Ramaashtaka Krithis of Sri Dikshithar --Third Krithi

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MAANJI RAAGA KRITHI

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Sri Dikshithar composed a beautiful krithi in Ragam

Maanji , which is a janya ragam of Nata Bhairavi . There are a

lot of ideas here that recall the Krithis of a great Rama Bhaktha,

who was a contemproary of Sri Dikshithar by the well known name

of Thyagaraja SwamigaL .

 

The Maanji krithi is a tribute to the bewitching beauty of Sri Rama

and reminds one of the many krithis of Saint Thyagaraja

such as " Mohana Ramaa mukhajita Somaa " in Ragam Mohanam,

Sundaratara Deham Vandeham Raamam " in ragam PanthuvaraaLi ,

" Kana Kana Ruchi tara " in Ragam VaraaLi , " Naapaali Sri Rama Bhupaalaka

Sthoma " in Navaros Ragam , where he salutes the matchless beauty of

Sri Rama as more than that of crores of Manmatha : " Koti

Manmathulaina Saatigaa Nee Sogasu , Naadiunnithi Madhini medi

Sri Raamaa" . Sri Dikshitar sings about this Athi LaavaNya Raman

in his Maanji Krithi . The Sahitya VaakyangaL are as follows :

 

PALLAVI : RAMACHANDRENA SAMRAKSHITHOHAM (SITAA)

 

ANUPALLAVI : RAMAA BHARATHEE GOWREE RAMANA SVARUPENA SRI

 

CHARANAM : KAAMAKOTI SUNDARENA KAMANEEYA KANTHARENA

KOMALA GANA SHYAAMENA KODHANDARAAMENA

MAAMAKA HRUDHAYA STHITENA MAARUTHI GITAAMRUTENA

MAANJI MANI MANDITHA MADH GURUGIHA MAANITHENA (SRI SITAA)

 

In Pallavi , Sri Dikshitar reveals that he is well protected by the

Dayaasaagaran , who has taken the vow to protect every one,

who sought the refuge of His lotus feet once .

 

In Anupallavi , Sri Dikshitar touches on the thoughts made

famous by Sadguru Thyagaraja swamigal in his krithis such

as " Paramaathmudu " in raga vagadhEswari , " Mummurthulu

Gumigoodi " in Raga AtaaNa , "Dvaitamu Sukhamaa " in Ragam

Reethigowlai .

 

In these Krithis, Sadguru points out that Sri Rama,

his Ishta Daivam sports in the form of Trimurthys and far exceeds

them in KalyaNa guNaas . He points out that Sri Ramachandra

is the Antharyaami Brahman empowering the trimurthys and

bidding them to carry out their duties as creator, protector

and destroyer . After relegating all these uninteresting works to

the Trimurthys , Sri Rama according to Thyagaraja concentrates

on His Varada or Boon giving aspect .

 

In the Ritigowali krithi , Sadguru states that Sri Rama

is sporting in this universe as gods like Vishnu , Brahma and Siva.

In the Vagadheeswari song , he salutes Sri Rama as the Paramathma,

who shines as the antharyaami of Hari , Hara and Devas

(Hariyata Haradata surulata --akhilaanda kotilata yantharilO

Paramaathmudu velagu mucchata bhaaga telusukorE ) .

 

In his Ataanaa krithi , " Mummurthulu " , Saint of Thiruvaiaaru

says that the Trimurthys were dumbfounded when they found that

Sri Rama's guNaas outweighed their own on weighing. They sang

His praise as the supreme among them and were at a loss to understand

how a mere son of a king could possess those guNaas.

 

Sri Dikshitar tersely summarizes the above thoughts of Saint

Thyagaraja ,when he salutes in Anupallavi : " Ramaa Bharathee

Gowree RamaNa svarupeNa Sri RamachandreNa Samrakshithoham ".

Ramaa RamaNan is Vishnu; Bharathi RamaNan is Brahma and

Gowree RamaNan is Siva . Sri Dikshitar recognizes Sri Rama as the

one who has the svarupam of Trimurthys through his residence

in them as Antharyaami .

 

In the charana Vaakyams , Sri Dikshitar eulogizes the beauty of

Sri Rama as being superior to crores of Manmathaas . The effulgence

of this Mega SyamaLa murthy sporting His mighty Kodhandam in His

hand captivates Sri Dikshitar. He states that the majestic mien of Sri Rama

is enshrined in his heart. Sri Dikshitar also visualizes Sri Rama enjoying

the nectar like VeeNaa music of His dear devotee, Hanumaan.

 

Sri Dikshitar places his raga Mudra and the composer's mudra in the

last line of Charana Vaakyam this way : " Maanji MaNi manditha madh

Guruguha Maanithena Sri Sita Ramachandrena Samrakshithoham " .

He pays tribute to his Upaasanaa murthy, Guru Guhan , the nephew of

Sri Raama . He places his Guru Guhan in a Mantapam decorated with

the precious stones of Maanji ( Svarasthaana Devathais ) and states that

SubrahmaNyan pays homage to His uncle , Sri Sita Sametha Ramachandran.

 

I close this posting with two slokams of Sri Rama KarNaamrutham

of a Kanchi Kamakoti Peetaathipathi :

 

SRIRAMACHANDRETHI SALAKSHMANETHI

NEELOTHPALA SYAAMALA KOMALETHI I

AKOROSAYUKTHAA TVADHUNAIVA JIHVAA

SITAAPATEH RAAGHAVA RAAGHAVETHI II

 

VEDA VEDANTHAVEDYAAYA MEGASYAAMALA MURTHAYEH I

PUMSAAM MOHANARUPAAYA PUNYA SLOKAAYA MANGALAM II

 

Oppiliappan Koil Varadachari Sadagopan