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ParakAlan and ParAnkuSan

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Madhavakkannan V • November 20, 2001 


SrI:
SrImathE Gopaladesika mahadesika namah:
Dearest srivaishnavas,

There was a query from Smt Raji Sridhar on Parankusa and Parakala.
Why NammAzhwAr was addressed as Parankusa and Kaliyan (Thirumangai AzhwAr) 
as Parakala? - was the query (if I remember right)

I did not read any response (perhaps she got a personal response). However, 
for the sake of all, let me share what little I know (or had heard):

Thirumangai AzhwAr - Kaliyan (midukkan) was a Great poet and highly devoted 
AzhwAr. His poems were like the sword for other non religious sects and
non belivers of Sriya: Pathi Sriman Narayanan's parathvam. His poems were 
the weapons to cutasunder the weeds and to protect the unparalleled, 
unambiguous
VisishtAdvaita SrI Vaishnava sampradayam. Thus, he was a "kaalan" for Parars 
("Others"- enemies). (Yama for enemies).

He is not only yama for outside (external) enemies; also for internal ones 
(which are deadlier than external ones- the sense organs). Reading his poems 
will enable us destroy their influence too and conquer them. Thus, truly, he 
is called ParakAlan by our PoorvAchAryAs. SrI Periyavacchaan PiLLai 
addresses AzhwAr as "prathipakshatthukku mruthyuvaana AzhwAr" (He is death 
for prathipaksham).

NammAzhwAr- PoorvAchAryAs address and refer him as ParAnkusar.
ankusa- is the sharp spear like rod that is used to tame and control the 
strong, angry elephant.
para + ankusa- One who tames and controls others.. (us:-)

For those (of us), who have the false pride of kulam, kalvi, selvam 
(mukkuRumbu)- the three enemies namely,
- thinking that we are from a great kulam (and being proud falsely- and 
arrogantly)
-thinking that we alone have learnt so much (and being proud falsely- and 
arrogantly) and
- thinking that we alone are blessed with wealth and money, materials etc.. 
(and being proud falsely- and arrogantly)

NammAzhwAr's excellent divine pAsurams (of Thiruvaaymozhi and others) are 
"ankusA", (with His upadEsam the advice) to tame, control, and correct those 
(of us) who have such Arrogance, false pride..
seyal nanRaaga thirutthi paNi kOLvaan.

SrI Azhagiya maNavaaLa PerumaaL Naayanaar mentions this in AchArya 
Hrudhayam..

...kalvi, selvam, kudip piRappu engiRa mum mathangaLaal serukki 
thiriyumavargaLukku matham adangith thannai vaNangumpadi upadEsa rUpa 
*ankusamiottu".."

Thus, When AzhwArs take the role of a woman languishing and longing for the 
Lord, they are addressed as "parAnkusa nAyaki" and as ParakAla nAyaki.

adiYen's two cents worth. Please forgive me for my indulgence.
Regards
Namo Narayana
aDiyEn Narayana dAsan madhavakkannan


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