BG 12.7

We are visiting Kshetrams in Thondai naadu [தொண்டை நாடு]. We have already visited Kanchi and other surrounding, about 15, Divya desams. Now we have arrived at a Kshetram known by Sri Thayar's name. Many Divya desams are famous because of the Lord or because of Azhvars and Acharyas; but, this Kshetram we have come to, Thiruninravur [திருநின்றவூர்], is after Sri Maha Lakshmi, known in Tamil as Thiru [திரு], never leaving and always staying [ninru நின்று in Tamil] + place [oor ஊர் ]. She blesses all. This name got mutilated and known as Thinnanur [தின்னனூர்]. We all desire that Sri Maha Lakshmi should always reside in our house. Sri Lakshmi is worshiped not only for mere money or wealth, but also for love and affection, prosperity of domestic life, success in endeavours, abundance of knowledge, freindship to blossom, good oratory power, etc., says Swami Parashara Bhattar. The Lord and Sri Thayar are always together in Vaikuntam and in the Milk Ocean. When the Milk ocean was churned, Sri Thayar emerged. Since She came along with Amrut or Nectar, She is called Sri Sudhavalli Thayar [ஸ்ரீ சுதாவல்லி தாயார்]. Sudha means Amrut. Once for some reason She departed from Samudrarajan, considered as Her father [as She emerged from Ocean], and not remaining in Vaikuntam also, She came to this Place and remained here for very long time in meditation. Samudrarajan was unhappy that She left Her rightful place [பிறந்தகம்] and so he came to Her here and prayed to return. Though She did not agree, one sentence Samudrarajan told made Her to change Her mind; also, the Lord pacified Her, and both returned. What did Samudrarajan tell? He addressed Her as, 'ennai petra Thaye [என்னைப் பெற்ற தாயே!]'. Who will not listen to those words? Even a mortal mother, with hardly 70 0r 80 years of association, fogets all disputes with the children, if they utter similar words. The Lord is the Father for the entire Universe and Sri Thayar is the Divine Mother of all. Swami Ramanuja addresses Her as akila jagan matha [अकिल जगन माता] in his Gadyatrayam [गत्यत्रयम]. From then on the Sri Thayar here is also known as Sri Ennaipetra Thayar [ஸ்ரீ என்னைபெற்ற தாயார்]. She thus graces like a Mother. The Lord is Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal [ஸ்ரீ பக்தவத்சல பெருமாள்]. Equal to the Lord in Vatsalyam [pardoning mistakes], Sri Thayar is gracing as Sri Ennaipetra Thayar. A Mother pardons the mistakes of the children; rather, She considers those faults as good ones. That is the characteristic of Sri Thayar. With the blessings of the Divine couple, we will now look at sloka 9 of Chapter 12. In Four slokas - 9,10,11 and 12- Sri Krishna delivers an important concept. He tells Arjuna that He asked Arjuna to be involved in Bhakti in Him; but what if that were not possible? In sloka 8, Sri Krishna told Arjuna that he should concentrate in the Lord and show resolute in Him. We do not know whether everyone would get that determination easily. Everyone of us is in peculiar surroundings. We are born somewhere, grown elsewhere, living place is another, we grew up with various types of people. When the circumstances are so different, our mind will not instantly change just because the Lord has told us to concentarete in Him. It is not that easy. Arjuna as our representative, thinks and poses questions. Though what the Lord told is sweet to hear, would it be possible to practice? Will Buddhi get that resolute? If that determination was not achieved, is the Lord lost for ever? Are there no alternatives? Answering such questions arising in Arjuna's mind, the Lord replies. In case Arjuna was not able to do Bhakti as told in sloka 8, the Lord tells an alternative in sloka 9. In case that method told in sloka 9 also was not possible, the Lord tells another alternative in sloka 10. Even if that was also not possible, the Lord gives yet another alternative in sloka 11. Finally, the Lord tells that if anyone of the Four alternatives - in slokas 8,9,10 and 11 - is practiced, one could reach Him. Therefore, these slokas suit our position. It is like making available solutions suiting the circumstances. Children go to school for studies. It is futile to expect all to have the same intelligence or taste. One might shine in one subject alone. One might like mathematics; another may show interest in science. Another might show liking in arts subjects. Some might shine in games. Therefore, we have to find methods to suit everyone and make them to progress. Similarly, the Lord places alternatives to attain Moksham, which is the fixed destination. There are no alternatives for Moksham and everyone has to reach that. He gives various methods to choose and practice, so that irrespective of the choice, everyone attains the same goal -Sri Krishna. Each method is simpler than another. By making available alternatives and each alternative easier than previous one, the Lord shows His quality of Vatsalyam. We should know that we commit faults, and if we are not able to follow the method He had suggested, He could get angry with us and punish us. Instead of that, with extreme compassion, the Lord assuages our inability to show resolute in our buddhi and suggets other alternatives. This is the same quality in Sri Thayar. A mother would always want the progress of the child, by recommending various alternatives. Sri Ennaipetra Thayar and Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal are gracing only to redeem us. Remembering that in sloka 8, the Lord told that we should show resolute in Bhakti, we have to see sloka 9. All these days we were not accustomed to show Bhakti in Him. So, we might find that resolute in Bhakti impossible. We are more involved in worldly affairs and very little in Godly thoughts. Anything started new might not easily get practiced. It is also possible that we might slip from our efforts, and then we might lose Bhakti itself. This doubt came up in Arjuna's mind. We might be interested in Bhakti, but circumstances are not encouraging. In this position, what other could be done? That was the question surfacing in Arjuna's thoughts. So, the Lord suggests an easier way, but make Arjuna and all of us, to reach the same destination mentioned in sloka 8. Now, sloka 9:

atha cittam samadhatum
na saknosi mayi sthiram
abhyasa-yogena tato
mam icchaptum dhananjaya

"My dear Arjuna, O winner of wealth, if you cannot fix your mind upon Me without deviation, then follow the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga. In this way develop a desire to attain Me."

Dhananjaya =Arjuna! Mayi = in Me [Sri Krishna], sthiram = determined, chittam = mind, samadhatum = involvement, atha = if, na saknosi = not possible [by Arjuna]. In sloka 8, the Lord advised to have determined buddhi in Him. But if that was not possible, due to various factors including past janmas' karmas and present surroundings, alternative is suggested. Iccha = desire, aptum = to reach, mam = Me [Sri Krishna], abhyasa- yogena = meditating on the various auspicious qualities of the Lord. This type of meditation daily would bring in the determination needed. When Prahalada was rolled down from the tip of a cliff, he had the determination that the Lord would take care of him. He did not try a bit even to save himself. We will never have such determination, if we are to face a similar situation! Because, all these days we have rolled down and got hurt! So, suddenly we would not get that determination, easily. But to get that resolute buddhi, we have to practice to remember the Lord's quality of rakshakatvam or protecting the devotees, He never tolerates devotees' sufferings, etc. This continuous thought is abhyasa yogam. By repeatedly rememebering His auspicious and magnificent qualities, slowly determination will set in. With that determination if we show Bhakti, we can reach the Lord. Swami Ramanuja in his Gita Bhashyam lists some of the great qualities of the Lord such as: soundaryam, souseelyam, souhardam, vatsalyam, ghambeeryam, audaryam, paratvam, souryam, veeryam, parakramam, saarvagyatvam, satyasankalpam, sathyakamatvam, sarvajagat karanatvam, sarvesvaratvam, etc. He has great qualities like Most Eminent, Simple, tolerant of devotees' mistakes, embodiment of mercy, Cause of entire Universe, Most Handsome, bravest, unperturbed by enemies, capacity to complete the task undertaken, Propreitor of Universe, etc. It is not difficult to pick any quality and ponder over it. Every act of Him and every quality exhibited, are pleasant to meditate upon. Therefore, we have to practice thinking on various qualities of the Lord and train our mind. Every quality of the Lord, would reveal the Lord to us. By this we will get the necessary determination and then Bhakti yoga can be performed. If this is also not possible? Let us wait and see!