PeriyAzhwAr Thirumozhi 4.5- Before the death strikes, do this- advises AzhwAr!

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SrI:

SrImathE Ramanujaya namah:

Dearest Srivaishnavas,

 

AzhwAr immersed himself into the glorious archa avatars of ThirukkOttiyoor

and he is going to enjoy the KaNdamkadinagar afterwards. In between for two

tens, he advises us: to involve ourselves in Naama sangeerthanam in our life

time before our human birth vanishes; and hence, he also advises us to name

our children in His divine name thereby under the pretext of calling them

(children) we unknowingly utter his name. Perhaps in the last patthu, when

he talked about the greatness of BhAgawathas who keep uttering Kesavaa!

PurushOtthamaa! kiLar jyOthiyaay! And hence starts off with that in the

first pAsuram of this ten.. Let us enjoy this excellent ten.. PLEASE do not

miss to read the original pAsurams- they are very simple and highly

powerful-

 

aasaivaaychchenRasindhaiyaraaki

annai_aththan_enpuththirarboomi

vaasavaar_kuzhalaaLenRumayangi

maaLumellaikkaNvaaythiRavaadhE

kEsavaa! purudOththamaa! enRum

kEzhalaakiyakEdilee! enRum

pEsuvaaravar_eydhumperumai

pEsuvaanpukiln^ambaramanRE. 1.

 

1. Having the mind as repository of desires, saying,: my mother, my father,

my children, my place, my home town and also my loving fragrant haired

beautiful spouse etc- and being in that state until death, finally being

unable to even open (our) mouth due to disability and unconsciousness,

[instead, before that- right now] calling Kesavaa! PurushOtthamaa! [as

mentioned earlier in 4.4] and Oh AchyuthA! The One who appeared as

blemishless Varaaha mUrthy! – uttered those mahathmaas- BhAgawathas- if we

attempt to speak on the glories that those Bhagawathas are going to attain

and attained already- then there is no possibility that we will be able to

complete it and reach an end.. [meaning: there can not be an end to it].

 

Similar to mAthA pithA yuvathayas thanayaa vibHuthi: .. First desire and

love is on mother for a child; then it goes and extends to the father who

educates and teaches good things. Afterwards it is on spouse and thence the

children. Then one cares and loves the little place he buys; Here AzhwAr

specifically mentions the fragrant haired spouse; all other relations slowly

loose our attention. But not spouse… Also it may means some get wedded even

after the children are born.. Also it is due to our spouse (wife) sharing

our puNyam (half of it).. AzhwAr refers to the word “en” (my) after

mentioning mother and father.. Perhaps one’s love for parents does not

extend so much after wedding.. he says so..:-) Thus, thinking of them till

death we waste our time, and at death, (the time of demise), we are not able

to even open our mouth and call Him.. These Bhagawathas (as said in 4.4)

call him loudly: Kesavaa et al- if we think of that and talk about of their

glories, then immediately the mouths that may get closed, will open… If we

think of the unparalleled Varaaha mUrthy (though of appearing as Huge

Boar)- whose birth is not like ours- This is akilahEyaprathyaneekan- He has

no defects; janma karma cha mE dhivyam- describes His avataara lakshanam. He

appears to save the mahaathmaas whom he considers as His AthmA

(jnAnithvAmaivamE matham).. If we attempt to speak the glories of theirs,

there is no end.. However we will talk about the greatness and benefits.. of

calling His divine names..

 

seeyinaalseRindhERiyapuNmEl

seRRalERikkuzhambirundhu engum

eeyinaal_arippuNdumayangi

ellaivaaychchenRusErvadhanmunnam

vaayinaaln^amOn^aaraNaavenRu

maththakaththidaikkaikaLaikkooppi

pOyinaalpinnai_iththisaikku_enRum

piNaikkodukkilumpOkavottaarE. 2.

 

2. at the end of life, at the evening of lives, when the pus forms on the

skins and pours over with terrible suffering – and with flies sitting on

them adding to pains furthermore; falling into unconsciousness at times, and

finally taking off- Before all that, [when our body, mind and intellect are

listening to us] hence, let us utter NAMO NARANAA ( at least with breaking

of few letters here and there from Namo Narayanaya) and perform sirasanjali

– keeping our palms together above our heads with devotion and then if one

leaves this body, then [even if one gives anything whatsoever in return], he

will never ever return even for a fraction of second..

 

Keeping the hands above head (sirasanjali) – thus declaring that “do not

keep the burden of taking care of me with me.. It is now yours.. “. He [the

Lord] would never ever let you thereafter to send you back to the earth for

karma bandham… Not just He.. Even the nithyasUris, PiraaTTis will never ever

let us leave the Nithya vibhUthi.. unlike the earthly human beings.. If ever

someone (who serves) leaves us, others take that as an opportunity to talk

all ills and names about the person so that he is hated by the master. Such

a thing would never happen in Srivaikuntam..

 

sOrvinaalporuLvaiththadhuNdaakil

sollusollenRusuRRumirundhu

aarvinavilumvaaythiRavaadhE

andhakaalam_adaivadhanmunnam

maarvamenbadhOr_kOyilamaiththu

maadhavanennumdheyvaththain^atti

aarvamenbadhOr_poovidavallaarkku

aravathaNdaththil_uyyalumaamE. 3.

 

3. if we keep [save and store] the wealth without others’ (relatives)

knowledge, then they would ask repeatedly, “tell; tell where all have you

stored and saved? “ and sit around at the time of death:- even if our loved

ones ask, we would not be able to open our mouths (due to our evening of

lives); and hence, before that time of death, if we build a peerless

beautiful temple in the heart (hridhaya kamalam) for Sriman Narayaanan, the

unparalleled Lord in our heart and consecrate Him in our heart; offer Him

the greatest flower of Bhakthi and those who are capable of doing so, will

be saved even from the paths of yama… for sure.

 

mElezhundhadhOrvaayukkiLarndhu

mElmidaRRinai_uLLezhavaangi

kaalungaiyumvidhirvidhirththERik

kaNNuRakkamadhaavadhanmunnam

moolamaakiya_oRRaiyezhuththai

moonRumaaththirai_uLLezhavaangi

vElaivaNNanaimEvudhiraakil

viNNakaththinilmEvalumaamE. 4.

 

4. The praaNa vaayu (the life-air) comes up; raises itself, expands itself

chokes the throat; hands and legs shudder; slowly the eyes fall into deep

sleep with signs of no return; [death has struck= before that happens],

here, realize and utter the one “padham” (with three letters) praNavam- the

essence of all Vedas.. and hold on to Sri Vasudeva- the ocean coloured Lord;

- if you do that; then it is possible for you to hold His lotus feet in

Paramapdham as well.

 

In the first line, AzhwAr mentions about the life breath (praaNa vaayu) that

is spoiled and is choking one’s throat- which prevents one from praNava

utterance; in second line, he describes the sense organs and limbs failing.

 

madivazhivandhun^eer_pulan_sOra

vaayilattiyakanchiyummeeNdE

kadaivazhivaarakkaNdamadaippak

kaNNuRakkamadhaavadhanmunnam

thodaivazhi_ummain^aaykaLkavaraa

soolaththaal_ummaippaayvadhumseyyaar

idaivazhiyiln^eer_kooRaiyum_izhaveer

irudeekEsanenREththavalleerE. 5.

 

5. From the organs, the waters (urine) ooze out without any control due to

disability and weariness- fall via the hips to the floor; the water and

liquid food poured into the mouth do not enter inside and spill from the

corners of the lips and the phlegm chokes the throat; the whole body slips

into deep sleep – dheergha nithra; [before that happens], if you are capable

of uttering “Hrishikesa” and are able to praise Him, then the dogs of Yama

will not devour your thighs; the servants of yama will not poke you with

their spears; you will not lose you waist dress on the way. [You will reach

safely the land of Paramapadham]

 

Here AzhwAr explains the uncontrolled organs beautifully at the time of

death (or sometime before that). The liquid food that is poured by your dear

ones does not enter and comes back..

 

angamvittavaiyaindhumakaRRi

aavimookkinilsOdhiththapinnai

sangamvittavar_kaiyaimaRiththup

paiyavEdhalaisaayppadhanmunnam

vangamvittulavumkadaRpaLLimaayanai

madhusoodhananaimaarbil

thangavittuvaiththu aavadhOr_karumam

saadhippaarkku_enRumsaadhikkalaamE. 6.

 

6. When those five slowly are slipping away from the body (five may mean

senses; or five praaNans; or five relations, wife, sons, daughters, father

and mother), and they keep shouting, “tell; tell” (where is that wealth or

property? OR utter now His name .. Utter Narayanaaa..” and then seeing no

response, they keep their fingers near the nose to verify if there is still

breath- [realizing that there is no more air in and out], they place (our)

hands in the sides with palms facing up; and turn away from the body with

their head hung in sorrow (and to give sign to others that it is over); -

[before that], think, realize and meditate on the most wonderful

MadhusUdhanan, who has the vast deep ocean with noisy waves, as His bed in

your heart and perform (karmam- says AzhwAr meaning Prapatti- Saranagathi)

the karmam – duty- of surrendering to His Lotus feet now, then for such

kritha krithyars (one who has done what is to be done)- performers of such a

deed- there will certainly be a possibility of getting the eternal kaimkraym

to Him at Paramapadham (and here as well).

 

Vangam (meaning waves) also means ship.. He is the only ship that can take

us cross this deep ocean of samsaara saagaram- samsaric ocean.

MadhusUdhanan- In ekOdhaka samudram, He as MadhusUdhanan destroyed the Madhu

and Kaitabha asuras.. when he took Hayagreeva avatar.

Or Karmam- meaning: One duty- Doing it once- Performance of Saranagathi..

enRum saadhikkalaamE- Always we will be blessed with what we desire for

(while doing Saranagathi).. This also can mean that Prapatti will yield

sakala sowbhAgyam here and there (though we performed only for eternal

service at his lotus feet). Similar to AndAL’s EErirandu maal varaitthOl

sengaN thirumugatthu selvatt Thirumaalaal engum ThiruvaruL peRRu inbuRuvar…

Saadhyabhakthisthu saa hanthrI praarabdhasyApi bhUyasi: - It (Performance of

Prapatti) destroys praararabdha karma (sins accrued so far) and is even

grander than bhakti Yogam as it yields mOksha saamraajyam whenever one asks

for; It is capable of granting whenever one desires for it- right now- or

few years later.. etc.. That is how- enRum saadhikkalaamE- is interpreted by

Acharyas. –says Sri UttamUr Swamy in his wonderful commentary.

 

thennavan_thamarseppamilaadhaar

sEvadhakkuvaar_pOlappukundhu

pinnumvan_kayiRRaalpiNiththeRRip

pinmunnaaka_izhuppadhanmunnam

innavan_inaiyaanenRusolli

eNNi_uLLaththiruLaRan^Okki

mannavanmadhusoodhanenbaar

vaanakaththumanRaadikaLthaamE. 7.

 

 

7. Similar to the male calves getting their testicles crushed (so that they

are used for pulling bullock carts with full vigour) by holding their legs

together and forcibly, the Yama dhUthas (messengers and servants of Yama)

without our consent, willingness, forcibly they enter (at the time of

demise) and pull with their “paasak kayiRu” (rope) and pull from all sides

with despite our protests, (which can be seen visibly with our suffering and

shuddering hands and legs- while passing away). – Before that happens, “He

is of such merciful nature; he is most compassionate, Samastha kalyANu

guNagaNouka maaharNavan (the most auspicious attributes); AkilahEya

prathyaneekan (free of any defects)- He is ParamOdhArAn; Swami;

SarvEshwaran; and yet, Sowlabhyan with tremendous sowlseelyam (mixing with

lowliest ones like us)- “ Like that meditate, think, and utter His divine

names in Your heart and make the darkness of ignorance vanish from there;

Place Him – The Lord MadhusUdhanan in Your heart – The One who destroyed

Madhu asura – and enjoy seeing Him in your heart in His entirety. – Utter

that he is my Lord MadhusUdhanan- and those who do that will be certainly

blessed with ParamAnandham at Paramapadham doing eternal service and

eternally enjoying kaimkarya ruchi.

 

Pinmunnaaga izhuppadhan munnam- Sri Manavala mamunigal [jeer] yama dhuthas

pull in such a way that all parts of the body go awry.. mookkum pallum

mukhamum udhadum pallum thagarumpadi mugam keezhppada- enRanar jeer…

 

koodikkoodi_uRRaar_kaL_irundhu

kuRRamn^iRkan^aRRangaLpaRaindhu

paadippaadi_Or_paadaiyilittu

narippadaikku_orupaakudampOlE

kOdimoodiyeduppadhanmunnam

kowththuvamudaikkOvindhanOdu

koodiyaadiya_uLLaththaraanaal

kuRippidamkadandhu_uyyalumaamE. 8.

 

8. the realatives- males and females – join in groups and talk all in praise

of the deceased in toto (without mentioning carefully of the follies of the

deceased); compose even songs in praise of the one who passed away; and

then, place “it” (body) on the “paadai” (flat bed made of leaves); close the

body with a new cloth (as if it is a help (upakaaram) for the wolves- before

that happens, if you have the mind to enjoy the Lord (who is the Jeevathma

mabhimaani as His very kausthubhum- jewel) seated in your heart, then there

is sure possibility of leaving this prakarithi maNdalam (the leelA

visbhUthi) where the good and bad prevail – and reach Paramapadham to get

saved eternally.

 

kuRRam niRka naRRangaL paRaindhu- When there is faults and bad deeds

committed by them, they forget all that and talk “naRRangaL”- AzhwAr does

not say NanmaigaL (good deeds); He says.. naRRam”- means: They also are

kuRRam (bad ones appearing as if it is good); Thus, these relatives change

and distort bad deeds as his good ones;

Narippadaikku oru paakudam pOlE.. – At least by throwing him to wolves will

please the persons who were made to suffer because of this guy who passed

away- At least few of his paapam (sins) may get washed away by doing so- .

PerumAL hugs the jeevan when He passes away.. close to His heart. He is the

Jeevathma abhimaani-

In Paramapadham always everyone sees and does good. (unlike this prakarithi

maNdalam).

 

vaayorupakkamvaangivalippa

vaarndhan^eerkkuzhikkaN_kaLmizhaRRa

thaay_orupakkamthandhai_orupakkam

thaaramum_orupakkam_alaRRa

thee_OrupakkamsErvadhanmunnam

sengaNmaalodumsikkenachchuRRa

maay orupakkamn^iRkavallaarkku

aravadhaNdaththil_uyyalumaamE. 9.

 

9. The mouth moving towards (as if being pulled towards) one direction; with

the eyes shedding tears continuously- due to the mast moments and leaving

the kith and kin- rolling down the cheeks; mother on one side; father on the

other; wife, on another side (perhaps at feet); crying loudly looking at his

dying moment; In another side, son holds the fire which touches the body and

starts approaching (towards all parts); - before it happens, be a close

relative and be devoted to the red lotus eyed Lord, with an unflinching

faith and unconditional unalloyed devotion be separated from others (who are

tied down to worldly pleasures and material pursuits); if you are able to be

that way, it is certain to escape from the severe cruel punishments of Yama.

 

He alone is Sarvavidha bhandhu; He alone is Matha, Pitha.. he alone is our

Spouse.. (Master); He never leaves us for ever. This bandhuthvam alone will

remain for ever and has been there since time immemorial. Hold Him tight

(sikkena) – It may also mean- hold Him quickly.. fast- right now- when you

have been able to do..

Do not associate yourselves with samsaaris. Jeer says- SamsaarigaLOduLLa

uRavaik kalasaathE..

 

seththuppOvadhOr_pOdhun^inaindhu

seyyumseykaikaLdhEvapiraanmEl

paththaraayiRandhaar_peRumpERRaip

paazhiththOLvittuchiththanpuththoorkkOn

siththamn^an_korungiththirumaalaich

seydhamaalai_ivaipaththumvallaar

siththamn^an_korungiththirumaalmEl

senRasindhaipeRuvar_thaamE. 10.

 

10. Think of the time of death in advance and utter divine names and naama

sangeerthanam on the Lord Sriya: Pathi Sriman Narayanan – such devotees who

do that and their attainment of eternal service at the lotus feet of the

Lord at Paramadham is described and composed in this ten pAsurams

beautifully by Sri VilliputthUr’s Srivishnuchitthar with a concentared and

devoted mind and those who recite these ten pAsurams fully understanding its

content, will be blessed with a clear and firm mind on Sriya: Pathi on their

own.

 

In this ten PAsurams, AzhwAr very beautifully lists down in second part of

each PAsuram – Naama sangeerthanam, ThiruvashtAkshara japam, Anjali,

Maanaseeka ArAdhanam, (having the Lord seated in the hridhaya kamalam and

enjoy doing Pooja to Him with closed eyes), Enjoying Him as the essence and

meaning of PraNavam, (realising us as His nithya nirUpAdhika ananhaarya

sEshan..- eternal servant of only Sriman Narayanan and none else since time

immemorial naturally and not enforced by anyone else), With His mercy, and

anugraham, praying for and trying to control the sense organs, Performing

Parapatti (Saranagathi) at His Lotus feet, considering Him alone as

Sarvavidha bandhu, and distance ourselves from non-devotees as far as we can

etc..

 

Thus, naama sangeerthanam will yield the subsequent ones as listed in these

ten PAsurams and yield Moksha saamrajyam and thereby the eternal service at

His lotus feet for ever. Also His using Saadhikkalame.. and Or karumam-

means that only Prapatti [saranagathy] (refer to Pasuram 6) (for those who

can not do Bhakti Yogam (as mentioned in Pasuram 7) can lead to moksham and

eternal service at His Feet.

 

PeriyAzhwAr ThiruvaDigalE SaraNam

Regards

Namo Narayana

dAsan

 

_______________

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