"prapadyE"

[Guest guest]

srimathE lakshmi-nrsumha para-brahmaNE namaha

sri vedanta desika guravE namaha

 

Dear "bhAgavatOttamA-s",

 

Modern psychologists are known to form opinions on the state of mind of a

patient through what are called "Freudian slips-of-speech". For example, if

a patient, in the normal course of conversation, frequently uses the

expression "well, you know" at the beginning or end of every sentence

uttered (many people do that as a habit, isn't it?), it is seen to reflect,

very often, his/her nervous disposition.

 

The mind of a poet, too, is often revealed by frequent, even involuntary,

choice of certain words or expressions -- the so-called "Freudian slips" --

in his works. Likewise is the case with artists whose predilection for

certain colour-schemes, shapes, patterns or brush-strokes is recognized

immediately in their paintings as typically their own. Van Gogh and Picasso,

I hear, are said to be good examples. (I am no art-connoisseur, so discount

my statement as much as you want !)

 

Now, a "kavi-simham" like our beloved Swami Desikan, too, it can be said, is

not free from such "personality give-aways"!!

 

He, too, can be seen, in his several "stOtrA-s", to have clear preference

for certain words and expressions in Sanskrit which are "tell-tale" pointers

to his great mind and character.

 

Now, if you even cursorily glance at Swami Desikan's 28 well-known Sanskrit

'stOtrA-s' you cannot help noticing that certain words like "vandE" (I bow),

"namOsthuthE" (I salute), "upAsmahE" (I contemplate in a mood of worship)

etc. appear again and again in several stanzas or verses.

 

A student of modern-day human psychology might thus be tempted to surmise

that Swami Desikan, judging from the "Freudian-slips" in his "stOtrA-s",

might have been an extremely humble, courteous, self-effacing soul. And such

a conclusion would not be off the mark, would it!!

 

However, there is one extraordinary word in Sanskrit that Swami Desikan uses

in a very special way. That special word can be seen to be strewn in many of

his hymns; but they are really special and unique because they find a very

prominent place in the OPENING STANZAS of Swami Desikan's hymns in almost 1

of every 5 of his "stOtrA-s" !

 

Now, I believe, a statistic like the above clearly reveals the extreme love

a poet has for a particular expression and also tells us why it should move

him to employ it so very often in his works !!

 

That particular word, dear "bhAgavatOttamA-s", is the Sanskrit term:

"prapadyE" !!

 

The word "prapadyE", many scholars point out, is a very meaningful, very

exquisite expression whose true dimensions of import and purport are indeed

immeasurable.

 

Our great "pUrvAchAryA-s" (ancient preceptors) found a world of opulent

significance in it. They seem to have hence elaborated on it 'ad infinitum'

in their various commentaries and exegeses since, though being a simple

term, it is considered to be verily the signature of SriVaishnava faith.

 

It can be said to be the verbal equivalent for the "anjali-mUdrA" (the

obeisance-mime).

 

It is also synonymous with the cardinal doctrine of "prapatti" so dear to

all Sri Vaishnavas.It is at the heart of the holiest of holy "mantrA-s", the

"dvayam".

 

It is also said to be of the same essence as of the "charama-shlOka" of the

Bhagavath-gitA !!

 

Now, for want of a better or alternative means of translation, the word

"prapadyE" has come to be often read in English as : "to take refuge or

shelter".

 

The English equivalent unfortunately, dear "bhAgavatOttamA-s", is at best

only an approximation and cannot really bring out the essential flavour of

what "prapadyE" means to SriVaishnavites. That flavour, I learn, can only be

experienced by a heart brimming with true 'srisampradAya' Faith.

 

So rich in significance is the word, 'prapadyE !', that Swami Desikan uses

it in the following 5 popular "stOtrA-s" :

 

A. Daya Satakam

B. AshtabhUjAshtakam

C. Sri StUthi

D. Bhu StUthi

E. Goda stUthi

 

In each of the above hymns, it will be noticed from the text, Swami Desikan

bestows the word "prapadyE' a "PARAMOUNT PRIDE OF PLACE" in the very FIRST

verse itself ! From out of each of the above verses shines forth this little

word, "prapadyE", like a blinding and glittering diamond amidst an in-laid

row of other serried precious gems !!

 

******************************************

 

In the next few posts of mine and with your kind permission and indulgence,

dear "bhAgavatOttamA-s", I would like to share with you all, to the best of

my amateur abilities and experience, a "personal and literary appreciation"

(far from being "strictly traditional") of the delightful word, "prapadyE",

as used by Swami Desikan in each of the above "stOtrA-s".

 

srimathe srivan satagopa sri narayana yathindra mahadesikaya namaha

 

sudarshan

[Guest guest]

I have also noticed that Desika regularly uses

the phrase "kimapi" in his stotras. You of course

know

 

kimapi aadyam vande kamalaa gRhamedhinam

 

and

 

kimapi kamalaa bhUmi nILopadhaanam

 

Many other examples abound.

 

Kimapi is an expression of wonder, astonishment,

and surprise. When I think about it, this phrase

is the best way of summarizing the celebrated

vaakya from the Taittiriya Upanishad

 

yato vAco nivartante manasA apraapya saha |

>From which speech turns back, unable to reach

it, along with the mind.

 

It is the Absolute, the Divine Lord who defies

all description; words cannot but fail to describe

Its glory.

 

Can there be a better way of saying this succinctly

than ``kimapi''?

 

Mani