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Oppiliappan List Archive: Message 00085 Dec 2007

 
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 One of the issues that has divided the followers of Sri Bhashyakara 
is whether Lakshmi is all pervading as her spouse Narayana or limited 
in her presence like the sentient beings other than Narayana. A lot 
of heat, dust and frission has been generated, is being generated and 
sadly will keep on being generated over this topic which cannot be 
dismissed as trivial.
 
The inimitable Shri Parasara Bhattar, the illustrous son of an awe 
inspiring father, Shri Kurathazhvan, in his usual pellucid style has 
demolished the contention that Shri is not omnipresent as her spouse.

This treasure has been mined from Shri Bhagvad Guna Darpana, Shri 
Parasara Bhattar's magnificient commentary on Vishnu Sahasranama, 
that deserves to be at least as well disseminated as the other 
commentaries, which seem to have ensnared the minds of the laity. 
With solid proof based on the shastras, Shri Parasara Bhattar 
establishes Lakshmi's stature as an equal to Narayana, as he 
discourses on the 73rd name Madhavah. The English translation is by 
Prof. A. Srinivasa Raghvan.


73(169,741). Maadhavah?The consort of Maa (i.e.Lakshmi), Maayaah-of 
Sri; Dhavah?The Husband ; i.e. The Consort of Lakshmi. Vide?
"Asyeshana jagatho vishnupathni:
Lakshmi who is the Ruler of this universe and the spouse of Vishnu".  
(Nila suktham)                                         

" Hrischate lakshmisch pathnyou: 
Bhumi and Lakshmi are Thy Spouses". (Purusha Suktham)

Even as the essential nature of Lakshmi is described in the Sastras 
dealing with the Supreme Reality, Her form which is eternal and 
spotless, Her supreme Rulership which is not restricted by any 
limiting adjunct. Her universal Motherhood,
Her natural association with Bhagavan which is eternal and unceasing, 
are all delineated in great detail in them. In Vedic
Literature Sri Sukta, Sraddha Sukta, Medha Sukta, Uttara Narayana, 
Kaushitaki Brahmana and others deal with this subject.


In Vishnu Purana (1.8.17) in the episode of the churning of the Milky 
Ocean the praise of Lakshmi by Indra begins with the
following verse and is elaborately described.

"This Lakshmi is eternal, the universal Mother and is ever in union 
with Vishnu. Just as Vishnu pervades all things
She also does, O best of Brahmins."

Brahma Purana begins by saying "Her power is invincible and awe-
inspiring and She is considered as the power
of Vishnu Himself. She is the Supreme Being who lives in the lotus-
like heart of all beings of the universe and She is
endowed with diverse forms. Her name is Prana or life. She is the 
mother of all Mantras and is the eternal Mother of the
Universe".

Then it says: "She is the Goddess, dark like broken collyrium, is 
free from (bad) qualities and is like Ether."(Brahmana)

"Likewise Lakshmi is His Supreme Power and She is endowed with the 
quality of Mercy. She is called the Supreme Prakriti and possesses 
the six qualities, knowledge and others".

Lakshmi is the supreme, unique and eternal Sakti of Bhagavan; She is 
His second and transforms Herself into diverse forms, high and low.

She has innumerable names and is the head of the Sakti-Chakra?the 
wheel of powers. She stands steady, pervading
the entire universe moving and non-moving.(Brahmana)

"She is eternal and inseparably associated with Bhagavan Vasudeva, 
who is the Master of great glory who is endowed
with six qualities, and who is all powerful," She is like the 
moonlight of the cool-rayed moon: She is one with Him, yet
remains distinct. She pervades the Universe and is the very 
embodiment of all Saktis.

She is endowed with all glory and qualities, and is eternal. Her 
dharma is the same as that of Bhagavan. She is the life-
giving Sakti of all beings on earth. She is the source of all Saktis 
and is the sublime element in all. (Lakshmi-sahasra)

Lakshmi-sahasra speaks of Lakshmi thus; and other texts also must be 
written. There again it is stated:

"All the Saktis that have emanated from Lakshmi are always pervading 
the entire Universe. They remain, under the
command of Sri, as the cause. Therefore when Lakshmi, the Mother of 
the Universe and the beloved consort of
Bhagavan Achyuta is pleased with some one, these Saktis themselves 
highly pleased, bestow prosperity which he
desires." (Lakshmi-sahasra)

This subject is fully dealt with in Vaishnava Smriti and other Dharma 
(Sastras).

Sri Ramayana describes in full this topic.

"The entire-epic poem Ramayana is but the glorious story of Sita."

"Lord (Vishnu) gets his lordship because of His association with 
Sraddha (i.e. Lakshmi)". This is the secret about the
true nature of Sri. (Katt.Up.) 

When Parasara Bhattar, a peerless preceptor, who  is common to both 
schools, has so unambiguously elucidated the status of Sri all that 
is left to be said is Q.E.D!

Dr.S.Sundar Rajan, Trichy, 10-12-
2007.                                  










Oppiliappan Koil Varadachari Sadagopan
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