Naama 188-194: Hamsa Avataram

188. surānandaḥ · सुरानन्दः

He appears as a swan in times of calamity or crisis and irradiates knowledge to dispel the darkness, bringing delight and joy to all.

(oṃ) surānandāya namaḥ

The word sura is made up of su (good) and rā (to give), so the suras are those who do good to the world. The Lord delights them by helping them in times of distress. Sri Bhattar sees this name and the next few as referring to the Hamsa incarnation, in which the Lord, as a swan, taught the Vedas when their meaning was lost. The Azhwars refer to this incarnation many times.

189. gōvindaḥ · गोविन्दः

He who is eternally prepared to answer the plea for help when this name is called out. The best example to explain the significance of this name can be found in the Mahabharata. When the game of dice was being played in Hastinapura and Draupadi was harassed and disrobed by Dushasana, Draupadi's five husbands sat in shame without fulfilling their duty to protect their wife. In this time of need, Draupadi wholeheartedly performed sharanagati to Lord Krishna and called out to Him by the name of Govinda.

Lord Krishna immediately made his presence felt by protecting Draupadi.

(oṃ) gōvindāya namaḥ

The word gō means the earth, cows, speech, or the Vedas. The Lord says in the Mahabharata, "Long ago I found the earth, which had gone down to the netherworld, and so I am called Govinda." Sri Bhattar explains the name here as "the one who receives the praise (gō) of the devas" for His help in the Hamsa incarnation. In the Thiruppavai, Andal calls Him "Govinda, who has no deficiency" (kuṟai onṟum illādha gōvindā), and says that our relationship with Him can never be broken.

190. gōvidāṃ patiḥ · गोविदां पतिः

The one who is celebrated by those who have studied the Vedas and have understood its most profound intricacies. When such a scholar internalises and meditates upon the Lord, He grants darshanam to them immediately.

(oṃ) gōvidāṃ patayē namaḥ

Here, gō means the Vedas, and gōvidaḥ are those who know the Vedas. The Lord is their master and protector, because it is by His grace that true knowledge is attained. In the Hamsa incarnation, He taught the Vedas again to those who had lost their meaning.

मरीचिर्दमनो हंसः सुपर्णो भुजगोत्तमः ।

हिरण्यनाभस्सुतपाः पद्मनाभः प्रजापतिः ॥ २१ ॥

marīcirdamanō haṃsaḥ suparṇō bhujagōttamaḥ |

hiraṇyanābhassutapāḥ padmanābhaḥ prajāpatiḥ || 21 ||

191. marīciḥ · मरीचिः

He shows His blemishless form to his devotees.

(oṃ) marīcayē namaḥ

The word marīci means a ray of light. Sri Bhattar explains that the Lord reveals Himself to His devotees through the eye of their devotion, even though the physical eye cannot see Him. One commentator adds that this name should remind us to seek that ray of light: by controlling the senses and then the mind, one gains the clarity in which the Lord can be meditated upon.

192. damanaḥ · दमनः

He who helps His devotees overcome the sufferings of samsara by relieving them of all disease and suffering.

(oṃ) damanāya namaḥ

The name comes from the root dam, "to tame" or "to calm". Sri Bhattar's words are "kānti mandākinībhiḥ bhava tāpaṃ damayati", "with the Ganga-like streams of His radiance, He calms the burning heat of samsara."

193. haṃsaḥ · हंसः

Just as the swan is known for its beauty, so is the Lord. When one looks at the beauty of the Lord, they are left in awe.

(oṃ) haṃsāya namaḥ

The swan (hamsa) is said to be able to separate milk from water, drinking only the milk. It is also known for its beauty and graceful walk. The Lord is everything that is good and nothing that is not good. This name also recalls the Hamsa incarnation, in which the Lord, as a swan, taught the Vedas.

194. suparṇaḥ · सुपर्णः

The bird whose plumage is a sight to behold. As Hamsa, the Lord carries His devotees from the realm of samsara and guides them towards moksham and Sri Vaikuntham.

(oṃ) suparṇāya namaḥ

The word parṇa means wings, so suparṇa means "the one with beautiful wings". Lord Krishna says in the Gita, "Among the birds, I am Garuda, the son of Vinata" (vainatēyaśca pakṣiṇām). Just as a great bird carries one across the waters, the Lord carries His devotees across the ocean of samsara.