The Hindu- Book review- Sri Bhu Sthuthi - the editor, V. N. Vedanta Desikan’s Tamil & English explanation: Pub. by Sri Poundrikapuram Srimad Andavan Ashramam

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Forgiving goddess

http://www.hindu.com/br/2007/07/17/stories/2007071750011500.htm

 

 

PREMA NANDAKUMAR

 

--

SRI BHU STUTI: The Original with the Sanskrit

commentary of Tirukudanthai T.S.S.

Raghavabhatrachariar, the Tamil commentary of Kidambi

M. Rajagopalachariar and the editor, V. N. Vedanta

Desikan’s Tamil & English explanation: Pub. by Sri

Poundrikapuram Srimad Andavan Ashramam, 43-A/13,

Ashramam Road, Srirangam-620006. Rs. 50.

 

--

 

While this wide Earth sustains life and is altogether

unique in all creation, it is strange that the Earth

goddess had to wait for Vedanta Desika’s pellucid hymn

on her greatness long, long after the Vedic seer

indited the Bhu Sukta. Revealing Bhudevi to us as the

very image of patience and compassion through 15

mantras, the Vedic prayer is packed with coiled

significances.

 

The Vedic term “Andhoparisati” is used very aptly:

“She exists for Her ignorant children.” Like a mother

who shows special concern for her dull child, the

Earth goddess gives sustenance for us though we

torture her in many ways. All this and more must have

churned in the crucible of Desika’s devotional heart

resulting in the flow of 33 verses as the Bhu Stuti

indicating an immense gratitude.

 

Patience

 

The recitation of this splendid hymn with sincerity

and devotion assures the aspirant instantaneous gains.

True. But a greater joy is added to the benefits if

the devotee understands the hymn. The present volume

is a skilled attempt to help the common man comprehend

Bhu Stuti’s connotation.

 

All the commentaries in the volume are united in

praising Bhudevi’s immense patience and forgiving

nature.

 

While the Sanskrit, English and Tamil commentaries

keep strictly to the text, the ‘easy’ Tamil

clarification and its English version have all kinds

of Puckish interventions that are delightful, though

they may not chime in with the serious tenor of the

volume. Tirukudanthai Raghavabhatrachariar’s Sanskrit

is cloudless and Kidambi Rajagopalachariar is all that

a student prays for in getting a text clarified. But

V.N. Vedanta Desikan draws us away from the classroom,

as it were, and presents an enjoyable monologue.

 

Intercession

 

Sometimes he addresses the goddess and sometimes the

embattled human being. But always there is the

assurance of Bhudevi’s saving grace: “Bhoomi

intercedes on our behalf. The Lord relents. This is

because she has a great influence on Him. She would

make Him change His attitude. This is because she can

persuade Him. She is so very dear to Him.”

 

Indeed, with her unfailing patience, she always argues

the case in our favour! Throughout the hymn Bhudevi is

imaged as the consort of Varaha, drawing us quietly to

the Varaha charama sloka in which the Lord has said:

“I will remember my devotee and lead him to the

Supreme Abode.”

 

Bhu Stuti has also brilliantly conceived images (verse

23) and nature poetry (verse 20) for the lover of

sublime poesy.

 

A sheaf of superb photographs that gleam in the crown

size layout, make the volume a precious addition to

our personal libraries

 

 

 

 

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Madhavakkannan V wrote:

 

 

 

Forgiving goddess

http://www.hindu.com/br/2007/07/17/stories/2007071750011500.htm

PREMA NANDAKUMAR

------------SRI BHU STUTI: The Original with the Sanskrit

commentary of Tirukudanthai T.S.S.

Raghavabhatrachariar, the Tamil commentary of Kidambi

M. Rajagopalachariar and the editor, V. N. Vedanta

Desikan’s Tamil & English explanation: Pub. by Sri

Poundrikapuram Srimad Andavan Ashramam, 43-A/13,

Ashramam Road, Srirangam-620006. Rs. 50.

---------------------

While this wide Earth sustains life and is altogether

unique in all creation, it is strange that the Earth

goddess had to wait for Vedanta Desika’s pellucid hymn

on her greatness long, long after the Vedic seer

indited the Bhu Sukta. Revealing Bhudevi to us as the

very image of patience and compassion through 15

mantras, the Vedic prayer is packed with coiled

significances.

The Vedic term “Andhoparisati” is used very aptly:

“She exists for Her ignorant children.” Like a mother

who shows special concern for her dull child, the

Earth goddess gives sustenance for us though we

torture her in many ways. All this and more must have

churned in the crucible of Desika’s devotional heart

resulting in the flow of 33 verses as the Bhu Stuti

indicating an immense gratitude.

Patience

The recitation of this splendid hymn with sincerity

and devotion assures the aspirant instantaneous gains.

True. But a greater joy is added to the benefits if

the devotee understands the hymn. The present volume

is a skilled attempt to help the common man comprehend

Bhu Stuti’s connotation.

All the commentaries in the volume are united in

praising Bhudevi’s immense patience and forgiving

nature.

While the Sanskrit, English and Tamil commentaries

keep strictly to the text, the ‘easy’ Tamil

clarification and its English version have all kinds

of Puckish interventions that are delightful, though

they may not chime in with the serious tenor of the

volume. Tirukudanthai Raghavabhatrachariar’s Sanskrit

is cloudless and Kidambi Rajagopalachariar is all that

a student prays for in getting a text clarified. But

V.N. Vedanta Desikan draws us away from the classroom,

as it were, and presents an enjoyable monologue.

Intercession

Sometimes he addresses the goddess and sometimes the

embattled human being. But always there is the

assurance of Bhudevi’s saving grace: “Bhoomi

intercedes on our behalf. The Lord relents. This is

because she has a great influence on Him. She would

make Him change His attitude. This is because she can

persuade Him. She is so very dear to Him.”

Indeed, with her unfailing patience, she always argues

the case in our favour! Throughout the hymn Bhudevi is

imaged as the consort of Varaha, drawing us quietly to

the Varaha charama sloka in which the Lord has said:

“I will remember my devotee and lead him to the

Supreme Abode.”

Bhu Stuti has also brilliantly conceived images (verse

23) and nature poetry (verse 20) for the lover of

sublime poesy.

A sheaf of superb photographs that gleam in the crown

size layout, make the volume a precious addition to

our personal libraries