(VedAntha Desikan ) Sri Deshika Sahasranamam: Part XXII-- NaamA 450-452

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ShrI:

 

ChithrabhAnu , KanyA Maasam , PurattAsi 22:

Sukla Paksha DhvithIyai , SvAthi nakshathram

 

shrI:

 

shrImate vakuLabhUShaNa mahAdeshikAya nama:

shrImate rAmAnujAya nama:

shrImate nigamAnta mahAdeshiKAya nama:

 

shrImad GopAlArya mahAdeshikaiH anugRihItam

shrI deshika divya sahasranAma stotram

 

shrImannigamAnta mahA deshika - divyasahasranAmAvaLi:

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453.(PraNavam) Bhagavath-paadha-sadhrusa Urdhva-puNDrakruthi-

vEdhithrE nama:

 

Salutations to that AchArya Saarvabhouman , who fully

understood the details about the correct shape for the Urdhva-

PuNDrams !

 

AtharvaNa vEda has a passage named " HarE: PaadhAkruthi " .

Swamy Desikan based his assessment about the shape of

the Urdhva-puNDram on this vachanam(i-e)., the shape

of the Urdhva-puNDram should be like the Lord's Thiruvadi

(Sacred feet when He is lying down): bent at the edge ,

projecting upward and slightly broad (SaamudhrikA lakshaNam).

 

SamhithA SaasthrAs refer to other shapes like a bamboo shoot ,

dheepam , agni jwAlai, mathsyam/fish , koormam/tortoise,

lotus bud et al. Among all these descriptions of various

possibiliites , the Bhagavath Paadha Aadharam(Shape) is

the most preferred because it reminds us of the Daasathva

Jn~Anam ( that we are DaasAs of BhagavAn).Therefore ,

there is a special injunction to adorn the Urdhva-puNDram

in the form of the Lord's Thiruvadi for VaishNava ekAnthis.

Shapes like the lotus bud, leave of a pupil tree,

Mathsyam et al have some links to the Lord thru avathArams

or assoications .Therefore Saasthrams laud these shapes , but

the Hari Paadha AakAram (shape) reminds us of the central

doctrine of VaishNavam that we are the Daasans of the Lord.

 

In the archAvathArams at the dhivya dEsams , we see

the Tilakam adorning the Lord's forehead. We do not

follow that because it is not possible for us to do

every thing that the Lord does.This is for alankAram

and beautification for the Lord.There is no saasthra

sammadham(consent) for us to wear Tilakam . Hari pAdha

aakaram alone is sanctioned by the VedAs.

 

Latter day practises of having a lotus with its stalk

holding the two paadhams has not been sanctioned

by any sAsthrams either.

 

454. (PraNavam) PuNDra sacchidhratA vEthrE nama:

 

Salutations to that AchArya Saarvabhouman , who instructed us

that the Urdhva PuNDram has to have the required space

between the two paadhams !

 

AtharvaNa vEdam prescribes this rule. Sage MarichI

states that for a 4 inch tall PuNDram , the gap between

the two legs should be 2 inches . BhagavAn states that

a person , who provides that interspace is dear to Him.

It is at that space that the Lord resides with SrI Devi.

 

455. (PraNavam) PuNDra-sankhyA vichArakAya nama:

 

Salutations to that SadAchAryan , who researched in to

the number of Urdhva PuNDrams to be worn by a VaishNavan!

 

1) according to one determination , there are 12 places

in the upper torso that one has to wear Urdhva puNDram.

KesavAdhi Naamams should be invoked during the adornments.

Swamy Desikan has covered these details in his SrI Sookthi,

Panniru ThirunAmam.

 

2) another view (paksham) is that there should be a 13th one

to be adorned on the head with appropriate manthram.

 

3) There are other views that state that 4, 6 , 8 PuNDrams

are sufficent .People with VaishNava Aagama dhIkshai wear four.

 

Swamy Desikan determined based on Saasthra pramANams

that the 12 ThirumaNN Kaapus ( or even 13) is the most

recommended number. For performing specific karmAs or

for rituals with some expectations/fruits (prayOjanams),

lesser numbers are allowed. Otherise , 12is the norm.

 

When there is a paucity of ThirumaNN materail ,then

fewer ThirumaNNs become necessary.When one is not able to

wear 12 ThirumaNNs due to incapacity resulting from

illness or when the body is unclean , then adornemnt of

fewer than 12 ThirumaNNs are permitted by SaasthrAs.

 

Ahnika granthams state that even the unclean person

has to wear Urdhav PuNDram associated with Kesavan on

the forehead and DaamOdharan on the back of the neck.

 

VAzhi vyAkhyAmuddirak kai !!!

VedAnthasUri charaNau sharaNam prapadye !!!

SrI LakshmI HayagrIva ParabrahmaNE nama:

Daasan , Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri SaThakOpan