PeriyAzhwAr Thirumozhi 2.5- Come Oh crow! Come and comb the tresses of Kutti

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SrI:

SrImathE Ramanujaya namah:

 

Dearest Srivaishnavas,

 

After bathing Kutti KaNNan in the last decad, now AzhwAr enjoys YasOdhA

combing the black tresses of Kutti KaNNan. Also, YasOdhA calls the black

crow so that KuttI KaNNan concentrates on that crow (and not move His head),

and she can complete the combing.

 

pinnaimaNaaLanaip pErilkidandhaanai

munnaiyamarar mudhalthaniviththinai

ennaiyum engaLkudimuzhudhu_aatkoNda

mannanaivandhukuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!

maadhavan_than_kuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay! 1.

 

Oh [that] crow! You come nearer to this Kutti KaNNan, who is the darling of

Nappinnai; who shows Himself at ThiruppEr (on His own accord); who is the

Primordial Chief; Creator; the Chief of NithyasUris; who has enslaved me

(His mother), Devaki, Nappinnai and all cowherd folks; our Swamy. Come and

comb the tresses of this Madhavan (Sriya: Pathi).

 

pEyinmulaiyuNda piLLai_ivanmunnam

maayachchakadum marudhum_iRuththavan

kaayaamalarvaNNan kaNNan_karunguzhal

thooydhaakavandhukuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!

thoomaNivaNNan_kuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay! 2.

 

At first, this innocent cute little infant sucked the life and breast milk

of the demon Poothanai; and then kicked the cruel wicked SakatAsura (who

appeared as a cart wheel to roll over KaNNan); who crawled through the

marudha trees for them to fall on the ground. This dark blue hued KaNNan¡¦s

dark black tresses need to be cleaned and combed. Come oh crow! come and

comb this blue hued blue gem like Kutti KaNNan¡¦s hairs!

 

Also it can mean that the crow needs to come pure in manas, vaak and kaayam

(mind, speech and body) for doing this kaimkaryam.

 

thiNNakkalaththil thiraiyuRimElvaiththa

veNNeyvizhungi viraiya_uRangidum

aNNal amarar_perumaanai aayar_tham

kaNNanaivandhukuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!

kaarmukilvaNNan_kuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay! 3.

 

This Swamy, who swallows the butter [quickly] which is kept hanging in pots

with lids closed, and after eating places the lids as if they had never been

opened, and sleeps so quick as if nothing has happened; who is the chief if

NithyasUris; who is darling of the cowherd folks; Oh Crow! come and comb his

hair! come and comb the tresses of this dark hued cloud like Lord!

 

When the pots are hung one below the other, the threaded ropes are not even

loose. The pots appear closed. The lids are in tact. But the content has

been eaten alreadyļ He is such a maayan. Even though He is the Swamy for

everyone and everything including this butter, He feels that it does not

belong to his and eats so quick to avoid being caught red handed. And to

make them feel that he would have surely not eaten, He appears as if he is

in sound sleep. Such greatest SarvEshwaran is the apple of the eye for

cowherd group. Such a Sowlabhyan as well. Hence, crow, though your eyesight

is spoiled, get some feast for the eye by coming to this kaNNan. (the eye of

the cowherd folks)

 

paLLaththilmEyum paRavaiyurukkoNdu

kaLLavasuranvaruvaanaith thaan_kaNdu

puLLidhuvenRu podhukkOvaaykeeNditta

piLLaiyaivandhukuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!

pEymulaiyuNdaan_kuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay! 4.

 

The asurA took the form of a crane (that waits and picks its prey in the

waters by standing nearby in the adjacent land) to kill Kutti KaNNan. That

pakAsuram was immediately identified by the Lord (Kutti) when He was in the

midst of cowherd group. He simply told the folks, "this is a bird" and tore

open its beak wide... and killed the bird. This little string darling KaNNan

(who had drunk the berastmilk from the demon) - Oh crow! Come and comb His

hair!

 

When the asurA waited for an appropriate time (seeing Kutti KaNNan nearby),

the crane (PakAsurA in disguise) opened its beak to swallow KaNNan. Kutti

acted swiftly (and who had already identified) and tore open its beak. He

did not want to create (being so merciful) panic among the cowherd folks and

said "this is a bird.." playfully and killed the same. This little KaNNan

who had drunk the demon's life itself along with her poisonous breast milk,

as an infant- this act is literally a child's play. This Poothanai is this

PakAsuran's sister:- ) bhakIshakAnuja: says Srimad Bhagawatham.

 

The pAsuram mentions a word- podhukkO.. meaning : sadakkena- immediately..

then and there.. udanE.. He identified; but did not tell others, in order

not to create panic. There is also another anubhavam: The child without even

knowing that He is asurA, killed the same effortlessly.

 

Also Poorvars say: podhukka- means- beak. The bird attempted to prick Him

with the beak.

That bird did against the Lord and was punished. Oh crow! You are the good

bird. Do anukoolam and come and comb His hair. He will be pleased.

 

kaRRinammEyththuk kanikku_orukanRinai

paRRiyeRindha paraman_thirumudi

uRRanapEsi neeOdiththiriyaadhE

aRRaikkumvandhukuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!

aazhiyaan_than_kuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay! 5.

 

Do not simply fly away telling some vague reasons and wander at various

places loitering here and there. (Oh crow! That day when you did not come

like this), there was a calf (asurA who cam in the guise of calf)-

vathsAsura- which was not eating grass and was standing still looking and

waiting for an apt time for pouncing on Kutti, while other calves were

eating. Kutti KaNNan noticed the same. He caught hold of the calf by its

tail and banged the body at a nearby the viLA tree for the fruits to fall

down. This Paraman- Supreme Lord- Kutti KaNNan's tresses are so divine and

beautiful. Come and tidy the same, Oh crow! Comb the hairs of this

ChakratthAn (one who has ChakrA in His Hands).

 

That viLA tree is also an asurA. He never does something without any reason.

KaNNan likes the calves so much that He enjoys seeing them eating the grass

to their heart (and stomach's) content. One calf was not. He immediately

noticed and eliminated so that other calves will be safe. Jeyer (Sri

Manavala mamuni) says' andha viLankani uthirukaikkAga yeRindhu.." every

fruit was an asurA and each one was killed by banging this vathAsura on the

tree trunk.. The boys had asked the for the fruits and hence he did this -

is heard. But nowhere it is told that those fruits that fell down were eaten

by the boys. So.... They were asurAs; or it could be that the boys were

shocked or felt wonderstruck at the leelA of Kutti KaNNan and divya

chEshtithangaL that they forgot what they asked for.

 

The calf was nearby and hence he caught hold of it. I can fly and am far

away. Do not think like that oh crow! He can send his ChakrA and hence

charka was referred to

 

kizhakkilkudimannar kEdilaadhaarai

azhippaann^inaindhittu avvaazhiyadhanaal

vizhikkumaLavilE vEraRuththaanai

kuzhaRku_aNiyaakakkuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!

gOvindhan_than_kuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay! 6.

 

He is the one took pledge to destroy Narakaasuran (who had ruled in the east

sending fears even to Devendran) and within the time period of eye winking,

He finished the asurA sending His ChakrA (that I had mentioned earlier). He

rooted out the asurA completely. Come and comb His hair! Comb the cool

tresses of Govindhan.

 

NarakAsura's place is called PraakjyOthisam. Praak- means east. Jyothisham-

Sicne KaNNan went with Sathyabhama on GarudA it was glittering and hence it

was shining like star in the east. Govinda is referred to. He is the One who

went to kill Narakasuran and wemnt to Devalokam to bring the paarijatha to

the earth (BhUmi). Go- BhUmi. To reach the earth- Govindan. The previous

verses had "than" Govindhan's - or KaNNa's hair. Here thaN.. meaning cool-

He has just had bath and hence the tresses are cool..

 

piNdaththiraLaiyum pEykku_ittan^eerchchORum

uNdaRkuvENdi neeOdiththiriyaadhE

aNdaththu_amarar_perumaan azhakamar

vaNdoththiruNdakuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!

maayavan_than_kuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay! 7.

 

Do not long and search for the ball of rice that is offered to the pisaasu

(during srArdham) and come here to comb the hair of the ParamAthmA- the

Master of even the Devas- who has the most beautiful dark, black tresses.

Come and comb the tresses of this maayavan.

He is the Nirvaahakan of even the NithyasUris; He on His own will and accord

appears. He is beyond everyone and everything. He is also the master of

devas.

 

AzhwAr's ThiruvuLLam: YasOdhA considers the crow as ParamaikAnthin. Do not

think that pirthus, Devas are better and grander than this cowherd Boy. He

is the Supreme Lord of all. He has taken this form on his own accord. He is

such a sowlabhyan. They are all in his SarIram. Do not go looking for that

which is offered to those pithrus and Devas. Do not perform ArAdhanam to

them and wander here and there. This Boy's Divine Beauty is praised even by

those Pithrus and Devas. Become the ParamaikAnthin and come to comb His

Hair. Do not think that He is a Human Boy.

 

undhiyezhundha uruvamalar_thannil

sandhachchadhumukan_thannaip padaiththavan

kondhakkuzhalaik kuRandhupuLiyatti

thandhaththin_seeppaalkuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!

dhaamOdharan_than_kuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay! 8.

 

Come and apply the most fragrant perfumed oil to his hair and comb the

tresses of Kutti KaNNan, who created even the Chathurmuka brahmA (four faced

BrahmA) the reciter of Vedas- seated on the lotus that sprout out of His

beautiful youthful Navel. Come and comb with the ivory comb the hair of this

DamOdharan.

 

The four faced BrahmA was created by Him and was made almost equal to Him

(Cchandhaschathurmukha).. Yo brahmANAm vidhadhAthi poorvam... thasmai.. He

recites Vedas (as taught to him by the Lord).

After the bathing event, this hair should be combed applying oil. kuRandhu-

a rare word- says Sri UttamUr Swamy. - Meaning -poured the oil- says Sri

Manavala mamunigaL. There is also a different meaning "sikku vidutthu-

removal of interspersed / intertwined hairs..

Here the name DhAmoDharA- is addressed. Let us enjoy that.

 

AzhwAr (in the role of YasOdhA) calls the crow saying this Lord- Look at His

navel- from whom the chathur mukha brahmA was born and is seated on the

Lotus flower from this navel. To such greatest Lord- how did I tie Him down

to a mortar so tightly with a rope.. Look at those marks on his waist!

DhAmOdharan. Parathvam and Sowlabhyam are enjoyed so beautifully by AzhwAr.

 

mannan_than_thEvimaar kaNdumakizhveydha

mun_ivvulakinai muRRum_aLandhavan

ponninmudiyinaip poovaNaimElvaiththu

pinnEyirundhukuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!

pEraayiraththaan_kuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay! 9.

 

The king (mahabhali) along with his wife (VindhyAvaLi) happily enjoyed the

little Brahamchari Boy Vaamana's sweet words (when he begged for three

measuers of the earth) and in spite of his Guru, SukrAchArya's prevention

and advice, he oferred the same. This Lord (that day) measured the whole

Universe with his Feet and let us place His beautiful dark tuft (sikhA) on

the soft pillow and let us stand behind His Head and the pillow in order to

comb His Hair. Come to comb the tresses of the Lord of thousand names.

 

In spite of SukrAchAryA's advice, Bhali said, "When sarvEshwaran's hand is

lowered and my hand is at the top offering what he asked for, how can I not

give? He, along with his wife gave the dhAnam (as per saasthrAs). In order

to get back the earth from Bhali, he did that. One may wonder as to why the

spouse of Bhali was happy _ as referred to in the pAsuram.. His coming a

small Boy; begging so beautifully and taking such huge Trivikrama avatar in

such short span of time, and being just in the front to witness that divine

feast to the eyes. That is her happiness.

 

Also the interpretation can be- the spouses (Consorts) of the Lord- BhUmi,

Periya PiraaTTi were happy in that avatar. Reason: Without killing the asurA

(enemies), Lord finished the work so tactfully. How can he take the form

without our participation (as Brahamchari) and hence when He took Trivikrama

avatar they also appeared with Him (in His ThirumEni- Divine Body). Also, He

took such avatar and touched everyone on the Universe with his feet. Hence,

They became happy.

The thousand names are only for VishNu in mahaabharatham. He has more than

thousand names, in fact. dhEvO nAma sahasrAvAn. AzhwAr wanted to have

SaharsanAma archanA, it appears.

 

kaNdaar_pazhiyaamE akkaakkaay! kaarvaNNan

vaNdaar_kuzhalvaara vaavenRa_aaychchisol

viN_thOymadhiL villipuththoorkkOnpattan_sol

koNdaadippaadak kuRukaavinaithaamE! (2) 10.

 

Oh crow that stays there (far away!) In order not to let others (who see

this child) tease the untidy hairs of Kutti KaNNan, come here to comb the

tresses. - Thus, this calling crow for combing the hair of Kutti KaNNan was

sung in ten verses by Sri VillilutthUr's VishNu Chithttan - and those who

enjoy the words, meanings and sing / recite these ten PAsurams, will have no

paapams (sins- sorrows) come near them.

 

The dusty body- before bathing- was also referred to- saying others tease

your dirty body. Come and bathe. Now, after bathing, if the hair is not

combed it will be untidy. Now also, it will be teased by others - is

referred to. (Puzhudhi aLaindha pon mEni - kaaNap peridhum ugakkum - aagilum

kaNdaal pazhippar.. )

 

If this thirumozhi is celebrated, sung understanding and enjoying the

Parathvam and sowlabhyam of the Lord, then like the smell, dirt get removed

from the Lord's ThirumEni, the sins and sorrows will be removed from us. For

everyone, the sins (the karma vinai) - paapam and puNyam are both included

here- will be removed. Poya pizhaiyum, pugutharuvaan ninRanavum, theeyinil

thUsaagum..

 

They (the theevinaigaL- which are so huge and so different for each one of

us, with regards to quantity and quality), will all go away authomatically

by transforming us into mumukshus and taking us to right path of

surrendering to his Kutti Lotus feet

PeriyAzhwAr ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam

Regards

Namo Narayana

dAsan

 

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