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Experiencing Swamy Desika -- #84


SrI:
Shrimate Shri Lakshmi Nrusimha Parabrahmane Namaha:
Shrimate Shri Seetha Ramachandra Parabrahmane Namaha:
Shrimate Shri Ramanujaya Namaha:
Shrimate Nigamantha Maha Desikaya Namaha:
Shrimate Shrivan Satagopa Shri Narayana Yateendra Mahadesikaya Namaha:

"SrimAn VenaktanAthArya: kavithArkika kEsarI!
VedAnthAchArya varyO mE sannidhatthAM sadhA hrudhi"!!


A single word "pAdapA" has been used sixteen times in this
Sloka. The meaning it conveys is amazing. How can a single word
ever communicate so many different meanings?

The most interesting aspect is that there is no other word
used in the Sloka. It is "pAdapA" alone repeated and
that's it => the Sloka is complete and full of deep meaning!

"pAdapApAdapApAdapApAdapA pAdapApAdapA pAdapA pAdapA!
pAdapApAdapA pAdapApAdapA pAdapA pAdapA pAdapA pAdapA!!"

Who else but for our Swami can ever venture into writing
a full Sloka with just a single word!!! Let us have a look
into its meaning as translated by Shri V.N. Vedanta Desikan

" The Paaduka
Purifies all movables and immovables of sins by means of its
ablution water,

Takes care of the beings in the leela Vibhooti as well as those
(Muktas and Nityas) of Sri Vaikunta),

Does good to those dutiful persons who kindly take care of
their parents as their duty and abandons those people who
forsake this duty,

Enhances the worth, stock of self restraint and equanimity
in the fortunate ones given to the drink of the nectar of
the Lord's delectable qualities,

Dries up, by its radiation's, the enemies to its devotees,
and helps all, like Indra, to discharge their respective
duties in their respective offices. "

In this Swami uses the word "pAdapA" to complete a Sloka
which itself is amazing. But Swami's poetic skills goes
to the extent of using just one alphabet (in Sanskrit) to
complete a Sloka!!!

"yAyAyAyAyAyAyAyA yAyAyAyAyAyAyAyA !
yAyAyAyAyAyAyAyA yA yA yA yA yA yA yA yA !!

" That Paaduka which collected revenue, being in the throne,
which ensures the auspices of the devotees,
which is the benefactor of True Wisdom on the devotees,
which kindles a yearning for the good things of life
(which makes the devotee look to itself as the Supreme Deity),
Which wipes out enemies (also the sins of the devotees),
which after attaining the Lords feet is for His travels,
which helps bring the Lord to us and
which is the Supreme Aid for the Jivas reaching the Highest Goal,
that Paaduka has the distinction of solely being for the Lord. "

Swami says that just the radiance of the Paadukas makes the
Jivas shine with knowledge. The melodious sound raised by
Paadukas when our Lord walks with it will make the Jivas to
increase their devotion to our Lord. Paadukas create devotion
in the Jivas towards our Lord. Nammalvar, being Paaduka, formed
a very important 'bridge' like relationship between the Jivas
and the Lord.

Peria Thiruvadi is referred as "Vedatma" and when our
Lord Sriya:Pathi sits over Peria Thiruvadi, it is clear that our
Lord is the boss of the Vedas. Similarly, Paadukas symbolise
"Tamizh Marai" and when our Lord adorns the Paadukas, our Lord
automatically establishes that he is also the boss of Tamizh Marai!!!

Swami places the Paadukas on par with sadacharyas for conferring
Moksha to us. The Paadukas always bear the Lord. Our Lord being
so caring wanted to carry the Paadukas. Our Swami enjoys this
feeling of the Lord and says that our Lord put mother earth in
between and took the various forms [Koorma, Adisesha, Principal
mountains etc] - all being the Lord - "sarvam Vishnumayam Jagat"!

This way, the Lord takes different forms to bears you !!!

In this verse, Swami states that our Lord bore the Paadukas!
Enlightened by this our Swami wants to bear those Paadukas on his Head!

>From the great Kaavyam - Paaduka Sahasram - It is clear that
Swami (with all his greatness) wanted himself to be identified
as "SrI Paaduka sEvaka"!!!

"Kavi Taarkika Simhaaya Kalyaana guna SaalinE!
SrimatE VenkateshAya VedAnta Gurave nama !!"

...To be continued!

dEsikan tiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

Praveena nAmni Ramanuja dasi