||    Possible reference to Jatayu in Sri Aandal's Thiruppavai    ||

Regarding your anubhavam of passages in Thiruppavai verses 6 and 13, you are correct regarding the interpretations that you have come across so far in the commentaries of PoorvAchAryALs.

In the sixth paauram, the reference is to PeriyAzhwAr , the GarudAmsar. The reference is to Mahans like him and also to the episode in the Ithihasam that has been used in intrepreting the Brahma SUtram (1.3.33) according to Sri P.B.AnnangarAcchAr Swamy. There was once a dhArmikar by the name of Jaana Sruthi. Although he was generous with his materail wealth , he did not have the wealth of Brahma J~nAnam. Two great sages took the form of hamsams and flew over his balcony and conversed in such a way that Jaana Sruthi could understand them. They made it known to latter that there was a sage by the name of Raigvar , who had the richest spiritual wealth, although he had not much of material wealth in contrast to Jaana Sruthi. Latter understood his spiritual poverty and rushed to the side of Raigvar and took refuge at his feet and acquired Brahma J~nAnam. Hamsam as a class of birds stand for the acquisition of Brahma J~nAnam. This is reminded here for those at the dawn of their spiritual awakening by use of the words, " PuLLUm Silambina KaaNN ". Birds also stand for AchAryAs in AzhwAr's paasurams, where they send the birds as messengers to Sriman NaarAyaNA (Thirumangai and NammAzhwAr).

The reference is also to " Parasparam Bhodayanthi " aspect, where the Mahans ( birds ) mutually remind each other about the sacredness of the hour to celebrate the Lord of Garudan presiding at His temple.

Regarding the passage in Verse 13, " PuLLIn vaai keendAnai , pollA arakkanai kiLLIkkaLaindAnai --" , the traditional interpretation has been about the incidents that you referred to in KrishNAvathAram and RamAvatharam. Other members may have some additional thoughts on it.

With best wishes ,
V.Sadagopan

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