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DIKSHITAR"S MAHA LAKSHMI KRITHIS--PART 5 .1

From the Bhakti List Archives

V. Sadagopan • May 11, 1996 


MangaLa Kaisikhi Raaga Krithi
**********************************
Inthis postng, I will attempt to understand the 
deep meanings of Dikshitar's salutations to
Maha Lakshmi in the Ragam Mangala Kaisikhi .
This is an Upaangha Rakti Raagam , which 
is a Janya Raagam of the Mela Kartha , Maaya 
MaaLava Gowlai . Just as Saint Thyagaraja was fond of 
composing Krithis in Karahara Priyaa Mela Kartha and 
its Janya Raagaas, Sri Dikshitar was fond of composing 
Krithis in the Mayaa MaaLava GouLai and its many 
Janya Raagaas. 

TheSignificance of the  Name MangaLa Kaisikhi
******************************************************
Although the Name Kaisikhi has the two meanings
of (1) Fine Hair and (2) the sentiment of Love , the 
context here makes us choose the first meaning.
Maha Lakshmi is invoked here as the Goddess 
with auspicious tresses of Hair. It is like saluting 
Her as Sughandha Kundalaambhaal or AliveNi
in the Shyamaa Sastrigal tradition..
Her bluish black hair with divine fragrance is one 
of Her 32 Saamudhrikaa LakshaNams or signs of 
beauty of a Padmini type of women . One is reminded 
of the Sahasra Naamam of Lalitha Parameswari ,
" Champakaasokha pumnaaga Sowgandhika Lasat
Kachaa" . That Naamam states that AmbhaaL's 
coiffure has the natural fragrance of the Champakaa,
Asokhaa and Pumnaagaa blossoms. Maha Lakshmi"s 
beautiful tresses reminding one of the bluish-black
color of the VaNdu and the exquisite  fragrance of Paarijathaa
and other four divine flowers that grow in the garden of Indra.
The link to Paarijaatha flower adorning MangaLa Kaisikhi"s 
coiffure is appropriate, since the Paarijaathaa tree 
came out of the Milky Ocean during the time of churning
of that Ocean for Nectar by the Lord . Indra took that tree
for his garden and later Krishna wrested from him in a
battle and planted it in Satyabhaamaa"s garden. It is indeed 
a Raaga of fragrant memory to invoke Maha Lakshmi.

SAAHITYA VAAKYAMS
************************

PALLAVI:            Sri Bhargavee Bhadram Meh Disathu
                             Sri Ranga Dhaameswari

ANUPALLAVI:    Sowbhaagya Lakshmi Satatam Maam Avathu
                             Sakala Loka Janani Vishnu Mohini 

CHARANAM :     Madana Guru Guha Maaninee Mama Manasi Thishtathu
                             Madhukara Vijaya MangaLa Kaisikhaa Nivasathu
                             Sadhana Madhyeh Maha Lakshmee Sadhaa Viharatu
                             Saamaja Hema Kumbha Snaapitaa Vijayathu
                             Padha Nayana Aanana Kara Nalinee 
                             Parama Purusha Pranayinee
                             Vadana Kamala Guru Guha Dharanee
                             Vara Nuta Ranganaatha RamaNee (Sri Bhargavee)

This Krithi is a wonderful and moving prayer to Sri Ranganayaki,
the empress of Srirangam. Dikshitar   recognizes Her as having
arisen in the Vamsam of Bhrugu Maharishi. Hence , he salutes Her
as Bhargavi. Bhrigu Maharishi is one of the ten patriarchs created by 
the first Manu according to Manu Smruthi. He is also considered 
as the direct son of Brahmaa and therefore a brother of Sivaa elsewhere..
In Archaavataarams , Maha Lakshmi is born as Ayonijaa
and is raised by Maharishis like Bhrigu . For Instance ,
 at Thiruvahindrapuram, she was born inside a golden lotus
(Hemaabhja Valli ) and was raised by Bhrugu Maharishi
and then given in marriage by him  to Sri Devanaathan
of that Kshetram  Hence, Maha Lakshmi has the name of
Bhargavi to reveal Her lineage.

Dikshitar prays in the Pallavi to Bhargavi and requests 
the boon of Auspicious happenings to him. He says:
May  the empress of Srirangam hailed as Bhargavi 
confer on me MangaLlams (Bhadram Meh Disathu).

In the Anupallavi Vakyams, He rcognizes Her as 
Sowbhagya Lakshmi ,  the mother of  all the 
worlds and Vishnu Mohini. The Lord took "Mohini"
rupam and enchanted the world . Maha Lakshmi
enchants even the Enchanter (Vishnu Mohini ). 
She is indeed the Madhava Manohari as Vishnu
Mohini. 

 In the Anupallavi, Dikshitar  prays also to Her 
Sowbhagya aspects this way :

"Sowbhagya Lakshmi Satatam Maam Avathu".
 
He asks for the permanent protection of 
Sowbhagya Lakshmi, who confers all blessings
and good fortune. His prayer is similar to 
Sri Prandara Dasa"s In Sri Ragam : "Bhagyata
Lkshmi Bhaarammaa , Nammama Nee 
SOWBHAGYATA LAKSHMI Bharammaa" .
Purandra Dasa also refers to the Vishnu Mohini
Concept in that song also, when he says: "AkkareyuLLa
Sri ALagiri Rangana Sokka  Purandara Vittalana 
RaaNi , -- Sowbhagya Lakshmi Bharammaa ". Her
Sowbhagyam is serving Her Lord as the Maha Pathivrathaa..
Purandara Dasa in his Thodi Raga Krithi reveals 
that sowbhagyatvam this way: 

"Yenu DhanyaLO , Lakumi ,Emtha MaanyaLO,
Saanuraagaadhimtha Hariya Taaneh ,seva MaaduthihaLu.
Sarvatrati Vyaaptha Naatha Sarva Dhosha Rahita Naatha
Sarva Vandhya Naatha Purandara Vitalneh Sarva Kaaladiseh
VisuvaLu ( Yenu DhanyaLO ) . Her Own Sowbhagyam 
gives Her the  power to confer Sowbhagyam to others
as Sowbhagya Lakshmi.

CHARANA VAAKHYAMS  WILL BE COVERED IN THE
NEXT POSTING.

V.Sadagopan