A Peep into Periya ThiruMozhi 194

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Srimate SrivanSatakopa Sri Vedanta Desika Yatindra Mahadesikaya nama:

 

Terazhundoor—The People

 

A good portion of Sri Kalian’s verses on the Terazhundoor divya desam relates to its inhabitants, human and otherwise. Just as Azhwar waxes eloquent on Emperuman’s glories at each divya desam, he devotes a fair number of lines to describe the people of the locality, the devotees—for, in the absence of such appreciative Bhaktas, the Lord’s beauty and attributes would be as useless as a glorious full moon shining in an uninhabited desert. As another Azhwar says, where indeed is Emperuman, if we are not there to adulate Him? (“Naan unnai andri ilen kandaai Naaranane! Nee ennai andri ilai”). However, all of Azhwar’s portrayals have the ultimate object of showing up the Paramatma, in all His unmatched splendour.

 

Coming to Azhundoor, we are told by Sri Parakala that its residents were extremely law-abiding, adhering faithfully to the duties enjoined upon them by Shastras. They were well-versed in the Scriptures and performed the Five Great Yagyas (“Pancha Maha Yagyam”) that are ordained, everyday. They were well-versed in not only their own Vedam, but in the other three Vedas too—so much so that they were in no way inferior to the four-headed Brahma, whose lips constantly recite the Shruti. Not only were they punctual in performing Sandhyavandanam, they were adept at Trishavanam—“Praata: savanam, Maadhyandina savanam and Saayam Savanam”—“Moovaa uruvin marayaalar andi moondrum anal ombum aniyaar veedi Azhundoore”. The unblemished wisdom acquired by the holy men of Terazhundoor was not one gathered from books, but learnt from erudite Acharyas, sages and saadhus of repute. All this is to be gathered from Sri Kalian’s lines—

 

“Engum mali pugazh naal Vedam iyndu velvigalum kelvigalum iyandra tanmai

Am kamalatthu Ayan anyaar payilum selvatthu ani Azhundoor”

 

The wise men of Azhundoor were “Ubhaya Vedanta Vidvaan”s, being equally proficient in the Sanskrit Shruti, as in the Tamizh marai (Tiruvaimozhi)—“Sentamizhum Vadakalayum tigazhnda naavar, Disaimukhan anayavargal, semmai mikka anthanar”. The stentorian tones of people reciting both these Vedas filled the air at Azhundoor, sounding verily like a stormy sea—“mudu naan marai veedu torum alai aarum kadal pol muzhangum ten Azhundai”.

 

Though extremely learned in the Scripture, the residents of Azhundoor were, nonetheless, absolutely without any pride and were extremely sweet-tongued—“Senchol naanmarayor”.

 

(Incidentally, the following are the Pancha Maha Yagyas—

 

1)Brahma Yagyam—propitiating Rishis through learning and recital of Vedas

2) Deva Yagyam refers to the various Yagas and Yagyas intended for pleasing and satisfying Devas (ultimately aimed at the Lord, who is the inner dweller of all deities)

3) Manushya Yagyam is feeding of guests, known as “Athithis”

4) Pitru Yagyam refers to the performance of Tarpanam, Shraaddham, etc., for propitiating one’s aforefathers

5) Bhoota Yagyam is the offering of “Bali” to birds and animals).

 

When people adhered so faithfully to their duties, is it any wonder that the entire Terazhundoor was an extremely prosperous locality? Rains were timely and copious, the Cauvery never belied hopes and was in permanent flow, bringing with her precious stones, gems, fragrant wood like Akil and Sandalwood, the fields were resultantly fertile and yielded extremely good crops and industry flourished.

 

The cumulative result of all this was prosperity beyond measure, prompting Sri Parakala to exclaim, “Arum selvatthu Azhundoor”, “Perugum selvatthu Azhundoor”, “Azhagaar selvatthu Azhundoor”, etc. Streets were lined with tall manors apparently touching the clouds. The tops of these mansions were adorned with sharp spears (perhaps an ancient version of the lightning conductor?).Even the Verandas of these manors were studded with precious stones, we are told—“Mani aninda tinnai”.

 

The fact that Vedas are the source of all this prosperity, is emphasized by Sri Tirumangai Mannan time and again—“Aana tol seer marayaalar payilum selvatthu ani Azhundoor”. Therefore, from all accounts, Terazhundoor appears to have resounded with Veda ghosham and acquired fame as a centre of learning, comparable to Kanchi.

 

 

Srimate Sri LakshmiNrisimha divya paduka sevaka SrivanSatakopa Sri Narayana Yatindra Mahadesikaya nama:

dasan, sadagopan