srimannarayana108: Parasara Bhatter and Adi Sankara Stotrams on Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Parasara Bhatter and Adi Sankara Stotrams on Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam

Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam is unique in many ways. Lord Ranganatha is

· Swayambhu ( Manifested out His Will)

· Worshipped By Brahmma

· Has the distinction of Managalasasanam performed by 11 Azhwars

· Ishvaku Kula Deivam and worshipped By Lord Rama

· Worshipped by Adi Sankara (propagator of Adwaitham)

· Worshipped by Sri Bhagavath Ramanuja (propagator of VisishtaAdwaitham)

· Worshipped Sri Madhwacharya (propagator of Dwaitham)

· Worshipped by Sri Krishna Prabhullapada

· Worshipped by the Three Great saints of Carnatic Music

· Biggest Temple with seven Prakarams and vast acreage of land

· Worshipped by Vibheeshana ( visits the temple every 12 years)

· Archavathara Lord broke the silence and spoke to selected Acharyas

· Requested services of Sri Ramanuja from Kanchi Perarulaalan.

· Listened to Thiruvaaimozhi vyaakyaam, honored Mamunigal with a Thanian

We can go on and on.

Sri Parasara Bhattar was the foster son of Divya Thampathis of Srirangam. One of his compositions is Sri Ranganatha Stotram. Sri Parsara Bhattar graphically describes Lord Ranganatha as the one who is

· Reclining on Adisesha

· Sleeping is yoga nidra pose

· Under Ranga Vimanam resembiling a lotus bud

· Surrounded by seven Prakarams

· Located between Cauvery and its tributory Kollidam

· His Right hand near His crown

· Pointing His Left hand to his Padams

· Long Eyes

· Wearing Pundarikam

· Smiling face

· Wearing a crown with gems

· Beautiful lips

· His body glitters like sapphire of Indra

Parasara Bhattar, who lived so close to Thiruvarangan, says he would prefer to be born as a street dog serving in Srirangam rather than having the opportunity to drink the nectar or spending time in Deva Loka.

Let us see how Adi Sanakara, who worshipped Lord Ranganatha in Srirangam, enjoys HIS Kalayana Gunams and soundaryam in his Sri Ranganatha Ashtakam.

Adi Sanakara instructs his mind to dwell on Lord Ranaganatha

· Whose form is full of bliss and Beautiful

· Whose form reflects knowledge and as laid out in Vedic scripts

· Who lives on the banks of cauvery and below the Mandhara tree

· Who has Goddess Lakshmi residing in HIM, Who is the abode of Universe

· Who is Antharanga in all and Who is worshipped as Mukunda

· Who was saluted by Brahmma, Vyasa, Sanaka, Devas and entire World

· Who is perfect yogic nidra and Who also Sleeps milky ocean

· Who Protects Srirangam and lever lets his down his devotees

· Who sleeps on Adisesha, Lap of Lakshmi, On Milky Ocean and Banayan Leaf

· Who uses Garuda as vahana, and from HIS feet Ganga emantes

Adi Sanakara concludes that whoever sheds his mortal coil in Srirangam, would escape from the Cycle of Birth and death.

Though Adwaitha and Visitaadwaitha philosophies may be differ but Adi Sankara and Parasara Bhattar agree That Lord Ranganatha is the most compassionate paramatma who is also an antharanga in everyone and Srirangam as the most important Punya Kshetra.