Sri Ranganatha Paadhuka Sahasram

SrI:

SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Translations & Commentaries by Oppiliappan Koil Varadachari SadagOpan

Introduction: In the previous (15th) paddhathi named Rathna SaamAnya Paddhathi, Swami Desikan celebrated the brilliance of the gems associated with the Paadhukais. He did not specifically elaborate on the color of the individual gems. In the 16th Paddhathi named Bahu Rathna Paddhathi, He describes the many colourful gems that adorn the Padhukais of the Lord. The previous paddhathi dealt with the general (SaamAnya) descriptions of the gems. Here, He dwells upon the particular (VisEsha) details of the multi-hued gems found on the Paashukais. He suggests that the general worship lays the foundation for the specific type of worship. This section also has 50 slOkams like the previous one. In each of these verses, He praises the many colors of the PaadhukA gems.

SlOkam 531 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

I surrender to Paaduka which exhibits the different colours from different gems on it-in the same manner as the Lord gave rise to the 4 varnas (Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Sudra) from His Face, Arms, Thighs, and Feet respectively.

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE! As celebrated in the Purusha Sooktham, Lord's face, hands, thighs and feet created the 4 categories of people. I surrender at Your feet, which reflect the lustre of the gem-like limbs of the Lord on the different portions of His body.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: In this paddhathi, Swami Desikan celebrates the combined beauty of the many gems that adorn the Paadhukais. He says that the Padhukai has many gems enmeshed on it. The individual gems with different colors however shine with their own unique hues without losing their identity just as the 4 jaathis created by the Lord from different parts of His body have unique codes of conduct (varNasrama Dharmams) and observe them. AzhwArs also appeared in different varNaas and shone individually and observed theire VarNAsrama dharmams established by their Lord.

3) Prabhu RanganAthan created the 4 VarNAs (Brahmin, Kashathriya, Vaisya and Sudra) from the different limbs of the body to work together while preserving their unique VarNAsram Dharmams in a harmonious way (PrabhO: Mukha Baahu, UrU, Paadha varNAn srushtavatha:). At His Thiruvadi are the Paadhukais enmeshed with many-hud gems (Rathnai: vyaktha varNa vyavasTithim PaadhukA). These multi colored gems have their own uniqueness, which is not affected by the others during their coexistence on the Paadhukais. They go about providing their specifically identifiable hues (Vyavasthai). Swami Desikan performs prapatthi to the Lord's Paadhukais, which remind him of the creation of the 4 varNAs by the Lord during Cosmic sacrifice.

SlOkam 532 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Oh Gold Paaduka! You exhibit, from Your gems, the different colours, white, yellow, red and black-the same as the Lord is said to adopt for himself depending on the Yuga-all at once.

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Our Lord's body according to SaasthrAs and PurANAs is said to take 4 different colors during the 4 yugAs of the world known as Krita, TrEtA, DhvApara and Kali. DharmAs progressively decline from Krita to Kali Yugams. Krita yugam is recognized therefore to be the golden age and Kali yugam, the darkage. In these 4 Yugams starting from Krita and ending with Kali, Lord's body is described as having the hues of white, red, yellow and black respectively. In this slOkam, Swami Desikan alludes to this phenomenon. He says: "Oh Golden PaadhukE! You exhibit white, red, yellow and black colored gems on Your body and thereby seem to combine at one place and time, the 4 different hues shown by the Lord at each of the 4 yugAs". Reference here to yellow color in this verse is connected to Swami Desikan's addressing the Paadhukais as "Kaanchana PaadhukE" or Golden Paadhukais.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubahvam: Oh PaadhukE! On Your surface, White (Diamond), red (ruby), yellow (topaz, Citrine) and black (Onyx) gems are enmeshed. That reminds me of Lord RanganAthA with all those 4 colors in the different yugams.

3) Paadhukai is addressed here as "Kaanchana PaadhukE". On that golden (yellow) background shine white (sitha: white diamond), red (raktha: Ruby), yellow (peeta: Citrine/Yellow tourmaline) and black (KrishNa: Onyx), which are enmeshed in the golden Paadhukais. Together they have many distinct colours (VichithrA:). They are all seen however at one place and time. Their sevai reminds us of the 4 different hues chosen by the Lord for the 4 different Yugams (BhavathI vichithrA varNEna yuga bhEda vikalpitham yugapath darsayathIva). Our Lord has only one colour per yugam. On You, we have the darsana soubhAgyam of all the 4 colours at one time (Yugapath darsayath).

SlOkam 533 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Sri: navarathnavichithrithA murArE: padhyOsthvam maNipAdhukE! ViBhAsi nava KhaNdavathI

Oh Manipaaduka! You contain 9 varieties of gems. The earth too is made of 9 khandas, as they are called. The earth clings to the Feet, which are like earth's Mother. You too behave so. You are similar to the earth.

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Here, Swami Desikan relates to another revelation of Purusha Sooktham, where BhUmi is described as originating from the Lord's sacred Feet (PadhbhyAm BhUmi:). Swami Desikan compares one characteristic of BhUmi with the Padhukai based on the fact that both of them have a special relationship to the Lord's holy feet. He says: "Oh gem-bedecked PaadhukE! You have gems with more than 4 colours on Your body; indeed You have the 9 coloured gems that serve as Your decoration. In this regard, You resemble Mother Earth consisting of 9 different continents. She is also related to the Lord's holy feet like You." The 9 gems are Pearl, MaaNikkam, VaiDUryam, GOmEdhakam, Vajram, Coral, PadmarAgam, Maragatham and Neelam. The 9 continents (KaNDams) of Mother Earth are: ILAvrutam, BhadrAsvam, Harivarsham, KEtumAlam, Ramyakam, HiraNmayam, Uttaraguru, Kimpurusham and BhAratham. All of the above continents are in one of the 9 islands known as BhAratham, whose Lord is Nara NaarAyanan.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE! 9 different gems adorn You. You appear therefore 9 fold. It reminds me of BhUmi PirAtti, who has come to the place of Her birth, the Lord's Thiruvadi. Swamy NammazhwAr (SatAri Soori) has all the guNams of BhUmi PirAtti and like Her places His trust entirely in the redeeming Thiruvadi of His lord.

3) Oh MaNi PadhukE! You are charcterized by the 9 gems (Thvam navarathna vichithrithA:). You are like the BhUmi Devi with 9 KhaNDams (Nava khaNDavathI VasundaharEva vibhAsi). Both of You have attained Your Lord's Thiruvadi with great affection (MurArE: padhayO: pranayAth samAsrayanthi). For BhUmi Devi, it is Her place of birth (janma bhuvam). For You, it is Your place of refuge.

SlOkam 534 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Oh Paaduka! The layer of ruby and white pearls above it seen on Your surface gives an impression of your smiling at the situation when offenders seek protection by surrendering, when You commend them for acceptance to the Feet; they, even if unwilling accept Your view, the Feet being subject to You! And they (who have surrendered), are accepted. Hence, You smile in success.

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Here, Swami Desikan compares the combination of the red color of Coral and the lustre of Pearls with the smile of the PaadhukA Devi. Coral lips and white teeth are associated with the beautiful smile of a woman. Swami Desikan says: "Oh PaadhukE! The admixture of the red color of Coral with the whiteness of Pearl seem to relate to Your beautiful smile, when You deliver the sinners to the holy feet of the Lord resting on You". When people adorn the SatAri on their heads, they are delivered to the Lord's feet resting on the Paadhukais.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE! The gleaming white lustre of the pearls falls on the red rubies sitting next to them. That reminds me of the lustre of the white teeth falling on the coral lips during one's smile. This in turn reminds me of the happy smile of AchAryAs, when they place the jeevans free of dhOsham at the sacred feet of their Lord. The red hue here denotes the desire (aasai). The white hue signifies the pure words that AchAryAs use to describe the glorious and sacred svabhAvam of the Lord.

3) Here Swami Desikan describes the mutual divine effect of the lustre of the white pearls on the Paadhukais falling on the red rubies (aruNOpala saktha moukthika SrI:). That is like Your satisfied smile as you rush to place the corrected jeevans through Your upadesams at the sacred feet of Your Lord (Thvam thvadhIna svapadhE Mukundha paadhE sahasA vinivEdhya smayamAnEva vibhAsi). You appear as though You are smiling over the success of Your achAryakathvam (Thvam smayamAnEva VibhAsi).

SlOkam 535 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Oh Manipaaduka! The multicolour figure caused by different gems on You, looks like the peacock feather. May be, the 1 that had ventured to stay on the head of Sri Krishna has now clung to the feet to atone for the past offence!

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: "Oh PaadhukE! I wonder whether the peacock feather felt uncomfortable about its brazen act of ascending Krishna's crown and wanted to repent for that, by staying at the holy feet of the Lord". Swami Desikan is referring to the multihued peacock feather (Mayil peeli) adorning the crown of Lord Krishna; he compares those hues with the multicolored splendour of the gems adorning the paadhukais that protect the Lord's Thiruvadi. In this slOkam, Swami Desikan connects the color of the peacock feathers seen on the head and feet of the Lord.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: The many hues on You from Your gems remind me of the colors of the peacock feather. During KrishNAvathAram, that peacock feather got on top of the Lord's crown. Today, we see those colors on You adorning the Lord's Thiruvadi. That suggests to me that the peacock feather wants to make amends to the aparAdham of climbing to the Lord's Thirumudi during KrishNAvathAram by placing itself on You protecting the Lord's Thiruvadi.

3) Oh PaadhukE! You generate a special assembly of lustre from the many gems that adorn You (Tava Bahurathna-samudhbhavam mayUkham). That reminds of the multi-hued peacock feather (MayUra Pincham) that got on top of the Lord's crown during KrishNAvathAram. That peacock feather felt contrite and wanted to be pardoned (MurArE: makuDArOhana saahasam pramArshtum) and therefore placed itself at the sacred feet of Your Lord (SaraNOpagatham mayUra pincham manyE).

SlOkam 536 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Oh Paaduka! Blue sapphire and white pearls on You give an imagery of blue and white lotus composing a garland that You thought suitable to present to the Lakshmi of Beauty of the Feet!

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE! With the blue of Your sapphire (Indra neelam) stones and the white of Your pearls, You appear to present to Lakshmi residing on Lord's lotus feet a garland made up of blue lillies (karuneythal) and white lotus flowers. (Lakshmi's residence at the feet of the sacred feet of the Lord is seen at ThirunArAyaNa Puram).

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: The inner meaning is about the moods of Swamy NammAzhwAr’s paasurams. The 3 dominant moods are elation, sadness and desire. When AzhwAr wishes to see the Lord and invites Him to present Himself, that mood takes on the color of red. When the AzhwAr praises the auspicious guNams of the Lord, the mood is like the brilliant lustre of pure diamond. When the AzhwAr is in a sad mood as a result of not having the darsanam of the Lord, the color of the mood is black. The paasurams of Swamy NammAzhwAr arose out of poorNa Jn~Ana Bhakthi and hence they are Like multicolored flowers.

3) The garland kaimkaryam done by the Paadhukais to the Divine consort of the Lord, Lakshmi seated on the lotus at the feet of Her Lord is invoked here (Madhubhith charana LakshmyA: srajam disasIva). What is that garland made of? It is made up of dark blue lillies (karuneythal) and white lotus flowers (IndhIvara PuNDarIka bhaddham srajam). The spreading lustre of the blue sapphire and the white pearls on the Paadhukais (vikasanthyA Harineela MoukthikAnAm prabhaa) reminds Swami Desikan of the Indhivara (Karuneythal /Blue Lillies) and white lotus (PuNDarIkam) flowers.

SlOkam 537 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Oh Paaduka! The colours-white, black and red-emitted by gems on You colour the Ganga stream on Siva's head as if there were groves of white lilies, blue and red lotuses in the Ganga banks.

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE! The reflections of the white, black and red colors from Your gems on the flowing waters of GangA river on the head of MahEswarA make them look like the forests of white lilies, red lotuses and blue lillies.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE! The white and the red gemstones are enmeshed on Your surface. Lord Sivan prostrates before You. The lustre of Your gems is reflected on the waters of Ganga river adorning His head. When one reflects on that sight, one is led to think that the GangA waters are filled with forests of White Lotus (Aambal), Blue Lillies (Karu-neythal) and red lotus flowers.

3) Swami Desikan is enjoying the lustre of the white, black and the red gems on the surface of the Paadhukais (sitha-asitha-aruNaanAm MaNinAm prabhA). Lord SivA is prostrating before the Lord's thiruvadi. The rays of the 3 kinds of colored gems are reflected in the waters of GangA river finding its home on the matted hair of Lord SivA and give the appearance of the forests of blue lilly, white lotus and red lotus in the GangA pravAham (MaNinAm prabhayA Girisasya mouLi GangA Kumudha-Indhivara-Padma kaananAni vahathE).

SlOkam 538 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Sri: pruThagviDhAnAm dhyuthiBhirmaNInAm thvAm pAdhukE! lOhithashuklakruShNAm vihArahEthOriha rangaBharthu: pAdhAnuShakthAm prakruthim prathIma:

Oh Paaduka! When different gems shed their colours, one sees red, white and black on You. One imagines that the Lord created this in replica of prakriti, which is said to be of these 3 colours, red, white, and black (representing rajas, satva and tamas), for serving as the field for His sport.

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE! The white, black and red Colored gems found on You resemble the 3 colors of the fundamental matter (Moola Prakruthi) out of which Your Lord creates the Universe. (Swami Desikan is referring to the Upanishadic statement that Moola Prakruthi is constituted by 3 guNAs (Satthva Rajas and Tamas), which have white, red and black colors.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: From our lOkam to Brahma lOkam is known as the region of leelA vibhUthi. This is made up of Moola Prakruthi with its 3 guNams: satthva-rajas and tamO guNams. The jeevans suffer form the effect of the 3 guNams. Satthva guNam produces clarity. RajO guNam enhances desire. TamO guNam makes one become stuporous. AzhwAr comprehends fully the troubles of the Jeevan. When the jeevan thinks about the lofty guNams of the Lord, it develops intense desire for the Lord and kaimkaryam for Him. When the jeevan is unable to focus on the Lord, it gets deluded. The Moola prakruthi helps with both samsAram and Moksham. AzhwAr helps only with Moksham and performs upadesam on how to overcome the sorrows of SamsAram.

3) The lustre of the different colored gems of the PaadhukAis (prTagvidhAnAm maNInAm dhyuthi:) are of 3 kinds: red, white and black (LOhitha-sukla-krishNa dhyuthi:). When one looks at that combined lustre, one is reminded of Moola Prakruthi staying at the sacred feet of the Lord for His sport in His LeelA VibhUthi (ThvAm iha Rangabarthu: vihAra-hEthO: Paadha anushakthAm prakruthIm PrathIma:).

SlOkam 539 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Sri: thamAlanIladhyuthimindhranIlaIrmukthAnuviDdhAm maNipAdhukE! thvAm avaImi rangEshvarakAnthisinDhOrvElAmavishrAnthagathAgathArham

Oh Manipaaduka! Studded with sapphire stones and white pearls, You look like a seashore densely populated with Tamala trees. The shore is fit for the Lord to freely stroll about.

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: (The colors of blue, white and black associated with the gems of the Paadhukais are compared here to the above 3 colors seen at the seashore). Swami Desikan says: "Oh MaNi PaadhukE! Your Indra neela, pearl and black gems remind me of the seashore with the confluence of the above 3 colors. The white color is seen, where the waves break into foam; the bluish green color is seen on the tender leaves on the trees at the shore. RanganAthA's dark color is borne by the vast expanse of the ocean itself.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: The surface of the paadhukais is enmeshed with Indra neela gems and pearls. That sight reminds one of the banks of the ocean of Lord RanganAthan with white foam from breaking waves and trees with tender bluish green leaves on the shores of that ocean. Ceaseless efforts of the parama DayALu, SrI RanganAtha is referred to here.

3) The Paadhukais have the hues of bluish green from its Indra neela gems (Indra neelai: tamAla neela dhyuthi). The brilliantly white hue of the pearls on the Paadhukais is accompanying that blue hue (Muktha dhyuthi anuviddhAm ThvAm). That combined sight of blue and white hues on top of the Paadhukais remind one of the banks of the ocean of RanganAthA with the trireless beating of the waves as traffic (RangEswara Kaanthi sindhO: avisrAntha gathAgathArham vElAm avaimi).

SlOkam 540 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Sri: avaImi rangEshvarapAdhukABhyAmakAlakAlyam viBhavam viDhAthum vajrEndhranIlavyapadhEshadhrushyam bandhIkrutham nUnamahasthriyAmam

The Paadukas of Lord Ranganatha have imprisoned Day and Night in the form of diamond and sapphire in order to suggest to us that the rewards of Aishwarya and the like that the Paadukas would confer on one surrendered, are unlimited by time! Time is measured by night-day duration. Time becomes un-reckoned, when Ahoratra (day-night) has been imprisoned.

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: This is one of the rare verses, where The PaadhukAs are not addressed directly. Diamonds refers to the days and sapphires to the nights. Swami Desikan says: "RanganAthA's PaadhukAs resembling diamonds and sapphires help in the Lord's performance of His play at SrIrangam both during the day and night times. It looks as though the Paadhukais are imprisoned in the Lord's feet for that purpose.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE! You have diamonds and blue sapphire gems. That reminds me of days and nights. The inner meaning is that Swamy NammazhwAr has imprisoned the day and night to grant mOksham to the jeevans. When one takes refuge in SadAchAryAs, both PuNyam and Paapam leaves one and Moksham comes within easy reach.

3) The eternal wealth beyond the power of time (akAlakAlyam Vibhavam) is Moksha sampath (wealth of deliverance from the cycles of births and deaths). The enmeshing of the white diamond and the dark Indra neelam reminds one of the jailing of the days and nights (PuNyam and paapam) to grant one Moksham (Vajra -Indra neeal vyapadesa Dhrsyam ahasthriyAmam bandhIkrutham noonam).

SlOkam 541 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

(Oh Paaduka!) The pearl-lustre touching the sapphire creates an imagery of the proverbial collyrium-pencil; it is to enable the yogis to 'see' the Lord in the heart. You do this service to the yogis.

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE protecting the Lord's thiruvadi! When the Yogis engage in their Yogic contemplation, they meditate on You as the white of the pearls blended with the blue of Your sapphires. When they proceed with the meditation on You in this manner, You open their minds' eye with collyrium (anjanam) painted on their eye lids with a twig of camphor to help them see Your Lord. That bluish-white twig is made up of the white rays of Your pearls and the blue rays of Your sapphires. (It is believed that the application of appropriately prepared collyrium on the eye lids helps one find treasures, which are otherwise invisible to the naked eye).

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE! You have the blue sapphire (Indraneelam) and white pearl on Your surface. That reminds one of the painting of one's eyelids of Jn~Anam with the twig of pacchai karpooram (lustre of pearls). That makes the person meditate easily on BhagavAn. The inner meaning is that AzhwAr's paasurams composed during the time of his separation from the Lord are known as Indraneelam. When PerumAL blesses him with saakshAthAram, AzhwAr is blissful and the paasurams composed on those occasions are considered as pearls. When the fortunate ones study the taathparyams of both kind of paasurams, they have uninterrupted dhyAnam about the PerumAL.

3) Swami Desikan salutes Paadhukais as "MurArE: padhasya gOpthrI" (The protector of the Lord's ThiruvadikaL). He is the protector of the world. The Padhukais are the protectors of the feet of the protector. There are the blue sapphires and the white pearls situated next to each other on the surface of the Lord's Paadhukais (MaNisprusA Moukthika-rathna bhAsA PaadhukA) performing their service with their individual lustres. They act like the painter of the inner eye of the Jn~Anis like anjanam (collyrium) to reveal the treasure (Viz),Your Lord.

SlOkam 542 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Oh Manipaaduka! You stroll around in sport every-where and secure victory for the Lord. Appropriately You are Subhadra (beautiful) by reason of the white pearls and their radiance; and Krishna (Draupadi) (of dark dalliance) by reason of the sapphire gems. Being so, You are naturally like Arjuna that is vijaya (victory).

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Here, Swami Desikan uses the double meaning of the words "Subadraa and KrishNaa. Subadraa and KrishNaa (Droupadhi) are the 2 wives of ArjunA. SubadrA also means one, who is very auspicious. KrishNaa means one, who is dark. It is well known that ArjunA was the dear friend of Lord KrishNaa and they were happy together during campaigns of exploration and adventure. Swami Desikan compares one PaadhukA to Subadraa and the other to Droupadhi. Lord's travel on both of them is like ArjunA's sweet company. Swami Desikansays: "Oh MaNi PaadhukE! With the white auspicious lustre of Your pearls (Subadraa) and the dark blue lustre of Your sapphires (KrishNaa), You become fit for the sports of Your Lord with Arjunaa.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: Subadhra and Droupadhi are the 2 wives of Arjuna, the dearest friend and sishyA of the Lord. The inner meaning is that the 2 Paadhukais are joyously married to the Lord and are serving His sacred ThiruvadikaL.

3) The dark blue (Indraneelam) gemstones and the whilte hued pearls on the Paadhukais compared to the 2 wives of ArjunA. Dhroupadhi is the dark hued wife and SubhadhrA is the fair complexioned one. Droupadhi is saluted as "mahEndrOpala rasmi jaalai: KrishNA". SubhadhrA is acknowledged with respect as "MukthA MayUkha prakarai: SubadhrA). The 2 are celebrated by the Lord (MurArE: MaanyA Thvam) and sport with Him and bring victory to Him (MaanyA Thvam vihAra YukthA, vijayam vruNOshi).

SlOkam 543 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Sri: vichithravarNAm maNipAdhukE! thvAm ChandhOmayIm sAmanibhaDdhagItham muni IndhrajuShtAm dhvipadhAm murArE: prathyAyikAm kAnchidrucham prathIma

Oh Mani paaduka! You resemble the Rik* in helping the envisioning of the Lord, in possessing different colours (syllables), having a free movement (a particular chandas or metre), facing a peaceful and pacifying appeal from the surrendered (being sung in Sama mould) and being worshipped (envisioned) by great sages.

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE! You divide into 2 parts and thereby provide support for the right and left foot of Your Lord. You are like a Veda manthram in this respect, which has also many similarities to You. Both of You have independent movements; both of You are objects of meditation by sages; both of You bring the Lord forward; both of You have 2 feet. (PaadhukAs divide into the right and left foot; the Veda manthrams typically divides into 2 paadhams). Because of these similarities, Oh PaadhukE! I consider You as a Veda manthram singing the glories of the Lord.

2) Oh PaadhukE! You have multi-hued gems on You (Vichithra VarNAm) and You travel according to the wish of Your Lord (ChandhOmayeem). In the matters of the utterance of auspicious messages, You are like Saama ghAnam (Saama nibhaddha gItheem). You are worshipped by Jn~Anis as an exalted One serving the Lord (MunIndhra JushtAm). You are in the form of 2 Paadhukais (DhvipadhAm) to protect the 2 feet of the Lord.

The alternate meaning is: We consider You, who brings the Lord to us as Rg Veda Manthrams (MurArE: prathyAyikAm ThvAm kAnchith rucham prathIma:). You are multihued (i-e) with many meters/chandas (Vichithra-VarNAm ThvAm chandOmayeem prathIma:). We recognise You as defined by the svarams of Saama vEdam (Saama nibhaddha gIthIm ThvAm). We further salute You as discovered by manthra dhrushtAs like Vasishtar and other Vedic rishis (MunIndhra jushtAm) and of 2 paadhams (DhvipadhAm).

SlOkam 544 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Oh Ranganatha Paaduka! By the pretext of presenting a spectrum of colours from different gems, You actually present to Indra (the one who cuts off the family line) on being pleased with prostrations a series of bows-the rainbows as they are called-traditionally named Indradhanus-to strengthen him!

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Oh RanganAtha PadhukE! Through the combination of the multi-colored rays associated with the many kinds of colored gems on You, You resemble the rainbow of Indraa. Perhaps, You are blessing Indra, the splitter of the wings of mountains at the time of his prostrations before You and bless him with many multi-colored bows to conquer his enemies.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: The inner meaning is that those, who learn the tatthuvams through the proper way from a SadAchAryan become proficient to correct the views of those with viparIth aJn~Anam with appropriate pramANams and yukthis.

3) Oh PaadhukE! You become pleased with Indhran's salutations (Gothrabhidha: praNAmai: prasEdhushi). You use the ruse/vyAjam of the assembly of lustre from Your multi-hued rays (maNi prabhA samvalana apadEsAth) to create the many colored bows fit for use by Indhran (tadharhaNi sarasanAni pushNAsi prAya:).

SlOkam 545 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Oh Ranganatha Paaduka! Your emeralds mingle with the sunshine of the rubies creating a picture of a paddy field of Sadhus, wherein parrots sit on the stalks, creating a green-red display. (Seers revel in the field that produces the crop of God-bliss. No question of driving out such parrots!)

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Oh PadhukAs of the Lord, who conquered Bali Chakravarthy! The green of Your emeralds blending with the red of Your rubies prsent a youthful lustre. That reminds me of the ripe ears of grain in the fields of associated with the green parrots. After referring to the rainbow in the previous verse, Swami Desikan continues with the abundant green harvest produced by the rain and the parrots that feed on those grains.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE! On You are enmeshed green maragatham and red padmarAgam gem stones. The intermingling of those 2 colors reminds me of green parrots feasting on paddy fields full of ripened (red) grains.

3) Here Swami Desikan recognizes the Paadhukais as those of the Lord, who destroyed the arrogance of MahA Bali during His ThrivikramAvathAram (Balimardhana PaadhukE!). The beauitful green lustre of maragatham on You mingles with the brilliant red of rubies adjascent to the maragatham (Tava harimaNi rasmi bhinnam sONAsmAm bhAlAtapam). That sight is comparable to the assembly of green parrots (Suka sakuntha gaNa pravEsAth syAmikrutham) creating a green picture against the backdrop of the ruddy red grain holding rice stems (vipakam saalivanam).

SlOkam 546 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Oh Manipaaduka! The rays from the sapphire, coral and pearl mix on Your surface. (The colours are blue, red, and white). It looks as though You assume the role of a lady attendant on the Feet of the Lord, now ready with cosmetic fluids, namely, of musk, saffron, and sandal, respectively, to serve the Lotus Feet of the Lord.

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Here, Swami Desikan compares the lustre of sapphire, coral and pearls to the colors of musk, saffron and sandalwood paste. Swami Desikan says: "Oh PaadhukE! By the union of the lustres of sapphire, coral and pearl, You appear like a lady servant at Lord's feet, who applies the mixture of musk perfume (KasthUri), Kumkumam and sandal paste to His feet to enhance their beauty and fragrance.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: The inner meaning is that Swamy NammAzhwAr's paasurams are eteranl and beautiful alankArams for the Lord's ThiruvadikaL.

3) The radiant glow of Indra Neelam (sapphire), Coral (Pavazham) and Pearls are combined and are faaling on the Thiruvadi of the Lord (SambhidhyamAna maNi-vidhruma-moukthika SrI: BhavathI). You are like a maid engaged in beautifying the Lord's Thiruvadi (SairandhrikEva BhavathI). The Lord's feet are soft like lotus petals (RanganrupathE; CharaNAravindhE) and You seem to be engaged in dark bluish KasthUri, red Kumkumam and off-white santhanam (KasthUrikA gusruNa chandana panka charchAm prasthouthi).

SlOkam 547 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Oh Paaduka! The multi-coloured spectacle that You display from the various gems on You, appears to me as Your luring device, though employed sportively-with a mesmerizing peacock feather-to arouse the amorous desires in the damsels of the harem.

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE! The multicolored rays from your gems appear like a bunch of peacock feathers that You wear on Your head. The consorts of the Lord become intoxicated with their desire for Him through that beautiful appearance.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE! There are many gems enmeshed on Your surface. They are radiating many-hued beautiful rays. That scene looks like the peacock feather bunch held by Manmathan’s hand to enhance the love of MahALakshmI and the divine consorts through the magic (indra-jaalam) of those abundant multihued lustre. The inner meaning is that the devotees of the Lord, who hear and comprehend clearly the subtle meanings of AzhwAr's paasurams will have no limit to their love for their Lord.

3) There are the antha:pura janams like the Lord's consorts (suddhAntha? pakshmala-dhrusAm). There are the Paadhukais of the Lord radiating heir multisplendored beams of colors resembling the myriad colors of the peacock feathers. The movement of the Lord's Thiruvadi and the associated dynamics of the spreading of the hues from the gems appear like the playful act of magic by Manmathan to enhance the passion of the Lord's Devis for Him (Vividha rathna mayUkhA lakshyAth suddhAntha pakshmaLa dhrusAm Madana indrajAlam aathanvathIm vaihArikAm mOhana pinchikAm samudhvahasi)?

SlOkam 548 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Oh Mother Paaduka! The white, black and red radiations come from gems. You appear to relish looking at the Feet without a wink, with these innumerable eyes, namely the gems-they are Your eyes. They possess light; they elongate and extend to the ears. (They are related to the subject of the Shrutis).

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE! Oh Mother! The gems on You radiate white, black and red hues and they appear like multi-colored eyes enjoying the beauty of Your Lord's Thiruvadi without winking. Those "eyes" are long and therefore stretch upto the ears (i-e) they are very close to the Veda manthrams residing next to the Lord's feet. The Veda manthrams are there to eulogize the Lord and the PaadhukAs are there to protect the Lord's feet. The word "Sruthi" means both Vedam and the organ of hearing, ear. The eyes of beautiful women are long and stretch towards their ears. Swami Desikan uses his poetic imagination here to suggest that the PaadhukAs resemble a beautiful lady with many eyes to devour the Lord's beauty like His consorts.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: The eyes have white, red and black hues in them. When one looks at the rays of the diamond, ruby and Onyx gems enmeshed on You, it looks like the eyes of beautiful women devouring the Lord's soundharyam without winking their eyes. The inner meaning is that every paasram of Swamy NammazhwAr is like the bright nandhA ViLakku (made up of the rays of the gems) and the eye to enjoy the Lord shown by that rathna dhIpam.

3) There are the Lord's Thiruvadis (Mukuntha CharaNams). On that falls the unmixed (vyavasTitha) rays of white gems, rubies and Onyx (sitha-sONa-asitha varNai: aalOkavadhbhi:). These rays that resemble the eyes of the beautiful ladies marked by them stretching almost to their ears are devouring as it were the beauty of the Lord's feet positioned near the Sruthis without even winking for a second (ajahath sannikarshai: rathnai: animEsha-dhrusyou Mukundha CharaNou dhrashtum). The assembly of the rays from the multicolored gems looks like the rows of the multicolored eyes of the beautiful ladies (nEthra panki: samdhrusyasE).

SlOkam 549 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Oh Mother Madhava-Paaduka! Emeralds and pearls are alternately placed in Your surface. It looks as though You, as mother, chose to wear the prescribed Aruham-grass-Madhukara-flower garland on Yourself on behalf of Your misguided children for their expiatory ritual.

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Oh Mother PaadhukE! You are radiating green rays from Your emeralds and white rays from Your pearls. Their regular intermingling looks like a garland made of green flowers and white grass. You appear to be wearing that garland to bring auspiciousness to Your children". Mothers wear garlands made of green grass and Iluppai flowers (white) to ward off any amangaLams that might come in the way of their children.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: In svayamvarams of a Raaja KumAri, the princess holds in her hand a garland made of aruham pul and Iluppai flower. She picks one of the assembled princes as her husband and places the garland that she holds in her hand. Oh PaadhukE! You seem to be holding in Your hands the garland of white and green to help the bhAgyasaali choose the Lord as the husband.

3) Oh Maadhava PaadhukE! You are decorated by rows of green gems and white pearls (gaaruthmatha antharitha moukthika pankai:). That looks like a vyAjam for the removal of the sins of ignorant janams (mugdha-dhiyAm prajAnaam dhurithOpasAnthyai lakshyAth) and to bring them closer to Your Lord. The intermingling of the green rays from Maragathams and the white rays from the pearls looks like a garland made up of green aruham grass and white Iluppai flower for use in the vivAham of the jeevans with their Lord (DhUrvA madhUka rachitham MangaLya-maalyAm svayam vahaseeva).

SlOkam 550 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Sri: rangADhirAja padha rakshiNi! rAjathE vajra upasanGhatitha moUkthika vidhruma shrI: sakthA chiram manasi samyaminAm nivAsAth sUryEndhuvahni maya maNdala vAsanEva

Oh Paaduka! Diamonds, pearls, and corals on You, bring to one's mind the fact of the Lord with You having remained very long in the heart of the yogis wherein You have dwelt in surya, chanra-and agni-mandala respectively, to carry forward the resulting colours to this day!

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Oh RanganAtha PaadhukE! The combined lustre from Your diamonds, pearls and corals live long in the minds of Yogis. The presence of that lustre appears like the coexistence of Soorya, Moon and Fire orbits (mandalams) residing there. According to Yoga SaasthrAs, Yogi's Minds house the Lord at the epicenter of concentric circles of the orbits of Sun, Moon and Fire. Swami Desikan suggests that Yogis meditate on the combined lustre of diamonds, pearls and corals and gain the blessings of darsanam of the Lord effortlessly through such DhyAnams. They do not therefore need to resort to harsh Yogic practices to gain the same result.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: The inner meaning is that AzhwAr's Paasurams house in them the 3 moods: (1) The thApam from separation from the Lord /vislEsham (2) the appearance of the Lord to please the AzhwAr /samslEsham and (3) the joy arising from the enjoyment of the Lord /BhOgam. They are like the phenemenon of the co-existence of the Sun, the Moon and Fire in the mind of a Yogi meditating on the Lord.

3) There is an amalgamated effulgence of Diamonds, Pearls and Corals enmeshed on the surface of Paadhukais (tE vajra upasangaDitha Moukthika vidhruma SrI:). That integrated radiance is like the presence of Sooryan, Moon and Agni in the heart lotuses of Yogis engaged in deep dhyAnam of the Lord (SamyaminAm manasi saktha sUryEndhu-vahnimaya maNDala vaasanEva raajathE).

SlOkam 551 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Oh Paaduka of Padmapati! The blue and red gems on You give a phantom of situation that the blue bees hover around red droplets of honey dripping from the Lotus Feet (on to the Paaduka).

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Here, Swami Desikan describes once again as to how the Yogis achieve their objective of visualizing the Lord's lotus feet. He says: "Oh Paadhukais of the consort of MahA Lakshmi! The blue sapphires united with rubies give the impression of blue skinned bees tasting the honey flowing from the Lord's feet". The bees referred to as Yogis and the scintillating rays of rubies on the paadhukais are equated to the flow of honey flowing from the lotus feet of the Lord.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE! On Your surface, the sapphire and rubies are enmeshed. That looks like the honey originating from the lotus feet of the Lord attracting the blue hued honeybees sitting on the Lord's Thiruvadi to enjoy the honey. The inner meaning is that the Lord completely loses Himself, when he enjoys the AzhwAr's Paasurams with great affection.

3) The blue sapphire (vaasava silA:) is enmeshed right next to the red rubies (Padhma Raagam). The blue sapphire pieces tightly surround the larger red gems (aasaktha sakalA: ThvadeeyA: PadhmarAgA:). That scene appears like (prathyakshanthi) the blue hued honey bees (bramara abhleenam) united with the honey from the lotus of the Lord's sacred feet (Bramara kamapi paadha aravindha makarandha rasa pravAham).

SlOkam 552 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Oh Paaduka! At appropriate times You Yourself, by means of pearls and corals reminisce the smiling red lips of the consorts in the harem and remind and urge the Lord to go to the harem.

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE! When Ranganatha witnesses the combination of the white lustre of Your pearls along with the ripe red color of Your corals, He is reminded of the beautiful white teeth and the full red lips of His Consorts. That reminds Him to rush to His consort's side in the inner chambers of His palace.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE! On you is enmeshed the red corals and white pearls. The red hue of the corals reflects on the on the pearls reminds one of the beauty of the lips of the Pathnis of the Lord, who are eager to invite the Lord to their inner chambers.

3) Oh PaadhukE! You take the Lord without any one else accompanying Him to the inner chambers of His consorts (Thvam yEkA samayEshu antha: purAni abhigacchathi). The admixture of the red hue of the coral with the white pearl results in a beautiful sight (mukthA amsu jaala mniLanAth ruchirai: pravALai:) that reminds one of the red color of the bhimbhA fruit, which is reflected on a white background. The red color of the ripe bhimbA fruit is equated here to the red lips of the Devis of the Lord, which is reflected on the surface of the white teeth behind those lips (RangEsithu: smithavisEsha yuthAm PriyANAm BhimbhAdharam Jn~apasisi).

SlOkam 553 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Oh Paaduka! I believe the gem-studded paaduka that Ranganatha wears, namely, yourself, must have been made from the skin of the bogus-deer (of Maricha) which Rama chased and killed; the purpose was to enable the Paaduka to be placed as honour to the leaders of rakshasas and monkeys. (i.e., Vibhishana and Sugriva).

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Oh RanganAtha PadhukE! You appear like the illusory and brilliantly multi-colored skin of MaarIchA, who took the form of the most enchanting deer to gain SitA Piraatti's attention. Ramachandran hunted for the deer radiating many colors to bring it to SitA. It appears Ramachandran might have had another motive to hunt the deer. He wanted to place You as the decorartion on the crowned heads of VibhIshaNaa and SugreevA. In this regard, You remind me of the most beautiful skin of MaarIchA chased by the hunter, Raamachandran to create another Paadhukai shining with many colors for honoring the heads of His dear BhakthAs, SugrIvan and VibhishaNan as part of their coronation ceremony.

2) The Paadhukai has many radiant gems on it (Vichithra rathnAm). It is associated with the sacred feet of the Lord, the hunter, who went after the MaayA Maarichan, who took the form of the deer with beautiful skin and enchanting colored spots. It appears as though the Paadhukai is sewn together with the skin of Maarichan (MaayA mrugasya charmaNA rachithAmiva manyE) by the Lord, who had the intention to place that colored and beautiful paadhukais on the head of the newly coronated SugrIvan and VibhishaNan (Raksha: KapIndhra makudEshu nivEsa Yogyam ThvAm).

SlOkam 554 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Sri: baDhnAsi rangapathiviBramapAdhukE! thvam mAyAkirAthamakutE nivabarhamAlAm AkruShtavAsava DhanushshakalaIr maNInAm anyOnya sanGhatitha karburithaIr mayUKhaI:

Oh Paaduka helping Lord Ranganatha in His strolls! The gems combine to give a multiplicity of colours; Its beauty could defeat that of a rainbow. In fact, it looks as though there are so many fragments of rainbow in it! When Siva, in a hunter robe, bows, it becomes another garland of peacock feathers by reflection on his crown.

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE! When Rudra bows before You, the multi coloured radiation from Your many gems fall on his head and look like a garland made of peacock feathers. Your rainbow like decorations reminds me of RudrA, who took the form of a hunter to teach a lesson to Arjuna before blessing him.

2) Oh PaadhukE! There are many radiant gems that adorn You. Their lustre reminds one of a rainbow among rain-laden clouds. When Lord Sivan adorns You on his head, he appears as though he is wearing a garland made of peacock feathers. The inner meaning is that the Sarvaj~nan, Rudhra Sivan celebrates Swamy NammAzhwAr's dhivya sokthis with bent head.

3) Oh Paadhukai intended for the sanchAram of RanganAthA (Rangapathi vibrama PaadhukE)! When you rest on the head of Lord Sivan, who took on the role of hunter to confront Arjunan, You appear like the rainbow (Thvam aakrushta Vaasava dhanu: sakalai: iva). The interplay of the colored gems on You (anyOnya sangaDitha karBurithai: maNInAm mayUkhai:) remind me of the newly made peacock garland on the crown of Lord Sivan, who appeared before ArjunA in the form of a hunter (MaayAkirAtha makuDE navaBarha maalAm BadhnAsi).

SlOkam 555 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Sri: anyOnyabanDhu raharirmaNipadhmarAgA rangEshvarasya charaNAvani! rAjasE thvam AthmOpamAnaviBhavAccharithArThayanthI shaIlAthmajAgirishayOriva mUrthimEkAm

Oh Paaduka of the Lord! The close packing of the emerald and ruby in You is only for conferring a great honour, of being cited as the model on the Ardhanareeshwara form of Parvati (green) and Siva (red)!

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE! The radiation from Your emerald and rubies unite to give a dark green and red glow, which reminds me of ArdhanArIswara svarUpam, where the greenish-black color of Parvathi is united with the reddish hue of Rudran in one body in equal proportions.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: The inner meaning is that toughness (to correct sishyAs, when they stray) and DayA (for the suffering sishyans) are united in an AchAryan. It is like the blending of the hue of the padhmarAgham gems with the emerald gems mingling together on the surface of the Paadhukai.

3) The emerald (HarinmaNi) and the ruby stones (PadhmarAgam) on the Paadhukai are beautiful by complimenting each other (anyOnya Bhandhura HarinmaNi PadhmarAga:). That mingling of colors remind me of the Ardha-nareeswara svaroopam of Lord Sivan, where half the body has the hue of His consort, Parvathi of dark green color and the other half of the body is that of Rudran with the red, fire-like color.