Sri Stuthi-8

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Dear Friends,

 

I shall present a summary of verses 15 and 16 of the Sri Stuthi in

this post. Swami Desikan brilliantly salutes the auspicious attributes

of Thayar and points out that She is the manifestation of the Lord's

limitless mercy. Swami Desikan adds that these auspicious attributes

are responsible for granting Moksham to Prapannas.

 

15. ArtatrANavratibhiramrutAsAranIlAmbuvAhai:

AmbOjAnAmuShasi MiShatAmantarangaIrapAngai: II

YasyAm YasyAm Dishi ViharatE Devi DrushtistvadIyA

TasyAm TasyAmahamahamikAm TanvatE SampadOGhA: II

 

This verse contains a glorification of the KalyaNa GuNams of Periya

Piratti. Swami Desikan describes her goal as one of offering protection

to those who surrender. This mirrors the Raghuveera Gadyam

salutation "Sakrut Prapanna Jana SamrakshaNa Dikshita". Her merciful

glance is like the dark blue clouds which produce a shower of the divine

nectar. Prapannas vie with each other to receive Thayar's benevolent

gaze like the flowers near the lotus which blooms in the early morning

sun.

 

Swami Desikan has packed the essence of Thayar's KalyAna GuNams of

AudArya (Magnanimity), KaruNa (Mercy), Kshama (Forgiveness), and

Vatsalya (Untainted Love). One can compile a doctoral thesis by

examining each of these auspicious attribtues in detail using the

related works of Swami Desikan (Daya Shatakam and Padhuka Sahasram),

and the Acharyas before him like Sri RamanujAcharya, and Sri Alavandaar.

However for the purpose of this discussion, it is sufficient to note

that these auspicious attributes arising from

the benevolent glance of Thayar are instrumental in granting

Moksham to Prapannas.

 

Those who desire Aishwaryam as a result of offering eulogy to the Lord

can be classified into two categories:

(i) Those who have lost their glory due to some reason or the other.

(ii) Those who seek the glory that has eluded them so far.

This Shlokam refers to the former category and the benefits accorded

to them by Periya Piratti Thayar's merciful glance. The Lord is

glorified as Arta TrANa ParAyaNa, ArtAnAm ArtihantAram, ApannAnAnAm

ParAgati:. In this salutation Swami Desikan notes that all these

attributes of the Lord emanate only from the KatAksham of Sri.

 

16. YOgAramBhatvaritamanasO YushmadaIkAntyayuktam

Dharma PrAptum PraThamamiha YE DhArayantE DhanAyam I

TeShAm BhumErDhanapatigruhAdambarAdambuDhErvA

GhArA NiryAntyaDhikamaDhikam VAnchitAnAm VasUnAm II

 

Here, Swami Desikan describes Thayar as one who hastens the performance

of SatkAryams. When those desirous of wealth necessary

for performance of their KarmAnushtAnam, propitiate Perumal and

Thayar, they are blessed with an abundance of wealth from the earth,

the abode of Kubera, the sky and the ocean.

 

Swami Desikan refers to the fruits attained by offering prayers to

Perumal and Thayar for those who desire wealth for carrying out

their prescribed duties. This is a characterization of Thayar as the

Vimukta PhaladAyini along with Perumal. YogArambha denotes AshtAnga

Yoga. This can also mean KarmayogArambham. Mastery of JnAna Yoga is a

pre-requisite for successful pursuit of Bhaktiyoga. One can become adept

in the practice of JnAna Yoga only through successfully

pursuing Karma Yoga. Successful pursuit of Karma Yoga requires

adherence to one's duties as prescribed by VarNAshrama Dharma. The

AnushtAnams required for conducting Yagas and Yajnas demand wealth of a

high order (TapObalam and VedAdyayanam). The Dravyas (ingredients) used

in these events must also be obtained by righteous means. Otherwise the

Yajna is rendered futile. Only through a prayer to Mahalakshmi Thayar is

one blessed with the ability to discriminate

between Dravya that is fit for use in the Yajna and that which is not.

The Upanishads declare Vidya Samruddhi HEtu Avahanti Homa. Accordingly,

the request for cows, horses, and gold for use in sacrifices is granted

through Prayers to Sri. Similarly,

those seeking wealth to practice other Yogas are blessed with the

an abundance of the necessary wealth for their pursuits when they

offer prayers to the Divine Couple (Lord Narayana and Sri). In the

Lakshmi Stotram, we are reminded of this aspect again by the salutation

Dampati Daivatam. This is also indicative of the wealth

received by supplicants like Sudama (without asking for it) due to the

grace of the Divya Dampatis. This Stotram also refers to the benefits

obtained from the Pancha BhUtas (air, fire, water, earth, and ether)

as a result of glorifying Periya Piratti. Thus, those who desire

wealth for undertaking auspicious tasks are blessed with an abundance

through the grace of Sri. This aspect of Sri is succinctly stated

in the Sri Sooktam Rk:

 

TAm PadminIm SharaNamaham PrapadyE AlakshmIrmenashyatAm TvAm VruNe

 

Namo Narayana,

 

Muralidhar Rangaswamy

 

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