SubhAshitha Paddhathi of Sri RanganAtha PaadhukhA Sahasram: Chapter 28

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Dear Divya maNi paadhukhA sevakas :

 

In this paddhathi , Swami Desikan elaborates on

the meanings of some of the happenings during

RamAvathAram . There are ten slokams in the

SubhAshitha Paddhathi ( SUP ) . He establishes

the superiority of the PaddhukhAs through reference

to a number of apophthegms or learned sayings based

on the loka neethis ( Worldly laws ) .

 

Slokam 1 of SUP/ Slokam 821 of RPS

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kalAsu kAshtAmathishtan bhumnE sambhandhinAmapi I

paadhukhA Rangadhuryasya BharathArAdhyathAm gathA : II

 

For those , who have mastered any single art , that art confers

merit and respect on those associated with them . Therefore ,

it is no wonder that RanganAtha paadhukhAs are worshipped

by those , who understand the rules of Bharatha naatyam , since

the paadhukhAs participate in the dance drama conducted by

RanganAthA at Srirangam . The literal meaning is that the paadhukhAs

become object of worship because of their close relationship

to RamA , who is none other than Sri RanganAthA .

 

Slokam 2 of SUP/ Slokam 822 of RPS

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santha: svadEsa paradEsa vibhaga soonyam

hantha svavrutthimanagAm na parithyajanthi I

RaajyE vanE cha Raghupungava paadarakshA

naijam jahou na kalu kantakasOdhanam tath II

 

Here Swami Desikan points out that the PaadhukhAs teach us

that one should never abandon one's own dharmA for whatever

reasons . He says : " Righteous people will not abandon their

codes of conduct learnt from their teachers either in their own land

or foreign lands . For instance , Rama paadhukhAs performed

their assigned duties , be it in AyodhyA or in the DandakA

forest . In AyodhyA , they made sure that the enemies of the kingdom

do not cause any harm to the citizens ; in the forest , they

protected Rama"s feet from thorns and stones .

 

Slokam 3 of SUP / Slokam 823 of RPS

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Swami Desikan states here to the Loka Neethi , which

states that those associated with the Lord can accomplish

many things because of their special relationship to the Lord.

He says : " A mere blade of grass got empowered to be the

powerful BrahmAsthrA . At another time , all the virtues ( Tapas )

accumlated by ParasurAmA was put away by the arrow of RamA

into the ocean . The PaadhukhAs although separated from the Lord's

feet ruled over the universe at AyodhyA . When those with true power

conduct the affairs of the state, which object can not be empowered

to perform miracles ? " .

 

Slokam 4 of SUP/ Slokam 824 of RPS

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Swami Desikan points out here to another loka neethi

established from the concepts of PaadhukhA raajyam and

Raama Raajyam . He says : " Although DasarathA had many

sons , the blemishless RaamA , for no fault of his , lost the rights

to the throne of Raghus . The paadhukhAs of RaamA ,

which are equal in merit to him also underwent a similar experience

in that they were separated form his holy feet for fourteen years " .

 

RaamA , for no fault of his , lost the chance of ascending the throne

of the Raghus . Similarly , the PaadhukhAs eligible to be of service

to the Lord's feet got separated from them . Ultimately RaamA

ascended hte throne and the PaadhukhAs got united with

RaamA's sacred feet .

 

Slokam 5 of SUP/ Slokam 825 of RPS

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Here , Swami Desikan points out to another Loka Neethi

pertaining to one , who surrenders at the feet of the noble king

or a sadAchArya . Such a person gains the reward of being

recognized and celebrated by the king or AchAryA and at the same

time becomes the object of worship by the fellow citizens ".

 

The blemishless one surrendering at the feet of a sadAcharyan

follows the steps established by them . He is also worshipped by

the righteous of the land . For instance , the Raama paadhukhAs

through their illustrious conduct and service atained the reward

of ruling the kingdom of Raghus . This reward was conferred by

Lord RamachandrA Himself .

 

Slokam 6 of SUP/Slokam 826 of RPS

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Both DasarathA and the citizens of AyodhyA wanted

RaamA to ascend the throne of the Raghus . A this time ,

queen Kaikeyi used the boons given to her by King DasarathA

to have her son BharathA ascend the throne in place of RaamA .

Dasaratha had no choice but to agree to her wish . BharathA was

slated to become the ruler of AyodhyA . During this occasion , the

totally unexpected happened . The PaadhukhAs of RaamA became

the ruler of AyodhyA . In such matters , only the Lord as the Sarvajnan

( Omniscient ) would know as to what is yet to come !

 

Slokam 7 of SUP/ Slokam 827 of RPS

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Swami Desikan uses the double meanings of the word

" VikramE " in this slokam to establish that the paadhukhAs

are superior to the paada peetam ( the foot rest on which RaamA

rests his paadhukhA-clad feet ) . Vikramam can mean either valour

or foot step . He says : " The paadha peetam under the throne

of RaamA is not superior to the paadhukhAs , even if the former

bears the weight of RaamA's feet , when He sits on the throne .

Although both the foot rest and the paadhukhAs share some of

their duties , they still are not equal . As one inquires deeply into

this matter, one recognizes that the foot rest stays always next

to the throne. PaadhukhAs onthe other hand have much more

diverse functions . RaamA entrusted the paadhukhAs to govern

His kingdom form fourteen years in His absence from the capital.

RaamA entrusted the kingdom to the paadhukhAs , since , they

have participated together in many campaigns of yore " .

 

Swami Desikan points out that the paadhukhAs were equal

in valour to RaamA and that was the reason for RaamA to

appoint them as His representative to rule the kingdom in

His unavoidable absence from AyodhyA as an exile . The

appointemnt of Raama paadhukhAs to rule over the kingdom

was equal to the act of RaamA appointing His brother LakshmaNA

as the yuva RaajA inview of latter's demonstrated valour

in destroying powerful foes like Indrajith in the battle field .

 

Slokam 8 of SUP/ Slokam 828 of RPS

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PaadhukhAs are mobile during the Lord's travels.

They sat still however for fourteen years , when they were

appointed by RaamA to rule the kingdom . During those

years , they became rooted to the assigned tasks and

were stationary . For those , who attain extraordinary riches ,

the auspicious qualities develop simultaneously . Steadiness of

purpose and freedom from distractions are two such qualities

that the paadhukhAs gained as the ruler of the kingdom of Raghus .

 

Slokam 9 of SUP/ Slokam 829 of RPS

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In one state , the paadhukhAs are responsible for

the Lord's mobility . In another state, they remain

immobile on the throne . The acquisition of one power

or the other is decided by the volition of the Lord , who

is the master controlelr .

 

Slokam 10 of SUP/ Slokam 830 of RPS

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adhareekruthOpi mahathA tamEva

sEvatha saadharam bhooshNu : I

alabhatha samayE RaamAth

paadhAkrAnthapi paadhukhA raajyam II

 

Swami Desikan states here that the subhAshitham

( lesson ) that one learns from the paadhukhAs is that

we should not abandon the great souls , even if they assign

one to a lower position . Here , he refers to paadhukhA's lower

position of being stepped upon by the Lord 's feet during His

travels on them . It is because of such tenacious submission ,

the paadhukhAs ascended the throne of Raghus .

 

Swami Desikan says : " Those , who aspire to a high status

should not give up their Lord ( RaamA )and continue to serve Him

ardently. Please reflect on what happened to RaamA paadhukhAs !

Even when they were under His feet and stepped on by Him , at the

right time , they became the ruler of the kingdom of the Raghus " .

 

Sri RangarAja Divya maNI paadhukhE ! Thubhyam nama :

Swami Desikan ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam

Oppiliappan Kovil VaradAchAri Sadagopan