THE THREE RECLINING FORMS OF THE LORD

Srirangam, Ranganatha Temple: The First of the 108 Divya Desams

https://www.trsiyengar.com/id161.shtml; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranganatha

http://www.108divyadesam.com/srirangam%20divyadesam.html
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of
the State of Kerala, India, is one of the
108 sacred Vishnu temples or Divya
Desams, the holiest abodes of the Lord
Vishnu that are mentioned in the works
of the Tamil Azhvars (saints). The
presiding deity of this temple is Lord
Vishnu, reclining on Anantha, the
hooded Serpent.
https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/padmanabha-swamy-temple-thiruvananthapuram/13

Ananthash caasmi naaganaam, says Krishna in the Gita, chapter 10, sloka 29.
So, Adishesha is a sarpa and Anantha is a naaga.
WHICH IS THE THIRD DIVYA DESAM WITH A RECLINING LORD?
WHAT IS HE RECLINING ON?
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The third Divya Desam is SriVilliputthur, about 70 km southwest of

Madurai, known for its Meenakshi temple. The deity at Srivilliputthur temple
is VaTapatrashayee - the one who appeared before sage MarkaNDeya as a
baby lying with His back on the leaf (patra) of a banyan tree (vaTa). Andals
father Periyaazhwaar was born at Srivilliputthur. Andal used to make
garlands for this Perumal daily which were then taken by her father to the
temple. Periyaazhwaar had created a garden within the temple premises
(which still exists to this day) and the flowers and tulasi grown in this garden
would be used by Andal to make the garlands for VaTapatrashaayee Perumal;
see the full story here of Periyaazhwaar and Andal and SriVilliputthur
http://sriramanujar.tripod.com/periya.html .
Furthermore, Andal calls the Lord Aalin ilaiyaai, which means the One who
is lying on a banyan leaf, in Pasuram 26 (Maale MaNivaNNaa) following which
she calls the Lord thrice by the name Govindaa: once each in the three
subsequent pasurams 27, 28, and 29 just like we say Shree Govinda
Govinda Govinda three times at the beginning of all our prayers.
Hence, it is seems especially appropriate and extremely auspicious to
include the two naamas added here (see page 5) to the Govindaa Namaavali
that we chant regularly in our temples. All three forms are glorified here.

Left: SriVilliputthur Andal Temple Courtesy:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/10/Srivilliputhoor-Aandaal-Temple.jpg/800px-

Right: Official emblem of the Government of

Tamilnadu. The temple tower used in this emblem is that of the Srivilliputthur
temple. Courtesy:
Srivilliputhoor-Aandaal-Temple.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/TamilNadu_Logo.svg/640pxTamilNadu_Logo.svg.png

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NAAGA AND SARPA: WHATS THE DIFFERENCE?

In the Vibhuti yoga chapter 10 of the Gita, Krishna says, SarpaaNaam asmi
Vaasukih (sloka 28 last paadam) and follows it with Anantasch caasmi
Naagaanaam (sloka 29, first paadam). So, clearly there is a difference between
sarpas and naagas. It is also clear that Vaasuki and Anantha are different
although I have seen some take the two to be the same (rather surprising) and
others say that Vaasuki is the son of Anantha. So, Vaasuki is also a Naaga.
In the detailed commentaries of these Gita slokas (in the Sanskrit, by 11
different acaryas from different sampradayas; vol. 2 with commentaries on
chapters 7 to 12 was published by Gujarati Printing Press, 1936), the
following differences are noted, although we are still left with surprisingly
different opinions.
1. Number of hoods: According to Raamanuja, Sarpaah eka shirah tesham
madhye Vaasukih l Naagaah bahu shirasahaa l That means Sarpas have one
hood and Naagas are multi-hooded. However, other sources are also cited
(in the commentaries compilation) which say just the opposite.
2. Poisonous versus Non-poisonous: Naagas are non-poisonous (nirvishaah
naagaah) and Sarpas are poisonous, according to Sridhar Swami (of the
Rudra VaishNava sampradaya, see www.bhagavad-gita-org ).
The name of the snake used as the rope during the churning of the Milk
Ocean is stated as Vaasuki in the Srimad Bhagavatam (Canto 8, chapter 7,
verse 1, where Vaasuki is called the king of the Naagas by Shukaacarya).
We know that Vaasuki was poisonous and tormented the asuras (demons)
during the churning since they insisted on grabbing the head rather than
the tail (which they considered to be inauspicious and beneath them to
hold). Vaasuki emitted fire and poison as he was getting fatigued by the
churning process where he was used as a rope. However, in verse 14 of the
Srimad Bhagavatam chapter, it is stated that Vaasuki had thousands of
heads and eyes and nostrils and fire blazed out from them. So Naagas must
be multi-hooded. Some other sources say that Naagas are non-poisonous
and that sarpas are poisonous.
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3. Color of hood: Naagas have hoods that are white; phaNino

dhawalaangaaste naagaah iti prakeetitaah.
4. Mother: Surasaa was the mother of Naagas and Kadru the mother of
Sarpas (or pannagaas). These are the daughters of Daksha Prajapati and
were married to the sage Kashyapa. In the RuNamocana Nrusimha Stotram,
we find Kadrooja visha naashanam (verse 4), which Lord Nrusimha will
destroy even the poison of the children of Kadru, i.e. the sarpas and so
sarpas must be the poisonous ones.
5. Residence: It is also stated in the commentaries that Naagas reside in
Paatala and the sarpas reside in Mahaatala. These are the lower lokas
(below Bhuloka).
The first two are the most important characteristics but here, unfortunately,
different sources seem to be in conflict.
In summary, we are dealing with two different types of snakes (commonly
used translation for Naaga, such as by Prabhupada in Srimad Bhagavatam)
and serpents. Taking the Gita as the authority, we conclude that
Anantha is a Naaga and that Adishesha is a Sarpa and the Lord has graced
both types of reptiles and used them for His bed to recline upon. (I have
started wondering about the hollow portion that must be left after the
coiling of the snake or serpent. How does the Lord manage or is some type of a
mattress placed on top of the coiled spring here? Of course, multi-coils can
be conceived which reduce the hollow size. )

Page 4 of 16

Govinda Namaavali in Devanagari

and English Transliteration

Temple towers of Tirumala hills

VaTa patra shaayinE Govindaa

Baala Mukundaa Govindaa

1. See https://www.scribd.com/doc/252432115/Andal-and-Vatapatrashaayi-Connection-Addition-to-Govinda-Namaavali
2. And also, https://www.scribd.com/doc/252185900/GovindaNamaavali-Addition-Inspired-by-Andal-s-Thiruppavai-Pasuram-26



Adya UttaraayaNa puNya kaale Vatasya patrasya puTe shayaanasya
padaaravinDe samarpitam.... (Jan 14, 2015) ~8:30 AM
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(2)

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Page 7 of 16

11

10

12

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13

Sri Balaji Temple of Great Lakes 12/29/2014

Edited on Jan 9, 2015 Ekadasi according to

Thiruppavai calendar, MaalE MaNivaNNaa
pasuram 26 of Andal.

All three reclining forms of the Lord (on

Adishesha, Anantha, and Vatapatra) are
gloried here in the concluding lines.

Srirangam: Adishesha (sarpa)

Thiruvananthapuram: Anantha (naaga)

14

With the two additional lines, we get 108 lines in the Namaavali (13 8 = 104 plus 4)
Page 9 of 16

ANDAL AND VATAPATRASHAAYEE CONNECTION

The commentary on line 4 of Andals Thiruppavai pasuram 30, by His
Holiness Poundarikapuram Srimad Andavan Srimath Gopaladesika
Mahadesikan (cited by Sriman Sadagopan in his compilation of the
Thiruppavai commentaries) says that the Lord was being worshipped as
SriVaTapatrashaayin. Hence, the addition of VaTapatrashayinE Govindaa
and Bala Mukundaa Govindaa to the Govinda Namaavali that we chant
regularly seems especially appropriate and extremely auspicious (see
also
http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/df099.html). Reproduced
below, verbatim, are the remarks by His Holines with reference line 4 of
pasuram 30.
*

aNi pudhuvai(p) painkamala(th) thaN theriyal battar piraan kOdhaisanga(th) thamizh maalai muppadhum
In this world, Srivillipuththur, stands
out majestically as the cental gem in a
priceless pendant of nine gems.
Vishnuchitta also known as Bhattar
piraan Periyazhwar was born in this
place. He adorned on his self a garland
of lotus flowers and a garland of tulasi
beads that are recognised as the traits
of a true Srivaishnava. Everyday, he
would present garlands of lotus flowers to SriVatapatrashaayi, the temple
deity. His daughter is Godai and Her song is Thiruppavai. This is a garland of
the chastest tamizh. It is a work that will give us an association with
Emperuman. It is a work that enshrines thirty verses in it and should be
enjoyed and experienced by us. References to above HHGM commentary:
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https://www.scribd.com/doc/120109881/Pasuram-30-of-Andal-sThiruppavai (see page 8 of this document) and see page 104 of Thiruppavai
commentary by His Holiness Poundarikapuram Srimad Andavan Srimath
Gopaladesikan Mahadesika, translated by Sri C. G. Balaji and edited by Sri V.
Sathakopan. Page 104 of the document also includes above image of the deity.
http://www.ibiblio.org/sadagopan/ahobilavalli/thiruppavai.pdf See also
www.ibiblio.org/sadagopan/sundarasimham/ebooks/Thiru3.pdf
VaTapatrashaayinE Govindhaa Bala Mukunda Govindhaa
Hari Bol! Govinda Govindaa!! Om Namo NarayaNaaya!!!

Bala Mukunda as VaTapatrashaayi as seen by the sage MarkaNDeya who experienced

pralayaa, according to the story told in Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 12, chapter 9 (verses 10
to 18 about how pralaya started and verses 19 to 34 about the sighting of Bala Mukunda and
thereafter
see
http://vedabase.net/sb/12/9/en
and
also
see
http://www.srimadbhagavatam.org/canto12/chapter9.html

From the Wikipedia article on Srivilliputthur Divya Desam

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srivilliputhur_Divya_Desam Within the temple's
sanctum sanctorum is an image of the Lord in a reclining posture; His consorts, Sri
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Devi and Bhoo Devi, are shown attending to him at His feet. Sage Bhrgu stands
near His head and Markandeya is near His feet. The banyan tree whose leaf is
known as Vatapatram, on which the Lord is said to rest in the form of a baby
during deluge is at His head, behind Sage Bhrgu.
The following links provide information about SriVilliputthur temple. Even today,
garlands are first offered to Andal and only then taken to Vatapatrashaayee
Perumal.
Clear
reference
to
Vatapatrashaayee
http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/df099.html
A brief description of the
deities is given here, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srivilliputhur_Divya_Desam

Left: SriVilliputthur Andal Temple Courtesy:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/10/SrivilliputhoorAandaal-Temple.jpg/800px-Srivilliputhoor-Aandaal-Temple.jpg
Right: Official emblem of the Government of Tamilnadu. The temple tower
used in this emblem is that of the Srivilliputthur temple. Courtesy:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/TamilNadu_
Logo.svg/640px-TamilNadu_Logo.svg.png
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Vatapatrashayee in Tanjore style painting

http://twitpic.com/aho21t
https://poorna89.wordpress.com/2010/06/19/vatapatrashayee/
In the Adishesha and Anantha reclining postures, the Sarpa Adishesha and the
Naaga Anantha are huge and endless and the Lord is also majestic. Here the Lord
is a baby and the banyan leaf, normally small, is much bigger than the baby! See
also http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2009/09/adisesha-anantha-sayanasrinivasa-sri.html
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Adisesha Anantha Sayana Srinivasa Sri Venkatesa

Adisesha Anantha Sayana

Srinivasa Sri Venkatesa
Adi Sesha Ananta Shayana
Srinivasa Sri Venkatesha

Swetambaradara Sri Chit wilasa

Shiridipate Sri Sai Natha
Adi Sesha Ananta Sayana
Srinivasa Sri Venkatesaa

Raghukula Tilaka Raghu Ramachandra

Seetapate Sri Ramachandra
Adi Sesha Ananta Sayana
Srinivasa Sri Venkatesaa

Kaliyuga Deva Karunincha raavaa

Mangapate Sri Venkatesa
Adi Sesha Ananta Sayana
Srinivasa Sri Venkatesaa

Yadukula Bhushana Yashoda nandana

Radhapate Gopala Krishna
Adi Sesha Ananta Sayana
Srinivasa Sri Venkatesaa

Venkatesa Venkatesa
Venkatesa Pahimam
Srinivasa Srinvasa
Srinivasa Rakhshamam
Venkatesa Pahimam
Srinivasa Rakhshamam
Srinivasa Pahimam
Venkatesa Rakhshamam

Kundali Bhushana Kailasa Vaasa

Gaureepate Shiva Shambo Shankara
Adi Sesha Ananta Sayana
Srinivasa Sri Venkatesaa
Sagara Langhana Sri Rama Duta
Anjaniputra Sri Anjaneya
Adi Sesha Ananta Sayana
Srinivasa Sri Venkatesaa

Vatapatrashaayee
Bala Mukundaa
Karaarvindnena MukhaaravindE
Padaarvindam viniveshayantam
Adi Sesha Ananta Shayana
Srinivasa Sri Venkatesha
Adi Sesha Ananta Shayana
Srinivasa Sri Venkatesha

Courtesy: http://bhajanlyrics.com/?p=762 Vatapatrashaayee verse added

today 1/16/2015.

Page 14 of 16

Govinda Namaavali
English

rnivs govind
r vekae govind (2)
bhakta vatsala govind
bhgavat priya govind
nitya nirmala govind
nlamegha yma govind
pura puru govind
puarkka govind
govind hari govind
gokula nandana govind

nanda nandan govind

navanta cor govind
pauplaka r govind
ppa vimocana govind
dua sahra govind
durita nivraa govind
ia pariplaka govind
kaa nivraa govind
govind hari govind
gokula nandana govind

st nyaka govind
ritapariplaka govind
daridrajana poaka govind
dharma sasthpaka govind
antha rakaka govind
padhbhndava govind
aragatavatsala govind
karu sgara govind
govind hari govind
gokula nandana govind
5

kamala dak govind

kmita phaladta govind
ppa vinaka govind
phi murre govind
rmudrkita govind
rvatskita govind
dhara nyaka govind
dinakara tej govind
govind hari govind
gokula nandana govind
6
padmvat priya govind
prasanna mrte govindPage 15 of 16

varha nrusiha govind

vmana bhgurma govind
balarmnuja govind
bauddha kalkidhara govind
veu gna priya govind
vekaa rama govind
govind hari govind
gokula nandana govind

vajra makuadhara govind

varha mrt govind
gopjana lola govind
govardhanoddhra govind
daaradha nandana govind
daamukha mardhana govind
paki vhan govind
pava priya govind
govind hari govind
gokula nandana govind
3
matsya krma govind
madhu sdhan hari govind

abhaya hasta pradarshana govind

marty avatar govind

akha cakradhara govind

sraga gaddhara govind
virja trtha govind
virodhi mardhana govind
govind hari govind
gokula nandana govind

slagrma hara govind

sahasra nma govind
lakm vallabha govind
lakmagraja govind
kastri tilaka govind
kcanmbaradhara govind
garua vhan govind
gajarja rakaka govind
govind hari govind
gokula nandana govind
8
vnara sevita govind
vrathi bandhana govind
eLu malai vs govind
eka svarp govind
rma kri govind
Raghu kula nandana govind
pratyaka deva govind
parama daykara govind
govind hari govind
gokula nandana govind
9
vajra makuadara govind
vaijayanti mla govind
va ksu priya govind
vasudeva tanay govind
bilvapatrrcita govind
bhikuka sastuta govind
str pu rp govind
ivakeava mrti govind
govind hari govind
gokula nandana govind

10

VaTa patra shaayinE govind

brahmnanda rp govind
bhakta trak govind
nitya kaya govind
nraja nbh govind
hati rma priya govind
hari sarvottama govind
janrdhana mrti govind
jagat ski rp govind
govind hari govind
gokula nandana govind

11

abhieka priya govind

pannivraNa govind
ratna kireeT govind
rmnuja-nuta govind
swayam praksh govind
shrita paksh govind
nitya ubhta govind
nikhila loke govind
govind hari govind
gokula nandana govind

12

nanda rp govind
adhyanta rahita govind
ihapara dyaka govind
iparja rakaka govind
parama daylO govind
padmanbh hari govind
tirumala nivs govind
tulas vanamla govind
govind hari govind
gokula nandana govind

13

edri nilaya govind

ea syinE govind
edri nilay govind
anantha sayan govind
r rnivs govind
r vekae govind
govind hari govind
gokula nandana govind

14

bla mukund govindPage 16 of 16