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SriRangaSri List Archive: Message 00061 Dec 2002

 
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Dear friends,

In the 3rd, 4th and 5th stanzas of the TirrupAvai there is a
strikingly common thread of thought running right through all of
them: Rain. 

The manner in which AndAL introduces the subject of Rain into these 3
"pAsurams" possesses what is called in Tamil, a literary "svArasyam"
of its own. The Rain-theme is gradually developed in a particular
sequence, in a certain logical order which, for want of a better
word, can at best be described as 'Nature's own sequence'! This will
become clear as explained below: 

In the 3rd stanza there is an expression AndAl uses: "teengginri
nAdellAm tinggal mUmmAri peyydu..". This phrase, in this particular
stanza, speaks of a land blessed by good seasonal showers. Although
there is a reference to Rain ("mUmmAri-peyydu") contained here, it is
rather incidental in nature. It is the lush surrounding landscape
("teengginri nAdu") AndAl is describing which is really heer main
point of poetic focus. The mention of "peyydu" in this stanza is more
in the nature of a suggestion of rain-to-come than a description of
rain itself. In the reader's mind, this expression of AndAl is
suggestive of today's showers indicating tomorrow's virulent
thunderstorm. 

In the 4th stanza, the rain-showers stop and a mighty storm does
indeed break out as expected! 

The "Azhi-mazhaik-annA" "pAsuram" is a heart-felt prayer going out to
the Vedic Rain-god, "parjanya-dEvata", entreating him to be generous,
but never excessive, in raining his gifts upon the world; to usher
into the world prosperity, not deluge ("vAzha ulaginnil
pEyydhidaay"). This prayer of AndAl contains fantastic little Tamil
similes unleashed, one after the other, in a torrential downpour of
divine inspiration:

-- "Uzhi-mudalvan pOl meyy karuthhu", 
-- "padmanabhan kaiyil Azhi pOl minni", 
-- "valampuri pOl ninradIrndhu" and 
-- "sArngam udaitha sara-mazhai pOl". 

... "vAzha ulaganil peyythidAi!"

The expression "pOl" is the operative word to use in the Tamil
language when one wants to convey through poetic similes
(grammatically called "Uvamai") a comparison of the vivid likeness
between any two entities. And so, AndAl too, poetess par-excellence,
with the aid of this "pOl", makes a series of brilliant comparisons
between Rain, as it we see it occurring in this world, and God
Almighty, who is the real Rain-giver, as He appears in Vedic
scripture and mythology.

Firstly, she takes the dark, angry thunder-clouds and compares them
to the dark, smouldering complexion of God ("mEy-karutthu") described
in the mythology of "praLayam" when cosmic Dissolution and
re-Creation take place.

In the second comparison, flashing streaks of lightning filling the
skies are compared to the blinding resplendence of Vishnu's great
weapon, the irresistible "chakrAyudha" ("Azhi pOl minni") 

Next comes the comparison about the terrifying clap of rolling
thunder. AndAL likens them to the roar of "pAnchajanya", the
Conch-bugle of Vishnu ("valampuri pOl ninradIrndhu"). 

Finally, the torrent of rain as it pours with unrelenting ferocity
upon the world, is compared to the barrage of arrows flying off
Vishnu's bow, the mighty arch called "sArnga".

The following day (in the 5th stanza of "mAyanai mannu vada-madurai
mainthanai") is the day when the storm of the previous stanza has
blown over! The rain has abated and a day of relative calm ensues.
Now, the rivers, rivulets and streams in the land are all swelling
and flowing out in swift, joyous currents. This picture of mighty
rain-fed rivers gushing across the landscape (as the Yamuna does even
today?)... it is this picture that ANdAl tries to evoke in our minds
through that extraordinarily beautiful expression, "tUya perU-neer
yamunai"...

******* ******* ********

In 3 stanzas of very rare beauty, ANdAl thus captures for us one of
the most glorious sights of Nature: the sight of RAIN! RAIN that is
Heaven's blessings upon earth! Rain as it exactly occurs in the
world, in the very same natural order in which it is known to make
its appearance and is in fact experienced by us viz.: first, as
showers; next, as mighty storm; and finally, as life-sustaining and
overflowing river-streams! 

Thus, we see how there is, indeed, a neat and picturesque
natural-ness in the way in which AndAl introduces the subject of Rain
in the TiruppAvai -- progressing as she does from the rain-showers
("mUmmAri pEyydhu") of the 3rd stanza to the raging thunderstorm
("sara-mazhai") of the 4th stanza until finally, in the 5th
"pAsuram", she evokes in our minds the rich image of a vast,
prosperous land through which rivers, full of life-sustaining
rain-water ("tUya perU-neer") flow ... like the famed Yamuna once
upon a time flowed too -- once upon a time when, in a long bygone
era, Krishna, the "yamunait-turaivan", lived and frolicked upon her
banks...

(to be continued)
******* ******** ******** 

Regards,

dAsan,
Sudarshan







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