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Sri GuNa Rathna Kosam : Part X , Third SlOkam (cnclusion ).

From the Bhakti List Archives

Sadagopan • October 28, 2000 


Sri RanganAyakyai Nama:

In the previous posting , adiyEn mentioned :

>We have now the context for the third slOkam 
>of Sri GuNa Rathna Kosam :
>
>anukala-tanu-kANDAlingana-aarambha-sumbhath
>prathidisa bhujasAkha SrisakhAnOkahardhi:
>sthana-nayana-guLuccha-sphAra-pushpadhvirEpA
>rachayathu mayi LakshmI Kalpavallee katAkshAn 

Meaning of the slOkam given by Dr.V.N.Vedantha Desikan :
*******************************************************

" The Lord is a veritable Kalpaka tree; Goddess
MahA Lakshmi , a kalpaka creeper that has grown in 
close and fast embrace of the tree. The tree (that
the Lord is) grows fast , prolifically , and with
thousands of twigs and branches. These are His hands
(and fingers) . They grow in all directions in 
an eager enthusiasm to surround His consort from 
all sides in tight embrace.

If the tree growth is so much rich and fertile,
the kalpaka creeper too draws rich sustenance
and nutrient-rich blooming bunches --which are
indeed the richly grown up breasts .Her eyes look 
like black beetles that hover round the flowers in
the tree-creeper matrix.

Both the tree and the creeper grow , as it were,
in mutual support and nurture , to a rich panorama
of flowers and beetles!

Lakshmi in that context --May She shower Her rich
rain of gracious kindliness on me and immerse me
in that blessed bath! ".

Additional comments (adiyEn):
*****************************

In the first slOkam , Swamy Parasara Bhattar
offered his anjali to Sri RanganAyaki :
" Sriyai: kruthOnjali: ".

In the second slOkam , the key words are:
"SriRangarAja MahishIm Sriyam aasrayAma:".Here,
He sought refuge at Sri RanganAyaki's sacred feet.

In the third slOkam , the subject of coverage
of today , the prayer is: " rachayathu mayi
LakshmI Kalpavallee KataakshAn " ( May Sri RanganAyaki
drench adiyEn with the nectarine showers of Her 
glances graciously and keep me soaked in that
auspicious bath!).

The prayer is set in the context of a Kalpaka tree
(Lord RanganAthan )and Kalpaka creeper ( Sri RanganAyaki)
in tight embrace.The effect of that intense embrace 
on the Lord and His divine consort is described 
with majestic poetic vision by Swamy ParAsara Bhattar
in the first three lines of the slOkam .

The First line : The tight embrace
************************************

" anukala-tanu-kANDAlingana-aarambha -sumbhAth "
is the first Paadham . 

anu is a prefix that means along side , after or
behind. "kala " means sweet , delicate and pleasing
effect (asphashta maddhuram ).Anukala-tanu ( trunk 
of the kalpaka tree here) kANDAlinganam or the sweet 
and tight embrace of the Kalpaka tree (Lord) by 
the Kalpaka creeper (Sri RanganAyakee) is visualized 
here. The beginning of the tender and yet tight 
embrace between the Mithunam (couple ) leads to
some dramatic happenings that are described 
in the second Paadham. 

The Second Paadham 
*******************

" prathidisa bhuja-saakha - SrisakhAnOkahardhi:"

Once the creeper commences its embrace of 
the trunk of the kalpakA tree , latter ( the tree)
grows prolifically and shoots out thousands of
branches with verdant leaves. These branches 
are the Lord's hands rushing to surround and hold
His consort from every side tenderly. The Kalpaka tree
glistens with new leaves on its multitudinous branches
the moment the creeper embraces it.It shines with new 
and ever increasing lustre every second. The branches
stretch in every direction in an effort to return 
the embrace of the creeper (Sri RanganAyaki).

The Third Paadham 
*******************

"sthana nayana guLaccha sphAra pushpa dhvirEphA "

The Kalpaka creeper responds to the loving and
tight embrace of the branches (arms of
the Sahasra-hastha Sri Sakhan , Lord RanganAthan).
The Kalpaka creeper of Sri RanganAyaki is adorned 
by two rich blooming bunches of flowers ( two
sthanams) and two black bees ( Her karu vizhigaL /
limpid , rapidly moving ,daya-laden , dark-hued eyes ).

It  appears as though the verdant tree is now rich
with flower blossoms , which are the object of
attention of the hovering bees . All these happened 
as a result of the anyOnyam of the dhivya dampathis
of Srirangam . Both the tree and creeper support 
and nourish each other . Swamy ParAsara Bhattar paints
a beautiful word picture of happenings in 
" the Tree-Creeper matrix".

A flowering fruit tree in this world removes the taapams
of the people through its shade giving properties.
It blossoms and fills the air with its fragrance.
It yields fruits .It serves as the Kozhu kompu 
(the leaning stick ) for the creeper near it.
Both the creeper and the tree thrive thru this
mutually reinforcing relationship.The Kalpaka tree
representing the Lord is celebrated by the thousand 
branches of VedAs removes the Taapa Thrayams and
comforts the prapannAs under His shade . The kalpaka
creeper circling this Kalpaka tree reveals the anantha
kalyANa guNams and sings the glories of the tree ( Lord
RanganAthA).She reveals to all of us that Her Lord
is the paradEvathai as a PathivrathA SirOnmaNi ,
while being His equal in every way .

This passage reminds adiyEn of the passage in BhU sthuthi:

" tvath sangamAth bhavathi Maadhavi Labdha pOsha:
  SaakhA sathai: adhigatha HarichandanOsau 

Here BhU devi/Maadhavi , the Sankalpa-kalpa LathikA 
( One who grants the desired wishes of bhakthAs 
by Her sankalpam alone) is seen as the tender creeper
circling the Harichandana tree of Lord  and providing
Him nourishment and strength (labdha pOsham)and
enhancing His glory. 

Fourth Paadham:
****************

"rachayithu mayi LakshmI Kalpavalli KatAkshAn "

Here Swamy ParAsara Bhattar prays for those 
Daya-laden katAkshams of the KalpakA creeper
to fall on Him and drench him with the anugrahams
of Kaimkaryam to Her at Srirangam and nithya
kaimkaryam to Her and Her Lord at Parama Padham .

Srimath Azhagiya Singar ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam ,
Daasan , Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri SatakOpan    



   


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