The following is the OCR (scan) from "Shree Stuti" published in Saptagiri. I liked the translation and translation by Shree M.K. Shreenivasan, so I will devote a
separate post to each Verse of "Shree Stuti".
separate post to each Verse of "Shree Stuti".
मानातीतप्रथितविभवां मङ्गलं मङ्गलानां वक्षःपीठं
मधुविजयिनो भूषयन्तीं स्वकान्त्या ।
प्रत्यक्षानुश्रविकमहिमप्रार्थिनीनां प्रजानां
श्रेयोमूर्तिं श्रियमशरणस्त्वां शरण्यां प्रपद्ये ॥ १॥
मधुविजयिनो भूषयन्तीं स्वकान्त्या ।
प्रत्यक्षानुश्रविकमहिमप्रार्थिनीनां प्रजानां
श्रेयोमूर्तिं श्रियमशरणस्त्वां शरण्यां प्रपद्ये ॥ १॥
Translation: "May The Worthy and Noble VenkaNatha, Highest among preceptors of Vedanta, in poesy and dialectics, a lion par excellence, hallowed, in my heart ever make His Presence.
I bow down before You, with none else to save me, Dispenser of Heavenly Bliss and earthly joys unknown! Benevolence incarnate! Your Grandeur beyond renown, Auspiciousness You are to auspicious, Your Name is Shree, On The Chest of Madhu's Effulgent You Shine, O Saviour of mankind! Be You Refuge mine!"
I bow down before You, with none else to save me, Dispenser of Heavenly Bliss and earthly joys unknown! Benevolence incarnate! Your Grandeur beyond renown, Auspiciousness You are to auspicious, Your Name is Shree, On The Chest of Madhu's Effulgent You Shine, O Saviour of mankind! Be You Refuge mine!"
Notes by Shree M.K. Shreenivasan: The concept of Goddess Lakshmi, the Divine consort of Lord Narayana or Vishnu, The Supreme Lord of the universe is unique to the system of Visishtadvaita philosophy in the world where The Feminine Counterpart of the Godhead is given equal status with The God Himself and the concept established of the Divine Couple together constituting the ultimate goal of all mankind, viz., Moksha or salvation or supreme bliss.
Ever united, They create, preserve and bless the universe.
The attributes of Goddess Lakshmi are as Innumerable as those of Lord Vishnu.
In fact, it is said that She possesses one quality or virtue which is not found in the case of Lord Vishnu in that She does not punish anyone at all.
Sri Desika begins the hymn with words indicating his sheer inability to comprehend Her Grandeur (Vibhava).
Yet finding nobody else to protect him, the author seeks refuge in Shreemati MahaLakshmi-Devi.
Ever united, They create, preserve and bless the universe.
The attributes of Goddess Lakshmi are as Innumerable as those of Lord Vishnu.
In fact, it is said that She possesses one quality or virtue which is not found in the case of Lord Vishnu in that She does not punish anyone at all.
Sri Desika begins the hymn with words indicating his sheer inability to comprehend Her Grandeur (Vibhava).
Shreemati MahaLakshmi-Devi is beyond all knowledge coming through perception (pratyaksha), inference (anumana) and verbal testimony (shabda).
Yet finding nobody else to protect him, the author seeks refuge in Shreemati MahaLakshmi-Devi.
She is the Dispenser of "Heavenly Bliss and earthly joys unknown". She is also "Benevolence Incarnate".
There is a subtle difference between these two appellations.
However, being "Benevolence Incarnate", She ensures that what all she gives is also beneficial to the seeker.
There is a subtle difference between these two appellations.
Goddess Lakshmi grants all the earthly boons which man may seek so as not to disappoint him, though what he pleads for may not ultimately be good for him.
However, being "Benevolence Incarnate", She ensures that what all she gives is also beneficial to the seeker.
SHREE is one of the several Names of Lakshmi; the term "Shree" has six different connotations.
They are:
They are:
(i) She is approachable by all (Shriyate),
(ii) She approaches God (for the sake of humanity (Shrayate),
(iii) She hears the travails of all creatures (Shrnoti),
(iv) She causes God to listen to the prayers of mankind (Shravayati),
(v) She cleanses and wipes off the sins and ignorance of people (Shrnati), and
(vi) She enhances the good qualities of the supplicants to make them fit to approach God (Shreenati).
In view of Her performing all these functions, the poet specifically says 'Your Name is Shree".
Cited from Saptagiri Magazine, June 1996 issue
