A Peep into Periya ThiruMozhi 161

July 8, 2005

The Silent Spectator

Sri SudharsanAzhwAr's prowess of speed, accuracy and ability is unmatched. Nevertheless, he is a silent specator during the Lord's divine deeds of valour, many a times.

During narasimhAvathAram, Sri SudharasanAzhwAn could watch the demolition of hiranyan from a vantage point. Sri namAzhwAr describes this as 'pukka ari vuruvAi avuNan vudal kENdugandha, chakkrach selvan'

thirumangai mannan also describes the same event and terms the Lord as 'chakkarach selvan' . Sri SudharsanAzhwAn was a silent spectator of this great divine deed.

In fact, it is described in vyAkyAnam-s that after the advent of kaliyan, Sri sudharsanAzhwAn takes rest in his sheath -vuRai koL pugar Azhi.

There is another event where again the silent spectator is referred to.Lord krishNA picks up the gOvardhana giri -veRpai onReduthu-

and shelters one and all without any pain whatsoever continuously for seven days.

Had the Lord desired so, he could have removed the head of indhrA from his shoulders by commanding sudharsanAzhwAr. However, sri krshNA felt that having deprived indhrA of his food at least his life should be spared. Further, after becoming tired he would automatically stop pouring cats and dogs.

With this logic around Sri SudharsanAzhwar became a silent specator again and he is referred to here as kUr Ar Azhip padaiyAn

The pAsuram :

" kudaiyA varai onReduthu Ayar kOvAi ninRAn-kUrArAzhip padaiyAn" 6-7-l;

When describing the gOvardhana giri magic -maNivaNNan malaiyum Ore sampiradham- there is no direct need for AzhwAr to talk about Sri SudharsanAzhwan.

However, this is to reiterate the fact that despite having SudharsanAzhwAn, Sri krshNA made him a silent spectator, which shows em-perumAn-s Grace-nErmai.

This is explained in the vyAkyAnam to one of the thirumozhi-periyAzhwAr thirumzohi dedicated to GOvardhana Giri episode- by Sri maNavALa mAmunikaL.

...ilang-Azhik-kai endhai edutha malai' 3-5-3;

"ippOadhu thiruvAzhiyai thirukkaiyilEa vudAyanamai sonnadhu-indhranaith thalai aRuthup pOgadavalla pariharam vuNdAiyirukka "vuNbadhu koNda nAm-vuyiraiyum koLLa voNNAdhu-anukulanukku vandha kalakkamAgaiyAlEa thAnEA theLindhu vidugiRAn"..enRu ninRA nErmaiyai sollugaikkAga.

The reason for talking about the divine weapon sudharsanAzhwAn on the LOrd is to explain the fact that, though the Lord possesses the requisite arms and ammunitions to kill indhrA the thoughts of the Sri krshNA ran as follows" Having got his food deprived at least, let his life be spared;Since, basically he is a not a harmful being, he will realise his folly automatically" This shows em-perumAn's grace and magnanimity.

dAsan'

vanamamalai padmanabhan

dAsan

vanamamalai padmanabhan