Ramaashtaka Krithis of Sri Dikshithar --Fourth Vibakthi Krithi .

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Dear Rama BhakthAs :

 

Sri Mutthuswamy Dikshithar composed the fourth Krithi

on Sri Ramachandra in Ragam Thodi and TaaLam Triputa.

This is one of the 8 krithis composed by him in Raga Thodi

devoted to different Gods and Godesses . Two of the above eight are on

Sri Krishna of Guruvaayur and on Sri Rama as the fourth Vibakthi

krithi of Raamaashtakam. The remaining six are on Kamalaambikai of

Thiruvaarur ( Navavarana Krithi ), Dakshyaayini, Maha Ganapathi ,

Subramanya , Brihadeeswari of Tanjore and

VedaraNyeswarar(Siva ) of VedaaraNyam.

 

Saint Thyagaraja on the other hand has left us atleast 32 krithis

in (Hanuma)Thodi to illustrate the various , glorious aspects of

this evening Rakthi raagam . He pours out his heart to Sri Rama

in most of his krithis in his unique conversational mode.

Among the 32 of his krithis in Thodi , we find three addressed

to Rama Sahodari / AmbAL (Dharma Samvardhani of Thiruvaiuru ,

Neelathayaakshi of Nagapattinam , Pravruddha Srimathi of Lalgudi )

and ShaNmugan . Rest of them are addressed to Sri Rama ,

his Ishta Daivam . The most poignant of these krithis is in Thodi , where

he confesses to Rama About his worthlessness . He says : O Rama ,

What value do I have without your DAYA ( Nee Daya Ravalegaga

neh nentha vaadanu Rama ?) . Sri Dikshitar is not used to

emotional dialogs with his Ishta daivams . Hence in his Thodi

krithi in exquisite Sanskrit , he appproaches Rama with reverence

and formalitiy and offers his salutations.

 

The sahitya Vaakyams of Dikshitar's Thodi krithi are as follows :

 

PALLAVI :

 

RAMACHANDRAAYA NAMASTEH

RAAJIVALOCHANAAYA VARAAYA

 

ANUPALLAVI :

 

SAMA GAANA LOLAAYA SADHU JANATHI PAALAYA

KOMALATARA GURUGUHANUTAAYA KOTI MAARA LAAVANYAAYA

 

CHARANAM :

 

DASARATHA RAJAKUMAARAAYA DHANDAKAARANYA VIHAARAAYA

KOWSIKA KRUTHA MAGA RAKSAKAAYA KANAKAMANI MAALAADHARAAYA

DASAGREEVA PRAANA HARAAYA DAASA VIBISHANA PAALAKAAYA

KUSA LAVA SITAA SAMETHAAYA KAPI BRUNDHAADHI MANOHARAAYA

 

In Pallavi , Sri Dikshitar offers his salutations to the eyes of Sri Ramachandra

that remind him of the beauty and tenderness of a Lotus flower.

He salutes Him as a supreme being ( RamachnadrAya VARAAYA Namasteh ).

The choice of the word Varaaya meaning that he is a Sreshtan

is consistent with the Sundara Khandam verse , Where Hanumaan

describes Him as :

 

RAMO NAMA VISESHAJNA: SRESHTA: SARVADHANUSHMATHAAM

RAKSHITAA JEEVALOKASYA DHARMASYA CHA PARANTHAPA :

 

In Anupallavi , Dikshitar salutes Rama's attachment to Sama Gaanam

(Sama Gaana Lolaaya Namasteh ) ; His protection of Sadhu Janaas

is next saluted as saadhu janaathi paalaaya namasteh. Adi Kavi

Valmiki praises Rama's protection of all the Lokas and the Sadhus

this way :

 

RAMO BHAMINI LOKASYA CHATURVARNASYA RAKSJITHAA I

MARYADHAANAAM CHA LOKASYA KARTHAA KAARAYITHAAA CHA SA: II

 

The Dharma Vigraha Svarupam of the Lord and Bhaktha Daakshinyam

of Sri Rama is celebrated here .

 

In the remaining portion of the Anupallavi , the unmatchable beauty

of Rama and His worship by the beautiful Guruguha is

referred to . Sage Valmiki has aptly described Rama's beauty in another

Sundara Khaandam verse this way :

 

AADITYA IVA TEJASVEE LOKAKAANTHA: SASEE YATHAA I

RUPAVAAN SUBHAGA: SRIMAAN KANDARPA IVA MURTHIMAAN II

 

In the charana Vakyams , Dikshitar pays his tribute to the prince

of Ayodhya and the son of emperor Dasaratha , who roamed the

forests of DandakaaraNyam protecting Saadhu Janam ( Dasaratha

Rajakumaaraaya Dandakaaranya Vihaaraya namasteh ). This

beautiful prince wearing golden chain studded with precious stones

is recognized next as the brave one , who fought the asuras at

Siddhaasramam and protected the Yajnam of Sage Viswaamitraa

(Kowsika krutha maka rakshaakaaya kanaka mani maalaadharaaya

namasteh ) . The bravery of Rama , who protected Vibhishana and

took the life of the evil RavaNaa is saluted next with the words

" Dasagreeva praaNa haraaya VibhishaNa Paalakaaya Namasteh ".

The final line of CharaNam sees him as Pattabhi Raman , whose

appearance as the emperor on the throne of Ishvaakus captivated the

heart of the asembled army of monkeys that assisted Him in the

battle ( Kapi Brundhaathi Manoharaaya Naamsteh ). The final

salutation is to Sri Rama as Jaanaki RamaNan in the company of

His consort Sitaa Devi and their two sons , Kusa and Lava

who mastered the singing of Srimad RamaayaNam

from Sage Valmiki ( Kusa Lava Sitaa Samethaaya Sri Ramachandraaya

Namasteh ).

 

NAMOSTHU RAAMAAYA SALAKSHMANAAYA

DEVYAI CHA TASYAI JANAKAATHMAJAAYAI

 

Oppiliappan Koil Varadachari Sadagopan