Satakopar, the reincarnation of Sri Rama

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                               Satakopar, the reincarnation of Sri Rama

 The appended episode finds a place in the “ Nava Thirupathi

Mahatmiyam” bearing close resemblance to a sequence narrated in

“Uttarakanda” of Srimad Ramayana and logically stand to

ratiocination.

The great festive occasion of the coronation of Sri Rama was

celebrated with éclat in the presence of and the blessings by eminent

dignitaries, celebrities and commonality and without discrimination in

regard to status, standing or station in life. The unique distinction

of placing the Royal Crown was conferred on sage Vasishtha, the

spiritual head and mentor of the Royal Family. In accordance with the

traditional practice, presents to the dignitaries were bestowed and

they were given a warm farewell. All those who participated in this

unprecedented event dispersed with a satisfaction of sharing the

happiness with others during the delightful event.

            A special mention required to be mentioned about

Vibhishana who was the proud percipient of “Lord Ranganatha” in the

form of an icon, from Sri Rama whose dynasty has been worshipping Him

since the time of King Ikshvahu belonging to Solar lineage and who was

responsible for bringing the Lord from “Brahma Loka”. The rest of the

events that culminated in Lord Ranganatha preferring to stay in the

island now called Sri Rangam surrounded by the river Cauvery are well

known. Anjaneya the celibate celebrity had an emotional hugging by Sri

Rama which he aspired for and considered to be the best acquisition

and present.

            Sri Rama thereafter ruled the country for eleven thousand

years without deviation form truth and Justice and whose reign we

often refer to as a model for reestablishing “Ram Rajya” which, Alas,

is eluding like will-o-the wisp and remains an utopia.

            It would be relevant to quote the great Tamil poet,

Kambar, who compared the rule by the King of Kings Dasaratha to that

of Ram Rajya when the glorious Emperor did not have a presupposition

of such a son, as Rama would be born to him eventually. To dilate

further, the famous poet could not find a better comparison in this

context than to mention Sri Rama’s administration to follow later.

Here the poet did not mention Sri Rama’s name, but enhanced it by

saying, “ The Hero of this Great Epic”. Remembering this as if to

reciprocate the sentiments expressed earlier, Kambar through the

words described in the sequence where He, on hearing the sad news

from Bharatha of passing away of their dear father cries “Oh! The

unfading Light! You have left this World! Who is there to uphold

‘Dharma’ and practice probity!”

            There were only three days left for Sri Rama to go back to

“Vyuha” the second in the order of five stages from which Sriman

Narayana descends on the earth to re-establish “Dharma” when it is in

shambles. Just then, Yama, the lord of Death came to Ayodhya to have

an audience with Sri Rama. Sri Raghava called His brother Lakshmana

and ordered him not to let anybody during His tête-à-tête.

Accordingly Lakshmana was keeping strict vigil and surveillance by

standing at the threshold of the Palace. This is not a new assignment

to Lakshmana as he was familiar with such a noble service earlier in

this epic when he stood guard outside the improvised abode in the

forest without a wink of sleep till dawn while Sri Rama and Sita were

sleeping inside.

 

            As ill luck would have it, the irascible Rishi Dhuruva

made his appearance before the palace entrance and Lakshmana on

seeing him allowed the sage inside, out of apprehension, thus

annulling the command of his brother, the embodiment of truth. Sri

Rama received the anchorite with reverence consistent with His inborn

demeanour, notwithstanding the untimely intrusion of the recluse. At

the same time Sri Rama chided the brother for countermanding His

instructions after having subtly traced the indignation in Sri Rama’s

face and left the palace entrance as an act of atonement for the

dereliction of duty on his part and was strolling hither and thither

on the banks of meandering river Sarayu.

            Giving an adieu to the Lord of Death, Sri Rama searched

for His brother who was not at the palace precincts, decided to quit

this world after crowning His sons, Lava and Kusa.

            With that end in view Sri Rama came to the banks of the

Sarayu followed by a retinue of people. He was amazed to see

Lakshmana in a melancholy mood and addressed him with indignation in

His unfamiliar and unusual fashion, “You are now my antagonist; You

have disobeyed my orders; you have an earlier occasion had the

temerity to accuse father for yielding to Kaikeyi’s obduracy and also

went to the extent of criticizing “Dharma” that was then legitimately

adopted, and now You stand static before me like an immovable object

and to which you will be transformed. “ This is my curse which is

irreversible and has become inevitable in the circumstances”

            Lakshmana was stupefied and dumbfounded over the impolite

utterance of Sri Rama the patience incarnate engaging in diatribes.

However, he admitted the fault and besought pardon from Sri Rama.

            Sri Rama a bit mollified and told Lakshmana that His curse

has a purpose behind it in Kaliyuga and the wrath now displayed by Him

serves only as a ruse. At the same time, Sri Rama felt penitent over

the cruelty inflicted by Him on blemish-less Sita by sending her to

the forest when she was in the family way, and exclaimed that He also

should suffer for the above cruel act by remaining a celibate taking

shelter under a tamarind tree which form Lakshmana would take as a

immobile object in terms of curse. Incidentally Sri Rama indicated

that He would be born again in the early part of Kaliyuga to one by

name ‘Kari’ (Kashyapar) and his wife Udayanangai (Athithi devi)

            Sri Rama revealed that he would be called “Satakopar” in

Kaliyuga and His abode be niche of the tamarind tree referred above.

He also divulged the secret of giving to this world the quintessence

of the four “Vedas” in Tamil in a facile style to be understood by

one and all.

            Thus completing His peroration Sri Rama gave Lakshmana a

ring and told him that the expected mutation would take place where

the ring slid down the finger.

            Lakshmana took leave of his brother and started

circumbalation of the earth and on reaching the southern strand of

the river Thamrabharani in Thirunelveli District and on the northern

side of the temple of Adhinatha Peruma, the ring fell down. Lakshmana

had a dip in the river and offered worship at the shrine. The expected

metamorphosis took place and ‘Illaya Perumal’ became a Tamarind tree

to do the same service once again to Lord Rama to be born as

‘Satakopar’ as per His asseveration.

            The sacred Tamarind tree that exists even now has seasonal

budding of flowers but will not yield fruits. The tree is considered

as ‘Adisesha’ and worshipped as such by devotees who hold it

sacrosanct.

            The birds like peacock, cuckoo and swan perch on the tree

singing in praise of Lord. Among them one swan is supposed to address

the people constantly, “ Do not waste your precious time, surrender

unto Lord Adinatha the presiding deity and invoke His grace”. Hence

this place is called “Kurugapura”. “Kuruga” in Tamil means swan.

            The corollary of this ‘Sthalapurana’ reveals the secret of

periodical incarnations by Lord Narayana or His adjuncts.

            Poet Kambar has invoked the blessings of Satakopar

(Kurugainathan) before writing Ramayana and has mentioned about him

as his “Acharya” in his great work. He has also another work to his

credit entitled “Satakoparanthathi” may be due to his conviction that

Satakopar alias Nammazhvar is none but Sri Rama’s incarnation in

Kaliyuga.

            This article was written by Late Sri L.P.Sampath Iyengar

Comments and feedback can be sent to suprajaiyengar

 

 

 

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