Sri Ranganatha Paadhuka Sahasram

SrI:

SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Translations & Commentaries by Oppiliappan Koil Varadachari SadagOpan

Introduction: The 28th Chapter of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram, SubhAshitha Paddhathi starts with this slOkam. This Paddhathi has ten slOkams. After describing the identity of the PaadhukAs from Chapter 15 to the 27th chapter, Swami Desikan now starts to prove that the PaadhukAs are serious objects of worship. He proves his points through number of learned sayings based on the lOka neethis (worldly observances/laws).

SlOkam 821 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

One who is adept in the field of fine arts bestows a kind of popular respectability even on his near and dear ones. (The moon, with 16 digits, the full moon, makes the ocean swell in joy; it also blossoms the water-lily. A person of wealth confers a stature on his relatives, too, according to Brihadaranyaka.

A master artist on the stage impresses by his foot work, any connoisseur of the dance-art. The Lord of Ranga enjoys a similar fame. His Paaduka became a worshippable object to Bharata. (see verse 2)).

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: For those, who have mastered any single art, that artistry confers merit and respect on all of those associated with them. Hence, it is no wonder that RanganAtha PaadhukAs are worshipped by those, who understand the rules of Bharata nAtyam, since the PaadhukAs particpate in the dance-drama conducted by RanganAtha at SrIrangam. The literal meaning is that the PaadhukAs of the Lord are worshipped by BharathA. The PaadhukAs became object of worship because of their close relationship to RaamA, who is none other than RanganAtha.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: In this Paddhathi, Swami Desikan provides meanings for some of the actions of Lord Raamachandra as outlined in SrImath RaamAyaNam. PerumAl took different incarnations to generate true Jn~Anam in chEthanams. Therefore Swami Desikan includes the meaning of selected actions of the Lord in this Paddhathi. Bharathan worshipped SrI Raama Paadhukais. This act signifies that a great personage spreads his glory to all associated with him. This is why Bharathan worshipped the Paadhukai associated with SrI Raamachandra.

3) One who is the top leader in any art (KalAsu KaashtAm aathishtAn) extends his glory even to those associated with him (sambhandhinAmapi bhUmnE bhavathi). That is why the PaadhukAs of RanganAtha, who incarnated as Raamachandran became fit for the worship by Bharatha (Rangadhuryasya PaadhukA Bharatha--aarAdhyathAm gathA).

SlOkam 822 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Good people will never forsake their duties, whether they be in their own place or in a strange place outside. It is their nature. Sri Rama's Paaduka performed its duty of 'thorn-removal' in this manner. In the Ayodhya kingdom, it saw to it that no enemy force ever entered into the land; in the forest, it safeguarded Rama's feet from the thorns on the way.

1) UtthamUr Swami'sanubhavam: Here, Swami Desikan points out that one should never abandon one's own dharma for whatever reasons. He says: "Righteous people will not abandon their codes of conduct learnt from their teachers either in their ownland or foreign lands. For instance, Raama PaadhukAs performed their assigned duties be they were in AyOdhyA or in the DaNDakA forest. In AyOdhyA, it made sure that the enemies of the kingdom do not cause any harm to the citizens; in the forest, they protected RaamA's feet from thorns and stones.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: The great ones execute their duties without concern about time, place or state in an identical manner. They will not change their way because it is day or night, different locales and other dhvandhvams. That is why, SrI Raama Paadhukais performed "kaNDa sOdhana vrutthi" equally well in the forest as well as in the kingdom. In the forest, it freed the area from the thorns; in the kingdom, it freed the land of enemies to the land. The inner meaning is that the AchAryAs do not perform auspicious deeds for any one in particular. They perform these acts because it is their svabhAvam to do so.

3) The great ones do not abandon their noble activities because it is their own home country or a foreign country (Santha: svadEsa paradEsa vibhAga soonyam anagAm svavrutthim na parithyajanthi). That is why, the Raama PaadhukAs freed the forest as well as the kingdom free from thorns (Raghupungava PaadharaksdhA rAjyE, vanEapi tath naijam kaNDasOdhanam na jahou khalu).

SlOkam 823 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Look at what a competent person can achieve. (1) A thin grass became a potent Brahmastra in Rama's hand (2) An arrow could swallow, as it were, the (invisible) Punya of Parasurama and could dry up the ocean (3) A Paaduka that knows only to protect the feet became the ruler of a vast country. In the hands of the adept, anything can be anything as he wants.

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Swami Desikan points out here another lOka neethi, which states that those associated with the Lord can accomplish many things because of their special relationship to the Lord. He says: "A mere blade of grass got empowered to become the powerful BrahmAsthram. At another time, all the virtues collected by ParasurAma was put away by the arrow of RaamA in to the ocean. The PadhukAs although separated from the Lord's feet ruled over the universe at AyOdhyA. When those with true power conduct the affairs, which object can not be empowered to perform miracles?

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: If one is an expert, he can use any object to execute what he wishes to do. For the Lord, simple blade of grass performed the duties of the powerful BrahmAsthram. Through this extraordinary power of RaamA, ParasurAmA's puNyam (not visible to the eye) was hit by His arrow, the ocean became the target for drying by His missile. His (Raama) PaadhukAis were enthroned at AyOdhyA and they ruled the kingdom for 14 years on His behalf.

3) In the case of even the playful activities of the most powerful ones (vibhUnAm kELi vidhou), what object can not transfrom in to any other objects? (kim vaa kim na bhavathi?). In the case of Lord Raamachandra, a blade of grass became BrahmAsthram (prayuktham thruNam BrahmAsthrathAm adhijagaama); ParasurAmA's puNyam became the target of Raama BhANam (puNyam saravyam abhavath); the Ocean became the object of evaporation (payasAm nidhirvaa saravyam abhavath). The Paadhukais freed from the sacred feet of the Lord (Parimuktha padham padhathram) was empowered to protect the universe (Padhathram pruTveem SaSAsa).

SlOkam 824 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

There is a golden rule illustrated in the lives of Rama and Rama-Paaduka; When one merits as his due post may miss him 1st but it will sirely reach him ultimately. Rama lost the crown by divine order, perhaps, but then none of his brothers could acquire it. He got it finally, as it was his dure, he being the eldest. So also the Paaduka missed the padam (Rama's foot) but it got the padam, namely, the office of the ruler of the kingdom.

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Swami Desikan states here that one lOka neethi was established from the concepts of PaadhukA rAjyam and Raama Raajyam. He says: "Although there were other sons of DasaraTa, the blemishless Raama for no fault of His, lost the rights to the throne of Raghus. The PaadhukAs of RaamA, which are equal in merit to Him also underwent the same experience, when they were sepearated from Him for 14 years. "RaamA for no fault of His, lost the chance to ascend the throne of Raghus due to the boons of KaikEyi. Similarly, the PaadhukAs eligible to be worthy of RaamA got seperated from their Lord for no fault of their own. Ultimately, RaamA ascended the throne and the PaadhukAs got united with RaamA's feet.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: Lord Raamachandra"s coronation at AyOdhya was stopped after it was well planned. Even if it was halted at that time, that crowning uthsavam for Him took place few years later. Even during the time of interruption, when His brothers were still eligible for ascending the throne, the Paadhukais became fit to occupy the throne of Raghu vamsam.

3) Even if there were other sons (of King DasaraTa) there (anyEshu narEndhra suthEshu sathsvapi), the fittest one, who lost the opportunity to sit on the throne of His father due to dhaiva sankalpam ultimately ascended the throne (dhaivAth padhAth brashta:, padhArha: padham adhikarOthi). This was demonstrated in the case of the greatest one of Raghu Vamsam (RaghUNAm PraTama:), Raamachandran. He could not ascend the throne due to dhaiva sankalpam. His brothers were there at that time, when He had to give up His throne and yet the throne went to His Paadhukais instead (Tath RaghUNAm PraTama: tath PaadhayO: prathinidhi PaadhukE vaa nidarsayathi prAya:).

SlOkam 825 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

Whosoever clings to the feet of a great good man of a flawless character, following his footsteps in the matter of all actions, especially in those designed for the good of the world, he will secure, as the paaduka secured, the respectability befitting the Royalty. Not only this: he would be served with respect by kings too; furthermore, he will have the privilege of being served by people who will look to his view for all implementations.

1) UtthamUr Swami's anubhavam: Here Swami Desikan points out another lOka neethi pertaining to the one, who surrenders at the feet of the noble king or great AchArya. Such a person gains the reward of being recognized and rewarded by the king and at the same time becomes the object of worship by the fellow citizens. He says: "The One of blemish-less character, who surrenders at the feet of an evolved soul (king or AchAryan) and follows the steps established by them gets rewarded by the king as in the case of Raama PaadhukAs. The righteous people of the land also worship him. "The PaadhukAs through their illustrious conduct and service attained the reward of ruling the kingdom of Raghus. Lord Raamachandra Himself confers this reward.

2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: At one time Raama lost the kingdom. He gained the kingdom later. In between His Paadhukais ruled the kingdom on His command. When one thinks about all these happenings, one becomes convinced that anyone who serves a great one and follows their anushtAnam will attain great status. Raama PaadhukAs served Him with devotion. They became the emperor of the kingdom.

3) The one, who serves the feet of a blemishless great person meticulously and follows their way of conduct (Ya: anaga vrutthE: kasyachith charaNam prApya, sakala bhuvana gupthyai sathpaTE vartatE) will attain the lofty status of Raama Paadhukais and will be revered by the kings and becomes the object of worship at appropriate times (Sa: PaadhukEva narapathi bhaumAnam adhigacchan samayEshu prEkshithaj~nai: upAsya: bhavathi).

SlOkam 826 of SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram

That Rama should get the kingdom, was the wish of the father, Dasharatha. That was also the wish of the people. But then Mother Kaikeyi wished to forcefully secure it for her son, Bharata. And to that also, the king agreed, he being an adherent to the sworn word. But even that could not be effected. Just at that moment, a supreme celebration of Anointment and Coronation occured, in the case, unexpectedly, of the Paaduka. The inscrutable way of god runs supreme in all events.