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Essence of the Vedas

CHENNAI: The Vedas that deal with eternal truths postulate both the theory of the Supreme Being and the atheistic argument as well. A seeker keen to focus on the purpose of life needs to acquire a true knowledge pertaining to the individual self, the universe and the Supreme Being. But one has to expend a tremendous effort to cull from the wealth of religious, spiritual, secular or materialistic knowledge in the Vedas as the information is scattered and not explicit.

In a lecture, Sri M. A. Venkatakrishnan pointed out that out of His infinite compassion the Lord takes the initiative to dispel the Jivatma's ignorance and confer Jnana that manifests as Bhakti. This truth is typified in the unique manner in which He blessed the Azhwars to sing not merely His glory and greatness but also specify the sure path to liberation.

The Nalayira Divya Prabandham is a rich treasure in Tamil that contains the quintessence of the Visishtadvaita philosophy. While each Azhwar in the hallowed line has his own claim to greatness, the uniqueness of Nammazhwar cannot be underestimated.

The Bhakti Bhava of this Azhwar towards the Supreme Being assumes new heights when he extols His glory and compassion. It is total devotion to the Lord that can lead the Jivatma to the Supreme Being. Through His divine grace alone can the Jivatma overcome the many hurdles in the path to attain liberation (Moksha).

By surrendering at His feet one realises that the Lord is the means and also the goal.

Nammazhwar's ecstatic and fervent hymns extol the compassion of the Lord and he is fully aware that it is His grace that bestowed the enlightenment regarding the mystery of the universe and the purpose of life.

The very first verse in Tiruvaimozhi hails the Lord as the unparalleled one who is the epitome of all auspicious qualities. He alone can dispel sadness and destroy the ignorance of the Jivatma.

The Azhwar entreats all to seek His lustrous feet to get uplifted and attain salvation.

The great wonder is that though the Lord is not easily comprehensible to even great yogis, yet He is the one who dwells in every being, and is the only one capable of offering liberation.

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