GITA 10.23

GITA 10.23

Swami Ramanuja had done many services in this World. Like, writing Sri Bhashyam and other philosophical works. By writing a commentary on Vedanta, he clarified the Reality, to the people. By visiting various Kshetrams, he paved the way for the proper conduct of pooja and temple administration. He ensured the elimination of any dangers to any temple and provided safe services to the Lord. Thus his services can not be listed. Especially, the services he had rendered at the Tirunarayanapuram temple is extraordinary and can not be compared with services in other temples. In fact, it was his services brought the Lord here. We saw earlier that he brought out the Lord Sri Moolavar, hidden in the ground. It was in a Thei Punarvasu day. But it is not the Moolavar alone was re-established here by Swami Ramanuja. Even the Utsavar, Who was missing in this Kshetram was brought in and got re-established by Swami Ramanuja. Earlier we saw the story of Sri Ramapriya arriving at this Kshetram. The story further continued. As we enter the temple we see the long corridor and the dwajasthambam.

DWAJASTHAMBAM

 On the left we see the sannidhi of Utsavar. In front, we can see the sannidhi of Moolavar. In the dwajasthambam mandapam, on the left Swami Ramanuja's sannidhi is there.

SRI RAMANUJA

 We will now see how Swami Ramanuja and Sri Ramapriya are connected. Also, we will see why this Lord here is called Sri Selva Pillai or Sri Chellapillai. Swami Ramanuja came here and re-established the Moolavar. He enquired about the Utsavar, brought to this Kshetram by Sri Balarama and Sri Krishna. Once the Lord appeared in his dreams and informed that He had been carried away during an invasion, and kept in exile. He informed that He was taken away by Emmadurayan (Sultan of Delhi) to Delhi and was in the inner chambers in the palace. He also ordained Swami Ramanuja to bring Him from Delhi and re-establish in Tirunarayanapuram. With his disciples, Swami Ramanuja went to Delhi. Emmadurayan received Swami Ramanuja with appropriate honours and said, after hearing Swami Ramanuja's mission, that Swami Ramanuja himself could search in the godown, as he had stored many idols brought from many places. Swami Ramanuja could not find Sri Ramapriya idol. Swami Ramanuja felt extremely sorry; but the Lord would have told the correct information only, thought Swami Ramanuja. Again the Lord appeared in his dreams and informed that He was with the daughter of Emmadurayan and she was always playing with Him.

SRI RAMAPRIYA WITH THE PRINCESS

 When Swami Ramanuja told Emmadurayan that the idol was with his daughter in her chambers, Emmadurayan, took Swami Ramanuja to that place. They saw the daughter was playing with that idol. She had decorated the idol and showed extreme devotion to Sri Ramapriya. When Swami Ramanuja indicated that was the idol he came for, Emmadurayan told that he could take the idol. Swami Ramanuja then requested the Lord to come to him by saying 'vaarai en chilla Pillai' [வாராய் என் செல்லப் பிள்ளை!]. The Lord took steps to measure the Universe in Sri Trivikrama Avatar. He walked all the way to redeem Sri Sita in Sri Rama avatar. He ran about in Brindavan in Sri Krishna avatar. But, Swami Ramanuja requested that the Lord should walk and come to him so that he could carry Him to Melkote. Immediately, the Lord jumped and to the clinging sound of His ornaments, He came and sat on Swami Ramanuja's lap.

SRI CHELLAPPILLAI WITH SRI RAMANUJA

 Swami Ramanuja was very much elated and he embraced the Lord and kissed and called Him 'nam chellappillai' [our beloved Son] [நம் செல்லப் பிள்ளை]. From that time the Lord got the name Sri Chellapillai. The Lord became the Son of an ascetic or sanyasi!! Though Swami Ramanuja had no brother or sister, Sri Andal is regarded as his Sister; and now he had acquired a Son also! In many temples, we can see the sketch of Sri Ramanuja with left hand holding Tridhand [த்ரி தண்டம்] and Sri Ramapriya seated on his right lap. The Lord appears to say that He is the Property of Swami Ramanuja. Swami Ramanuja later re-established Sri Ramapriya in the temple. In every festival, Swami Ramanuja accompanies Sri Chellapillai.
Now we will return to Gita study. In sloka 21, the Lord told He was in the groups of Adityas, Maruths, etc. This continues. Sloka 22:

vedanam sama-vedo ’smi
devanam asmi vasavah
indriyanam manas casmi
bhutanam asmi cetana

"Of the Vedas, I am the Sama Veda; of the demigods, I am Indra, the king of heaven; of the senses, I am the mind; and in living beings, I am the living force [consciousness]."

Vedas am = among Vedas, sama veda = Sama Veda, asmi = I [Sri Krishna] am, devanam = among Devas, vasava = Indra, indriyanam = among organs, manas = mind, bhutanam = in living beings, cetana = intellect, asmi = I [Sri Krishna] am. Sama Veda is in music form and with 1000 branches. It seems in Vaikuntam, Sama Veda is chanted always. It does not mean that other Vedas are inferior. When He mentions Devas, do they include lord Brahma and lord Rudra? They are much superior to Indra and so what the Lord means is the Devas in Swarga Loka. Vasava means having vasu [वसु] or wealth. So, the Lord is Indra, possessing vast wealth. Indriyanam means the organs of our body. They are Eleven. Karmendriya or action organs are Five - legs [for walking], hands for doing, mouth for talking, the two organs for excretion of urine and stools. Gyanendriya or knowledge organs are Five - eyes for seeing, tongue for tasting, ears for listening, nose for smelling and skin for touching. The mind is also considered as an organ and so total is Eleven. The mind is the leader among all organs and the Lord says He is mind among organs. With mind one could be in birth cycle or get redeemed and get Moksham. In the living beings with intellect, the Lord says He is the intellect. We should note the difference from the previous Three. They were all in nirdharane sakti, that is one among the group. But here, in the living beings, He is not one among them, but is the intellect in every one of them.

                                                                                               (continued)