thiruvAimozhi – 9.3.9 – thozhudhu mAmalar

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Full series >> Ninth Centum >> Third decad

Previous pAsuram

Introduction for this pAsuram

Highlights from thirukkurukaippirAn piLLAn‘s introduction

No specific introduction.

Highlights from nanjIyar‘s introduction

In the ninth pAsuram, AzhwAr says “Even if I surrender unto your divine feet, as said in ‘anyath pUrNAth apAm kumbAth’, as you become pleased easily even by the favourable attitude of the one who surrendered, it is difficult to perform any service for you due to your simplicity”.

Highlights from vAdhi kEsari azhagiya maNavALa jIyar‘s introduction

See nanjIyar‘s introduction.

Highlights from periyavAchchAn piLLai‘s introduction

See nanjIyar‘s introduction.

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

See nanjIyar‘s introduction.

Alternatively – some explain “AzhwAr is speaking about his disqualification in these three pAsurams [8, 9, 10]”; but that is not there for AzhwAr after thiruvAimozhi 8.8 “kaNgaL sivandhu“. Some others explain “AzhwAr is speaking about the upAya bhAvam (being the means) of emperumAn, where praying to him to attain something, is itself considered superfluous [he will do even without praying]”. These are not the focus here. Our AchAryas explain this as “AzhwAr speaking about emperumAn’s Seela guNam (simplicity) which will make one melt in his presence and hence one will not be able to serve him properly”.

pAsuram

thozhudhu mA malar nIr sudar dhUbangoNdu
ezhudhum ennum idhu migai Adhalin
pazhudhil thol pugazhp pAmbaNaip paLLiyAy!
thazhuvum ARaRiyEn una thALgaLE

Listen

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

mA – praiseworthy
malar – flower
nIr – water in the form of arghya (offering to wash hands) etc
sudar dhUbam – dhIpa (lamp) and dhUpa (incense)
koNdu – gathering
thozhudhu – to worship
ezhudhu – we will set out
ennum idhu – this

(due to your ultimate simplicity)
migai Adhalin – due to being superfluous
pazhudhu – fault (of being difficult to worship)
il – not having
thol pugazh – having natural, ultimate simplicity

(revealing that)
pAmbu – thiruvanthAzhwAn (Adhi SEsha)
aNai – having as mattress
paLLiyAy – Oh one who is resting, being eternally united with Adhi SEsha!
una thALgaL – your divine feet
thazhuvum – being united
ARu – method
aRiyEn – I don’t know.

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

Since it is superfluous to think “we will set out to worship you by gathering praiseworthy flower, water in the form of arghya etc, lamp and incense”, you are not having any fault (of being difficult to worship) but you are having natural, ultimate simplicity; I don’t know the method to unite with your divine feet, Oh one who is resting on thiruvananthAzhwAn (Adhi SEsha) and having him as mattress and being eternally united with him!

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

  • thozhudhu … – When we think “Let us offer praiseworthy flower etc, serve him and seek uplifting”, doesn’t your simplicity make such efforts look superfluous? You are as explained in mahAbhAratham udhyOga parvam 89.13 “anyath pUrNAth apAm kumbAth” (krishNa does not desire for anything more than a pot filled with water).
  • Adhalin – Since you are ultimately simple. Instead of having the fault of “being difficult to worship”, you are having the natural greatness of being easily worshippable. Oh one who is being united with AdhiSEsha due to such simplicity!
  • thazhuvum ARu aRiyEn – I don’t know the means to unite with your divine feet. Due to my weakness, it is difficult to reach first; even if I reach, I will be unable to do any service, thinking about your ultimate simplicity.

In the next article we will enjoy the next pAsuram.

adiyen sarathy ramanuja dasan

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