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	Ucchishtam
	The Paduka

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

Sri Swamigal -

Be it the Alwars or the Naayanmaars or other great devotees, they looked upon their 'Ishta Devata' (Personal God) only as the essence of the Vedas. In other words, all of them perceived the Vedas Itself as their deity of worship. And that is the Truth. God is the Vedas and Vedas is the God.

In the Sannidhi (the Presence) of Saints, in holy kshetras (places), in the ‘Samaadhi’ of Saints and in Temples, one can feel the mind calming down and experiencing peace quiet naturally while in other places one has to exert effort to attain this.

Our science of astronomy is proof enough of our Saints’ ‘divya drishti’ (power to perceive things beyond). The modern scientists have proved each and every prediction of theirs, given through their power of meditation, right. The Shastras are those given by such great Saints.

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.

Bharataashvasaneshu Paadashabdam Vasudhasrothra Samudbhavo Muneendrah |
     Patati Tvayi Paduke! Tatastvam Niyatam Raamapadaadabhinnabhoomaa || (70)

Eh! Paaduka!
Your greatness is the same as the Lord’s Lotus Feet
(YOU AND THE LOTUS FEET ARE ONE AND THE SAME)
Is seen when Bharatan returned with You to Ayodhya.
So, Your greatness and glory is in no way lesser than the Lotus Feet of the Lord!

Mukuteshu Nivishya Dikpateenaam
     Padameva Pratipadya Daityahantuh |
Parirakshasi Paaduke! Padam Tvam
     Kva Nu Bidyeta Gareeyasaam Prabaavah || (71)

Oh! Paaduka!
     Wherever You be! Whether on the heads of Indra and
     Other guardians of eight directions
     OR
     On the Lotus Feet of the Lord
     YOU PROTECT THEM - the Devas’ and the Gods’ titles
     And the Lord’s Lotus Feet!
     Great Ones are the same wherever they Be!

Jagataamabhirakshenna Trayaanna Madhikaaram Mannipaduke! Vahantyoh |
     Yuvayoh Parikarmakotilagnam Charannadwandwamavaimi Rangabartuh || (72)

Oh! Manipaaduke!
     The Lotus Feet of the Lord seem to have
     Adorned You,
     Who protect all the three worlds,
     As an ornament - verily a crown!

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