The ashtakshara mantra – ‘Om Namo Narayana’ finds frequent reference in the Prabandham verses. It is not an esoteric Sanskrit sentence. It simply means – ‘I seek refuge in Lord Narayana’! The most effective prayers and generally the simplest ones!
Thiruchanda Virutham – The Eighth set of Ten
Rama poses with his bow for Ananya
822. Even when Siva and other celestials couldn’t face the thousand shouldered Banasura, it was our Lord who rescued the damsel – Usha from the Asura’s clutches. (Usha subsequently marries Krishna’s grandson – Aniruddha!)
823. Our Lord is married to the daughter of the earth (Bhoo Devi) and to the daughter of the flowers (Sri Devi). From his navel, rises the four headed Brahma sitting on a lotus. Lord Shiva who shares his body with his spouse (as Ardhanareeswara) and who rides the bull is the son of Brahma. The Vedas says so.
824. Our Lord Rama whose arrows felled the seven trees and whose arrows tore the chest of Vali shows his affection not only for those who love him but also for those who don’t.
825. If we worship the feet of Vamana, intellect and wealth will blossom. If we worship the the one who slumbers in the ocean with our heart and by our words & actions, evil will be dispelled.
826. Even if we gather our thoughts and dwell on the qualities of the Lord for a long time, would we be qualified enough to gaze at the lotus eyed Lord?
827. If we quell our senses, light the lamp of knowledge, melt our hearts, crush our bones and drown in love, can we look at the Lord?
828. The one who prostrates out of respect to the meaning of the 24 philosophies and the creator of the 7 islands, 7 mountains and 7 seas; and then utters the 8 syllabled ‘Om Namo Narayana’, attains heaven.
829. Those who utter the 8 syllabled mantra tirelessly and with not a single wrinkle in their hearts, will find place at the feet of the Lord.
830. The Lord guards the 10 directions. He has created the 7 different kinds of music and the 9 types of taste. In order to delight the people in the 14 worlds, he has taken 10 incarnations. Those who are devoted to him will find salvation.
831. The Lord felled the donkey faced Dhenukasura and threw him at a fruit bearing tree. Can those who love the feet of the Lord with their entire heart, gain the status of celestials?
What do we need to do to find the Lord? 🙂
4000 Divya Prabandham 