SrI: SrImathE SatakOpAya nama: SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImath varavaramunayE nama:
Highlights from thirukkurukaippirAn piLLAn‘s introduction
See nampiLLai’s introduction.
Highlights from nanjIyar‘s introduction
See nampiLLai’s introduction.
Highlights from vAdhi kEsari azhagiya maNavALa jIyar‘s introduction
In the eighth decad, AzhwAr desired to attain emperumAn through a gataka (messenger) in this manner, out of his great urge in attainment of the goal, saw emperumAn revealing his merciful presence in thirunAvAy as paripUrNan (one who is complete) and highlighted the following aspects of his:
- his presence in divine abodes to eliminate the hurdles in experiencing him
- his glorious enjoyability
- his distinguished relationship
- his being the target of eternal service
- his completeness in having divine consorts, associates, paraphernalia etc
- his obedience towards his devotees
- his completeness in being the lord, protector et al
- his bestowing the knowledge to enjoy him
- his incomprehensible lordship over all
- his being with a very pleasant form
Meditating upon these, AzhwAr contemplates in his mind in many ways thinking “There will be a day when I reach the merciful abode of such sarvESvaran”.
Highlights from periyavAchchAn piLLai‘s introduction
See nampiLLai‘s introduction.
Highlights from nampiLLai‘s introduction
After thiruvadi (hanuman) went and worshipped sIthAp pirAtti and before he returned to perumAL, pirAtti had many desires; in this decad, AzhwAr talks about his desires similar to those of pirAtti, before his messenger reaches emperumAn and brings him. AzhwAr became distressed since he had informed emperumAn of his sorrow and yet emperumAn did not arrive immediately; due to sending messenger, meditating upon his qualities and clarity in mind, he firmly believed “He will certainly come and accept me and take me to thirunAvAy which is a well-settled abode”; but since he did not reach there immediately, he became anxious and desired in many ways thinking “Can I enter there? When will I enter there? Will I able to see him to the full satisfaction of my eyes and serve him after reaching there?”
For those who firmly believe in “ISvara is both upAya (means) and upEya (goal)”, when their taste in the goal reaches its peak, until they reach the goal, they will keep contemplating these desires. This contemplation of the desires cannot be avoided for him [AthmA], will be pleasant and will match his svarUpam (true nature). periya mudhaliyAr (ALavandhAr) would constantly recite this decad due to the urge in attaining the goal; hence this decad is known as “periya mudhaliyAr thiruvAimozhi“. Alternatively, there are some who say “AzhwAr thought that the messengers who were sent there did not return and hence he himself sets out to go to emperumAn‘s divine abode”.
Each pAsuram is discussed subsequently.