GITA 10.17
TIRU SEMPON SEI KOIL |
Lord Sri Ranganatha, Who was worshipped by Lord Sri Rama and other Ikshvaku Dynasty Kings, is gracing now in Srirangam. Thus, Lord Sri Rama and Sri Ranganatha are well connected. Now we are in Sempon Arangar Koil [செம் பொன் அரங்கர் கோயில் ], one of the Tirunangur Kshetrams, where Lord Sri Rama had done many temple services including gold covering for the temple. This temple is also known as Semponsei Koil [செம் பொன் செய் கோயில்]. Tirumangai Alwar has composed 10 pasurams on this Kshetram, in his Periya tirumozhi [பெரிய திருமொழி]-4.3. He repeats nAngai nan naduvuL semponsei kOil [நாங்கை நன் நடுவுள் செம் பொன் செய் கோயில் ] in 9 pasurams! It means this Kshetram is the centre of the Nangur Kshetrams. Sem pon means pure gold.
ENTRANCE TO THE TEMPLE |
As we enter the temple, we can notice Garuda with folded hands. When this is crossed we come across maha mandapam and artha mandapam. Lord Sri Rama returned to Ayodhya after the war, and got coronated as King. But He was gripped by Bramhahatthi Dosha, since Ravana was a Brahmin and was killed by Sri Rama. To eliminate it, He travelled to many Divyadesams. While in South, He once reached the Palasa tree (பூவரசம்/போரசும் மரம்) here. Sage Dhrudanethrar was meditating. That time the Lord here was known as Sri Damodara. The temple pond is Nitya Pushkarini. Vimanam is Kanaka vimanam. Sri Rama paid respects to the sage and served him. When Sri Rama mentioned about the Dosha, the sage advised Him to perform Aswamedha Yaga here. He also specified an important ritual to be followed -Gho prasavam. After the yaga was over, Sri Rama performed that ritual also, where a huge cow idol made of gold was to be made and Sri Rama should remain inside the golden cow for Four days and after coming out of it on the Fifth day, to donate the golden cow. Using that gold the temple was covered by gold and so it got the name Ssem pon sei koil. Since Sri Rama worshipped the Lord here, He is called Sri Ranganatha [in Tamil அரங்கர் ] and so He is known as Sri Sempon Arangar. Tirumangai Alwar in his pasuram calls the Lord as Sri Perarulalan [ஸ்ரீ பேரருளாளன் ] and so that name also is used here. The Lord of Oraiyur [உறையூர் near Trichy], Sri Azhagiya Manavalan [ஸ்ரீ அழகிய மணவாளன்] arrived here along with Sri Kamalavalli Nachiyar [ஸ்ரீ கமலவல்லி நாச்சியார்]. The Lord graces along with Sri Allimamalaral [ஸ்ரீ அல்லி மா மலராள் ]. Moolavar is in standing pose.
MOOLAVAR SRI SEMPON ARANGAR |
Right arm is in abhaya mudra and left arm is on the left lap. We can see the Utsavar. Truly, He is golden. With enchanting eyes and smile and with right arm in Abhaya, which blessed Sri Rama also, the Lord is standing. Left arm is holding the mace. We worship Sri Allimamalaral Nachiyar. Thus the Lord graces with Sri Sridevi, Sri Bhudevi and Sri Allimamalaral Nachiyar.
We will now proceed to sloka 17. Arjuna praised the Lord in slokas 12, 13, 14 and 15. In slokas 16. 17 and 18, Arjuna requests the Lord to tell him more about the Lord's auspicious qualities and His Aiswaryam [Wealth]. Sloka 17:
katham vidyam aham yogims
tvam sada paricintayan
kesu kesu ca bhavesu
cintyo ’si bhagavan maya
tvam sada paricintayan
kesu kesu ca bhavesu
cintyo ’si bhagavan maya
"O Krishna, O supreme mystic, how shall I constantly think of You, and how shall I know You? In what various forms are You to be remembered, O Supreme Personality of Godhead?"
(continued)
No comments:
Post a Comment