Mukunda Mala 1/40

Mukunda Mala

By

Kulasekara Azhwar

Srimaan Venkata Nadhaarya Kavithaarkika kesari

Vedantaachaaryavaryome sannidhatththaam sadaahridi

Gushyate Yasya Nagare, Rangayaatraa DinehDineh |

Tamaham Sirasaa Vandeh, Raajanam Kulasekaram ||

 

       Mukunda              Srirangam Ranga Ranga Gopuram

                                        

                                      Kulasekara Azhwar

         1.       Mukun = Mukti  - Salvation, liberation, bliss, 

                 redemption

               2.       Da = dehi =  to give

               3.       Mala – garland, string of beads of flowers

               4.       Gushya – to be proclaimed aloud

               5.       Yasya – to be endeavored

               6.       Nagare – in the city / town

               7.       Ranga – Srirangam

               8.       Yaatraa - travel, journey, expedition

               9.       Dineh dineh – everyday, day after day

             10.       Aham – I, me

             11.       Sirasa - head

             12.       Vandeh – I praise

             13.       Raja – King

             14.       Kulasekaram – Kulasekara Azhwar

      

Mukunda Mala is a Sanskrit verse written by Kulasekara Azhwar in praise of Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam. Kulasekara Azhwar also known as Kulasekara Varman made his avataram in this bhoomi in Kerala in 3102 BC. He is said to be the representation of the Kausthubam a gem studded jewel on the chest of Sriman Narayanan.He was a king of the Chera Dynasty. Kulasekara Azhwar wrote Perumal Thirumozhi (105 verses) part of the Naalayira Divya Prabandham.  

Mukunda is the 518^th name of Lord Vishnu in Vishku Sahasranamam.

Mukunda meaning: Vishnu Sahasranamam

Sankara Bhashyam : Mukunda is one who give salvation

Paraasara BhattarbBhashyam: Worshipped as the one and only God who gives salvation.

Kulasekara Azhwar has given us the 40 verses as a garland in praise of Sriman Narayanan who is the onl one who can give us redemption from the samsara sagara cycle of rebirth.

I Raja Kulasekara bow my head to Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam. Salutations to Lord Ranganatha is heard every day in all the nook and corners of the town of Srirangam.

              1.       Sri Vallabhethi Varadhethi Dhaya Parethi,

    Bhakthi priyethi Bhavaluntana kovidhethi,

    Nathedhi, Naga sayanethi, Jagannivasa,

                Thyalapinam prathi dinam kuru maam mukunda     

 
 Sri Vallabethi                             Bhaktha Priyethi, Daya Parethi

                      
                           
                              Nathethi Naga Sayanethi

              1.       Sri Vallabha – Maha Lakshmi’s Thayaar’s beloved

              2.       Vara – boon

              3.       Dehi – to give

              4.       Daya paran– one has mercy, compassion, 

                      sympathy, loving kindness

              5.       Bhakti – worship

              6.       Priya- loves

              7.       Bhavaluntana kovidhan – Only one who can give 

                      redemption from the cycle of rebirth by giving 

                      moksha or salvation

              8.       Nathan – Lord of the universe

              9.       Naga – serpent

            10.       Sayanam – sleeping, bed

            11.       Jagath – this world

            12.       Nivasa – abode, residence

            13.       Aalapinam – to speak or converse

            14.       Prathi dinam – every day

            15.       Kuru – do

            16.       Maam – me

Kulasekara Azhwar in this verse salutes Lord Sriman Narayana with whom he speaks and converses every day. He describes perumal as, the beloved of Thaayaar Mahalakshmi (Sri), Varadarajan the giver of boons   (Kanchipuram), embodiment of mercy, compassion and love. Sriman Narayana loves being worshiped and loves his devotees. He is the only one who can give us Moksha and redeem us from the difficulties of samsara and the cycle of rebirth. He is the Lord of the Universe and is omnipresent. Mukunda is sleeping on Adhiseshan (serpent) bed in the Ksheerabdhi the milky ocean.