The six assertions - Concluding post - a MUST READ for divya prabandham students

January 17, 2007

Thiurkkacchinambi, inspired by Lord Devaraja (meaning the Lord of the eternals) worshipped at Kanchipuram, conveyed the above six messages to Acharya Ramanuja, for the benefit of mankind. These six aphorisms are beautifully embedded in thiruvAimozhi 5.8. This decad of thiruvAimozhi was inspirational for the earlier Srivaishnava Acharya Sriman Nathamunigal to retrieve the entire 4000 verses of divya prabandham and spread the message of Azhwars. The six aphorisms as found in thiruvAimozhi 5.8 are as follows:

1) The first aphorism that the Lord alone is the ultimate being is conveyed thru the phrase in 5.4.4 “ellA ulahumudaiya oru mUrtI!” which addresses Him as the Lord in Whose exclusive possession are all universes.

2) The second aphorism that the Lord, ourselves and insentient matter are different, is mentioned in the very beginning of the decad (5.8.1) where Nammazhwar distinguishes himself and the Lord by saying to the Lord that You have made me weep and toss like restless water (nIrAy alaindhuharaiya urukkuhinRa nedumAlE!). He further distinguishes himself from his body saying adiyEn (me Your servant) and adiyEn udalam (the body of Your servant).

3) The third aphorism that the we have no means to salvation other than Lord Himself is conveyed from 5.8.8 where the Azhwar says “Oh Lord of wonderful will, reclining in Thirukkudandhai (Kumbakonam), wielding the discus, whether you end my despair or not, you are my sole refuge”. (kaLaivAy thunbam kaLaiyAdhozhivAy kaLaigaN matthilEn vaLaivAy nEmippadaiyAy! Kudandhaikkidandha mAmAyA!). Here by referring to the reclining posture of the Lord, it is conveyed that He is devising His own ways for our protection. By the word “mAmAyA!” which means “Oh, Lord of wonderful will!”, it is conveyed that all that happens is by His will, to the extent of our liberation. Also His wielding the discus stands for virOdhi nirasanam or removal of the impediments to our union with Him.

4) The fourth aphorism that liberation is only after death, is indicated again in 5.8.8, where the Azhwar says “When my body languishes and this life comes to an end, grant that I may hold on to your feet relentlessly.” (thaLarAvudalam enadhAvi Sarindhu pOmpOdhu, iLaiyAdhu una thAL orungappiditthuppOdha iSai nIyE).

5) The fifth aphorism that remembering the Lord at the time of death is not a pre-condition for liberation, is again understood from 5.8.8, where it is conveyed that it is the Lord Who removes the obstacles for uniting with the soul and Who grants eternal servitude upon the soul leaving the body.

6) The sixth aphorism that it is necessary to hold to the teachings of the right preceptor is conveyed from 5.8.11. Here, it is said that those who sing the songs of nammazhwar are adored by deer-eyed ladies. In divya prabandham, Lord alone is the real man and all others are symbolized as female. Hence this statement conveys that those who follow the teachings of nammazhwar are admired by fellow beings who visualize the supreme.

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