Meeting His Guru
When Madhura Kavi aazhwar, after long tour had reached Ayodhya and completed the mangalaasasanam of the enchanting forms of Sri Rama, Sita piratti, Lakshmana, Hanuman and others he noticed a glowing ball of fire in the sky. However much he tried, he could not understand the reason for this phenomenon. He also noticed that the ball of fire started to slowly move southwards. He decided to follow the light which led him to Aazhwar Thirunagari and finally disappeared. Madhura Kavigal had already heard about a sixteen year old youth who had spent his life since birth under a Tamarind tree without eating anything and emitting a divine glow. Madhura kavi aazhwar proceeded straight to the Thiru puli aazhwar (seat of Swami Nammalvar) and found Swami in a trance.
In order to test Swami, Madhura kavigal dropped a stone, on hearing which Swami opened his eyes and smiled at Madhura Kavi aazhwar. Now Madhura Kavi aazhwar wanted to test Swami for his spiritual wealth, and posed the following question to Swami:
Seththathin vayitril siriyadu pirandaal Eththai thindru enge kidakkum?
(literal translation - If the small one is born inside the dead one, what will it eat and where will it lie?)
Swami Nammzhwar's reply was: Aththai thindru ange kidakkum
(literal translation - It will eat that and lie there)
Madhura kavi aazhwar instantly recognized the greatness of Swami Nammazhwar and fell at his feet and resolved to become Swami Nammazhwar's disciple. Madhura Kavi aazhwar remained with Swami Nammazhwar for the rest of Swami Nammazhwar's life.
The philosophical meaning of this conversation is as below.
The question: If the jeevatma (soul) is born in the body which is attached to the samsara, what will it feed on and where will it live?
The answer: The soul will eat the alternating fruits of good and bad deeds done through the body and enjoy its existence in the samsara
Read more about this topic: Madhurakavi Alvar
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