supernal rhapsody

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Supernal Rhapsody

 

Nalayira Divya Prabhandham represents ecstatic outpourings in the form of hymns

sung by Vaishnava Azhwars in different era in praise of Lord Vishnu manifesting

himself in temples under different names belonging to the days of yore. The

reputation of undertaking the onerous task of compilation and codification of

hymns goes to the great Acharya, Sri Nathamunigal whose native place is

“Kattumannargudi” then called “Veeranarayanapuram” in South Arcot district. He

had the divine guidance and command of Lord Aravamudhan, the presiding deity of

Kumbakonam, to take up this stupendous venture for the benefit of the then

humanity and the posterity. Tehse verses are considered to be an understandable

Tamil interpretation of the Vedas and a treasure of immense esoteric value.

 

In order of classification Sri Nathamunigal, as ordained, has given

the top priority to the hymns of Sri Vishnu Chitta later called “Periazhwar”, a

native of SriVilliputhur. While on a purposeful visit to Madurai Vishnuchitta

had the vision of Lord Narayana in the firmament seated on His vehicle, “Garuda”

with Goddess Lakshmi occupying the right side of His broad chest and the Conch

and Chakra held on either hands. The resplendent radiance of the Lord with His

inseparable consort and His weapons with added luster, made Sri Vishnuchitta

think that it would spell evil eye and also to avail the unique privilege of

blessing the Lord, Goddess Lakshmi, His discus and conch with an infinite life

which has no specific duration.

 

Sri Vishnuchitta has concentrated his Bhakthi towards Lord Krishna

describing His antics, pranks and gambol in different stages of His growth. His

hymn on Lord Krishna starts from “Thirukottiyur” where the presiding deity is

Lord Madhava whom Sri Vishnuchitta considered as the Lord of Dwaparayuga. We can

draw logical conclusion that Periazhwar chose “Thriukottiyur” to begin with, for

singing the celestial hymns in praise of Lord Krishna may be attributable to the

fact that the Holy place going to be further famous providing nucleus for the

propagation of essential religious concept of Vaishnavism viz., “Thirumandiram”

at a later date by no less a person than Sri Ramanuja who with a laudable object

made it available to one and all irrespective of Caste or Creed to enter the

Kingdom of Sriman Narayana notwithstanding his preceptor, Sri Thriukottiyur

Nambi’s statutory to keep it a top secret.

 

Sri Vishnuchitta describes vividly the gaiety and the happy state of

mind of the Cowheads and their maidens on the day Lord Krishna was born in their

midst and his subsequent sports while growing as it appeared before his mental

screen. The Azhwar takes the readers to that realm where his divine emotive

expression created ecstasy so as to make them also enjoy and experience the

inexplicable beatitude along with him.

 

On hearing the happy news of the birth of “Kesavanambi” (Lord

Krishna), the entire population of Cowherds colony lost their mental equipoise

owing to their reaching the pinnacle of mirth resulting in running hither and

thither in a spirit of rapture. It could be called a divine frenzy as they

wandered without knowing to express their jubilation.

 

Some of them on seeing the divine child commented “Is there anything

in this world that could be an object of comparison with Him!”. Vishnuchitta in

his hymn mentions the birth start of the newborn in the nature of a riddle. i.e.

“ The tenth day from the start Hastham which reveals the star “Sravanam”. Thus

masquerading the real birth star of the child which is “Rohini” obviously to

confuse the demon King Kamsa who had been forewarned about his end by one who

was born under the star “Rohini”. We see Sri Vishnuchitta’s extreme “Bhakthi” by

recalling what had happened in “Dwaparayuga”, himself living in Kaliyuga

forgetting about his being so.

 

In the colony of cowheards there was plenty of milk, curd and butter

that were their mainstay and wealth. The maidens in their exuberant mirth and

revelry threw the milk and its products to one another completely unaware of

their hair plaits getting disheveled and becoming unkempt. Lord Krishna now as

an infant was watching the whole fun and frolic with His handsome smiling

countenance so as to make the innocent folk to enjoy themselves to their hearts

content.

 

When the child Krishna was given a bath as per practice Yasodha used

apiece of turmeric to clean his tongue, she was bewildered to see seven worlds

in His mouth. The Gopis talked to one another that He was not an ordinary child,

but concluded that He is a divine incarnation.

 

It was twelfth day when there was a purification ceremony of the

chamber in which the child was born. The entire population of the Cowherd’s

colony engaged themselves in beautifying the whole area with flags and festoons

in order to celebrate the occasion. When the divine child was laid in to the

small golden cradle inset with diamonds and invaluable gems He kicked the frames

with His tiny legs that made the cradle fell down into pieces when some maidens

lifted to fondle Him, they had their hips other joints feel the twings and the

ache. Each one of them had a story to tell and was describing her personnel

experience to the other.

 

After a visit to a temple and offering worshipping at the shrines

each one of us comment about the beautiful features of the deity in the form of

icon. Likewise when Yashodha after giving the child a bath put it on rest in a

bed, the damsels were carried away by the infant’s beautiful and sharp eyes the

smiling face and the prominent nose. Sri Vishnuchitta expresses how he could

narrate the delectation of the womenfolk. The exhilaration of the ladies was

such that even the entire sea as Cauldron cannot hold it. Every physical

movement of the divine child stole the hearts of the unlettered cow maids. While

the child was moving about on its fours, the style of His looks, His suckling

posture, by raising the legs that measured the three worlds, to mouth holding

them fast with His hands created and inexplicable delight among the Gopis. One

lady pointed out with astonishment the uniform alignment of the toes, which is

uncommon among mortals. Some among them tried to made the

child going sleep by means of Lullaby.

 

The dusk brings happiness to one and all by the appearance of the

moon during its gradual waxing period and with a view to showing its full

appearance to the child, the moon comes in a haste clearing the impediments that

were in the form of passing clouds. On looking at the moon in its entirety, the

divine child calls it to come near with its supple fingers when Yashodha

cautions that moon “ Do not deride the child under the impression that He is

just like any other; He is none but the same baby who had a banyan leaf, as his

bed at the time of deluge; should you dismiss and entertain any doubt that He is

after all a small kid, you can have the veracity of the truth He grew taller

than anything in this World, checked out by King Mahabali”.

 

When the infant became a toddler the Cow maids enjoyed His waddle

and called the others to witness the beauty of His gait; certain of them

commented that this little lion club is the same “NRISHIMHA” who came out of the

pillar and dismembered the demon king; certain of them watched the footprints of

the child and found the impression of conch and discus in them.

 

Lord Krishna when grew up as an adolescent, went to the forest

behind Cows along with the boys of the colony to graze the cattle. While

returning home just before dusk, the fatigue was noticeable with His black

complexioned body crust with full of dust over the sweat which instead of making

him look unclean added further elegance to the divine youth’s frame. When there

was a delay in his returning home with His retinue the Gopis were fidgety for a

while and heaved a sigh of relief on seeing Him.

 

The enchanting dulcet sound produced by the Lord from His flute made

the maidens of the colony to leave their domestic chores abruptly and to proceed

towards the direction from which the musical note wafted through the air.

The divine escapade of Lord Krishna has been given by Sri

Vishnuchitta comprehensively in different stages of His growth and what is given

in this article is a capsule. Periazhwar’s Hymns are panacea for all the ills,

according to our great Acharyas

 

 

 

 

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