A compilation of comparative figures of speech in Aruliccheyal

Sri:

Srimathe Ramanujaya Nama:

Srimad Varavaramunaye Nama:

Translated from the authentic words of Perumal Koil Prathivadi Bhayankaram Sri. U.Ve. Annangaracharya Swami


1. abhimAnathungan chelvanaippOla : Like Chelva Nambi This phrase occurs in the collection of hymns, Thiruppallandu of Swami Periyazhwar. Periyazhwar being dissatisfied with singing benediction to the Lord in isolation, assembles a congregation formed out of diverse devotees to sing benediction together. They fall under three classes - seekers of the Lord, seekers of the soul and seekers of material wealth. At the end of the book comes the song of the materialist that commences with "alvazhakkonRumillA". Chelva Nambi is the person of interest in this discussion. History shows us that he was instrumental in making a Periyazhwar out of Vishnu Chittha. The place of descent of this Srivaishnava sage is Thirukkoshtiyur and hence he is called by the name "aNikOTTiyarkOn". He also finds mention in Periyazhwar's Thirumozhi in the "nAvakAriyam" decade dedicated to Thirukoshtiyur as "naLirndhasIlan nayAsalan abhimAnathunganai nADoRum theLindha chelvanaich chEvagangoNDa chengaNmAl thirukkOTTiyUr". Sri Vishnu Purana says, "Sri Prahlada is the standard of comparison for the sages". Any sage would be deemed important if his conduct justified comparison to Prahlada. Likewise, it can be said that Chelva Nambi was the standard of comparison for the greatest of Srivaishnavas. A doubt can be raised here. The song is that of the materialists, who have long craved for material benefits. They have been redeemed by Periyazhwar to sing benediction to the Lord. Their past, however, is in conflict with the conduct of Chelva Nambi. While Nambi's devotion to the Lord is as natural as the unique fragrance of Thiruththuzhaiy, the erstwhile materialists, in contrast had only offered some vestige of devotion in expectation of receiving material fruits. How could they compare themselves to Chelva Nambi? A gem that lies in dirt, visibly offering no sign of any brilliance, shines beautifully once the dirt is dispensed of it. Once cleaned, it is as good as any other pristine gem. Likewise, the freshly inducted souls are worth being compared to souls who have been devoted to the Lord since long. In Acharya Hrudaya, it is said, "onRu kUDinadAyp paRRaRukka mINDozhigaiyAlE pazhavaDiyEnennumadhonRumE ozhikka vozhiyAdadu", which along side Mamunigal's commentary would make interesting reading in this context.

Azhwar Emberumanar Jeeyar Thiruvadigale Saranam