You are here: SriPedia - Oppiliappan - Archives - Jul 2007

Oppiliappan List Archive: Message 00106 Jul 2007

 
Jul 2007 Indexes ( Date | Thread | Author )
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]


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/
 


[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next] [Date Index ] [Thread Index ] [Author Index ]
Home Page
http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia
oppiliappan-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to the list