Vaikunta gadyam
Encyclopedia
Vaikunta 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 of this style. It is recited in the 108 divya desam temples including Srirangam
.
and his disciples visited the Ranganatha temple in Srirangam
on panguni uttiram, a day in spring of 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 Sriranga Gadyam
and Saranagati Gadyam
. Devotees believe that the God was moved by these compositions and gave Ramanuja a vision of his abode, Vaikunta
. This inspired Ramanuja to compose the Vaikunta Gadyam
and gives a detailed description of Vaikunta seen through the eyes of a liberated one (Mukti Jivan). Ramanuja stresses the important message that surrender to Lord Narayana
's Lotus feet (Narayana Sayujyam) results in SAlOkyam (attaining the abode of Lord Narayana), SarUpyam (purity of soul) and Sameepyam (remaining close to the Lord). He glorifies the eternal Kaimkaryam (devoted work) performed by devotees like Ananta Sesha, Garuda
, Vishvaksena, a devotee considered first among equals and the Dwara Palakas (door keepers) to Vaikunta, Jaya & vijaya. He then gives a brief glimpse of the "bountiful treasure" awaiting a devotee who does similar devotional work.
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
prayer written by the Srivaishnavism philosopher Ramanuja
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 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 Ranganatha 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 spring of 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, 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 Sriranga Gadyam
Sriranga Gadyam
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...
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...
. Devotees believe that the God was moved by these compositions and gave Ramanuja a vision of his abode, Vaikunta
Vaikunta
Vaikuntha , Param Padam , or Paramapadam is the abode of Lord Vishnu. It is believed, in the tradition of Vaishnavites, to be the place of eternal bliss, exclusive to the Lord, His eternal consort, the Goddess Lakshmi, and the three-folded Serpent Sesha Naga, upon whom the Lord, and His Shakti ,...
. This inspired Ramanuja to compose the Vaikunta Gadyam
Content
Vaikunta Gadyam, unlike the commentaries of Ramanuja on Vedanta, does not have detailed philosophical debates. Instead, it is a pure expression of bhaktiBhakti
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...
and gives a detailed description of Vaikunta seen through the eyes of a liberated one (Mukti Jivan). Ramanuja stresses the important message that surrender to Lord Narayana
Narayana
Narayana or Narayan or Naraina is an important Sanskrit name for Vishnu, and in many contemporary vernaculars a common Indian name. Narayana is also identified as the original man, Purusha. The Puranas present divergent views on Narayana...
's Lotus feet (Narayana Sayujyam) results in SAlOkyam (attaining the abode of Lord Narayana), SarUpyam (purity of soul) and Sameepyam (remaining close to the Lord). He glorifies the eternal Kaimkaryam (devoted work) performed by devotees like Ananta Sesha, Garuda
Garuda
The Garuda is a large mythical bird or bird-like creature that appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology.From an Indian perspective, Garuda is the Hindu name for the constellation Aquila and...
, Vishvaksena, a devotee considered first among equals and the Dwara Palakas (door keepers) to Vaikunta, Jaya & vijaya. He then gives a brief glimpse of the "bountiful treasure" awaiting a devotee who does similar devotional work.
See also
- Transliteration at Sri vaishnava cyber satsang page