Miscellaneous - Religion   

Experience of God

CHENNAI: Acharyas in the Vaishnava tradition extol the soul stirring hymns of the Azhwars that sing God’s glory as expressing profound Upanishadic truths in simplified experiential terms. The greatness of Andal’s Tiruppavai lies in its ability to unfold many unique aspects of God’s unfathomable greatness and hence offers a rich experience of God. The more one delves into it, the more one is able to see, learn, savour and understand God in a personal and emotional manner. “Sanga Tamizh Maalai” is the epithet that Andal herself had chosen for the 30 hymns that comprise the Tiruppavai, and this is aptly expressive of the rich literary and philosophical import that easily forges a seamless link into the realm of divine experience.

Sri K. B. Devarajan, in a discourse on Tiruppavai, drew attention to the incident in Ramanuja’s life that endorses this Acharya’s penchant for these hymns that had earned for him the title, “Tiruppavai Jeer”. According to the practice enjoined on all Sanyasis of chanting scriptures while collecting alms for daily sustenance (Uncha Vriti) Ramanuja used to chant the Tiruppavai and this is indicative of the hymn’s greatness as of being on a par with the Upanishads. It is believed that during one such morning round, he went into a trance on seeing a young girl at the house of his mentor Periya Nambi. Peria Nambi immediately understood that Ramanuja must have been chanting the verse Undu Madagalitran and visualised in his mind’s eye the Lord’s consort Nappinai who is invoked in this verse. Andal along with the Gopis beseeches Nappinai to open the door with her tender hands adorned with bangles that make a pleasing sound to enable all of them have an audience with Lord Krishna at whose feet they wish to surrender themselves. When he saw the little girl, Ramanuja was overwhelmed that he had an opportunity to pay obeisance to Nappinai. Ramanuja exemplifies a true rasika who is able to vibe with the personal experience of Andal that is recorded in the hymns.

Scriptures advocate the worship of God by singing His praises, chanting His names and surrendering oneself to Him, as possible means to experience His greatness.

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