GITA 10.8

GITA 10.8

MANIMADAK KOIL

Rishahayajugumsisamani thathaivaadarvananicha

sarva ashtakshaksharancha tatvam vangmayam|

By this sloka, we understand the greatness of Ashtaksharam or Tirumandhiram [திரு மந்திரம்]. Thirumangai Alwar was preached this mantra by Sri Vayalali Manavalan. He grasped that mantra by lowering his head so that the Lord could chant the mantra in his right ear. This incident is happily narrated in his Periya Tirumozhi [பெரிய திருமொழி ], in the pasuram kulam tharum (1.1.1), he lists what all benefits will accrue, just by chanting Namo Narayanaya (நமோ நாராயணாய). He says, therefore, he has no miseries. In Sri Vaishnava Sampradhayam Tirumanndhiram, Dwayam and Charama sloka are considered as Rahasya traya and are regarded very important concepts. Though the Alwar got initiation in the mantra by Sri Vayalali Manavalan, this mantra came into existence long ago. In Badarikasrama [Badrinath or வதரி in Tamil] the Lord as Sri Narayana, the Preacher, delivered this mantra to the same Lord as Sri Nara, the initiated Listener. The Lord was both the Acharya and Sishya [disciple]. It is not easy to go to Badrinath and worship the Lord Sri Nara-Narayana. That temple is open only for six months. Cold weather and hilly terrain make the trip to Badrinath, difficult. Bathing in the ice cold Ganges water also is difficult. If one wants somehow to worship Him in the six-month period when the temple remains closed, what is the alternative? The Lord thought how to grace devotees as the Lord of Badrinath. So, He started off from Badrinath and came to this Kshetram - Manimada Koil [மணி மாடக் கோயில்]- and graces as Sri Narayana. In this temple, Swami Ramanuja and his Acharya who preached this Mantra to him, Swami Tirukkoshtiyur Nambi [திருக் கோஷ்டியூர் நம்பி ] are also gracing. Today's [7th August 2008] lecture is from this Acharya's sannidhi.

SWAMI TIRUKKOSHTIYUR NAMBI

 This Acharya was born in Tirukkoshtiyur (near Madurai) in the month of Vaikasi and in star Rohini and was the disciple of Swami Alavandar and Acharya of Swami Ramanuja. This lecture was video recorded on Vaikasi - Rohini. To honour this Acharya, the Lord takes a procession on Garuda on this day.

THE LORD ON GARUDA

 Since the temple is shaped like a madam [மாடம் ], it is called Mada koil. Mani indicates lamp. In fact, Alwar's decade of 10 pasurams on this Kshetram (Periya Tirumozhi- 3.8) starts as nanda vilakke [நந்தா விளக்கே]. A lamp placed at ground level might not illuminate a large area; while kept on a madam or upstairs will illuminate a large area. So, the Lord illuminates entire Universe. 

SRI BADARI NARAYANA PERUMAL

The Lord has appeared before lord Rudra, Indra and Airavatha [ஐராவதம்]. Earlier we had seen that since lord Rudra, removed one head of lord Brahma, his father, he was gripped by brahmahatthi dosha, the sin of hurting a person knowing Vedas. Lord Rudra was asked to go to Tirunangur and after bathing in the pushkarini, he should meditate on the Lord. He came accordingly and took Eleven forms and meditated. The Lord appeared before him, mounted on a divine chariot with the Four Vedas as Horses, lord Brahma as Chariot driver and Ppranavam [AUM] as Umbrella. In all these Eleven Kshetrams of Tirunangur, it was here that lord Rudra had the first Darshan of the Lord Sriman Narayana, at this pushkarini. Thus the pond is known as Rudra pushkarini. Accepting the prayers of lord Rudra, the Lord made Himself available in all the Eleven Kshetrams to grace the devotees.

 Once Indra was in a procession and was mounted on the elephant Airavata. Sage Durvasa presented Indra with a garland he obtained from Sri Mahalakshmi. Indra carelessly put it on the elephant, which removed it and trampled on the garland. Durvasa got enraged and cursed both Indra and the elephant. Indra lost all his power and the elephant was born on this earth and underwent miseries. Indra came to this pond and after bath worshipped and meditated on the Lord and so it is also called Indra pushkarini. Later he regained his property. Airavatha elephant came here and tried to kill sage Udhanka, who knew the past history of the elephant and advised it to worship the Lord with flowers for one month in Masi month (Feb-March). Elephant was also blessed and so this pond is also known as Gajendra pushkarini. In fact, because it was worshipped by an elephant [naga - நாக in Tamil], this place was known as Nagapuri, which got mutilated to Nangur. We will now see sloka 8:

aham sarvasya prabhavo
mattah sarvam pravartate
iti matva bhajante mam
budha bhava-samanvitah

"I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts."

The Lord says that thus they worship Him with a steady mind. In the last sloka, we saw that the Lord told that he who understands properly His vibhuti or wealth and His yogam or auspicious qualities, becomes a good Bhakta. We, therefore, understand that all the things in this Universe are in His control and command. He is the repository of all auspicious qualities and no bad qualities are in Him. With this knowledge, Bhakti originates and grows. How Bhakti originates is explained in this sloka. Aham = I [Sri Krishna] am, the Lord Sriman Narayana, sarvasya = entire Universe, comprising of movable and non-movable, living and non-living beings, humans, animals, plants, etc., prabhava = source of origin. Everything originates from the Lord. Arjuna got a doubt that Brahma created all these. Matta = from Me [Sri Krishna] only, sarvam = everyone, including lord Brahma, Indra, anyone engaged in creation and destruction duties, pravartete = acts. Lord Brahma can not function without the permission and grace of the Lord. So whether it is lord Brahma creating or lord Rudra destroying or Varuna showering rains, etc., they can not function themselves without the command of the Lord residing in each and every one of them. This is called niyanthruthvam [नियंत्रूत्वं] - the power to control and keep all at His command. Iti = this [greatness], matva = well understood, bhajante = worship [Sri Krishna]. So by understanding His greatness as the Sole Proprietor of entire Universe and command over them and its contents, and knowing well His abundant auspicious qualities, make one develop Bhakti in Him. For the word iti, Swami Ramanuja shows an excellent interpretation. Iti means not only the two great qualities but the infinite auspicious qualities included in them, like His superiority, His kindness, His simplicity, His beauty, etc., are all included. Mam = Me [Sri Krishna], to be worshipped and enjoyed. He is pleasing to be worshipped. Budha = well learned and intellectuals, bhava samanvita = great lovers [of Sri Krishna]. Those who knew the Lord is all for them - dharaka, poshaka and bhogya [உண்ணும் சோறு, பருகும் நீர், தின்னும் வெற்றிலை]- and have the greatest love for Him, will worship Him. Such people could be Alwars. Alwars are gyanis and Bhaktas. Similarly are the Acharyas. They have understood the Lord. Such a person was Swami Tirukkoshtoyur Nambi. This series of Kannanin Aramudu lectures actually started from Tirukkoshtiyur. There Swami Ramanuja was initiated with the Ashtakshara and Charama sloka. 

                                                                                                     (continued)