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Essence of Vedas

CHENNAI: The profundity of thought in spiritual teachings necessarily finds expression in language suitable for it and this makes gaining the knowledge of spiritual truths difficult. Moreover, some people may be aware of the truths but may not be in a position to explain their knowledge to others. Conversely, some others may be able to express well, but may not know the truths. So the contribution of great Acharyas who have been scholars and preceptors becomes significant in the dissemination and the handing down of these truths to successive generations, said Sri M. V. Anantapadmanabhachariar in a lecture.

The Vaishnava tradition accords a unique status to the hymns of Azhwars (Divya Prabandham) because these are the very essence of the Vedas expressed in easy Tamil language. Since these hymns represent Vedic truths (that are difficult to comprehend and interpret) in an experiential manner, it facilitates intuitive perception of the magnificence and glory of the Almighty. Madhurakavi Azhwar was captivated by the revelation of the Supreme Truth in Nammazhwar’s hymns and considered Nammazhwar as his only Acharya and held him on a par with God. This disciple made it his mission in life to sing the hymns of Nammazhwar wherein one is initiated into the truth of one’s Atma, the universe and God. The spiritual experience afforded in these hymns makes for a seamless reconciliation of God’s supremacy and accessibility. The Azhwar dwells in ecstasy recalling the endless enjoyable and auspicious attributes of the Lord in His various incarnations. The hymns are his response on beholding the divine presence of the Lord in the Archa form in the temples.

Such is the Lord’s form that He is beautiful to the eyes and mind. His boundless compassion is manifest in the way He allowed Himself to be bound by Yashoda. The relationship between the Jivatma and the Lord is realised in experiential terms. It is easy to empathise with the emotional quality of yearning and love of the Azhwar posing as Parankusa Nayaki.

The Vedas declare that He is the final resting place for all and the hymns reinforce that all Jivatmas should unconditionally surrender to Him.

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