Sriranga Gadyam
Encyclopedia
Sriranga Gadyam 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, like Raghuveera gadyam of this style. It is recited in the 108 divya desam temples including Srirangam
.
and his disciples visited the Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam
on Panguni Uttiram, a day in 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 of Sriranga Gadyam and Saranagati Gadyam
.
, does not have detailed philosophical debates. Instead it is a pure expression of bhakti and gives a detailed description of the God, Ranganatha
as the repository of countless guna
, that he calls kalyana guna meaning "virtuous".
First he describes Ranganatha as gyan
(true and perfect knowledge), Bhala or power, in this case ability to support the whole Universe, Aishwarya
(incomparable wealth and ruler ship of the Universe), veerya (untiring virility), shakthi (power to act without extraneous help), agni
(unmatched radiance), Souseelya (purest character), Vaatsalya (pure unmitigated love), Maardava (affectionate tenderness towards devotees), Aarjava (honesty), Souhardha (thinking of good only), Samya( equanimous one), Karunya(Merciful), Madhurya (sweet even to enemies), Gambheerya (majesty and nobility), Audharya (giving out liberally), Chathurya (intelligence, ability to change even enemies into friends), Sthairya (determined to stay on chosen course), Dhairya (undaunted courage to bring succour to the bhakthas), Sowrya (ability to fight alone), Parakrama (winning the battles effortlessly), Sathya Kaama (having Thy will ever fulfilled), Sathya Sankalpa (having Thy deeds fully executed), Krutithvam (carrying out the duties of God), Kruthangnathai (remembering with gratitude even a little worship offered to Him) and repository and ocean of all such innumerable virtues; He is parabrahman and Purushotthaman (foremost of men).
Next, he explains how he is trapped in Samsara
and bound by his karma
into doing actions that result in sins. Neither gyan
yoga, the yoga of knowledge nor Karma Yoga, the part of virtuous deeds as described in Bhagvad Gita help him get Moksha
.
Finally, he asks that unworthy as he is in so many ways, he be granted the grace of Ranganatha.
Ramanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
towards the end of the 11th century. It is one of the first bhakti
Bhakti
In Hinduism Bhakti is religious devotion in the form of active involvement of a devotee in worship of the divine.Within monotheistic Hinduism, it is the love felt by the worshipper towards the personal God, a concept expressed in Hindu theology as Svayam Bhagavan.Bhakti can be used of either...
prayers in this school of thought and is the basis for many prayers, like Raghuveera gadyam of this style. It is recited in the 108 divya desam temples including Srirangam
Srirangam
Srirangam , Old name is Vellithirumutha gramam and Tamil name is Thiruvarangam , is an island and a part of the city of Tiruchirapalli , in South India....
.
Context
RamanujaRamanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
and his disciples visited the Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam
Srirangam
Srirangam , Old name is Vellithirumutha gramam and Tamil name is Thiruvarangam , is an island and a part of the city of Tiruchirapalli , in South India....
on Panguni Uttiram, a day in the Tamil calendar
Tamil calendar
The Tamil calendar is a solar and sidereal Hindu calendar used in Tamil Nadu. It is also used in Pondicherry , and by the Tamil population in Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. It is also used by Telugu speaking people in Tamil Nadu...
month of Panguni (in spring) on the day of the ascension of the star called Uttiram. In Tamil mythology
Tamil mythology
Tamil mythology means the stories and sacred narratives belonging to the Tamil people. This body of mythology is a mix of elements from the Southern Hindu peoples and Indus Valley cultures with Vedic and orthodox Hindu aspects of the Sanskritic tradition....
, Uttiram was in ascent when the goddess of the temple, Sri Ranganayaki Tayar, Lakshmi
Lakshmi
Lakshmi or Lakumi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity , light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Representations of Lakshmi are also found in Jain monuments...
, was born. Ramanuja was inspired by the festivities of the day and composed of Sriranga Gadyam and Saranagati Gadyam
Saranagati Gadyam
Saranagati Gadyam 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, like Raghuveera gadyam of this style...
.
Content
Sriranga Gadyam, unlike the commentaries of Ramanuja on VedantaVedanta
Vedānta was originally a word used in Hindu philosophy as a synonym for that part of the Veda texts known also as the Upanishads. The name is a morphophonological form of Veda-anta = "Veda-end" = "the appendix to the Vedic hymns." It is also speculated that "Vedānta" means "the purpose or goal...
, does not have detailed philosophical debates. Instead it is a pure expression of bhakti and gives a detailed description of the God, Ranganatha
Ranganatha
Ranganātha , also known as Sri Ranganatha, Ranganathar, or Ranga, is a Hindu deity, more well known in South India. The deity is a resting form of Lord Vishnu, one of the foremost of Hindu Gods. His consort is Goddess Lakshmi, also known as Ranganayaki, Thayar...
as the repository of countless guna
Guna
' means 'string' or 'a single thread or strand of a cord or twine'. In more abstract uses, it may mean 'a subdivision, species, kind, quality', or an operational principle or tendency....
, that he calls kalyana guna meaning "virtuous".
First he describes Ranganatha as gyan
Gyan
GYAN or Gyan may refer to:* Gyan , a Sanskrit word that roughly translates to 'knowledge' in English.* Global Youth Action Network, a youth empowerment organization* Gyan , the debut album by Gyan EvansPeople named Gyan:...
(true and perfect knowledge), Bhala or power, in this case ability to support the whole Universe, Aishwarya
Aishwarya
Aishwarya or Aiswarya may refer to:* Aishwarya, A very popular name in India* Aishwarya Dhanush, daughter of Rajinikanth and wife of Indian film actor Dhanush* Aishwarya Majmudar , singer from Ahmedabad, India* Aishwarya Rai Aishwarya or Aiswarya may refer to:* Aishwarya, A very popular name in...
(incomparable wealth and ruler ship of the Universe), veerya (untiring virility), shakthi (power to act without extraneous help), agni
Tejas
Tejas may refer to:* Tejas, a Sanskrit synonym for fire; light; brightness; sharp; brilliance; lord of speed; name meaning- People with this name tend to be natural leaders, self-sufficient, and ambitious. They generally want to make their own decisions in life and are not afraid to take charge or...
(unmatched radiance), Souseelya (purest character), Vaatsalya (pure unmitigated love), Maardava (affectionate tenderness towards devotees), Aarjava (honesty), Souhardha (thinking of good only), Samya( equanimous one), Karunya(Merciful), Madhurya (sweet even to enemies), Gambheerya (majesty and nobility), Audharya (giving out liberally), Chathurya (intelligence, ability to change even enemies into friends), Sthairya (determined to stay on chosen course), Dhairya (undaunted courage to bring succour to the bhakthas), Sowrya (ability to fight alone), Parakrama (winning the battles effortlessly), Sathya Kaama (having Thy will ever fulfilled), Sathya Sankalpa (having Thy deeds fully executed), Krutithvam (carrying out the duties of God), Kruthangnathai (remembering with gratitude even a little worship offered to Him) and repository and ocean of all such innumerable virtues; He is parabrahman and Purushotthaman (foremost of men).
Next, he explains how he is trapped in Samsara
Samsara
thumb|right|200px|Traditional Tibetan painting or [[Thanka]] showing the [[wheel of life]] and realms of saṃsāraSaṅsāra or Saṃsāra , , literally meaning "continuous flow", is the cycle of birth, life, death, rebirth or reincarnation within Hinduism, Buddhism, Bön, Jainism, Sikhism, and other...
and bound by his karma
Karma
Karma in Indian religions is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect originating in ancient India and treated in Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh philosophies....
into doing actions that result in sins. Neither gyan
Gyan
GYAN or Gyan may refer to:* Gyan , a Sanskrit word that roughly translates to 'knowledge' in English.* Global Youth Action Network, a youth empowerment organization* Gyan , the debut album by Gyan EvansPeople named Gyan:...
yoga, the yoga of knowledge nor Karma Yoga, the part of virtuous deeds as described in Bhagvad Gita help him get Moksha
Moksha
Within Indian religions, moksha or mukti , literally "release" , is the liberation from samsara and the concomitant suffering involved in being subject to the cycle of repeated death and reincarnation or rebirth.-Origins:It is highly probable that the concept of moksha was first developed in...
.
Finally, he asks that unworthy as he is in so many ways, he be granted the grace of Ranganatha.