Hamsa Sandesha
Hamsa Sandesha
Hamsa Sandesha
hamsa_sandesa
Introduction
Slokas
Commentary
Further Reading: External Links
Introduction
I want to share with you the tribute that Swami Desikan paid to Sri
Ranganatha through one of his Kavyams known as Hamsa sandesam. The other
Kavyams of Swami Desikan are : Subhashitaneevi, Yadavaabhudhyam and
Padhuka Sahasram .
Sri Rama points out the landmarks that the hamsam will fly over in its
southward journey. In this Kavyam, we get a glimpse of the Sarva Tantra
Swatantrar"s extraordinary knowledge about the geography of Bharata Desam
TEERTHAIRANYAIRAPI PARIGATHAAM
SUDDHIHETOH SAMANTHAATH I
CHANDROLLAASAPRATHITA YASASA:
SAMPATAM PUSHKARINYAA: II
Sri Rama says that you(hamsam ) will see the holy Pushkarani , which will
have the beautiful lustre of the Moon and you will recognize its holiness
by the fact that many theerthams (waters) are resting next to this
Pushkarani to attain holiness for themselves by situating themselves in
the proximity of the Chandra Pushkarani. You will also witnesss the
richness and sampath associated with Chandra Pusharani all around it. The
prosperity or the Eiswaryam that he has in mind is described by him in the
next verse:
Sri Rama says to the hamsam that it will see on the banks of Cauveri, the
Sesha Peetam that is worshipped from time immemorial by the Yogis and
Bhagavathaas. He asks the hamsam to bow deeply before the Sesha Peetam.
Sri Rama reveals to the hamsam that sacred site will be the future site of
Sri Ranganatha"s Pranava Vimanam with Para Vasudeva at its crest .
At this point, Sri Rama reminesces about the Aprameya Swaroopam that is
resting under the Sri Ranga Vimanam that he worshipped every day at
Ayodhyaa. His thoughts now return to his capital , while he is talking to
the hamsam at the pool side in Dandakaaranyam. Overcome by the thought of
the beauty of Sri Rangaatha, Sri Rama says that His family heirloom is
visible as a Superior , matchless emerlad gem enshrined on the holy seat
on top of the Sesha Peetam. The sloka celebrating Sri Ranganatha"s glory
is as follows:
Her Rama reveals that the Sesha Peetam is made up of Suddha Sattvam ,
free from the trigunaas. On top of that Sesha Peetam , Lord Ranganatha
emerged as the Svyam Vyaktha (self-manifest ) Mahaa Purusha . He appeared
there of his own volition. There, He is resting on Adi Sesha and is
placing His head on his right hand, while looking at Maha Lakshmi,
worshipped at this Kshetram as Sri Ranga Nayaki. The describtion of the
land marks continue and includes Kshethrams like ThiruveLLarai as he
points the road map to the attentive Hamsam. The Kavyam ends with Rama"s
blessings to the hamsam for undertaking such an important journey.
He says: " one of the several important purposes with which Lord Sri
Venkatanatha of the seven hills (Tirupathi ) came into the world as
Thuppul Venkatanatha (Vedanta Desika ) is to lift poetry from the mire of
mere eroticism (sensous Sringara ) into which it had sunk. Even as Acharya
Ramanuja lifted up Para Brahman (ultimate Godhead) from the mire of the
school of Kapardi (Kapardi Mata-Kardamam ---Para Brahmanah Kara Graha
Vichakshano Jayati Lakshmana Ayam Muni: --Yatiraja Sapthati Sloka 38) ,
Vedanta Desika redeemed the great poetic muse from Vulgarity(Commonness).
This same Acharya has referred to how the Alwars had sublimated Sringara
into Bhakti .At the hands of the Alwars, Sringara blossomed into Bhakti
,when their great Bhakti found expression in the language of love (Vide:
Bhakti : Srungaara Vrutthya PariNamathi nad Bhaktim NijAm pranaya
BhavanaYaa: ) .
Sita Devi"s appraisements and estimate of Rama can be seen in great detail
in the Sundara Khandam (chapter 36 onwards ). Valmiki, however , does
not place before us to the same extent ,Rama's estimate and evaluation of
Sita, which we are left to gather from His ravings and periodical
outbursts of anger and depression at separation from His beloved. Sri
Vedanta Desika ,however , makes his Rama speak at length on the beauty ,
righteousness and excellent qualities of head and heart of Sita.
" But, by far the greatest acheivement of Desika in this kavyam is the
praise of the lovely EmperumaanArs of the various Divya Desas.Desika"s
great attachment to the Archa forms of the Lords that preside over the
several shrines is revealed to us by the excellent stotras in praise of
Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam, Lord Srinivasa of Thiruvenkatam, Lord
Varadaraja of Kanchipuram , Lord Sundararaja of Thirumalirumccholai and
Lord Semthaamarai Kannan of ThiruveLLarai . These five Archa Murthys have
captured the raptourous attention of Swami Desikan and captivated his
love-lorn mind. Not content with his own praise in other slokas and
Prabhandhams, Desika struck on a very fine idea for effectively
establishing the greatness and glory of Archaavataaras in his Hamsa
Sandesam.
Rama noted for His own exquisite beauty (Atheeva Priyadarsanam ) is made
to praise ,nay, wonder at the beauty of several Archa forms. Only a
Sarva Tantra Svatantrar can think of eulogizing Archavataara and establish
its greatness and glory through a Vibhavavataara Emperumaan. The first
Aaswasa is full of praise for the Divya Desa Archa Murthys . The Second
Aaswasa shows to us the intensity of Rama's love towards Sita.
Slokas
Commentary