is not able to contain the exquisite Bliss which over-runs it with waves”. (3:122-123). Moreover the sequence and content of the sub-title of this Decad- “Immeasurability of bliss of Civan”- which has been expressed vividly in this stanza (10) will be lost. This decad, “I anı not yet Dead” is, therefore not a plea for death. It is but an assertion that a gracious Lord Who has picked him up has not allowed him to die as He wants to abide in him and make him enjoy the Supreme Bliss. 9 (d). Why does the saint refuse to Iive? The disparagers of the transformation of the saint may point out another poem, “Decad of refusal to live” (28) of the saint in support of the “Plea for death”. Here again the sub-title of this decad - “Means to Deliverance”, has to be deeply considered with the title of the Decad. It is true that all the verses (stanzas) of this Decad end with a refrain, “Behold that I have none but You to cling! Behold that I will not live; show me the grace of saying, “Come”. Why should be declare like this? In this Decad - “I will not alive any longer”. the saint painfully appeals to God that he being deluded, does not know the path-way to thaw and melt for His mercy to reach Him by His grace and to live merged in Him. Secondly he deeply feels that he due to delusion forgot the grace bestowed on him and the mercy with which He enslaved him. He therefore abuses himself as a cur and a perfidious one, Thirdly he pleads “Oh Civan of Thirupperunthurai! If You who made me Your own, Yourself would not show me grace whom shall I blarme? To whom shall I complain?” Finally the saint surrendering both his mind and all the senses to Him and feeling reckless and restless declares as an ultimatum, “I do not wish to live any longer in this world”. But behold, he prays to show him the
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B4
