Maha Lakshmi Krithis of Dikshitar--Part 5.2

From the Bhakti List Archives

• May 11, 1996


Mangala Kaisikhi Krithi Charanam
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Here, Dikshitar invokes (Aavahanam ) Maha Lakshmi
and prays for Her to reside in his mind always
(Mama Manasi Thishtathu). He prays for Her to 
play in the middle of the mansion of his mind
(Sadhana Madhyeh Maha Lakshmi Sadhaa Viharatu ).  
He sings PallaNdu to Her, when he says: " Saamaja 
Hema Kumbha Snaapitaa VIjayathu ". 

The reason for Dikshitar"s prayer for Her residence 
in his mind was his recognition of Her power as 
"Vimukthi Pala Dhaayini " as revealed in the Sri Sthuthi
section of Vishnu PuraaNam :

YAJNA VIDHYAA MAHAA VIDHYAA 
GUHYA VIDHYAA CHA SOBHANEH I
AATMA VIDHYAA CHA DEVI TVAM
VIMUKTHI PALA DHAAYINI II

Dikshitar requests the Mangala Kaisikhaa
SvarupiNi , who was bathed by the sacred 
waters held in the golden pots held by the 
elephants of the quarters to confer blessings 
on him in the spirit of Adi Sankara"s Prayer
in one of the verses of Kanaka Dhaaraa 
Stotram:

MAATHUSSAMASTHA  JAGATHAAM MAHANEEYA MOORTHI :
BHADRANI MEH DISATHU BHARGAVA NANDANAAYAA : II
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The pallavi Vakhyams serve as a  refrain and contain 
the reference to Adi Sankara"s prayer quoted above.

Dikshitar saluted Her as Parama Purusha Hari Pranayini
in Charanam  and celebrated Her Sowndharyam with 
the eulogy : " Padha Nayana Aanana Kara  NaLinee" 
Her NaLina Kaanthi is present in every limb of Her
from Her Saroja KomaLa Padam  to Her Eyes, Face, Hands 
to testify to Her Sarvaanga Sowndharyam. He salutes Her 
as Ranganatha RamaNee and states that She is the Aadhaara 
Sakthi for Her Nephew, Guhan (Guru Guha Dharanee). 
She is the one Known as the celebrated  Vara Lakshmi
(Vara Nuta Sowbhaagya Lakshmi ). He prays to the 
consort of the father of Manmathaa and begs Her to 
take residence in his mind permanently 
and to sanctify his mind by making it Her Aalayam.

I will conclude this posting with the last verse of 
Parasara Bhatta"s Guna Ratna Kosam , which is
one of the most beautiful sthuthis of Sriranga Nayaki:

SRIRANGEH SARADHA: SADHAM SAHA 
SUHRUDHVARGHENA NISHKASHTAKAM
NIRDU: KKAM SUSUKHAM CHA
DAASYA RASIKAAM BHUKTHVAA  SAMRUDDHIM PARAAM I
YUSHMATH PAADHA SARORUHAANTHARARAJA:
SYAAMA TVAM AMBHAA PITAA
SARVAM DHARMAMAPI TVAMEVA BHAVA 
NA: SVIKURVAKASMAATH KRUPAAM II

TAAM DEVADEVA MAHISHEEM SRIYAMAASRAYAAMA:

OPPILIAPPAN KOIL  VARADACHARI  SADAGOPAN