Krishnavataram

Swami Vedanta Desikan portrays Lord Srinivasa as Lord Krishna in the above line. The Sanskrit name Krishna is mentioned as “kannan” in Tamil. We are reminded of the connection between Krishnavataram and Tirumala hills by this line. It is mentioned in Varaha Puranam that, when a congregation of rishis (Bharadwajar, Angiras, Kashyapar, Jabali, Gautamar et al) heard about the glories of the Tiruvenkatam hills, they proceeded on a pilgrimage to Tirumala. They repeatedly uttered the name “Govinda” on their way to Tirumala. The name “Govinda” is the name associated with Lord Krishna. The Venkatachalam Mahatmyam also mentions that, Lord Krishna incarnated as Lord Srinivasa for the sake of His mother Yashoda. After leaving Gokulam, Lord Krishna wed 16008 princes but, He failed to invite His mother Yashoda to attend the weddings. When Yashoda expressed her disappointment, Lord Krishna promised to incarnate as Lord Srinivasa so that Yashoda could find Him a suitable bride. Likewise, Yashoda took birth as Vakulamala and was instrumental in arranging the wedding of Goddess Padmavathy with Lord Srinivasa. Therefore, the words “kaNNan adiyiNai emakku kaattum veRpu”, portrays Lord Srinivasa as Lord Krishna because, He is “Kurai Onrum Illa Govindan!”

Through this line, we are also reminded about the Krishna Charama Slokam. When Arjuna felt distressed after learning about the difficult upāyams of Bakthi Yogam to reach the Lord, Sri Parthasarathy Emperuman took pity on Arjunan and rendered the Charama Slokam. The Lord taught him the easy to practice prapatti which would yield quick result for attaining Moksham.