Bhagavan Hayagriva

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Dear Members of the Prapatti Group,

 

Mani noted in his timely posting that Vijaya Dashami day is

meant for offering prayers to Bhagavan Lakshmi Hayagriva,

who is the presiding deity of knowledge. Pranava and Udgita are

symbolized by Bhagavan Hayagriva. Lakshmi Hayagriva Bhagavan is

the Archa Murthy of both Srimad Paundarikapuram Ashramam as well

as Sri Parakala Matham. Bhagavan Hayagriva has been extolled in

glowing terms by Swami Desikan in the Hayagriva Stotram. Vidushi

Vedavalli's rendition of this stotram set to music is beautiful.

 

The avataram of Hayagriva Bhagavan took place to restore the Vedas

to Brahma. Brahma became extremely conceited about his power as the

creator. Lord Narayana discerning this, decided to rid Brahma of his

pride. A couple of water droplets from the lotus seat of the Lord

incarnated as two Asuras, Madhu and Kaitabha, who stole the Vedas from Brahma.

Unable to carry on his work of creation without the Vedas, Brahma

beseeched Lord Narayana for help. Lord Narayana incarnated as

Hayagriva and destroyed the Asuras and restored the Vedas to Brahma.

 

Swami Desikan has very eloquently described the greatness of Bhagavan

Hayagriva in the Hayagriva Stotram. Many references from the Hayagriva

Upanishad are succinctly contained in Swami Desikan's tribute. Swami Desikan

first meditated on Garuda Bhagavan through the Garuda Mantram. Pleased

with his devotion, Garuda appeared before Swami Desikan and initiated him

into the sacred Mantram for Bhagavan Hayagriva and commanded Swami Desikan

to proceed to the Oushadadri hill (Tiruvaheendram) to worship Bhagavan

Hayagriva. The important aspects of Swami Desikan's salutation to

Bhagavan Hayagriva in the Hayagriva Stotram are the references to

Bhagavan's Mantra Maya Shariram, personification of the Vedas, Pranava

Swaroopam, Shuddha Satvam, and the Udgita aspect.

 

In his opening salutation of the Hayagriva Mantram, Swami Desikan

describes Bhagavan Hayagriva as the presiding deity of all knowledge

 

JnanAnanda Mayam Devam Nirmala Spatikakrutim AdAram Sarva VidyAnAm

Hayagrivam Upasmahe.

Mani referred to this Shlokam in his post.

 

Next, Swami Desikan refers to the neighing sounds of Bhagavan Hayagriva

known as the "Hala Hala". The Hala Hala sound emanating from the throat of

Bhagavan Hayagriva is the essence of the Rks of the Rg, Yajur and Sama

Vedas. Swami Desikan then dwells on the Mantra Maya Shariram of Bhagavan

Hayagriva. In the 14th verse of the Hayagriva Stotram, Swami Desikan

refers to the Pranava Swaroppam form of Bhagavan. Of particular importance is

the line

 

Akshara MatrukAm TvAm Vishuddha Satva Tatvena Jananti.

 

(The pure minded ones recognize your Shuddha satvam form). This refers to

the Pranava Swaroopam form of Bhagavan Hayagriva. Contemplating on the

Pranava Swaroopam of Bhagavan Hayagriva through this Shlokam even for a

fraction of a second is sufficient to bless the seeker with great scholarship

and unmitigated eloquence of speech. In the 32nd Shlokam, Swami Desikan

in sheer ecstasy asks to be blessed with Lalamrutam and Bhagavan Hayagriva

in his infinite mercy, appeared before Swami Desikan and drenched him with

Lalamrutam (the nectar of Bhagavan's saliva which contains the essence of

Rg, Yajus, Sama Vedas and Sakala Vidyas). Bhagavan Hayagriva blessed

Swami Desikan with the assurance that He (Bhagavan) would remain at the

seat of Swami Desikan's tongue while Swami is engaged in his work of

propagating Ubhaya Vedanta Siddhantam. Therefore, Swami Desikan's

scholarship, eloquence of speech, keen intellect, razor sharp memory and

mastery over all skills were unmatched.

 

In the final Shlokam of the Hayagriva Stotram, Swami Desikan has blessed us

with the Dhyana Shlokam on Bhagavan Hayagriva

 

VyakhyA MuDRaM Kharasarasijai: Pustakam Shanksh Chakrai:

Bibrabinna Spatikarucharai: Pundarike NishaNNa

Amlanashree: Amruta Vishadai: Amshubi: PlAvayanmAm

AvirbhuyAth Anaga Mahima MAnase VAgadisha:

 

This is the form in which Bhagavan Hayagriva appeared before Swami Desikan

and gave Swami Desikan a Hayagriva Vigraham for Swami's worship. Sri Sadagopan

and Sri Rengarajan, who are great Aradhakars of Bhagavan Hayagriva are more

knowledgable (than me) about all the above aspects of Bhagavan Hayagriva,

may wish to contribute further insights from their experiences.

 

Sri Lakshmi Hayagriva Swami Parabrahmane Namaha,

 

Muralidhar Rangaswamy