Meaning :
In this verse SrI KulaSEkhara talks about the splendor and glory of the God behind the ashTAkshara-mantram. This verse is the essence of the mahA- nArAyaNa upanishad. Where SrIman-nArAyaNa is described :
1. As the eldest among Gods (yO dEvAnAm dEvEbhyO jAta:) and
2. As the benevolent leader of the Gods. (yO dEvAnAm purOhita:)
The fourth and the fifth verses of mahA-nArAyaNa upanishad provide the basis of SrI KulaSEkhara’s celebration of SrIman-nArAyaNa as the most Supreme principle and the highest among the Gods. These verses of the upanishad are as follows:
“yatam prasUtA jagatam prasUtI tOyEna jIvAn vyacasarja bhUmyAm yadOshadhIbhi: purushAn paSU{gm}Sca vivESa bhUtAni carAcarANi |
ata: param nAnyadaNIyasa{gm}hi parAtparam yanmahutO mahAntam yadEkam-avyaktam-ananta-rUpam viSvam purANam tamasa: parastAt || “
Along the upanishadic lines, SrI KulaSEkhara’s extols the Supreme greatness and the majesty of SrIman-nArAyaNa among all objects in the creation and among all Gods. SrI KulaSEkhara compares the “ananta-rUpam purANam mahatO mahAntam parAtparam” referred to by the upanishad, with the panca- bhUtam-s like fire, water, earth, ether and air. He also compares the parAtparam with the other Gods such as brahma, rudra etc. and concludes that none of them approach in scale the dimension, majesty, power and greatness of SrIman-nArAyaNa.
The AzhvAr says that, next to Him, the vast Earth resembles a speck of dust, the oceans resemble a drop of water, the mighty agni resembles a spark, the great winds resemble a feeble breath, and the vast sky resembles a little hole. AzhvAr concludes his statement on the greatness and supremacy of SrIman- nArAyaNa with awe and abject wonder in the following manner:
“sa: avadhUta avadhi: tAvaka: bhUmA vijayatE”
Such is SrIman-nArAyaNa’s limitless, immeasurable glory that shines forth, says SrI KulaSEkhara.
Commentary by: Sri Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri Sadagopan
