!

tiRmziAcpira[f`Rqicfecyft
na[fMk[f tiRvnftati

Sri Thirumazhisai Piran's

Naanmukan Thiruvandhadhi
(Text with a Free Translation and Commentary)

by
Dr. N. Ranganathan

Published by

Sri. N. Rajagopalan
' Sri Nidhi ',T-37A,16th Cross Street,
Besant Nagar, Chennai- 600 090
Front and Back Covers:
Sri Jagannatha Perumal with Ubhaya
Naachiar at Thirumazhisai

Inside Covers:
Sri Thirumazhisai Piran at Thirumazhisai

Printed and Processed By:

Universal Print Systems Ltd.,
Chennai-600 008

Price : Rs.50/-
First Edition 1999
1000 copies

All Rights Reserved with the Author

 DEDICATION

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY

OF

MY MOTHER SMT. N. JAYALAKSHMI AND

FATHER SRI. T. R. NARASIMHA CHARI

 FOREWORD

The Azhwars were Sri Vaishnava saints of South

India who probably lived between the sixth and
eighth century A.D, in and around the regions fed by
major rivers of the South like Cauvery, Palar,Vaigai,
Tamrabharani etc. They were twelve in number, viz
.Poigai Azhwar, Bhudat Azhwar, Pei Azhwar,
Thirumazhisai Azhwar, Periazhwar, Sri Andal,
Nammazhwar, Madhurakavi Azhwar,
Thiruppanazhwar, Thondaradippodi Azhwar,
Kulasekhara Azhwar, and Thirumangai Azhwar.
They were the first propounders of Sri Vaishnava
faith and Vishishtadvaita philosophy. For them, the
Supreme Soul (Parama`thma`) was Sriman Narayana
and they sang in praise of the Lord as immanent in
the universe and as transcendent and beyond it. They
were all the product of the halcyon Tamil culture, and
their musical, inspired poetry in Tamil, which has
come to be referred to as ‘Divya Prabhandham', sings
the glory of Sriman Narayana both in ‘Nitya
Vibhuti’, in the transcendent form, and in the ‘Lila
Vibhuti’ in the material universe, and in all His five
‘praka`ra`s or modes, as ‘Para Vasudeva’ in Sri
Vaikuntam, in ‘Vyuha’ form in ‘Kshirabdhi’, in His
various ‘Vibhava` vatha`ra`s’as Sri Rama, Sri
Krishna and others, as ‘Antarya`mi’ immanent in all
creation, and in ‘archa " form in the temples. To
them, God was a living presence experienced in the
totality of His Being, and manifestation in His myriad
creation, not a mere mental abstraction or intellectual
perception of an impersonal ‘Brahman’. He lived in
them and they lived in Him in a constant inter-
twining experiential relationship. By their divine
soul-baring through the medium of their ecstatic
poetry, they laid the basis for the firm grounding of
the bhakthi movement in the South, in a deeply

i
philosophic foundation of truths articulated in the
Sruti Smrithi Pura`na`s. Hence the ‘Divya
Prabhandham’ is referred to as ‘Dra`vida Vedam’. Sri
Ramanuja, the latter day Sri Vaishnava saint who
formalized the Sri Vishishtadvaita philosophy,
synthesized the flow of soul and feast of thought
contained in their work, more specifically in the
major Prabhandham of Sri Nammazhwar, called
‘Thiruvoimozhi’ which is hailed as
‘Bhagavadvishayam’ and ‘Dramidopanishad’ to
propound his ‘Vishishtadvaita Sidhantha`’, (Qualified
non-dualism).

The biographical sketch provided by the author and

my brother, Dr.N.Ranganathan brings out that
Thirumazhisai Azhwar was a contemporary of the
Mudal Azhwars, Sri Poigai Piran, Sri Budhat
Azhwar, and Pei Azhwar of whom the last mentioned
Azhwar became his Acharya. It may be appropriate
here to highlight some of the distinctive aspects
concerning the life events and qualities of this saint,
which go to underscore the unique greatness of this
Azhwar in the galaxy of Azhwars. First, the strange
circumstances surrounding his birth, how as a hapless
ill-formed baby cast away to his fate by his biological
parents, he was fed and protected by no less than
Sriman Narayana and His Consort the Divine Mother
Mahalakshmi, themselves, throw light on the special
grace showered on him by the Divine couple as a
mere babe. The author has mentioned how the
Azhwar has acknowledged his gratitude to them, in
his work. The second interesting aspect about this
Azhwar, is his experimental pursuit of different
faiths of the land, vedic and non-vedic, in the course
of his life, before he settled on Sri Vaishnavism with
Vishishtadvaita philosophy as enshrining the highest
truth, and the most complete answer to the mystery
behind creation and life, and showing the way to

ii
finding eternal bliss here in this life, (‘amritha iha
bhavati’). So his message comes with the imprimatur
of personal experience. What is more, being an
incarnation of Sri Sudarsana Chakra of Sriman
Narayana, his style of ‘parathathva nirnayam’,
(establishing Sriman Narayana as the transcendental
reality), dazzles like a streak of lightning in a sable
cloud, and the message comes through, loud and
clear like a drumbeat. Another fascinating facet of
this Azhwar was his total devotion to the Lord,
mesmerizing even Rudra into conferring on him the
title of ‘ Bhakthisarar’. Since, his devotion to the
Lord was total, the Lord’s reciprocation of His
devotee’s devotion was, by the same token, total and
transparent. The author has recounted three specific
episodes in the life of the Azhwar to illustrate the
alacrity and eagerness with which the Lord responded
to the dictates of the Azhwar, the first one in the
shrine at Thiruvehka in Kanchipuram, the second in
the shrine at Perum Puliyur, and finally the one that
happened in the shrine at Thirukkudanthai. It would
be interesting to note that in two of these episodes,
the Lord still manifests Himself to this day in the
same position that He took, in compliance of the
Azhwar’s request in the first place. Thus, at
Thiruvehka, the Lord can be seen even now resting
on His left side, which is the side that He took, when
He came back to the shrine at the bidding of the
Azhwar. As the author knowledgeably observes,
Swami Desikan in christening this Lord ‘
Bhakthimata`m Yathokthaka`ri’, was obviously
having this Azhwar in his mind. I may, however, add
one tailpiece to the story relating to the ‘
Utha`nasa`yee’ pose assumed by the Lord at
Thirukkudanthai, Whom Swami Nammazhwar so
endearingly refers to as ‘A`ra`vamudhu’, meaning
‘unsatiating Nectar’, and about Whom Sri
Thirumazhisai Azhwar uttered the words of

iii
benediction to the effect, "vazi EkcE[". It is said
that the Lord at this shrine became so enamoured of
the Azhwar, --who lived the last seven hundred years
of his total life span of four thousand seven hundred
years in this ‘divyadesam’, -- that He wished to
exchange titles with the Azhwar. Thus he transferred
His title of ‘Pira`n’ to the Azhwar, in exchange for
his devotee’s title of Azhwar. Thus, ‘A`ra`vamudhan’
has come to be addressed as‘A`ravamudha`zhvan`,
and Thirumazhisai Azhwar became Thirumazhisai
Pira`n, the only Azhwar in the Azhwar galaxy who
rightfully enjoys this title as conferred on Him by the
Lord Himself.

Naanmukan Thiruvandadhi, which is a garland of

ninety-six verses, is the fourth Prabhandham in the
‘Iyarpa’ group of Divya Prabhandham. The central
motif of this work is the ‘parathvam’of Narayana, the
Consort of Sri, in relation to all other deities.
‘tiRvilflatfEtvAr EtEblf mi[f Etv<’, ‘Do not
look upon anyone as a Lord,who has no Thiru’, is the
Azhwar’s exhortation in the fifty-third verse of this
Prabhandham. In the next pasuram, he states in no
uncertain terms, ‘ all that learning is worthless which
does not lead one to feel that whatever is, is
Neduma`l’,(Trivikrama). ’nibfki[fbetlflamf
enDmael[fEbaratarf,kbfki[fbetlflamf kAd’.
.He winds up his work by asserting, ‘I have now
known You as the Lord of Brahma and Siva. I have
now known You as the primordial Cause, and all that
has been learnt and remains to be learnt. I have very
well known You as Narayana. Where the Sanskrit
Upanishads very often end with the words,“ Ya-
Evam-Veda”, (He who knows thus), it is noteworthy
that this Tamil saint asserts, not once but thrice,
‘;[i`binfEt[f‘, (I have now known), and follows

iv
up that triple assertion with the final cap ‘
n[fkbinfEt[f na[f’, (I have clearly well known).
The Azhwar’s affirmation ‘ ;[i `binfEt[f’ three
times over, followed by the crowning assertion a
fourth time, ‘ n[fkbinfEt[f na[f’, is as emphatic as
Sri Vya`sa Bhagava`n’s assertion, ‘Satyam, Satyam.
Puna: Satyam……na daivam Kesava`th Param’.(‘It is
the truth, truth, truth, there is no god greater than
Kesava’). Azhwar’s assertion is based on first hand
knowledge of different schools of thought as well as
the direct experience of Sriman Narayana even as
Vya`sa Bhagava`n’s declaration was based on a lot of
contemplation having researched all the Sa`stra`s.
(‘A`lotya sarva sa`strani, Vicha`ryascha,puna;
puna:’).

Azhwar’s poetry is replete, besides the above, with

the message of the ‘dvaya mantra’, extolled as
‘mantra ratna’ with its overwhelming focus on the
‘Purusha`ka`ra`’ role of Sri or Thiru, in seeking the
grace of Narayana. It is very apt that this Azhwar
was the first such Azhwar chronologically, with the
name of the Divine Mother, ’Thiru’, in his name.
Both the Prabhandhams of the Azhwar,
’Thiruchandaviruttam’, and ‘Naanmukan
Thiruvandhadhi’, can be justifiably looked upon as
‘Sarana`gathi Prabhandhams’, Thirumazhisai Pira`n
beautifully articulates the methodology of how to do
`sarana`gathi’, in several pasurams in this work,
starting with pasuram 11, followed by 59,89,91 etc.

I consider myself specially privileged, and blessed to

have been asked to write this foreword by my brother
Dr N. Ranganathan, who I know is a very devout
votary of Sri Thirumazhisai Pira`n, singing his two
beautiful Prabhandhams on a daily basis, amidst all
the professional preoccupation as a busy

v
cardiologist. His attachment to this Azhwar is special
as can be gauged from the fact that he loves to make
a pilgrimage from distant Canada, to the Azhwar’s
birthplace Thirumazhisai, almost every year, during
the Tamil month of ‘Thai’ to coincide with the
Azhwar’s ‘Thirunakshatram’. He has rendered a
fascinating free translation in English of the
Azhwar’s work, with a fervour that is palpably
empathic. His anecdotal comments on the pasurams
are well researched, and testify to the depth of his
scholarship, that is amazing for a professional doctor.
In view of the paucity of Divya Prabhandham
literature in English, this work of Dr.Ranganathan
goes some distance in filling this gap, and should be
of great interest to scholars and students of this great
treasure. I pray for Azhwar’s blessings on
Dr.Ranganathan and his family, and his grace to
inspire him to undertake a similar project in respect
of the other Prabhandham of this Azhwar, viz.
Thiruchandaviruttam.

N. Rajagopalan, I.R.A.S.(Rtd.)
‘Sri Nidhi’,
T-37A, 16th Cross Street,
Besantnagar, Chennai- 600090.
20 November, 1999.

vi
 Preface

The poetic works of the Azhwar saints of Tamil Nadu

constitute an extraordinary treasure rich not only for
the literary beauty but also for their philosophic
content. Azhwars sing through their hearts, their love
of the Divine. Their personal experience of the
Divine in and through all of its cosmic manifestations
described in the form of beautiful poetry clearly
outlines their philosophy. The transcendental Reality
for the Azhwars is not an abstract principle or mere
consciousness but is Sriman Narayana, the
ParaBrahman with all the glorious and auspicious
attributes. He is the inner controller and soul of the
entire cosmos, with all the sentient beings and and
the insentient matter forming His body. The most
important attribute of Narayana is his quality of
compassion represented by Sri, the divine mother
who is ever resident in His heart. For this reason He
is always known as Sriman Narayana. Sri, the divine
mother is the compassionate mediator between the
individual souls or jeevas and the Lord and help in
their ultimate redemption from the embodied life.
The Visishtadvaita philosophy expounded by Sri
Ramanuja has had its basis in the philosophic poetry
of the Azhwars. Sri Swami Desikan in his " Sri
Guruparamparaasaaram" (! KRprmfprasarmf) has
the following verse glorifying the Azhwars and their
contribution.
epayfAkM[i p>ttftarf Epyazfvarf t]f
epaRnlfvRgf KREkc[f vidfD citft[f
TyfyKl Eckr[f nmf pa] nat[f
eta]fdrFpfepaF mziAc vnft Ecati
Avyemlflamf mAbviqgfk vaqfEv ElnfTmf
mgfAkyrfEka[f '[fbivrfkqf mkizfnfT paDwf
ecyfy tmizf maAlkqf namf etqiy Evatitf
etqiyat mAbnilgfkqf etqiki[fEbaEm.

vii
He concludes that the garlands of verses in Tamil by
the Azhwars help us understand more clearly the
Vedas and Upanishads, which are otherwise not easy
to understand. There is no wonder that the four
thousand verses, "nalayir tivfypfrpnftmf" of the
Azhwars are considered equivalent to the four Vedas.
Among the Azhwars, Thirumazhisai Piran was a
beacon of light ("mziAc vnft Ecati" as indicated by
Sri Desikan) whose works help to remove all
confusion in understanding. His depth of love of the
Lord was such that it could move even the Archa
Moorthy in the temples as one will find in his life
history. Sri Nammaazhwar refers to Thirumazhisai
Piran in the most famous decad of verses in Thiruvai
Mozhi glorifying the Lord Aravamudan of
Thirukkudanthai. ~ravMEt `FEy{dlmf
ni[fpal[fpaEy (5-8-1 Thiruvaimozhi) In the 8th
verse of this decad , the 3rd line reads,
"tiAcvilf vICmf ecZmam]ikqf EcRmf
tiRkfKdnfAt",
meaning " Thirukkudanthai where beautiful gems
with radiating brilliance abound ". The commentators
interpret "the gems" referred by Sri Nammaazhwar as
the great sages like Sri Thirumazhisai Piran who
lived in Thirukkudanthai.

Only two works of Sri Thirumazhisai Piran are

available and they are Thirucchanda Viruttam and
Naanmukan Thiruvandhadhi. The former is set in a
beautiful rhythmic style while the latter is set in the
traditional "andhadhi" format where the end syllable
or word of the first verse begins the second verse.
The end syllable or word of the last verse becomes
the beginning syllable or word of the first verse
completing the cycle. The poetry thus becomes a
garland of verses maintaining continuity and forming
an unbroken link. Naanmukan Thiruvandhadhi has 96

viii
verses in the garland. Azhwar's exposition in this rich
garland is unmistakable for its clarity. In Azhwar's
own words, he found the proper and apt material for
his poetry namely the Lord Himself who is full
"kvikfK niAb epaRqayf ni[fbaA[ EnrfpdfEd[f."
He further says that the Lord himself brought forth
this garland of verses from his heart, seeding his
mind with the faultless and beautiful Tamil language,
by being the meaning of the words that he had learnt
from his birth and becoming one with him.
"viAtyak nbfbmiAzvitfti ey[f{qfqtfAt
nIviAqtftayf kbfbemaziyakikf klnfT." The
reading and reciting of Azhwar's Naanmukan
Thiruvandhadhi when the meaning is also
appreciated will transport easily one to the realm of
consciousness of the Divine.

The following work presents a free translation of

Naanmukan Thiruvandhadhi of Sri Thirumazhisai
Piran, based on Sri Periya Vaacchaan Pillai's
commentary. The intent was to bring out the meaning
of the verses as close as possible to the meaning
given in the commentary. I have followed the
Vyaakhyaanam of Sri Periya Vaachaan Pillai as
given in the second edition of the book by the author
Sri S. Krishnaswamy Iyengar M.A.,B.L., a
publication of Sri Vaishnava Sudarsanam. Since
languages do differ in their intrinsic expressions, it is
sometimes quite difficult to get exact equivalent
terms in English for the original Tamil. I request the
forgiveness of the readers for any inadequacies
which may be present. No work can replace the rich
commentaries of our traditional Acharyas like Sri
Periya Vaacchaan Pillai. My sole aim is to provide a
free translation in English to those who have
difficulty understanding the original Vyaakhyaanam
for reason of lack of skills in Tamil language and the

ix
unfamiliarity of the terminology of the
commentators. I am hoping that it will be of value to
younger generations as well as to others who want to
study Azhwar's works.

I like to express my sincere appreciation to my

brother, Sri .N. Rajagopalan for his review and the
foreword, to Sarvasri B.G.Kukillaya, Sri.P.S.Vasu
and the staff at the Universal Print Systems, Chennai
for their help in the design of the cover and
processing of the print.

I wish to dedicate this work to the memory of my

beloved father, (late) Sri Thiruvalliangudi Ramanuja
Narasimha Chari and my beloved mother (late)
Srimathi Jayalakshmi Ammal, who following their
return to Bharat from Burma during the war years, in
their wisdom raised us in the heart of Tamil Nadu in
Tanjore District in a village called Kodavasal, about
12 miles from Thirukkudanthai (where Azhwar
himself spent the later part of his earthly stay) giving
us the exposure to Tamil and our tradition during our
growing years for which we would always remain
indebted to them..

N.Ranganathan.
32 Cobblestone Drive
Willowdale, Ontario, Canada. M2J 2X7
Nov 14.1999.

x
 Historical Details

Sri Thirumazhisai Piran was born in Thirumazhisai,

the village that is located very near Poovirunda Valli
(also known as Poondamalli) in the metropolitan city
of Madras. It is recorded in Divya-suri-charita that
the Azhwar was born in Magha Asterism (mkmf
nXtftirmf) in the Taishya month (At matmf)
(January-February) of the year Siddharthi in Dwapara
Age. In Upadesa Ratnamaalai (upEtcrtf[maAl)
of Sri ManaVaala MaMuni (! m]vaqmaM[ikqf)
the greatness of At mkmf is indicated in the
following verse.

Atyilf mkmi[fB tar]iyIrf "bfbmf ;nfttf

Atyilf mktfTkfKcf cabfBki[fEb[f -Tyfymti
epbfb mziAcpfpira[f pibnftnaeq[fB
nbfbvrfkqf eka]fdaDmf naqf. 12

Sri Thirumazhisai Piran is considered as the

manifestation of Sudarsana Chakra, the holy discus
of Sriman Narayana. The legend has it that Azhwar
was born to the sage Bhrigu and his wife when they
were in the Mahisara Kshetra which was considered
very holy and most conducive to contemplation for
ascetics and as such recommended to them by
Brahma himself, in the previous Yuga (Dwapara).
When Sage Bhrigu's wife gave birth, the fetus was
not well developed. So it was abandoned in the field
under the shade of some bamboo trees, thinking that
it would not survive. However the Lord had a
different purpose altogether for it and instilled life
into it. The fetus began to grow and when it became a
fully mature infant and opened its eyes, the Lord
favored it with the vision of His resplendent Form
removing its thirst and hunger.

xi
It is said that once the vision of the Lord vanished,
the child began to cry. A woodcutter found the crying
baby, and took the child to his wife. The child had no
wants for food due to the Lord's grace. Many in the
village wondered about the strange child from the
field. It is said that an old farmer and his wife
recognizing the divinity of the child, began to bring
some milk for the child daily and the child took to
their love and began to imbibe the milk.. One day the
child did not completely consume the milk. The
farmer's wife drank the remainder of the milk and she
became youthful and in due course conceived a child
from her husband. The offspring of this couple, a
spiritually oriented child named Kani Kannan in his
later years became the disciple of the Azhwar
himself.

What reference do we have in Azhwar's own works

to indicate his strange beginnings? He in fact
indicates this in his Thirucchanda viruttam, referring
to his own birth tells the Lord that " He was not born
into any of the four classes ".

Klgfkqay vIrir]fFlf o[fbiLmf pibnftiEl[f

nlgfkqay nbfkAlkqf naviLmf nvi[fbiEl[f.
p<l[fkqf _nfTmf ev[fbiEl[f epabiyiEl[f
p<[itni[f
;lgfKpat m[fbimbfEbarf pbfbiEl[f 'mfmIcE[
(Thirucchanda Viruttam -90)

Sri PeriyaVaacchaan Pillai interprets "Klgfkqay

vIrir]fFlf o[fbiLmf pibnftiEl[f"
to mean that Azhwar was not raised among the high
classes. Azhwar identified himself to the lowly
family of the woodcutter who actually raised him as
opposed to his birth in the lineage of a sage. This is

xii
compared to Lord Krishna who considered himself as
a cowherd being raised by Nanda and Yashoda in
Gokulam.

Azhwar also refers to the special protection that he

has received from the Lord from the very inception of
his birth, which he says that he can never forget.

'[fB mbnftbiEy[f '[fe[wfctfEt AvtfT

ni[fBmf ;RnfTmf enDmaAl-'[fBmf
tiRviRnft marfp[f cirItr{kfkaqayf
kRviRnft naqf Mtlakf kapfp<
(Naanmukan Thiruvandhadhi. 92)

Azhwar born of the sage became a yogi himself at a

very early age. He learnt and tested for himself all
the different systems of thought and faiths both Vedic
and non-Vedic. It is said that he was in deep
meditation in a cave near Thiruvallikeni for several
years. The Mudal Azhwars who were great sages
themselves at the time are said to have visited the
divine Azhwar. It is also believed that Azhwar
became a disciple of Sri Pei Azhwar. There is
certainly a traditional Guru and disciple relationship
that one can see even today at the shrine of Sri
Kaesava Perumal and Sri Pei Azhwar in Mylapore. It
is said that Azhwar was a great Siddha having
achieved special powers as a result of meditation. It
is believed that he took to Bhakti Margam (the path
of devotion) exclusively after his exposure to Sri Pei
Azhwar. Sri Pei Azhwar apparently showed how one
could easily waste away all one's accumulated
powers particularly when unfocussed comparing this
to watering a tree planted upside down with water
carried from the well taken in a pot full of holes.
Azhwar also came to the conclusion much like the
Mudal Azhwars. For him as well, ParaBrahman, the
transcendental reality was not an abstract formless

xiii
entity but the most personal Sriman Narayana with
all the glorious and auspicious attributes.

There is plenty of commonality that one notices

between the works of the Mudal Azhwars and Sri
Thirumazhisai Piran. The verse

kAdni[fbmrrf kzlf etaZT naQmf

;Adni[fb vi[fptftravrf- p<Adni[fb
nIEratEm[i enDmaEl ni[f[FAy
yaEratvlflarvrf
(Nanmukan Thiruvandhadhi 55)

appears verbatim in the Irandaam Thiruvandhadhi of

Sri BhoodatAzhwar being the verse number 11.

uq[fk]fdayf n[fe[wfEc utftm[f '[fBmf

uq[fk]fdayf uqfQvaRqfqtf Tq[f k]fdayf.

These two lines from Naanmukan Thiruvandhadhi

verse 86 appear as part of the 99th verse of Mudal
Thiruvandhadhi of Sri Poikai Piran and 40th verse of
the Moondraam Thiruvandhadhi of Sri Pei Azhwar.
These and other common features noted between
their works confirm that they were contemporaries
and they must have influenced each other and also
shared similar views and thoughts.

Several incidents are described in Azhwar's life

which tend to convey his great Yogic powers. It is
said that even Lord Siva tested him and impressed by
his immense and utter devotion to Sriman Narayana
gave him the special title of "Bhakti Saara", meaning,
"The Quintessence of Bhakti ". Azhwar has an
indirect reference to his encounter with Rudra in
NaanMukan Thiruvandhadhi where he tells Sriman
Narayana that he does not worship anyone else but

xiv
Him, and he further says that Rudra will stand as a
witness to this assertion.

mbfBtfetaZvarf oRvAry<mf ya[i[fAm

kbfAbcfcAdya[f krikfk]fdayf- 'bfAbkfKmf
k]fDekaqf k]fdayf kdlfv]f]a ya{[fA[
k]fDekaqfkibfK maB.
(Naanmukan Thiruvandhadhi 26)

We get the glimpse of the depth of his devotion from

the incidents in his life which describe how his
Bhakti moved even the Moorthy or the icon of the
Lord enshrined in the temples. The Lord at Thiru
Vehka in Kanchipuram came to be known as
"Yathokta-Kari" or " eca[f[ v]f]mf ecyft
epRmaqf" (Sonna vannam seida Perumaal). This is
tied to the story of his disciple Kani Kannan. While
Azhwar lived in Kanchipuram, it is said that an old
lady did menial work in his Aashram keeping it clean
and tidy. Azhwar pleased with her devotion blessed
her with beauty and youthful look. The ruling king of
the time apparently falling in love with her beauty
and youth got married to her. After some years, the
king began to grow old and showed signs of aging
and graying, while his wife remained ever youthful.
He found out that her beauty and youth were the
result of the blessing of the Azhwar. The king at the
advice of his wife tried to get to the Azhwar by
obtaining the goodwill of Kani Kannan, the disciple
who often came to beg alms from him. When Kani
Kannan came on his usual routine, the king begged
him very much to bring the Azhwar to his court so
that he could pay his homage. When Kani Kannan
said that his master would go to no man's house even
if it be a king's, the king got annoyed and insisted that
Kani Kannan sing a song of praise on himself. Being
the disciple of the Azhwar who loudly declares "

xv
nakfeka]fD ma[idmf paEd[f " (That he would
never sing on humans with his tongue) it is but
natural for Kani Kannan to refuse to sing the praise
of the king. When Kani Kannan would only sing the
glory of the Lord Supreme, the king ordered him to
be banished from his kingdom. The disciple hurried
forth at once and related duly the incident and his
punishment at the hands of the king to the Azhwar.
Azhwar then went with his loving disciple to the
local ThiruVehka temple and told the Lord enshrined
there,

k]ik]f][f Epaki[fba[f kamRp>gfkcfci

m]iv]f]a, nI kidkfkEv]fda- T]iv<Ady
ecnfnapfp<lv{mf eclfki[fEb[f- nIy<mf unft[f
Apnakpf payfCRdfFkfekaqf.

" Kani Kannan is going. O' Sapphire hued Lord of the

beautiful Kanchi, Do not lie down. The courageous
sweet tongued poet that I am also going to follow.
You also roll up your serpent bed."

It is said that the Lord immediately departed with His

devotees. Kanchipuram became bereft of richness
and beauty due to lack of divinity in the sanctum and
several disasters began to occur. The king hastily
summoned his ministers to inquire into the cause of
the disasters. They all pointed out his follies. He then
at the behest of his ministers went and prostrated at
the feet of the Azhwar. Azhwar out of compassion
forgave the king completely. It is said that Azhwar
then requested the Lord again to return with them to
Thiru Vehka and spread His serpent bed.
.
k]ik]f][f Epakfekazinfta[f kamRp>gfkcfci
m]iv]f]a, nIkidkfkEv]fDmf- T]iv<Ady
ecnfnapfp<lv{mf eclfevazinfEt[f. nIy<mf unft[f

xvi
Apnakpf payfpDtfTkfekaqf.

The Lord enshrined in Thiru Vehka temple is in an

unusual lying posture with His head on the left side
(to our right side as we see Him) to indicate the fact
that He once got up at the bidding of His Bhakta. The
village where the Lord stayed for one night when He
left Thiru Vehka is called "OrirviRkfAk "
(Oriravirukkai). With the return of the divinity to the
sanctum, came back all the joy and richness to the
land. Azhwar refers to the grace and easy
accessibility of the Lord enshrined in Thiru Vehka in
verse 36 of Nanmukan Thiruvandhadhi and verse 63
of Thirucchanda Viruttam. Sri Desikan in Sri Vega
Sethu Stotram (! EvkaEsT sfEtatfrmf) in which
he glorifies the Lord of Thiru Vehka calls him
Bhaktimatam Yathokta-Kari meaning " The Lord
who does the bidding of his Bhakta " alluding to this
incident of the Azhwar's life.

An interesting incident which brings out Azhwar's

glory as recorded in his life story involves his stay in
the village Perum Puliyur on his way to
Thirukkudanthai (Kumbakonam). He apparently
rested in an outside bench in a house when he arrived
in that village. The Brahmins who were practicing
chanting of Vedic hymns, stopped the chant feeling
that the sound of the Vedic hymns (Veda Sabda)
should not fall in the ears of one from a lowly caste.
Azhwar recognizing the reason for their stopping the
chant, moved away from that place. The Brahmins
however forgot the lines which they were reciting.
While they were struggling to remember, the
compassionate Azhwar helped them to recall the lines
indicating to them by signs. The Brahmins felt
ashamed having failed to recognize the greatness of
the Azhwar.

xvii
While the Azhwar was still in the same village, the
Lord enshrined in the local temple apparently was
moving its head always facing the direction where
the Azhwar was located. The people who noticed this
strange phenomenon, hurried forth and reported this
to the Deekshitar (the Pundit) who was then
performing a Yaaga (Vedic fire ritual) Deekshitar
immediately felt happy that a great mahatma has
been found and he went immediately to Azhwar's
presence and was overwhelmed by the brilliance
radiating from the Azhwar. He brought the Azhwar
with great respect to the Yaagasaala (fire ritual
sanctuary) and paid all due worship and offered the
first honors. The conductors of the ritual however got
very annoyed with the Deekshitar and reproached
him and blamed him for making their ritual futile by
bringing a low caste stranger and conferring the first
honors to him. Deekshitar was very upset at the
behaviour of these Brahmins and begged the Azhwar
to reveal his greatness. It is said that the Azhwar
immediately turned to the Lord residing within him
(the inner controller- Antaryami) and addressed thus

" ;kfKBmfAp nIkfki, '[fA[ :c[akfk

vlfAlEylf
ckfkrmfekaqf AkyE[, cdgfkrfvayf `dgfkid
udfkidnft v]f]Em p<bmfepacitfT kadfFEd "

" Getting rid of this form, if Thou can make the Lord
of me,
O Discus holding Lord, to silence the ritualists
Staying inside as Thou art, show Thy hidden Form "

Lo and behold there appeared Sriman Narayana

Himself carrying the Discus and the Conch along
with AadhiSesha and MahaLakshmi on Azhwar's

xviii
own body. Seeing this everyone present there, were
entranced.

It is said that Azhwar spent several years in

contemplation of the Divine. One of the most famous
holy shrines associated with his life is Sri
Araavamudan's temple in Thirukkudanthai. Azhwar
spent apparently seven hundred years in meditation at
Thirukkudanthai. It is also said that he spent most of
the later part of his stay on this earth in
Thirukkudanthai. The supreme love that Azhwar has
had for the Lord can be seen in his verses glorifying
the Lord enshrined at Thirukkudanthai. (Verses 56
through 61 in ThirucchandaViruttam). His heart goes
out for the Lord.

ndnft kalfkqf enanftEva nDgfkwal Em[mayf

;dnftemyf KLgfkEva vilgfKmalf vArcfCrmf
kdnft kalfprnft kavirikfkArkf KdnfAty<qf
kidnftva ebZnftiRnfT EpC vazi EkcE[.
(verse 61 in Thirucchanda Viruttam)

Azhwar looking at the enshrined Lord inquires of

Him the reason that He is lying down on His serpent
bed on the banks of Cauvery river, wondering
whether His holy feet had become sore walking
across the land during Ramavataara and whether His
body had become tired and exhausted from lifting the
submerged earth during the Varaaha Avataara
(Divine Boar). He entreats the Lord to get up from
His bed and speak to Him. It is said that the Lord
actually began to get up whereupon the Azhwar
pleased to know that the Lord was actually not tired,
immediately uttered words of benediction so that the
Lord as enshrined there would remain safe for a long
long time.

Only two poetic works of the Azhwar are available

xix
for us to study. One is Thricchanda viruttam with 120
verses and Naanmukan Thiruvandhadhi with 96
verses. It is said that Azhwar threw all the
manuscripts of his works into the Cauvery river and
these two manuscripts floated against the stream..
Even today one can see the Vrindavan and a beautiful
shrine where Azhwar is said to have had his Aashram
in Kumbakonam (Thirukkudanthai). The holy shrine
of the Azhwar also exists in his birthplace
Thirumazhisai where the Lord enshrined in the
temple is Sri Jagannatha and the divine mother
Lakshmi is Thirumangai Piraattiar.

xx
 !@
!mEt rama{jay nm@
~zfvarfkqf tiRvFkEq cr]mf

! tiRmziAcpira[f `Rqicfecyft
na[fMk[f tiRvnftati

Sri Thirumazhisai Piran's

Naanmukan Thiruvandhadhi
The text with a free translation based on Sri
PeriyaVaacchaan Pillai's Vyaakhyaanam

!rampfpiqfAq `Rqicfecyft t[iy[f

naray][f pAdtfta[f na[fMkA[, na[fMk{kfK

"rarf civ[f pibnfta e[[f{mfecalf- cIrarf
emazi ecpfpi vazlamf enwfcEm, emayfp>
mziAcpf pr[FEy vazftfT.

Single Invocatory verse by Sri Ramappillai

Sriman Narayana created the four-faced Brahma. Of

that Brahma
Was born Siva who was full by ascetic discipline.
We will live reciting this renowned philosophic poetry
carrying these words.
O' mind, praise the holy feet of the Piran of
Thirumazhisai, abounding with flowers.

Sri Ramappillai was the second son of Sri Koorattaazhwar

(disciple of Sri Ramanuja) and he was the younger brother of Sri
Parasarabattar. He was also known as VedaVyasabattar. He
therefore must have lived shortly after Sri Ramanuja who was the

1
famous Acharya of the Sri Vaishnava tradition and who also
formally propounded the Visishtadvaita philosophy meaning
qualified non-dualism. He interpreted the Brahma Su~tras
accordingly. He was inspired very much by the philosophic poetry
of the Azhwars.

Commentary by Pillai Lokam Jeeyar on the invocatory verse of

Sri Ramappillai:

In this verse, Sri Ramappillai addresses his own mind to worship

the holy feet of Sri. Thirumazhisai Piran whose divine poetry,
Naanmukan Thiruvandhadhi establishes clearly that Sriman
Narayana is the Supreme Reality.

naray][f pAdtfta[f na[fMkA[-

1."Eka h Av naray] ~sItf.. n pf3rhfma EnSan@

((Mahopanishad) Only Narayana was there.
Not Brahma not Siva.
2.naray]pEra jfEyati@ (The supreme light is Narayana -
Narayana Suktam)
3. narayE] pfrlIynfEt -(Ultimately merges in Narayana-
Narayanopanishad)
4. "ktixfd2ti viSfvatfma s c naray]@ pfrp<4@ Only the
Supreme Spirit remains at the time of dissolution and that is the
Lord of all, Narayana- Mahabharatham.
5. sfRxfFsfti2tfynftkr]Imf
--. "k "v jnarftft3n@ Lord Janardhana alone takes the form of
Brahma, Vishnu and Siva and carries out the acts of creation,
sustenance and destruction.- Vishnu puranam 1-2-66
6. "k "v jk3tfsfvamI Skftimancfy<t@ pfrp<@ The all powerful,
eternal Achyuta is the Lord of the universe - Mahabharatam
7.ynfnapi4 pt3mat3 p4vtf mhatfma pfrjapti@ From whose
lotus like navel sprang the great spirit Prajapathi - Mahopanishad
8. naray]atf pf3rhfma jayEt @ naray]atf Rtf3Era jayEt -
From Narayana came Brahma. From Narayana came Siva-
Narayanopanishad
9.viRpaXay pf3rhfm]@ p<tfray jfEyxfda2y SfErxfda2y-
Viroopaksha the first son of Brahma, the best- Samavedam-

2
10. pf3rhfm]Sfcapi smfp> 4 t@ Siv- From Brahma was born
Siva - Mahabharatham

Sri Desikan's Verse dedicated to Sri Thirumazhisai

Piran:
Swami Desikan has a special verse dedicated to Sri Thirumazhisai
Piran in the Prabandha Saaram. Sri Desikan was born in 1268
A.D. in Tooppul (in Kanchipuram). He was one of the most
famous Acharyas of the Sri Vaishnava tradition. He was a teacher
and a scholar par excellence. He wrote close to 112 literary pieces
both in Sanskrit and in Tamil. Divya Prabandha saaram is one of
his Tamil works. The verses in the Prabandha saaram are
dedicated to each one of the twelve Azhwars giving details of
their birth place, the month and the star on which they were born,
their poetic works, their names, the number of verses they contain,
and the essence of their meanings.

At mktftilf vRmziAcpfprE[ mbfAbcf

cmygfkqf pletrinfT maEya[lflabf
etyfvmf mbfbilfAley[ uArtft Evtcf
ecZmfepaRqf na[fMk[f eta]f}\bfbaB padfD
emyfmiKnft tiRcfcnft viRtftpfpadlf
viqgfkiy N\bfbiRpTmf tpfpamlf emyfEy
AvyktfT mbvamlf uArtfT vaZmf
vAkyFEy{kfK `Rqfecyf mkizfnfT nIEy

O' Sri Piran of Thirumazhisai.You took your

incarnation in the month of Thai on Magha
Nakshatram day. After acquiring full knowledge of all
other faiths, you declared that there is no other God
except Sriman Narayana, the Lord with the most
wondrous deeds. You imparted this quintessence of the
Vedas, through the ninety-six verses of Naanmukan
Thiruvandhadhi and the shining hundred and twenty
verses of Thirucchanda Viruttam rich in philosophic

3
content. Please bless me, your servant so that I will
keep reciting and remembering these verses and their
true meaning without fail and without forgetting as I
live in this world.

4
na[fMkA[ naray][f pAdtfta[f na[fMk{mf
ta[fMkmayfcfcgfkrA[tfta[fpAdtfta[f-
ya[fMkmayf
`nftatiEmlidfD `bivitfEt[azfepaRAq
cinftamlfeka]fmi[IrfEtrfnfT. 1

Lord Narayana created Naanmukan, the four-faced

Brahma who taking the lead brought forth
Sankara. I brought out the deep meaning of this in
the form of an Andadhi. Analyse and absorb this
into your mind without losing its meaning.

Sri Thirumazhisai Piran says that just as Brahma, Rudra and

others are predominantly involved in the development of the life
cycles of this cosmos, he wants to be preeminently involved in
liberating the people from the eternal bond of life and death.

na[fMkA[ naray][f pAdtfta[f

Narayana means the support and abode of the hosts of souls

(narsY YMhgfkQkfK).
Refers to Paramatma or the ultimate Reality. By His Will or
Sankalpa created the four-faced Brahma.

Eya pf2rhfma]mf vit3ta4ti p>rfvmf (naray]vlfli.

" Yo~ brahmanaam vidadhati poorvam"- (Narayana Valli) He
Who first created Brahma.

ttfr pf3rhfma cTrfMEka2 `jayt (sHpaElapnixtf

"There the four-faced Brahma was born." (Supalopanishad)

naray]atf pf3rhfma jayEt.

"Narayanaath Brahma Jaayatae" "From Narayana Brahma is born
", in Narayanopanishad.
" Brahma Daevaanaam pratamas sambabhoova"as in
Mundakopanishad.

5
viRpaXay pf3rhfm]@ p<tfray jfEyxfday
"To Viroopaaksha ,Brahma's first son "

EtRgfkalf Etv[f oRvE[ey[fB Arpfprf

~Rmbiyarf `v[f epRAm- oRmf
epaRqf MFv<<mitftA[Ey 'tftvwfecyftarfkfKmf
`RqfMFvtaziya[fpalf 2

On inquiry enlightened ones will state that

Paramaatma is only one. No one really knows His
glories. The ultimate conclusion of all the Scriptural
texts is also the same. Whatever discipline one
follows, the result of divine grace arises only from
the Lord carrying the discus.

Azhwar in this verse further establishes paratva of Sriman

Narayana quoting itihasas.
EtRgfkalf Etv[f oRvE[ '[fB uArpfprf-
ttftfvmf jijfwasmananamf EhTpi4sf srfvEtaMAk 2
ttftfvEmEka mhaEyakI 3 hrirf naray]@ sfmfRt@

"Those desirous of knowledge of paratatvam meditate on Sri

Hari Narayana
considering Him for many reasons as the only paratatvam"

oRmf epaRqf MFv<<mf ;tftA[Ey- The concluding meaning

of all srutis and smrithis
(scriptural texts) is also the same.

'Eka h Av naray] ~sItf- Only Narayana was in the

beginning.
'tftvwfecyftarfkfKmf `Rqf MFvtaziya[f palf

"yo yo yaam yaam tanum Bhaktha: sraddhayarcchitum icchathi

6
tasya tasyaachalaam sraddhaam taamaeva vidadhaamyaham"
Geetha
Eya Eya yamf yamf tNmf p4kft@ Sfrtf3t3 yarfcfciT micfcti
tsfy tsfyaclamf Sfrtf3 t3 amf taEmv vit3 t4amfyhmf -
p4k3vtf kI3ta

y<kEkaF shsfra]i vixf}maratf 4 y ptf 3 mp>4

"Brahma obtained his lordship over the worlds after propitiating
Narayana after many thousands of
Yugas."
mhaEt 3 v sf srfvEmEt 4 mhatfma hHtfvatfmanmf Et3v
Et3Eva p3p>4v.. "Mahatma Mahadeva became the leader of all
devas by offering his own self in the fire in sarvamedha yaga."
MahaBharatam.

~ziya[f- ck frpa]i

palibfkidnftT<v <mf p]fdrgfkmf EmyTv <mf

~lilfTyi[fbTv<mf ~rbivarf -waltf
etaRepaRAq va[vrftmfemyfpfepaRAq `pfpilf
`RepaRAqya[binftvaB. 3

That which reposed on the milky ocean, settled in

ancient times in Srirangam and that which slept on
the banyan leaf, the primordial cause of the cosmos,
shining truth to the eternal stars and the principal
force of the ancient waters, Who can know Him as I
do?

Thirumazhisai Piran says in this verse that he has been blessed

with the knowledge of the Lord through His grace and it is
impossible to know Him otherwise.

7
p]fdrgfkmf EmyTv<<mf In ancient times before it was inhabited He
came and settled in Thiruvarangam for the sake of the future
generations.
`pfpilf`RepaRAq -`p "v ssrfj -created water first
~Epa nara ;ti pfErakfta ~Epa Av nrsJnv@
ta yt3 sfyaynmf p>rfvmf Etn naray]@ sfmfRt@ Manu smruthi
Water is termed Naaraa for it arises from Paramaatma who is
called Nara
Since it became His abode, Paramaatma came to be called
Narayana

~BcAdkfkrnfta[f `]fdrfEka[f t[fE[aDmf

PBAdye[[fpTv<mf ekaqfAktfEt-EvebaRvrf
;lflaAm ni[fbaA[ 'mfmaA[-'pfepaRdfKmf
ecalflaA[ceca[fE[[fetaKtfT 4

To say that one who has hidden the river in his hair
locks is equal to the transcendental Lord of all is
not acceptable for He stands alone with no
compeers for He is the inner meaning of all the
words and things denoted by them. Thus I
described my Lord in short.

In this verse, Azhwar describes further his understanding of the

Lord.

~B cAdkf krnfta[f- one who hid the river Ganga in his hair
locks.
tf3rvIp>4tsf tta3 t4rfEma hrip4kftfya mhaME[-- p3hJnf
MEmac tta3 hr@
"When Lord Narayana measured the earth, out of devotion for the
Lord, Dharma became a flowing stream. Brahma took that water
and washed the Lord's feet. Siva took that holy water and placed
in between his hair locks and he would not let it out for many
thousands of years." (Brahma describes thus in Eswara Samhita)

8
cAd matted hair style of a sage doing penance.

EvebaRvrf ;lflaAm ni[fbaA[ - who has no one equal to or

superior to- meaning Paramaatma

`hmf kfRtfsfnsfy jk3t@ pfrp4v@ pfrqysf tt2 a

mtft@ prtrmf nanfytf kiwfcit3sfti t4nwfjy@ 7-6

"I am the origin and end of all these worlds. There is nothing
above Me." (Geetha)

'pfepaRdfKmf. ecalflaA[- srfvSpf3t3 vacfy[avA[-

epaRqf means literally "things" here it indicates the words that
indicate various things. Either directly or indirectly by being the
inner controller, all words denote Narayana. The transcendental
Reality (parama purusha) described in Vedas by various words
(sabdas) including ~kacmf, pfra][f,jfEyati,
;nftir[f,uRtftir[f, civ[f, :S[f, :Sfvr[f, mEhSfvr[f,
p<Rx[f, p<RExatftm[f, vixf}, hri, `cfy<t[f, `nnft[f,
tfrivikfrm[f, vam[[f and others only denote Narayana. Also can
be taken to mean the Lord of everything. ptimf viSfvsfy
naray]mf. ((Narayana Suktam)

etaKtft vrtft[ayftf Etalata[f marfvmf

vkirftftvAq ukirftfEtaqf maEl- uktftilf
oRna[fB nI uyrftfti uqfvagfki nIEy
`Rna[fK ma[a ybi 5

O' Lord with the sharp curved nails and broad

shoulders which split the chest of the demon king
who was undefeated on account of the many boons,
Know at the time of dissolution withdrawing the
cosmos unto You and again bringing them forth at
dawn of creation, You become the four fold lives.

9
nIEy `bi- It is difficult to find people who are able to understand
the paratatvam in this world, so Sri Thirumahizhai piran addresses
the Lord Himself to listen to this.

etaKtft vrtft[ayf- one who obtained all possible boons so

that he would not be killed by anyone like devas, humans, or other
created beings. He would also not be killed either in the day or at
night, either on this earth or in the heavens, either inside the house
or outside, either by weapons or by missiles. This of course refers
to the demon king Hiranyakasipu who also had a very pious God
loving child Prahlada.

Etalata[f- undefeated even at the hands of Brahma and other

devas.
Lord finally had to take the avataara in the form of Nrisimha (half
lion and half man) in order to eliminate Hiranyakasipu and to
protect Prahlada and the entire world. He was furious when He
appeared as Nrisimha as He was immensely upset by the many
harms and hardships that Hiranyakasipu inflicted on Prahlada.

maEl- The loving Lord. -despite His anger for Hiranyakasipu, He

only had all love at the same time for his great devotee Prahlada.

uktftilf uqfvagfki nIEy- At the time of Pralaya or dissolution

withdrawing everything unto yourself

oRna[fB nI uyrftfti
At the time of creation you bring out the cosmos and allow it to
evolve

~tpk 3 tmf-
Just as the Sun by its rays withdraws the water and brings it out as
rain in the rainy season the Lord
(as antaryami) being the inner controller through Brahma and
Rudra (like the rays of the Sun) carries out the creation and
dissolution.

10
`R na[fKmf ~[ayf- You become the forms of the four varieties
of forms (the devas, the humans, the all moving and the unmoving
things) as well as becoming their formless "antaraatma" or soul.

viSfvatfmanmf pray]mf - Visvaatmaanam paraayanam-

`nftrfp 3 hiSfc ttf srfvmf vfyapfy naray]@ sftit@ -
Antarbhahischa tatsarvam vyaapya Narayana sthitha:
Narayana being the inner controller pervades the inside and
outside of all things.

`biyarf cm]rf `yrftftarf pv<tftarf

cibiyarf civpfpdfdarf ecpfpilf-evbiyay
mayvA[ malvA[ matvA[ Eytftatarf
:[vEr~tlal;[fB 6

Chamanas do not know, Bouddhas remain

confused. Saivas also remain low if one were to
speak out. They remain low to date since they do
not praise the all sweet and wondrous Lord who is
all love for His devotees and who is the consort of
Sri.

Both Jainism and Buddhism are non-vedic. Their philosophic

tenets are criticized in this verse.

sfyat 3 sfiti sfyanfnasfti sfyat3 sfti c nasfti c sfyat3

sftIti vkftvfymf
sfyanfnasftIti vkftvfymf sfyat3 sfti c nasfti Ecti
vkftvfymf srfvt3 a
vkftvfymf c (spftp4 gfkI3 kqf)

Seven words often repeated by Jains meaning - could be existent,

could also not be existent, could be both existent and non-existent,
could say to be possibly existent, could say to be possibly non-

11
existent, could also say as possibly existent as well as non-
existent, could also say it in any way. All entities are considered
in this fashion in its philosophy and therefore not conducive to
understand Narayana.
Buddhism does not even accept Jeeva or Self, the conscious
principle.
Saivas accept vedas as "Pramaana" pfrma] (authority) but also
accept other "Agama Shastraas" as Pramaana and therefore do not
understand clearly the reality shown by the Pramaanam
(pfrma]tftalf `biypfpDmf pfrEmy " Prameyam" vsfT.)

evbiyay- srfvk3nft4@ the best of all experiences

mayvA[- the wondrous Lord- "mayamf T pfrkfRtimf vitf 3
yanfmayinmf
T mEhsfvrmf" (Prakruti is maaya and the Lord is maayi)
malvA[- "love incarnate for the devotees"
matvA[- "the Lord of Lakshmi"
;[fB- "to-date or now" meaning that it is possible that they
could change in future.

;[fbak naAqEyyak ;[icfcibiT

ni[fbak ni[f[Req[fpalEt-n[fbak
na{[fA[ y[fbiyiEl[f k]fdayf- nar]E[
nIey[fA[y[fbi;Al 7

Today tomorrow or may be sometime later but

assured is your grace for me. You know for certain
I do not have any other refuge but Yourself, O'
Narayana, You will not find anyone more in need
than me.

Azhwar states in this verse that he is bound to get the grace of the
Lord.

12
n[fbak na{[fA[ y[fbiyiEl[f k]fdayf-
nar]E[ nIey[fA[y[fbi ;Al

narSpf 3 Et3n jIvanamf sMYh@pEracfyEt p<3 At4

k3tiralmfp3nmf tsfy Etn naray]@ sfmfRt@

"Nara " refers to the entire host of Jeevas . For them, He is

both the goal and the means hence He is called "Narayana"

The line before and after " nar]E[" bring out the meaning of
the word "Narayana".
na{[fA[ y[fbiyiEl[f k]fdayf- nara]amf `ynmf y@ s@
"one who is the ultimate destiny for all Nara samoohas (the host
of Jeevas)"

nIey[fA[y[fbi ;Al- nara@ `ynmf ysfy s@

"One for whom the Nara samoohas form the abode"

Similar statement from Nammahwar's ThiruvaiMozhi (4-3-8)

"[f[taviEmAlyayf "rfekaEqZlkMmf
T[f[iMbfBmakini[fb Ecatiwa[MYrftftiyayf
u[f[et[f[taviy<mf '[f[T[f[taviy<mf
;[f[v]f]Emni[fbayf '[fBArkfkvlfElE[

PeriAzhwar's words similarly

"n]f]itfetaZmvrf cinfAt piriyat naray]a"

;AlTA]mbfeb[fe[wfEc :cA[ev[fb
ciAleka]fd ecgfk]fmalfEcra-KAleka]fd
:ArnftAlya[f ;lgfAkAy yIdzitft
Prmfp[lflalKAb. 8

13
O'mind, no other support is there at times of
distress except the lotus eyed Lord with bow which
won against Rudra and whose sharp arrows
destroyed Lanka of the ten-headed Rakshasa who
refused to yield.

Azhwar addresses his mind and says that there is no other support
for him except Sri Rama.

;Al TA] mbfB - No other support since none else is Full

(p>rf][f)

:cA[ ev[fb ciAl eka]fd -

One who had the bow that won against Lord Rudra. This story is
narrated in Sri Ramayanam
Balakaandam,by Parasurama to Sri Rama.

;Em tf 3 Ev t4 NxI sfErxfEd 2 -

jfRmfpi tmf ttf3 t4 Nrf tf3 Rxfdfva ASvmf vixf}prakfrAm@
`ti4 kmf EmniEr vixf}mf Et3 vasf srfxik3 ]asf tt2 a

The story describes how the devas wanted to test the strength of
both Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva.
The two bows which were made by Vishvakarma, the architect of
the devas were used in the battle.
The bow of Lord Siva had previously burnt the Tripuras. During
the battle which was fierce, Lord Vishnu
made a loud noise of "hum kara" which broke Siva's bow slightly
and Lord Siva also for a moment became stunned.
The bow of Siva, which was given to King Janaka was lifted and
strung by Lord Rama before winning over Sri Seetha. Parasurama
who had Vishnu' s bow, challenged Sri Rama when he was
enroute to Ayodhya after his wedding with Sri Seetha. Lord Rama
destroyed the ego of Parasurama and won not only the bow but
also all the divine powers of Parasurama.

ecgfk]fmalf - kpfyasmf p<]fd3 rIkEmvmXi]I

14
The "Parama Purusha" is described in the Vedas to have eyes
like red lotus just blossomed by the Sun's rays. Thus He is called
"Pundareekaksha" "p<]fd3 rIkaX[f"
Another meaning is, " Lord Rama with lotus like eyes and full of
love for his devotees"

KAleka]fd :Arn f tAlya[f - "ten-headed Ravana"

KAb- Feeling incomplete or unfulfilled wishes

KAbeka]fD na[fMk[f K]fFAknIrffpfepyfT

mAbeka]fd mnftirtftalf vazftfti -kAbeka]fd
k]fdtfta[f ec[f[iEmElbkfkZvi[a[f
`]fdtfta[fEcvFAyyagfK. 9

Feeling incomplete the four-faced Brahma once

washed the feet of the Lord of the Universe pouring
water from his kamanadal uttering benediction
with the holy hymns and sprinkled the holy water
on the head of Neelakanta.

Azhwar says that there is no other support since even all the devas
including Brahma fulfill their desires only from the
Transcendental Lord of all.

~gfK- That time when Lord Narayana took the form of

Trivikrama and measured the world with three giant strides.
Mahabali by defeating the "devas " took over their abode as well.
Brahma and other devas went and prayed to Lord Narayana to
redress their plight and Narayana took the form of a dwarf
(Vamana), and begged for three feet of land from Mahabali. The
latter offered the same to the divine dwarf not fully knowing His
identity. Vamana then changed to a huge cosmic form
(Trivikrama) and took the three giant steps. When His feet
reached the Brahma's realm, Brahma wanted to pay his homage to

15
Him by washing the feet." Dharma" is said to have changed into
water in his "kamandal" (water jug K]ffFAk)

KAb eka]fD na[fMk[f - Brahma knew his incompleteness

and was aware of the fullness of the Lord.

mAb eka]fd mnftirtftalf vazftfti- Chanting Vedic Mantras

like the Purusha Sooktam for benediction also "tiAcvazieyz-
tiRvayfemazi 7-4-1"

kAb eka]fd k]fdtfta[f- Lord Siva (Neela kanta) is known

for his bluish neck (k]fd), having swallowed the poison (kAb)
that came out of the milk ocean when it was churned.

`]fdtfta[f- the Lord of the Universe or the entire cosmos.

~gfkar varmTEkdfD `zLmiZmf

p>gfkar `rvA]ya[f epa[fEm[i- yagfka]
vlflEm ylflEm? mamlra[f varfcAdya[f
vlflEr ylflEr vazftfT. 10

Then the enraged serpent brought forth poisonous

flames hearing the noise. We are capable of seeing
the resplendent Lord reposing on that beautiful
serpent. But the lotus born and the one with long
matted hairs are unable even to praise Him.

In this verse, Azhwar states that the Lord is easily available for
him because of His grace. The Lord is easily accessible for those
who consider nothing other than His most auspicious form as the
goal to be reached (" pfrapfy pfrapk vsfT "). However, for those
with ego born out of their position and abilities, He is inaccessible
even for praising Him.

16
At the time of Trivikrama avataaram, all the worlds including all
the devas were singing His glories.
Hearing the noise of these stotras, AadhiSesha became enraged
thinking "asuras" (demons) were gathered and making all the
noise.

`zLmiZmf- Spitting out poisonous flames

vidgfkaLmf tIvayrva]Emlf Eta[fblf tiAcyqpfpa[f

p>varF nimirftft EpaT-
! p>ttftazfvarf (Second Thiruvandhadhi 71)

p>gfkar - Beautiful "anger" since it came out of love for his

master

epa[fEm[i- yagfka] vlflEm ylflEm? For those who are

immersed in love of the Lord and who
do not consider anything else desirable except the Lord, ability to
see Him in His resplendent form is easy.

mamlra[f- refers to Brahma since he is born of the lotus which

came out of Narayana's tiRnapI4
(navel)- here given as an example of one's position.

varfcAdya[f- refers to Lord Siva on account of his matted

locks of hair - here given as a symbol of powers of meditation,
symbolic of one's abilities.

vazftfTkvayf ka]fk k]fEkdfk ecvi mKdmf

tazftfti v]gfKmi[fkqf t]fmlralf -Vzftft
Tzayf m[f{ nI]fMF ey[f etalfAlmalf t[fA[
vzav]fAkPpfpimtitfT. 11

Let the tongue praise, the eyes see and the ears
hear. Uninterruptedly worship with your head
lowered and folded hands with cool flowers

17
meditating on the Lord, whose long crown is
adorned by Tulasi garlands and who has love for
His devotees from time immemorial.

Azhwar advises others to use all their respective sense organs to

serve the Lord who is so easily accessible to His devotees.

sa jihfva ya hrimf sfetqti= That which praises Hari is the

tongue.
Eyes are to be used for seeing the Lord and ears in listening to the
holy stories
of the Lord.

etalfAlmalf t[fA[ mtitfT v]gfKmi[fkqf= Meditating on

the Lord's names.

mKdmf tazftfti v]gfKmi[fkqf= The head swollen with self

pride is heavy like the head that is crowned. "As a sign of giving
up the ego, bend the head and worship".

vayvA[ ylflT vazftftaT Aky<lkmf

tayvA[ ylflT tamf etaza- EpyfMAlnwf
V]akv<]fda[f uRevaD Eprlflalf
ka]a k]f Ekqa ecvi (Mudal Thiruvandhadhi by Sri Poikai
Piran)

mtitftayf Epayfna[fki[f mtiyarfEpayfvIz

mtitftayf mtiEkaqf viDtftayf- mtitftayf
mDkfkidnft maMtAl EkaqfviDpfpa[f - ~zi
vidbfkir]fDmfEpayir]fF[fvID.. 12

You willed those with no knowledge of You to be

born among the four. You willed to erase the
sorrow of Chandra. You willed to deploy Your

18
discus to release the grip of the mighty crocodile
residing in the pond resulting in the liberation of
both.

Azhwar describes how the Lord protects those who take refuge at
His feet. The story of Gajendra is alluded to in this verse.

mtitftayf Epayf na[fkilf mtiyarf Epayf vIz

Those who have failed to know Him despite learning the four
Vedas are willed by the Lord to be reborn among the four life
forms namely the devas, the humans, the animals and the plant
forms.
tanhmf tf3vixt@ kfYRranf smfsaErxJ nrat4manf
XipamfyjsfrmSJpa4nasJ rIxfEvv EyanixH Geeta 16-19

mti Ekaqf viDtftayf- You released mti Chandra (Moon) from

his sorrow.

mD kidnft ma MtAl Ekaqf viDpfpa[f-

~zi vidbfK ;r]fDmf Epayf ;r]fF[f vID.

Many aeons before a gandharva named hJhJ disturbed a rishi

named Devalan while he was performing a penance standing in
the waters of a pond, by pulling on his feet. The rishi cursed the
gandharva to be born as a crocodile. Indradyumnan was a devotee
of the Lord. He once failed to notice the arrival of the sage
Agasthya and was cursed to be born as an elephant to help get rid
of his ego. When the devoted elephant (kEjnftir ~zfva[f) got
into the pond to pluck the lotus flower for offering to the Lord, he
was gripped by ma MtAl the mighty crocodile.That resulted in
a long drawn out conflict which lasted many years and at the end
the elephant called out " ~ti YMlEm ". The Lord rushed to free
the elephant from the grip of the crocodile by using His discus or
Chakraayudham (~zi). Both the crocodile and the elephant got
released and each obtained their respective liberation-the
crocodile from its curse and the elephant from the cycle of birth
and death.

19
vIdakfKmf epbfbi ybiyaT emyfvRtftikf
Pdakfki ni[fB]fDeka]fDzlfvIrff- vIdakfKmf
emyfpfepaRqfta[fEvtMtbfepaRqfta[f-
vi]f]vrfkfKnbfepaRqfta[fnaray][f. 13

Not knowing the way to liberation you run around

Starving and harming the body by penance. The
true means for liberation, is the foremost Lord as
declared by the Vedas, the loving Lord of the
eternal stars, Sriman Narayana.

Azhwar states that there is no need to put one's body into misery
and pain by observing hard practices in order to obtain Moksha.

vIdakfKmf epbfbi ybiyaT

Not knowing the means for liberation.

emyf vRtftikf
Pdakfki ni[fB u]fD eka]fD uzlfvIrff
By causing the body to become like a skeleton (Pdakfki ) on
account of observing "vrathas "of fasting and eating small
amounts later.

eka[fB uzlfvIrf
Go around spending your time harming the body

vIdakfKmf
emyfpfepaRqf ta[f naray][f

narSpf 2 Etn jIvanamf s YMh@ pfEracfyEt p< 3 At4

k 3 tiralmfp 3 nmf tsfy Etn naray]@ sfmfRt@

20
Naarasabda refers to all Jeeva samoohas (conscious life forms).
Since He is both the destiny and the means or the way to reach,
He is termed Narayana.

Evt Mtbf epaRqf ta[f

Narayana is described in the Vedas as the true means for
liberation
utamfRttfvsfEySan@ - He is the Lord for Moksha.

If He is the way (upayamf), is what to be obtained (uEpymf or

pfrapfymf) different?
Evt Mtb fepaRqfta[f-vi]f]vrfkfK nbfepaRqf ta[f- He is
also the Praapyam
of the Nitya Suris (Eternal Stars or the eternal resplendent
residents of "paramapadam")

ttfvixfE]a@ prmmf pt3 mf sta3 pSfynfti sJry@

Eya Et3 Evpf4 y ~tpti- H He who shines for the Nitya Suris

Eya Et 3 vanamf p<Era hit@ - He who has been from eternity the
nbfepaRqf of the Nitya Suris.

Sr]mf sHhfRtf k 3ti@ naray]@ Narayana is the end and the

means

Ayana Sabda arises from the root ';]f-k3 etq'. refers to both
the means and the end for Moksha.

naray]E[ nmkfEk pAbtRva[f (tiRpfpaAv

naray][f MZEvZlkkfKmf nat[f (tiRvayfemazi

naray][f '[fA[yaqi nrktfTcf

Ecramlf kakfKmf tiRmalf t[ fEpra[
Epcpfepbat pi]cfcmyrf EpckfEkdfD
~Acpfpdfdazfvarfplrf. 14

21
Narayana is my Lord who saves the devotees from
the abyss of cycle of births and deaths. Many
listening to those with dry faiths not blessed to utter
the names of the loving Lord of Lakshmi wishing to
live like them fall only to bad straits.

naray][f '[fA[yaqi

`ki2 l jk3 tf sfvaminf `sfmtf sfvaminf is what Sri Ramanuja

says in the Gadyam
following the same lines.

He protects the devotees from "samsaara" (the endless cycle of

births and deaths which is considered as the true hell since in its
outer form it often is somewhat deceiving and full of happiness),
for He is the loving Lord of Sri Lakshmi. In this verse `nixfd
nivfRtfti "removing the undesired"(nrktfTcfEcramlf kakfKmf
tiRmalf ) is given whereas in the previous verse ;xfd pfrapfti
"obtaining the desired" (vIdakfKmf emyfpf epaRqfta[f
naray][f) is inidicated.

tiRmalf t[f Epra[

Epcpf epbat pi]cfcmyrf
"dry faiths " (lifeless or like dead) since they do not utter the
names of the Lord who is the life and soul of the universe.

plEtvErtft pFkdnfta[f patmf

mlErbvidfFAbwfci vazftft-vlrakilf
marfkfk]fd[f k]fdvAkEy vRgfk]fGrf
nIrffkfk]fd[fk]fdniAl. 15

22
Those who offer flowers in benediction at the feet of
the Lord who measured this earth and is
worshipped by many devas would experience the
same as Markandeya who saw the state of Rudra
with neck stained by venom.

marfkfk]fd[f k]fdvAkEy vRgfk]fGrf

nIrffkfk]fd[f k]fd niAl

Here the life story of Sri Markandeya is referred to. This is

described in the 12th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam and in the
Aranya Parva in Sri MahaBharatham.

k]fDmf etqinfTmf kbfbarf k]f]rfkfkaq[fbiyavEra

v]fD[f mlrftfetagfklf marfkfk]fEdy{kfK vaZnaqf
;]fAdcfcAdMFyIc{d[f eka]fDcacfeclfl
eka]fdgfKtf t[fe[aDgfeka]fDd[f ec[fbT]rfnfTEm
(tiRvayfemazi 7-5-7)

Markandeya was the young son of Sage Mrukandu.. Sage

Mrukandu and his wife once heard a heavenly utterance that
Markandeya was approaching the time of his death. When these
words were heard, they were extremely distressed. Markandeya
however consoled his parents and promised to return after
somehow obtaining a long life. Markandeya worshipped Lord
Rudra faithfully for a long time. Pleased by his prayers when
Rudra asked him to state his wishes Markandeya not only asked
for a long life but also Moksha at the end of it. Lord Rudra told
that Mokshapradhan (one that bestows Moksha) was Sriman
Narayana. He himself then took Markandeya to Sri Janardhana
(Narayana) thereby fulfilling the wishes of his devotee.

~rat4 ynf hfRxIEksmf jikf3Ey mfRtfy<mf sHT3 rfjymf

(Srimad Bhagavatam)

23
niAlm[f{em[fe[wfcmf `nfna[fB Etvrf
tAlm[f[rf taEm mabfbak plm[f[rf
Eparfmaq evgfktiEra[fmaypfepazilfmAby
EtraziyalfmAbtftaralf. 16.

My mind rests in peace because of the Lord of the

eternal stars, who once put Himself in the enemy
ranks, caused many rulers to die in the battlefield
and the earth to be engulfed in darkness by hiding
the sun with His discus.

In this verse, Azhwar recalls the extent to which the Lord would
go to aid his devotees.Azhwar states, that his mind attained the
state of peace (niAl m[f{mf '[f enwfcmf) that only comes after
liberation.
cwfclmf hi mn@ "The restless mind " attained peace.

rajati rajsrfEvxamf vixf}rf pf 3 rhfmmEya mhanf

:Sfvrmf tmf vjanImsf s pita s pfrjapti@ ((Mahabharatham)

`yrfvBmf `mrrfkqf `tipti -The Lord of the eternal stars (Nitya

Suris)

tf 3 vixtftnfnmf n Ep4 akftvfymf

tf 3 vixnfnmf Anv Ep4 ajEytf
pa]fdvanf tf 3 vixEs rajnf
mm pfra]a hi pa]fdva@ (MahaBharatham)

"O' King !You hate Pandavas. Pandavas are like my life."

In the MahaBharatha war, the Lord himself truly became the
enemy of Duryodhana and the Kauravas and
caused many rulers on their side to die.

24
pI4 ExaEt3 ti SJ rfy@ ((Taitreya Upanishad -Anandavalli-
Because of fear of the Lord, the Sun shines)

In the Mahabharatha war, Lord Krishna sided with the Pandavas

because they were his devotees and they were on the dharmic
path. Lord Krishna made a promise that He would not take his
weapons during the war and yet he took his discus to hide the sun
so that Arjuna could keep his word. "that he would either kill
Jayadratha by sunset or die himself by entering the fire "
Jayadratha had earlier killed Arjuna's son Abimanyu in the battle
by resorting to deceptive and cunning tactics which were against
the rule of combat.

stfykam stfysgklp@ The Lord who is a " satysankalpan"

made himself "asatysankalpan" for the protection of his devotees.

Azhwar feels that the lack of virtues like " satyam, tapas,
dhamam, dhaanam, dharmam " which have been mentioned as
prereqisites to liberation should not matter anymore when one
takes Sriman Narayana as his way or means.

~lnizbfkIzf `benbiAy nalfvrfkfK

EmAly<ktfTArtfta[f emyftftvtfEta[f - wal
mqnftaA[ ~zikidnftaA[ - ~lfEmlf
vqrfnftaA[tfta[fv]gfKmaB. 17

Under the shade of the banyan tree in a previous

age, Rudra the true sage taught the path of dharma
to four others, his practice of worship of the Lord
reposing on the cosmic waters, Who measured the
earth and rested on the banyan leaf.

Lord Rudra is known for Knowledge (Jnaana)

:Sfvratf jfwanmnfvicfEctf
EmaXmicfEctf jnarftft 3natf

25
"Knowledge should be sought from Lord Siva and Liberation
from Lord Janaardhana'

Lord Rudra taught sages Agasthya, Daksha, Pulastyar and

Kashyapa, the dharmic path that he himself was following which
was one of worship of Lord Narayana -
who eternally reposes on the cosmic waters and is ever ready to
take "avataaras".
who bestowed His grace on everyone without any discrimination
when He spanned the three worlds with His feet and
who at the time of Pralaya (Dissolution, deluge) lying as a child
on a banyan leaf protected all jeevas by keeping them in his
abdomen.

mabayta[vA[ vqfQkiralf marfvir]fD

Pbakkf kIbiyEkaqriAy- Evbak
"tftiyiRpfpaAr evlfLEm mbfbvArcf
catftiyiRpfparftvmf. 18

The devotees with special adoration of the mighty

Lord Nrsimha Whose sharp nails spilt into two the
chest of the demon who remained opposed, will
even be excelled by the effects of devotion of those
who live adoring the very same devotees.

In this verse, Thirumazhisai Piran says that devotion to the Lord's

devotees is superior to even the devotion to the Lord Himself.

maB ~y ta[vA[- The demon Hiranyakasipu remained

opposed to the Lord to the end in every way. He also wronged
Prahlada, the great devotee of the Lord

EkaqriAy- The mighty Nrsimha, the Lord came in half lion and
half human form (nara simha) since Hiranyakasipu had various

26
boons that protected him from death from humans,animals and
devas.

EvB ~k "tfti ;RpfpaAr- one who has a special

understanding of the Lord's efforts as the saviour and who hails
and adores the Lord and has concerns for the safety of even the
Lord and pours out songs of benediction for Him. The like of such
devotion is seen in Sri PeriAzhwar who sang Thiruppallaandu.

`nftiymf Epatilf `riy<Rvaki `riAy `zitftvA[pf

pnftA[ tIrpfplfla]fD plflayirtfta]fed[fB paDTEm

mbfB `vArcf catfti ;Rpfparf - Those who serve and adore the
holy feet of the Lord's devotees. Here the example is given of Sri
Andal. The latter worshipped and adored Sri PeriAzhwar. Sri
Andal says that the Lord is more likely to come to her on account
of the grace of Sri PeriAzhwar. She tells her friend, in
Naachiyaar Thirumozhi that " Please do not worry, there is a way
for our rescue and we will see the Lord when somehow
Vittuchittar would call Him".

vilflip<TAv vidfDcitftrf tgfkqf EtvAr

vlflpriC vRvipfpErlf `T ka]fDEm (nacf-tiR-10-10)

tvmf ecyfT na[fMk[alf epbfbvrtfAt

`vmfecyft vaziya[[fEb uvnfetmfAmkf
kapfpayfnI kapfptA[ yavayfnI AvKnft
mIpfpay<emvfv<yirfkfKmfnI. 19

Boons obtained by penance from the four-faced one

destroyed by the discus carrying Lord that You are,
You protect us with zeal. You are also the will to
protect and You bestow Vaikuntam to all living
beings.

27
From this verse to the 26th verse, Azhwar appears to converse
with the Lord.

tvmf ecyfT na[fMk[alf epbfb vrtfAt

The lord destroyed the bad effects of the boons conferred by
Brahma and others to raakshasaas like Hiranyakasipu, Ravana~
and others by taking Avataaras especially for the purpose of
protecting the devotees and even offering protection to the very
same devas that conferred the boons.

~ziya[f `[fEb
He has Chakra (Discus) in His hands all the time to indicate His
desire to protect His devotees.

kapfptA[ ~vayf nI- He becomes the will to protect as well.

AvKnftmf :pfpay<mf 'vfv<yirfkfKmf nI- He not only protects but
ultimately bestows liberation or Moksha
(AvK]fd2 mf) to all living enitities.

nIEy uleklflamf ni[f[REq nibfp[v<mf

nIEy tvtfEtvEtv{mf- nIEy
'riCdRmf malfvAry<mf ']fFAcy<mf- `]fdtf
tiRCdRmayviAv. 20

Thou art all the worlds. Thy grace sanctions

permanence. Thou art the Lord of all who became
devas by penance, Thou art the fire and the great
mountains and all eight directions, and Thou art
the sun and the moon of the universe.

nIEy tvtfEtv Etv{mf-

y<k 2 EkaF shsfra]I vixf}maratf 4 y ptf 3 m p>
p<nsf tfArElakfyt 4a tfRtfvmf pfrapftvaniti SHSfRm@
(Maha Bharatham)

28
"Having propitiated Vishnu for thousand crores of yugas Brahma
obtained again the status of leadership of the three worlds".

mhaEt3 v sf srfvEmEt4 mhatfma

hJtfva ~tfmanmf Et2 vEt2 Eva p3 p>4 v
Mahaatma Mahaadeva became Deva-Deva by sacrificing himself
in sarvamaedha yagnya (Maha Bharatham).

ni[f `REq nibfp[v<mf

Your grace offers permanent state (Moksha)

']f tiAcy<mf-
All things in all eight directions

;Avyapilvayf tibnfetrika[fb
;Avya 'rivdfdkf k]fkqf- ;Avya
'riepagfkikf kadfDmf ;AmEyarf epRma[f
`riepagfkikfkadfDmf`zK . 21

Is this the mouth of the cave spitting wide flames of

fire? Are these the eyes that are like fire balls,
flaming red? Is this the beauty displayed by the
Lord of the eternal stars as Nrsimha with a body
effulgent like the flame?

;Avya-
For the sake of devotees, Paramaatma, the entity described as
`vikaray,
`vakfynat 3 r@ (Chaandogyopanishad-3-6) ("that which has no
likes and dislikes ") changes its form.

Azhwar visualizes Nrsimha Avataara that the Lord took for the
destruction of the demon king Hiranya who tortured His devotee
Prahlada and sings in admiration of the wonder.

29
uyirfkfeklflamf tayayf `qikfki[fb t]fdamAr kfk]f][f
(epriy tiRemazi-7-1-9
kriyvaki p<Ad prnfT miqirfnfT ecvfvriEyaF nI]fd
`pfepriyvay k]fkqf
'[fA[pf EptAm ecyft[Ev (
(`ml[atipira[f -tiRpfpa]azfvarf)

`zkiya[ftaE[ `riy<Rv[ftaE[
pzkiya[ftaEq p]imi[f- Kzviyayftf
taE[ZlKkfKmf t[fAmkfKmf t[fAmyE[
mI[ayfuyirqikfKmfvitfT. 22

Beautiful is the Lord who came in NrSimha form.

Worship the feet of the same ancient Lord who both
as a child and as a fish protected all life forms. He
alone is the cause and the abode of all the seven
worlds and its nature.

`zkiya[f taE[ `riy<Rv[f taE[

narsimfh vp< !manf-

~ptfsk 2 [f ~[vE[ `zkiya[f-

pzkiya[f taEq p]imi[f-

The ancient Lord (unlike the embodied souls) is fully aware of the
affliction that the current body is to the soul as well as of the
future states of embodiment. In addition He is fully aware of the
effects of all karma the embodied soul has to endure and that the
source of ultimate relief is merely His compassion. If one were to
surrender to Him realizing that He is the means and the end then
He will surely protect and bestow liberation. Hold on to Him like
the afflicted patient seeks the help of the physician for He is both
the medicine and the medical doctor. Ep4 xjmf pi4 xkf

30
ta[f "zf ulKkfKmf t[fAmkfKmf t[fAmyE[

"ZlKkfKmf- refers to the five major elements "Pancha

Bhootas", the principle Mahat and Ahamkaram.
All these have their bases on their t[fmatfAr (t[fAm). For
instance the Pancha Bhootas namely space or ether, air , fire,
water and earth have their essential nature in five "gunas"
(qualities) namely Spf 3 t 3- sound, sfprfS- touch sensation,
YRp, -form, rs,- taste and k 3 nft 4 fragrance or smell .
ta[f "ZlKkfKmf- also refers to the seven worlds. It means all
the sentient and the insensient materials contained in the seven
worlds.
sEt 3 v Esamfy (canf (Chaandogyam 6-2-1) H He is the three
fold cause of all things namely efficient cause (nimitft), material
cause (upat 4a[) and concomitant cause (shkari)- "He is the
pot maker, the clay that forms the pot and the potter's wheel".

vitfTmid Ev]fDgfekaEla viAdydrftft

ptftiy<zv[f pzmfp<[tfT emayftfetZnft
karfEmkm[f[ kRmalftiREm[i
nIrffva[mfkadfDmfnikzfnfT. 23

Is there any need to sow the seed in the ancient field

of the Lord, Who tamed the wild bulls and Who
kindles devotion towards Him? The black hued
Lord whose form is like the dark dense clouds, the
rain bearing dark sky would show us directly.

In this verse, Thirumazhisai Piran says that the Lord's essential

nature is to protect us in all states whether we are aware of it or
not. Therefore there is very little we need to do. The life is like an
ancient field whose owner is the Lord and He looks after it as the
owner and farmer. He Himself takes a lot of effort kindling
devotion in all sentient beings towards Him so that they can reach

31
Him. The only thing we need to do if we like is to think of the
Lord. Even that is easy since His beautiful Form is like the dark
dense clouds which is shown directly by the rain bearing dark sky.

ptfti uzv[f pzmf p<[tfT vitfTmf ;d Ev]fDmf ekaEla-

vitfT- sHkfRtmf.

ptfti uzv[f- In order to kindle Bhakti in the sentient being the

Lord goes through a lot of effort like a farmer who looks after his
land tilling the earth, irrigating, removing the weeds, fertilizing it,
sowing the seed, planting the seedlings etc. He creates the jagat so
that the sentients are endowed with physical form and senses and
protects them as inner controller as well as by taking several
avataaras. Sri Nammaazhwar expresses the same feeling.

Urvrf kvfAv 'RvidfD `[fA[ecalf nIrffmDtfT

:renlfvitfti MAqtft enwfcpfepRwfecyfy<qf
Eprmrf katlf kdlfp<Ary viAqvitft
karmrf Em[i nmf k]f][f (tiRvayf 5-3-4)

pzmf p<[tfT - The ancient and fertile field does not even require
proper sowing. It may yield good crop even when seeds are
simply thrown.(pzmf p<[gfkqiEl viAtkfk Ev]fdaEt utbi
MAqkfKmapf EpaEl yatf 3 fRcfci 2 k sHkfRtgfkqf
t[f[AdEy pibkfKmf pFyakviEb :Sfvr[f jktfsfRxfFAypf
p]f}vT-) - Sri PeriyaVaacchaan Pillai's Vyakhyaanam.

In fertile field, the previous crop might have shed seeds

spontaneously and these by themselves may yield yet another
crop without too much effort. Similarly on this ancient fertile field
of life which is created in such a way by the Lord, very little effort
is needed on the part of the living beings to acquire merits
deserving of Lord's compassion.

Merits of three types are recognized.

yatf 3 fRcfci 2 k sHkfRtgfkqf-

For instance, a person has built a well to irrigate the field and the
same well water happened to be used by a wayside travelling
devotee, then the merit of the act of quenching the thirst of the

32
devotee would reach the owner of the well even when he did not
plan the well for that purpose.

pfrasgfki 3 k sHkfRtmf- Recounting names, if one happens to

mention the Lord's name even when not planned to do so such an
act brings on the merit of calling Lord's name.

The third type is ~Nxgfki 3 k sHkfRtmf- For instance when

thieves are about to rob some devotees of the Lord and one
happens to pass that way resulting in a hasty retreat of the thieves,
the merit of saving the devotees would reach the person even
though the person might not have done anything directly in this
act. Thus all merits reach the living beings even without much
effort on their part.

viAd ` drftft- Lord Krishna's taming of the eight wild bulls for
the sake of Nappinnai Piratti is just an execuse to kindle devotion
towards Him.

If we do not have to do anything then how we spend our time?

Once devotion towards the Lord is kindled in us by merits that we
had accumulated even without much of an effort on our part, then
until we reach Him we just spend time by remembering the Lord
simply by looking at things that remind us of His form.

karfEmkmf `[f[ kRmalf tiREm[i

nIrffva[mf kadfDmf nikzfnfT-
the rain bearing clouds reminding us of the black hue of the Lord's
beautiful form by itself help to kindle the love and desire towards
the Lord.

nikzfnftayf palfepa[fpCpfp<kf karfv]f]mf na[fKmf

;kzfnftayf ;RvAry<mf vIy- p<kzfnftayf
ci[pfEparf cfCEvtA[cf Ec[aptiyayf
m[pfEparfMFkfKmfvAk . 24

You shone through the four fold colours white, red,

green and black .You got rid of the two demons and

33
You praised Arjuna who was enraged into battle
and as protector of his army carried out the war to
its end as planned in your mind.

In this verse, Azhwar describes how for the sake of His devotees,
the Lord goes through many hardships.
In different Yugas the sentient beings desire different colours
according to their nature. The Lord takes the different forms of
colours to suit their wishes. In Krita Yuga the people would be
full of satva guna and would desire pure white and the Lord takes
on the white colour.
tfErtayamf rkft vrfE]aesq - Rajas mixed with Satva guna
predominate in Treta Yuga and the Lord takes on a gold colour.
tf 3 vapEr p4k3vanf Sfyam@ (paciyi[f pCAm) People in
Dwapara period have mixed gunas of Rajas, Tamas and Satva, the
Lord takes on a light green colour of moss which represents a
combination.

In Kali yuga, Tamas predominates. The lord takes on His natural

kar fEm[i
nIlEtayt3 mt f4 ysft2a .

;kzfnftayf ;RvAry<mf vIy- He willed to destroy the two

demons (Madhu and Kaitabha) who stole the vedas from Brahma.

m[pfEparf MFkfKmf vAk CEvtA[ p<kzfnftayf-

Ek3avinfEtti yt3akfrnft3tf kfRxf]a mamf T|3rvasinmf

R]mf pfrvfRtf3t4miv Em hfRt3yanf napsrfpfpti- "Drowpati
called for me saying Govinda from a distance but those words
have never left my mind like a swollen debt".
Thus the Lord decided to fullfill Drowpati's wishes, to crown
Yudhishtira and to get rid of the Duryodana and his entire army.
CEvt[f- refers to Arjuna who had white horses drawing his
chariot.

34
vAkyalf mtiyaT m]feka]fdayf mbfBmf
vAkyalf vRveta[fB]fEd vAkyalf
vyirmf KAztfT]f}mf mavlitae[[f{mf
vyirvzkfekazitftayfmbfB . 25

Without undue concern for means you repossessed

the earth. Furthermore such actions of yours have
no personal gain. You destroyed the enmity of
Mahabali who had a big ego and who by special
means used to ingest diamond extract.

In this verse, Azhwar says that Lord's actions are always for the
sake of his devotees and never for Himself.

vAkyalf mtiyaT m]feka]fdayf-

This refers to Vaamana Avataaram where the Lord had to help
Indra to obtain his world back which had been all taken over by
the great Mahabali who had become invinsible in all the three
worlds. The Lord took the form of a dwarf Brahmin celibate and
begged for alms from Mahabali. And when He asked for only
three feet of land, Mahabali did not think much of it and
immediately granted the wish. The divine Dwarf then became
the Lord Trivikrama and measured the entire earth with one step
and all the heavens above with a second step and due to lack of
place to put His third step, Mahabali offered his own head. The
Lord bestowed His grace on Mahabali by placing His holy foot on
him and thus removed his ego. He then sent Mahabali to the
netherworld to reside there permanently, as an eternal devotee of
the Lord. The Lord measured this whole Universe with His feet
almost effortlessly (`nayaEsn) and reobtained this earth
(p> 4 miAy eka]fdayf) from Mahabali.

mavli ta[f '[f{mf vyir vzkfK ozitftayf -

na[f '[f{mf `hmfkarmf - The ego of self pride and vanity
became the enmity (vyir vzkfK) between him and the Lord.

35
vAkyalf vyirmf KAztfT u]f}mf- To ingest diamond by
itself is poisonous. But by adopting special means of mixing with
herbs and other medicinal plants and preparing an extract of
diamond, Mahabali used to ingest the same and eventually
became hot headed on account of his invincible strength.

mbfBtfetaZvarf oRvAry<mf ya[i[fAm

kbfAbcfcAdya[f krikfk]fdayf - 'bfAbkfKmf
k]fDekaqf k]fdayf kdlfv]f]a ya{[fA[kf
k]fDekaqfkibfKmaB. 26

There is no other deity whom I worship you will see

for the one with matted hair locks will bear witness
to. Please see O'Lord with the hue of the ocean,
Such as I shall remain your devotee forever.

'bfAbkfKmf k]fDekaqf k]fdayf kdlfv]f]a ya[f

u[fA[kf
k]fD ekaqfkibfKmf ~B

In this verse, Azhwar requests the Lord to bless him so that he

will be able to experience Him always.

mbfBtf etaZvarf oRvAry<mf ya[f ;[fAm

kbfAb cAdya[f kri k]fdayf -
"That I do not worship any other deity is well known to you but if
you need to know then Rudra is a witness to this". Here Azhwar
refers to an incident in his own life. When Azhwar was living in
Thirumazhisai, one day when he was in yogic meditation with his
thoughts centered on Lord Narayana, Lord Siva and Goddess
Parvathi saw him as they were passing through the skies on their
vehicle Nandhi. Parvathi enquired Lord Siva as to the identity of
the Yogi in meditation. Siva replied that this great person was a
devotee of Lord Narayana. Hearing this, goddess Uma insisted
that they should also give "darshan" and grant some boons to him

36
before leaving. Lord Siva accepted to fulfill her wishes. When
they both appeared in front of the Azhwar, he was not paying any
attention to them and remained indifferent stitching a torn cloth.
To this Siva asked him how he could be indifferent to them when
they have appeared in front of him to shower their grace. Azhwar
replied that he did not need anything from them. Siva insisted that
he should ask for something. Azhwar then asked for Moksha, to
which Siva replied that the person capable of granting Moksha
was Sriman Narayana. Then Azhwar wanted at least a long life to
carry on spiritual practices so as to obtain Moksha but even this
Siva could not grant saying that the extent of one's life was
governed by the law of Karma. At this, Azhwar asked for Siva to
grant a boon so that a thread will always follow the needle which
he was holding in his hands. Lord Siva felt insulted at such a silly
request and he opened his third eye of fire claiming that he would
burn him to ashes as he did to cupid. To fight the flaming fire
emitting from Siva's eye, Thirumazhisai Piran turned on an eye
that he had on the great toe of his right foot. This eye of the
Azhwar was spitting out fire and heat which was more flaming
and intense. To this Lord Siva let out from his hair locks, hosts of
rain bearing clouds which began to shower intense rain and cause
a deluge. Even then Thirumazhisai Piran remained calm and
unperturbed and was immersed in a deep devotional meditation on
Lord Narayana. Seeing the intense devotion of the Azhwar, Lord
Siva was amazed, praised him by giving him the special name of
"Bhakthi Saara" p4kftisarrf and then retired to his abode along
with goddess Uma.

malf ta[f p<Knft mdenwfcmf mbfbTv<mf

Epbakkf ekaqfvE[a EpAtkaqf-nIbaF
ta[f ka]madfdat tarklEcvFAy
ya[fka]vlfElbfkiT . 27

Will I consider anything else desirable O' fools,

than my blessed heart wherein the Lord entered
Himself so I can see His broad holy feet covered

37
with flowers which even Rudra with ash covered
body can not see.

The Lord immediately blesses Azhwar and reveals Himself to

him. In this verse Azhwar describes his blessing.
malf ta[f p<Knft- malf - The great Lord who is the form of
"love" into Whom the embodied souls enter at the time of their
final release from bondage, on His own has entered.

'[f `MtA[kf k]fd k]fkqf mbfeba[fbiA[kf ka]aEv. -

(tiRpfpa]azfvarf )
mayapfepRvibLlkmf YM[fbie[aD nlfvID epbi{mf
ekaqfvet]f}Ema etqfqiEyarf KbipfEp--tiRvaciriymf
(nmfmazfvarf)-) etqfqiEyarf- people with wisdom and
knowledge.

nIbaF ta[f- Rudra with ash covered body

ka] madfdat- could not see
tarf - covered by flower garlands
`klmf- broad
Ec `FAy- holy feet
ya[f ka] vlfElbfK- I was able to see (due to His blessing)
;T- my blessed heart
kFkfkmltfTqfqiRnfTmf ka]fkila[f k]f][f `Fkfkmlmf
t[fA[ `y[f (Mtlf tiRvnftati)
(Mudal Thiruvandhadhi - 56).

;TvilgfAk yIdziykf kdfFyEcT

;TvilgfK valiAyvIzftftT- ;TvilgfAk
tae[aDgfk vilfNdgfktf t]fdarirav]A[
Ue[aDgfkevyfta[fukpfp<. 28

This bridge built to forewarn the doom of Lanka,

this felling of animal Vali, this destruction of Lanka

38
were all the sport of the One, who arched His bow
"Sarnga" and shot the arrow that broke the back of
the proud Ravana wearing a cool flower garland.

Azhwar visualizes directly all the deeds performed by the Lord in

Sri Rama avataara.

;T ;lgfAk :D `ziy kdfFy EcT

When "Sethu" was built across the sea by Sri Rama with the help
of the vaanara army, it almost felt as if the destruction of Lanka
was sure to follow. vilgfK- means "animal" referring to Vali
who was the monkey king. vilf Ndgfk- Bending the carfgfk
"Saarnga" bow.
t]f tarf ;rav]A[ U[f oDgfk 'yfta[f- Ravana who was
headstrong with pride had his back bent by the Lord.
All the deeds performed by the Lord in Sri Rama avataara appear
directly for Azhwar to see and he therefore refers to them as ;T,
;T, ;T this, this and this.
ukpfp<.- As if carried out in sport meaning "it is His leela (sport)".

ukpfp<Rvmf taE[ oqiy<Rvmf taE[

mkpfp<Rv[f taE[ mtikfkilf- mikpfp<Rvmf
o[fBkfeka[fB OcA[ya[f vIz- oRkA]yalf
`[fbikfeka]fedyfta[f`v[f. 29

His is the form desired by all, the form all effulgent,

His is the form most wonderful, if one were to
think, the Lord who hit with one arrow in great
anger at one with eyebrows spanning almost a mile
from each other.

In this verse, Azhwar enjoys the most beautiful form of Lord Sri
Rama who killed Kumbakarna, the enemy of his devotees.

ukpfp< uRvmf taE[-

smsftklfya]K3]atfmEka esq-

39
;cfc2a kf3RhItapi4mt- The Lord with all glorious attributes
and qualities takes all forms according to His own will and choice
(Vishnu Puranam 6-5-84)

oqi uRvmf taE[

naray]pEra jfEyati- n ttfr sJrfEya pa4ti.

mkpfp< uRv[f taE[

The Lord with the most wonderful form- YRpmnfytf hErrf mhtf-
((Vishnu Puranam)

~tfmanmf ma{xmf m[fEy - Although He considered himself as

an ordinary man, son of Dasaratha
(Ramayanam), He still had this most beautiful form.

mik p<Rvmf o[fBkfeka[fB OcA[ya[f vIz-

Kumbakarna had a huge body with eyebrows spanning almost a
mile from each other.

`[fbikfeka]fD 'yfta[f- he took hold of great anger. In nature

Sri Rama was very peaceful and had no anger against anyone. But
Kumbakarna was the enemy of his devotees.
(Ekapmaharytf tIvfrmf- Valmiki Ramayanam)

`ve[[fA[yaqi `rgfktfT `rgfkilf

`ve[[fA[ 'yftamlf kapfpa[f -`ve[[f[T
uqfqtfT ni[fba[f ;Rnfta[f kidkfKEm
evqfqtftrvA]yi[fEmlf . 30

The Lord of Srirangam, who has taken me over in

His grace will protect me and not let me into the
theater of life's drama. He has stood and stayed in
my heart. Will that Lord repose any more on the
serpant bed in the ocean?

40
In this verse, Azhwar reiterates that Lord Sri Ranganatha has on
his own accord showered His grace on him. Azhwar feels that he
would not be let down by the Lord who would protect him from
being reborn into the life' s drama. He has taken abode in
Azhwar's heart which is most pleasing to Him since the Lord
loves His devotees and prefers the heart of the devotees to His
abode in Vaikunta.

`rgfktfT `v[f '[fA[ ~qi: In the previous verse reference

was made to Sri Rama and in this verse He is referred to in His
archa avataaram. as Sri Ranganatha.

`rgfkilf- The theatre of life's drama.

pibvi maykfPtfT-(tiRvayfemazi 8-4-11) Sri Nammazhwar
also refers to life as a drama. The comparison is apt since the
same "jeeva" comes back to play different roles.

Sri Vedanta Desika in his opening invocatory verse of

Dasaavataara stotram refers to the earth as a stage where Sri
Ranganatha and Sri Periya Piraatti (MahaLakshmi) the eternal
couple play the leading roles.

EtEva n@ SHpmf ~tEnaT tSta nirvrftftynf p>mikamf

rgfEk tamni lpft nirfpfpr rAs@ `tfyXiEta pav<Ak@
ytfpaEvxJ pfRtkf viEtxJ `NK]anf pavanf sfvymf pipfrtI
ytftrfAmrf ;h trfmi]I vihrEt nanakfRtirf nayika.

nibfpTmf Orf evbfpktfT ;Rpfp<mf vi]fkidpfpTmf

(tiRcfcnftviRtftmf 65.)
The Lord reposes in SriRangam eternally waiting for "jeevas" to
reach Him, will not let go of those who have surrendered to Him.
evqfqtfT `rv< `A]yi[f- The serpent bed in the ocean of
milk
evqfqtfT ;qgfEkayilf AkviEdlf (Sri Budattazhwar -
Irandaam Thiruvandhadhi 54)-
;qgfEkayilf- pa3lalymf
The devotee's heart is big temple -epRgf Ekayilf- ~ytnmf
mhtf - naray] sJkftmf.

41
Emlf na[fMk[f `rA[yidfd viDcapmf
ta[f nar][f Ozitfta[f tarAky<qf- vaE[arf
epRmaA[ EytftatEpyfkaqf pibkfKmf
kRmaymfEpcilfkAt.. 31

Aeons ago the curse given by Brahma on Rudra

was removed only by Narayana as well known to all
on this earth.
O' fools who do not want to praise the Lord of the
eternal stars, description of your woes of your birth
will be a long story.

In this verse, Azhwar says that Lord Narayana is the sole

protector not only for him but He alone removes the woes of even
Brahma and Rudra.

Emlf na[fMk[f `rA[ ;dfd viDcapmf

This story is described in Matsya Purana in detail. Lord Rudra
plucked off one of the heads of his father Brahma in a rage once.
The skull got stuck in the palm of the hand of Rudra by the curse
of Brahma.
kpalI tfvmf p4vixfysi -"kapali tvam bhavishyasi " was the
curse of Brahma. Rudra eventually got rid of the effects of this
unrighteous action by the grace of Lord Narayana. This legend is
well described in Matsya Purana as a narrative given by Rudra to
Devi (his consort Parvati).

pibkfKmf kRmaymf Epcilf kAt.

The description of the sufferrings that the jeeva (caught in the
repeated cycles of life) undergoes consequent to its previous
karma, in the womb before its birth will be like a Mahabharatha
story (meaning a long story).

kAtpfepaRqf ta[f k]f][f tiRvyibfB{qfq

uAtpfpqv< EpaTEpakfki[fbi- vAtpfepaRqf ta[f

42
vayfnftK]tfTpf pdattAdmiE[a
~yfnftK]tfta[F . 32

Ithihasapuranas and Smrithis describe Lord

Krishna's will. To spend even a moment in other
things without dwelling on the Lord's auspicious
qualities is only harmful. Fall at the holy feet of the
ever glorious Lord.

In this verse, Azhwar says that only the Lord can eliminate all
effects of our karma.

kAt- refers to story. It therefore refers to the Itihasas (literally

meaning "It happened thus")like Ramayana and Mahabharata and
all the Puranas which describe the story of the Lord.

epaRqf- refers to "Smrithis" which contain the "tatvas" or "the

meanings".

Ithihasas and Puranas are dependent on the Lord's Will.

tiRvyiB- means the mind and by implication the will of the

lord.

uAtpfp-< a very brief moment like in trying to kick with one's

foot.

uAtpfp< `qv< EpaT EpakfK ;[fbi- vayfnft K]tfT pdatT

vAtpfepaRqf ta[f=
Not dwelling on the auspicious qualities of the Lord even for a
moment and spending all of one's time in other matters will not
only cause to harm to oneself but also to others.

~yfnft K]tfta[f `F- The holy feet of the Lord with flawless
qualities

43
ynfMhHrftftmf X]mf vapi vasHEt3Eva n cinftfyEt
sa hanisf tnf mhcfci2tf3rmf sa pf4ranftisf sa c vikfriya |
"Whatever may be the time or the moment when Lord Vasudeva
is not remembered that alone is the low point of one's time, that
alone will be cause of trouble, confusion and unpleasantness",
declared also the Rishis.

`Fcfckdmf caF `rvadfF yaA[

piFtfetacitfTpf EpyfMAlnwfC]fD- vFpfpvq
vayfpfpi[fA[Etaqikfka vlfElbfebRtftiBtfT
Ekapfpi[f{ma[a[fKbipfp<. 33

He kicked Sakata with His holy feet, made the

serpent dance, broke the tusk of the elephant,
drank the poison off the breasts of the ogress and
for the sake of Nappinnai with coral like lips and
beautiful shoulders broke the horns of the wild
bulls and by His will became the Lord.

In this verse, Azhwar describes the various deeds that the Lord
performed for the sake of protection of His devotees during His
avataara as Sri Krishna.

When Sri Krisna was an infant, Kamsa devised many means to

kill Sri Krishna. Kamsa sent Putana, an ogress in the guise of a
beautiful maid to feed baby Krishna. She smeared her breasts with
the poison and when no one else was watching took the infant in
her arms and began feeding. Infant Krishna pretending to feed
from her, sucked the very life of that ogress away.

When this attempt failed, a demon was sent in the form of a cart
("Sakatasura"), when baby Krishna was in the cradle. Sri Krishna
killed him by simply kicking the cart with his feet.

44
Kaliya was a black serpent which was living in the waters of
Yamuna. It made the waters poisonous. The cowherd boys one-
day during their outing with Sri Krishna drank the water because
of thirst without knowing that it was poisonous and became
unconscious. Sri Krishna in order to protect the inhabitants of
Vraja, dived into the waters and brought the serpent into
submission by dancing on its uplifted hood and got Kaliya to
leave Yamuna altogether.

Sri Krishna was invited along with others by Kamsa to attend a

wrestling contest. The evil minded Kamsa had only one goal
during this visit of Krishna to his court. It was to somehow get
Krishna killed. With this intention,he had the elephant keepers
release the mad elephant Kuvalayapida to charge at Krishna as
soon as he entered the arena. Sri Krishna killed the mighty
elephant by pulling its tusks as if it were a mere play.
Later for the sake of protecting Nappinnai Piraatti, Sri Krishna
fought with seven strong bulls and tamed them by breaking their
horns.

pi[f{mf Kbipfp< Eka ~[a[f :

Further by His will showed that He is the Lord that protects His
devotees by getting rid of all the inimical forces.

Kbipfep[kfKkf EkadfFy>rf EmyaA[Eytft

Kbipfep[kfK n[fAm pykfk- evBpfpE[a
EvgfkdtfT EmyaA[ emyf viA[Enayf 'yftamlf
ta[fkdtfTmft[fAmya[ftaqf. 34

My intention is to worship the Lord residing at

Thirukkottiyur. My intention is also for good to
happen to me. Will I ignore the Lord of
Thiruvenkatam, whose holy feet have the nature of
preventing and destroying body related affliction
and karma.

45
In this verse, Azhwar says that he can not neglect the holy feet of
the Lord who on His own has taken abode in the various holy
shrines for his sake.

Special mention is made of two particular - ti3vfy Et3c "divya

desa" namely Thirukkottiyur and Thiruvenkatam.

Kbipfp< '[kfKkf EkadfFy>rf EmyaA[ "tft-

Azhwar says that his desire is to sing the glory of the Lord
residing in the holy shrine of Thrukkottiyur.

evBpfpE[a EvgfkdtfT EmyaA[ - Will I ignore the Lord who

on His own taken abode in the holy hills of Venkatam?

emyf viA[ Enayf 'yftamlf

ta[f kdtfTmf t[fAmya[f taqf.- Whose holy feet have the very
nature of preventing and removing afflictions of the body and the
underlying karma. The very name Evgfkdv[f (Venkatavan)
means the remover of body related karmas and their effects.

Sri Nammazhwar's verse expressing the same in very similar

words is worth noting.

Evgfkdgfkqf emyfEmlf viA[Mbfbv<mf

tagfkqf tgfkdfK nlfl[Ev ecyfvarf
EvgfkdtfTAb varfkfK nmev[f[lf
~gfkdEm `T CmnftarfkdfEk (tiRvayfemazi 3-3-6)

taqaLlkmf `qnftvcEv ekalf

vaqakidnftRQmf vayftibva[f- nIEqatmf
vnftAlkfKmf mamyiAl mavlflikfEk]iya[f
_nftAlvayfnaktftA]. 35

46
Perhaps tired from measuring the world with His
holy feet, not utterring a word and lying still, on the
bed formed by the serpent with five heads and
mouths is the Lord residing at Thiruvallikeni near
the great Mylai where large waves of the ocean
strike the shore.

In this verse, Azhwar's heart goes out for the Lord Himself.
Azhwar fears that the reason that the Lord has chosen to reside
and lie down on his serpent bed in Thiruvallikeni near the sea
shore is because of His physical tiredness due to His deeds during
the Trivikrama avataara when He measured this world. Azhwar
feels that the Lord is tired and this is perhaps why He is lying still
and not even uttering a word.

"Eka h Av naraya] ~sItf. n pfrhfma EnSa[@ EnEm tf 3

yava pfRti2 vI.
Only Narayana was there first, neither Brahma nor Siva, neither
the netherworlds nor the heavens. By His Will (Sankalpam), He
brought forth all these. It was as though this was not enough, He
wanted to stroke gently with His soft feet all that was created for
the sake of their protection.

taqalf ulkmf `qnft `cEv ekalf- Physical tiredness due to

the act of measuring this world with His holy feet.

naktftA]kfKdnfAt ev#ka tiRevvfv<qf

naktftA] `rgfkmf Epr[fpilf- naktf
tA]pfpabfkdlf kidkfKmf ~tienDmalf
`A]pfparfkRtft[ava[f. 36

On the serpent bed in Thirukkudanthai,

ThiruVehka and Thiruvevvul, on the serpent again
in Thiruvarangam, Thirupper, Thiruanbil and

47
on AadhiSesha in the ocean of milk lies the ancient
cause, the loving Lord with the sole intention to get
into the minds of His devotees.

In this verse, Azhwar says that the Lord has taken abode in
various holy places (divya desas like Thirukkudanthai,
ThiruVehka and Thiruvevvul, Thiruvarangam, Thirupper,
Thiruanbil and Thrupparkadal -ocean of milk-) and has taken a
lying posture on the serpent bed (AadhiSesha) mainly with the
sole intention of getting into the minds of His beloved devotees.

~ti enDmalf-
This is because He is the ancient primordial cause (~ti) of this
universe and its life forms.
enDmalf-- He is therefore like the mother and has an enormous
motherly love for everyone.

`A]pfparf - Those who embrace the Lord (devotees).

kRtft[f ~va[f- The Lord will get into their minds and
become part of their thoughts

va{lv< tIvqi makdlf maepaRpfp<

ta{lv< evgfktiRmf t]fmtiy<mf- Em[ilv<
eka]fdlf epyRmf tiAceydfDwf Vzfcfciy<mf
`]fdnftiRmalAkpfp<. 37

The sky, the moving fire, the blowing wind, the

large oceans, the huge mountains, the moving hot
Sun, the cool moon, the clouds above, the life forms,
the eight directions and the seven planes and all this
cosmos is result of the will of the Lord of Sri.

48
In this verse, Azhwar says that it is not surprising that the Lord
wants to get into the hearts of His devotees since all this is His
creation and will.

va[f- The sky or the ether . ulv< tI vqi makdlf- the ever
moving fire, wind and water
(the three tatvas)
ma epaRpfp-< - the huge mountains (represent the tatva the earth)
"ti3 SSfc naray]@ "
Em[ilv< eka]fdlf- the moving clouds above
Vzfcfciy<mf - the seven Aavaranaas (the seven planes)
`]fdmf - the egg shaped universe
tiRmalf `Akpfp< - The will of the Lord of Sri indicating thereby
that Periya Piraatti has equal role in Jagat Srishti .

`Akpfpilf m[icAr ~Bcmymf

p<Aktfta[f epaRkdlf nIrfv]f][f-uAkkfKEmlf
'tfEtvrf valadfDmf 'vfvaBecyfAky<mf
`pfEpaetaziy<mf`Azpfp< . 38

The Lord with the hue of the surfing waters of the

ocean caused men of undistinguished wisdom to be
caught in the six faiths. Should He be a trifle
indifferent, whoever may be the devas, their ego,
sacrifices and invocations will vanish in a trice.

In this verse, Azhwar says that the interest in other faiths arise
among humans depending on the accumulated qualities of karma.
Even for all the deities like Brahma, Indra and Rudra, their
respective greatness and qualities stem from the fact that the
transcendental Lord Narayana is their inner controller.
If even for a moment the Lord chooses to let this go, then all their
greatness will vanish.

`Akpfp-< elevation; wisdom;

49
~B cmym fp<Aktfta[f- made them to be caught in the six
different faiths.
~B cmymf
-the six faiths (systems) referred to are: (epq3tf3t3 )
Bauddha,(Anyayik) Naiyayika, AvESxik (Vaiseshika),
Aj[ (Jaina), sagfkf2y (Sankya) and Eyak 3 (Yoga)
established respectively by Sakya, Ulukkiya, Akshapada,
Kshapana, Kapila and Pathanjali. Sometimes Naiyayika and Yoga
are dropped and instead Charvaka and Pasupada are taken.

p<Aktfta[f- similar to catching animals in the forest by setting up

dense smoke so that they will come out and be caught in the net.
These different faiths act like dense smoke and not knowing their
way those without wisdom get caught in the net of "samsaara".

Devas also have "ego" and pride since each one of them consider
their self as :Sfvr or Lord.
valadfDmf- `hgfkarmf or ego.
ecyfAky<mf - sacrifices ; `Azpfp< - ~vahnmf- invocations.

`Azpfp[f tiREvgfkdtftaA[kf ka]

;Azpfp[f tiRkfPdlf Pd- mAzpfEprf
`Rvi m]i vr[fbi vnftiziy yaA[
evRviyrevaDgfKmfevbfp<. 39

I call the Lord of Thiruvenkatam so my eyes can

feast. I draw the chance circles so I can unite with
that mountain where large streams in rains wash
down many glittering gems, feared by the elephants
and snakes hurrying to hide.

Verses 39 through 48 inclusive are in praise of the Lord residing

in Thiruppathi (Thiruvenkatam)

50
In this verse, Azhwar calls out so he can have darshan of the Lord
in Thiruvenkatam.

;Azpfp[f tiRkfPdlf
Pdlf ;Azpfp[f "Koodal Izhaippan" refers to a particular
method of determining the prospect for union with one’s chosen
companion. It involves drawing a large circle and then drawing
smaller circles inside the large one. If the smaller circles inside
tally to an even number then it is considered a good omen
portending union.

yaA[ evRvi - The elephants are known to be afraid of burning

logs of fire.The glittering gems are mistaken by the elephants for
the burning logs of fire.

`rv< oDgfKmf -
while the mountain snakes mistaking the same for lightning are
said to hurry towards their hide outs.

evbfep[fB Evgfkdmf paFE[[f vIdakfki

nibfki[fEb[f ni[fB niA[kfki[fEb[f -kbfki[fb
N\lfvAlyilf pdfFRnft N\ladfF Ekqfv[arf
kalfvAlyilfpdfFRnfEt[fka]f. 40

Recounting many hills I called out also Venkatam,

stood certain of liberation in a pensive mood,
remained bound to the holy feet of the Lord of
Lakshmi, Who is caught inside the net of the Vedas,
behold.

In this verse, Azhwar says that the mere mention of Thirumalai,

resulted in him reaching the holy feet of the Lord of Sri.

51
evbfp< '[fB Evgfkdmf paFE[[f- merely called out the names
of various hills and among them also mentioned Venkatam..

vIdakfki nibfki[fEb[f- remained certain of liberation

vID- EmaXmf- Liberation

ni[fB niA[kfki[fEb[f- merely calling out the name of

Venkatam immediately brings the result of obtaining the abode of
Vishnu (Vishnu’s paramam padam). Thoughtful analysis reveals
that such a large gain for a small effort is only possible due to the
inordinate compassion (nirhethuka kripa nirff EhTk kfRAp-
unconditional mercy) of the divine mother who is our sole referee
(Purushakaara p<Rxkar compassionate mediator).

Sri Swami Desikan extols this nirhethuka kripa nirff EhTk

kfRAp of the Lord in his t3yactkmf "Dayasatakam" which is a
hymn in praise of the Lord Srinivasa's compassion containing one
hundred verses. In the opening verse, Sri Desikan refers to the
overflowing mercy of Lord Srinivasa, as a river of sugarcane juice
which has become solidified as frozen sugar crystal in the form of
Thirumalai hills.

pfrptf3Ey tmf ki3rimf pfray@ !nivasaNkmfpya

;XHsarsfrvnftfEyv ynfJMrftfya Srfkrayitmf
" I prostrate before that famous hill (Thiruvenkatam) formed as it
were by the crystallization of the river of sugar cane juice which
is the overflowing mercy of Lord Srinivasa."

N\lf vAl refers to the Vedas since it is also woven like a net.
N\ladfF refers to Periya Piraatti, Lakshmi since she like
Narayana is also hidden in the net of the Vedas.
vixf} ptfnI-"Vishnu Pathni" as declared in the vedas..
Ekqfv[arf means the consort of.
ka]f - Azhwar is addressing his own mind to catch hold of the
same.

ka]LRki[fEb[f klflRviMtfTtir
O]vizvilf oliytir -Ep]i

52
vREvgfkdva '[f{qfqmf p<Knftayf
tiREvgfkdmtA[cfec[fB . 41

I desire to go and see Thiruvenkatam, rumbling

with streams rolling down pearl stones and
resounding with hymns of the devotees on
Thiruvo~nam, although you have moved into my
heart, O' Lord of Venkatam.

The Lord residing in Thirumalai is more obvious and clear to

everyone's eyes. This is ever more clear to
all than even His being the inner controller (antaryami). Therefore
Azhwar wants to go and see Him in Thirumalai. The Lord of
Thirumalai has srfv klfya] K3]gfkqf "sarva kalyana
gunas" and is easily accessible (saulabya) and has enormous
compassion (vatsalya).

ec[fB v]gfKmiE[a Ec}yrf EvgfkdtfAt

ni[fB viA[ekDkfKmf nIrffAmyalf-'[fBmf
kFkfkml na[fMk{mf k]fYM[fbtfta{mf
`FkfkmlmidfEdtfTmgfK . 42

Go and worship the great peaks of Thiruvenkatam,

since by nature it purifies. At all times, there the
lotus born four-faced Brahma and the three eyed
One glorify the feet of the Lord with lotus flowers.

Brahma and other devas worship the Lord of Thiruvenkatam to

obtain His grace for their own benefit. Azhwar says that you can
also benefit from worshipping him.

53
Evgfkdmf -Venkatam eliminates all unwanted ill effects by its
very nature since the very word “venkatam” means that which
burns away binding effects of all karmas

Venkatam also bestows all desirable things.

mgfKlfEtayfec[f[i vdEvgfkdtftaA[
kgfKlf < p<Knftarfkqf kapfp]iva[f-tigfkqf
cAdEybAvtfta{mf tamArEmla{mf
KAdEybtftamfKvitfTkfeka]fD.. 43

To VadaVenkatam with peaks reaching clouds,

all devas go at the twilight hour to worship the
Lord, while the one with moon adorning hair locks
and the one seated on the lotus carry for Him the
beautiful umbrellas decked in pearls.

Azhwar says that all devas go to worship the Lord at

Thiruvenkatam during all twilights.

kgfKlf <p<Knftarfkqf kapfp]iva[f-

mgfKlfEtayf ec[f[i vdEvgfkdtftaA[- During all twilight
hours the devas flock to Vada Venkatam, the hills with peaks
reaching clouds, to worship the Lord.

eka]fDKdgfkalfEmlf AvtftKzviyayf
t]fdvrkfk[f tAltaqalf- p]fed]f]ipf
EpamfKmr[fnibfKmf epazilfEvgfkdmAlkfEk
EpamfKmrRqfqIrfp<rinfT . 44

54
Aeons ago, the Lord as a child lying on the lap of
Brahma counted the ten heads of the demon with
his foot. The same ever youthful Lord stands in the
green hills of Venkatam. O' youthful ones! Go to
the same hills with love.

Here, Azhwar refers to an incident that happened when Ravana

obtained his boon from Brahma.
Lord Narayana in the form of a small child laid on the lap of
Brahma at that time and with His foot counted the ten heads of
Ravana to show that Ravana’s ego would cause only harm to the
worlds and that he would have to lose his heads as punishment at
the hands of the Lord when He would incarnate as Sri Rama.

This incident is referred to also in Mudal Thiruvandhadhi of Sri

Poikai piran,

~Em `mrrfkfkbiy `T nibfk

naEm `bikibfEpamf n[fe[wfEc- p>Emy
matvtfEta[f taqf p]inft vaqrkfk[f nI]fMFAy
patmtftalf ']f]i[a[f p]fp< .

and Moondraam Thiruvandhadhi.

"~yfnft `RmAbEya[f "

KmrRqfqIrff - to climb the mountain with ease is only possible

when one is youthful.

p<rinfT mlridfDpf p<<]fdrIkpfpatmf

prinfT pDkaDnibfp -etrinfetgfKmf
taE[agfkinibfki[f$[f t]f]Rvi EvgfkdEm
vaE[arfkfKmfm]fE]arfkfKmfAvpfp< . 45

55
The Lord known all over for His towering qualities,
at whose lotus feet devotees prostrate like felled
trees in the forest, offering flowers and words of
benediction with love, on the Venkata hills, washed
by cool streams, which is the cherished treasure of
immortals and mortals alike.

The Lord of Venkatam is known all over for his infinite Kalyana
Gunas klfya] K]gfkqf. He stands out like a large
tree.'vfRX ;v sftpft@. " Vrksha eva staptha" declares the
Vedas also about the Lord.

etrinfT 'gfKmf- Well known all over

ta[f Ogfki nibfki[f$[f- The Lord with glorious (towering)
qualities

p<rinfT mlridfDpf p<<]fdrIkpfpatmf

prinfT pD kaD nibfp- With love offering flowers at the lotus
feet of the Lord and prostrating like the fallen trees in the forest.

vaE[arf - Nityasuris, the eternal attendants of the Lord.

p<<]fdrIkpfpatmf - lotus feet of the Lord

Avpfp< - treasure.

Avpfp[f m]iviqkfka mamtiAy maLkfek[f

ebpfepaZTmf AknIdfDmf yaA[Ay-'pfpaDmf
EvDvAqkfkkf Kbvrf vilfelDkfKmf EvgfkdEm
naDvAqtftaDTEmlfn[fB . 46

On the Venkata hill, where the elephants reach out

their trunks to the bright moon to offer as an
auspicious lamp to the Lord, when surrounded by

56
the hunters from outside, are defended by the
native kuravas with their bows. It will augur well,
if the people of the land, go round that hill dancing
in prayerful worship.

Everyone living on the hills of Thiruvenkatam including even the

animals is influenced by the peace and beauty of the place which
enhance their satvic qualities. They are also infatuated with love
for the Lord.
Azhwar poetically describes this in relation to the elephants and
the kurava tribes living on the hills. The elephants are oblivious to
the surrounding and intent on offering the moon as undying lamp
to the Lord reach out for the same with their trunks and fail to
notice the arrival of the hunters who obviously are full of rajas
and tamas coming from other regions. Therefore, the people
belonging to the kurava tribes also full of satvic qualities and love
for the Lord and His devotees on account of their living on the
hills of Venkatam rush to the rescue of the elephants.

naD vAqtftaDTEmlf n[fB - Azhwar points out that it will

only be beneficial all around if everyone of the land seeks shelter
at the feet of the Lord of Thiruvenkatam.

vAqtfT ~DTmf "lf- going around in adoration and dancing

with joy

n[fm]iv]f]{\rf ~qiy<mf Ekaqbiy<mf

epa[fm]iy<mf MtftMmf p>mrMmf- p[fm]inI
EraDepaRTRQmf ka[Mmf va[rMmf
EvDMAdEvgfkdmf. 47

Venkatam is the abode of the Lord with complexion

of a blue diamond, where mighty animals like the
lions, gold, rubies and pearls, flowering trees and

57
forest streams awash with shining gems, and
monkeys and forest tribes abound.

Thiruvenkatam is the desired residence to the Lord and therefore

everything residing there has the same glory as the eternal
attendants (nitya suris) of the Lord.
m]iv]f][f- Lord Maadhava is described as a precious blue
stone. The similarities lie in the colour and certain qualities
namely being precious and priceless, being easy to carry even in
one corner of one’s waist cloth, making the possessor happy when
it is with the person and making the same person sad when it is
lost.
n[fm]i - Even all the precious gems in the world will not
adequately compare with the Lord on account of certain other
qualities of the gem such as being hard and small. The Lord is far
from these and therefore Ahzwar adds an epithet "n[f" which
means “good “ meaning devoid of any inauspicious attributes.

Urf- means city. The reason, the mountain is described as the city
of the Lord is that it is taken by the Lord as a rightful place for
offering His shelter to all seekers without any distinction.
Comparison is made to how Lord Rama took willingly to the
forest in preference to the city Ayodhya in order to protect the
Rishis from the havoc and harm caused by the rakshasas
(demons). Even mother Sumitra recommends the same in her
words of advice to Lakshmana.
"`Eyatf4 yamf `dvImf vitf3tif4- consider Ayodhya as forest "
Lakshmana had a lot of anger towards Dasaratha for sending
away Rama to the forest and therefore she further says
"rammf t3Srt2mf vitf3ti4" - consider Rama as Dasaratha
" mamf vitf3ti4 j[katfmjamf" - consider Seetha.as myself.

EvgfkdEm vi]fE]arf etaZvTv<mf -emyfmfAmyalf

EvgfkdEm emyfviA[Enayf tIrfpfpTv<mf-EvgfkdEm
ta[vArvIztf t[f[azi pAdetadfD
va[vArkfkapfpa[fmAl. 48

58
Venkatam alone is worshiped with true devotion by
the eternal stars.
Venkatam alone eliminates effects of actions and
disease afflicting life.
Venkatam alone is the mountain of the Lord, who
destroys the demons with a mere touch of his
Chakra for the protection of the devas.

vi]fE]arf -
refers to Nityasuris, the eternal attendants of the Lord like
~ti Esx,kRdrf,vixfvkfEsnrf, Aadhi Saesha, Garuda,
Vishvaksaena and others. Their devotion is true devotion since
they consider the Lord as the only desirable thing.

mAlyaAm EmlfAvtfT vaCkiAycfCbfbi

tAlyaAm tae[aRAk pbfbi- `Alyamlf
pIbkfkAdnft epRma[f tiRnammf
PBvEtyavrfkfKmfPbfB . 49

Uttering the auspicious names of the Lord alone is

best action for everyone. The Lord who as a turtle
placed the mountain on His back, supporting the
mountain top with His hand and using Vasuki, the
snake as the rope churned carefully the ocean of
milk.

In this verse, Azhwar refers to the avataara of Koorma (Prfm

`vtarmf) the divine turtle during the incident of churning of
ocean of milk by the devas and asuras for the sake of obtaining
the nectar capable of bestowing immortality, the amrtha `mfRt.
The mountain is the mandara giri mnftr mAl.

59
PbfbMmfcara ekaDviA[y<mfcara tI
mabfbMmfcara vAkybinfEt[f- ~bfbgf
kArkidkfKmf k]f][fkdlf kidkfKmf may[f
uArkidkfKmfuqfqtfet[kfK. 50

I understood the way so fear from death will not

arise in me and results of sinful actions and ill name
will not follow me since the words of the wonderful
Lord Krishna, are firmly embedded in my mind,
the Lord who reposes on the ocean and on the
banks of the river.

The EXtfrmf "Kshetra " referred to is the beautiful kpisftlmf

"Kapisthalam " where the Lord is enshrined on the banks of river
kaEvri Cauvery.
PbfbMmf cara- so that fear of death will not arise
ekaD viA[y<mf cara - so that results of sinful actions will not
follow
tI mabfbMmf cara- so that ill name will not follow
k]f][f kdlf kidkfKmf may[f uAr :
The final words of the Lord to Arjuna in Geetha is what Ahzwar
refers to here .

" Sarva dharman parityajya ma~maekam saranam

vraja
Aham tvam sarvapa~paebyo mokshayishyami
ma~ sucha: "

srfvt4 rfma[f pritfyjfy maEmkmf Sr]mf vfrj

`hmf tfvamf srfv paEppf4 Eya EmaXyixfyami
maSHc@

60
“ Discarding all other means take me as your sole refuge and
I shall liberate you from all sins and do not grieve”

'[kfkavarf ~eraRvEr 'mfepRma[f

t[kfkava[f taE[ mbfblflalf p<[kfkaya
v]f]E[ u[fA[pfpibrbiyarf- '[fmtikfK
vi]fe]lflaM]fEdaviAl. 51

Who in this world is comparable to me for I

consider you alone as my refuge ? Even you the
Lord of all who has none to equal, are not
comparable to me. O' Lord with the hue of
Kaayaam flower ! None else knows you. Knowledge
of you makes my mind priceless compared even to
the heavens.

Azhwar says that there is none comparable to him either in this

earth or in the heavens including the Lord for the latter has no
need for any refuge. On the other hand Azhwar considers the Lord
alone as his sole refuge and even if the Lord is not his protector he
is still entranced by the beauty of the Lord that he would not
desire anything else.
p<[kfkaya v]f]E[ u[fA[pf pibrf `biyarf- The Lord who
has the colour, softness and fragrance like the kayamfp> -"Kaayaam
flower"
"In this world,those with interest in their physical life, those
interested in freedom, those who are after the devas and their
blessings, those that are interested in practice of different yogas,
as well as the rishis interested in meditating on their inner self for
peace and in the higher worlds, even the eternal Nityasuris can not
experience the knowledge that arises in my mind which is
constantly thinking only of You"

61
viAlkfkadfpDvrf vicatiEybfB u]fprf
tAlkfkadfplitirivrf tkfEkarf-MAlkfkalf
vidM]fd EvnftA[Ey EvbaEvtftatarf
kdM]fdarfklflatvrf. 52

Unwise enslave themselves for the sake of money,

accepting diseases willing to sacrifice their heads
for the sake of their financiers, not adoring the
Lord who drank the poison off of the breasts of the
ogress, remain ignorant like those who live
borrowing beyond their means.

MAlkfkalf vidmf u]fd EvnftA[Ey EvB ~ "tftatarf -

Lord Kannapiran drank the poison as well as the deceit off of the
breasts of the ogress p>tA[ Poothana who came in the form of a
mother and destroyed her. This is an illustration of how the Lord
destroys all evils to protect the world. Similarly He also helps to
destroy ignorance of those who seek Him. Not understanding this
and as such failing to adore the same Lord, the ignorant follow
paths that only lead to accumulation of debt in the form of bad
actions.
EvnftA[Ey EvB ~ "tftatarf-
;vrfkqf KbitfT ecyfvT sfvviErati4Aypf EpakfKmf `vA[
"tftaAm (Sri PeriyaVaacchaan Pillai)
They do not worship the Lord who helps to destroy ignorance and
they remain ignorant.

klflatvrf ;lgfAk kdfdzitft- kaKtft

[lflalf oRetyfvmf ya[iEl[f- epalflat
EtvArtf EtvrlflaAr tiRvilflatf
EtvArtfEtEblfmi[fEtv<. 53

62
No one else is my Lord except Sri Kakustha who
destroyed the ramparts of Lanka, which was abode
to the ignorant demons. Do not consider as Lord
those inauspicious of form and lacking divine
qualities unworthy of adoration and those merely
devas in name but have no connection what so ever
to Sri.

klflatvrf ;lgfAk - Lanka the abode of the ignorant demons.

"savitfya ya viMkftEy" "Saa Vidya Yaa Vimuktayae-" That
which liberates is Knowledge. Liberation is possible for those
who have knowledge about the ultimate Reality. In Lanka the
only wise person was Vibhishana who was also exiled by all the
other ignorant ones.

pa4 Eva nanfytfr kcfcti “Bhavo~ Naanyatra Gacchathi” - In

Ramayanam Sri Hanuman says this to Sri Rama that his mind
will not think of anything other than Sri Rama. Ahzwar is like Sri
Hanuman.
tiR ;lflatf EtvAr - devas in name only without any
connection to Sri Lakshmi.
utamfRttfvsfy :San@ - Purusha Suktham which begins to talk
about the Reality that can bestow liberation, states also “ hfrISfc
Et lXfmISfc ptfnfeyq..srfvmf mnixa]”-
For You Sri and Bhoomi Devi are consorts. Thus it implies that
“ttfvmf tatva “ which has Sri is alone capable of bestowing
liberation or EmaXmf Moksha.

Etvrayf nibfKmf `tfEtv<mf `tfEtvrilf

YMvrayf nibfKmf MT p<]rfpfp<mf- yavrayf
nibfki[fbetlflamf enDmael[fEbaratarf
kbfki[fbetlflamfkAd . 54

63
Among the devas as one of them, among all of them
as one of the three Moorthies, being His first
Avataara taken of His own will and also as all
sentient beings and insentient matter stands
Narayana. If not understood as such by one, then
all one's learning is in fact futile.

Among the Aditya , Indra and other devas as one among them in
the form of Upendra.
YMvrayf nibfKmf MT p<]rfpfp<mf-
- by His ancient sgfklfpmf samkalpa or will, Narayana assumes
His very first avataara as Vishnu among the trinity or the three
moorthies namely Brahma,Vishnu and Siva.

mtf4Eyviriwfcki3riSmf pfrt2mavtar@ ((Parasara Bhattar- r.sft

2-5)

kAd ni[fbmrrf kzlfetaZT naQmf

;Adni[fbvi[fptftravrf- p<Adni[fb
nIEratEm[i enDmaEl ni[f[FAy
yaEratvlflarvrf. 55

Many stand daily at the thresholds and fall at the

feet of various deities to obtain short lasting
happiness as with reaching higher worlds.
O' Lord, with the colour of the oceans which
surround this Earth, is there any one to fall at your
feet and sing your glories?

This verse is exactly used word for word also by Sri Budattazhwar
in his Irandaam Thiruvandhadhi.
(verse 11)

64
p<Adni[fb nIrff Otmf Em[i
enDmaEl-
The lord with the hue of the oceans which surround the earth.

`vrf ;ver[fbilfAl `[gfkEvqf taAtkfK

'vR emtirilfAl k]fGrf-uvrikf
kdlf nwfcM]fda[f kde[[fB va]bf
Kd[i[fBEtabfba[foRgfK. 56

Look ! No one whether extraordinary or ordinary

can match Kannapiran, the Lord who is the father
of Cupid. Even the one who swallowed the poison
that came out of the salty ocean, despite his word
of offering protection to Baana, fought along with
him and lost.

`vrfiver[fbilfAl - “`vrf” refers to somebody at a distance

like the devas including Brahma and Rudra who represent
extraordinary knowledge and power.
“;vrf ”- refers to somebody near meaning those ordinary
individuals of this world.

Lord Krishna’s son Prdyumna is considered an amsa of m[fmt2

Man-matha or cupid.
kd[f '[fB - “ as a debt”- meaning “ offering a word of
protection and considering as bound to carry it out.

uvrikf kdlf nwfcmf u]fda[f - “salty ocean” is the word used

here to describe the ocean of milk since all oceans are considered
to be salty.
*pa]asHr[f Baanaasura got Lord Siva to give him a word of
protection. However when he went to fight with Lord Krishna
despite Lord Siva’s assistance, he lost the battle and had to run

65
away. This story is in Bhagavatham as well as referred to by Sri
Nammahzwar in Thiruvaimohzi (3-10-4).

Azhwar also refers to this in Thirucchandaviruttam (53,71).

"EmaFEyaD ;lcfACyay capemyfti Mkfk]a[f
PDEcA[ mkfkEqaD eka]fDm]fF evwfcmtfT Od"
"M]fd[f nIb[f mkfkqf evpfp<EmaF `gfki OFd "

oRgfkiRnft nlfviA[y<mf tIviA[y<mava[f

epRgfKRnftmf cayftftvE[ Epcilf- mRgfkiRnft
va[vrftamf ta[vrf tamf tarAkta[f '[fe[wfcmf
~[vrftamf`lflatEt[f. 57

Truthfully speaking, the Lord who broke the large

kurunda tree is the ruler of the effects of good and
bad actions of the embodied soul. The near devas,
the demons, the earth and the one in my heart are
the same Lord of all. Is there anything that is not of
Him?

epR KRnftmf cayftftvE[ - Kamsa sent an asura to kill

Krishna and he remained hidden on the Kurunda tree which
Krishna used to climb and play. Krishna recognizing the demon,
playfully threw the large tree and broke the same killing the asura,
thus protecting the Gokulam.The Lord who is the ultimate ruler of
the effects of all karmas will get rid of all our bad karmas as
easily as uprooting the large Kurunda tree .
mRgfkiRnft va[vrftamf- The devas that are nearby meaning all
the deities like Indra, Agni, Vayu and others like them who are
also Jeevas like us.

Esnftfr ckfrsfc naray]@ tissfc naray]@ naray] "Evtmf

srfvmf “Saendra:,Chakrascha Narayana:, Dishascha narayana:….
Narayana Aevaedam sarvam” declares the upanishad. The

66
description of the Ahzwar is similar and indicates not unity in
form but all of this become His manifestation or body or under
His control.

'[fe[wfcEmya[f ;RqfnIkfki eymfpira[f

m[f[wfcM[fe[aRnaqfm]f]qnfta[f-'[fe[wfc
EmyaA[ yilfla viAdEybfba[f evvfviA[tIrfftfT
~ya{kfkakfkiE[[f`[fp<. 58

The Lord who forever resides in my heart, Who

removes all ignorance, my benefactor, once
measured this earth terrifying all kings. He rejoiced
only after removing the effect of the unrighteous act
of the one who rides the bull, who failed to place
Him in his heart. I spread the love for such a Lord.

m[f[wfc M[f oRnaqf m]f `qnfta[f - This legend relates to

Trivikrama Avatara where the Lord came in the form of a dwarf
and begged for three feet of land from Mahabali and took the
cosmic form measured this earth taking the three giant steps. This
of course was terrifying to many and in particular to the kings
with big ego.

'mfpira[f- The Lord is called the compassionate benefactor since

He is the benefactor of all. In Azhwar's case He of His own
volition came into his heart and helped remove all his ignorance
(;Rqf-darkness)

;lfla viAd "bfba[f - Lord Rudra who rides the bull (viAd
"bfba[f) suffered pfrhfm htfti Eta3x
(brahma hatthi do`sha) when he clipped off one of the heads of
Brahma in anger. The Brahma’s skull got stuck to his hand and he
could not get rid of it. Finally when He propitiated Lord

67
Narayana, he was relieved of this woe. Azhwar says that Rudra
had performed this act when his satva was lost due to the fact that
he had not placed (;lfla-illa) Lord Narayana in his heart. That
means the action was performed under the influence of rajas and
tamas. Lord Narayana troubled by the curse on Rudra removed
the skull from his
hand thereby freeing him from this do`sha (blemish). Only after
this Lord Narayana is described to have rejoiced as if He became
full again.(~ya[f Aayaan).
~kfkiE[[f `[fp< - Azhwar states that he has spread love for
such a Lord who is a great benefactor for all.

Sri Nammazhwar states that he will stimulate love for the Lord in
others.
ni[f k]f EvdfAk 'ZvipfEpE[ (nin kan Vaetkai
ezhuvippaenae) (Thiruvirutthan-96).
Azhwar here states that he has already carried this out.

`[fpavayf ~rMtmavayf `FEy{kf

ki[fpavayf 'lflaMmf nIyavayf- epa[fpaAv
Ekqfva kiqeraqiey[f EkcvE[ EkF[fbi
~qfvayfkfkFEy[fna[aqf. 59

You are Love sublime, the unsatiating nectar. You

are my, your servant's Bliss and every kind of
happiness. O' the Lord of Sri Lakshmi, whose halo
adds lustre to Thee. O' my Lord Sri Kaeshava, I
am your servant, thy eternal possession.

Sri Thirumazhisai Piran began stating that Narayana is

paratatvam. With personal experience of Him, he concludes that
the Lord is the form of sublime love.
`[fpavayf . You are love sublime, inducing love in me for you
as well as inducing love for me in you

68
(Sri PeriyaVaacchaan Pillai).

;[fpavayf - bliss or brahmaananda.

epa[fpaAv Ekqfva - Endearing and pleasing to Sri.Lakshmi.

kiqeraqi - Sfrtf3t4ya Et3Eva Et3vtfvmSfNEt- “sraddhaya
daevo~daevatvam asnuthae”- Due to the presence of mother
Lakshmi paramapurusha becomes hallow.
EkF[fbi - Without any defects either in regard to serving or to
experiencing you.
Ekcva- The source of both Brahma and Siva.
EkSv@ kfElS naSn@ one who removes all sorrows.
Although to say to the Lord who is all knowing, that "I am your
servant" is not necessary yet the Azhwar reminds the Lord of his
relationship.

~qfparftf TzitRvayf k]fDekaeq[fBmf ni[f

taqfparftf TzitREv[f t[fAmAy Ekdfparfkf
kRmfepaRqayf ni[fb `rgfkE[ u[fA[
viRmfp<vEtviqfEq[fm[mf. 60

You are very eager to seek out your devotees. Grace

so my thirst for the sight of Your sacred feet shall
be everlasting. O' the Lord of Srirangam, the
Ultimate Truth, unfathomable by any seeker on his
own, my heart never stops pining for You.

In this verse, Azhwar requests the Lord to bless him so that he

would ever remain devoted to Him.
Ekdfparfkf K `Rmf epaRqayf - Without His grace it is hard to
experience Him by either listening, remembering or by
meditating.

69
naymatfma pfrvcEnn n lpf4 Eya n Emt4 ya n
p3 hJna SfREtn - na~ya~tma pravachnaena labhyo na
maedhaya~ na bahu~na srutaena”-
(Katopanishad 2-23)
"The Aatma can not be known by through much study, nor
through the intellect, nor through much hearing. It can be known
through the Paramapurusha that the aspirant prays to; this inner
Self of that seeker reveals its true nature."
yEmAvx vfR}Et Etn lpf4 ysf tsfAyx ~tfma
vivfR}Et tN\mf sfvamf
Yamaevaisha vrunutae taena labhyastasyaisha aatma vivrunutae
tanu~m sva~m (Kata-2-23)
(Whom so ever paramapurusha chooses, to him alone He becomes
reachable and only to that person He becomes revealed)
The unreachable Paramaatma has chosen to be easily available
and accessible for everyone at tiRvrgfkmf Thiruvarangam.

m[kfEktmf cara mTVt[f t[fA[

t[kfEkta[f twfcmakf ekaqfqilf- '[kfEkta[f
;[feba[fbi ni[fBlAkEyzf ~A]EyadfF[a[f
ec[feba[fbini[fbtiR. 61

No sorrow will befall the one that has taken refuge

at the holy feet of the Lord Madhusoodhana. Today
the Lord who sustains the seven worlds, has on his
own bestowed the great wealth of His Grace by
entering my mind.

mTVt[f Madhusoodhan- Lord Narayana had to rescue the

Vedas which were stolen from Brahma by the demons Madhu
and Kaitabha. On account of Him vanquishing Madhu He was
called Madhusoodhan.
The Lord will remove our ignorance like He vanquished Madhu
Kaitabha and retrieved the vedas.

70
Lord Krishna had intense love for all the cowherds, their wives,
their children, the cows and the calves even without them asking
for the same. Azhwar feels that he has become a similar recipient
of the Lord's love.

tiRni[fbpkfkmf tibviet[fEbararf
kRni[fb klflarfkfKArpfprf- tiRviRnft
marfv[f cirItr[f t[fv]fDlv< t]fDzayf
tarft[fA[cfVFtftritfT. 62

Those who do not realize that Narayana is the

transcendental Reality since Sri resides in Him,
teach the ignorant, pointing to others limited by
birth. For He is known as Sridhara who bears
"Sri" on His heart and wears lovely, cool garland of
Tulasi swarming with humming bees.

In the previous verse, Azhwar felt delighted about his own

blessing and in this verse he feels sorry for others and indicates
the reason for their confusion.

tiRni[fbpkfkmf - The place where mother Lakshmi resides

tibviT - Brahman is called "thiravithu" for it will remain
beyond all understanding unless it chooses to reveal itself. In
other words Sriman Narayana is paratatvam because mother
Lakshmi resides in His heart.
`pagfk3 a p>4 yamfEsa yT 3 pri prmf pf3 rhfm tt3 p>4 tf
apaanghaa Bhooyaamso` yadupari
param brahma tadabhooth-
Whichever entity gets most of the grace of divine mother
Lakshmi, that entity becomes param brahma.

71
kRni[fb - those that are born like us after being resident in the
womb.
klflarfkfK uArpfprf - will tell those that are ignorant. In other
words they point foolishly at those devas who are also limited by
birth (who also have taken birth like us ordinary human beings
after being resident in mother’s womb) and call them param
brahma.

!vtfsvXa@ !vas@ !pti@ !mtamf vr@

!t3 @ !S@ !nivas@ !niti4@ !vip4 avn@
!t4 r@ !kr@ SfEry@ !manf 608-619 shsfrnammf.

tiRmRmarfv[f@ tiRv<kfkiRpfpidmf@ tiRvi[f nayk[f@

tiRvaqrf tAlv[f@
tiRAv `qipfEpa[f@ tiRv<kfKmf tiR@ tiRmkqf ekaZ[[f@
tiRvi[f epdfdkmf@ tiRpfp<kzaq[f@
tiRAvtf tripfEpa[f@ tiRv<d[f pibpfEpa[f@ tiRAv
uAdEya[f@

'[fB vixf} shsfrnamtftilf viyasrf tiRvi[f smfp3 nft4

tfAt `bivitftarf.

* Srivatsavaksha~: Srivasa: Sripathi: Srimatham vara:

Sridha: Srisa: Sriniva~sa: Srinidhi: Srivabha~vana:
Sridhara: Srikara: Sraeya: Srima~n (608-619
Sahasrana~mam)

One who has Srivatsa (mole) on His chest; the abode of Sri; the
lord of Sri; Foremost among those with the grace of Sri;
One who bestows Sri; One who is Sri of Sri; the consort of Sri;
the treasure house of Sri; One who owes His greatness to Lakshmi
; One who bears Sri; one who is born with Sri; one who has Sri;

In these 12 names Sage Vyasa describes the connection of the

divine mother Lakshmi to Sriman Narayana.

tritftiRnfEt[akEv tarak]pfEparf
viritfTArtft evnfnaktfT[fA[ - etritfetZti

72
vacitfTmf EkdfDmf v]gfki vzipdfDmf
p>citfTmfEpakfkiE[[fEpaT. 63

True knowledge about You who are the soul of Sri

AadhiSesha who has expounded in detail the great
movements of the stars, has reached me through
Your Grace, spending all my time meditating,
writing, reading, listening, and worshipping.

Azhwar further describes the good, the Lord has blessed him with.
evmf naktfT u[fA[ - means the one who is the inner controller
or atma of Sri AadhiSesha.
tarak]mf Eparf viritfT uArtft -AadhiSesha is said to have
described the stars in the treatise on astrology.

Epata[ ;dfFAbwfciEytfTmiE[a epa[fmkrkf

kataA[ ~tipfepRmaA[ nataA[
nlflaA[ nar]A[ nmfEmzfpibpfpBkfKwf
ecalflaA[ecalfLvEtVT. 64

Offer any kind of flower and worship the One with

ears adorned by beautiful jewels, the primordial
cause of all, the glorious Lord of all, the all
compassinate Narayana with sweet names that will
cut asunder our seven fold births. Reciting His
glorious names is the best means.

Azhwar advises others about the best means available for all
jeevas, which is to sing the glorious names of the Lord.

73
EpaT ~[ - means any kind of flower.
Lord Krishna in Geeta says " ptfrmf p<xfpmf--- p2kftfy<phfRtmf--
`Sfnami " " I accept and relish any leaf or flower offered with
devotion"
;dfD- offering the flower with our hands
;Abwfci by mentally worshipping the Lord
"tfTmiE[a- vocally singing His glories.
epa[f mkrkf kataA[ - The Lord is like gold. People love and
cherish gold eventhough they have to pay to buy it.
nlflaA[- He does not look at our faults and even considers
them as good due to His immense compassion for us.

nar]A[ nmf "zfpibpfp< `BkfKmff ecalflaA[-

"`Fyarf pDTyrayi[ 'lflamf nilnftrwfecyfy<mf naray]a

'[f{mf nammf"- Periya Thirumozhi 1-1-9.
sgfkIrftfy naray] Spf3t3 matfrmf viMkftT3kfk2a sHki2Ena
p4vnfti-
"By singing Narayana sabda, people obtain bliss of Moksha and
freedom from miseries of life." (from Sahasranama)

VtavT '[f[wfctfet]f]iE[[f eca[fmaAl

matay malvA[ matvA[ yata{mf
vlflva cinftitftiRpfEpbfK AvKnfttf
tilfAlEyaecalflIridmf. 65

This is the best for me. Thus I became mentally

determined remembering to my abilities the
garland of words glorifying the Lord of Sri who is
at once the form of beauty and love. Please tell me if
there is no place for me in Vaikuntam?

matay - the form of beauty; maT- beauty

74
malvA[- the form of love
matvA[-ma- lXfmI, t4v[f- nat2[f. Lord of Sri
sfmfREta ycfc2ti ESap4nmf- (Vishnu Puranam 1-17-78) -He
does good the moment you think of Him indicating His easy
accessibility (saulabhya guna) and therefore one need not do
anything more than just merely thinking of Him to obtain
Moksha.

;dmavT '[f[wfcmi[feblflamf p]fD

pdnakA] enFymabfK- tidmak
AvEy[f mtiVFt[fE[aD `yA[ na[f
AvEy[adfecyfEy[fvlmf. 66

Henceforth for the supreme Lord who has been

hitherto lying on the bed formed by the
multihooded serpent, my mind will be the
residence. I will not consider Rudra with the
crescent moon on the head and Brahma as
transcendental. Due to my wisdom and strength,
neither will I serve them.

;dmf ~vT '[f[wfcmf ;[fB 'lflamf

p]fD pdmf nak `A] enFy mabfK- Azhwar says that after he
started remembering the Lord, the Lord chose his mind as His
most wanted residence preferring over even His serpent bed.

In Thirucchandaviruttam similar thought expressed in verses 64

and 65.
`[fB ev#kA]kfkidnftet[f[ilat M[fe[lamf (64)
kidpfpTmf nbfepRnftiArkfkdLqf na[ilat M[fe[lamf (65)

tidmak AvEy[f- I will not consider them as transcendental

reality.

75
Av- Sharpness of intellect here
~df ecyfEy[f vlmf- will not serve them due to my strength
from having the supreme Lord residing in my mind.
pfrtip<3tf3t4a n EsvnfEt (Bharatham -Moksha-116)- Those
with wisdom will not serve the other devas for the fruits
obtainable from them are limited.

vlmak madfdaAm ta[ak Avklf

Klmak Kbfbmf ta[ak nlmak
nar]A[ naptiAy wa[pfepRmaA[
cIr]A["tfTnftibmf. 67

Whether it gives strength or weakness, or bestows

birth in good family or bad, I will not give up my
nature of worshipping Lord Narayana who governs
my tongue, Who is the Lord of knowledge and full
of auspicious qualities.

Azhwar reiterates his steadfastness of purpose in this verse.

vlmf ~k madfdaAm ta[f ~k- whether it gives strength or
weakness
Klmak Kbfbmf ta[f ~k- whether it bestows birth in good or bad
family
Avklf always nlmak well "tfTmf tibmf. worshipping nature
naptiAy -Who makes me sing this Thiruvandhadhi with my
tongue
wa[pf epRmaA[-Who is the Lord of all knowledge
cIr]A[- full of all auspicious qualities

tibmfEp[fmi[f k]fGrf tiRvFt[f nammf

mbnfTmf p<bnfetaza manftrf -;Abwfciy<mf
caTvrayf EpaTmi[fkqf '[fba[f nm{nft[f
T\TvArkfPvicfecvikfK. 68

76
" Do not ever fail to carry out this command of
mine. You must salute and be gentle as Sadhus
towards all people who despite forgetting the Lord's
name do not worship other devas", thus said Yama
calling his close attendants and speaking into their
ears.

In this verse, Azhwar brings home the point that only thing that
can give strength is the association with the Lord. He illustrates
this by narrating an incident which is referred to in Sri Vishnu
Puranam. The particular incident refered to here is the
conversation that Yama, the deva (deity) of justice has with his
attendants.

"sfvp<Rxmpi4vIXfy paShsftmf vt2ti ym@ kil tsfy

krf]YMEl
prihr mT4sJt3npfrpnfnanf pfrp<4rhmnynfR]amf n
Avxf]vanamf" 3-7-14

" Looking at his attendants, Yama said the following into their
ears, " Leave those who have taken refuge at the feet of
Madhusoodana. I am the Lord for everyone except Vaishnavas".

tibmff Eplf mi[f k]fGrf- " Do not fail to carry out the following
command of mine"-
meaning the current command will supercede any previous or
regular rules of engagement.

tiRvF t[f nammf

mbnfTmf p<bnfetaza manftrf- " who do not worship other devas
despite forgetting even the Lord's name". They are
"mT4sJt3npfrpnfnanf. "Those who have taken refuge at the
lotus feet of Madhusoodana will not go after the other devas. This
will be their nature. That is what Azhwar stresses here. Sri
PeriyaVaacchaan Pillai explains further by drawing an analogy of
a married lady who is faithful to her husband although may not
have developed great love yet towards her husband for love may
develop over time slowly.

77
;Abwfciy<mf - salute
caTvrayf EpaTmi[fkqf- Be gentle like sadhus meaning giving
up the traditional appearnce of carrying the noose of death in the
hands paShsftmf
you must go like sadhus or monks.

"`hmmrvrarfcfciEtn t4atfra sm ;ti ElakhitahiEt

niy<kft@ "Vishnu Puranam 3-7-15
"I have been assigned the task of meeting out justice to all without
partiality by the Lord of all"
Yama who is supposed to be sm@ meaning "impartial". gives an
instruction which looks partial. Therefore he gives this instruction
to his close attendants and in their ears. T\TvArkf Pvicf
ecvikfK.

`v[f tmrf 'vfviA[yarakiLmf 'gfEka[f

`v[f tmEr '[febazivtlflalf- nm[f tmralf
~raypfpdfdbiyarf k]fGrf `rvA]Emlf
Epraybfkadfpdfdarf Eprf -Mudal Thiruvandhadhi 55 of Sri Poikai
Piran.

ecvikfki[fpmavTv<mf ecgfk]fmalf nammf

p<vikfKmf p<viyTEv k]fGrf- kvikfK
niAb epaRqayf ni[fbaA[ EnrfpdfEd[f parfkfkilf
mAbepaRQmf`tftA[Eyta[f. 69

Also pleasing to the ears is the name of the lotus

eyed Lord. His name is the refuge for all earthly
beings. By a stroke of luck, I have gained Him who
alone is full and worthy of praise in poetry. On
closer reflection, the substratum of vedas is also the
same.

In this verse, Azwar states that besides offering protection against

Yama, the Lord's name is in fact sweet to the ears, it offers shelter

78
and refuge to all on this earth, it's fullness makes it the apt
material for fulfilling the beauty of poetry and it is the ultimate
meaning of all vedas and upanishads.

ecvikfK ;[fpmf ~vTv<mf- umf is the conjunction which refers

to the previous statement regarding the protection against the fear
of Yama.
ecgfk]f - lotus eyed malf- One Who has love for His devotees.
nammf
p<vikfKmf p<viyTEv- It is the shelter for every one on this earth.

~rftfta vix]f]a@ Siti2laSfc pI4ta@

Eka4ErxJ c vfyati4xJ vrftftmana@
sgfkIrftfy naray] Spf3t3matfrmf
viMkft T3@kfka2sf sJki2Ena p4vnfti

Those who suffer from three fold sorrows, those who have fears,
those who have serious diseases, by merely hearing Lord
Narayana's name get rid of their miseries and obtain happiness.

kvikfK
niAb epaRqayf ni[fbaA[- The Lord is full of all auspicious
qualities. He is guna Purna and therefore is the proper and apt
material for poetry.

EnrfpdfEd[f- I obtained without any effort on my part and by His

grace alone "nirffEhTk kfRpa".
parfkfkilf- In the ultimate analysis
mAb epaRQmf `tftA[Ey ta[f- It is also the ultimate
meaning of all vedas and upanishads.
In Sri PeriyaVaacchaan Pillai's words, it is the secret of all
vedanta. (Evta3nft rhsfymf).

tae[aRv[akitf tr]iyidnfetDtfT
"e[aRv[ayf 'yibfbilf tagfkiyTmf - yae[aRv[f
;[fbavbiki[fEb[lfEl[f ;RniltfAtcf
ec[fbagfkFpfpDtftEcyf. 70

79
Taking the beautiful form, going as a mendicant
celibate, this small boy who measured this huge
world, once took the form of a boar brought forth
this whole earth from under the deluging waters
holding it by His teeth. Only I alone did not know
this fact until now.

Azhwar says that while he learnt of this vedanta rahasya (the

secret of vedanta namely the substantive meaning of vedanta)
only now, it has been known to all wise people for a long time.

ta[f oRv[aki- The incomparable Vamana. The matchless

level for the Sausheelya, Saulabhya and Vatsalya gunas
(esqSIlfy, esqlpf4y, vatfslfy) of the Lord is manifested
in His Vamana Avataara. The One who is the supreme Lord of all
stood low and small in front of Mahabali. One who has no wants
went as a mendicant celibate. When He took the Trivikrama form,
He showered His grace on everyone by stroking gently with His
lotus foot.

ec[fB ~gfK - While the Lord could have gotten rid of Mahabali
merely by His Will, instead He chose to visit him in person for the
reason that Mahabali had one important guna which was charity.

;R niltfAt `Fpf pDtft Ecyf.- He measured this whole huge

earth with His foot. This is an incomparable act.

"k@ pfrasIsrtf pat3Emk@ pfraciXqnfMt3a

`pErapfyt4rnf YMrftf4na Eka `ti4ksf EtxH k3]fytamf
"One raised His Feet. The second one washed them with love and
the third one accepted that water on his head. Of these Who is
great ? Think."

"[f oRv[ayf 'yibfbilf tagfkiyTmf- As an incomparable boar

supported the earth by the tip of His teeth.This avataara also is full
of the Lord's the Sausheelya. Saulabhya and Vatsalya gunas
(sweetness, easy accessibility and the compassion)

80
ya[f oRv[f
;[fba `biki[fEb[f `lfEl[f- Only I alone did not know this
fact until now meaning that it is well known to many wise people
before me for a long time.

Ecy[]iy[f cibiy[fmikpfepriy[f
~y[f TvArkfEka[ayf ni[fb may[f- `[f
Ebatiy vakfktA[kfklflarf ulktftilf
"tilramfemyfwfwa[milf. 71

Unfathomable and yet easily accessible, small but

yet great is the Lord, Who born as a cowherd
became the great king of Dwaraka. He taught then
those words which many in this world have not
learnt and remain without true " knowledge "
considering Him as their enemy.

Azhwar asks,"Why talk of not knowing Him rescuing this earth

from under the deluging waters? Do we know the words that He
gave in order to rescue us from the deluge of this cycle of birth
and death
(samsaara)?"
Ecy[f mikpfepriy[f- "unreachable and very great" yEta vaEca
nivrftftnfEt `pfrapfy mnsa sh (Taitriopanishad-
Anandavalli)."Yato Vacho Nivartantae"- "Where mind and words
can not reach" - unfathomable to even Brahma and other devas.

`]iy[f- easily accessible to those who love Him

cibiy[f- because of His compassion, He chooses to become very
easily available to His devotees and comes in many humble and
lowly forms such as taking birth in a cowherd's family.

~y[f TvArkf Eka[ayf ni[fb may[f- cowherd boy who stood

as the king of Dwaraka.

81
Sri PeriyaVaacchaan Pillai states that these two are examples of
His saulbhya guna. Lord Krishna wanted Bheemasena (the second
of the Pandavas) to achieve glory and He arranged so that Bheema
could kill Jarasandha, the demon king in a duel. In order for this
to happen Krishna let Himself defeated by Jarasandha and hid
away from him by staying in Dwaraka.
may[f- `[fB Otiy vakfK `tA[kf klflarf- The Lord who
taught (to Arjuna at the time of
Maha Bharatha war) those words refers to the charamasloka
(crmsfElakmf) namely

srfv t4rfmanf pritfyjfy maEmkmf Sr]mf vfrj

`hmf tfva srvpaEppf4Eya EmaXyixfyami maSHc@

"tilrf- enemy. emyf wa[mf ;lf- without true knowledge.

;lflbmilfEllf Tbvbmilfel[f{mf
ecalflbmlfl[v<mf ecalfllfl- nlflb
mav[v<mf nalfEvtmatftvMmf nar]E[
yavtIt[feb[fpararf. 72

Statements proclaiming the path of action suited for

the householders, the path of knowledge for those
who want to renounce and the other paths such as
those of devotion to be the means for liberation are
not truly valid. For these good paths as well as the
paths stressed in the vedas bear fruit only through
the grace of Narayana. Who can refute this truth?

In this verse, Sri Thirumazhisai Piran describes the meaning of the

Charamasloka of Geetha (the final and most definitive instruction
of Lord Krishna in Srimad Bhagavat Geetha forming the last
sloka in the discourse). This verse also is like a charamasloka for
this Thiruvandhadhi.

82
;lf- This refers to house and also "way " or "means" to achieve.
"upaEy kf3Rh rXitfEra Spf3t3@ Sr]mitfyymf vrftftEt"- In
describing words "means","house" and "Protecter" Sr] is used.
By this rule the word ;lf is taken to indicate upaymf or the way
or means.

;lf '[f{mf ecalf ecalf `lfl- Statements which claim these

to be the means are not truly valid. This phrase is combined with
others such as ;lflbmf, Tbvbmf, `lfl[ `bmf. to get the
respective meaning.
;lflbmf ;lf '[f{mf ecalf ecalf `lfl- The statements which
claim validity for karma yoga (path of action) suited for the
householders as the means for achieving Moksha or liberation are
not truly valid. Several verses can be quoted from Geetha Karma
Yoga all of which claim that Karma Yoga is a good means for
obtaining Moksha.
`skfEtahyacrnf krfm prmapfEnati p>Rx@ (person carrying out
actions without attachment obtains His great Self Geetha 3-20)
Tbvbmf ;lf '[f{mf ecalf ecalf `lfl- The statements which
claim the path of knowledge (Jnaana Yoga) to be a useful means
to obtain Moksha are not truly valid.
Tbvbmf- means the path of knowledge since it requires to
renouce action.
yAt2ta4mfsi smitf3Eta4kf3nirf p4sfmatf KREt `rfjHn
jfwanakf3ni@ srfvkrfma]I p4sfmatf KREt tta2 (Geetha 4-
37)
"Just as burning fire reduces logs of wood into ashes, similarly the
fire of knowledge burns all actions into ashes."

`lfl[ `bm f;lf '[f{mf ecalf ecalf `lfl-

Refers to the other paths such as those of devotion (Bhakthi),
Namasamkeerthana
(singing the names of the Lord) which are stressed in the Itihasas
and Puranas.
p4kftfya tfvnnfyya Skfy ((Geetha 11-54)

Azhwar points out that Karma, Jnaana and Bhakti yogas are not
the direct means to obtain Moksha unless the results of these
practices are confered by the Lord. Thus ultimately what gives the

83
results is the true upaymf or "the way or means". Thus the true
means for obtaining Moksha is Lord Narayana who alone can
bestow the same.

nlflbmf ~v[v<mf- refers to action carried out with no desire for

results. This includes Namasamkeertana.
nalf Evtmf ma tvMmf- Karma yoga stressed in the vedas and
Jnaana and Bhakti stressed in the vedanta namely the upanishads.

nar]E[- He Who is the abode and destiny of all Narasamoohas

or sentient forms, alone is the means. If He showers His grace,
then one does not need anything else.

:T `[fB '[fparf ~rf- Who would refute this truth?

That the Lord is the way, is indicated in vedas, upanishads,
Itihasas and in sayings of rishis, saints and other Azhwars.
naray]mf ---pray]mf
raEma vikf3rhvanf t4rfm@ (Ramayanam -Aranyakandam- 37-13)
kfRxf]mf t4rfmmf snatnmf. (Bharatam-vana- 71-123)
maEmkmf Sr]mf vfrj (Geetha)
enbivaclf taE[yayf ni[fbaA[ (Sri Poikai Piran)
naray]E[ nmkfEk pAb tRva[f (Thiruppavai)

As to how, this verse indicates the charamasloka of Geetha is

given by Sri Appillai

In this verse the words "`bmf `lfl[v<mf ecalfllfl-" gives the

meaning of
"srfv t4rfmanf pritfyjfy ".( Giving up all Dharmas),
the word "nar]E["
indicates the words " mamf, `hmf " and the ""karmf " indicates
the word ""kmf"-
"alone".

~Erybivarf `A[tfTlKmf u]fDmizfnft

Epraziya[f t[f epRAmAy- karfecbinft

84
k]fdtfta[f ']fk]f]a[f ka]a[f `v[fAvtft
p]fAdtfta[tfti[fpti.. 73

Who can know the greatness of the One who is like

an ocean, who swallowed all the worlds and
brought them forth again. Siva with the blue neck
and Brahma with the eight eyes will not know His
rich legacy, "The Charamasloka", the ancient
treasure of "He" being "The Way".

In this verse, Azhwar says that knowing the greatness of the Lord
is beyond even all the shakti or power of Siva and the knowledge
of Brahma.
`v[fAvtft
p]fAdtfta[tfti[f pti.- This is interpreted in two ways one to
mean the ancient and the supreme abode of Lord Narayana and
the other is to refer to the Charamasloka of the Lord which clearly
states that 'He is the way or the means for Moksha "

pti- the residence or the storehouse.

`A[tfT ulKmf u]fD umizfnft- The Lord protected all the

worlds and all the jeevas at the time of the pralaya (Dissolution)
by swallowing them and keeping them in His abdomen and
brought them forth again at the time of Srishti (creation). This act
of the Lord illustrates His nature, that He being the means without
any expectation. (unconditional intervention) (nirEpX
upaypa4vmf).
This same upayabhava is found in His charamasloka. This is like
an ancient treasure that He has created and kept.
kfRxf]mf t4rfmmf snatnmf- (They know Krishna as the ancient
way) (Bharatham- vana-71-123)

85
ptipfpAkwbf kabfbaT payftiArnIrfpfpazi
mtitftAdnft vaqbvnft[fA[ - mtitftv[ft[f
vlflaktf Etbfbiy maEm[imayvA[
`lflaeta[fEbtftaet[fna. 74

The bright serpent Sumukha which sought shelter

reaching the ocean with large waves fearing its
natural enemy, the eagle king Garuda, was given
shelter by the Lord, Who made the serpent climb
over the strong body of the eagle without fear.
My tongue will not sing the glory of any one else
except that Lord with the most beautiful and
auspicious form.

In this verse, Azhwar illustrates the Lord's way of protecting those

who seek shelter under Him by narrating the legend of vainateya
from MahaBharatham. (Mahabharatha, -Udyogaparvam-
chapters103- 105)

This incident had taken place during the avataara of the Lord as
Upendra when He was born as the younger brother of Indra for
Athithi and Kashyapa. During that Avataara, Garuda was also
born as the eagle son of Vinata. He served as the vehicle for
Upendra. Indra's charioteer Matali wanted to give his daughter in
marriage to Sumukha, the son of the serpent king of the
netherworld. But he learnt that Sumukha was destined to meet his
death through the natural enemy of the serpents, the eagle king
Garuda. He therefore sought help from Indra and Upendra. Indra
blessed Sumukha with long life. Garuda being the vehicle of the
Lord had developed some ego due to his position. He therefore
objected to the Lord when he was prevented from taking his
natural prey, claiming that it was unfair considering that he was
serving the Lord as the vehicle. He further challenged the Lord as
to who really was strong between the two whether the Lord or
himself who carried the Lord around. The Lord then asked Garuda

86
to carry just the weight of His right arm. Garuda unable to bear
the weight of the arm of the Lord, realized his folly, coming to his
senses asked for forgiveness. In the interim, Sumukha had taken
his serpent form and took shelter under the Lord and coiled itself
around the foot of His bed. The Lord therefore instructed Garuda
to offer protection to Sumukha and not harm him ever. Garuda
followed the advice of the Lord.

`Dtft kDmfpAkwbfK (Sri Poikai Piran 's pasuram in Mudal

Thiruvandhadhi)
nwfC EcarfvEtarf evwfci[ `rvmf
evRvivnfT ni[f cre][cf cr]ayf
enwfcibfeka]fD ni[f `wfciAbpf pbAvkfK
`Adkfklmf ekaDtftRqf ecyfttbinfT (Thirumangai
Azhwar's Periya Thirumozhi-5-8-4)

In Varaha Avataara, the Lord says that He will not forgive those
who cause harm to His devotee.

mtf3p4kftm Sfvpcmf vapi ninft3am fKrfvnfti Ey nra@

ptf3mEkaF SEtnapi n Xmami kta3cn

In Ramavataara, the Lord says that He will protect those that seek
His shelter no matter what.
`p4ymf srfvp>4Etpf4Eya t3ta3mi (Ramayanam -
yuddhaka`ndam 18-33)
mitfr pa4Evn smfpfrapftmf n tfyEjymf kt2wfcn (Ramayanam -
Yuddha- 18-3)

In this incident the Lord gets His own devotee Garuda to protect
Sumukha.

vaqf `bvmf t[fA[- Sumukha was confident that the Lord

would protect it and thus shined bright.

`nftriXk3t@ !manf - (Ramayanam -Yuddha- 16-17) Sri

Valmiki describes Sri Vibheeshana as shining as he took off to the
skies on his way to Sri Rama for the purposes of seeking His
shelter.

87
nakfeka]fD ma[idmf paEd[f nlmaktf
tIkfeka]fdecwfcAdya[fec[fB-'[fBmf
p>kfeka]fDvlflvaB "tftmkizat AvKnftcf
eclfv[arfEcvFEmlfpadfD. 75

I will not sing hymns of praise on humans with my

tongue meant only to sing the glory of the holy feet
of the Lord of Sri Vaikunta, Who is always
worshipped with flowers by Rudra of fire-like red
locks to the best of his capacity, although such
worship does not add to His greatness.

In this verse, Azhwar says that he would not sing the praise of
humans with his tongue which is meant to sing the glory of the
Lord only.
tIkfeka]fd ecwfcAdya[f - Rudra who carries fire in his hand
(`[bfkgfAkEybfba[f) and who has red matted hair locks.

padfDmf MAby<mf pDkAty<mf plf epaRQmf

:dfFy tIy<mf ;RviCmfp<mf- Ekdfd
m{v<mf CRtimAbna[fKmf - may[f
t[fmaAyyilfpdfdtbfp<. 76

Literature, music, historical Itihasas, instructional

puranas, the element fire, the wide open space, the
manusmrithi echoing even in the vedas, the four
vedas recited precisely from time immemorial, all
that is the truth born of the Will of the wonderful
Lord.

88
In this verse, Azhwar says that in the world, all words and all
things indicated by them and their relationship are all the result of
the will of the Lord. Therefore He alone is therefore fit to be sung.
padfDmf MAby<mf- literature and music
pD kAty<mf- Itihasaa which describe the ancient history
plf epaRQmf- Puranas which inform us about many things such
as creation, dissolution, periods of various Manus, history of
various dynasties of rulers and others
:dfFy tIy<mf-The basic elements such as the earth, water, wind,
fire and space are each divided into eight parts. Four parts remain
with each element. Four remaining parts are equally distributed
among the rest of the elements. This process is called pwfcIkr]mf
(Pancheekaranam).
Thus fire has parts of other elements in it

ytf3Av kiwfc mNrvt3tf ttf Ep4xjmf (Taitreya sam- 2-2)

tbfp-< truth or "tatvam".

tbfep[fA[tf ta[biyaE[Lmf- tdgfkdAlkf

kbfeka]fD T\rftft kdlf v]f][f-'bfeka]fd
evvfviA[y<mf nIgfk vilgfka m[mfAvtfta[f
'vfviA[y<mfmay<malfk]fD.. 77

Not recognizing my faults, the Lord who is blue like

the ocean and Who built a bridge across the broad
sea with rocks, mentally willed so that effects of all
my bad karma would vanish and graced me so His
heart would never turn away from me. What a
wonder, all bad karma would vanish.

In this verse, Azhwar describes the special grace that the Lord has
showered on him.

89
tbfp< '[fA[tf ta[f `biyaE[Lmf- Azhwar says that the Lord
does not know "him" well, meaning that he is full of all faults
which the Lord has decided not to recognize
(meaning to ignore)
'[f eka]fd
evmf viA[y<mf- All effects of all my bad actions (karmas) which
have afflicted me
vilgfka m[mf Avtfta[f- (Without leaving ) focussed His heart
on me, meaning showered His grace on me.
' viA[y<mf may<mf ~lf- all bad karmas (so called sins) would
perish.

k]fD v]gfki[arfkfK '[f[agfekalf kam{dlf

eka]fd tvtftabfK uAmy<]rftft- v]fdlmfp<mf
tarlgfklf nI]fMFya[f t[f epyErEkdfFRnfT `gf
karlgfkla[Amyalf~yfnfT. 78

What will happen to those who get to worship Him

directly, considering the exhilaration felt by the one
who once reduced cupid to ashes by his penance, on
listening to Uma recite the glorious name of the
Lord with the long crown covered with flowers
swarming with bees?

kam{dlf
eka]fd tvtftabfK -Rudra who reduced cupid's body to ashes
with the strength of his penance (for inducing love in him and
disturbing his penance)

uAm u]rftft- Uma the consort of Siva instructed

This refers to an incident when Uma once was asking Siva as to

which deity that he was meditating on during his tapas. kmf tfvmf

90
`rfcfcyEs Et3v. Uma apparently was singing the Lord's names
sweetly and asking these questions. On hearing the Lord's names,
Siva became extremely pleased. The exhilaration that he felt just
listening to the Lord's names is what Azhwar refers to, in this
verse.
`gfK ~rlgfklf ~[Am ~yfnftalf k]fD v]gfki[arfkfK
'[f[agfekalf-
uqfeqlaMRkikf Krlf tZtfetazinfEt[f udmfeplflamf
k]f]nIrf Ecar-
(Thirumangai Azhwar on hearing the Lord's name describes how
he feels in Periya Thirumozhi) (tears of joy with horripulation
and exhilaration)

~yfnfTeka]fD ~tipfepRmaA[ `[fpi[alf

vayfnft m[tftiRtft vlflarfkqf "yfnfttmf
emyfKnftmak viRmfp<vEr taMmftmf
AvKnftmfka]fparfviArnfT. 79

Those who are capable of keeping Him steady in

their mind lovingly meditating on the ancient Lord
desirous of reaching their supreme abode soon, will
consider their physical body linked to their soul as,
"a disease".

Azhwar says in this verse, that people who want to enjoy the Lord
alone will desire to reach His supreme abode Sri Vaikunta. Since
the physical body would interfere with such a desire, they would
consider it almost like " a disease"
SrIrmf vfr]vtf pSfEytf-
~tipf epRmaA[- The Lord Who is the ancient cause of this
universe.
m[tfT ;Rtft vlflarfkqf- Those who can hold the thought of
the Lord steady in their mind.
"yfnft tmf emyf- Their soul linked body

91
Knftmak viRmfp<vEr- They will consider as though it is a
disease.

viArnftAdmi[f EmelaRnaqf evqfqmf prkfk

krnfTlkmf katftqitft k]f][f- prnfTlkmf
paF[ ~F[EkdfD pDnrkmf
vIF[vacbfktv<. 80

Hurry and reach the protective fold of Lord

Krishna who aeons ago protected all the worlds
from the deluge of waters at the time of dissolution.
The great devotees far and wide dance and sing the
glorious names of the Lord causing the doors of hell
to fall shut.

In this verse, Azhwar advises that if we reach Lord Krishna and

seek His shelter, then we will also be protected from the deluge
of the worldly life since it was He who aeons ago protected all the
worlds including all the life forms from extinction during the
destructive deluge by hiding them in His stomach.

krnfT ulkmf katfT `qitft k]f][f- Lord Krishna who

protected the worlds by hiding them.
ulkmf- The great ones
prnfT ~F[- who are far and wide and dancing
paF[EkdfD- singing of the names of the Lord
(Namasankeertana)
Listening to the namasankeertana, the doors of hell became shut.
That means one need not have fear of "hell".
nm{mf Mbfkl{mf Epc nrkilf ni[fbarfkqf Ekdfk nrkEm
CvrfkfkmaKmf namgfkQAdy nmfpi -
(tiRmaAl).

92
"kdlf v]f][f p>tgfkqf m]fEmlf mliypfp<KnfT ;AcpaF
~F uzitrkfk]fEdamf-
nliy<mf nrkMmf Annft "
(Sri Nammaazhwar in Thiruvaimozhi describes the meaning of
this verse in detail)

;[iyarf p<Kvarf 'Z nrk vaclf

M[iyaT YMritftaqf Ekami[f- k[icaykf
k[febbinft Etaqa[f kA[ kzEl ka]fptbfK
n[fkbinft navlwfVzfnaD(Mudal Thiruvandhadhi- 87- Sri
Poikai piran)

ktv<m[em[fBmf ka]laem[fBmf
KAty<mf viA[yavi tIrffnfEt[f-viAtyak
nbfbmiAzvitfti ey[f{qfqtfAt nIviAqtftayf
kbfbemaziyakikfklnfT. 81

My mind gave up the restlessness thinking about

itself as both a hindrance and an aid in seeing the
Lord.
O'Lord, You by being the meaning of the words
that I learnt, becoming one with me and seeding the
great Tamil brought out this (garland of verses)
from my heart.

In this verse, Azhwar says that his mind became steady unlike its
usual behaviour in most people which is to be restless thinking
about itself sometime that it is just a hindrance to see the Lord and
at other times thinking that it is an aid in this regard.

mn "v mNxfya]amf kar]mf p3nft4 EmaXEya@

p3nfta4y vixyasgfki3 MkftfAy nirfvixymf mn@ (Vishnu
Puranam 6-7-28)

93
" Mind binds when involved in sense directed activities and when
not invoved in such activities becomes the aid to liberation."

KAty<mf viA[ ~vi tIrffnfEt[f-

~vi- means here " mind"

~tfAmv hfyatfmEna p3nfT4ratfAmv rip<ratfmn@ (Geeta- 6-5)

Azhwar gives the reason to the Lord why he attained steadiness of

mind,
viAtyak nlf tmiAz vitfti- Seeding my mind with the faultless
and beautiful Tamil language
kbfb emaziyakikf klnfT.- By being the meaning of the words
that I learnt from my birth and becoming one with me
'[f uqfqtfAt nI viAqtftayf- Y You (who are the Almighty)
brought forth this lovely poetry from my heart.

klnftae[[f{qfqtfTkf kamEvqftaAt
nlnfta{mIetapfpT]fEd - `lnftlrfkqf
;dfEdtfTmf :c{mf na[fMk{em[fbivrfkqf
vidfEdtftmadfdatEvnfT. 82

The father of the beautiful cupid and the Lord of all

devas, whose glories can not be sung fully even by
Siva, the four-faced Brahma as well as the other
devas who all worship Him with fresh flowers, has
merged completely in my heart. Is there anything
better than this?

In this verse, Azhwar describes his great fortune.

The Lord who is more beautiful than cupid and whose glory can
not be adquately sung even by great devas like Siva and Brahma
came into his heart on His own, and merged with it completely.
He asks whether there could be anything better ?

94
nlmf ta{mf :T opfpT u]fEd?
kam Evqf taAt- beautiful cupid 's father
klnfta[f '[f uqfqtfT- merged completely in my heart

Evnftrayf vi]f]vrayf vi]f]akitft]f]qiyayf

manftrayf matayf mbfeblflamayf-carfnftvrfkfKtf
t[f[abfba[fEnmiya[fmalfv]f][f
ta[fekaDkfKmfpi[f[alfta[fecyfy<mfpitirf. 83

The Lord who carries the discus and who is the

very form of love, Himself provides help in many
ways to those who seek Him by becoming the ruling
king, the devas, the heaven, the joys of heaven, the
relatives and even the mother and yet being not
content with what He has done, bestows the
ultimate bliss of liberation.

In this verse, Azhwar further elaborates all the things that the
Lord does for His devotees
and yet He never gets satisfied that He has provided enough for
His devotees. Ultimately He also bestows Moksha (liberation and
final beatitude).

Evnftrayf- As the king who protects the weak from being harmed
by the might of the strong
vi]f]vrayf- the devas who provide rain for those living on this
earth
vi]f]aki ft]f]qiyayf- ;[iy nlfva[f CvrfkfkgfkQmayf
((tiRvayf emazi.)
lp4Et c tt@ kamanf mAyv vihitanf hi tanf (Geeta 7-22)
Obtains their desires from devas as given by Me .

95
manftrayf matayf mbfeblflamayf- as helping relatives, like a
mother, and in many other ways

pitirf.- Esxp>tma[T- The liberated soul enjoys the perfect bliss

of the Lord (beatitude)

The example given by the Sri Appillai is from Ramayanam.

yak3tirfyjfwSIlanamf- (Ramayanam Aranya kanda 68-30)
Lord Rama bestowed on Jatayu not only Moksha but also all other
joys attained by those who perform sacrifices, those who perform
"homam" and those who donate land. Jatayu, the eagle king
fought with Ravana when he abducted mother Sita and was
mortally wounded and died.

pitiRm[mifEl[f piwfwk[f t[fE[aD

'tirfv[f `ve[[kfKEnra[f-`tiRmf
kzbfkalm[f[A[Ey k]f]A[Ey naQmf
etazkfkatlfp>]fEd[fetazilf. 84

I do not have a restless mind. I am equal to Rudra

in knowledge. However he is not comparable to me
for I have lovingly taken up as my daily task the
worship of Lord Krishna, the king of kings who
wears the victorious anklets with resounding bells.

In this verse, Azhwar says that his mind is steady and fixed on the
Lord.

:Sfvratf jfwanmnfvicfE2tf From Siva seek knowledge. Like

Siva, Azhwar says that he is also knowledgeable. But Siva is not
like him. For only when satva guna predominates, he
acknowledges that Lord is the refuge for all.

96
kfRxf] kfRxf] mhapa3eha jaEn tfvamf p<RExatftmmf
(Vishnu puranam 5-33-41) At other times he remains saying
:SfvErahmf. (Geeta 16-14)

etaziel[kfKtf etalfAlmalf t[f[amEmtft

epaZet[kfK mbfbTEv EpaTmf - kzici[tft
vlflaq[f va[rkfEka[f valimt[zitft
vilflaq[fenwfctfTq[f. 85

My main avocation is to sing the glorious names of

that ancient Lord for me that alone is enough to
spend the time. The great archer Lord Rama who
vanquished the pride of the mighty and angry
monkey king Vali, has graced me by residing in my
heart.

In this verse, Azhwar says that all his time is spent in recalling the
beautiful story of Sri Rama and His valiant deeds and that he has
hardly any time left for anything else.

etazilf '[kfKtf etalfAl malf t[f nammf "tft

Azhwar says that he has time for p4k3vtf vixymf only and that
too of His many avataaras, remembering and recalling the various
aspects of the avataara of Sri Rama alone takes up all of his time.
va[rkf Eka[f vali mt[f `zitft -
vilf ~q[f- Sri Rama who handled with skill the great bow
Kodanda and who vanquished the pride and ego of Vali, the king
of monkeys.

uq[f k]fdayf n[fe[wfEc utftme[[fBmf

uq[f k]fdayf uqfQvaRqfqtf Tq[fk]fdayf
t[fe[apfpa[f ta[ayf uq[f ka]ftmiEybfK
'[fe[apfparfkfkIc[iAm. 86

97
O' my good mind, the Supreme Lord is always
there to protect us without expecting any return.
Note that He resides permanently in the hearts of
those who let their minds dwell on Him. Note that
the same Lord who is comparable to only Himself,
is my refuge and for others like me, who have no
recourse.

In this verse, Azhwar addresses his own mind " Even for the
atheists I showed that the Supreme Lord exists and You also
remind yourself that the Lord is the only refuge for all and His
intervention is totally unconditional."

uq[f k]fdayf- Know that He is the protector. When troubles

arise, which are of very serious nature and even when they are
very difficult to overcome, He will come to our rescue.
n[fe[wfEc- nlf enwfEc- O' my good mind you are capable of
teaching this to others. So you can also listen.
utftm[f - He is Purushottama (Supreme person) since His
intervention to provide His shelter is without any expectations of
return (meaning it is totally unconditional).
Ogfki ulkqnft utftm[f-(Thiruppavai 3)
uqfQvarf uqfqtfT uq[fk]fdayf
-By chance, if an occasion should arise which makes one think
about the Lord, as long as one does not volitionally say," I would
not think of Him" i.e. if one simply allows room for the thought of
the Lord to enter the mind, that alone is sufficient reason for Him
to reside in one's heart permanently to offer His shelter.

EpaTvIrf EpaTmiE[a- (Thiruppavai)

t[f opfpa[f :c[f- No compeers for Him except Himself

meaning there is no one who can equal Him in proviiding
unconditional shelter (nirfEhTk rXktfvmf)
:c[f- uAdyv[f ~[AmyaEl uAdAmAy Akvid madfda[f.
(The Lord being the owner will not give up His possessions)

98
tmiEybfK- for me who has no means at hand
'[f opfparfkfK - for those like me
ta[f ~yf uq[f ka]f- Note that He Himself remains the refuge
or shelter.
;Am- Note this .

;Amypf epRmAlEpalf ;nftir[arfkfkidfd

cmyviRnfT]fD ~rfkapfparf- cmygfkqf
k]fda[Av kapfpa[f karfkfk]fd[f na[fMkE[aD
u]fda{lEkaDyirf. 87

Who protected when He himself partook of the

usual feast as big as the Himalaya made for Indra?
Who gave the Vedic faiths in ancient days and who
protected them from deterioration? Who protects
Siva and Brahma from grave dangers? Who
protected the worlds and the life forms by
swallowing them duing the time of dissolution?

In this verse, Azhwar describes the various ways in which the

Lord has protected many.

;Amypf epRmAl Epalf ;nftir[arfkfK ;dfd cmyviRnfT

u]fD ~rf kapfparf-
This relates to the incident in Lord Krishna's Avataara when he
persuaded the cowherds not to worship Indra (which they did
annually by making a big feast as an offering to him) and instead
worship the Govardhana mountain itself. Thus He Himself
partook of the big feast made for Indra. Indra was upset at this and
released heavy rains on Gokula. When the unending rain
continued over seven days, Lord Krishna sheltered all the cows
and the cowherds and their families by lifting the Govardhana
mountain and holding it on His fingers for over seven days.

99
cmygfkqf k]fda[f `Av kapfpa[f- Vedic faiths are pluralized
for it has the various different pfrapftikqf (goals such as
_Sfvrfy,Akvlfy,p4k3vtf pfrapftikqf) and various pfrapkgfkqf
(means) such as Bhakthi, Prapatthi, Namasankeertana etc.
ulEkaD uyir u]fda[f ~rf- Who protects all the worlds and
the hosts of life forms at the time of great deluge and destruction
(Pralaya)?

In Stotra Ratnam of Sri Alavandar, very same ideas as in this

verse can be seen.
ksfEyat3Er hrviriwfciMk2@ pfrpwfc@ In whose stomach this
world led by Brahma and Rudra settled?
Ekanfy@ pfrjapSHptI pripati- Who protects Brahma and Rudra ?

uyirfeka]fDdelaziy ODmfEpaEtaF
`yrfev[fbtIrfpfpa[fEprfpaF -ecylftIrcf
cinftitfT vazfvaEr vazfvarf ciBcmypf
pnftA[yarfvazfEvlfpZT. 88

Those who choose to live singing the glorious names

of the Lord who hurries to remove all sufferings of
the soul when it leaves the body along with the vital
air, taking Him as the way and feeling that there is
nothing to be gained by any action truly live.
The life of those who follow paths with ego centred
actions resulting in bondage is wasted.

In this verse, also Azhwar elaborates the way that the Lord comes
to the aid of His devotees.

`yrfv< '[fb tIrffpfpa[f - The Lord will remove all woes

ecylftIrcf

100
cinftitfT vazfvaEr vazfvarf- Those who take the Lord as their
only way and guide deciding that there is nothing to be done
either to get rid of misery or to bring happiness, truly live.
kAdtftAl ;RnfT vaZmf Ecamfprf (tiRmaAl)

ciBcmypf
pnftA[yarf vazfv< "lf pZT- The life of those who follow
paths with ego centred actions resulting in bondage.is flawed.

pZtakaeta[fbbinfEt[f pabfkdla[fpatmf
vZvavAkniA[nfT Avklf- etaZvaAr
k]fFAbwfcivazfvarf klnftviA[ekDtfT
vi]fFbnfTvIbfbiRpfparfmikfK. 89

I learnt of one faultless way. Those who choose to

meet and live adoring the devotees who forever
worship flawlessly the holy feet of the Lord of the
ocean of milk, attain the supreme abode, rid of all
effects of action, and shine in excellence.

In the previous verse, Azhwar pointed out the faults of the various
means such as karma Yoga. In this verse he states that he found
the best among the faultless means.

pZT ~kaT o[fB `binfEt[f- I found the best one among the
flawless ways.
Flawless means are:
1. Taking the Lord as the sole guide and way (p4k3vaA[
upaymak pbfBAk)
2. Taking the devotees of the Lord as the guide and the way
(pa4k3vtrfkAq upaymak pbfBAk)
3. Living in the service of the devotees of the Lord.
(pa4k3vtrfkqi[f `pi4ma[tfti[f kIzf ;RkfAk)

101
In this verse, Azhwar emphasizes the second of the above. In the
next verse the first and the third are emphasized.
pabfkdla[f patmf
vZva vAk niA[nfT Avklf- etaZvaAr- worshipping
flawlessly forever the holy feet of the Lord. Flawless worship
means taking the holy feet of the Lord both as the means and as
the end. (not seeking anything else).
k]fD ;Abwfci vazfvarf- Those who choose to meet the
devotees of the Lord adoring them and singing their glories.
klnft viA[ ekDtfT
vi]f tibnfT vIbfbiRpfparf mikfK.- Getting rid of all effects of
action, with the doors of the supreme abode open, will shine in
excellence with knowledge and power.(will get to serve the
devotees of the Lord)

vIbfbiRnfT vi]f]aqEv]fDvarf Evgfkdtfta[f

palftiRnftAvtftaEr p[fmlrfkqf -EmlftiRnft
vazfvarf vRmtiparftf t[fpi[rayf mbfbvrfkfEk
tazfvayiRpfparftmrf. 90

Living well in this world with a desire to reach the

supreme abode are surely those who serve the Lord
of Thiruvenkatam offering a variety of flowers at
His holy feet. Living even better, are those favoured
by the Lord's devotees who following the Lord's
will and acting with love remain in service of the
Lord only.

In the previous verse, Azhwar described pa4k3vt smaSfry]mf

(Act of taking the Lord's devotees as the guide and the way). In
this verse Azhwar describes the other two flawless methods
namely p4k3vtf smaSfry]mf (taking the Lord as the way) and
pa4k3vtapi4mannixfAd (The lot of the recipients of the grace
of the Lord' s devotees)

102
Evgfkdtfta[f palf tiRnft AvtftaEr p[fmlrfkqf - Those who
have offered in worship in a faultless manner a variety of flowers
to the Lord of Thiruvenkatam. The characterization of the
devotees of the Lord is given as follows:
vRmf mti parftfT- Following the will of the Lord
`[fpi[rayf- With love and devotion
mbfbvrfkfEk- To that Lord alone
tazfv< ~yf ;Rpfparf - Remain as servants.
tmrf- Those who are favoured or liked (meaning those who are
specially blessed to be the recipient of their grace)

Those who are blessed to receive the special grace of the devotees
of the Lord, get to live in the service of the devotees of the Lord.
(pa4k3vtrfkqi[f `pi4ma[tfti[f kIzf ;RkfAk '[fpT
pa4k3vt Akgfkrfymf epbfB ;RkfAk.)

tmravarfyavrfkfKmf tamArEmlarfkfKmf
`mrrfkfKmf ~drvarftftabfKmf- `mrrfkqf
taqf tamAr mlrfkqidfFAbwfci malfv]f][f
taqftamAryAdEvaem[fB. 91

Those who have taken the dark hued Lord as the

way and are forever devoted to Him offering
flowers at His lotus feet and singing His glories with
a desire to reach them, are devas even to the one
seated on the lotus, the one who wears the dancing
serpents, and to all others including the eternal
attendants of the Lord.

In this verse,Azhwar says that Bhakti (devotion) to the Lord is the

common link between all the three different personalities
described above and that they are superior to everyone in all
spheres.

103
malf v]f][f- the dark coloured Lord Krishna
taqf tamAr `AdEvamf '[fB - Remembering Lord Krishna
who said "maEmkmf Sr]mf vfrj " and taking Him as the way
and desiring to reach His lotus feet
tamAr EmlarfkfKmf-
Brahma who is seated on the lotus
~D `rv< ~rftftabfKmf- Siva who wears the dancing serpents
over his body
`mrrfkfKmf- Nityasuris referring to the eternal attendants of the
Lord
yavrfkfKmf- all meaning including all devas and humans

'[fBmbnftbiEy[f '[fe[wfctfEtAvtfT
ni[fBmiRnfTmf enDmaAl- '[fBmf
tiRviRnft marfp[f cirItr{kfkaqayf
kRviRnftnaqfMtlakfkapfp<. 92

I will never ever forget that Lord to whom I am a

servant keeping Him always in my heart standing,
sitting and in all other states, Lord Sridhara in
whose heart forever resides mother Lakshmi,
having been under His protective fold from the
days of my sojourn in the womb.
.

In this verse, Azhwar describes his own state of devotion and

reiterates how he has been the recipient of the divine grace from
the very early days of his life and that he can never forget the
Lord.
Azhwar not only obtained the grace of not forgetting Him ever but
also was blessed to be in His eternal service.
'[fBmf
tiRviRnft marfp[f cirItr{kfK ~qf ~yf-

104
'[fBmf tiRviRnft marfp[f cirItr[f- He is Sridhara since Sri
forever resides in His heart.
`klkilfEl[f ;Aby<em[fB `lrfEmlf mgfAk uAbmarfpa
(tiRvayf emazi 6-10-10)
Azhwar points out also that he has attained His grace because of
Sri.
The reason for him not forgetting the Lord and remaining as His
eternal servant is the fact that the Lord has showered His grace on
him from the early days of his life in the womb.
kR ;Rnft naqf Mtla kfkapfp<.
kRvrgfktfTdf kidnfT Ak etaZEt[f k]fEd[ (Sri Poikai
Piran -Mudal Thiruvandhadhi -6)
kRkfEkadfFy<dfkidnfT Ak etaZEt[f k]fEd[f (Sri
BudhatAzhwar -Irandaam Thiruvandhadhi -87)

kapfp<mbnftbiEy[f k]f]E[ey[fbiRpfp[f
~pfpgfekaziyv<mf plfLyirfkfKmf- ~kfAk
ekaDtftqitft EkaE[ K]pfprE[ u[fA[
vidtfT]iyarfemyfetqinftarftamf. 93

I will not forget the saving grace of Lord Krishna

who is both the means and the end. In that deluge,
for all the souls bereft of the physical bodies and the
senses, O' Lord You blessed them with physical
forms. O' Lord with the most auspicious qualities!
Those who understand your real nature will not let
go of you.

In this verse, Azhwar says that those who have understood the
Lord's saving grace and His real nature, will not let Him go.
`gfK plfLyirfkfKmf ~pfp< oziyv<mf - ~kfAk
ekaDtfT `qitft EkaE[-In that deluge, for all the souls bereft
of the physical bodies and the senses,
O' Lord, You gave them back the physical forms.

105
emyf etqinftarf tamf u[fA[
vidt fT]iyarf f. Those who understand your real nature will not
let you go.

emyfetqinftarf '[fecyfyarf Evba[arf nIbak

AketqinfTkadfFkfkqpfpDtfT- Apetqinft
pamfpi[A]yayf `Rqa yFEybfK
Evmfp<gfkbiyaKEm[fB. . 94

What can not be done by those who are

knowledgeable? You helped Pandavas, your
devotees and eliminated in the battlefild,
Duryodhana and others fit to be reduced to ashes.
O' Lord, you then laid down on the sweet bed of the
bright hooded serpent. If you desire, you can grace
me Thy servant, for when there is a need even neem
leaf can be cooked as an edible dish.

In this verse, Azhwar says that the Lord's real nature is to be the
shelter for everyone. Protecting him despite his faults is the right
thing which the Lord will do. If one wants the medicinal effect
then one will cook and eat neem leaf even though it is bitter to
taste.

emyf etqinftarf '[f ecyfyarf -

skfREt3v pfrpnfnay tvasfmIti yacEt

`p4ymf srfvp>4Etpf4y@ t3ta3mfEyttf3 vfrtmf mm
~nAynmf hrisfErxfd t3tftmsfyap4ymf mya
vipI4xE]a va sHkf3rIv yti va rav] sfvymf (Ramayanam
-Yuddha- 18-33)

106
"I vouchsafe security against all living beings to him who comes
to me only once and seeks protection (from me), saying 'I am
yours' such is my vow. O' jewel among monkeys, be he
Vibhishana or Ravana himself O' Sugriva".
Lord Rama was willing to give shelter even to Ravana when the
question of accepting Vibhishana or not was being discussed in
the presence of Sugriva and others.

kimtfr citfrmf t4rfmjfw Elaknat2 sHk2avh

ytf tfvmarfymf pfrpa4Ext2a@ stfvvanf stfpEt2 sfti2t@
((Ramayanam-Yuddha-18-36)
Sugriva replies to Lord Rama: "What wonder , O' crest jewel of
kings, the knower of what is right, that you
have spoken aright at this moment, full of goodness as you are
and devoted to the path of the virtuous"

Offering protection to those with faults is more admirable than to

those without faults. Azhwar sites what the Lord did in Maha
Bharatha war next to indicate how He came to the aid of the
Pandavas, His devotees.
Evba[arf (Duryodhana and others who were the enemies of
Pandavas)
nIbak- considering them fit to be reduced to ashes
etqinfT Ak kadfF - helping in many ways (the Pandavas) and
kqmf pDtfT - eliminating (their enemies) in the battlefield.
"[fB.- when desired
Evmfp<mf kbi ~Kmf - even neem leaf can become a cooked curry.

"[fEb[FAm ;zinfEt[f pibpfpiDmfAp

~[fEb[f `mrrfkfkmraAm - ~[fEb[f
kd[aDmf m]f]aDmf AkvidfD EmAl
;dnaDka]vi[i.. 95

I accepted Thy service and became free of ego

arising out of birth, blessed with devotion and
knowledge, unapproachable even to devas.

107
Giving up the heavens and the earth, I am now
filled with the highest devotion to reach and
experience Sri Vaikuntam, the supreme abode of all
the devotees.

In this verse, Azhwar describes the development of his own

parama Bhakthi for the Lord.
"[fEb[f `FAm- Azhwar describes his unlimited desire to serve
the Lord. (ozivilf kalemlflamf `FAm ecyfy Ev]fDmf namf-
Thiruvaimozhi). This is not like the desire an ill person would
have for the medicine.

;zinfEt[f pibpfp< ;DmfAp- The "sense of I and mine" arising

from embodied life is like a mountain and Azhwar describes that
he got down from this mountain meaning that he became free of
the "sense of I and mine" .
~[fEb[f `mrrfkfK `mraAm- Became filled (with knowledge
and devotion) and thus unapproachable even to the devas.
kd[f naDmf - The heavens where one goes in order to exhaust
one's metrits (p<]fy Punya)
m]f naDmf - this earth
AkvidfD- giving up ka] ;[i- now to reach and experience.
EmAl ;dmf naD - Sri Vaikuntam, the supreme abode of the
devotees,
~[fEb[f.- became filled (with supreme devotion - parama
bhakthi)

;[iybinfEt[f :cbfKmf na[fMkbfKnfetyfvmf

;[iybinfEt[f 'mfepRma{[fA[- ;[iybinfEt[f
kar]mfnI kbfbAvnI kbfpAvnI- nbfkiriAc
nar][fnIn[fkbinfEt[fna[f. 96

108
O' my Lord, now I firmly understand that Thou art
God to Siva and Brahma. Now I realize Thy real
nature. Thou art the cause of everything. Thou art
all that is known and to be known. Thou art
Narayana, the support of all and the provider of
unconditional protection. I understand all of this
well.

In this verse, Azhwar describes his direct experience and

knowledge of the Lord.
;[i `binfEt[f :cbfKmf na[fMkbfKmf etyfvmf- I firmly
understand that you are God to :c[f (Siva) and the four-faced
Brahma.
kar]m fnI You are the cause of everything
kbfbAv nI kbfpAv nI- You are all that is known and all that is
to be known.
nbfkiriAc your nature is to provide unconditional protection to
everyone
nar][f nI- suited to that nature you are the supreme Lord and
the support of all.

na[fMk[f tiRvnftati vfyakfya[mf MbfbibfB.

The end of the commentary on Naanmukan
Thiruvandhadhi

109
! tiRmziAcpira[i[f
tiRmziAcpira[i[f vazitftiRnammf.
`[fp<d[f `nftati eta]f}\bfbaBArtfta[f
vaziEy
`zkaRmf tiRmziAc `mrfnft eclfv[f vaziEy
;[fpmiKtf Atyilf mktf tigfKtitfta[f vaziEy
'zibfcnft viRtftmf N\bfbiRpT :nfta[f vaziEy
M[fp<ktftilf vnfTtitft M[iv[arf vaziEy
MZpfepRkfkilf epa[f[ieytirf mitnft ecalfEla[f
vaziEy
n[fp<viyilf nalayirtf etZN\bfba[f vaziEy
ngfkqf pkftisar[f tiR nbfptgfkqf vaziEy.

Benedictory Verse on Sri Thirumazhisai Piran

Long live the One, who sang with love the Andadhi
of ninetysix
Long live the One who resided in the beautiful
Thirumazhisai
Long live the One who incarnated on Magham in
the pleasant month of Thai
Long live the One who gave the lovely Chanda
Viruttam of one hundred and twenty
Long live the sage who came into this world in the
previous Yuga
Long live the One whose words floated upstream of
the bulging river Cauvery
Long live the One who spent four thousand and
seven hundred years in this good earth
Long live the holy feet of our Bhaktisara.

! tiRmziAcpira[f tiRvFkEq cr]mf.

I seek refuge at the holy feet of Sri Thirumazhisai
Piran.

110
111