Mumukshuppadi Sarartha Deepikai

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Sutra:
106. namaSSAlE thannOdu uRavillaiyenRu vaiththuk kainkaryaththai prArththikkak kUdumOvennil.

107. "padiyAyk kidanthu unpavaLavAy kANbEnE" enkiRapadiyE kainkarya prArththanai vanthERiyanRu; SvarUpaprayuktham.

Meaning:
106. Was it not said before that through the namaS that one is not enslaved to one's self; so how is that one desires to perform service?

107. As told by Kulasekhara Azhvar ("padiyAyk kidanthu un pavaLavAy kANbEnE" - Perumal Thirumozhi 4.9), the entreaty to perform service is appropriate to the nature of the soul.

Sri PBA Swami's Sarartha Deepikai:
In the earlier sutras, the meaning of the namaS was shown as eternal servitude at His lotus feet. Such a servitude means that one should not seek anything for oneself. Yet, here it is said that it is the desire of the soul to perform service to Him. Is this appropriate?

Sri Pillai Lokacharya answers yes. The desire here does not come out of seeking pleasure for oneself, which comes out of ego (ahankAram). The soul lives only through His pleasure; and the performance of service is for His pleasure. Therefore, it is in tune with the soul's nature. It is thus that Kulasekhara Azhvar said "padiyAyk kidanthu un pavaLavAy kANbEnE" where in addition to showing his servitude to the Lord he also seeks to do service.

In the phrase "padiyAyk kidanthu un pavaLavAy kANbEnE", where is it that Azhvar seeks to perform service? It is seen in the words "un pavaLavAy kANbEn". The answer to the question whether He is enjoying our service can be found by looking at His face (the smile on His face). This is why Azhvar says "pavaLa vAy", seeing the sweet smile on His divine coral lips. This is therefore taken as seeking to be in His service.

Pillai Lokacharyar Thiruvadigale Saranam
Azhvar Emperumanar Jeeyar Thiruvadigale Saranam

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