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ThiruppANAzhwAr Thirunakshathram- "vandhu en kaNNinuLLana okkinRadhE"

From the Bhakti List Archives

Madhavakkannan V • December 3, 1998 


Sri:

Dearest Sisters and Brothers,

Let us meditate on the Lotus Feet of Sriya: pathih Sriman Narayanan and 
pay obeisance to our Dearest AzhwAr ThiruppANAzhwAr, whose 
Thirunakshathram (Birthday) is today. He needs no introduction to our 
group of BhAgawathAs. 

Let us enjoy His anubhavam of the LordÂ’s Lotus Feet.  In fact, I was 
just reading an old issue of Sri Nrusimhapriya a couple of days back, 
and happened to find interesting article (from none other than our 
present Srimad Azhaigiya singar. His writing made me enjoy and thus 
share with all of you. (from June 97 issue) ( I am not capable of 
writing the translation of SwamiÂ’s writings at all! What I jot down the 
extract - a little portion here-  is all that I grasped and could get 
them drilled into my head only!)

EmeperumaanÂ’s Lotus Feet have been described and enjoyed by all our 
PoorvAchAryAs. In Amalanaadhipiraan, ThiruppANAzhwAr starts from the 
Lotus Feet. He enjoys each and every a~ngam of the Lord in his ten 
pAsurams, and has been enjoyed by Periyavaacchaan PiLLai, Azhaigiya 
MaNavaaLa perumAL Naayanaar, Swami Desikan et al in their commentaries 
on this lovely Prabhandham. 

Generally, the Paramaikaanthins start from the Feet to the Crown; while 
the Ekaanthins start from the Head to the Feet, as BrahmA did during his 
asvamEtha yaagham. 

1.	It is told by Poorvacharyas that ThirppANAzhwAr started singing the 
ten pAsurams (while he was being carried by LokasAranghamuni on his 
shoulders, on his way to Sri RanganAthan sannidhi.) and he finished his 
tenth inside the sanctum sanctorum, and united with the Lord. 

2.	The Lotus flower, blooms only during certain occasions; depending on 
the climate, the time (daytime); some days, it remains fresh; then it 
loses its freshness. But this Lotus of our Lord - the Feet never gets 
such dhOshams. When the Lord knew that AzhwAr had already started his 
course and is on his way, singing, the Lotus automatically became fully 
bloomed and became more fresh. It (the Feet) did not feel like waiting 
for the AzhwAr to come. It started going towards him and went straight 
to him. AzhwAr, when he saw the Lotus Feet, (mentally ) approaching him, 
he, out of his naicchiyam and humility, felt ashamed and closed his eyes 
to avoid spoiling such Lotus Feet and the Beauty. (not to cat his evil 
eye on that Lotus Feet).

3.	But what happened? The Lotus Feet, did not wish to leave the AzhwArÂ’s 
eye sight and hence went into his eyes and showed Their Beauty! (adadaa! 
Parama kripai of Emperumaan! How Great the AzhwAr is! ) “Thirukkamala 
paadham vandhu en kaNNinuLLana okkinRadhE”… vandhu…. en…. KaNNinuLLana…. 
OkkinRadhEÂ…. (I will not translate further and spoil its beauty!- )  

4.	What is so great about Thiruvadi (lotus Feet)? They have both 
bhAvanam (the ability to alleviate the dhOshams of those who pay 
obeisance to Them) and bhOgyathvam (the ability to offer the delicious 
sweetness to those who see and enjoy Them and pay obeisance to Them). No 
single thing in the world is both tasty and has medicinal value. Only 
the Lotus Feet of Emperumaan has both aspects. 

5.	Swami Desikan, in his many slOkAs, have enjoyed the Beauty of the 
Lotus Feet. PeriyAzhwAr says : At Aayarpaadi everywhere one can see on 
the ground, the marks of Sanghu and ChakrA (the marks on each sole of 
Lord’s Lotus Feet), since Kutti KaNNan walked His “thaLar nadai” 
everywhere having His Lovely footprints (with sanghu and chakrA). Also 
he explains, as YashOdhA, the ten fingers of Kutti KaNNan shine as if 
they are impregnated with Pearls, diamonds, Emerald stones, etc.. 

6.	And These Lotus Feet are not just bhOgyam for THiruppANAzhwAr, Swami 
Desikan and PeriyAzhwAr alone; They are for our enjoyment, too! Not just 
that. Even Emperumaan is perplexed as to why all these devotees and 
BhAgawathAs look mostly at My Feet and enjoy. What is so special at My 
Feet? He wonders and what does He do? Kutti KaNNan takes the Lotus Feet 
and the pearl like shining fingers, with both of His cute short lovely 
Hands, and TRIES TO PUT IN ALL THE TOE FINGERS IN HIS RED CORAL LIPPED 
“PavaLa cchevaay” and Kovvaipaazha idazh” (bimbhA fruit like lips). “ 
PeriyAzhwAr says: pEthaik kuzhavi pidiithuch chuvaiithu uNNum paadha 
kamalangaL”…  “VedAs say “VishNO: PadhE paramE madhva uthsE…” “thEnE 
malarum thiruppaadhamÂ….

7.	Thus His Lotus Feet are the BhOgyam for Him and for us. WE ARE ALL 
BORN IN THIS SRIVAISHNAVA KULAM ONLY TO _ REPEAT ONLY TO _ ENJOY HIM. 

Let us pay our obeisance to ThiruppANAzhwAr who has sung such lovely 
deep pAsurams enjoying the Beauty of Emperumaan, and to our Jeer who has 
highlighted this first pAsuram so beautifully.

ThiruppANAzhwAr ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam

Narayana Narayana

Narayana dAsan Madhavakkannan


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