Sri GuNa Rathna Kosam --> Part XXV:SlOkam 16

[Guest guest]

Vikrama Maasi PourNami

 

Dear BhakthAs :

 

On December 5 , 2000 I posted the 15th slOkam of

Sri GuNa Rathna KOsam . Since then , there has been

a lapse in postings on Sri GuNa Rathna KOsam due to

ThiruppAvai and other Kaimkaryams .On this auspicous

Pournami Sukra Vaaram day , after hearing the good news

from Srirangam about Vakshasthala Lakshmi , it is

appropriate to restart from where we left .

 

SlOkam 16: The Power of Sri RanganAyaki's Eyes

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yEkO mukthAtapathra prachala-maNi-gaNAth

kaarimoulir manushyO

dhrupyath danthAvaLasthO na gaNayathi nathaan

yathkshaNam kshONipAlAn I

yatthasmai thishtatEnya: krupaNamasaraNO

darsayan dhanthapankthee

tatthE SrirangarAja praNayini

nayanOhanjitha nyanjithAbhyAm II

 

(Meaning by Dr.V.N.VedanthadEsikan): Two extremes of

status in worldly life can be imagined for an illustration.

One person sits proudly with pleasure on an elephant ,

the pearl-studded royal umbrella causing a dashing of

the dangling bells on the crown , creating a pleasing

jingle; a long row of royal personages bend before him

in homage; he will feign a look of total unconcern;

he will have nothing but disdain for them .

 

In contrast, another man ,utterly helpless ,

half-clad , standing pathetically with exposed teeth ,

may be visualized as the very personification of

indigency --the exact opposite of the first person!

 

The two are in strong contrast. The first had received

Your distinct eye-glances ,a great blessing .But to

the latter , You had closed Your eye-glances.

 

This is the only explanation for the contrast in

situation between the two people.

 

adiyEn's observations

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Sri ParAsara Bhattar describes the distinct impact of

one (Yeka:) who was blessed with the KaTaaksham

of Sri RanganAyaki and the other (anya:) , on whom

She had closed Her eyes.The first one is fortunate

and is on top of the heap of Isvaryams as a result

of the LakshmI KatAksham.The other is at the bottom

of the vale of poverty.

 

The fortunate one sits on the back of a royal

elephant under the pearl studded umbrella and

the majestic movement of the elephant makes

the gems on the crown jostle with each other

and creates a nice sound. The vassal kings

bow to this fortunate one and he in turn acts

as though he does not see their bent heads out

of his haughtiness and Isvarya garvam .

 

The unfortunate one , who did not have the benefit of

the glances of Sri RanganAyaki falling on him is

a destitute and anaadhai("RakshakAnthara-Rahithan")

and has no one to seek as his protector. He has

tattered clothes and shows his teeth in a mode of

begging before the fortunate one riding on the royal

elephant.

 

Such is the contrast between the one blessed with

the soubhAgyam of Sri RanganAyaki's katAksham

and the other who was not that fortunate.

 

Sri ParAsara Bhattar addresses Sri RanganAyaki

as " SrirangarAja PraNayini /Ponnarangar Kaathali"

and explains that the difference in the status

of "Yeka: " and "anya:" is due to the first one

receiving Nayana katAksham and the other one

failing to receive it (nayana sankOcham).

 

The first half of the following seventh slOkma of

Sri Sthavam of KurEsar is the reference point/

inspiration for the son ( Sri ParAsara Bhattar)

in composing this slOkam :

 

Isvaryam mahadhEva vaa alpam athavaa

dhrusyEtha pumsAm hi Yath

TallakshmyA: samudheekshaNAth tava yatha:

saarvathrikam varthathE ----

 

(meaning): Oh Sri Devi! we are not surprised that

the abundance of the wealth or utter poverty

associated with the human beings is only due to

the casting of Your side glances on them or due to

the absence of such glances falling on them .

(KurEsar goes on to say that even Her Lord

Sriman NaarAyaNan considers Himself blessed

by those auspicious glances falling on Him/

NaarAyaNa: api tava EekshaNAth svAthmAnam

dhanyam manyathE).

 

Such is the power of the Nayanams of

Sri Ranga Naayaki!

 

Srimath Azhagiya Singar ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam,

Daasan,Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri SatakOpan