Latest news with #Nammazhwar
The Hindu
a day ago
- General
- The Hindu
10 traits of Nammazhwar
Falling on June 9 this year, the Tamil star of Visakam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi is indeed a special one. It is the day on which Nammazhwar, the great Vaishnavite saint, was born in Tirukurugur in Tirunelveli, rendering Vaikasi Visakam as an extremely auspicious one, said Tirukkudanthai Dr. Venkatesh. Nammazhwar commands an exalted state among the azhwars, the Vaishnavite saints. There are many reasons to celebrate Nammazhwar, but it is worth looking at 10 of them, which set him apart. First, he is considered to be an aspect of Vishvaksena, Lord Narayana's lieutenant, and he had no earthly attachment since at his birth he cut the cord of sadavayu (an aspect that binds us all to earthly matters) and hence his devotion to the Lord is purity personified. Second, he presented Tiruvaimozhi, an unparalleled work comprising 1,102 verses and hailed as Dravida Veda. Thirdly, although he lived for 35 years in this world, he was so consumed by bhakti that he did not care for food, preferring to relish on the attributes of Lord Krishna. Fourth, he is considered to be a veritable sun, since his verses throw light on one's inner darkness and dispels ignorance. The lines, Mayar vara Madhi nalam arulinavan evan avan, encapsulate his knowledge and how he came by it: Perumal Himself gifted it to him, marking his fifth trait. His sixth trait is the most celebrated one of his: he distilled the essence of all the four Vedas in his Tamil works: Rig Veda is contained in Tiruviruttam, Yajur Veda in Tiruvasiriyam; Sama Veda in Tiruvaimozhi and Atharvana Veda in Periya Tiruvandhadi. He is identified as the head of the Vasihnavaite Azhwars, with the rest of them forming the various parts of his physique. Next, he is considered to be greater than everyone, even God: Once, Nammazhwar asked God who is the greatest. 'I am the greatest,' said Perumal, 'I bear the universe.' Nammazhwar gave the famous rejoinder, depicting his devotion, 'I bear You in my heart, therefore, I am the greatest.' Nammazhwar is symbolised by the paduka of Perumal, which is placed on the head of devotees in temples as a benediction. Finally, his works in Tamil have put the Vedas and Upanishads within the reach of the ordinary people. Praying to him would guide a devotee on the way to reach God.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Glory of the Vedas
The Vedas are considered the supreme. People revere the Vedas with the highest esteem. There is no work greater than Vedas. All the scriptures, Puranas and Ithihasas are appendices of the Vedas, explaining the nuances of dharma. Thirukkudhandhai Dr. Venkatesh explained that the expanded term 'Veda' refers to that which reveals or informs (vedayathi ithi Veda:) What does the Veda reveal? It explains in detail the unique concepts that people cannot easily understand. It narrates about the spiritual doctrines, which revolve mainly around five concepts: the Supreme Being, the nature of one's self, the ways and means of reaching the Supreme Being, the various obstacles that stand in the way, and the ultimate fruit of the efforts. Seven important features add glory to the Vedas. The Vedas are the basis for Sanātana Dharma. They are not authored by anyone. They have no beginning. People cannot trace the origin of the Vedas. It is called 'Anaadhi'. Vedas are indestructible. They are denoted by the term 'Nithyam,' which refers to imperishable. Vedas have no boundaries — 'Anantha Vai Veda:', which means Vedas have no end. They are the most reliable authority. Vedas dictate the dos and don'ts. The Vedas have been learned hereditarily through listening and recitation. The divine vibrating sound is called 'Sruthi.' They are to be learned only through an Acharya. No one should attempt to learn the Vedas on their own without formal instruction from a Guru. The invocation poem before the start of 'Thiruvaimozhi' by Nammazhwar states that it describes the nature of God, human beings, the righteous paths to follow, past deeds, and the ways to overcome them. Thiruvaimozhi is considered the essence of the Vedas, sung in a sweet melody, and it resonates with the music of a stringed instrument.
