10Rangarajyam Posted Date : 06:00 (14/08/2018) August 14, 2018 Sakthi Vikatan Revised Nov 13, 2018 Author: Indira Saundarrajan Images: M.S. |
Verse 888
Divyaprabhandam
இரும்புபோல் வலிய நெஞ்சம் இறை இறை உருகும் வண்ணம்
சுரும்பு bee
அமர் சோலை சூழ்ந்த அரங்க மா கோயில் கொண்ட
கரும்பினைக் கண்டு கொண்டு
என் கண்ணிணை களிக்குமாறே.
By
தொண்டரடிப்பொடியாழ்வார் Thondar-Adi-Podi-Azhvār (726 CE) Translation I never worshipped the Lord with craving. I never
entertained the idea of God’s immanence. My mind (soul and heart) of the
nature of steel melted gradually. The groves with humming bees abound in
Tiruvarangam where I saw Sugarcane-sweet Perumal with my rejoicing eyes. -தொண்டரடிப்பொடியாழ்வார்
Thondar-Adi-Podi-Azhvār Vibhīṣaṇa was ecstatic in his belief that
SrīRāmaprāṉ gave himself in the form Praṇavākāra Perumal. Vasiṣtar, the
Sun dynasty Kulaguru, spoke with a smile on his face. King of Lanka! You are a lucky person. What others
received by Tapas, you obtained as a gift. It is not extraordinary to
receive an award, but it must be appropriately worshipped. He stopped
after saying, “If not.” It was like a caution. Vibhīshaṇa was intent in
his attention. Vasiṣtar said, “We should follow the ceremonial
observances to the letter. A dharmic mind is essential. If these tenets
are violated, Praṇavākāram will find and go its own way. We can’t use,
direct or take advantage of it. Praṇavākāram makes use of us and
activates us. That realism and wisdom are essential.” “King Vibhīṣaṇa! Garuda was the first one to carry
it on its back and wings. The next one to transport it was Hanuman. You
are the third one to transport it. It is not easy to carry its weight.
Every action has a reaction. The carrier of Praṇavākāram has the
rewards: that carrier becomes the Nityasūri (eternal Immortal) in
Vaikuntam. I don’t know myself whether I (Vasiṣtar) am qualified to
become a Nityasūri. Please appropriately make use of this opportunity.
Until you reach Lanka, you must carry it on your head. Is it possible
for you?” What Vasiṣtar said to Vibhīṣaṇa sounded like, “it
is not possible for you.” That flustered Vibhīṣaṇa. Vibhīṣaṇa: “O Great Muni! What kind of question is
this? You said, “Can you make it possible?” It must happen. Who will get
such luck like this? It is not only luck for me but also an expiation
and remedy. Who will carry this Peruman to the ruined Lanka for the
resurrection of Land of Lanka, if not for me? Even if someone comes
forward, I will not allow it. No matter how hard it may be, I will bear
its burden on my head. This is a promise.” He said that with
overwhelming purpose and passion. Rama and Sita overheard the conversation silently
and at that very moment gave him their blessings. The priests gave
Vibhīṣaṇa Salagrama stones, ceremonial vessels, and the jewel box. A crowd milled around Vibhīṣaṇa and sounded
felicitations, as he was getting ready to bear the Praṇavākāram on his
head. The minions of Vibhīshaṇa tried to carry Perumal on their heads. Following Vibhīṣaṇa, Sugriva, Jāmbhavān and the
others left for their respective places. The send-off went on like a
festival. The king’s representatives and the people gave them a send-off
at the outskirts of the city. Vibhīṣaṇa walked majestically carrying Prāvākāra
Perumal on his head. People standing on the side of the streets
sprinkled flowers on Praṇavākāra perumāḷ and paid homage with opposed
palms. Some stared at Vibhīshaṇa. They murmured asking questions in
their minds, “Did you come to participate in the coronation festivities
or to steal the Emperuman. Though they had the urge to say it aloud,
they in consideration of Rama kept their criticism under control.
A wondrous event took place: Varuṇa spread a canopy
of clouds over the path taken by Vibhīṣaṇa creating clement shades and
did his part by sprinkling fresh tender leaves. The sun peaked through
the clouds here and there, paid homage to its Kula Deivam (family deity)
and demonstrated his Bakthi fervently. Vayu Bhagavan blew gentle breeze
on Vibhīshaṇa’s body and cooled him. The celestials and others showed
their joyousness with wide eyes at the events happening on Bhūlōkam. In Vaikuntam, Emperumātti (Lakshmi) had a few
thoughts. Emperuman was close on her heels. Emperuman: “Lakshmi! On what do your thoughts
rest?” Lakshmi: “On the drama of yours.” Emperuman: “What are you referring to?” Lakshmi: “You are leaving Ayodhya. That is what I
mean.” Emperuman: “I am sauntering there as Rama.” Lakshmi: “If that is so, do you evince happiness at
my abduction and torture in my going to Lanka? Emperuman: “What is wrong? Is it not true that the
wound needs a salve?” Lakshmi: Is one Vibhīshaṇa enough for a salve?” Emperuman: “Do you think it is not enough?” Lakshmi: “Is that unknown to you? When I think of
Lankan earth, I am reminded of my incarceration.” Emperuman: “Lakshmi! You sprouted in the ocean. You
were named Kothai because you were found in the plowed earth. That may
be the reason you behave like the earth people. Why do you have the mien
of the ordinary mortal woman? Lakshmi: “I don’t talk on my behalf. I speak
considering how the female gender of my ilk thinks. Emperuman: “What is your concluding remark?” Lakshmi: “What is there for me to say? You gave
your word to some. Think of it?” Emperuman: “Are you reminding me of the forest Ṛṣis
and Dharmavarma? I did not forget them.” Lakshmi: Though you did not forget them, why did
you take sides with Vibhīṣaṇaṉ? That I do not understand.”
Emperuman: Firstly, the bird Garuḍa, secondly the
animal Hanuman, and thirdly the human Vibhīṣaṇa: I wanted them to carry
Praṇavākāra Perumal on their heads. That happened! Vibhīṣaṇa did not ask
for this and that like his brother Rāvaṇa during his Tapas. He
supplicated to me so his mind and soul will not forget me. Should such
person be not ignored, is it not? For that reason, I gave him this
opportunity. Lakshmi: I understand the subtilities as you tell
me. You said you entertain no difference and discrimination among beings
in the episodes of Garuḍa, Hanuman, and Vibhīṣaṇaṉ. I understand your
tenet. Measuring with the same scale and administering justice, how
would you satisfy Dharmavarman and the Ṛṣis? Emperuman: “My satisfaction is their satisfaction.
Are they different from me?” Lakshmi: If so, does your satisfaction entail going
with Vibhīṣaṇa? Is it your desire to abide in the temple in Lanka?” Emperuman: “I understand it should not be so. Why
not? Give me a proper answer to it. Please do not tell me such
platitudes like ‘it was a place of my imprisonment and injury to my
wellbeing.’” Lakshmi: Prabhu! Do you think what I speak is my
speech? My speech and breath are yours only. On that basis, I speak. If
you establish yourself in a Lankan temple, how could sacerdotal
ceremonies happen? (Is it not anachronistic?) Should the priests not
come to Lanka crossing the ocean like Hanuman? Would not that travel
abroad be sacrilegious for the priests? The tainted ceremonies would not
bear fruits. Though you come up with remedies for them, should an island
become the home of your first temple?” As Emperuman finished hearing the emotion-laden
observations from Lakshmi, he smiled and said, “Watch what happens
shortly.” Lakshmi: “Waiting with expectation.” Chola country! Uraiyur city. Dharmavarma was in
dream sleep. A Garuda bird was circling over the Kaveri river, holding a
garland in its talons. The wreath fell on the island in the Kaveri
river. The dream ended. Dharmavarma got up from his dream sleep, sat
down and thought about it for a while. He called the council of
ministers and narrated to them his dream. The minister #1: “King! This dream is an auspicious
one. Garuda appearing in a dream is significant. I consider that
something auspicious is going to happen.” The minister #2: “Yes! It is an auspicious sign.
Garuda Puruṣa is Emperuman’s dedicated emissary. We can consider the
imminence of Emperuman-associated event is happening soon.” In accordance, shortly, a spy under the king’s
employ appeared in the king’s court with the news. Spy: King! Lankāthipathi Srī Srī Vibhīṣaṇa
Chakravarthy is on his way to Kaveri from Ayodhya with Praṇavākāra
Perumal. His planned itinerary is to go to Lanka passing through Chola
country and Pandiya country and reaching Sethu bridge oceanfront. King Dharmavarman: “Is that so? He is coming with
Praṇavākāra Perumal. Do you know it for sure?” The king’s spy: “There is no falsity in the news,
my king. This noon, they may be passing by Karuvūr. Considering it, by
evening, they will be arriving at the Kaveri bed.” The spy’s news immersed him not only in surprise
but also in mental agitation. Minister: “Why this agitation, my king. King Dharmavarman: “I desired for Praṇavākāra
Perumal. He is going to Lanka. I cannot stomach it. I performed Tapas to
acquire Perumal. Is his sojourn a reward for my Tapas?” Minister: “Please do not worry about it, my king.
None of us has the power to know the mind of Emperuman. At the same
time, according to your dream, Emperuman has informed you in your dream
of his arrival to Chola country. Could it not be possible that the site
Garuda dropped the garland is where Perumal will manifest and establish
himself in a temple in Chola Country?” They were talking in those lines
and spirit. Things happened. Vibhīṣaṇa crossed the river Kaveri
in a large boat and commanded his men to anchor the boat near the
riverside where the Chola people stood and watched them. He disembarked,
holding Prāvākāra Perumal on his head and continued walking on the
shore. His minions walked behind him. His close advisor Mārgaṛṣi said to
him, “King! This is the most felicitous place for today’s and tomorrow’s
sacerdotal ceremonies. Kaveri river is here for bathing, Uraiyur is
nearby for eating, rest and relaxation and it is most appropriate that
we stay here.” Vibhīṣaṇa had travel fatigue. Immediately, he
agreed and said, “yes.” Before he dismounted the Perumal idol from his
head, he looked for the most desirable place to place it on the ground.
A beautiful place appeared in his sight. Will continue. 255-153-204 |