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kodumin(give), koLmin(receive)

From the Bhakti List Archives

Parthasarati Dileepan • October 28, 1995 


Sri Vaishnava lifestyle  -  3
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Periaazhvaar gently persuades us to shun the pride
of high birth and join the multitude of devotees.
Namaazhvaar declares that he is a servant of a
servant of a devotee, even if the devotee is of
Candala birth.  Addressing those who still remain
unconvinced, ThoNdaradippodi aazhvaar does not
mince words in the 43rd paasuram of Thirumaalai:

amaravO ranga maaRum
  vEdhamOr naan_ku mOthi,
thamar_kaLil thalaiva raaya
  saathiyan^dthaNar_ka LElum,
numar_kaLaip pazhippa raakil
  nodippathO raLavil, aangE
avar_kaLthaam pulaiyar pOlum
  arankamaa nakaru LaanE!

"O! Lord of Sri Rangam, even those who are
among the learned in the four vEdhaas, leaders
among men, and of high brahmin birth, will be
transformed into 'pulaiyar' (Candala) within a
second of belittling devotees.


In the 42nd paasuram TP Azhvaar defines the
nature of relationship among Lord's devotees:

`pazhuthilaa vozhuka laaRRup
  palasathup pEthi maargaL,
izhikulath thavarga LElum
  emmadi yaarga Laagil,
thozhumineer kodumin koLmin!'
  enRun^in NnOdu mokka,
vazhipada varuLi NnaaypOnm
  mathiLthiru varankath thaanE!

Even if a devotee belongs to a low caste, bestow
upon them the highest respect (thozhumin),
partake with them in all respects (kodumin, "give"
koLmin "receive), so as to worship our Lord in
equal standing, O! Lord Ranganatha.


It seems to me that the aazhvaar is advocating
varNa sangraham among the Lord's devotees.


-- Dileepan