Mukunda Mala 13/40

13. Bhava-jaladhim agadham dustharam nisthareyam

     Katham aham ithi cheto ma sma gah kaatharathvam

     Sarasija-drisi deve thavaki bhaktir eka

     Naraka-bhidi nishanna tarayishyaty avasyam 

            Narakasura Vadham

 Our unilateral Bhakthi to the lotus eyed Narayana 

 Who killed Narakasura will protect us

       1.       Bhava jaladhim – Cycle of worldly existence, circuit of mundane existence

       2.       Agadham – deep

       3.       Dustharam – unsurmountable, difficult to be passed or overcome by ones own effort

       4.       Aham – I

       5.       Katham – how will

       6.       Nisthareyam – cross

       7.       Ithi – it is

       8.       Kaatharathvam – Cowardice, fear

       9.       Ma smakaha – Do not be afraid, fear not

     10.   Naraka – bhidi – One who killed the demon Narakasura

     11.   Sarasija-drisi – he- the who ha lotus like eyes

     12.   Deve – Lord Narayana

     13.   Nishanna – rested

     14.   Thavaki – Thy. Thine

     15.   Bhakti  eka – devotion only

     16.   Avasyam  - necessary, essential

     17.   Tarayishyaty – surpass, get through

Herein Alwar says "Oh mind do not be a coward and be afraid as to how I will cross the unsurmountable deep ocean of the cycle of worldly existence”. Be rest assured the your unilateral devotion to lotus eyed Lord Narayana who killed the demon Narakasura will tide you through the deep waters of the samsara sagaram

Mukunda Mala 12/40

12.   Bhava-jaladhi-gathanam dvandva-vata hatanam

       Suta-duhitru-kalatra-thrana-bhararditanam

       Vishama-vishaya-thoye majjatam aplavanam

       Bhavati saranam eko vishnu-poto naranam.

     Humans drowned in         Humans struggling in

      worldly attractions            the ocean of life

Sriman Narayana is the only boat to reach the shores

     1.       Bhava-jaladhi-gathanam – people  who are entrapped in worldly existence

     2.       dvandva-vata ahatanam – people who are hurt by the heavy wind or cyclone

     3.       Suta- children

     4.       duhitru- daughter

     5.       kalatra- wife

     6.       thrana - protecting

     7.       bhara - burden

     8.       arditanam – afflicted

     9.       Vishama – rude, bad, wicked

   10.   Thoya – water

   11.   majjatam  - one who has drowned

   12.   aplavanam – without a boat

   13.   naranam – humans, mankind

   14.   Vishnu – Lord Sriman Narayana

   15.   pota – ship

   16.   eko – only

   17.   charanam – support, protection

   18.   bhavathu – may it be so

 In this verse Kulasekara Azhwar describes the human beings and their nature. He says that people are afflicted in the burden of taking care of their wives, children and daughter and drowned in the bad ocean of deriving the small pleasures of life. For us humans Sriman Narayana is the only boat to reach the shores.  This can be equated to Andal Naachiar’s  saying in Naachiar Thirumozhi as “Thunba kadal puuku vaikunthan enbathor thoni pera thuzhalginren”

Mukunda Mala 11/40

11.      Mabhir manda-mano vichintya bahudha yamis chiram yatana

           Nami na: prabhavanti papa-ripavah svami nanu sridharah

           Alasyam vyapaniya bhakti-sulabham dhyayasva narayanam

           Lokasya vyasanapanodana-karo dasasya kim na kshamah       

Punishment for our sins

Incessant prayer to                Most compassionate to 

  Sriman Narayana                 his bhakthas –
                                           Will remove our sins and
                                            take us into his fold

  1.        manda-mano   - Foolish mind

       2.        vichintya – to be thought of

       3.        Bahudha -     in many ways

       4.       Yami: that which belongs to Yama

       5.       Chiram – For a long time

       6.       Yatana – the punishments

       7.       Naivami

       8.        na: prabhavanti – not presiding

       9.        Papa – ripavan – our sins and enemies

      10.    Na Swami  our master

      11.    Sridhara – Lord Vishnu, Sriman Narayana

      12.    Alasyam – idle, lazy

      13.   vyapaniya  -  having lost

      14.     bhakti-sulabham  - easy prayers

      15.    Dhyayasva – you meditate on

      16.    Narayanam – Lord Narayana

      17.   Lokasya – in this world

      18.    Vyasana  apa nodana – One who removes hardship

      19.   Karo – do

      20.   Dasasya – I am his slave/ servant

      21.   Kim na kshamah – Will he not pardon

In this slokam Kulasekara Azhwar appeals his mind, Oh mind, please do not worry and fear being sent to hell due to our misdeeds on earth. The sins cannot prevent Sriman Narayana our Sridharan reaching us. But we should worship him incessantly without any interruption. Do not worry thinking he is not reachable even to the very learned yogis, “how can I reach him”. Sriman Narayana is very compassionate to his bhakthas. Will he not remove all our sins and take us into his fold if we surrender to him as his servant?

Mukunda Mala 10/40

10.  Sarasija-nayane sa-sankha-chakre

       Mura-bhidi ma viramasva chitta rantum

       Sukha-taram aparam na jathu jane

       Hari-charana-smarana amrithena tulyam

       Lotus feet of the lord is like Amrutham (Nectar)  

            Krishna killing Murasura

Oh Mind always reminisce the lord as Sanka Chakra Gadha Pani 

          1.       Sarasija Nayane –lotus like eyes

          2.       Sa - Sanka – chakre – one who is always with the  sanka – conch and chakra – discuss

          3.       Mura bhidi  – Krishna who killed the demon Murasura

          4.       Ma Virama – do not stop thinking even for a moment

          5.       Sva Chitta – my beautiful mind

          6.       Ranthum – To enjoy

          7.       Sukha -   joy, happiness

          8.       Taram – shining

          9.       Aparam – besides, none other

        10.   Na Jatu Jane – I do not know at all

        11.   Hari- Vishnu

        12.   Charana – feet

        13.   Smarana  -  reminiscence

        14.    Tulyam -    equal to

Kulasekara Azhwar in this  stanza emphasizes that,  thinking of the lotus feet of Sriman Narayana is like the best nectar. He also says he does not know of anything that can equal that joy. Therefore he tells the mind to stop wavering and to reminisce always without interruption even for a moment the roopam of the Sriman Narayana who killed Murasura and always has the Sankam and Chakram in his hands.

Mukunda Mala 9/40

9.  Kara-charana-saroje kantiman-netra-mine

     Srama-mushi bhuja-vichi-vyakule agadha-marge

     Hari-sarasi vigahyapiya tejo-jalaugham

     Bhava-maru-parichinnah klesam adya tyajami    

Sojourn of life is like a desert and Lord Narayana  is like 

a cool pond in the desert

Lord Nayarana with lotus like hands and feet and fish 

like eyes is like a cool pond in the desert 

          1.        Kara – hand

          2.       Charana – feet

          3.       Saroja – Lotus

          4.       Kantiman – full of radiance, effulgence, splendor

          5.       Nethra – eyes

          6.       Srama mushi – that which answers questions

          7.       Bhuja – shoulders

          8.       Vichi – wave

          9.       Vyakula – filled with

        10.   Agadha – deep

        11.   Marge -   wave, pathway

        12.   Hari -  Vishnu. Charming

        13.   Sarasi – pond, pool 

        14.   Vigahya – having a deep bath                

        15.   Tejas – splendor

        16.   Jalougham – pond of water

        17.   Bhava – worldly life

        18.   Maru – desert

        19.   Parikinna – exhausted, tired

        20.   Klesam – hardship, burdensomeness

        21.   Adya – today

        22.   Tyajami – I give up, abandon

In this verse Kulasekara Azhwar compares the difficult path of the worldly life to a sojourn in a vast desert. One is exhausted and tired and is ready to give it up due to the hardship and burdensomeness that one has to face. At this point when we see Hari or Vishnu it is like seeing a vast pond in the middle of the desert. When we enjoy Hari Bhakthi it is like having a deep bath in the coolest pond. The poet compares Lord Narayana to the cool pond and his broad shoulders to the waves and imagines the depth of Bhagavat vishayam. The hands and legs of the charming Lord Vishnu are compared to the lotus in the pond and his effulgent eyes full of splendor that answers all our questions (agnana nashakam mayam Devam) is compared to the fish in the pond.

Mukunda Mala 8/40

8. Chintayami harim eva santatam

    Manda-manda hasitananambujam

    Nanda-gopa-tanayam parat param

    Naradadi-muni-vrinda-vanditham 

      
Manda Manda Hasitham        Naradadi muni vanditam

Nandagopa Tanayam
Paratparam

      1.       Chintayami – think

      2.       Harim – Lord Narayana – destroyer of sins

      3.       Santatam – eternal

      4.       Manda - gentle

      5.       Hasitam – smile

      6.       Anana – face

      7.       Ambujam – lotus

      8.       Nanadagopa tanayam – son of Nanadagopa – Lord Krishna

      9.       Parat param – superior to the best

    10.   Naradadi muni – sage Narada

    11.   Vrinda – many. Numerous

    12.   Vanditham – worshipped

In this verse Kulasekara Azhwar describes his devotion and prayers only to the eternal Lord Narayana referred to as Hari – the destroyer of sins. He who has a gentle smile on his face as a lotus just blooming lotus that will make even the person drowned in sorrow smile. Krishna the son of Nandagopa is the most superior of the superiors and is worshipped by sage Narada and many other sages

Mukunda Mala 7/40

7.  Krishna tvadiya-pada-pankaja-panjarantam

     Adyaiva me visatu manasa-raja-hamsah

     Prana-prayana-samaye kapha-vata-pittaih

     Kanthavarodhana-vidhau smaranam kutas te    

Prana-prayana-samaye -

Hari smaranam kutas te

      1.  Krishna – Oh Krishna

            2.       Tvadiya – thine

            3.       Pada – feet

            4.       Pankaja – lotus

            5.       Panjaranta – within the cage

            6.       Adyaiva – this very moment

            7.       Me – my

            8.       Visatu – enter

            9.       Manasa Raja Hamsa – mind that is as an elegant 

                    swan

          10.      Praana Prayana samaye – at time of death

          11.       Kapa – phlegm

          12.      Vatha -  wind

          13.       Pitha: - bile

          14.      Kanthavarodhana-vidhau – when the throat – when 

                   the throat is blocked and swallowing is difficult

          15.      Smaranam – thought

          16.      Kuthasthe- from where will it come

Here Kulasekara Azhwar prays to Lord Narayana saying that during my last days when I am in my death bed when phlegm, wind and bile are blocking my throat how will I ever remember you. Hence let my mind that is like an elegant swan enter the cage of your lotus feet right now, please grant me moksham. This sloka explains our helplessness as very ordinary humans. 

The above prayer is very similar to periyazhwar pasuram

'Eippu ennai vandhu naliyum pOdhu 
angu Ethum naan unnai ninaikka mAtten
appodhaikku ippodhe solli vaithen
arangatharavanai palliyAne"

Where in periazhwar prays to Lord Ranganatha, that when old age and poor health takes over me I will not be able to remember you. Therefore I surrender to you right now, please grant me moksha when I am destined have to leave this earth.

      

Mukunda mala 5 & 6/40

5. Nastha dharmenavasu nichaye naiva kamopabhoghe,

    Yadyath bhavyam bhavathu bhagawan poorva karmanuroopam,

    Ethath prarthyam mama bahumatham janma janamatharepi,

   twatpadambhoruha yuga gatha nischala bhakthirasthu

Shadguna Roopa Narayana                     

 Nishchala – un shakable bhakthi

           1.       Hey Bhgavan – Sriman Narayana with the six qualities Shad Guna Roopam – Gnanam - knowledge), balam - strength    aishwaryam - wealth, veeryam - valor, shathi - power and tejas - splendor

          2.       Mama – my,me

          3.       Dharme – the dharma as doing, yagna, and good deeds providing water, planting trees etc.

          4.       Astha na – have no liking

          5.       Vasunichaye – money, wealth

          6.       Kamopabhoghe – sensual pleasures

          7.       Aastha na iva – do not have any liking at all

          8.       poorva karmanuroopam – in accordance to my previous deeds

          9.       Yadyath bhavyam – whatever should happen

        10.   Bhavathu – let it happen (but)

        11.   Twat pada ambhoruha yuga gatha – The one that the impressions of you lotus feet

        12.   Bhakthi – devotion

        13.   janma janamanthare api – birth after birth

        14.   nishchala – firm, undoubted

        15.   asthu – should be present

        16.   ethath – ithi+ath – this only

        17.   prarthyam – request, worthy of request

        18.   mama bahumatham – my liking, I would like to

Hey Bhagawan I am not interested in good deeds (dharma karyam) as doing yagnas, helping other people etc. that is supposed to take me to heaven, I also do not have lust for wealth. I never ever have any involvement or liking for sensual pleasures. Let everything happen in accordance to my past deeds. I feel the only thing worthy of requesting you is to bless me with firm, unshaken faith in you in all my brth after birth. “Twatpadambhoruha yuga gatha nischala bhakthirasthu” can also be interpreted as I should reach your lotus feet and be there forever.

6. Divi va bhuvi va mamastu vaso

   Narake va narakantaka prakramam

   Avadhirita-sarada  aravindau

   Charanau the marane api chintayami       

              Twat Charana aravindau sada  chinthayami

         1.       Narakantaka – one who ends life in hell

         2.       Mama – for me

         3.       Divi va – either in heaven (Swarga lokam)

         4.       Bhuvi va – either on earth – bhoo lokam

         5.       Narake va – or in hell

         6.       Prakramam – in accordance to your wish

         7.       Vasa: - life

         8.       Asthu – happen

         9.       Avadhirita-sarada  aravindau – beauty of the lotus that blooms in the autumn season

       10.   Charanam – feet

       11.   Marane api – at the time of death when all my sense do not function also

       12.   Chinthayami – I should think

Oh Bhagavan, Let it be your decision whether I happen to live in heaven the place where we enjoy the fruits of our good deeds or hell the place where we experience the results of my bad deeds or on earth where one experiences the results of both good and bad deeds . I am not happy or sad over that choice made by you. All I request is that even at my death bed when all my senses including my sight and muscular actions seize to function please bless me to think of your feet that is as beautiful as the lotus that blooms in the autumn season.

Narakantaka – (as referred from vyakyanam by Kanchipuram P.B.Annangaracharaiar Swamy) can mean as the one who can prevent going to hell or the one who killed Narakasura

Narakasura being killed by Sriman Narayana who came on his garuda with Sathyabhama an incarnation of Bhooma Devi

 Narakasura was born during perumals Varaha avataram when perumal pricked Bhoomi Devi with his boar. As he was born at an inauspicious time he had the qualities of an asura or a rakshasa. Living in his kingdom of  Pragjyotisha he captivated the daughters of the devas, gandharvas and many princesses with the intention of marrying them. Narakasura also carried away Lord varunas umbrella,  mandhakinis cliff rathaparvatham and Athithi Devis’s earings. He was also waiting for an opportunity to carry away Indras Iravatham elephant. Indra out of fear came to Lord Krishna requesting for be help. Lord Krishna summoned his Garuda and came along with his consert Sathyabhama who is the incarnation of mother earth Bhooma Devi to the town of Prakjothisha and his ministers and others in his army and eventually killed Narakasura himself with his Chakrayudham or the Sudarshana Chakram. Lord Krishna also released all the 10,100 women, took them to Dwaraka and married them.

                                                          

Mukunda Mala 4/40

4. Naham vandhe thave charanayor dwndwamadwandham hetho.

    Kumbhi pakam guru mapi hare, narakam napanothum,

    Ramya rama mrudhthu thanu  latha anandhanena  apirama

   Bhave bhave hridaya bhavane bhaveyayam bhavantham

    

             Azhwar    

  Mukunda in the residing in the heart

               1.       Naham = Na – Not,  aham  - I

               2.       Vandhe – pray

               3.       Thava – your

               4.       Charanam – feet

               5.       Dwam – two

               6.       Hetho – for the sake of

               7.       Guru – respectable, teacher

               8.       Narakam – hell

               9.       Kumbhipakam – That [art of the hell where people are tortured

             10.   Ra\mya- beautiful

             11.   Raamaa – lovely charming women

             12.   amRutham – sweeant nectar like food

             13.   thanu – minute little

             14.   latha – slender woman

             15.   anandhanena – with joy

             16.   Bhave Bhave – birth after birth

             17.   Hridaya – heart

             18.   Bhavanam – home

             19.   Bhava – situation

             20.   Bhavantham – you

Here the Azhwar describes what he is not praying for at the feet of Lord Mukunda. Azhwar says he is not praying for the sake of escape from the samsaric (family) difficulties. He also not praying to escape from Kumbhipakam (a place in hell where people are tortured). He is surely not praying in the least to enjoy playing with beautiful slender women  in Indra’s garden. He is praying only for one thing and that is for the enjoyment of sweet nectar of Lord Mukunda residing in his heart birth after birth and in every birth.