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DIKSHITAR"S KRITHIS ON MAHA LAKSHMI-- PART 6

From the Bhakti List Archives

V. Sadagopan • May 12, 1996 


The sixth Krithi of Dikshithar on Maha Lakshmi is set
in Ragam Sowraashtram , which is a Janya Ragam of 
Surya Kaantham, the 17th Suddha Madhyama Mela Ragam .
The other two Sowrasshtra raga Krithis of Dikshitar are:

1. Navagraha Krithi : Surya Murtheh 
2.Gokarneswara Paahi Maam

The Sahitya Vakhyams for this  Maha Lakshmi
Samashti  Krithi are:

Pallavi:         Vara Lakshmeem Bhajareh Maanasa
                      Vaanchitaartha Pala Pradhamm 
                      Varadhaam  Vanaja Padhaam 

Charanam:  Charaacharathmaka Prapancha Jananeem
                       Sowrashtraa Deasapathinuta Tanineem
                       Niraamaya Maha Vishnu Maanineem
                       Niranjaneem Nikhila Agha Panjaneem
                       Suraarchita Padhaambhuja Vikaasinineem
                       Niralambha   Maanasollasineem
                       Muraari Vakshasthala Nivaasineem
                       Puraari Guru Guha Chith Vilaasineem(Vara Lakshmeem )

In this samashti Krithi, Charanam has eight lines and the 
whole Krithi is set in simple Sanskrit words. 

In the Pallavi, Dikshitar asks his mind to eulogize and pray to
Sri Vara Lakshmi, who unfailingly grants all the boons that he
sought .

In Charanam , He placed the Raga Mudraa in the second line
( Sowrashtra Desa Pathi Nuta Tanineem ) . He points  out that
She is the one, who is celebrated by  the king of Sowrashtra
Desam. He points out two more aspects of Her glory through
the Namaskaarams (Murari Vaksha Sthala Nivaasineem and
Niraamaya Maha Vishnu Pathnee) , which recognize Her as
being resident in the Chest of the Lord and the consort of 
Maha Vishnu  free of all blemishes. 

Through the Namaskaarams, Suraarchita Padhaambhuja Vikaasineem
and Puraari Guru Guha Chith Vilasineem , Dikshitar explains that 
She has the Lotus feet adored by the DEvaas and that She is the 
one, who makes the minds of Murughan and Tripura Samhaaran
Joyous .

Through the rest of the Charana Vaakhyams, Charaachara 
Aatmaka Prapancha Jananeem , Niranjaneem Nikhila Agha
Bhanjanem and Niralambhamaanasollaasineem , Dikshitar 
follows the describtion of Her Ananta Kalyana Gunaas 
outlined in Sri Suktham and other sources . Sri Suktham 
salutes Her as " Iswareem Sarva Bhoothaanaam ". Dikshitar
echoes this thought thru thesalutation, " Charaachara Aatmaka
Prapancha Jananeem". 

Sri Lakshmi Sahasra Naamam praises Her as" PuNya Sri ,
 PuNya Nilayaa "

. Sri Lakshmi Ashtottram salutes  Her as ,
" Sarva Isvaryakaram PuNyam
  SARVA PAAPA PRANAASANAM".

Dikshitar offers his worship to this PuNya Sri , 
who destroys all Paapaas as " Niranjaneem,
Nikhila Agha Bhanjanam ". He praises Maha
Lakshmi as the PuNya SvarupiNi , who banishes all
Agham(Sins). The Veda Uses four terms for Sins of
different kinds  . These are Paapa, Amhas, Enas and Agham. 
Papa is the sin of the mind,. Since our mind is the source of the
four kinds of Sins , Atharva vedam asks , "O sins of the Mind,
Go Away from Us( ParOpEhi Manaspaapa: AV --VI 23) .
Dikshitar reveals to us here that the Supreme Mother
revered as Niranjanee by  Her Sahasra Naamam
(Ekasvarupaa Trividhaa Sankhyaathita NIRANJANAA) 
is "Nikhila Agha Bhanjani" , the remover of every kind of Sins
arising from the mind, body or speech.

In the final salutation, Dikshitar describes Her 
relatonship to the righteous ones(Saadhus). 
He says: " Niraalambha MaanasOllasineem
Vara Lakshmeem Bhjareh Maanasa".

He points out that She enters the minds of 
the righteous devotees of Hers and gives them
the boons of eternal bliss . Aalambhanam is 
the  mental exercise  of a Yogi  in endeavouring to
bring before his thoughts the gross form (Sthula)
form (Sareeram ) of the eternal. Niraalambhanam
is one step beyond, when the Sukshma (Subtle )
form of the deity that is being worshipped is 
retained in the mind of the Yogi or Saadhu. 
Niraalambhana Samadhi can be equated to
Nirvikalpa Samaadhi. Dikshitar says that 
Maha Lakshmi enters the mind of the Saadhus 
and helps them to obtain the eternal bliss arising 
from Nirvikalpa Samaadhi through the prayer,
" Niraalambha MaanasOllasineem, Vara Lakshmeem
Bhajare ". 

Sri Parasara Bhattar's Guna Ratna Kosam (verse 12)
refers to the above boon of Vara Lakshmi for 
the Yogis:

MANASI VILASATAAKSHANAA
BHAKTHI SUIDDHANJANENA
SRUTHI SIRASI NIGUTAM
LAKSHMITEH VEEKSHAMAANAA: I
NIDHIMIVA MAHIMAANAM 
BHUNJATEH YEPI DHANYAA
NANU BHAGAVATHI DAIVEEM
SAMPADHAM TEH ABHIJAATAA: II

Paraasara Bhattar says: "O Bhagavathi! 
With the revelatory  lotion (Anjanam) of Bhakthi,  
the pure ones identify the glory of Yours, which
is hidden inside the Vedas.  They treasure 
that in their mind's eye and feast on it and 
sanctify themselves. 

In the next posting , I will focus on the last 
of the Dikshitar"s Krithis on Maha Lakshmi set 
in the most auspicious SRI Ragam.

Srirangaraja Mahishee Saa Mamapi 
Veekshathaam LAKSHMI: (Sri Kuraathaazhwaan)

Oppilaippan Koil Varadachari Sadagopan