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nacciyar thirumozhi eleven

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Ramani Naidu • December 25, 2002 


 
DAY ELEVEN - NACCIYAR THIRUMOZHI 

 FOURTH THIRUMOZHI

The Fourth Thirumozhi is known as the Kutalilaikkum Pathikam. A proper appreciation of the Fourth Thirumozhi requires a piece of information. When separated from the lover, the lady love tries augury to see if union with him will become possible or not. The augury takes the form of drawing a big circle first on sand and then drawing a chain of linked circles within the bigger one. If the chain ends in an even number, the union becomes possible. If the chain ends in an odd number the union will become either impossible or be delayed. Therefore there is a tradition in Tamil poetry of addrssing the circles and praying to end in an even number. The ten songs of the Fourth Thirumoli belong to that tradition. Thirumalisai Alwar in Nanmukan Thiruvanthathi would say, 

"Call will I the Lord at Thiruvenkatam!
Draw Circles will I to join the Lord!"

When the traditions of Love Poetry were brought to devotional literature, this particular tradition was also brought in.

Andal has made the Fourth Thirumozhi apparently a very simple piece of composition. She has spoken in terms of the aspects of God and the deeds of His Avataras.

 The clear-headed in their devotion
 Worship Him with folded hands.
 He is the Lord of Lords
 Apt to be worshipped in praise
 By Brahma and the dwellers in heaven!

 Vamana who dwells graciously
 In the forests of Venkata
 In the city of Kannapura!

 He dwelss nowhere but in hearts
 Enthusiastically in love with Him.

 He is the illustrious son of Devaki. He is the noble son of Vasudeva. He once danced on the spread hood of Kalinga to annihilate him. He broke the marutha trees. He killed Kamsa. He is the Lord of Madura. He annihilated Sisupala. He routed the Seven Bulls. He killed Pakasura. He is the Guardian of Dwaraka. He is the shepherd tending the cattle. He measured the worlds in three strides as Vamana. Thus the Fourth Thirumoli speaks mostly of the Krishna Avatar.

 She wants to knead his legs comfortingly. He should run to her and hug her with Him. He should reach her street in search of her house. These are the prayers of Nacciyar.

 The second and the fourth songs assume special significance.

 Vamana who dwells graciously
 In the forests of Venkata
 In the city of Kannapura!
 Augur well circles
 For Him to hurry to me
 To hold me by my hand
 To take me in an embrace.

 She wants that God comes running to her and holding her by her hand to embrace her tight. She also wishes that He came to her street in search of her house. 

What is there to be obtained when the parts of the ten songs are matched with each other>

 He is the one gracious enough to be worshipped by the dwellers in the heaven and Brahma. He is so mighty that he vanquished and annihilated the monsters in different forms. Such a God should become humble enough to seek her! Look at the pride in these prayers. This wish on the one hand and the celebrated glory of God on the other hand render a beauty of contradictions complimenting each other in the Fourth Thirumoli.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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