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Dikshitar"s Maha Lakshmi Krithis--Part 4.3

From the Bhakti List Archives

V. Sadagopan • May 11, 1996 


Rest Of the Charana Vaakyams:
***********************************

Maha Lakshmi is saluted as " SAMASTHA DEVA 
SAMSEVYAM ANIMAADHYASHTA SIDDHITAM " .
Dikshitar saluted Her in this vein as " Bharathi 
Rathee Sasee Pujiteh, Vaarijaasanaadhya Amara Vandhiteh,
Naradhaadhi Muni Brundha Nanditeh ". Here, Dikshitar
refers to Maha Lakshmi Being worshipped by 
Her daughter In Law, Rathi Devi , Sarswati (Bharathi ) 
and Indra's wife (Sasi Devi ). The worships by Devendra ,
the other Devaas and  groups of Rishis headed by 
Narada is  referred to next.

When She is seated in Her Mantra Peetam known as
ChintamaNi Graham, all of the above DEvas, their consorts 
and the band of Rishis offer their homages to Her. 

In the rest of the charana  Namaskaarams, Dikshitar praises Her 
Anantha Kalyana Gunams. She is hailed as " Padma Priyaam 
Padma Hasthaam Padmaaksheem Padma Sundareem
Padmodhbhavaam Padma Mukhim Padma Naabha Priyaam 
Ramaam ". Her affilation and attachment to the Lotus flower 
is indicated here. Through the group of words, " Kshithisaadhi
Mahiteh , Bhakthi Yukthi Maanasa Viraajiteh , Neerajanasteh,
Sumanasasteh, Saarasa Hasteh"  Dikshitar offers his unceasing
reverence (Sadhaa Namasteh ). Here Saarasa Hasteh refers to 
Her  hands that are soft and beautiful like a lotus flower.Saarasa 
has the meaning of Lotus . This Namaskaaram can also 
be intrepreted as the Divine one  holding lotus in Her Hands. 

That She is the Empress, who rules over the kings of the Earth
is indicated by  the salutation " Kshithisaadhi Mahiteh ". That She is 
the illuminating , sacred principle in the Bhakthi-laden hearts of 
Her devotees is alluded to in the salutation ," Bhakthi Yukthi
Maanasa Virajiteh ". These devotees are waving camphor 
and Mangala Deepams in front of Her (Neerajanam). She is seated
on Her Lotus and receives those upachaarams is one intrpretation. 
In the other intrepretation, reference is to the Vedic ceremony
(Neerajanam ) conducted by the kings of the earth (Kshtheesaas) 
in the month of Asvina . They consecrate their weapons and tools
of war to honor their  Kshatriya Dharma .She receives these
worships as the Empress of the kings of the earth .

The last of the  salutations of this Krithi is  Sumanasasteh.
. As Karunaa Rasa Lahari, Her mind is overflowing
with compassionate  thoughts about ways of protecting Her children from their
trespasses from Sastric injunctions. She pleads with Her Lord to
overlook those trespasses , when He gets angry at them. She with Her
Sumanas  gives the boons of Unimaginable wealth , Jnanam and 
MOksham through Her intercession. This is why Swami Desikan
poses a rhetorical Question : SEVAAPEKSHAA TAVA CHARANAYOH :
SREYASEH KASYA NA: SYAATH? " He asks: Why would not all 
auspiciousness befall on one, who wishes to offer Kaimkaryam 
to You? Even the thought of doing Kaimkaryam would be sufficient,
since You are a Sumansasthaa says Swami Desikan . Because of Her 
Sumanas , She causes rows and  rows of blessings  and boons to
those , who worship Her. Swami Desikan lists some of these boons 
resulting from Her Sumanas:

SAMPADHYANTEH BHAVA BHAYA TAMEE
BHANAVA: TVATH PRASAADHAATH 
BHAVAA : SARVEH BHAGAVATHI
HAROU BHAKTHIM UDHVELAYANTHA: I
YAACHEH KIM TVAAM AHAMIHA 
YATA: SEETHOH UDHAARA SEELAA 
BHUYOH BHUYOH DISASI MAHATAAM
MANGALAANAAM PRABHANDHAAN II  -- SRI STHUTHI , VERSE 22

Swami Desikan salutes Her Sumanas this way in the above verse: 

O Bhagavathi ( Piratti with limitless auspicious attributes) , Thanks to
Your Sumanas, the fear from the dark Samsaric night is  banished as 
though that  darkness is driven away by many bright  suns . The states 
of the minds of Your devotees converge thereafter  on Your Lord and 
enhance their Bhakthi Bhavam. What can I really  ask of You? 
I hesitate to ask , since, You out of Your Sumanas anticipate my
wishes and repeatedly shower me with your multifold blessings. 

AMBHA! VISHNU KAANTEH! KAMALA NILAYEH !
MAADHAVA MANOHARI! KARUNAA LAHARI !
SARASIJA MAYA BHADRA PEETEH NISHANNAA !
MUKUNDHA VALLABEH! MAANATITHA PRATHITA VIBHAVEH !
SARVAN LOKAAN TAVA KARUNAYAA PAAHI, .

Oppiliappan Koil Varadachari Sadagopan

I will follow the thoughts of Dikshitar's krithi on
Maha Lakshmi in the Ragam Mangal Kaisikhi next.