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ThiruvAimozhi 1.8.8 -- S`anghu & Sanku

From the Bhakti List Archives

V. Sadagopan • December 11, 1997 


Dear Sri MadhavakkaNNan : 

NammAzhwAr has used the word Sanghu , Sanku
to convey different meanings in juxtaposition .

SanGhu means most of the time the conch 
( panchajanuyam of our Lord ) ;  Here the second 
Ka of the four variations of K in the sanskrit alphabhet 
is included . 

Sanghu has  also the meaning of Sangham ( association/
sErkkai ) like in sath-sangham . This is in reference to 
the Lord's sErkai with the AzhwAr . Here the third "k" ( G )
as in gacchathi is used .  

Sankhu on the other hand  has the meaning 
of a dart or javelin , but it has one more meaning , which
is implied here (viz) a gigantic number , million  million . 

AzhwAr says in this paasuram  that the Lord not only took 
the Deva, Manushya AvathArams for his sake , but also 
as a fish and VarAham and countless others out of His 
own volition (svath sankalpam )  to mingle with him 
( with the AzhwAr ) and to make him enjoy fully all His leelAs . 
This the Lord did out of the great affection He had for 
His dear devotee , the AzhwAr   

We have to intrepret according to commentators 
the second line this way :

yennil thAnAya sanghE = it was because of His love
for me and my companionship 

yennil thAnAya sankhE = here yennil means 
yEnenRAl (i-e ) if we are to look at it in this manner, 
the Lord's avathArams to join with me and to make me
enjoy His many leelAs are beyond count ( many crores ) . 

AzhwAr ends the 8th paasuram with the word Sanghu 
with its multiple meanings . In conformity with 
the structure of an anthAdhi ,   AzhwAr continues thereafter  with
the word  Sanghu at the beginning of the ninth paasuram 
( sanghu chakkaram amkaiyill kondAn-- ) , where he uses 
the word sanghu to convey  the traditional meaning of Conch . 

AzhwAr's  " Sangha Kaala poetry "  is indeed majestic 
and deep in its meanings .

AzhwAr ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam ,

V.Sadagopan