Index - Tens:
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
1-8
Sri:
SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,
Translation by U.Ve. Dr. V.N. Vedanta Desikan Swamin:
821. kalAsu kAShTAmAthiShTan BhUmrE sambanDhinAmapi
pAdhukA rangaDhuryasya BharathArADhyathAm gathA
One who is adept in the field of fine arts bestows a kind of popular
respectability even on his near and dear ones. (The moon,w ith
sixteen digits, the full moon, makes the ocean swell in joy; it also
blossoms the water-lily. A person of wealth confers a stature on his
relatives, too, according to Brihadaranyaka.
A master artist on the stage impresses by his foot work, any
connoisseur of the dance-art. The Lord of Ranga enjoys a similar
fame. His Paaduka became a worshippable object to Bharata. (see verse
2)).
Namo Narayana,
SriMuralidhara Dasan
SrI:
Special Notes by V.Sadagopan (V.S):
SlOkam 821
The 28th Chapter of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram , SubhAshitha
Paddhathi starts with this slOkam . This Paddhathi has ten slOkams .
After describing the identity of the PaadhukAs from Chapter fifteen
to the twenty seventh chapter, Swami Desikan now starts to prove that
the PaadhukAs are serious objects of worship. He proves his points
through number of learned sayings based on the lOka neethis
( worldly observances/laws).
1) UtthamUr Swamy's anubhavam: For those , who have mastered any
single art, that artistry confers merit and respect on all of those
associated with them. Hence, it is no wonder that RanganAtha
PaadhukAs are worshipped by those, who understand the rules of
Bharata nAtyam, since the PaadhukAs particpate in the dance-drama
conducted by RanganAtha at SrIrangam. The literal meaning is that the
PaadhukAs of the Lord are worshipped by BharathA. The PaadhukAs
became object of worship because of their close relationship to
RaamA, who is none other than RanganAtha.
2) SrImath Andavan's anubhavam: In this Paddhathi , Swamy Desikan
provides meanings for some of the actions of Lord Raamachandra as
outlined in SrImath RaamAyaNam . PerumAl took different incarnations
to generate true Jn~Anam in chEthanams. Therefore Swamy Desikan
includes the meaning of selected actions of the Lord in this
Paddhathi. Bharathan worshipped SrI Raama Paadhukais. This act
signifies that a great personage spreads his glory to all associated
with him. This is why Bharathan worshipped the Paadhukai associated
with SrI Raamachandra.
3) One who is the top leader in any art (KalAsu KaashtAm aathishtAn)
extends his glory even to those associated with him (
sambhandhinAmapi bhUmnE bhavathi). That is why the PaadhukAs of
RanganAtha , who incarnated as Raamachandran became fit for the
worship by Bharatha (Rangadhuryasya PaadhukA Bharatha--
aarAdhyathAm gathA )....(V.S).
Sri:
SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,
Translation by U.Ve. Dr. V.N. Vedanta Desikan Swamin:
822. santha: svadEshaparadhEshaviBhAgashUnyam
hantha svavrutthimanaGhAm na parithyajanthi
rAjyE vanE cha raGhupungavapAdharakshA
naIjam jahoU na Khalu kaNtakashODhanam thath
Good people will never forsake their duties, whether they be in their
own place or in a strange place outside. It is their nature. Sri
Rama's Paaduka performed its duty of 'thorn-removal' in this manner.
In the Ayodhya kingdom, it saw to it that no enemy force ever entered
into the land; in the forest, it safeguarded Rama's feet from the
thorns on the way.
Namo Narayana,
SriMuralidhara Dasan
Special Notes by V.Sadagopan (V.S):
SlOkam 822
1) UtthamUr Swamy's anubhavam: Here, Swamy Desikan points out that
one should never abandon one's own dharma for whatever reasons.He
says: "Righteous people will not abandon their codes of conduct
learnt from their teachers either in their ownland or foreign lands.
For instance, Raama PaadhukAs performed their assigned duties be they
were in AyOdhyA or in the DaNDakA forest. In AyOdhyA , it made sure
that the enemies of the kingdom do not cause any harm to the
citizens; in the forest, they protected RaamA's feet from thorns and
stones.
2) SrImath Andavan's anubhavam:The great ones execute their duties
without concern about time, place or state in an identical manner.
They will not change their way because it is day or night, different
locales and other dhvandhvams. That is why, SrI Raama Paadhukais
performed " kaNDa sOdhana vrutthi" equally well in the forest as well
as in the kingdom. In the forest, it freed the area from the thorns;
in the kingdom, it freed the land of enemies to the land. The inner
meaning is that the AchAryAs do not perform auspicious deeds for any
one in particular. They perform these acts because it is their
svabhAvam to do so.
3) The great ones do not abandon their noble activities because it is
their own home country or a foreign country ( Santha: svadEsa
paradEsa vibhAga soonyam anagAm svavrutthim na parithyajanthi). That
is why, the Raama PaadhukAs freed the forest as well as the kingdom
free from thorns ( Raghupungava PaadharaksdhA rAjyE, vanEapi tath
naijam kaNDasOdhanam na jahou khalu ) ...(V.S)..
Sri:
SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,
Translation by U.Ve. Dr. V.N. Vedanta Desikan Swamin:
823. brahmAsthrathAmaDhijagAma thruNam prayuktham
puNyam sharavyamaBhavathpayasAnniDhirvA
pruThvIm shashAsa parimukthapadham padhathram
kim vA na kim Bhavathi kELiviDhoU viBhUnAm
Look at what a competent person can achieve. (1) A thin grass became
a potent Brahmastra in Rama's hand (2) An arrow could swallow, as it
were, the (invisible) Punya of Parasurama and could dry up the ocean
(3) A Paaduka that knows only to protect the feet became the ruler of
a vast country. In the hands of the adept, anything can be anything
as he wants.
Namo Narayana,
SriMuralidhara Dasan
Special Notes by V.Sadagopan (V.S):
SlOkam 823
1) UtthamUr Swamy's anubhavam: Swamy Desikan points out here
another lOka neethi , which states that those associated with the
Lord can accomplish many things because of their special relationship
to the Lord. He says: "A mere blade of grass got empowered to become
the powerful BrahmAsthram. At another time, all the virtues collected
by ParasurAma was put away by the arrow of RaamA in to the ocean .
The PadhukAs although seperated from the Lord's feet ruled over the
universe at AyOdhyA. When those with true power conduct the affairs ,
which object can not be empowered to perform miracles ?
2) SrImath Andavan's anubhavam: If one is an expert, he can use any
object to execute what he wishes to do. For the Lord, simple blade of
grass performed the duties of the powerful BrahmAsthram. Through this
extraordinary power of RaamA, ParasurAmA's puNyam ( not visible to
the eye) was hit by His arrow, the ocean became the target for
drying by His missile. His (Raama) PaadhukAis were enthroned at
AyOdhyA and they ruled the kingdom for fourteen years on His behalf.
3) In the case of even the playful activities of the most powerful
ones ( vibhUnAm kELi vidhou) , what object can not transfrom in to
any other objects? ( kim vaa kim na bhavathi?). In the case of Lord
Raamachandra, a blade of grass became BrahmAsthram (prayuktham
thruNam BrahmAsthrathAm adhijagaama); ParasurAmA's puNyam became
the target of Raama BhANam ( puNyam saravyam abhavath ); the Ocean
became the object of evaporation ( payasAm nidhirvaa saravyam
abhavath). The Paadhukais freed from the sacred feet of the Lord (
Parimuktha padham padhathram) was empowered to protect
the universe ( Padhathram pruTveem SaSAsa )...(V.S).
Sri:
SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,
Translation by U.Ve. Dr. V.N. Vedanta Desikan Swamin:
824. anyEShu sathsvapi narEndhrasuthEShu dhaIvAdh
BraShta: padhAdhaDhikarOthi padham padhArha:
prAyO nidharshayathi thath praThamO raGhUNAm
thathpAdhayO: prathiniDhI maNipAdhukE vA
There is a golden rule illustrated in the lives of Rama and Rama-
Paaduka; When one merits as his due post may miss him first but it
will sirely reach him ultimately. Rama lost the crown by divine
order, perhaps, but then none of his brothers could acquire it. He
got it finally, as it was his dure, he being the eldest. So also the
Paaduka missed the padam (Rama's foot) but it got the padam, namely,
the office of the ruler of the kingdom.
Namo Narayana,
SriMuralidhara Dasan
Special Notes by V.Sadagopan (V.S):
SlOkam 824
1) UtthamUr Swamy's anubhavam : Swamy Desikan states here that one
lOka neethi was established from the concepts of PaadhukA rAjyam and
Raama Raajyam. He says: " Although there were other sons of DasaraTa,
the blemishless Raama for no fault of His, lost the rights to the
throne of Raghus. The PaadhukAs of RaamA, which are equal in merit to
Him also underwent the same experience, when they were sepearated
from Him for fourteen years. " RaamA for no fault of His, lost the
chance to ascend the throne of Raghus due to the boons of KaikEyi.
Similarly, the PaadhukAs eligible to be worthy of RaamA got seperated
from their Lord for no fault of their own. Ultimately, RaamA ascended
the throne and the PaadhukAs got united with RaamA's feet.
2) SrImath Andavan's anubhavam: Lord Raamachandra"s coronation at
AyOdhya was stopped after it was well planned. Even if it was halted
at that time, that crowning uthsavam for Him took place few years
later. Even during the time of interruption, when His brothers were
still eligible for ascending the throne, the Paadhukais became
fit to occupy the throne of Raghu vamsam.
3) Even if there were other sons (of King DasaraTa ) there (anyEshu
narEndhra suthEshu sathsvapi ), the fittest one, who lost the
opportunity to sit on the throne of His father due to dhaiva
sankalpam ultimately ascended the throne ( dhaivAth padhAth
brashta: , padhArha: padham adhikarOthi). This was demonstrated in
the case of the greatest one of Raghu Vamsam (RaghUNAm PraTama:),
Raamachandran . He could not ascend the throne due to dhaiva
sankalpam. His brothers were there at that time , when He had to give
up His throne and yet the throne went to His Paadhukais instead
(Tath RaghUNAm PraTama: tath PaadhayO: prathinidhi PaadhukE vaa
nidarsayathi prAya:) ....(V.S).
Sri:
SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,
Translation by U.Ve. Dr. V.N. Vedanta Desikan Swamin:
825.charaNamanaGhavrutthE: kasyachithprApya nithyam
sakalaBhuvanagupthyaI sathpaThE varthathE ya:
narapathibahumAnam pAdhukEvADhigacChan
sa Bhavathi samayEShu prEkshithajnaIrupAsya:
Whosoever clings to the feet of a great good man of a flawless
character, following his footsteps in the matter of all actions,
especially in those designed for the good of the world, he will
secure, as the paaduka secured, the respectability befitting the
Royalty. Not only this: he would be served with respect by kings too;
furthermore, he will have the previlege of being served by people who
will look to his view for all implementations.
Namo Narayana,
SriMuralidhara Dasan
Special Notes by V.Sadagopan (V.S):
SlOkam 825
1) UtthamUr Swamy's anubhavam: Here Swamy Desikan points out
another lOka neethi pertaining to the one, who surrenders at the feet
of the noble king or great AchArya. Such a person gains the reward of
being recognized and rewarded by the king and at the same time
becomes the object of worship by the fellow citizens. He says: " The
One of blemishless character, who surrenders at the feet of an evolved
soul (king or AchAryan) and follows the steps established by them
gets rewarded by the king as in the case of Raama PaadhukAs . He is
also worshipped by the righteous people of the land. "The PaadhukAs
through their illustrious conduct and service attained the reward of
ruling the kingdom of Raghus. This reward is conferred by Lord
Raamachandra Himself.
2) SrImath Andavan's anubhavam: At one time Raama lost the kingdom.
He gained the kingdom later. In between His Paadhukais ruled the
kingdom on His command. When one thinks about all these happenings,
one becomes convinced that anyone who serves a great one and follows
their anushtAnam will attain great status. Raama PaadhukAs served Him
with devotion. They became the emperor of the kingdom.
3) The one , who serves the feet of a blemishless great person
meticulously and follows their way of conduct (Ya: anaga vrutthE:
kasyachith charaNam prApya , sakala bhuvana gupthyai sathpaTE
vartatE ) will attain the lofty status of Raama Paadhukais and will
be revered by the kings and becomes the object of worship at
appropriate times ( Sa: PaadhukEva narapathi bhaumAnam adhigacchan
samayEshu prEkshithaj~nai: upAsya: bhavathi)...(V.S).
Sri:
SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,
Translation by U.Ve. Dr. V.N. Vedanta Desikan Swamin:
826. rAmE rAjyam pithuraBhimatham sammatham cha prajAnAm
mAthA vavrE thadhiha BharathE sathyavAdhI dhadhoU cha
chinthAthItha: samajani thadhA pAdhukAgryABhiShEkO
dhurvajnAnasvahrudhayamahO dhaIvamathra pramANam
That Rama should get the kingdom, was the wish of the father,
Dasharatha. That was also the wish of the people. But then Mother
Kaikeyi wished to forcefully secure it for her son, Bharata. And to
that also, the king agreed, he being an adherent to the sworn word.
But even that could not be effected. Just at that moment, a supreme
celebration of Anointment and Coronation occured, in the case,
unexpectedly, of the Paaduka. The inscrutable way of god runs
supreme in all events.
Namo Narayana,
SriMuralidhara Dasan
Special Notes by V.Sadagopan (V.S):
SlOkam 826
1) UtthamUr Swamy's anubhavam: Both DasaraTa and the citizens of
AyOdhyA agreed to Raama ascending the throne of Raghus. At this time,
KaikEyi through Her boons wanted BharathA to ascend that throne.
DasaraTa had to be true to his promise given earlier to KaikEyi and
agreed reluctantly to her wish. Even when BharathA was slated for
the coronation bath, the PaadhukAs of RaamA achieved that honor.
The totally unexpected happened. What a miracle it was to witness? In
such matters, only the Lord as the knower of all would understand as
to what is yet to come.
2) SrImath Andavan's anubhavam: The people of the world may think one
way and the Dhaivam thinks the opposite way and executes what it
wishes. For instance, DasaraTa wished to elevate Raama to the
position of the king of AyOdhya. All the citizens had the same wish.
KaikEyi objected and wanted BharathA should ascend the throne in
RaamA's place. DasaraTa had to yield to KaikEyi. At that time,
the Paadhukai, which no one even thought about ascended the throne at
the request of BharathA . Man proposes and God disposes.
3) It was the wish of the father (DasaraTa ) that his eldest son
(Raama) should succed him ( RaamE rAjyam pithu: abhimatham). That was
agreeable to the citizens as well ( prajAnAm sammatham). But, KaikEyi
pressed that the kingdom should go to her son BharathA ( MaathA
BharathE vavrE ). DasaraTA , who could not break his previous promise
gave the kingdom to BharathA ( SathyavAdhi dadhou cha). At that
time , what was inconceivable to many took place (i-e)., the
PaadhukAs recieved the PattAbhishEkam ( TadhA chinthAtheetha:
PaadhukAgryAbhishEka: samajani). In this matter (athra) ,
the God with inscrutable mind of its own is the reason ( dhurvij~Ana
sva hrudhayam dhaivam pramANam )...(V.S).
Sri:
SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,
Translation by U.Ve. Dr. V.N. Vedanta Desikan Swamin:
827. nAthikrAmEccharaNavahanAthpAdhukA pAdhapITam
yadhvAsannam paramiha sadhA BhAthi rAjAsanasya
pUrvathraIva praNihithamaBhUth hantha rAmENa rAjyam
shankE Bharthurbahumathipadham vikramE sAhacharyam
As the Paaduka bears the feet of the Lord during walks and travels,
the padapadmapeeta or foot-seat bears the Lord's feet. Therefore, one
cannot outright concede the priority of place for coronation to the
Paaduka. The Foot-seat remains near the throne at all times. Then why
did they choose the Paaduka as Rama's deputy for coronation?
Naturally, one would choose, as one's deputy or substitute, only one
who assists him in his exploits (and tours); this role having been
fulfilled by the Paaduka, it was chosen for installation as the Ruler.
Namo Narayana,
SriMuralidhara Dasan
Special Notes by V.Sadagopan(V.S):
SlOkam 827
1) UtthamUr Swamy's anubhavam: Swamy Desikan uses the two meanings
of the word " Vikramam" in this verse to explain that the PaadhukAs
are superior to the Paadha peetam , where RaamA rests His feet with
the PaadhukAs. Vikramam can mean either valor or foot step. He
says: " This Paadha Peetam under the throne of Raama is not superior
to the PaadhukAs even if it bears the weight of RaamA's feet, when He
sits on the throne . It will not be equal to the PaadhukAs although
it shares some of the duties of the PaadhukAs. If one inquires
deeply, one understands that the Paadha Peetam stays always next to
the throne. On the contrary , the PaadhukAs have a much more
responsible function. RaamA entrusted the PaadhukAs to govern His
kingdom , when He was away for fourteen years. I think it is the
valor of the PaadhukAs that made RaamA entrust His kingdom to them
since they have particpated with Him in many heroic campaigns. "
2) SrImath Andavan's anubhavam: At one time, RaamA entrusted the
empire to His Paadhukais. He did not choose them for supporting the
feet. If that were to be the case, then the foot rest close to the
throne could have been given that awesome responsibility. The reason
why the Lord chose His Paadhukai was that it was clever and brave in
performing its duties .
3) In protecting (supporting) the feet of its Master, the foot rest
wins over the Paadhukais (CharaNa vahanAth PaadhukA Paadha peeDam
nAthikrAmEth). Further (yadhvA), the foot rest stays much closer to
the throne (Paadha peeDam sadhA rAjAsanasya aasannam bhAthi).
However , the kingdom was entrusted to the aforesaid Paadhukai by
RaamA (RaamENa rAjyam poorvathraiva praNihitham abhUth). I think
that in valor, the one that walks together becomes an object of
celebration by the Master ( vikramE Saahacharyam Bharthu:
bahumathipadham sankhE )....(V.S).
Sri:
SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,
Translation by U.Ve. Dr. V.N. Vedanta Desikan Swamin:
828. prathipadhachapalApi pAdhukA
raGhupathinA svapadhE nivEshithA
samajani niBhruthasThithisthadhA
Bhavathi guNa: shriyamaBhyupEyuShAm
The Paaduka is vacillating as during walking. When Rama appointed the
Paaduka as the deputy for being enthroned, the very moment it became
firm-fixed in position. This is an illustration for the rule that
attainment of affluence automatically confers virtue also on one.
Namo Narayana,
SriMuralidhara Dasan
Special Notes by V.Sadagopan (V.S):
SlOkam 828
1) UtthamUr Swamy's anubhavam: Even if the Paadhukais are non-
stationary during the Lord's travels, they sat still for 14 years ,
when they were appopinted by RaamA to rule the kingdom. During those
years, it became rooted to the tasks and was stationary. For those,
who attain extraordinary riches, the auspicious qualities develop
simultaneously. Steadiness of purpose and freedom from distractions
are two such qualities that the Paadhukais gained as a ruler of the
kingdom of the Raghus.
2) SrImath Andavan's anubhavam:it is customary to view the Paadhukais
as not standing in the same place. It is mobile. Even then , the
Paadhukais stayed put in one place for fourteen years, once it was
assigned the duties of ruling the kingdom of Raghus. This reminds
one of the adage that guNam accompanies the acquired wealth .
3) PaadhukA has the svabhAvam to be on the move (PaadhukA
prathipadha chapalA ); even with this reputation, when it was
assigned the responsibilites of rulership for the kingdom by RaamA (
prathipadha chapalA api , RaghunATEna svapadhE nivEsithA ), the
Paadhukais became immobile and stayed put in one place for fourteen
years ( tadha nibhrutha sTithi: abhUth). When one attains great
soubhAgyam, then the auspicious GuNams follow them ( Sriyam
abhyupEshAm guNa: bhavathi)...(V.S).
Sri:
SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,
Translation by U.Ve. Dr. V.N. Vedanta Desikan Swamin:
829. gathihEthuraBhUth kvachithpadhE sThithihEthurmaNipAdhukA kvachith
na hi vasthuShu shakthinischayO niyathi: kEvalamIshvarEcChayA
The Manipaaduka shows, when in one place, that is, in the foot of the
Lord, the tendency to move about. But in another place, that is, in
the throne, it exhibits a firm situation. Thus, there is no prima
facie that an object would have a particular property, because, it is
also, by will of god, decided.
Namo Narayana,
SriMuralidhara Dasan
Special Notes by V.Sadagopan (V.S):
SlOkam 829
1) UtthamUr Swamy's anubhavam: In one state, PaadhukAs were
responsible for the Lord's mobility; in another state, they remained
immobile on the throne. The acquisition of one power or the other is
decided by the volition of the Lord, who is the Master Controller.
2) SrImath Andavan's anubhavam:Dhaivam can will to empower what it
wishes or take away what was there. There is no restriction to the
way of the Dhaivam. In the case of the Paadhukais, when it was
adorned by the Lord, it moved and gave movement (sanchAram ) to the
Lord . On another occasion, it stayed put for fourteen years without
movement .
3) In one role , the Paadhukai became the object for the travel of
the Lord's feet(Kvachith-padhE gathi hEthu: abhUth). In another role,
it stayed put to protect the kingdom ( kavachit-padhE sTithi hEthu:
abhUth). There is no certainity about the power of vasthus (
Vasthushu sakthi-niscchayO na hi ). It is Bhagavath sankalpam that
determines the power or otherwise ( niyathi: IsvarEcchayA
kEvalam)...(V.S).
Sri:
SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,
Translation by U.Ve. Dr. V.N. Vedanta Desikan Swamin:
830. aDharIkruthOpi mahathA thamEva sEvEtha sAdharam BhUShNu:
alaBhatha samayE rAmAth pAdhakrAnthApi pAdhukA rAjyam
Whosoever wishes to prosper further and further, ought to serve the
great personage who has enslaved him and treated him as a servant.
This is borne testimony to by the Paaduka, which was worn by Rama in
his feet when it served him assiduously in the forest, but which was
later rewarded with the crown of the Ayodhya kingdom.
Namo Narayana,
SriMuralidhara Dasan
Special Notes by V.Sadagopan (V.S):
SlOkam 830
1) UthtamUr Swamy's anubhavam:Swamy Desikan states that the lesson
(subhAshitham) that one learns from the PaadhukAs is that we should
not abandon the great souls even if they give us a lower position.
Here, Swamy is referring to PaadhukA's lower position of being
stepped upon by the Lord 's feet during His travels on them. It is
because of such tenacious submisison, the PaadhukAs ascended the
throne of Raghus. Swamy Desikan says: "Those who aspire for a high
status should not give up their Lord and continue to serve them
ardently. Please see as to what happened to RaamA PaadhukAs. Even when
they were under His feet and stepped upon by Him, at the right time ,
they became the ruler of the kingdom of the Ragus".
2) SrImath Andavan's anubhavam: Why did Paadhukai attain the lofty
status of becoming the king of AyOdhyA? it was because they had the
association of the Lord's feet and performed kaimkaryam with love to
those sacred feet without interruption at all times and places. For
one who is the noble Master, even if their servants are not treated
well by him, the servants should put up with the Master and serve the
Master with affection. One day, that servant's service will be
rewarded magnanimously.
3) One who wishes for auspicousness (BhushNu:) should serve a great
personage of noble conduct and should serve that person well even if
he does not get treated well ( BhushNu: mahathA adharIkruthOapi
TamEva saadharam sEvEtha). For instance, the Paadhukais which were
pressed constantly by the Lord's feet was blessed with the throne of
the Raghu Vamsam at one time( PaadhukA paadhaakrAnthapi samayE
Raamaath rAjyam alabhatha)...(V.S) .