GITA 10.28

GITA 10.28

SRI YOGA NARASIMHA TEMPLE, Tondanur

Today's [4th September 2008] lecture is from the Lord Sri Yoga Narasimha Swami sannidhi in Thondanur. We learn from Alwar's pasurams that the Lord might forgive persons doing evil to Him, but He can not forgive those opposed to His devotees like Prahlada.

LORD SRI NARASIMHA

 The sthala Purana [temple history] says that Sri Narasimha here was installed by Prahlada in Krutha yug. The Lord is seated in the yoga posture, with both hands on His knees and with a hearty and beautiful laugh. On His right hand rests a stick called Narasimha dhandam. It has a history. When Swami Ramanuja arrived at Thondanur, the King of this place was Bittadeva Raya, who was following Jainism. When Swami Ramanuja met the King, he described how Vedas were the repository of true knowledge and established Sriman Narayana as the Ultimate God. The King's daughter was possessed by a Brahma rakshas and the King's efforts to bring her to normalcy was not successful. Swami Ramanuja with the help of the Narasimha dhandam was able to drive away the Brahma rakshas and she became normal. The King was convinced and embraced Vaishnavam and became a disciple of Swami Ramanuja. Therefore, this Narasimha dhandam could have existed even before Swami Ramanuja, whose 1000th birth anniversary is to be celebrated in a few years. Some 1000 Jain philosophers wanted to argue with Swami Ramanuja on atman and other related topics. Swami Ramanuja then remembered he was the incarnation of the 1000 hooded serpent Adisesha. So, Swami Ramanuja assuming Adisesha form was able to answer every question of the Jains, who were separated from Swami Ramanuja by a screen, during the arguments session. After winning them, they were all converted as Vaishnavas and Swami Ramanuja performed the Pancha Samskaram, which makes one a true Sri Vaishnava. We can see in Swami Ramanuja sannidhi, Adisesha above the head of Swami Ramanuja, who is seated with right palm in upadesa [teaching] mudra.

SRI RAMANUJA

Like the serpent, his figure is narrow at the waist and broad at the top. Also, we can note the serpent-like formation at the waist. These temples were receiving large donations from the Kings of Hoysala dynasty and as proof, we can see their emblems in the temple.

HOYSALA ROYAL EMBLEM

 In Pancha Ssamskarams for the Jains, Swami Ramanuja, imprinted ontheirr shoulders -chakra on the right and conch on the left. This is called samasrayanam [சமாஸ்ரயணம்] or thruvilachinai sadhippadhu [திரு இலச்சினை சாதிப்பது]. We should imagine such a scenerio. With Swami Ramanuja facing the Jains to imprin the emblems of Sri Vishnu - discus and conch- on their shoulders. To do this, naturally, Swami Ramanuja should be holding the discus seal in his left hand and the conch seal in his right hand. That is why when we visit this sannidhi, we can note that the conch is on to Swami Ramnuja's right and the discus to his left. Near this sannidhi is the sannidhi of Sri Nambi Narayana.

SRI NAMBI NARAYANA SANNIDHI

 There als the Lord is holding the discus and conch in the left and right hands respectively. By visiting these sannidhis on a thiruvadhirai star day, we can witness the tirumanjanam [திருமஞ்சனம்] and appreciate the splendour of this place. Swami Ramanuja is decorated witha variety of ornaments and dresses.
 We will now see sloka 27:

uccaihsravasam asvanam
viddhi mam amrtodbhavam
airavatam gajendranam
naranam ca naradhipam

"Of horses, know Me to be Uccaihsrava, produced during the churning of the ocean for nectar. Of lordly elephants, I am Airavata, and among men, I am the monarch."

In this sloka three groups are mentioned. Viddhi = understand, mam = Me [Sri Krishna]. Amrtodbhavam = from [milk ocean] originated along with amrut or the nectar. When the milky ocean was churned, at that time, along with Amrut, which was the main product Devas and Asuras desired to have, other products also came up. Uchaisravas [உச்சைரவஸ்] is a celestial horse and Airavatam [ஐராவதம்] is celestial elephant. These were obtained on churning. The Lord says He is Uchaisravas among horses and Airavatham among elephants. Naranam = among humans, naradhipam = leader of men or King. Devas wanted to have amrut to get strength over Asuras. But since the task 0f getting amrut could not be done by Devas alone, they had to seek the help of Asuras. Both jointly churned the milky ocean, with the help of the Lord. The Lord got for them amrut but distributed only to Devas by taking the beautiful damsel form, Sri Mohini. Swami Koorathalwan wonders! Normally the product from a material should be connected with that. If we process milk, we can get butter, curd and ghee. But here, when milky ocean was churned unrelated elephant, horse, parijata tree and even deadly poison were obtained. Though outwardly it looked that the Lord helped Devas to get Amrut, Alwar says, it was a trick used by the Lord to get Sri Maha Lakshmi, for Himself! Airavatam was Indra's elephant and due to the curse of sage Durvasa, Indra lost his wealth and the elephant. With Lord's help, Indra regained his elephant. According to Dharma shastras, a King has to be respected like a god. Kings also should realize their responsibilities and function to protect and ensure welfare of their subjects. We are also now worshiping the king among ascetics -Swami Yatiraja or Ramanuja.

                                                                                          (continued)