SthOtra Rathnam : SlOkma 22 / Part II ( Swamy AlavanthAr's inspiration from ThiruvAimozhi Paasuram )

[Guest guest]

SrI:

 

Dear BhakthAs :

 

Swamy AlavanthAr was inspired by the ThiruvAimozhi Paasuram of

Swamy NammAzhwAr in construction of the 22nd Paasuram of

SthOthra Rathnam . He followed the foot steps of Swamy NammAzhwAr

in (1) describing his adhikAri Svaroopam (akinchanan and ananya gathi)

has one fit for recieving the attention of the Lord and (2) following that appeal

with the performance of his SaraNAgathy at the Lord's sacred feet ( Thvath

Paadhamoolam SaraNam PrapadhyE ). This moving Paasuram of Swamy

NammAzhwar about Sreevaramangala Nagar EmperumAn is( ThiruvAimozhi 5.7.1) :

 

nORRa nOnbilEn nuNNaRivilEn , aahilum ini uNNai vittu

onRum aaRRahiRkinRilEn aravinaNai AmmAnE

sERRut-tAmarai sennalUdumalar Sreevaramangalanakar

veeRRiruntha YenthAi ! unakuu mihaiallEnangE

 

Here , Swamy NammaAzhwAr declares that he has not distinguished

himself by mastering Karma yOgam ( nORRa nOnbilEn) .Swamy AlavanthAr

echoed this sentiment with the words : "na dharma nishtOsmi " . adiyEn has no

saadhanam or upAyam to complete a karma . My karmAnushtAnam is not

complete . Had I done that , Sva-Svarropa Jn~Anam will result , which in turn will

lead to Para-Svaroopa Jn~Anam (Aathma Vedhi ). At this stage, Para Roopa

SaakshAthkAra bhagyam will be gained and the effect would be

the stabilization of Bhakthi for the sacred feet of the Lord ( BhakthimAn

ThvaccharaNAravindhE ) . With adiyEn's deficencies in Karma and

Jn~Ana yOgams (nORRa nOnbilEn , nuNNaRivilEn ) , there is no chance

whatsoever for me to step in to the realm of Bhakthi yOgam ( na

bhakthimAn ThvaccharANaravindhE ). With those deficits in Karma and

Jn~Ana yOgam ,

how can I dream about calling myself a BhakthimAn ? adiyEn is akinchanan and

ananyagathi . adiyEn does not have the bhAgyam at this time of belonging to

Your upAya ghOshti. Oh Lord ! count adiyEn in Your " fold of protection "

and come to my rescue cries Swamy NammAzhwAr .

 

In this decad of VaanamAmalai Paasurams , Swamy NammAzhwAr advances

his case by arguing for the Lord's grace to fall on him . In the second paasuram ,

he admits that he has not performed any saadhana / upaaya to enjoy the Lord of

VaanamAmalai . He pointsa out further that he is not competent to perform

such a saadhana. I have developed a ruchi for You and You must help me

at this stage . It is only Your grace that can save me to overcome my miserable lot .

 

In the 4th Paasuram , Swamy NammAzhwAr reminds the Lord of VaanamAmalai

about the many upakArams that he has done to save others and appeals :

" You can save me and pull me up also , if You desire . Now how shall I cry

and call You to come and rescue me ? You are here and near me " . In the fifth

Paasuram , Swamy NammAzhwAr presses his case : " You , who did all that

for Your protegees , must render similar help for me as well . Please do it ".

 

In the 6th Paasuram , Swamy expresses his longing to serve the Lord and

begs Him accept his kaimkaryam : " Oh Lord ! Come down in physical form

to exact from me lovable service I long to render (adiyEn thozha vantharuLE ) ".

 

In the 9th paasuram , Swamy NammAzhwAr continues with his prayer for

the Kaimkaryam : " adiyEn wishes to gain the privilege of service at Your feet.

Please grant it to adiyEn ".

 

In the tenth Paasuram of this decad , Swamy NammAzhwAr expresses his

gratitude to the Lord for showing the upAyam for Moksham ( Thvath Paadhamoolam

SaraNam PrapadhyE ) . Swamy ParAsara Bhattar 's nirvAham on this wonderful

Paasuram is an excellent one to enjoy ( Dr.V.N.VedAntha Desikan's translation) :

" Oh Lord ! You taught me that I must cling to Your feet as an UpAya . This upAya

will take me to my goal. What return shall I render to You for having helped me in

this enlightenment ? If I were to place my soul at Your disposal , as a kind of

gratitude , that soul is already Yours! Oh Lord of Srivaramangai ! ---what can

I surrender to You that is not already Yours ! " .

 

Thus ends this decad that influenced Swamy AlavanthAr

to compose the 22nd slOkam starting with : " na dharma

nishtOsmi na chAthmavEdhi na BHakthimAn ThvaccharaNAravindhE,

akinchanO ananyagathys-SaraNya Thvath Paadhamoolam

SaraNam PrapadhyE ".

 

We will continue with Swamy Desikan's commentary

to the above SthOthra Rathna slOkam of Swamy AlavanthAr.

 

 

Daasan , Oppiliappan KOil VaradAchAri Sadagopan