Varththai 41
==========
41. maN pUvai ittEnO kuravanambiyaip pOlE
Near Thiruppathi was the town of Kuravapuram and Bheeman, an ardent devotee of Lord Srinivasa lived there. He belonged to the potter class. He created an image of Srinivasa
with mud and prayed to Him everyday. He would make flowers out of mud and present the Lord with that each day. Our acharyas called this mud flower as "paNippU".Srinivasa enjoyed the great love of this devotee.
Due to his great selfless love for the Lord, he came to be called as Kurumbaruththa Namni and also as Kuravanambi (for his town). One time Srinivasa decided that the devotion of Kuravanambi should be brought to the notice of the world. So, when the devoted King Thondaiman presented Him with golden flowers, He showed the mud flowers on top of the golden flowers. Seeing this, the king was surprised. He prayed to the Lord to understand what happened. Srinivasa made him realize the greatness of Kuravanambi. So Thondaiman went to Kuravapuram, met Nambi there and gave him his respects.
It is said that, unable to accept the fact that his private experience with the Lord had become publicized (even by Him), Kuravanambi gave his life at that moment itself.
Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I pray to the Lord using mud flowers with deep devotion and love like Kuravanambi did?"
Varththai 42
==========
42. mUlam enRu azhaiththEnO gajarAjanaip pOlE
In the eighth skandam of Bhagavata Puranam, the story of Gajendra the elephant, iswritten. In the Trikuta mountains, there was a beautiful lotus pond owned by varuna. One
day, a herd of elephants led bt Gajendra and his consorts came there. They entered the pond, took a bath and played around. At that time, a crocodile caught the foot of
Gajendra. Gajendra fought with all his strength but could not free himself. Later the other elephants too tried to help him but could not. The battle lasted for many years.
Eventually, the elephant lost his strength and realized death was imminent. At that time, he also realized that neither could he save himself nor could he trust other beings like him and that the only true refuge was Sriman Narayana. He surrendered to the Lord and called
out to the supreme "namo namaste akhila kAraNAya niShkAraNAya adhbuta kAraNAya..."; the one who is the source of all (AdimUla).
Hearing this plea, all devatas stepped aside, whereas Sriman Narayana got on His Garuda and flew to the pond. There, He used His Sudarshana Chakra and cut the head of the crocodile, freed the elephant and protected him. He then personally accepted the flower that the elephant had plucked from the pond for Him.
Gajendra was a king called Indradyumna and the crocodile was a Gandharva called Hoohoo in their earlier births. Due to a curse, they were born as animals, and now both were freed from their curse. The both praised Sriman Narayana.
This event has been praised greatly by Azhvars and Acharyas in their works.
Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I cry out to the supreme who is the cause for everything and attain His grace like Gajendra did?"
Varththai 43 :-
===========
43. pUsak koduththEnO kUniyaip pOlE
When Krishna entered Mathura along with Balarama on the invitation of Kamsa through Akrura, He first met a washerman. He and Balarama asked for some new clothes, but the washerman, who worked for Kamsa, refused. So, they defeated him, took some clothes,
put them on and left. Next, they met a florist and accepted fragrant garlands from him (more on this in the next vArththai). Then, as they were walking in the main street, they saw young and pretty lass who had a hunchback. In her hand, she was carrying many types of fragrant sandal. Her name was Trivakrai or Naikavakrai.
Krishna looked at her and said "O beautiful girl! Who are you taking this sandalpaste for?"
She replied "O beautiful one! I am taking this sandalpaste for Kamsa". Krishna and Balarama asked her for same sandal. She gave them some and they rejected
it as artificially scented. She gave them a different variety and they rejected it as being meant for kings and therefore likely to build arrogance. Pleased that they were able to
discern good fragrance from bad, she gave them sandal paste that matched their divine bodies. They wore it with pleasure. Then, Krishna placing His foot on her's and two fingers under her chin, lifted her and removed the hunch from her back.
Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I give fragrant paste to the Lord like the hunchback did without thinking about consequences?"
Varththai 44
=========
44. pUvaik koduththEnO mAlAkAraraip pOlE
Krishna and Balarama entered Mathura to take part in the archery event organized by Kamsa. On the way, they met a washerman first. They asked him for some new clothes,
but he refused. So, they defeated him, took some clothes, put them on and left. Then they wished to wear new and fragrant flowers. So, they entered a small street and reached the home of a florist. Bhagavatam says that his name was Sudama. Upon seeing them both,
Sudama recognized their greatness and fell at their feet.
The two, who looked like freshly blossomed lotuses themselves, asked him for flowers.
Sudama praised them and gave them wonderful flowers to wear. Our acharyas wonder at the fact that a florist who would cover his own face to avoid being attracted to flowers and using them himself instead of selling them, would give the best garlands that he had due to the great love he felt for the Lord. Krishna was pleased by the affection shown by the mAlakAra and gave him several boons.
Swami Ramanuja praises Sudama along with Akrura in his Gita Bashyam.
It is due to this that many of our Azhvars and Acharyas seeked to perform flower service to the Lord.
Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I show the selfless love exhibited by mAlAkAra?
Varththai 45
=========
45. vazhi adimai seydhEnO lakshmaNanaip pOlE
When Rama was asked to go to the forest based on the boons that Kaikeyi got from Dasaratha, Lakshmana too wanted to go with Him. Initially, Rama did not agree to that.
However, Lakshmana pleaded with Rama thus: "Just as a fish would not survive out of the water, so too mother Sita and myself cannot survive separation from You. Therefore,
You have to take me with You." He then told Rama that when He and Sita live and play in the sides of mountains, he would perform all kinds of services to them "aham sarvam karishyAmi".
Lakshmana's mother Sumitra also tells him that he was made for the sake of living in the forest "srushTstavam vanavAsAya". She also warned him that he should not lose his mind watching the beauty of Rama's walk and fail in his duties. Nammazhvar also worries "Only due to Lakshmana following Him, Rama survived in the
forest. Otherwise what might have happened to Him."
Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I stay always with Him and perform all kinds of services like Lakshmana did?"
Varththai 46
=========
46. vaiththa idaththu irundhEnO baradhanaip pOlE
When Kaikeyi asked for the boons of making Bharatha the king and that Rama should go to the forest for 14 years, Bharatha was not in Ayodhya. He was at his uncles' place in the Kekaya kingdom.
After Rama left for the forest and the king Dasaratha died due to the separation from Rama, the ministers of Ayodhya requested Bharatha to return to Ayodhya.
When Bharatha returned and found about what had happened, he became very angry. He then made a decision to get his brother Rama back to Ayodhya and coronate Him as the king.
After the final rites were completed for Dasaratha, Vasishta and the ministers of Ayodhya
requested Bharatha to become the king. He refused and said "Both I and this kingdom are
the property of Rama. How can one property rule over another?"
He then took his mothers, ministers, pundits, army and a large number of people with him
and went into the forest to meet Rama. There, he met Rama, told Him of Dasaratha's
demise and prayed to Him "I along with the ministers bow my head to You. Please show
mercy on me who is Your brother, disciple and slave".
Rama did not accede. He told Bharatha that they both must fulfill their father's command.
He promised Bharatha that He would come back after 14 years in the forest and accept
the kingdom, but that Bharatha should rule Ayodhya till that time.
Bharatha agreed, but took Rama's padukas and told Him that he would rule on behalf of the padukas.
Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I show the state of pAratantrya - of accepting the Lord's wish, no matter whether it is agreeable or not - like Bharatha did?"
vaarththai :- 47
===========
47. akkaraikkE vittEnO guhapperumALaip pOlE
Following the word of Dasaratha, Rama decided to go to the forest for 14 years.
Sumanthra drove Him, Sita and Lakshmana in a chariot to the banks of Ganges and left them at a town called Srungiberapura. There, the hunters were ruled by Guha. He received Rama with honor and hosted them at his place. Rama spent the night at Guha's place and asked him to take them across the river the next day. Guha took them, as well as their weapons and other items, to the other side of Ganges in a beautiful boat.
Later, when Bharatha and others came to the same place to meet Rama and plead with Him to return, Guha carried them all in 500 boats across the river.
For his noble service to the Lord, Bharatha and their retinue, our elders respectfully refer to Guha as Guha Perumal.
Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I help the Lord and His devotees reach the other side of the river like Guha did?"
Varththai 48
=========
48. arakkanudan porudhEnO periya udaiyAraip pOlE
When Rama, Sita and Lakshmana left sage Agastya's ashrama and left for Panachavati, on the way, they met an old vulture. When they asked who he was, the vulture replied "My name is Jatayu and I am your father
Dasaratha's friend." Rama bowed to the vulture
and enquired about him and his antecedents.
Jatayu replied "One of the wives of Kashyapa Prajapati was Thamra. In her clan was born Vinata. Vinata had two sons Garuda and Aruna. To Aruna were born two sons - the elder is Sambhati and I am the younger, Jatayu. I am living in this forest and I will accompany You while You are
here", and blessed them. So, Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Jatayu all went together to Panchavati.
Jatayu stayed close to the ashrama where Rama was staying. Rama told Lakshmana "We have been separated from our father. So, let's stay under the wings of Jatayu".
Later, Ravana planned to abduct Sita and used Mareecha to trick and get Rama and Lakshmana away from Her. As he was carrying away Sita, Jatayu intercepted them. He
tried to talk Ravana into giving up this bad idea and release Sita. When he did not listen, Jatayu began waging a great war with Ravana. He broke Ravana's chariot and attacked him fiercely. In the end, Ravana managed to cut Jatayu's wings and feet and threw him to the ground. He then left with Sita to Lanka.
When Rama and Lakshmana came looking for Sita, they saw Jatayu lying in the ground. Jatayu told them what happened, performed mangalashasana to Rama by calling Him 'Ayushman' and then gave up his life. Due to that and the great respect Rama had for him, our acharyas refered to Jatayu as Periya Udaiyar.
Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I fight with Ravana and dare to give up my body and soul, like Periya Udaiyar did?"
Varththai 49
=========
49. ikkaraikkE senREnO vibIshaNanaip pOlE
After Hanuman discovered the presence of Sita in Lanka, Rama came to the other shore from Lanka with a huge monkey army under the guidance of Sugreeva. At that time,
Ravan called a meeting in his rajya sabha and discussed the situation. His ministers and army leaders told him that their army would easily defeat the army of Rama and
Sugreeva. They said "With Ravana and Indrajit on our side who defeated even the devas under Indra, how could we lose to a mere army of men and monkeys?"
The only one in the meeting who objected was Ravana's brother Vibeeshana. He said "It is not smart to judge another army without fully judging its capability. From the time Sita was kidnapped and brought here, we have been seeing many inauspicious signs. Sita is a great pativrata. Rama and Lakshmana are incomparable warriors. At Janastana, Rama destroyed our huge army in no time by Himself. They have also killed rakshasas such as
Virata and Kabanda. Therefore, it is best that we return Sita to Rama and discuss peace That's our only path to survival. I am saying this because of my interest in what is best for our clan."
Ravana and Indrajit were not pleased with this talk and they abused Vibeeshana. When Vibesshana insisted again, Ravan got angry with him and asked him to leave Lanka. Vibeeshana left Lanka along with four of his close friends and flew across the ocean to where Rama and His army were camped.
There, he seeked surrender at Rama's divine feet, the sarva loka sharaNya. Initially, Sugreeva and others objected to accepting Vibeeshana. Rama, however, disagreed and accepted Vibeeshana, who fell at His feet and said "I have given up all my prior attachments. My life is now entirely in Your hands."
Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I leave everything on this side and go to where the Lord is, like Vibeeshana did?"
==========
41. maN pUvai ittEnO kuravanambiyaip pOlE
Near Thiruppathi was the town of Kuravapuram and Bheeman, an ardent devotee of Lord Srinivasa lived there. He belonged to the potter class. He created an image of Srinivasa
with mud and prayed to Him everyday. He would make flowers out of mud and present the Lord with that each day. Our acharyas called this mud flower as "paNippU".Srinivasa enjoyed the great love of this devotee.
Due to his great selfless love for the Lord, he came to be called as Kurumbaruththa Namni and also as Kuravanambi (for his town). One time Srinivasa decided that the devotion of Kuravanambi should be brought to the notice of the world. So, when the devoted King Thondaiman presented Him with golden flowers, He showed the mud flowers on top of the golden flowers. Seeing this, the king was surprised. He prayed to the Lord to understand what happened. Srinivasa made him realize the greatness of Kuravanambi. So Thondaiman went to Kuravapuram, met Nambi there and gave him his respects.
It is said that, unable to accept the fact that his private experience with the Lord had become publicized (even by Him), Kuravanambi gave his life at that moment itself.
Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I pray to the Lord using mud flowers with deep devotion and love like Kuravanambi did?"
Varththai 42
==========
42. mUlam enRu azhaiththEnO gajarAjanaip pOlE
In the eighth skandam of Bhagavata Puranam, the story of Gajendra the elephant, iswritten. In the Trikuta mountains, there was a beautiful lotus pond owned by varuna. One
day, a herd of elephants led bt Gajendra and his consorts came there. They entered the pond, took a bath and played around. At that time, a crocodile caught the foot of
Gajendra. Gajendra fought with all his strength but could not free himself. Later the other elephants too tried to help him but could not. The battle lasted for many years.
Eventually, the elephant lost his strength and realized death was imminent. At that time, he also realized that neither could he save himself nor could he trust other beings like him and that the only true refuge was Sriman Narayana. He surrendered to the Lord and called
out to the supreme "namo namaste akhila kAraNAya niShkAraNAya adhbuta kAraNAya..."; the one who is the source of all (AdimUla).
Hearing this plea, all devatas stepped aside, whereas Sriman Narayana got on His Garuda and flew to the pond. There, He used His Sudarshana Chakra and cut the head of the crocodile, freed the elephant and protected him. He then personally accepted the flower that the elephant had plucked from the pond for Him.
Gajendra was a king called Indradyumna and the crocodile was a Gandharva called Hoohoo in their earlier births. Due to a curse, they were born as animals, and now both were freed from their curse. The both praised Sriman Narayana.
This event has been praised greatly by Azhvars and Acharyas in their works.
Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I cry out to the supreme who is the cause for everything and attain His grace like Gajendra did?"
Varththai 43 :-
===========
43. pUsak koduththEnO kUniyaip pOlE
When Krishna entered Mathura along with Balarama on the invitation of Kamsa through Akrura, He first met a washerman. He and Balarama asked for some new clothes, but the washerman, who worked for Kamsa, refused. So, they defeated him, took some clothes,
put them on and left. Next, they met a florist and accepted fragrant garlands from him (more on this in the next vArththai). Then, as they were walking in the main street, they saw young and pretty lass who had a hunchback. In her hand, she was carrying many types of fragrant sandal. Her name was Trivakrai or Naikavakrai.
Krishna looked at her and said "O beautiful girl! Who are you taking this sandalpaste for?"
She replied "O beautiful one! I am taking this sandalpaste for Kamsa". Krishna and Balarama asked her for same sandal. She gave them some and they rejected
it as artificially scented. She gave them a different variety and they rejected it as being meant for kings and therefore likely to build arrogance. Pleased that they were able to
discern good fragrance from bad, she gave them sandal paste that matched their divine bodies. They wore it with pleasure. Then, Krishna placing His foot on her's and two fingers under her chin, lifted her and removed the hunch from her back.
Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I give fragrant paste to the Lord like the hunchback did without thinking about consequences?"
Varththai 44
=========
44. pUvaik koduththEnO mAlAkAraraip pOlE
Krishna and Balarama entered Mathura to take part in the archery event organized by Kamsa. On the way, they met a washerman first. They asked him for some new clothes,
but he refused. So, they defeated him, took some clothes, put them on and left. Then they wished to wear new and fragrant flowers. So, they entered a small street and reached the home of a florist. Bhagavatam says that his name was Sudama. Upon seeing them both,
Sudama recognized their greatness and fell at their feet.
The two, who looked like freshly blossomed lotuses themselves, asked him for flowers.
Sudama praised them and gave them wonderful flowers to wear. Our acharyas wonder at the fact that a florist who would cover his own face to avoid being attracted to flowers and using them himself instead of selling them, would give the best garlands that he had due to the great love he felt for the Lord. Krishna was pleased by the affection shown by the mAlakAra and gave him several boons.
Swami Ramanuja praises Sudama along with Akrura in his Gita Bashyam.
It is due to this that many of our Azhvars and Acharyas seeked to perform flower service to the Lord.
Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I show the selfless love exhibited by mAlAkAra?
Varththai 45
=========
45. vazhi adimai seydhEnO lakshmaNanaip pOlE
When Rama was asked to go to the forest based on the boons that Kaikeyi got from Dasaratha, Lakshmana too wanted to go with Him. Initially, Rama did not agree to that.
However, Lakshmana pleaded with Rama thus: "Just as a fish would not survive out of the water, so too mother Sita and myself cannot survive separation from You. Therefore,
You have to take me with You." He then told Rama that when He and Sita live and play in the sides of mountains, he would perform all kinds of services to them "aham sarvam karishyAmi".
Lakshmana's mother Sumitra also tells him that he was made for the sake of living in the forest "srushTstavam vanavAsAya". She also warned him that he should not lose his mind watching the beauty of Rama's walk and fail in his duties. Nammazhvar also worries "Only due to Lakshmana following Him, Rama survived in the
forest. Otherwise what might have happened to Him."
Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I stay always with Him and perform all kinds of services like Lakshmana did?"
Varththai 46
=========
46. vaiththa idaththu irundhEnO baradhanaip pOlE
When Kaikeyi asked for the boons of making Bharatha the king and that Rama should go to the forest for 14 years, Bharatha was not in Ayodhya. He was at his uncles' place in the Kekaya kingdom.
After Rama left for the forest and the king Dasaratha died due to the separation from Rama, the ministers of Ayodhya requested Bharatha to return to Ayodhya.
When Bharatha returned and found about what had happened, he became very angry. He then made a decision to get his brother Rama back to Ayodhya and coronate Him as the king.
After the final rites were completed for Dasaratha, Vasishta and the ministers of Ayodhya
requested Bharatha to become the king. He refused and said "Both I and this kingdom are
the property of Rama. How can one property rule over another?"
He then took his mothers, ministers, pundits, army and a large number of people with him
and went into the forest to meet Rama. There, he met Rama, told Him of Dasaratha's
demise and prayed to Him "I along with the ministers bow my head to You. Please show
mercy on me who is Your brother, disciple and slave".
Rama did not accede. He told Bharatha that they both must fulfill their father's command.
He promised Bharatha that He would come back after 14 years in the forest and accept
the kingdom, but that Bharatha should rule Ayodhya till that time.
Bharatha agreed, but took Rama's padukas and told Him that he would rule on behalf of the padukas.
Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I show the state of pAratantrya - of accepting the Lord's wish, no matter whether it is agreeable or not - like Bharatha did?"
vaarththai :- 47
===========
47. akkaraikkE vittEnO guhapperumALaip pOlE
Following the word of Dasaratha, Rama decided to go to the forest for 14 years.
Sumanthra drove Him, Sita and Lakshmana in a chariot to the banks of Ganges and left them at a town called Srungiberapura. There, the hunters were ruled by Guha. He received Rama with honor and hosted them at his place. Rama spent the night at Guha's place and asked him to take them across the river the next day. Guha took them, as well as their weapons and other items, to the other side of Ganges in a beautiful boat.
Later, when Bharatha and others came to the same place to meet Rama and plead with Him to return, Guha carried them all in 500 boats across the river.
For his noble service to the Lord, Bharatha and their retinue, our elders respectfully refer to Guha as Guha Perumal.
Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I help the Lord and His devotees reach the other side of the river like Guha did?"
Varththai 48
=========
48. arakkanudan porudhEnO periya udaiyAraip pOlE
When Rama, Sita and Lakshmana left sage Agastya's ashrama and left for Panachavati, on the way, they met an old vulture. When they asked who he was, the vulture replied "My name is Jatayu and I am your father
Dasaratha's friend." Rama bowed to the vulture
and enquired about him and his antecedents.
Jatayu replied "One of the wives of Kashyapa Prajapati was Thamra. In her clan was born Vinata. Vinata had two sons Garuda and Aruna. To Aruna were born two sons - the elder is Sambhati and I am the younger, Jatayu. I am living in this forest and I will accompany You while You are
here", and blessed them. So, Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Jatayu all went together to Panchavati.
Jatayu stayed close to the ashrama where Rama was staying. Rama told Lakshmana "We have been separated from our father. So, let's stay under the wings of Jatayu".
Later, Ravana planned to abduct Sita and used Mareecha to trick and get Rama and Lakshmana away from Her. As he was carrying away Sita, Jatayu intercepted them. He
tried to talk Ravana into giving up this bad idea and release Sita. When he did not listen, Jatayu began waging a great war with Ravana. He broke Ravana's chariot and attacked him fiercely. In the end, Ravana managed to cut Jatayu's wings and feet and threw him to the ground. He then left with Sita to Lanka.
When Rama and Lakshmana came looking for Sita, they saw Jatayu lying in the ground. Jatayu told them what happened, performed mangalashasana to Rama by calling Him 'Ayushman' and then gave up his life. Due to that and the great respect Rama had for him, our acharyas refered to Jatayu as Periya Udaiyar.
Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I fight with Ravana and dare to give up my body and soul, like Periya Udaiyar did?"
Varththai 49
=========
49. ikkaraikkE senREnO vibIshaNanaip pOlE
After Hanuman discovered the presence of Sita in Lanka, Rama came to the other shore from Lanka with a huge monkey army under the guidance of Sugreeva. At that time,
Ravan called a meeting in his rajya sabha and discussed the situation. His ministers and army leaders told him that their army would easily defeat the army of Rama and
Sugreeva. They said "With Ravana and Indrajit on our side who defeated even the devas under Indra, how could we lose to a mere army of men and monkeys?"
The only one in the meeting who objected was Ravana's brother Vibeeshana. He said "It is not smart to judge another army without fully judging its capability. From the time Sita was kidnapped and brought here, we have been seeing many inauspicious signs. Sita is a great pativrata. Rama and Lakshmana are incomparable warriors. At Janastana, Rama destroyed our huge army in no time by Himself. They have also killed rakshasas such as
Virata and Kabanda. Therefore, it is best that we return Sita to Rama and discuss peace That's our only path to survival. I am saying this because of my interest in what is best for our clan."
Ravana and Indrajit were not pleased with this talk and they abused Vibeeshana. When Vibesshana insisted again, Ravan got angry with him and asked him to leave Lanka. Vibeeshana left Lanka along with four of his close friends and flew across the ocean to where Rama and His army were camped.
There, he seeked surrender at Rama's divine feet, the sarva loka sharaNya. Initially, Sugreeva and others objected to accepting Vibeeshana. Rama, however, disagreed and accepted Vibeeshana, who fell at His feet and said "I have given up all my prior attachments. My life is now entirely in Your hands."
Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I leave everything on this side and go to where the Lord is, like Vibeeshana did?"
No comments:
Post a Comment