Yamunacharya’s Chatushloki (“Four Verses”) is a short but profound Sanskrit hymn composed in praise of Goddess Lakshmi, the divine consort of Lord Vishnu.
It consists of only four ślokas, yet each one distills deep Sri Vaishnava philosophy. Yamunacharya (also called Ālavandār) focuses entirely on Lakshmi’s divine nature, her inseparable union with the Lord, and her boundless compassion for devotees.
Core ideas in the four verses:
1. Inseparability from the Lord – Lakshmi is always united with Vishnu, like fragrance in a flower or light in the sun, never apart from Him in any state—past, present, or future.
2. Mediatrix for grace – She is the merciful mediator who intercedes for the devotee, making the Lord’s grace accessible.
3. All-pervading and eternal – Though dwelling with Vishnu, she pervades all worlds, sustaining and nurturing beings.
4. Refuge and protector – She is the ultimate refuge; even the unworthy find shelter in her motherly compassion.
In Sri Vaishnava tradition, the Chatushloki is treasured because it beautifully blends devotion (bhakti) with Vedantic understanding, affirming that Lakshmi is not merely the Lord’s consort but an equal, eternal, divine principle in salvation.
Verse 1 (आलम्बना: Divine Attributes & Majesty)
कान्तस्ते पुरुषोत्तमः फणिपतिः शय्यासनं वाहनं
वेदात्मा विहगेश्वरः यवनीका माया जगन्मोहिनी ।
ब्रह्मेशादिसुरव्रजः सदयितस्त्वद्दासदासीगणः
श्रीरित्येव च नाम ते भगवति ! ब्रूमः कथं त्वां वयम् ॥१॥
O Goddess Sri (Lakṣmī), Your consort is the Supreme (Puruṣottama), whose bed is the serpent (Shesha) and whose chariot is Garuda, the embodiment of the Vedas. Maya—Your veil—enchants the cosmos. The gods and their attendants (like Brahmā and others) are charmed and lovingly serve at Your feet. Your name “Sri” itself is auspicious; how can mere words do justice to praising You?
Oh Sri, Your beloved is the Supreme Being (Puruṣottama), resting on the serpent Adiśeṣa, and riding upon Garuḍa—the Lord of Vedas. Your veil is Māyā that enchants all creation. Even the gods, from Brahmā onward, are lovingly bound as Your attendants. Your name Sri itself embodies auspiciousness—yet how can mere words ever truly praise You?
Verse 2: Highlights her unmatched brilliance—radiance so divine that even celestial beings cannot fully grasp it. She is sovereign in her own right, not just secondary to Vishṇu.
Your brilliance outshines all—beyond the grasp of even gods. You are the sovereign of Lakṣmī, unrivaled and peerless. Your glory radiates in all realms, and none can match the splendor of Your being. Even the Lord Himself delights in Your majesty.
Insight: This verse paints a picture of supreme beauty and dignity—not as equals in a hierarchy, but as counterparts in brilliance.
Verse 3 (श्री-कृपा – Infinite Mercy and Graciousness)
The third stanza extols Lakṣmī’s boundless grace and compassion—how she showers infinite mercy on her devotees, guiding and protecting them with motherly love .
As the cherished consort of Lord Viṣṇu, You stand as the supreme embodiment of auspiciousness. You oversee the cosmos with infinite compassion, guiding devotees with motherly grace. You are the gracious intermediary, who bridges the gap between mortals and the divine.
Insight: This reflects Sri’s role as the compassionate mediator—she hears the devotee’s plea and brings it to the Lord, ensuring that grace flows through her.
Verse 4 (रूप – Her Resplendent Form & Unity with Vishṇu)
This final verse speaks of her resplendent, divine form—immeasurable beauty inseparable from Lord Viṣṇu, affirming her equally supreme and eternal nature .
I bow endlessly to You, O Sri, seeking Your boundless mercy. You and Your Lord alone are the source of compassion—none else can match the depth of Your kindness. In You alone do the helpless find absolute refuge.
Insight: The concluding verse affirms absolute surrender (prapatti) and reliance on Sri’s nurturing compassion as the pathway to divine grace.
1 Majesty, attributes, and cosmic presence of Lakṣmī
2 Her incomparable glory, beyond praise
3 Her infinite grace and compassion
4 Her divine form and inseparable unity with the Lord
Yamunacharya’s Chatushloki (“Four Verses”) is a short but profound Sanskrit hymn composed in praise of Goddess Lakshmi, the divine consort of Lord Vishnu.
It consists of only four ślokas, yet each one distills
Yamunāchārya’s Chatuḥślokī Vyākhyānam (commentary) by Periyavachchan Pillai and insights from Śrī Vedānta Deśika’s Bhashya:
Periyavachchan Pillai (in Manipravalam)
Periyavachchan Pillai’s classic commentary bridges Sanskrit precision with Tamil literary elegance (Manipravalam). Key insights include:
Verse 1: Emphasizes Lakṣmī’s cosmic sovereignty—not just as Vishṇu’s beloved but as the foundational source of auspiciousness (Sri), who commands devotion even from deities. The imagery—from her serpent-throne to Garuḍa-chariot—symbolizes her omnipresence in cosmic hierarchy.
Verse 2: Highlights her unmatched brilliance—radiance so divine that even celestial beings cannot fully grasp it. She is sovereign in her own right, not just secondary to Vishṇu.
Verse 3: Positions Sri as the compassionate mediator. She embodies mercy, motherly care, and serves as the conduit for divine grace, taking devotees’ pleas to Vishṇu and returning with grace.
Verse 4: Underscores absolute surrender (śaraṇāgati). Sri alone, alongside her Lord, offers the sole refuge; no other entity matches her compassion and salvific power.
Commentary by Śrī Vedānta Deśika (Rahāṣya Rakṣā Bhashya)
Śrī Vedānta Deśika’s Sanskrit exegesis elevates the theological depth of the Chatuḥślokī:
He meticulously explores the symbolism—how Lakṣmī’s attributes (serpent-bed, Garuḍa, veil of Māyā) reflect her as the cosmic mediator between the seen and the unseen.
Deśika elaborates on the intimate unity of Sri and Supreme Reality: she is both distinct in personality and yet non-different in essence—integral to the Visistādvaita vision.
He reinforces that devotees attain liberation not just through surrender to Vishṇu, but through Sri’s intercession—she is the very grace that beautifully intertwines devotion and salvation.
Why These Commentaries Shine
Periyavachchan Pillai Rich, poetic Manipravalam insights; focus on devotion, cosmology
Śrī Vedānta Deśika Philosophical depth; symbolic layers and metaphysical unity.
Together, they illuminate how Sri is not merely Vishṇu's consort—but the living essence of grace, beauty, mercy, and the devotee's ultimate refuge.
No comments:
Post a Comment