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Seek refuge in God

CHENNAI: The hymns of the Azhwars in the Nalayira Divyaprabandham are not only the revelations of these mystics but also exemplary literary compositions in Tamil. The Azhwars have handled different genres of poetry, which have influenced generations of poets from Kamban to Bharati in recent times. Hence the legacy that the Azhwars have bequeathed to humanity is a double blessing as both the Bhakti tradition and the Tamil literary tradition have become richer by it.

In her discourse, Dr. Sudha Seshaiyan said the literary merit of Tirumazhisai Azhwar’s Tirucchanda Viruttam was as much exquisite as the subtle philosophical concepts he had expounded in this hymn. Both these aspects can be seen in a verse of this hymn which concludes thus: “He (the Supreme Being) resides in Rangam (Srirangam) where the cool waters flow with crane and crab, and Kayal-fish and Kendai, with the lotus-blue.” The verse is interpreted to highlight that Lord Ranganatha’s pre-eminent status is because He was worshipped by Rama. The Azhwar thus underscores that the Lord’s glory becomes enhanced by His devotees who worship Him. The concluding part of the verse literally seems to describe nature’s bounties in this sacred abode but it has a deeper significance from the spiritual standpoint according to commentators. While the stork stood in the river waiting for its prey, the aquatic creatures tried their level best to escape its attention. When it caught a crab the Kayal fish noticed it and jumped across to get away from the stork and in the process exposed itself to the stork, which had so far not sighted it. The Kendai fish, on the other hand, also saw the stork but it swam silently and hid itself under a blue lotus, which camouflaged it perfectly, in order not to draw attention to itself.

The Azhwar conveys these details to portray the human predicament. The stork represents worldly bondage (Samsara) from which the majority of people try to escape by dint of their effort and acumen like the Kayal but succumb to its pulls. The devotee, like the Kendai, takes refuge in the feet of the blue-hued Lord and thus escapes from worldly woes.

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