal in merit to him also underwent a similar experience 
in that they were separated form his holy feet for fourteen years " .

RaamA , for no fault of his , lost the chance of ascending the throne
of the Raghus . Similarly , the PaadhukhAs eligible to be of service
to the Lord's feet got separated from them . Ultimately RaamA 
ascended hte throne and the PaadhukhAs got united with
RaamA's sacred feet . 

Slokam 5 of SUP/ Slokam 825 of RPS
******************************************

Here , Swami Desikan points out to another Loka Neethi 
pertaining to one , who surrenders at the feet of the noble king 
or a sadAchArya . Such a person gains the reward of being 
recognized and celebrated by the king or AchAryA and at the same
time becomes the object of worship by the fellow citizens ".

The blemishless one surrendering at the feet of a sadAcharyan 
follows the steps established by them . He is also worshipped by 
the righteous of the land . For instance , the Raama paadhukhAs 
through their illustrious conduct and service atained the reward 
of ruling the kingdom of Raghus . This reward was conferred by
Lord RamachandrA Himself .

Slokam 6 of SUP/Slokam 826 of RPS
*****************************************

Both DasarathA and the citizens of AyodhyA wanted 
RaamA to ascend the throne of the Raghus . A this time , 
queen Kaikeyi used the boons given to her by King DasarathA
to have her son BharathA ascend the throne in place of RaamA .
Dasaratha had no choice but to agree to her wish . BharathA was
slated to become the ruler of AyodhyA . During this occasion , the 
totally unexpected happened . The PaadhukhAs of RaamA became 
the ruler of AyodhyA . In such matters , only the Lord as the Sarvajnan
( Omniscient ) would know as to what is yet to come ! 

Slokam 7 of SUP/ Slokam 827 of RPS
******************************************

Swami Desikan uses the double meanings of the word 
" VikramE " in this slokam to establish that the paadhukhAs
are superior to the paada peetam ( the foot rest on which RaamA
rests his paadhukhA-clad feet ) . Vikramam can mean either valour 
or foot step . He  says : " The paadha peetam under the throne 
of RaamA  is not superior to the paadhukhAs , even if the former 
bears the weight of RaamA's feet , when He sits on the throne .
Although both the foot rest and the paadhukhAs share some of 
their duties , they still are not equal . As one inquires deeply into 
this matter, one recognizes that the foot rest stays always next 
to the throne.  PaadhukhAs onthe other hand have  much more 
diverse functions . RaamA entrusted the paadhukhAs to govern 
His kingdom form fourteen years in His absence from the capital.
RaamA entrusted the kingdom to the paadhukhAs , since , they 
have participated together in many campaigns of yore " . 

Swami Desikan points out that the paadhukhAs were equal
in valour to RaamA and that was the reason for RaamA to
appoint them as His representative to rule the kingdom in
His unavoidable absence from AyodhyA as an exile . The 
appointemnt of Raama paadhukhAs to rule over the kingdom
was equal to the act of RaamA appointing His brother LakshmaNA 
as the yuva RaajA inview of latter's demonstrated valour 
in destroying powerful foes like Indrajith in the battle field .

Slokam 8 of SUP/ Slokam 828 of RPS
******************************************

PaadhukhAs are mobile during the Lord's travels.
They sat still however for fourteen years , when they were 
appointed by RaamA to rule the kingdom . During those 
years , they became rooted to the assigned tasks and 
were stationary . For those , who attain extraordinary riches ,
the auspicious qualities develop simultaneously . Steadiness of
purpose and freedom from distractions are two such qualities 
that the paadhukhAs gained as the ruler of the kingdom of Raghus .

Slokam 9 of SUP/ Slokam 829 of RPS
******************************************

In one state , the paadhukhAs are responsible for 
the Lord's mobility . In another state, they remain 
immobile on the throne . The acquisition of one power 
or the other is decided by the volition of the Lord , who
is the master controlelr . 

Slokam 10 of SUP/ Slokam 830 of RPS
********************************************

adhareekruthOpi mahathA tamEva 
sEvatha saadharam bhooshNu : I
alabhatha samayE RaamAth 
paadhAkrAnthapi paadhukhA raajyam II

Swami Desikan states here that the subhAshitham
( lesson ) that one learns from the paadhukhAs is that
we should not abandon the great souls , even if they assign 
one to  a lower position . Here , he refers to paadhukhA's lower 
position of being stepped upon by the Lord 's feet during His 
travels on them . It is because of such tenacious submission , 
the paadhukhAs ascended  the throne of Raghus . 

Swami Desikan says : " Those , who aspire to a high status 
should not give up their Lord ( RaamA )and continue to serve Him
ardently. Please reflect on what happened to RaamA paadhukhAs !
Even when they were under His feet and stepped on by Him , at the 
right time , they became the ruler of the kingdom of the Raghus " .

Sri RangarAja Divya maNI paadhukhE ! Thubhyam nama :
Swami Desikan ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam 
Oppiliappan Kovil VaradAchAri Sadagopan