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		The Master's Mantra
		The Pãduka

Sri Sri Swamiji -

• The moment we come in contact with a Sadguru we are cleansed of all our sins. We become pure. Thus, it is not right to then think of us as sinners.

• Performance of puja to God is not limited to doing 'abhishekha' to Him and offering flowers to Him in 'archana' directly. Supplying water, milk, making sandal paste and/or providing any other article used in 'abhishekha', gathering flowers, making garlands, etc. for the 'archana' are also verily performance of puja to God. Likewise, service to the Guru is not limited to living in His physical presence serving Him. Wherever you are, carrying out His instructions to the very last word is verily serving Him.

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.

prãpthe dhivam dasarathe bharathe vilakshe
paryãkuleshu bhrusam uttara kosaleshu |
tvam chet upekshitavati ka ivãbhavishyat
gopãyithum guha sakhasya Vibho padham tat ||          (150)

Oh! Paduke!
  After Dasaratha's passing away
  when Uttara Kosala was confused
  and Bharata
  refused to accept the throne
  who else could have come
  to rule and rescue us
  if it were not you!

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