PeriyAzhwAr Thirumozhi 2.5- Come Oh crow! Come and comb the tresses of Kutti

From the Bhakti List Archives

• September 7, 2002


SrI:
SrImathE Ramanujaya namah:

Dearest Srivaishnavas,

After bathing Kutti KaNNan in the last decad, now AzhwAr enjoys YasOdhA 
combing the black tresses of Kutti KaNNan. Also, YasOdhA calls the black 
crow so that KuttI KaNNan concentrates on that crow (and not move His head), 
and she can complete the combing.

pinnaimaNaaLanaip pErilkidandhaanai
munnaiyamarar mudhalthaniviththinai
ennaiyum engaLkudimuzhudhu_aatkoNda
mannanaivandhukuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!
	maadhavan_than_kuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!     1.

Oh [that] crow! You come nearer to this Kutti KaNNan, who is the darling of 
Nappinnai; who shows Himself at ThiruppEr (on His own accord); who is the 
Primordial Chief; Creator; the Chief of NithyasUris; who has enslaved me 
(His mother), Devaki, Nappinnai and all cowherd folks; our Swamy. Come and 
comb the tresses of this Madhavan (Sriya: Pathi).

pEyinmulaiyuNda piLLai_ivanmunnam
maayachchakadum marudhum_iRuththavan
kaayaamalarvaNNan kaNNan_karunguzhal
thooydhaakavandhukuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!
	thoomaNivaNNan_kuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!        2.

At first, this innocent cute little infant sucked the life and breast milk 
of the demon Poothanai; and then kicked the cruel wicked SakatAsura (who 
appeared as a cart wheel to roll over KaNNan); who crawled through the 
marudha trees for them to fall on the ground. This dark blue hued KaNNan¡¦s 
dark black tresses need to be cleaned and combed. Come oh crow! come and 
comb this blue hued blue gem like Kutti KaNNan¡¦s hairs!

Also it can mean that the crow needs to come pure in manas, vaak and kaayam 
(mind, speech and body) for doing this kaimkaryam.

thiNNakkalaththil thiraiyuRimElvaiththa
veNNeyvizhungi viraiya_uRangidum
aNNal amarar_perumaanai aayar_tham
kaNNanaivandhukuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!
	kaarmukilvaNNan_kuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!       3.

This Swamy, who swallows the butter [quickly] which is kept hanging in pots 
with lids closed, and after eating places the lids as if they had never been 
opened, and sleeps so quick as if nothing has happened; who is the chief if 
NithyasUris; who is darling of the cowherd folks; Oh Crow! come and comb his 
hair! come and comb the tresses of this dark hued cloud like Lord!

When the pots are hung one below the other, the threaded ropes are not even 
loose. The pots appear closed. The lids are in tact. But the content has 
been eaten alreadyļ He is such a maayan. Even though He is the Swamy for 
everyone and everything including this butter, He feels that it does not 
belong to his and eats so quick to avoid being caught red handed. And to 
make them feel that he would have surely not eaten, He appears as if he is 
in sound sleep. Such greatest SarvEshwaran is the apple of the eye for 
cowherd group. Such a Sowlabhyan as well. Hence, crow, though your eyesight 
is spoiled, get some feast for the eye by coming to this kaNNan. (the eye of 
the cowherd folks)

paLLaththilmEyum paRavaiyurukkoNdu
kaLLavasuranvaruvaanaith thaan_kaNdu
puLLidhuvenRu podhukkOvaaykeeNditta
piLLaiyaivandhukuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!
	pEymulaiyuNdaan_kuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!       4.

The asurA took the form of a crane (that waits and picks its prey in the 
waters by standing nearby in the adjacent land) to kill Kutti KaNNan. That 
pakAsuram was immediately identified by the Lord (Kutti) when He was in the 
midst of cowherd group. He simply told the folks, "this is a bird" and tore 
open its beak wide... and killed the bird. This little string darling KaNNan 
(who had drunk the berastmilk from the demon) - Oh crow! Come and comb His 
hair!

When the asurA waited for an appropriate time (seeing Kutti KaNNan nearby), 
the crane (PakAsurA in disguise) opened its beak to swallow KaNNan. Kutti 
acted swiftly (and who had already identified) and tore open its beak. He 
did not want to create (being so merciful) panic among the cowherd folks and 
said "this is a bird.." playfully and killed the same. This little KaNNan 
who had drunk the demon's life itself along with her poisonous breast milk, 
as an infant- this act is literally a child's play. This Poothanai is this 
PakAsuran's sister:- ) bhakIshakAnuja: says Srimad Bhagawatham.

The pAsuram mentions a word- podhukkO.. meaning : sadakkena- immediately.. 
then and there.. udanE.. He identified; but did not tell others, in order 
not to create panic. There is also another anubhavam: The child without even 
knowing that He is asurA, killed the same effortlessly.

Also Poorvars say: podhukka- means- beak. The bird attempted to prick Him 
with the beak.
That bird did against the Lord and was punished. Oh crow! You are the good 
bird. Do anukoolam and come and comb His hair. He will be pleased.

kaRRinammEyththuk kanikku_orukanRinai
paRRiyeRindha paraman_thirumudi
uRRanapEsi neeOdiththiriyaadhE
aRRaikkumvandhukuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!
	aazhiyaan_than_kuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!        5.

Do not simply fly away telling some vague reasons and wander at various 
places loitering here and there. (Oh crow! That day when you did not come 
like this), there was a calf (asurA who cam in the guise of calf)- 
vathsAsura- which was not eating grass and was standing still looking and 
waiting for an apt time for pouncing on Kutti, while other calves were 
eating. Kutti KaNNan noticed the same. He caught hold of the calf by its 
tail and banged the body at a nearby the viLA tree for the fruits to fall 
down. This Paraman- Supreme Lord- Kutti KaNNan's tresses are so divine and 
beautiful. Come and tidy the same, Oh crow! Comb the hairs of this 
ChakratthAn (one who has ChakrA in His Hands).

That viLA tree is also an asurA. He never does something without any reason. 
KaNNan likes the calves so much that He enjoys seeing them eating the grass 
to their heart (and stomach's) content. One calf was not. He immediately 
noticed and eliminated so that other calves will be safe. Jeyer (Sri 
Manavala mamuni) says' andha viLankani uthirukaikkAga yeRindhu.." every 
fruit was an asurA and each one was killed by banging this vathAsura on the 
tree trunk.. The boys had asked the for the fruits and hence he did this - 
is heard. But nowhere it is told that those fruits that fell down were eaten 
by the boys. So.... They were asurAs; or it could be that the boys were 
shocked or felt wonderstruck at the leelA of Kutti KaNNan and divya 
chEshtithangaL that they forgot what they asked for.

The calf was nearby and hence he caught hold of it. I can fly and am far 
away. Do not think like that oh crow! He can send his ChakrA and hence 
charka was referred to

kizhakkilkudimannar kEdilaadhaarai
azhippaann^inaindhittu avvaazhiyadhanaal
vizhikkumaLavilE vEraRuththaanai
kuzhaRku_aNiyaakakkuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!
	gOvindhan_than_kuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!        6.

He is the one took pledge to destroy Narakaasuran (who had ruled in the east 
sending fears even to Devendran) and within the time period of eye winking, 
He finished the asurA sending His ChakrA (that I had mentioned earlier). He 
rooted out the asurA completely. Come and comb His hair! Comb the cool 
tresses of Govindhan.

NarakAsura's place is called PraakjyOthisam.  Praak- means east. Jyothisham- 
Sicne KaNNan went with Sathyabhama on GarudA it was glittering and hence it 
was shining like star in the east. Govinda is referred to. He is the One who 
went to kill Narakasuran and wemnt to Devalokam to bring the paarijatha to 
the earth (BhUmi). Go- BhUmi. To reach the earth- Govindan. The previous 
verses had "than" Govindhan's - or KaNNa's hair. Here thaN.. meaning cool- 
He has just had bath and hence the tresses are cool..

piNdaththiraLaiyum pEykku_ittan^eerchchORum
uNdaRkuvENdi neeOdiththiriyaadhE
aNdaththu_amarar_perumaan azhakamar
vaNdoththiruNdakuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!
	maayavan_than_kuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!         7.

Do not long and search for the ball of rice that is offered to the pisaasu 
(during srArdham) and come here to comb the hair of the ParamAthmA- the 
Master of even the Devas- who has the most beautiful dark, black tresses. 
Come and comb the tresses of this maayavan.
He is the Nirvaahakan of even the NithyasUris; He on His own will and accord 
appears. He is beyond everyone and everything. He is also the master of 
devas.

AzhwAr's ThiruvuLLam: YasOdhA considers the crow as ParamaikAnthin. Do not 
think that pirthus, Devas are better and grander than this cowherd Boy. He 
is the Supreme Lord of all. He has taken this form on his own accord. He is 
such a sowlabhyan. They are all in his SarIram. Do not go looking for that 
which is offered to those pithrus and Devas. Do not perform ArAdhanam to 
them and wander here and there. This Boy's Divine Beauty is praised even by 
those Pithrus and Devas. Become the ParamaikAnthin and come to comb His 
Hair. Do not think that He is a Human Boy.

undhiyezhundha uruvamalar_thannil
sandhachchadhumukan_thannaip padaiththavan
kondhakkuzhalaik kuRandhupuLiyatti
thandhaththin_seeppaalkuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!
	dhaamOdharan_than_kuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!     8.

Come and apply the most fragrant perfumed oil to his hair and comb the 
tresses of Kutti KaNNan, who created even the Chathurmuka brahmA (four faced 
BrahmA) the reciter of Vedas- seated on the lotus that sprout out of His 
beautiful youthful Navel. Come and comb with the ivory comb the hair of this 
DamOdharan.

The four faced BrahmA was created by Him and was made almost equal to Him 
(Cchandhaschathurmukha).. Yo brahmANAm vidhadhAthi poorvam... thasmai..  He 
recites Vedas (as taught to him by the Lord).
After the bathing event, this hair should be combed applying oil. kuRandhu- 
a rare word- says Sri UttamUr Swamy. - Meaning -poured the oil- says Sri 
Manavala mamunigaL. There is also a different meaning "sikku vidutthu- 
removal of interspersed / intertwined hairs..
Here the name DhAmoDharA- is addressed. Let us enjoy that.

AzhwAr (in the role of YasOdhA) calls the crow saying this Lord- Look at His 
navel- from whom the chathur mukha brahmA was born and is seated on the 
Lotus flower from this navel. To such greatest Lord- how did I tie Him down 
to a mortar so tightly with a rope..  Look at those marks on his waist! 
DhAmOdharan. Parathvam and Sowlabhyam are enjoyed so beautifully by AzhwAr.

mannan_than_thEvimaar kaNdumakizhveydha
mun_ivvulakinai muRRum_aLandhavan
ponninmudiyinaip poovaNaimElvaiththu
pinnEyirundhukuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!
	pEraayiraththaan_kuzhalvaaraay_akkaakkaay!      9.

The king (mahabhali) along with his wife (VindhyAvaLi) happily enjoyed the 
little Brahamchari Boy Vaamana's sweet words (when he begged for three 
measuers of the earth) and in spite of his Guru, SukrAchArya's prevention 
and advice, he oferred the same. This Lord (that day) measured the whole 
Universe with his Feet and let us place His beautiful dark tuft (sikhA) on 
the soft pillow and let us stand behind His Head and the pillow in order to 
comb His Hair. Come to comb the tresses of the Lord of thousand names.

In spite of SukrAchAryA's advice, Bhali said, "When sarvEshwaran's hand is 
lowered and my hand is at the top offering what he asked for, how can I not 
give? He, along with his wife gave the dhAnam (as per saasthrAs). In order 
to get back the earth from Bhali, he did that. One may wonder as to why the 
spouse of Bhali was happy _ as referred to in the pAsuram.. His coming a 
small Boy; begging so beautifully and taking such huge Trivikrama avatar in 
such short span of time, and being just in the front to witness that divine 
feast to the eyes. That is her happiness.

Also the interpretation can be- the spouses (Consorts) of the Lord- BhUmi, 
Periya PiraaTTi were happy in that avatar. Reason: Without killing the asurA 
(enemies), Lord finished the work so tactfully. How can he take the form 
without our participation (as Brahamchari) and hence when He took Trivikrama 
avatar they also appeared with Him (in His ThirumEni- Divine Body). Also, He 
took such avatar and touched everyone on the Universe with his feet. Hence, 
They became happy.
The thousand names are only for VishNu in mahaabharatham. He has more than 
thousand names, in fact. dhEvO nAma sahasrAvAn. AzhwAr wanted to have 
SaharsanAma archanA, it appears.

kaNdaar_pazhiyaamE akkaakkaay! kaarvaNNan
vaNdaar_kuzhalvaara vaavenRa_aaychchisol
viN_thOymadhiL villipuththoorkkOnpattan_sol
koNdaadippaadak kuRukaavinaithaamE! (2)                 10.

Oh crow that stays there (far away!) In order not to let others (who see 
this child) tease the untidy hairs of Kutti KaNNan, come here to comb the 
tresses. - Thus,  this calling crow for combing the hair of Kutti KaNNan was 
sung in ten verses by Sri VillilutthUr's VishNu Chithttan - and those who 
enjoy the words, meanings and sing / recite these ten PAsurams, will have no 
paapams (sins- sorrows) come near them.

The dusty body- before bathing- was also referred to- saying others tease 
your dirty body. Come and bathe. Now, after bathing, if the hair is not 
combed it will be untidy. Now also, it will be teased by others - is 
referred to. (Puzhudhi aLaindha pon mEni - kaaNap peridhum ugakkum - aagilum 
kaNdaal pazhippar.. )

If this thirumozhi is celebrated, sung understanding and enjoying the 
Parathvam and sowlabhyam of the Lord, then like the smell, dirt get removed 
from the Lord's ThirumEni, the sins and sorrows will be removed from us. For 
everyone, the sins (the karma vinai) - paapam and puNyam are both included 
here- will be removed. Poya pizhaiyum, pugutharuvaan ninRanavum, theeyinil 
thUsaagum..

They (the theevinaigaL- which are so huge and so different for each one of 
us, with regards to quantity and quality), will all go away authomatically 
by transforming us into mumukshus and taking us to right path of 
surrendering to his Kutti Lotus feet
PeriyAzhwAr ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam
Regards
Namo Narayana
dAsan

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