owdhaaryam

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10/12 owdhaaryam

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In this continuing series of twelve posts, twelve of the

many guNaas that are innate to Brahman is discussed

with illustrations from aazhvaar paasurams. These

twelve guNaas demonstrate God's eternal love for us

jeevaathmaas. They are sowseelyam, vaathsalyam,

maardhavam, aarjavam, sowhaartham, saamyam,

kaaruNyam, maadhuryam, gaambeeryam, owdhaaryam,

chaathuryam, and sthairyam. The subject of this post is

owdhaaryam.

 

owdhaaryam: munificence

 

Our Lord's munificence differs from the benevolence of

others in many ways. As He grants all our wishes His

abundance is not diminished in any way, (2) His

generosity is like that of a parent to a child, i.e. He feels

his wealth is for our welfare, and (3) His gives without

making us feel indebted.

 

There are numerous paasurams celebrating owdhaaryam,

vaLLal thanmai. Here is one from namaazhvaar.

 

koLLum payanillaik kuppai kiLartthanna selvatthai,

vaLLal pugaznthu_num vaaymai izakkum pulaveergaaL,

koLLak kuRaivilan vENdiRRel laamtharum kOthil,en

vaLLal maNivaNNan thannaik kavi solla vamminO.

 

-- thiruvaay mozhi 3.9.5

 

Aazhvaar chides those who sing insincere praise

(vaaymai izakkum) of worldly lords expecting trashy

material rewards (kuppai kiLartthanna selvam). The

aazhvar invites them to sing in "praise our munificent

Lord maNivaNNan; your words of praise will be real;

and He will give you all you desire."

 

"koLLak kuRaivilan," is interpreted in two ways.

(1) Giving and receiving in worldly realm is a zero-sum

activity. But when the Lord gives, his abundance does

not decrease (koLLak kuRaivilan).

(2) The praises heaped upon worldly lords are full

of exaggerations. Their merit is always less than the

accolades. But, in the case of Lord maNivaNNan, the

adulation he receives (koLLa) are never greater

than his mettle (kuRaivilan).

 

"vENdiRRellaam tharum" also distinguishes Lord

maNivaNNan from others. The resources of worldly

lords are finite. Thus, even if they are willing,

they are incapable of granting all our wishes.

Being the supreme lord of all, sriman naaraayaNaan

is the only one who can grant whatever one may wish,

without exception, "vENdiRRellaam tharum," including

mOksham.

 

 

 

.... to be continued

 

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This and other posts to follow in this subject are based

on the aruL mozhigaL of the 45th azhagiya singar of sri

aHObila madam, sri vaN satakOpa sri naaraayaNa

yatheendhra mahaa dEsikan, published in sri nrusimhap

priyaa starting with bava varusham, chitthirai maasam,

(April 1994), and commentaries of aazhvaar

prabhandams published by The Visishtadvaita Pracharini

Sabha, 27, Venkatesa Agraharam, Mylapore, Madras,

600 004.