Vaakku thooymai (purity of speech)

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Continuing on Naichianusandhanam by Azhvaars, Thirumazhisai Azhvaar is not

alone in feeling that he is unfit to worship the Lord. Periyaazhvaar says

he is unfit to even say the Lord's names.

 

After having sung 400 songs in praise of the Lord it seems as though the

Azhvaar suddenly is not sure of his honesty. He had just completed 10

songs doubting his ability to remember the Lord in his death bed

(appOthaikku ippOdhE sollivaiththEn). Now, suddenly it dawns on him that

all the praise he has been singing may just be bogus. Now the Azhvaar is

terrified. Did he unwittingly carry on with this offense for so long?

But he is unable to correct the situation. Having had the sweet taste of

the Lord's names, the Azhvaar's mouth now knows nothing else. It

uncontrollably is repeating His name. "How can I let my unworthy mouth

continue with this offense?" sings the Azhvaar.

 

 

Periaazhvaar thirumozhi (5.1.1):

--------------------------------

vaakku thooymai yilaamaiyinaalE

maadhavaa! unnai vaaykkoLLa maattEn

naakku un^innaiyallaal aRiyaadhu

naan adhu ancuvan envasamanRu

moorkkup pEsukinRaan ivan enRu

munivaayElum en naavinukku aaRREn

kaakkai vaayilum katturai koLvar

kaaraNaa! karuLak kodiyaanE!

 

"My speech is impure. Therefore, Madhavaa, I can't

let my mouth say your name. But my tongue has already

tasted the sweetness of your name. Now it knows nothing

but you. I am alarmed. I can't control my tongue any

more. You may get angered by my blathering. But,

O! the Lord with Garuda on your flag, O! the Cause of

all creation, please tolerate my drivel as one would

tolerate the cries of a crow."

 

 

Thus, a prerequisite for saying our Lord's names is to develop "Vaakku

thooymai"(purity of speech). As a part of "manthra prOkshanam" during

sandhaya vandhanam we say, "surabhi nO mukhaakarath". In a recent

Upanyasam, Sri Srivatsangachar explains this as a request to the Lord for

fragrant mouth. The fragrance we request is not something one could get

from chewing (Double-mint) gum (or Scope mouthwash). It is the subtle

fragrance produced only by honest and kind speech, and the avoidance of

unpleasant speech ("theekkuRaLai senROthOm" -- Thiruppaavai), says Sri

Srivatsangachar.

 

 

— adiyEn