Book Review: VAINAVA ACHARYARKALIN VAZHUVUM VAKKUM

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namO narayana!

 

http://www.hindu.com/br/2003/10/07/stories/2003100700070200.htm

 

 

TAMIL

 

Saying of preceptors

 

VAINAVA ACHARYARKALIN VAZHUVUM VAKKUM — Aitihya Nirvaha Vilakkam: M.

A. Venkatakrishnan; Geetacharyan Publications; 7, South Mada Street,

Triplicane, Chennai-600005. Rs. 400.

 

THIS BOOK contains 821 sayings of different Vaishnava Acharyas from

12th Century A.D. to 15th Century A.D. The author has taken much pain

in collecting the topics, which are generally in Manipravala style

and has given easy Tamil rendering of the same. Generally in

Srivaishnavism, Aitihya and Nirvaha are terms often used for denoting

the final or approved meaning of particular epitaph of the stanzas.

 

In the introduction, the author says very clearly that he has taken

up six varieties of incidences found in the commentary such as

Aitihya, Nirvaha, Varta, Samvada, Udaharana and quotations. In each

and every topic the author mentions Nirvaha and Aitihya in bold

letters. The author for each topic mentions from where he has taken,

reproducing the authors' words followed by his explanation in simple

Tamil.

 

He quotes Manavalamamuni's commentary on Periyazhwar Thirumozhi

3-9-4. Here the question is whether Kaikeyi instructed Rama to go to

the forest or Sumitra, mother of Lakshmana.

 

In this connection he uses three different terminologies. For Rama

His mother Kausalya is known as "irruttay" and Sumitra as

"matruttay". Kaikeyi is mentioned as "kutruttay" because of her

cruelty. Here the author's footnote is worth mentioning.

 

Kurattalwan is called Alwan with `n' ending. In Tamil `n' ending word

is considered singular. Even some scholars in modern times who are

not familiar with the tradition write Kurattalwar with `r' ending

which is not correct.

 

Alwan is the specific name given to the individual, which should be

written with `n' ending. For this a very good example is given in

topic no. 4. Here, the father is called Kurattalwar and his son

Kurattalwan.

 

Brief biographies of Acharyas are given in the introduction. In

addition, the author gives a list of names of Acharyas, Arayars,

Dasas, kings and other administrative officials. Thirteenth Century

A.D. to 15th Century A.D., is a very important period in the growth

of Vaishnavism, and study of the commentaries provides the

understanding of the society of that period.

 

The author records in the introduction that wherever he was not able

to get a clear idea, he has approached contemporary scholars and

corrected his view and reproduced their views. He deserves praise for

producing the monumental work. This work helps in understanding very

subtle points of Vaishnavism.

 

K.K.A. VENKATACHARI

[unquote]

 

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