Ranganatha Ashtakam by Sri. Adi Sankara

Ranganatha Ashtakam Adi Sankara

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

1.    Swayambhu ( Manifested out His Will)

2.    Worshipped By Brahmma

3.    Has the distinction of Managalasasanam performed by 11 Azhwars

4.    Ishvaku Kula Deivam and worshipped By Lord Rama

5.    Worshipped by Adi Sankara (propagator of Adwaitham)

6.    Worshipped by Sri Bhagavath Ramanuja (propagator of VisishtaAdwaitham)

7.    Worshipped Sri Madhwacharya (propagator of Dwaitham)

8.    Worshipped by Sri Krishna Prabhullapada

9.    Worshipped by the Three Great saints of Carnatic Music

10.Biggest Temple with seven Prakarams and vast acreage of land

11.Worshipped by Vibheeshana ( visits the temple every 12 years)

12.Archavathara Lord broke the silence and spoke to selected Acharyas

13.Requested services of Sri Ramanuja from Kanchi Perarulaalan

14.Listened to Thiruvaaimozhi vyaakyaam, honored Mamunigal with a Thanian

         

We can go on and on.

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

1.    Whose  form is full of bliss and Beautiful

2.    Whose form reflects knowledge and as laid out in Vedic scripts

3.    Who lives on the banks of cauvery and below the Mandhara tree

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

5.    Who is Antharanga in all and Who is worshipped as Mukunda

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

7.    Who is perfect yogic nidra and Who also Sleeps milky ocean

8.    Who Protects Srirangam and lever lets his down his devotees

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

10.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.