thiruvAimozhi – 3.2.8 – mEvu thunba

SrI:  SrImathE SatakOpAya nama:  SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama:  SrImath varavaramunayE nama:

Full series >> Third Centum >> Second decad

Previous pAsuram

krishna-flute

Introduction for this pAsuram

Highlights from thirukkurukaippirAn piLLAn‘s introduction

No specific introduction.

Highlights from nanjIyar‘s introduction

In eighth pAsuram – AzhwAr says “Though I have no means to attain you, I am crying out for you to see you; How am I going to have my desire fulfilled?”.

Highlights from vAdhi kEsari azhagiya maNavALa jIyar‘s introduction

Subsequently, AzhwAr meditating upon emperumAn‘s divine qualities, forms and radiance which are a result of his saulabhyam (simplicity of being born as krishNa) says “How can I, who has nothing in me, call out for you to see you?”.

Highlights from periyavAchchAn piLLai‘s introduction

See nanjIyar‘s introduction.

Highlights from nampiLLai‘s introduction as documented by vadakkuth thiruvIdhip piLLai

Eighth pAsuram. AzhwAr is saying “How can I, who has no qualification matching the result to be attained, call out and attain the goal, like those who are engaged in certain means/process to attain a result would call out if their results are delayed?”.

pAsuram

mEvu thunba vinaigaLai viduththum ilEn
Ovudhal inRi un kazhal vaNangiRRilEn
pAvu thol sIrk kaNNA en paranjudarE!
kUvuginREn kANbAn engu eydhak kUvuvanE?

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Word-by-Word meanings (based on vAdhi kEsari azhagiya maNavALa jIyar‘s 12000 padi)

mEvu thunbam – having inseparable sorrows
vinaigaLai – sins
viduththum ilEn – did not give up (by engaging in thapa (penance), gyAna (knowledge), sama (good qualities) etc)
Ovudhal inRi – constantly
un – your (the apt you)
kazhal – divine feet
vaNangiRRilEn – did not worship (as said in thiruvAimozhi 1.3.5vaNakkudaith thavaneRi”)
pAvu – pervaded (everywhere)
thol – natural
sIr – having qualities (for protection [of his devotees])
kaNNA – being krishNa
en – for me whose desires are triggered by
param sudarE – oh one who is having infinitely radiant form!
kANbAn – to see
kUvuginREn – crying out (like those who engaged in various processes and called out for you since you did not appear even after such efforts)
engu – where
eydha – to reach
kUvuvan – will I call?

Simple translation (based on vAdhi kEsari azhagiya maNavALa jIyar‘s 12000 padi)

I did not give up  (by engaging in thapa (penance), gyAna (knowledge), sama (good qualities) etc) sins that cause inseparable sorrows; I did not constantly worship (as said in thiruvAimozhi 1.3.5 “vaNakkudaith thavaneRi”) your (the apt you) divine feet; Oh one who is having infinitely radiant form which triggers my desires, by being krishNa with natural qualities (for protection [of his devotees]) that have pervaded (everywhere)!  I am crying out (like those who engaged in various processes and called out for you since you did not appear even after such efforts) to see you; where will I call to reach you?

vyAkyAnams (commentaries)

Highlights from thirukkurukaippirAn piLLAn‘s vyAkyAnam

See vAdhi kEsari azhagiya maNavALa jIyar‘s translation.

Highlights from nanjIyar‘s vyAkyAnam

See nampiLLai‘s vyAkyAnam.

Highlights from periyavAchchAn piLLai‘s vyAkyAnam

See nampiLLai‘s vyAkyAnam.

Highlights from nampiLLai‘s vyAkyAnam as documented by vadakkuth thiruvIdhip piLLai

  • mEvu – Sins that cause inseparable sorrows for the AthmA as said in SrIranga gadhyamthilathailavath dhAruvahnivath” (like oil inside sesame seed and fire inside firewood). I did not eliminate such sins by engaging in ordained activities as said in thaiththiriya upanishath “dharmENA pApamapanudhathi” (by engaging in righteous acts, he eliminates the sins).
  • Ovudhal inRi un kazhal vaNangiRRilEn – I did not look out for the means to visualize you by engaging in constant meditation as said in bruhadhAraNya upanishath 4.5 “nidhidhyAsithvya:” (to be meditated upon). embAr would explain this as “OvudhalinRi mEvu thunba vinaigaLai viduththumilEn” (I did not constantly try to give up sinful activities) and “OvudhalinRi un kazhal vaNangiRRilEn” (I did not constantly try to worship your divine feet). Like a newly wed girl would not even have time for food (she will be constantly pursued by her husband), I lived by feeding my sense organs well and never looked after my well-being.
  • pAvu thol sIrk kaNNA – This being the case, once I meditated upon you, I am unable to leave you. Oh krishNa who is popular for your natural auspicious qualities even in opposing groups as said in SrI rAmAyaNam sundhara kANdam 21.20 “vidhitha:” (SrI rAma is well known as one who is well situated in dharma (specifically SaraNAgathi dharmam) …)!
  • en param sudarE – Oh one who revealed your greatness in all aspects!
  • kaNNA en param sudarE – Also explained as – Oh one who made yourself available as very humble krishNa and let me fully enjoy your beauty! It is said in thiruvAimozhi 6.3.7 “param chudar udambAy” (having radiant form).
  • kUvuginREn kANbAn – Those who engage in specific means [like karma yOga, gyAna yOga, bhakthi yOga etc] and still not attain, will call out for you when their goal is not attained. Similarly I am calling you [without engaging in any such means].
  • engu eydhak kUvuvanE – Would a mosquito’s call be heard in brahmA’s assembly? How I am going to make you come by my crying out?

In the next article we will enjoy the next pAsuram.

adiyen sarathy ramanuja dasan

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