Sri Pillai Lokacharya's Mumukshuppadi - 106 & 107

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Sri: | Srimathe Ramanujaya Nama:

 

Sutra:

106. Was it not said before that through the namaS that one is not enslaved to

one's self; so how is that one desires to perform service?

107. As told by Kulasekhara Azhvar ("padiyAyk kidanthu un pavaLavAy kANbEnE" -

Perumal Thirumozhi 4.9), the entreaty to perform service is appropriate to the

nature of the soul.

 

Sri PBA Swami's Sarartha Deepikai:

In the earlier sutras, the meaning of the namaS was shown as eternal servitude

at His lotus feet. Such a servitude means that one should not seek anything for

oneself. Yet, here it is said that it is the desire of the soul to perform

service to Him. Is this appropriate?

 

Sri Pillai Lokacharya answers yes. The desire here does not come out of seeking

pleasure for oneself, which comes out of ego (ahankAram). The soul lives only

through His pleasure; and the performance of service is for His pleasure.

Therefore, it is in tune with the soul's nature. It is thus that Kulasekhara

Azhvar said "padiyAyk kidanthu un pavaLavAy kANbEnE" where in addition to

showing his servitude to the Lord he also seeks to do service.

 

In the phrase "padiyAyk kidanthu un pavaLavAy kANbEnE", where is it that Azhvar

seeks to perform service? It is seen in the words "un pavaLavAy kANbEn". The

answer to the question whether He is enjoying our service can be found by

looking at His face (the smile on His face). This is why Azhvar says "pavaLa

vAy", seeing the sweet smile on His divine coral lips. This is therefore taken

as seeking to be in His service.

 

Jai Sriman Narayana | adiyEn madhurakavi dAsan | TCA Venkatesan

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