Post by cnupne on May 17, 2012 11:52:06 GMT 5.5
Sri Chatusloki
shriimat_kR^ishhNasamaahvaaya namo yaamunasuunave . yatkaTaakshaikalakshyaaNaa.m sulabhaH shriidharassadaa ..
kaantaste purushoottamaH phaNipatiH shayyaa.a.asana.m vaahana.m
vedaatmaa vihageshvaro yavanikaa maayaa jaganmohinii .
brahmeshaadisuravrajassadayitastvaddasadaasiigaNaH
shriirityeva cha naama te bhagavati bruumaH katha.m tvaa.m vayama.h .. 1 ..
yasyaaste mahimaanamaatmana iva tvadvallabho.api prabhuH
naala.m maatumiyattayaa niravadhi.m nityaanukuula.m svataH .
taa.m tvaa.m daasa iti prapanna iti cha stoshhyaamyaha.m nirbhayo lokaikeshvari ! lokanaathadayite ! daante ! dayaante vidana.h .. 2 ..
iishhattvatkaruNaaniriikshaNasudhaasandhukshaNaadrakshyate
nashhTa.m praktadalaabhatastribhuvana.m sa.mpratyanantodayama.h .
shreyo nahyaravindalochanamanaHkaantaaprasaadaadR^ite
sa.msR^ityaksharavaishhNavaadhvasu nR^iNaa.m sa.mbhaavyate karhichita.h .. 3 ..
shaantaanandamahaavibhuuti parama.m yad_brahma ruupa.m hare
muurta.m brahma tato.api tatpriyatra.m ruupa.m yadatyadbhutama.h .
yaanyanyaani yathaasukha.m viharato ruupaaNi sarvaaNi
taanyaahuH svairanuruuparuupavibhavairgaaDhopaguuDhaani te .. 4 ..
All aspects emphasised with regard to the Supreme Lord are relevantly applicable to Lakshmi also on an equal status and this doctrine is stressed in Sri Chatus Sloki as follows:
1. In the First sloka starting with "Kantaste Purushotama" it is emphasised that both the vibhutis Nithya and Leela - that is the eternal world paramapada and the material world belong to Lakshmi as well.
2. In the second sloka beginning with Yasyaaste - it is emphasised that Lakshmi is an embodiment of Supreme eminence, limitless and above any contradictions by pramaanas(proofs).
3. In the third sloka beginning with "Eshat tvat karunA.." - it is emphasised that all benefits including Moksha are to be obtained through Lakshmi's abiding grace.
4. In the fourth sloka beginning with "Santaananda Maha Vibhuti" - it is emphasised that the ubhaya vibhuti's (the two world eternal and material), Divya vigraham (Divine form), Divya avataaras (Divine incarnations) attributed to Bhagavan are always in association with Lakshmi inseperable and hence she is also the refuge to be sought after and to be attained like Bhagavan. Thus the reason for Alavandar to euologise Lakshmi first in this Chatus sloki even before praising the Lord (in the Stotra Ratnam) is that she will act as Purushakaara - that is mediatrix between us and the Lord and there by remove our fears in approaching the Lord, because of our sins of various dimensions.
With this role of the mediatrix in mind, Alavandar praises Lakshmi, Lord's 'Patni' (consort) so that the Lord will be in a welcoming mood when approached.
In Summary, Sri or Lakshmi is described as the Goddess of plenty, prosperity, compassion and Supreme authority. All the other gods and goddess are subordinate to her. She stays in Nithya-Vibhuti (Sri Vaikuntha) along with her Lord, Lord Vishnu. She is so great that even the Lord or
herself does not know her greatness in full. Without her grace, none can aspire for any welfare either in this world or the other. Being an Acharya, even liberation can be got only through Her grace.
www.inbaminge.com/t/slokas/Chatusloki/Chatusloki.eng.html
commentary on the above is requested