Saint Sketch -7- Sri Sridhara Venkatesa Ayyaval -Part-3 By Sri.Sri.Muralidhara Swamiji

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Radhe Krishna To All, An Announcement:1. Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji's is discoursing at Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai in commemoration of the Centenary celebrations of Swami Abhendananda's Jayanti on April 12th Sunday inbetween 7.00 PM -9.00PM. All are invited.2. On the Ocassion of Tamil New Year's day our swamiji is rendering a Special discourse on Star Vijay TV. on April 14th inbetween 7.00AM till 7.30AM. Please do

watch!--------------- Sri Shridhara Ayyaval Sri Shridhara Ayyaval was an embodiment of humility. For the sake of uplifting the humankind, he composed many works. Bhagavan Nama Bhooshanam, Aakya Shashti, Dayashatakam, Stuti Paddhathi, Shiva Bhakti Kalpalatha, Shiva Bhakta Lakshanam, Achyutaashtakam, Dola Navaratna Malika etc. are a few to name. Though titled differently, all these works were primarily about the greatness and glory of the Divine Names of the Lord. Sri Bhagavan Nama Bodendra Swamigal was a contemporary of Sri Shridhara Ayyaval. Sri Bodendra

Swamigal had immense reverence for Sri Shridhara Ayyaval. They used to meet often and enjoy the bliss of talking about the glory of Lord. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval, though saw no difference in the prowess of Lord Shiva's name and Lord Vishnu's name, loved chanting the names of Lord Shiva.

 

Sri Bodendra similarly loved the name of Rama more than anything. When Sri Bodendra Swamigal read the work of Sri Shridhara Ayyaval, named 'Aakya Shashti', which primarily talked only about the greatness of Lord Shiva's names in sixty verses, he said, "You could have named this work as 'Shivaakyashashti' instead of 'Aakya Shashti'! Though all the names of the Lord are equally sweet and powerful, you have chosen to sing the greatness of only one of them! Why is it so? Don’t you like singing the divine Name of Lord Rama?" The moment Sri Shridhara Ayyaval heard this from the great saint, he replied in a beautiful verse emphasizing the greatness of the Divine Name of Lord Rama. "While Lord Shiva, the glory of whose name I have sung in these sixty verses, himself does not cease to chant the Divine Name Rama even for a moment out of such taste and love for that name, how can I dare to

describe the beauty and glory of the Divine Name of Rama?"

Sri Bodendra Swamigal shed tears of joy hearing this verse. Sri Bodendra Swamigal and Sri Shridhara Ayyaval spent many such wonderful moments of divine bliss. Sri Sadashiva Brahmendra, another great Saint of the same time, also used to join Sri Shridhara Ayyaval and Sri Bodendra Swamigal in their discussions. A few learned scholars of the city envied Sri Shridhara Ayyaval for the place he had found in the heart of the king. Once, they had arranged for a grand celebration of Janmashtami festival with much pomp and show. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval did not relish the worship that was devoid of devotion. Therefore, he did not participate in the function. The people who conducted the function took a picture of Lord Krishna in procession. When Lord Krishna's procession came to the door of Sri Shridhara Ayyaval, the priests and scholars refused to accept the offerings of Sri

Shridhara Ayyaval. Reprimanding Sri Shridhara Ayyaval for not taking part in the festival because of pride, they said, "Why feign devotion when you lack it utterly? Keep away. Our Lord Krishna hardly needs your worship." Sri Shridhara Ayyaval smilingly replied,

 

"Lord Krishna knows who His devotees are!" Cut to quick by these words, the priests and scholars said, "Well! In that case, why don’t you call Lord Krishna? If you are indeed a great devotee, let us see if Lord Krishna heeds your invitation!" Without a moment's hesitation, Sri Shridhara Ayyaval sweetly sang the names of Lord Krishna and composed a beautiful verse on Him. While Sri Shridhara Ayyaval stood on, the priests ordered the procession to move on. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval too went inside his humble home. When the procession reached the next house, the priests and scholars found the image of Lord Krishna missing in the photograph! Trembling with fear, they ran to the house of Sri Shridhara Ayyaval to beg his forgiveness. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval was putting Lord Krishna to sleep. He composed the 'Dola Navaratna Maalika' on Lord Krishna that night. The priests and scholars, who had

offended Sri Shridhara Ayyaval out of ignorance, now understood the glory of Sri Shridhara Ayyaval and his steadfast devotion and love for the Lord. To absolve themselves of the sin incurred by offending a great devotee and with a hope to develop that very kind of love for the Lord, which Sri Shridhara Ayyaval had, they too spent the entire night with Sri Shridhara Ayyaval, singing the Divine Names of the Lord.!!! Will Continue !!!

Regards

Let’s Chant Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare-----------------------If you have any questions or doubts concerning Spirituality, Mental peace or problems in life or about dharma, please write to us by clicking here: http://www.namadwaar.org/answers/askquestion.php His Holiness Sri Sri Swamiji personally answers these questions for you and suggests prayers.---------------------------