Kandhar Anubhuti : Verse #35 - Grace me to overcome the fate that is relentless! (vidhi kaanum udambai)

 

 விதிகாணும் உடம்பை விடா வினையேன் 

கதிகாண மலர்க் கழல் என்று அருள்வாய்? 

மதி வாள்நுதல் வள்ளியை அல்லது பின் 

துதியா விரதா, சுர பூபதியே (35)

vidhi kaanum udambai vida vinaiyen
kathi kaana malar kazhal endru arulvai?
mathi vaal nuthal valliyai allathu pin
thuthiya viratha sura bhoopathiye! (35)

விதி காணும் - As a result of one's fate

உடம்பை - This body

விடா - does not leave

வினையேன் - karma 

கதிகாண - To reach its destination 

மலர்க் கழல் - Feet like flower (lotus)

என்று  - when

அருள்வாய்? Grace

மதி வாள்நுதல் - Forehead like a glowing moon 

வள்ளியை - Mother Valli

அல்லது பின் - No other

துதியா - Praise

விரதா - Resolute 

சுர பூபதியே - Lord of Devas

Short Meaning

This body, which is the result of our past Karma cannot transcend the Karma - So, to be unleashed from its clutches, when will you offer Grace from your lotus like feet? O Lord of Devas, you have resolved to sing praises only of Mother Valli who's forehead glows like a moon! 

Gloss

The body that we have is the result of our past Karmas (விதி காணும் உடம்பை) - Hence, it is under the clutches of Karma  (விடா வினையேன்) 

The infinite Self (Atma) under the clutches of Maya, identifies as a limited Jiva. This Jiva, trapped under its false identity of the mind-body complex, gets the notion of doer-ship (karthruthvam) and enjoyer-ship (bhokthruthvam). As long as these notions exists, a Jiva cannot escape the clutches of Karma - as both of theses cause creation of more Karma and/or experience of Karma Phala (result of Karma)

The only way to come out of this infinite and endless cycle is by Grace of the Lord. So, Sri Arunagiri, asks 'When will you offer the Grace of your Lotus like feet?' (கதிகாண மலர்க் கழல் என்று அருள்வாய்)

It is interesting to note that Lord Shiva, as Nataraja also bestows Grace to His devotees from His raised left leg (kunchita vama paadam)

PS:- The first line can also be interpreted as the 'Body that is given by Lord Brahma, cannot be escape the clutches of fate (karma)'

Sri Arunagiri ends the verse by appealing to Lord Murugan, who is extremely fond of Mother Valli. Arunagiri indicates Mother Valli (வள்ளியை) has a forehead that is glowing like a moon (மதி வாள்நுதல்). 

Due to His extreme fondness of Mother Valli, Sri Arunagiri calls Lord Murugan as one who has taken resolve (விரதா) to sing praises of no one but Mother Valli (அல்லது பின் துதியா). 

And, Arunagiri also calls Murugan as the Lord of Devas (சுர பூபதியே)!