In Abhaya Pradhana Saram- there are six components for Vibhishana sharanagati. Trijada also rendered sharanagati for her protection; can her sharanagati also be construed as one to be rendered for salvation?
Vidwan’s reply
Trijada performed sharanagati for protection and not for salvation.
Notes:
The components of Trijada sharanagati were perfect says Swami Desikan in Parikara Vibhaaga adhikaaram of Rahasyatrayasaaram. But she did not perform sharanagati for salvation.
Sri Parasara Bhattar in his elucidation of Sri Vishnu Saharasranamam for the ‘eka pata’ sloka, says that Sri Krishna is half part (amsam) of Sriman Narayana. In the previous sloka, he says that the four-armed Para Vasudeva is incarnated as Kannan. He also expounded that Kannan is the primordial Lord, quoting Gita as a reference. Whose incarnation is Kannan?
Vidwan’s reply
Kannan is the incarnation of the primordial Lord Sriman Narayana. He is also the incarnation of Para Vasudeva.
Notes:
Sri Vishnu Puranam says the avatars of Sri Rama and Sri Krishna are elements (amsam) of Perumal.
In the commentary, when it is said that incarnations are a component, it does not imply only the power related to that component is present in that incarnation.
During his incarnations, Perumal always reveals some of his power and this is what we refer to as component (amsam). Perumal is always omnipotent endowed with auspicious qualities.
Who are the 32 deities that are present along with Sudarshana Azhvar at Srirangam? Swami Desikan had also hailed Jaya Jaya Sree Sudarshana 32 times in his Sudarshana Ashtakam. Please clarify is there a link between the number 32 and Sudarshana Azhwar.
Vidwan’s reply
Sudarshana Azwar, Heteeshwarar, king of all weapons, is gracing by holding 8, 16, 32 weapons.
Some scriptures state that Chakratazhwar can be consecrated with 8, 16, or 32 weapons. Based on this Chakaratazhwar of Srirangam is consecrated with 32 weapons.
Thirty-two deities could be thirty-two deities of Chakaratazhwar’s weapons. Each one of them is Nitya suris, they adorn weapons and render service to Perumal like Sudarshana Azhwar.
It can be inferred that the primary deity Sudarshana Azhwar of Srirangam is surrounded by deities of his weapons.
Notes:
Sudarshana Azhwar is present with eight arms carrying eight weapons to declare that he is the king of all weapons. Number 8 is a characteristic sign.
Number 32 is very special in our tradition. Vedas, Itihasas, and Puranas talk about their greatness.
Hetipungavastavam written by Nadadur Ammal has 32 lines, each line begins with the word Jaya.
Swami Desikan had followed this style and has mentioned Jaya 32 times in his Sudarshanashtakam. Each sloka ends with the word Jaya four times and for eight slokas, it is repeated for a total of 32 times, say our elders.
Why is Sahasranamam called as Vishnu Sahasranamam?
Vidwan’s reply:
Sahasranamam was graced by Sri Bhismar, since he has coined the name Vishnor Nama Sahasram, we call it Vishnu Sahasranamam.
Notes:
Based on Vedas, the name Vishnu is an exalted name of Perumal. The first half (pUrva bhAgam) of Veda while talking about Yaga-s predominantly mentions the name Vishnu from among the divine names of Perumal. This is also the most celebrated name in Veda, we also follow the same.
It is not wrong to chant other hallowed names of Perumal as Andal eulogized “Namam Ayirametha Ninra Narayana”.
Swami, adiyen desires to learn Desika stotra patam and Prabandam. Is there any online group that conducts such classes?
Vidwan’s reply:
It is always better to learn Desika stotra patam in Sandhai form (recital by the student following the Guru). There are many online platforms available.
Notes:
GSPK offers specifically Desika stotra patam in Sandhai format. Follow this link provided to join their classes. Install Telegram app and click the link given to access details.
https://t.me/dgspk
https://t.me/gspkstotras
https://t.me/sampradayamanjari
To learn stotra as per convenience click the YouTube link given below.
https://www.youtube.com/c/SampradayaManjari/playlists
Ramanujaya Nama: Adiyen, what is the difference between ‘Adaikalam Nan Pugundene’ and ‘Adikizh Amarndu Pugundene’? Can it be interpreted that Perumal at Thirumalai and Kachi is the sole refuge?
Vidwan’s reply:
These two lines denote that Emeperuman is the sole refuge and me being an utter destitute(Akinchanyan), seek His refuge alone.
Notes:
It should be understood that Namazhvar sought refuge unto Lord Thirumalaiappan (Adikizh Amarndu Pugundene) and Swami Desikan surrendered unto the Lord Devadirajan of Vezhamalai (Adaikalam Nan Pugundene).
