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.
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