Āzhvār describes how his devotion came to fruition - (சார்வே தவநெறிக்கு)
தமது பக்தி பலித்தமையை ஆழ்வார் அருளிச்செய்தல்
“Krishnā! We don’t want you to shepherd the grazing cows” requests the gopikās. Emperumān responds, “If that is the case, then I will forsake this job”. Compassion, an auspicious trait of emperumān, is elaborated in Āzhvār’s hymns.
### Introduction from Vādhi Kesarī Azhakiya Maṇavāḷa Jīyar
In the fourth chapter, the Āzhvār, even while in
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"கண்ணா! நீ பசு நிரை மேய்க்கப் போகேல்" என்றார்கள் இடைப் பெண்கள். "அப்படியாகில் இனி இத்தொழிலை விட்டேன்" என்றானாம் எம்பெருமான். அப்படிப்பட்ட குணத்தில் ஈடுபட்ட ஆழ்வார் கனிவுடன் பாடியுள்ளார்.
பத்தாம் பத்து -நான்காம் திருவாய் மொழி -சார்வே -பிரவேசம் –
தம்மைப் பிரிய நினைவு இன்றிக்கே
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Verses: 3816 to 3826
Grammar: Kaliviruththam / கலிவிருத்தம்
Pan: கொல்லி
Timing: 10.30 PM - 12.00 AM
Recital benefits: will reach Kannan’s ankleted feet
3816. To those who walk the path of devotion, the gentle feet of the cloud-hued Tāmōtaraṉ, with eyes like red lotus petals, and who embodies the five elements, are easily accessible. He wields the discus, and His grandeur is sung eternally by the Nithyasuris in SriVaikuntam.
Explanatory Notes
The Āzhvār affirms that the lovely feet of Tāmōtaraṉ (Dāmodara, that is, Lord Kṛṣṇa, Who displays His simplicity galore, exhibiting, on His tummy, the scar caused by the rope tied round it by Mother Yaśodhā) render the pursuit of the path of loving surrender, quite facile—see also I-3-5, where the Āzhvār exhorted the worldlings to stick to the path of loving surrender,
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Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)
kamalam — like a lotus; nayanaththan — having divine eyes; nīr vānam maṇ eri kāl āy ninṛa — being the antharāthmā of the whole universe which is highlighted by the pancha bhūthams (the five elements), having the whole universe as prakāra (attribute); nĕmiyān — having thiruvāzhi (divine chakra) which is the tool for protection; pĕr — divine names for such beauty, aptness and protection; vānavargal̤ — residents of paramapadham; pidhaṝum — to recite in no particular order, due to overwhelming joy; perumaiyan — one who has greatness; dhāmodharan — known as dhāmodharan for being obedient towards the devotees (due to being bound by his mother after being caught in stealing butter as said in thiruvāimozhi 1.3.1 -maththuṛu kadai veṇṇey kal̤avinil uravidai āppuṇdu eththiṛam-); thāl̤gal̤ — divine feet; thava neṛikku — bhakthi mārgam which is popularly highlighted in thiruvāimozhi 1.3.5 as “vaṇakkudaith thavaneṛi”; sārvĕ — will be the attainable goal.; vānaththu — residents of higher worlds; imaiyŏrkkum — brahmā et al
3817 பெருமையனேவானத்திமையோர்க்கும்காண்டற் கருமையனே * ஆகத்தணையாதார்க்கு * என்றும் திருமெய்யுறைகின்ற செங்கண்மால் * நாளும் இருமைவினைகடிந்து இங்கென்னையாள்கின்றானே.
3817 பெருமையனே வானத்து இமையோர்க்கும் * காண்டற்கு அருமையனே * ஆகத்து அணையாதார்க்கு * என்றும் திரு மெய் உறைகின்ற * செங்கண் மால் * நாளும் இருமை வினை கடிந்து * இங்கு என்னை ஆள்கின்றானே (2)
3817. The Lord, whose grandeur surpasses even the Nithyasuris in SriVaikuntam, remains unseen to those who do not lovingly abide in His heart. The lotus-eyed Lord, who forever holds Tiru within Himself, has erased the consequences of my deeds—both good and bad—and furthermore, has enlisted me in His service constantly.
Explanatory Notes
(i) The felicity, conferred by the Lord’s lovely feet on those pursuing the path of loving devotion, was pointed out, in general, in the preceding song. From this song and onwards, the Āzhvār sets out the benefits accrued to him, personally. The Lord has bestowed on the Āzhvār, right here, the felicity of divine service, that is usually attainable in spiritual world alone.
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Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)
perumaiyan — having greatness (beyond them); āgaththu — in the heart; aṇaiyādhārkku — for those who don-t think; kāṇdaṛku — to see; arumaiyan — one who is difficult; enṛum — always; thiru — lakshmi; mey — in the divine form; uṛaiginṛa — due to eternally residing; sem gaṇ — having reddish divine eyes which highlight ultimate wealth; māl — great lord; irumai vinai kadindhu — eliminating my karma in the form of puṇya (virtues) and pāpa (vices); ingu — in this material realm; nāl̤um — every day; ennai — me; āl̤ginṛān — accepting my service; āzhiyān — having the divine chakra in the divine hand; āl̤ginṛān — protecting us by eliminating the hurdles;
3818. The Lord, wielding the discus, has liberated us once and for all from the miseries of birth. There is no other whose assistance we require. I adorn my head with the beautiful feet of the bright, fish-eyed Piṉṉai’s Spouse.
Explanatory Notes
The Āzhvār’s mind is now absolutely clear about the immediate prospect of his ascent to spiritual world and so sanguine is he that he asserts that his age-long misery of birth and rebirth is gone and that there is no question of his getting caught up in the dreadful cycle, any more. Even so, a little later, that is, X-10-2, he pleads vehemently with the Lord for the quick
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Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)
3819. I have adorned my head with the feet of the Lord, who reclined on a fig leaf and is adored by Nithyasuris, right here on Mount Tiruvēṅkaṭam, where He stands eternally. I am certain He now resides firmly entrenched in my mind.
Explanatory Notes
(i) the Āzhvār recounts the manner in which the Lord contrived to get Himself lodged firmly in his heart and how complacent He feels after reaching His coveted destination. The Lord, Who reposed on a tender fig-leaf over the vast expanse of water, stepped on to Mount Tiruvēṅkaṭam, the spring-board from which He jumped into the Āzhvār’s heart. When He sustained aḷḷ the
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Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)
3820. I am confident that the Lord remains steadfast in my heart. My Lord, wielding the discus, harbors many secrets unknown to me. He does not reveal His great qualities to the unrighteous; only to the devout does He show His true nature, while deceiving others. He is truly our ultimate goal, the One reclining on the serpent-bed.
Explanatory Notes
(i) The Āzhvār is jubilant that the Lord, Who did all that austere penance for getting at him, namely, lying on the bosom of the waters and standing on the hill-top, is now firmly entrenched in his heart. And what more? There is still so much that the Lord is intending to do for him, which he will get to know, only in due course.
(ii) Whereas the Lord is incessantly
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Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)
nichchiththirundhĕn — ī firmly believed;; chakkaram — thiruvāzhi (sudharṣana chakra which is both protection and enjoyable); kai — having in his hand; aṇṇal — being the distinguished lord; kal̤vam peridhudaiyan — being in my heart, having joy in speaking about his favours done to me without my knowledge; piṛarkku meychchappadān — not glorified by others; mey pŏlum — just as doing everything truthfully for his devotees; poy vallan — one who can be untruthful for others who are not devoted to him; nāgaththaṇaiyān — ananthaṣāyi (one who is reclining on the serpent mattress) who is having the nature of being united with devotees; namakku — for us; nachchap padum — is desirable as the ultimate goal.; nāgam — thiruvananthāzhwān who is eternal servitor; aṇaiyānai — one who is having as mattress
3821. I am blessed to adore the feet of the Lord, who keeps on one side of His body the great Sire adorned with the crescent Moon on His matted locks. He forever bestows His grace on those whose knowledge blossoms into love, embracing Him in their hearts as He reclines on the serpent-bed.
Explanatory Notes
(i) What is emphasised here by the Āzhvār is the need for transforming one’s knowledge of God into love for Him. Knowledge of God is wisdom’s root while love of God is its ripest fruit. In His Song Celestial also, Lord Kṛṣṇa insists on loving meditation. Of-course, He sedulously nurtures the God-love of the devotees to the point of fruition. It would be futile to expect
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Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)
nāl̤dhŏṛum — always; gyānaththāl — through gyāna in the form of bhakthi; āgaththu — in the heart; aṇaippārkku — for the mumukshus (liberation seekers) who place and enjoy; arul̤ seyyum — doing favours, being ultimately enjoyable; ammānai — being the lord; māgaththu — dwelling in the sky; il̤a madhiyam — young crescent moon; sĕrum — uniting; sadaiyānai — due to having in his matted hair (and hence being enjoyer (due to having the moon) as well as being engaged in penance (due to having matted hair)); pāgaththu — on one side [of his divine form]; vaiththān than — the ultimately simple one who placed, his; pādham paṇindhĕn — ī got to surrender unto the divine feet.; maṇi ninṛa sŏdhi — having complexion which resembles the radiance in a blue gem; madhusūdhan — eliminating the hurdles for enjoyment, just as he eliminated madhu
3822 பணி நெஞ்சே நாளும் * பரம பரம்பரனை * பிணி ஒன்றும் சாரா * பிறவி கெடுத்து ஆளும் ** மணி நின்ற சோதி * மதுசூதன் என் அம்மான் * அணி நின்ற செம்பொன் * அடல் ஆழியானே (7)
3822. Matucūtaṉ, my Sire, shines with splendor akin to sapphire, wielding the discus radiant as gold. The Supreme Lord who dispelled the miseries of birth and made me His devotee. I worship Him eternally; affliction of the dreadful disease of Saṃsāra shall touch us no more.
Explanatory Notes
The Āzhvār exhorts his God-bent mind to worship for ever the Supreme Lord of exquisite charm, the great Deliverer. The Sovereign Lord will cut out all our miseries, right at the source, namely, the cycle of birth and rebirth, where one gets caught up in the whirlpool of Saṃsāra, a self-perpetuating dreadful disease. Reference to the Lord, as ‘Madhusūdha’, is significant;
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Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)
en ammān — my lord who allowed me to enjoy that beauty; aṇi ninṛa — being an ornament for itself; sem pon — having an attractive form which resembles reddish gold; adal — having engagement in battle to kill the enemies of devotees; āzhiyān — one who has thiruvāzhi (divine chakra); piṛavi — our birth; keduththu — eliminate; āl̤um — will accept our service;; piṇi — the sorrows of samsāra; onṛum sārā — will not affect at all;; parama param paranai — having none greater than he and being greater than brahmā et al; nenjĕ — ŏh heart!; nāl̤um — always; paṇi — worship and enjoy him.; āzhiyān — ŏne who is having the thiruvāzhi (divine chakra); āzhi — deep natured
3823. My Lord, who wields the discus, is beyond reach even for the exalted Nithyasuris. He stood alone during the great deluge, ordaining Time and all else. He tended cows and saved them by lifting Mount Govardhan on His sturdy shoulder. May my mind thrive, forever adoring His graceful feet. Let me indeed celebrate this state of affairs.
Explanatory Notes
(i) The Āzhvār’s mind having responded well to his exhortation, in the preceding song, he now pats on its back and calls upon it to adore the Lord’s feet without intermission. After all the exertion put forth for achieving the end in view, it is usual for people to relax and rest on their oars, once the destination is reached. It is precisely this common failing that the
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Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)
ஆழியான் — சக்கரத்தை உடையவனும்; ஆழி — பெருமிதம் பெற்ற; அமரர்க்கும் — நித்யஸூரிகளைக் காட்டிலும்; அப்பாலான் — மேன்மை உடையவனும்; ஊழியான் — ப்ரளயகாலத்தில் தான் ஒருவனாகவே; ஊழி — காலம் முதலிய சகல பதார்த்தங்களையும்; படைத்தான் — படைத்தவனும்; நிரை மேய்த்தான் — பசுக்களை மேய்த்தவனும்; பாழி — மிடுக்குடைய; அம் தோளால் — அழகிய தோள்களாலே; வரை — மலையை தூக்கி எடுத்து பசுக்களை; எடுத்தான் — காத்தவனுமான பெருமானின்; பாதங்கள் — திருவடிகளை; என் நெஞ்சே! — மனமே! நீ ஒரு போதும்; மறவாது — மறவாமல்; வாழ்கண்டாய் — வாழ்த்தி வணங்கி வாழ்வாயாக; வாழி — அதுவே வாழ்ச்சி நிரந்தரமாக இருக்கட்டும்
amararkkum — for nithyasūris; appālān — who has greatness beyond; ūzhiyān — being alone during samhāram (annihilation); ūzhi padaiththān — being the creator of all entities starting with time; nirai mĕyththān — being the one who follows the created entities and protects them; pāzhi — prideful; am — enjoyable; thŏl̤āl — with the divine shoulder; varai — mountain; eduththān — lifted and protected, his; pādhangal̤ — divine feet; en — my; nenjĕ — ŏh heart!; maṛavādhu — without forgetting; vāzh kaṇdāy — see that you live by enjoying eternally;; vāzhi — let this last for a long time.; thoṇdĕ seydhu — performing ultimate devotion towards him; enṛum — always
3824. Upon beholding the Lord's lotus feet, all my sins were instantly eradicated, root and branch. Deep love for Him has been awakened within me. I adore Him continuously, steadfast in following His teachings, as always.
Explanatory Notes
The Āzhvār gratefully acknowledges the Lord’s spontaneous grace, which enabled him to behold His lotus feet which are not accessible even to the exalted Celestials in the upper regions, despite rigorous penance for ages. The moment he saw the Lord’s lovely feet, all his accumulated sins of ages got blotted out, in toto, true to His promise, “Ahaṃ tvā sarva pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi”
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Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)
thozhudhu — having activities matching the servitude; vazhi ozhuga — to engage in that path as per his desire; paṇdĕ — in previous times; paraman — sarvĕṣvara who is greater than all; paṇiththa paṇi vagaiyĕ — by the manthra rahasya prakāram (ways of confidential manthras) mercifully explained; kamala malar — ultimately enjoyable like lotus flower; pādham — divine feet; kaṇdĕn — saw [internally], matching my servitude;; kāṇdalumĕ — as ī acquired this knowledge; vinaiyāyina ellām — all sorrows such as ahankāram, mamakāram etc which are hurdles for enjoyment; viṇdĕ ozhindha — went away, along with the traces.; vagaiyāl — by ways explained in ṣāsthram; manam — heart
3825 வகையால் மனம் ஒன்றி * மாதவனை * நாளும் புகையால் விளக்கால் * புது மலரால் நீரால் ** திசைதோறு அமரர்கள் * சென்று இறைஞ்ச நின்ற * தகையான் சரணம் * தமர்கட்கு ஓர் பற்றே (10)
3825. For the devout, there is no safer haven than the beloved feet of Mātavaṉ, our revered Lord, revered and worshipped by Nithyasuris everywhere. With unwavering devotion, they offer Him choice flowers, water, lamps, and fine incense.
Explanatory Notes
(i) The Āzhvār concludes this decad by empahsising that the Lord is the one and only Giver, the sole Means for all votaries, irrespective of whether they seek Him out for personal ends or employ other means to attain Him or submit themselves to His loving grace.
(ii) Mādhava holds on His winsome chest His coveted Bride, the Divine Mother, the great intercessor between
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Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)
onṛi — being focussed; mādhavanai — emperumān, who is ṣriya:pathi (consort of ṣrī mahālakshmi) for the fulfilment of their goal; nāl̤um — everyday; pudhu — distinguished; pugaiyāl vil̤akkāl malarāl neerāl — smoke (incense), lamp, flower and water; dhisaidhŏṛu — in every direction; amarargal̤ — dhĕvas starting with brahmā; senṛu — go; iṛainja — to pray and surrender; ninṛa — stood; thagaiyān — one who is having the nature; saraṇam — divine feet; thamargatku — for the distinguished devotees who are ananyaprayŏjanas (those who don-t seek any other benefit); ŏr — being distinguished goal; paṝu — will be the good refuge.; parama param paranai — the lord of all who has none greater than him; mal — in wrestling battle
3826 ## பற்று என்று பற்றி ப * ரம பரம்பரனை * மல் திண் தோள் மாலை * வழுதி வளநாடன் ** சொல் தொடை அந்தாதி * ஓர் ஆயிரத்துள் இப் பத்தும் * கற்றார்க்கு ஓர் பற்றாகும் * கண்ணன் கழல் இணையே (11)
3826 ## paṟṟu ĕṉṟu paṟṟi pa * rama paramparaṉai * mal tiṇ tol̤ mālai * vazhuti val̤anāṭaṉ ** cŏl tŏṭai antāti * or āyirattul̤ ip pattum * kaṟṟārkku or paṟṟākum * kaṇṇaṉ kazhal iṇaiye (11)
Ragam
Kalyāṇi / கல்யாணி
Thalam
Ādi / ஆதி
Bhavam
Self
Simple Translation
3826. Those who learn these ten songs, out of the thousand composed by Vaḻutivaḷanāṭaṉ, who steadfastly took refuge in the Supreme Lord with powerful shoulders, will attain the cherished goal of Kaṇṇaṉ’s beautiful feet.
Explanatory Notes
The chanters of this decad shall easily attain the lovely pair of feet of the Supreme Lord, whose omnipotence helps to vanquish all the enemies, the impediments that stand in the way of His ardent devotees attaining Him.
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)
thiṇ — strong; thŏl̤ — having shoulder; mālai — sarvĕṣvaran who is the prāpya (goal) and prāpaka (means), since he is infatuated towards his devotees; paṝu enṛu — determined as the good refuge for us; paṝi — surrendered; vazhudhi val̤a nādan — nammāzhvār, who is the controller of thiruvazhudhi nādu (āzhvārthirunagari region); sol — mercifully spoke; thodai — in the form of a garland of words; andhādhi ŏr āyiraththul̤ — among the distinguished thousand pāsurams which are in the style of anthādhi (ending word of one pāsuram relating to the beginning of next pāsuram); ippaththum — this decad also; kaṝārkku — for those who learnt and practiced; kaṇṇān — krishṇa who is dhāmŏdhara; kazhal — divine feet; iṇai — pair; ŏr — distinguished; paṝāgum — result.; kaṇṇan — krishṇa who is easily approachable for all, his; kazhal iṇai — divine feet which are present for his devotees