Padhuka Sahasram Part 14.2

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Dear Members of the List,

 

I would like to express my appreciation for Sri Sadagopan's

excellent summary of Sri Padhuka Sahasram dealing with Naadam.

The connections between Sri Ranganatha Padhuka, Naadam, Satakopan

(of Tirukuruhoor) and Sama Vedam were brought out with consummate

effect in Sri Sadagopan's post.

 

It is instructive to note that Swami Desikan as Sarvatantra Svatantarar

had mastery over Nadopasana. The connections between Nada and PraNavam

can be inferred from the Hayagriva Stotram. PraNavam and Udgita Vak

symbolized by Bhagavan Lakshmi Hayagriva are reflected in the PS summary.

Verses 11-15 of the Hayagriva Stotram dwell on the PraNava Swaroopam of

Bhagavan Hayagriva. The key passage here is "Vishuddha Satva Tatvena Jananti

Tam Akshara MatrukAm TvAm" (the pure minded ones recognize your Shuddha

Satvam form). It is believed that contemplating on this mantram even for a

fraction of a second is sufficient to bless an individual with unmitigated

eloquence of speech.

 

Further connections between NAda and Sama GAnam can be

seen in the Hayagriva Stotram. The Hala Hala sound emanating from the

throat of Bhagavan Hayagriva contains the condensed Rks of Rg, Yajus and

Sama Vedams. The Hala Hala sound removes all inauspiciousness and creates

Shubam. Also at the end of the Hayagriva Stotram Swami Desikan requests

to be blessed with Lalamrutam (nectar of Bhagavan Hayagriva's Saliva). This

Lalamrutam again contains the essence of the Rg, Yajus and Sama Vedams.

In response to this request Bhagavan Hayagriva appeared before Swami Desikan

and blessed him with Lalamrutam and promised to remain at the seat of

Swami Desikan's tongue while he was engaged in propagating Ubhaya Vedanta

Siddhantam. A reflection of these blessings is seen in the Ranganatha Padhuka

Sahasram. It is also instructive to note that Swami Desikan was initiated into

the Hayagriva Mantram (detailing the PraNava, Udgita Vak, Mantra Maya

Sariram and Veda Swaroopam) by Garuda Bhagavan. This is perhaps the reason

for the association of Garuda and Jankara. Amazing indeed are the blessings of

Bhagavan Hayagriva!

 

Sri Sadagopan informed me that Nammazhwar's outpourings in hsi Pasurams

contain the essence of Sama Vedams. One can see the connection to Sama

Vedam right away because, Madhura Kavi Azhwar (Nammazhwar's Shishya)

belonged to Sama Shakha. The response to each of Madhurakavi Azhwar's

questions in Sanskrit, was a Pasuram by Nammazhwar. The work of Nammazhwar

had a tremendous impact on Swami Desikan. To see this, one can note Swami

Desikan's salutation of the Guru Parampara in the Daya Shatakam "....SheetalAm

Guru Santatim. Srinivasa Dayambodhi: Parivaha Parampara". In this line,

Swami Desikan salutes his Guru Parampara through the cool waters of the ocean

of mercy known as the Lord of Seven Hills-the Guru Parampara itself which

originated from the feet of this ocean of mercy. Contemplating on the feet of

this ocean of mercy reveals the connection to Shatari or Satakopatvam. There

would not have been a Guru Parampara to salute if it were not for Nammazhwar

blessing Nathamuni with the knowledge of the Holy collects (4000). This

is reflected in the Padhuka Sahasram as well which Sri Sadagopan summarized for

our benefit.

 

Further connections between Nada and the Divya Mani Padhuka described in

Swami Desikan's work can be seen in the outpouring of Thyagaraja. In the

Dhanyasi Krithi Sangita JnAnamu Bhakti VinA, Thyagaraja declares in the line

"KayajArishadripula Jayinche" that "I know to conquer the six enemies born

out of the body (Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada and Matsarya) through the

path of Nadopasana. Purandara Dasa in the Krithi Kagada Bandide Namma

Kamalanabhanadu conveys the same message beautifully in simple language.

In this Krithi, he addresses mankind through a letter received from Lord

Krishna in which he exhorts them to rid themselves of Kama, Krodha, Lobha,

Moha, and Mada.

 

Finally, the attribute of the Padhuka in rushing to the succour of Bhaktas

is beautifully demonstrated by Malola Lakshmi Narasimhar, for it is he alone

(among all manifestations of Lord VishNu) who is seen constantly wearing the

Padhukas. He is ready to rescue his Bhaktas any moment!

 

Namo Narayana,

 

Muralidhar Rangaswamy