Dear friends, (13) "nann-nAllAL kallaN tavirndhu kalandhu?" The word "kalandhu", meaning 'jointly' or 'together', is the key operative word indeed underscoring the theme of 'satsangh' in this verse. "Setting aside all the wicked and vicious ways and all the wonted folly of our lives? we must come together in holy 'satsangh'" even if it is for but a brief, redeeming moment?" Such is the sentiment that we may read behind the expression "kallan tavirndhu? "nann-nAllAL kalandhu?" Individual Man is a grievously imperfect creature? and it is what the word "kallan" too may be taken to mean. As individuals we are all nothing but bundles of crassness and corruption, ignorance and ignominy. Swami NammAzhwAr, the great Vedantic saint of Vaishnavism, described the human condition as "unholy amalgam of delusion, decadence and decay": "poi-ninra gnyAnamUm, pollA-ozhukkUm, azhukk-udambammUm?" ("tiru-viruttam" Verse 2) Every moment in life spent mingling with a 'satsangh', however, promises to redeem man from his rather sad, sorry individual state. We may ask, "How is this possible?" When a whole choir sings, it is the overall orchestrated effect that comes through stridently. Off-key or discordant notes of individual singers in the choir escape unnoticed. Even if they do get noticed, they tend to be quickly overlooked or easily pardoned. The deficiencies or blemishes of the individual voice simply submerge into the larger sea of soothing symphony without a trace. Similarly, "kallan" or the wickedness of individual Man gets entirely drowned out by the wave of goodness ("nann-nAllAL") on the crest of which the 'satsangh' rides in quest of eternal redemption. ***************** (to be continued) Regards, dAsan, Sudarshan ________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Mobile: Download the latest polyphonic ringtones. Go to http://in.mobile.yahoo.com ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at MyInks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US & Canada. http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511 http://us.click.yahoo.com/mOAaAA/3exGAA/qnsNAA/XUWolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Oppiliappan/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Oppiliappan-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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