A Peep into Periya ThiruMozhi 197

[Guest guest]

Srimate SrivanSatakopa

Sri Vedanta Desika Yatindra Mahadesikaya nama

The SaranAgathi

 

Of the 40 pasurams on Terazhundoor, the most important ones, from our viewpoint,

would be the seventh ten of the seventh decad (Ezhaam Patthu, Ezhaam Tirumozhi).

It is this group of verses that has Azhwar performing Saranagati at the lotus

feet of Aamaruvi Appan. “Ananya Gatitvam” or the adoption of Emperuman as Sole

Saviour, is portrayed by Azhwar’s words, “nin adi andri mattru ariyen”, which

are repeated no less than four times, in as many pasurams.

 

In this cruel Kali Yugam, Saranagati is the sole refuge for us mortals, says

Azhwar, after weighing the relative merits and possibility of performance of

other aids to emancipation—“Kanden naan Kali Yugatthadan tanmai, Karumam aavadu

enthanakku arinden”. And Azhwar demonstrates the quintessence of Shstras—that

Saranagati is to be performed at the lotus feet of the Divine Duo—by commencing

this impassioned plea with the significant phrase, “Tiruvukkum Tiru aagiya

Selva!”.

 

And what prompts Azhwar to perform Saranagati? It is the endless torture we

undergo at the hands of the cruellest of our foes—our five faculties—which are

always intent on leading us astray. It is these Pancha Indriyas which ensnare

us time and again and ensure that we remain enslaved, by exposing us to limited

doses of puerile pleasure, which makes us oblivious to the endless bliss that

awaits us at Srivaikunttam, in Emperuman’s company. We can contend with

external foes, but these internal enemies (“udan nindru iyvar ennul pugundu,

ozhiyaadu aruvi tindrida”) prove unconquerable, even with the most strenuous of

effort. And the only way to vanquish these resident adversaries and to ensure

emancipation, is to surrender ourselves, heart and soul, to the Lord, says

Azhwar—“Un adi keezh vandu pugunden”.

 

(to be continued)

 

Srimate Sri LakshmiNrisimha divya paduka sevaka SrivanSatakopa Sri Narayana

Yatindra Mahadesikaya nama:

dasan, sadagopan