परमार्थ-स्तुतिः

श्रीमद्-गृध्र-सरस्-तीर-
पारिजातम् उपास्महे ।
यत्र तुङ्गैर् अतुङ्गैश् च
प्रणतैर् गृह्यते फलम् ॥ 1 ॥

The valor of Lord Raamachandran is matchless. In DaNdakAraNyam, He destroyed 14,000 asurAs single handedly. He pulverized RaavaNA’s army and finally RaavaNan Himself in a great battle. In AaraNya kANdam, our Lord’s parAkramam is saluted as He destroyed Kharan, DhUshaNan, Thrisiras and the Moola Bhalam. Through His heroic acts, He destroyed the asurAs and made the lives of the Sages of DhaNdakAraNyam comfortable and free from fear. Swamy Desikan has saluted these valourous deeds in SrI Raghuveera Gadhyam’s AaraNya and Yuddha KhANdams following the foot steps of Aadhi Kavi, Sage VaalmIki. Swamy Desikan’s summation of the Lord’s valor is housed in three salutations of SrI Raghuveera Gadhyam: AsahAya Soora! AnapAya Saahasa! Raagava Simha! In ParamArTa Sthuthi, Swamy Desikan continues celebrating the valor of the Lord of AyOdhyA and points out that He is the PaarijAtha tree at the banks of JatAyu PushkariNi (Grudhra Saras):

SrImadh-grudhra-saras-theera PaarijAtham upAsmahE yathra Thungai: athungaisccha pranathai: gruhayathE Phalam

At Thirupputtkkuzhi, the destroyer of RaavaNA and his clan gives His darsanam as Vijaya Raaghavn and is ready to grant all the boons that bhakthAs seek of Him just like a PaarijAtha tree in IndhrA’s garden. 7 On the banks of the JatAyu PushkariNi with its nourishing water is a mighty tree with sweet fruits. There the lowly (athungai :) and the mighty (thungai :) worship the Lord, perform SaraNAgathi and are treated equally with respect to the Phalans without consideration of their Jaathi-Kulam -GuNam and material possessions. That is indeed a miracle brought about by the PaarijAtha Tree (SrI Vijaya Raaghavan) of Thirupputtkuzhi. Swamy says that he meditates on that PaarijAtha tree (Srimathgrudhra-saras-theera paarijAtham upAsmahE). Both the lowly and the lofty prostrate before this Grudhra Saras theera PaarijAtham and becomes kruthArTaas.

श्रीमद्गृध्रसरस्तीरपारिजातमुपास्महे ।
यत्र तुङ्गैरतुङ्गैश्च प्रणतैर्गृह्यते फलम् ॥ 1 ॥

गुरुभिः त्वद्-अनन्य-सर्व-भावैः
गुण-सिन्धौ कृत-सम्प्लवस् त्वदीये ।
रण-पुङ्गव-वन्दि-भावम् इच्छन्
अहम् अस्म्य् एकम् अनुग्रहास्पदं ते ॥ 2 ॥

After composing the first slOkam in anushtup metre, Swamy Desikan sets the rest of the 9 slOkams of SrI ParamArTa Sthuthi in lilting Oupacchandasikam meter.

Oh the Lord of Thirupputkkuzhi, who is celebrated for your valor in battles! Oh Vijaya RaaghavA! Our AchAryAs do not house anyone in their heart lotuses except “Bless me to Compose on You!” 9 you. They focus on you and you alone and shine as ParamaikAnthis (Thvadhanya Sarva-bhAvai :). They have trained me to be deeply immersed in the ocean of your anntha kalyANa guNams (Gurubhi: ThvadhIyE GuNa Sindhou krutha samplava: asmi) and adiyEn desires deeply to eulogize you (vanhdhi bhAvam icchan aham asmi). adiyEn has positioned myself to be the chief object of Your anugraham (Vandhi bhAvam icchan aham, tE yEkam anugraha aaspadham asmi). Swamy Desikan reminds the Lord of the Upadesams of his AchAryans about ananya bhakthi (avyapachAra Bhakthi) to the Lord to become qualified as a ParamaikAnthi. Then, Swamy Desikan states that he wants to go beyond the meditation about the Lord and engage in composing a Sthuthi about the Lord of Thirupputtkuzhi. He hints that his efforts to compose a sthuthi won’t bear fruit unless he is so blessed by the Grudhra-saras-theera PaarijAtham. Therefore, Swamy Desikan prays to the Lord to bless him to create a sthuthi on Him.

गुरुभिः त्वदनन्यसर्वभावैः
गुणसिन्धौ कृतसम्प्लवस्त्वदीये ।
रणपुङ्गव वन्दिभावमिच्छन्
अहमस्म्येकमनुग्रहास्पदं ते ॥ 2 ॥

(चेतनाचेतन-रूप-)भुवनाश्रय-भूषणास्त्र-वर्गं
मनसि त्वन्-मयतां ममातनोतु ।
वपुर् आहव-पुङ्गव त्वदीयं
महिषीणाम् अ-निमेष-दर्शनीयम् ॥ 3 ॥

Swamy Desikan points out about two things here: (1) The entire assembly of ChEthnam and achEthanam adorn the Lord’s ThirumEni as dhivya aabharanams and Dhivya aayudhams/weapons (BhuvanAsraya BhooshaNa-asthra vargam ThvadhIyam Vapu :). (2) SrI DEvi and BhU Devi and other consorts of His can not take their eyes off from such a beautiful ThirumEni. They do not close their eye lids for fear of missing even a fraction of second’s enjoyment of His dhivya soundharyam (MahIshINAm animEsha darsaneeyam ThvadhIyam Vapu:). Swamy begs the Lord to grant him the boon as Grudhra-saras-thera PaarijAtham to make His manas become totally immersed in His beauty and anantha kalyANa guNams so that he can succeed in composing a Sthuthi befitting Him.

भुवनाश्रयभूषणास्त्रवर्गं
मनसि त्वन्मयतां ममातनोतु ।
वपुराहवपुङ्गव त्वदीयं
महिषीणामनिमेषदर्शनीयम् ॥ 3 ॥

अभिरक्षितुम् अग्रतः स्थितं त्वां
प्रणवे पार्थ-रथे च भावयन्तः ।
अ-हित-प्रशमैर् अ-यत्न-लभ्यैः
कथयन्त्य् आहव-पुङ्गवं गुण-ज्ञाः ॥ 4 ॥

Oh Vijaya RaaghavA! PraNavam is made up of three Letters: A+U+M (akAra-ukAramakArams). The first letter is “A” (akAram denoting your Sarva Rakshakathvam “akAra – ukAra – makArams…..”(protecting one and all that perform SaraNAgathi to you). Swamy says: “Abhirakshithum PraNavE agratha: sTitham ThvAm”. Swamy goes on to point out where else He sat in front (agratha: sTithaam). He sat in front portion (the charioteer’s seat) of the car (raTam) of Arjunan and performed GIthOpadesam) (PaarTa RaTE cha agratha: sTithAm ThvAm). Those who possess unimpeachable aathma guNams reflect on this important tatthvam and meditate on the meaning of PraNavam to banish their desire, anger et al. They recognize that you did not need to take weapons against the evil KouravAs. You won the victory over them by merely sitting in the front seat of the raTam. These superior souls comprehend your parAkramam to destroy your and Your BhagavathA’s enemies by your sheer presence and eulogize you hence as asAdhAraNa RaNa Punghavan (Aahavapungavam kaTayanthi).

अभिरक्षितुमग्रतः स्थितं त्वां
प्रणवे पार्थरथे च भावयन्तः ।
अहितप्रशमैरयत्नलभ्यैः
कथयन्त्याहवपुङ्गवं गुणज्ञाः ॥ 4 ॥

Swamy Desikan now shifts his attention to another aspect of SrI Vijaya Raaghavan: His performance of the SaraNAgathi Yaj~nam with His dharma pathni, SrI DEvi (SrI Maragathavali ThAyAr) under the shade of VijayakOti VimAnam at JatAyu KshEthram to protect PrapannAs:

कमला निरपाय-धर्म-पत्नी
करुणाद्याः स्वयम् ऋत्विजो गुणास् ते ।
अवनं श्रयताम् अहीनम्(=अहीनाख्यो यागः, अ-हीनम्) आद्यं
स च धर्मस् त्वद्-अनन्य-सेवनीयः ॥ 5 ॥

Oh Vijaya RaaghavA! Your ThirunAmam, “RaNa Pungavan” has two meanings: (1) The greatest One in battles and (2) The greatest One in performing Yaj~nams. You perform a Yaagam with Your dharma PathnI, SrI Maragathavalli, who is never ever separated from You. In that Yaagam, Your kalyANa guNams like karuNai serve as the Rthviks (officiating priests). The name of Your Yaagam is “SaraNAgatha Rakshanam” (SrayathAm avanam aadhyam ahInam). That sanctimonious yaagam cannot be done by anyone other than you (Sa dharma cha Thvadh ananya sEvanIya:). AhInam is a Soma Yaagam that takes many days to perform. Swamy Desikan hints that this “SaraNAgatha Vrathi” continues to do this Yaagam of SaraNAgatha RakshaNam without interruption while accompanied by His PirAtti.

IndhIvaradhaLa-SyAma: PuNDarIkanibhEkshaNa: Dhrutha kOdhaNDa-thUNIrO RAAMA YEVA GATHIR-MAMA –Raama KarNAmrutha SlOkam (Neela mEgha SyAmaLan with the lotus soft and beautiful eyes is Lord Ramabhadran with Kodhandam and arrow in His hand is my sole refuge). visAla nEthram paripoorNa ghAthram SitA KaLathram sura-vairi-jaithram KaruNya paathram jagatha: pavithram SRI RAAMARATHNAM PRANATHOSMI NITHYAM –Raama KarNAmrutham SlOkam (I prostrate before the gem of Raghu Vamsam, Raama Rathnam always. I bow before that Lord of SitA Devi known for His broad eyes, and majestic, upright body. He is the abode of mercy and the unfailing victor over the enemies of the DevAs. He is the most sacred ParamAthman in all the worlds. I bow before Him always).

कमला निरपायधर्मपत्नी
करुणाद्याः स्वयमृत्विजो गुणास्ते ।
अवनं श्रयतामहीनमाद्यं
स च धर्मस्त्वदनन्यसेवनीयः ॥ 5 ॥

कृपणाः सु-धियः कृपा-सहायं
शरणं त्वां रण-पुङ्गव प्रपन्नाः ।
अपवर्ग-नयाद् अनन्य-भावाः
(मुक्ताव् अपि) वरिवस्या-रसम् एकम् आद्रियन्ते ॥ 6 ॥

Oh Lord Vijaya RaaghavA! Oh the most celebrated (foremost) among Warriors (RaNa Pungava)! Those buddhisAlis (SudhiyA:) who recognize their unfitness to stand up to the rigors of practising Bhakthi yOgam feel importunate (krupaNA:)and perform SaraNAgathi at Your holy feet fully knowing that You are the ocean of Mercy and that You will protect them. They are clearly aware of Your KaruNai as Your primary help (KaruNA SahAyam) and perform SaraNAgathi as prapannAs (ThvAM SaraNam PrapannA :).

They do not get distracted by any tatthvam except your anantha kalyANa guNams and SaraNAgatha rakshaNa Vratham (ananya BhAvA :) and perform prapatthi unto you.
They wish for only one Phalan (YEkam aadhriyanthE). What is it these Sudhiya: wish as a boon from You?
They only seek the kaimkarya Aanandham (VarivasyA Rasam) from you and Your Devi at SrI Vaikuntam as a sukham arising from Moksha Sidhdhi.

कृपणाः सुधियः कृपासहायं
शरणं त्वां रणपुङ्गव प्रपन्नाः ।
अपवर्गनयादनन्यभावाः
वरिवस्यारसमेकमाद्रियन्ते ॥ 6 ॥

अवधीर्य चतुर्-विधं पुम्-अर्थं
भवद्-अर्थे विनियुक्त-जीवितः सन् ।
लभते भवतः फलानि जन्तुः
निखिलान्य् अत्र निदर्शनं जटायुः ॥ 7 ॥

Oh Lord Vijaya RaaghavA! Oh the most celebrated (foremost) among Warriors (RaNa Pungava)! Those buddhisAlis (SudhiyA:) who recognize their unfitness to stand up to the rigors of practising Bhakthi yOgam feel importunate (krupaNA:)and perform SaraNAgathi at Your holy feet fully knowing that You are the ocean of Mercy and that You will protect them. They are clearly aware of Your KaruNai as Your primary help (KaruNA SahAyam) and perform SaraNAgathi as prapannAs (ThvAM SaraNam PrapannA :). They do not get distracted by any tatthvam except your anantha kalyANa guNams and SaraNAgatha rakshaNa Vratham (ananya BhAvA :) and perform prapatthi unto you. They wish for only one Phalan (YEkam aadhriyanthE). What is it these Sudhiya: wish as a boon from You? They only seek the kaimkarya Aanandham (VarivasyA Rasam) from you and Your Devi at SrI Vaikuntam as a sukham arising from Moksha Sidhdhi.

अवधीर्य चतुर्विधं पुमर्थं
भवदर्थे विनियुक्तजीवितः सन् ।
लभते भवतः फलानि जन्तुः
निखिलान्यत्र निदर्शनं जटायुः ॥ 7 ॥

शरणागत-रक्षण-व्रती मां
न विहातुं रण-पुङ्गवार्हसि त्वम् ।
विदितं भुवने “विभीषणो वा
यदि वा रावण” इत्य् उदीरितं ते ॥ 8 ॥

Oh Lord of Thirupputtkkuzhi! Foremost among Your Vrathams is that of protecting those who perform SaraNAgathi at Your Thiruvadi. You are the SaraNAgatha RakshaNa DhIkshithan. It is not fit for you as the one who has undertaken SaraNAgatha RakshaNa dhIkshai to abandon adiyEn (SaraNagata-rakshaNa vrathI Thvam maam vihAthum na arhasi). People of the world know very well your command to SugrIvan at Sehtukkarai (TE udhIritham bhuvanE vidhitham): Be it VibhIshaNan or RaavaNan himself bring them to Me. I will grant them abhayam. When you are known all over the world for this Vratham, adiyEn alone should not be abandoned by you in spite of my paapams. That won’t be consistent with your role as Sarva-lOka SaraNYan.

शरणागतरक्षणव्रती मां
न विहातुं रणपुङ्गवार्हसि त्वम् ।
विदितं भुवने विभीषणो वा
यदि वा रावण इत्युदीरितं ते ॥ 8 ॥

भुजगेन्द्र-गरुत्मद्-आदि-लभ्यैस्
त्वद्-अनुज्ञाऽनुभव-प्रवाह-भेदैः ।
स्व-पदे रण-पुङ्गव स्वयं मे
परिचर्या-विभवैः परिष्क्रियेथाः ॥ 9 ॥

Oh Vijaya RaaghavA! At Your Supreme abode (Sva padhE) AdhisEshan (BhujagEndhra:), GaruDan, the other Nithya Sooris as well as Muktha Jeevans enjoy You in a manner befitting Your wish. Their enjoyment overflows as flood in many directions. Many special kaimkaryams that please Your ThiruvuLLam arises form their kaimkarya prApthis. It is adiyEn’s prayer to you for gaining such kaimkarya prApthi at Your Parama Padham. The anubhavam of enjoying You should blossom forth in the shape of many Kaimkaryams to You. Those kaimkaryams should be accepted by you and should cause pleasure to you. It is well known that you feel happy over nishkAma Kaimkaryams by ParamaikAnthis.

भुजगेन्द्रगरुत्मदादिलभ्यैः
त्वदनुज्ञानुभवप्रवाहभेदैः ।
स्वपदे रणपुङ्गव स्वयं मे
परिचर्याविभवैः परिष्क्रियेथाः ॥ 9 ॥

विमलाशय-वेङ्कटेश-जन्मा
रमणीया रण-पुङ्गव-प्रसादात् ।
अनसूयुभिर् आदरेण भाव्या
परमार्थ-स्तुतिर् अन्वहं प्रपन्नैः ॥ 10 ॥

This delectable (RamaNIya) eulogy named ParamArTa sthuthi arose from the VenkatEsa Kavi of blemish free mind. This happened as a result of the grace of Thirupputtkkuzhi VijayarAgava PerumAn. The PrapannAs, who have performed SaraNAgati at the Thiruvadi of the Lord, get cleansed from the dhOshams such as Jealousy and intolerance. May Those PrapannAs free of dhOshams recite this sthuthi daily with sraddhA and gain the anugraham of SrI Maragathavalli SamEtha Sri Vijaya Raaghavan!

विमलाशयवेङ्कटेशजन्मा
रमणीया रणपुङ्गवप्रसादात् ।
अनसूयुभिरादरेण भाव्या
परमार्थस्तुतिरन्वहं प्रपन्नैः ॥ 10 ॥