TAMIL
Gloss on a commentary
M. NARASIMHACHARY
TIRUVAYMOZHI OF NAMMAZHVAR — Panneeraayirappadi Commentary of Vadikesari Azhagiya Manavala Jiyar with a detailed exposition in Tamil by Madabhushi Varadarajan: Sri Ananth Publications, 6-40, Padmavatipuram, Tiruchanur Road, Tirupati-517503. Rs. 120.
THE POSITION of the mystic saint Nammazhvar in the Srivaishnava tradition is unique. His Tiruvaymozhi (containing 1102 verses) forms part of the Divya Prabandham (4000) and is reverentially referred to as the “Dravida Veda”. It brings out the essence of the Chandogya Upanishad, which belongs to the Sama Veda. Several are the commentaries on this work such as the 6000-commentary of Pillan, the 9000-commentary of Nanjiyar, the 24,000-commentary of Periyavachan Pillai, the 36000 (Idu) commentary of Nampillai and the 12000-commentary of Vadikesari Azhagiya Manavala Jiyar. These commentaries are in Manipravala style which is a very archaic “Sanskritised Tamil” that is difficult to follow. Now M.Varadarajan has fulfilled the long-felt desideratum for an exposition in relation to the commentary of Vadikesari Jiyar.
Vadikesari Azhagiya Manavala Jiyar (13th century A.D.) was a pupil of Periyavaccan Pillai, and he wrote several other works like Adhyatmachinta and Gitasara.
His commentary on the Tiruvaymozhi is helpful in understanding the older commentaries with great clarity. It may be described as a gloss giving word meaning. Occasionally he departs from the traditional commentary and indulges in original interpretation.
This work comprises only the commentary on the First Decade of the Tiruvaymozhi and it is hoped he would bring out the remaining also.
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