Protection, Savior, redemption,deliverance and so on .....

The theme of ways and means of release from Karmic cycle and attaining salvation is a widely discussed one and there are zillion in number depending upon belief systems and religions (and personal preferences :-)).

Let us see how our beloved Kaliyan addresses this. Please note that this is a complex topic and is best addressed with a suitable teacher assisted by traditional commentaries. I am merely picking random gems and trying to present my thoughts.

Please refer to the attempted waylaying of Lord and Godess by Kaliyan. In the process, he gets blessed and is given the secrets. He is transformed and starts his magnum opus Periya Thirumozhi (1084 songs). The first 10 describes how he was, how he got blessed and what the matra provides. My personal favourites are these (actually there are a lot but I had to select just a few).

(1)

In this one, he basically describes how he was wandering and he got blessed. There are multiple interpretations for the work சிக்கென. Strong hold from the point of view someone drowning and getting a life saver. Sudden from the point of view of "unintended" (though this needs to be read a little carefully as this was intended from the provider!). And that sudden (unintended, unexpected help) and a strong hold preventing him from drowning in his karma was nothing but நாராயணா என்னும் நாமம்.

(2) This one is again special. Typically the last pasuram of the decads provide a benefit but here Kaliyan provides a method as well.

Here he provides two inputs.
(1) What he received is so special, so we cannot bank on such an event happening again. (But then he was special and we are lesser mortals). So what can we do? He again uses the same word சிக்கென but is asking us to use these 10 divine songs in chaste tamil explaining about the mantra.
(2) Use these to refer to நாராயணா manthra during sleep or whenever we are in trouble. It becomes the poison for our troubles (Karma)!!

It is a different matter ( as one of the swamis mentioned) how difficult even this simple thing (actually it is not such a simple thing at all)  becomes, when you are sick. You get all other thoughts of your own recovery, your family, your pain etc and not துயர்வரில் நினைமின் !!

Now to two of my personal favourites.(the decad of Thirukannapuram is special as this relates everything for me. Thiruvali, Thirukadigai (reference to my Acharyan Sri Koil Kandhadai Chandamarutham Doddayachar swami via Sri Yoganarasimha perumal) (please cross refer to Thiruvali first pasuram where the lord comes into his mind out of his own volition).

Here he basically says that the lord decides to come into his mind (previous song to the above) and helps him in his need. I like the second one particularly. பெற்றதும் பிறவாமை!!

If you look at the chain of the four songs that we have seen here, the following is derived.

(1) Thirumanthra provides everything and it comes as an unintended blessing
(2) Even if you cannot get a similar one, use Kaliyan pasurams to refer to them when you are in trouble
(3) Out of his own volition, he comes and protects you
(4) Once that happens, there is no birth again!!

Now the question comes. Assuming that all of this will happen, what do you do till then? How do you keep yourself occupied. வாழும் சோம்பர் is one way. But apart from a smart reference it does tell us what to do.

Kaliyan says that as well again in Thirukannapuram pasuram.

He provides three inputs here

(1) From learning and understanding his நாராயணா manthra (that means in its fullest meaning), he is saying this.
(2) He will not be related (stay with or relationship with) with people who believe in multiple gods (or even saying there is another god)
(3) More than even (2) his core focus is servitude to the Lords servants!!

(3) is how he wanted to spend his time till the "time" comes.