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Challenge 3.07. "WILL YOU PREVARICATE?

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Ramanbil • October 17, 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 3.07. "WILL YOU PREVARICATE?
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sakrut prapadhana spusAm abhayadhAna nitya vrathee
na cha dvirabhi bhAshasE tvam ithi visrutha: svOkthitha: /
yathOktha karaNam vidhus thava thu yAthudhAnAdhaya:
katham vithathamasthu tath krupaNa sArva bhoumE mayi //
(Abheethi Sthavam SlOkam 15)

Meaning
"'Oh! RanganAtha!
Let me remind you what you promised as Sri Rama; You are renowned for your 
*voluntary declaration* made in *your own words* (visruthah svOkthi:) that it 
is your *solemn vow* to confer fearlessness (abhayam) to anyone surrendering 
to you *even once* (sakrut) and that you claimed as *not given to double 
talk* and pledged never to be equivocal in this promise (na dvirabhi 
bhAshasE).  

This fact is known to the entire world including the rAkshasa clans. How can 
you falsify your own promise in my case alone? 

If you do this, you will be rendering your own commitment meaningless because 
I have already surrendered myself at your feet as a destitute and therefore, 
rightfully entitled to your protection. 

Now, think of what will happen if you prevaricate now!

now!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comment:

This SlOka is considered to be central to the entire StOtra. SwAmi turns the 
tables against the Lord by quoting the Lord's own words in Srimad RAmAyaNa in 
what they call 'right from the horse's mouth'- A forceful argument and 
impassioned plea - too difficult for the Lord Himself to dispute!

Alavandar also corners the Lord like this in SlOka 64 of his StOtra Ratna 
when he asks- "madEka varjam kim idham vratham thE" meaning "What kind of 
promise is this if you are going to break it in my case alone?

Cf also VaradarAja PanchAsat SlOkam 44 where SwAmi makes a similar 
observation.
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(To Continue) 
Challenge 3.08. "YOU CAN ACCEPT EVEN AN ENEMY BUT NOT ME?"
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