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Padhuka Sahasram-A Few More Reflections

From the Bhakti List Archives

rangaswamy_m • November 15, 2001 


Sri:

SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,

Dear Bhaktas,

Adiyen wishes to share a few additional reflections on verses 461-469 
of the Padhuka Sahasram. Indeed these shlokams succinctly describe 
the elevated role of the Padhukas in unfailingly granting refuge to a 
Mumukshu (one desirous of attaining Moksham) and highlighting the 
doctrine of SharaNagati-fundamental to Bhagavad Ramanuja Darshanam in 
a most illuminating manner. 

Specifically, verse 461 conveys with consummate effect the message of 
the Upanishads that upon gaining Moksham as a result of Narayana 
sAyujyam (Unconditional, total surrender to the Lotus Feet of Lord 
Narayana) one begets a form similar to Lord Narayana (sArUpyam), one 
attains eternal residence in the Vishnu Lokam (sAlOkyam), and one 
remains extremely near to the Lord (sAmIpyam). The bliss of attaining 
Moksham is described by the Taittriya Upanishad salutation "sa yEkO 
brahmaNa Ananda:" and the VishNu Sooktam salutation "Tadh VishNO: 
Paramam Padagam sadhA pashyanthi sUraya:" The Nadam arising from 
Mukta jivans, who arrive at Sri Vaikuntam is described by the 
Taittriya Upanishad salutation "ahamannAdhO". The Vedic salutations 
are mirrored brilliantly by Swami NammAzhwar in his 1296 pasurams. 

Furthermore, the Padhukas denote Satari Soori, who constantly adorns 
the feet of Lord Narayana. In the samAkhya Paddhati of the Padhuka 
Sahasram, Swami Desikan established the equivalence between Swami 
NammAzhwar and Satari Soori. Consequently, Swami Desikan uses the 
Padhuka Nadam to denote both the musical sounds produced by Satari 
Soori as well as the Pasurams of Swami NammAzhwar.  To understand 
this further, it may be borne in mind that the Padhukas alone enjoy 
uninterrupted contact with the Feet of Lord Narayana. As Vamana, the 
Lord's Feet were small and thus the Padhukas had a shape that exactly 
fit the small Feet. However, as Trivikrama, the Lord's Feet grew to 
gigantic proportions.  This was matched by a  corresponding growth of 
the Padhukas to exactly fit the Lord's Feet.  This illustrates the 
Vishnu Sooktam Rk "urukramasya sahi bandhurittA:"

Verse 462 points out that various self-styled experts advocate paths 
for Moksham according to their own whims and fancies. As a result, 
suffering jivans are greatly confused by these theories. However, all 
of them are flawed and the only simple route to Moksham is through 
the path demonstrated by the Padhukas (Swami NammAzhwar-Prapanna Jana 
Kootasthar), i.e., unconditional total surrender to the Lotus Feet of 
Lord Narayana. This verse highlights the famous Tiruvaimozhi 
salutation "un adi keezh amarndhu pughuzhndEnE" through which Swami 
NammAzhwar performed SharaNagati at the Lotus Feet of Lord Srinivasa 
standing majestically atop the Venkatachalam Hill. This is an 
important salutation in that it powerfully highlights the fact the 
Lord's Lotus Feet are both the means as well as the end. Furthermore, 
the outpouring of Swami NammAzhwar, while performing SharaNagati at 
the Feet of Lord Srinivasa contains the essence of Gayathri Saman. 
The uniqueness of Sama Vedam is that it extols Lord Narayana to the 
exclusion of all else. Gayathri Saman is an exclusive glorification 
of the Lotus Feet of Lord Narayana. Specifically the salutation "un 
adi keezh.." mirrors the Gayathri Saman salutation "purushA:".  A 
finally point of note is that the mellifluous sound of the Padhukas 
drowns the din of the flawed theories of self-styled experts. This 
refers to the fact that the outpourings of Swami NammAzhwar 
successfully conquered the theories put forth by Jains, Buddhists et. 
al. 

To be continued 

Namo Narayana,

SriMuralidhara Dasan






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