Padhuka Sahasram-A Few More Reflections

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Sri:

 

SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,

 

Dear Bhaktas,

 

Adiyen wishes to share a few additional reflections on verses 461-469

of the Padhuka Sahasram. Indeed these shlokams succinctly describe

the elevated role of the Padhukas in unfailingly granting refuge to a

Mumukshu (one desirous of attaining Moksham) and highlighting the

doctrine of SharaNagati-fundamental to Bhagavad Ramanuja Darshanam in

a most illuminating manner.

 

Specifically, verse 461 conveys with consummate effect the message of

the Upanishads that upon gaining Moksham as a result of Narayana

sAyujyam (Unconditional, total surrender to the Lotus Feet of Lord

Narayana) one begets a form similar to Lord Narayana (sArUpyam), one

attains eternal residence in the Vishnu Lokam (sAlOkyam), and one

remains extremely near to the Lord (sAmIpyam). The bliss of attaining

Moksham is described by the Taittriya Upanishad salutation "sa yEkO

brahmaNa Ananda:" and the VishNu Sooktam salutation "Tadh VishNO:

Paramam Padagam sadhA pashyanthi sUraya:" The Nadam arising from

Mukta jivans, who arrive at Sri Vaikuntam is described by the

Taittriya Upanishad salutation "ahamannAdhO". The Vedic salutations

are mirrored brilliantly by Swami NammAzhwar in his 1296 pasurams.

 

Furthermore, the Padhukas denote Satari Soori, who constantly adorns

the feet of Lord Narayana. In the samAkhya Paddhati of the Padhuka

Sahasram, Swami Desikan established the equivalence between Swami

NammAzhwar and Satari Soori. Consequently, Swami Desikan uses the

Padhuka Nadam to denote both the musical sounds produced by Satari

Soori as well as the Pasurams of Swami NammAzhwar. To understand

this further, it may be borne in mind that the Padhukas alone enjoy

uninterrupted contact with the Feet of Lord Narayana. As Vamana, the

Lord's Feet were small and thus the Padhukas had a shape that exactly

fit the small Feet. However, as Trivikrama, the Lord's Feet grew to

gigantic proportions. This was matched by a corresponding growth of

the Padhukas to exactly fit the Lord's Feet. This illustrates the

Vishnu Sooktam Rk "urukramasya sahi bandhurittA:"

 

Verse 462 points out that various self-styled experts advocate paths

for Moksham according to their own whims and fancies. As a result,

suffering jivans are greatly confused by these theories. However, all

of them are flawed and the only simple route to Moksham is through

the path demonstrated by the Padhukas (Swami NammAzhwar-Prapanna Jana

Kootasthar), i.e., unconditional total surrender to the Lotus Feet of

Lord Narayana. This verse highlights the famous Tiruvaimozhi

salutation "un adi keezh amarndhu pughuzhndEnE" through which Swami

NammAzhwar performed SharaNagati at the Lotus Feet of Lord Srinivasa

standing majestically atop the Venkatachalam Hill. This is an

important salutation in that it powerfully highlights the fact the

Lord's Lotus Feet are both the means as well as the end. Furthermore,

the outpouring of Swami NammAzhwar, while performing SharaNagati at

the Feet of Lord Srinivasa contains the essence of Gayathri Saman.

The uniqueness of Sama Vedam is that it extols Lord Narayana to the

exclusion of all else. Gayathri Saman is an exclusive glorification

of the Lotus Feet of Lord Narayana. Specifically the salutation "un

adi keezh.." mirrors the Gayathri Saman salutation "purushA:". A

finally point of note is that the mellifluous sound of the Padhukas

drowns the din of the flawed theories of self-styled experts. This

refers to the fact that the outpourings of Swami NammAzhwar

successfully conquered the theories put forth by Jains, Buddhists et.

al.

 

To be continued

 

Namo Narayana,

 

SriMuralidhara Dasan