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Sri Venkateswara Ashtotthram |
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50) Sankha Chakra varaanamra
lasath-karatalaaya SrI VenkatEsaaya nama:
Salutations to Lord Venkatesa ,
whose ( tender ) hands are slightly bent from carrying always (the heavy)
conch( paanchajanyam)
and (fiery) Chakram ( Sudarsanam) !
The significance of the weapons in the hands of
the Lord
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This tirunama indicates the
beautiful postures and adornments sported by the Lord's four arms and palms,
indicating His endearing and imposing traits of Soulabhyam (
accessiblity) and Paratvam (Supremacy).
The Lord's upper arms hold the
magnificent Conch Paanchajanya and the Sudarsana Chakra respectively, which
serve both as deadly weapons to be dispatched for the destruction of the
wicked, as well as admirable adornments for the Lord's matchless arms. These
are indicators of the Lord's supremacy. Chakrattaazhwan is adulated as the
sole symbol of the Lord's divine will or Divya Sankalpam, while the Shankham
is indicative of Gnaanam and Purity. That these form the Lord's symbols of
Supremacy is clear from Sri Periazhwar declaring the identity of the Parama
Purusha to be adorned with these two weapons--
The Lord's lower arms are held in
a unique pose. The right arm is held in the "Vara Mudra", with the
fingers pointing to His lotus feet, telling us that it is they (His tiruvadi)
that form both our everlasting refuge and also the strategy to attain the
same. Since this posture indicates the granting of the ultimate boon ("Varam")
of His tiruvadi, it is known as "Vara Mudra".
The lower left hand is held at the
hip, slightly bent inwards, assuring us not to be terrified of the
unfathomable ocean of Samsaara, which would only be hip-deep to those who
perform Sharanagati at His lotus feet, as indicated by His right palm. The
following slokas from the Bhavishyottara Purana describe the Lord's bewitching
postures and their purport--
"darsayan paaNinaikena
dakshiNena Vrishaakapi:
Pada padmam gatim cha paramaam
nrinaam
kati nyasta kareNaapi nija
paadaabja gaaminaam
nrunaam bhava payo raasim kati
daghnam pradarsayan
viraajate Venkatesha: sampratyapi
ramaapati:".
Thus Srinivasa's postures are
indicative of the incomparable combination of His Paratvam and Soulabhyam,
both of which are required for the protection of mortals, for, Supremacy
without accompanying mercy and related traits would make for a tyrant, while
mere accessibility without requisite Supremacy would render the Lord
well-meaning but impotent and incapable of protecting us. It is this winning
combination of complementary and supplementary virtues which makes Srinivasa
unique and matchless.
Swamy NammAzhwAr's anubhavam of the Lord carrying the weapons and his worries
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Our Lord carries Five weapons ( PanchAyudha
SthOthram). The two weapons ( Sankham and Chakram ) have always to be
lifted
up and held for the protection of the devotees .
The remaining three weapons ( Sword, Gathai and Bow) rest on the Lord's body
and do not need to be held up untill ready to use . These three weapons are
not tiring to hold in AzhwAr's anubhavam , where as the Sankham and Chakram
could be causes for fatigue for the hands of the Lord.
AchAryAs and AzhwArs worry about any fatigue to
the Lord in holding the Sankham and Chakram permanently by the tender hands of
the Lord and offer to help the Lord to give relief to the Lord by carrying
them out of their concerns for the Lord . Swamy NammAzhwAr's anubhavam on
the Lord of ThirupparisAram quoted below is exquisite ( ThiruvAimozhi
Paasurams : 8.3.3 and 8.3.7) :
" He (the Lord ) can
order servants about . He goes alone however and carries
the Chakra and SankhA Himself. Even the Sword and bow and arrows He carries;
there is no one to follow Him , serving Him. Not even a person to keep
(Him ) company. When He walked in this fashion , it was not given to me to see
Him , enjoy Him and worship Him without hindrance. For that missed chance , I
wail now , as SitA did in forest , in a lonely state , searching for Him ,
every day , to see and serve Him " ( 8.3.3)
" What is this ? ". So many people go to
ThirupparisAram and return. It goes on . Not one tells Him , my Thiru-Vaazh
Maarbhan (SrInivAsan) , that there is one devotee of His at Thirunagari ,
who will gladly be at Your service , walk with You , give You company at
all times; will carry , say , the Chakra and the SankhA for You. What am I to
do ? "(8.3.7) .
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