"Mr. Mahalakshmi"

[Guest guest]

Srimate SrivanSatakopa Sri Vedanta Desika Yatindra Mahadesikaya Nama:

 

 

 

Mr. Mahalakshmi

 

 

 

It is customary, rightly or wrongly, to make fun of husbands who prefer

to let their wives make the decisions.

 

This is based on the premise that women are better off executing tasks set for

them by their male counterparts. Of course, the days of ladies playing a

subordinate role are long gone, and these are days of egalitarianism, with the

wife having as much say (if not more) in running the family and deciding

matters, as the husband. In many households, women virtually head the family,

financially and otherwise. Equal opportunity is the name of the game, and there

are laws on Women Empowerment, and more laws to prevent injustice to and

exploitation of the fairer sex.

 

This is the situation prevailing today, after women have waged a long-drawn

battle for their rights.

 

Wouldn't it surprise you to hear that long long ago, someone willingly

acknowledged his wife's supremacy, and awaited her approval even for his routine

functions? And before you ask, no, the lady is not a domineering type, nor the

husband hen-pecked. They are in fact the ideal, harmonious couple, the envy of

every other married pair in the world, and have been extremely attached to each

other, from time immemorial.

 

Adiyen can hear a die-hard male chauvinist voice moan "who could be the

fellow?".

 

It is none other than the Lord.

 

If this sounds funny, please note that this is asserted on very good authority-

that of Sri Koorattazhwan, who says that the Lord awaits a green signal from His

Consort before embarking on His job of Creation-

 

"YasyA veekshya mukham tat ingita parAdheenO vidhatthE akhilam" (Sri Stavam).

 

So complete is the lady's authority that She deigns to convey consent not by

word, but only through expression.

 

Hence it is this lady whom we have to thank for our being fortunate enough to

attain a human birth, for if She had not so willed, we would still be

indistinguishably bundled up with non-sentient beings, in a state of

semi-existence that follows every pralaya (achit avisishtAn pralayE jantoon"-Sri

Daya Satakam). That this world of sentient and non-sentient beings would not

have been born at all, but for the enlivening glance of Piratti, is brought out

by Sri Alavandar in ChatusslOki-"eeshat tvat karuNA nirIkshaNa sudhA

sandhukshanAt rakshyatE- nashtam prAk tat alAbhata: tribhuvanam samprati

anantOdayam".

 

 

 

We have been used to thinking that Emperuman creates this world out of infinite

mercy, to enable jeevatmas to endeavour for liberation by adopting a suitable

strategy therefor. Wrong, says Sri Parasara Bhattar. Much as a new groom flaunts

His prowess before his bride, the Lord too indulges in Creation to "show off" to

Piratti. This is akin to a peacock unfurling all its glorious feathers, in a bid

to impress its mate. Sri Bhattar makes fun of the Lord in the following sloka

from Sri GunaratnakOsam-

 

"PraLaya samaya suptam svam sareera EkadEsam

 

Varada chitachit Akhyam vistruNAna:

 

Kachitam iva kalApam chitram Adadya dhoonvan

 

Anusikhini sikhIva krIdasi SrI samaksham".

 

 

 

If further proof were needed of the Lord's abject surrender, it is provided by

His making His in-laws' house His permanent residence. Emperuman resides with

pleasure in the Milky Ocean (TiruppArkadal), which is after all the birthplace

of Mahalakhmi ("KshIrOdajESamudra tanayAm" etc). And He is so enamoured of

His bride that He can hardly let Her out of His sight, and insists on Her

staying extremely close to Him, in fact on His chest ("agalakillEn irayum endru

alarmEl mangai urai marba"). These provide a clear indication of who calls the

shots in the Divine Household.

 

 

 

 

 

It is thus not surprising to learn that Emperuman's identity, as the Supreme

Lord, is itself proved only through His association with Piratti ("SvarUpa

nirUpaka dharmam"). It is for this reason that Azhwars address Him tirelessly

and variously as follows-

 

"TirumagaL sEr mArban"

 

"Tirumangai nindraruLum deivam"

 

"Tiruvudai adigaL"

 

"Tirumangai tannOdum tigazhgindra TirumAlAr"

 

"MalarAL maNavALan" etc. etc.

 

 

 

Conversely, deities like Brahma and Shiva, though powerful by themselves, do not

enjoy the Supremacy and glory of Sriman Narayana, as they are not associated

with Piratti, and, as such, are not to be venerated, says Sri Tirumazhsai

Azhwar-" Tiru illA dEvarai tErElmin dEvu".

 

All of Emperuman's glory is due to His being the husband of Piratti, says Srimad

Ramayana( "SitAyA: charitam mahat")-

 

"apramEyam hi tat tEjO yasya sA JanakAtmaja"

 

 

 

With all this, is anything wrong in calling Emperuman "Mr. Mahalakshmi"?

 

 

 

Srimate Sri LakshmINrsimha divya paduka sevaka SrivanSatakopa Sri Narayana

Yatindra Mahadesikaya Nama:

 

Dasan, sadagopan.