Guru Poornima Series - Guru Bhakthi-2 Madhurakavi Azhwar

[Guest guest]

Radhe Krishna To All,

 

 

The descent of Mahans on this earth is indeed a boon conferred upon us by the

Lord in order to uplift us from the clutches of samsara. The stories depicting

the lives of such Mahans are as Holy as the scriptures such as Ramayana and

Srimad Bhagavatam. The association of such Mahans purifies the tainted mind

(which is akin to impure water) and makes it devoid of all the vileness (and

thus made pure like the Holy Ganges). Having carried far away from the Lotus

Feet of the Lord by the strong currents of samsara the grace of the Mahans is

the only thing that takes us back to the proximity of the Lord. During the

lifetime of such Mahans, many cross the ocean of samsara by adhering to their

teachings (Upadesa). In order to elevate the men of the world, Mahans attract

them by their speech, gait, gestures and virtues. Having taken refuge at the

Lotus Feet of such great souls and having enjoyed their immense grace, many

people worship them as their very Lord and

are bound to them by love. The mind (of such people) which is enslaved to the

Guru (and bound by love), refuses to be attracted even towards God! They

experience inexplicable bliss in serving and celebrating their Guru. Madhurakavi

Azhwar was one such guru Bhakta (devotee of guru).

 

Madhurakavi Azhwar is one among the twelve Azhwars. The word Azhwar means

-“One immersed in the thought of Lordâ€. But Madhurakavi Azhwar differed from

this general description! This was because he was forever contemplating on the

Lotus Feet of his Guru. He demonstrated the greatness of Guru Bhakti. He

says:-“The Lord Damodara (one bound by chains to the mortar) is indeed my God.

But the very thought of my Guru and the utterance of His Name alone gives me

bliss.†He considered serving his Guru and singing His glory to be his

livelihood.

 

Once Nammazhwar was singing (Thiruvaymozhi) on the Lord. Madhurakavi Azhwar was

scribing the ‘pasurams’ recited by Nammazhwar. At one point while Nammazhwar

was describing the ‘Damodara Leela’ of the Lord, he shed immense tears of

love at the thought of Lord’s compassion and grace and went into ecstasy

(Samadhi). He remained absorbed in that state for six months. At the end of six

months, he came out of Samadhi and continued the recital of that pasuram. All

the six months, Madhurakavi Azhwar did not stir from the place. Keeping his eyes

fixed on the Lotus of his Guru’s face, he awaited patiently for his Guru’s

next word. The Vaishnavas thus exclaim: -“Nammazhwar was steeped in ecstasy

and was unaware of surroundings, space and time. But Madhurakavi Azhwar, who was

thoroughly conscious of his surroundings, space and time, sat without stirring

before his Guru for all the six months. Great indeed is his guru Bhakti!â€

Madhurakavi Azhwar teaches us through his pasuram thus: -“It is needless to

worry that ‘I am not literate’, ‘I am not shrewd enough’ or ‘I lack

devotion’. For, immaterial of all these, our Guru will correct us and will

bind us with His compassion and love.†Thus, Madhurakavi Azhwar proved to be

the pioneer amongst the Vaishnava Acharyas to show the greatness of Guru Bhakti.

 

Regards

 

Please Chant

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

 

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