Forgiving goddess http://www.hindu.com/br/2007/07/17/stories/2007071750011500.htm PREMA NANDAKUMAR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SRI BHU STUTI: The Original with the Sanskrit commentary of Tirukudanthai T.S.S. Raghavabhatrachariar, the Tamil commentary of Kidambi M. Rajagopalachariar and the editor, V. N. Vedanta Desikan?s Tamil & English explanation: Pub. by Sri Poundrikapuram Srimad Andavan Ashramam, 43-A/13, Ashramam Road, Srirangam-620006. Rs. 50. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- While this wide Earth sustains life and is altogether unique in all creation, it is strange that the Earth goddess had to wait for Vedanta Desika?s pellucid hymn on her greatness long, long after the Vedic seer indited the Bhu Sukta. Revealing Bhudevi to us as the very image of patience and compassion through 15 mantras, the Vedic prayer is packed with coiled significances. The Vedic term ?Andhoparisati? is used very aptly: ?She exists for Her ignorant children.? Like a mother who shows special concern for her dull child, the Earth goddess gives sustenance for us though we torture her in many ways. All this and more must have churned in the crucible of Desika?s devotional heart resulting in the flow of 33 verses as the Bhu Stuti indicating an immense gratitude. Patience The recitation of this splendid hymn with sincerity and devotion assures the aspirant instantaneous gains. True. But a greater joy is added to the benefits if the devotee understands the hymn. The present volume is a skilled attempt to help the common man comprehend Bhu Stuti?s connotation. All the commentaries in the volume are united in praising Bhudevi?s immense patience and forgiving nature. While the Sanskrit, English and Tamil commentaries keep strictly to the text, the ?easy? Tamil clarification and its English version have all kinds of Puckish interventions that are delightful, though they may not chime in with the serious tenor of the volume. Tirukudanthai Raghavabhatrachariar?s Sanskrit is cloudless and Kidambi Rajagopalachariar is all that a student prays for in getting a text clarified. But V.N. Vedanta Desikan draws us away from the classroom, as it were, and presents an enjoyable monologue. Intercession Sometimes he addresses the goddess and sometimes the embattled human being. But always there is the assurance of Bhudevi?s saving grace: ?Bhoomi intercedes on our behalf. The Lord relents. This is because she has a great influence on Him. She would make Him change His attitude. This is because she can persuade Him. She is so very dear to Him.? Indeed, with her unfailing patience, she always argues the case in our favour! Throughout the hymn Bhudevi is imaged as the consort of Varaha, drawing us quietly to the Varaha charama sloka in which the Lord has said: ?I will remember my devotee and lead him to the Supreme Abode.? Bhu Stuti has also brilliantly conceived images (verse 23) and nature poetry (verse 20) for the lover of sublime poesy. A sheaf of superb photographs that gleam in the crown size layout, make the volume a precious addition to our personal libraries ____________________________________________________________________________________ Get the free Yahoo! toolbar and rest assured with the added security of spyware protection. http://new.toolbar.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/norton/index.php Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Oppiliappan/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Oppiliappan/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:Oppiliappan-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:Oppiliappan-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Oppiliappan-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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