Swami Desikan"s Dhayaa Satakam: Part 2

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In the very first sloka ,Swami Desikan states

precisely his goal in composing this Grantham

and describes the object of his salutations this way:

 

PRAPATHYEH TAM GIRIM PRAAYA:

SRINIVAASAANUKAMPAYAA I

IKSHUSAARA SRAVANTHYEVA

YANMOORTHYAA SARKARAAYITAM II

 

Here he compares the Lord"s Dhayaa as

the sweet flowing river of Cane sugar juice,

which has solidified to become the mountain of

Thiruvenkatam. Swami States that he offers his

Prapatti to that mountain , which has become the

embodiment of the Lord"s Dhayaa .

 

The first theme covered by the first ten

slokas revolves around the fact that the

Lord of Thiruvenkatam (SravaNa Venkatesan )

is eminently suitable for worship and adoration.

The reason is that He is an ocean of Mercy (Dhayaa).

He serves as the treasure for those , who have no

riches to speak of . He is the field out of which grows the

four fruits of human life (Purushaarthams). That concept of

blemish-free mercy makes Him the supreme object of

contemplation and worship as described below:

 

AKINCHANA NIDHIM SOOTHIMAPAVARGHA TRIVARGAYOH :

ANJANAADHRI ISWARA ABHISHTOWMI NIRANJANAAM

 

The above sloka is the last of the first group of ten.

In earlier verses, Swami desikan offers his salutations

to Guru Paramparaa and Azhwaars. In the beautiful

second verse , he says:

 

vigaahe teertha bhauLaam seethaLAm guru Santathim I

Srinivasa Dhayaambhodhi pareevaha paramparaam II

 

The key words are: SeethaLAm Guru santathim

Srinivasa Dhayaambhodhi Pareevaha Paramparaam

Vigaahe . He says that he immerses in the cool waters

of the flowing stream of Guru Parampara that

originated from the ocean of Mercy known as Srinivasa.

 

The SECOND essential theme of Dhayaa sathakam is that

Sri Venkateswara is eminently enjoyable in terms of

Bhagavat Anubhavam .This theme is met in Sloka 19 :

 

ROOTAA VRUSHACHALA PATEH:

PAADEH MUKA KANTHI PATRALACCHAAYAA

KARUNEH SUKAYASI VINATAAN

KATAKSHA VITAPAI: KARAAPACHEYA PALAI:

 

Here, Swami desikan says that Dhayaa Devi is standing

tall in Thirumalai representing the merciful aspect of

Sri Venkateswara. She grows at the feet of the Lord of Venkatam

and serves as His kalpaka tree that fulfills the wishes of those

who pray to Him. His cool glances at the sight of His devotees

cause the tree of Dhayaa Devi to send out tender shoots and

ripe tasty fruits. Those, who worship at the sannidhi of

Sri Venkateswara become beneficiaries of His Dhaya and enjoy

the fruits of that Kalpaka tree. Hence, Swami Desikan

says that the Karunaa Katakshams of the Lord of Thiruvenkatam

yield indescribable riches to the devotees . .

His Dhaya makes Him eminently enjoyable ..

 

The THIRD essential theme of Dhayaa Satakam is that

He has the most beautiful Divya Mangala Vigraham and

to feast on Him with our eyes is equivalent to tasting the

divine nectar. The sloka corresponding to this theme is

as follows:

 

KALASODHODHITI SAMPADHO BHAVATHYAA:

KARUNEH SANMATHI MANTHA SAMSKRUTHAAYAA :

AMRUTAAMSA MAVAIMI DIVYA DEHAM

MRUTHA SANJEEVANAM ANJANAACHALA INDOH :

 

Here, Swami Desikan says that the churning of the Ocean of

Dhaya of Sri Venkatesa yields the nectar, which is the divine

and auspicious vigraham of Srinivasan. That Vigraham

made entirely of Suddha Satvam is standing on top of

Thirumalai. This most beautiful Archaa Vigraham removes

the fear of Yama to Prapannaas and gurantees them

the fruits of Moksham.Such is the power of this auspicious

and beautiful Archaa Murthy of the seven hills.

 

The FOURTH essential theme of Dhayaa satakam is that

the Sri Venkatesa concept is the most delectable experience

to enjoy among all delectable experiences that the human

beings can hope to enjoy . His blue effulgence radiating from

the top of Thirumala hills and its sacred associations provide

the richest item for the enjoyment of the chetanas . Here, the

divya Mangala Vigraham is not the object of reference , but the

holiness of the Venkateswara Tattwam , which is the highest

concept that Vedas can proclaim. The sloka corresponding to

this theme is as follows:

 

PARIMITA PALASANGHAATH PRAANINA: KIMPACHAANAA:

NIGAMA VIPANI MADHYEH NITYA MUKTAANUSHAKTHAM

PRASADANAMANUKAMPEH PRAAPTAVATYAA BHAVATYAA

VRUSHAGIRI HARINEELAM VYANJITHAM NIRVASANTHI

 

The FIFTH central theme is about the blessings that one

accrues form the Kataksham of Srinivasan of Thirumalai.

Swami Desikan says that the auspiciousness of that glance

can result in freedom from the three debts that human beings

are subject to in this world. These three debts are to Devas, Rishis

and one's ancestors(Pithrus). Normally, one gets rid of these

debts with great diffculty. The debt to the Devas is normally

discharged thru the performance of Yagaas and the offering of

Havis. The debt to Rishis is discharged through Veda Adhyayanam.

The debt to the Pithrus is discharged thru progeny. These three

debts are instantaneously discharged by the mere glance of

Sri Venkatesa resting for a moment on the Prapanna. The blessings

arising form that merciful glance not only makes the Prapanna

free from these three debts, but it also results in obtaining the

boon of Moksham thru the Devayana path at the time of leaving this

earth. Prior to that, the glances of Sri Venkatesa confer immense

wealth in this universe. The sloka containing these thoughts is the

fourty ninth verse of Dhayaa Satakam :

 

SREYA: SOOTHIM SAKRUTAPI DHAYEH

SAMMATHAAM YA: SAKEEM TEH

SEETHODHAARAA MALAPADHA JANA:

SRINIVAASASYA dHRUSHTIM I

DEVAADHEENAA MAYA MANRUNUTHAAM

DEHAVATTVEAPI VINDHAN

BHANDHAAN MUKTHO BALIBHIRANAGAI:

POORYATEH TATPRAYUKTHAI: II