Transcendental Trances

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavatas,

We present below two occurrences to show how an Azhwar and an Acharya

got overwhelmed by the very thought of the Bhagavad Gunanubhavams.

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

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BELL AND THE BUTTER- THIEF:

 

The gopis were annoyed with child Krishna’s naughty pranks especially

his sneaking into their private apartments and stealing butter. They had

stacked butter in the pots kept in safe custody of the ‘Uris’ (pot

holders made of coconut fibers) hung from the ceiling at a height that

(they thought) was beyond the reach of Krishna. By way of abundant

caution, they had tied to the Uri a string of bells made of bell metal.

If ever anyone touched the hangers, the bells would go agog ringing in

chorus setting an alarm to alert the Gopis of the presence of an

intruder !

 

Enter Krishna : the seasoned butter-thief !. He knows the contrivance of

the Gopis. So, he requests the bells not to ring and betray him. Not

content with taking a liberal scoop of butter from the pot, Krishna

could not resist the temptation to taste the delicacy. As he put the

butter in his mouth, the bells which stood silent during the act of

stealing started ringing brisk and loud to the hearing of the Gopis.

 

Krishna asked the bells why disregarding his entreaties not to ring,

they had started ringing. The bells replied: What is the purpose (

Purushartham) of our being bells, if we do not ring when our Lord is

having his feast ?"

 

Rest of the scenario is left to our imagination like his being caught

red handed, nay, white-handed with butter smeared all over his body;

his bewitching ‘Navaneetha Naatyam"; the complaints of the Gopis to

Mother, Yasoda; his being tied to the mortar earning the sobriquet of

Damodaran.

- This prompted Kulasekara Alwar to portray the scene in the words of

Devaki

"Azhugaiyum Anji Nokkum An Nokkum, Anikol Sen Chiru Vaai Nelippaduvum

Thozhugaiyum Evai Kanda Asodai, Thollai Inbatthu Irudhi Kandaale"

- It is the only scene which captured the mind of Madhurakavi Azwar, who

knew no God higher than his Acharya, Nammalwar - and made him start his

only work with the meaningful words- "Kanninun Siruthaambinaal Kattunna

Panniya Perumaayan"

- Nammalwar slipped into a trance for 6 months at the very thought of

this incident amazed at the ‘ Soulabhyam’ of the omnipotent Lord. Vide

his Pasuram-

"Pathudai Adiyavarkku Eliyavan… Ethiram Uralinodu Inaindirunda Elive ?"

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A FRATERNAL CONNECTION ?

 

If Alwar swooned immersed in Bhagavad Gunaanubhavam, we see an Acharya

fainting out of similar experience this time with reference to

Bhaagavata Gunaanubhavam.

 

Bhashyakara is also known as ‘ Tiruppaavai Jeeyar’. During his

‘Upaadaana’ circumambulations along the streets of Srirangam, he used to

recite Andal’s Tiruppaavai. One day, as he was reciting the 18th

Pasuram’ Undhu Mada Kalitrin", he bumped on the doorsteps of a Bhagavata

(I do not readily remember his name now). As he was uttering the words

"Senthaamarai Kaiyaal Seeraar Valai Olippa Vandhu Tiravaai

Maghizhndu"-suddenly the door flung open. There stood a lass Athuzhaai

by name (the daughter of the Bhagavata) with bangles jingling on her

wrist,coming forward to offer ‘Bikshai’ to him..

 

Bhashyakaara was struck by the coincidence and for a moment imagined

Athuzhaai to be Nappinnai herself. The sentimental impact was so

powerful that he fainted. Such was the deep involvement of an Acharya to

the Divya Prabandham of Andal. Such was the emotional integration of our

Acharya with the Bhaagavatha Gunaanubhavam.

 

Bhashyakaara, as you know, was so much devoted to Godha Piraatti. He is

deemed her elder brother who fulfilled her wish to provide the Lord with

100 vessels of butter and 100 vessels of ‘Akkaara Adisil’. Vide Andal

Vaazhi Thirunamam Pasuram-

"Periyazhwar Petredutha Penn Pillai Vaazhiye/

Perumpudur Maamunikkup Pinn Aanaal Vazhiye//"

 

The above illustrate that the only thought constantly occupying the

minds of real Bhaktas is such Bhagavad, Bhaagavatha Gunaanubhavams. Even

those events and situations which might appear to us, ordinary folks, as

ordinary and routine would appear related to the Lord’s lilas and

transport them to inexplicable spiritual rhapsody.

 

In the modern context, to diagnose the psychological patterns of their

patients, psychiatrists show them some pictures (like what they call

modern art, which are unintelligible enough for ordinary folks). They

are supposed to elicit their reactions and base their prognosis and

assess appropriate treatments.

 

Whatever mundane or lackluster chores they may be engaged in at any

point of time, Bhaktas would interpret them with reference to some lila

or other of the Lord or Bhagavatas. We can come across numerous such

instances from the Arulicheyals of Alwars and Arulmozhis of Acharyas.

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AN APPEAL:

A rich fare of similar Bhagavad- Bhaagavta Gunaanubhavams are featured

in the "Saranagathi", the Official Journal of "Swami Desika Darsana

Satsangam". With the blessings of Yathivaras and Acharyas and the able

guidance of the Editors, Sriman Sadagopan and Sriman Sampath Rengarajan,

articles high in quality and rich in content have appeared in the 18

odd issues released so far and more are to follow. Those interested but

have not d so far may send an e. mail to srengara to

become members of SDDS and receive the issues of the Saranagathi Journal

 

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

President

Swami Desika Darsana Satsangam