SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY’S SRI RAMACHARITRYA MANJARI (ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಘವೆಂದ್ರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ವಿರಚಿತ “ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಚಾರಿತ್ರ್ಯ ಮಂಜರಿ ಅರ್ಥವಿವರಣೆ)

SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY’S SRI RAMACHARITRYA MANJARI

(ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಘವೆಂದ್ರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ವಿರಚಿತ “ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಚಾರಿತ್ರ್ಯ ಮಂಜರಿ ಅರ್ಥವಿವರಣೆ)

2.6  Clarifications on concepts

(Questions related to Atula, Sutra, Tadgam etc., have been answered in this episode. Some interesting aspects of this stanza will be provided in the coming episodes. Please read, comment and share. SDN)

There are several words like PaNiniSUtra, where Sutra is common and only the prefix “PaNini” alters. Sutra means formula. Panini Sutra refers to a Sutra formed by Maharishi Panini, an outstanding Sanskrit Grammarian. Similarly, such words only refer to the Sutras formulated by the name of the person that is attached behind or the prefix. However, Sri Madhwacharyaru has, in his Brahmasutra BhAshya, clarified that the word Sutra standing alone, without any prefix, invariably refers to Brahmasutra and nothing else.

The word “Surari” in the original composition is without any qualifying adjective or prefix or suffix. Surari precisely means “a very strong person” or an enemy of Suras or Gods and deities. To indicate the name of the demon, Sri Rayaru has employed the word “Tadgam”, which signifies “enemy of Gods who was inside Sri Parashurama”. This points to the name of “Atula”, the demon because there was none else in the stomach of Parashurama. This point has been clarified in Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya by mentioning “PurAtalO nAma mahAsurO(s)BhUt”. Therefore, the word “SurAri” in the original stanza undoubtedly refers to Atula and only Atula.

The word “Tadgam” indicates “presence of Atula, the demon, in the body of Parashurama” due to the power that Lord Rudra and Lord Brahma had conferred on him in the form of separate boons. Lord Parashurama had to honour that power that Lord Brahma and Lord Rudra had given to Atula in recognition of the penance he had done. Yet, the power had its own expiry date. Moreover, the “power” possessed by Atula was not “inborn”. It was temporarily given to him by Lord Brahma and Lord Rudra. If they had

not given that power, the significance of penance done by Atula would have been lost. “Tadgam” also indicates that the power of Atula was extraordinary, not because he was extraordinary but because the penance he did was extraordinary and the kindness, grace and compassion that Lord Brahma and Lord Rudra towards devotees is also extraordinary. The coincidental destruction of Atula by Rama further explains and establishes the fact that the power of Lord Vishnu is infinite, beyond description and beyond any barrier.

In his Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya, Sri Madhwacharyaru has clearly indicated the place where Atula was present by using “RAmOdaragaha”, where Udara means the stomach. It was Ramasya Udaraha and Atula was invariably staying in the Udara of Parashurama, which is indicated by the word “Tadgam”.  Thus all the three questions that may arise in this context have been answered.