TAMIL
Commentary on Tiruvaimozhi
PREMA NANDAKUMAR
TIRUVAIMOZHI — Pannirayirappadi Uraiyum Thamizhakkamum (Second decad): Translation by M. Varadarajan; Sri Ananth Publications, 6-40, Padmavatipuram, Tiruchanur Road, Tirupati-517503. Rs. 120.
IN SRIVAISHNAVISM, the tradition of writing commentaries in Manipravala began with Tirukurukai Piran Pillan, attained noon-time brilliance with Periavachan Pillai, and revealed the nuances of the mystic mind in the sunset glow of Vedanta Desika.
Of the several commentaries that sought to explicate Nammalwar’s Tamil scripture, Varadarajan has chosen Vadikesari Azhagiya Manavala Jeeyar’s “The Twelve Thousand” for translation from the Manipravala original. Necessarily, the Jeeyar’s winding style calls upon the translator to tread in that pace, and he manages to convey in simple Tamil the various approaches of Nammalwar through the prism of the Jeeyar.
The hundred verses covered in this book depict or speak about the Lord’s all-auspicious form, storks and clouds as ambassadors of the Jivatman, and the superb vision of the Narasimha incarnation. There is also the bridal mysticism in which Nammalvar is referred to as Parankusa Nayaki.
Since Varadarajan’s aim is to get his reader understand what may seem exotic in Manipravala, he takes particular care with similes.
The ten decads of Nammalwar and the Jeeyar’s Manipravala commentary are juxtaposed with care to help us marvel at the sustained manner in which the nuances of the original verses have been retained by the loving homage of the Srivaishnava commentators.
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