The Praise of God
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thaṉakkuvamai illādhāṉ thāḷsērndhārk kallāl / maṉakkavalai māṟṟal aridhu
Except for those who reach the feet of the Incomparable Divine, dispelling the anxiety of the mind is impossible.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Unless His foot, 'to Whom none can compare,' men gain, 'tis hard for mind to find relief from anxious pain.”
“They alone escape from sorrow who take refuge in the feet of Him who hath no equal.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
தனக்கு உவமை இல்லாதான் தாள் சேர்ந்தார்க்கு அல்லால் = ஒருவாற்றானும் தனக்கு நிகர் இல்லாதவனது தாளைச் சேர்ந்தார்க்கல்லது; மனம் கவலை மாற்றல் அரிது = மனத்தின்கண் நிகழும் துன்பங்களை நீக்குதல் உண்டாகாது.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that except for those who anchor themselves to the feet of the Incomparable Divine, dispelling deep-seated mental anxiety and existential fear is exceedingly difficult. Worldly anchors cannot quiet an anxious mind; only surrender to the Incomparable Ground restores inner calm.