The Hindu Temple Society of Canada - azhwar.org
The Hindu Temple Society of Canada - azhwar.org
The Hindu Temple Society of Canada - azhwar.org
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A very special feature <strong>of</strong> this work is its emphasis on the importance <strong>of</strong> prapatti-margaas the most effective means <strong>of</strong> invoking the Lord’s grace which is the ultimate means to moksha.Prapatti is <strong>of</strong> four kinds – svanishtai, ukthnishtai, bhAgavata nishtai, and AchAryanishtai.Madhurakavi followed the last <strong>of</strong> these. By complete surrender <strong>of</strong> oneself to the AchArya, onereaches the goal <strong>of</strong> life. By example and percept, Madhurakavi has clearly demonstrated thatprapatti is an ancient path and it requires on the part <strong>of</strong> the aspirant abiding faith(mahAvishvAsa). Vedanta Desika has made pointed reference to this.ÁÐøŢ §¾¡ýÈ측ðÎõ ¦¾¡øÅÆ¢§Â ¿øÅÆ¢¸û н¢Å¡÷¸ð§¸III<strong>The</strong> following is a free rendering <strong>of</strong> the eleven verses comprising the prabanda:<strong>The</strong> first five stanzas state how Madhurakavi sought the holy feet <strong>of</strong> saint Satakopa andconsidered him his all and the next five stanzas recount the blessings conferred on him by theAchArya.1. I am fascinated by Krishna, the wonder-worker who allowed himself to be bound byYashodha to a wooden mortar with a knotted rope hurtful to the body; nevertheless, Iexperience much greater sweetness and joy when I approach my preceptor, KurugUrNambi, (Saint Satakopa) and utter his name. My tongue delights in singing his praise.2. I derive great happiness glorifying him. I am indeed fortunate in having sought his holyfeet. I know <strong>of</strong> no other God than my guru. I shall spend all my time reciting melodiouslyhis compositions and that shall ever be my pleasant vocation.3. I am a devotee, a servant <strong>of</strong> the Saint <strong>of</strong> the holy city <strong>of</strong> TirukkurugUr. Through hisunbounded grace I have been blessed with a vision <strong>of</strong> the wondrous form <strong>of</strong> the Lordwith His consort, even though I have sought refuge in Satakopa rather than the Lord <strong>of</strong>the celestial beings4. Persons well-versed in the four vedas may consider me low and unworthy; and for thatreason, Satakopa, has not left me to myself, but has been a father and a mother to me andtaken me under his protective care and accepted me as his devotee. What shall I say <strong>of</strong> hiscompassion!8
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