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Challenge 3.25: "MY WEAPON IS MORE POWERFUL THAN YOUR'S"

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Ramanbil • November 5, 1999 


SwAmi VEdAnta DEsika's "NaichyAnusanthAnam" and 
"SAtvika AhamkAram "
(As gleaned from his StOtras.) - 
Part 3 - SWAMI CHALLENGES!
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Dear Bhagavatas
Kindly refer to "Part 3 - SWAMI CHALLENGES! An Introductory Note" - 
posted on 10th October 99. I am leaving out this to avoid repetition. 
You may read that to appreciate this posting in the proper perspective. 
Dasoham
Anbil Ramaswamy
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Challenge 3.25: "MY WEAPON IS MORE POWERFUL THAN YOUR'S"
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Hastheesa! duhka visha dighda phalAnubhandhini
Aaabrahma keeTamparAhatha samprayOgE /
dushkarma sanchaya vasAth duradhikramE nah:
pratyastram anjalir asou thava nigraha astrE //
(VaradarAja PanchAsat SlOkam 30)

Meaning

"Oh1 Varada!

Kings in this world used to dip the tip of their arrows in poison and aim at 
their enemies in the battlefront.

Like this, you are dipping the tip of your arrows in the poison of 
"nigraha sankalpa"  (duhka visha dighda) and aiming at us for our sins. 

No doubt, you torment us in the process. 
No doubt, it causes immense pain to us.
No doubt also, that none can escape your aim right from the fourfaced Brahma 
to the lowliest worm. (Aabrahma keeTamparAhatha)

This being so, how poor mortals like me weighed down with enormous sins can 
stop it? (Dushkarma sanchaya vasAth duradhikramE nah:)

But, hark! 

We have something really stronger than your most potent weapon of 
"nigraha sankalpa" capable of rendering it ineffective. You know what?

It is a weapon called "Anjali mudra" - 

At the mere sight of our folding our palms in prayer with absolute  faith and 
devotion, your "nigraha sankalpa" will beat a strategic retreat and then your 
"Anugraha sankalpa" will take over and operate to take us right up to 
Moksham" 
(Pratyastram anjalir asou thava nigraha astrE)

Comment

The efficacy of "Anjali Mudra" is brought out clearly in SwAmi's "Abhaya 
PradhAna SAram" and in "Anjali Vaibhavam". 

"Anjali" does not mean merely the physical and mechanical bringing together 
of the palms. This part is only an external demonstration of an inner emotion 
- charged, unconditional, prayerful submission to the Lord.

Anjali in Srimad RAmAyaNa

In Srimad RamAyaNa, when Sugriva MahArAja did not turn up on time, RAma sends 
word through ElayAzhwAr that " the route taken by Vali was still open". 
AnjanEya advises Sugriva to face LakshmaNA with an "Anjali" and apologize (in 
the spirit mentioned above) and Sugriva did as advised. LakshmaNA, on seeing 
this, in his turn, apologized to Sugriva saying that it was due to distress 
that RAma had sent the message. 

This not only proves the efficacy of "Anjali" but also another subtle point 
viz., *that when a BhAgavata is offended, pardon must be sought from that 
BhAgavata himself*.

Anjali in Srimad MahAbhArata

During the course of the war, Bhagadatta, a grand old warrior on the Kaurava 
side aimed the most powerful "VaishNava Astra" against Arjuna, Lord KrishNa 
advised the stupefied Arjuna to fold his palms in prayer to the Astram. When 
Arjuna did this "Anjali" (in the spirit mentioned above), the Astram set 
aside its ferocity and safely lodged itself on the chest of Lord KrishNa. 

When Arjuna asked the Lord why he intervened, the Lord replied that the 
"VaishNavAstram" was His very own property and so He took possession of the 
same and that if Arjuna had not done that "Anjali", it would have meant his 
end.

SwAmi seems to have all these in mind when he mentions the power of "Anjali" 
versus the power of "Nigraha Sankalpa" of the Lord.

Here is the message for us. 

If we do this "Anjali" (in the spirit mentioned above) which in other words 
means performing SaraNAgathi, we need not be afraid of even Lord's "Nigraha 
Sankalpam" because, it would have been already overtaken by Lord's "Anugraha 
Sankalpam"! 

What a comforting  reassurance for us, poor souls!
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To Conclude: Challenge 3.26: 
"DON'T MISS THIS CHANCE OF EARNING THE KATAKSHAM OF THE DIVINE MOTHER!"
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Note: The series on "sAtvika ahamkAra" will follow
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