Naama 503-516: Sri Rama Avataram

503. kapīndraḥ · कपीन्द्रः

The Lord of the vanaras.

(oṃ) kapīndrāya namaḥ

In times past, the Lord came as Rama to establish once again the sacrificial acts laid down in the Vedas, which He had rescued and taught as Hayagriva. When He playfully took a human body as Rama, He became the Indra (leader) of the devas who had taken the forms of vanaras to serve Him. The Ramayana says, "Desiring to do good to the people, the Lord of the universe Himself came as Rama, and was surrounded and waited upon by the devas, who had taken the forms of monkeys."

504. bhūridakṣiṇaḥ · भूरिदक्षिणः

The one who, to teach the world by His own example, conducted many sacrifices like the Asvamedha and gave away liberal gifts.

(oṃ) bhūridakṣiṇāya namaḥ

The word bhūri means "abundant". In the Rama incarnation, the Lord performed many sacrifices and gave abundant gifts (dakṣiṇā) to set an example to the world. The Ramayana says that Rama performed a hundred horse sacrifices with abundant gifts (aśvamēdhaśatairiṣṭvā tathā bahusuvarṇakaiḥ).

सोमपोऽमृतपः सोमः पुरुजित्पुरुसत्तमः ।

विनयो जयः सत्यसन्धो दाशार्हः सात्वतां पतिः ॥ ५४ ॥

sōmapō’mṛtapaḥ sōmaḥ purujitpurusattamaḥ |

vinayō jayaḥ satyasandhō dāśārhaḥ sātvatāṃ patiḥ || 54 ||

505. sōmapaḥ · सोमपः

The one who drank the soma juice in the sacrifices that He performed as Sri Rama.

(oṃ) sōmapāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar explains that Lord Rama drank the Soma juice after performing the sacrifices, as the Vedas prescribe for the one who performs them. Sri Sankara gives the meaning that, as the deity invoked in every sacrifice, it is the Lord who accepts the Soma offered by the performer.

506. amṛtapaḥ · अमृतपः

The one who drinks the nectar into which the offerings of the sacrifices are transformed. He also protects His devotees and makes them enjoy the nectar of His company in Sri Vaikuntham.

(oṃ) amṛtapāya namaḥ

Lord Krishna says in the Gita, "Indeed, I am the enjoyer of all sacrifices and also their Lord."

507. sōmaḥ · सोमः

The one who is sweet like nectar, not only to Himself but also to those who enjoy Him.

(oṃ) sōmāya namaḥ

The Ramayana says, "O Rama! By great austerities and highly virtuous acts, King Dasaratha obtained You, just as the devas obtained the nectar." It is also said, "Those who saw Janardana did not become satiated, just like those who taste nectar."

508. purujit · पुरुजित्

The one who conquers all.

(oṃ) purujitē namaḥ

Valmiki says, "Rama conquers the people by His truthfulness, the poor by His gifts, the elders by His service, and His enemies with His bow."

509. purusattamaḥ · पुरुसत्तमः

The one who always stays with great devotees like Hanuman, who wish only to drink the ocean of His nectar-like qualities.

(oṃ) purusattamāya namaḥ

Hanuman said, "O King Rama! My love for You is very great, and my devotion to You is firm. I cannot think of going anywhere else." He also prayed, "O Warrior! As long as the story of Rama remains in this world, let me remain here."

510. vinayaḥ · विनयः

The one who subdued Maricha, Kumbhakarna, Ravana, and others by His valour and His other qualities.

(oṃ) vinayāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar's words are "vinīyantē damyantē iti vinayaḥ", "He subdues." He gives the example of Lord Rama subduing Maricha by His valour, after which Maricha was terrified even at the sound of a name beginning with "ra". The Lord also teaches modesty (vinaya) to the wicked by punishing them.

511. jayaḥ · जयः

The one who allows Himself to be conquered by those who have taken refuge in Him.

(oṃ) jayāya namaḥ

Lord Rama told the sages, "I am to be commanded by you."

512. satyasandhaḥ · सत्यसन्धः

The one whose promises to His devotees are always true.

(oṃ) satyasandhāya namaḥ

Sri Rama said to Sita, "O Sita! I would rather give up My life, or even you and Lakshmana, but I will never break My promise, especially one that has been made to the Brahmins."

513. dāśārhaḥ · दाशार्हः

The one who is fit to receive the gifts that His devotees offer, namely, their own selves. Taken in reference to Lord Krishna, the name means the one born in the race of the Dasarhas (the Yadava clan).

(oṃ) dāśārhāya namaḥ

Sri Bhattar explains that the Lord is fit for us to offer our very selves to Him (ātma samarpaṇam). He also gives a second, beautiful meaning: the Lord considers His own supreme self fit to be given as a gift to His devotees. Sri Sankara adds that He was born in the race of Dasarha, the Yadava race.

514. sātvatāṃ patiḥ · सात्वतां पतिः

The Lord of the Saatvatas, the Bhagavatas who perform their acts with no attachment to the fruits and dedicate them to Him.

(oṃ) sātvatāṃ patayē namaḥ

The Lord says, "O Chief of the Saatvatas! I created the Saatvatas, who perform their acts in a spirit of non-attachment. Since I am realised by them, I am Myself a Saatvata."

जीवो विनयिता साक्षी मुकुन्दोऽमितविक्रमः ।

अम्भोनिधिरनन्तात्मा महोदधिशयोऽन्तकः ॥ ५५ ॥

jīvō vinayitā sākṣī mukundō’mitavikramaḥ |

ambhōnidhiranantātmā mahōdadhiśayō’ntakaḥ || 55 ||

515. jīvaḥ · जीवः

The one who gives true life to the Bhagavatas by preventing them from committing acts that would bring about their ruin and by making them lead a life of bliss in His service.

(oṃ) jīvāya namaḥ

It is said, "Bhagavan is the very embodiment of bliss and is worshipped by all the three worlds. O Devi! He cannot bear to see His devotees suffer."

516. vinayitā · विनयिता

The one who protects His devotees by treating them with love and affection, as if they were princes.

(oṃ) vinayitrē namaḥ

Sri Bhattar's words are "rājakumāra lālanēna rakṣati", "He protects His devotees by caring for them as one cares for princes." Just as a king's children are raised with every tenderness, the Lord nurtures those who have surrendered to Him.

517. sākṣī · साक्षी

The one who closely watches over His devotees in order to protect them.

(oṃ) sākṣiṇē namaḥ

Thondaradippodi Azhwar says, "You stay with them and know all that is in the hearts of those who think of You" (uḷḷuvār uḷḷiṟṟellām uḍan irundu aṟidi). Sri Bhattar explains that the Lord watches over His devotees constantly, out of concern that no harm should come to them.

518. mukundaḥ · मुकुन्दः

The one who bestows the world of release on those who pray to Him with supreme and single-minded devotion.

(oṃ) mukundāya namaḥ

Both Sri Sankara and Sri Bhattar give the meaning "the one who gives liberation" (muktiṃ dadāti iti mukundaḥ). Nammazhwar sings that when Rama ascended to His abode, He took with Him every living being of Ayodhya, "from the grass to the ants" (pul eṟumbu ādi onṟu inṟiyē). Kulasekhara Azhwar named his Sanskrit hymn, the Mukunda Mala, after this very name.

519. amitavikramaḥ · अमितविक्रमः

The one who has the supreme power to be the support of prakruti and all other realities. This power of His is the object of meditation, worship, and contemplation for His devotees.

(oṃ) amitavikramāya namaḥ

The Paushkara Samhita says, "He is Time; He is Fire. He lies on various objects and lives in the netherworlds. He is without form and is all-pervasive. He is known by the name of Aadhaara-sakti, the power that supports all realities. He assumes whatever form He likes."