Āzhvār is astonished to see as Lord displays His peculiar form - (மாயா வாமனனே!)
எம்பெருமானது விசித்திர விபூதியைக் கண்டு ஆழ்வார் ஆச்சரியப்படுதல்
Deciding to wipe away all of Āzhvār’s worries, Bhagavān was waiting for the right moment to intervene. Even though Āzhvār was aware of Bhagavān’s thought process, “ I am literally at death’s doorstep but He doesn’t allow my life force to separate from my body” says a surprised Āzhvār. In order to jolt Āzhvār even more, Bhagavān makes him aware that
+ Read more
ஆழ்வாரின் வருத்தத்தைத் தீர்க்க எண்ணிய பகவான், அதற்கொரு நேரத்தை எதிர்பார்த்திருந்தான். இது ஆழ்வாருக்குத் தெரியுமாயினும், “உயிர் போகவேண்டிய நிலை எனக்கு ஏற்பட்டிருந்தும் போகவொட்டாமல் வைத்திருக்கிறானே” என்று நினைத்து வியந்தார். ஆழ்வாரை மேலும் வியக்கச் செய்யத்தன் விசித்திர விபூதித்துவத்தைப்
+ Read more
Verses: 3530 to 3540
Grammar: Kaliviruththam / கலிவிருத்தம்
Pan: பாலை யாழ்
Recital benefits: will be always His dear devotees
3530 ## மாயா வாமனனே! * மதுசூதா நீ அருளாய் * தீ ஆய் நீர் ஆய் நிலன் ஆய் * விசும்பு ஆய்க் கால் ஆய் ** தாய் ஆய்த் தந்தை ஆய் * மக்கள் ஆய் மற்றும் ஆய் முற்றும் ஆய் * நீ ஆய் நீ நின்றவாறு * இவை என்ன நியாயங்களே (1)
3530. My dear devotee, I am indeed the slayer of demons like Madhu and Kaiṭabha. I am the embodiment of the five elements, the creator of all beings, their sustainer, and their ultimate destination. My presence pervades everything that can be named and even that which transcends words. My form is beyond comprehension, yet I dwell within all things, everywhere.
Explanatory Notes
Many indeed are the wonders performed by the Lord. As Vāmana, the Midget, He went to Mahābali, as soon as He emerged, compelled his attention, got the donation of land of three strides, expanded Himself and spanned the entire universe; He crushed to death, the demons Madhu and Kaitabha under His thigh; He is at once fire and water, father and mother and their progeny as
+ 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.)
madhusūdhā — ŏh one who destroys (like you destroyed madhu to eliminate the doubts of those who doubted your variegated abilities)!; nī — yourself; arul̤āy — should kindly explain the way you have your variegated wealth;; thī nīr nilan visumbu kāl — five great elements which are the cause for the spherical universe; thāy thandhai makkal̤ maṝum — mother, father, children et al (who are all residents in the universe and are unique in their own ways); muṝum — all entities which are connected to mother, father, children et al; āy — having them as prakāram (form) to have them at your full disposal; nīyāy — being the one with distinguished form; nī — you; ninṛa — remaining; ivai āṛu — this manner; enna — what; niyāyangal̤ — are under [what] principles?; am — distinguished; kal̤ — having honey
3531 அம் கள் மலர்த் தண் துழாய் முடி * அச்சுதனே அருளாய் * திங்களும் ஞாயிறும் ஆய்ச் * செழும் பல் சுடர் ஆய் இருள் ஆய் ** பொங்கு பொழி மழை ஆய்ப் * புகழ் ஆய்ப் பழி ஆய்ப் பின்னும் நீ வெம் கண் வெம் கூற்றமும் ஆம் * இவை என்ன விசித்திரமே (2)
3531. Oh, Achuta, adorned with a cool tuḷacī garland on Your beautiful locks! Please enlighten me about the marvel that You embody. You are the radiant Sun, the soothing Moon, and the sparkling stars in the vast sky. You are also the encompassing darkness, the pouring rains, the fame that illuminates, and the infamy that shadows. Furthermore, You are the relentless Death with its piercing gaze.
Explanatory Notes
(i) Towards the end of the last song, the Āzhvār contemplated the Lord’s exquisite personal Form. That has led him on to the description of the tuḷacī-bedecked locks of the Lord in this song.
(ii) The Sun generates enervating heat while the Moon spreads its radiance, cool and refreshing; the stars and planets affect people both ways, for good and bad; darkness, the
+ 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.)
malar — having flower; thaṇ — invigorating; thuzhāy — decorated with thiruththuzhāy (thul̤asi); mudi — having hair; achchudhanĕ — ŏh achyutha who does not fail (due to complete lordship acquired after accomplishing the desired task); arul̤āy — you should mercifully explain!; thingal̤um — moon; gyāyiṛumāy — being sun; sezhum — distinguished; pal — many; sudarāy — luminous objects such as planets, stars; irul̤āy — darkness (in which, creatures cannot see the objects); pongu — in abundance (for the growth of such creatures); pozhi — pouring; mazhaiyāy — being rain; pugazhāy — glories (which were earned by the crop etc which grew abundantly due to the rain [and were shared to others]); pazhiyāy — blame (due to inapt recipient etc); pinnum — further; vem kaṇ — being with cruel eyes (to destroy them); vem — with cruelty; kūṝamumām — being death personified; ivai — these aspects; enna vichithram — how variegated?; chiththiram — in many ways; thĕr — chariot
3532 சித்திரத் தேர் வலவா * திருச் சக்கரத்தாய் அருளாய் * எத்தனை ஓர் உகமும் * அவை ஆய் அவற்றுள் இயலும் ** ஒத்த ஒண் பல் பொருள்கள் * உலப்பு இல்லன ஆய் வியவு ஆய் * வித்தகத்தாய் நிற்றி நீ * இவை என்ன விடமங்களே (3)
3532. Let me unveil the marvelous wonder You are, oh, great Charioteer. You hold the cycle of Yugas, controlling the vast and varied phenomena of the universe with Your discus.
Explanatory Notes
The thing mentioned last in the preceding song was ‘dissolution’. Speaking about dissolution, the Āzhvār would seem to have been reminded about the riddance by Lord Kṛṣṇa, of the entire mass of unwholesome burden on Mother Earth, through the annihilation of the armies in the great battle at Kurukṣetra. It is well known to every Student of Mahā-Bhārata that Lord Kṛṣṇā was
+ 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.)
valavā — one who can conduct; thiruchchakkaraththāy — similarly, oh one who is having the weapon, divine chakra, which can transform day into night!; arul̤āy — you should mercifully explain;; eththanai — having variations [in yugas] such as krutha, thrĕthā, dhvāpara and kali; ŏr — distinguished to be incomparable with one another; ugamum — being the controller of yugas; avaiyāy — being the time; avaṝul̤ — in it; iyalum — occurring; oththa — being the same in being the embodiment of knowledge; oṇ — having distinguished aspects such as being self-illuminating, being knowledgeable etc; pal — having distinguished natures as said in -ĕkŏ bahūnām-; ulappillana — innumerable; porul̤gal̤ — chith (sentient) and achith (insentient) entities; āy — having them as your form; viyavu — for the differences (in them such as dhĕva, manushya forms which conceal the equality of the souls); āy — being the controller; viththagaththāl — being amaśing due to being unaffected by their defects as said in -namaksnigdhāni bhūthāni #; nī niṝi — you remain;; ivai enna vidamangal̤ — what kind of uniqueness is this?; kal̤ — honey; avizh — sprouting
3533 கள் அவிழ் தாமரைக்கண் * கண்ணனே எனக்கு ஒன்று அருளாய் * உள்ளதும் இல்லதும் ஆய் * உலப்பு இல்லன ஆய் வியவு ஆய் ** வெள்ளத் தடம் கடலுள் * விட நாகு அணைமேல் மருவி * உள்ளப் பல் யோகு செய்தி * இவை என்ன உபாயங்களே! (4)
3533. My dear devotee, your question delves into the profound mysteries of existence. As the Supreme Master, I oversee both the unchanging essence of individuals, existing in various gradations, and the ever-changing phenomena that populate the vast universe. Resting upon my serpent bed in the Milk Ocean, I contemplate the grand tapestry of creation. My plans, if they can be called such, unfold according to the divine order, guiding the cosmos towards its ultimate purpose.
Explanatory Notes
(i) The Āzhvār seems to question the Lord whether even He has to indulge in this kind of contemplation, despite His omni- science and omnipotence and seeks clarification from Him as to what precisely He means to hit upon, as a result of such deep thinking in a state of Yoga-nidhrā (the highest form of activity).
(ii) The sentient beings (the Jīvas) do not change at
+ 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.)
athāmarai — like fresh lotus flower; kaṇ — having divine eyes; kaṇṇanĕ — ŏh krishṇa!; enakku — for me; onṛu — one; arul̤āy — you should mercifully tell;; ul̤l̤adhum — being eternal (due to being nithyam) [chith (sentient beings)]; illadhumāy — being transient (due to having forms which keep changing) [achith (insentient objects)]; ulappillanavāy — being innumerable; viyavāy — having entities which have differences, as your prakāra (form); vel̤l̤am — fully; thadam — having space; kadal ul̤ — in milk ocean; vidam — spitting out poison (being invincible by enemies); nāgaṇai mĕl — on the mattress called thiruvananthāzhwān; maruvi — fitting well; ul̤l̤am — in your divine heart; pal — many types; yŏgu — thoughts for protection; seydhi — contemplating;; ivai — these; enna — what; upāyangal̤ — means!; ennai — me (who is totally subservient to you, who is fully protected by you); pāsangal̤ — inapt aspects
3534 பாசங்கள் நீக்கி * என்னை உனக்கே அறக் கொண்டிட்டு * நீ வாச மலர்த் தண் துழாய் முடி * மாயவனே அருளாய் ** காயமும் சீவனும் ஆய்க் * கழிவு ஆய்ப் பிறப்பு ஆய் பின்னும் நீ * மாயங்கள் செய்து வைத்தி * இவை என்ன மயக்குக்களே (5)
3534. My wondrous Lord, adorned with fragrant tuḷaci on Your locks so fine! You liberated me from all unwholesome bonds and made me Your devotee. You govern the bodies that confine and the souls that dwell within them, overseeing their growth and decline. Yet, You have chosen to keep me in this mortal frame. I am curious to know what allure You find in this perishable form, please enlighten me.
Explanatory Notes
This is the key-song, providing the preamble for this decad. The Saint asks the Lord to elucidate the riddle of His keeping him, in this material body, in mundane surroundings, even after weaning him away from the worldly things and engendering in him inordinate God-love, brooking no further delay in its consummation. With all this special equipment provided unto him by
+ 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.)
nīkki — eliminating; unakkĕ aṛa — to exist exclusively for your sake; koṇdittu — accepting; vāsam — having great fragrance manifesting total subservience; malar — having flower; thaṇ thuzhāy — decorated with fresh thiruththuzhāy (thul̤asi); mudi — having hair; māyavanĕ — ŏh amaśingly enjoyable one!; nī — you (who are protector and the enjoyable one); kāyamum — the body which binds; sīvanum — bound soul; kazhivu piṛappu — the death and birth (which occur to these); āy — while at your disposal; pinnum — further; (nī — you); māyangal̤ — deceptions such as avidhyā (ignorance), karma (puṇya/pāpa), vāsanā (impressions), ruchi (taste); seydhu — created; vaiththi — and placed;; ivai — these; enna mayakkukkal̤ — what kind of bewildering acts!; arul̤āy — mercifully explain; mayakkā — ŏh one who mesmeriśed mahābali #s heart by your form, walk and speech vāmananĕ- ŏh vāmana!; madhiyām vaṇṇam — to grant knowledge (after eliminating my confusions)
3535 மயக்கா வாமனனே! * மதி ஆம் வண்ணம் ஒன்று அருளாய் * அயர்ப்பு ஆய்த் தேற்றமும் ஆய் * அழல் ஆய்க் குளிர் ஆய் வியவு ஆய் ** வியப்பு ஆய் வென்றிகள் ஆய் * வினை ஆய்ப் பயன் ஆய் பின்னும் நீ * துயக்கு ஆய் நீ நின்றவாறு * இவை என்ன துயரங்களே (6)
3535. Oh, Vāmaṉa, of captivating allure, please grant me understanding. It seems that the individuals ensnared in the whirlpool of diverse experiences—heat and cold, wonder and the wondrous, confusion and clarity, victory and defeat, good and bad deeds, and their repercussions—are all ordained by You. However, the immense sorrows inflicted upon Your subjects by such playful activities of Yours remain perplexing.
Explanatory Notes
The Saint enquires of the Lord whether He would keep even His votaries, unto Him solely devoted, bewildered like the demoniac Mahābali. May be, it is all part of His līlā (Sport) but what a lot of distress it brings on His subjects!
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.)
onṛu — one thing; arul̤āy — mercifully explain;; ayarppu — forgetfulness; thĕṝamum — clarity; āy — having at your disposal; azhal — heat; kul̤ir — coolness; āy — having at your disposal; viyavu — amaśement; viyappu — objects which cause amaśement; āy — having at your disposal; venṛigal̤ — victorious abilities in this world; āy — having at your disposal; vinai — deeds in the form of puṇya (virtues) and pāpa (vices); payan — their respective results; āy — having at your disposal; pinnum — further; thuyakku — the bewilderment of chĕthanas in these aspects; āy — having at your disposal; (nī — you); ninṛa — in this manner, being the enjoyer of such aspects; āṛu — means; enna — what; thuyarangal̤ — kind of sufferings!; thuyarangal̤ — sorrows as per karma; seyyyum — while doing that
3536. Oh, Kaṇṇā, with Your radiant crown, You subject me to great distress, presenting numerous temptations and unwholesome desires, leading to misery for all beings, both stationary and mobile. I wonder why You engage in such troublesome play.
Explanatory Notes
(i) The Lord, proclaimed by the upaniṣads as an inexhaustible fountain of bliss, is addressed by the Saint, in this song, as the Inflictor of miseries. The fact of the matter is that, on visualising the Lord sporting the resplendent crown, the Saint’s longing for communion with Him has been intensified and he feels miserable. This is but the language of the Saints, in
+ 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.)
kaṇṇā — in his incarnation; sudar nīl̤ mudiyāy — oh one who conducts without differentiation in your supreme state!; thuyaram sey — being the cause of sorrow; mānangal̤āy — pride caused by being born in high family heritage etc; madhanāgi — (as said in -ĕthĕmadhā:-) arrogance which is caused by pride etc; ugavaigal̤āy — pleasures derived from those arrogance etc; thuyaram — sorrows such as affection [towards such pleasures]; sey — causing; kāmangal̤āy — lust in the form of thirst for such pleasures; thulaiyāy — the evolution which cause variations in such objects; nilaiyāy nadaiyāy — their existence and movements; thuyarangal̤ — sorrows; seydhu — created; vaiththi — and placed;; ivai — these; enna suṇdāyangal̤ — what kind of selfish acts which lead to sorrow to others?; arul̤āy — mercifully explain; enna suṇdāyangal̤āl — with what selfish, sportive activities; enganĕ — in what manner
3537 என்ன சுண்டாயங்களால் * நின்றிட்டாய் என்னை ஆளும் கண்ணா? * இன்னது ஓர் தன்மையை என்று * உன்னை யாவர்க்கும் தேற்றரியை ** முன்னிய மூவுலகும் * அவை ஆய் அவற்றைப் படைத்து * பின்னும் உள்ளாய் புறத்தாய்! * இவை என்ன இயற்கைகளே (8)
3537. Oh, Kaṇṇā, my Master, Your playfulness is beyond comprehension. You create and control the three worlds, pervading them inside and out with your immense power.
Explanatory Notes
(i) The Lord’s sports are many and inscrutable. Even the wisest and the most exalted can hardly plumb the depths of His mysteries, His disposition and dispensation.
(ii) The Vedas proclaim that the Lord’s immanence is full and complete, in and out, even inside the minutest object of sub-atomic size, which, of course, baffles intellectual comprehension.
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.)
ninṛittāy — you remain; en kaṇṇā — oh krishṇa who is obedient towards me!; innadhuŏr — this; thanmaiyai — having particular nature; enṛu — as; unnai — you who are inconceivable; yāvarkkum — even for the most intelligent persons; thĕṝa — to determine; ariyai — and difficult to know;; munniya — being without a beginning and continuously flowing; mū ulagum — three types of worlds such as kruthaka, akruthaka and kruthākruthaka; avaiyāy — being antharyāmi for them; avaṝai — those; padaiththu — create; pinnum — further; ul̤ — pervading inside as antharyāmi; puṛam — pervading outside as the support; āy — you are having;; ivai — these; enna — what; iyaṛkaigal̤ — nature of acts?; ennai — me; āl̤um — enslaving
3538 என்ன இயற்கைகளால் * எங்ஙனே நின்றிட்டாய் என் கண்ணா? * துன்னு கரசரணம் முதலாக * எல்லா உறுப்பும் ** உன்னு சுவை ஒளி * ஊறு ஒலி நாற்றம் முற்றும் நீயே * உன்னை உணரவுறில் * உலப்பு இல்லை நுணுக்கங்களே (9)
3538. Indeed, dear devotee, the intricacies of my being are endless. I control the senses—the avenues through which you experience the world: taste, sight, sound, touch, and smell. Each sense offers its own unique perception, and I oversee them all with boundless care and wisdom.
Explanatory Notes
The intricate glory of the Lord with its innumerable facets defies description and baffles scrutiny. The deeds performed by the vast multitude of His subjects, with the help of the bodies and limbs dowered on them by Lord, the senses five and their subtle bases, the elements from which they emanate, all these are directed and controlled by the Lord, standing within all things and beings; There is no end to such intricacies.
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.)
3539 இல்லை நுணுக்கங்களே * இதனில் பிறிது என்னும் வண்ணம் * தொல்லை நல் நூலில் சொன்ன * உருவும் அருவும் நீயே ** அல்லித் துழாய் அலங்கல் * அணி மார்ப என் அச்சுதனே * வல்லது ஓர் வண்ணம் சொன்னால் * அதுவே உனக்கு ஆம் வண்ணமே (10)
3539. Indeed, dear devotee, I exist in all forms—both sentient and non-sentient, subtle and gross. The ancient Vedas, filled with wisdom, speak of my omnipresence, encompassing all that is known and unknown. Yet, for my devotees, I am simply what they perceive and contemplate me to be, their understanding shaping their devotion.
Explanatory Notes
Both in the unmanifest (subtle) state and the manifest (gross) state, the Lord is in conjunction with the formless individual souls and the shapely non-sentient things. This is revealed by the Vedas, hoary and authentic. He is also visualised by the Saint, in His unique Form, bedecked with flowers and bejewelled, wielding conch and discus. Even the wisest sages and the
+ 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.)
nuṇukkangal̤ — subtler; illai — not present; ennum vaṇṇam — to say; thollai — being anādhi (beginningless); nal — having qualities such as apaurushĕyathvam (not authored by any one) etc; nūlil — in vĕdha ṣāsthram; sonna — mentioned by the term -thamas- (primordial matter); uruvum — achith (insentient objects); aruvum — chith (sentient beings); nīyĕ — you became them [i.e. their antharyāmi] as mentioned in -sadhĕva-; alli — having flower string; thuzhāy alangal — thiruththuzhāy (thul̤asi) garland; aṇi — having as decoration; thirumārba — having the divine chest; en — my; achchudhanĕ — oh one who is having divine form, and who never lets your devotees fail!; valladhŏr vaṇṇam — the great way; sonnāl — even if said by vĕdham etc; unakku — for you; adhuvĕ vaṇṇam — the manner; ām — it is (you remain obedient towards your devotes); ām — apt; vaṇṇam — mode
3540 ## ஆம் வண்ணம் இன்னது ஒன்று என்று * அறிவது அரிய அரியை * ஆம் வண்ணத்தால் * குருகூர்ச் சடகோபன் அறிந்து உரைத்த ** ஆம் வண்ண ஒண் தமிழ்கள் * இவை ஆயிரத்துள் இப் பத்தும் * ஆம் வண்ணத்தால் உரைப்பார் * அமைந்தார் தமக்கு என்றைக்குமே (11)
3540. Those who earnestly chant these ten songs from the thousand composed by Caṭakōpaṉ of Kurukūr, revealing the Lord's profound essence, will forever bask in unending divine bliss.
Explanatory Notes
(i) The Scriptural texts contain many apparent discrepancies, one text seeming to contradict or be at variance with another and only the devout, blessed by the Lord Himself with clarity of vision and understanding, as in the case of Saint Nāmmāḻvār, can reconcile these apparent discrepancies and get at the Spiritual truths, in their correct perspective, shorn of all doubts,
+ 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.)