Vaikuntha Gadyam

Vaikuntha Gadyam Sanskrit: (वैकुंठ गद्यं) is a Sanskrit prayer written by the Srivaishnavism philosopher Ramanuja towards the end of the 11th century. It is one of the first bhakti prayers in this school of thought and is the basis for many prayers of this style. It is recited in the 108 divya desam temples including in Srirangam.[1]

Context

Ramanuja and his disciples visited the Ranganatha temple in Srirangam on panguni uttiram, a day in spring of the tamil calendar month of panguni (in spring) on the day of the ascension of the star called uttiram. In Tamil mythology, Uttiram was in ascent when the goddess of the temple, Sri Ranganayaki Tayar, Lakshmi, was born. Ramanuja was inspired by the festivities of the day and composed Sriranga Gadyam and Sharanagati Gadyam. Devotees believe that the God was moved by these compositions and gave Ramanuja a vision of his abode, Vaikuntha. This inspired Ramanuja to compose the Vaikuntha Gadyam.

Content

Vaikuntha Gadyam, unlike the commentaries of Ramanuja on Vedanta, does not have detailed philosophical debates. Instead, it is a pure expression of bhakti and gives a detailed description of Vaikuntha seen through the eyes of a liberated one (Mukti Jivan). Ramanuja stresses the important message that surrender to Lord Narayana's Lotus feet (Narayana Sayujyam) results in Salokyam (attaining the abode of Lord Narayana), Sarupyam (purity of soul) and Sameepyam (remaining close to the Lord). He glorifies the eternal Kaimkaryam (devoted work) performed by devotees like Ananta Sesha, Garuda, Vishvaksena, a devotee considered first among equals and the Dwara Palakas (door keepers) to Vaikuntha, Jaya & Vijaya. He then gives a brief glimpse of the "bountiful treasure" awaiting a devotee who does similar devotional work.

Style

Alternate long and short sentences with many adjectival phrases.

See also

References

  1. ↑ K. Satchidananda Murty, S. Sankaranarayanan, Life, thought, and culture in India, c. AD 300-1000 - Project of History Indian Science, Philosophy, and Culture - 2002 Page 592 "... contexts of Visnu worship and three compact prose compositions of core significance for the doctrine he propounded, were composed on this god by Ramanuja, respectively Saranagati-gadhyam, Srirnga gadyam and Vaikuntha gadyam.:
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