Saint Sketches--Sri Sridhara Venkatesa Ayyaval -3 By Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

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Dear All,

 

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?â€

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

 

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