Vedic Reflections - Shri VishnusahasranAmam (Stanza 57)
This shloka put me in a great confusion, especially the second name – kapilāchāryah. One of the books that I was referring to had combined it with the first name (maharşih) while another one had explained the name as two different names that is, kapila and ācharya. Finally I decided to give my own touch. Though I am not very much satisfied with the interpretation but still it’s better than nothing. Once again stress is laid on His destructive action
महर्षिः कपिलाचार्यः कृतज्ञो मेदिनीपतिः |
त्रिपादस त्रिपदशाध्यक्षो महाश्रिंग: कृतान्तकृत ||
maharşih kapilāchāryo kŗtajño medinī-patih
tripādas tridaśādhyākşo mahā-śŗngah kŗtāntakŗt
maharşih
The One Who is a great (mahān) sage (ŗşih). He is the greatest scholar of Vedic knowledge, He Himself propounded the great Vedas
kapilāchāryah
The One Who is the great master of Vedic knowledge (ācharyah) and of brownish complexion (kapila)
kŗtajñah
The One Who is grateful to the kindness of devotees
medinī-patih
The One Who is the Lord (patih) of the Earth (medinī). He is the eternal force that is driving the Earth
tripādah
The One Who has measured three (tri) footsteps (padah)
tridaśādhyākşah
The One Who is witnessing all the three states of the mind that is, awake (jagŗt), dream (svapna) and dreamless sleep (suśupti)
mahāśŗngah
The One with great powerful horns, The Lord had borne the Earth with His horns (tuskers) in His kūrma avatār and prior to that He had held an arc containing all jivas with His horn during the pralaya in His matsya avatāra
kŗtāntakŗt
The One Who creates or performs (kŗt) the end (anta), thus He performs the annihilation action
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