Padhuka Sahasram-488

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Sri:

 

SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,

 

Translation by U.Ve. Dr. V.N. Vedanta Desikan Swamin:

 

488. samADhiBhAjAm thanuthE thvadhIyA rangEshapAdhAvani!

rathnapankthi: sThAnam prayAthum thamasa: param thath

pradhIpakruthyam praBhayA mahathyA

 

Oh Paaduka! I would even say that the arrays of bright light-streaks

from the rows of gems, constitute the fire-torches

(called 'theevattis' in Tamil) with which the path to Paramapada is

being lighted (for the benefit of the Mukta to see and also as

veneration-gesture as in Hindu tradition).

 

Namo Narayana,

 

SriMuralidhara Dasan

 

Special Notes by V.SatakOpan (V.S):

 

SlOkam 488: In the previous verse , Swamy Desikan described the

sighting of the treasure of Srirangam with the friendly help of the

rays of gems that adorn the PaadhukAs. Here, he describes how they

help the yogis during their journey to Sri Vaikyntam at the end of

their earthly existence. He says: " Oh RanganAtha PaadhukE! the

assembly of colorful beams emanating from Your gems brighten

the path beyond this universe and helps the yogis through their

powerful illumination like a lamp to find their way to Sri

Vaikuntam ." After crossing the boundaries of the sky surrounding

this universe , the jeevan has to travel through the darkness beyond

to reach the radiant supreme abode of Sri Vaikuntam . The jyOthi of

the rays from the gems on the Paadhukais help the jeevan during the

last portion of the journey to Sri Vaikuntam.

 

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: The inner meaning is that the jeevan

attains Parama Padham with the help of the upadEsams housed in Swamy

NammAzhwAr Prabhandhams .They help to acquire nithyAnithya vivEkam

( the discriminating knowledge about the transient and the

imperishable) and thereby gain insights for Moksha Siddhi .

 

3) Swamy Desikan says that the great luster associated with the

exterior gems of the Paadhukais ( thavdheeyA Rathna Pankthi: mahathyA

prabhayA ) helps those engaged in meditation to experience and attain

Sri Vaikuntam ( mahathyA prabhayA SamAdhibhAjAm , Tamasa: param

tath sthAnam prayAthum ). In this matter , the luster of the gems

appear like a bright hand-held lamp (theevatti ) lighting the way…

V.S.