Avathaarikai - அவதாரிகை

In our Sampradayam, it is well known that Srivacahana Bhooshanam is one of the most important granthams and every srivaishnavaite should adhere to the anustanams specified therein. It is called as Rahasya Grantham as the concepts explained in that are really important and a 'must adhere' for everyone.

Legend has it, only to propagate the greatness of Srivachana Bhooshanam, Sri Manavalamamunigal rendered upadesaRathinamalai. Swami further states out of all granthams of PillaiLokacharyar Srivachana Bhooshanam is the Zion. Swami also states that it is difficult even to find one person who can adhere to all anustanams specified in Sri Vachana Bhooshanam("or oruvar undagil" - hence the name for our blog). Now lets try to realize what makes Srivachana Bhooshanamam & Pillailokacharyar to be the great among the lot.

In thiruppavai vyakyanam, Sri periyavachan pillai starts with a comparison of various people with Sri Aandal. It starts with "தேஹாத்மாபிமாநிகளுக்கும் ரிஷிகளுக்கும் பர்வத பரமாணு பரமான ஓட்டை வாசி போலும்".

He compares Dehaatmabhimanis(who thinks Deham is aatma - that is we) with Rishis and says that when compared with svaroopam, Rishis are like Parvatam(mountain) we are like a Paramanu(atom) state. This is quite a correct comparison as Rishis are capable of controlling thier Indriyams & do thapas & yogams thinking about Emperuman unlike us who are so filled with this worldly things.

Then, he compares Rishis who try to reach Bhagavan through THEIR efforts in the path of Bhakti yogam with Aazhwars who recieved the Vishesha katkasham of Emperuman and as a result they rendered Divya prabhandams and attained moksham. Now the Paramanu is Rishis and Parvatam is each Aazhwar. (To know the history of Divya Prabandhams check http://mangalasaasanam.blogspot.in/2012/07/history-of-dhivya-prabhandham.html)

Then, among all Aazhwars Periyaazhwar is special as other Aazhwars when recieved the kataksham from emperuman prayed to him to relieve them from this Samsaram as it is dangerous whereas Periaazhwar when saw Emperuman asked him(Peruman) to leave this dangerous samsaram and started Thiruppallandu. This is called as Mangalasasanam. Now Periazhwars is like a Parvatam among all aazhwars.

Then, compared to Periaazhwar who did Mangalasasanam to Emperuman, Andal & Madhurakavi are Parvatams as they did Mangalasasanam for Emperuman's Adiyaars(Bhaghavatargal). Now we can realize what is the difference between us(samsaris) and Aandal and where we stand :)

Now, a doubt would arise that is it really correct to compare Aazhwars with each other and as a result belittling other Aazhwars that too to an extent of placing them in a paramanu position. The answer is that it is called Nahi Ninda NyAyam. It is to bring out the greatness of a person or thing, by comparing with another one. However, this is not intended to insult or belittle the latter.

So, continuing this method of comparison, let us try to find out where it leads finally.

Our Poorvacharyas, when compared to Aazhwars takes the parvatam status as without their Vyakyanams and anubavams, people like us could never get to know the real essence of Divya Prabandhams.

Among Poorvacharyas, Krupa Matra Prassanacharyars(who are symbol of grace and would explain the meaning to anyone interested in knowing) starting from Sri Ramanujar take the parvatam status when compared to Anu Vruthi Prassanacharyars(who were strict in selecting their Sishyas).

Even among all Krupa Matra Prassanacharyars, Acharyars who had taken pain to write the Vyakyanams for Divya Prabandhams for they would be used and experienced by future generations take the parvatam status when compared to other acharyas.

Among the Acharyars who wrote Vyakyanams, If there was an Acharyar who could churn out the saram(essence) of all Vyakyanams(at times vyakyanams had to comment on parts of Prabhandams which would contain description of Nature, Timoorthy samyam etc which can be left out for a Prappannan) and provide as a Grantham, He would definitely take the Parvatam Status. That Acharyar is none other than asmadacharyar PillaiLokacharyar and the Grantham is none other than the famous SriVachana Bhooshanam. Such is the greatness of the Author and Grantham.

Now if we extend this comparison a little further, If there could be an Acharyar who can write a Vyakyanam for this noble Grantham to be handed over to generations to come, he would definitely take the parvatam status. That Acharyar is none other than the final gem of our Acharya Ratna haram, Kovil sri Manavala mamunigal. Indeed, no doubt that Namperumal selected the best acharyan for him.

Dasan

Madhusudhanan MA