(Generally, there would be a ‘vision document’ for an organization. The head of the organization would create that document. Periodically, the organization’s status would be made known through a ‘status report’.
This madhurageetham graced by Sri Swamiji feels like the ‘vision’ of the worldwide family beholden to our Govinda. Not only that, this madhurageetham also represents the permanent ‘status’ of us all, who live happily and peacefully by Guru-Hari’s grace.
This series concludes with this episode…)
Here is a nectarine interpretation!
It is said that if we combine the first word and the final word in the works of mahans, we will obtain the entire essence of that grantha. Here is the final verse of this madhurageetham:
Lazily wander, we shall not; gossip, we shall never! With faith in His feet and the Name on our lips, we shall live ever!
The madhurageetham began with the phrase “illaratthil irundhiDuvOm” (We shall live in the household) and now completes with “nAmam solli vAzhndhiDuvOm” (We shall live with the Divine Name on our lips).
This shows beautifully that the status of our family that is beholden to Govinda (Govindanukku aatpatta kudumbam) is that “We shall live in the household happily with the Divine Name on our lips”.
These nine verses illustrate that if we live without running away from responsibilities and with the Divine Name constantly on our lips, other divine qualities will themselves come to us.
Once when our Guru Maharaj was speaking of the charitram of Sri Narada, he quoted what Srimad Bhagavatam says about how Sage Narada lived after obtaining Bhagavan’s darshan.
Chanting the names of the limitless Govinda without hesitation; thinking always of His rupa (form), gunas (divine qualities), and leelas (sports/actions); fulfilling our duties and commands cheerfully; we live with a contented mind without pride or jealousy. The final verse of our madhurageetham beautifully extracts the essence of Bhagavata dharma.
We shall live (vAzhndhiDuvom) by staying away from tamasic lethargy and aimless wandering, eliminating rajasic gossip and discussions, keeping staunch faith towards the sattvic Govinda’s feet, and constantly chanting Govinda’s Divine Names which are no different from Him, which is the final fruit of life. Thus indicating that we have attained the true purpose of life, this is how this madhurageetham culminates.
We are living peacefully in the shelter of a Guru’s feet. The world is going on its own course. But it does not affect us. How immense is our fortune? Apart from singing this madhurageetham again and again; melting in wonder while thinking again and again of our immense fortune; prostrating again and again to our Guru Maharaj’s lotus feet, what else do we need to do? And what else can we do?
Ananthakoti namaskarams to our Guru Maharaj and Sri Premikavaradan on behalf of all of us who are Govindanukku aatpatta kudumbam!
Sri Ramanujamji, disciple of HH Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji Originally published in Tamil Madhuramurali magazine in Chennai
