Caste ...

This is another pasuram that created another unforgetable episode. We were driving to Tiruvali/Tirunagari. We were listening to the Vyakynam of Thirunedunthandakam by Sri U Ve Velukudi Swami. The Avatharigai (Introduction/lead in/Prologue) was simply fantastic. In my limited exposure I have heard that the Thirumalai and Thirunedunthandakam are the crown jewels so to speak. (not that others are any less).

The crux of this pasuram is the glory of Tirumanthram and how that can provide the ultimate benefit. Who else other than Kaliyan can express this, having obtained it directly from the lord himself that too by force !!

Given that background the அந்தணர் மாட்டந்தி வைத்த seems to out of place. He clearly mentions that this is owned so to speak by the Brahmins! The next line from the vyakyanam by Velukudi swami literally stunned us. I really want to type this in Tamil though the actual words from the vyakyanam were different.

 மனதில் சொல்லும் பொருளும் ஓடிக்கொண்டிரும்போதே அதை சொல்வதற்கு அருகதை இல்லாதவர் ஆகையால் அந்தணர் மாட்டந்தி என்கிறார்.

It basically says that the elaboration of the tirumathiram with the vedic and upanishads are running in his mind with the actual words and meanings. But still he does not open his mouth to utter it as the varnashrama dharma prevents it. In simple words, due to his caste he cannot utter it and so he mentions it via அந்தணர்.

Following were our thoughts

(1) While the varnashrama rule is there, Bhagavan himself does the upadesam to our parakalan with the complete meaning.

(2) If Azhwar decides to recite the words with meanings, would Bhagavan take offence? The answer is a resounding no.

More than the above, the thing that bothered us was

(3) How can Azhwar (personally that too Parakalan) be in a state of non eligibility for anything?

Let me just stop our thought process here that while I was just stunned by this, another swami in the vehicle with me was so upset by sheet Naichyam of parakalan that he could not speak for some time.

After all, our Azhwar is not the one to shy way from self glorification. (enough evidence to this in his pasurams :-) my favorite one - அடியார் தம்மோடு ஒக்க எண்ணி இருத்தீர் )

We reconciled this as follows:

(1) Azhwar does not care about this as he is way beyond such trivialities

(2) Master has set the rules and the servant follows it. PERIOD. if an exception has to be made, it is Master's job and not servant's.

(3) clear distinction between Varnashrama dharma and his march towards salvation but at the same time treating dharma as a subset of his larger roadmap without ignoring it (though he is more than qualified for doing whatever he wants to).

Azhwar has set an example here for how to behave if you are not eligible by rules. However our poorvacharyas show how to treat someone irrespective of the caste by only looking at level of devotion and attainment.

Another line of thought here, while strongly acknowledging that we are not dealing with divine personalities like Azhwar, Udayavar and so on.

What does this mean practically? I have gone thru very uncomfortable days/nights thinking about this. My dilemma is very simple. Because I wear the thread and i recite 0.1% of the pasurams, I am given a top of the line place in the Goshtis. I am very much aware of bhagavathas who can recite 100% or atleast definitely more than me remaining in the third goshti! How do you reconcile this? I guess blessings find a way to reach a person irrespective of his slot in the Goshti. And just follow the rules as Azhwar shows above.

Needless to say, the above reference is only to me and not to other learned persons who definitely have a right of way either due to kaimkaryam or otherwise.