Padhuka Sahasram-34, 37

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Sri:

 

SrimatE Gopaladesika MahAdesikAya Namaha,

 

Dear Sriman Sadagopan,

 

Thank you very much for your wonderful follow-ups for Stotrams 34-37.

In verse 34, Swami Desikan refers to the fact that the Ramayanam at

times extols the Padhukas briefly and at times in great detail. Swami

Desikan follows Adi Kavi, Valmiki, in that he glorifies the Padhukas in

one short sweet Mahaveera Vaibhavam salutation " Padhuka Agriyabisheka

Nirvartita Sarva Loka Yoga Kshema " and then proceeds to extol the

Padhukas in

great detail through 1008 exquisite verses of the Padhuka Sahasram.

 

The Ramayana Katha Sangraha pays tribute to the Padhukas in the

salutation " PadhukE Chasya RajyAya NyAsam Dattva Punah Punaha: I

NivartayAmAsa taThO Bharatam BharatAgrajaha: II

SakAma ManavApyaIva Rama Pada upasprushan I

NandigrAmE KarOdrajyam Rama Gamana KankshayA: II

 

The Nyasam appearing in this passage refers to SharaNagati granted to

a supplicant. The Punah Punaha is extolled by Swami Desikan in the

Hayagriva Stotram through the salutation " Navam Navam PAtramaham

DayAyA: " and in the Sri Stuthi salutation " Eka Lakshyam DayAyA: "

Sri Ramanujacharya pays his tribute in the same spirit in the Sri

Vaikunta

Gadyam salutation " Punah Punah PraNamya " .

 

Lord Sri Rama himself recognizes the greatness of the Padhukas

by installing them first (through Bharata) on the throne of the

Ikshvaku

dynasty. Although, Lord Rama was none other than Lord Ranganatha

incarnate,

He chose to pay tribute to the Padhukas of his Kula Dhanam through

their

AgriyAbishekam.

 

H.H. Srimad Poundarikapuram Andavan Swami remarks that the Mahima of

the

Padhukas is even greater than that of the Lord himself. H.H. points out

that during the reign of Lord Rama, he had to mete out punishment to a

chaturtha (one belonging to the fourth caste) engaged in interpreting

the

Vedas. Also, Lord Rama had to explain the cause of unnatural death of a

Brahmin's son. Whereas during the reign of the Padhukas no such

calamities

occured. H.H.'s observations are helpful to understand Swami Desikan's

tribute " Sarva Loka Yogakshema " . H.H. also mentioned that after the

coronation of the Padhukas, three Pattabishekams followed (those of

Sugriva, VibhishaNa and Sethu Rama-the last one mentioned very

briefly in the Ramayanam). This further reiterates the message of

" Sarvaloka Yogakshema "

 

Namo Narayana,

 

SriMuralidhara Dasan