Thuyar varin ninaimin

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The first 10 verses of Thirumangai Azhvaas's Periya

Thirumozhi seem to be very relevant for the present

discussion started by Chi. Mani. Even though I am

familiar with only a very small portion of the 4000, I

think no where else would one find "karpaNyam"

expressed more vividly than these 10 paasurams. Yet,

in the 10th paasuram aazhvaar prescribes

thiruvashtaaksharam even for worldly relief.

 

manchulaam sOlai vaNdaRai maan^eer

mangaiyaar vaaL kalikanRi,

sencholaal eduttha dheiva nanmaalai

ivaikoNdu sikkenath thoNdeer!,

thunchumbOdhu azhaimin thuyarvaril ninaimin

thuyarileer sollilum nanRaam,

nanchuthaan kaNdeer nammudai vinaikku

naaraayaNaa vennum naamam.

 

(Dear bhagavathaas, these 10 divinely verses in sweet

Tamil composed by KalikanRi, the Lord of Thirumangai

show the efficacy of thiruvashtaakhram. Recite this

manthram and it is sure to annihilate all our karmaas.

Recite it at the time death is near; recite it when

you are grief stricken; even if you are free from

grief reciting it is good.)

 

thuncumpOthu: the time when death is near

kanRi: anger;

KalikanRi: The one with anger towards Kali

 

The Azhvaar first says, "thuyar varin ninaimin" (think

of it when grief strikes you), and only then does he

say, "thuyarileer sollilum nanRaam" (it is good even if

you are free from grief). Further, note that aazhvaar

gives an option of reciting it or not if you are free

from grief (sollilum nanRaam). This phrase almost

seems like an after thought. The emphasis is clearly

on "thuncumbOthu" and "thuyar varin". The last part

"thyarileer" sounds as if the Azhvar is just covering

all bases. That is, just in case there is someone

out there who is free of grief, this manthram is good

even for you.

 

In any case, for those of us who are burdened with grief,

no doubt caused by worldly wants, there is no option,

the divine manthram is the panacea.

 

Thus, let us follow the Azhvaar's command and ask our

Lord to free us from our grief. There is nothing wrong

in asking Him anything. He is our Lord and He is ready

and waiting to give us anything we want, "koLLak kuRaivilan,

vENdiRRellaam tharum vaLLal" (Thiruvaay mozhi 3.9.5).

 

 

-- thanks, Dileepan