இவையும் அவையும் உவையும் - Avatharikai

In the preceding “ஓடும் புள்ளேறி - Odum Pulleri” thiruvaimozhi, Nammazhwar enjoyed the ‘Arjava’ guNa of the supreme Lord. Azhwar’s yearning for the Supreme Lord grew manifold after enjoying His Arjava Guna at the end of the previous decad.

In this decad, we see how the Supreme Lord, the One with an eye for taste, bound by Azhwar’s devotion, locks Himself in divine union with the latter and thereby relishes/finds pleasure in latter’s company.

ஸர்வேச்வரனாய், ஸ்ரீய:பதியாய், பரமரசிகனாயிருக்கிறவன் ஆழ்வார் பக்தியிலே துவக்குண்டு இவரோடே ஏகரஸனாயிருப்பான்

Just like He created the thirst in Arjuna to see His ViswarUpa and subsequently bestowed in him the vision to see His divine form, the Supreme Lord, drawn by Azhwar’s devotion, seized the opportunity to create in Him the thirst for divine union and subsequently blessed Him with it.

அர்ஜுனன் விபூதி ச்ரவணத்தாலே விபூதிமான் ஆனவனைக் காணவேணும் என்று அபேக்ஷிக்க, அதற்கு உறுப்பாக திவ்ய சக்ஷுஸ்சை கொடுத்து வைச்வரூப்யத்தை காட்டினாற்போலே, இவர்க்கும் தன்னை அனுபவிக்கைக்கு ஈடான விடாயைப் பிறப்பித்து தன்னை அனுபவிப்பிக்கிறான்

The Lord locks Himself in divine embrace with different people differently. He mixes with the divine mothers in the capacity of a Husband; with Garuda in the capacity of the latter being His vehicle; and with Ananta in the capacity of the latter being His bed. Azhwar reckons that the Lord’s union with him displayed a mixture of all these three categories.

The Supreme Lord unfolds His glorious traits and deeds to His devotees in stages, consistent with their capacity of intake.  In the case of Azhwar, the Lord does not confer upon him all the bliss that celestials enjoy with Him in one go. On the contrary, the Lord’s advances happen in stages so that Azhwar will be able to handle it.

குளப்படியிலே கடலை மடுத்தாற்போலே அன்றிக்கே பொறுக்க பொறுக்கப் பரிமாறுவது

Just like a newborn cannot be fed with adult-scale rice in one go, the Lord’s grace too needs to be regulated in a manner that the recipient can stomach it. It is this well-regulated flow of Lord’s grace that Azhwar brings out through the Kalyana Guna ‘Satmya Bhoga Pradatvam’ in this decad.

In the next post, we will see the saaram of this Thiruvaimozhi.

Dasan

Mukundhan Kidambi

ஓடும்புள்ளேறி - Summary

In this 8th thiruvaimozhi of the first Centum - ஓடும்புள்ளேறி, Aazhwar talks about the great quality 'Uprightness' (ஆர்ஜவம்) - a distinguishing feature where Emperuman mixes so well even with people like us.

In the first Pasuram, Aazhwar talks about the greatness of the Lord who wears cool Tulasi, rides the Garuda bird and lives with eternals. Nampillai asks an interesting question about this padhigam and answers it himself: Since this pasuram only talks about how Emperuman rules paramapadam, how can this be considered as Uprightness? The answer he gives is that "though they are in Paramapadam and are great souls, each of them have own taste and preferences. So Emperuman will mix with them according to their preferences." Following is the extract from Eedu.

'அங்குள்ளவர்களுக்குச் செவ்வைக்கேடு இல்லையே? அங்ஙனம் இருக்க, அங்கு ஆர்ஜவகுணம் எற்றிற்கு?' என்னில், அவர்கள் பலராய் இருத்தலானும்,  அவர்கட்கும் ருசி பேதம் உண்டு ஆதலானும், அவர்கள் நினைவு அறிந்து பரிமாறுதற்கு அங்கும் ஆர்ஜவகுணம் வேண்டும்.

In the second pasuram, Aazhwar talks about the charitram where Emperuman as Krishna tore Kesi's Mouth. Though He was the Lord of all, He took birth, as lotus-eyed Krishna and did this.

In the third Pasuram, Aazhwar says, "Though Emperuman is Dear-as-Eye to celestials and Mortals, He has made Thirumala his place for the easy access of Mortals. An enjoyable extract from PBA swamys Divyartha Deepikai for this Pasuram -

மேலுள்ளவர்கள் சிறிதுதூரம் பயணமெடுத்துவந்து சேரும்படியாய் கீழுள்ளவர்களும் சிறிதுதூரம் சென்று சேரும்படியாய் “தானோங்கி நிற்கின்றான் தண்ணருவி வேங்கடமே, வானோர்க்கும் மண்ணோர்க்கும் வைப்பு” (நான்முகன் திருவந்தாதி). என்கிறபடியே மண்ணவர்க்கும் விண்ணவர்க்கும் பொதுவான நிதியாகவுள்ள திருவேங்கடமலையில் ஸந்நிதிபண்ணியிராநின்றான்.

In the fourth Pasuram, Aazhwar says He will praise the Lord forever who stood holding a mountain high that revealed his glory- 'எப்பொழுதும் துதித்துக்கொண்டிருக்கிறார்கள்' என்கிற நித்தியசூரிகளைப் போன்று நானும் இதுவே தொழிலாக இருப்பன் என்றவாறு.

In the Fifth Pasuram, Aazhwar says the Lord who stole Butter in Gokulam and ate it with both hands, is blended in him - 'அழுக்குடம்பு'  என்று யான் வெறுக்கும்  இச்சரீரம் அவனுக்கு விரும்பத்தக்கது ஆவதே!

In the sixth Pasuram, Aazhwar says, the Lord who measured the Earth and got from Mahabali, has blended into his soul and bears all the good.

In the Seventh Pasuram, Aazhwar says, the Lord who swallowed the seven worlds and who slew seven bulls has come and blended in him.  An enjoyable extract from PBA swamys Divyartha Deepikai for this Pasuram -

‘பரமபதத்திற்குச் செல்லவேணும்’ விரஜையாற்றிலே முழுகவேணும் அங்கே ஸாமகானம்பண்ணி அவனை யநுபவிக்கவேணும், என்றிப்படியெல்லாம் நான் பாரித்துக்கொண்டிருக்க, ‘திருக்குருகூர்க்குச் செல்லவேணும், தாமிரபர்ணியிலே நீராடவேணும், கண்ணுநுண் சிறுத்தாம்பு பாடி ஆழ்வாரை அநுபவிக்கவேணும்’ என்று அவன்றான் பாரித்துக்கொண்டு இங்கேற ஓடிவந்தான் என்றவாறு.

In the Eigth Pasuram, Aazhwar says that it is for him, Emperuman took so many forms viz. Cowherd, Bear, Fish etc.

In the Ninth Pasuram, Aazhwar says, OUR Lord who bears a discus and conch in his beautiful hands appeared in all forms. Here, for the word "Engum Thaanaya" Sri Nampillai shows two meanings.  Following is the extract from Eedu -

(1)தேவர் மனிதர் முதலான வேறுபட்ட சாதிகள்தோறும் தான் வந்து தோன்றினவன். (2)‘ஒருவனைப் பிடிக்க நினைத்து ஊரை வளைவாரைப்போன்று தம்மை ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளுகைக்காக நிறைந்தபடியைச் சொல்லுகிறார்

In the tenth Pasuram, Aazhwar says, the Lord and master who measured the Earth has to be praised by the Vedas - ‘அவனுடைய ஆர்ஜவ குணத்தைப் பேசும்போது வேதமே பேசவேண்டும்,’ என்றார்

In the final pasuram, Aazhwar says this Thiruvaimozhi sings the glories of the ocean-hued Lord and especially his UpRightness.  

Sri Manavala Mamunigal says the saaram of this Thiruvaimozhi in one Pasuram in Thiruvaimozhi Nootrandhadhi.

  ஓடுமனம் செய்கைஉரை ஒன்றின்நில்லா தாருடனே

  கூடிநெடு மால்அடிமை கொள்ளுநிலை - நாடறிய

  ஓர்ந்தவன்தன் செம்மை உரைசெய்த மாறன்என

  ஏய்ந்துநிற்கும் வாழ்வாம் இவை.

Here Sri Mamunigal uses a wonderful word for Uprightness - செம்மை (Semmai) which is exact translation of the word ‘Ruju:’ used by Valmiki - 'Ruju Budhi Daya Rama',  Alavandar - 'Gunavaan Ruju:' etc.

In the next post we shall see the avatharikai of the next thiruvaimozhi.

Dasan

Madhusudhanan MA

ஓடும் புள்ளேறி - Avatharikai

In the previous ‘Piravithuyar Ara’ padhigam, Azhwar highlighted the ‘Ashrayana Bhogyatvam’ trait of the Supreme Lord. Continuing the trend of highlighting the auspicious attributes of the Lord, Azhwar highlights emperuman’s quality of ‘Uprightness’ or ‘Arjavam’ in this padhigam.

There are two nirvahams to this Thiruvaimozhi. One school owing allegiance to Thirukkurugai Piran Pillan, identifies this padhigam to be highlighting the Lord’s wealth (Aishvaryam) while the other, that owes allegiance to Parasara Bhattar, identifies this padhigam to be highlighting the Lord’s Uprightness (Arjavam).

Why should the Lord’s uprightness be considered an independent trait? Can’t it be subsumed under Saulabhyam and Sausilyam?

Emperuman leaving behind the experience of Srivaikuntam to come to this world of Samsaram and be easily accessible to us chethanas points to His saulabhyam:

சௌலப்யமாவது ஸ்ரீவைகுண்டம் கலவிருக்கையாக வுடையவன், அங்குநின்றும் ஸம்ஸாரி சேதனாநின்ற இடத்தே வந்து அவதரித்து எளியனாகை 

Emperuman is unmindful of the fact that He has made Himself accessible to chethanas without an iota of condescension. On the contrary, emperuman enjoys the fact that He had to lower Himself in stature to make Himself accessible to chethanas. This points out to His Sausilyam:

இப்படி தாழவிட்டால் ‘சிரியாரளவில் நமை தாழவிட்டோமே’ என்று தன் திருவுள்ளத்திலு மின்றிக்கேயிருக்கை 

Nampillai opines that the Lord’s Arjavam is superior (from our perspective) to Saulabhyam and Sausilyam.

Arjavam refers to transparency in word, deed and thought without any sophistry, duplicity, mental reservation or mysterious distortion etc. In addition, this Arjavam trait of the Lord is object-specific; i.e. the Lord’s Arjavam depends upon the expectations of the seeker and is irrespective of whether the latter is a baddha (bounded soul), mukta (liberated soul) or a nitya (eternal celestial):

அவர்கள் போன வழி தனக்கு வழியாம்படி தான் அவர்களுக்கு செவ்வியனாய்ப் பரிமாறுகை 

It is this distinguishing feature of the Lord’s Arjavam that makes it superior to Saulabhyam and Sauseelyam. The Lord’s Arjavam is also brought out by Alavandar as ‘ruju:’ in his srisukti. Andal too brings out this trait using the words ‘Cheppam’, ‘Thiral’ etc. in her Thiruppavai.

The Lord would never mean one thing, say another and do a third thing. When Surpanaka met Sri Rama at Panchavati and enquired about His personal history, there would have been nothing wrong if He tactfully withheld the information. However, considering that Rama abounded with Arjava guna, he gave out the actual facts to her with utmost sincerity.

In the next post we shall see the summary of this Thiruvaimozhi.

Dasan
Mukundhan Kidambi

பிறவித்துயரற - Summary

In  the 7th thiruvaimozhi - பிறவித்துயரற, Sri Aazhwar speaks about  Emperuman's 'AshrayaNa bhOgyatvam' - a trait which makes our association (surrender) with Him sweet. In this post we shall see the summary of each pasuram.

In the first Pasuram,  Aazhwar takes a dig at Kaivalyarthis, stating that inspite of having Bhagavan with us, they seek Kaivalyam - 'பரமதர்மிஷ்டனாயும் திருவாழியாம்வானை ஆயுதமாகவுடையனாயும் பரம பரிசுத்தனாயுமிருக்கின்ற எம்பெருமானை சந்தித்தவாறே தாங்கள் விரும்பிய கைவல புருஷார்த்தம் மறந்துபோக வேண்டியிருக்கவும், அதனை மறவாதே அவனை உபாஸிக்கின்றார்களே! அந்தோ! என்று பரிதபிக்கிறாராயிற்று'.

Learned persons say that the following Kural of Thiruvalluvar is also on the same lines - அறவாழியந்தணன் தாள்சேர்ந்தார்க்கல்லார், பிறவாழி நீந்தலரிது.

In the second Pasuram, Aazhwar says that Emperuman, the darling of the cowherds, is the medicine (Destroyer of enemies) and the Wealth of his real devotees - 'அநந்யப்ரயோஜநாதிகாரிகள் விஷயத்தில்(வேறு பயனைக் கருதாத அடியார்களிடத்தில்) அவன் இருக்கும்படியை அருளிச்செய்தார்'.

In the third Pasuram, Aazhwar says that he is enjoying the ambrosia - the sweet nectar lord limitlessly. He also says that the lord has broken the nescience of rebirths due to the vishesha kataksham - 'பிறவியினாலுண்டானதாகிய அஜ்ஞானத்தை போக்கிக் கொண்டேன் என்று அருளிச்செய்தார்'.

In the fourth Pasuram, Aazhwar says how he can give up on the adorable lord for he drove out the ignorance, entered in the heart, and gave glorious virtues (jnana bhakti & vairagyam) - ‘என்னை இவ்வளவாகப் புகுர நிறுத்தினவனை என்ன காரணத்தால் விடுவேன்?’ என்றார்.

In this fifth Pasuram, Aazhwar says i would give up the Emperuman when the cowherd girls also give him up (which would never happen) -  ‘திருவாய்ப்பாடியில் பெண்கள் கிருஷ்ணனை விடும் அன்று அன்றோ, நான் அவனை விடுவேன்?’ என்றார்.

In the sixth Pasuram, Aazhwar clarifies the a doubt that may arise "What if Emperuman gives up Aazhwar?". For that Aazhwar says even if Emperuman gives up, he wont give up Emperuman - ‘அவன் தான் விடிலோ?’ என்ன, ‘அவன் போக்கை இசையேன்,’ என்றார்.

In the seventh Pasuram, Aazhwar says that even though he took no initiative to seek Him, the independent Lord took possession of Aazhwar on His own volition and the latter came under His magic spell - 'நீர்தாம் விடிலோவென்ன,  அவன் என்னை போகவொட்டா னென்கிறார்'.

In the eight Pasuram, Aazhwar explains that even if the independent Lord tried His utmost to keep Aazhwar away, He wouldn't succeed in putting aside Aazhwar's resolute mind that is deeply devoted to Him. This confidence of Aazhwar is backed up by the fact that he reached out to the Lord through the mediating support of Nappinnai piratti - 'நப்பின்னை பிராட்டி புருஷகாரமாகப்பற்றின என்னை இனி அவனாலும் விடவொண்ணாது' 

In the ninth Pasuram, Aazhwar explains how the Lord gave Himself equally to the devas who wanted divine nectar (and not Him) and also to the cowherds of Aaippaadi who sought Him as the divine nectar. Aazhwar's heart got so steeped in loving devotion to Him that there was no question of separation from Him - 'ஒருநீராக கலந்ததை ஒருவராலும் பிரிக்கவொண்ணாது'

In the tenth Pasuram, Aazhwar says that the auspicious qualities (kalyana gunams) of the Lord are so inexhaustible that Aazhwar cannot reach the end and feel satisfied in singing His praise - 'அவனுடைய கல்யாண குணங்களை ஸர்வகாலமும் அனுபவித்து ஸ்ரமமுடையேனல்லே னென்கிறார்'

In the eleventh Pasuram, Aazhwar draws this padhigam to a close by pointing out that one who learns the meanings enshrined in this Thiruvaimozhi will get rid of the impediments to bhagavad anubhavam - 'இத்திருவாய்மொழிதானே இதுகற்றவர்களுடைய ப்ராப்திப்ரதிபாதங்களை  உந்மூலிதமாக்கு மென்கிறார்'.

Sri Mamunigal puts the entire saram of this thiruvaimozhi in one pasuram in Thiruvaimozhi Nootrandhadhi - where he specifically mentions the thirukalyana gunam enjoyed by aazhwar - பற்றுமவர்க்கு இனியன் and he is the only one who can release us from this samsaram and he is also

‘பிறவியற்று நீள்விசும்பில் பேரின்பம் உய்க்கும்

திறம் அளிக்கும் சீலத் திருமால் - அறஇனியன்

பற்றுமவர்க்கு,’ என்று பகர்மாறன் பாதமே

உற்றதுணை என்றுஉளமே! ஓடு.

In the next post, we shall see the avatharikai of Odum Pulleri  Thiruvaimozhi.

Dasan

Madhusudhanan MA

பிறவித்துயரற - அவதாரிகை

In the previous padhigam (பரிவதிலீசனை பாடி), we saw how Azhwar glorifies the easy worshippability (svArAdatvam) of the Supreme Lord. In this padhigam, he brings out Emperuman's 'AshrayaNa bhOgyatvam' - a trait which makes our surrender unto Him not just easy but also sweet.

Nampillai begins the introduction to this padhigam with the following questions:

Is the Lord alone easily worshippable? Aren't there others who can be satisfied with whatever little offering we make and thus, be easily worshippable?

While Nampillai acknowledges that there could be others who will be content with our little offering, our surrender unto them and our adoration for them will not be equally as sweet as our surrender unto the Supreme Lord.

ஆராதனம் எளிதாயிருந்தாலும் ஆஸ்ரயணம் இனிதாயிருந்தால் அன்றோ நெஞ்சு பொருந்தும்

Nampillai goes on to add that the adoration one develops for Emperuman by virtue of surrendering unto Him is indescribable. The experience is so overwhelming that Emperuman Himself would desire to have a share of this experience.

பகவத் ஸமாச்ரயணமாகிறது இதுக்கு இட்டுப் பிறவாத ஸர்வேச்வரனும் ஆசைப்படும்படி போகரூபமாய் இருப்பதொன்றிரே

We shall see how our other preceptors have explained the same thought in their works.

In Sri Rangarajastavam Purva Satakam, Parasara Bhattar, in the context of Namperumal's archa thirumEni, says that Emperuman's divya mangala vigraha is as desirable to Himself as it is to others.

அக்ரே தார்க்ஷ்யேன பச்சாத் அஹிபதி சயநே நாத்மநா பார்ச்வ யோச் ச ஸ்ரீபூமிப்யாமத்ருப்தயா நயந சுளகநைஸ் சேவ்ய மாநாம்ருதௌகம்

Sri Vedanta Desikar goes a step further in bringing out this attribute of the Lord in his paduka sahasram slokam that begins with 'manujAtva tiroitEna'. Unlike the previous avatars of Emperuman in which He came alone, he assumed four forms when He came down as Sri Rama – as Rama Himself, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Shatrugna. The purpose behind this was to adore His own pair of sandals, which have a high reputation of their own. He did this in the form of Bharata. Had Rama come alone, he would've been deprived of this experience.

Thus, Nampillai explains to us that Emperuman's divine feet (thiruvadi niLaigaL) are an object of enjoyment for Himself. Azhwar has brought this out through “தூயவமுதைப் பருகிப்பருகி” and other such references in this padhigam.

In the next post we shall see the Saram of this Thiruvaimozhi.

Dasan
Mukundhan Kidambi