Living by association with devotees - (பொலிக பொலிக)
அடியார் திருக்கூட்டத்தைக் கண்டு வாழ்த்தல்
This segment is filled with mangalasāsanams (blessings) for all the SriVaishnava bhaktas wishing them long lives and prosperity. Through hymns such as ‘ondrum thEvum’, Āzhvār instructed this world and made this mortal realm into paramapadam (the abode of Bhagavān). Āzhvār, through his divine hymns, completely annihilated the differences between this
+ Read more
இப்பகுதி ஸ்ரீவைஷ்ணவ பக்தகோடிகளுக்கு மங்களா சாஸனம் செய்கிறது; பல்லாண்டு பாடுகிறது. ‘ஒன்றும் தேவும்’ முதலான பாடல்களால் ஆழ்வார் உலகுக்கு உபதேசம் செய்து இவ்வுலகையே பரமபதமாக்கிவிட்டார். அங்குள்ளாரும் இங்கு வரலாம் என்று சொல்லும்படி ஸம்ஸாரத்திற்கும் பரமபதத்திற்குமுள்ள வேற்றுமை நீங்கியதாகக்
3244. Hail! Hail! Hail! The new era has arrived! Heavy sins are gone, hells filled with misery are destroyed. Yama's hordes have no work here, and Kali will soon be gone. Everywhere, devotees of the sea-hued Lord are singing sweet songs in His praise.
Explanatory Notes
(i) The Āzhvār says, “May this state of affairs flourish!” thrice over, after the Vedic pattern of “Śāntiḥ, Śāntiḥ, Śāntiḥ”.
(ii) All sins, however, deadly, having been destroyed, there is no question of the Subjects going to hell and hence, there is no work for Yama, so far as the denizens of this abode are concerned.
(iii) Even Kali Puruṣa will soon become defunct-this
+ Read more
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.)
būdhangal̤ — those who were reformed to become bhāgavathas (who are sustained by bhagavān); maṇ mĕl — in this earth (which is contrary to enjoying bhagavān-s qualities); maliya — to be present in abundance; pugundhu — entered; isai — with music; pādi — sing; ādi — (out of great joy) dance, with their heads heading the ground; uzhi thara — to engage everywhere; kaṇdŏm — we have seen;; val uyirch chābam — very strong curses in the form of ignorance etc, which are unnatural for the āthmā, and which can be exhausted by experiencing the results; pŏyiṝu — have been destroyed;; naliyum — that which tortures due to such avidhyā, karma etc; naragamum — narakams (hellish regions); naindha — are broken;; namanukku — for yama, who controls such hellish regions; ingu — in this material realm; yādhu — to be controlled; onṛum — anything; illai — not present;; kaliyum — the defect of the times [kaliyuga], which is the cause for all these aforementioned; kedum — will be destroyed;; kaṇdu koṇmin — as said in -kalau krutha yuganthasya-, see for yourself that this occurred by the presence of bhāgavathas who engage in virtuous activities from the times of krutha yuga;; poliga poliga poliga — let this become more abundant!; vaṇdu — by beetles; ār — fully
3245. We have seen, seen, seen delightful sights! Devotees of Mātavaṉ, wearing cool tuḻaci garlands with honey, are everywhere. They are singing tuneful songs and dancing merrily. Come, pious men, let's revere them and revel to our hearts' content.
Explanatory Notes
In the exuberance of his joy, the Āzhvār beckons like-minded devotees to come and enjoy this grand gathering of Śrī Vaiṣṇavas. This is in dire contrast to the unsightly world from which he wanted to be removed earlier (4-9). The eyes prove their real worth, only when they behold such pious gatherings.
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.)
thaṇ am — having freshness; thuzhāyān — wearing thiruththuzhāy (thul̤asi) garland; mā — for lakshmi who enjoys such beauty; dhavan — for sarvĕṣvara who is the beloved lord; būdhangal̤ — servitors; maṇ mĕl — on this earth (which does not have anyone qualified to enjoy such aspect); paṇ thān — to have abundance of tune; ninṛu — stood; pādi — sang; ādi — danced (out of overwhelming love); parandhu — spreading out everywhere; thiriginṛana — engaged.; kaṇṇukku — for our eyes; iniyana — pleasing prosperity [of ṣrīvaishṇavas and their activities]; kaṇdŏm — we have seen;; kaṇdŏm kaṇdŏm kaṇdŏm — ṇot just seeing once but got to enjoy repeatedly as said thrice in -aham annādha:-[jīvāthmā imploring emperumān in ṣrīvaikuṇtam to enjoy him repeatedly],; thozhudhu thozhudhu — being overwhelmed with love, engaging in continuous worship; ninṛu — stood; ārththum — engaged in joyful celebrations;; thoṇdīr — ŏh those who are favourable towards bhagavān and bhāgavathas!; elleerum — all of you; vārīr — please come; thiriyum — which changes the qualities of chĕthanas upside down; kali yugam — kali yugam
3246. Kaliyukam, with its topsy-turvy morals, is gone, and the golden Kritayukam, with sound morals, is back again. The Devas too have come close to devotees, bound in ecstasy, singing with great eclat, filling the space all around with the glory of the Lord of oceanic hue, like unto a water-laden cloud.
Explanatory Notes
(i) Packed with Śrī Vaiṣṇavas Lord Viṣṇu’s devotees all over, this land now easily attracts even the exalted Nitya Sūrīs from the High spiritual worlds. Earlier, as we saw in IV-9, this was a forbidden land of dirt and delivery.
(ii) The trend of Kali yuga, that is, toppling down all moral values, has been forecast in ‘Mokṣa Dharma’ of Mahā-Bhārata. And yet, Saint
+ Read more
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.)
nīngi — to pass; dhĕvargal̤ — sūris (great personalities who have unfailing knowledge etc); thāmum — themselves; pugundhu — enter; periya — growing/appearing to be a single yugam (so that the yuga sandhi (break) between different yugams is not observable); kidha yugam — krutha yugam; paṝi — arrive; pĕrinba vel̤l̤am — unlimited ocean of joy which is caused by experiencing bhagavān; peruga — to increase more and more; kariya — blackish; mugil — enjoyable like a cloud; vaṇṇan — having a form; emmān — being my lord; kadal vaṇṇan — in the ocean of infinite qualities of sarvĕsvaran-s; būdhangal̤ — bhāgavathas who are immersed in qualities of such bhagavān; maṇ mĕl — in this earth; iriya — to initiate the joyful celebrations; pugundhu — enter; isai — songs; pādi — singing; engum — all regions; idam koṇdana — took over as their residences.; idam kol̤ — spreading everywhere (to bring down the presence of vaidhika aspects); samayaththai — bāhya [not believing in vĕdhas] philosophies such as baudhdha etc
3247 இடம் கொள் சமயத்தை எல்லாம் * எடுத்துக் களைவன போலே * தடம் கடல் பள்ளிப் பெருமான் * தன்னுடைப் பூதங்களே ஆய் ** கிடந்தும் இருந்தும் எழுந்தும் * கீதம் பலபல பாடி * நடந்தும் பறந்தும் குனித்தும் * நாடகம் செய்கின்றனவே (4)
3247. This land is full of ardent devotees of the Lord, reposing on the milk-ocean, lying, sitting, and standing. Walking along, singing many a song and dancing, flying about with heels above the ground, they are revelling like those out to uproot the heretical religions rampant in the world.
Explanatory Notes
(i) It is a matter of common knowledge that unwanted things easily multiply themselves at random and can be had in plenty dirt-cheap while life-saving herbs are very rare, needing such herculean effort to get at them, as Hanu-mān undertook to secure the life-giver, in the story of Rāmāyaṇa, uprooting the mount as a whole. Even so, the heretical religions grow up like mushrooms
+ Read more
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.)
3248 செய்கின்றது என் கண்ணுக்கு ஒன்றே * ஒக்கின்றது இவ் உலகத்து * வைகுந்தன் பூதங்களே ஆய் * மாயத்தினால் எங்கும் மன்னி ** ஐயம் ஒன்று இல்லை அரக்கர் * அசுரர் பிறந்தீர் உள்ளீரேல் * உய்யும் வகை இல்லை தொண்டீர் * ஊழி பெயர்த்திடும் கொன்றே (5)
3248. I see this land full of the Lord’s devotees, who act in many ways. Ungodly and devilish people among you, worldlings, have no means of survival. The devotees will get rid of them and bring about the golden age. There is hardly any doubt about this.
Explanatory Notes
To the Āzhvār’s eyes, it is all one vast concourse of Śrī Vaiṣṇavas, including the ‘Nityas’ and ‘Muktas’ from spiritual world, gathered/ here, there and everywhere. No doubt, spiritual world is the Eternal Land whence there is no returning to this abode. There is, however, no bar for the denizens of spiritual world moving out, at their volition, as distinguished from forcible
+ Read more
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.)
onṛĕ okkinṛadhu — it appears to be an astonishing one; ivvulagaththu — in this world (where there are lots of unfavourable aspects); vaikundhan — paramapadhanāthan-s; būdhangal̤ĕ — devotees who are enjoyers of [paramapadhanāthan-s] qualities, themselves; āy — became; māyaththināl — by their amaśing activities; engum — everywhere; manni — residing permanently; arakkar asurar — with demoniac and evil qualities; piṛandhīr — those who are born; ul̤l̤īrĕl — if present; thoṇdīr — ŏh those who are interested in worldly pleasures!; konṛu — killing you; ūzhi — time period; peyarththidum — was changed;; uyyum — redemption; vagai — way; illai — not there;; aiyam — doubt; onṛum — any; illai — not there.; konṛu — finishing the body; uyir — prāṇa (vital air)
3249 கொன்று உயிர் உண்ணும் விசாதி * பகை பசி தீயன எல்லாம் * நின்று இவ் உலகில் கடிவான் * நேமிப் பிரான் தமர் போந்தார் ** நன்று இசை பாடியும் துள்ளி * ஆடியும் ஞாலம் பரந்தார் * சென்று தொழுது உய்ம்மின் தொண்டீர்! * சிந்தையைச் செந்நிறுத்தியே (6)
3249. Devotees of the Lord wielding the discus have come here and spread themselves out, singing and strutting about, to banish from this abode pestilence, hunger, and hate, evils, one and all. O worldlings! Let not your minds wander, better fix them on sound morals and revere these devotees with a pure mind, securing salvation at their feet.
Explanatory Notes
The Lord’s devotees are here in this abode to quell all evils, just as His discus does. The Āzhvār exhorts the worldlings to get themselves salved through this holy band. A precondition for worship is concentration of the mind and this is being stressed here. Again, purity of worship consists in seeking nothing in return, worship being an end in itself.
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.)
uṇṇum — consume; visādhi — disease; pagai — enmity; pasi — hunger etc; thīyana — cruel nature; ellām — all; i — this; ulagil — in world; ninṛu — standing; kadivān — to destroy; nĕmi — having the weapon, chakra (disc); pirān — sarvĕṣvaran-s; thamar — servitors; pŏndhār — being; nanṛu — distinguished; isai — songs; pādiyum — sing; thul̤l̤i — joyfully jump; ādiyum — dance; gyālam — all over the world; parandhār — spread out;; thoṇdīr — ŏh fickle minded ones (who consider dhĕvathāntharam (other dhĕvathās) and vishayāntharam (worldly matters) as the goal and enjoyable aspect)!; sindhaiyai — your heart which is focussed on external matters; sem — perfectly; niṛuththi — placing it; senṛu — approaching (them); thozhudhu — engaging in activities which match the quality of servitude; uymmin — see that you are saved.; num — your; ul̤l̤aththu — in your heart
3250 நிறுத்தி நும் உள்ளத்துக் கொள்ளும் * தெய்வங்கள் உம்மை உய்யக்கொள் * மறுத்தும் அவனோடே கண்டீர் * மார்க்கண்டேயனும் கரியே ** கறுத்த மனம் ஒன்றும் வேண்டா * கண்ணன் அல்லால் தெய்வம் இல்லை * இறுப்பது எல்லாம் அவன் மூர்த்தியாய் * அவர்க்கே இறுமினே (7)
3250. The deities you worship only help you through the Supreme Lord, whom they also revere. Don't feel upset when I say there is no God but Kaṇṇaṉ. All homage you pay to other deities goes to Him, as they are part of Him. Mārkkaṇṭēyaṉ can bear witness to this truth.
Explanatory Notes
(i) The Āzhvār was mighty glad that this land was full of Śrī Vaiṣṇavas but suddenly, he happened to notice a lew non-vaiṣṇavas too, here and there. These were not only not attached to the Śrī Vaiṣṇavas but were immersed in the propitiation of the Godlings (minor deities). And so, the Āzhvār wished to bring them also round through advice. He tells them: “If you think you
+ Read more
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.)
niṛuththi — since they are not subāṣrayam (auspicious object of meditation), forcefully holding them [instead of naturally being present]; kol̤l̤um — placing; dheyvangal̤ — dhĕvathās; ummai — you all; uyyak kol̤l̤um — uplifting; avanŏdĕ — to the one who gave them the ability to bestow benedictions; maṛuththu — by approaching him only; mārkkaṇdĕyanum — mārkaṇdĕya rishi; kari — as witness; kaṇdīr — see; kaṛuththa — contamination (to have faith in other dhĕvathās); manam — heart; onṛum — in any manner; vĕṇdā — unnecessary;; kaṇṇan allāl — except for krishṇa (who is the ṣarīrī (āthmā) of all other dhĕvathās); dheyvam — para dhĕvathā (supreme dhĕvathā); illai — not there; iṛuppadhu — those nithya and naimiththika karmas which are ordained in ṣāsthram; ellām — all of them; avan — for such krishṇa; mūrththiyāy avarkkĕ — pursuing those dhĕvathās as his body; iṛumin — offer them considering krishṇa, who is the enjoyer of all yagyas (sacrifices), as the end goal.; iṛukkum — to be performed certainly; iṛai — nithya and naimiththika karams which are duties [and thus cannot be given up]
3251 இறுக்கும் இறை இறுத்து உண்ண * எவ் உலகுக்கும் தன் மூர்த்தி * நிறுத்தினான் தெய்வங்கள் ஆக * அத் தெய்வ நாயகன் தானே ** மறுத் திரு மார்வன் அவன் தன் * பூதங்கள் கீதங்கள் பாடி * வெறுப்பு இன்றி ஞாலத்து மிக்கார் * மேவித் தொழுது உய்ம்மின் நீரே (8)
3251. The Supreme Lord has placed minor deities in different places to receive homage and grant blessings. Devotees of the Lord, the One with a mole in His winsome chest, singing His glory, thrive well in this place. Better revere them and follow in their footsteps.
Explanatory Notes
The Emperors of yore used to receive the tributes payable to them through the subordinate officials and, in the present day, Government dues are collected through a vast network of agencies. The Scriptures likewise prescribe the rites and rituals to be offered to the various deities who are but the agents of the Supreme Lord, rather, His bodies through which He carries
+ Read more
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.)
iṛuththu — offering; uṇṇa — to be uplifted; evvulagukkum — all words which have variegated interests; than — his; mūrththi — different types of forms/bodies; dheyvangal̤āga — as the dhĕvathās who are worshippable in those karmas; niṛuththinān — established; ath theyva nāyagan thānĕ — krishṇa, who is the lord of all lords; maṛu — the ṣrīvathsa mole which highlights his supremacy; thirumārvan — one who is having on his divine chest; avan than — for him; būdhangal̤ — bhāgavathas who are servitors; gīdhangal̤ — many songs; pādi — sing; gyālaththu — of the worldly defects; veṛuppu inṛi — not having hatred; mikkār — lived as great personalities;; nīr — you; mĕvi — approaching them; thozhudhu — worship; uymmin — be uplifted; vĕdham — in vĕdham; punidham — very purifying, due to revealing bhagavān-s svarūpa (true nature), guṇa (qualities) etc
3252. Here we have those who serve the Lord with great devotion, offering flowers and incense, chanting sacred Vedic mantras, and deeply contemplating His auspicious traits. Revere them all lovingly, worldlings, and redeem yourselves.
Explanatory Notes
(i) The two types of devotees, referred to here, correspond to Lakṣmaṇa who followed Śrī Rāma into exile and served Him in all ways, and Bharata who was stationed at Nandigrām, in devout contemplation of Śrī Rāma.
(ii) ‘Devotion great’: This refers to the discipline of Bhakti mārga taught by Lord Kṛṣṇa.
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.)
irukkai — special hymns such as ṣrī purusha sūktha, ṣrī nārāyaṇa anuvāka; nāvil — in the tongue; koṇdu — reciting; gyāna vidhi — boundaries of the ṣāsthram which reveal gyānam in the form of bhakthi; pizhaiyāmĕ — preserving; pūvil — with flowers; pugaiyum — fragrance/incense smoke; vil̤akkum — lamp; sāndhamum — sandalwood paste; nīrum — water; malindhu — those who are having them completely [as much as required]; achchudhan thannai — sarvĕṣvaran who never abandons [his devotees]; mĕvi — being ananyaprayŏjana; thozhum — approaching through servitude; adiyārum — servitors; pagavarum — sages who are immersed in meditating upon bhagavān-s qualities such as gyānam (knowledge), ṣakthi (strength) etc; mikkadhu — became filled with; ulagu — this world; mĕvi — approaching them; thozhudhu — worshipping them; nīr — you all; uymmingal̤ — be uplifted.; nakkan pirānŏdu — With īṣvara (rudhra) who is nagna (naked); ayanum — brahmā
3253. O worldlings, the deities whom you adore, Nakkapirāṉ (Śiva), Ayaṉ (Brahmā), Intiraṉ, and all others, worship the Lord Supreme of exquisite form and thrive well in their sprawling worlds. Like these celestials, you will also do well to worship Him and thus quell Kali's mischief.
Explanatory Notes
Here is the certain recipe for counteracting the trend of Kaliyuga, which detracts men into worshipping the minor deities, instead of adoring the supreme Lord.
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.)
indhiranum — indhra; mudhalāga — et al; thokka — together; amarar kuzhāngal̤ — groups of dhĕvathās; kaṇṇan — krishṇa who is the shelter for all, his; thiru — divine; mūrththi — form; mĕvi — taking shelter; mikka — having abundance of tools for enjoyment; ulagugal̤ thŏṛum — in all worlds; engum — everywhere; parandhana — became possessed with great wealth;; thoṇdīr — ŏh ones who are desirous of worldly goals!; okka — if you too like them; thozha — worship; kiṝirāgil — are able to; kali yugam — the defect of kali yugam (which is the cause for such lowliness of attachment towards other dhĕvathās); onṛum — anything; illai — not present.; than — his; adiyārkku — for distinguished servitors
3254 ## கலியுகம் ஒன்றும் இன்றிக்கே * தன் அடியார்க்கு அருள்செய்யும் * மலியும் சுடர் ஒளி மூர்த்தி * மாயப் பிரான் கண்ணன் தன்னை ** கலி வயல் தென் நன் குருகூர்க் * காரிமாறன் சடகோபன் * ஒலி புகழ் ஆயிரத்து இப் பத்து * உள்ளத்தை மாசு அறுக்குமே (11)
3254. The hearts of those who recite these ten songs, taken from the glorious thousand composed by Caṭakōpaṉ of beautiful Kurukūr in the south with its fertile fields, adoring the wondrous Kaṇṇaṉ whose resplendent form dispels the harmful influence of Kali, will be rid of all blemishes.
Explanatory Notes
This Tiruvāymoḻi will cleanse the minds of its chanters thoroughly and fix them, firm and fast, on to the Supreme Lord, to the exclusion of everything else, such as the adoration of other deities and selfish desires, the blemishes referred to in this end-song. Constant meditation on the Supreme Lord is characteristic of Kṛta yuga while such a thing is conspicuous by its
+ Read more
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.)
kali yugam — the defects of kali yugam; onṛum — anything; inṛikkĕ — to be affected; arul̤ — out of his grace; seyyum — due to bestowing; maliyum — abundant; sudar — having radiance; ol̤i mūrththi — having splendorous form; māyam — having amaśing qualities and activities; pirān — one who lets them [those servitors] enjoy him; kaṇṇan thannai — on krishṇa; kali — abundant; vayal — having fertile farm lands; then — for south direction; nan — worthy; kurugūr — leader of āzhvārthirunagari; kāri — distinguished birth; māṛan — having distinguished family heritage; satakŏpan — nammāzhvār-s; oli — very famous; pugazh — speaking about bhagavān-s qualities; āyiraththu — among the thousand pāsurams; ippaththu — this decad; ul̤l̤aththai — the heart of those who meditate upon; māsu — dirt (considering bhāgavathas to be equal to oneself, doubt in greatness of bhagavān, considering dhĕvathāntharams to be supreme and attachment towards worldly pleasures); aṛukkum — will eliminate.; māsu — blemish; aṛu — without