GITA 12.1

GITA 12.1

TIRUNEERMALAI TEMPLE VIEW

Now we will start studying Chapter 12. After seeing the Vishwaroopam, Arjuna was amazed at the greatness of Sri Krishna. At the same time, Arjuna was awestruck at the simplicity of Sri Krishna, Who at Arjuna's request immediately got back to His familiar Form. Arjuna was dumbfounded at the simplicity (saulabhyam) of Sri Krishna. The Lord melts down at the sight of His Bhaktas. This is called Neermai (நீர்மை) in Tamil. Thus according to our ancestors, Chapter 12 has come up to explain the Lord's neermai (simplicity). Appropriately, we have come to a Kshetram, where the Lord exhibits His neermai. Yes, we have come to Tiruneermalai (. Here the Lord is gracing as Sri Neervannan, as Sri Ranganatha, as Sri Shanta Narasimha and as Sri Trivikrama in four states- Standing, Reclining, Sitting and Treading poses. By visiting this temple, we can get the satisfaction of visiting all the temples, as we see the Lord in all the Four forms! In Sanskrit this place is called Toyadri (toyam = water, adri = hill).
It is called Tiruneermalai because the Lord exhibits His neermai or saulabhyam. Or, this place is surrounded by many ponds. The Lord is accompanied by His Consort Sri Lakshmi and so Tiru is added in the name. Or, it is because of Sri Thayar, the Lord shows kindness to all devotees and so it is Tiruneermalai. There are Four pushkarinis for the Four forms of the Lord - Ksheera Pushkarini for Sri Ranganatha, Siddha Pushkarini for Sri Shanta Narasimha, Karunya Pushkarini for Sri Trivikrama and Swarna Pushkarini for Sri Neervanna Perumal.
We will see now the summary of Chapter 12 in Gitarta Sangraham by Swami Alavandar.

bhakteH shraiShTyamupaayoktirashaktasyaatmaniShTataa . 

tatprakaarastvatipriitiH bhakterdvaadasha ucyate .. (16)

Five things are mentioned in this sloka. First is bhaktehshraishtyam = Bhakti as a means, its greatness is mentioned. Upaayaoktir = Bhakti is the means, and how it should be practised, the details of how we should serve the Lord or praise His qualities. This is the second thing mentioned. Ashaktasys atma nishtataa = if one is not able to practice Bhakti, one should at least concentrate on one's atman. That will lead to Paramatma upasanam or meditation on the Lord. Tatprakaara = the qualities one should nurture in Karma yoga. For such a person the Lord blesses with His happiness. These are told in the 12th Chapter. 1)The greatness of Bhakti, 2) How it has to be practiced, 3) For those finding difficulty in practicing Bhakti yoga, meditation of one's own atman is explained, 4) What are the qualities a Karma yogi has to nurture and 5) The Lord's love for such a Bhakta. We will now proceed to the First sloka of Chapter 12.

                                                                                                                     (continued)