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Sri:

 

SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,

 

KumbhE Punarvasubhavam KeraLE ChoLa PattaNE

KaustubhAmsham DharAdheesham KulashekaramAshrayE

 

Dear Bhaktas,

 

For the occassion of the Tirunakshatram of Sri Kulashekara Azhwar,

Adiyen is posting a summary of the verses from the ninth decad of

Perumal Tirumozhi. The summary is based on the work of U.Ve. Dr. A

Ananthanarasimhachar Swamin, Srikaryam Swami, Srimad

Poundarikapuram Ashramam.

 

In this decad, the Azhwar dons the role of Dasharatha and brings out

his pangs of separation from Lord Rama, when he was banished to the

forest. Kulashekara Azhwar was an Amsham of the Kaustubha gem adorning

the Lord's chest in Sri Vaikuntam. As a result, he could offer

uninterrupted worship to the Lord in

Parama Padam. However, such an opportunity is not there in this world

(where the Lord is in his Leela Vibhuti). Dasharatha and Devaki, though

born at a time when the Lord had incarnated in his Vibhava form,

had to experience separation from the Lord. The Azhwar feels he is no

different since he was not born at the

time when the Lord came to this earth. This decad brings out the grief

of Dasharatha with consummate effect. It is helpful to note that the

Azhwar's Abhimana Daivam was Lord Rama. Hence, any thought of

separation from Lord Rama causes unbearable agony.

 

1. Oh my Rama! Oh! my virtuous son! you were ready for coronation with

people of decorated Ayodhya praising you and saluting your feet,

which provide protection to those who have surrendered, with their head

bent. You were ready to sit on the throne; at that time by listening to

the words of your step mother Kaikeyi asking you to go to the dense

forests, not treaded by anyone, see how I made you rule this earth

very well! (This is extremely satirical).

 

2. After hearing harsh words from my cruel mouth, the people of Ayodhya

who could not bear separation from you, even without your

expectations, quickly gave up victorious and huge mountain-like

elephants; gave up their chariots; gave up their horses; and instead

desired to

go to the forest with an undiminishing

look of sadness like a spear smeared with oil. With broad eyed Seetha

wearing costly ornaments and Lakshmana following you, how did you

walk?

Oh my Rama! Oh my Lord! What can I do?

 

3. Oh! one with broad and black eyes and eyebrows resembling a

war-sword; oh! one who is the first in the family of Kausalya; oh!

one holding a bent bow; oh1 one with shoulders robust like a hill; you

have learnt the method of softening the mind of persons like me who has

done great sins. Oh! my son resembling a blue jewel; oh! one born in

the family of Kakusta; you have been so far sleeping on a soft bed.

Have you learnt to sleep on stones in the shade of trees in the thick

forests.

 

4. I was asking you to come and then asked you to go. Sometimes I would

tell you to see me atleast once. Oh one with hair decorated with

flowers! Oh one with a flexible arm like bamboo; oh! one who broke the

bow of Lord Shiva (to win the hand of Seetha); Oh my son who brings

compassion even in the heart of a sinner like me; today as you go into

the dense forests treaded by elephants, my heart has not broken into

two pieces, instead it has remained firm!

 

5. With blood coming out of your soft feet as a result of walking on

stones as sharp as swords held by enemies; with heat of the sun felt

from

above;with pains of hunger troubling; yet oh! son of this great sinner,

today you went willingly to the forest where no one would like to

go. I listened without any reaction to the words of the wicked daughter

of the king of Kekaya (Kaikeyi). Alas! what shall I do.

 

6. I could not hear your uttering Oh Father! with affection and regard;

I could not embrace you with your chest full of ornaments sticking to

mine; I could not kiss you; I could not smell the top of your head; I

could not see your majestic gait resembling that of a big elephant

nor your lotus-like face; Oh my Lord! even after losing my son like

water flowing out (in a stream), I am alive.

 

7. The hair which once was decorated with ever fresh flowers is now an

ugly twisted one; the waist which once wore beautiful apparels,

now wears cloths made out of wood-fibres fit only for an exhibition

(not for wearing); due to the absence of ornaments, the limbs have

changed their complexion; in this way, my son with strong shoulders has

entered the forest which I should have entered at this stage of my

life. Oh sageswith profound knowledge of the Vedas! Please tell me is

this correct? Oh Sumanta, Oh Vasishta, you please tell me.

 

8. Kaikeyi! by sending to the forest my eldest son studying great Vedas

under eminent teachers, his brother (Lakshmana) and my

daughter-in-law with a soft body like a flower and with a slender waist

beyond comparison even with lightning and soft natured

(Seetha); by creating a situation whereby the son whom you delivered

will be charged as " a traitor to his brother " ; also making me to go

to the great heavens, what did you gain? Are you happy to live in this

great world?

 

9. Once you took the bow of Parasurama and through that destroyed the

power of his penance. You set aside the considerations of yourself,

your prestige and the agony of your mother, to establish my greatness

and my promise and entered the forest. Ob my emperor with long

shoulders! I would like to have you as my son even if I have to take

seven births.

 

10. Oh King amongst the Kings of the Manu dynasty! Bringing sadness to

Kausalya and Sumitra who have their hairs decorated with full

bloomed fragrant flowers; accepting with respect the words of heartless

Kaikeyi who in turn was advised by the cruel hunch-backed

servant; you have now gleefully chosen to live in the forest. I also

would like to reject the decorated town rejected by you and to heaven

with pleasure.

 

11. King Dasharatha with broad and raised shoulders wearing garlands,

unable to bear separation, lamented when the Lord, blue in

colour and with infinite qualities born as Rama entered the forests.

These high quality Tamil songs describing the anguish of Dasharatha

was composed by Kulashekara Azhwar, king of Uraiyur, expert in using

sharp spears, enjoying the honour of a white umbrella. Those

who recite these songs will not be attracted towards worldly things.

 

Namo Narayana,

 

SriMuralidhara Dasan