Unto that GURU I prostrate!
Whose grace has no parallel and can never ever be returned even if served for 'janmas' fourteen!

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The descent of Mahans on this earth is indeed a boon conferred upon us by the Lord in order to uplift us from the clutches of samsara. The stories depicting the lives of such Mahans are as Holy as the scriptures such as Ramãyana and Srimad Bhãgavatam. The association of such Mahans purifies the tainted mind (which is akin to impure water) and makes it devoid of all the vileness (and thus made pure like the Holy Ganges). Having carried far away from the Lotus Feet of the Lord by the strong currents of samsara the grace of the Mahans is the only thing that takes us back to the proximity of the Lord. During the lifetime of such Mahans, many cross the ocean of samsara by adhering to their teachings (Upadesa). In order to elevate the men of the world, Mahans attract them by their speech, gait, gestures and virtues. Having taken refuge at the Lotus Feet of such great souls and having enjoyed their immense grace, many people worship them as their very Lord and are bound to them by love. The mind (of such people) which is enslaved to the Guru (and bound by love), refuses to be attracted even towards God! They experience inexplicable bliss in serving and celebrating their Guru. Madhurakavi Ãzhwar was one such guru Bhakta (devotee of guru).

Madhurakavi Ãzhwar is one among the twelve Ãzhwars. The word Ãzhwar means -“One immersed in the thought of Lord”. But Madhurakavi Ãzhwar differed from this general description! This was because he was forever contemplating on the Lotus Feet of his Guru. He demonstrated the greatness of Guru Bhakti. He says:-“The Lord Dãmodara (one bound by chains to the mortar) is indeed my God. But the very thought of my Guru and the utterance of His Name alone gives me bliss.” He considered serving his Guru and singing His glory to be his livelihood.

Once Nammãzhwar was singing (Thiruvãymozhi) on the Lord. Madhurakavi Ãzhwar was scribing the ‘pãsurams’ recited by Nammãzhwar. At one point while Nammãzhwar was describing the ‘Dãmodara Leela’ of the Lord, he shed immense tears of love at the thought of Lord’s compassion and grace and went into ecstasy (Samadhi). He remained absorbed in that state for six months. At the end of six months, he came out of Samadhi and continued the recital of that pãsuram. All the six months, Madhurakavi Ãzhwar did not stir from the place. Keeping his eyes fixed on the Lotus of his Guru’s face, he awaited patiently for his Guru’s next word. The Vaishnavas thus exclaim: -“Nammãzhwar was steeped in ecstasy and was unaware of surroundings, space and time. But Madhurakavi Ãzhwar, who was thoroughly conscious of his surroundings, space and time, sat without stirring before his Guru for all the six months. Great indeed is his guru Bhakti!”

Madhurakavi Ãzhwar teaches us through his pãsuram thus: -“It is needless to worry that ‘I am not literate’, ‘I am not shrewd enough’ or ‘I lack devotion’. For, immaterial of all these, our Guru will correct us and will bind us with His compassion and love.” Thus, Madhurakavi Ãzhwar proved to be the pioneer amongst the Vaishnava Ãcharyas to show the greatness of Guru Bhakti.

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