Kaamaseekashtakam
Kaamaseekashtakam
Kaamaseekashtakam
Kaamaasikashtakam
With
Sri Manthra Raaja padha sthothram as annexure
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Slokam 9 20
Pey Azhwar’s Tributes 21
Thirumangai Azhwar’s Tributes 23
Sri Manthra Raaja Padha SthOthram 26
Nigamanam 33
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. ïI>.
kamaiskaòkm!
KAAMAASIKAASHTAKAM OF SWAMI DESIKAN
A half mile away in the South Easterly direction of Thuppul (the birth place of Swami
Desikan), lies the Divya Desam of ThiruvELukkai, where Kama Aasikaa Narasimhan
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is the presiding deity. He is also known as Mukunda Nayakan.
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Periya Thirumadal.
At ThiruvELukkai, the Moolavar sits in the middle of the temple tank known as
Kanaka Pushkarini. He is not easily approachable for worship. The Uthsavar and His
Piratti (ThiruvELukkai Valli) are standing under the Kanaka Vimanam. The
Moolavar (Kaamaasikaa Narasimhan) is seated in the Yoga Pose known as Paryanga
Bhandham. The Lord of this Divya Desam got his name Kamaasikaa Narasimhan
because he chose the banks of Vegavathi out of his own desire/sankalpam (Kama) to
be seated (Aasikaa) on the banks of the Vegavathi river. The Tamil name of
ThiruvELukkai follows this Sanskritic nomenclature. The shorter name of vELukkai
stands for vEL Veeru Irukkai. The word VeL relates to the Kama or svath Sankalpam
aspect of the Lord's own desire to sit (Veeru Irukkai) at this Divya Desam. Swami
Desikan says that Narasimhan left Sri Vaikuntam out of His own will and chose to sit
on the sandy banks of Vegavathi at ThiruvELukkai Kshetram.
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VERSE 1: PLACE OF RESIDENCE OF THE WONDOROUS
NARASIMHAN
ïutInam! %Är< -ag< vegvTyaí di][m! ,
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Here Swami Desikan describes the Bhagavaan as “Kascchit Adhbhuta Kesari”.
This incomparable form of the Lord with a Lion's face and human body is indeed
awesome and full of wonders. Hence it is a Adbhuta Kesari (Lion). It is neither Lion
nor man. This Adhbhuta Kesari is celebrated in the last section of the Vedas (i.e) in
the Upanishads as suggested by Swami Desikan through the Choice of Words,
“Srutheenaam Uttaram Bhagam”. He chose out of his own volition the site of
ThiruvELukkai and resides there on the southern bank of Vegavathi river as
indicated by the stotra Vaakyams (Kaamaath Vegavathyaa: Dakshinam cha
Adhivasan). Swami offers his Mangalaasaasanam to this Adbhuta Kesari and hails
him to thrive there (Jeeyaath) in His supreme glory. May this Kamaasika
Narasimhan known for his infallibility in protecting his devotees thrive at
ThiruvELukkai is the prayer of the Acharya.
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VERSE 2: PRAYER FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE THREE
KINDS OF AFFLICTIONS
Swami Desikan reveals to us that Kaamaasikaa Narasimhan has three eyes, which are
in the form of the Sun, Moon and Agni.
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“mukkaNNappan..”
He says that the Lord of this Divya Desam is the essence of the secrets revealed by
Nrusimha Taapaneeya Upanishad. Swami prays for the Lord to banish the three
kinds of Taapas (afflictions) of all of us with His three eyes. The three afflictions are
Aadhyaatmikam (physical ills, fear, anger, desire et al), Aadhi Bhowdikham (Ills
caused by animals and humans) and Aadhi Daivikam (Cold, heat, storms, rains et
al ).
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VERSE 3 : SALUTATIONS TO KANTIRAVAN
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The Lord of ThiruvELukkai has the face of the Lion above his neck and the form of
the ancient Purusha below the neck. I salute that extraordinary form of
Kaamaasikaaa Narasimhan, who destroyed Hiranyan and chose the region on the
banks of Vegavathi for his permanent residence and in that process skipped over the
established glories of Sri Vaikuntam.
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VERSE 4: EULOGY TO NARASIMHAN
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Swami Desikan praises Narasimhan of this Kshethram, who loves to play on the sand
banks of the river Vegavathi. He recognizes the Lord as the kith and kin of all living
beings. He visualizes the Lord as sitting firmly in the Yoga Posture known as
Parynga Bhandham. He also pays his tribute to the Vishama Vilochanam of the Lord.
Vishama Vilochanam can mean both odd numbered eyes (Three here) and the eyes,
which are distinctly different in their attributes (Hot Sun, Cool Moon and resplendent
Agni).
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VERSE 5: PRAYER FOR BLESSINGS TO THE WORLD
In this verse set in the majestic Sarthoola Vikriditham meter to remind one of the
powerful movements of the fast lion chasing Hiranya, Swami Desikan prays to
Kaamaasikaa Narasimhan to bless the people of the world and grant them all their
desired boons (Asaou. Kaamaasikaa Kesari: Asesha Jagathaam kaaman
aatanuthaath). Swami describes the Lord facing west. He sits in Paryangaasanam at
ThiruvELukkai and appears in his Yogic posture giving the impression that He is
ready to teach His devotees the secrets of Yoga that require knowledge about the
firm control of the five vayus (Praanan, Apaanam, Samaanam, Udhaanam and
Vyaanam). He also appears to indicate to them the firm way to control the five
Karmendriyaas and the five Jnanendriyaas as the prerequisite to meditate on Him.
One of the names for Lord Narasimhan is Hrishikesan or the one who has full
control over his Indriyaas. Kamasikaa Narasimhan’s Paryangaasanam (Yoga Pattai
with a belt over his crossed legs and knees) reminds of His Yogaacharya role in
teaching his disciples such as Prahlaada the secrets of Yoga to attain His blessings.
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VERSE 6: PRAYER TO THE LORD'S HANDS FOR
PROTECTION
May the Kaamaasikaa Narasimhan’s hands having the red lustre of the dusk protect
me. Those hands compete with one another to protect the devotee and to destroy the
enemies of the devotee. The shining fingernails of those hands tore apart the chest of
Hiranyan like the ferocious Vajra weapon. At that time, the blood from the heart of
Hiranyan gushed forth and covered the hands of the Lord and gave them the red hue
of the sun at dusk. Those hands were competing with one another to destroy
Hiranyan as well as to comfort the child Bhagavatha Prahlada. May those powerful
hands protect me always!
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VERSE 7: MERCY OF THE LORD EVEN DURING HIS
FEROCIOUS STATE
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Oh Kapata Narasimha! Oh Lord, who did not swerve away from the boons given to
Hiranya and yet hoodwinked him through your avatara features! When You
appeared out of the Pillar in his palace with the frightening swirl of your manes and
ear-shattering roars, your brows were twittering with your mighty anger at Hiranya
for the injustices that he did to your devotee. Even in that state of fury, your lotus
eyes fell with mercy on Prahlaada. Those merciful glances were like the feedings of
divine and invigorating milk to the child Prahlaada. Your limitless compassion to
your devotees became evident then.
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VERSE 8: SARANAGATHI AT THE FEET OF NARASIMHAN
O kaamaasikaa Narasimhaa! You are sarva sakthan. When You are resolved to
protect some one, where is the need to seek the protection of other Gods? When You
are resolved NOT to protect some one, which other God is capable of protecting us?
There is no one. Knowing this fundamental truth, I have resolved to offer my
saranaagathi at your lotus feet alone that rest at the banks of Vegavathi river.
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VERSE 9: PHALA SRUTHI OF THIS ASHTAKAM
May Kaamaasikaa Narasimhan, who is worshipped by the Devaas and who tears
apart the gigantic heap of sins, as if they are opposing elephants, grant all the desired
boons to devotees, who recite these eight slokas on Him composed by Venkatesa
Kavi!
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In this concluding section, let us focus on the tributes of Peyaazhwaar and
Thirumangai Azhwaar to the Kaamaasikaa Narasimhan of ThiruvELukkai Divya
Desam.
Pey Azhwaar, who poured out his Joyous experiences of the Darsanam of the Lord
and Sri Devi at Thirukkovalur through the many verses of the third Thiruvandhaathi.
The 26th, 34th and the sixty-second verses of this illustrious AruLiccheyal of the
Azhwaar offer Mangalaasasanam to the Adbhuta Kesari worshipped as Kaamaasikaa
Narasimhan at ThiruvELukkai.
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TAANKATAVAAR TANDHUZHAAYAAR
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He identifies the three divya desams -- Attigiri (Kanchi), Thiruvenkatam and
ThiruvELukkai-- as the sacred places, which the Lord wearing the cool Tulasi
garlands blesses by His presence. The Azhwaar says that the Archa Murthys of these
three divya desams have not moved away from his mind or from the proximity of the
red-eyed Adiseshan even for a moment. The azhwaar says my mind like the bed of
Adisesha is an eternal place of residence for the Lord of ThiruvELukkai Paadi. The
word Paadi that we see at the end of ThirukkavaLampaadi and ThiruvELukkai Paadi
as in this pasuram refers to a town.
Here Pey Azhwaar engages in a dialog with his mind. He appeals to it to meditate on
the lord of eternal auspicious qualities and bring him forth in the mind’s eye
(Saakshathkaaram). He says: "Oh My mind! The Lord, who destroyed Kamsan
during the time of Incarnation as Krishna and who measured the universes with His
feet during the time of incarnation as Vamana seems to be resting from these tiring
efforts through sitting at Vegavathi bank as Kaamaasikaa Narasimhan and lying
down on Adisesha at Thiru Vekhaa. Oh my Mind! Please meditate on Him and bring
Him before you like we saw him at Thirukkovalur on a rainy night.
Here, Pey Azhwaar pays tribute to the sowlabhyam and Sowseelyam, two of the
Lord's Anantha Kalyana Gunas. The Azhwaar reveals that the Lord of infinite
accessibility to the lowliest and the highest (Sowlabhyam) and limitless virtuous
qualities (Sowseelyam) is resident in the Archa form at Thiru Vinnagar, Thiru
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Vekhaa, Thiru Venkatam known for its beautiful waterfalls and springs,
ThiruvELukkai famous for its tall spires, beautiful Thirukkudanthai, Srirangam with
its honey-laden flowers abundant in the groves and Thirukkotiyur. The key words in
this pasuram are “Tan Kudangai Neererran Thazhvu”. The Lord is the owner of
everything because of His Paratvam.
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“He begged 3 steps of Land from Maha Bali”
Inspite of it, He begged for three steps of Land from Maha Bali and received the
Daanam water on His hands to seal the transaction. Such is His Sowseelyam and
Sowlabhyam says the Azhwaar here.
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Rakshatva and Sowlabhya. She appeals to Him frantically “to come down from His
transcendental kingdom and Height to accept the purest flower of love offering
(Kaamaa Pushpam) even though the love is coming from a being unfit in every sense
to receive such a grace”. Parakala Nayaki offers the KaamAa Pushpam to
Kaamaasikaa Narasimhan and calls Him as VELukkai AaL Lion. She threatens to
mount the Madal, if He does not pay attention to her frantic appeal. The
performance of Madal has been compard to one of the limbs of Saranagathi known as
Kaarpanyam or prostration at the feet of the Lord in a state of utter helplessness and
seeking union with Him.
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SRI NRUSIMHA PARABRAHMANEH NAMA:
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ANNEXURE : MANTHRA RAJA PADA STHOTHRAM
This sthOthram has been composed by Rudran, who is a great Bhakthan of Sri
Nrusimha BhagavAn . In Ahirbudhnya Samhithai, one comes across this beautiful
and moving eulogy of Rudran as SaraNAgathan at the sacred feet of Lord
Narasimhan.
There are many manthrams that are associated with Sri Nrusimhan. The
NrusimhAm anushtup manthram derived from this SthOthram, makes this eulogy
one of the most auspicious and powerful. The words or padhams from the individual
slOkams are integrated together to give us the Manthra Raajam or the King among
the MantrAs .
upadEsam from a SadAchAryan the NrusimhAnushtup manthram will not yield the
desired phalans .
Let us now study the individual slOkams and their simple meanings. Extensive
commentary has been provided by Vaikunta Vaasi GhanapADi Sri MukkUr LakshmI
NarasimhAcchAr Swamy, which have appeared in Sri Nrusimha PriyA journal issues.
The written Text and the MP3 Recording of this sthOthram are available at:
http://www.prapatti.com web site.
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SRI MANTHRA RAAJA PADHA STHOTHRAM
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svERrvXyta< àaÝ< sblaE"m! idte> sutm!
(Meaning): adiyEn salutes the great Veeran, Narasimhan, who tore into shreds the
body of HiraNyakasipu, the son of Dhithy and Kasyapa Muni, with the tip of His
nails. Prior to his destruction at the hands of Lord Narasimhan, HiraNyakasipu had
recieved boons from gods to possess all kinds of powers to assure his indestructibility
(and that could not save him from the wrath of the Lord).
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(Meaning): adiyEn salutes MahA VishNu, who incarnated as the dwarf Vaamanan,
grew into the gigantic Trivikraman and used His three steps to measure and control
the space all the way down to the nether world (PaatALam); afterwards, that
Trivikraman butted into IndhralOkam with His upward shooting head and took
control of the eight directions with His powerful arms.
(Meaning): adiyEn salutes that Supreme effulgence through the power of whose
lustre all the radiant bodies like the Sun, Moon, Stars and Agni shine.
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(Meaning): adiyEn salutes (MahA VishNu), who comprehends always all the entities
every where even if He has no indhriyams of the kind we are familiar with ( He has
suddha satthvamaya ThirumEni). adiyEn salutes that Narasimhan, who has the
power to see in all directions (everywhere).
mhasqm! mhad<òm
+ ! t< n&is<h< nmaMyhm!
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(Meaning): adiyEn salutes Lord Narasimhan with the body like a human and the
head like a Lion with JaDai and manes along with gigantic canine teeth (for HiraNya
Vadham).
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“Veeranrusimhar – Thanjai maamaNikkOil”
(Meaning): adiyEn salutes Sri Narasimhan of fierce form who drives away
the apasmArams (inauspicious beings) like bhUthams, paisAsams, VethALams and
raakshasAs. They run away the moment one thinks about the name of Narasimhan of
bhayankara roopam. All kinds of diseases are also destroyed by the mere thought of
Lord Narasimhan's name.
svae=
R ip y< smaiïTy sklm! ÉÔm! Aîute
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sarvOapi yamm samAsrithya skalam bhadhram asnuthE
(Meaning): adiyEn salutes Lord Narasimhan , who chases away the troubles caused
by the enemies of His bhakthAs, removes the fear about death that is ordained and
rules even over Yama Dharma Raajan in this regard .
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“abhayahastham - Srimatam Mangalagiri nrusimhan”
(Meaning): All bhakthAs surrender to Lord Narasimhan out of their own will.
Similarly, Oh Lord NarasimhA, adiyEn prostrates before You to surrender my
Aathma to acknowledge that adiyEn is Your servant.
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(Meaning): This sthOthram composed by ParamEswaran (Sankaran) with ardour
will yield wealth, sadh-VidhyA and long life for those who recite this sthOthram
containing lofty doctrines at the three sandhyAs of the day.
adiyEn concludes this brief write up with slOkams from Sri Nrusimha ruNa
vimOchana sthOthram and Sri Maangalya Sthavam, which have echoes of Sri
Manthra Raaja Padha SthOthram :
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“SrI mAlOlan”
Daasan,
Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri Sadagopan
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