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The Glory of Tamil

From the Bhakti List Archives

Malolan R Cadambi • October 10, 2002 


Sri
SrimathE nigamAntha mahadesikAya namaha

Dear Bhaktas,

We must be aware of a controversy in Karur recently. Such instances
taken by both sides often hurt both languages. One side making a
statement that Sanskrit alone is pure and the other declaring that
the god who can't understand tamil has no place in the land of tamil.

This reflects the poor scholarship and un-catholicity of both sides.
However, Swami Desikan has clearly established the Glory of Tamil.
Sarva Tantra Swatantrar, Swami Desikan was a master of over 6 to 7
languages. Samskrutam, Tamizh, Manipravalam, Telugu, Prakrit,
Kannadam, Malayalam was pointed out by Sri CG Balaji.

Swami Desikan writes about the glory of Tamil in DramidOpanishat
Tatparya Ratnavali (DRT for short). DRT is a commentary on the
Thiruvaymozhi of Prapanna Jana Koothasthar, Nammazhwar. 

I quote Sloka 4 of DRT. The DRT was translated by Sri R Rangachari of
the Vedanta Desika Research Society, a society that aims to publish
all 120 works on Swami Desikan in languages his votaries can
understand.

"To sing the praise of the Lord, all tongues are meet!
No need to discriminate between the famed sanskrit and other speech!
Is not this the way of the world too, as between the rulers and the
ruled?
But Tamizh has a special glory - all persons may use it, without
distinction of caste or creed.
Is not Agastya, the great sage, it's progenitor?
And the Tamizh hymns of SatakOpan(Nammalwar) are unique!
The hosts of sages, the itihaasas and the puranas have but sought to
clarify the import of the vedas!
And SatakOpan is the sage of utmost excellence unalloyed;
His composition does in south - unravel the subtleties of the Word
(Brahma Sabdham) revealed - In this it is beyond compare!"

Hence there is no conflict between Samkrutham and Tamizh. Both are
equally valid for praising the Lord. However, when different sects
try to uphold one over the other, misunderstanding arises. 

Thanga Tamizh Maalai Muppadhum...... - Declares Andal.

Samskrute Sambhaashanam Kuru, Jeevanasya Parivarthanam Kuru!

Regards,

Malolan Cadambi

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