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RANGASWAMY • April 15, 1997 


Dear Members of the Bhakti List,

I would like to offer my sincere appreciation and thanks to Sriman 
Sadagopan for his wonderful summary of chapters 15-32 of Sri RPS. Has 
succinctly captured the essence of each Paddhati and used carefully 
chosen Shlokams to highlight the important aspects of each chapter. 
To my unrestrained delight, I read this post as I was listening to 
Smt. Subbulakshmi's rendition of Sri Venkateshwara Suprabatham this 
morning. As I was reading his post, a number of thoughts crossed my mind 
some of which I shall share with you. I seek forgiveness if the following 
reflections sound indulgent.

First, the RPS summary set off the thought of Daya being an important 
Kalyana GuNam of the Lord of Seven Hills. In this context, I was reminded of 
the Daya Shatakam salutation "Bhavitam Srinivasasya Bhakta Doshehvadarshanam"
(Lord Srinivasa overlooks the faults of his Bhaktas). The reference to Vamana 
Avataram in Sri Sadagopan's note was very pleasing to read for it immediately 
brought to mind the role of Dadhi in Tirumanjanam. Dadhi Priyo Devata is 
Vamana. Dadhi (Vamana) is glorified through the Vedic hymn "DadhikraviNNO 
Akarushan...". Dadhi confers strength (Pushti Vardhanam). The inner meanings 
of Dadhi Vamana can be gained from the Upanyasams of Sri Srivatsankachariar 
Swamigal who states that Dadhi imparts a pleasing odour to the mouth and 
it gives strength to the tongue (Simhasanam of Bhagavan Hayagriva) to speak 
nothing but the truth. Vamana Avataram also illustrates another important 
statement from one of Sri Sadagopan's prior summaries of the RPS, i.e., 
the Padhukas have the characteristic of humbling the arrogant ones while 
elevating the humble supplicant. Mahabali ridiculed Vamana for seeking three 
paces of land (as measured by his feet). To his dismay Mahabali found that 
Trivikrama in two paces took away all of his possessions! When Mahabali 
humbly offered his head for the third pace of Vamana to rest on, he was 
blessed with the boon of becoming Indra during a future Kalpa!

These thoughts then led me to contemplate on the Tiruvadi of Malola Lakshmi 
Narasimhar. Lakshmi Narasimhar is the only manifestation of Lord Narayana 
who is seen wearing his Padhukas constantly-an indication that he is always 
ready to rush to the succour of his Bhaktas. This then set me thinking on 
the Pida Pariharam (for Bhaktas), Pida Pradanam (for Dushtas) and Sarva 
Rakshakatva aspects of Bhagavan Narasimha and his abode the Sudarshana 
Chakram. Thoughts of Bhagavan Narasimhar reminded me of Lord Srinivasar 
due to the Venkata-Narasimha connection. This along with the reference to 
Nammazhwar, Satakopatvam and Swami Desikan's tributes summarized in 
Sri Sadagopan's note led to contemplation on the Guru Parampara salutation 
in the Daya Shatakam "Srinivasa Dayambodhi: Parivaha Parampara", which 
when examined in details reveals the connections between the feet of 
Tiruvenkatan and Nammazhwar, beautifully summarized by Swami Desikan 
(Ghanta Nada Swaroopi of Tiruvenkatan). If Nammazhwar had not instructed 
Nathamuni in the holy collects, there would be no Guru Paramapara to salute!

As these thoughts occured to me, I heard the Dashavataram line 
of the Venkateshwara Suprabatham "Meena Krute...", which caused me to 
reflect on the Padhukas of Lord Ramachandra, with which I could associate 
the Raghuveera Gadyam salutation "PadhukAgriyabisheka Nirvartita Sarva Loka 
Yogakshema". This also brought back the idea of the Ramayanam itself being a 
SharaNagati to the Padhukas of Lord Rama. The mention of KrishNavataram in 
the Suprabatham caused me to reflect on the Madhusudhana Padhukas which 
graced Arjuna and spelt doom for Duryodhana when both of them approached 
Lord Krishna for help before the Mahabharata war. A final thought that 
occured to me was to offer homage to the Divya Mani Padhukas of Lord 
Ranganatha and seek their constant protection.

Sri Ranganayika Sametha Sri Ranganatha ParabrahmaNe Namaha,

Muralidhar Rangaswamy