Dikshitar"s Maha Lakshmi Krithis--Part 4.3

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Rest Of the Charana Vaakyams:

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Maha Lakshmi is saluted as " SAMASTHA DEVA

SAMSEVYAM ANIMAADHYASHTA SIDDHITAM " .

Dikshitar saluted Her in this vein as " Bharathi

Rathee Sasee Pujiteh, Vaarijaasanaadhya Amara Vandhiteh,

Naradhaadhi Muni Brundha Nanditeh ". Here, Dikshitar

refers to Maha Lakshmi Being worshipped by

Her daughter In Law, Rathi Devi , Sarswati (Bharathi )

and Indra's wife (Sasi Devi ). The worships by Devendra ,

the other Devaas and groups of Rishis headed by

Narada is referred to next.

 

When She is seated in Her Mantra Peetam known as

ChintamaNi Graham, all of the above DEvas, their consorts

and the band of Rishis offer their homages to Her.

 

In the rest of the charana Namaskaarams, Dikshitar praises Her

Anantha Kalyana Gunams. She is hailed as " Padma Priyaam

Padma Hasthaam Padmaaksheem Padma Sundareem

Padmodhbhavaam Padma Mukhim Padma Naabha Priyaam

Ramaam ". Her affilation and attachment to the Lotus flower

is indicated here. Through the group of words, " Kshithisaadhi

Mahiteh , Bhakthi Yukthi Maanasa Viraajiteh , Neerajanasteh,

Sumanasasteh, Saarasa Hasteh" Dikshitar offers his unceasing

reverence (Sadhaa Namasteh ). Here Saarasa Hasteh refers to

Her hands that are soft and beautiful like a lotus flower.Saarasa

has the meaning of Lotus . This Namaskaaram can also

be intrepreted as the Divine one holding lotus in Her Hands.

 

That She is the Empress, who rules over the kings of the Earth

is indicated by the salutation " Kshithisaadhi Mahiteh ". That She is

the illuminating , sacred principle in the Bhakthi-laden hearts of

Her devotees is alluded to in the salutation ," Bhakthi Yukthi

Maanasa Virajiteh ". These devotees are waving camphor

and Mangala Deepams in front of Her (Neerajanam). She is seated

on Her Lotus and receives those upachaarams is one intrpretation.

In the other intrepretation, reference is to the Vedic ceremony

(Neerajanam ) conducted by the kings of the earth (Kshtheesaas)

in the month of Asvina . They consecrate their weapons and tools

of war to honor their Kshatriya Dharma .She receives these

worships as the Empress of the kings of the earth .

 

The last of the salutations of this Krithi is Sumanasasteh.

.. As Karunaa Rasa Lahari, Her mind is overflowing

with compassionate thoughts about ways of protecting Her children from their

trespasses from Sastric injunctions. She pleads with Her Lord to

overlook those trespasses , when He gets angry at them. She with Her

Sumanas gives the boons of Unimaginable wealth , Jnanam and

MOksham through Her intercession. This is why Swami Desikan

poses a rhetorical Question : SEVAAPEKSHAA TAVA CHARANAYOH :

SREYASEH KASYA NA: SYAATH? " He asks: Why would not all

auspiciousness befall on one, who wishes to offer Kaimkaryam

to You? Even the thought of doing Kaimkaryam would be sufficient,

since You are a Sumansasthaa says Swami Desikan . Because of Her

Sumanas , She causes rows and rows of blessings and boons to

those , who worship Her. Swami Desikan lists some of these boons

resulting from Her Sumanas:

 

SAMPADHYANTEH BHAVA BHAYA TAMEE

BHANAVA: TVATH PRASAADHAATH

BHAVAA : SARVEH BHAGAVATHI

HAROU BHAKTHIM UDHVELAYANTHA: I

YAACHEH KIM TVAAM AHAMIHA

YATA: SEETHOH UDHAARA SEELAA

BHUYOH BHUYOH DISASI MAHATAAM

MANGALAANAAM PRABHANDHAAN II -- SRI STHUTHI , VERSE 22

 

Swami Desikan salutes Her Sumanas this way in the above verse:

 

O Bhagavathi ( Piratti with limitless auspicious attributes) , Thanks to

Your Sumanas, the fear from the dark Samsaric night is banished as

though that darkness is driven away by many bright suns . The states

of the minds of Your devotees converge thereafter on Your Lord and

enhance their Bhakthi Bhavam. What can I really ask of You?

I hesitate to ask , since, You out of Your Sumanas anticipate my

wishes and repeatedly shower me with your multifold blessings.

 

AMBHA! VISHNU KAANTEH! KAMALA NILAYEH !

MAADHAVA MANOHARI! KARUNAA LAHARI !

SARASIJA MAYA BHADRA PEETEH NISHANNAA !

MUKUNDHA VALLABEH! MAANATITHA PRATHITA VIBHAVEH !

SARVAN LOKAAN TAVA KARUNAYAA PAAHI, .

 

Oppiliappan Koil Varadachari Sadagopan

 

I will follow the thoughts of Dikshitar's krithi on

Maha Lakshmi in the Ragam Mangal Kaisikhi next.