आमुक्तमाल्यदा (विजयनगर सम्राट् श्रीकृष्णदेवराय - गोदा देवी आण्डाल भक्ति एवं साम्राज्य-नीति)

Yamunacharya 31
course of time, the intense aspiration to come face to face with the
Divine will be met by the answering grace (para jnana). Finally
the vision thus perceived will create an overwhelming love to be
in the constant presence of the Divine This is parama bhakti.
The Chatuh-sloki is a sublime address to Lakshmi, detailing
the auspicious image of Vishnu. Surrender to the Mother is the
only way to attain Release; for Her Grace is ever a part of the Lord's
presence. The Stotra Ratna has strong affiliations with Divya Prabhan-
dham; some of the verses are almost literal translations of the Tamil
hymns. In the course of the poem we pass through several beautiful
images, and the stotra itself is for us to repeat in a meditative mood
and invoke the Grace of the Lord. The sovereignty of Narayana
is highlighted in the earlier verses, and the rest exemplify the
Parama Bhakti of Yamunacharya.
"Along with Lakshmi you are seated upon the wise and
strong Anantha (prakrshta vijnana balaika dhamam) whose form
is illumed by the gems imbedded in his hood. He is rightly
called Sesha for he is ever in your service as your residence,
bed, throne, sandals, garment and umbrella. When would I
be vouchsafed this vision again?"¹
For all the paratva of the Lord, for all the seeming distance
that separates us from this Paramapada Natha, this Supreme
Being, He is yet full of saulabhya. He is easily pleased: a handful of
fried rice offered by Sudama or a plate of fruits and roots brought
by Sabari! Nay, His saulabhya, like his paratva, is limitless. Just salute
Him by bringing together the palms:
"The physical act of joining the palms in adoration of
your feet, performed just once, by any one, at any time, and
in any manner whatsoever, instantly eradicates all evils, in
toto, and keeps on bestowing all kinds of benefits, without fail".
Vedanta Desika who wrote commentaries on Gitartha Sangraha
and Stotra Ratna was inspired by this verse to compose the well-
known treatise, Anjali Vaibhavam. And it can be readily said that
Yamuna's Chatuh-sloki and Stotra Ratna that highlight the place of
Lakshmi in the divine hierarchy unveiled a new chapter in Vaishna-
vism and gave us incandescent prayers like Sri Stava of Kuresa and
Sri Stuti and Goda Stuti of Vedanta Desika.
1 Translated by S. Satyamurthy Iyengar.