(Sri Jagannatha Dasa virachita) SRI HARIKATHAMRUTASARA / ಶ್ರಿ ಹರಿಕಥಾಮೃತಸಾರ

(Sri Jagannatha Dasa virachita)

SRI HARIKATHAMRUTASARA / ಶ್ರಿ ಹರಿಕಥಾಮೃತಸಾರ

Benefits of praising Bhagavatas/ಭಾಗವತರ ಸ್ತುತಿಯ ಫಲ

ಪರಿಮಳವು ಸುಮನದೊಳಗನಲನು

ಅರಣಿಯೊಳಗಿಪ್ಪಂತೆ ದಾಮೋ-

ದರನು ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾದಿಗಳ ಮನದಲಿ ತೋರಿ ತೋರದಲೆ|

ಇರುತಿಹ ಜಗನ್ನಾಥವಿಠಲನ

ಕರುಣ ಪಡೆವ ಮುಮುಕ್ಷು ಜೀವರು

ಪರಮಭಾಗವತರನು ಕೊಂಡಾಡುವುದು ಪ್ರತಿದಿನವು||13||

ParimaLavu sumanadoLaganalanu

AraNiyoLagippante DAmO-

Darami BrahmAdiLa manadali tOri tOradale|

Irutiha JagannAThaviThalana

KaruNa paDeva mumukShu jeevaru

ParamaBhAgavataranu konDADuvudu pratidinavu||13||

SUMMARY: Like fragrance in the flower and fire in the cow dung, Sri Hari, who is Damodara, manifests in Brahma and other deities but does not show up. Those desirous of salvation (MumukShus) should earn the kindness and grace of Lord Jagannatha Vithala and keep praising the Bhagavatas every day.

What Sri Jagannatha Dasaru has stated here is that the grace of ardent devotees of Lord Sri Hari is essential to know about Sri Hari.

Lord Sri Hari is always present in the minds of Lord Brahma and other deities. But, he will not be explicit and not visible in any special form.

Although the Lord is visible to other deities, he will not be explicit to them like he is for Rujus, as mentioned in AnuvyKhyAna. Sometimes, when the spirit of demon exists in them due to their past sins, the Lord may not be seen by them. Special forms of the Lord are seldom seen by anyone. It is only after one attains the knowledge of unseen or invisible facts (AparOkSha JnAna) that some form of the Lord can be seen.

The quality of being visible to some and invisible to some, visible at certain times and not visible in other times etc. have been explained with two metaphors. The fragrance of flower can only be sensed or felt; the fire in cow dung is not visible at the outset. In both cases, the visibility is subject to certain conditions and is limited to certain circumstances. Similarly, the visibility of or the existence of the Lord in Lord Brahma and other deities is subject to several conditions. Just because the Lord is not accessible to all at all times, it cannot be said that he does not exist. Devotion, meditation, prayers, worship and other acts will certainly enhance the faith of a person in the Lord and may open the way to salvation.

In Bhagavata Tatparyanirnaya, Sri Madhwacharyaru states:

DaDhisThaGhrutavat kAShThE vahnivachcha JanArDanaha|

DEhendriyAsujeevEBhyO vivichya jnAyatE na tu||7/1/9||

ದಧಿಸ್ಥಘೃತವತ್ ಕಾಷ್ಠೇ ವಹ್ನಿವಚ್ಚ ಜನಾರ್ದನಃ|

ದೇಹೇನ್ದ್ರಿಯಾಸುಜೀವೇಭ್ಯೋ ವಿವಿಚ್ಯ ಜ್ಞಾಯತೇ ನ ತು||7/1/9||

The ghee in milk and fire in firewood are not visible. Certain processes are involved in converting milk into ghee and friction is essential to produce fire from firewood. Similarly, to attain salvation or to see the Lord in any form, a lot of procedure should be followed. Procedures may vary from person to person, depending upon the past deeds as well as dedication and devotion in the present.

The name “Damodara” of Lord Hari has a history. Once, Yashoda Devi tied infant Krishna with ropes to prevent him from absconding. Later, Lord Krishna was seen as tying the same rope around his stomach by Yashoda Devi. Damodara is another form that Lord Hari takes to marry Talasi during Karteeka Maas. This name finds mention in Dwadasha Stotra.

The resolution of Damodara is: DashchAsau amashchAsau udarashcha|

Salvation is not achievable without earning the grace and kindness of the Lord. It is essential to get guided in the pursuit of the Lord by those who have experienced the existence of the Lord. It is more a psychological feeling than physiological one.

With this the MangaLAcharaNa Sandhi in HarikaThAmritasAra concludes. The next episode explores the KaruNa Sandhi.

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