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Mukunda is the giver of Moksha and Varada
is the giver of the best. Is not Moksha undoubt-
edly the best? Does not the Taittiriya Sruti say
that the knower or realiser of Brahman attains the
best or the Highest? As the opening Mangala-
sloka of a work is usually an invocation of one's
Favourite Deity (Ishtadevata), the conclusion is
easy that Sri Varadaraja is an Ishtadevata of the
Poet.
The Varadarajastava and its learned commen-
tary are works of a very high order and would do
credit to the greatest of the Vaishnava writers.
To give an idea of the loveliness and sweetness of
the poem and the learning and research found in
the commentary, we select a few slokas and give
their substance and offer our observations on them.
The first sloka has an indescribable charm and
comes from the heart of a true yogi. The author
prays for the best from the hands of Mukunda.
The trained yogi is able to uncover and open the
mind and free it from all restraint and limitation
and get face to face with the Light Infinite.
Mukunda also means a Nidhi or treasure which is
buried in the bowels of the earth and discovered
and opened out by mining experts. The com-
mentary brings out beautifully the truth that
V. I. 2
Mukunda is the giver of Moksha and Varada
is the giver of the best. Is not Moksha undoubt-
edly the best? Does not the Taittiriya Sruti say
that the knower or realiser of Brahman attains the
best or the Highest? As the opening Mangala-
sloka of a work is usually an invocation of one's
Favourite Deity (Ishtadevata), the conclusion is
easy that Sri Varadaraja is an Ishtadevata of the
Poet.
The Varadarajastava and its learned commen-
tary are works of a very high order and would do
credit to the greatest of the Vaishnava writers.
To give an idea of the loveliness and sweetness of
the poem and the learning and research found in
the commentary, we select a few slokas and give
their substance and offer our observations on them.
The first sloka has an indescribable charm and
comes from the heart of a true yogi. The author
prays for the best from the hands of Mukunda.
The trained yogi is able to uncover and open the
mind and free it from all restraint and limitation
and get face to face with the Light Infinite.
Mukunda also means a Nidhi or treasure which is
buried in the bowels of the earth and discovered
and opened out by mining experts. The com-
mentary brings out beautifully the truth that
V. I. 2