Thirumangai Azhwar lists the benefits occurring on recitation of this eight-letter mantra, which are also eightfold in his Periya Thirumozhi Pasuram: A mantra is divinity encased within a sound, just as the splitting of an atom manifests the tremendous forces latent in it. This interaction with MS Amma reminded me later about the importance of eight-letter ( ettezuthu) mantra mentioned by the 15th century saint-poet Annamacharya with that of two songs of my favourite poet Kamban in his Ramayana in the 9th century and the influence of Azhwars also on Annamayya. He also justifies the usage of the word ‘Sriman.’ Lakshmi or Kamala resides in Him forever and that is why He is called as Sriman. The composition proves Annamacharya’s supremacy as a Vaggeyakara as he uses eight times the word ‘Kamala’ (lotus) - Kamala Sati (husband of Lakshmi), Mukha Kamala (Lotus faced), Kamalahita (tendering Lotus), Kamalapriya (lover of lotus), Kamalekshana (lotus-eyed), Kamalasanahita Garuda Gamana (lotus posed while coming on Garuda vahana), Kamalanaabha (lotus in the navel), and Padhakamalame (lotus feet). She explained in a simple language this particular song lists eight times the lotus flower, which is compared to the Lord’s face and eyes byAnnamacharya. She further said that the Narayana Namam is known as Ashtakshara Mantra, made of eight letters (syllables?), which transport the singer as well as the listener to a higher plane. The President understood the significance of her explanation as he himself was moved by the rendition. The next day when we met her, the President asked MS Amma why she had closed her eyes while singing that song.Īs usual, she smiled and replied that she was singing the name of the Lord, which was a mantra in itself as per the tradition and the moment she closed her eyes the Lord of the mantra, Narayana, would appear blissfully in her mental eye and that makes her forget everything around her and elevates the divine power of the song and her singing. I told him that it would be better for him to call on her next morning at her residence than meeting her amidst the crowd of rasikas. After the concert, the President desired to meet MS Amma to express his appreciation and to get a doubt cleared.
Her uttering of the ‘Sree Narayana Namam’ thrice in the beginning still echoes in my ears. Half of the audience sat with their eyes closed too, immersed in the beauty of MS Amma’s singing. Alagappan, I accompanied the President to the concert of this celebrated musician for him to experience the beauty of Indian classical music.Īs she sang with her eyes closed, he looked at her in amazement. Since I was assisting the Honorary Consul of Hungary in Chennai, Mr.
Subbulakshmi, who had just commenced singing the well-known kriti, ‘Sriman Narayana’ of Annamacharya. The vocalist on stage was none other than M. The concert had begun and I entered the venue with the then President of Republic of Hungary and sat in the front row. It was an evening of vocal music, back in the early 1990s, at the Music Academy, Chennai.