SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA SlOkams 947-948

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Dear Devotees of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukAs :

 

SrI :

 

SrI GopAla Desika MahA DesikAya Nama:

 

SlOkams 947 &948

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Saarasa soukhya samEtha khyAthA padhapaa svAj~nA

sAhasakAryavanAsA dheerA vasudhA navanyAsA-- -- (947)

 

sAnyAavanadhaa suvaraa dheesAnA vayarkA sahasA

j~nA svA vibhu pAdhapathA khyAthA mE sakhyasou sarasA-- --( 948)

 

These two slOkams are intertwined : When one reads

the 948th slOkam's second line starting from left to right

all the way to the first line , the first slOkam is obtained .

 

This chithra version of poetry is known as " Bhinna-

vrutthAnulOma--prathilOma slOka dhvayam " . When we

read the 2nd slOkam upside down , we get the first slOkam

with a full panoply of meanings. The genius of Swamy Desikan

as a poet has no limits as we see from his talent to construct

such extraordinary pairs of verses that are tightly coupled .

Goomuthrika Bhandham is also incorporated into these two

verses.

 

Meaning of SlOkam 947 according to Dr.V.N.VedAntha Desikan Swamy :

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The PaadhukA was interested in safeguarding the devotee ,

Bharatha , who showed a stubbornness in his stand , sometimes

even improper . It ventures to protect devotees somehow. It grants

affluence . Its ever-anew , charming steps would be impressive .

It enjoys the pleasure of the lotus flowers submitted as archana

oblations . The PaadhukA rules with a righteous mace .

 

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

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1) UtthamUr Swamy's anubhavam : The PaadhukAs are intent on

protecting BharathA , who was obstinate and was engaged in

doing the impossible . The Paadhukas confer wealth and are

valorous. They have novel forms and shapes . They enjoy

the worship with lotus flowers . They associate with

the people of tranquil minds . They are celebrated in

the world. They show their symbols of spectre and sword

to remind us about their soverign nature .

 

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam : In the previous two slOkams

( 945 & 946) , Swamy Desikan saluted the power of the Padhukais

removing the enemies (VirOdhis) for his serving as the servant

(Sesha Vrutthi) to the Paadhukais and prayed for the merciful

Paadhukais to come before him for accepting his worship.

 

In these two slOkams ( 947 & 948), Swamy Desikan acknowledges

with gratitude the readiness with which the Paadhukais came down

to accept his AarAdhanam and the ease of access with which

the Paadhukais related to him as a dear friend . He thanks

the Paadhukais for accepting his kinchithkArams ( Small

acts of service) and how the Paadhukais guided him to worship

them as commanded by the Saasthrams.

 

Swamy Desikan compares his daring request to the Paadhukais

to appear before him to accept his worship to the wilful act of

Bharathan , who engaged in prAyOpavEsam ( hunger strike

until getting what one wants) in front of the hut of RaamA

in chithrakootam . Just as PaadhukAs created the desire

in the mind of BharathA to return to AyOdhyA with them

instead of their Lord , Swamy Desikan says that the Paadhukais

appeared before him to recieve his worship inspite of his

unfitness. Swamy points out that PaadhukAs' behavior in

the case of BharathA and himself demonstrated the power

of Aasritha rakshaNam of the Paadhukais. In the case of

BharathA , the most merciful Paadhukais put up with

the pains of seperation from their Lord and stayed with

BharathA to rule over the kingdom as the representative

of Raamachnadra. These PaadhukAs accept very little from

the aasrithAs and returns great good fortunes to them .

They also appear before the aasrithAs in many garbs

to enhance their visual pleasures.Thus Swamy acknowledges

the many soulabhya vyApArams of the Paadhukais here .

 

 

3)The Paadhukai is easily pleased with the offering of

lotus flower during its aarAdhanam ( Saarasa soukhya samEthA).

She commands me with auspicious instructions about

Her worship (SvAj~nA ). She is eager to protect the wilful BharathA ,

when he demanded Her Lord's return to AyOdhya before

completing His pledge of 14 years of vana vAsam ( Saahasa

kAri avana aasaa) . She is heroic (dheerA ) and grants us

all kinds of wealth ( VasudhA ) . She appears in novel pleasing

forms (Padapaa nava nyAsA) . She has the reputation of being

easy of access to those who seek Her refuge ( Bhuvi khyAthA)....(V.S).

 

SlOkam 948

 

SrI GopAla Desika MahA DesikAya Nama:

 

Meaning of SlOkam 948 according to Dr.V.N.VedAntha Desikan Swamy :

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The PaadhukA is fit to be worshipped . It is our protector.

It is easily sought , easily attained and easily utilized as help.

It is like an Empress having authority and controlling powers.

A stockhouse of pleasure , all round knowledge , it has the Lord

at its disposal . It is reputed as protector of the Lord's feet .

The PaadhukA is my helpmate.

 

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

 

1) UtthamUr Swamy's anubhavam : The PaadhukAs are worthy of

meditation . They have the power to protect one. They can be

reflected upon and brought before one very quickly . They have

the capacity of instantaneous response . They command and take

control . They are comforting . They know everything . They are

wealthy with many auspicious attributes. They have the possession

of the Lord Himself. They are celebrated for the services they

perform through protecting the Lord's holy feet . They have

attachment to their devotees . They give me comfort and

peace of mind .

 

2) SrImath Andavan anubhavam : These Paadhukais , which

became easy of access to me are not ordinary vasthus ;

their glories are immense especially when compared to my

own inadequacies. They are fit to be worshipped by all

people of the universe. adiyEn is not qualified even to think of

them with my feeble mind . They protect the entire universe

with their power. adiyEn is one , who depends on them for

my rakshaNam . The Paadhukai is the Empress of

the universe. I am a nonentity before its power. It has

no needs and has every thing ( avAptha samastha kAmai).

I am the embodiment of all sorrows of samsAram.

The Paadhuka is omniscient , where as I am the first

among the ignoramus. The Paadhukai has the Lord

under its control , whereas I have lost the Lord .

The Paadhukais protect the Lord's feet and comfort Him ,

where as I give only sorrow to Him . The Paadhukais through

its Svaroopam , GuNam , status and VyApAram possesses

immeasurable glories . The PaadhukAis set aside their

nobility and high status and relate to me like a dear and

caring friend . It instructs me on hitham and ahitham

with tender loving care . What a souseelya guNam

the Paadhukais display towards me ? it is incomparable.

 

3) Oh PaadhukE ! You are fit to be the object of worship by

all BhakthAs ( SaanyA ). You provide protection to all

( avanadhA ). You are the Empress of all the worlds( adheesnA).

You have the highest Sukham and Jn~Anam and therefore

Omniscient ( Varya kaa jn~A ). You have Lord RanganAtha

under Your control ( sva A vibhu ) and the well known protector of

His sacred feet ( khyAthA PaadhapathA). This Paadukai has

assumed the role of my friend quickly and interacts with me

in a most delectable manner ( asou PaadhapathA mE sahasA

suvarA sarasA sakhee )...(V.S).