'' தவம் மே - ஹம் மே குதஸ்தே '' ?

Photo Courtesy : Kesavabhasyam Vn.

''எனக்கு நீ தொல்லடிமை'' என்றலுமே அன்று
''எனக்குயான்'' என்பேன் ! உளவோ -- எனக்குபோல்
சாட்சியம் மற்று உனக்கு? பழுதேயோ
ஆட்சியி லாம்தொடர்சிக் காய்

செய்தபல சாத்திர நூலும்? அவதாரம்
பொய்த்தவோ? பொய்யாப் புலவர் நல் -- வாய்மொழியும்
கைம்மையோ? நீராட நின்றஇக் கோலம்தான்
எம்மோய் நீ! காட்டும் திகைப்பு.

These two Tamil verses are an attempt to translate the Sankrit sloka ''Thuvam Mey - Hum Mein'' by Sri Parasara Bhatta, the Blessed son of Sri Koorathalvan.

The story goes like this. :

Bhattar once went to partake in the ''bathing'' ritual ( நீராட்ட உற்சவம்) of Sri NamPerumaL of Sri Rangam. The Lord standing in His wet attire quipped Bhattar ''what he feels'' heart to heart at that particular moment. Bhattar immediately composed a Sloka which runs as a question and answer session between them two.

Lord Ranganatha said - You are Mine - implying thereby that all Souls are His Subjects (பரதந்த்ரன்) and Bhattar especially is His prized possession (சேஷபூதன்).

Bhattar replied - No. I am my own Master . (ஸ்வதந்ரன்) .

The Lord - How that be ? (குதஸ்தே?)

Bhattar - The onus to prove that I belong to you, is on You, and not on Me, as You are the Claimant.

The Lord - The Scriptures have declared so. I have at the time of visits to this place (அவதாரங்களில்) by My - Life and Teachings - added credence to Scriptures. The Alwars and Acharyas who were sent by Me have also reiterated my Sayings in their Sacred volumes of Divya Prabandams and Stotra Malas. What more proof or evidence do you require ?

Bhattar - All those evidences are biased, as they are created and professed by you and your own people, who have mimicked under your influence and not out of Their Free Will. Therefore, all that You claim do not stand testimony to what You say.

The Lord - Posed bewildered, as though He is left with no other option except to Swear standing on His Wet cloth - which is considered a Promise without a rider to dispute.

Bhattar - Acknowledging His Grace conceded His surrender.

Now the Tamil version will make sense to every one I believe, including the Lord of ThiruvallikENi , to Whom the same are dedicated and will forgive the non-sense uttered of Me therein.

-- தாஸன். 

(கி.ஸ்ரீ. ஸ்ரீ.)

K S Srinivasan