Srimate SrivanSatakopa Sri Vedanta Desika Yatindra Mahadesikaya nama:
The Crown Jewels
If the crowds milling about at the major jewellery shops are any indication,
then the Indian Government's election-eve claim of "India is Shining" would
appear to be true (if one were to studiously ignore the wide-spread
unemployment, still-prevalent squalor, abject poverty and absence of social
security that haunt the rural masses). Be that as it may, jewellery seems to
have an undying popularity, not only among women, but men too. From time
immemorial, we have seen womenfolk adorn themselves with ornaments of a wide
variety-bangles, chains, necklaces, bracelets, ear and nose rings, "OddyANam"s
worn around the midriff, anklets and so on.
When we consider the matter, the need to deck oneself up appears to be as
fundamental as the ones for food, clothing and shelter. While the rich and
so-called upper middle class wear ornaments of gold, we find the economically
less-fortunate resorting to imitation jewellery, to enhance their looks. It is
thus evident that the practice of adorning oneself cuts across economic, social
and religious barriers. We find too that this is true not only of current
times, but also of eras long past. No picture of an ancient king or a queen is
complete without a plethora of ornaments on his or her person.
Taking this a bit further, we also find, from currently available pictures and
images of the Lord, that He too is partial to jewellery. The arcchA moorthies
of the Lord we find at various temples are not only adorned with various types
of ornaments, but in the image itself, we find jewellery carved at appropriate
places. All this is evidence that, contrary to the argument advanced by some,
it is not we who have thrust our own mores on the Lord too. In fact, it is the
Lord's own habits and predilections that we too follow (alas! only when it
suits us). Thus, in enhancing our looks with ornaments of various kinds, we are
but following in the footsteps of Emperuman, who is perhaps the universe's
first user of gems and jewellery.
Any number of quotes could be adduced from the Scripture, to support the
aforesaid statement about the Paramapurusha wearing ornaments. In fact, Sri
Ramanuja furnishes a long catalogue of the adornments on the Divine Person, in
his Sharanagati Gadyam-
"KirIta, Makuta, ChoodAvatamsa, Makara Kundala, GraivEyaka, hAra, kEyoora,
Kataka, Srivatsa, Koustubha, MuktA Dama, udara bandhana, PeetAmbara, KAnchI
guNa noopurAdi aparimita divya bhooshaNa!"
While adducing a list of ornaments worn by the Lord, Sri Ramanuja says he is
just giving us a sample and the actual number of adornments is
countless-"aparimitam".
>From the Gadya citation, we find that the divine ornaments adorning the
>tirumEni of the Paramapurusha, have a few unique characteristics of their own.
>We have already seen that innumerability is one of them. Following are some of
>the others-
1."Ouchityam" or Suitability-The jewels that the Lord wears are eminently
suitable to adorn Him. They are quite in tune not only with His magnificent
physical characteristics like incomparable and incredible beauty, brilliance,
magnificence, etc., but also His unique traits like Paratvam, Saulabhyam, etc.
If we take His headgear for instance, it is a prima facie indicator of His
Paratvam, its length and radiance telling us at once, "Here is the Master of
all the Worlds".
2."Vaividhyam" or Variety-The jewels adorning the Paramapurusha's tirumEni are
of an infinite variety, according to the part of the divine torso they belong
to. Even within the same class of ornaments, there is a bewildering variety.
Women would be aware, for instance, that while a chain is just a chain for men,
there are any number of intricate varieties in the same, like the "MAngA
MAlai", "KAnchikAmaNI", "Rettai vadam chain", "GOdumai (wheat) chain" etc. All
these wide varieties of ornaments, with all the variants there are of them,
adorn the Lord's tirumEni, making Him a walking exposition of fashion
jewellery.
3."Vaichitriyam"-The ornaments adorning the tirumEni of the Paramapurusha are
varied not only in kind, but also in composition, some being fashioned out of
pure gold, some of gems and precious stones, yet others of pearls, corals, and
so on.
4."AnantAscharyam"-they generate a feeling of bewilderment, of inability to
comprehensively take in the beauty and brilliance of each of their number.
5."Nityatvam"-These ornaments are as eternal and everlasting as their wearer,
not being prone to destruction and re-creation.
6."niravadyatvam"-Unlike jewellery worn by human beings, which is subject to
loss of weight, shine and purity over a period of time, the Lord's ornaments
are ever pure, ever radiant and ever at their best in adorning the Lord.
7."niratisaya sugandhatvam"-These jewels are unimaginably fragrant too. We find
in the world that a rose made of gold naturally lacks fragrance. Unlike their
counterparts of the material world, the divine adornments are extremely
sweet-smelling. They are so scented as to afford pleasure to even the Lord, who
is the repository of all fragrance-"Ya: Sarvagandha:"
8."niratisaya sukha sparsatvam"-Normally all ornaments, since they are made of
metal, are hard on the skin. We thus find bangles or chains leaving their
imprint on the soft skin of the wearer. We have also come across several cases
of nose and ear- rings causing sores. The divine adornments, on the other hand,
are extremely soft and yielding, and cause absolutely no strain to the
Paramatma's baby-skin-on the contrary, they afford comfort and ease, apart
from being good-looking.
9."Niratisaya oujjvalyam"-The brilliance and splendour of these ornaments make
them resemble a hundred Suns, with the important exception that while the Sun's
lustre is lost when he sets, these adornments continue to be luminous forever.
10."aparimitatvam"-The adornments to the divine torso are indeed countless.
While using this adjective, Sri Ramanuja has in mind Sri Nammazhwar's words,
"eNNil palkalan" and "pala palavE AbharaNam" etc.
11."Divyatvam"-These ornaments are made of entirely different quality of
material, fashioned out of Suddha Sattva, and are as different from their
mundane counterparts, as I am, from Sri Satakopa Muni.
Having seen a sample of the traits of the divine ornaments, we shall now
catalogue a cross section of them, following the footsteps of Sri Bhashyakara.
It is indeed a tribute to the Sage that he has been able to describe these
adornments on the Paramapurusha's tirumEni, as a result of his constant
contemplation of the same and of a realisation as good as seeing the Lord in
person-"darsana samAnAkAram". Here are the various items of jewellery which Sri
Ramanuja sees the Lord wearing on His magnificent person-
1. "KiriItam"-The Lord wears a tall and gem-studded headgear, which is an
instant indication of His overlordship of the universe-"SarvAdhipatya
soochanArttham" says Swami Desikan. Here is a beautiful sloka from the
Devanayaka Panchasat, telling us that the Lord's KirItam is an instant
identification of the Parabrahmam, the Lord and Master of all beings, whether
they be mortals or celestials, and that its brilliance and splendour drives
away the gloom of ignorance from our souls-
"VisvEsvaratvam iha darsayitum kshamastE
nAtha! tvayApi shirasA vidhrita: KirIta:
Ekeekrita dyumaNi bimba sahasra deepti:
Nirmoolayan manasi mE nibidam tamisram"
2. "Makutam"-This refers to the top portion of the KirItam, the "Crowning
Glory", so to say-"KirItAgra avayavO nAyakAdhAra:", according Sri Sudarasana
SUri. According to the Shilpa ShAstram, types of Makutam are different,
depending upon the wearer, says Swami Desikan.
3. "ChoodA" is the pendant worn on the scalp. Readers would be familiar
with "ChoodAmaNi pradAnam" in Srimad Ramayanam, where Tiruvadi obtained from
Piratti this ornament and handed it over to Sri Rama, as a token of having met
Sri Janaki.
4. "avatamsam"-refers to the ornamental adornment to the ears, worn over
the ears, as distinct from the ear rings, which are worn through a hole pierced
in the lower ear-lobe.
5. "Makara Kundalam" represents ear- rings shaped like an alligator,
adding additional seemliness to the already beautiful ears. Sri Valmiki tells
us that there was none in Ayodhya who was not adorned with these Kundalams-"na
akundalI na amakutee". These crocodile-shaped ornaments are what give the
Emperuman at a nava Tirupati divyadesam, the sobriquet "Makara nedum kuzhai
kAdar". Sri Nammazhwar finds Tirukkurungudi Nambi resplendent with this
adornment-"minnu noolum kundalamum mArvil tiru maruvum"
6. "GraivEyakam"-is the necklace worn around the beautiful mid portion
between the face and the chest.
7. "HAram" is what is worn on the chest, around the neck. This chain or
garland of gold is extremely lengthy, necessitating its having to be worn in
two strands, it would appear from Sri PeyAzhwar's words, "Peiya varai mArbil
pErAram pooNdu". And it is this ornament that captivates Sri
Tiruppanazwar-"Tiru Ara mArbadandrO adiyEnai AtkoNdadE". It is perhaps with
prior knowledge of Emperuman's liking for such "HArams" that Indra makes a
present of a beautiful and brilliant golden chain to Sri Rama, as a tribute on
His Coronation-
"MAlAm jvalantIm vapushA kAnchanIm shata pushkarAm
Raghavaya dadou VAyu: VAsavEna prachOdita:"
More than any garland made of precious metals, the Lord likes to adorn Himself
with one made of multi-coloured flowers, fresh from the jungle, known as the
VanamAla, also known as "VaijayantI". Sri Krishna never used to forsake this
VanamAla and wore it with élan, says Swami Desikan-"VaijayantI vibhooshaNam".
This VanamAla is colourful, fragrant and has an inalienable association with
other adornments to the Lord's chest like Sri Mahalakshmi and the Koustubha
MaNi and is as splendorous and magnificent as the Lord HImself-this is what we
learn from the following Devanatha Panchasat sloka-
"VarNa kramENa VibudhEsa! VichitritAngI
smEra prasoona subhagA VanamAlikEyam
hridyA sugandhi: ajahat KamalA MaNIndrA
nityA tava sphurati moortiriva dviteeyA"
8. "KEyooram" is what is worn around the shoulders or biceps, perhaps the
equivalent of the present (or is it the past) day "Vanki".
9. "Katakam"s are special bangles, suited to males, worn on the wrists.
10. "Sri Vatsam" is a "Maru" on the Lord's chest. Unlike the other ornaments
which can be separated from the divine tirumEni, this Maru forms part of
Emperuman's torso, giving the Lord the unique sobriquet, "Sri Vatsa Chihna:"
11. "Koustubham" is a brilliant gem adorning the Lord's chest, signifying the
Jeevatmas. Describing the closeness the Jeeva enjoys to Emperuman, Swami
Desikan describes him as "Koustubha stthAnIyanAi koNdu". We become "krita
krityAs", achieving the very objective of our existence, by merely
contemplating the Lord's broad chest, as adorned by the Koustubham, VanamAla,
Srivatsam and Sri Mahalakshmi, says the Devanayaka Panchasat sloka which
follows-
"durdAnta daitya visikha kshatta bhangam
Veerasya Vibudha nAyaka! BAhu madhyam
SrIVatsa Koustubha RamA VanamAlikAngam
ChintAnubhooya labhatE charita artthatAm na:"
12."MuktA dAmam"-These are strings of pearls worn around the Lord's neck and
chest, in single, double and triple strands.
13."udara bandhanam"-is worn by the Lord around His ample midriff, the stomach
which is the refuge of all the worlds during the cosmic deluge. This particular
adornment is so beautiful as to steal a permanent place in Sri Tiruppanazhwar's
mind-"tiru udara bandham en uLLatthul nindrulAgindradE". Perhaps this refers to
the ordinary rope Sri Yasoda used to tie-up the Parabrahmam, and which the Lord
accepted with so much affection and which gave Him the indelible name
"DAmOdaran".
14. PeetAmbaram"-Though rightly to be counted under the category of apparel,
this cloth made of yellow silk so suits Emperuman with His black complexion,
that the Lord simply dazzles with the PeetAmbaram around His
midriff-"PeetAmbara susObhitam" says Sri Krishnashtakam. This is described by
Sri Nammazhwar as "PAngu tondrum pattu". A variant of this is the red silk, of
which Sri PAN PerumaL is enamoured-"arai sivanda Adayiyn mEl chendradAm en
sindayE"
15."KAnchI guNa"-refers to the almost invisible golden thread holding the
PeetAmbaram in place. The Lord's tirumEni is extremely soft and so is the
yellow silk, necessitating its being held in place by the KAnchI.
16. "Noopuram" is the "silambu" worn around the fingers of the Lord's tiruvadi.
Of all the ornaments, this is the most enjoyable for Prapannas like us, as it
adorns the part of the Lord's tirumEni we revere the most.
Sri Ramanuja, after cataloguing the aforesaid 16 items, adds an "etc.", to
indicate that the list is not exhaustive and that only the principal ornaments
have been covered. Some of these left out items of jewellery would appear to be
the following, gleaned from the sree sooktis of other Acharyas and Azhwars-
1. "angulIyakam" or the Ring-worn on the Lord's finger. We come to know of this
from the Srimad Ramayana episode where Sri Rama sends the "KaNayAzhi" to Sri
Janaki, through Siriya Tiruvadi, to serve as identification. "angulIyaka
pradAnam" thus occupies an important turning point in Srimad Ramayana, with
Tiruvadi succeeding in imparting to the despairing VaidEhi, the assurance of
imminent rescue by Sri Raghava.
2."YagyOpavItam" or the sacred thread, which adorns the Lord's broad and dark
chest, like a streak of lightning in a cloudy sky. "PudayAr pon noolinan" says
Sri Nammazhwar, highlighting the beauty of this particular adornment.
3. All the weapons of the Lord,(the principal of which are Sudarsanam the
Discus, PAnchajanyam the Conch, KoumOdakI the Mace, "nAndakam" the Sword and
the bow "ShArngam") also double as glorious adornments to the Lord. The
brilliant Chakram and the beautiful white Shankham, everyone would agree, serve
as much as deadly weapons in dealing with the dastardly, as magnificent
ornaments providing splendorous sidelights on either side of the Lord.
4. Last, but definitely not the least important of the Lord's adornments, in
fact the most distinguished of them, is Sri Mahalakshmi, who resides
permanently on His chest, enhancing His radiance and magnificence
manifold-"Vaksha: peeteem Madhu vijayinO bhooshayanteem sva kAntyA"
5."Kazhal" or anklet, is worn by the Lord around His ankles. We find evidence
of this ornament in Sri Nammazhwar's pasurams, "kOlamAm en chennikku un kamalam
anna kurai kazhalE", "andru tEr kadaviya PerumAn kanai kazhal kANbadu endru
kol kaNgaLE" etc.
6. "angi" or a gem or pearl-studded coat, as is worn by Sri Ranganatha on the
Vaikuntta EkAdasi day, known variously as "Mutthangi", "VajrAngi" etc. It is
such an angi made of precious stones, a "RatnAngi" that Sri DeivanAyakan of
Tiruvaheendrapuram wishes to wear and for which strenuous efforts are under way
by eminent bhAgavatAs, which deserve all our material and moral support.
An important difference between our wearing ornaments and the Lord doing so, is
that while in our case it is we who derive the benefit of the adornments,
through enhanced looks, etc., in the Lord's case, it is the ornaments who
attain brilliance and magnificence through association with the Lord's
tirumEni, says Swami Desikan-"Bhoosha Ayudhai: adhigatam nija kAnti hEtO:"
To conclude, the number, variety and magnificence of the Lord's adornments is
indeed beyond description or even contemplation. However, be they ever so
splendorous, the Lord likes these ornaments much less than certain others,
which we can offer Him. More than garlands of gold, more than a gem-studded and
glittering Crown, more than a hundred ornaments of unimaginable value, what the
Lord values more is a single gesture of "anjali" or surrender, on our part.
What He likes more than a whole lot of adornments is the offering of palms
joined in supplication, shaped like a lotus, the gesture of Sharanagati. This
is the conclusion of Sri Nammazhwar, the forerunner of Surrendered Souls
("Prapanna Jana Kootasttha:")-"DesamAna aNikalanum en kai kooppu seigayE".
Which is the golden crown He wears with pride? Nothing other than our unalloyed
devotion and love untinged with expectation, says the Azhwar, adding that this
affection of ours is so pleasing to Emperuman that He wears it on His tirumeni
as the most precious of ornaments and the most magnificent of silken apparel
too-
"kaNNi enadu uyir kAdal kanaka sOthi mudi mudalA
eNNil pal kalangaLum Elum Adayum akhdE".
He likes most garlands of verses of praise which don't wilt, which He also
considers better than a PeetAmbaram-"ennudaya vAsakam sei mAlayE, vAn
pattAdayum akhdE".
It may or may not be possible for us to submit to the Lord ornaments of gold,
silver, gems and other precious stones, in tune with His splendour and
magnificence-however, it is definitely well within our capabilities to offer
Him the adornments which are the dearest to Him, viz., our "anjali"-our palms
folded in devotion, our love and affection in abundant measure and our
unstinted words of abundant praise.
Srimate Sri LakshmINrisimha divya paduka sevaka SrivanSatakopa Sri Vedanta
Desika Yatindra Mahadesikaya nama:
Dasan, sadagopan
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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