“PRESENT CONTINUOUS” AND “PAST PERFECT”

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“PRESENT CONTINUOUS” AND “PAST PERFECT”

(Anbil Ramaswamy)

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All of us know the difference in grammar between “Present Continuous” and

“Past Perfect”.

 

But, do you know how the difference becomes applicable as between our

Azhwaars?

 

When you refer to a person who is a habitual couch potato, or an inveterate

sleeper, you call that person as “One who continues to be lazy all the

time”. This is a perfect example of “Present Continuous”.

 

At the other end of the spectrum, we find that Azhwaars “continue to be

immersed in “Bhagavad GuNa Anubhavams” all the time”. And, that is why,

perhaps, they are called Azhwaars (aazhwaargaL) - an expression in the

“Present Continuous”.

 

This also lends itself to the view that these Saint-Poets “continue” to save

us from the cycle of births and deaths by teaching us the means to attain

Godhead through their classic outpourings called “AruLicheyals” in a way

that we could easily understand, citing anecdotes that we can readily relate

to.

 

These are considered even more valuable than the Vedas. Why?

 

The Veda Samhitas called “authorless” (a-pourushEyam) the later

BraahmaNaas, AraNyakas (Forest scriptures) and Upanishads also known as the

end of the Vedas (Veda- antha) that came out in the form of Question and

Answer in intimate sessions by the Maharishis who became the seers of hymns

(Mantra dtrishTas) for clearing the doubts and concerns of Sishyas.

 

How did they become seers?

 

They acquired this accomplishment only after undergoing strenuous efforts

(Tapas), concentration, meditation etc. And, their works were open only to a

select few born in the so-called higher VarNas well versed in the divine

language (Deva baasha)

 

But, the Divya Prabhandams (Divine lyrics) of Azhwaars are the result of the

immaculate wisdom bestowed on them by Bhagavaan himself of his own volition

(mayarvara mathinalam aruLinan) for the benefit of entire humanity without

any discrimination on grounds of VarNa, age or sex, in a language that the

commoner could easily understand.

 

(Of course, due to the constant evolution of language, the Tamil of the days

of Azhwaars may appear to some modern readers as a little difficult to

follow – but perhaps, not as difficult as the Deva Baasha of Sanskrit

especially for those who have had no exposure to that language)

 

PAST PERFECT

There is however, one unique personality in the galaxy of Azhwaars who

doubles as an “Avataara”.

 

Before identifying who this is, let us discuss an example of “Past Perfect”.

 

A poor man had fixed the wedding of his daughter. He did not have the

wherewithal to celebrate the marriage. He approached his friend who was not

only rich but was also of a philanthropic attitude and a “man of word” who

was never known to retract from his pledge.

 

When the poor man put forward his request the rich friend, without any

hesitation, assured saying: “Don’t worry. You can go rest, taking comfort in

the thought that marriage is as good as already celebrated – an assurance of

a ‘fait accompli’.

 

This is for all intents and purposes a case of “Past Perfect”.

 

Now, coming back to our thread on the Azhwaar who doubles as “Avataara”, you

may have guessed it by now.

 

It is none other than our dear divine mother, “gOdhaa piraaTTi” known as

“ANDAAL”- meaning “One who had ruled over”. By her nectarine Tiruppavai and

Nachiyaar Tirumozhi, she not only ruled over Tamil language, not only over

ChEtanas like us but she also ruled over the Lord through both her garland

of flowers (Poomaalai) and garland of poems (Paamaalai).

 

Not only did she rule over all these during her sojourn on earth (being the

reincarnation of Mother Earth), she continues to do so, to this day and will

continue to do so - for all time to come. (Present Continuous!).

 

That is probably why she is considered as one of the Azhwaars. In fact, she

is known as the heiress to the glorious tradition of Azhwaars who preceded

her as well as those who succeeded her.

 

Thus, she represents both “Past Perfect” and “Present Continuous” in

grammatical parlance!