BG 14.25

Kanninun chirutthambinal kattunna panniya perumayan
ennappanil, nanitthenkurugur nambi enrakkal
annikkum amudhurum en navukke.
[கண்ணிநுண் சிறுத்தாம்பினால் கட்டுண்ணப் பண்ணிய பெருமாயன், என்னப்பனில், நண்ணித் தென்குருகூர் நம்பி என்றக்கால், அண்ணிக்கும்
அமுதூறும் என் நாவுக்கே]
This is a pasuram from Madurakavi Alwar's 'kanninun chirutthambu'. He says whenever he recites any pasuram in Nammalwar's Thiruvaimozhi, he found nectar or amrut springing in his mouth! This program is also Kannanin Aaramudu [nectar of Sri Krishna]! The Lord's Bhagavad Gita is also amrut! Guided by Gita, Nammalwar's Thiruvaimozhi is also nectar! Nammalwar is famous for sweet words. As Parankusa Nayaki, 'her; words are sweet like parrot's! In Thiruvaimozhi, one can enjoy literary value, philosophical thoughts, experience in Kshetrams, social orders, etc. His Thiruvaimozhi consists of 100 decades of Ten pasurams each. Of these 73 decades are composed by Nammalwar as himself; but 27 decades are composed in the guise of a woman! In these latter verses the Alwar assumes himself to be the sweet-heart of the Lord, pining for Him! 'She' sends a mesenger to the Lord of Thirumoozhikalam. In these type of pasurams, 'she' would send a bird to convey to the Lord, 'her' condition and asking Him to come instantly to save 'her'! Four such decades are in this type - anjiramadanarai [அஞ்சிறைய மட நாராய்], ponnulagaliro [பொன்னுலகாளீரோ!], en kanal agam kazhivai [என்கானல் அகம் கழிவாய்] and vaigal poonkazhivai [வைகல் பூங்கழிவாய்]. Alwar composed enkanalagm kazhivai in praise of Thirumoozhikalam. 'She' sends an emissary to Sri Srisookti Nathan. Alwar calls the Lord as Sri Thirumoozhikalatthan [ஸ்ரீ திருமூழிக்களத்தான்]. Yesterday, we mentioned that the Lord exhibited mardava quality. By this nature the Lord can not bear the separation of mahatma like Nammalwar! But Sri Srisookti Nathan is indifferent! He is not melting down at the separation of Parankusa Nayaki! It is because of the great Bhaktas of this place. Surrounded by the Bhaktas of this place, the Lord forgot Parankusa Nayaki! 'She' thinks by sending birds as messengers, they would remind the Lord about 'her'. The Lord had forgotten His beauty. The Lord's beauty is of Two types - soundaryam [सौन्दर्यम ] and lavanyam [लावण्यम]. Soundaryam means every organ or part is beautiful. Lavanyam means beautiful as a whole! In humans we can rarely see both; but the Lord has both soundaryam and lavanyam. Alwar thinks that the Lord had forgotten about His soundaryam. So, 'she' thinks that by reminding His soundaryam, He would come to 'her'! Arjuna asks the Lord to show external and internal identifications for a person having crossed the Three qualities. Sri Krishna replied that such a person would never show dislike for unfavourable things nor will show eagerness to acquire desirable things. That person is beyond likes and dislikes. Arjuna wonders how that is possible for that person? Will not those Three qualities act on that person and make him to like and dislike? How could one remain passive when someone abuses or harms? Sri Krishna replies saying that the answer lied in the question itself! Arjuna is not able to comprehend. Satvam, rajas and tamas would act in their own way. That is inevitable. Then why we should show like and dislike, is the answer of the Lord. Arjuna said that these qualities were going to act and it was unavoidable; Sri Krishna says that therefore, why one should bother about them. It is like a driver caught in a traffic jam. Police informs that it might take half an hour to clear. What is the use in blaming and getting agitated? Some might use the opportunity to study and pass the time usefully. After half an hour the traffic eases and all proceed without any problem. That is we have to face an inevitable problem and take it in its stride. Similarly, one should understand the nature of the Three qualities and take them in their strides. This is being told by the Lord in sloka 23:

udāsīnavad āsīno guṇair yo na vicālyate
guṇā vartanta ity eva yovatiṣṭhati neṅgate 14.23

Asina = is like this. How? Udasinava = indifferent. Excepting matters relating to atman, this person is indifferent to whatever happens. It is like a situation, when we are going by a road. Many vehicles pass by and we are totally indifferent to them; but the moment we see a familiar vehcle, we instantly probe the passengers! Likewise, this person shows indifference to all worldly affairs. Na vicalyate = [he] is unperturbed, gunai = by the [Three] qualities. This happens to him because, guna = [Three] qualities, vartanta = would show their nature, which are inevitable. That s using the nature of satva quality to acquire knowledge, he is avoiding the effects of the Three qualities! That is, by having ambience such as proper food habits, yoga and careful speech, etc., this person develops satva quality and slowly crosses the Three qualities. Ye = whoever, avatishtati = stands firmly. That is understanding that all happenings are due to the influence of the Three qualities and they are inevitable. Atman has nothing to do wth those happenings. So, why anyone should be greedy or passionate or disillusioned? Clearly understanding that the Three qualities are showing their nature and atman is not at all connected with those actions, make the person to cross Three qualities. Atman, because of its association with body, has to face the effects of the Three qualities and as such atman has no role in those actions. This type of indifference to the happenings make him to cross the Three qualities. We now take leave of this Kshetram.

ANNOUNCEMENT: The conclusion [sattumurai சாற்றுமுறை ] of Bhagavad Gita is proposed to be done at the site where Gita originated - Kurukshetra. A grand tour covering Dwaraka, Brindavan, Pushkar and Kurukshetra is being organized, from 1st to 15th October, 2009. Those willing to join might approach Kinchitkaram Trust in Chennai.