SrI: SrImathE SatakOpAya nama: SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImadh varavara munayE nama:
perumAL thirumozhi >> 4th Decad
avathArikai (Introduction)
In the previous pAsuram, AzhwAr had said that he would desire to be a seNbaga tree in thirumalai. There is a possibility that the temple kainkaryaparars (those carrying out service in the temple) would take the flowers from the tree to the temple [and decorate emperumAn with the flowers]. People may think that he had desired to be a seNbaga tree with that benefit in mind. Hence, in this pAsuram, he says that he would remain like a pillar, without expecting any benefit.
kamba madha yAnaik kazhuththagaththin mElirundhu
inbamarum selvamum ivvarasum yAn vENdEn
emperumAn Isan ezhil vEngadamalai mEL
thambagamAy niRkum thavam uadiyan AvEnE
Word-by-Word Meanings
kambam – (those who see it) to tremble
madham yAnai – an elephant which is in exult
kazhuththu agaththin mEL irundhu – sitting (with pride) on its neck
inbu amarum selvamum – having wealth with which to enjoy all pleasures
ivvarasum – this royal rule (which is a means for that)
yAn vENdEn – I will not desire
em perumAn – being my swAmy (lord)
Isan – and being sarvESvaran, the lord for all
ezhil vEngadamail mEl – on top of thirumalai
thambagam Ay niRkum – to remain as a pillar tree (without being useful to anyone)
thavam udaiyEn AvEnE – let me have the fortune
Simple Translation
I will not desire to sit on an exulting elephant which makes others to tremble in fear. I will not desire the royal rule which makes one to sit like this on an elephant and which gives wealth to enjoy all the pleasures in this world. Let me have the fortune of standing as a pillar, on top of thirumalai hills, where my lord and the lord of all stands.
vyAkyAnam
kamba madha yAnaik kazhuththu agaththin mEl irundhu – the term kambam refers to trembling. Hence, one could construe it as an elephant which has the eminence of making all those who look at it to tremble. Or, since it is in exult, it has been tied to a pillar [kambam also refers to a pillar] so that it cannot escape. In the first option, the term madham refers to eminence while in the second, it refers to the elephant being in exult.
kazhuththagaththin mElirundhu – such an elephant [in exult], while not allowing others to climb atop it, would allow a king to sit on top. The implied meaning is that the king would sit on top of such an elephant which creates fear in others and conduct the elephant the way he likes to.
inbamarum selvamum ivvarasum yAn vEndEn – I do not desire the wealth, brought about by the pride of sitting on top of such an elephant, to enjoy all the pleasures of royalty and I do not desire ruling the kingdom which it brings.
When asked as to what is it that he needs, he says
emperumAn Isan ezhil vEngadamalai mEl – Just as rAmAnujar had said in his SaraNAgathi gadhyam “akhila jagath swAmin! asmath swAmin !” (Oh, one who is the lord of the entire world! Oh, one who is my lord!), while remaining as the lord for the entire world, emperumAn has showered distinguished mercy on me. thiruvEngadamalai where such emperumAn is mercifully residing.
thambagamAy niRkum thavam udaiyEn AvEnE – being of no use to anyone, even if I were to sprout on that thiruvEngadamalai hill [as a plant] and dry up into a pillar [over a long period of time], that is acceptable to me. The opinion is that it is sufficient if one remains in thirumalai; there is no need to be of any benefit to anyone.
thavam udaiyEn AvEnE – Isn’t AzhwAr thinking that even remaining as a pillar atop thirumalai without being of any use, is the result of virtuous deeds over many births!
We will take up the 6th pAsuram of this decad, next.
adiyEn krishNa rAmAnuja dhAsan
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