Dikshitar"s Maha Lakshmi Krithis--4.1

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The fourth of the seven Krithis composed by

Dikshitar is in ragam Madhava Manohari, a Janya

ragam of the Melam Hari Hara Priyaa (Karaharapriyaa).

 

The name of this rakthi ragam itself has sacred

connotations . It is a feminine raga devatha symbloising

the Mangala Devathaa , who charmed the mind of Maadhavaa.

It is instructive to understand the significance of

the name Maadhavaa, so that one can understand the power of the

Lady, who stole the mind of Maadhavaa .

 

The name Maadhavaa is the 169th Sahasra Namam of

Vishnu. There are two explanations for this name. First,

Niruktham says: " He is Maadhava since He propounds

the true knowledge about Himself as the supreme being .

The knowledge of Hari is called "Maa" .Thou art the master of

that knowledge. Therefore Thou art known as Maadhavaa .

"Dhavah " means Lord. The second explanation is given in

Maha Bharata to Arjyna: " O Bharata! Know that He is called

Maadhavaa since He is endowed with Mauna (Maa), Dhyanaa

(Dha) and Yoga (Va). He is thus the embodiment of Silence,

meditation and practice (Maadhavan ). Maha Lakshmi ,who

allures the Lord Maadhavaa"s mind (Manohari ) is hence

known as Maadhava Manohari. There are no other krithis

known in this ragaa. Dikshitar chose an appropriate Ragam

with such powerful meaning for saluting Mahaa Lakshmi..

 

The Sahitya Vaakyams of this rare Krithi are:

 

Pallavi : Mahaa Lakshmi Karunaaa Rasa Lhari

Maamava Madhava Manohari , Sri

 

Anupallavi: Mahaa Vishnu Vakshasthalavaasini

Mahaadeva Guru Guha Viswaasini

Maha Paapa Prasamani ManonmaNi

Maara Janani Mangala Pradhaayini

 

Charanam: Ksheera Saagara Sudeh Veda Nuteh

Kshitheesaadhi Mahiteh siva Sahiteh

Bharathi Rathee Sasee pujiteh

Bhakti Yukta Maanasa Viraajiteh

Vaarijaasanaathyamara Vanditeh

Neerajaasanasteh sumansasteh

Saarasa hasteh sadhaa Namasteh

 

In the Pallavi, Dikshitar placed the Raga Mudraa .

Then he recognized Her as KaruNaa Rasa Lahari.

As the divine Mother of All, Her compassion is

boundless .She intercedes in Her Purushakaara role

with Her Lord so that all of our trespasses can be

forgiven . Dikshitar visualizes Her as the Ocean with

rolling waves of Compassion. He begs for Her Karunaa

Kataksham. Dikshitar's appeal to the compassionate

aspect of Mahaa Lakshmi reminds one of the famous

slokam of Swami Desikan:

 

SAANUPRAASA PRAKATITHA DHAYAI :

SAANDRA VAATSALYA DIGDHAI :

AMBHA SNIGDHAI: AMRUTALAHAREE

LABDHA SABRAHMACHARYAI : I

KARMEH TAAPATRAYA VIRACHITEH

GAATA TAPTHAM KSHANAM MAAM

AAKINCHINYAGLAPHITAMANAGAI:

AARDHRAYETHAA: KATAKSHAI : II

 

Swami Desikan refers to Amrutha Lahari ,

when he thinks of the power of Her Kataksha

Mahima. The most merciful waves emanating

from those glances rejuvenate one and cause

immortality . Swami Desikan prayed for relief

from the scorching afflictions of three kinds

(viz)., Aadayaatmikam, Aadhi Daivikam and

Aadhi Bowdhikam . For Swami Desikan ,

Her glances were like waves of Nectar, most

friendly (Snigdhai:) and destroyers of sins . He

prays for Her to cool him from the sufferings

caused by the three Taapas. In this spirit ,

Dikshitar hailed Her as Karunaa Lahari and

asks Her to protect him (Maamava Karunaa Lahari ).

 

ANUPALLAVI VAAKYAS: