Thirumaalai 36 – Mazhaikku anru

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Thirumalai Till Now

As the saying goes “Thirumaalai (the prabandham) ariyaadhaar, Thirumaalaye (Perumalai) ariyaadhaar”, we all need to learn and understand Thirumaalai , sung by Thondaradipodi Azhwaar, to know more and more about Perumal/Emperumaan. .

Azhwaar’s Experience and Preaching

In the first three hymns (1-3) of this Divyaprabandham, Azhwaar enjoyed the experiences, graced by Emperumaan on him and in the subsequent eleven hymns, (4-14) Azhwaar was preaching us his experiences with Emperumaan. When people raised objections, Azhwaar responded to them to follow Sri Rama, by  saying “silaiyinaal ilangai setra devane devan aavaan”; and asked them to follow Sri Krishna, who is simple and easy to approach, by saying ‘katrinam meytha kazhalinai panimin‘; and finally asked them to follow Aranganathan, by mentioning ‘uybavarku uyyum vannam Thiruvarangam kaatinaan”. 

Emperumaan’s Favours to Azhwaar

Azhwar described the great favours he received from Periyaperumal in the next ten hymns, 15 to 24.

• Emperumaan clarified Azhwaar’s doubts on Paramathma, the most supreme concept among the twenty six concepts of our tradition (sampradhayam) in Meyyerke meyyanaagum.
• Emperumaan entered the heart of Azhwaar in Soodhanaai Kalvanaai, and made Azhwaar’s devotion and affection towards Periyaperumal to swell.
• Emperumaan melted the hardened heart of Azhwaar and graced Azhwaar with His dharsan and blessings, in spite of Azhwaar’s belief that he was not worth to receive any favours from Periyaperumal, Virumbi ninru.
• Emperumaan nullified Azhwaar’s long time loss of not seeking Emperumaan’s dharsan and made Azhwaar to worship Him, which made Azhwaar’s eyes to pour out tears of joy, in ini thirai thivalai modha.
• Emperumaan created the four directions and kept His holy parts of His form in each of these directions so that He can be worshipped to get abode / Moksham in Kuda Thisai mudiyai.
• Emperumaan made Azhwaar happy by making him realise that His lustrous and effulgent Holy form and parts are only for the happiness of His devotees in Paayum Neer Arangam.
• Emperumaan made Azhwaar realise, that he missed experiencing Him for a such a long time, mainly because Azhwaar did not surrender to Him completely, which shattered Azhwaar, Panivinal manamadhu onri.
• Emperumaan made Azhwaar sing that we can simply follow what the Vedas had already said about Him and we need not toil to create anything new to speak about Him in, Pesitre pesal allaal.
• Emperumaan showed the beauty of His reclining posture to Azhwaar in Thiruvarangam, that made Azhwaar to realise that he would not live without His dharsan, in Gangaiyil punidhamaaya.
• Emperumaan made Azhwaar realise and sing that he did not have any pre-requisites for total surrender, and that helped Azhwaar to get prepared for total surrender to Him in Vella Neer parandhu paayum.

Naichyaanusandhaanam

After the first three subtopics of Thirumalai, namely, Azhwaar’s experience (1-3), Azhwaar’s preaching based on his experience (4-14), and the favours graced by Him to Azhwaar (15-24), now Azhwaar sings that he did not have any good qualities but only bad qualities in the next 10 hymns (25-34), which is the fourth subsection, known as naichiyaanusandhaanam in our tradition.

Devoid of any good virtue

In Kulithu Moondru Analai (25), Azhwaar mentioned that he did not have any of the qualification that were needed to practice Karma, Gnana or Bakthi yogams (Actions, Knowledge or Devotion) and Azhwaar requested Periyaperumal to bless him with everything including the qualifications onward.

In Podhellam Podhu Kondu (26), Azhwaar mentioned that he did not do the normal poojas and singing slokas on Him, which anyone could have done, even if they were not qualified to practice, karma, gnana or bakthi yogams.

In “Kurangugal malaiyai nooka” (27), Azhwaar stated that he did not do any service similar to the ones done by squirrels and monkeys, with good intention during the Rama incarnation.

In Umbaraal ariyalaagaa” (28), Azhwaar said that his mind did not think about Paramaatma as his saviour, like the elephant Gajendra, which was saved by Emperumaan. after a crocodile caught its legs.

• In Kulithu moondru analai (25) Azhwaar, said that he did not do prayers, using all or any of the three actions, thinking through mind, offering flowers by hands and reciting holy chants from mouth, to Emperumaan. In Podhellam Podhu Kondu (26), Azhwaar mentioned that he did not chant prayers. In kurangugal malayai nooka, (27), Azhwaar mentioned that he did not do any service. In Umbaraal ariyalaaha” (28) Azhwaar mentioned that he did not think of Emperumaan.
• Initially Azhwaar said that he did not use all the three actions together in his prayers, and said he had not done even one of them, in the subsequent hymns.

In Oorilen, kaani illai, (29) Azhwaar said that he did not have any association whatsoever, with any Divyadesams, as He is committed to protect all those who have any association with Divyadesams like chanting of Thirupallandu, or holding any piece of land for doing some service to Him.

Full of all bad qualities

The fourth part of Azhwaar’s Naichyanusandhanam, consists of ten verses 25 to 34, where Azhwaar says that he had no good qualities, in the five hymns from 25 to 29 and from 30 to 34, has all kinds of bad qualities.

In Manathilor thooymai illai (30), Azhwaar declared that he had all the bad qualities and there wasn’t any bad quality left in this world, that he did not have, as Emperumaan would have graced Azhwaar with moksham, as long as he did not have any bad qualities, even if AZHWAAR did not have any good quality.

In Thavathulaar thammil allen (31) Azhwaar said that he did not possess any of the means, that the Shastras meant for attaining salvation, like doing yagnas, or donating to others, instead he had wasted the birth, by drowning himself into the worldly pleasures, showing hatred towards everyone, thereby he became undesired even to his own relatives.

In the 32nd song Arthu Vandu Alambum Solai, Azhwaar states that he did not know or understand even a single way to reach Him. Azhwaar also stated about himself as a human being, who was unable to let go of what he liked, and behaved like a stupid, came in front of Emperumaan without knowing the reqiurements to reach Him and that was his stupidity.

In the 33rd hymn, Meiyellaam Poga Vittu, Azhwaar, sang about his lowly qualities and cried that he had nowhere else to go and came in front of Emperumaan, only due to Azhwaar’s desire for the Emperumaan’s mercy.

In the next hymn 34, Ullathey uraiyum Maalai, Azhwaar laughed at himself loudly, when he was trying to cheat Emperuman and his devotees, realised that he could never do that, as He knows everything directly by staying in the heart of everyone, which is the source of all the intelligence and origin of all thoughts. Azhwaar felt ashamed as he had also thought that he had moved away from Emperumaan.

Paramathmaa’s Good things to all

In the next hymn 35, Thaavi Andru Ullagamellam” Emperumaan crossed all the worlds and spread His Holy feet (thiruvadi) on all heads, thus providing each and everyone moksham, without anyone asking for His favour.

Now let us move on to the next hymn.

Hymn 36 Mazhaikku Andru Varai

Mazhaikku Anru Varai munendhum maindhane madhura aare, uzhaikandre pola nokkam udaiyavar valaiyul pattu, uzhaikandrerkku ennai nokkaa ozhivadhe unnaiyanre azhaikinren Aadhi Moorthi, Aranga Maa Nagarulaane. (36)

At that time when Indra’s wrath caused havoc with rain for seven days in Vrindavan, the strong and valourous Youth who lifted the Govardhana mountain as an umbrella in His right hand, to protect everyone, and all the cows and calves, in advance and without them asking for His help, the mighty Youth, the Arbiter of everyone’s wishes like a sweet river. Azhwaar was caught in the nets of the eyes of women, like the eyes of a young deer caught in the nets. Azhwaar says that he is not receiving His grace, in spite of him calling out to the Supreme God, Arangama Nagarulan. This is the summary of this song.

In the last hymn, Azhwaar could not leave Emperumaan as ‘unapproachable’ as He showered His grace with simplicity towards Azhwaar. After taking Azhwaar into His fold, Azhwaar wished that He would take him immediately to Paramapadham, as his desire to reach Emperumaan was more, and also He has taken those to Paramapadham who desired so. But Emperumaan did not do that immediately. Like a mother who would wait for the indigestion of the child to be completely cured before feeding the child with food, Emperumaan wanted Azhwaar to wait for some time. But Azhwaar, afraid of hostile things, he was surrounded with, in this world, calls out loudly, so that Periyaperumaal could not lie down peacefully in Thiruvarangam, as everyone melted, upon hearing the cries of Azhwaar.

Now let us see in more details in the following sections.

Mazhaikku

Wherever rain’ is mentioned in all Azhwaars’ hymns, it refers to the stone rain of Indra, when Krishna lifted and protected everyone under the Govardhana Hill. This is the same as when Azhwaars sing ‘elephant’, it refers to Gajendran, the elephant . The people of Ayarpadi, to escape from the havoc of Indra’ s rain, took refuge under the Lord’s hand, that held the Govardhana mountain. Similarly Azhwaar also wanted to take refuge in the Lord to get rid of his samsara sorrows. Just as the starving people look forward to the rich for their survival, Azhwaar prayed to the Lord who generally removes the dangers of all, to remove his dangers too.

Azhwaar said that the danger caused by the worldly life to him today was similar to the danger caused by hailstorm to shepherds, cows and calves on that day, so Emperumaan must protect him.

Azhwaar asked whether the Lord would save only those who were affected by the hailstorm. Azhwaar asked whether should He not protect everyone who was suffering in the normal worldly life. He further asked whether He would protect only if the people of an entire town were suffering. Should He not save Azhwaar whose total sufferings was as severe as that of the entire town suffered during the hailstorm.

Varai

Emperuman realized that Indra was causing rain due to his hunger and anger, gathering clouds and gathering rain. Emperumaan did not have time to call Chakarathazhvaan, His discus. He immediately took the nearby available mountain in His hand and saved the entire Ayarpadi town. Thus it can be understood that there is no specific weapon that is needed for the Lord to save any danger and hence does not need any specific weapon to save Azhwaar too. Therefore, it is the expectation of Azhwaar that Emperumaan cannot complain that there is no tool available around Him to protect Azhwaar.

Anru

Earlier here means that the Lord saved the cows even before they suffered due to rain and before they cried for help. Azhwaar also said that the people of Ayarpadi and the cows and others etc. had no one to depend upon except the Lord, so He saved them, before they were put into danger. Here the narrator quotes the 49th sloka from Alavandar’s Sthothra Ratnam. According to that sloka, Alavandaar prays to the Lord, who is full of wise and powerful qualities and who never abandons His devotees, to protect and bless him, the devotee who lost his ways due to the dark clouds and rains of worldly life, In this song, Thondaradipodi Azhwaar cries out that even though he was drenched in the rain of this kind of sorrow, Emperumaan did not come to save him.

Yendhum

At the age of seven He could effortlessly, lift the Govardhana hill like a ball of flower. Azhwaar was worried that he was still not saved because he might be a burden to Emperumaan if He had to save him. As Nammazhwaar says in song Thiruvirutham 21, ‘Soottu Nan Malaigal Thooyana yendhi ” like Nithyasoories carrying, nice fragrant filled flower garlands with ease to shower on Him, Thondaradipodi Azhwaar here says that the Lord carried the mountain to save his devotees with such ease.

Maindhane

The word ”Maindhu’ shows the strength needed to lift the mountain easily. It can be assumed that Maindhan is also a young boy and because He saved His neighbours, he became younger. Just as humans become happy and seem to age less when they get food they love, it is very dear to the Lord to protect his devotees. So He became younger. Azhwaar regrets that though Emperumaan is desirous to protect people like him, He did not come, even when Azhwaar kept calling Him.

Madhuravaare

Azhwaar says that Emperumaan takes a sweet form and is like a river. Azhwaar says that His form and beauty are such that Azhwaar could not not leave Him, even if He is not a protector. The reason why Azhwaar says Him sweet river, instead of Sweet sea, is, because the sea water is salty and cannot be drunk. The sea does not run to a place, whereas the river flows. When the flood comes, the river breaks all the restrictions and flows through. Azhwaar says that when he tried to leave Him, calling himself as sinner, but could not leave Him, instead, hugged Him. Just as the river goes in search of its potential users, as Paramaathma, this Sweet river also appears, starts from Paramapadham and runs in search of Azhwaar in Thiruvarangam.

Uzhaikandre pola nokkam udaiyavar valaiyul pattu, uzhaikindrenerku

Emperumaan saved all in the Ayarpadi, from the danger that came from the rain of stones hurled by Indra on that day, and from whom should He save Azhwaar today. Azhwar responds that he was suffering because he was caught in the trap of women, whose eyes were so beautiful and as those of a young deer. Even though there is no love inside the hearts of such women, they acted as if, they were left with no means and Azhwaar was the only refuge to them. The word ”Uzhai’ in Tamil means ‘deer’ and ‘‘kanru‘ in Tamil means calf. By uzhaikanru, Azhwaar said that he fell in the trap of net from which a young deer could not escape. The commentator said as the net was neither useful, nor escapable, for the entrapped person, the women’s eyes entrapment that was not sweet that rendered Azhwaar, unable to escape the trap and made him incapable of thinking about Emperumaan.

Enakku

The word ‘enakku’ means ‘for me’ in Tamil. Here Azhwaar says that

• it is the same ‘me’, who was in hardship, like the cows during the rain of stones,
• who understood that it is only Him, who could save Azhwaar from such sufferings
• who prayed that He alone, shall protect Azhwaar.

Nokkaadhu Ozhivadhe

It is as if Azhwaar was asking should not the danger brought by the eyes, be saved by the grace of the eyes of Emperumaan, just as the danger brought by the stones was saved by a stone, the Govardhana giri. Saving Azhwaar would not be as difficult as lifting a mountain. It would be enough if Emperumaan graces Azhwar with His glance, so that Azhwaar’s heart cools down. Azhwaar asked like a question to Emperumaan, than a prayer as to why He has not looked at Azhwaar. The reason, may be, Azhwaar was keeping in his mind, his relationship with Him and His steadfast simplicity.

The reason why Emperumaan did not come even now, was because He thought that if He immediately had graced Azhwaar, he would again declare to Him, that he was not a good person and might leave Him. Therefore, Emperuman said that experience can be given only after sometime, like a good and rich food given after the indigestion and hunger are cured. Just as the pleasure that the mother would get, when a sick child after recovery, getting hungry calls out for food again, Emperumaan also waited to hear Azhwaar’s calling for Him.

Unnai anre azhaikinren

Azhwaar questions, is he standing in front of someone inferior and shouting to save him. But he is standing in front of Periyaperumal, Who is waiting to save him. He is asking Emperumaan, who was unable to say that He has other work. When Emperumaan was thinking what was the compulsion for Him to come when Azhwaar calls, Azhwaar responded to Emperumaan in the next word, namely, Adhimurthy, meaning You Who are the Reason for Everything.

Aathi Moorthi

During the deluge, He protected all, in His womb. Azhwaar said that The Creator of everything should save Azhwaar by Sankalpa. Azhwaar said that the responsibility of saving the child was on the parents, and the crying child always would call its mother only.

Aranga Maa Nagar Ulaane

Azhwaar asked to protect Azhwaar, was it necessary to go through the whole old history of the creation of the world to , like an old well being unsilted. He further questioned whether we need to give more reasons, other than Him coming down from Paramapadham and lying down in a reclining position in Thiruvarangam. He asked whether there are any other good benefits for Him other than protecting people in His reclining position in Thiruvarangam. If everyone gets Ujjivana depending on their good deeds and sins, then He could have done that by staying in Paramapatham itself, rather than coming down to Thiruvarangam.

Azhwaar called Him as ‘Arangama nagar ullaane” meaning that He is residing in Thiruvarangam. Azhwaar said that he could call only Periyaperumaal in Thiruvarangam and he did not have any ability to call Emperumaan in Paramapatham. Emperumaan came here for people, only to increase the taste towards Him. After coming here to taste Him, if Azhwaar does not to try to mreach Him, it would be a big loss for Azhwaar. Even after calling Him like this, the reason why Emperumaan did not grant His grace was because He had a habit of listening to the calls of the people in the Paramapadham. The common people (samsaris) were till now, had called for only worldly things. It was only Azhwaar then tried to call for Him, and Emperumaan found and got Azhwaar . So Emperumaan was enjoying this voice of this samsari asking for a different thing and He wanted to hear a little more of Azhwaar. With this Azhwaar ended this song.

Let us catch up on the experience of the another Hymn of Azhwaar in our coming weblogs. Thanks