| Vedanta Spiritual Library |
Sri Pada Saptati
By Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri
Translation and Commentary by P.R. Kannan
SRIMUKHAM
By Jagadguru Sankaracharya Swamiji of Kanchi Kamakoti Matham,
Kanchipuram
Date: 5.9.2003
Within the sacred land of Bharat, in the part of Kerala, even more sanctified by
the incarnation of Adi Sankara Bhagavatpada, the celebrated poet, Sri Narayana
Bhattatri sang in detail all the beautiful sport of Lord Krishna, right from His
childhood. Sri Guruvayurappan nodded His head every time in appreciation. The
book written by Sri Narayana Bhattadri is widely acclaimed as Sri Narayaneeyam.
Sri Narayana Bhattatri has enjoyed and sung in 70 verses the glories of the
Lotus Feet of the Divine Mother, Para Sakthi in his book, Sri Pada Saptati.
Kannan, the resident of New Mumbai, translated this work in Tamil, based on the
'Malika' commentary of Muriyil Narayanan Nambisan and his book was published
earlier by Sri Bhagavannama Publications.
Kannan has now written a detailed explanation of Sri Pada Saptati in English at
the request of friends. His explanation of each verse with supporting quotations
from works like Soundaryalahari, Mooka Panchasati, Devi Bhagavatam, Durga
Saptasati etc. is praiseworthy. We bless that all the people, with the help of
this book, should worship the Divine Feet of Mother, receive auspicious
benedictions and live happily and prosperously. We also bless the commentator
that he should continue to write many more explanatory works, thus serving the
public and attain all happiness and bliss.
Narayana Smriti
SRI PADA SAPTATI
Sri Melpattur Narayana Bhattatri is the celebrated author of Narayaneeyam, a
devotional poem of about 1000 verses in soulful praise of Lord Krishna, the god
of Guruvayur in Kerala. This epic poem epitomises the essence of Srimad
Bhagavatham and it is believed that Krishna nodded his head in appreciation at
the end of each chapter and also gave him special Darshan on important
occasions. Bhattatri found at the end that he was cured of his ailment in foot,
which had tormented him for long. He however longed for peace of mind and Bliss
that still eluded him. Tradition has it that the lord of Guruvayur appeared in
his dream and directed him to a place called Mukthisthala (near Guruvayur) and
to worship Devi Durga. Bhattatri, upon Darshan of the Goddess, burst out in 70
moving verses in praise of Devi's Holy Feet, entitled SRIPADA SAPTATI. It is
said that he was blessed with beatitude and spent his last days at Her Feet and
attained liberation.
In SRIPADA SAPTATI, Sri Narayana Bhattatri takes the reader to great heights of
Sanskrit poetry and devotion. His description of Devi's bounty of Grace is
exquisite and elevating. The versatile scholar of Sanskrit grammar that he was,
no figure of speech or embellishment misses him. He dwells with a lot of imagery
on the incomparable beauty of the Holy Feet, the divine child-sport of Parvati
in the Himalayas, Her marriage with Siva, their love and feigned anger,
destruction of Mahishasura and Sumbha, worship of Brahma, Vishnu, Siva, Indra
and the other Dikpalakas at Devi's Feet and, above all, Devi's benevolence to
Her devotees. The tradition of worshipping the Feet (Pada Puja) of divinities
and Gurus has been very strong in our Sanatana Dharma. It is believed that the
Sripadas are ever full of mercy, compassion and munificence and bless the
devotee without weighing his qualifications as Devi would. A free translation in
English of the verses with explanation is now presented.
DHYANA SLOKA:
Dakshadha: karapallave lasadasim dakshordhwage sulinim
Vamordhwe phalakojvalam katitata-nyastanya hastambujam |
Sulagrahata kasarasura-sironishtham prahrushtam surair-
Jushtam-ishta-varapradam Bhagavatim Muktisthalastham bhaje ||
I worship Bhagavathi, residing in Mukthisthala; who possesses a shining sword in
Her lower right hand, resembling a tender creeper; the trident in the upper
right hand; a brilliant shield in the upper left hand; the other left hand,
which is (like) lotus, poised on the waist; directing the end of the trident on
the broken head of Mahishasura; worshipped by Devas; the giver of desired boons.
Sri Narayana Bhattatri brings out in this initial verse the graphic description
of the image of Bhagavathi Durga at Mukthisthala for the reader to fix his mind.
Here he adds two important points: one, She is worshipped by Devas. The powerful
Devas, vanquished at the hands of the demon Mahishasura, propitiated Devi and
begged Her to eliminate their mortal enemy. Devi fulfilled their wish and Devas
fell at Her Feet and praised Her Grace. The second point is that Devi is ever
eager to grant the wishes of any devotee, who surrenders to Her. It is not just
Devas, who are the recipients of Her unlimited bounty, but anyone who submits to
Her for help.
1.
Yat samvahana-lobhina: Sasikala-chudasya hastambuja-
Sparsenapi cha lohitayati muhus-tvatpada-pankeruham |
Tenaivodhara-kasarasura-sira-sringagra-sanchurnana-
Prachandyam tadanushthitam kilam katham Muktisthalasthe Sive ||
Mangalambike (Auspicious one), residing at Mukthisthalam! Greatly desirous of
lifting your Lotus Foot with His Lotus Hand, Sri Parameswara, whose head is
adorned by the Kala of the moon, touches your Sripada, which instantly turns
reddish. With the same (tender) foot, You fiercely pulverised the head of
Mahishasura, whose body was bigger than a mountain. How was it possible?
The reference is to Durga, who resides at a place in Kerala called Mukthisthalam
(now known as Mukkolakka), where the poet Sri Narayana Bhattadri prayed in his
last days and attained Mukthi, i. e. liberation. Mukthisthalam also symbolises
the cleansed hearts of great Yogis, ripe for Mukthi. Further it also refers to
the fact that Mukthi results on removal of Avidya (or Maya) and attainment of
Vidya. Devi is the embodiment of Vidya and hence the only source of Mukthi.
The simultaneous expression of the opposite qualities of tenderness and hardness
of Devi's Lotus feet is beautifully brought out by the poet devotee. This is
indicative of Devi's Grace, which at once protects the good and Her fierceness
which destroys the evil.
In Durga Sapthasathi, we find in the Devas' prayer to Devi after the killing of
Mahishasura, a similar expression:
Ya Sri: svayam sukritinam bhavaneshv-Alakshmi:
Papatmanam …………… (4:5)
Devi, who resides as Lakshmi Herself in the homes of the good, becomes Alakshmi
in the homes of the wicked.
2.
Tvat-padam nijamastake ghatayitum loke na ke ke jana:
Kim kim narachayanti duschara-tapascharya-saparyadikam |
Manye dhanyatamam tu Devi Mahisham vairasthayaiva tvaya
Yanmurdhni svayameva patakaharam padambujam patitam ||
Devi! For resting your Sri Pada on their heads, people of all sorts (including
Devas, Yakshas, Gandharvas etc.) in the three worlds resort to extremely
difficult austerities, poojas etc. However, Mahishasura, I think, was the most
fortunate. Though he harboured enmity towards You, Your lotus Sripada, which
destroys all sins, was kept on his head, on your own.
Durga Sapthasathi says:
Chitre kripa samara nishthurata cha drushta
Tvayyeva Devi varade bhuvana-trayepi | (4:22)
Oh! Giver of Boons! In the three worlds, it is only in You, that we find Mercy
(in the mind) while, (at the same time) showing ruthlessness in battle.
3.
Tvat-padambujam-arpitam kva nu Sive kim nu trayi-mastake
Nityam tatva-vichara-datta-manasam chitrambujagreshu va |
Kim va tvat-pranaya-prakopa-vinaman-Marari-moulisthale
Kim protkhanditha ghora-sairibha-mahadaityendra-murdhantare ||
Mangalambike (Auspicious one)! Where are your lotus feet? Are they in the
pinnacle of the (three) Vedas? Or are they in the lotus hearts of the Yogis,
whose thoughts are always immersed in the Ultimate Truth? Or are they on the
head of Siva, the enemy of Manmatha, when He prostrates in order to pacify You
after a quarrel (of love)? Or on the decapitated head of the terrible
Mahishasura?
The pinnacle of the Vedas is regarded as the Upanishads or the Omkara.
In Soundaryalahari, Sankaracharya says:
Srutinam murdhano dadhati tava you sekarataya
mamapyetou Matha: sirasi dayaya dehi charanou | (84)
Mother! Please rest your feet on my head out of compassion, the Feet, whom the
Upanishads, the pinnacle of Vedas, have as their crest-jewel.
4.
Tvat-padanchala-rupa-kalpalatika-bala-pravala-dvayam
Ye tavat kalayanti jatu sirasa namrena kamrojjvalam |
Teshameva hi Devi nandanavana-kridasu labhyam padam
Svarli-taruna-pravala-bharanam sevnurupam phalam ||
Devi! The front of your Sripada is beautiful and lustrous. It resembles the
tender creeper of the Kalpaka tree (of Heaven). Those who prostrate at your feet
happen to play in the beautiful gardens of heaven and pick up the tender shoots
of the Kalpaka tree there. The fruit is in accordance with the service.
Those who wish for the pleasures of heaven go to heaven. Those who pray for
liberation are blessed with Moksha. This is the Mercy of Sripada.
Durga Sapthasathi concludes with the narration of how Suratha, the king, prayed
to Devi for uninterrupted kingship in his next birth and how Samadhi, the Vaisya,
prayed for Gnanam, free from the sense of I and Mine. Devi granted the king not
only his wishes but made him the next Manu named Savarni. The Vaisya was blessed
with the Supreme Knowledge.
Savarniko nama Manur-bhavan bhuvi bhavishyati | (13:23)
Tam prayachchami samsidhyai tava gnanam bhavishyati | (13:25)
5.
Dhavalyam parilalyate Puraripor-angena tungasriya
Kincha syamalimapi komalatare bhatyeva gatre Hare: |
Tattadruk-padaveem mamapi janayed-astoka-sevarasat
Arunyam tava liyate charanayo: karunyamurthe Sive ||
Embodiment of Compassion! Auspicious One! The white colour shines with the
splendour of the body of Siva. The black colour similarly shines with the tender
beauty of the body of Vishnu. The red colour serves so well at your Feet with
enthusiasm with prayer for a similar status and then merges at your feet.
The idea is that the red colour has been serving your Feet in the form of
beautiful coatings and finally becomes one with the Feet themselves. Devi's body
and Feet are red coloured. Red colour, thus, excels the other two colours -
white and black.
Another interpretation could be that since I, the devotee, am holding your
Sripada tightly the natural red colour of your Feet disappears i.e. merges,
knowing that you are going to grant me the status of Siva or Vishnu.
Devi Bhagavatham narrates the story of an unlettered Brahmin, Satyavratha, by
name, who always spoke the truth. Unknowingly, he happened to utter Devi's
mystic syllable, Beejakshara Aim on an occasion. Devi made him an unparalleled
scholar and poet like Valmiki. Such is Her Grace.
Bijochcharanato Devya vidya prasphutitha-akhila
Valmeekascha yatha purvam tatha sa hyabhavat-kavi: | (3:11:39)
6.
Arunyam tadidam tvadiya-padayor-abhathi tat kechana
Prahus-tunga-nithamba-bharabharana-klantya kilopagatham |
Anye mahishamurdha-peshamilitham rakthadravam manvathe
Manyeham tu natheshu sandram-anurag-odgaramevanayo: ||
Sankari! How does this red colour shine so well in Your Feet? Some say that it
is due to the Sripada's difficulty in bearing the heavy weight of your hips.
Some others say that when you set your Feet on Mahishasura, his blood stuck on.
However, I consider that the red colour is the outpouring of the great love that
your Feet have for the devotees who prostrate.
Bhaattatri poetically rejects mundane explanations for the deep red colour of
Devi's Feet. He asserts that just as the Chandrakantha stone starts melting at
contact with the rays of the moon, Devi's Feet start overflowing with affection
on contact with Her devotees.
Sankaracharya says in Soundaryalahari:
Bhayat tratum datum phalamapi cha vanchasamadhikam
Saranye lokanam tava hi charanaveva nipunou | (4)
Refuge of the Worlds! Your Feet alone are experts in protecting your devotees
from fear and granting them fruit greater than desired.
7.
Prahu: Padmasamasrayam sathadhrutim tvatpadapadmasrayat
Anthastvatpada-padmavikshanavasat Krishnopi padmekshana: |
Yatpadmarchanam-amananthi sudhiyo daridrya-vidravanam
Muktikshetragathe Bhavani tadapi tvatpada-sammarchanam ||
Bhavani (Devi of Bhava i.e. Siva) residing in Mukthikshetra! The wise call
Brahma as 'Padmasraya' i.e. having taken refuge in lotus as He is a devotee of
your lotus feet (and not because He is seated on a lotus). Krishna is called 'Padmekshana'
i.e. having eyes of lotus, as he is constantly looking with his inner eyes at
your lotus Feet ( and not because His eyes look like lotus petal). Worship of
Devi for driving away poverty is regarded by the wise as Padmarchanam i.e.
praise of Padma as it is indeed worship of your lotus Feet (and not worship of
Padma, i.e. Goddess Lakshmi).
Brahma, Vishnu, Lakshmi and all the Gods, who are possessed of powers to bless
people, derive this power from their worship of Devi's Feet alone. Sri Narayana
Bhattatri again poetically rejects the commonly understood meanings of words and
bestows special meaning, linking them to the great powers of Devi's lotus Feet.
In the very first verse of Soundaryalahari, Sankaracharya says:
Tvam aradhyam Harihara Virinchadibhirapi | (1)
You, whom, even Vishnu, Siva and Brahma worship.
It is also interesting to note that through the medium of the three Gods, the
three main acclaimed paths of reaching Devi are indicated namely Refuge (Bhakthi),
having darshan in mind (Gnanam), Archana (Karma). All these paths lead to the
Grace of Sripada.
8.
Padam te sarasiruha-druhamimam yat sevathe Padmabhu:
Nunam tat svanivasa-pankajavara-srilanghanasankaya |
Govindopi cha varirasi-duhitur-vasabja-badhabhiya
Svasyaivagra-karodgruhita-kamala-tranabhilashena va ||
Devi! Brahma, born out of lotus, worships your Feet which are hostile to (i.e.surpass)
the lotus flower. Is it due to His apprehension that the splendour of His own
lotus seat will be outshone? Does Govinda worship your Sripada because of His
fear that the lotus seat of Lakshmi, the daughter of the Ocean, will lose its
sheen? Or is it for protecting the beauty of the lotus flower He is holding in
His right hand?
Though Devi's Sripadas are capable of hurting the glory of the three above
mentioned famed lotuses, they, out of mercy for the devotee, not only refrain
from doing so; but bless them with greater brilliance.
Further, it is clear that Devi blesses even those who approach her only for
preserving their possessions or for release from worldly difficulties. Lord
Krishna calls such people as Aartha (sufferers) in Gita and commends them along
with the other devotees including jignasu (one with thirst for knowledge),
arthaarthi (one who wishes for possession) and gnani (man of knowledge). (7:16)
9.
Sevanthe kulasampade nakhamaya: sitamsavas-tvatpadam
Tatpako nanu vikshyate hi nitara-manyeshu sitamsushu |
Eko balaka eva moulimayi te yato lalatamatam
Anyo nirmala-ganda-mandaladasa-manyou tu dhanyou gatou ||
Mother! The fingernails of your Sripada are indeed moons and they worship at
your Feet for (being blessed for) the glory of their lineage. The fruit of such
worship is distinctly seen in the other moons; one child moon decorates Your
head; Another moon became Your forehead. Two other fortunate moons became Your
ever pure cheeks.
Devi, out of benign compassion for the worshipper, blesses the entire family of
his ancestors and descendants. Even a young child of a moon, She put on Her head
as an ornament. Such is Her benevolence.
Soundaryalahari says:
Lalatam lavanya dyuti vimala-mabhati tava yat
Dvitiyam tanmanye makutaghatitham chandrasakalam | (46)
Your shining, ever pure, beautiful forehead-moon appears to be complementary to
the crescent, which decorates your head like a crown.
Lalithasahasranamam also says:
Ashtami-chandra vibhraja dalikasthala sobhitha | (5)
Your forehead shines as if it were the moon of the 8th day.
10.
Ghoram pada-sahasrakam prakatayan-nasasu bhasam pathi:
Dhwantham no punarantaram samayithum saknothi Sailatmaje |
Tvatpada-dvithayena komalatarenanena chetha: sprusa
Janthunam bahirantha-randhatamasam krunthas-yanantham Sive ||
Himavan's daughter! The brilliant sun, who spreads his powerful shining rays in
thousands in different directions is still unable to remove the internal
darkness (ignorance- Avidya) of beings. But with Your very soft (lotus) Feet
touching the very base of the mind, you root out the terrible external and
internal darkness present in beings.
The external darkness in beings is the tendency to associate the self with the
body, mind and intellect, to see the things of the world as other than one's own
self and in turn develop attachment to them. The internal darkness is the
inability to see Devi's feet as the Self, as the source of all light, knowledge,
action and enjoyment. By praying at Devi's Feet the devotee is blessed with
Gnana, the Ultimate Knowledge.
In Soundaryalahari, Sankaracharya says:
Avidyanam anthastimira mihira-dwipanagari
Jadanam chaitanya-sthabaka makaranda sruthijhari | (3)
Devi! The dust of Your Sripada is like the rising Sun's city, which drives away
the dense, dark inner space of Avidya of the devotees. For the ignorant, it is
like the pollen which spreads from the flowers of the Kalpaka tree i.e. Gnana.
11.
Sury-endv-agni-sameeranadi sakala-svarvasina-munmada:
Sarvanyeva padani yo mathithavan durvara-souryoshmana |
Tam ghoram mahishasuram nija-padena-ikena sammrudnati
Yatvam pratyakrutas-thatha: kimaparam tvad-vaibhavam brumahe ||
Devi, Mahishasura drove away Surya, Agni, Vayu and all other Devas inhabiting
the Swargaloka from their positions by the power of his unbeaten valour. You
vanquished such a terrible Asura by using only one Foot of yours and thus
avenged his misdeed. More than this, which other glory should we talk about?
The term 'Pada' of Devas means not only their position but also their place,
their enjoyments like Kalpaka tree etc and even the cosmic order. All these were
taken away and changed beyond recognition by Mahishasura. This verse brings out
Devi's eagerness in swiftly getting rid of the enemies of the devotees, the
Devas as well as the ease with which She, being omnipotent, carries this out.
In Durga Sapthasathi, Devas in praise of Devi, after the killing of the demon
Mahishasura say:
Kenopama bhavatu thesya parakramasya | (4:22)
What can stand comparison with your valour?
12.
Ekam vamatayeiva dakshinatayeiv-anyat padam dehinam
Khyatam Muktipuradhivasini Sive chitram tvayi tvidrusam |
Anamreshu janesh-vabhishta-karane padavubhou dakshina-
vanamre tu kritagasi smarahare Vamakshi vamavubhou ||
Dweller of Mukthipura! Auspicious one! It is well known that everyone has two
feet, one right (Dakshina) and the other left (Vama), but in your case it is
peculiar.
Beautiful eyed one! When devotees prostrate, both Your Feet become Dakshina,
i.e. munificent in fulfilling their desires. But when Siva, the Destroyer of
Manmatha, prostrates in order to atone for some feigned offence (of love), both
your feet become Vama, i.e. crooked, unwilling to grant His desire.
The poet brings out the abundance of Devi's Grace to Her devotees through
beautiful pun in words, vama and dakshina.
In Mookapanchasathi, Mookakavi says:
Asulabha-pradanat dinanam amarataru dourbhagya-jananim | (2:60)
Devi's Feet grant the poor devotees things beyond their imagination and thus
defame the heavenly Kalpaka tree.
13.
Anamrasya Puradruha: sirasi the padabjapatha: Sive
Jiyadyena babhuva pankajavathi mouli-sravanthi kshanam |
Kinchodanchita-balapallavavathi jatha jatavallari
Lakshapada-vasena sandhya-sushama-sandra cha chandri kala ||
Devi! When Siva, the annihilator of Tripuras, prostrates at your Feet (due to
feigned mistake committed by Him in love), Your Feet hit His head. Long live
this sight! The river Ganga in the head of Siva came to be decorated with (red)
lotus for a second. The matted locks in His head (which are generally dry) shone
with tender sprouts (the fingers of your lotus feet). The crescent moon shone
with greater lustre than at dusk against the background of the red lac (of your
Feet).
Devi's divine sport is ever beautiful.
Mookapanchasathi says:
Yayo: sandhyam rochi: satatam arunimne spruhayate
Yayos-chandri kanthi: paripathathi drushtva nakha-ruchim | (2:23)
The evening red light always longs for the shine of your red Feet. The lustre of
the moon drops away on seeing the splendour of the nails in your Feet.
14.
Drushtva ratrishu chandrapada-janitham pathoruhanam vyatham
Devi tvam karun-akuleva kurushe tadvaira-niryathanam |
Mananamra-Mahesa-moulivalabhi-vasasya sitatvisho
Nityam pankajapada-ghata-janitha badha yad-adhiyate ||
Devi! During the nights, the lotus flowers suffer due to the rays of the moon.
Out of compassion for lotus, you take revenge on the moon when Siva prostrates
(in order to pacify you after a loving quarrel). The moon, which lives in the
head of Siva, is made to suffer by the attack of the lotus Feet of yours.
Mookakavi enjoys the grandeur of Devi's feet in Mookapanchasathi:
Tava trastham padat kisalayam aranyantaram agat
Param rekharupam kamalam amumev-asritham abhut |
Jithanam Kamakshi dvitayamapi yuktham paribhave
Videse vasova saranagamanam va nijaripo: (2:85) ||
Kamakshi! The tender sprout (of plants), afraid of your Feet, went away to the
forest; lotus flower took refuge in your Feet in the form of Rekha (lines). When
the defeated persons feel ashamed, it is but proper that they go out of the
country or take refuge with their own enemy.
15.
Sambhrantis-tava Devi sa vijayathe mana-vanamre Sive
Tvat-padamburuha-prahara-mudithe mandam samuththayini |
Laksharaga-rasarunam nipathitham gangapayas-seekaram
Drushtva sonitha-sankaya taralitha kantham yad-alambatha: ||
When Siva prostrates and then slowly gets up, being pleased with the aggression
of Your lotus Feet, You notice droplets of the water of Ganga, dropping from His
head, red-coloured due to contact with the red lac of your Feet. Confusing these
droplets as blood drops, You embrace Your beloved (as an act of apology for over
reaction). Long live that confusion.
Devi's anger towards Her devotees does not last long. She is ever full of mercy
and compassion, ever ready to forgive man's sins. She only waits for man to lay
aside his ego and take refuge at Her Feet.
Sankaracharya says in Devyaparadha Kshamapana Stotram:
Jagadamba vichitram-atra kim paripurna karunasthi chen-mayi
Aparadha-parampar-avrutham na hi Mata samupekshate sutam | (11)
Mother of the worlds! If Your full Grace is on me, what is strange about it?
Even if the son has committed series of mistakes, the mother does not neglect
him.
| Page 1 of 5 Next » Last »» Pages: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
|
|
|
|