kodumin(give), koLmin(receive)

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Sri Vaishnava lifestyle - 3

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Periaazhvaar gently persuades us to shun the pride

of high birth and join the multitude of devotees.

Namaazhvaar declares that he is a servant of a

servant of a devotee, even if the devotee is of

Candala birth. Addressing those who still remain

unconvinced, ThoNdaradippodi aazhvaar does not

mince words in the 43rd paasuram of Thirumaalai:

 

amaravO ranga maaRum

vEdhamOr naan_ku mOthi,

thamar_kaLil thalaiva raaya

saathiyan^dthaNar_ka LElum,

numar_kaLaip pazhippa raakil

nodippathO raLavil, aangE

avar_kaLthaam pulaiyar pOlum

arankamaa nakaru LaanE!

 

"O! Lord of Sri Rangam, even those who are

among the learned in the four vEdhaas, leaders

among men, and of high brahmin birth, will be

transformed into 'pulaiyar' (Candala) within a

second of belittling devotees.

 

 

In the 42nd paasuram TP Azhvaar defines the

nature of relationship among Lord's devotees:

 

`pazhuthilaa vozhuka laaRRup

palasathup pEthi maargaL,

izhikulath thavarga LElum

emmadi yaarga Laagil,

thozhumineer kodumin koLmin!'

enRun^in NnOdu mokka,

vazhipada varuLi NnaaypOnm

mathiLthiru varankath thaanE!

 

Even if a devotee belongs to a low caste, bestow

upon them the highest respect (thozhumin),

partake with them in all respects (kodumin, "give"

koLmin "receive), so as to worship our Lord in

equal standing, O! Lord Ranganatha.

 

 

It seems to me that the aazhvaar is advocating

varNa sangraham among the Lord's devotees.

 

 

-- Dileepan