Page 36 - Bhakthinivedana 2012 January English Magazine.pmd
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This incident shows Ra:ma:nuja’s dedication and “If Namma:lwa:r is the mother by birth for
subservience towards Namma:lwa:r. Thiruvaimoli, then Ra:ma:nuja is its foster mother. “
Namma:lwa:r is also known as Para:nkusa. So what Hence all the a:cha:ryas described Ra:ma:nuja
does para mean? as the feet of Namma:lwa:r and said –
“sri:ma:dhava:nghri jalajadvaya nithya se:va pre:ma
Paras are those who falsely proclaim that God
vila:saya”
is devoid of any qualities and form. They do not
accept the concept of a Supreme Soul. To such Namma:lwa:r always possessed an attitude of
paras, Namma:lwa:r is like an amkusa – a spear. subservience towards the divine, lotus feet of the
Hence he is known as Para:nkusa. There is yet Lord. He wanted the service to the Lord to last
another meaning for Para:nkusa which is as follows eternally.
In one his songs, Namma:lwa:r says, “ojivil
Just like how a spear (amkusa) is used to subjugate
ka:lamella:m udana:y manni”, which means he
an intoxicated elephant, Namma:lwa:r too, with his
requests TIME to allow him to serve the Lord
spears of knowledge, devotion and detachment,
at all times, in the past, present and in the
beguiled the Lord towards him!! Para:nkusa
future! In the same song he also says, “adiymai
disputed the false arguments of the opponents and
seyyuve:ndumna:m”, which means he wished to
preached in his songs that, mayarvara madinalam
humbly serve the Lord in His presence.
arulinan yavanavan – The Lord, who grants
devotion devoid of any deficiencies like ignorance, Namma:lwa:r wanted the Lord to always be
is a Supreme Being full of infinite, auspicious with the Mother. Hence he praised the Lord as
qualities preeminently existing in an idol form. Such Sri: Ma:dhava:nghri. Ma:dhava which means
tremendous love & faith of Namma:lwa:r pleased the husband of Lakshmi:de:vi. The prefix Sri: is
and allured the Lord towards Para:nkusa. a distinguishing attribute for the Lord. Everyone
in the world wants to possess Lakshmi:(Sri:). But
A mahout subdues an elephant with his spears to
Lakshmi:de:vi wishes to possess the Lord. Hence the
make the elephant obedient. He gives everyone
Lord became a Lakshmi: of Lakshmi:de:vi.
a ride on the elephant. Similarly our a:lwa:r,
with his spears of knowledge and firm devotion, If the Lord is with Lakshmi:de:vi , He becomes
pleased the Lord and made us - we who are full a protector, instead of a punisher of our sins!
of faults, to receive His grace. He is a supreme He, becomes One with excellent qualities of
a:cha:rya who united the sentient soul with the va:thsalyam , saulabhyam and sausi:lyam who
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Lord. Ra:ma:nuja had great devotion towards shall gladly accept our faults! Hence He is known as
Namma:lwa:r. Ra:ma:nuja got commentaries written Ma:dhava - the One who has the Mother with Him
for Namma:lwa:r’s magnum opus Thiruvaimoli and and since He possess such great qualities, He is
arranged for its protection. known as Sri: Ma:dhava.
“i:nramudaltha:y satthago:pan, moyimpa:l valartha
Continued on Pg 39...
idaththa:y ira:ma:nusan”
36 Bhakthinivedana • Jan 2012
