Naama 352-361: The magnificence of the Lord

352. maharddhiḥ · महर्द्धिः

The one who has boundless riches that are sufficient to bring about the well-being and protection of His devotees.

(oṃ) maharddhayē namaḥ

Nammazhwar describes the Lord as "the one who sits enthroned and rules the seven worlds with His single sceptre" (vīṟṟirundhu Ezh ulagum thanik kōl sella ALum ammān).

353. ṛddhaḥ · ऋद्धः

The one who thinks He is prosperous only when His devotees are prosperous.

(oṃ) ṛddhāya namaḥ

After crowning Vibhishana as the king of Lanka, Lord Rama felt free from fever and extremely happy, as though He Himself had been crowned.

354. vṛddhātmā · वृद्धात्मा

The one whose essential nature is so great that it contains within itself even His supreme greatness of qualities.

(oṃ) vṛddhātmanē namaḥ

Sri Bhattar's words are "imaṃ mahāntaṃ mahimānaṃ culakayan pravṛddhaḥ ātmā svarūpam asya iti vṛddhātmā", "His essential nature is so great that even this supreme greatness is like a mouthful for it."

355. mahākṣaḥ · महाक्षः

The one who has a vehicle worthy of reverence, namely Garuda, who is said to be the very embodiment of the Vedas.

(oṃ) mahākṣāya namaḥ

Garuda is said to be the embodiment of the Vedas, and so the Lord's vehicle is worthy of the highest reverence. Nammazhwar calls the Lord "the one who rides on the bird" (puḷḷūrdhi).

356. garuḍadhvajaḥ · गरुडध्वजः

The one who has Garuda himself as His banner. This is the unique symbol of the Lord.

(oṃ) garuḍadhvajāya namaḥ

The Lord has unique symbols that belong only to Him: Garuda as His banner and vehicle, the tulasi, and Sri Mahalakshmi on His chest. Just as the eagle soars high and sees everything below, the Lord sees all and protects all.

अतुलः शरभो भीमः समयज्ञो हविर्हरिः ।

सर्वलक्षणलक्षण्यो लक्ष्मीवान् समितिञ्जयः ॥ ३९ ॥

atulaḥ śarabhō bhīmaḥ samayajñō havirhariḥ |

sarvalakṣaṇalakṣaṇyō lakṣmīvān samitiñjayaḥ || 39 ||

357. atulaḥ · अतुलः

The one who has no equal.

(oṃ) atulāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar quotes the Svetasvatara Upanishad, "There is no likeness of Him" (na tasya pratimā asti). Arjuna says in the Gita, "There is none equal to You. How then could there be anyone greater, even in the three worlds?" (na tvatsamō'styabhyadhikaḥ kutō'nyaḥ).

358. śarabhaḥ · शरभः

The one who destroys those who transgress the bounds of dharma.

(oṃ) śarabhāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar quotes the Gita, where Arjuna describes the Lord's mouths "like the fire of destruction" (kālānala sannibhāni).

359. bhīmaḥ · भीमः

The one out of fear of whom all others do their duties without transgressing their bounds.

(oṃ) bhīmāya namaḥ

The Kathopanishad says, "Out of fear of Him, the wind blows. Out of fear of Him, the fire burns and the sun blazes. Out of fear of Him, Indra, Vayu, and Death perform their duties."

360. samayajñaḥ · समयज्ञः

The one who knows the order of all things, such as how the fire should burn upwards, and assigns to each its duty. He also knows the proper time to offer Himself to His devotees and to fulfil His vow of protecting them.

(oṃ) samayajñāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar quotes the Taittiriya Narayaniyam: "The Creator fashioned the sun and the moon as before" (sūryācandramasau dhātā yathāpūrvam akalpayat). He knows the order of all things and establishes it anew after each deluge.

361. havirhariḥ · हविर्हरिः

The one who knows the time laid down by the Vedas, gives Himself to His devotees at that time, and is also taken by them. As Hari, He removes all the obstacles of those who meditate upon Him.

(oṃ) havirharayē namaḥ

It is said, "Hari destroys all sins when He is remembered, even by people with evil hearts, just as fire burns even when it is touched unawares."