[sri ramanuja] A Peep into Periya Thirumozhi 319

[Guest guest]

THORNY FLOWERS

 

When adiyEan tried to pluck a 'nandhyavattai' flower, one of the neighbours mentioned that 'Oh! dont use this for perumAL, as it is not conducive for Him'.

 

Sri krshNA does not expect anything from us. 'pathram, pushpam , phalam -thOyam' are the simple things mentioned by Himself. Here, the simple nature of worshipping HIm is highlighted.

 

'puruvadhuvum pugai-pUvEA' goes the line of thiruvAimozhi.

 

a flower and and a scent is all that is enough.

 

BudathAzvar in the iraNDAm thiruvandhadhi clarifies this

'..thAmuLarEa, tham vuLLam vuL vuLadhEa..'

 

The mind that is interested to worship Him is the crux here.

The affection is the key driver and the flowers , water and other likes are instrumental.

 

A soft flower submitted without affection is not desirable whereas a thorny flower submitted with full of affection is indeed welcome.

 

That is what Tirumangai Mannan emphasises here

'kaLLAr thuzhAiyum, kaNavalarum,kUviLayum

muLLAr muLariyum Ambalum mun kaNDakkAl,

puLLAi Or yEanamAi pukkidanthAi ponnadikkenRu..' 11-7-6;

 

Sri Periya vAChAn piLLai's commentary is crystal clear in this regard:

'snEhap prAdhAnyam;SnEham illAdhavan idil thiruthuzhAyum AgAdhu;SnEhathODEA idil alariyum Am'

 

Even if thiruthuzhAi is submitted to the Lord without affection, it is not desired. If given with affection even alari is desirable.

 

Not that we have to search for a thorny flower but

let us mind, at least be bereft of such throny feelings

 

dasan

vanamamalai padmanabhan