DIKSHITAR"S KRITHIS ON MAHA LAKSHMI-- PART 6

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The sixth Krithi of Dikshithar on Maha Lakshmi is set

in Ragam Sowraashtram , which is a Janya Ragam of

Surya Kaantham, the 17th Suddha Madhyama Mela Ragam .

The other two Sowrasshtra raga Krithis of Dikshitar are:

 

1. Navagraha Krithi : Surya Murtheh

2.Gokarneswara Paahi Maam

 

The Sahitya Vakhyams for this Maha Lakshmi

Samashti Krithi are:

 

Pallavi: Vara Lakshmeem Bhajareh Maanasa

Vaanchitaartha Pala Pradhamm

Varadhaam Vanaja Padhaam

 

Charanam: Charaacharathmaka Prapancha Jananeem

Sowrashtraa Deasapathinuta Tanineem

Niraamaya Maha Vishnu Maanineem

Niranjaneem Nikhila Agha Panjaneem

Suraarchita Padhaambhuja Vikaasinineem

Niralambha Maanasollasineem

Muraari Vakshasthala Nivaasineem

Puraari Guru Guha Chith Vilaasineem(Vara Lakshmeem )

 

In this samashti Krithi, Charanam has eight lines and the

whole Krithi is set in simple Sanskrit words.

 

In the Pallavi, Dikshitar asks his mind to eulogize and pray to

Sri Vara Lakshmi, who unfailingly grants all the boons that he

sought .

 

In Charanam , He placed the Raga Mudraa in the second line

( Sowrashtra Desa Pathi Nuta Tanineem ) . He points out that

She is the one, who is celebrated by the king of Sowrashtra

Desam. He points out two more aspects of Her glory through

the Namaskaarams (Murari Vaksha Sthala Nivaasineem and

Niraamaya Maha Vishnu Pathnee) , which recognize Her as

being resident in the Chest of the Lord and the consort of

Maha Vishnu free of all blemishes.

 

Through the Namaskaarams, Suraarchita Padhaambhuja Vikaasineem

and Puraari Guru Guha Chith Vilasineem , Dikshitar explains that

She has the Lotus feet adored by the DEvaas and that She is the

one, who makes the minds of Murughan and Tripura Samhaaran

Joyous .

 

Through the rest of the Charana Vaakhyams, Charaachara

Aatmaka Prapancha Jananeem , Niranjaneem Nikhila Agha

Bhanjanem and Niralambhamaanasollaasineem , Dikshitar

follows the describtion of Her Ananta Kalyana Gunaas

outlined in Sri Suktham and other sources . Sri Suktham

salutes Her as " Iswareem Sarva Bhoothaanaam ". Dikshitar

echoes this thought thru thesalutation, " Charaachara Aatmaka

Prapancha Jananeem".

 

Sri Lakshmi Sahasra Naamam praises Her as" PuNya Sri ,

PuNya Nilayaa "

 

.. Sri Lakshmi Ashtottram salutes Her as ,

" Sarva Isvaryakaram PuNyam

SARVA PAAPA PRANAASANAM".

 

Dikshitar offers his worship to this PuNya Sri ,

who destroys all Paapaas as " Niranjaneem,

Nikhila Agha Bhanjanam ". He praises Maha

Lakshmi as the PuNya SvarupiNi , who banishes all

Agham(Sins). The Veda Uses four terms for Sins of

different kinds . These are Paapa, Amhas, Enas and Agham.

Papa is the sin of the mind,. Since our mind is the source of the

four kinds of Sins , Atharva vedam asks , "O sins of the Mind,

Go Away from Us( ParOpEhi Manaspaapa: AV --VI 23) .

Dikshitar reveals to us here that the Supreme Mother

revered as Niranjanee by Her Sahasra Naamam

(Ekasvarupaa Trividhaa Sankhyaathita NIRANJANAA)

is "Nikhila Agha Bhanjani" , the remover of every kind of Sins

arising from the mind, body or speech.

 

In the final salutation, Dikshitar describes Her

relatonship to the righteous ones(Saadhus).

He says: " Niraalambha MaanasOllasineem

Vara Lakshmeem Bhjareh Maanasa".

 

He points out that She enters the minds of

the righteous devotees of Hers and gives them

the boons of eternal bliss . Aalambhanam is

the mental exercise of a Yogi in endeavouring to

bring before his thoughts the gross form (Sthula)

form (Sareeram ) of the eternal. Niraalambhanam

is one step beyond, when the Sukshma (Subtle )

form of the deity that is being worshipped is

retained in the mind of the Yogi or Saadhu.

Niraalambhana Samadhi can be equated to

Nirvikalpa Samaadhi. Dikshitar says that

Maha Lakshmi enters the mind of the Saadhus

and helps them to obtain the eternal bliss arising

from Nirvikalpa Samaadhi through the prayer,

" Niraalambha MaanasOllasineem, Vara Lakshmeem

Bhajare ".

 

Sri Parasara Bhattar's Guna Ratna Kosam (verse 12)

refers to the above boon of Vara Lakshmi for

the Yogis:

 

MANASI VILASATAAKSHANAA

BHAKTHI SUIDDHANJANENA

SRUTHI SIRASI NIGUTAM

LAKSHMITEH VEEKSHAMAANAA: I

NIDHIMIVA MAHIMAANAM

BHUNJATEH YEPI DHANYAA

NANU BHAGAVATHI DAIVEEM

SAMPADHAM TEH ABHIJAATAA: II

 

Paraasara Bhattar says: "O Bhagavathi!

With the revelatory lotion (Anjanam) of Bhakthi,

the pure ones identify the glory of Yours, which

is hidden inside the Vedas. They treasure

that in their mind's eye and feast on it and

sanctify themselves.

 

In the next posting , I will focus on the last

of the Dikshitar"s Krithis on Maha Lakshmi set

in the most auspicious SRI Ragam.

 

Srirangaraja Mahishee Saa Mamapi

Veekshathaam LAKSHMI: (Sri Kuraathaazhwaan)

 

Oppilaippan Koil Varadachari Sadagopan