KANNINUN SIRUTTAMBU

KANNINUN SIRUTAMBU

SEPTEMBER 2020

Madhurakavi AzhvAr meets NammAzhvAr

Madurakavi AzhvAr's andAdi prabandham has been named after its first word, ‘KaNNinuN-siruttAmbinAl’, meaning - ‘the many knotted thin, small rope used by yashOdhA to tie Lord krishNa to the mortar’. 

kaNNinun siruttAmbu is a unique prabandham in many ways, a short ballad of 11 verses though. 

THE PRABANDHAM THAT GLORIFIES ONLY ACHARYA (AchArya dEvO bhava)

While all other AzhvArs have glorified Shreeman nArAyaNa in their prabandhams, madhurakavi AzhvAr has glorified only his AchAryan nammAzhvAr (mAran shaThakOpan) in all the 11 pAsurams, taking the name of the Lord just once in the beginning.  Having seen with his own eyes all the kalyANa guNas of bhaghavAn in his guru NammAzhvAr, he worshipped Him alone as God.

THE PRABANDHAM THAT TEACHES THE FIFTH UPAYA, ACHARYA NISHTA (AchArya abhimAnam)

AzhvAr introduces us to the fifth path to liberation, the panchama upAya called “ACHARYA NISHThA”, the previous four paths being gyAna yOga, karma yOga, bhakti yOga and prapatti yOga. Every pAsuram illustrates how a shishya’s devotion and gratitude towards his Guru can grant liberation.  No other means is required.

THE PRABANDHAM THAT EXPLAINS THE EESSENCE OF THE WORD - ‘NAMAH’ – (bhAgavata shEShatvam)

SwAmi MaNavALa mAmunigaL refers to this prabandham as “வாய்த்த திருமந்திரத்தின் மத்திமமாம் பதம் போல்’ in his upadEsha ratnamAlai -26. This prabandham is equated to the essence of the middle word of the TIRUMANDIRAM/ASHTAKSHARAM.

‘tiruppallANDu’ is the essence of the first word, Om – The primeval praNavam, 

‘tiruvAymozhi’ is the essence of the third word, narAyaNAya (Lord VishNu) and

‘kaNNinuN siRuttAmbu’ is the essence of the middle word, namah/namO meaning “not mine. The term implies that this jeeva is for the humble service of bhAgavatas -  bhAgavata shEshatvam”.

THE PRABANDAM THAT SERVED AS THE GATEWAY TO THE 4000 DIVYA PRABANDHAMS.

Once, all the divya prabandhams were lost due to passage of time. Around the 9th century, AchArya nAthamuni heard a few brahmins sing a part of NammAzhvAr's tiruvAymozhi. When he enquired about them, they advised him to recite ‘kaNNinuN siruttAmbu’ 12000 times under the tamarind tree at AzhvAr tirunagari where nammAzhvAr lived.  Being a bhakti yOgi, NAthamuni followed the instructions with profound dedication after which NammAzhvAr appeared and imparted to Him all the 4000 Divya Prabandhams.  NAthamuni in turn taught the divya prabandhams to his relatives and shishyas.

Let us all consign ourselves to the AzhvAr twain and pay humble obeisance to all our Gurus in our Guru paramparA.

KANNINUN SIRUTAMBU AUDIO LESSONS BY SMT. SEETHA SARANATHAN

MADHURAKAVI AZHVAR TANIYANS

BY SRI NATHAMUNI

TANIYAN 1

अविदित विषयान्तर: शठारॆ:
उपनिषदाम् उपगान-मात्र-भोग: ।
अपि च गुणवशात् तदेकशॆषी
मधुरकवि: हृदये ममाविरस्तु ॥

அவிதித விஷயாந்தர: ஶடாரே:
உபநிஷதாம் உபகாந-மாத்ர- போக: |
அபி ச குணவஶாத் ததேகஶேஷீ
மதுரகவி: ஹ்ருதயே மமாவிரஸ்து ||

avidita viShayAntara: SaThArE:
upaniShadAm upagAna-mAtra-bhOga: |
api cha guNavashAt tadEkashEShee
madhurakavi: hRudaye mamAvirastu ||

May madhurakavi AzhvAr who considered nammAzhvAr as his only Lord (Eka shEShee) and concentrated only on his four prabandhams, unmindful about any other sooktis like the upanishads or other divya prabandhams, constantly reside in my heart.

TANIYAN 2

வேறொன்றும் நானறியேன் வேதம்தமிழ்செய்த
மாறன் சடகொபன் வண்குருகூர் - ஏறெங்கள்
வாழ்வாம் என்றேத்தும் மதுரகவியார் எம்மை
ஆள்வார் அவரே அரண்.

vERonRum nAnaRiyEn vEdam tamizh cheyda
mARan saDakopan vaN kurukUr ERengaL
vAzhvAm enREttum madurakaviyAr emmai
AzhvAr avarE araN.

MadhurakaviyAr, who proclaimed that he does not know anything other than tirukkurugoor saDagOpan (nammAzhvAr) and who propagated his AchArya's tamizh prabandhams that are  equivalent to the vEdas, is my master and my only refuge.

KANNINUN SIRUTAMBU (1 TO 11)

AchArya NaDAdoor AmmAl with litle Desikan in his lap

A summary of Madhurakavi AzhvAr’s ode to his guiding light, Shri NammAzhvAr (tenkurugoor saDagOpan), with parallel quotes from ‘prapanna pArijAtam – guru upAsana paddhati’ of AchArya Shri naDAdoor ammAL (also born chittiraiyil chittirai like madura kavi AzhvAr) and ‘guru geetA”.

’गु’ शब्द: तु अन्धकाराख्यॊ ’रु’ शब्द: तत् निरॊधक: ।
अन्धकारनिरॊधित्वात् "गुरु:" इति अभिधीयते॥

'gu' shabda: tu andhakArAkhyO 'ru' shabda: tat nirOdhaka: 

andhakAra nirOdhitvAt "guru:" iti abhidheeyate ||

The letter “gu” means darkness. The letter “ru” means to illuminate. The one who removes the darkness by enlightening the shishya with divine knowledge is revered as a “GURU”.

937.  kaNNinuN chiRuttAmbinAl kaTTuNNa
paNNiya peru mAyan ennappanil |
naNNi ten kurugoor nambi enRakkAl
aNNikkum amudooRum en nAvukkE || 1 ||

GURUREVA PARAAGATIH! TASMAI SHREE GURAVE NAMAH |
गुरुरेव परागति: ! तस्मै श्री गुरवे नम: |
Guru is the ultimate refuge. Humble salutations to my Guru!

Madhura Kavi AzhvAr says: My father (en appan), the wondrous one (perumAyan), kaNNan proved his compassion by reducing himself to a small size so that he could be tied by the many knotted small rope brought by his mother yashOdA.  (kaNNi- knot, nuN – thin enough to hurt, siru tAmbu – small rope).  Although He is my father, I now seek refuge in my AchArya NammAzhvAr, the Lord of tenkurugoor, on the hearing of whose name, my tongue sweetens with the nectar of knowledge and bliss (aNNikkum amudoorum en nAvukkE).  

AzhvAr introduces himself as nammAzhvAr’s sishya to Lord KrishNa, knowing well that bhagavAn loves it when his devotees utter their AchArya’s names again and again.  (1)

938. nAvinAl naviRRu inbam eidinEn
mEvinEn avan ponnaDi meimmaiyE |
dEvu maRRaRiyEn kurugoor nambi
pAvin inniSai pADi tirivanE || 2 ||

GURUREVA PARAM BRAHMA! TASMAI SHREE GURAVE NAMAH!
गुरुरेव परं ब्रह्म ! तस्मै श्री गुरवे नम: !
Guru is the supreme God. Humble salutations to our Guru!

I am experiencing bliss whenever my tongue glorifies him. It is a blessing that I was chosen by kurugoor nambi to serve His golden feet.  This is absolutely true!  I do not know any other God. He is the only God for me. I will wander propagating his prabandhams (aruLi cheyal) for ever.  (pAvin innisai pADi tirivanE) (2)

939. tirindandAgilum dEva pirAnuDai
kariya kOla tiru uru kANban nAn |
periya vaN kurugoor nagar nambikkAL
uriyanAy aDiyEn peRRa nanmaiyE || 3 ||

GURUREVA PARAM DHANAM! TASMAI SHREE GURAVE NAMAH!
गुरुरेव परं धनम् ! तस्मै श्री गुरवे नम: !
Guru is our greatest wealth. Humble salutations to our Guru!

As I wandered singing my guru’s prabandhams, I was blessed with the divine vision of the blue hued Lord dEvapirAn, the Lord of the dEvas, having the auspicious Shree DEvi on His chest. This is the immeasurable wealth I gained on account of being entirely devoted to my AchArya, tirukurugoor nambi. (uriyanAi aDiyEn peRRa nanmaiyE) (3)

940. nanmaiyAl mikka nAn maRaiyALargaL
punmaiyAga karuduvar Adalin |
annaiyAy attanAy ennai ANDiDum
tanmaiyAn saDagOpan en nambiyE || 4 ||

TVAMEVA MATA CHA PITA TVAMEVA, TVAMEVA BANDHUSCHA SAKHA TVAMEVA! SHREE GURAVE NAMAH!
त्वमॆव मता च पिता तवमॆव, त्वमॆव बन्धुश्च सखा त्वमॆव ! श्री गुरवे नम: !
Guru is my mother, father, relative and friend! Humble salutations to our Guru!

Even if the learned vEdic scholars criticise my act of eluding bhagavat bhakti, I shall not worry.  As I have surrendered fully to my guru saDagOpan nambi avoiding everything else, I am sure he will take care of me as my mother, father, and governing master. (annaiyAi attanAi ennai ANDiDum tanmaiyAn saDagOpan en nambiyE) (4)

941.  nambinEn piRar nan poruL tannaiyum
nambinEn maDavAraiyum munnelAm |
chemponmADa tirukkurugoor nambikku
anbanAy aDiyEn sadirttEn inRE || 5 ||

GURUREVA PARAH KAAMAH! TASMAI SHREE GURAVE NAMAH!
गुरुरेव पर: काम: ! तस्मै श्री गुरवे नम: !
Guru is the best passion ! Humble salutations to our Guru!

Once upon a time, I used to be attracted to wealth and women, presuming them to be permanent. But now I have sought refuge at my resplendent Kurugoor Nambi’s feet and have become his trusted servant. I am no more attracted by those material pleasures. My only pleasure now is in serving him as a loving devotee. (anbanAy aDiyEn sadirttEn inRE) (5)

942.   inRu toTTum ezhumaiyum embirAn
ninRu tan pugazh Etta aruLinAn |
kunRam mADa tirukkurugoor nambi
enRum ennai igazhvilan kANminE || 6 ||

GUROH PARATARAM NAASTI ! TASMAI SHREE GURAVE NAMAH!
गुरोः परतरं नास्ति ! तस्मै श्री गुरवे नम: !
There is no one greater than a Guru. Humble salutations to our Guru!

My swAmi, Nambi born in the kurugoor town filled with mansions, has graced upon me the talent and servitude of glorifying him now and forever.  He will never abandon me. He will for ever protect me from any miseries, always accompanying my actions and guiding them. (enRum ennai igazhvilan kANminE). (6)

943. kaNDu koNDu ennai kAri mARa pirAn
paNDai valvinai pARRi aruLinAn |
eNdisaiyum aRiya iyambugEn
ONtamizh saDagOpan aruLaiyE || 7 ||

GURUREVA PARAYANAM! TASMAI SHREE GURAVE NAMAH!
गुरुरेव परायणम् ! तस्मै श्री गुरवे नम: !
Guru is the one to be worshipped! Humble salutations to our Guru!

The moment kArimARapirAn (nammAzhvAr was born in mAra vamsam and named kAri) identified me with folded hands and agreed to be my AchAryan, all my age-old sins have vanished away.  In gratitude, I will for ever propagate the glories of my AchAryan shaTagOpan and the power of his tamizh prabandhams in all directions. (eN disaiyum aRiya iyampukEn ON tamizh saDagOpan aruLayE). (7)

944. aruL koNDADum aDiyavar inbuRa
aruLinAn avvaru maRaiyin poruL |
aruL koNDu Ayiram intamizh pADinAn
aruL kaNDeer ivvulaginil mikkadE || 8 |

NA GURORADHIKAM TATVAM, NA GURORADHIKAM TAPAH ! TASMAI SHREE GURAVE NAMAH!

न गुरोरधिकं तत्वं ! न गुरॊरधिकं तप: ! तस्मै श्री गुरवे नम: !
There is no truth beyond the Guru, and no penance beyond the Guru. Humble salutations to our Guru!

NammAzhvAr composed 1000 nectarine pAsurams called tiruvAymozhi in an easy language so that the prapannas can understand the essence of the vEdas and experience divine bliss.  In all his pAsurams, I see only his grace and compassion for the emancipation of his devotees. Oh, what an absolute treasure it is to the whole world! (aruL kanDeer ivvulaginil mikkadE) (8)

945. mikka vEdiyar vEdattin uTporuL
niRka pADi en nenjuL niRuttinAn |
takka seer saDagOpan en nambikku
ATpukka kAdal aDimaippayan anRE || 9 ||

GURUREVA PARA VIDYA, TASMAI SHREE GURAVE NAMAH!
गुरुरेव परा विद्या ! तस्मै श्री गुरवे नम: !
Guru is the ultimate knowledge! Humble salutations to our Guru!

My teacher and scholar has so brilliantly imparted to me, the inner meaning of the vEdic texts, that it will ever remain engraved in my mind. Having been attuned with such a secret knowledge, how will I return such a great favour (mahOpakAra) extended by him ? I believe that continued Acharya NiShThA (faith), AchArya Bhakti (fondness) and AchArya Kainkaryam (service) is the only adequate return. (takka seer kAdal aDimai payan anRE). (9)

946. payan anRAgilum pAngalarAgilum
seyal nanRAga tirutti paNi koLvAn |
kuyil ninRArpozhil soozh kurugoor nambi!
muyalginREn undan moykazharku anbaiyE || 10 ||

GUROH PADODAKAM SAMYAK, TASMAI SHREE GURAVE NAMAH!
गुरो: पादॊदकं सम्यक् ! तस्मै श्री गुरवे नम: !
Guru’s shree pAda teertham is the most sacred one! Humble salutations to our Guru!

Though I am incorrigible and though he gains nothing out of taming me, my Guru continues to correct me and transform me through the performance of his duties -  (anuShThAnas) and kind teachings (upadEshas) - (tirutti paNi koLvAn). Oh, my king of kurugoor which is surrounded by greenery and cuckoo birds! May I always strive for the eternal love of your sacred feet, my dear AchArya!. (muyalginREn undan moykazhaRku anbayE) (10.)

947. anban tannai aDaindavarkaTku ellAm
anban ten kurugoor nagar nambikku |
anbanAi madurakavi sonna sol
nambuvAr pati vaikuntam kANminE || 11 ||

MOKSHA MOOLAM GURUKRUPAA! TASMAI SHREE GURAVE NAMAH!
मोक्ष मूलं गुरुकृपा ! तस्मै श्री गुरवे नम: !
Guru’s grace is the basis for mOksha! Humble salutations to our Guru!

KaNNan, the loved one (anban) loves all his devotees (nitya sooris, the muktas and the mumukshus).  I am a devotee at the feet of my AchArya tenkurugoor nambi who is in turn kaNNan’s devotee. Those who believe in this traditon of AchArya NishThA and Guru ParamparA propagated in this divya prabandham written by Madhurakavi, will surely reach vaikuNTham. (nambuvArpati vaikuntam kANminE) (11)

*ACHARYA SAMBANDHAM, BHARANYAASAM - ATYAAVASHYAM”

Our AchAryas have always laid out these two references to back the maxim - “An Acharya is imperative to mOksha, irrespective of whether one has acquired puNyas or pApas”.

1 पापिष्ठः क्षत्रबन्धुश्च पुण्डरीकश्च पुण्यकृत्।

आचार्यवत्तया मुक्तौ तस्मादाचार्यवान् भवेत् ॥

pApiShThaH kShatrabandhushcha puNDareekashcha puNyakRut |

AchAryavattayA muktau tasmAdAchAryavAn bhavEt ||

(JAYAKHYA SAMHITA 1.63)

Kshatrabandhu was the worst sinner (pApiShTha:) and in contrast, puNDareeka was full of virtuous deeds (puNyakRut).  Both had to wait until they were graced by a Guru.  Kshatrabandhu met a group of seven sages in the end and they liberated him.  PuNDareeka also was emancipated only after he met Sage nArada.  

2.  कर्णधारमतो देही गुरुणा संस्कृतिं तरॆत् |

नृदॆहमाद्यम् प्रतिलभ्य दुर्लभं प्लवं सुकल्पं गुरुकर्णधारं ।

karNadhAramato dEhee guruNA saMskRutiM tarEt

nRudEhamAdyam pratilabhya durlabhaM plavaM sukalpaM gurukarNadhAraM |

This human body is a rarely obtained boat captained by a helmsman called Guru (karNadhAra – boat captain).  The soul can swim across the ocean of bodily existence only with the help of the Guru.

(PRAPANNA PARIJATAM)

WITH HUMBLE OBEISANCES TO OUR GURUPARAMPARA.

AZHVAR EMPERUMANAR DESIKAN TIRUVADIGALE SHARANAM.