clouds

 Azhwars, the Vaishnava saints, rendered hymns in Tamil, encompassing the philosophical and theological ideas of the three fundamental doctrines of Vaishnavism. These three are tattva (ultimate reality), hita (the means to attain the same) and purushartha (supreme goal of life). Each of the Azhwars presented these in a manner readily comprehensible to the ordinary man through their hymns dedicated to the Supreme, said Tirukkudanthai Dr. Venkatesh in a discourse.Poigai Azhwar, Bhuttat Azhwar and Pey Azhwar sang on Vaikunta and Tiruvikrama. Tirumazhisai Azhwar was focused on antartyami, the Lord within us. Kulasekhara Azhwar was dedicated to singing on Rama. Tiruppan Azhwar sang on both the sthalams, Tirumalai and Tirupati. Tirumangai Azhwar rendered pasurams on all the Divya Desams. Lord Krishna was everything to Periazhwar, Andal and Nammazhwar. For his disciple Madhurakavi, Nammazhwar was the ultimate guru and sang on him. However, Tondaradippodi Azhwar believed only in residing in Srirangam, and singing upon Lord Ranganatha. His prayer, “Pachai mamalai pol meni” continues to reverberate in temples and resonate with devotees over the centuries.

Born in Tirumandangudi under the Kettai star in the Tamil month of Margazhi, Tondaradippodi Azhwar established a garden to offer herbs and flowers to the Lord every day. He took pride in being a tolava tondan. He rendered two prabhandams — Tiruppalliezhuchi and Tirumaalai. It is often said that those who do not know Tirumaalai, do not know Tirumaal (Narayanan). Tiruppalliezhuchi is rendered in all the Vaishnava temples every day. He reinforced the efficacy of nama sankirtan. Such is the power of the Lord’s name that if uttered in hell, it turns into heaven! “Namanum Mudgalanum pesa… Naragil ninrargal ketka, naragame sorgamagum” (When Yama and Mudgalan were conversing, the latter simply said, Krishna. At once, hell turned into heaven).

In verse four of Andal’s Thiruppavai, gopikas summon Parjanya, the god of rains, and order him to rain. Devotees are close to Lord Krishna’s heart, so the devata of rains obeys the orders of the gopikas, T.N. Aravamuda Thathachariar explained in a discourse. The Lord, after all, is the One who resides inside everyone, including the devatas. He is present in everyone as antaryami.Lord Narayana has five forms — para, vyuha, vibhava, antaryami, and archa. The first three pasurams speak of the para, vyuha, and vibhava forms. In the fourth pasuram, Andal speaks of the antaryami form. It is said that the clouds refer to Acharyas, who lead us to Bhagavan. Scholars have compared Poigai Azhvar, Bhootatazhvar, Peyazhvar, Thirumazhisai Azhvar, Thirumangai Azhvar and Ramanujacharya to clouds. In Thiruvarangathamudanar’s Ramanuja Nootrandadi, Ramanujacharya is compared to clouds.

There is one difference between the gracious Ramanuja and clouds. Clouds may give too much rain, causing floods. Or they may give scanty rain, resulting in droughts. But there are no such problems in the case of Ramanujacharya. His teachings always lead his sishyas to the Lord. There is nothing negative in his approach.

The verse begins with the words ‘aazhi mazhai kanna’. But some scholars point out that this can be split as aazhi mazhaikku anna. Anna means elder brother. Krishna is the generous cloud, and His elder brother is Balarama. Balarama is the avatara of Adi Sesha. Ramanujacharya likewise is the avatara of Adi Sesha. So, it can be assumed that Ramanuja’s avatara, which is to take place in the future, is being suggested here.Goddess Bhumadevi once asked Lord Vishnu in Sri Vaikunta which service He liked the most. God replied that He relished the service of people making and offering garlands to Him.  Sri Dushyanth Sridhar said in a discourse that the Goddess took the avatar of Sri Andal to fulfil His cherished desire. Also called Godha, she was brought up by Vishnuchithar (Periazhwar) in an atmosphere of love and affection, who used to make garlands and offer the same to Lord Vatapatrasayee at Srivilliputhur daily.Sri Andal practised devotion from a young age and composed “Thiruppavai” and “Nachiar Thirumozhi”. Her life has been stitched into a perfect spiritual system. She showed us how to realise God through the spiritual act of stringing garlands and singing His paeans.  The term Andal refers to one who rules over. She had reigned over the people through her devotion, knowledge and clarity in words. In the fourth poem of Thiruppavai (Aazhi mazhai Kanna), she uses the unique Tamil letter “Zha“ 11 times, which shows her mastery of the language. It is said that the navagrahas act as guards to Lord Rama, Ranganatha and Srinivasa. Andal has mentioned in Thiruppavai about navagrahas — Sun and Moon (1st and 22nd poem), Mars (20th), Venus and Jupiter (13th), Saturn (20th), and Mercury (17th).

The thousand names of the Lord, narrated by Bhishma in the war of Kurukshetra, and known as the Vishnu Sahasranamam to all, is unique. There is no end to its efficacy. There is not a single undesirable characteristic in Him, rather He is the epitome of all that is right and just. Chanting Vishnu Sahasranamam and singing His praise is the only way to attain everything, His Holiness Srirangam Srimad Andavan (Srimushnam) Srivaraha Mahadesikan said in a discourse.One should know what is desirable conduct. When Draupadi was dishonoured in Duryodhana’s court, she reposed faith in His name and chanted ‘Govinda’, securing immediate benefit and succour. Vishnu Sahasranamam is one of the most nuanced renderings, with subtle, deep, and highly philosophical interpretations. In its literal form, it dovetails bhakti marg with mukhti marg.

It is human nature to become accustomed to certain comforts and experience difficulty when those comforts are gone, even if for a short while. The average person seeks to lead a fearless life but endowed with wealth. The ultimate blessing lies in chanting Vishnu Sahasranamam.

“Paramam yo Mahateja Paramam yo Mahattapa paramam yo maahad brahma par manya parayanam” says Bhishma. “That which is the greatest light, that which is the greatest penance, that which is the greatest brahmam, is the greatest shelter that I know” — the prayer is so powerful that it can be chanted even when one is unwell, since Vishnu namam is the ultimate medicine. Chanting the lines, “Sri Rama Rama rameti rame rame manorame; Sahasranama tat tulyam ramanama varanane” is also highly recommended. The best dharma in life is to chant Vishnu Sahasranamam and serve others, in His name.