Search:
Bhakti List Archives

Dikshitar"s Maha Lakshmi Krithis--Part 4.2

From the Bhakti List Archives

V. Sadagopan • May 11, 1996 


Anupallavi Vahhyams of Madhava Manohari Krithi
* * * * * **************************************** * * * *

The Six Namaskaranmas chosen by Dikshitar
for the Anupallavi of this Krithi are:

1.Maha Vishnu Vaksha Sthala Vaasini
2.MahadevaGuru Guha Viswaasini
3.Maha Paapa Prasamani .ManonmaNi
5.Maara Janani 
6.Mangal Pradhaayini

All of them end with the prayer Sadha Namasteh.

Her seat as the chest of the Lord is well referred to
in the Puraanaas. In all Archas , we see Her seated
in the heart region of the Lord(  Maha Vishnu Vaksha-
sthala Vaasini ) . The Tirupathi legend , where Maha Lakshmi 
leaves the Lord's chest as a result of  a dispute and 
incarnation as Padmaavati, the daughter of Akasa Rajan 
and Lord Srinivasa coming down from Vaikuntam
 in search of  Her and  finally marrying her and staying at 
Thirupathi is well celebrated in dance and drama.

She has abiding affection for Her relatives ,
 Maha Deva (Parama Siva)  and Guhan , who is  the 
Guru that initiated Dikshitar at TiruttaNi Kshetram 
into Sangeetham and composition(Mahadeva Guru Guha
Viswaasini ).

She is the one , who blesses the Jivans loaded with 
Maha Paapams and pleads for them with Her Lord
to forgive  their sins and yield the boon of Moksham
( Maha Paapa Prasamani, ManonmaNi , Mangala
Pradhaayini ). Her Dhyanam is "SARVA ISWARYAKARAM
PUNYAM ,SARVA PAAPA PRANAASANAM".With this in
mind perhaps, Dikshitar saluted Her as "Mahaa Paapa
Prasamani ".
 
 She is also the mother of  Manmathan
(Maara Janani ) and hence this Anupallavi
salutation.. 

CHARANA VAAKHYAMS:
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

The Charanams house another ten salutations
(the refrain Sadhaa Namasteh is added at the end 
of each of these salutations :

1.Ksheerasaagara Sutheh Sadhaa Namasteh
                                                 ---------------------------

2.Veda Nuteh ------------------------------------------- 
3.Kshitheesaadhi Mahiteh --------------------------
4.Siva Sahiteh ------------------------------------------
5.Bharathi Rathee Sasee Pujiteh, Naradhati 
   Muni Brundha Nandidhiteh -------------------------
6.Bhakthi Yuktha Maanasa Viraajiteh -------------
7.Vaarijaasanaathyamara vandhiteh--------------
8.nirajasanasteh-----------------------------------------
9.Sumanasteh-------------------------------------------
10.Saarasa Hasteh ------------------------------------

She rose from the lap of Her father , the Milky Ocean
and hence She is addressed as Ksheera Sagara Tanaya. 
This Amrutavalli and Her Abhisehakam by the Dhik Gajamas 
(Lordly elephants of the quarters ) with golden pots are described 
beautifully by Srimad Bhagavatham ( Canto  8-8-8 ) 
and in the 28 th Dasakam of Sri Naarayaneeyam. The
number of the Bhagavatham Slokam (8-8-8 ) for Maha Lakshmi 
is suggestive of her Ashta Lakshmi Svaroopam, Ashta Iswarya 
Dhayaka power and her role as the Patta Mahishi of the 
Lord of Ashtaaksha Manthram.

"KAMANEEYAA KAMALAA BHABHOOVA"  are the words of Sri
Narayana Bhattadhiri , when he describes Her Avataaram..

The Rishis like Narada decorated Her with the Mantras from Vedas
such as Sri Sooktham and Indra and the other DEvaas presented Her 
with Gem-studded garlands. She then walked  towards Sriman Narayana
and placed the garland( in Her hands) around His neck
and thereby  chose Him as Her Lord in the Svayamvaram that  took
place at the site  of Milky Ocean. Three  beautiful slokams
of Sri Narayaneeyam describe this most auspicious event  :

THE FIRST SLOKAM REFERS TO HER WALKING SHYLY TOWARDS
SRIMAN NARAYANA WITH A FRESH GARLAND IN HER HANDS AND 
THE HONEY BEES SWIRLING AROUND IT. THE MELODIOUS MUSIC 
RAISED BY HER ANKLE BELLS AND HER SUPREME BEAUTY AS A 
MAIDEN ARE  VISUALIZED HERE.

THE SECOND SLOKAM DESCRIBES THE SVAYAMVARAM, WHERE SHE 
CHOSE THE LORD OVER EVERY ONE ASSEMBLED THERE AND HER
PLACEMENT OF THE FLOWER GARLAND ON SRIMAN NARAYANA'S
NECK ( NIHITAA DIVYA MAALAA ).

THE THIRD SLOKAM DESCRIBES HER immediate  ASSUMPTION 
OF DUTIES AS THE EMPRESS OF THE UNIVERSE AND 
PROTECTING HER LORD'S DOMAINS. 
THIS SLOKAM REVEALS THAT THE LORD 
PLACED HER ON HIS NOBLE CHEST AND HONORED HER
THROUGH THAT ACTION. SEATED THERE, SHE MADE THE WORLDS 
PROSPER THROUGH HER KARUNAA KATAKSHAM AS LOKA JANANI. 

URASAA TARASAA MAMAANITHA YENAAM 
BHUVANAANAAM JANANEEM ANANYABHAVAAM I
TVADHURoVILASATTHA DEEKSHANA 
SRIPARIVRUSHTYAA PARIPUSHTAMAASA VISWAM II

sriman Narayanaa quickly (Tarasa) placed Her on his
chest (Urasaa) and honored(Mamaanitha) Her (Yenaam ).
That Mother of the Universe (Bhuvanaanaam Janani ) ,
and Parama Pathivrathaa ,who was not interested in anyone
(Ananya Bhavaa ) thereafter  made the worlds prosper through Her
Dikshana SRI PARIVRUSHTAYAA (with Her most auspicious 
compassionate glances). 

TAAM AANANDHA VALLEEM , AVABHUSHITANGHA VALLEM
SARANAMAHAM PRAPATYEH.

REST OF THE CHARANA VAAKYAMS WILL BE COVERED 
IN THE FINAL AND LAST POSTING RELATED TO THIS KRITHI.

Oppiliappan Varadachari Sadagopan