Engrossed in the all-pervading nature of the Lord, Āzhvār expounds on His auspicious qualities - (ஓர் ஆயிரமாய்)
எம்பெருமானோடு உள்ள தொடர்பினைக் கண்ட ஆழ்வார் அவனது சீலத்தில் ஈடுபட்டுக் கூறுதல்
“What qualification do we have to even ask and receive even one boon from emperumān? The welfare (yOgakshEmanGgaL) of all things pervading in this world is by His grace alone!” says a realized Āzhvār who expounds on His great qualities in these hymns.
Insights from the Avatārikais of our Revered Pūrvācāryas
The venerable introductions (avatārikais)
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“எம்பெருமானிடம் ஒன்று வேண்டுவதற்கும் நமக்கு என்ன தகுதி இருக்கிறது? உலகிலுள்ள எல்லாப் பொருள்களினுடைய யோகக்ஷேமங்களும் அவனுடையதாகவன்றோ இருக்கின்றன!” என்று நன்கு உணர்ந்த ஆழ்வார், நாராயணன் என்று சொல்லுக்கு எல்லையான அவனுடைய சீல குணத்தை ஈண்டுப் பாடுகிறார்.
3695 ## ஓர் ஆயிரமாய் * உலகு ஏழ் அளிக்கும் * பேர் ஆயிரம் கொண்டது ஓர் பீடு உடையன் ** கார் ஆயின * காள நல் மேனியினன் * நாரயணன் * நங்கள் பிரான் அவனே (1)
3695 ## or āyiramāy * ulaku ezh al̤ikkum * per āyiram kŏṇṭatu or pīṭu uṭaiyaṉ ** kār āyiṉa * kāl̤a nal meṉiyiṉaṉ * nārayaṇaṉ * naṅkal̤ pirāṉ avaṉe (1)
Ragam
Kēdāra / கேதார
Thalam
Ādi / ஆதி
Bhavam
Self
Simple Translation
3695. Nārāyaṇaṉ is our sole Benefactor who bears a thousand names and succours the seven worlds. Indeed, each name of the cloud-hued Lord of exquisite form fulfills the functions of a thousand names.
Explanatory Notes
(i) When it is said that the Supreme Lord bears a thousand names, “Devo nāmasahasravān”, it only means ‘many’ and not literally limited to a bare thousand. When it is said, pointing to a band of valiant warriors of established fame, that each one of them is equivalent to a thousand fighters, we don’t take this figure literally but understand that each one possesses 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.)
ulagĕzhu — all types of chĕthanas [sentient beings] and achĕthanas (insentient objects]; al̤ikkum — protecting; pĕr — divine names; āyiram — thousand; koṇdadhu — having; ŏr — distinguished; pīdu — greatness; udaiyan — one who is having; kāl̤a kār āyina — dark like a black cloud; nan — spiritual; mĕniyinan — having a divine form; nārāyaṇan avanĕ — one who has the primary name, nārāyaṇa, which is the root of all of those names; nangal̤ — for us; pirān — benefactor; agal — expansive; gyālam — universe
3696. 'Tis He who ordained the spacious universe and pulled it out from beneath the deep waters. 'Tis He who once gulped the said universe, then spat and spanned; He is Brahmā, He is Śiva, He is Indra, and all other things and beings, He is besides them everything else. This we learn through knowledge bestowed by Him.
Explanatory Notes
The Supreme Lord, as the great Ordainer of the Universe, combines in Himself all the three causes of creation, the material, the operative and the instrumental. He is also ṭhe Universal Saviour Who sustained the Universe inside His stomach, during the deluge, rescued it from the oceanic depths after encountering the formidable Hiraṇyākṣa, the golden-eyed demon and so on.
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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.)
padaiththu — one who created; idandhān — entered and rescued it when there was the danger of deluge; avanĕ — he who does not expect any help;; avanĕ ahdhu — he himself, the earth; uṇdu — protecting by placing in his stomach; umizhndhān — spat out after the deluge; al̤andhān — one who measured so that others don-t claim ownership; avanum avanum avanum — those who are capable of srushti (creation), samhāra (annihilation) and rakshaṇa (protection); avanĕ — only he; maṝu — all other bound entities; ellāmum — all chĕthanas (sentient beings) and achĕthanas (insentient objects); avanĕ — to be only him; aṛindhanam — we knew (with the help of the knowledge given by him).; aṛindhana — knowledgeable as said in -vĕdhāhamĕdham-; vĕdham — vĕdhams
3697 அறிந்தன வேத * அரும் பொருள் நூல்கள் * அறிந்தன கொள்க * அரும் பொருள் ஆதல் ** அறிந்தனர் எல்லாம் அரியை வணங்கி * அறிந்தனர் * நோய்கள் அறுக்கும் மருந்தே (3)
3697. The texts, delving into the profound truths of the Vedas, perceive the Lord as singular and challenging to fully grasp. Even the knowledgeable ones who devoutly worship Him often regard Him merely as a remedy for their afflictions and misfortunes, failing to recognize His role as the ultimate source of boundless bliss and failing to adore Him accordingly.
Explanatory Notes
The Vedas proclaimed, “Vedāha metaṃ Puruṣaṃ Mahāntaṃ....”, that is, the Supreme Lord has been comprehended by them. But what indeed did they know except that the Lord is not easy of comprehension? The ‘Itihāsas’ (Rāmāyaṇa and Mahā-Bhārata) and the ‘Purāṇas’, which serve as the key to the study of the Vedas, fare no better. And what about the great sages like Vyāsa, Parāśara
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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.)
arum — difficult be known; porul̤ — that which determines the nature of entities; nūlgal̤ — ṣāsthrams such as braham sūthram, ithihāsams, purāṇams etc; arum — difficult to be known; porul̤ādhal — as an entity; aṛindhana — as known; kol̤ga — can be accepted;; aṛindhanar — vaidhika purushas who knew as said in -aham vĕdhmi mahāthmānam-; ellām ariyai — sarvĕṣvara who annihilates all sins; vaṇangi — surrender; nŏygal̤ — (their) great disease of samsāra (bondage in material realm); aṛukkum — to sever; marundhĕ — as the great medicine; aṛindhanar — only knew as much.; nangal̤ — our; bŏgam — enjoyment-s
3698 மருந்தே நங்கள் * போக மகிழ்ச்சிக்கு என்று * பெரும் தேவர் குழாங்கள் * பிதற்றும் பிரான் ** கரும் தேவன் எம்மான் * கண்ணன் விண் உலகம் * தரும் தேவனைச் * சோரேல் கண்டாய் மனமே (4)
3698. Hold firm, my mind, to Kaṇṇaṉ, our dark-hued Sire, the Lord who grants moksham. His glory, like an elixir, is forever chanted by the Nithyasuris, the great stabilizers of bliss in SriVaikuntam.
Explanatory Notes
(i) The Āzhvār exhorts his mind, as follows:
“The Lord of nectarean sweetness, unto the Celestials in spiritual world, came down here as kṛṣṇa, to put us also in spiritual world, in the midst of the ‘Nitya Sūrīs’ over there. Having got at such a great Benefactor, cling fast to Him and never loosen Your grip on Him”.
(ii) Even the Lord’s charming beauty is an impediment
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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.)
magizhchchikku — for the increase; marundhĕ — enriching medicine; enṛu — as; peru — great; dhĕvar — nithyasrūis-; kuzhāngal̤ — groups; pidhaṝum — due to overwhelming joy, praising in a disorderly manner; pirān — being the great benefactor who brings joy to them; karu — having darkness; dhĕvan — being the one with divine form; emmān — one who enslaved me (by showing that form); kaṇṇan — as krishṇa who is sarvasulabha (very easily approachable for all); viṇ ulagam — the enjoyment of paramapadham; tharum — one would give; dhĕvanai — refuge; manamĕ — ŏh heart!; chŏrĕl kaṇdāy — (due to your external focus or due to considering yourself to be inferior) do not lose!; manamĕ — ŏh heart!; unnai — you (who are more speedy in this matter)
3699. My dear mind, this humble sinner earnestly implores you to be steadfast and resolute in your pursuit. Aim to attain the Lord of unparalleled charm, adorned with the delightful garland of tuḷaci, so gracefully flourishing upon His charming form.
Explanatory Notes
Apprehending that his mind might treat his advice lightly and even brush it aside, the Āzhvār stresses again, the imperative need of its sticking to the Supreme Lord of exquisite charm, bedecked with tuḷaci garland, cool and fragrant. This is like entreating a person to drink the delicious milk. In Vaiṣṇava symbology, the holy tuḷaci wreath (Vaijayanti) is Lord Viṣṇu’s
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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.)
val vinaiyĕn — ī am having great sin to be unable to tolerate the delay; due to my desire; irandhu — prayed; kanamĕ — firmly; sollinĕn — told;; idhu — this; sŏrĕl kaṇdāy — don-t let go;; punam — in its own habitat; mĕviya — due to growing; pū — fresh; thaṇ thuzhāy — thiruththuzhāy (thul̤asi); alangal — one who has as garland; ĕdhum — in any manner; inam — match; ilānai — having greatness of not having [a match]; adaivadhum — this aspect of reaching.; malar — high family heritage of residing in lotus; mangai — lakshmi who is youthful, her
3700. My mind melts away completely when immersed in thoughts of the Lord's dalliance with His bejeweled spouse, born of the lotus. His fierce encounters with Asuras and His churning of the ocean to bestow ambrosia upon the Devas, all out of deep compassion, captivate me endlessly.
Explanatory Notes
The Āzhvār’s mind having responded to his appeal exceedingly well, he now describes its ecstatic reactions, in the course of its contemplation of the Lord’s glorious deeds and auspicious traits. The Āzhvār’s mind thaws down, as it dwells on the Lord’s tender solicitude even for the selfish and self-centred Devas and the enormous pains He had taken to churn the ocean and
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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.)
aṇi — by the ornaments; ār — decorated; thŏl̤ — divine shoulder; adaivadhum — to embrace; asurarkku — for asuras (who are unfavourable), difficult; vem — cruel; pŏrgal̤ĕ — battles; midaivadhum — to engage in; kadalul̤ — in the ocean; amudham — amrutham (nectar); kadaivadhum — churn; avaṛkĕ — for him only (who is with lakshmi, who is the remover of hurdles and bestower of desirable aspects); en manam — my heart; orungāgavĕ — in a singular manner; udaivadhum — is breaking; āgam — in a form; sĕr — placed
3701. My mind, without distinction between day and night, incessantly longs to behold the magnificent SriVaikuntam, the divine abode of the Lord. It reflects on His wondrous forms, such as the amalgamation of man and lion and the splitting asunder of another form with sharp nails.
Explanatory Notes
(i) The Āzhvār says that his mind, which revelled in the contemplation of the Lord’s wondrous deeds, now longs to see the Lord in His transcendent glory, in the High spiritual worlds.
(ii) It is indeed a very odd combination, outside the realm of possibility, the conjunction of Man and Lion, in a single frame. And yet, the Omnipotent Lord assumed such a Form, in His
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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.)
3702. In this vast world lies the sacred Mount Vēṅkaṭam, where the Lord awaits and blesses His devotees, absolving them of both good and bad karma. Those who visit this holy mountain and worship the Supreme Lord can be likened to celestial beings.
Explanatory Notes
(i) In the preceding song, the Āzhvār longed for the vision of the Lord in spiritual world but that would not be possible in this material body. The Lord, however, pointed out to the Āzhvār the possibility of his enjoying, right in this body, the Lord at Tiruvēṅkaṭam, in this very land. But the Āzhvār avers that it is only the stout-hearted Devas, who can remain stable
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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.)
pŏga — to eliminate; keduththu — destroy; onṛi — attached with achith, to be not seen separately; ākkai pugāmai — to not enter bodies of dhĕva (celestial) etc [manushya (human), thiryak (animal), sthāvara (plant)]; uyyak kol̤vān — one who enslaves and uplifts; ninṛa — standing to act; vĕngadam — thirumalā; nīl̤ nilaththu — in this praiseworthy earth; ul̤l̤adhu — is present; senṛu — reaching; kai thozhuvārgal̤ — those who worship; dhĕvargal̤ — (they are not humans;) aren-t they dhĕvas?; mā — praiseworthy; malar — flower
3703 தொழுது மா மலர் * நீர் சுடர் தூபம் கொண்டு * எழுதும் என்னும் இது * மிகை ஆதலின் ** பழுது இல் தொல் புகழ்ப் * பாம்பு அணைப் பள்ளியாய் * தழுவுமாறு அறியேன் * உன தாள்களே (9)
3703. Worshipping the flawless ancient glory of the Lord, reclining on the serpent bed, requires no effort. However, I am unsure how I can attain your feet, as you consider the elaborate ritualistic worship with flowers, lamps, and fragrant fumes burdensome.
Explanatory Notes
The Lord refutes the stand taken by the Āzhvār, in the preceding song, that only Devas can possibly worship the Lord at Tiruvēṅkaṭam, by pointing out to him that even men of this world do go there and worship. But then, the Āzhvār is quick to realise that the Lord’s tender solicitude for His subjects is such that He deems even the simple service of offering flowers and
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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.)
nīr — water in the form of arghya (offering to wash hands) etc; sudar dhūbam — dhīpa (lamp) and dhūpa (incense); koṇdu — gathering; thozhudhu — to worship; ezhudhu — we will set out; ennum idhu — this; migai ādhalin — due to being superfluous; pazhudhu — fault (of being difficult to worship); il — not having; thol pugazh — having natural, ultimate simplicity; pāmbu — thiruvanthāzhwān (ādhi ṣĕsha); aṇai — having as mattress; pal̤l̤iyāy — ŏh one who is resting, being eternally united with ādhi ṣĕsha!; una thāl̤gal̤ — your divine feet; thazhuvum — being united; āṛu — method; aṛiyĕn — ī don-t know.; thāl̤a — having stem; thāmaraiyān — brahmā who was born in lotus
3704. The Lord bears the one born on a lotus petal on his navel, while the one wielding the long and bright trident leans on his person. He harbors tender love for the Devas, who pose as his vassals. If I were to praise your abundant grace until the end of time, would it ever exhaust your great glory?
Explanatory Notes
The Āzhvār is weighed down by the amazing simplicity of the Lord and His grace galore, extended even to the selfish Devas, the denizens of the upper worlds, and the self-centred Brahmā and Rudra, by holding the former right on His navel and by assigning a part of His body to the latter.
Surely, even persons, quite competent to sing the Lord’s praise, can never exhaust it, although they sing His glory for all time.
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.)
unadhu — your; undhiyān — has your navel as the abode;; vāl̤ — glow; kol̤ — having; nīl̤ — big; mazhu — axe; āl̤i — rudhra who rules over; un āgaththān — is on one side of your divine form;; āl̤ar āy — servitors like nithyasūris; thozhuvārum — those who worship; amarargal̤ — groups of other dhĕvathās who are prayŏjanāntharaparas (seekers of benefits other than kainkaryams);; un — your; seelam — simplicity; nāl̤um — even if tried forever; en — how; pugazhkŏ — will ī praise?; seelam ellai ilān — one who has boundless simplicity/qualities; adi mĕl — on the divine feet
3705. It's natural that those connected to these ten songs, among the thousand, in the hymnal garland of Kurukūr Caṭakōpān, who adore the feet of the Lord with boundless compassion and loving condescension, ascend to SriVaikuntam.
Explanatory Notes
(i) This decad is in adoration of the Lord’s loving condescension which knows no limits. The Supreme Lord, higher than whom there is none, freely mingles, without any qualms, compunction or mental reservation, with the lowest of the lowly.
(ii) Contemplating the Lord’s grace galore, the Āzhvār also goes to the extent of asserting that even those, who are in some way,
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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.)
aṇi — decorated; kŏlam — beautiful form; nīl̤ — very vast; kurugūr — leader of āzhvārthirunagari; satakŏpan — āzhvār-s; sol — with words; mālai — being garland; āyiraththul̤ — among thousand pāsurams; ivai paththinin — this decad-s; pālar — those who have close proximity (either by learning the pāsurams or their meanings); vaigundham — in ṣrīvaikuṇtam; ĕṛudhal — ascending; pānmai — this is natural.; maiyār — having decorated with black pigment (for the eyelashes); karu — having natural darkness to be said as in -asithĕkshaṇā-