Chapter 9
The supremacy of praising the Lord instead of the wordly people - (சொன்னால் விரோதம்)
மானிடரைப் பாடாது மாதவனை ஏத்தும் எனல்
“One should praise Bhagavān alone. One should sing His praises alone. Instead of doing so, would anyone praise a mortal being? What is the use of doing this? Shouldn’t one exercise Bhagavān’s benevolence of bestowing us with knowledge, the ability to be articulate etcetera in servitude to Him?” says a puzzled Āzhvār.
பகவானையே புகழவேண்டும் அவனுடைய குணங்களையே கூறவேண்டும். இவற்றை விட்டு மனிதனைப் பாடுவார்களா? இவ்வாறு செய்வதால் என்ன பயன்? பகவான் கொடுத்த ஞானம், நாவன்மை ஆகியவற்றை அவனுக்கே பயன்படுத்த வேண்டாமா? என்கிறார் ஆழ்வார்.
Verses: 3101 to 3111
Grammar: Kalinilaiththuṟai / கலிநிலைத்துறை
Pan: முதிர்ந்த குறிஞ்சி
Timing: NIGHT
Recital benefits: will not be born again in this world
- Verse 1:
Listen, everyone, as I share my thoughts, even if they're not to your liking. I'll only sing praises for my king, who's as majestic as an elephant, residing in Tiruvēṅkaṭam where bees buzz around. I won't waste my poetic talent on anyone else. - Verse 2:
Why bother composing hymns to praise feeble humans who overestimate themselves and their fleeting wealth? Instead, let's honor my great benefactor, the eternal Lord who resides in Kuṟuṅkuṭi, a place its abundant ponds and fertile fields. - Verse 3:
Hey, learned folks, what do you really get from praising ordinary humans with fancy songs? You're ignoring the greatness of the Overlord of Nithyasuris (Celestials), who promises you everlasting divine service. - Verse 4:
Hey, poets, how long can you sustain your immense wealth by praising mere mortals? It's better to sing about the glory of the Supreme Lord, who wears a radiant crown adorned with gems, the ruler of the Nithyasuris. He'll welcome you into His fold, and you'll be freed from further births. - Verse 5:
Oh scholars, you spoil your speech by praising weak fellow humans whose wealth is like a mound of filth. Instead, create songs praising my flawless Lord, like a blue gem, the great benefactor and supreme donor who truly deserves your praise. - Verse 6:
Hey, you potters, stop praising humans. There's no one in this land rich enough to pay you well for your songs. It's only fair that you earn by working hard. Even if you praise your favorite deity, those offerings will still reach my Tirumāl, who wears a shiny crown. - Verse 7:
I cannot utter falsehoods that portray the unworthy on Earth as generous clouds or exalt their shoulders as mighty mountains. I can only praise my gracious Lord of unlimited glory, bearing a thousand names, my great benefactor. - Verse 8:
Why praise ordinary people tangled in worldly problems when I could devote myself to singing the endless greatness of the spouse of Piṉṉai? Then, when I die, I'd leave this body to reach His divine feet. - Verse 9:
I am not a poet born to extol frail humans; my tongue shall praise only the Lord holding the discus, the great Donor full of auspicious qualities. He presents Himself here in a delightful iconic form and grants spiritual worldly bliss in due course. - Verse 10:
As the poet of the zealous Lord, who creates worlds with hope that His subjects will one day give up their material bodies and reach Him, would it be right for me to sing the glory of anyone else? - Verse 11:
By reciting these ten songs, selected from the thousand songs sung by Kurukūr Caṭakōpaṉ in adoration of Lord Kaṇṇaṉ, the Chief of Nithyasuris, you'll find liberation from future births.