Relishing the Venkatesha Vaibhavam Series
Celebrating the arrival of Sri Aishwarya Srinivasa Perumal in Houston, Sri Ramanujam ji, disciple of Sri Swamiji, is taking us on a journey to His divine abode by reminiscing the greatness of Lord Srinivasa and Venkatachalam, based on the divine work – ‘Divyadesa Vaibhavam’ by Paranur Mahatma Sri Sri Krishnapremi Maharaj. This is an ongoing series filled with immense rasa.
This series is available to listen on our Namadwaar E-Satsang YouTube channel at this playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf2GTja1Pr3P0Yr_AsYTOi9KnzUBlI1sE
We shall now enjoy a few divine droplets from the fourth episode of this series.
Chintayare Srinivasam – Contemplating on the Lord
Yatra or pilgrimage is undertaken predominantly for two Vishnu kshetras. One is the varkari yatra of Pandharpur and another is the pada yatra to Thirumala. As devotees undertake the pada yatra to Thirumala, they continuously chant “Govinda Govinda”. Such pada yathras involve our karma indriyas – legs for walking and our mouth for chanting the names of the Lord. Like the pada yathra, we too are undertaking a ‘bhavuka’ yatra in episode after episode of Sri Venkatesha Vaibhavam. In this bhavuka yathra, we get to relish ‘padam’ (word) after padam and sloka after sloka of Paranur Mahatma, Sri Krishnapremi Maharaj’s Venkatesha Vaibhavam.
When undertaking a yatra, devotees constantly contemplate on Lord Srinivasa. As we listen (or read the article series), we are constantly in the chintana (contemplation) of the Lord. In the Madhurageetham, ‘Chintayare Srinivasam Sada”, Sri Swamiji emphasizes that we need to constantly remember Bhagavan, Srinivasa.
In Vaikunta, Bhagavan is in the state of supreme bliss. Only jnanis and people who have surrendered to Bhagavan can perceive Him in Vaikunta. Leaving this abode of bliss, Bhagavan has instead chosen to descend on Earth exactly in that same divine form (divya swaroopam) that He is present in Vaikunta. He has come down to be in the form of archavatar. ‘tyakta parAnanda vaikunTa vAsam divya swarUpam dInadayALam’
And, how is this divine form of Bhagavan? Bhagavan is standing with a ‘varada hasta’ (hands pointed downwards, forever ready to bestow a boon) and ‘kati hasta’ (hands on his knees), urdhva pundram (upward forehead mark), a crown on His head, prabhai (the arch behind Bhagavan), lotus-like eyes, beautiful nose, lovely lips and mirror-like cheeks where His makara kundala (alligator-shaped earrings) are reflected. Further, He has a conch-like neck where he adorns a variety of garlands, the Mother of the Universe is in His vakshasthala (chest) and He has long hands. One hand is pointing downward and another is on His knees. It appears as though He is saying to us, “If you surrender to me, I will make you sit on my lap as I am your Father”. And, finally Bhagavan’s Lotus Feet which is the source of Mother Ganga and the refuge for all Mahatmas. The Feet that even Lord Brahma and Lord Rudra yearn for!
It is with this divine form that Bhagavan descended from His abode of Bliss only because of His unconditional compassion for us, who have fallen in samsara! (dInadayAlam.) He knows we cannot ascend, so He has compassionately descended to our world.
Further in the kirtan, Sri Swamiji then goes on to describe the qualities of Lord Srinivasa. Sri Swamiji says he is bhavya guNAlayam – the repository of all the virtuous attributes. He is shuddha satva (pure satvika). And, He is the Supreme! Supremacy is known not by the power one wields. It is the sterling qualities one possesses that makes one supreme. Since Bhagavan possesses such sterling qualities, He is Supreme! Once, Bhrigu Muni imprinted His Feet on Bhagavan’s chest. Bhagavan, instead of getting angry or feeling insulted, instead jumped down from His seat and started kneading the feet of Bhrigu Muni and inquired if his feet hurt. Such is the lovely quality of Bhagavan.
This Bhagavan is the one who is shining in the heart of our Sri Swamiji (muraLIdhara hruth sanchAra deepam). What to say of our fortune that this Bhagavan, who is the shining light (deepa) in Sri Swamiji’s heart, has now come in the form of Sri Aishwarya Srinivasa Perumal to North America!
Based on Sri Ramanujamji’s Venkatesha Vaibhavam Series of Discourses
To listen and enjoy the complete episode 4 of Venkatesha Vaibhavam series, please click here – https://youtu.be/k0gInI50DXI
For the complete playlist on YouTube –
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf2GTja1Pr3P0Yr_AsYTOi9KnzUBlI1sE
_____________________________________________________
Click here to go back to the September 2022 newsletter page:
https://godivinity.org/newsletters/nama-dwaar-newsl…r-september-2022/
