கஜேந்திர மோட்சம் (Gajendra Moksham) - Poem

 

हस्ताभ्याम् ऊर्ध्व-नमस्कृता 

Hastābhyām ūrdhva-namaskṛtā

हस्तिगिरौ उत्तम-क्षेत्रे 

Hastigirau uttama-kṣetre

वेगवती प्रवृत्त-प्रवाहा 

Vegavatī pravṛtta-pravāhā

वेष्टति गाढ-लीन-पङ्कजम्

Veṣṭati gāḍha-līna-paṅkajam

Meaning:

In the supreme sacred place of Hastigiri (Kanchipuram), the River Vegavati—which is worshipped with hands raised high—flows rapidly and surrounds the lotus that is deeply immersed (in the water/mud)

Poet's Comment:

To start any epics we need some prologue which is setting up what is the setting of the whole story. To encapsulate it this small Sanskrit verse were soemthing which i got. Starting it as a prologue to the Gajendra Moksha Prabandham where by his grace's imagination i relive the Gajendra Moksham 



சூரியன் உதயம் முன்னே என் கண் விழித்து

Cūriyaṉ utayam muṉṉē eṉ kaṇ viḻittu

சுந்தரனை உபாசிக்க விரைந்து விட்டேன்

cuntaraṉai upācikka viraintu viṭṭēṉ

தாமரை தன் குளத்தில் சேற்றினின்று பூக்க

tāmarai taṉ kuḷattil cēṟṟiṉiṉṟu pūkka

தாமதம் இல்லாமல் ஆதவன் தோன்றினானே!

tāmatam illāmal ātavaṉ tōṉṟiṉāṉē!

Meaning:

Before the sun rose, I woke up and hurried to worship Sundara. Without delay, the lotus blossomed from the mud as the sun rises.

Poet's comment:

As Gajendra who was a adherent devote of Shri Varadaraja Perumal he daily did a servitude (kainkariyam) of giving lotus which is bloomed on the same day and which is not in budding.




நீளும் என் துதிக்கை சென்று பறிக்க

Nīḷum eṉ tutikkai ceṉṟu paṟikka

நீண்ட தூரம் தொலைவில் இருக்க

nīṇṭa tūram tolaivil irukka

கலங்கிய நீரில் இறங்கி நான் செல்ல

kalaṅkiya nīril iṟaṅki nāṉ cella

கலகம் தவிர்க்கும் பவளம் நிறம் போல!

kalakam tavirkkum pavaḷam niṟam pōla!


Meaning:

As Gajendra arrives to pluk the lotus his long trunk couldn't reach the lotus so he decides to enter the muddy shallow water which is in the colour of coral.

Poet's Comment:

When we all start to live we are trying our best to live in the same path that is given to us by our parents and grand parents which to speak truth, abide dharma and always be righteous. But this Samsara is full of muddy water which is always not settling and doesn't look good yet our materialistic lifestyle ask us to go through it for upholding of our duty like Gajendra who tries to fulfill his duty.

Here the scenery you can imagine where the sun is rising and moon is setting so in the sky both are present and the muddy water is in a colour of coral. This directly gives a image from the Upanishads and the Dravida-veda calling the image of The almighty where his eyes are Sun and Moon while his lips are in coral colour.

अग्नीर्मूर्धा चक्षुषी चन्द्रसूर्यौ 

agnīrmūrdhā cakṣuṣī candrasūryau  

दिशः श्रोत्रे वाग् विवृताश्च वेदाः ।

diśaḥ śrotre vāg vivṛtāśca vedāḥ . 

वायुः प्राणो हृदयं विश्वमस्य पद्भ्यां

vāyuḥ prāṇo hṛdayaṃ viśvamasya padbhyāṃ            

पृथिवी ह्येष सर्वभूतान्तरात्मा ॥ ४॥

pṛthivī hyeṣa sarvabhūtāntarātmā  - Mundaka Upanishad

Meaning:  

The heavens are His head; the sun and moon, His eyes; the quarters, His ears; the revealed Vedas, His speech; the wind is His breath; the universe, His heart. From his feet is produced the earth. He is, indeed, the inner Self of all beings.

பச்சைமா மலை போல் மேனி பவளவாய் கமலச் செங்கண்

pachchaimA malaipOl mEnip pavaLavAik kamalach chengaN

அச்சுதா அமரரேறே ஆயர்தம் கொழுந்தே என்னும்

achchuthA amararERE Ayartham kozhundhE ennum

இச்சுவை தவிர யான் போய் இந்திரலோகம் ஆளும்

ichchuvai thavira yAnpOy indhiralOgam ALum

அச்சுவை பெறினும் வேண்டேன் அரங்கமா நகருளானே.

achchuvai peRineum vENdEn arangamA nagaruLAnE  

                                                - தொண்டரடிப்பொடி ஆழ்வார் (Thondaradippodi Alvar)


Meaning:


O Lord of Srirangam! Your body is like a huge emerald mountain; Your lips are like red coral; Your eyes are like red lotuses. You are Achutha (the infallible), the Lord of the Devas, and the darling sprout of the cowherd clan! Even if I were given the pleasure of ruling over Indra’s world (Heaven), I would not want it, if it meant giving up the sweetness of calling out your names and enjoying your beauty here.



காரியம் கண்டால் கவர்ந்த கையோ

Kāriyam kaṇṭāl kavarnta kaiyō

வானில் தூக்கி நீரான பாய்ந்து கரைக்குச் சென்று ஓட!

vāṉil tūkki nīrāṉa pāyntu karaikkuc ceṉṟu ōṭa!

இவ்வாழ்வை போல் கலக்கத்தில் இருக்க ஆசை இல்லை

Ivvāḻvai pōl kalakkattil irukka ācai illai

இவ்வவதி விட்டுச் செல்லப் பிடித்த என் காலை!

ivvavati viṭṭuc cellap piṭitta eṉ kālai!


Meaning:

Once i saw the lotus i snatched out of the stem, after which i hold it over my head. Once it is done i started to run to the shore. Like the life I have no desire to be in this. But soon when i try to leave it got my legs.

Poet's Note:

As once the job of Gajendra is done he tries to escape from the muddy place like us after our job is done. Yet the pain stuck him which made him stop going to the shore and pulled him in to the muddy water. Here pain is our materialism which attract us. As we don't realise it is painful to us yet once we lose the material we wished or desired for that pain struck us. The realisation of that time would be "what gone is gone nothing is permanent." yet the actual realisation should be i got pain because this was attached to me. I'm still attached to the muddy water. Which no one realises.

Also


வலியோ விரைய காலை இழுத்து கரைக்குச் செல்லப் பார்த்து

Valiyō viraiya kālai iḻuttu karaikkuc cellap pārttu

வழிமறித்துப் பிடித்த கரா பிடித்து இழுத்து!

vaḻimaṟittup piṭitta karā piṭittu iḻuttu!

விரைந்து பற்கள் காலைப் பதித்துக் கடித்து

Viraintu paṟkaḷ kālaip patittuk kaṭittu

விந்தையோ இதுவே பிராரப்தம் ஆகக் கூவக் கூவினேன்!

vintaiyō ituvē pirāraptam ākak kūvak kūviṉēṉ!


Meaning:

The pain that is got due to this crocodile bite was so painful that It pulled me towards the water. when the sharp fangs pierced me i thought it is such a irony that i have to burn my karma in this rough and gruesome way. So i shout his name in the pain.

Poet's note:

Nobody asks why they are having a good time. Why they enjoy the life. All ask the question why My life is sad and why I feel sad. And then we say Bad as sins and good as boons. but actually there is no good nor bad. There is only one thing that is karma which is effect to what you live and effect of the deaccession you take. But regardless of whatever the effect is, say his name which always stays with us. This is not to praise his story but just say how blessed was I when i was having happy times and how blessed am I even in bad times you come and helping me out.




ஐயனையே! ஆயர் குல அரசே! அஞ்ஞானம் அழிக்கும்

Aiyaṉaiyē! Āyar kula aracē! Aññāṉam aḻikkum

ஆத்மாவின் பொருளே! ஆயிரம் அரிமா பலம் கொண்டு இருக்கும்!

ātmāviṉ poruḷē! Āyiram arimā palam koṇṭu irukkum!

என் காஞ்சி நகர் அரசே அபயம் என்று கேட்கும்

Eṉ kāñci nakar aracē apayam eṉṟu kēṭkum

எனக்கு அபயம் தாராரோ ஆதிமூலமே!

eṉakku apayam tārārō ātimūlamē!


Meaning:

O my lord, the torch bearer and king of the Aiyar clan. The person who destroys ignorance and remains as the source to my soul. You have the strength of thousand lions my beloved king of the Thirukachi (Kanchipuram), When a bhakta ask for protection, won't you provide me the protection, O the lord who is the start to all (ātimūlamē)

Poet's Note:

As per bagavadha puranam and other contemporary sources which narrates this incident make sure the elephant calls Bagwan as "ātimūlamē" Which is strange and also very important as for the name talks about from which everything starts. As the Shruti says:

ना॒राय॒णप॑रो ज्यो॒ति॒रा॒त्मा ना॑राय॒णः प॑रः ।

nā̠rāya̠ṇapa̍rō jyō̠ti̠rā̠tmā nā̍rāya̠ṇaḥ pa̍raḥ । ना॒राय॒णपर॑-म्ब्र॒ह्म॒ तत्त्व-न्ना॑राय॒णः प॑रः ।

nā̠rāya̠ṇapara̍-mbra̠hma̠ tattva-nnā̍rāya̠ṇaḥ pa̍raḥ ।

Meaning:

The Lord Narayana is the Supreme Absolute; Narayana is the Supreme Reality; Narayana is the Supreme Light; Narayana is the Supreme Self.

This lines essence is been said in one word which the Gajendra shouts.



வானில் தூரத்தில் ஒரு ஒளி பிழம்பாய்ப் பார்த்த கரா

Vāṉil tūrattil oru oḷi piḻampāyp pārtta karā

வையத்தில் பார்க்காத பெரும் சுடரோ அவர் வருகை!

vaiyattil pārkkāta perum cuṭarō avar varukai!

பேரிடை பிளந்து கொண்டு வானை வளை வர

Pēriṭai piḷantu koṇṭu vāṉai vaḷai vara

பரமாத்மன் என மனதில் ஒரு சோலை தர!

paramātmaṉ eṉa maṉatil oru cōlai tara!

Meaning:

A light flickered in the distance in the sky. A great flame unseen in the sky. He has arrived!

Cracking the abyss and bending the sky, Give me an oasis in my mind as the Supreme Lord!

Poet's Note:

Bagawan has started to arrive and he arrives in a light form. He is coming with breaking and bending the sky. This shows how affectionate is his almighty that when his Bhakta is stuck he is ready to come and help. Like a Father's love towards his daughter and like a Mother's Love towards her son. Bagawan has love towards all of his believers and non believers equally and even calling him once with full faith in that makes it easy to cross. Here It also refer to the Thiruthanka - Sri Deepa Prakasar Perumal Temple situated in Kanchipuram.




அணுவாய் இருந்து பிழம்பாய்ப் பெருகிப் போனது போல

Aṇuvāy iruntu piḻampāyp perukip pōṉatu pōla

அன்று மூன்றடி ஏற்று உலகம் அளந்தது போல

aṉṟu mūṉṟaṭi ēṟṟu ulakam aḷantatu pōla

வந்தான் சொன்ன பொழுதே அபயம் தர

vantāṉ coṉṉa poḻutē apayam tara

வாழ்விக்க என்றும் பக்தருக்குக் கொடுத்த பல!

vāḻvikka eṉṟum paktarukkuk koṭutta pala!

Meaning:

Like atom he came and become a giant. In Vamana avatar he asks for three feet as a small brahmin and measures all the world. He comes when is called immediately as he need to protect his devotees. 

Poet's Comment:

Here we cover two divya desams of Kanchipuram which is Sonna Vannam Seitha perumal and Ulagalantha Perumal temple. 

He is pleased for blind faith that is put on him and tries protect his devotees with no delay and help them with his own arrival. Here the play of Vamana is also depicted which shows both Bagawan's innocence and his commitment towards upholding dharma. 

கரா கலங்கப் பின்னால் பார்த்து நடுங்க

Karā kalaṅkap piṉṉāl pārttu naṭuṅka

கழித்து இருக்கும் பெரிய கெளுத்தி கிடங்க

kaḻittu irukkum periya keḷutti kiṭaṅka

கரை பக்கம் ஓடி ஒழிந்து கொள்ளப் பார்த்தால்

karai pakkam ōṭi oḻintu koḷḷap pārttāl

காய்த்து பன்றி ஒன்று உரும்பி மிரட்டல்! 

kāyttu paṉṟi oṉṟu urumpi miraṭṭal!

Menaing:

After seeing this the crocodile got scared and though of escaping the scene. But when it sees back there is a huge catfish (Matsya) waiting to eat this crocodile and when it sees to go to land it sees a huge Boar (Varaha) which is threatening this crocodile. 
Poet's Comment:
Here bagawan is not only going to give moksham to Gajendra but also to the Crocodile because it did something which very important in everyone's life. Which to touch a Bagavatha (A devotee). Even a touch of the Devotee should make the person who touches reach a great height which is what required and a character of true devotee. 

இவை கண்ட கரா நீரின் மேல் மிதந்தால்
Ivai kaṇṭa karā nīriṉ mēl mitantāl
இவனைத் தூக்கி வாயை மேலே பிடித்த ஆமை வந்தால்
ivaṉait tūkki vāyai mēlē piṭitta āmai vantāl
அன்று மந்தரம் தாங்கியது போல இவை
aṉṟu mantaram tāṅkiyatu pōla ivai
அறியாத கரா வாயைத் தூக்கித் தாங்க!
aṟiyāta karā vāyait tūkkit tāṅka!
Meaning:
Seeing this all crocodile tried to stay a float while a turtle came and lifted it's head like how in kurma avatar Bagwan lifter the Mantram Mountain in his back to churn the ocean, but poor crocodile without knowing this lifted it's head with the flow. 
Poet's Comment:
Now bagawan's Kurma avatar is coming to place so that when now Sudharsana Discus is thrown will fall on right place because He is coming in speed of light. This also shows how the mataram which got the amrutham (Immortal Nectar) because both devas and asuras did the balance pull from each side. Showing how the life need balance of karma to moksham, Also it is said when you die there will be a sound of churning through which the souls start to depart. To highlight the crocodile's death.




சீரிய நரசிங்கன் போலே பிடித்த வேகம்

Cīriya naraciṅkaṉ pōlē piṭitta vēkam

சீறும் சுதர்சன சக்கரம் சீவும்!

cīṟum cutarcaṉa cakkaram cīvum!

வீரன் சாகேதன் போலே பாய்ந்தும் வெல்லுமே

Vīraṉ cākētaṉ pōlē pāyntum vellumē

வீழ்ந்த பரசு போலே சதையைக் கிழிக்குமே!

vīḻnta paracu pōlē cataiyaik kiḻikkumē!


Meaning:

Like the fierce Narasingha, the speed he has caught. The Sudarshana wheel will whine!, Like the hero Saketha, he will run and conquer, Like the fallen Parasu, he will tear the flesh!

Poet's Comment:

Here we see other three Avatars where Bagawan shown his Ugra swaroopam. In Narashima Avatar he defeated Hiraniyakashipu by his nails and killed him guersomely. In Parasurama avatar he killed all the kshatriya's who failed uphold dharama and slayed all by his deivine parasu given by pinaka-hasta, In swaroopa His anger made the devine king of ocean fear but, when he fell on his feet and did the saranagathi, Bagawan asked in happy tone "Why so late?" But still his valor is unmatched. so is his humility.


సమయానికిఁ దగు మాటలాడెనే సమ..

Samayānikim̐ dagu māṭalāḍenē sama.. - Tyāgabraḥmaṁ

This is also trying to encapsulate two divyadesams Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal and Sri Azhagiya Singar Perumal 

Meaning:

Oh! He has spoken according to the time and place! 



வீழ்ந்த பின்னே அதிரல் கரந்த லோகம் விழித்துக்

Vīḻnta piṉṉē atiral karanta lōkam 

கொண்ட யோகிகளும் முனிவர்களும்

viḻittuk koṇṭa yōkikaḷum muṉivarkaḷum

காமகோட்டம் தவம் கொண்ட காமாட்சி பயந்து

kāmakōṭṭam tavam koṇṭa kāmāṭci payantu

காஞ்சி பிடித்த ஏகாம்பத்தை அணைத்துக் கொண்டு

kāñci piṭitta ēkāmpattai aṇaittuk koṇṭu


Meaning:
The fall of the discus it made a huge noise that echoed all the worlds. Due to which even the deep meditating yogi's and sages woke up. At that time Sri Parasakthi who was doing austerities in Kamakoti (Kanchipuram) got scared and hugged the Lingam (ēkāmpattai) that she made out of sand. 
Poet's Comment:
Kanchipuram is the only place where there is Rudrakoti (Ekambaranathar), Kamakoti (Kamakshi) and Punnya Koti (Vadarajar) present. Here in this small line the sthala purana of Kamakshi and Ekambaranathar is encapsulated relating to this Gajendra Moksham as all happen in Kanchipuram. 

பெரித மலரோ அவர் ஸ்ரீவட்சம் அடைய

Perita malarō avar śrīvaṭcam aṭaiya

பெருந்தேவி மலர் மங்கைக்குத் தோற்று நெறிய

peruntēvi malar maṅkaikkut tōṟṟu neṟiya

பேறை துண்டம் போலே கருத்த மேனி

pēṟai tuṇṭam pōlē karutta mēṉi

பெருமழை பெய்யும் கார்மேகத்து மேனி!

perumaḻai peyyum kārmēkattu mēṉi!


Meaning:

The Lotus which was plucked for Bagawan was given to the srivatsam as he came now near Gajendra. In Heart the resider Lakshmi accepted the Lotus as if it was surrendered to her. At that time Bagawan was so close that he radiated like a moon and had a body complexion of the clouds which was going to rain heavily.

Poet's Note: 

Here We see two divya desams, Sri Nilathingal Thundathan Perumal temple and Sri Thirukkar Vannar temple. Where the Bagawan's complexion is described. Here the lotus which was plucked Bagawan was given to Lakshmi (Thyyar) who is his concert. In Vaishnava Sampradayam it's said before going striaght to Narayanar we need to first need to pay our respect to Thyyar who has a mother talks to father in giving us the moksham. Also it is said in Ramayana when ever people came to meet Rama when he was with Sita he gave them a soft moksham while when he is alone it was fierece and hard moksham. Only for few he was not hard. Why take chance when Thyyar grace is easy to get. 


அனந்தன் திருப்பாதம் சங்கு சக்கரக் குறி

Aṉantaṉ tiruppātam caṅku cakkarak kuṟi

அன்று உலகம் அளந்து கடலைக் கலங்கி

aṉṟu ulakam aḷantu kaṭalaik kalaṅki

கௌரவருக்கு எதிர்த்துத் தேரில் விரட்டி

kauravarukku etirttut tēril viraṭṭi

கள்வன் இவனையே என் சென்னியில் பதித்து!

kaḷvaṉ ivaṉaiyē eṉ ceṉṉiyil patittu!

Meaning:

As now he above the head of Gajendra, he saw the feet of Bagawan. Those divine counch and chakra marks are there, Isn't this the same feet that measured the three worlds, isn't it the same feet which trembled the divine king of sea, isn't this the feet which rode the chariot against the kauravas in the Jaya war. That stealer of my heart as now kept his leg on my head. 

Poet's Comment:

In vaishnava sampradaya the highest is the Bagawan's lotus feet which is where this world is and which is the only one thing which gives anyone moksham/ liberation. To have that divine feet we keep Sadari/Shadagopam in our head. That is the highest form of surrender that we give to Bagawan. 


பருப்பதத்துக் கயல்பொறித்த பாண்டியர் குலபதிபோல்

Paruppatattuk kayalpoṟitta pāṇṭiyar kulapatipōl

திருப்பொலிந்த சேவடிஎஞ் சென்னியின் மேல்பொறித்தாய்

tiruppolinta cēvaṭi'eñ ceṉṉiyiṉ mēlpoṟittāy

மருப்பொசித்தாய் மல்லடர்த்தாய் என்றென்றுஉன் வாசகமே

maruppocittāy mallaṭarttāy eṉṟeṉṟu'uṉ vācakamē

உருப்பொலிந்த நாவினேனை உனக்குஉரித் தாக்கினையே.

 uruppolinta nāviṉēṉai uṉakku'urit tākkiṉaiyē. - பெரியாழ்வார் (Periyazhwar)

Meaning:

Like the Pandya king planting his fish-emblem flag on the high mountain, my Lord, you too have planted your auspicious lotus-feet on my head. My tongue is swollen with reciting your names incessantly. You have taken me into your service!

As said earlier When someone reacher thayyar even without knowing or asking she gives moksham and the highest state to that soul without even thinking anything else. This pores also topics about one divyadesam - Sri Kalvar Perumal 

மாய்ந்த கரா மோட்சம் கண்டு அடிய

Māynta karā mōṭcam kaṇṭu aṭiya

மாயவன் தன் அஷ்ட கரங்கள் கொண்டு அருள!

māyavaṉ taṉ aṣṭa karaṅkaḷ koṇṭu aruḷa!

பீதாம்பரம் விரைய வேகத்தில் விழ

Pītāmparam viraiya vēkattil viḻa

பிடித்துக் கொண்டு ஒரு கை அபயம் காத்த!

piṭittuk koṇṭu oru kai apayam kātta!


Meaning:

The dead crocodile has reached liberation and the person who killed, Bagawan has come with eight hands to give his blessings. When he came in fast his silk cloths are slipping which he holds in one hand and still gives me showers of blessing.

Poet's Comment:

When Bagawan has come this fast his speed in immeasurable. When Gajendra called him he came, as he called he came. He didn't even know for what he called so he brought all is weapons in his hands to protect his devotee. When he came and all is sorted now, his cloths will of course will slip and fall. By holding it still he gives blessing to the devotee who calls him. This Pores also requires the next part to understand the overall meaning.


வரத்தை வாரி வழங்கும் பேரருளாளன்
Varattai vāri vaḻaṅkum pēraruḷāḷaṉ
வரத ஹஸ்தம் காத்ததோ எனத் தோன்றுளன்!
varata hastam kāttatō eṉat tōṉṟuḷaṉ!
கொடுக்கும் வேகத்தில் எது என்று அறிய
Koṭukkum vēkattil etu eṉṟu aṟiya
கொடுத்தான் சென்றான் என்றே நெறிய!
koṭuttāṉ ceṉṟāṉ eṉṟē neṟiya!

Meaning: 
The great benefactor who bestows boons, It seems as if the hand of the boon has been guarded! To know what is the speed of giving It is said that he gave and went!
Poet's Comments:

When we see Varadarajar we could never seeing him showing varadha hastam yet he shows abhya hastam. This raises a question, is the Raja of giving boon (Vara) himself won't show Varadha hastam. 
The answer is swamy's fast in giving them makes even him not show it. He is not doing this for first time to show this, he is being doing this for ages and ages so why would he even bothered to show hand gestures while he could console another devotee at that time. This is what even Kalamegha pulavar tell:

பெருமாளும் நல்ல பெருமாள்! 
Perumāḷum nalla perumāḷ! 
அவர்தம் திருநாளும் நல்ல திருநாள்! 
Avartam tirunāḷum nalla tirunāḷ! 
பெருமாள் இருந்திடத்தில் சும்மா இராமையினால், 
Perumāḷ iruntiṭattil cum'mā irāmaiyiṉāl, 
ஐயோ! பருந்துஎடுத்துப் போகிறதே பார்!
aiyō! Paruntu'eṭuttup pōkiṟatē pār! - கவி காளமேகர் (Poet Kalameghar)
Meaning:
The Lord is a good Lord!  His festival is a good festival!  Because the Lord can't be idle where he was,  Oh! Look, the hawk (Garuda) is taking him away! 

அன்று வேள்வியைக் காத்து எனக்கு அருளி அருள

Aṉṟu vēḷviyaik kāttu eṉakku aruḷi aruḷa

அன்பருக்கு என்றே வந்த தேவராள!

aṉparukku eṉṟē vanta tēvarāḷa!

ஒளித்து, அழித்து, படுத்து, கர்ஜித்து

Oḷittu, aḻittu, Paṭuttu, karjittu

ஒளிமணிவண்ணன் எனக்கேயென வந்தான்!

oḷimaṇivaṇṇaṉ eṉakkēyeṉa vantāṉ!


Meaning:

That day for Bharama you came to protect his fire sacrifice and penance. You protect him by lighting the dark, destroying the asuras which fled, by lieing down so the rushing river can flow different wat and by roaring to flee all the bhootas and preethas who came to disturb. That Bagawan who did all this for devas now came for me.

Poet's Comment:

The sthala puranam of Vadaraja swamy was always starts from the place where bhrama did his pennance and got Vadaraja from the fire alter. even today the Urchavar moorthy (The Deity which comes out of sanctum) has those fire marks.



வேள்வியில் தோன்றிய வேதனை பார்த்து

Vēḷviyil tōṉṟiya vētaṉai pārttu

விரைந்த அனந்த வேகம் இன்றும் காத்து

virainta aṉanta vēkam iṉṟum kāttu

பவளவண்ணன் கருடன் மீது ஏறி வேகம் பிடித்து

pavaḷavaṇṇaṉ karuṭaṉ mītu ēṟi vēkam piṭittu

பச்சை வண்ண அருளாளன் எனக்கு வந்தான் விழித்து!

paccai vaṇṇa aruḷāḷaṉ eṉakku vantāṉ viḻittu!



Meaning: 
That when the fire sacrifice was happening, he came in the same speed even today. The same coral lips bagawan who came here in garuda, And he the green hued benefactor came to me, awakening! 
Poet's Note: 
We saw Vadaraja's speed in previous parts itself and his nature of benfactor immeasurable and even with his speed he is immeasurable. The devotee need to be always grateful for his speed and his grace, saying it once or twice won't make it enough. 
 

Here other two divyadesams are also mentioned Pacchai and Pavala Vannan perumal is mentioned. 

கீழிட்டு சதையும் தாழ்வுற்று புண் அரி

Kīḻiṭṭu cataiyum tāḻvuṟṟu puṇ ari கேசவனைத் தொதால் அறிந்தேன் எனை!

kēcavaṉait totāl aṟintēṉ eṉai! கீழே இறங்கி கருடன் மீது இருந்து

Kīḻē iṟaṅki karuṭaṉ mītu iruntu கரை விழுந்து வஸ்திரம் அழுக்க!

karai viḻuntu vastiram aḻukka!


Meaning:
Those flesh which are torn by the crocodile have healed with no marks. This all because the almight Bagawan has touched me. He still didn't go and yet came down from garuda to the muddy soil where his cloths got stained. 
Poet's Comment:
Bagawan has already saved Gajendra, Has made sure his wounds are healed and have already give his lotus feet on his head. What else is still there. But Bagawan comes down. He didn't come down in some random grass uplifted place. He jumped to the same muddy place. This shows when bagawan has decided to take you, even if it is highest comfortable place nor the least worst place a human can, he comes and take you. 

நிமிர்ந்த நேர்த்தி என் காலைப் பார்த்து
Nimirnta nērtti eṉ kālaip pārttu
நிமிஷம் தவற வில்லை என்ன?
nimiṣam tavaṟa villai eṉṉa?
காலைத் தூக்கிப் பார்த்தான் விழி புனல்
Kālait tūkkip pārttāṉ viḻi puṉal
கலங்கினேன் என் அப்பன் கொடுத்த கருணை!
kalaṅkiṉēṉ eṉ appaṉ karunai


Meaning:
With the Broad shoulders he sees my leg, I though isn't he late or doesn't he have other works because he is making sure all the worlds are in proper condition. Then he lifts the leg of mine where there is no traces of the bite marks. I realised how much grace more can my Bagawan as my father can give.
Poet's comment:
Bagawan's simplicity is so much that he forgets he is bagawan sometimes for his true devotee. His grace and simplicity first came to the muddy place and got his cloth stained and yet now from the muddy water he lifts a elephants leg, imagine how much he goes down to make sure his devotee is happy and satisfied. 

ராதிகா கோபம் போக அன்று கால்லைத் தூக்க
Rātikā kōpam pōka aṉṟu kāllait tūkka
ரத்தினங்கள் அணிந்த தன் தலையில் வைக்க
rattiṉaṅkaḷ aṇinta taṉ talaiyil vaikka
அவ்வளோ கோபிகை மனிதப் பிறவி கொண்டால்
avvaḷō kōpikai maṉitap piṟavi koṇṭāl
அவ்வாறு இந்த யானைக்குக் கிட்டிய பொன்னால்!
avvāṟu inta yāṉaikkuk kiṭṭiya poṉṉāl!

Meaning: 
That day to subside Radhika's (Radha) Anger you kept her feet on your head. While at least she was a Gopika and was human, what this elephant had to get this big fortune of lifting my leg. 
Poet's Comment:


स्मरगरलखण्डनं मम शिरसि 
smara garaLa khanDanam mama Sirasi manDanam
मण्डनं देहि पदपल्लवमुदारम् । 
dEhi pada pallava mudAram
ज्वलति मयि दारुणो मदनकदनानलो 
jvalati mayi dAruNo madana kadanAnalO
हरतु तदुपहितविकारम् ॥ प्रिये ॥
haratu tadupAhita vikAram||priyE || - जयदेव (Jayadeva)

Meaning:
Oh Radha, very touch of your tender feet repels Cupid's wicked attacks. Please pacify my fire of love by keeping your lotus-like feet on my head.

This is one of the famous asthapadi from Geetha Govindam where Krishna asks Radhika to keep his feet on his head. Sounds frivolous which even Jayadeva thought of. So he removed and went back while Bagawan himself came has Jayadeva and did a leela where he wrote this back and went. So this asthapadi is more than Jayadeva it is written by the Grace himself. This is to show that the Bagawan is ready to go any depth to make sure his devotee is perfect. 



சொன்னதும் செய்தான் சொல்லாததும் செய்தான்
Coṉṉatum ceytāṉ collātatum ceytāṉ
சொன்னபடி செய்து எனக்கு அருளினான்!
coṉṉapaṭi ceytu eṉakku aruḷiṉāṉ!
நின்றான், அமர்ந்தான், கிடந்தான்
Niṉṟāṉ, amarntāṉ, kiṭantāṉ
நிறைந்த ஆத்ம ஞானம் தந்தான்!
niṟainta ātma ñāṉam tantāṉ!

Meaning: 
He did what he promised, He also did what he didn't promise, He gave me his grace after doing all this. He has sat, stood and lied down for me. He has now shown me the whole light of my soul 
Poet's Comment:
He has touched Bagawan, nor better Bagawan touched him. It felt like as if he got the knowledge of the soul because he has touched the Paramatama and he is Jeevatama now he realises he and him (Bagawan) is no difference as only the ignorance had shown me difference by far. 
Here there is also reference to the divya desam - Aadhi Varaha Perumal

தன் பவள வாயால் உபதேசம் கொடுத்தான்
Taṉ pavaḷa vāyāl upatēcam koṭuttāṉ
தன் காலைப் பற்றினவருக்கு மோட்சம் கொடுத்தான்!
taṉ kālaip paṟṟiṉavarukku mōṭcam koṭuttāṉ!
தன்னிடம் இருந்ததெல்லாம் கொடுத்தான்
Taṉṉiṭam iruntatellām koṭuttāṉ
தன் பக்தருக்கு என்றால் விரைந்து வருவான்!
taṉ paktarukku eṉṟāl viraintu varuvāṉ!

Meaning: 
From his coral lips he gave wisdom words (Upadesham), He said "who ever holds my feet will get salvation, I will give my all to them. For them i will come anytime when they call in the same fast."
Poet's Comment:
It's said that Vadaraja perumal talked to Gajedra and have said He is the only one that all need surrender to get moksham. As said in the geetha:

सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज |
sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śharaṇaṁ vraja
अहं त्वां सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुच: ||
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣhayiṣhyāmi mā śhuchaḥ - Bhagavadh Gita

 Meaning: 

Abandon all varieties of dharmas and simply surrender unto Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sinful reactions; do not fear.

பிரகலாத நாரதாதி பக்தருக்கு வந்த

Pirakalāta nāratāti paktarukku vanta

பரந்தாமன் பேரருளாளன் எனக்குத் தந்த!

parantāmaṉ pēraruḷāḷaṉ eṉakkut tanta!

காட்சி எவாறு சொல்லுவேன் அந்த வில்லாளன் போல

Kāṭci evāṟu colluvēṉ anta villāḷaṉ pōla

காஞ்சி நகர ராஜன் கண்டால் போதும் சொல்ல!

kāñci nakara rājaṉ kaṇṭāl pōtum colla!


Meaning:

You have came for Naradha and Prahaladha to save them. Like that you have saved me today with your grace. How will I say all this like the Archer (Arjuna), But once they see you in Kanchi they themselves will understand.

Poet's Comment:

Bagawan in Bhagavatha puranam have shown for his devotee he always comes and rescue. and always been the only perosn to act fast. So Gajendra after the upadesha he realises this and find it hard to explain as Arjuna saw the Vishwaroopam in Gita. But then he relaises, Once the see the Varadharaja they themselves will realise his grace.

Here there is reference to the Divya desam - Sri Pandava Thoothar perumal.


வைகுண்டம் காட்டி அழைத்தான் மணிவண்ணன் எனை

Vaikuṇṭam kāṭṭi aḻaittāṉ maṇivaṇṇaṉ eṉai

வாசுதேவன் நாயகி பார்த்த உலகம் காட்டி

vācutēvaṉ nāyaki pārtta ulakam kāṭṭi

இவாறு மோட்சம் சொல்லி சகதியில் இருந்து

ivāṟu mōṭcam colli cakatiyil iruntu

எனை மீட்டுப் பாற்கடலில் கரை புகுற வைத்து!

ivāṟu mōṭcam colli cakatiyil iruntu


Meaning:

Now he shows me the Vaikuntham (Grand resident of the Vishnu where you can go only if you have moksham), This made me feel how Devaki would have fet seeing all the world in his mouth, That's how he saved me from the muddy water made me get shore to the Ocean of milk where he resides.

Poet's Comment:

Bagawan now showed way vaikundam also now where he asked Gajendra to come. Where the irony is from this muddy water he get shore to the ocean of milk. Yet this is how paramathama once is realised the jeevathama transcendence itself to the place where there is eternal happiness.

கையும் காலும் நிமிர்த்துக் கடாரநீர்

Kaiyum kālum nimirttuk kaṭāranīr பைய வாட்டிப் பசுஞ்சிறு மஞ்சளால்

paiya vāṭṭip pacuñciṟu mañcaḷāl ஐய நாவழித் தாளுக்குஅங் காந்திட

aiya nāvaḻit tāḷukku'aṅ kāntiṭa

வைய மெழும்கண் டாள்பிள்ளை வாயுளே.

vaiya meḻumkaṇ ṭāḷpiḷḷai vāyuḷē.

வாயுள் வையகம் கண்ட மடநல்லார்

Vāyuḷ vaiyakam kaṇṭa maṭanallār

ஆயர் புத்திர னல்லன் அருந்தெய்வம்

āyar puttira ṉallaṉ arunteyvam

பாய சீருடைப் பண்புடைப் பாலகன்

pāya cīruṭaip paṇpuṭaip pālakaṉ மாய னென்று மகிழ்ந்தனர் மாதரே.

māya ṉeṉṟu makiḻntaṉar mātarē. - Periyazhwar

Meaning:

She washed her child in a bathtub gently stretching his arms and legs. Then she opened his mouth and clean the tongue with a piece of tender turmeric, and saw the seven worlds in his gaping mouth. When the other good ladies saw the Universe in his mouth, they exclaimed with glee, “this is no ordinary cowherd-child, but the blessed Lord himself, endowed with all the auspicious qualities”.


This is also reference to the Divyadesam - Sri Vaikunda Perumal


இவை எல்லாம் சொல்லி ஆத்ம ஞானம் அடைய
Ivai ellām colli ātma ñāṉam aṭaiya
இவரை நினைத்து ஆத்ம சுகமுக்கு அடைய
ivarai niṉaittu ātma cukamukku aṭaiya
வேதனையும் பல பிணியும் தீரும்
vētaṉaiyum pala piṇiyum tīrum
வரதராஜன் பணிந்த சண்முக தாசன் வாக்கு!
varatarājaṉ paṇinta caṇmuka tācaṉ vākku!

Meaning:
Those who recite this Gajendra moksham will attain ultimate knowledge for relaisation, Those who thinks of this will attain all pleasures while all the sorrow and pain and diseases will cure, which is this Sanmukadasan (Me) promise which is based on the belief on Varadaraja.
Poet's Comment:
At last this whole scene ends and to all get all what they wanted lets hope the Devathirajan, Varadarajan helps us all the time. At last the divya desam mentioned throughout the Poem - Shri Varadaraja Perumal

It took two Months to wrap this Pasuram because these images came to me one by one and i had a feeling to write and inculde them some how. One of the always must visit place for me in Kanchipuram is always Varadaraja Perumal. From childhood I have listen to this Gajendra moksham from my Grandmother. With little creative freedom have written this. If any wrong is been done on this writing, and any other constructive feedback please let me know. Let the elders knowledge is nothing to this young mind like me. So teach in a way i could understood.

The whole point of story is that Bagawan didn't see any caste, creed, race, religion or even language to save his devotee. Today Varadaraja perumal apart from its grandeur is also famous the ruckus fight that is fought there. Times have come where we have to change where we understand the situation and respect each other sentiment and we compromise on both side. Regardless of the sampradayam and fighting for it don't leave a break on this overall religion where people are ready to write a narratives. Let us all focus on first getting stronger as a whole then talk about these which bring breakage between ourselves.

ॐ भद्रं कर्णेभिः श्रुणुयाम देवाः। भद्रं पश्येमाक्षभिर्यजत्राः स्थिरैरङ्गैस्तुष्टुवाग्ंसस्तनूभिः।
Om bhadram karṇebhiḥ śṛṇuyāma devāḥ Bhadram paśyemākṣabhir-yajatrāḥ
व्यशेम देवहितम् यदायुः। स्वस्ति न इन्द्रो वृद्धश्रवाः। स्वस्ति नः पूषा विश्ववेदाः।
thirair-aṅgais-tuṣṭuvāgïsas-tanūbhiḥ Vyaśema devahitam yadāyuḥ Svasti na indro vṛddhaśravāḥ
स्वस्ति नस्तार्क्ष्यो अरिष्टनेमिः। स्वस्ति नो बृहस्पतिर्दधातु॥ ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
Svasti naḥ pūṣā viśvavedāḥ Svasti nas-tārkṣyo ariṣṭanemiḥ Svasti no bṛhaspatir-dadhātu Om Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ

Meaning:
O Gods, may we hear with our ears only what is auspicious. O Holy Ones, may we see with our eyes only what is auspicious. With steady limbs and strong bodies, may we praise you and enjoy the lifespan allotted to us by the Gods. May Lord Indra of ancient fame bestow auspiciousness upon us. May Lord Pushan (the Nourisher), the knower of all, bestow auspiciousness upon us. May Lord Tarkshya (Garuda), the protector from evil, bestow auspiciousness upon us. May Lord Brihaspati bestow auspiciousness upon us. Peace, Peace, Peace.

कायेन वाचा मनसेन्द्रियैर्वा ।
Kaayena Vaacaa Manasea-Indriyair-Vaa
बुद्ध्यात्मना वा प्रकृतेः स्वभावात् ।
Buddhyi-Aatmanaa Vaa Prakrteh Svabhaavaat |
करोमि यद्यत्सकलं परस्मै ।
Karomi Yad-Yat-Sakalam Parasmai
नारायणयेति समर्पयामि ॥
Naaraayannayeti Samarpayaami ||

Meaing:
(Whatever I do) with my Body, Speech, Mind or Sense Organs,
or using my Intellect, Feelings of Heart or (unconsciously) through the natural tendencies of my Mind,
All those, I do for the Supreme Being (without sense of attachment to the results), (And) I Surrender them to the Lotus Feet of Sri Narayana.

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