SRI VADIRAJA'S TEERTHA PRABANDHA

MANGALACHARANA SHLOKA – II

ಹರಿಕ್ಷೀರಾಂಬುಧೇಃ ಸ್ವೈರಂ ಭವಘರ್ಮರಿಪೋರ್ಮನಃ|

ವಿಹರಾಹರಹಶ್ಚಿತ್ರಚಾರಿತ್ರಚತುರೋರ್ಮಿಷು||

HarikSheerAmbuDhEhe swairam BhavaGharmaripOrmanaha|

ViharAharahashchitrachAritrachaturOrmiShu||1||

Sri Vadirajaru has in this Mangalacharana Shloka advised that the mind of all the devotees of Lord Vishnu should always ‘romantically roaming about’ in Sri Hari. If someone stays in the sea for too long, the body may be infected or spoiled. But, however long a person may swim in the ocean of hearing or reading the stories of Lord Hari, nothing negative happens to the body or mind. On the contrary, the devotee will become awakened; will acquire proper meaning of holy texts and will become more knowledgeable. The happiness that accrues through meditation, through hearing or studying holy texts and other spirituous activities keeps on increasing and finally elevates the body towards bliss. Moreover, the stories of Lord Hari are unlimited. There is no difference or discrepancy between the sea and its waves. Similarly, there is no difference between Sri Hari and his actions comprising creation, preservation and destruction. That is why, Sri Vadirajaru has in this Shloka called the history of Hari as the waves of an ocean.

Another aspect of romancing with the devotion for Hari is that one cannot swim in a sea incessantly for a very long time. On the contrary, it is desirable that a person swims in the ocean of the stories of Lord Hari without any barrier. The word “smriti” is explained thus in the Smriti as

“ಸ್ಮರ್ತವ್ಯಂ ಸತತಂ ವಿಷ್ಣುಃ ವಿಸ್ಮರ್ತವ್ಯೋ ನ ಜಾತುಚಿತ್|”

“Smartavyam satatam VishNuhu vismartavyO na jAtuchit|’

This means: the name of Vishnu should always be remembered. One should never forget Lord Hari.

Sri Vadirajaru has said that the subject matter of this work “Teerthaprabandha” is nothing but the exciting and excellent stories of Lord Hari. The merit or advantage that one experiences from hearing the stories of Sri Hari is “Moksha” or salvation. In one way, the meditation, chanting, recitation, hearing or studying the stories of Hari purify the heart and mind. In the other way, these acts act like mace and sword that slain the desires, the sins, insane feelings etc. This effect is not on the mind but the person. This is indicated by the word “Vihara” in this stanza.

Since the Ocean is the Lord of all Teerthas or holy waters or pilgrim centres and since Lord Hari is the Lord of all Oceans, Sri Vadirajaru has cleverly proved that Lord Hari is the Lord of all Teerthas. That is why visiting holy places takes the devotee closer to the Lord.

(In the next episode, Lord Vadirajaru offers prayer to Lord Hayagreeva. Please read, comment and share. SDN)