What is in a Name?

[Guest guest]

Sri Dileepan posted an excellent note describing

the thoughts behind the selection of the name for

the Sri Vaishnava group as "Srivaishnava Thondar

Kuzham". I agree with the title and commend the choice

of the word "Thondar " . There are indeed abundant references

to the word "Thondar", a word so rich in meaning for Sri Vaishnavas.

On this day of Thirumangai"s Vedupari Utsavam, one can

illustrate the significance of the word Thondar, who does Thondu

or Kainkaryam and the centrality of that Thondu for the Lord and His

consort.

 

Inthe very first Verse of the Thirukkurunthaandakaam, the Azhvar

says "Thondanen Viduhileneh ".I, your servant will not ever leave thee

and cease services to you.

In the Sixth Verse , He says: " Amarar Sennippuvinai Pukazhum Thondar ".

Here Thondar is equated to the Bhakthas of the Lord, who are like the

flower on the heads of the Devas by virtue iof the service they perform for the

Lord.

 

In the Eleventh verse, he prays for the boon of eternal service to Him as

follows:

"Thondelaam Paravi Ninnai thozhuthapadi Paniyumaaru--paniyaayai ".

Please make me ask you for service to you and bless me to do perform that

service in the manner it should be done.

 

In the 12th verse , the Azhvar says: Yecchil Vaayaal Thuymiil

Thondanen Naan Sollinen Tollai Naamam ". Impure me,who is full of

Ahankaram recited the originless Sacred Ashtaakshara Mantram and you came

next to me and asked me not to beafraid and entered into my closed eye.

 

In the 16 th verse, the Azhvar describes as to waht kind of Thondu

he does to the Lord this way: "SorkkaL Ennum Thooya Maalai

Kondu Suttuven THONDANENEH "

As your Thondan, I will decorate you with the pure garlandsof

Pasurams made up of my Words.

 

In THIRUNEDUMTHAANDAKAM, in the tenth verse, he chastises himself as::

"Ikazh Vaai Thondanen Naan " . How can I , who perform services to you with

Ahankaram understand you?

 

The contemproary of Thirumangai, Thiru Thondaradipodi Azhvar is

already incorporated the word Thondar in his name and indicates his

relationship to the Vaishanvite Thondars. He describes his Thondu

as : Tulavatthondaaya Thol Seer Thondardipodi". He describes that he

Does Tulasi Kainkaryam to the Lord.

 

In his Thirumalai verse (34), He laughs at the false Thondars this way:

" I, who does not have the knowledge of ever-dwelling Lord in my heart, I have

become ignorant. I became a willing slave pretending devotion.

Knowing that thou knowest by thine indwelling

all the thoughts of the devotees , I was ashamed and laughed within myself to

the extent of splitting my ribs."

 

In the 38th verse, Thondaradipodi (Bhakthangrirenu) , The Service of thee is

the sole end to be sought.

 

In the next verse of Thirumaalai , He asks: "Does not the service

of thine feet by thine slaves (Thondar), bring delight to thee?

 

He continues and observes: "Is it not better to be born in the lowest caste

with the boon of service to thee than those, who have pracised

vedic recitation without remembering that service to thee is the sole goal of

human life.

 

IN verse 41 , he says: "Even if they had been cruel and tortured others ,

If they would address thy sacred names, and offer nectar-like food to you

lovingly, then by itself, they would become sinless.

 

AandaaL Said that she will do thondu only to HIm (Kurreval Engalai

Kollaamar Pohathu-- Unakke Naam Aatccheyvom". Her father refers

to his aspect as a Thondar to HIM this way: " Unakku PaNi seythirukkum

Tamudayenin"

 

He clearly described his service to the Lord as his Thondan this way:

" Ammaan Tannai Viradam Kondu Yetthum Villiputtur

Vittucchitthan ". His role as a Thondar of his is to practisde the vow of

Mangalaasaasanam of Sriman Narayana..

 

Thus Thondu and Thondar is a sacred connotations and the group of

Thondars joining together to offer loving service to the Divya Dampathis

either here or as Muktha Jivans in Sri Vaikuntam is the highest of goals of

a Sri Vaishnava.

 

Hence I endorse with all my heart the choice of the title for the New

organization as "Sri Vaishnava Thondar Kuzhaam ".

 

Azhwar Thiruvadigale Saranam

 

Sadagopan