The Desika SrI
Sookthi
revered as SrImath Rahasya Thraya Saaram is one of the most
important one
in our KaalakshEpam tradition. This Grantham has 32 chapters and was
blessed to us in the MaNipravALa (Sanskritized Tamil) format. The
meanings
of the individual chapters of SrImath Rahasya Thraya Saaram have
been
summarized in the Desika Prabhandham by Swamy Desikan in Tamil in
this
Prabhandham revered as AdhikAra Sangraham.
There are 56
paasurams in
AdhikAra Sangraham(40-95).
The TEN topics
covered by
Swamy Desikan in this Prabhandham are:
(1) The Ten AzhwArs
(2)
Madhura Kavi Vaibhavam (3) Eight AchAryAs (4) the importance of
having
firm Bhakthi to our revered AchAryAs (5) The immeasurable help given
to
our SiddhAntham by AchAryAs like EmperumAnAr , AaLavanthAr and
Naatha Muni
(6) Brief meaning of each of the 32 chapters of SrImath Rahasya
Thraya
Saaram (7) Salutations through one Paasuram for the EmperumAns of
SrIrangam(Koil) , Thirumalai (VeRpu)and Kaanchipuram/ PerumAL Koil ,
(8)
Special tribute to the Mudhal AzhwArs , who lit the lamp of of
Jn~Anam
with their three Prabhandhams to create this Prabhandham of AdhikAra
Sangraham (9) The unique glories of Lord RanganAthA's sacred feet ,
which
can not be forsaken by anyone
and (10) the tribute to the AdhikAris of this Prabhandham.
Clear comprehension
of
Veda Manthrams with the help of AzhwArs' Prabhandhams
***********************************************************************
(40) Poygai AzhwAr,
BhUthatthAzhwAr , Pey AzhwAr , Swamy NammAzhwAr, PeriyAzhwAr ,
KulasEkhara
AzhwAr , ThiruppANAzhwAr , ThoNDardippodi AzhwAr , Thirumazhisai
AzhwAr
and Thirumangai AzhwAr are the ten AzhwArs who enjoyed the KalyANa
guNams
of the Lord and blessed us with Dhivya Prabhandhams as a result of
those
extraordinary anubhavams. We learnt from our AchAryAs these sacred
Prabhandhams of AzhwArs with meanings through the route of
adhyayanam and
the end result for us has been the blessing of comprehending the
meanings
of Veda manthrams that
were not clearly understood until then.
The key passage is
"
IvargaL (AzhwArgal) mahizhnthu paadum Tamizh
mAlaikaL Naam teLiya Odhi , teLiyAtha maRai nilangaL
teLihinROm".
The Path shown by
Madhura
Kavi is the blessed path
**************************************************
(41) The Jeevans
have ten
kinds of relationships with their Lord :
(1) The enjoyment
of the
Lord , who is the embodiment of bliss (2) Seeking Him as the goal
for
total Self-surrender (3) Accepting Him as the ultimate fruit
appropriate
for their Svaroopam (4) Establishing many types of personal
relationships
with the Lord (5) Sundering attachment to inaapropriate things
identified
by SaasthrAs with His help (6) Development of attachment to Him (7)
destruction of the Sins (8) Becoming the object of the Lord's DayA
(9)
Growth of Tatthva Jn~Anam as a result of His anugraham and growing
attachment to Him (10) Gaining the boon of becoming like Him with
His
sankalpam.
Madhura Kavi AzhwAr
was
present on this earth, when Lord KrishNa had His Vibhava avathAram.
Thus ,
He was a contemproary of Lord KrishNa. Yet, Madhura Kavi did not
engage
His mind in the Lord but chose Swamy NammAzhwAr as his Lord and
developed
the ten kinds of relationships referred to above. He expressed his
commitment to Swamy NammAzhwAr over Lord KrishNa as His AchAryan and
blessed us with the dhivya Prabhandham of "KaNNInuNN
SirutthAmpu"
that deals with the ten kinds of relationships with his AchAryan.
The
noble path shown by Madhura Kavi (seeking surrender at the sacred
feet of
one's AchAryan as PurushArTam) is the best and most effective path
to
chase away the alpa sukhams (transient and insignificant sukhams)
for the
courageous aasthikAs.
The Key passage
here is
" Thunbhu aRRa Madhura Kavi thOnRak-kAttum tholl vazhiyE
thuNivArkatkku nall vazhikaL".
The Tribute to the
AchArya Paramparai (GhOshti Vandhanam)
*********************************************************
Since AchArya
Paramparai
branches out into different paths after Bhagavath RaamAnujA , Swamy
Desikan salutes the lineage of AchAryAs common to all.
(42) My AchAryans
performed sadhupadEsams (beneficial instructions) and pointed out
the most
important truth that my aathmA is the eternal servant to the Lord .
I
salute my immediate AchAryan and his AchArya Paramparai /lineage
starting
with BhAshyakArar and ascending from then on to Periya Nampi ,
AlavanthAr
, MaNakkAl Nampi , UyyakkoNDAr , Naatha Muni, NammAzhwAr,
VishvaksEnar ,
Periya PirAtti and ending up with SrIman NaarAyaNan as
ParamAchAryan.adiyEn performs SaraNAgathi through the AchArya
Paramaprai
to SrIman NaarAyaNan.
The Key passage of
this
Paasuram is: " Yenn uyir tanthu aLitthavarai
SaraNam pukki --ivarai munnittu EmperumAn ThiruvadigaL
adaihinREnE".
The devotion to the
SrI
Sookthis of BhaashyakArar
*************************************************
After saluting all
the
AchAryAs in the Guru Paramparai starting with his own AchAryan and
ending
up with the Lord as the ParamAchAryan for all, Swamy Desikan
acknowledges
the special upakArams of SrI BhAshyakArar , AlavanthAr and Naatha
MunigaL
with one passurams to each of the three .
(43) Sri
BhAshyakArar
destroyed the noisy debates of Haithukars (who ignore core pramANams
like
VedAs and demand the reasons/hEthus for whatever we comment about) ,
who
intrepret VedAnthAms as their wandering minds direct .To them
(hithukars)
, SrI BhAshyakArar was like the mighty elephant in rut that toppled
the
banana trees . We who are deeply rooted in AchArya RaamAnujA's SrI
Sookthis will not consider even by mind any act that are prohibited
by
BhagavAn's SaasthrAs .
The key passage in
this
Paasuram is: " IrAmAnusa Muni inn urai sEr seer aNi sinthayinOm
init-theevinai
sinthiyOm".
The Help (upakAram)
of
Swamy AaLavanthAr
*****************************************
(44) For aeons , we
struggled and suffered in this karma bhUmi as nithya samsAris. In
this
birth, however , we are blessed to benefit from the essence of
upadEsams
of the One who incarnated to rule us (aaLa vanthAr) and held firmly
in our
mind the cardinal tenets taught by him like the Jeevan is different
from
the body and the other Tatthvams.We became the daasAs to Swamy
AaLavanthAr.
From here on , we shall never engage in the studies of Para Mathams
that
teach inappropriate subjects in the context of our ujjeevanam.
The key passage
here is:
" AaLavanthAr adiyOm ini alvazhakkup-padiyOm".
The Pride and joy
in
worshipping Swamy NaathamunikaL
****************************************************
(45) The two devout
nephews (KeezhayatthAzhwAn and MElahayathAzhwAn) were taught by
their
uncle , Swamy Naathamuni , the gaandharva vEdam (Naadham and TaaLam)
for
singing dhivya prabhandhams with the appropriate beats. Swamy
Naathamuni
also blessed his other disciple with instruction on the path of
yOgam (yOga
Maargam) for the benefit of the world. We are redeemed by meditating
daily
on the sacred feet of Swamy Naathamuni of illustrious fame for our
spiritual upliftment. For us who are blessed with this good fortune
of
links to Swamy Naathamuni , there is no one who can equal us .
The key passage of
this
paasuram is: " Naathamuni kazhalE naaLum
ThozhuthezhuvOm---naanilatthu namakku nihar aarr? ".
(46) First Passuram
dealing with UpOdhgAthAdhikAram :
The good fortune of
knowing about the meanings of the three Rahasyams
*********************************************************************
Our AchAryAs have
firmly
held onto the Thiruvadis of SrIman NaarAyaNan and have instructed us
that
those sacred Thiruvadis are the sole means for our Moksham . They
are
totally convinced that seeking refuge at the holy feet of our Lord
will
result in Him accepting full responsibility for our protection from
SamsAric afflictions and the granting of Moksha Sukham.Our AchAryas
out of
their infinite compassion for us have decided to banish our
evergrowing
aj~nAnam and have revealed to us the profound inner meanings of the
three
rahasyams. We in turn are delighted to reflect always upon these
rahasyams
and their esoteric meanings in this Karma bhUmi and feel
blessed.
The key words in
this
Paasuram are: " tahavu udayAr-Odhiya mUnRin uLLam ingE nALum
uhakka
namakku Ohr vidhi" .
"tahavu
udayAr"
are the compassionate AchAryAs.
"Odhiya mUnRin
uLLam"
is the meanings of the three rahasyams.
"inghE nALum
uhakka"
means that those upadEsams are for our constant enjoyment .
"namakku Ohr
vidhi"
means that it is our bhAgya VisEsham to reflect on these upadEsams
by our
merciful AchAryAs.
Additional Comments
on
UpOdhgAtAdhikAram
****************************************
This first chapter
of
SrImath Rahasya Thraya Saaram is about the blessings of SadAchAryas
deeply
conversant in arTa panchakam to us. The AchAryAs save the bhaddha
jeevans
from the horror of drowning in the fierce and fast moving river of
their
Karmaas through the development of Tatthva Jn~Anams , which leads to
their
upliftment. The infinite mercy of the SadAchAryAs saves thus the
jeevans
bound until then in the strong bonds of their karmAs.
There are six
reasons
cited for gaining the grace of SadAchAryAs:
(1) The help of our
Lord/EmperumAn
as an anukoolan (facilitator)
(2) accidental good fortune / unplanned sukrutham
(3) the KatAksham of EmperumAn at the womb itself /Jaayamaana
KatAksham of SrIman NaarAyaNan.
(4) Not developing enimity to SarvEswaran.
(5) Staying in a state of anticipation of receiving His
anugraham.
(6) Sathsangham with SaathvikAs (Righteous ones) and
sambhAshaNam
(Conversations ) with them.
(47) The second
Paasuram
on UpOdhgAtAdhikAram
*********************************************
There is no more
garbha
Vaasam after AchArya KatAksham
******************************************************
Our PirAtti arising from the milky ocean chose Her Lord's chest as
Her
permanent place of residence. Similarly , the KousthubhA gem taking
birth
from the same milky ocean reached the Lord's chest and has become
His
cherished jewelery .We the Jeevans having the nithyasoori with
KOusthubham
as His Sarreram as our abhimAna dEvathai and have the acquired the
privelege to perform eternal service (nithya kaimakryam) to our
Lord.
Inspite of this distinction , we get pummeled in the Karma pravAham
( fast
flowing river of Karma ) and lose the opportunity to perform our
nithya
kaimakryam to Him. Our most merciful AchAryAs competent in the
jn~Anam
about the esoteric meanings of the three rahasyams and arTa
panchakam
performed upadEsams to us on these rahasyams to lift us up from the
turmoil of our karmAs . There are no more worry for us after this
magnanimous help of our SadAchAryAs.
The key passage of
this
Paasuram is: " Kadu vinai aaRRil vizhunthu ozhuhAthu aruvudan
aindhu
aRivAr aruL seya amainthanar". This is
a celebration of the matchless upakAram of our AchAryAs.
(48)
SaaranishkarsdhAdhikAram: Adoption of the Essence of three
Rahasyams
***********************************************************************
Our AchAryAs
knowing
fully well that life long learning of all vidhyAs upto the 18 vidhyA
sTAnams is a futile pursuit by us and would only be a fruitless
burden
when it comes to seeking moksham. Our merciful AchAryAs knowing that
the
knowledge of the essence of the three rahasyams celebrated even by
the
nithyasooris is the only path to salvation teach us the essence of
the
three rahasyams for our upliftment .They also succeed in making us
accept
the sureness of this path in gaining the blessing of Moksham. Our
AchAryAs
follow this path and help us adopt this ageless path revealed to
them by
thewir own AchAryAs.
The key passage
from this
Paasuram is: " ettu iraNDu yeNNiya
(namakku) namm samaya aasiriyar sathirkkum tani nilai tanthanar
"
Our SiddhAntha
Pravartaka
AchAryAs conversant with and observing the glorious rahasya thrayam
themselves as the essence for our upliftment blessed us with the
Jn~Anam
to accept the three rahasyams as our way for the deliverance from
the
terrors of this SamsAric afflictions.
(49) PradhAna
prathitantrAdhikAram: ChEthanam and AchEthnam are the Lord's
body.
(Meaning): SrIman
NaarAyaNan gives svaroopam and sustenance to all sentient and
insentient
beings . He is the receiver of the fruits of all karmAs . Our
SarvEswaran
is matchless and all chEthanams and achEthanams stay as His body
(sarIram).
The sathya siddhAntham of the VedAnthis is that we the sentients are
the
unconditional and eternal servants (niruphAdhika nithya daasAs) of
our
Lord and it is our destiny to perform nithya kaimakryam to Him in
SrI
Vaikuntam.
Additional
comments: Only
a God who can provide DhArakathvam, Niyanthruthavam and display
sEshithvam
can have the distinction of having others as His body. These three
sambhandhams are inherent to SrIman NaarAyaNan that enables Him to
have
the chEthanams and achEthanams as His SarIram.This sambhandham
(relationship) between Him as the Lord and us as His eternal
servants is
unique to VisishtAdhvaitham and is celebrated as SarIrAthma BhAvam.
This
relationship( sambhandham) is known as PradhAna Prathitantram.
DhArakathvam is the
conferral of Svaroopam and sustenance for sentients and insentients
by the
Lord. Niyanthruthvam is the power to command the jeevans to engage
in the
performance of their karmAs. sEshithvam is the grace of the Lord ,
our
Master , to treat His prayOjanam as the prayOjanams of chEthanams
and
being pleased about recieving them. Only a God who can have the
above
three sambhandhams can have the sentients and insentients as His
SarIram .
SrIman NaarAyaNan is the only God fit to qualify as SarvEswaran
because of
having these three attributes.
This is the essence of PradhAna Prathitantram and is the
doctrine
that is unique to SrI VisishtAdhvaitha SiddhAntham.
(50) Third Chapter
of
Rahasya Thraya Saaram: ArTapanchakAdhikAram
*****************************************************************
Isvaran , Jeevan,
UpAyam
, Phalan and VirOdhi for that Phalan are the five doctrines known as
arTa
panchakam . Our AchAryAs performed upadEsam on arTa panchakam to
destroy
our ajn~Anam (plain ignorance, erroneous knowledge and perverted
knowledge). They taught us that (1) Sriman NaarAyaNan is the
ultimate goal
( Parama PurushArTam). (2) We the Jeevans have the rights and claims
to
perform eternal service to SrIman NaarAyaNan (3) The means for
gaining
that ultimate goal of life is to practise Bhakthi or Prapatthi yOgam
(4)
The fruits of practicing (anushtAnam) of one of the above two
means/upAyams
is the bliss/fruit of Moksham (5) VirOdhis (enemies) for gaining
that
Moksham are the chains of KarmAs ( both PuNyam and Paapam) that
binds us
to SamsAram .
The key passage to
this
Paasuram is: " Aindhu aRivAr iruL onRu ilA vahai yemm manam
tERa
iyambinar". The AchAryAs conversant with the arTa panchakam
taught us
for our clear comprehension their meanings for our upliftment.
51) The Fourth
AdhikAram:
Tatthva Thraya chinthanAdhikAram
**********************************************************
This paasuram is
about
the important conclusions on the three tatthvams.
PoorvAchAryAs like
Swamy
AlavanthAr and BhAshyakArar , who were fully conservant with
VedAntha
Saasthrams performed upadEsams for us the chEthanams on how to
banish
SarIrAthma bramam and SvatantrArTa bramam to uplift us from the
horrors of
SamsAric sufferings. They willed to save us and created SrI sookthis
like
Siddhi Thrayam and SrI BhAshyam and taught us the individual
Savaroopam
and SvabhAvam of ChEthanam , achEthanam and Iswaran . (SarIrAthma
Bramam
is the confusion that the sarIram --which is achEthanam-- is the
aathmA (Jeevan).
SvatantrAthma bramam is the confusion resulting from the belief that
JeevAthmA is independent and is not the unconditional servant
(sesham) of
the Lord .
The key passage of
this
Paasuram is: " maRai nool tantha aadhiyar--viyan tatthuvam
moonRum
aruLAl tERa iyambinar". Our PoorvAchAryAs taught us about the
three
wonderful tattvam in a way in which we can grasp them without any
confusion.
ParadEvathA
ParamArTyadhikAram: 6th Chapter of Srimath Rahasya Thraya Saaram
***********************************************************************
52) The
distortionists
and the ill-informed were dizzy with their egos rooted in the
knowledge of
Tarka Saasthrams. Driven by their egos, they argued that BrahmA or
IndhrA
and others bound by their KarmAs were responsible for the origin of
the
Universe; those arguments made the Vedams and the saadhu janams
shudder
.The babble of these egotists were not based on any accepted
pramANams.
Our AchAryAs being fully conversant with the true inner meanings of
VedAntham countered these babblings and established with the help of
PramANams firmly that SrIman NaarAyaNan is the fundamental kaaraNam
for
the origin of the Universe and its beings.
The key words of
this
Paasuram are: "aaraNa Desikar pOthu amarum Thiru Maathudan
ninRa namm
PurANanayE sARRinar" (Our VedAnthAchAryAs established that our
Lord
standing with His divine consort , Mahalakshmi as the Jagath
KaaraNan
".
The key passage
from the
Sanskrit rendition of this Paasuram in SrImath
Rahasya Thraya Saaram is: " Jagathi parichitha nigamAnthA:
yEka:
janthu
SRISAHAAYAM GATHIM PASYATHI". (In this world, one who is
conversant
with VedAnthams comprehend SrIman NaarAyaNan as the ultimate
protector).
Swamy Desikan is
stating
here that any one without clear knowledge about the identity of Para
Devathai as SrIman NaarAyaNan will not become a ParamaikAnthi ; any
one
who does not become a ParamaikAnthi can not aspire for Moksham
without
dealy.All the other Gods remain as SrIman NaarAyaNA's body and are
Karma
VasyAL (subject to the influence of their KarmAs) . Therefore , Only
SrIman NaarAYaNan is the Supreme One responsible for Jagath
KaaraNam,
RakshaNam and Dissolution .
Seventh AdhikAram
of SRTS
: MumukshuthvaadhikAram
*************************************************
53) Moksham is the
ultimate desired goal , when one performs kaimakryam
to the Timeless Lord , who is never ever separated from His Devi ,
MahA
Lakshmi. This Moksha Sukham is perenial and will be growing forever
for
the one , who has been blessed with Moksha Sukham. In contrast , the
pleasures enjoyed in the SamsAric world are inherently perishable
and do
not last long. Our AchAryAs evaluated both these kinds of Sukhams
and
concluded that Moksha Sukham is by far the best and instructed us to
seek
it. Our AchAryAs with the sole goal of uplifting others from the
SamsAric
sufferings have blessed us with knowledge about the three tatthvams
(Tatthva
Jn~Anam) so that we can disengage our indhriyams from insignificant
pleasures of this SamsAric worldand set our goals on seeking the
lasting
pleasures of Moksham.
The key passages of
the
Paasuram are: "navinRavar nal aruLAl, pulankaLai venRu Perum
payan
veedinai vENDum " (Through SadAchArya UpadEsam , the chEthanam
controls its sensory organs and seeks the Moksha Sukham).
This chapter of
SrImath
Rahasya Thraya Saaram (SRTS) is about the generation of desire for
Moksham
in the Chethanams.Through the recitation of and reflection on the
deep
meanings of AshtAkshara MahA manthram , the ChEthanam banishes
pravrutthi
dharmams and engages in pursuit of nivrutthi dharmams and becomes
Mumukshu
or the one desirous of gaining Moksham, liberation from the cycles
of
repeated births and deaths in this SamsAric world.
The Sanskrit slOkam
passage echoing these thoughts in SRTS is:
" niravadhi mahAnandha BrahmAnubhUthi kuthUhali DhaivAth
jihAsitha
Samsruthi: bhavithA ". ( With BhagavAn"s anugraham , the
ChEthanam becomes desirous of enjoying the limitless , great bliss
of
MokshAnubhavam and becomes a Mumukshu).
AdhikAri
VibhAdhikAram:
the Eighth Chapter of SRTS
***************************************************
The 15th Paasuram
of
AdhikAra Sangraham deals with AdhikAri vibhAgam of Mumukshus ( the
subdivisions of those who seek MOksham based on the upAya anushtAnam
chosen by them ).This is the 54th Desika Prabhandham .
54) The Mumukshus
choose
either Bhakthi yOgam or Prapatthi yOgam for gaining Moksham based on
their
Sukrutha taaratamyams (variations in their previous karmAs). For
those who
select Bhakthi yOgam as the means for mOksham , they do not need to
perform prapatthi for achieving mOksham and yet they must observe
prapatthi as a rite for the removal of the obstacles in the form of
of
karmAs that stand in their way of performing the upAyam for
Moksham.
The key passage of
the
54th paasuram is: " vithi vahayAl yERkum anbar onRil mooNDu
moola
vinai mARRutalil Mukundhan adi pooNDu anRi maRRu ohR puhal onRu ilai
yena
ninRanarE" (Due to Sukrutha tAratamyams, Mumukshus observe one
of the
two upAyams for removal of all the karmas that retain them in
SamsAram and
recognize that there is no upAyam for Moksham except performing
Prapatthi
at the sacred feet of the Lord).
Here Swamy Desikan
instructs us that the ultimate goal of Moksham attained by those
practising Bhakthi or Prapatthi yOgam is identical. One who observes
Bhakthi yOgam as the means is known as SadhvAraka Prapannan . He
attains
moksham thru the fulfilment of Bhakthi yOgam with the performance of
prapatthi to remove all obstacles that stood in his way of seeking
mOksham
. One who seeks Prapatthi yOgam as the UpAyam for Moksham is known
as
adhvAraka Prapannan. Both have to observe Prapatthi . Both have
Bhakthi .
For Bhakthi yOgam observer , prapatthi is an angam (part) of bhakthi
yOgam.
Prapatthi yOgam observer
uses Prapatthi as the direct means(upAyam) for Moksham .
Swamy Desikan says
in the
slOkam echoing these thoughts: " Sucharitha paribhAga bhidayaa
dhvEdhA" ( due to their differences in karmAs , they fall in to
two
categories : sadhvAraka and adhvAraka prapannan) "yEkasya
prApthi:
viLambhEna ( For the one who observes Bhakthi yOgam , MokshAnubhavam
happens wiht delay); " Parasya aasu: prApthi: " (for the
other
observing Prapatthi, the MokshAnubhavam is experienced quickly).
Ninth ChApter of
SRTS:
UpAya VibhAgAdhikAram
********************************************
The 16th Paasuram
of
AdhikAra Sangraham and the 55th Desika Prabhandha Paasuram deals
with
UpAya VibhAgAdhikAram .Here Swamy Desikan contrasts the two upAyams
for
Moksham .
55) Those who feel
unfit
to practise the rigors of Bhakthi yOgam and yet are eager to gain
Moksham
without dealy perform prapatthi yOgam . Those who clearly understand
Prapatthi as the upAyam that is quick to practise ( kshaNa
karthavyam:
done in a trice) and fast to yield phalan are the ones who
understand the
true message of Vedam. The rigors of Bhakthi yOgam as upAyam for
Moksham
are formidable and very few have the capabiliites to practise it in
this
yugam .
The key passage of
this
Pasuram is : " karumamum Jn~Anamum patthiyum onRumilA
viraivArkku
anRu aruLAl payan tarum aaRum aRindhavar anthaNar" For those
who can
not practise Karma , Jn~Ana and Bhakthi yOgams ,Prapatthi yOgam is
the
only UpAyam for Moksha siddhi. For such PrapannAs ,SrIman NaarAyaNan
stands in place of Bhakthi yOgam (sTAnam of Bhakthi yOgam ) and
grants the
fruits of Moksham , when desired .
Parapatthi
yOgyAdhikAram
: The Tenth chapter of SRTS/Introductory Remarks:
***********************************************************************
Bhakthi and
Prapatthi
have four requirements: (1) Desire to gain Moksham (2) Understanding
of
the true meanings of Saasthrams (3) Putting into practise the
instructions
of the SaasthrAs and (4) fitness based on Jaathi and guNams
prescribed by
the SaasthrAs to practise one of the two UpAyams . All of the above
four
requirements are a must for any one wishing to practise Bhakthi
yOgam
.Many will become unqualified to practise Bhakthi yOgam due to
deficiency
in one or other of the four requirements .All can however practise
Prapatthi yOgam , which does not have all these rigors.
For the one , who
wishes
to practise Prapatthi yOgam for Moksham , there are three "must
" requirements: (1) Inability to practise Bhakthi yOgam as
upAyam for
Moksham /aakinchanyam ; the origin of aakinchanyam arises from the
lack of
knowledge about Bhakthi yOgam and the impatience to wait for Moksham
(2)
and (3) not seeking any other fruits other than ParipoorNa
BrahmAnubhavam
and not seeking any other God except SrIman NaarAyaNan as the
Supreme God.
The combination of (2) and (3) is known as ananya gathithvam .
Swamy Desikan
covers in
the 17th SlOkam of AdhikAra Sangraham the qualifications of
one(adhikAri)
fit to perform Prapatthi yOgam , which is the 56th slOkam of Desika
Prabhandham.
56) SarvEswaran is
eternally present. He stands as the origin and cause
of this universe. His grace (aruL) towards us will not diminish even
if we
commit serious aparAdhams. He accepts as an excuse (vyAjam) any
accidental
, small auspicious acts done by us and rushes to give his hand as
help to
us. At the sacred feet of this most merciful Lord , any and every
body can
perform Prapatthi. There is no restrictions based on Jaathi or
gender as
in Bhakthi yOgam . All are adhikAris , who want to gain freedom from
the
scorching heat of samsAram . The only qulaifications for them to
practise
this redeeming Prapatthi are: (1) seeking no other UpAyams (2)
seeking no
other fruits and (3) seeking no other Gods (aakinchanyam and ananya
gathithvam).
In the SRTS slOkam
condensing these thoughts , Swamy Desikan states:
"nija adhikriyA: Santha: Sreesam Svatantra-prapadhana vidhinA
mukthayE
nirvisankhA: samsrayanthE".
Parikara
VibhAgAdhikAram
:The 11th Chapter of SRTS
**************************************************
The Five AngAs of
Prapatthi
***************************
57) The UpAyams
like
Bhakthi Yogam make us doubt whether it would be possible at all for
us to
practise them because of their rigors. For us, who recognize that we
are
incapable of practising such an upAyam for gaining Moksham and still
long
for enjoying Moksha sukham, AchAryAs blessed us with the UpAyam of
Prapatthi with its five angams.
In initating us
into
Prapatthi yOgam , our AchAryAs had a serious objective for us to
recognize
the soulabhyam of our Lord and not to go away from Him due to our
fear of
unfitness to appraoch Him because of His matchless Vaibhavam. Our
AchAryAs
removed our temerity and fear to approach Him by instructing us on
the
ways of performing Prapatthi at the sacred feet of our Lord , SrIman
NaarAyaNan to gain Moksham . Had hey not done so ,we would have
ended up
begging our equals like Brahma, Indran and Rudran to banish our
samsAric
sufferings and being disappointed by approaching a powerless
adhikAri. Our
AchAryAs saved us from such futile attempts through their
instructions on
the ways to perform Prapatthi .
The key passage of
this
57th Paasuram is : " ThuRavit-tuniyil thuNaiyAm Paranai
varikkum
vahai anbar aRivitthanar". (Our loving and merciful AchAryAs
taught
us (who were suffering from samsAric sorrows) the way to perform
Prapatthi
at the holy feet of the Lord waiting always for us as our
protector.
Additional
comments
*******************
" Paranai
varikkum
vahai " revealed to us by our SadAchAryAs is to perform
Prapatthi
with its five angams (Aanukoolya Sankalpam, PrAthikoolya Varjanam ,
Mahaa
VisvAsam , KaarpaNyam and gOpthruva VaraNam ). Our AchAryas
instructed us
that the UpAyam of Prapatthi must not leave out any one of the five
angams
of Prapatthi; otherwise , the performed Prapatthi will not be
successful.
Of all the five angams, Mahaa VisvAsam in the Lord is the most
important
angam. It is not easy to gain MahA VisvAsam without AchArya
KatAksham and
UpakAram. For Prapatthi done solely for Moksham , Saathvika ThyAgam
is
considered as another angam of Prapatthi.
Our Lord has
Parathvam (Supermacy)
as well as Soulabhyam (ease of access by one and all). Those who get
overwhelmed by His Parathvam and are afraid to approach Him belong
to the
adhama (lower) category among men ; those who comprehend His
Soulabhyam
and approach Him are Parama AasthikAs . This is the view of Swamy
AppuLLAr
, the AchAryan of Swamy Desikan.
Saanga-PrapadhanAdhikAram:
the 12th chapter of SRTS
***************************************************
Explanation of the
Svaroopam of Prapatthi
*****************************************
The 58th slOkam of
Desika
Prabhandham (the19th slOkam of AdhikAra Sangraham) explains the ways
to
perform one of the four kinds of Prapatthi(Svanishtai, Ukthi Nishtai
,
AchArya Nishtai and BhAgavatha Nishtai).
58) Our Lord has
vowed to
protect us because of our eternal and indissoluable relationship
with Him.
He longs from ancient times (anAdhi Kaalam) to gain us and blesses
us with
His rejuvenating shower of Mercy. Our AchAryAs -- who have seen the
shores
of VedAnthA-- recognize us as the Jeevans needing that protection of
the
most merciful Lord and have placed us at His sacred feet for
unfailing
protection.
The key passage of
this
58th Paasuram is: " MaRai soodiya namm mannavar----perum tahavu
uRRa
PirAn adik-keezh bharam aRavE yenRu adaikkalam vaitthanar" (Our
AchAryAs as Emperors of VedAntham have placed us at the feet of our
most
merciful Lord as objects that need protection from Him. They did so
because they wanted the chEthanam to banish any thoughts about
protecting
itself by itself.
Additional
Comments
*******************
The act of
reverential
presentation (samarpaNam) of the AathmA is the angi with five angAs
,
Aathma SamarpaNam or Prapatthi. This angi (Prapatthi) or Bhara
SamarpaNam
with its five angams has the following three divisions:
1) Svaroopa
SamarpaNam (
surrender of Aathma Svaroopam)
2) Aathma RakshA
Bhara
SamarpaNam ( surrender of the burden
of the chEthanam's protection to the Lord Himself)
3) Phala SamarpaNam
(
Surrender of the fruits of such
a protection to the Lord Himself).
Krutha-krithyAdhikAram:
The 13th Chapter of SRTS
************************************************
The state of
freedom from
worries after Prapatthi
*************************************************
The 59th Desika
Prabhandha Paasuram is the 20th Paasuram of AdhikAra Sangraham.
59) Our Lord
VaradarAjan
grants the boon of Moksham to the chEthanam that has performed
Prapatthi .
He does not stop there. He also grants Moksham even to those , who
are
connected to the chEthnam. Even after that , our PeraruLALan keeps
reflecting on what other boons He can grant to the Prapannan. As a
result
of performing their Prapatthi, those blessed PrapannAs acquire the
qualites of being (1) our kings (2) nithyasooris (3) solely
dedicated to
their enjoyment of Parama Padham (4) ParamahamsAs and (5) completers
of
all Yaj~nams.
The key passage of
this
Paasuram is: " anbu udayArkku yenna varam tara yenra Namm
Atthigiri
ThirumAl , namm mukkiyar Mannavar , ViNNavar,Vaann karutthOr ,
Annavar
vELvi anaitthum muditthanar" aaha aruLinAn.
Additional
Comments
*******************
The reasons for
celebrating the ChEthnam , who has performed Prapatthi as Krutha
Kruthyan
and KruthArTan are : (1) The burden of protection has been removed
(2) the
worries and fears about the sureness of gaining the fruit of Moksham
has
been banished and the tranquility was gained (3) ParamaikAnthithvam
resulted and the bonds to other dhaivams were shattered . These all
resulted as a direct consequence of the Lord, who is Sarva Sakthan
(Omnipotent) , Sarvaj~nan (Omniscient) and Shaja Suhrudhi ( our well
wisher by SvabhAvam) . He accepted the burden
of protecting us ( Sveekrutha BharE ) and as a result , the
Prapannan
became Krutha Krutyan and Kaimkarya dhaninan (the possessor of the
wealth
of Kaimkaryam to the Lord). The Prapannan got immersed in the
ParipoorNa
BrahmAnandham of the limitless ocean of Bliss (nirupadhi MahAnandha
Jaladhi) . The Prapannan became krutha Kruthyan and has nothing to
do in
this world for Moksha PrayOjanam any more (YadharTam puna:
karthavyam yath
kinchidhapi, iha na: na).
The Prapannan (One
who
has performed Prapatthi) is now revered as Budhan or the One who has
clear
knowledge about his svaroopam. He abandons therefore all the acts
that are
forbidden by SaashtrAs of the Lord and yield insignificant and
transient
pleasures (parimitha sukha prApthyai kruthyam akruthyavath
praheeNam).
During the rest of the days in this samsAram ( post-prapatthi
period) ,
the command of the Lord as revealed by His Saasthrams are used as a
guide
for conductance of the life (iha VibhO: aj~nAsthu: param Bhudhai:
anupAlyathE).
SvanishtAbhijn~Ana
adhikAram: 14th Chapter of SRTS
**************************************************
Prapannan
recognizing
special features in him after Prapatthi
*************************************************************
(60) Those PrapannAs , who possess the three kinds of nishtais (marks) perform appropriate nithya-naimitthika karmas and will not perform any acts forbidden by Lord's SaasthrAs. Those PrapannAs who recognize these marks of Svanishtai in them are equivalent to the nityasooris who reside on this earth.
For those , who performed Prapathti based on a clear understanding of the inner meanings of the three rahasyAs see in themselves special features. These are the the unmistakable marks of Svanishtai : (1) clear knowledge about Svaroopam , UpAyam and PurushArTam. They recognize them and become happy .
The key passage in this Paasuram is: " Mukkiya Manthiram kaattiya MoonRil nilai udayAr--mEdhini mEviya ViNNavarE " (Those blessed ones having the three nishtais (Svaroopa, UpAyaand PurushArTa nishtais) revealed by Moola Manthram are the nithyasooris that have incarnated in this world.
Additional comments
on
the marks of Svanishtai
**********************************************
The five defenite marks from gaining the fruits of Svanishtai are:
(1) Knowledge that the insults of others do not affect his aathma svaroopam and thus are not affected by those insults (2) Having mercy on those , who acquire pApams as a result of insulting him (3) thanking them for pointing out the deficencies in him (4) considering that others insult him prompted by the Lord and not being cross at them as a result (5) feeling happy that his sins are reduced by others insulting him and the transferral of those sins to them.
The Marks of UpAya
Nishtai
**************************
The five marks are: (1) Conviction that the Lord alone is the Protector (2) Welcoming death , when it happens as a dear guest (3) Feeling consoled over the thought of having the Lord as the Protector in times of suffering (4) after gaining the fruits of BharanyAsam , staying unengaged in other upAyams and efforts (5) staying convinced that the destruction of inauspiciousness as well as the auspiciousness is Lord's responsibility.
The Marks of
PurushArTa
Nishtai
*******************************
The three marks of this type of Nishtai for a Prapannan are: (1) lack of worry about the nourishment of this body ; accepting that the nurturing of the body is taken care of by the Lord and enjoying bhOgams that came his way without any effort and considering those bhOgams as steps to reduce his karmAs (2) Intense engagement in Bhagavath kaimkaryam independent of the pleasures or sorrow that come his way (3) great dhvarai (haste) in enjoying Bhagavath anubhavam.
Swamy Desikan states that the Krutha Kruthya PrapannAs spend the time on this earth in between Prapatthi and ascent to Parama Padham as a dream state and spend that time on this earth as a result of special bhAgyam . During this time, they thank the Lord for the marks of svanishtai that they see in them and treat those blessed marks as sEsha Vasthram (Parivattam) on their heads and spend their remaining days on this earth (Swamy DatthAm svanishtAm sirasi sEshAm kruthvA sEsham aayu: nayanthi).
Utthara
KruthyAdhikAram:
The 15th Chapter of SRTS
*************************************************
Kaimkaryams done in
the
Post-Prapatthi period
*********************************************
(61) After the Lord accepts the plea for accepting the burden of protection of the chEthanam , the Prapannan is freed from the debts to DevAs, Rishis and Pithrus .With this glory , Prapannan acquires the power of uninterrupted kaimkaryams performed by nithyasooris in Srivaikuntam , right here on this earth during their remaining days here.
There are still duties that are to be performed by the Prapannan in his post-prapatthi period until he ascends to Srivaikuntam to join the MukthAs and the Nithyasooris for nithya kaimkaryam to the Lord . He should engage in Bhagavath-BhAgavatha Kaimkaryam with delight and without expecting anything in return ( Svayam-prayOjanam). He should learn with humility from ParamaikAnthis , move with them and banish even a touch of ego about his status . He should understand and meditate on the avathAra rahasyams of the Lord taught to him in SrImad Bhagavath GitA . He should consume Saathvik aaaharam and continue to do Aj~nA , anuj~nA kaimakryams without discontinuity.
The key pasage of this Paasuram is: " VaNN Thuvarai KaNNan koLLa kadankaL kazhaRRiya BhagavargaL vilakku inRi mEvum adimai yellAm maNN ulahatthil mahizhnthu adaihinRanar" (After the Lord of DhwArakai accepts their Prapatthi, the PrapannAs gain all kaimkaryams done by the nithyasooris in Srivaikuntam right here on this earth) .
The Six items to
practise
and banish in Post-Prapatthi period
*************************************************************
To forget: desire to enjoy material pleasures
To think about: The UpakArams of AchAryan starting from His first Glance.
To avoid: Talking about his glories & Superiority
To engage in: : Recitation of Dhvaya manthram
To avoid by all means: ApachArAm to BhAgavathAs and Brahmavidhs by Manas , Speech or body
To engage with all means: Bhagavath-BhAgavatha-AchArya Kaimkaryams by mind , speech and body.
PurushArTa
KaashtAdhikAram: the 16th Chapter of SRTS
****************************************************
BhAgavatha
Kaimkaryam is
the limit of all Kaimkaryams
*****************************************************
(62) The BhagavathAs of the Lord have clear comprehension of' the VedAnthams and will continue to marvel at the anantha kalyANa gunams of their Lord . We as the servants of the Lord should perform kaimkaryams to the Lord's BhAgavathAs with affection and should not swerve from the path shown by the SaasthrAs of the Lord.
The Key passage of this Paasuram is: " NaaTan vahuttha vahai peRum nAmm nalladiyArkku aadharam mikka isainthu nilai kulayA vahai ninRanam" (We who have gained the grace of the Lord through our Prapatthi stay on the righteous path shown by the Lord through our loving kaimakryams to His BhAgavathAs).
Additional
Comments
*******************
The most desired kaimkaryam by BhagavAn is the kaimkaryam that the PrapannAs perform for His BhAgavathAs. Therefore , BhAgavatha Kaimkaryam is the ultimate limit of Bhagavath Kaimkaryam.
BhAgavathAs are free of five kinds of blemishes:
(1) desire to committ aparAdhams / transgressions prohibited by the Lord's SaasthrAs (2) Doubts about the meanings of Saasthrams (3) links to DevathAntharams (4) Thought that the bhOgams that come their way are a result of their endeavours (5) the thought that the fruits of the bhOgams that came their way belong to them.
PrapannAs should perform kaimkaryams to such ParamaikAnthi BhAgavathAs free from the above five kinds of blemishes and recieve their anugrahams as svayam prayOjanam.
SaasthrIya
NiyamanAdhikAram: The 17th Chapter of SRTS
*****************************************************
Prapannan not
transgressing the Lord's SaasthrAs
************************************************
(63) We the PrapannAs followe unswervingly the directions of the SaasthrAs and performed Bhagavath Kaimkaryam to attain the status equivalent to the Nithyasooris. In this dark night of SamsAram , where our ajn~Anam grows rapidly , we have no agents to banish that darkness except the cool light of Vedams . BhagavAn uses the PramANams of Vedams to develop His Saasthrams to define the auspicious and the inauspicious.We follow therfore those Saasthrams to become like the famed nithyasooris.
The key passage of this Paasuram is: " Nilam aLanthAn ithu nanRu , ithu theeyathu yenRu nadatthiya nAnn maRayAl anbhudai vAnOr nilayil ninRanam " ( The Lord who measured the Universe during His ThrivikramAvathAram showed us the right and wrong way through His SaasthrAs rooted in the VedAs . We followed them faithfully and have been blessed to reach the status of Nithyasooris in performing kaimkaryams ).
Additional
Comments
*******************
The upadEsams of BhAshyakArar will help us understand and follow the ways prescribed by the SaasthrAs.Saasthram is the hand lamp in this samsAric world filled with the darkness of ajn~Anam.
The Prapannan folowing the way prescribed by the Lord's SaasthrAs should be vigilant about three beliefs:
(1) SrI VaishNavAs
are
anukoolars (Freinds)
(2) Bhagavath virOdhis are prathikoolars( Foes)
(3) SamsAris who are indifferent to the Lord are
inbetween.
When a Prapannan meets SrI VishNavAs , he should be delighted as when he experiences bhOgya vasthus. When he comes across Bhagavath virOdh is, he should have fear and disgust as when he meets a snake and the visha janthus. When an indifferent samsAri comes his way , the Prapannan should treat them like worthless objects l(e.g)., a blade of grass or a broken tile .These are the ways shown by the SaasthrAs.
There are two kinds
of
Kaimkaryams clasisfied by the SaasthrAs:
(1) Aj~nA Kaimkaryam like ThrikAla SandhyAvandhanam and other nithya
karmAs. If one does not perform them, we incur the wrath of the Lord
(2)
anuj~nA kaimkaryams like pushpa kaimkaryam to the Lord. If one does
not
perform them, there are no sins accumulated. If one performs them,
one can
get their fruits. Improper performance of even anuj~nA kaimkaryam
can
result in pApams.
AparAdha ParihAra
adhikAram : The 18th Chapter of SRTS
******************************************************
Paapams not joining
the
Prapannan
*********************************
(64) A Prapannan afraid of the bundles of his sins performs prapatthi; after that , he will not commit knowingly sins that interfere with Bhagavath kaimkaryams. If he has the ignorance/avivEkam to commit such pApams, he will perform PrAyascchittha prapatthi to destroy the roots for the generation of such pApams. After the performance of the PrAyascchittha Prapatthi, the avivEkam causing those sins will be thoroughly destroyed.
Additional
Comments
*****************
The Paapams
collected
before Prapathti are destroyed by the act of Prapatthi. After
Prapatthi,
those sins accumulated knowingly during dangerous situations and
those
unknowingly accrued from kaala , dEsa viparIthams will be destroyed
without coming near the Prapannan. Those knowingly committed can be
destroyed by PrAyascchittha Prapatthi.The way in which the later is
destroyed is as follows: (1) Quarter of the Paapams is destroyed by
repentence over committing such a pApam (2) Quarter is destroyed by
stopping from engaging in such pApams (3) the third quater of the
pApams
is banished by the efforts to do prAyascchittham and (4) the last
quarter
is destroyed by the act of PrAyascchitth Prapatthi. Thus all of
these
pApams of the PraapnnAs are destroyed. Those PrapannAs, who do not
perform
PrAyascchittha prapatthi
will receive some punishment from the Lord in this world and thus
will be
cleared of the pApams. Thus for a Prapannan, rebirth or naraka vAsam
does
not happen by any means. Bhagavatha apachAram is the most heinous of
all
Paapams and should be avoided at all costs.
STAna
VisEshAdhikAram:
The 19th Chapter of SRTS
***********************************************
The Fittest place
to
reside is where the BhAgavathAs live
*********************************************************
(65) The places of residence of ParamaikAnthis is equivalent in sacredness to the combination of the sacredness of dhivya dEsams in HimAlayan mountain , the banks of Ganges river, CauvEri banks , SvEtha dhveepam and AyOddhi . Such places are the fittest places of residence for a Prapannan. When the Prapannan is not fortunate to live in a Bhagavath KshEthram populated by ParamiakAnthis, then any place where ParamaikAnthi BhAgavathAs reside is fit for the residence of a Prapannan.
The key passage of this Paasuram is: "Vaann nAdu uhanthavar vaiyatthu iruppidam nall nilam". (Those places populated bythe BhAgavathAs of the Lord should be the preferred residences for the PrapannAs during the post-prapatthi period).
NiryANAdhikAram:
The 20th
Chapter of SRTS
*****************************************
All times &
Places
are Fit for Prapannan leaving his body
*********************************************************
(66) There is no special prerequisite for the Prapanna Jeevan to exit from the body via Brahma nAdi . There is no special requirement that this exit happens at a special KshEthram or at a particular time or a particular season.Whatever the time or place or season , all of them are equally auspicious for the exit of the Jeevan by the special naadi.
In the ChEthanam's
heart
, 101 naadis (nerve pathways ) originate. There is one special naadi
in
the middle of the 100 naadis. It is called Brahma naadi or
Moordhanya
naadi or Sushumnai. The jeevans that travel by any one of the 100
naadis
--other than the Brahma naadi-
reach lOkAs other than SrI Vaikundam. Prapanna Jeevan alone is
assisted by
the Lord to travel by Brahma naadi and archirAdhi mArgam ( the path
of
light ) and reach SrI Vaikuntam.
The key passage of this Paasuram is: " adiyavarkku angu vilakku ilathu. athu nalnilamAm , athu naldEsamAm , athu nalpahalAm , athu nalnimittham yennalum aamm" ( For PrapannAs , the time and place of departure is not restricted. Any place from which they leave their bodies would be an equally auspicious place. The time at which they leave their bodies would be the auspcious time . The nimittham associated with the exit of their jeevans would be an auspicious nimittham. There is no requirement that the Prapanna Jeevan has to have the thoughts of the Lord during the last moments (anthima smruthi). This requirement is only for those Jeevans, which practiced Bhakthi yOgam as the upAyam for MOksham .There is no requirement that Prapanna Jeevan has to exit from the body during Sukla paksham or UttharAyaNam. Such is the power of Prapathti !
Gathi
visEshAdhikAram:
The 21st Chapter of SRTS
***********************************************
The Explanation of
the
ArchirAdhi Maargam (The Path of Light)
*************************************************************
(67) The Prapanna Jeevan leaves the body by Brahma Naadi and then travels with sookshma sarIram (subtle body) via ArchirAdhi Maargam to its destination of SrI Vaikuntam. On the way , it is greetd and honored by Agni dEvathai, the devathai for the Day , Sukla Paksha dEvathai, UttharAyaNa dEvathai, Samvathsara dEvathai, Vaayu dEvathai, Sooryan, Chandran, Lightning dEvathai , VaruNan , Indhran and PrajApathi . These dEvathias are known as AadhivAhAs and are representatives of the Lord with the assigned duties of welcoming the Prapanna Jeevan to their stations and guide the Jeevan to the next station . The upachArams that the Prapanna Jeevan recieves is not due to the fruit of their karmaas but is due to the power of the UpAyam (Prapatthi yOgam) that they practised. After enjoying the upachArams from the AadhivAhikAs, the Jeevan arrives at SrI Vaikuntam , its final station in its journey.
The key passage of this Paasuram is: " nadai peRa-pirasApathy yenRu ivarAl ---idai idai bhOgankaL yeythi yezhil padham yERuvar". (Thus the Jeevan traveling on its path to mOksham recieves upachArams from aadivAhikAs like PrajApathi and others , enjoys the pleasures and finally arrives at the radiant SrI Vaikuntam to perform nithya kaimkaryam to the Lord and enjoy total bliss in the company of Mukthaas and Nithyasooris).
ParipoorNa
BrahmAnubhavAdhikAram: The 22nd chapter of SRTS
**********************************************************
The enjoyment of
unalloyed & total bliss in SrI Vaikuntam
*********************************************************
(68) SarvEswaran is pleased with the jeevans , who undertake the simple upAyam of Prapatthi , and rushes forward to bless them with the fruits of that UpAyam(Moksham) . At the SarvEswaran's sacred feet , our AchAryAs are performing nithya kaimkaryams. Our merciful AchAryAs wished that we also become beneficiaries of performing such kaimkaryams. Therefore, we should perform Prapatthi, reach SrI Vaikuntam and stay at the feet of our AchAryAs and enjoy the limitless bliss of Bhagavath-anubhavam without interruption.
The key passage of
this
Paasuram is: " Yezhil padham yERi -GurukkaL kuzhAngaL kurai
kazhal
keezh mARuthal inRi yezhum bhOhatthu mahizhnthu mannuvam " (
After
ascending the beautiful Parama Padham , we will be rooted blissfully
at
the sacred feet of the ghOshti of AchAryas moving around with the
naadham
of their ankle bells and stay there enjoying Bhagavath guNAnubhavam
with
them and without ever returning to SamsAric
world . Swamy Desikan describes this ParipoorNa BrahmAnubhavam as
"
Kanath mahAnandha Brahma anubhava parIvAhA: " Such a Muktha
Jeevan
enjoys the Lord without satiety ( Achyutham nithyam anubhavathi) as
a
result of this easy to perform upAyam of Prapatthi.
SidhdOpAya-sOdhana-adhikAram
: The 23rd Chapter of SRTS
*******************************************************
SrIman NaarAyaNan
is the
veritable SiddhOpAyam
**********************************************
(69) SrIman NaaRaYaNan is the Sarva vidha Bandhu (related to us at many levels and in many ways). He is the Ocean of Mercy who destroys our ajn~Anam. As MahA Lakshmi pleads on behalf of us , His dayA grows further and further.That compassionate Lord stands in place of other difficult-to-practise upAyams for us who are incompetent to practise any upAyam other than Prapatthi and becomes the SiddhOpAyan and grants the fruits of Prapatthi (Moksha Phalan) to us .
SiddhOpAyam is SarvEswaran , who is the ancient and timeless UpAyam that exists before any upAyam that we practise (SaadhyOpAyam) such as Bhakthi or Prapatthi yOgam.
The key passage of this Paasuram is: " inn amuthatthu amudhAl irangum Thiru NaaraNanE maRRu ohr paRRanRi varippavarkku manniya vaNN SaraNN" (SrIman NaarAyNan persuaded by the sweet intercession of His nectrine consort takes pity on us, who have no recourse and choose Him for their protection. For those Prapanna janams, He becomes the durable SidhOpAyan).
Additional
Comments:
********************
(1) In SRTS , Swamy Desikan sums up the way in which the Lord becomes SiddhOpAyan: " Niravadhi DayA-Dhivya-udhanvAnn Parama Purusha: Jaladhi-sudhayA saardham Jagath paripAlayan prathishta-bhara: SATHAAM SIDDHOPAAYA: " ( The Lord with innate compassion , who is the Ocean of Divine DayA rules the world with MahA Lakshmi , accepts the burdens of protecting PrapannAs and becomes the wish yielding SiddhOpAyan for them).
(2) SidhOpAya sOdhanAdhikAram is one of the four adhikArams of what is revered as SthrIkaraNa BhAgam of SRTS. Here , Swamy Desikan resolves the doubts raised by others about the Lord, who is the SiddhOpAyan , the embodiment of an upAyam that is not done by us and exists before any of our UpAya anushtAnams.He is the most important upAyam for us.
(3) Swamy Desikan
flattens the objections of doubters who question
(a) EmperumAns" SvAtantryam and Sahaja KaaruNyam as guNams (the
GuNams of independence and intrinsic compassion)
(b) The Sesha-Seshi relation between the Jeevan and Iswaran and
(c) The role of His divine consort as adumbrated in the
"SrImath
Sabdham " stressing Her role as UpAyam (Means) as well as
UpEyam
(Goal).
(4)Swamy Desikan establishes the indispensablity of the divine consort of the Lord in the RakshaNam of all and Her staying together with Him as UpAyam and UpEyam based on pramANams from Sruthi, Smruthi ,AchArya Sookthis and SampradhAyam .
(5) As the divine consort , PirAtti is present in three forms : LayArcchai , BhOgArcchai and AdhikArArcchai . The Form of PirAtti , who stays without seperation on the Lord's chest is LayArcchai. The Devis staying by the side of the Lord as Ubhaya NaacchimArs represent BhOgArcchai. The Devi , who has Her own temple represents AdhikArArcchai . In the context of UpAyam and UpEyam doctrines associated with PirAtti , Swamy Desikan points out that ParamaikAnthis not seeking any fruits for their kaimkaryams , worship the PirAtti in Laya and bhOga Archais. PirAtti is AdhikArArchai is generally associated with granting of desired phalans . Since She is the Consort of the Lord , ParamaikAnthis offer their namaskArams to Her as well.
SaadhyOpAya
sOdhanAdhikAram : The 24th Chapter of SRTS
******************************************************
Bhakthi and
Prapatthi
yOgams are SaadhyOpAyams
**********************************************
(70) Upanishads assert that the Lord accepts the chEthanam for rotection and granting the phalan of Moksham after that chEthanam undertakes the upAyam of Prapatthi or Bhakthi yOgam. These upAyams pracised by us ( SaadhyOpAyams) reduce the anger of the Lord over our trespasses and generate in Him the compassion to grant us mOksham .Realizing that He is the SiddhOpAyan , we perform as per our capacity one of the SaadhyOpAyams of Bhakthi or Prapatthi yOgam and are protected by Him to enjoy Moksha Sukham.
The key passage of this Paasuram is: " Aadhalin nAmm uraikkinRa nalneRi Ohrum padikaLil Ohrnthu Ulaham dharikkinRa ThArakanAr TahavAl dharikkinRanam" (Upanishad states: YamEvaisha vruNutE tEna labhya:/ Whom the Lord selects, that Jeevan alone becomes qualified to attain the Lord. Therefore, we seek the upAyams of Prapatthi or bhakthi yOgams recommended by the Sruthi and Upanishads and are saved from SamsAram by the Lord , who has vowed to come to the rescue of those practising these two upAyams).
Additional
Comments
*******************
Swamy Desikan responds to the doubts raised by those who question the validity and efficacy of SaadhyOpAyams like Bhakthi and Prapatthi yOgams in this chapter.He clears the doubts about the eligibilty of all to pracise Prapatthi . He establishes that all are eligible for Prapatthi upAya anushtAnam for gaining the fruits of Moksham .
Swamy Desikan answers those who question the Svaroopam of Prapatthi. He establishes that the plea by the Jeevan to the Lord to accept the responsibility of protecting it through Prapatthi with its five angams is the true svaroopam of Prapatthi. Swamy Desikan goes on to answer many questions raised by doubters based on many pramANams in this important chapter on SaadhyOpAyam.
PrabhAvavyayasTAdhikAram
************************
(71) Propelled by His abundant grace , our Lord is waiting to bless the PrapannAs with KalyANa guNams identical to His own and is eager to transform these prapanna jeevans in to Muktha jeevans. This most merciful Lord took KrishNAvathAram to bless us with the Charama slOkam for our upliftment. Sages like VyAsa comprehended fully the inner meanings of this Charama slOkam of the Lord . They will not hence agree to the dimuniiton of the Mahimai of Prapannan as established by the VedAnthams .Our AchAryAs instructed us on these truisms about the glories of Prapatthi.
The key words of this Paasuram are: " Mey aruL Vitthahan urayin ahavaai aaraNa neethi neRi kulaithal uhavAr " (Our Lord with unfailing krupA has blessed us with Charama slOkam , where He assures us with His unfailing promise. Our AchAryAs , who clearly understand the inner meanings of Charama slOkam of the Lord will not be party to any dimunition of the nyAya mArgam rooted in VedAs .
(72) This Paasuram deals with the 26th chapter of SrImath Rahasya Thraya Saram: PrabhAva RakshAdhikAram. This chapter is in defense of the glories of Prapatthi without exaggerations or understements.
(Meaning of the Paasuram): The VedAnthams , which are rooted in Sathyam (truth and righteousness) assert that the Lord's glories are limitless.Those who have performed Prapatthi at the Lord's feet may be born in lower jaathis/kulams. Inspite of birth in a lower jAthi , the PrapannAs are blessed to have the Lord's undiminished love (abhimAnam) and qualify them totally for gaining the primary phalan of Moksham. Therefore , the glories of Prapatthi can not be overstated. Our AchAryAs instruct us impartially on these TatthvArTams.
The key words of this Paasuram are: " UtthamanAr kazhal paNivAr taNmai kidakka taram aLavu " (The glories of those , who perform SaraNAgathi at the sacred feet of PurushOtthaman is limitless independent of the fact that they are born in lower kulams or higher kulams) .
Swamy Desikan establishes that Prapatthi has the power of destroying prArabdha KarmAs. In contrast , Bhakthi yOgam does not have this power. Therefore , Prapatthi yOgam is superior to Bhakthi yOgam. In addition to destroying sins committed before Prapatthi and accumulated in the post-prapatthi period ,Prapatthi has the power to grant Moksham for those who long for it ardentlly to engage in the nithya kaimkaryam to the Lord at His Supreme abode. Thus Prapatthi is superior to all other means for gaining mOksham.
In this posting ,
adiyEn
will cover 3 more Paasurams( 73-75) of Desika Prabhandham , which
are the
34th to the 36th Paasurams of AdhikAra Sangraham.They deal with the
most
important rahasyams of AshtAksharam (Moola Manthram) , Manthra
Rathnam (Dhvayam)
and BhagavaAn's own upadEsam (Charama SlOakm) for our upliftment
.
(73)Moola
ManthrAdhikAram
*************************
SrIman NaarAtyaNan is the sole cause for the Universe and stands superior to all gods as SarvEswaran. He protects all of His creation. We who are different from insentients stand as His eternal servants. We pray for the boon of nithya kaimkaryam peformed by Nithya Sooris in SrI Vaikuntam by banishing our ahankAra-mamakArams , by seeking the Lord alone as the upAyam (means) for gaining Moksha sukham. We hold on to our Lord's sacred feet firmly and place the burden of protection and the fruit of protection at His holy feet to enjoy this eternal and joyous kaimkaryam to Him at His Supreme abode of SrI Vaikuntam. We have been initated in to the Moola Manthram with its deep meanings by our AchAryAs and we recite it and reflect on its meanings for sathsathi.
The key passage in this Prabhandha Paasuram is:
" uyirAy
mAymai
theernthu , maRRu ohr vazhi inRi ,
adaikkalamAy payanthavan NaarAYaNan paadhangaL
sErnthu nall manu Ohdinam "
(meaning): After removal of the ajn~nam about the Svaroopam of the JeevAthman/chEthanam (being different from the insentients/achEthanam) , we hold on to the sacred feet of our Lord , SrIman NaarAyaNan alone as the unfailing means for our protection and recitte His Moola manthram and meditate on its many rejuvenating meanings .
74)
DhvayAdhikAram
******************
SrIman NaarAyaNan united two separate passages of Kata Valli of Vedam and transformed it in to Dhvaya Manthram and blessed us with it as the loftiest gem among manthrAs. We are firm about the meaning of this manthram (as instructed by our AchAryAs) as being the performance of nithya Kaimkaryam to the Divine couple (dhivya Dampathis) at SrI Vaikuntham without the ahankAra-mamakArams after seeking our Lord's holy feet as the sole means for our protection. We reflect on these meanings of dhvayam .
The key words of this paasuram are: " Ohdhum iraNDai isaitthu udhavum ThirumAl paadham iraNDUm saran yena paRRi , namm PankayatthAL NaaTanai naNNI ,nalam thihazh nAttil adimai yellAm kOdhu il uNartthiyudan koLLumARu kuRitthanam"
"Odhum iraNDu, isaitthu udhavum ThirumAl " refers to the helpful Lord , who united the two Vaakyams from the Vedam and blessed us with the resulting dhvaya manthram out of His infinite compassion for us.
"ThirumAl padham iraNDum saraN yena paRRi namm PankayatthAL NaaTanai NaNNInOm " . We approached the Lord of MahA Lakshmi and held on to His sacred feet as the sole upAyam for our protection from SamsAric afflictions and left the burden and fruits of that protection unto Him.
We did this with a purpose : " nalam thihazh nAttil adimai yellAm kOthu il uNartthiyudan kuRitthanam"
We recited the dhvaya manthram and reflected on its profound meanings to be blessed with nithya kaimakryam free of ahankAra mamakAra blemishes in the land of endless bliss, His supreme abode.
75) The Meaning of
our
Lord's Charama slOkam
********************************************
This paasuram the 36th paasuram of AdhikAra Sangraham and deals with the content of the 29th chapter of SrImath Rahasya Thraya Saaram , Charama slOka adhikAram .
(Meaning ) : With a determined mind and limitless compassion , Lord KrishNa blessed us with His Charama slOkam to banish our sufferings as SamsAris , who do not have the capabilities and fitness to practise the difficult-to-observe upAyams like Bhakthi yOgam to gain Moksham. He blessed us the Charama slOkam with great care using Arjuna as an excuse. His firm intention has been to banish all the bundles of sins form those, who surrender unto His holy feet and request His protection. He assured His protection and asked us not to worry anymore after performing Prapatthi to Him . We as PrapannAs recite the charama slOkam , reflect on its deep meanings and have our ajn~Anam destroyed, sorrows banished and are free from any doubts about the phalan of protection assured by our Lord .
The key passage in
this
Paasuram is : " KuRippudan mEvum dharumangaL inRi akkOvalanAr
aruL
vAchahatthAl maruL aRRanam " (Being unfit and powerless to
observe
the upAyams like Bhakthi yOgam that need enormous
discipline and single mindedness, we chose the easy-to-practise
upAyam
revealed to us in His Charama slOkam, which was blessed to us by our
Lord
out of His firm grace and limitless dayA to destroy all of our past
sins
and those accumulated consciously or otherwise during the
post-prapatthi
stage in our lives .
In this posting , adiyEn will cover 4 more Paasurams( 76-79) of Desika Prabhandham , which are the 37th to the 40th Paasurams of AdhikAra Sangraham.They deal with the final three chapters(30 to 32) of Swamy Desikan's magnum opus , SrImath Rahasya Thraya Saaram : AchArya KruthyAdhikAram , Sishya KruthyAdhikAram and NigamanAdhikAram .
(76) AchArya
KruthyAdhikAram : The UpakAram given by AchAryAs
*************************************************************
(Meaning ): Our SadAchAryAs known for their freedom from even a trace of ajn~Anam protected the meanings of the three rahasyams from falling in the hands of the undeserving . When the time for them to ascend to their Lord's Supreme Abode , they had the merciful thought to banish the ajn~Anam of the SamsAris and decided that latter group should perform prapatthi at the sacred feet the Lord and get uplifted. They chose a select list of sishyAs known for their discriminating intellect (vivEkam) and taste (ruchi) for Bhagavath Kiamkaryam and lit in their minds , the auspicious dheepam of Sath SampradhAyam and caused the spread of this sampradhAyam around the world.
The key passage in this paasuram is: "maruL aRRa Desikar aruL uRRa chinthainAl teruL uRRa siRanthavar paal azhiyA viLaku yERRinar ". (Our SadAchAryAs untainted by ajn~Anam lit the ever shining lamp of sath sampradhAyam in the minds of the specail sishyAs known for their VivEkam, Sraddhai and Kaimkarya ruchi to the Lord and His BhAgavathAs).
77) Sishya
kruthyAdhikAram: Duties of a Sishyan
***********************************************
A SadAchAryan instructs his sishyan on the three Tatthvams (ChEthanam ,achEthanam and Iswaran) , UpAyam (means) and PurushArTam (ultimate goal) and lights up the dheepam of Jn~Anam to banish the darkness of ajn~Anam . There is no way in which one can repay the AchAryan for his matchles upakAram . Even the omniscient (Sarvaj~nan) Lord can not describe the right way to repay the SadAcAryan for his mahOpakAram. If this were to be so for the omniscient Iswaran , then how would it be possible for lesser beings (humans) to suggest the methods to pay back the debt of gratitude of Sishyans to their AchAryans . Inspite of it , sishyAs delight in praising their AchAryans . They meditate on the AchAryan's glories. The Sishyans spread the reputation of the AchAryans by praising him . All of these attempts of sishyAs to eulogize and celebrate their AchAryans is an expression of their affection and reverence and will never ever compensate for the abundant help that they have recieved from their most merciful AchAryAs.
The two key passages from this paasuram are :
1. " Manatthu yezhil jn~Ana viLakkai yERRi iruL anaitthum mARRinavarkku oru kaimmARu Maayanum kaaNahillAn " (For the AchAryan , who lit the lamp of true knowledge and banished all the darkness that existed before , even the all-knowing Lord Himself can not come up with a way to pay back for the upakArams recieved).
2. (aathalin nAmm) pORRi uhappathum punthiyil koLvathum pongu puhazh sARRi vaLarppathum , munnam peRRathaRkku saRRu allavO? (Therefore, what we do in terms of praising the aathma guNams of the AchAryan , meditate on him and spread his glory in the world by talking about it are insignificant acts compared to the greatest of help recieved from that AchAryan earlier).
78)
NigamanAdhikAram: The
Four parts of SrImath Rahasya Thraya Saaram
********************************************************************
We composed the
grantham
of SrImath Rahasua Thraya Saaram to bless Aasthika sishyAs with
vivEkam
about their AchAryans , who instruct them
(the sishyans) about the glories of Prapatthi yOgam. First , we
explained
the savroopams and svabhAvams of Tatthva Thrayam , UpAyam and
PurushArTam as we learnt from our AchAryAs. Second , we answered the
objections raised about them and established their unshakable
validity.
Third , we explained the ways to gather the meanings of the three
rahasyams and pointed out the essence of such meanings is that the
Jeevan
has no independence of its own and is the property of the Lord , the
sarva
sEshi and he ( the jeevan ) is His unconditional, eternal servant
(sesham).
Fourth , we explained the greatness of the most merciful SadAchAryAs , who bless the qualified sishyAs with sath sampradhAya Jn~Anam. Therefore , it is futile to spend one's life on this earth chasing evanescent pleasures instead of enjoying the SrI Sookthi of SrImath Rahasya Thraya Saaram.
Swamy Desikan states that he covered the four topics outlined above in his SrI sookthi ( ivai seppinam) . What is the purpose of wasting one's life pursuing trivia instead of learning about the lofty and rejuvenating concepts housed in SrImath Rahasya Thraya Saaram ? ( chinn paRRi yennpayan ?).
There is the learned AchAryan (MaRayavar) , who instructs us on the glories of SaraNAgathy at the Lord's feet , who is Jagadheesavaran ( mann paRRi ninRa vahai uraikkinRa maRayavar).Here , we are as discerning sishyAs , who approach the AchAryan to gain the Jn~Anam aboutthe true meanings of VedAntham .We composed this Sri Sookthi of SrImath Rahasya Thraya Saaram to focus on the VivEkam acquired by the Sishyan from the AchAryan and the resulting clearance of doubts as well as the attainment of relaization that he( the jeevan ) has no independence whatsoever and as a jeevan he is totally dependent on the Lord , his Master at all times , places and conditions.
79)
NigamanAdhikAram:
Part II: These Paasurams beautify Tamil language
**********************************************************************
BhagavAn and His
BhAgavathAs bless with delight the qualified persons,
who possess aathma guNams and do not swerve from the Saasthrams . We
composed the paasurams of htis Prabhandham with the benedictions
ofBhagavAn and His BhAgavathAs after familiarizing ourselves with
the
VedAnthic doictrines. These paasurams serve as nectar to the ears of
the
listeners even if they do not understand their meanings. These 32
paasurams about SrImath Rahasya Thraya Saaram set in the andhAthi
format
are alankArams ( decorative objects ) for the language of Tamil
constituting Iyal, Isai and Naatakam ( prose , sangItham and
drama).
The key passages of this Paasuram are : " ivai muppatthiraNDu muttamizh sErntha mozhi ThiruvE " ." Mutthamizh sErntha Mozhi " refers to three sets of triads characterizing these paasurams :
A .(1) delectable taste of the chosen words (2) deep meanings of the thoughts housed in these paasurams and (3) appropriateness to set them to most enjoyable music.
B. (1) the reputation of the composer (2) the glory of the topic and (3) the beauty of the passages of the Paasurams
C.(1) Aasu Kavi ( the instanteneous and fluent )composition (2) the intricate geometric patterns found in the paasurmas and (3) sweetness associatd with them .
With the 79th Pasuram of AdhikAra Sangraham , the 32 paasurams on SrImath Rahasya Thraya Saaram starting from the 47th Paasuram of Desika Prabhandham set in the andhAthi format comes to an end
80) The way in
which
Tatthvams rest in the Lord's Body
******************************************************
Lord VearadarAjan of Kaanchi shines as the lamp on top of the Hasthigiri hill and has the chEthana , achEthana tatthvams as pieces of jewelery and weapons on His sacred body. There He stands as to delight the hearts of every one.
The key words of this paasuram are : " Garudan uruvAm MaRayin poruLAm KaNNan , Karigiri mEl ninRu anaitthum KaakkinRAn " ( The Lord , who is the meaning of the VedAs , which are the body of Garudan , standa atop Hasthigiri and protects the Universe and its beings ).
As the Lord stands on top of the Hasthi Giri, He displays on His sacred ThirumEni many types of Jewels and weapons , which are associated with all the Tathtvams . The links are as follows:
1. Jeevan =
KOusthibha
Gem on His chest
2. Eternally existign mUla Prakruthi = the Mole , SrIvathsam
3. Mahath Tatthvam = the Mace, KOumEdhaki
4. Jn~Anam = the Sword, Nandhakam
5. Ajn~Anam = the sheath for the sword , Nandhakam
6. Sarngam & Paanchajanyam = Taamasa & SaathvIka
ahankArams
7. Manas = Sudarsana chakram
8. Jn~Ana & Karma Indhriyams = the ten arrows
9. Five TanmAthrams & Pancha BhUthams: VanamAlai,
Vaijayanthi
81) The Greatness
of
SrIrangam: SthAna VisEsha adhikAram: Part I
****************************************************************
The dhivya dEsam of SrIrangam has the eternal presence of Lord RanganAtha and is like the embodiment of the Lord's compassion that has taken the form of insatiable nectar (AarAdha aruLamudham pothintha Koil); SrIrangam was bequeathed to King IshvAku by Brahma DEvan (AmbhuyatthOn AyOddhi mannaRkku aLittha Koil); It has the vaibhavam as a temple worshipped by Lord Raamachandran Himself during His Vibhava avathAram (tOlAtha tani veeran thozhutha Koil); This is the koil that is the support for VibhIshaNan , who gave his support to Lord Raamachandra in the fight against his brother ( thuNaiaana VeDaNarkku thuNayAm Koil); It is the Koil , which can bless the worshippers with anugrahams that can not be gained anywhere else (sErAtha payan yellAm sErkkum Koil) ; It is the KOil, which has the VimAnam in the shape of PraNavam ( sezhu maRayin mudhal yezhutthu sErntha Koil ) ; It has the powerto destroy all kinds of sins ( theerAtha vinai yellAm therkkum Koil); It is the dhivya dEsam of SrIrangam , which is the top most among all dhivya dEsams ( Thiruvarangam yenat-thihazhum Koil thAne).
82) ThiruvEnkatam's
glories: SthAna VisEsha AdhikAram: Part II
**************************************************************
ThiruvEnkatam hills is the holy hill that has the power to reveal the sacred feet of the Lord (m KaNNan adi iNai yemakku kAttum veRppu). The hill of the Lord has the power to destroy every kind of sin committed by the chEthanams (kadu vinayar iru vinayum kadiyum veRppu); This hill has the glories to be recognized as SrI Vaikuntam (TiNNamithu veedu yenna thihazhum veRppu); This hill has the vaibhavam of having sacred waters like KonEri, PaapanAsam and others (theLintha perum theertthangaL seRintha veRppu) ; This is the hill , which is recognized as the embodiment of all PuNyams (PuNNiyatthin puhal ithu yenap-puhazhum veRppu); ThiruvEnkatam is the holy hill , where all the bhOgams enjoyed in Parama Padham are made within the reach of the residents of this earth( PonnulahiR-bhOgamellAm puNarkkum veRppu); This is the auspicious hill desired as a placeof residence by the DEvAs and the residents of this BhUlOkam (ViNNavarum MaNNavarum virumbum veRppu); This is indeed the hill celebrated by the VedAs and is revered as the ThiruvEnkatam hills (Venkata veRppu yena viLangum Veda VeRppE).
83) The Vaibhavam
of
Kaanchi: SthAna VisEsha adhikAram: Part III
****************************************************************
This is the dhivya dEsam of Hasthi Giri , where the Lord stands to destroy totally all the sins of those , who seek His protection (Bhatthar vinai thotthu aRa aRukkum AtthigiriyE). This is the dhivya dEsam of the Lord , who revealed His heroism by cutting down the ten heads of RaavaNan with an arrow of unmatched power in a great battle at LankA. This is the dhivya dEsam of the Lord , who showed His meekness and soulabhyam by going after the VeNNai and curds that His mother YasOdhA had set aside and got threatened by her for consuming them secretly (matthu uRu tayir vaithathu meyttha VeNNai uNNum Atthan idam AtthigiriyE).
In this posting , adiyEn will cover 4 more Paasurams( 84-86) of Desika Prabhandham , which are the 45th to the 47th Paasurams of AdhikAra Sangraham.
84) Thirumanthiram
granting all Phalans
***************************************
Those who recite and reflect on the deep meanings of Moola Mathram (Thiru Manthiram/AshtAksharam) will be blessed with every phalan that they wish to have. This includes the acquisition of the eight GuNams of the Lord , the eight traits of one's Buddhi (intellect) ,the eight aathma guNams (eight flowers) , the eight attainments (siddhis) , the eight kinds of devotion (Bhakthi) , the mastery over the eight limbs of Yogam , the eight kinds of Iswaryams (wealth) and the mastery over the 64 kinds of arts and sciences (Kalais).
The key passage of this Paauram is " YeNN guNatthOn yettu yeNNum yeNN guNamathiyOrkku , yeNN patthi--yettu guNamum mElathuvum yettina" (For the vivEkis with eight kinds of Aathma GuNams reciting and reflecting on the AshtAksharam of the Lord with the eight auspicious guNams , the eight kinds of Bhakthis , eight kinds of wealth and much more are readily attained).
Additional notes by
Swamy
SrIraama DesikAcchAr:
***********************************************
The eight auspcious guNams of the Lord are: (1) Freedom from the influence of karmaas (2) Freedom from old age /nithya youvanam (3) freedom from death (4) freedom from sorrow (5) Freedom (6) Freedom from Hunger (7) possesion of BhOga vasthus , which are imperishable and (8) Power to execute desired actions.
The eight guNams of the Intellect are: (1) ability to comprehend material presented (2) power to hold the recieved material firmly (3) ability to recall material learnt and held (4) power to describe them to others (5) ability to grasp things not explained by others (6) discriminatory skills to reject unwanted things told to them by others (7) power to comprehend doctrines with clarity and (8) ability to understand the true meanings of the tatthvams .
The eight aathma guNams of the human beings acquired through anusandhAnam of AshtAksharam are : (1) nonviolence/ahimsai towards others by speech, body or mind (2) Control of senses/Indhriya nigraham (3) Mercy towards all (4) Patience towards all/poRumai (5) Jn~Anam/true wisdom about Tatthva thrayams (6) Tapas / penance (7) DhyAnam and (8) Sathyam/Truthfulness.
The eight kinds of Bhakthis are: (1) Love towards BhAgavathAs (2) Joy in worshipping the Lord (3) Eagerness to hear about the Lord's charithram (4) thickening of the voice and horripulation on hearing about the Lord,, thinking about Him or speaking about Him (5) attempts to perform aarAdhanam for the Lord (6) freedom from ego during the performance of Kaimkaryams for the Lord (7) thinking about Him alone (8) not asking the Lord trivial and perishable boons from the Lord.
85) Explanation of
the
Meaning of Charama SlOkam: Part I
********************************************************
Our Emperor of Emperors (SarvEswaran) incarnated as the son of VasudEvan so that the citizens of DhwArakai can be blessed with the ultimate PurushArTam of enjoying His company . He sat in front of Arjuna's chariot as His Saarathy and revealed the height of His soulabhyam. This Lord along with His Devi undertook the sankalpam to uplift the created jeevans from all sufferings and used Arjuna as the excuse to instruct the world on His Charama SlOkam . He stood as the SiddhOpAyam in His Charama slOkam and took upon Himself the burden to protect those, who sought His protection.He removes the effects of Prakruthi which stands in the way of developing Tatthva Jn~Anam and assures us freedom from sorrows and Moksham at the end of the Prapannan's bodily existence on this earth.
The key passage of this Paasuram is " TaNN tuLava malar mArbhan , oNN thodiyAL ThirumahaLum thAnum aahi , oru ninaivAl eenRa uyir yellAm uyya , tAnE sonna tani dharumam yemakku tAnn aay , Tannai yenRum kaNDu kaLitthu adi sooda , vilakkAi ninRa viLayAttai kazhikkinRAn "
" TaNN tuLava malar mArbhan " is the Lord wearing the cool TuLasi garland interwoven with the fragrant flowers. "oNN todiyAL ThirumahaLum TAnum aahi oru ninaivAl eenRa uyir yellAm uyya" refers to the Lord with Periya Piratti propelled by their unified sankalpam to uplift he jeevans created by Them . How did the Lord do it ? He became the matchless means (upAyam) for those who performed Prapatthi unto Him and stood as SiddhOpAyam for them as revealed in His Charama slOkam. Thus, He lifted those fortunate ones up from the mire of samsAram so that they can enjoy Him in His Prama Padham and wear His sacred Thiruvadis on their heads and become filled with bliss. Through this MahOpakAram, the Lord removes all the interferences created by His own Moola Prakruthi.
86) Explanation of
the
Meaning of Charama SlOkam : Part II
**********************************************************
The Charama slOkam has a key paasage , " Sarva DharmAn Partithyajya " . This paasuram focuses on the Six meanings of the two words : "Srava dharmAn ".
The meaning of this Paasuram is expanded in the 316th Desika Prabhandham Paasuram housed in the SrI Sookthi of "Charama slOka churukku".
The extended meanings of this Paasuram will be covered , when we arrive at the 316th Paasuram. Briefly , these six meanings are quoted as: (1) asakthAdhikArithvam (2) aakinchanya puraskriya 3) ananga bhAvam (4) dharmANAm asakthyArambhavAraNam (5) TathprathyAsA prasamanamand (6) BrahmAsthra nyAya Soochanam . adiyEn will share the detailed commentary of Swamy SrIrAma DesikAcchAr , when we arrive a tthe 316th Paasuram.
The six meanings of "Srava DharmAn Partithyajya" are:
(1) Do not continue with difficult-to-practise upAyams for Moksham any more , even if you have been active in pursuing them.
(2) It is the best act to banish desire in practising such upAyams.
(3) The act of SaraNAgathy does not need the help of any thing else except its five angams.
(4) If other acts are undertaken, then SaraNAgathy will be fruitless. In such a case, ti is like BrahmAsthram that can not co-exist with other asthrams.
(5) and (6) You who is engaged in the ancient upAyam of Bhakthi yOgam fit for great Jn~Anis will feel powerless to practise this upAyam. Keep Your helpless state as help and seek My Thiruvadi (sacred feet) as the sole upAyam and I will banish Your sins and grant You Moksham.
The brief comments
however regarding the context of this Paasuram are:
"Sarva DharmAn Partithyajya" has the meaning to abandon
all
upaayams.Dharmam is a phalan-yielding practise (saadhanam) that can
be
understood only with the help of the Lord's Saasthrams. When the
Lord uses
the plural of dharmam (DharmAn) in Charama slOkam , He referes to
the many
kinds of dharmams . The "Sarva" padham selected by the
Lord
refers to the nature of the dharmams having many angams (limbs).
Dharma
padham generally connotes UpAyam; here in the context of the Lord's
upadEsam refers to MokshOpAyam such as Bhakthi yOgam with its 8
angams.
In this posting , adiyEn will cover One Paasuram( 87) of Desika Prabhandham , which is the 48th Paasurams of AdhikAra Sangraham. This Paasuram has so many subtle meanings relating to the essence of Charama slOkam that adiyen will focus on it alone in this posting.
The Greatness of
Today
**********************
Today is the Iypaasi SravaNam day at Oppiliappan KOil. ThiruviNNagarappan adorns nila mAlais and invites us to reflect on the message imprinted on His right hand (MaamEkam SaraNam Vraja). On top of Hasthi Giri, at Kaanchi, Lord VaradarAjan invites us to reflect on the message imprinted on His right hand : " Maa Sucha:"
Today is also the birth day of Poygai AzhwAr followed by the avathAra dinams of BhUtham and PEy AzhwArs (the three " Mudhal AazhwArs ").
In the 89th Paasuram of Desika Prabhandham (the 50th slOkam of AdhikAra Sangraham) , Swamy Desikan acknowledges with gratitude the upakAram of the Mudhal AzhwArs in revealing the UpAyams of Prapatthi and Bhakthi yOgams to us for gaining Moksham.
The "yEka
Sabdham
*****************
On this auspicious occasion , it is very appropriate to reflect upon the "YEka " sabdham , which is the essential part of Charama slOkam : "Maam YEkam SaraNam vraja". The six meanings of the "YEka " sabdham is the subject matter of the 87th Desika Prabhandham (48th Paasuram of AdhikAra Sangraham) to be covered today.
In the 93rd slOkam of Desika Prabhandham (54th of AdhikAra Sangraham), Swamy Desikan describes our status of living in a state of freedom from fear due to the following of the UpadEsam of the Lord housed in His Charama slOkam .
87) Charama SlOkam
:
Meanings of Charama SlOkma : Part III
**********************************************************
Saadhanamum
naRppayanum
nAnE aavan
Saadhakanum yenn vayamAi yennai paRRum
Saadhanamum SaraNa neRi anru unakku
SaadhanangaL innilaikku ohr idayil nillA
Vedanai sEr vErangam ithanil vENDA
vEru yellAm niRkkum nilai NaanE niRppan
ThUthanumAm NaaTanumAm YennaippaRRi
sOham theer yena uraitthAn soozhhinrAnE
The Six Meanings of
"yEka " Sabdham
***********************************
In this Paasuram , Swamy Desikan instructs us on the six meanings of the word "yEkam " ("Maam yEkam SaraNam Vraja portion" of Charama slOkam) as revealed by the SrI Sookthis of His PoorvAchAryAs .
Additional
References on
"yEka " Sabdham
****************************************
Swamy Desikan elaborates on the above meanings of the "yEka " sabdham again in the 318th Paasuram of Desika Prabhandham (4th slOkam of Charama slOkaSurukku) and the 344th Desika Prabhndha Paasuram (the 19th Paasuram of GeethArTa Sangraham) . The 29th Chapter of SrImath Rahasya Thraya sAram entitled " Charama SlOkAdhikAram" has the most elaborate commentary by Swamy Desikan on our GeethAchAryan's Charama SlOkam .
87 th Prabhandha
Paasuram
( 48th AdhikAra Sangraha Paasuram)
************************************************************
1) The first
Meaning of
YEka Sabdham
************************************
The first of the six meanings is : " Saadhanamum nall-payanum nAnE aavan " ( I will remain as the UpAyam/Means and the Phalan/auspicious fruit of that UpAyam of SaraNAgathy) . Our Lord is both UpAyam and its Phalan . The yEka sabdham reveals that SarvEswaran alone is both upAyam and Phalan.
2) The second
meaning of
the YEka Sabdham
*****************************************
The second meaning is : " Saathakanum Yenn vayamAi Yennaip-PaRRum" (The anushtAthA /practioner of that UpAyam will remain under my Lordship and perform SaraNAgathy to Me to gain Moksha siddhi). Here , yEka sabdham reveals that the Svatantram of the ChEthanam is banished in the context of the Lord's unfettered will and His SvAtantryam . Our Lord is the SiddhOpAyan and the jeevan should not get confused as the the adhikAri, who practises the UpAyam. It is SarvEsvaran's sankalpam that lets the chEtanan perform the UpAyam as a totally dependent one on the DayA of the Lord . The chEthanam is never-ever independent to perform the UpAyam on its own.
3) The third
meaning of
the YEka sabdham
****************************************
The third meaning
is
" unakku SaraNa neRi Saadhanamum anRu" ( The Lord says:
For you
, the ChEthanan , SaraNAgathy is not a direct upAyam , but is only a
vyAjam for gaining the fruit of that UpAyam ). Here , the "yEka
" sabdham cautions the chEtanam not to link Iswaran
(SiddhOpAyam)
with SaadhyOpAyams like Prapatthi or Bhakthi yOgams . Iswaran uses
Prapatthi as a vyAjam to grant the boon of Moksham . He stands in
the
place of difficult to observe upAyams like Bhakthi yOgam to grant
Moksham
to those who perform Prapatthi to Him alone .
4) The Fourth
Meaning of
the YEka Sabdham
*****************************************
The fourth meaning is " SaathanangaL innilaikku ohr idayil nillA" (UpAyams like Bhakthi yOgam will not have any value/help to the SaraNAgathy / Prapatthi yOgam . In other words , Bhakthti yOgam and other upAyams do not assist/advance Prapatthi) . Our Lord does not place any obstacle/burden between Him and the one , who hastened to perform Prapatthi stands in place of all other upAyams and bears all the burdens Himself. He does not expect any other UpAyams from the Prapannan after the performance of Prapatthi .
5) The Fifth
Meaning of
the YEka Sabdham
****************************************
The Fifth meaning is " vEthanai sEr vERu angam ithanil vENDA " (For one who observes SaraNAgathy as the UpAyam , there is no admixture with angams that are very difficult to observe). Except the five angams associated with Prapatthi (aanukoolya Sankpam , PrAthkoolya Vrajanam , KaarpaNyam , Gopthruva VaraNam and MahA Visvaasam), Our Lord does not desire any other angams from those , who perform Prapatthi to Him.
6) The Sixth
Meaning of
the YEka Sabdham
****************************************
The Sixth meaning is: " vERu yellAm niRkkum nilai nAnE niRppan" (I will stand in place of all other upAyams like difficult-to-observe Bhakthi yOgam and bless the ChEthanan performing Prapatthi with the fruits of Moksham). Our Lord instructs the Prapanna jeevan that He is under the influence of that Jevan as a result of the performance of Prapatthi to Him alone and therefore He will stay in place of all other upAyams and bless that jeevan with the fruits of Moksha sukham.
Our Lord's
UpadEsam
*******************
The Lord says : " For all these six reasons , Oh ChEthanam , observe Prapatthi yOgam to Me alone and leave the other upAyams (Sarva dharmAn Partithyajya Maam yEkam SaraNam vraja) .
After performing Prapatthi, live in a state of freedom from worries and sorrows ; place the burden of your protection and the fruits of that protection at My feet . As Your Lord and Parama Soulabhyan, who went as the messenger for the PaaNDavAs , I will protect You without fail so that you can stay in a state of nirbhayam and nirbharam (freedom form worries and fears about your gathi) ".
Swamy Desikan's
instruction to us
*********************************
Swamy Desikan summarizes the Charama slOkam message this way :
"ThUthanumAm
NaaTanumAm Yennaip-paRRI
sOham theer yena uraitthAn soozhkinrAnE "
That Lord who
identified
Himself as the Lord of all the ChEthanams and as the soulabhyan ,
who went
to DuryOdhanA's court as the messenger for PaaNDavAs instructed us
to free
ourselves of all fears and sorrows through the performance of
Prapatthi at
His sacred feet alone. He does not let the PrapannAs down since He
is
Achyuthan and surrounds them (SoozhinrAn) with His anugraham .
In this posting , adiyEn will cover two Paasurams( 88-89) of Desika Prabhandham , which is the 49th and the 50th Paasurams of AdhikAra Sangraham.
88) Hesitation of
ChEthanam to seek Moksham
*******************************************
The key passage in this Paasuram is about Lord's laughter about our putting off our desire to seek His Supreme abode and wanting to hang on to this SamsAric world instead to enjoy its persihable "pleasures" :
" Mutthi tara
munnE
tOnRi nall ninaivAl nAmm isayum kAlam
inRO naaLayO yenRu nahai seyhinrAn "
Our Lord has incarnated in many forms to grant us Moksham and is waiting for us to seek His protection. While waiting for us to gain the auspicious Jn~Anam to seek the journey to His Supreme abode , He is making fun (parihAsam) of our indecision to take that decision and questions with humor : "Is it today or would that be tomorrow that you will decide to perfom the upAya anushtAnam ? "
(Meaning of the entire Paasuram ): No one can overcome the will (sankalpam) of our Lord. He creates all kinds of desires in those who do not try to reach Him and display enimity towars Him . He interferes with their ability to enjoy those bhOgams that they desire. Our Lord of this disposition has showered His grace on us already and destroyed our longing for SamsAra BhOgams. He has now accepted us as objects of protection to enjoy the shade of His sacred feet. He has banished His earler anger over our previous trespasses. He has taken many avathArams to mix with us as Parama soulabhyan and to grant us mOksha sukham. Inspite of all these special efforts on His part, we who do not recognize His extraordinary grace and compassion keep postponing the performance of SaraNAgathy to realize Moksham from one day to the other. Our Lord laughs over our ignorance , procrastrination and ineptitude .
For His enemies that do not cherish Him (Tannai NaNNAthAr), He creates all kinds of desires in them (ninaivu anaitthum Taann ViLayitthu) and then prevents them from enjoying those desires that they covet (Taann viLaitthum vilakkum NaaTan). For us whom He has decided to protect from the SamsAric horror, He has eliminated our taste for the non-lasting and pain-yielding SamsAric "pleasures" (ibbhavatthil yemm ninyaivai mARRi) and has placed us as objects of protection under His sacred pair of feet (iNayadikkeezh adaikkalam yenRu yemmai vaitthu). He has now forgotten or gotten over His anger over our previous trespasses and is ready to grant us His protection (munn ninayivAl yAmm muyanRa vinayAl vantha munivu ayarnthu). He waits to see when that day would be for us to elect to seek His rakshaNam. He has taken many avathArams already to grant us Moksham (Muthti tara munnE thOnRi) and He is amused at our delay/procrastrination and makes fun of us by asking whether He has to wait until today (the end of the day) or until tomorrow for us to make up our mind as a result of the dawning of the clear Jn~Anam that would propel us to perform the SaraNAgathy (Mutthi tara munnE thOnRi, nall ninayvAl nAmm isayum kAlam inRo nALayO yenRu nahai seyhinRAn).
The Lord laughs over the thought that He has rushed to grant Moksham to the chEthanam and that chEthanam does not wish to forsake the SamsAric pleasures to seek the Moksham. That chEthanam keeps on postponing the day for seeking Moksham from today to tomorrow and onwards. Our Lord laughs over the ineptitude and ignorance of the ChEthanam , which can not make up its mind.
89) The help of the
Mudhal AzhwAr
*********************************
During DhvApara Yugam , our Lord indirectly provided additional help to the chEthanams to rush towards Him to seek Moksham from Him . During the course of a rainy night at His dhivya dEsam of ThirukkOvaloor, Our Lord got Poygai, BhUtham and PEy AzhwArs together in the tight space of an idaikazhi (dEhaLi) and pressed them there to have their physical contact ( dEha sambhandham ) and for witnessing the birth of the three AndhAthis from the three AzhwArs . The andhAthis of the AzhwArs lit the lamp of true knowledge (Sathya dheepam) to chase away the darkness of aj~nAnam that had enveloped the world. The lamp lit by the AzhwArs in front of the Lord and His divine consort glorified the UpAyams of Bhakthi and Prapatthi yOgams celebrated by the Vedams.
This Paasuram is about AchArya KruthyAdhikAram Topic of the 30th Chapter of SrImath Rahasya Thraya Saaram
This 89th Paasuram should be remembered especially on this Iyppasi Satabhishak day , the day of avathAram of PEy AzhwAr:
Paattukku-uriya
pazhayavar moovaraip-paNDu-oruk-kaal
Maattukku aruL tarum Maayan malinthu varutthathalAl
nAttukku iruL seha nAnmaRai anthi nadai viLanga
veettukku idaikkazhikkE veLikAttu,ammeyviLakkE
(meaning): SarvEswaran caused the Mudhal AzhwArs to sing their ThiruvandhAthis to banish the nescience that shrouded the world and through their andhAthis instructed us on the UpAyams like Bhakthi and Prapatthi for our upliftment from SamsAric sufferings.
" Paattukku uriya Pazhayavar moovar" are the triad of AzhwArs, who are the most qualified for singing the Lord's vaibhavam.
"mAttukku aruL tarum Maayan " is the Lord of wonderous deeds , who showers His grace on His property, the ChEthanams .
"nAttukku iruL seha" describes the purpose of the Lord empowering the Mudhal AzhwArs to sing their Prabhandhams : it was to destroy the darkness of ajn~Anam that prevailed in the world .
What did the Mudhal AzhwArs do and how did they banish the surrounding darkness? They lit a lamp of Sathyam to eliminate the darkness of nescience.
What did that lamp do besides chasing away the darkness of ajn~Anam ? It shed light all around and glorified the means (upAyams) for the performance of SaraNAgathy (Bhakthi & Prapatthi yOgams) at the sacred feet of the Lord (nAnn muRai anthi nadai viLanga veLikkAttum).
In this posting , adiyEn will cover the 90th Paasuram of Desika Prabhandham , which is the 51st Paasuram of AdhikAra Sangraham.
This Paasuram is the first of the sixth Paasurams dealing with the 32nd chapter of SrImath Rahasya Thraya Saaram (NigamanAdhikAram).
Theis paasuram celebrates the glories of the Sacred feet of Lord RanganAthan as the UpAyam and Phalan for the ChEthanams. It is set in PathinARu (Sixteen) seer (symmetry) Aasiriya viruttham (Aasiriyam meter) and has a total of 16 lines. Each of the sixteen lines celebrate one or other aspect of the myriad anugrahams of Lord RanganAthan's ThiruvadigaL.
(Genaral Meaning): The insatiable nectar of the tender feet of the Lord of SrIrangam are never abandoned by His BhakthAs. He did many miracles during KrishNAvathAram. Let us enjoy the beauty of this KarNa ranjaka Paasuram line by line. The tamil text of this 90th Paasuram is in paranthesis after the general meaning for each line:
1. Those feet gave a swift kick to the asuran , who came in the form of a wheel to destroy the Lord and instead got totally destroyed (uRu sakatam udaya orukAl uRRu uNarnthana) .
2. Those powerful feet crawled between the two Marutha trees and brought them down (udan marutham Odiya oru-pOthil tavazhnthana).
3. They stayed tied to the husking mortar , when the Lord was caught stealing the butter and curds from the pots held high by His Mother (uRi tadavum aLavil uralOdu uRRu ninRana).
4. Those strong feet went on an ambassadorial misison to DuryOdhanA's court with delight to plead the case for Dharma Puthran , the eldest PaaNDavan of unimpeachable conduct (uRu neRi ohr Dharuman vidu thUthukku uhanthana) .
5. Those purposeful feet roamed in BrundhAvanam with anger to destroy the enemies of the righteous ones (MaRa-neRiyar muRiya PirutAnatthu vanthana).
6. Those tender feet could not even take the pressings of MahA Lakshmi's soft hands and reddened even under such soft pressure (Malar MahaL kai varuda , malar pOthil sivanthana).
7. Those dayA-filled feet (Thiruvadi) became the appropriate object for the devotion (bhakthi) of the Sages , who did not wish to be born again in this Karma BhUmi (MaRu piRavi aRum Munivar mAlukku isainthana).
8. Those sacred feet took its residence inside the VimAnam (PraNavAkAra VimAnam ) , which reached the kings of Manu Dynasty from Brahma DEvan (Manu MuRayil varuvathu ohr vimAnatthu uRainthana).
9. Those victorious feet shone on the chariot of the righteous ArjunA (aRam udaya Visayan amar tEril thihazhnthana).
10. They desroyed the hoods of the powerful serpent , KaaLiyan through dancing on them ( adal urakam paDam madiya aadik-kadanthana).
11. Those sacred feet adorn the celebrated sTAnam of SrI Vaikuntam that is not comprehended by any one of the six mathams (aRu samayam aRivu ariya tAnatthu amarnthana). The six samayams/mathams are: Saankhyam , KaNAtham , Bhouddham , Patanjali matham , Jainam and Saivam.
12. Those holy feet became the most appropriate object of singing for the tongue of Swamy NammAzhwAr , the king of ThirukkuruhUr , which is the jewel for the BhU MaNDalam (aNi Kuruhai nahar munivar nAvukku amainthana).
13. Those sacred feet became the glorious object of adornment of the fragrant TuLasi garland (veRi udaya TuLava malar veeRukku aNinthana).
14. Those holy feet blessed queen Utthirai 's embryo , which was like a piece of charcoal and transformed it in to a beautiful young child (vizhu kari Ohr kumaran yena mEvic--chiRanthana).
15. Those powerful feet chased and destroyed the heroic army of the asurAs (viRal asurar paDai adaya veeyat-thurantana).
16. " Vidalariya PERIYA PERUMAAL menn PaadhangaLE" Those soft and tender feet of Lord RanganAthan performed all these miracles effortlessly. Those sacred feet of Lord RanganAthan are not ever abandoned by His adiyArs. May those adiyArs of this victorious Lord be uplifted by seeking these holy feet as their means (upAyam) and fruits (Phalan) for Moksham!
The chantham ( the rhythmic beats of this Paasuram can only be appreciated by the musicians and raskikAs amongst us. This Paasuram is usually sung as Raaga Maalikai in the RaagAs of Kaapi, BehAg, Sindhu Bhairavi and HamsAnandhi.
In this posting , adiyEn will cover three Paasurams of Desika Prabhandham , which are the 52nd ,53rd and the 54th Paasurams of AdhikAra Sangraham . These three Paasurams also cover the content of the 32nd Chapter of SrImath Rahasya Thraya Saaram (NigamanAdhikAram).
91) Linking up and
Involvement with our Sath-SampradhAyam
*********************************************************
Our Sath-SampradhAyam is ancient and free from any blemish. Those AasathikAs , who have been blessed to belong to this sacred sampradhAyam wil reach Sathgathi .
The key words of this 91st Paasuram are: " poRai mihum Punithar kAttum yengaL ponRAtha nal-neRiyil puhuthuvAr " ( Those AasthikAs , who with many aathma guNams will enter the auspicous path shown by our sublimely pure AchAryAs marked by patience and forbearance greater than BhUmi Devi Herself). These AasthikAs have the clarity and purity of mind as a result of following our Sath-SampradhAyam(Sath-sampradhAya Parisuddha manas).
This paasuram describes the eight unique lakshaNams of these AdhikAris, who through their links to our hoary and timeless SampradhAyam keep it dynamic, radiant and eternal:
(1) These AasthIkAs (AastheekyavAn) will have deep faith in the meanings of the eternal Vedaas (maRai uraikkum poruL yellAm mey yenRu OhrvAr).
(2) They will have sharp intellects to appreciate the subtle meanings of Tatthva Thrayams (manniya koor mathi udayAr).
(3) They will never be jealous of others. They will be free from asooyai (vaNN guNatthil kuRai uraikka ninaivu illAr).
(4) They will have the distinction of recieving upadEsam about our Sath-SampradhAyam from SadAchAryAs (GurukkaL pAll kOthu aRRa manam peRRAr) .
(5) They will follow only the essential course that our Sath-SampradhAyam has laid out (nanmai koLvAr).
(6) They wil be beyond the influence and ways of the common folk deeply immersed in SamsAric sufferings (siRai vaLarkkum mAnthar sankEtatthAl sithayAtha tiNN madhiyOr).
(7) They will not seek the insignificant phalans sought by the samsAris and will seek instead the everlasting fruits of Moksham (terinthathu OhrAr).
(8) They will follow the golden path laid out and travelled by our SadAchAryAs known for their matchless forbearance and be uplifted (poRai mihum Punithar kAttum yengaL ponRAtha nall neRiyil puhuthuvAr).
Thanks to them our Sath-SampradhAyam will flourish without any interruption forever.
The Sanskrit SlOkam quoted in this context of the Paasuram is:
AastheeykavAn
nisitha
budhdi: anabhyasooyu:
Sath-sampradhAya parisuddhamaNA: SadharTee
SankEtha-bheethi rahitha: thruNEshvasaktha:
Sadh-varthamAneemanuvidhAsyathi Saasvatheem na:
92) The path
desscribed
by this Prabahndham is the best
*******************************************************
This Prabhandham instructs one about Prapatthi mArgam as the best to follow for our upliftment from SamsAric sufferings and to gain MOksha Siddhi. Prapatthi is the key upAyam (Mukhya upAyam) for Moksham.
The key words associated with this Paasuram are: " ithu vazhi inn amudhu ; MaRayOr aruLaal ithu vazhiyA isainthanam" ( The way of the SadAchAryAs described in this Prabhandham is the nectarine path. Thanks to the krupai of the SadAchAryAs , this way has been opened to us and we have accepted it as the auspicious path for us to follow).
The complete meaning of this Paasuram celebrating the Vaibhavam of Prapatthi mArgam taught by our noble AchAryAs is : We pushed aside the pursuit of trivia practised by the samsAris as not befitting our Svaroopam as instructed by our AchAryas. We became thoroughly convinced that the grace of the Lord resulting from our observance of the most important UpAyam (Prapatthi) is the cause for Moksham and turned away from other inconsequentail upAyams .Our AchAryAs instructed us on this Prapatthi mArgam and willed that this mArgam should thrive and prosper for ever for our benefit. Our AchAryAs forgave our belmishes and performed upadEsam on this nectarine Prapatthi mArgam . We followed this Prapatthi mArgam as revealed to us by our AchAryAs.
93) Freedom from
worries
due to the help of Charama SlOkam
**********************************************************
We are the ignorant ones , who do not even know that 8+2 is ten (yettum iraNDum aRiyAthavar) .We are the untutored ignoramus , who do not know about the Manthrams with 8 aksharams (Yettum) and Dhvayam (iraNDum) as well as the Lord's Charama slOkam . As a result, we are devoid of Jn~Anam about Bhagavath Bhakthi and the glory of Parapatthi mArgam.
Our Lord through His AchAryAs made sure that we the ignorant ones recieved upadEsam on the esoteric meanings of the three rahasyams to get us ready to enter His Supreme abode. We reflect on His charama slOka upadEsam to perform Prapatthi at His sacred feet to free ourselves from fear about SamsAram and enjoy worry-free lives here before entering the Lord's abode .
Swamy Desikan describes the sacred Charama SlOkam of Lord Krsihna as " kattu yezhil Vaachakam " ( the strong and beautiful words) .Our Lord's upadEsam is summed up as : " vinait-thiraL mutta maaLa muyanRidum " (Engage in the observance of Prapatthi to baniish all of Your karma vargams ). I will stand in the place of all dharmams and take up Your rakshaNam . Please be freed of your worries and fears (anjal yenrAr). Swamy Desikan describes SrIvaikuntam , the Supreme abode of the Lord as " yetta oNNAtha idam " and that Prapatthi will grant (tarum) residence at this sTaanam of the Lord that cannot be reached only through the observance of Prapatthi (or BhakthiyOgam) .Our AchAryAs have recommended for us , the incompetent adhikAris , Prapatthi yOgam as the esay-to-practise and sure-to-grant phalan compared to the difficult to observe Bhakthi yOgam , which takes a long time to yield the phalan of Moksha sukham.
In this posting , adiyEn will cover the two more Paasurams of Desika Prabhandham , which are the 55th and the 56th Paasurams of AdhikAra Sangraham. These two final Paasurams of AdhikAra Sangraham also cover the content of the 32nd (Final) Chapter of SrImath Rahasya Thraya Saaram (NigamanAdhikAram). With these two Paasurams , AdhilAra Sangraham is concluded .
94) The anugrahams
arising from AdhikAra Sangraham
**************************************************
The key message of this paasuram is that the SrI Sookthi of AdhikAra Sangraham and the contents covered there would be most enjoyable to the Lord known for His lotus feet brimming with honey (tEn uLa Paadha Maalar ThirumAlukku titthikkum).
Swamy Desikan is ready to conclude His second Tamil Prabhandham of AdhikAra sangraham . He makes the following observations: " The nishtais (status and accomplishments) described in this Prabhandham are not with in the easy reach of even Indhran and Nithyasooris. Through the power (anguraha sakthi) of the AchAryan , we are blessed to gain these nishtais and also see on this karma bhUmi others possessing these rare-to-gain nishtais . Our bhAgyam is indeed worthy of celebration ! There may be those with distorted minds (vakra buddhi) , who may find fault with this grantham and us , who composed this prabahndham and therefore may resent us . Inspite of them , this Prabhandham will be very dear to SrIman NaarAyaNan's mind (ThiruvuLLam ) .
95) Lord
Hayagrivan's
role as AchAryan for grantha nirmANam
***********************************************************
In this last slOkma of AdhikAra Sangraham , Swamy Desikan acknowledges that this grantham was not authored by him directly. He acknowledges his debt of gratitude to Lord HayagrIvan as his AchAryan for His upadEsam that was captured by him and transformed in to the written version. Swamy Desikan in all modesty appropriate for the occasion states clearly that this Prabhandham is blemishless since it originated directly from Lord HayagrIvan serving as his AchAryan.
The key passage of
this
final Paasuram of AdhikAra Sangraham is:
" VeLLaip-Parimuhar DEsikarAy virahAl adiyOm uLLatthu
yezhuthiyathu
yAmm olayil ittanam . ithaRkku yenn? " (Lord HayagrIvan
incarnated as
an AchAryan with the face of a white horse and human body and wrote
these
pAsurams of AdhikAra sangraham on the tablet of my mind through the
route
of upadEsam. adiyEn just took those texts imprinted in my mind and
for the
benefit of the people of the world transferred them to the palm
leaves as
a SrI kOsam. Since Lord HayagrIvan , the Lord of VidhyAs is the
author of
this grantham , how can there be any blemish in the content or style
of
this grantham ? It is impossible ).
The beauty of Swamy Desikan's expression of his debt of gratitude through this paasuram is marvellous. Normally , the people of the world write/store in their mind the different AchArya granthams recorded on palm leaves by scribes . In his case , Swamy Desikan says that He wrote on plam leaves , what was already recorded on his mind by his AchAryan ,Lord HayagrIvan , so that people of the world can benefit from the Lord's direct upadEsam to him .
Swamy Desikan
observes
further that the reviewing public may accept this grantham or reject
them
as defective (koLLa thuNiyinum ,kOthu yeNru ihazhinum) . Either of
these
reactions does not bother Swamy Desikan . He says that he is not
going to
rejoice because some accepted this grantham and welcomed it or he is
not
going to be downcast and curse the other group, which criticizes
this
grantham as faulty and reject it. His kiamkaryam is done and he has
an
equanimous attitude that does not elate him or depress him on
learning
about the two kinds of reception to this grantham. He comments about
his
reaction to the praise given by those who welcome it as a srEshta
grantham:
" yemm yezhil mathi yeLL atthanai uhavAthu" (Our beautiful
mind
filled with dispassion would not at all be elated ). In the case of
those
, who dismiss this grantham as insubstantial and full of doctrinal
mistakes ,
Swamy Desikan states that his mind will not at all be angry or
displeased
with those critics.
Why does Swamy Desikan takes this attitude filled with VairAgyam? He dismisses both the haters and lovers of this Grantham with the statement: " ithaRkku yenn? ". He says: "what does it matter ?". Swamy Desikan's conviction behind this attitude is that the grantham of AdhikAra Sangraham took its birth because of Lord HayagrIvan and it is HE , who is going to be happy , when critics welcome it or HE is theone , who is going to be angry with those who reject it and punish them . Swamy Desikan places the anugraha , nigraha sankalpam in the hands of his ParamAchAryan , Lord HayagrIvan and places the palm leaves at HIs Thiruvadi .
Swamy Desikan's Saathvika ThyAgam and AchArya Bhakthi is abundantly evident in the final paasuram of salutation to Lord HayagrIvan .
Swamy Desikan
ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam ,
Daasan , Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri SadagOpan
Srimate Sri Laksminrisimha Divya Paduka Sevaka
SrivaNN Satakopa Sri Narayana Yatindra Mahadesikaya Nama:
Further Reading: External Links
Spelling: