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Preceptor’s grace

CHENNAI: The spiritual tradition accords great sanctity to the Padukas (sandals) of the Supreme Being and it is not an exaggeration to say that they are revered more than the Lord Himself, the reason being that they are in constant contact with the Lord’s feet, which are the refuge of devotees.

In the Srivaishnava tradition Nammazhwar is considered as the embodiment of the Lord’s Padukas, which are known also as Satari. Nammazhwar’s other name is Satakopan as he conquered the spirit, Sata, at birth. That the Lord’s feet are the ultimate refuge of a devotee is reiterated in the ritual of placing the Satari on a devotee’s head at the end of worship in temples as the blessing of the Lord and Nammazhwar, who is foremost among the fraternity of Prappanas (devotees who have formally surrendered to the Lord as their refuge).

In his discourse, Sri M.V. Ananthapadmanabhachariar said Vedanta Desika composed the hymn Padukasahasram comprising 1008 exquisite verses in praise of the Lord’s Padukas in a single night. This was a singular feat and he himself indicates how difficult it was to accomplish it. He asks even if the sky were to be the paper to write on and the seven seas the ink, who can even dare to attempt to fathom the glory of the Padukas, and replies maybe Adisesha, the Lord’s first attendant or creator Brahma; maybe not. It was with such trepidation that he ventured forth to do it but divine grace coupled with his exceptional literary skill resulted in this matchless hymn.

It is customary in tradition to approach God through saints and preceptors as their grace intercedes on behalf of the devotee to counter his shortcomings. Nammazhwar’s hymns are by and large expression of his agony due to separation from the Lord. But, his disciple Madhurakavi Azhwar who considered him (Nammazhwar) as his sole refuge never faced such anguish for the grace of his preceptor ensured the Lord’s grace. This truth can be seen also in the Ramayana. Bharata who took refuge in Rama and worshipped His Padukas for 14 years was embarrassed to face the people of Ayodhya but Shatrughna who adored only his brother Bharata never faced hardships.

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