Thirumanjana Kattiyam of Sri RanganathA : SlOkam 17-20

[Guest guest]

SrI:

 

Dear Sri Ranganatha BhakthAs :

 

In the 17th and the 18th slOkams , Swamy ParAsara Bhattar

compares Lord RanganAtha to the boon-granting Kalpaka tree.

In the 19th slOkam , Swamy ParAsara Bhattar compares the ManjaL

Kaappu (Turmeric paste) on the chest of the Lord during the middle of

the Thirumanjanam with the hue of the gems on Sri RanganAyaki's

ankle ornament and also to Her golden hue . In the 20th slOkam ,

Swamy ParAsara Bhattar continues with the comparsion of the yellowish

hue of the turmeric paste on the Lord's chest with that of the golden hue of

Sri RanganAyaki .

 

SlOkam 17:

***************

anEka SaakhAsritha-mAsrithEbhyO

dhatthAbhikAnsham thridasiaka bhOgyam

suparNa-ramyam sumans-samEtham

suradhhrumam ThvAm sudhiyO vadhanthi

 

Dr.S.Padmanabhan's comments : Lord is compared to a KaRpakA

tree , which is of celestial origin and grants all boons for those ,

who stand under it and ask for those boons . This tree has many branches

( anEka saakhA ) . For aasrithALs ( those who seek its grace) , it

becomes a desire-granting tree( aasrithEbhyO dhattha abhikAnksham ) .

It is a great joy for the dEvas for that reason ( thridasika bhOgyam ).

It is beautiful with its leaves ( suparNa ramyam ) and lovely flowers

( sumanas). It is a celestial tree (Sura dhrumam ) . The Lord of Srirangam

is also the object of praise of several Veda Saakhais . He is the boon-granter

for all those who seek them . He is the object of enjoyment of the DevAs

( tridasaas) . He is beautiful with the Garuda vehicle ( SuparNa ramyam ) .

and is surrounded by the devotees ( Sumanas). People with clear Jn~Anam

recognize You as the divine Kalpaka tree ( SuradhrumamThvAm sudhiyO

vadanthi) .

 

Swamy ParAsara Bhattar will address the Lord of Srirangam as

SrImadh Suranga dharaNeesar , while continuing with the comparison

of Him as a Kalpaka tree . He is with SrI Devi ( Sriranga Naayaki) at Ranga

KshEthram . He is therefore susObhitha Ranga , Surangan . He is the Lord of

the land of Srirangam ( Suranga dharaNeesan) . He is like a sura taru

( the divine Kalpaka tree) as compared in this and the next slOkam .

Let us now look at the individual words and passages used by Bhattar

in this 17th slOkam .

 

(1) VisAla Saakham : NaayantE ! Kalpaka tree has broad branches . As Veda

NaarAyaNan , You have broad Veda Saakhais ( rescensions) saluting You .

 

(2) SrI kousthubha sphuritham : NaayantE ! That Kalpaka tree would be radiant

like the KousthubhA gem . Yourself are resplendent with Sri DEvi and

the Kousthubha gem on Your chest .

 

(3) Ipsitha dhAna daksham : The Kalpaka tree will grant all types of boons

sought by the boon-seekrs . Lord RanganAthA ! You are well known for

blessing Your aasrithALs with the boons that they seek ( Sakala Phala

prathO hi VishNu: ") .

 

(4) HamsAdhi saddhvija-varairoopa sEvyamAnam : That Kalpaka tree will

be surrounded by Hamsa Pakshis and such , which will be performing

their prostrations . As for You Lord , You are worshipped by Hamsar ,

Parama Hamsar , Paramahamsa ParivrAjakars ( ascending levels of SanyAsis) .

 

(5) ThvAm manmahE suratarum suranATa nATa : We recognize You therefore

as Azhigiya MaNavALa PerumAL fulfilling the desires of Your bhakthAs

through abheeshta PradhAnam like the Divine Kalpaka tree .

 

slOkam 18:

*************

SrImad Suranga-dharaNeesa ! visAlasAkham

SrI Kousthubha sphuritham Ipsitha-dhAna-daksham

hamsAdhi saddhvijavarairoopa sEvyamAnam

ThvAm manmahE sura tarum suranAta nATa

 

Dr.S.Padmanabhan's comments : Here Lord RanganAthA

enjoying His Thirumanjanam is compared to the celestial

wish-yielding tree .The tree has several , broad branches

(visAla SaakhA ) . It is resorted to by swans and similar birds

( hamsAdhi saddhvija ) . Lord RanganAtha is the purport of

several Vedic saakhAs (rescensions) and He is ready to confer

all boons on those , who seek His refuge . He is served by

the twice born and the Raaja SanyAsis ( hamsaAdhi saddhvija-

varairroopa sEvyamAnam ) . Comments about some of the words

used by Bhattar in this slOkam are included in the earlier slOkam

because both of them compare the Lord toa Kalpaka tree.

 

Slokam 19

*************

adhyAyathE lasathy hallaka-pushpamAlA

vakshasTalE vinihithA Tava RangarAja !

svacchandhavAri KamalAcharaNAravindha

mANikya-noopura mayUkha paramparEva

 

Dr.S. PadmanAbhan's comments : In another poetic fancy ,

the poet describes the garland of red lotuses adorning

the broad chest of Lord RanganAtha as a series of brilliant

rays emanating from the gem-studded anklets of the lotus feet

of Sri RanganAyaki , who moves about freely thereon .

 

Swamy ParAsara Bhattar's Commentary : MahA Lakshmi is the frist

Svaroopa Niroopakai for the Lord (SraddhyA dEvO dEvathvam asnuthE ) .

She never leaves Her seat on His chest even for a fraction of a second

as NithyAnapAyini . She roams around the Lord's braod chest and

during those movements the sparkle from the rubies in Her anklets

illuminate the portions of the body of the Lord , wherever it falls.

After Thirumanjanam and MajaL Kaapu , the Lord of Srirangam is

adorned with Hallaka pushpa maalai ( Garland of red lotus flowers :

Senkazhuneer Maalai) . That flower garland shines on the broad chest

of the Lord . There resides MahA Lakshmi known for the lakshaNam of

the Lord ( VisAla VakshasthalasObhi lakshaNam ) . His broad chest is like

the golden ramparts ( HiraNya PrAkAram) for that HiraNya-varNai . The red

lotus flower garland on that broad chest is like the brilliant red ruby rays

from the AlarmEl Mangai 's anklets . She roams around there ( the Vakshasthalam )

in an independent manner ( SvacchandhachAri) . The rays originating from

the Ruby anklets of the Thiruvadi of MahA Lakshmi ( KamaLA charaNAravindha

maaNikya noopura mayUka paramparaa) appear to represent the Red lotus

(Senkazhuneer Pushpam ) garland .

 

SlOkam 20

**************

RangEsa Rajanee-charchA rAjathE Tva vakshasi

dEvyA hiraNyavarNayA: dEhakAnthirivOdhithaa

 

Swamy ParasAra Bhattar is enjoying the ManjaL Kaapu

( Turmeric powder paste=Rajanee-charchA ) on the Lord's

chest after His Thirumanjanam ; the beauty of that sEvai

overpowers him to compose this slOkam . That manjaL kAppu

on the Chest of the Lord reminds Bhattar of the complexion of

the golden hued consort of the Lord , Sri RanganAyaki residing there .

Bhattar revels in the dhivya darsanam of Sri RanganAyakai on

the ThirumEni of the Lord duirng Thirumanjanam and points out

that the ManjaL kaappu on the Lord's chest is like the prabhA

associated with the dEha Kaanthi ( ThirumEni lustre ) of Sri RanganAyaki .

SrI RangarAjan is " ThirumahaLAr tanikkELvan perumai udaya

PirAn " . The hue of Sri RanganAyaki residing in the Lord's chest

is saluted as " HiraNya varNAm HariNeem " . She is of the color of Gold.

The Senkazhuneer Maalai appears like a PrabhA for the red lotus lady

and the ManjaL kaapu is part and parcel of Her adornment .

 

Swamy ParAsara Bhattar ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam ,

Daasan , Oppiliappan KOil VaradAchAri Sadagopan

Srimath Azhagiya Singar Thiruvadi Podi