ThiruvAimozhi 1.8.8 -- S`anghu & Sanku

[Guest guest]

Dear Sri MadhavakkaNNan :

 

NammAzhwAr has used the word Sanghu , Sanku

to convey different meanings in juxtaposition .

 

SanGhu means most of the time the conch

( panchajanuyam of our Lord ) ; Here the second

Ka of the four variations of K in the sanskrit alphabhet

is included .

 

Sanghu has also the meaning of Sangham ( association/

sErkkai ) like in sath-sangham . This is in reference to

the Lord's sErkai with the AzhwAr . Here the third "k" ( G )

as in gacchathi is used .

 

Sankhu on the other hand has the meaning

of a dart or javelin , but it has one more meaning , which

is implied here (viz) a gigantic number , million million .

 

AzhwAr says in this paasuram that the Lord not only took

the Deva, Manushya AvathArams for his sake , but also

as a fish and VarAham and countless others out of His

own volition (svath sankalpam ) to mingle with him

( with the AzhwAr ) and to make him enjoy fully all His leelAs .

This the Lord did out of the great affection He had for

His dear devotee , the AzhwAr

 

We have to intrepret according to commentators

the second line this way :

 

yennil thAnAya sanghE = it was because of His love

for me and my companionship

 

yennil thAnAya sankhE = here yennil means

yEnenRAl (i-e ) if we are to look at it in this manner,

the Lord's avathArams to join with me and to make me

enjoy His many leelAs are beyond count ( many crores ) .

 

AzhwAr ends the 8th paasuram with the word Sanghu

with its multiple meanings . In conformity with

the structure of an anthAdhi , AzhwAr continues thereafter with

the word Sanghu at the beginning of the ninth paasuram

( sanghu chakkaram amkaiyill kondAn-- ) , where he uses

the word sanghu to convey the traditional meaning of Conch .

 

AzhwAr's " Sangha Kaala poetry " is indeed majestic

and deep in its meanings .

 

AzhwAr ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam ,

 

V.Sadagopan