Part 11: "There is Salvation in numbers"- The Theme of "satsangh" in TiruppAvai

[Guest guest]

Dear friends,

 

(13) "nann-nAllAL kallaN tavirndhu kalandhu…"

 

The word "kalandhu", meaning 'jointly' or 'together',

is the key operative word indeed underscoring the

theme of 'satsangh' in this verse.

 

"Setting aside all the wicked and vicious ways and all

the wonted folly of our lives… we must come together

in holy 'satsangh'" even if it is for but a brief,

redeeming moment…" Such is the sentiment that we may

read behind the expression "kallan tavirndhu…

"nann-nAllAL kalandhu…"

 

Individual Man is a grievously imperfect creature… and

it is what the word "kallan" too may be taken to mean.

As individuals we are all nothing but bundles of

crassness and corruption, ignorance and ignominy.

Swami NammAzhwAr, the great Vedantic saint of

Vaishnavism, described the human condition as "unholy

amalgam of delusion, decadence and decay":

 

"poi-ninra gnyAnamUm, pollA-ozhukkUm,

azhukk-udambammUm…"

("tiru-viruttam" Verse 2)

 

Every moment in life spent mingling with a 'satsangh',

however, promises to redeem man from his rather sad,

sorry individual state. We may ask, "How is this

possible?"

 

When a whole choir sings, it is the overall

orchestrated effect that comes through stridently.

Off-key or discordant notes of individual singers in

the choir escape unnoticed. Even if they do get

noticed, they tend to be quickly overlooked or easily

pardoned. The deficiencies or blemishes of the

individual voice simply submerge into the larger sea

of soothing symphony without a trace.

 

Similarly, "kallan" or the wickedness of individual

Man gets entirely drowned out by the wave of goodness

("nann-nAllAL") on the crest of which the 'satsangh'

rides in quest of eternal redemption.

 

*****************

(to be continued)

 

Regards,

 

dAsan,

Sudarshan

 

 

 

 

 

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