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Mystical experience

CHENNAI : Spiritual experience is a one-to-one communion with God and hence even the great sages who were fortunate to have this experience did not generally speak about it. But there have been mystics like the Azhwars who were exceptions in this regard for they have expressed their mystical experiences eloquently in the form of hymns, which are a source of inspiration for the spiritual seeker. `Azhwar' etymologically means one who is immersed in the bliss of communion with God and thus their hymns are firsthand documentation of their mystical experiences.

In his discourse, Aarupadhi Sri V. Srirama Desikachariar said hagiological accounts testified to Kulasekara Azhwar's exceptional mystic states. Though a ruler he was more interested in listening to exposition of the scriptures. His devotion to Lord Rama was so intense that he would not be able to attend to matters of his kingdom as he used to be transported to a state of mystical union.

It is recounted that once when a scholar was discoursing on the Ramayana he elaborated on how Rama single-handedly had to face 14,000 demons in combat when Surpanaka complained to Khara and Dushana about the humiliation she suffered.

Devotees have listened to and continue to listen to such expositions, perhaps with tears streaming down their cheeks, but Kulasekara Azhwar was different. No sooner did he hear this, he immediately ordered his army to march to Janasthana to assist Rama and prepared to go himself saying he could not rest when his dear Rama was fighting all alone. The scholar understood that the king had gone into a mystical state and managed the situation skilfully by relating that Rama won the battle independently thereby bringing great joy to Sita. The Azhwar was then pacified.

His hymn Perumal Tirumozhi in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham includes a lullaby to Lord Rama, which is unique in devotional literature because mystics have sung lullabies only to Lord Krishna. He addresses the deity in Tirukannapuram (Lord Krishna) as Rama in this decade of verses. It is related that when the Azhwar reached this temple he saw the Lord crying though the priests had ritualistically made the Lord sleep for the night and he sang this lullaby to console Him.

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