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the exponent of the Visishtadvaita philosophy - ebooks - ISKCON ...

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78 THE LIFE OP RAMANUJA. CII. XII.<br />

courtyard called tlie Ani-y-arangan-Tirnmuttam was entered,<br />

where Baind.naja prostrated again, and wheeling round tlie<br />

inner corridor, loving eyes fixed on <strong>the</strong> Pranava-\\k.e viina'na,<br />

(<strong>the</strong> gold-covered cupola over <strong>the</strong> sanctum sanctorum), <strong>the</strong><br />

shrine <strong>of</strong> Vishvaksena was reached, where making obeisance,<br />

he was no»v in <strong>the</strong> precincts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> central. Fa<strong>the</strong>r's shrine.<br />

this place, which goes by <strong>the</strong> name <strong>of</strong> Azhagiya-manaviUantirumantapam,<br />

<strong>the</strong> Lord Banga (<strong>the</strong> moveable Image called<br />

Namberunidl) came forth in advance to meet Bfi,manuja, even<br />

as <strong>the</strong> Lord in Heaven leaves His Throne <strong>of</strong> Glory to go and<br />

embrace and welcome <strong>the</strong> souls who are Ba.ved and are ariving<br />

at <strong>the</strong> golden gates <strong>of</strong> Heaven. BElmdinuja was thrilled with<br />

joy. Bliss possessed him. He fell down, rose, fell again and<br />

held his hands up, fell again, and rose ; thus did he reverently<br />

pace up to <strong>the</strong> Holy <strong>of</strong> Holies, where supporting himself a.gainst<br />

<strong>the</strong> mana-t'tun pillar, he saw <strong>the</strong> blessed figure <strong>of</strong> Banga<br />

reclining on His xl«arafa-couch,' and rivetting His eyes on <strong>the</strong><br />

Holy Figure, enjoyed tho Blessed vision in <strong>the</strong> manner enjoyed<br />

by St. Tirupp&n&zhv£ir in his Amalaii ddippirdn" ; and recited<br />

in accents <strong>of</strong> bliss <strong>the</strong> Tiruppall-dndu <strong>of</strong> St. Peri-y-Elzhv&r,'<br />

and <strong>the</strong> following bewitching verses <strong>of</strong> Y&monSich&rya :—<br />

Bow to Thee, Bow to Thee, beyond reach <strong>of</strong> word and thought<br />

Bote to Thee, Bow to Thee, reachable by word and thought ;<br />

Bow to Thee, Bow to Thee, Infinite in Riches<br />

Bow to Thee, Bow to Thee, Infinite in Mercy*<br />

Know I not virtue, aye, blind to my soul.<br />

Nor do I love Thy Holy Blessed Feet<br />

Wayless and Goal-less, T, Befuge !<br />

Meekly seek and fall at Thy Holy Feet.'<br />

The Lord Banga was enchanted witli<br />

In<br />

<strong>the</strong>se outpourings <strong>of</strong><br />

BftmEtnuja's heart, and was pleased to place on his head His<br />

'Thismeana "God, <strong>the</strong> cosmic Dramatist on <strong>the</strong> stage <strong>of</strong> Eternal<br />

Time." For symbological explanation, refer to p. U. and Hi <strong>of</strong> our Lives<br />

<strong>of</strong> Azhvdrs,<br />

' Read this Saint's Life in oar Lives <strong>of</strong> Azhtidrs.<br />

" Read his life in our Lives <strong>of</strong> Azhvdrs,<br />

• Stotra-raHa, verse 21. s Ibid, verse 22,

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