Sri Raamaashtakam -- Part 4 :Second Krithi

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OCTOBER 19, 96-- SEVENTH DAY OF NAVARATHRI

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In a brilliant piece set in Raga Naarayana Gowlai

and TaaLam Aadhi, Dikshitar has a SampoorNa

Ramaayana Krithi . He salutes the various incidents

described by Srimad RamaayaNam from the birth of

Rama to the destruction of RavaNaa.

 

The svarupam of this ragam associatied with the

sacred namam of Sriman NarayaNaa is not much in vogue today

in concerts due to the ascendance of ragas Kedara Gowlai and

Surutti. Dikshithar however made sure that the true from of

this sacred Raga is captured in this Krithi .

 

PALLAVI : SRI RAMAM RAVIKULAABDHI SOMAM

SRITHAKALPA BHUROOHAM BAJEHAM

 

ANUPALLAVI : DHEERAAGRAGANYAM VARENYAM

DHEENA JANAADHAARAM RAGHUVEERAM

NARADHAATHI SANNUDHA RAAMAYANA

PAARAYANA MUDHITHA NAARAAYANAM (SRI RAMAM )

 

CHARANAM : DASRATHAATHMAJAM LAKSHMANAAGRAJAM

DHANAVA KULA BHEEKARAM SRIKARAM

KUSA LAVA THAATHAM SITOHBHEDHAM

KUVALAYA NAYANAM SUDHARBHA SAYANAM

SUSARA CHAPA PAANIM SUDHIMANIM

SUNRUTHA BHASHAM GURUGUHA THOSHAM

DASA VADHANA BHANJANAM NIRANJANAM

DHAANA NIDHIM DAYAA RASA JALA NIDHIM (SRI RAMAM )

 

(Meaning ) : May I have blessings of meditaing on Sri Rama

of limitless auspicious qualities and subha Charitam ! He is

the moon that causes the tides of Surya Kulam to rise with

Joy . He is like a kalpaka tree to his devotees in his boon-granting

power. He is the first among the valorous ones ! He is the

anaatha Rakshakan, who comes quickly to the rescue of those,

who seek his refuge . He is the crown jewel of the dynasty of

Raghu Kulam . He is the Sriman Narayanan , who accepts

with delight the recitation of Srimad Ramayanam by Rama Bhakthas ,

a tradition that goes back to sage Naarada. He is the son of Dasaratha

(Daasarathi ) and the eleder brother of Lakshmana . He is the father of

Kusa and Lava , who sung Ramayana to the accompaniment of Vina

in his court. He is the one , who is offering his Darsanam as

Sita Sametha Raman in Pattabhisheka Kolam . He is the destroyer

of the evil Asuraas . He has the eyes that are like the blue lotus

that greets the moon with joy. He laid on the sacred grass at

ThiruppullaaNi and requested the assistance of Samudra Rajan

for completing his avathara mission (ie), RavaNa Samhaaram .

He is the mighty Kodhanda Raman known for his beautiful

hand holding the mighty bow of Kodhandam. He is the essence of

Jnana , which shines as the brilliant lamp on the hill . He is a Satya seela

(Dharmo Vigrahavaan ) and the embodiment of righteousness .

He is the ocean of mercy and the greatest benefactor through

his generosity of boons to devotees . May this Lord of limitless,

auspicious GuNaas be the object of my meditation !

 

V.Sadagopan

 

P.S : This krithi is a Naama Kusumaanjali to Sri Rama by Dikshitar .

He installs Sri Rama on a golden throne in his heart and meditates

upon the legendary incidents described by Sage Valmiki . With Prema Bhakthi ,

Dikshitar offers the ambrosia of Svara and sahityam . He travels on the royal

road (Raja Margam ) of Rama Bhakthi like many that preceded him such as

sages Naradaa , Valmiki and his students Kusa and Lava and offers

his Nada Naivedyam to Sri Rama . Like Saint Thyagaraja , he seems to

point out that the blessings of meditation on Sri Rama is the real blessing

to be coveted by us whole heartedly . He seems to say like Saint Thyagaraja

in his Kannada Krithi " Ideh Bhagayamu gaaka -yemi yunnadhiraa! Rama !"

( This alone is the real blessedness to be sought after - to meditate

incessantly your holy feet with the whole heart ) .