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Re: A correction to the posting on 2'nd thiruvandhAdhi

From the Bhakti List Archives

Mani Varadarajan • March 14, 2002 


> Why would perumAL hesitate, even a bit, to show his true golden form? 
> As explained  
> in the sri vachana bhUshaNam(*),  He is contemplating what form He 
> can take to show Himself to us... If He shows His true viswaroopam, 
> can we, with our mortal eyes, even take a glimpse?
> (* kaN kaaNa nNiRkil aaNaiyittu vilakkuvaar_kaLenRu kaNNukku 
> thORRaathapati)

But why is it that PerumaaL so often  *does* hesitate to show himself,
even to the Alvars? What game is he playing? I am reminded of 
one of  Nammalvar's paasurams from the "ArAvamutE" patikam of Tiruvaymoli.
This has always been a riddle to me, even after reading the
commentaries.  Here, the Alvar cries out that he can visualize
PerumaaL in his mind, he can even feel the subtle presence
of the PerumaaL within him, but he is still not satisfied. He wants
the external experience of PerumaaL, not just similar to vision,
but actual vision:

  You don't come at all; and then you come as a formless being.
  Oh, my magician of wondrous forms!
  Oh, nectar that never satiates! 
  Oh, you who are the sweetness of this slave's heart!
  You have removed my incurable burden of karma, and
  You have taken me into your service.
  O Lord of Tirukkudandai!
  I am serving you now;
  Must I still suffer so?

  vArA aruvAy varum en mAyA mAyA-mUrtiyAy
  ArAvamutAy aDiyEn Avi akamE tittippAy
  tIrA vinaigaL tIra ennai ANDAy tirukkuDandai
  UrAy! unakku ATpaTTum aDiyEn innam uzhalvEnO? (tvm 5.10)


In other places the Alvars make it clear that if one has
the unbearable thirst for Him, He shows Himself. Why is
Nammalvar here denied His grace?

ramanuja dasan,
Mani

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