A bhakta on the group mailing list asked this question that reads as follows:
"I have come across two verses in chapter 5 of canto 11 of the Srimad Bhagavata purana, in these verse Narada, explains how Srimannarayana is worshiped the various yugas, and i would like to know how these verses are construed and interpreted by in Sri Vaishnava sampradaya.
Firstly we have Sloka 32 (chapter 5, canto 11)
krishna-varnam tvishakrishnam
sangopangastra-parshadam
yajnaih sankirtana-prayair
yajanti hi su-medhasah
TRANSLATION
In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Krishna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krishna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.
Secondly there are verses 38-40 in the same chapter
kritadishu praja rajan
kalav icchanti sambhavam
kalau khalu bhavishyanti
narayana-parayanah
kvacit kvacin maha-raja
dravideshu ca bhurisah
tamraparni nadi yatra
kritamala payasvini
kaveri ca maha-punya
pratici ca maha-nadi
ye pibanti jalam tasam
manuja manujesvara
prayo bhakta bhagavati
vasudeve 'malasayah
TRANSLATION
My dear King, the inhabitants of Satya-yuga and other ages eagerly desire to take birth in this age of Kali, since in this age there will be many devotees of the Supreme Lord, Narayana. These devotees will appear in various places but will be especially numerous in South India. O master of men, in the age of Kali those persons who drink the waters of the holy rivers of Dravida-desa, such as the Tamraparni, Krtamala, Payasvini, the extremely pious Kaveri and the Pratici Mahanadi, will almost all be pure hearted devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva.
Who is being predicted in sloka 32? Gaudiyas interpret this to mean Chaitanya mahaprabhu, the swaminarayans see this as predicting Sahajanada swami (Swaminarayan). What is the view of Sri Vaishnava Purvacharyas in regards to this verse?
In slokas 38-49 does the reference to "the devotees in South India" refer to The Azhwars and Srimad Ramanuja? "
Swamiji's reply to the above query was:
"PRIYA SRIMAN ! JAI SRIMANNARAYANA! WE ARE HAPPY WITH YOUR INTEREST. WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE MEANING CLEARLY.
The meaning of the sloka 32, ch.5, canto 11
Krishnam = Lord Krisha
Twisha = with the glow of the complexion
Krishna varnam = black in color
Sa:ngo:pa:nga:sthra pa:rshadam: - along with 'anga=limbs of the body,
Upa:nga = other physical identities like kowsthubham, sri etc., in the body,
Asthra = weapons like sudarsana, panchajanya etc.,
Pa:rshadam = intimates like sunanda, nandana etc,
Su me:dhasaha = wise
Yajanthi = are worshiping
Yajnaihi = with pujas
Sanki:rthana pra:yaihi = filled with songs etc.
Here when we take the complexion, as it is dealing with Kaliyuga, the mu:rthy must be a deity that is worshiped in temples as Archa Vigraha, made in black stone only, it seems. The Sage Veda Vyasa did not accept white marble, it appears. For sure, it is not dealing with the murthy which moves like that of Vibhava Avathara. Again, krishnam does not necessarily mean Lord Krishna only. Krishna = one who gives immense joy to the devotees. The word Krishna talks about all the forms of Lord Vishnu.
"krishir bhu: va:chakas sabdah, nas cha nirvruthi va:chakaha" ' one who gives abundant joy'
When you take the meaning like this, then only it goes with the meaning of the other slokas 38 etc. As you have observed, the slokas from 38 are talking about Azhwars only. The reason is so clear here. 'narayana parayanah' = who chant the divine name of 'narayana' means those who are dedicated to Lord with ashta:kshari maha manthra. Only Azhwars and their followers do so. Other Sampradaya people have their own manthras and ways. For taking narayana ashtakshari, pancha samskaram is essential. Followers of Azhwars & Acharyas only do so, but not other sampradaya people you have mentioned.
It is only the azhwars, always identified with the sacred rivers they were living with, even today. Others cannot claim that at all. They were only the wise talked about the Archa A:ra:dhana in their songs in Divya Prabandhas. For Azhwars, archa is the ultimate, but not just means to the ultimate. The great sage Veda Vyasa was predicting the forth coming appearance of Azhwars in his slo:kas.
