Year end Observations #2

[Guest guest]

Thirumangai and Thrumazhisai :

 

While this month is still close to Thirumangai"s

birth month of Kartigai,

I was intrigued by the focus of

Thirumazhisai on the numbers in his Pasurams

in the earlier postings and Sri Mani's breaking the code on the

Numbers.

 

As a Naalu Kavi Pulavar, Thirumangai created the ThiruvezhukuRRirukkai

as a tribute to the Lord of Thirukkudanthai . This was the Azhwar's first

Composition in the opinion of Scholars. Inview of the enormous Vaishnavite

Tattvas contained in that composition, Sri Ramanuja is said to have

composed the following two Taniyans. It is generally believed that Sri

Ramanuja chose to write in Sanskrit and left the Tamil Compositions/

Commentaries to his disciples. These two Taniyans therefore may be

exceptions to the rule by Ramanuja.The First Taniyan is a general one:

Vaazhi Parakaalan Vaazhi Kalikanri

Vaazhi Kuraiyalur Valvendan -----------

 

This Taniyan Says:" Hail to parakala (the saint, who refutes the

arguments of disputants)! Hail to Kalikanri( The destroyer of kali age)!

Hail to the monarch born in Kuraiyalur! Hail to his big spear (Vel) full

of lustre! The pure Thirumangai Mannan , the chieftain of Mangainadu

showed his mighty sword and obtained the Ashtaakshara mantram from the

Mysterious Lord (Maayon) of invincible power and unmatched strength.

 

The second Taniyan of Emperumaanar is specific to ThiruvezhukkuRRirukai (TVK).

It begins with the words: Seeraar ThiruvezhukkuRRirukai ennum ----------

 

This invocatory verse says: " Only the pair of holy feet of Arulmaari

(Thirumangai mannan) is our sole refuge. He,the Arulmaari has given us

the TVK in chaste Tamil. This great and mellifluous poem ( Counted as

only stanza with 46 lines) is sung in praise of the benign pair of feet of the

generous Lord Aaraavamudhan ( Insatiable nectar) ,i.e., as we enjoy Him and

His ennobling qualities, we could never become averse, but we will

get immersed in His divine beauty. This great poem incorporating the

essential Vedic and Vedanta principles , has been given to us by

the Azhwar without being tired (Soraamal) for the sake of redeeming the

whole world.

 

This is a moving statement from the author of Vedartha Sangraham and

Veda saara as well as Sri Bhashyam , when he makes special effort to

point the Vedic Essence of the topics covered by TVK .

 

As Thirumangai started his mission at Thirukkudanthai, his predecessor

Thirumazhisai ended his mission at

Thirukkudanthai. He joined the holy feet of Lord Aaraavamudhan

at His Divya Desam.

 

I will post articles on TVK and try to compare the Content with the

Tattvas standing behind the numbers . I hope to learn more about the

two this way.

 

In yet another future posting, I will focus on the Siriya Thirumadal and the

Periya Thirumadal, where Thirumangai follows the northern tradition

of Madalerutal. Women of South were restricted from using this practise

as stated by the TirukkuraL verse: " Naught else is grand and noble like the

fair

sex ,who ride NOT the palm-leaf horse ,although they are swirled in the

sea of passion hot".

 

If the Charnyan and His Consort give me the energy and insight, I will try

to share my thoughts on Thirukkurunthandakam and Thirunedumthandakam .

Prolific are the Works of Thirumangai and deep as well !

 

Azhwaar, Aacharyar Thiruvadigaleh Charanam.

 

V.Sadagopan