SrI: SrImathE SatakOpAya nama: SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImadh varavaramunayE nama:
avathArikai (Introduction)
In this prabandham, starting from the beginning up to sUthram 407 “svathanthranai …“, ISvara who is the established means as shown in all SAsthram is explained as the ultimate means and AchAryan is explained as benefactor through revealing what is unknown; now, if piLLai lOkAchAryar leaves ISvaran and says AchAryan is the means, will it not be contradictory to SAsthram and his own words? What is the greatness of holding AchAryan as the means instead of ISvaran? piLLai lOkAchAryar, is subsequently answering these doubts.
sUthram 427
ISvaranaip paRRugai kaiyaip piduththuk kAryam koLLumOpAdhi; AchAryanaip paRRugai kAlaip pidiththuk kAryam koLLumOpAdhi.
Simple Explanation
Pursuing ISvaran as means is like getting help from ISvaran, requesting him by holding his hands; pursuing AchAryan as means is like getting help from him, requesting him by holding his feet.
vyAkyAnam (Commentary)
ISvaranaip paRRugai …
That is – pursuing ISvaran as means is like getting help from ISvaran, requesting him by holding his hands; pursuing AchAryan as means is like getting help from him, requesting him by holding his feet. The reason for piLLai lOkAchAryar mercifully explaining in this manner is to show that ISvaran and AchAryan are non-different from each other and that pursuing AchAryan as means is unfailing in comparison to pursuing ISvaran as means.
How is it so? By identifying AchAryan as feet of ISvaran, non-different nature is very evident.
ISvaranaip paRRugai, avan kaiyaip piduththuk kAryam koLLumOpAdhi
A person goes to a very wealthy person to get some wealth from him by gaining his attention; when such seeker holds the wealthy person’s hands and requests for the same [wealth], the wealthy person’s heart may melt and help, or refuse to help him due to his freewill, by withdrawing his hands. In this manner, since the result cannot be guaranteed, the devotee’s desire may be fulfilled by ISvaran due to having his heart melt at his situation or may not be fulfilled due to his freewill.
AchAryanaip paRRugai, avan kAlaip pidiththuk kAryam koLLumOpAdhi.
If the same wealthy person’s feet were held tightly and prayed, he will be bound by his mercy and cannot avoid helping and hence the seeker’s desire will be fulfilled; similarly, the devotee’s desire being achieved certainly implies the unfailing nature of AchAryan, clearly.
adiyen sarathy ramanuja dasan
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