Srimate SrivanSatakopa Sri Vedanta Desika Yatindra Mahadesikaya Nama:
Glorious Garlands
I was marking attendance at a marriage. The next item on the agenda was for the
Bride and Groom to exchange garlands-"Maalai Maattral". I sat up in my seat and
began to take notice, as this is the part of the marriage festivities that I
like the most. It is very obviously a throwback to ancient times when girls
used to garland the man they fancied the most, in a Swayamvaram. And it is so
beautifully symbolic, don't you think, of the bride choosing the man as her
life mate. What better way to show your affections, than with flowers, and that
too with garlands?
(Some harried husbands would, in retrospect, compare the wedding garland to a
noose put around their unwitting neck, similar to the one around the
sacrificial goat's-- but let us ignore them, as we are talking here of happy
marriages). Coming back to the exchange of garlands between the bride and the
groom, quite a few years back, the maternal uncles of the bride and the groom
used to officiate over this part of the marriage, each carrying his ward on his
shoulders and running back and forth. This is usually a hilarious scene, with
the uncles vying with each other in demonstrating their respective skills,
making it difficult for the other party to put the garland around the neck of
the bride or the groom. This carrying on shoulders was possible and easy, when
marriages used to take place between children, or at best adolescents. However,
with the current practice of marriages between full-grown adults in their late
twenties, the uncles have to grunt and groan while carrying their charges, if
at all they venture to undertake the rather risky business. I know of an uncle
who, after carrying the rather bulky bride on his shoulders during the
garland-exchange, was hospitalized for six months with a prolapsed disc.
However, this piece is not about uncles or prolapsed discs. It is about
Garlands. You may think, "What is there to write on garlands! They are after
all put together to be worn a few hours and thrown off once they wilt." I too
was under the same impression, till I did some research on the subject and
found a wealth of information, which would make us look at them in a new light
altogether.
As a ten-year-old, I remember being taken shopping for Sri Jayanti by my
father. When he bought a small garland of Shenbaka flowers (with which Sri
Periazhwar sought to adorn Sri Krishna) and entrusted it to me for carrying, I
could not resist smelling the same, since the scent was extremely heady. When
he happened to watch me at this, my father instantly threw away the garland,
telling me that flowers meant for the Lord should not be smelt or used by us in
any other way, before being submitted to Him. Though we bought a different
garland, the incident stuck to my memory. Sometime later, when my father was
recounting to me the glorious tale of Sri Andal and came to the portion about
Her having adorned Herself with the garlands meant for the Lord, painstakingly
put together by Her father Sri Vishnuchitta, I promptly queried my father as to
how Sri Andal could have done something which I had been prohibited from doing.
And later too, when I was taught Sri Periazhwar's pasuram describing the
devotees' delight in adorning themselves with garlands and clothes cast off by
Emperuman, it rankled in my mind as to how the Lord could have made an
exception in the case of Sri Andal and accepted garlands She had worn first.
My father gently explained to me the ocean of difference between my humble self
and Sri Andal, pointing out the intense and pure love that She had for
Emperuman, which made the Lord not only accept the used garlands with unalloyed
pleasure, but refuse to wear any others.
Normally, once you wear them, flowers lose their fragrance and wilt away
gradually due to the wearer's body heat. However, the garland worn by Sri Goda
acquired a unique fragrance due to Her association, which the flowers did not
originally possess. And when He wore the garlands of Goda, Sri Ranagnatha too
smelled sweeter than ever, we are told by Swami Desikan. In fact, the Lord is
touted to be the repository of all fragrance-"Sarva Gandha:". However, the
scent of the garlands which originally adorned Sri Andal was such as to
suppress and overwhelm all other sources of fragrance Emperuman sported, be it
the sacred scent of the Shruti, that of the Vijayanti Vanamala constantly
adorning the Lord's chest or the sweet-smelling sandalwood paste smeared on His
chest. Sri Kodai's hair, on which the garlands originally resided, was so
beautiful and so fragrant, that Sri Ranganatha, once He was used to such
garlands, spurned any other which had not been worn first by Kodai. She is
hence said to have captivated and captured the affections of Rangaraja through
Her garlands-"Sragbhi: aakrishta naathaa". We have heard of marriages resulting
in garlands being exchanged. Andal's, however, must be the first instance of
garlands having been instrumental for Her divine marriage with the Ultimate.
And Andal's association with garlands doesn't come as a surprise to us,
considering that the word "Kodai" refers to a garland, in chaste Tamizh.
Everyone would agree that bees are the best judges of the quality of fragrance,
flitting all their lives from flower to flower. Finding the Vanamaala adorning
the Lord's chest to be the most fragrant in the world, bees used to throng the
garland. However, once the Lord started wearing the garlands passed on by Sri
Andal, bees, the connoisseurs that they are, immediately deserted the Vanamaala
and besieged the Andal maalai, finding the latter infinitely more fragrant than
the former. All this and more we learn from the Goda Stuti of Swami Desikan,
who waxes eloquent in the description of the garlands Kodai Nacchiar tried on
before submission to Her Lord with love. If even bees with limited faculties
were able to discern the difference between Andal's maalai and others, is it
any wonder that the omniscient Lord appreciated the same?
However, Sri Andal's is not the first instance of someone mesmerizing and
binding Emperuman head to foot with garlands. Sri Mythily too bound the Prince
of Ayodhya with a garland of jasmine flowers, we are told by Sri Periazhwar.
Though Valmiki omits to narrate the episode, we are told that the Divine Couple
were playing chess (Chaturangam) and as a romantic punishment for Sri Rama who
lost the game, Vaidehi playfully tied Him up with garlands of sweet-smelling
jasmine. This intimate event is narrated by Sri Maruti to Sri Sita at
Asokavanam, to establish his bona fides as Rama's emissary. Here is Azhwar's
beautiful paasuram describing a divine romance-
"Alli am poo malar kodaai! Adi paninden vinnappam
sollugen kettarulaai tunai malar kan mada maane!
Elli am podu inidu iruttal irundador ida vagaiyil
Mallikai maalai kondu angu aarttadum or adayaalam"
We saw Swami Desikan speak of the Vanamaala being put to shame by the fragrance
of garlands worn by Soodik koduttha Sudarkkodi. What then is this Vanamaala?
Named Vaijayanti, the Vanamala is a garland of unfading flowers worn with élan
by Emperuman. It adorns His broad chest constantly and is as much an indication
of His supremacy as the other signs, such as Sri Mahalakshmi. It is one of the
items that identifies Emperuman as the Supreme Lord of the universe-a so-called
"Swaroopa Niroopaka Dharmam". It is extremely soft, red and close to the Lord's
heart, physically and otherwise. It is the finest of garlands and fit in all
respects to be worn by the Paramapurusha. All these we come to know from Swami
Desikan's beautiful words, "Aamodavatyapi sadaa hridayangamaapi raagaanvitaapi
lalitaapi gunottaraapi". The Vanamaala's fragrance is beyond measure, which
attracts bees in droves. According to Sri Parasara Bhattar, the leaves and
petals of this Vaijayanti maala come into contact with the holy feet of Sri
Mahalakshmi, who too adorns the Lord's chest. And due to the association, the
Vaijayanti is made fresher, cooler, more fragrant and lustrous.
The Lord is so enamoured of the Vanamaala that He continues to sport it even
during His avataras. It adorns Sri Krishna's dark chest, we are told by Swami
Desikan-"Jayanti Sambhavam dhaama Vaijayanti vibhooshanam". The Uddhava Gita
too speaks of the Lord sporting this Vanamaala during the Krishnavataram-
Shankha Chakra Gadaa Padma Vanamala vibhooshitam
Noopurai: vilasat paadam Koustubha prabhayaa yutam"
It is natural and appropriate for men and women to wear garlands. Have you ever
heard of a Fish sporting a garland? Before you ridicule me for such an
impossible suggestion, let me quote Sri Bhattar, who avers that even during the
Matsyaavataaram, the Lord did not forsake the Vaijayanti, which continued to
adorn His fishy neck. "Srak" in Sanskrit means a garland and the Lord is known
as "Sragvee" (Vishnu Sahasranamam) because He constantly wears the Vaijayanti
around His neck, irrespective of the form He assumes. Here is the relative
quote from Sri Bhattar's commentary-"Tiryaktvepi paratva soochinee Vaijayanti
srak asya nitya yoginee iti Sragvee". He is also known as "Vanamaalee" due to
His constant wearing of this priceless garland.
There are several versions as to the actual composition of the Vaiyjayati.
According to some, it is composed of Tulasi, Mallika, Mandara, Paarijaatam and
Lotus and extends from the Lord's neck to His holy feet. Some others say that
this necklace is composed of the five principal gems-Pearls, Rubies, Emeralds,
Sapphires and Diamonds. Whatever the Vaijayanti may consist of, it symbolizes
the five basic elements of nature-Fire, Water, Air, Atmosphere and Wind. The
Lord wears these five elements and the five Tanmaatraas in their subtlest form
around His neck in a floral form, says the Vishnu Puranam-
"Pancha roopaa yaa maala Vaijayanti gadaa bhrita:
Saa bhoota hetu sangaataa bhoota maalaa cha vai dvija!"
According to the Bhaagavata Puraanam, the Vanamala is symbolic of the Lord's
Maayaa and is comprised of the multifarious gunas--"Sva maayaam
Vanamaalaakhyaam naanaa guna mayeem dadhat"
This Vaijayanti is no mere adornment, it multiplies manifold the strength and
valour of the wearer, we are told by Mahabharata, which also informs us that
the Lord lent this unique garland to Subrahmanya, to aid him in his battle
against asuras--
"Vishnu: dadou Vaijayanteem maalaam bala vivardhineem
Uma dadou cha arajasee vaasasee soorya sama prabhe"
When Bhagadatta, ranged against Arjuna in the battle between Pandavas and
Kauravas, unleashes the Vaishnavaastram, a deadly weapon capable of destroying
not only the Paandava but the entire world, Sri Krishna steps in and takes the
missile on His broad chest. However, when it encounters the divine tirumeni,
the potent astram turns into a garland and adorns the dark chest of Krishna,
becoming the Vaijayanti maala, says the Mahabharata--" Vaijayanti abhavan
maalaa tat astram Kesava urasi"
The Mahabhrata speaks about a different Vaijayanti maala too, one gifted by
Indra to Maharaja Uparichara. While gifting the same, Indra tells the Raja that
the garland was unique and would save him from any and all of opponents'
weapons, during war-
"Dadaami te Vaijayanti maalaam amlaana pankajaam
Dhaarayishyati sangraame yaa tvaam shastrai: avikshatam".
Such, then, is the glory of the Vaijayanti Vanamala. Sri Tondaradippodi Azhwar
was born on this earth, as an "amsam" of this Vanamala, according to
Guruparampara.
In the Nrisimhaavatara too, the Lord wore a garland--but this particular
garland was entirely different from any He had sported earlier. Unable to
tolerate the torture meted out to His devotee Prahlada, the leonine Lord put
Hiranyakasipu on His lap, dug out his entrails with His nails and wore the
asura's intestines around His neck, as a gory garland. This is the form in
which we can stil see Him at the heights of Ahobilam, as Jwaalaa Nrsimhan. We
might wonder why the Lord should not have stopped with merely killing
Hiranyakasipu, without demonstrating excessive anger, leading Him to devise a
new and unique garland for Himself: however, the Lord's apparently extreme
anger stemmed from His intolerance to His devotees being insulted or injured.
He could readily forgive offence aimed at Himself, but not that to His sincere
Bhaktas. The episode demonstrates the gravity of Bhaagavata apachaaram, against
which all Prapannaas are advised by the Acharya at the time of Saranagati.
Garlands are basically a feminine adornment. We are hence hardly surprised to
learn from the Lakshmi Ashtottarasatanaama Stotram that Sridevi too wears a
garland of beautiful lotus blooms--"Padma maalaa dharaam Deveem, Padmineem
Padma gandhineem". And when Ravana reaches Rama's aashramam in the garb of an
ascetic on the unholy mission of kidnapping Vaidehi, he finds Her sporting a
similar lotus garland-
"Kaa tvam kaanchana varnaabhe peeta kouseya vaasinee
kamalaanaam subhaam maalaam Padmineem iva bibhratee"
Garlands, especially of gold and pearls, made ideal gifts too. We often hear of
kings and queens instantly rewarding couriers (with good news) with chains and
necklaces from their necks. We thus see Kaikeyee assuring a reward of a golden
garland to the scheming hunchback Manthara, for her diabolic idea for Bharata's
coronation and Rama's banishment to the forests for fourteen long years-
"Atra te pratimokshyaami maalaam kubje! Hiranmayem
Abhishikte cha Bharate Raghave cha vanam gate"
As a humble offering from Indra, Vaayu Bhagawan presents Raghava with a
beautiful golden garland on the occasion of His coronation. Sri Rama and His
Consort too bestow gifts upon all those who attended the function. It is no
coincidence that all the principal Vaanara Veeras are gifted with garlands of
gold and precious gems. Sri Sita takes off a golden necklace (haaram) from Her
neck and looks at those assembled contemplatively, as if wondering whom to give
it to. Sri Rama, reading Her mind, tells Her to give it to the person She likes
most, to one endowed with unmatched valour and wisdom. Immediately, Vaidehi
gifts the golden garland to Maaruti--
"Avamuchya aatmana: kantthaat haaram Janaka Nandini
dadou saa Vaayu Putraaya tam haaram asitekshanaa".
It would be no exaggeration to ascribe the death of the apparently invincible
Vali to a garland. Sugriva engages Vali in combat, spurred on by Rama's promise
that He would kill Vali. However, the battling brothers are so alike that Rama
knows not who is who and as a result, Sugriva just manages to escape with a
sound thrashing. To avoid the confusion, Rama tells Lakshmana to adorn Sugriva
with a garland made of Gajapushpi flowers, so that positive identification can
be made of Vali, who would not be wearing such a garland. And ultimately, when
Sugriva fights again with a confident Vali, the latter is felled with a single
Rama baanam. A slightly different version is available in the story of Sri Rama
narrated in Mahabharata, with Hanuman, and not Rama, coming up with the idea of
Sugriva wearing a distinctive garland for purposes of identification--
"Na visesha: tayo: yuddhe tadaa kaschana drisyate
Sugreevasya tadaa maalaam Hanooman kantta aasajat"
Vali, though not wearing a garland of flowers, was nevertheless adorned by a
golden garland--"Vaalinam hema maalinam". Legend has it that this was no
ordinary garland and was gifted to Vali by his august father Indra. When Vali
went into combat wearing this garland, it sucked away half of the opponent's
strength, thus making it ridiculously easy for Vali to triumph. We find from
the Kishkindha Kaandam that Vali wore this garland during all his major
battles, for instance the one with Dundhubhi, the dreaded asura in a buffalo
form--
"Tam evam uktvaa samkruddho maalaam utkshipya kaanchaneem
Pitraa dattaam Mahendrena yuddhaaya vyapatishttata"
Given his innate, phenomenal strength, Vali was made so powerful by this unique
garland that he never lost any of his battles. However, it is a confirmation of
fate's long arm that even the magical garland could not save Vali, when his end
was at hand. Upon his death, the broad-minded Vali bequeaths this unique
garland to his detractor Sugriva, duly advising the latter about the garland's
divine properties.
If Vali lost his life due to a garland, it is indeed a coincidence to find that
his father Indra too lost his entire riches and fame, again due to a garland.
Once Sage Dhurvaasa, known for his irascibility, presented Indra with a garland
obtained from Paarvathi Devi as prasaadam. Indra placed the sacred garland on
the neck of Iraavatam, his elephant, from where it fell and was trampled under
the pachyderm's feet. Dhurvaasa was enraged at the apparent disrespect shown by
Indra and cursed him immediately, as a result of which Indra lost all his
wealth, splendour and status as the head of the devas.
Going on to the Krishnavataram, we find the Lord extremely enamoured of
garlands. When He goes to Mathura to do away with Kamsa, Sri Krishna goes to
the royal court in style. First and foremost, He appropriates beautiful
apparel, freshly washed and pressed, being carried by the washer man for
Kamsa's use and dresses Himself in the freshly laundered clothes, much to the
chagrin of the dhobi.
Krishna goes next to the royal florist, who is busily stringing together fresh
and fragrant flowers in beautiful garlands for Kamsa and asks him for the
garlands. The florist, recognizing Krishna to be the Paramatma come in person,
welcomes Him with bowed head and offers the lovingly strung garlands to Krishna
and Balarama, deeming himself extremely fortunate to be of service to the
Divine Duo.
In contrast, when Krishna, Bheema and Arjuna go to Magadha to battle with
Jaraasandha, the three snatch fresh garlands being taken by the florist for the
use of Jaraasandha and adorn themselves with the flowers, thereby adding insult
to the injury to be inflicted on the Magadha sovereign.
Garlands have another role--they serve as an ideal way of welcoming VIPs. No
meeting, political or otherwise, is complete without the speakers being
profusely garlanded by the organizers. If you think this practice is a recent
one, you are in for a surprise. The Kousheetaki Upanishad tells us that all new
entrants to Paradise are welcomed by a hundred divine damsels, all holding
beautiful garlands in their hands, to adorn the necks of those fortunate souls
who have performed Prapatti and are hence led to Sri Vaikunttam upon release
from their mortal coils--
"Tam pancha shataani apsarasaam prati dhaavanti, shatam maalaa hastaa:
shatam anjana hastaa: shatam choorna hastaa: shatam vaasohastaa:"
There are actually five hundred beautiful maidens in the welcoming party--while
a hundred hold garlands, the other four hundred hold spanking new garments,
fragrant powders, etc., with which to welcome the VIPs.
Though it would appear from the aforesaid that garlands are of universal
application, there is a particular section of the populace that is specifically
prohibited from wearing garlands or using them in any fashion. According to
Manu, Brahmachaaris are forbidden from wearing garlands and are directed to
avoid them, along with other items like perfumes, intoxicating liquor, female
company, etc. Here is the relative sloka from Manusmriti--
"Varjayet madhu maamsam gandham maalyam rasaan striya:
suktaani yaani sarvaani praninaam cha eva himsanam"
The same Manusmriti tells us that whenever Brahmins well versed in Veda and
Vedanta visit us, these athithis hould be propitiated with garlands, inter
alia--
"Upavesya tu taan vipraan aasaneshu ajugupsitaan
gandha maalyai: surabhibhi: archayet daiva poorvakam"
We saw how Sri Andal bedecked the Lord with not only floral garlands, but
verbal ones too--not only "Poomaalai" but "Paamaalai" too. Inspired by Her
example, Sri Tyagaraja of Tiruvaiyaaru speaks of stringing together a unique
garland of diamonds: however, these are no mere stony and hard gems, but are
composed of lyrics in a hundred delightful tunes, filled with devotion and
brimming over with Bhakti--"Raaga ratna maalika che, ranjillu nata Hari shata
raga ratna maalika che". Not only the Lord, even His ceremonial umbrellas are
decorated with garlands of pearls and precious stones, we are told by
Azhwars--"Maalai ser ven kudai".
Shall we end this rather long narrative with an interesting tidbit? To go back
to the beginning of this piece, to the bride's adornment with a garland, it
appears to be ancient custom (which is followed to this day) to have the
kalyaana maalai placed on the bride's neck by the sister-in-law (naatthanaar),
as soon as the bride is bedecked in the bridal dress (koorai pudavai). This we
learn from Sri Andal's own words, where, dreaming of Her wedding with Sri
Krishna, She finds Durga Devi (also born to Yasoda) gently placing the
sweet-smelling garland around Her (Andal's) beautiful neck--"Mana maalai andari
chootta kanaa kanden tozhee naan".
Srimate Sri LakshmiNrisimha divya paduka sevaka SrivanSatakopa Sri Narayana
Yatindra Mahadesikaya nama:
dasan, sadagopan
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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