Thus Spake the Divine - Pillaiyar and Avvaiyar

Thus Spake the Divine

Pillaiyar and Avvaiyar

Avvaiyar is the most renowned female poet in the history of Tamil literature. If at all our country claims to be possessing virtuous civilisation and culture steeped in Bhakti, the entire credit goes predominantly to Avvaiyar. But for her, our entire country would not have got enriched in culture to such a great extent.

It is always believed that when discipline, virtuous qualities and Bhakti are instilled into a child during its nurturing phase itself, these traits last for years together. Numerous poets and devotees have lived in Tamil Nadu. But the target audience of all their works and compositions have been grown-ups alone. However, Avvaiyar’s vision was completely unique. Highly profi cient in Yoga Shastras, her vision was to inculcate virtuous qualities in children as they grow. Hence, she focussed her preaching on good qualities, discipline, Bhakti and Codes of Ethics for Children.

It is like how a grandmother who pays attention to her grandchildren for instilling virtuous qualities in them. Avvaiyar is akin to such a grandmother for the entire children of Tamil Nadu. Though several generations have passed after Avvaiyar, the very fi rst literature that we, as children, are exposed to in schools, especially in Tamil schools, is Avvaiyar’s Athichudi (Athichudi is a collection of single-line quotes written by Avvaiyar and organized in an alphabetical order. There are 109 of these sacred lines, which include “Control anger”, “Don’t forget to do charity”, “Don’t be envious”, “Don’t forget gratitude” and many such teachings). The fi rst puja is thus for Pillaiyar and the fi rst learning is from Avvaiyar’s Athichudi!

One might wonder as to how Avvaiyar’s words of wisdom have remained resilient and long-lasting even after several thousands of years. The reason for this is only the supreme power of her eloquence and expression. If something is absolutely true, and if that truth is stated with absolute compassion and conviction, then that statement remains unscathed despite passage of time. Avvaiyar preached such absolute truth with a blend of love and compassion. There may be some amongst us who may not have read the works of great poets like Kambar, Pugalendi, Elango Adigalar etc. But there cannot be anyone who has not gone through at least a few of Avvai’s words of wisdom!

It is not only the power of eloquence; she also possessed enormous physical strength. That is why she was able to stride across the entire Tamil Nadu, with the concern that not one child is left out without being mentored. She went in search of each and every child to preach her works. Where did she get this power of eloquence as also the physical strength? That was only the grace of Pillaiyar. Avvaiyar was an ardent devotee of Pillaiyar. She turned biologically old at a very young age to escape the clutches of marriage. To her, marriage was detrimental to Bhakti and if she remained youthful, she would be forced to marry. Hence, she prayed to Pillaiyar for an early biological ageing and thus turned old.

Look at the irony here!

The One who helped Subrahmanya marry Valli graced Avvai into becoming biologically an old lady so that she could escape marriage! It is evident that Pillaiyar grants what one deserves. He is a Child God, isn’t it? That is why He was so fond of children; so much so he ensured that that Avvai’s preaching reached every child. Avvai, who did not want a family for herself, was given the entire world as her family! She also happily accomplished her vision. She spent her entire life in the worship of Pillaiyar and preaching children.

That old lady roamed around in those days and now, I am also roaming around. She roamed around only Tamil Nadu, whereas I am going to different parts of India, such as Kerala, Andhra, Bengal, and so on. From my experience of travelling across regions, I realise that the uniqueness of Tamil Nadu lies in Pillaiyar temples being there in every nook and corner, be it roadside or riverside of the state. A slight detour away from Tamil Nadu and this aspect is missing.

Pillaiyar is a very simple God! He does not want structural marvels for Him to stay! No gopurams or big praharams. All He needs is just a place to sit. Even a tin sheet as a roofi ng is enough for Him and, sometimes, He does not need even that! He sits gracefully under a peepal tree and blesses His devotees.

But why is this unique feature of Pillaiyar sitting all over the state seen only in Tamil Nadu? It appears that it is only because of Avvaiyar. There is no place Avvaiyar did not tread in Tamil Nadu. Thus, her favourite God Pillaiyar has also followed her and stayed in those places! Many people attribute different specialities for Tamil Nadu. But to me, the speciality of Tamil Nadu lies only in Pillaiyar temples that are seen all over the region!

This article is a snippet from the Book Thus Spake the Divine, is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.