Krupa Samudram

Sri Ranganatha Stotram was composed by Swami Parashara Bhattar. He was the son of Sri Koorathaazhwan. Bhattar was known as the Abhimaana Putra of lord Sri Ranganatha himself. Bhattar once had to leave Srirangam due to some threats. After the threats were over, while returning to Srirangam, Bhattar sang this Stotram. This Stotram describes the beauty and greatness of Kaveri, Srirangam and Sri Ranganatha. PS: On the cover image is Sri Ranganatha, known as Periya Perumal. He is the presiding deity of Srirangam

In this episode of Kamba Ramayanam, we are going to listen to the second chapter (Padalam) of the first Kandam, known as Balakandam. This chapter is called Aatru Padalam, which tells about the beauty and wealth of the river Sarayu. This chapter has 20 verses. First 12 verses are in Kalivirutham meter and the remaining 8 are in Aruseer Aasiriya Virutham meter.

Kambar was a great Tamil poet who lived in the place called Therazhundhur. He lived from 1180 to 1250. He was patronized by a king named Thiruvennai Nallur Sadayappa Vallal. His major literary work is Ramavataram, which is now popularly known as Kamba Ramayanam. It is also known as Raama Kaathai His other works are Sadagopar Andhadhi, Erezhupadhu, Silaiezhupadhu, Thirukkai Vazhakkam, Saraswathi Andhadhi and Kangai Puranam. In this episode, we are going to listen to the first chapter (Padalam) of the first Kandam, known as Balakandam. This chapter is called Kadavul Vaazhthu, meaning singing the praise of the Lord. This chapter has 11 verses, all in the Kalivirutham meter of Tamil grammer.

Sudarshanaashtakam was composed by Swami Vedanta Desika. It is about the holy discus that Lord Vishnu holds in this right hand. The holy discus is known as Sudarshana, Chakra, Hethiraja or Rathanga in Sanskrit. It is known as Aazhi in Tamil. This stotra contains eight Slokas in the praise of Sudarshana. This stotra is in the Vrutham (meter) of "Thagana Nagana Bhaganaathmakam". This stotra was written by Swami Vedanta Desika before starting his great book "Paramatha Bhangam", as a prayer. Reciting and listening to this stotra give wealth, protection and good health. PS: The cover photo shows the deity of Sudarshana Chakra

Chatushloki was composed by Alavandar, one of the great Acharyas of the Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya. His original name of Yamunacharya. He was the first in Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya to stotra granthas. Chatushloki is the first stotra work about Sri Mahalakshmi Devi, the concert of Sriman Narayana. This stotra contains four Slokas singing the praise of Mahalakshmi. This is very simple to learn and recite. Listening and reciting this sloka will surely give the blessings of Mahalakshmi Devi. PS: the cover picture shows the image of Ranganayaki or Periya Pirattiyar, the form of Mahalakshmi in Srirangam temple.

Pasurapadi Ramayanam was compiled by Swami Periyavachan Pillai. He was a stalwart in the Srivaishnava Siddhanta. He was very proficient in Naalayira Divya Prabandham. He took phrases from Azhwars' pasurams and put them together to form a Ramayanam, known as Pasurapadi Ramayanam or Divya Prabandha Ramayanam. This is a very beautiful text and soothing to ears.

In order to make the learning of Naalayira Divya Prabandham, our Poorvacharyas (ancient preceptors) have formulated a method of learning known as Santhai. It is a 4 or 5 step process (depending on the length of the verse), which enables one to memorize these verses. Sanskrit Slokas are repeated twice and Tamil Pasurams are repeated thrice. In this episode, we have presented the third stage Santhai of Podhu Thaniyan. PS: The cover image of this episode depicts all the poorvachrays of Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya, those we invoke in these 5 slokas.

The word Dhatee means victory and Panchakam means a set of five. These five Slokas tell about the victory and glory of Swami Ramanuja. Swami Ramanuja was born in the year 1017 at a place called Sriperumbudur on Thiruvadhirai (aardra) nakshatra (star), Chithirai (Mesha) maasam (month). The first sloka if this tells how he won over other Paashandis (those who did not accept vedas) and Kudrushtis (those who interpreted vedas in a wrong way). The second and third Slokas tell about the glory of Swami Ramanuja's Tridanda (three holy sticks held by any Sri Vaishnava monk). The fourth sloka tells about Swami's Brahma Sutram (poonal, the thread worn across the chest). The final sloka tells how Swami Ramanuja gives salvation to all and wishes for his victory. These five Slokas are surely a feast to our ears. PS: The cover picture is the vigraham of Swami Ramanuja at Sriperumbudur

In order to make the learning of Naalayira Divya Prabandham, our Poorvacharyas (ancient preceptors) have formulated a method of learning known as Santhai. It is a 4 or 5 step process (depending on the length of the verse), which enables one to memorize these verses. Sanskrit Slokas are repeated twice and Tamil Pasurams are repeated thrice. In this episode, we have presented the second stage Santhai of Podhu Thaniyan. PS: The cover image of this episode depicts all the poorvachrays of Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya, those we invoke in these 5 slokas.

In order to make the learning of Naalayira Divya Prabandham, our Poorvacharyas (ancient preceptors) have formulated a method of learning known as Santhai. It is a 4 or 5 step process (depending on the length of the verse), which enables one to memorize these verses. Sanskrit Slokas are repeated twice and Tamil Pasurams are repeated thrice. In this episode, we have presented the first stage Santhai of Podhu Thaniyan. PS: The cover image of this episode depicts all the poorvachrays of Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya, those we invoke in these 5 slokas.