Archiradhi - Part 7: ch2: Soul enters Paramapada

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Dear Members

 

We continue with the translation of Sri P. Lokacharya's archiradhi by Ms

M. S. Ramesh.

 

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Amanavas, Nithyas, Mukhtas welcome this soul. The place is filled with

the sound of shanku, Thiruchinnam (a type of bugle) and Bheri. As he is

proceeding lost in enjoyment of these sights and scenes, 500 divya

apsaras with divya choorna, divya vastra, divya anjana come to meet this

soul. They in turn beautify this soul in such a manner that Parabrahma

will enjoy the sight of their end product (Brahmalankaram). They

beautify this soul with the vastra (raiment), Mala, etc. worn earlier by

God. The beautifiers look at the beautified muktatma and enjoy along

with him, his good luck in having been blessed with a place in

paramapada.

 

Once all this beautification is over, Peria thiruvadi i.e. Garuda will

bring the divya vimana. This vimana is covered with evergreen creepers

and has as rows and rows of pearls hangings down from the top to the

sides. Its top is covered with Merkattis (vithanam) i.e. the piece of

cloth which is usually used as a roof over the head of the idol whenever

it is taken out in a procession. A number of damsels from Paramapada are

seated in the vimana. The muktatma then steps into the divya vimana.

Stothras are sung. The vimana starts on its journey to Paramapada.

Enroute it passes through beautiful groves and thick vegetation. Apsara

sthrees welcome this vimana throughout its route. They offer the divya

gandha, brahma gandha and other scented powders found only in

Paramapada.Even as they carry these sweet scented articles, they

themselves are said to radiate a sweet smell. The vimana finally nears

the entrance of Paramapada. The divya gopura is sighted. The Thiruvasal

Kappan i.e. the person standing guard at the entrance to Paramapada also

welcomes this soul. Thus, the soul reaches Paramapada also known as

Ayodhya and Aprajitha. It is known as Ayodhya as it is a place which

cannot be attained by anybody by fighting a war! that is to say one has

to earn through punya the right to enter Paramapada and not by mere

brute might. The word "Aparajitha" also similarly conveys the thought

that it is a place which cannot be conquered by anyone. Having reached

such a Paramapada where the Perumal is residing, this muktatma utters

the words "Sri Vaikunthaya Namaha" and offers obesience to the Vaikuntha

Vasal i.e. gateway.

 

As soon as the soul reaches Vaikuntha, the kainkaryaparas, the munis and

other great souls are happily surprised that this soul caught in the web

of samsara has atlast reached Vaikuntha, a task which is as difficult as

water in the ocean successfully climbingup the hill! This soul tossed

about in the ocean known as Samsara has achieved a great feat in

climbing up the Paramapada hill. Garuda, Visvaksena and others take

this atma to their respective residences. They seat him on a high asana

while they themselves squat on the ground. Their wives (patnis) brought

water and washed the feet of this muktatma (Sree Pada theertha

offering). They relate to their spouses the greatness of this muktatma

and render upachara to that soul.

 

to be continued ...