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    Ucchishtam

    Bhava Bhaktim Dehi...(Sri Swamigal's Song)

    The Paduka

The 'Ucchishtam' of the Guru is His Words/Upadesas!

Sri Swamigal -

On visiting patients, with contagious diseases, regularly one contracts those diseases very easily. Similarly, visiting Mahatmas regularly, one develops Jnana (knowledge), Bhakti (devotion) and Vairãgya (dispassion) easily without even being aware of it.

A sãdhak (one who practises spiritual discipline) should not give up his sãdhanãs for any reason whatsoever. He should not feel bogged down by 'vãsanãs' (imprint of past deeds) and obstructions that arise during his period of sãdhana.

On the tenth day of a baby's birth, the parents lay the baby in a decorated cradle and invite everyone for the naming (christening) ceremony. The guests place cash in the baby's hand as gift. The cash given goes only to the parents. Similarly, the services that we render to sadhus reach the Lord Himself unto whom they have surrendered.

Sriman Nigamantha Desikan, a great Vaishnava Saint lived from mid-thirteenth to mid-fourteenth century- 1268-1369. Of the innumerable 'Granthas' (texts) written by Him the highly revered and considered as the most extraordinary piece is His "Paduka Sahasram" - a thousand verses on the 'Paduka' of Lord Ranganathar. The Saint has in all composed 1008 verses, the last eight apologizing in all humility for daring to compose these 1000 verses on the Paduka!

Sri Desikan's contemporary Sri Appayya Dikshitar had written a commentary on the "Paduka Sahasram" but unfortunately it has been lost.

Rangeshitush charanapankajayor bhajantii
    Rakshãprasaadhana vikalpa sahãm avasthãm |
Mãnyãkruthir nivishase manipãdarakshe!
    Madhye parishchadavibhooshana vargayos tvam ||   (791)

Hey! Paduka!
    You who possess a laudable form!
    are eulogized in two ways!
    (as)
    Protector* of the Lord's Lotus Feet!
    And
    Ornament** to the Lord's Lotus Feet!

*likened to the umbrella, wafter, etc.
**likened to the crown, earrings, necklaces, etc.

Click here for the Sanskrit Sloka

Angãntareshu Nihitãnyakhilaani kaamam
    Paryãya Kalpanasahãni Vibhushanãni |
Nityam Mukunda Padapadma thalã nuroopam
    Nypathyamamba! Bhavathii nayanãbhirãmam ||   (792)

Oh! Paduka!
    exchange/replacement of ornaments
    on other limbs is possible and acceptable
    whereas, You,
    who adorn the Lotus Feet of the Lord
    are permanent, and, are so pleasing to the eyes!

Click here for the Sanskrit Sloka

Ye Nãma Bhaktiniyataistava sannivesham
    Nirvishya nethrayugalair na bhajanti triptim |
Kãlakramena kamalekshana Padarakshe!
    Prãyena te parinamanti sahasranetrãh ||    (793)

Oh! Paduka!
    Blessed will they be with thousand eyes*!
    in course of time
    Who,
    not content with enjoying
    Your being with the Lotus Feet
    With just two bhakti-filled eyes
    long for a thousand

*everything sought shall be got

Click here for the Sanskrit Sloka

Padamapramãnamiti* vãdinãm matam
    Madhujitpade mahati mãsma bhuditi |
Vyupadãdi tasya charnãvani! Tvayã
    Nigamãtmanastava samapramãnatã ||   (794)

(*pramaanam means dimension as well as authority)

Hey! Paduka!
    You and the Lotus Feet
    Are
    Equal in two sense!
    in size and authority!
    You fit Youself to the size of the Lotus Feet
    and
    enjoy equal authority - sama pramãna (authenticity/authority)!
    (You) Being equivalent to the Vedas
    the same position is attained by the Foot also!

Click here for the Sanskrit Sloka

Aprabhutamabhavat jagatthrayam
    Yasya mãtum uditasya paduke! |
Aprameyam amitasya tatpadam
    Nityameva nanu sammitam tvayã ||    (795)

Hey! Paduka!
    in His 'Trivikramãvatãra' the Lord
    lifted a Foot to measure the three worlds!
    but,
    the three worlds were just not enough
    for
    the One Foot!
    that immeasurable 'mahima'(greatness) of the Foot
    of the 'infinite' Lord
    however, stands ever
    measured by (fits into) YOU

Click here for the Sanskrit Sloka

NOTHING CAN MATCH YOUR MERIT!

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