________________
Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kalassagarsur Gyanmandir
Introduction
With his Vaisnava approach to the text he has remained its authoritative exponent by upholding the qualities of Sri-Narayana and main tenets of Sri-Vaişpavism. He is known for his profound learning in the various branches of Sanskrit literature. The colophones of his commentary reveal some information about his family and his preceptor, Satakopadesika. Govindarāja explicitly states that he was guided by the Guru, not only in regard to the commentary on the Rāmāyana but in the spiritual persuits also. In the benedictory verses perfixed to the commentary on the Ayodhya Kanda, he alludes to his having heard repeatedly the inspired exposition of the epic by his teacher.
the epic and the literary merits of the composition on which he comments. Hence the commentary is very highly valuable from religious, philosophical, literary and linguistic points of view.
The second commentary Ramayana-Tattva-Dipika of the Ramiyaņa is that of Maheswaratirtha. Maheswara Tirtha was the pupil of Sri Närāyaṇa Tirtha. In the beginning of his commentary he had admitted that his work was based on the opinions of other commentators expressed in their various Tikäs. At places he has edited the text on the basis of other works. He has quoted profusely from Nighantu of Yaska while explaining the meaning of the words and verses. Quotations from the Puråņas viz., Skanda, Nárada etc, occur frequently in this commentary. It seems that the author of the commentary was wellversed in the vedic lore and the Puranas. This commentary also covers the entire work. The commentary is very important for the proper understanding of the Ramayana because its language is very lucid and its explanations are vivid and clear.
The third commentary is Ramanujam perhaps written by Ramanuja, the great philosopher. It can be inferred from the title of the work that it explains the Ramayana from the vedAntic point of view. Since the meanings and explanations are included in the Bhusana commentary of Govindaraja so it is not given separately
Govindaraja's commentary on Valmiki Ramayapa namely Bhüşana covers the entire text. It is in barmony with the main doctrine of Srivaişoavism particularly prapatti. The whole poem is like a long discourse on prapatti His references to Vedic rituals go to show that he was acquainted not merely with the theory but also with practical aspects of Vedic ritualism.
Thus, his commentary on the Ramayana is veritable treasure house of learning and scholarship. Its importance from the point of view of Vaignava faith is unique. In the course of the commen tary Govindaraja also points out the posularities of the language of
For Private And Personal Use Only
