Sri kOmaLa dhandakam - part 1 - Introduction

From the Bhakti List Archives

• May 17, 1999


Sri:

SrimatE Gopala Desika MahadesikAya Namaha,

Dear Bhaktas,

It is a pleasure and a great honor to write at the behest of Sriman Sampath 
Rengarajan Swamin for the delightful Kaimkaryam undertaken by the devotees 
and Temple authorities of Sri Aravamudan. Sri Komalavalli Thayar is the 
blessed consort of the Lord who holds the Saranga bow. Maha Vidwan U.Ve. Sri 
K.V. Sanatanagopalachariar Swamin has blessed us with a rare and marvelous 
Sri Sookti, the Komala Dandakam,  in praise of Thayar at this Kshetram. Each 
time Adiyen recalls the blissful rendition of the Komala Dandakam by Sri 
Santanagopalachariar Swamin, it only sends Adiyen into raptures of 
ecstasy-Appadaikappodai Anubhavikkum Anandam. The Komala Dandakam is in 
Gadyam
form. This form of salutation is unique to the Sri Vaishnava tradition, in 
which long chains of adjectives and epithets are interspersed with shorter 
strings to create a mesmerizing effect on the Upasakar as well as the 
Rasika. Gadyam when rendered with carefully chosen stopping points creates a 
lilting effect on
the ear. Needless to say, Sri Santanagopalachariar SwaminÂ’s rendition of the 
Komala Dandakam is truly a masterpiece in this respect.

In this wonderful Sri Sookti, Sri Santanagopalachariar describes, the
auspicious attributes of Komalavalli Thayar. The six aspects associated with 
Sri are brought out with consummate
effect. The Komala Dandakam refers to the fact that the birth of Thayar was 
through Avirbhava and not through Garbhavasam. Next, her role as the consort 
of Sri Sarangapani Perumal is presented. Her merciful nature towards the 
LordÂ’s devotees is glorified in great detail. ThayarÂ’s mercy is compared to 
wish fulfilling
cow-Surabhi (Kamadhenu). Her role in granting refuge to Prapannas is
extolled in glowing terms. Several connections to Swami DesikanÂ’s Sri Stuthi 
tributes are in evidence in this wonderful Gadya Stuthi.

Adiyen is in a rush to catch a flight to India at this time. Therefore, the 
detailed summary of this Sri Sookti will be continued in one or more posts 
upon AdiyenÂ’s return from India. It is AdiyenÂ’s
request that Bhagavatas donate generously to the Sarangapani Temple
Kaimkaryam.

Jaya DugdhAbi TanayE  Jaya Saranga Dhana PriyE Jaya KaruNya SuraBhE Jaya 
LavaNya VariDhe

Komalavalli Thayar Sametha Sri Sarangapani Perumal TiruvadigalE SharaNam,

Namo Narayana,

Muralidhar Rangaswamy



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