Padhuka Sahasram-794

[Guest guest]

Sri:

 

SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,

 

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

 

794. padhamapramANamithi vAdhinAm matham

maDhujithpadhE mahathi mAsma BhUdhithi

vyupadhadhi thasya charaNAvani! thvayA

nigamAthmanasthava samapramANathA

 

Oh Paaduka! (Tarka sastra would assert that a single word would have

no authority) Padam is not correct, in discussion, one would say. It

looks as though the foot and Paaduka are equal in size; and, in

another sense, of equal authenticity-'sama'-pramana! As the Paaduka

is equivalent to the Veda, the same creditable position is secured by

the foot also.

 

Namo Narayana,

 

SriMuralidhara Dasan

 

 

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

 

SlOkam 794

 

1) UtthamUr Swamy's anubhavam: Swamy Desikan's talent in using the

multiple meanings of the words is abudantly evident here. The words "

Paadham , apramANam, Sama pramANam and Nigama " are used cleverly by

him in this slOkam to convey the message that Lord's holy feet are

equal in glory to the PaadhukAs or vice-versa. "Paadha " means either

a step or a word."Nigama" means VedAs or an object that moves

in proper gait. "apramANam " means some thing , which is beyond oral

explanation. Sama pramANam means one, which has the same measure with

another object. Using all these four words in a subtle manner ,

Swamy Desikan says: " Oh PaadhukE! You seem to indicate the view of

the SasthrAs that Paadham is apramANam is not valid in the case of

the Lord's feet . You seem to suggest that both the Lord's feet and

Yourself are of similar glory , since VedAs are the common link

between the two . You appear to hint that both the Lord's holy feet

and Yourself are of equal measure in glory , since You are

extolled by the PramANam known as VedAs in equal measures".

 

( 2) SrImath Andavan's anubhavam: The inner meaning is that the very

same pramANams used to reveal the Lord is used to extoll the glory of

the Paadhukais(AchAryAs). When we come to know about the existence of

SadAchAryAs , then we adduce the presence of the Lord. It has been

pointed out that PerumAl incarnates in the form of AchAryAs.

Hence PerumAl is like AchAryAs in VyavahAram of assisting the

sufferign jeevans.

 

3) Oh PaadhukE (CharaNAvani) ! May the view (matham) that holds the

Lord's feet is immeasurable not be emphasized ( Padham apramANam ithi

vaadhinAm matham mahathi MadhujithpathE: maasma bhUth).That thought

was revealed by the VedAs which consider You (Veda

Svaroopi/nigamAthmana:)) with equal loftiness . That Thiruvadi of

the Lord has equal glory (samapramAnam) and this has been revealed (

vyadhapAdhi) by the very same VedAs that celebrate the glory of the

Lord's Thiruvadi...(V.S).