Meaning (translated by Sri. U.Ve. V.N. Vedanta Desikan)

Oh Mother PaadhukA ! That You took pity on BharathA , who was grief-stricken by separation from the elder brother (Rama) was sweet news to all the worlds ; it was cheered , as though , ao loudly by all people praising You , that the drum-beating and allied sounds were even subdued .

Special Notes from Sri. U.Ve. V. Sadagopan

(1) Sri UtthamUr Swamy's anubhavam: Oh Mother! Oh MaNi PaadhukA! When RaamA left for the southern parts , He demostrated His partiality to that region over His native northern land. He did not have the compassion at that time for His brother BharathA or His subjects. You took that responsibility and took pity on BharathA and the subjects. As a result , Your glory was celebrated by poets in verses and by the KaahaLam (Thirucchinna Vaadhyam, which is blown to announce the Lord's arrival). kahaLAm burst forth and competed with the loud singing of Your praise by famous poets to celebrate Your act of compassion .

(2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam : The inner meaning of the slOkam is that AzhwAr ghOshti should be honored with auspicious Vaadhyams to show our reverence .

(3)PaadhukA's DhaakshiNyam (partiality) for the grieving brother , BharathA and returning to the capital of Kosala desam with him to sit on the throne of Raghu Kulam was greeted with great joy by the citizens like the sweetest sound of KaahaLam .

Meaning (translated by Sri. U.Ve. V.N. Vedanta Desikan)

Oh Mother PaadhukA ! You bore the monarchy , ofcourse , after DasarathA and before RaamA ; You did so effortlessly and removed the grief of all.; but then the Manu line acquired a great distinction -a fortunate one ( of all predecessors as well as successors of DasarathA ) being counted along with You ; it became a PaadhukA vamsam !

Special Notes from Sri. U.Ve. V. Sadagopan

(1) Sri UthtamUr Swamy's anubhaavm : Oh Mother! Oh Lord's PaadhukA ! You ruled the kingdom of the Manus between DasarathA and RaamA . By counting You as one of their kings , the whole lineage of Manu became famous. Both the predecessors and the successors to You were proud to consider themselves as the rulers of the PaadhukA raajyam and did not want to be known as mere kings of Raghu Vamsam or Manu Kingdom .

(2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: Since the time of Your ascent to the throne of Manu , that vamsam acheived visEsha bhAgyam.The inner meaning is that our Sri VaishNava paramparai achieved unique distinction by Swamy NammAzhwAr being our PrathamAchAryan.

(3) There were an illustrious line of kings who belonged to Manu Vamsam such as Raghu , Dileepan and DasarathA . After DasarathA , there was immense sorrow all around that RaamA could not succeed his father immediately due to His promise to spend the next fourteen years in the forest . Swamy Desikan uses the powerful word "khEdham " to hint at the poignancy of the sorrow felt by the Citizens of AyOdhyA . "KhEdham " means depression , dejection of spirits , distress , torment , fatigue and exhaustion . During that soul- searching time , Sri Raama Paadhukais accepted the throne to remove that "KhEdham " and the Manu Vamsam acquired distinct bhAgyam ( dhanya: BhabhUva)..V.S

Meaning (translated by Sri. U.Ve. V.N. Vedanta Desikan)

Oh Mother PaadhukA ! That Your reign was superior even to RaamA's reign follows from the facts that during all those years of Your reign , no member of the fourth varNA even performed penance; no young boy died prematurely; no untoward incident ever occured warranting a ritual atonement .

Special Notes from Sri. U.Ve. V. Sadagopan

(1)Sri UtthamUr Swamy's anubhavam: Here Swamy Desikan points out to the special glory of the fourteen year long rule of Kosala dEsam by the Lord's Paadhukais. He says: " When You ruled , there were no inauspicious events such as the penance undertaken by unauthorized persons, untimely death of children , invasion by foes et al . There were no ills to react against and correct .Unique indeed is Your glorious reign !".

(2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: The inner meaning is that there may be some inauspiciousness(Sodhanais) for those who seek out the Lord. There will however be none for those , who seek refuge at the feet of a SadAchAryan .

(3)Swamy Desikan says: " Raghu Pungava PaadharakshE ! tava rAjyE --aparam prathividhEyam prasaktham naivAbhUth ". Here Swamy addresses the PaadhukA as those of Raghupungavan. The naamam Raghupungavan is synonomus with RaNa Pungavan created by Swamy Desikan in his ParamArtha Sthuthi to salute the Vijaya Raaghavan of Thirupputtkkuzhi dhivya desam. RaNa Pungavan means one with superior valour in the battles . The valour of the Paadhuka is even more notworthy in that it nips off in the bud potential troubles . Therefore , there is no need for it to take countermeasures ( prathividhEyam ). There is not even a " prasaktham " (connection ) to such countermeasures . Such is the glory of the PaadhukA Raajyam , which went beyond the glories of the Raama Raajyam !..V.S

Meaning (translated by Sri. U.Ve. V.N. Vedanta Desikan)

Oh PaadhukA ! The whole universe hangs on Earth , which was born out of the Lord's feet , which are actually later implanted on You. When this Earth was in a helpless state, it had to be rescued by You , at the right time. Rightly so !

Special Notes from Sri. U.Ve. V. Sadagopan

(1) Sri UtthamUr Swamy's anubhavam : The DevAs in heaven look upon Mothr Earth as their well wisher.That is why the Lord appeared as a wild Boar (BhUvarAhan) and brought back the stolen BhUmi Devi on His tusk from under the Ocean . When there was a vaccum in the succession to King DasarThA and when it looked as though Mother Earth had no ruler to maintain righteousness , You responded to Her sorrowful request and accepted the rsponsibility of ruling the kingdom . Thus ,You rescued Mother Earth from Her trauma.

(2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam : Oh PaadhukE ! VisvambharA (Vasumathi/Mother earth) arose from the holy feet of the Lord that is being protected by You . When RaamA left for the forest , there was no one to protect the Raajya Lakshmi . At that time , You rememembered the Thiruvadi Sambhandham ( Your relationship to the Lord's holy feet) and came to Her protection .

(3) Here Swamy Desikan reminds us of a web of relationships . The world is borne by Mother Earth ( Visvam thvath aasritha:); Mother Earth arose form the sacred feet of the Lord ( PadhAmbhuja Sambhavam ) ; Those feet are protected by the gem-studded Paadhukai . When RaamA gave up the kingdom in favor of BharathA at the request of His father , Mother Earth became ananya SaraNA ( without refuge/protection ) Oh PaadhukE ! on that tremulous occasion for Vasumathi (Mother Earth) , You protected Her in remememberance of the relationship between Mother Earth and SarvEswaran... V.S

Meaning (translated by Sri. U.Ve. V.N. Vedanta Desikan)

Oh PaadhukA ! The kingdom almost swooned , when RaamA left it. It was then received on Your lap and You revivified it by steps , including the wafting of the water-wetted fan. Is that not so?

Special Notes from Sri. U.Ve. V. Sadagopan

(1) Sri UtthamUr Swamy's anubhavam : Oh Mother! Oh Lord's sacred PaadhukE ! When Raajya LakshmI was grief stricken over RaamA's seperation , She landed on Your lap for without consciousness.You accepted at that time the service of wet fan waving from BharathA to console Raajya Lakshmi . Swami Desikan refers here to the kaimkaryam that BharathA did with a scented fan sprinkled with medicinal waters to bring Raajya LakshmI back to consciousness.

(2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam : Oh PaadhukE ! When Raajya Lakshmi fainted from the unbearable sorrow over RaamA's vana Vaasam ( exile to the forest) , She fell on Your lap . You comforted Her and revivified Her through the acceptance of the Chaamara Kaimkaryam ( Fan service)from BharathA . The inner meaning of this slOkam is that AchAryAs are not really looking for the devotion-filled Kaimkaryams from the SishyAs. The AchAryAs however accept them in their role as AchAryAs and for blessing the sishyAs with auspiciousness as commanded by their Lord , Sri RanganAthan . (3) The sequence of steps are beautifully recorded by Swamy Desikan from RaamA's departure to the forest, the sorrow of Raajya lakshmi , Her fainting to the restoration of Her consciousness through the PaadhukA's acceptance of chamara kaimkaryam by BharathA . With One choice word , "TadhAnIm " , (at that time) Swamy provides the context of Ramaa's departure for the forest . The rest of the following events are swift in time scale (a) Raajya LakshmI Raama Viraha VyaThithA ( Raajya Lakshmi suffered the pangs of seperation form RaamA , Her protector); (b) She fell on Your lap in a state of unconsciousness ( Tava uthsangam aasrithavathI) ; (c) You brought her back to consciousness ( thaam JeevayithumEva anghIchakaara). How did You do It ? Although You could bring Her back to consciousness directly, You accepted BharathA's devoted fan service as a vyAjam in Your role as His AchAryan ( ThvAM BharathOpanItham jalArdhrAm prAyENa angIchakaara). BharathA was eager to serve You and You accepted that Kaimkaryam for the benefit of Raajya Lakshmi resting on Your lap..V.S

Meaning (translated by Sri. U.Ve. V.N. Vedanta Desikan)

Oh PaadhukA ! RaamA stood steadfast in his vow of upholding His father's words. BharathA adopted the Aasidhara vow , of standing on a sharp razor's edge, for years , i.e., relinquishing all pleasures even when they were very close by ; and You undertook the EkasikA vow, of sitting unmoved at one spot , abandoning the earlier style of sportively moving about.(A unique posture indeed -like that of NammAzhwAr).

Special Notes from Sri. U.Ve. V. Sadagopan

(1) Sri UtthamUr Swamy's anubhavam: Swamy Desikan celebrates here the vow that the PaadhukA took to stay at the same spot for fourteen years. Normally, as the PaadhukA of the Lord , it will not stay put at one place for too long. Swamy says that PaadhukAs took the difficult vow to remain immobile for fourteen years to help BharathA , who had taken another difficult vow of total service to the PaadhukAs without any distraction caused by his princely status. Swamy Desikan salutes here the EkAsika (rooted to one place) vow undertaken by the PaadhukA and reminds us of a similar observance by NammAzhwAr , the name-sake of the PaadhukA at AzhwAr Thirunagari. There , the AzhwAr sat immobile in contemplation of Sriman NaarAyaNA under a tamarind tree for many years.

(2)Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE ! RaamA vowed not return before destroying the asurAs.BharathA refused to be coronated in place of his elder brother. You gave up Your sanchArams and decided to stay at one place. RaamA's vratham is common to the valorous ones . Controlling of one's indhriyams in contrast is not easy and hence BharathA's vow was far superior to that of RaamA's vow. It was a great surpise that You decided to become stationary and stayed at one place for fourteen years.

(3)RaamA had Veera Vratha PraNayam (desire to pursue Veera Vratham ). BharathA however undertook the AasithAra vratham ( Staying away from temptations even if the objects of enjoyment are very close) . PaadhukA took on the rare yEkAsikA vratham ( staying put at one place).Swamy Desikan asks us to decide , which vratham was the most superior one ..V.S

Meaning (translated by Sri. U.Ve. V.N. Vedanta Desikan)

Oh PaadhukA ! BharathA presented cool Chamaara kaimkaryam ( Fan wafting service ) to You as if to alleviate Your grief on Separation from RaamA's sacred feet. You were indeed in need of this since You sat silently and statically .

Special Notes from Sri. U.Ve. V. Sadagopan

(1) Sri UtthamUr Swamy's anubhavam : Oh MaNi PaadhukE ! You were determined to protect RaamA's lotus feet from thorns and sharp stones , wherever He went. Thinking in this manner, You made the whole world free of thorns, so He could roam freely without hardship , while You stayed without movement in AyOdhyA to help BharathA. The thorns here refer to all kinds of inauspicious happenings. Swamy Desikan states that the PaadhukAs made the whole world free from all kinds of amangaLams , while it ruled AyOdhyA as RaamA's representative , just as it protected RaamA's feet from the stones and thorns of the forest .

(2) Srimath Andavamn's anubhavam : Oh PaadhukE ! You were in a state of shock from the separation from Your Lord's holy feet. At that time , You did not speak or move. BharathA performed his chaamara Kaimkaryam to help You reconcile with Your sorrow.

(3) Swamy recognizes the maNi Padhukais as Kaakuthstha Paadhukais. Kaakuthstha is an epithet for the kings of solar race ( Kakuthstha Vamsam ). The Paadhukai of Kaakuthstha Raaman stayed at AyOdhyA and suffered very much from the sorow of separation form the Lord's sacred feet ( Kaakuthstha Paadha Viraha prathipanna mounam , nishpandhathAm ) and was quiet and motionless as if in a state of fainting. BharathA came to the rescue and tried to reduce the intense suffering of the Paadhukai through his frequent wet-fan service to the Paadhukai . It appeared as though BharathA was trying to console the Paadhukai through this noble service ( AasvAsayanniva seethai:chAmara Maaruthai: avIjayatha)and speak to him ...V.S

Meaning (translated by Sri. U.Ve. V.N. Vedanta Desikan)

Oh PaadhukA ! Rightly did you decide that You decide that You should ever serve RamA's feet. For this , You made the whole world free of thorns (enemies) by Your mere will .

Special Notes from Sri. U.Ve. V. Sadagopan

(1) Sri UtthamUr Swamy's anubhavam : Oh MaNi PaadhukE! You were determined to protect RaamA's lotus feet from thorns , wherever He went . Thinking in this manner, You made the whole world free of thorns , so He could roam freely without hardship , while You stayed without movement in AyOdhyA to help BharathA .Thorns here stand for all inauspicious happenings. Swamy Desikan says here that the PaadhukAs made the whole world free from all kinds of inauspiciousness , while it ruled AyOdhyA as RaamA's representative , just as they protected RaamA's feet from the stones and thorns of the forest .

(2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam : The inner meaning is that SadAchAryAs generate bhakthi to PerumAL in all people.

(3) KaNDakam means thorn .NishkaNDakam means free of thorn or inauspiciousness . The first mission of the Paadhukai is " RaghupadhE's padhAravindham mayA rakshyam " ( The Lord's lotus feet must be protected by me ). Thinking like that ( BhAvayanthyA ), Paadhukai of the Lord ended up accomplishing more than its primary duty(viz)., making the whole world free of auspiciousness .

Meaning (translated by Sri. U.Ve. V.N. Vedanta Desikan)

Oh Mother PaadhukA! LakshmaNA is bent on guarding RaamA , who is seperated from You . You are bent on guarding BharathA , who is away from RaamA . Now , both Lakshmana and Yourself resorted to a discipline of ever-alert guarding- by reason of which the whole world manages to be alive and wakeful.

Special Notes from Sri. U.Ve. V. Sadagopan

(1)Sri UtthamUr Swamy's anubhavam:Oh Lord's PaadhukA ! My Mother! You took a vow to look after Your Lord and BharathA , who was grief-stricken over seperation from RamA . Therefore , You stayed awake during day and night to look after their welfare. LakshmaNA like You watched over RaamA without sleep , day and night . This auspicous behavior of both LakshmaNA and Yours makes the world thrive even today . Swamy Desikan says here that the world can not forget this awe-inspiring loyalty demonstrated by the PaadhukAs and LakshmaNA in observance of their chosen duties . The world sets such conduct as a standard for itself.

(2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: The inner meaning is that the world and the Lord thrives from the conduct of the BhaagavathAs.

(3) The key words here are : " Jaagratha VrathENa khalu samastham Jagath Jaagarthi " ( It is because of the vow to be awake/vigilant by the PaadhukA and LakshmaNA that the whole world is free from mishaps/troubles)...V.S

Meaning (translated by Sri. U.Ve. V.N. Vedanta Desikan)

Meaning by Sri U.Ve.V.N.VedAntha Desikan: Oh Raama PaadhukE ! You who on Your visits to the interior parts of the palace, used to be respectfully enquired about and treated to utmost hospitality , happen to be rubbed against by the crown of competing royal personages ( who wish to pay homage to You in great perturbation ).

Special Notes from Sri. U.Ve. V. Sadagopan

(1) Sri UtthamUr Swamy's anubhavam: Oh Holy Paadhukais of the Lord of Kosalaa ! You were worshipped by SitA Devi's servants , when Your Lord Visited His domestic quarters to enjoy the company of His wife . Today , You bear patiently the collisions of the crowns of the kings that prostrate before You to receive Your blessings. You were placed on the soft silken garments by the servants of SitA Devi in Her quarters and received their worship in those days; now, You receive the worship of BharathA , the citizens and the assembled kings. Your worship continues always.

(2) Srimath Andavan's anubhavam: Oh PaadhukE ! When You were in the inner quarters of the palace, the servants there offered their worship without public display. Now , You are sitting publicly on the throne for all to see and the crowns of Kings touch You . In vibhavam at AzhwAr Thirunagari , Swamy NammAzhwAr was seated by himself deep in meditation . When he has taken the archA form , assemblies of people come and worship him in throngs. AzhwAr is worshipped since he belongs to the great AchArya paramparai of Sriman NaarAyaNan .

(3) Inside the palace , discrete worship by the servants took place ; in the throne room , public worship involving the vigorous prostrations by the crowned heads took place.Swamy Desikan chooses a colorful word here to describe the encounter between the crowns adorning the heads of the jostling kings prostrating before the Paadhukais on the throne . Sangattanam is the word chosen and it means rubbing together or close contact or the embrace between affectionate ones..V.S