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		The Master's Mantra
		The Pãduka

Sri Sri Swamiji -

• All work that we carry on has a selfish drive ('swãrtam') behind it. No act of ours is free from this. We befriend or get acquainted with someone with the motive that he might help us in securing a job or help us in our business. We befriend a wealthy man or a man of 'power' as it bestows a status on us in society. Or we move with a person, as he is affectionate towards us. There is a selfish motive behind every move of ours. What is the basis for the 'swãrtam'? 'manas'! This same selfish motive is practiced with God, too. We move with God with some expectation. This is not Bhakti (devotion). This will not take you to Jnãna. Jnãna is born only where there is no selfish motive. Bhakti is born only where there is no selfish motive.

Sriman Nigamãntha 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 "Pãduka Sahasram" - a thousand verses on the 'Pãduka' of Lord Ranganãtha. The Saint has in all composed 1008 verses, the last eight apologizing in all humility for daring to compose these 1000 verses on the Pãduka!

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

Rakshaarthamasya jagato Mannipaadarakshe
Raamasya paadakamalam samaye tyajantyoh |
kim dushkaram? Tava vibhootiparigraho va
kim va videhaduhituhu krupannaa dashaa saa || (127)

Paaduke!
   You and Sita
   separated from the Lord
   at different times
   to protect the world!
   unable to bear the separation
   Sita kept shedding tears profusely
   while
   not only did You
   bear the sorrow of separation
   but also ruled the kingdom!

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