A Peep into Periya ThiruMozhi 199

[Guest guest]

THE TRUSTEESHIP

 

It is customary for Azhwar to conclude each Patthu with a Phalashruti—a list of

benefits that await those who master the verses. We find, surprisingly, that

Azhwar promises ephemeral rewards like untold riches, exalted existence as

Emperors, the power to rule over worlds as Devas, etc. (“Manni mannavaraai

ulagu aandu maana ven kudai keezh magizhvaare”, “oli kadal soozh ulagu aalum

umbar taame”) This puzzles us—why should Azhwar, who cares not for worldly

pleasures, prescribe such trifling baubles as benefits for those who study his

immortal verses?

 

The answer lies in Azhwar’s own life of distinction. He earned a lot and spent

whatever he earned for Bhagavat, Bhaagavata Kainkaryam. Hence there is nothing

wrong per se in possessing riches and occupying positions of distinction during

our mundane lives, provided we always utilise the benefits of such office in the

service of the Lord and His devotees. Any number of examples can be cited in

this regard—Sri Kulasekhara Perumal, Sri Janaka Maharaja, Ambareesha

Chakravartthy, and so on. Wealth and Power are detrimental only so long as we

develop attachment to the same and consider them as personal rewards—once we

realise these to be given to us in trust, for utilisation in the Lord’s

service, they become mere instruments for Kainkaryam, ceasing to affect us

detrimentally. Hence Azhwar’s prescription of these apparently puerile

benefits as reward for mastering his verses.

 

Srimate Sri LakshmiNrisimha divya paduka sevaka SrivanSatakopa Sri Narayana

Yatindra Mahadesikaya nama:

dasan, sadagopan

[Guest guest]

SrI:

 

SrI Rama Himself, SrI. Krishna Himself .......... all these Chakravarthies

showed how a human emperor should behave.

 

Thanks for a 'rich' article

 

dAsan

[] On Behalf

Of PadmanabhanWednesday, August 31, 2005 10:39 AMramanuja;

Oppiliappan; vanamamalai; divyadesams A Peep into Periya

ThiruMozhi 199

THE TRUSTEESHIP

 

It is customary for Azhwar to conclude each Patthu with a Phalashruti—a

list of benefits that await those who master the verses. We find, surprisingly,

that Azhwar promises ephemeral rewards like untold riches, exalted existence as

Emperors, the power to rule over worlds as Devas, etc. (“Manni

mannavaraai ulagu aandu maana ven kudai keezh magizhvaare”, “oli

kadal soozh ulagu aalum umbar taame”) This puzzles us—why should

Azhwar, who cares not for worldly pleasures, prescribe such trifling baubles as

benefits for those who study his immortal verses?

 

The answer lies in Azhwar’s own life of distinction. He earned a lot and

spent whatever he earned for Bhagavat, Bhaagavata Kainkaryam. Hence there is

nothing wrong per se in possessing riches and occupying positions of

distinction during our mundane lives, provided we always utilise the benefits

of such office in the service of the Lord and His devotees. Any number of

examples can be cited in this regard—Sri Kulasekhara Perumal, Sri Janaka

Maharaja, Ambareesha Chakravartthy, and so on. Wealth and Power are detrimental

only so long as we develop attachment to the same and consider them as personal

rewards—once we realise these to be given to us in trust, for utilisation

in the Lord’s service, they become mere instruments for Kainkaryam,

ceasing to affect us detrimentally. Hence Azhwar’s prescription of these

apparently puerile benefits as reward for mastering his verses.

 

Srimate Sri LakshmiNrisimha divya paduka sevaka SrivanSatakopa Sri Narayana

Yatindra Mahadesikaya nama:

dasan, sadagopan