The Puranas states that out of many thousands of gopis, sixteen thousand are predominant and among them 108 gopis are very close , eight are still more prominent .
Radharani and Candravalli are very prominent and Srimathi Radharani is the most prominent. Because Radharani possesses all the charm and sweetness to attract Lord Krishna .
Introduction about the Ashta sakhis is appended in the below linked post
The Eight Gopis who are the foremost, dearest and most beloved friends of Shri Shri Radharani are glorified as Asta-sakhis Gopis . Their names areLalita, Visakha, Chitralekha, Champakalata, Tungavidya, Indulekha, Rangadevi and Sudevi.
The Astha-sakhis display the zenith of spiritual love for Radha and Krishna. No one can equal or exceed the love they bear for the Divine Couple. To increase the transcendental ecstasy of Radha and Krishna, the Parama-preshta Gopis show partiality; sometimes they favour Krishna, sometimes Radha.
These Eight Gopis are the leaders of all the other gopis. Although these Varishtha Gopis are the leaders of millions of other gopis, because they are very greedy to earn Radha’s love , they always prefer to serve under the command of Radha and try to please her in every way possible. These gopi friends decorate their own dear friend Srimati Radharani and they take Radharani’s side whenever she has a lover’s quarrel with Lord Hari.
They please the Divine Couple by expertly singing, dancing and playing instrumental music. At the appropriate time they beg to be engaged in various appropriate services. They serve palatable meals to the Divine Couple and afterward relish tasting the remnants left by Them. Their minds are pure and they are very expert and intelligent, so they serve Radha and Krsna very appropriately. Lalita-devi is the leader and controller of all these exalted and worshipable young gopis.
To understand the deep devotion of the brajwasees one has to really go and see this place for oneself .Radharani was always surrounded and served by her thousands of gopi-friends out of which eight of them are very prominent and are collectively known as Ashta sakhis.
They are Lalitha , Vishaka, Tungadevi, Rangadevi, Indulekha, Chitralekha, Sudevi and Champakalatha. These sakhis appeared in different villages around Barsana.
Chitra sakhi-one of the prominent varishta ashtasakhis appeared on Bhadrapad maas shukla Dasami thithi- 2nd day from Radhashtami to Catura and CArvika(parents). She stayed at Chaksauli which is about 2 kms from Barsana RAdharani temple.
Chitra sakhi temple
She was an expert cook and used to make delicious drinks for the pleasure of little Krishna and Radharani. She was expert in gardening . She used to pluck choicest flowers and make garland and hand it over to RAdharani for garlanding little Krishna. She was fond of peacocks and the peacocks used to move freely in her presence.
Chitra sakhi temple altar- Chaksauli,Barsana
In the temple, we find RAdha-Krishna in the centre, on the right is Chitra sakhi and on the left side, we find Champakalatha sakhi.
The temple priest who belongs to Nimbarka sampradaya informed us that all the sakhis perform all types of sevas to please the Lordships .
There is a slight variation of the sevas in different sampradayas like Gaudiya,Nimbarka, Vallabh sampradaya. He said that as per Nimbark sampradaya , Chitrasakhi does jal-paan seva (Serving drinks) and Champakalatha who is seen on the left side of Radha Krishna does bhojan(food)seva.
Ashtasakhi-Chitra sakhi temple,Chauksauli
Beautiful arrangements for the forthcoming appearance day on Dasami thithi was BEING done by the priest.
WE had the opportunity to offer sweets offered to Radharani at Barsana on Dasami day as part of Chappan Bhog to Chitra sakhi. OUr god brother ,Sri.Rajagopalan had arranged all articles for abhishekam (milk,curd,honey, ghee, flowers, dress etc.)
Chinni Krishna is worshipped at Guruvayur temple in Kerala for ages.
HE is the same LORD whom Vasudeva worshipped as per the puranas at Mathura. The holy town of Mathura has the presence of Lord Sri Hari always.
Chinni Krishna who graces us in Guruvayur was originally at Adikeshava temple before arriving to Guruvayur.
It is verily the Aradhanai performed to Chinni Krishna that Lord appeared to Vasudeva and Devaki. In other words, the Guruvayur Chinni Krishna bestowed us with Lord Sri Krishna , Srimad Bhagavatam and Narayaneeyam .
Vasudeva continued worshipping this LORD in Adikeshava temple along with chinni krishna . It was during Jarasandha adventure , the denizens of Mathura along with Lord Krishna vacated Mathura and settled in Dwaraka .
Vasudeva couldn’t part with Lord Adikeshava . Hence he took the Lordships along with him to Dwaraka and established a temple for his worship . When Lord Sri Krishna was about to depart from his earthly sojourn, he advised his dear friend Uddhava that Dwaraka would be submerged in the sea soon after his departure and instructed him to worship Lord Adikeshava ( Krishna). As per Krishna’s ordinance, Uddhava was worshipping the Lordships . That is verily the reason why the Lord in Guruvayur is a connoisseur of Srimad Bhagavatam.
Uddhava proceeded to Bhadrikashrama as Dwaraka was getting submerged in the sea waters . Guru and Vayu on a divine command carried the Lordships to Narayana Saras where ParamaShivan was residing and meditating in a temple. On seeing the Lordships , it is said that ParamaShivan moved out of the temple and shifted to a place called Mammiyoor.
So ParamaShivan gave his own place to Lord Krishna and that is verily where Guru and Vayu consecrated Krishna. Lord has bestowed HIS grace to several devotees and their life stories inspire us to seek HIS mercy to swim out from this mundane life .
Narayaneeyam, considered to be a magnum opus of the great devotee Sri Meppathur Narayanabhattathiri, is a masterly summary of Srimad Bhagavatam in 1034 sanskrit slokas of great poetic merit.
The great devotee Sri Narayana Bhattadri appeared in a Namboodri family in a place near Shoranoor four hundred years ago .
His Guru Achyuta Pisharodi was suffering from severe arthritis. The obedient disciple he was , could not see his Acharyar with the pain .
With humility , Narayana Bhattadri took upon himself the disease of his Guru as Guru Dakshina.
Bhattadri could not bear the chronic pain . He approached Ramanuja Ezhuthachhan another blessed devotee for a remedy .
Ezhuthachhan advised him to go to Guruvayoor and submit to the LORDSHIPS and glorify HIS divyaleelas .
Bhattadri who was in early thirties shifted to Guruvayoor and started his divine work and aptly named the epic Narayaneeyam.
Recollecting the divine leelas from the Srimad Bhagavatha Purana he composed the nectarine work .
With the chronic arthritis pain he used to walk up to the temple and in a day he would compose 10 verses .
The grand epic took the ardent devotee quiet some time .
As per the legend , the work was started during 1584 and almost took three years .
Though he did not mention any thing about his sickness and suffering in the first two chapters, the third chapter is essentially a plea by him to Lord of Guruvayur to cure hi, in one verse, he says that he may not be able to continue what he was doing.
From then on, in the last verse of every chapter, he mad e a plea to God to cure him. The first 36 chapters dealt with various incarnations of Lord Vishnu, and chapters 37-88 deals exclusively with the story of Lord Krishna. Chapters 89-99 dealt with the extolling of Vishnu as a primeval God as well as several philosophical concepts. The last chapter is a mellifluous description of the lord from head to foot.
It was completed on 27-11-1587 as denoted by the last words of the great work, which also means, long life, health and happiness. People believe that when reciting the last Chapter Melpathur was able to see Lord Guruvayurappa before him and once he completed this chapter he got completely cured of his disease.
Bhattadri had an understanding with Lord Guruvayoorappan that unless and until HE nodded in ascent about his composed work recited, he would not go to the next verse.
Thus this work is what LORD himself has approved and that is why the greatness of the work.
The nectar “Narayaneeyam” comprises of 1034 verses in Sanskrit.
It is Bhagavata Saram.
Vishnu Sahasranamam was recited in presence of Lord Krishna by Bhishma lying on the bed of arrows and Narayaneeyam got LORD’s sanction .
The Holy epic ” Narayaneeyam” has detailed the descent of the Lord from Hamsa Avatar, Marichi, Brahma, Devas, Rishis Kapila, Koorma, Parasuramar along with the Poorna Avatarams Sri Rama and Sri Krishna.
The work can be read as poetry or recited as slokas or can be set to music.
It is believed that the Lord gave darshan to Bhattadri as Lord Narasimhan and Lord Venugopalan.
The Bala Leela of Sri Krishna infatuated him and his verse starting with “Kesha Pasha” is the most enticing sloka.
While describing Lord Narasimha avatar, he was so much in awe and wonder that after stating “Sthambe Kottayathi” he could not proceed further on this wonderful avatar. He proceeded to sing in praise of Lord Guruvayoorappan.
During the Vamana avatar, when Brahma, Sooryadeva , Kubera and others had gifted many things necessary for a Brahmachari mother Aditi not knowing what to give, finally gave him a Koupikam ( piece of cloth made of red cloth to HIM).
During the nirmalya seva even today Lord Guruvayoorappan gives darshan to HIS devotees in this piece of red cloth bereft of all HIS accessories. ( This divine pastime shall shared in a separate post soon )
While he was contemplating on Lord Krishna avatar, Bhattadri asks Guruvayoorappan ……..
Oh Lord !! “ Did you appear with Shanku, Chakram and Mahalakshmi on your Vakshasthala on a rainy day at midnight with your neelamegha shyamala complexion?” Oh Lord !!! When you gave darshan to Vasudevan and Devaki with your Sarva alankara was not the jail lighted because of the bright complexion of Mahalakshmi? …
The mood of Bhattadree takes us into the deep insights of a craving soul to have his divine company …
It is confirmed that after he completed Narayaneeyam, he got cured of his chronic arthritis.
Another contemporary of Bhattadri was one Poonthanam (author of Gnana Paana) in Manipravalam (Malayalam). He also hailed from Shoranoor. Poonthanam used to visit Guruvayoor on every Ekadasi and he watched Bhattadri writing about Guruvayoorappan.
He had also heard about the greatness of this great disciple . On one such occasion, Poonthanam with all humility approached Bhattadri with his work Gnana Paana to go through the same and offer his comments.
Bhattadri in his arrogance would not touch the work of Poonthanam as it was in Malayalam and not in Sanskrit.
Poonthanam dejected went back to Shoranoor. Next day when Bhattadri sat down to continue his Narayaneeyam, to his surprise he realized he could not do so.
He asked Guruvayoorappan the reason for the same.
The Lord replied
“You have insulted my devotee yesterday and unless you go ask Poonthanam for his pardon and read his work, you will not be able to continue your work!”
Lord continued “Language is no barrier to Bhakti”.
Bhattadri went to Poonthanam’s house and apologized for the offense .
In Kerala it is a practice to recite Narayaneeyam at a stretch in one day and the devotees get dressed as per the avatar that was being recited .
The Priest informed that the 28th Vrichikam is that glorious day when the nectarian “Narayaneeyam” was completed few hundred years ago and is celebrated at Guruvayoor Temple as “Narayaneeyam Day” and this year on Dec 13 th 2020 Discourses on Narayaneeyam is given by eminent scholars .
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Pics credits : Google images and advanced devotees
Lord Sri Venkateshwara’ awakes with Annamayya’s melukolupu, and follows the day’s rituals, ends with the great saint poetess Vengamamba’s Mutyala Harathi
.
Mutyala Harathi’, is the last ritual performed during ‘Ekantha Seva’ to Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala .
This seva is symbolic gesture of the Lord’s love for His devotees.
The ritual was started by saint-poetess Tarigonda Vengamamba and for almost the last three centuries is being performed on par with ‘Lalipata’, ( Lullaby) introduced by another great devotee Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya.
Performing both the rituals during ‘Ekantha Seva’ to the Lord is remembering these great devotees who had surrendered to Lord . The speciality of Ekantha seva is glorified as…..
‘Tallapaka vari Lali, Tarigondavari Harathi’ among the devotees.
The song goes like this ….
JAYA MANGALAM NITYA SHUBA MANGALAM..
JAYA MANGALAM ..NITYA SHUBHA MANGALAM……..
also called as Jaya Mangala Geetam .
The meaning of one verse of the song in English goes like this ..
To HIM who dwells on the Top of the Pannagadri Hills
To HIM who dispels the darkness of sin…
To that LORD and to our dear Alamelu Mangamma ( the goddess) who is ever present with HIM
To the LORD par excellence who grants boons to all those who seek refuge in HIM to Alamelu Mangamma who constantly reminds HIM to bless the devotees
The song has around 12 verses glorifying our Lordships to bestow his grace on devotees
Along with this mangala haarathi , the lullaby song composed by another great devotee Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya is sung which is relished by the LORD before he goes into Yoga Nidra ..
The great devotee Tarigonda Vengamamba appeared at a place near chittoor around the year 1750 and was serving Lord Tarigonda Narasimha Swamy .
Their parents admired her faith in Lord but had their own doubts about her future.Days rolled to months and months added to years. The parents had mixed feelings of joy and fear in such situations as her devotion was going in leaps and bounds .
Due to divine will Vengamamba became a child-widow. But with her strong upbringing and spiritual outlook , she considered Lord Venkateswara as her husband and refused to part with the customary beliefs of a married woman (Punya stree ).
With the blessings of Lord Narasimha of Tarigonda , she ascends the Tirumala Hills and starts serving the Lordships with utmost devotion .
She stabilised her stay at Tirumala and continued with her divine service to Lord in solitude in the evenings . As per temple legend, on the divine instructions of Goddess Padamavathi Devi, the then In-charge of Hathiramji Mutt, Mahant Sri Atmaramdasji offered a small thatched hut in the present Rambhageecha gardens to Vengamamba.
The Saint Poetess used to perform penance under a tamarind tree present opposite her hut.
During every Nrisimha Jayanthi (which usually falls in the month of May) she used to serve mahaprasad to scores of pilgrims who visited Tirumala during this period in the premises of her residence for ten days.
Seeing her charitable activity some devotees donated her “Dana Patras” (donations) between 1785 AD to 1812 AD with which she carried out her Annaprasada Vitarana till her last breath. Since then she became popular with the title “Matrusri” since she took care of the visiting pilgrims as a mother.
When she entered Tirumala she initially stayed at Gogarbha Teertham and meditated on Lord .
But as flow of people disturbed her spiritual practices , she shifted to Tumbura Teertham and continued her austerity. With constant attention on her devotional practices she moved to Tirumala.
She used to collect flowers and make them as a garland and present it to Lord venkateswara every day .
One day as she offered Tulasimala to the deity she was criticized for her offerings by the main priest there (as a widow is not allowed to worship the temple deity those days).
The Priest removes the garland away. But Vengamamba could have darshan of Lord appearing wearing her tulasimala .
With all humility she starts composing poems and literary essays on Lords divine leela .
Moved by her devotion, it is told that Lord allowed her to enter the temple after temple hours to listen to her poems and songs.
Vengamamba used to recite poems in presence of the LORD and offered ‘harati’ to the Lord each night along with pearls as a mark of devotion .
Observing the pearls in the sanctum sanctorum over a period of time, the temple priests were agitated . They politely informed that Vengamamba must not be allowed to enter the temple .
She was under exile in a cave at Tumburakona near Tirumala .
The legend reveals that LORD out of his love to his devotee created a secret pathway from the cave to the temple which was used by Vengamamba to continue her devotional service in private .
The practice of night harati continued for 6 years.
Eventually, the priests realized their folly and recognized Vengamamba’s devotion and dedication, and pleaded her to return and allowed to participate in Ekanta seva .
However , the divine services to LORD was generally offered by Mahants and Priests inside the temple . All of them felt that though she was a great devotee , a widow who was excommunicated by her community who doesn’t follow tenants of customs must not be allowed to continue such divine service along with them which is a serious offense .
They told her sternly about their unhappiness and polluting the temple .
Vengamamba accepted their decision and continued to serve the LORDSHIPS at her house located in the Mada streets beside Sri Tallapaka Annamacharyas descendant’s house .
The next day happened to be the day of the car festival .
In all the splendor and glory the temple car with the LORDSHIPS moved .
However as soon as it reached Vengamambas house it stopped suddenly and any effort to pull the cart was becoming difficult . It was getting delayed .
The Chief Priest understood the main motive of the Lord to ignore their plea . All of them rushed into Vengamambas house and begged repentance for their offence . They requested her to pray LORD for HIS approval .
Vengamamba rushed out with tears and all humility offered camphor harathi with devotion .
The temple car started moving slowly from then .
This camphor offering which was started by Vengamamba has come to be known as Tarigondavari Haarati OR Mutyaala Harathi which is continued even today .
A silver idol of Tarigonda Nrusimha Swami , fixed in a plate made out of an alloy of five metals is decorated with one of the ten incarnations of Mahavishnu with perals mixed with vermillon and rice powder .
A small vessel placed at the middle of the plate with camphor is lighted and offered to the LORD everyday which becomes the last ritual of the day .
Every Car festival the camphor waving would be offered duly that comes as a token of remembrance of the great devotee Tarigonda Vengamamba .
All Glories to Mother Vengamaba.
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
video credits : Shri Ramyagiri, Ravichander Iyer
Photos credits : Google images , Advanced devotee friends
May be our LORD wanted to see himself being protected by his devotees and glorify our respectful Acharyas who had done everything as HIS kainkaryam ..Who or How else can we explain the need to “save” our Lord!!! who is beyond every thing .
The month of ( March – April ) in tamil (Panguni ) is sacred as it is the appearance month of – Lord Ranganatha on Revathi star and Goddess Sri Ranganayaki Thayar on Uthiram star both occur during the same month. The most important and the oldest festival called as “Adi Brahmotsavam” is performed during this month for 10 days and culminates on the day of Panguni Uthiram . About 800 years ago an unusual incident occurred which has remained as one of the most cherished brave effort by our Acharyas for protecting and leaving us the legacy of our great srivaishnava sampradaya and our Lordships…
Almost 800 years ago , the festive mood was vibrating with splendor. At the banks of Kollidam river preparations were being made for Lord’s arrival with pomp and show . The stage was decorated with wonderful flowers and the best decorative lamps . A huge golden throne decked with diamonds and costly jewels, attracted the venue. …
The Taittiriya Upanishad forms the seventh, eighth and ninth chapters of the Taittiriya Aranyaka of the Krishna Yajur Veda.
The above verse is taken from Taitriya Upanishad .
Swamy Mudali Andaan ( SriDasarathy ) being an intimate disciple of Swamy Ramanuja and a keen interpreter of Vedanta , used to extract Vedanta in simple terms for a common man to understand mostly in roopa alankara style . Since what follows has a very subtle meaning it has to be patiently understood .
This verse links a jeevatma to the final stage of Liberation . And , Liberation does not mean the union of Jivatma and Paramatma . It is the co living or being together in great happiness like a couple / father / son .
Manarppakkathu Nambi was an ardent devotee of Lord Devaraja Perumal of Kancheepuram. Nambi was residing near the temple and was performing several divine services daily .
For his unstinted devotion and service , Lord of Kanchi Devaraja Perumal out of abundant mercy taught him few esoteric truths in his dream and commanded Nambi, My child !! “Now that you have absorbed esoteric subjects from me, please go to the holy land between two rivers and await for the rest ……
(iraNdAtthukku naDuvilE centru kEtkkalAm)”
you shall get the rest from there .
Manarpakkam Nambi was overjoyed with Lord’s abundant grace . He faithfully moved to Srirangam and with the locals support built a small temple for Lord Varadarajar . As done earlier he quietly lived there worshiping the LORD reflecting on the esoteric meanings revealed by Lord .
One day , Swamy Pillai Lokacharya the most respected Acharyar along with disciples visited the small temple for having darshan of LORD . Acharyar was very pleased to see the ambiance around . Offering his obeisance’s to LORD VARADARAJA he felt like spending some more time inside the temple .
Observing the quiet nature of the place he began teaching his disciples few meanings of esoteric truths . Nambi who was serving the Lordships inside the sanctum was listening to the discourse . He noticed Acharyas command in the subject and related the meanings quoted were almost the same as revealed by Lord Varadar in his dream .
Overjoyed , he rushed to the dais amongst the advanced devotees and bowing at Swamy Pillai Lokacharya’s lotus feet, offered obeisance’s and asked him…
Swamin !!
avarO nIr?! avarO nIr?!
(are you him? Are you the one?)……………………
To that Swamy Pillai Lokacharyar replied smilingly
AAm. seyvathu En?
“Yes, my child !! and why do you ask?”. Manarpakkam Nambi submitted his dream to him. .
Pillai Lokacharya was glad to note about his unstinted devotion to Lord . He showered his blessings at the young devotee and took him as his disciple. Swamy advised him to join the assembled group of devotees and taught him the meanings in detail .
The entire summary of these esoteric truths turned out to become ” Sri Vachana Bhushanam ” the most important book for all the srivaishnavas .
“however lower in caste one is born doesn’t matter for me, if he is a bhAgavathOththaman, he is my swAmi”. Having these meanings in mind the divine outpourings are summed up …..
Pillai Lokacharya’s primary disciples were Koorakuloththama Dasa, Manarpakkam Nambi, Kollikavala Dasa , Kotturilanar and Vilanjsolai Pillai.
Pillai Lokacharya authored several works including the eighteen rahasya granthas known together as Ashtadasa Rahasya and Gadyatraya Vyakhyanam.
Pillai Lokacharya expresses in his works , that LORD sees this sorry state of affairs of jivatmas and thinks of simple ways and means of correcting them who have strayed in the wrong path. Lord’s abundant mercy blesses them to seek salvation by making them understand the real purpose of life . They seek a good teacher in understanding the esoteric truths and start serving LORD .The dangers of this life with its temporary pleasures but permanent derailment in taking repeated births makes them worried . They realize that life in this world is comparable to the life of a helpless frog caught in the mouth of a snake . A doe caught in a forest fire running hither and thither not knowing where safety lies. Realising their fate is none better than that of a helpless ant caught between the two ends of a burning stick and torn by the five senses seek refuge ..Swamy Pillai Lokacharya wrote 18 rahasyas books expounding the fundamental vaishnavite philosophy and shastras. The Archiradhi is one such rahasya .Swamy Pillai Lokacharya’s magnum opus “Sri Vachana Bhushanam” is an ornament of divine outpourings from our revered Poorvavacharyas. This great work consists of almost 465 aphorisms which all sri vaishnavas must strive to follow by Acharyars krupai and revelation .The master piece of the work discusses in detail about Lord , Goddess, bhakthi and Prappathi , service to Acharya and Acharyar as a means to obtain the goal , the greatness of the ones who follow the above path , the great ones who are scholars in the scriptures and their joy in attaining the desired goal.
Lokacharyar Sri Pillai Lokachariar was instrumental in saving our rich legacy of darisanam by taking the most privileged service of bringing Namperumal safely out of Srirangam during the tyrant Malik Kafur invasion during the year 1323.
Lokacharyar along with many disciples went through the rough terrains, forests, and so on, carrying our LORD safely .
When they reached Jyothiskudi, near to Madurai , Swamy Pillai Lokachariar realized that he cannot carry on any more, so he decided to stay in Jyothishkudi itself serving the LORD incognito . He advised his disciples to remain devoted to LORD always . Lokaacharyan was rightly glorified as ulagAriyan – ( teacher of the universe).
While Swamy was about to leave this world and reach Acharyan’s Lotus feet, he started touching the ants and other such insects near to him with compassion … ( as all such living beings will get to reach Sri Vaikunta if they have got that service done by a Sri Vaishnava).
Such was Sri Pillai Lokacharya’s Karunya towards the living beings.
Tomorrow November 4th is Appearance day of our Acharyar
Once , Thirumisai Azhwar came to have a darsanam of Lord Aaraamudha perumal near Kumbakonam at Tamilnadu. Azhwar was very much impressed by Lord’s beauty .
He instantaneously recited ..
Nadanda kalgal nondhavo nadunga gnala menamai
Idanthamei kulungavo vilangumaal varaichuram
Kadanda kaal parandha kavirikarai kudanthaiul
Kidanthava yezhundirundu pesu vazhi kesane
Meaning O lord ! your lotus feet must be feeling the pain walking the worlds covered with mountains, thorns etc .
Your lotus feet are very soft that even Mother Lakshmee feels her service may hurt LORD if she touches them.
AzhwAr then realizes that as LORD went to the pAtALa lOka to rescue Mother during varAha avatAra, perhaps due to this LORD should be relaxing in this pose .
While Azhwar was enquiring , Lord casually lifted up His head to get up and reply to AzhwAr as he said said ‘pESu’ in his divine verse ( speak my LORD ) ..
Azhwar did not want to disturb his yoganidra and hence prayed LORD to remain in the same posture so as to bless each devotee coming to HIM praying .
The Azhwar thus requested LORD to remain in the reclining position as this posture of LORD looked very attractive .
The divine pose of LORD Aara Amudhan is called as Uthra Sayanam and he is thus called as Uthanasai.
Lord Aramudhan like Sonnavanam saitha Perumaal of Thiruvekha Divya Desam at Kancheepuram has also received credit for obeying His dear devotee Thirumisai Azhwar.
Due to the above reason LORD is glorified as Aramudha Azhwan and the Azhwar as Thirumahizai Piran.
The word Piran means Lord.
As Thirumahizai Azhwar asked Perumaal to get up from His serpent bed, Azhwar was given the title of “Piran” by LORD .
Aramudhan took the title “Azhwan” to show us HIS love towards Azhwar. Lord’s sparkling darshanam of his cheeks (so chubby ) pulls our soul to just be there for ever .
Lord’s coral lips invites HIS devotee which has a half-smile (“Punmuruval”) indicating HIS mercy and pleasure seeing us. Lord’s broad forehead is adorned by a sparkling green gem, triangular in shape .
Lord’s long thighs and then legs, resembles the trunk of a magnificent tusker, encased in soft and supple silk, while the broad and beautiful chest sports several strands of gold and pearl necklaces , with goddess Mahalakshmi.
Mother Sri Devi and Bhoodevi grace us on either side of the Lord, in postures of devotion. As noticed in Thiruvellarai Divyadesam , similar feature of this beautiful temple is that the sanctum sanctorum has two entrances, each with nine steps-one used during Dakshinaayanam and the other during Uttaraaayanam.
None of the devotees will exclaim “I have had enough of this Lord”, the desire to see Him and be with Him increases with every darshan .
Among the Azhwars seven out of twelve have immersed there divine thoughts and glorified the boundless beauty of Lord Aaraavamudan and devoted around 51 nectarine verses in the DivyaPrabhandam .
This nectarine Lord is sweet not only to our external senses like the eye, ear and the nose, but provides an incomparably pleasurable sensation all over, inside and out and in the soul too-
“Aaraavamudaai adiyen aavi agame tittippaai”.
When we relish something very sweet we become sick eating the same recipe repeatedly . This is true for all material and worldly enjoyment all through in our lifestyle. But once we engage our senses towards the omnipotent LORD we find that we can relish HIM continuously without any hindrances and not getting bored.
Once we follow the Nava Vidhi Bhakthi as advised by Elders viz: Shravanam , Kirtanam Smaranam , Pada sevanam , Archanam , Vandanam Dasyam , Sakhyam and finally Atma Nivedhanam the purpose of our Life is realised . The more we start enjoying the nectar that is LORD HIMSELF , the more we want to continue enjoying this nectar as our desire for this nectar becomes insatiable .
Aaramudhan means “the pure nectar which can never produce satiety”. NammAzhwar glorifies LORD as “Ara Amude” and expresses Oh Lord !! ,
‘When I have your divine darshan ! my body melts in the love and the separation from your divineself means am washed out with a torrent force of a flood away .
Oh Lord! such overflowing emotions…….. grace me because of your abundant mercy you have for me.
Lord Aramuda Perumaal compassion on HIS devotees is unlimited . When all of us celebrate Diwali in our houses , LORD performed last rites for one of His ardent devotees.
The divine pastime goes like this .
There lived a devotee named ” Lakshmi Narayana ” in this holy place . Narayana spent his entire life doing services to Lord Aramudhan. He was the one who built the Rajagopuram which is app 44-m tall, 11-tiered tower by collecting small small donations from devotees and strived hard to finish the task .
He had surrendered all his wealth and everything in the noble service .Narayana swamy who became old ,passed away, on a Deepavali Amavasya day .The devotees were worried about performing his last rites as he had no progeny and neither he adopted any one . His entire life was serving the LORDSHIPS with total surrender .
When the Priest entered the sanctum sanctorium of Lord Aramudhan he noticed that Lord was wearing the yagnopavithram in the direction worn while performing last rites. The Priest thought that he had made a mistake while decorating LORD on the previous day.
Therefore he corrected the direction of the yagnopavithram but to his utter amazement found that the yagnopavithram switched direction again. The Priest realized that it was Lord’s way of saying that He was going to perform the last rite for his devotee Narayana .
And ever mindful of His duties, He continues to perform the annual shraaddham for this sincere devotee , to this day. Narayana’s sculpture with folded hands adorns one of the pillars in the pradikshina marga .
Lord performed the last rite for Jatayu during Rama Avataram and as Lord Aaramudhan performed the rites for his devotee Narayanaswamy.
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Pics : Credits Google images ( Thanks to all the devotees who uploaded them )
A Brahman, whose profession was singing the glories of the Lord, was once reciting Srimad Bhagavatham in the house of a patron. A thief broke into the house where the recital was going on and hid himself in the deep corner .
Perforce, he had to listen to Srimad Bhagavatham. The singer was now describing the ornaments worn by little Krishna which was adorned by Yashoda . He described the various ornaments Yasodha decorated on little Krishna before sending Him out with the cows. The thief was excited and thought that he should meet that lad and rob all the ornaments at one stroke instead of struggling every day with petty stealing. He waited till the entire chapter of Srimadbhagavatam was recited and left the place. The thief wanted to know where this boy was. He, therefore, followed the Brahmin and waylaid him. The Brahmin was frightened and feared…
The Lord Himself, unable to bear the thought of swami thiru-k-kachchi nambi getting wet by the rain, had accompanied him to his home. Not only that, He waited there so that He could accompany swami thiru-k-kachchi nambi back to the temple!
Swami Thiru-kachchi Nambi occupies a very unique position, both as an Acharyar, and as an advanced devotee. Swamy Nambi is one of the very few devotees with whom the Lord Himself conversed regularly.
Swami thiru-k-kachchi nambi appeared in a place called poo irunda valli (currently called poonamallee, near Chennai). He moved to kAnchIpuram, and started performing devotional service to LORD Varadaraja at Kancheepuram temple. His service was to fan the Lord of Kanchi, Swami Varadaraja, everyday in the late morning-early afternoon, and in the night before Lord takes rest . While doing the service (called thiru-Ala-vatta Kainkaryam in tamil), Lord Varadaraja used to talk to Swami thiru-k-kachchi nambi about the happenings of the world. The topics used to be anything from how the temple was being run, to the happenings in the city of Kanchipuram and esoteric topics about philosophy. The Lord considered swami thiru-k- kachchi nambi as His closest…
Swamy Ramanuja went to meet Acharyar Peria Nambi .
With all humility he prostrated himself and apologized for any offense he had committed in falling short of having the darshan of “His Holiness Acharyar Swamy Yamunacharyar”.
Swamy Ramanuja expressed his misfortune in not being able to serve the legendary Acharyar Swamy Yamunacharyar and missing his elderly counsel in a whisper .
Gurudeva ! said Ramanuja I need that knowledge !!
With great delight the Acharyar replied
My child ,
The essence of our Holy faith is embedded in the Dwayam Mantra !!
The power and the purifying meritorious essence is absolute healing ..
My dear child ! Remember !!
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There is but One God and He is All merciful and is therefore is our only way .
He is all knowing and All mighty and is there for our sake .
The souls destination and aim is therefore uplifting ourselves in the living service at his lotus feet forever .
My child ,
I wish you personally meet the great Acharyar Thirugoshtiyur Nambee for knowing the eternal meaning of the Dwayam mantram along with the significance of the great Eight syllabled Thirumantra .
May all auspiciousness be with you .
Ramanuja was overwhelmed with his Acharya’s advise .
He decided to immediately leave to Thirugoshtiyur to have Acharyar Tirukkottiyur Nambi’s lessons .
Thirukoshtiyur can be reached from Srirangam about two hours by a vehicle . But in those days one had to walk about 150 miles distance to reach the holy place. Thirukoshtiyur is worshipped as the srivaishnava divya desam of Lord Sowmya Narayana Perumal .
The place name is derived from its nativity Thiru-kotiyur. (Repeatedly attacked by the demon Hiranyakashipu during Kritha yuga the devatas , Saptharishis along with Brahma and Paramashivan met at one place to discuss about the future and submitting to Lord SrimanNarayana .
All unanimously chose Thirukotiyur as the meeting place ) As all of them met at this place name came to be glorified as Thirukoshtiyur, koshti means in group or as a team. Since this was the place where the Lord decided to appear ,
Peria Azhwar sings in his very first pasuram of 4000 Divyaprabhandam that this was the holy place of Lord Krishna appeared …… and hence becomes the very first Srivaishnava Divyadesam as Azhwar begins glorifying the Lord from Thirukoshtiyur Divya desam.
The magnificent temple revered as the southern Badrinath has a Lord Santhana Krishnan deity in the main sanctum ..
The deities can be worshipped in all three postures -standing, sitting and relaxing . In Ground floor Lord Krishna graces us in dancing posture –depicting Bhoolokam.
In the next level LORD is in Sayana Thirukolam a posture resting on Adhisesha – depicting Devalogam. Directly above this the Lord is in Iruntha Kolam – depicting Indralogam.
And top most level in standing posture as Sri Sowmya Narayana Perumal – depicting Sri Vaikuntam”. Swamy Thirukoshtiyur Nambi lived at this holy place serving Lord Sowmya Narayana Perumal.
Srirangam
Ramanuja reached Thirukoshtiyur. The village was vibrating with a serene atmosphere with peace everywhere . He offered his obesiances to the temple gopuram………
and finding few passer-by’s around he asked them ,
I am Ramanuja from Srirangam ,
please guide me to the place where the revered Acharyar Thirukoshtiyur Nambee lives .
The villagers were surprised to hear this name . They knew there was vedic chanting regularly being heard from the street besides the temple …
They said ,
Acharyar Thirukoshtiyur Nambee !..
for some time they were pondering .
Suddenly one said ! Oh yeah the learned one where we hear the vedic chants
Oh yes !.
There that Swamin lives in that small hut.
.
Swamy Ramanuja immediately falls like an uprooted tree looking at the hut offering his obesiances .
It is told by our elders , swamy ramanuja did not walk , instead prostrated offering obesiances ( dandaavats) until he reached the acharyans residence .
The villagers were surprised to note that they were living amongst a great personality and never knew his opulence for his mere simplicity .
Eager to meet the Acharyar , Swamy Ramanuja waits for His permission at the entrance of the hut .
There is silence .
Ramanuja calls , Acharya !! Acharya !!
Swamy Mahapurnar sent me here ….
Acharyar Nambi walks to find out who the person was as he had referred Swamy Mahapurnars name…
He gets a reply ……
who is that ???
Ramanuja offers obesiances and replies
Acharya ! I am Ramanuja .
My Acharyar Mahapurnar has sent me to learn the esoteric truths of Dwayam and Thirumantram .
Acharyar Nambi looks at Ramanuja and in order to test the strength of Ramanuja’s steadfastness tells him in a different tone..
Swamin !
What I have to tell and to whom ? and thus gave no countenance .
Ramanuja never spoke another word either way .
He just prostrated Acharyar and returned to Srirangam .
Few days later , Thirukoshtiyur Nambi had to attend the temple festival at Srirangam .
He came to Srirangam and paid obeisance’s to the Lord and was honored by the temple priests .
Lord Ranganathar commanded through the officiating priest …
Acharya Nambee ..
” Do reveal all the divine knowledge to Ramanuja who seeks it in all the occult love of faith …..
. Thirukoshtiyur Nambi with all humility submits
Oh Lord ! It is your divine instructions to share the transcendental knowledge only to the deserving and am just carrying your instructions ….
I am just waiting to test Ramanuja for his dedication and absolute surrender to your lotus feet .
Not so in his case my dear Nambi ,
commanded Lord Ranganatha as he is fully qualified according to the requirement of the text by body and mind .
Looking at Ramanuja who was serving the Lordships ,
Acharyar spoke ..
Come to my place soon Ramanuja …. and thus he left Srirangam with due honours .
Ramanuja thanking the Lordships once again leaves to Tirukoshtiyur … .
……………..But ………he is for a surprise ……
No !! Not this time Ramanuja,
Can you go and come again my child .
Thirukoshtiyur Nambi replies ……………….
Ramanuja never ever imagined of a protest or felt irritated but simply reflected on the truth and calmly went back .
This happened for almost 18 visits.
Thirukoshtiyur Nambi was testing Ramanuja’s faith and the zeal in a ordeal of probation to see if his spirit was strong and capable of overcoming the turbulent mind .
Thirukoshtiyur Nambi felt that the occult truths are for the deserving and not for the ones who are waylaid by the material instincts .
Ramanuja returned for the 18th time now.
He had tears at the futility of his repeated efforts and was found deeply revolving in his mind as what was stopping Acharyar to reveal the knowledge .
He was inside the temple in the mood of surrender for Lord to somehow grace him in seeking the revered Acharyars Thirukoshtiyur Nambi’s blessings .
All of a sudden he found a disciple of Thirukoshtiyur Nambi had come to Srirangam to attend the temple festival .
Ramanuja enquired about Acharyara Thirukoshtiyur Nambis welfare and requested the disciple to reveal the eligibility to seek Acharyar’s good will and audience .
The disciple was calm . He prayed Lord for Ramanuja’s prayer to be answered as he saw in close quarters Ramanujas sincerity .
The disciple left to Tirokoshtiyur and explained Acharyar about Ramanuja’s steadfastness to seek the esoteric truths .
Thirukoshtiyur Nambi was pleased .
He said …
Oh !! Has he such keen appetite !!
Then I must feed him immediately .
He instructed his disciple to immediately leave to Srirangam and inform Ramanuja to appear along with his staff and pennant .
Ramanuja was delighted .
He along with Dasarathi and Kooresa swiftly left to Thirukoshtiyur .
All the three fell at the lotus feet of Thirukoshtiyur Nambi ..
Nambi was surprised to see Dasarathi and Kooresa along with Ramanuja.
Ramanuja understood .
He said ! Holy Sire !
Am just following your commands .
“Staff and Penant was your order” .
Dasarathi ( MudaliAndaan ) is my staff and Kooresa is my pennant .
I am never without them.
Thirukoshtiyur Nambi was pleased with Ramanuja’s exemplary conduct .
The Acharya said , the one who has the direct blessings of Lord Ranga himself revealed in his dream is bound to be given the sacred truths now .
He took Ramanuja to a secret chamber of his hut and revealed the truths of the Thirumantra .
He said …. Ramanuja !!
This mantra is the granter of every boon , promoter of devotion and dispassion .This is the mantra all sages and saints constantly recite and bestower of eternal bliss .
He then gave him the inner meanings of Dwayam Mantra in detail .
Ramanuja was reverently receiving the divine teaching for which he had made 18 visits .
Ramanuja could not contain the truths to himself though it was imparted under the pledge of secrecy .
He pondered Why these truths are so secret and guarded ?
If LORD is not for sinners ! who will uplift them ?
and how can they be uplifted without knowing the method .
He was concerned about his fellow jivas .
How and when will all of them reach the Supreme Personality of Godhead .
Compassion and love for them burned in his heart . He was under a fix . What If this transcendental knowledge is shared to so many jivas .
Will all of them not be uplifted ?
Will LORD not be pleased to see so many jivas uplifted ..
There were also few doubts ! what will Acharyar feel ?
Will I not be punished for overlooking the secrecy .
He recollected Azhwar’s soothing verse
” Kulam Tharum Selvam Thanthidum
Adiyar Padu Thuyar Ayinavellam
Nilam taram seyyum Neel Visumbhu arulum
Arulodu Perunilam alikkum
Valam Tharum Marrum Thanthidum
Petra Thayinum Ayina Seyyum
Nalam Tharum Sollai Naan Kandukondein
NARAYANA ennum Namam“
Ramanuja finally decided he will go with his heart .
The next day he entered a big hall and invited all the interested people to assemble near the temple . Glad to see the people his heart flowed to them in turbulence revealing the transcendental nectar for their souls to nourish which was soothing .
He discussed the truths for the spirit to get uplifted following the guided procedures tuning the mind , body for the souls emancipation .
The celebration of revealing and uplifting them made Ramanuja in bliss praying all the Acharyas and Lordships to uplift every jiva in this material world .
The news reached Thirukoshtiyur Nambi’s chamber .
Upset , he commanded Ramanuja to immediately report to him and asked in tone of anger Why did he overstep his instructions in revealing the noble truths of religion to the undeserved .
Ramanuja obediently replied……………….
Holy Sire ! I confess I am guilty of disobedience !
But……
I revealed the truths to glorify your authority and the transcendental teachings
Thirukoshtiyur Nambi was not satisfied .
He angrily said …….
Do you know the punishment for disobedience ?
Ramanuja replied Disobedience surely deserves me Hell .
I must be sent ,
No doubt at all………..
But Master !! May I submit that it is a little sacrifice for one sinner to make in as much as it brings salvation to many .
It was compassion for the mankind that made me blind ! I seek forgiveness !
Please do whatever you wish I deserve .
Am here just before with remorse …..
I surrender to your lotus feet now …
Thirukoshtiyur Nambi was dumbstruck .
His heart moved looking at Ramanuja’s concern for the humankind .
His face said it all .
This thought never came to my crippled heart he thought .
He could now understand why Ramanuja was the favorite child of Lord .
My heart never thought of this he said .
I never felt that all love is for mankind.
Thus vehemently forth new and strange emotions he rushed towards Ramanuja and embraced him .
You are EMBERUMANAR !! truly my Yatiraja !!!! my child !!!!
He had tears watching his magnanimity for the love for the fellow beings .
My child !!
Henceforth these teachings will be glorified as ” Emberumanar teachings” .
Ramanuja replied , Master! I am not to lay down low of you ..
Had I in the least thought that there were yet other secrets , I would have restrained but somehow the compassion for the human mankind gave me into this pious act .
I hold my peace .
It is for your holiness to decide what more I deserve to be taught .
Thirukoshtiyur Nambi continued with emotion filled heart …..
My child let that be deferred now !!
Come again Sure !! But Mind it !!
Come alone ……
Ramanuja fell at Nambis feet like an uprooted tree seeking forgivance and mercy repeatedly and proceeded to Srirangam .
Some time later Ramanuja came back to meet Thirukoshtiyur Nambi and humbled himself before the holy sire .
Nambi clasping Ramanuja’s hands lovingly took him to a sequestered spot and adopting every precaution that no one may disturb them said ….
Listen …….
My dear Arjuna !! the secret of secrets I say it is good for you and as my dear friend and devotee It is the last word of the spiritual science
Give up entirely all other ways
Choose ME alone as the way
Thee from all sins I will absolve
No more than shalt thou mourn
My child !! Reveal not these holy truths to the undeserving , un serving , haters of Lord .Nambi continued,
Ramanuja If you value these truths then let not atheists and heretics hear them .
Guard them against such .
These noble truths are to be shared only with the qualified and the deserving .
Thirukoshtiyur Nambi summed up the full meaning of the eight syllable mantra and the other noble truths hidden in the other Rahasya mantras .
The short meaningful sentences offered by Nambi are very useful commandments for all srivaishnavas.
The gist of the teachings are the pre requisites to be qualified to be eligible for the Thirumantra and Dwayam teachings .
A true Vaishnava is one who develops detachment being amongst the family . Its similar to a worm which lives in the dirty filth but not attached to the surroundings .
Wisdom engulfs the realized who knows this .
Over indulgence and developing attachment to the body and people related through this body defeats the purpose of self awakening .
Feeling depressed when others are seen happy takes us to a futile decision .
Surrender all the evil qualities ..
Dont develop Ego , Attachment , Craving , Arrogance , Pride etc the qualities which will shatter your purpose of life .
Avoid sensual pleasures that ruins your self.
Kill that I in you .
The Iwhich identifies the world around you by calling I , Mine etc .. pulls you to bottomless pit of miseries slowly and invisibly .
My name , My caste , My wealth My love all goes on well till your body exists . Realise always , you are not this body but the self .
The name remains only with the body . We are a component of the divine spark always remaining in bliss . There are No likes or dislikes ….
Taking birth as a brahmin doesn’t qualify one’s birthright to become srivaishnava .
One needs to aspire to become a Srivaishnava who sees LORD in all the beings .
A Srivaishnava is not identified with his appearance with his Tilak ( Thiruman) nor the tulasimala .
He just lives for helping others .
Sri Vaishnavam is not a caste, a group or association, with which one has to associate to reach HIM. It is open to one and all independent of caste, creed, gender and scholarship of the individual.
Our Sri Vaishnava siddhantam is as old as Veda itself. All the vedas, upanishads, ithihasa puraanas and the Pancharatra and Vaikanasa Vaishnava agamas undoubtedly establish the supremacy of Lord Sriman Narayana, who is worshipped through the Ashtakshari Mantra .
The moment you identify that you are a srivaishnava you get satvaguna by default . Azhwars have always preached the glory of Namasankeertana and seva.
Once you are in this mood , You reach the satwic state both by words and actions .
Slowly out of respect to Poorvacharyas and Azhwars you become humble , follow dharma and become a srivaishnava in all aspects .
You will slowly have attraction to the Holy name and turn to devotion by absolute surrender.
You will slowly realise being a devotee means you must follow the dharmic principles , and due to that you start loving the devotees .
You will seek them , love them and be amongst them always .
The only job will be to discuss , recite and celebrate Lords glories and remain in this blissfull state always .
Nothing becomes important except HIS service and HIS devotees service .
Once you start developing these spiritual means in your daily life , Lord descends to be with you .
Lord out of his causeless mercy lives with you in every moment As the devotee has attained this blissful state , he prays LORD that this state remains forever .
Thus he is always in the devotees association . With this , the devotee decides to remain a servant to the LORD in all aspects just serving HIM with sheer love and depend on HIM for even the breath he inhales ..
The devotee slowly identifies his purpose of life and gradually lives seeking it by total surrender .
Once you reach this state, the esoteric truths learnt will become clear and the mantra works in your favour and then the emancipation happens automatically .
Ramanuja felt to himself that as Lord Krishna preached eighteen chapters to Arjuna before revealing the final word , in order to test Arjuna’s mind the eighteen trips imposed upon me by Acharyar was to condition my spirit in seeking the nectar of instructions .
Swamy Ramanuja’s is glorified at various holy places by the following names….
SriRangam Koil Udayavar
ThiruAllikeni Lakshmana Muni
Tirumala Bhashyakaar
Melkote Pesum Yathirajar
Madhurantakam Thiruppavai Jeeyar
Sriperambadoor Bhuthapuri Elayaazhwar
Thirukostiyoor Goshtipuram Emperumanar
Thiruvaali Thirunagari Godagrajar
Srivalliputhur Koil Annan
Azhwar Thirunagari Bhavishyad Acharyar
Thondanoor ( Karnataka) Sri Ramanujar Sheshavataram
Video credits : The Healthy 2010, Hariprasad , RamyaGiri , Ammaskrishna
Pictures : Google images uploaded by several advanced devotees /
Once a disciple of the great Acharya Sri Periavachanpillai asked his Guru ,
Swamin ! My attempts to control the EGO is always ineffective and this EGO is not getting rid of me .
Few occasions this is becoming more prominent and making me to misconduct myself repeatedly .
Gurudeva , adiyen is enslaved by my nature and am scared.
Is there still any scope for me to attain the Supreme Lord ?? or will this behaviour of mine throw me in the deep pit of hell .
The disciple was in distress .
The revered Acharya replied ,
My Child !!
It is wrong for the jiva to think that he is the enjoyer or that he is totally independent . Once Lord decides to save the Jiva, he makes him do good things and If HE wishes him to push him down HE makes him to do the evil deeds….
Pride is an alternative name for EGO .
The feeling that I am Independent , strong , wealthy , intelligent , handsome etc compared to others invites this EGO with open arms .
Such EGO is responsible for disrespecting Elders .
The one who keeps EGO at a distance is alone eligible for God Realisation .
The paramour that accompanies the EGO is the feeling of I ness or the feeling of mine .Whenever any attractive thing is perceived the mind wants to claim it or possess it .This feeling is the wife of the EGO and as a chaste wife she will never leave her husband EGO .The children born to this couple are anger and jealousy .
The mischief created by these kids destroys the peace of the Jiva .
And to get rid of this couple !!!! the jiva suffers ….
Its like this my child !!
The head of the family is EGO .
If one has to destroy him the wife will also end her life .
Due to their absence the kids jealousy and anger also will vanish .
Whatever the Jiva does is under the control of the LORD .
Just as the minister functions under the limited delegation conferred by the King even the jiva is totally dependent on Paramatma .
The jiva enjoys only the fruits showered by the Lord .
Just as the independent one and the one who confers the rewards is the King , the totally Independent Lord is the complete enjoyer .
The Lord who creates this universe is constantly at work and enjoys the fruits also .
We enjoy only the balance that is given to us , because we have served the Lord in full faith and love .
We do not have a life of our own ( that is independent of hIM ) We are there to be used , where and when as required by HIM ..
The Lord is the principal enjoyer .
It is to be understood that we are here to be enjoyed by Him .
Assume , a person has gifted a Jack fruit to a King .
The King receives the entire fruit together with the skin and the fiber .
But when he desires to eat the fruit the King enjoys the inner kernel after removing the fibre and the skin which are not needed .
In the same manner LORD who is the principal enjoyer accepts the Jiva even though he may have qualities that are not favoured for his up liftment .
When the LORD wishes to enjoy the offering he removes the offending qualities of the jiva .He accepts whatever is offered with joy .
A pasuram from Divya Prabhandam by revered Nammazhwar goes as below
It means LORD is an ocean of mercy with a big heart ….
and
HE accepts all those who have a desire for liberation and even though they are covered with evil qualities which are sticking to them like dirty mud , HE ensures the same is cleaned thus correcting them (thiruthI ) and accepts them to HIS presence .
And finally he who has offered himself to LORD in his Saranagathi has nothing to fear at all .
The LORD himself will rid the person of the undesirable qualities and being the real enjoyer will accept him .
The devotee was pleased and was relieved to receive the advise .
It was a eye opener for him too to surrender his Freewill and accept the divine will .
The lesson was simple but crystal clear .
Any act of kindness , devotion , charity , cheerfulness obedience , love makes us near to LORD and its reverse takes us away from LORD .
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Pics courtesy : Google images and several social media uploaded by several devotees
Gauthama Maharishi was a great devotee of ParamaSivan . The Rishi used to offer fruits and fresh blossomed flowers for worship daily . For the same , he had to climb trees with great difficulty to pluck the same .
In order to continue his services with ease he prayed Paramasivan to grant him sharp eyes and claws like a tiger .Thus he got the name Vyangraapadha rishi. Rishi Vyangraapadha undertook penance at Chidambaram invoking the blessings of Lord Nataraja for salvation .
However , ParamaShivan instructed Vyangrapadha rishi ( Vyangra =Tiger ) ( Pada = feet) to proceed to Srirangam and worship Lord Ranganathar . Owing to his poor eye sight, the rishi lost his way, went southward and reached Krupa Samudiram Perumal near Mayavaram . Unable to walk any further, he sat in penance at Sirupuliyur.He did penance at Sirupuliyur for attaining Srivaikuntam by worshipping Lord SrimanNarayana .
The Lord appeared in his full sayana posture like the one at Srirangam. Since the sage was not able to swallow the big form with his feeble eye sight, Lord appeared in the form of a child – Baala Sayana.
As a mark of respect to the great saint the saint’s idol is seen under the feet of the Perumal in the Moolavar Sannathi. There is another divine pastime enacted at this holy place . Garuda and Adhisheshan were discussing about the services rendered to Lord by them .In the course of discussion ,Garuda pointed it was his service which was more compared to Adhishesha . Both the servants , surrendered to the LORD for judgement .
Lord who overheared Garuda’s egoistic words , sided with Adhisheshan to correct Garuda for his words of “I”.
Another important feature of the temple is we can have darshan of Adhisheshan sannithi separately. In this temple the Garuda sannithi is at a lowest level compared to other sannithi.
This wonderful temple can be reached by travelling about 15 km from Mayiladuthurai towards Thiruvarur Route . From Kollumangudi, the temple is just 2 km.
Sirupuliyur (Thiru sirupuliyur) which is one of the 108 divya desams in Tiruvarur district near to Mayavaram The Lord of this temple is Arulmaakadal, Sthala Sayana Perumal who gives darshan in bujanga sayanam posture facing south.
. The temple tower is a 75-foot structure and has two enclosures around. The Processional deities Krupa Samudra Perumal / aruL mA kaDal perumAL and Goddess Dayaanayagi grace the devotees with abundant mercy.
The association of Kadamba tree with Lord Krishna is most memorable . The Kadamba tree is consecrated by all the the devotees of Lord Krishna and its flowers are used as offerings to LORD at various temples.
Several legends that are related to the Kadamba tree are famous to relish . Under the Kadamba tree, Lord Krishna used to swing from the branches and dance in festivity with all the gopikas of Vrindavana.
Once
while grazing the cows along with the gopas near GOVERDHAN near a village Sammai our little krishna saw a elder gopa distributing kheer ( payasam ) to bhagavathas .
Our little krishna approached the elder gopa and asks Bhayya !!
what about my share ??
The elder gopa smilingly asks ( chinni krishna ) kanhaiyya to get a cup for collecting the Kheer not knowing what our chinni krishna can do ..
.
The butter thief he was goes near the Kadamba tree and asks for a leaf Cup .
Yes Master !!!
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The Kadamba tree with all obedience bows down to the Master and gives its leaf in the form of a small cup for kanhaiyya to have that Kheer .
This divine leela which was enacted few thousand years ago still continues in the sacred dhaam of Vrindavan near Giriraj Goverdhan .
As a part of our Vraj Dhaam yatra , during Sri Goverdhan Parikrama , we were eager to have darshan of the divine cup .
We had to go inside the village from the Goverdhan parikrama marg upto almost 3 kms in search of the kadamba trees .
Praying LORD for his grace we were trying to request vrajwasi to help us in having a darshan of the leaf cup which is rarely visible .
A brajwasee passing by entered the scene , but was not very sure about the location .
Our chant of the Holy name somehow attracted a dark skinned young boy who suddenly appeared under a tree smiling at us . He was nowhere around when we searched .
It was all of a sudden he appeared and the miracle happened……..
He called another vrajwasee ( who was also not seen for few seconds ) , and told him to go to a particular Kadamba tree and come with the divine cup .
Within seconds the divine cup arrived and it was a blessing to have a darshan of the butter leaf cup from the kadamba tree which was graced by a vrajwasee himself .
This divine anubhutee can be felt even after 5000 years the kadamba tree gives that divine cup to the lovable brajwasees ..
We later spent some divine time with this young lad (!) discussing some esoteric truths on Premabhava of gopikaas and Lord’s love to his devotees ..
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All of us were in tears for the mercy LORD showered on us …
All glories to the Divine leela
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Swamy Mudali Andan was the foremost disciple of Jagatha Acharyar Swamy Ramanuja . AndAn was sad that he did not have a male heir to continue the kainkaryam of Lord Ranganathar at Srirangam.
Lord out of abundant mercy enacted a divine play . Inside the temple at the same time , Swamy Ramanuja received prasadam from the temple priest which was covered with a garment (Kandadai- Kandal Gandam + aadai – a piece of cloth with fragrance) worn by Lord ( Lordships ).
Swamy Ramanuja indicated to Andaan about the auspicious happening and told him he will be blessed with a son soon. As per the divine will , during the tamil Masi Month , Poonarvasu thirunakshatram , Swamy Mudali AndAn was blessed with a child with divya thEjas.
Mudaliandan took the young boy wrapped in the cloth that was used to dry periya perumal after his ritual bath . The torn cloth was smelling of gandham ( sandal ) . Swamy Ramanuja took the little boy and blessed him . and said he came in a torn cloth, but he shall be with a golden heart and spread Sriman narayana’s moola mantram to the world and hence will be called Kandhadai .
Years passed , the child grew up and came to be known as KanthAdai AndAn . KanthAdai AndAn was just 28 years old when his father Swamy MudaliAndaan reached Srivaikuntam .
Swamy Ramanujar consoled him, took him to NamperumAls Sannidhi and gave him the duties and responsibilities performed by his father Mudali AndAn .
KanthAdai AndAn also discharged the responsibilities like his father . Among this great lineage another great Acharyar Swamy Appachiaranna appeared .
Swamy Appachiaranna was the direct descendant of Swamy Mudaliandan Swami and occupies the nineth (9) position in the legacy .
Appachiaranna was addresed by Swami Manavala Mamunigal as “Nam Appachiarannao”. Swamy Manavala mamunigal out of abundant compassion gifted two similar deities of himself to Appachiaranna (one for the worship of Sri Appachiaranna Swamy himself and the other for Swamy Vanamamalai jeer Swami, the Acharya of Appachiaranna) , made from the theerthapathram used by Swamy Ramanujar received by Swamy manavala mamunigal which was in a poor condition and later named as ‘RAMANUJAN’.
Swamy Manavala Mamunigal also gave Appachiaranna the deity of ” Lord Teemanam Keduthar”, the Perumal worshipped by Sri Atkondavilli Jeer.
As directed by Swami Manavala Mamunigal, Appachiaranna lived at Kancheepuram at Swamy Mudaliandan thirumaligai performing Nithya Thiruvaradhanam to “Sri Azhaithu Vazhivithavar” (the Lordships given to kandhadai thozzappar by ( Lord Varadarajar) Perulala perumal himself) one among the shad bheras of Kanchi Perarulalan .
In the foot steps of Swami Ramanuja, Appachiaranna also spent his life time doing the Salaikinaru Kainkaryam for the ( Abhishekam ) thirumanjanam of Perarulalan and Perundevi Thayar.
Swamy Appachiaranna’s thirunakshatram is Avani Hastham falls on25th of August 2017.
This grand festival is being celebrated for 5 days from August 21st 2017 , at Sri Sri Mudaliandan Swami Thirumaligai , Singaperumal Koil, Thirunarayanapuram & Srirangam .
On this grand occasion, Chellapillai Perumal and Swami Ramanujar grace Swamy Mudaliandan Thirumaligai at Thirunarayapuram ( Melkote) to bless all Sishyas and abhimanis. This grand festival is taking place for many years as practiced by our Poorvacharya’s.
Swamy Nampillai just finished his daily worship and was about to conduct a discourse .
His ardent disciple Pinbalagaram Perumal Jeeyar had a doubt to be clarified.
He approached Swamy Nampillai and submitted his question
.. Acharya !!
Please tell me , whenever a person is in difficulty we approach our Acharya and seek his blessings to ward off the problems .
Acharyar also blesses by abundant compassion ” shubena manasa dhyaatam ” adding Thathasthu …and the problem is solved .
Such incidents have happened several times in the past and continue to happen .
Adiyen wants to know whether this is because of Acharya or the Lord ?
Swamy Nampillai in a composed mood , clarifies his disciple that all the good that was happening was because of Lord himself .
Pinbalagam Jeeyar again once again submits , Acharya !! in that case can we approach LORD directly ?
Swamy Nampillai with compassion replies !
My child …….
It is incorrect to directly approach the Lord .
In order to seek LORD’s grace we must first seek HIS devotees blessings .
LORD ensures that the blessings showered by HIS pure devotees are always effective . There is no other way to seek HIS grace .
Pinbalagam Jeeyar was convinced with the answer , but expected more .
Swamy Nampillai continued !
Look my child !!
In Mahabharata, Jayadhrata the powerful warrior killed Abhimanyu ( Arjuna’s son ) after leading him into the Padmavyuham ( Lotus formation ) .
Arjuna deeply upset vowed that before the sunset he would kill Jayadhrata else he would kill himself.
Having coming to know about Arjuna’s vow the kauravas were very happy . They decided to protect Jayadratta till sunset to see the end of Arjuna . Meanwhile , Arjuna was searching for Jayadratha everywhere in the battle field till the evening . Time passed swiftly and the sun was about to set . The Kauravas were overjoyed . They were keen to see Arjuna killing himself as per his vow .
Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy Kovil
Lord Krishna watching Arjunas anxiety , released his Sudarshana chakra and covered the sun thus appearing the night has arrived .
The kauravas were overjoyed . Jayadratta also came out from the hiding place . Looking at Kauravas , Lord Krishna ordered Arjuna to behead Jayadrata which was immediately obeyed and simultaneously recalled the sudarshana chakra . The sun came back in its own glory which amazed the kauravas . The vow announced by Arjuna was fulfilled by Lord Krishna . Lord ensured that HIS help is always available for HIS devotee. This pastime proves that LORD alone is responsible for the blessings of the devotee to be effective .
Swamy Nampillai further continued , Koorath azhwan the ardent disciple of Swamy Ramanuja was humiliated by the bigoted cruel king Krimikanta .
He along with Peria nambi lost their eyes in the process of saving the rich srivaishnava sampradaya . Koorathazhwan returned to srirangam in great distress . The tyrant king passed an order that all those who had any connection whatsoever with Swamy Ramanuja shall not be permitted to enter the temple in Srirangam.
Unknowingly , one day Koorathazhwan makes an entry into the SriRangam temple . The temple guards stop him from entering . However one temple guard allows him to enter into the temple to have darshan of Lord Ranganatha . Kooresan was curious to know what was the reason for his special favor towards him ? The temple guard replied Oh Seer ! you seem to look like a person with good qualities though a follower of Swamy Ramanuja and that is the reason you were being allowed . Kooresa was shocked .
He exclaimed ..
Are you concluding that the followers of Swamy Ramanuja have bad qualities ?? and If my good qualities entitle me to enter the temple are the followers of Swamy Ramanuja bad ?
In that case I do not wish to sever my relationship with Swamy Ramanuja and will avoid entering into the temple ………
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For realisation of the self, my association with Swamy Ramanuja is essential . No prayer pleases Lord without Acharyar’s mercy. Kooresan politely refuses to accept the gaurd’s honor and walks back to his house . This pastime establishes the supremacy of Acharya sambandham with our poorvacharyas …
A lotus which is not in the water , will not be allowed to blossom by the sun .. Not only that It will fade away soon …….
Amongst the 12 Azhwars , Vishnuchittar was glorified as ” Peria Azhwar” . Our poorvacharyars comment that though he appeared after Mudal azhwar, Nammazhwar, Thirumazhisai Azhwar, he was honoured with the title “Peria Azhwar because while all other azhwars glorified Lord as Supreme Personality, Azhwar had “pongum parivu” ( vatsalyabhava).
Swamy Manavala Mamunigal in ” Upadesa Ratnamala ” says “Pongum parivaale petraan Periazhwar ennum peyar” meaning that because of the vatsalya bhaavam like a mother towards the Lord, he was conferred with this title. Periyazhwar was overwhelmed to have darshanam of the Lord after winning the debate called by the Pandyan King at Madurai few hundred years back . Having darshan of Lord Koodal Azhagar Perumal , along with the Goddess who had come to witness the marathon procession honours done by the King to the Azhwar , on Garuda Vahanam , Periyazhwar was worried that such a beautiful form of Lord may attract evil eye .
He innocently takes the bell from the elephant’s neck from where he was riding (as symbol warding off the evil ) and starts glorifying Lord with his mangala shasanam instantly , by chanting the introductory verses of Divya Prabhandam “Thirup PallaNdu”
(Long live for many years, Long live for many years for Hundreds of thousands of years! my Lord !!!!)
Out of the vatsalya bhaavam which he had for the Lord, he considered himself to be Mother Yasodha and experienced all the divine pastimes which the Lord displayed during HIS avataram. Out of the 473 pasurams which he composed known as “Periazhwar Thirumozhi”, about 190 pasurams are about the divine pastimes of Lord Krishna …..
Periya Azhwar was an incarnation of Garuda (the divine vehicle of Lord Maha Vishnu).
Azhwar was serving Lord Vatapatrasayi perumal at Srivalliputhur . During a recitation event of Srimad Bhagavatam inside the temple , Azhwar was struck to one incident which inspired him to take up the garland service to Lord . This sweet pastime of Lord Krishna meeting a person at Mathura moved him . Lord Krishna meets a person who was carrying garlands to the demon king kamsa . Lord asks him to part with a flower garland much to the surprise of the villager.
The innocent man he was , replied Oh Lord !!! ” several saints perform austerity and devotional service to seek your company and I am humbled with your mercy on me . Please take this wonderful garland as a small gift .. I surrender even If Kamsa kills me ….
The lord was very pleased with his service and blessed him . The incident left a strong impression on azhwar’s mind and he concluded that preparing and offering flower garlands to the Lord was the best kaimkaryam to HIM and thus he cultivated flower gardens all around the temple and used to prepare a small flower garlands with different varieties of flowers. The list included Tulasi, lotus, lilly roses and other perfumed flowers ( shengazhaneer, mallikai mullai ) which he offered to Lord daily with deep love . He used to offer eight varieties of flowers which would blossom at different times in a day . The divine couple competed amongs’t themselves to bless this devotee. Bhoomi devi, the Lord’s eternal consort appeared as his daughter whom he named “Kodhai”/ Andal His love for Lord Krishna was ultimate . Always in the mood of serving LORD as little Krishna he used to swoon in bhakthi bhava of Yasodha .
After being conferred “Bhattar pirAn”, PeriaAzhwAr continued on his garland service while singing the pasurams on Lord Krishna .The mood in which Azhwar sung was as if he became His mother, yasOdhA. He bathed him, fed Him, dressed Him up played with him and enjoyed every part of his beauty . Azhwar imagines all his childhood mischief which yasOdhA had undergone. The Child’s naughty mischief, divine leelAs, were all sung by periyAzhwAr at a stretch which is a prayer book of all vaishnavas .
All the pAsurams of Azhwar are to be sung , re-sung and enjoyed.
All were bhakti laden pAsurams and shall taste like a ripe grape fruit soaked in honey by the devotees .
Azhwar , takes over the scene from LORD’s appearance , wherein all citizens of Mathura are happy on the appearance of Lord Krishna. Here he considers Thirukkottiyur a place near Madurai as Mathura and paints the picture of people going ecstatic, unable to contain the unlimited joy of LORD’s appearance . His choosing of words are so perfect that it can bring the divine scene before the devotees eyes . He reveals the ecstatic joy encountered by the gopas .
Azhwar immerses himself into the emotional outpourings of Yashoda maa that keeps the reciter to visualize the mood of a mother giving holy bath to little Krishna while cleansing the tiny mouth of the Lord in his pasurams . The verses keep the reciter emotionally charged with several divine pastimes of Lord Krishna in the following verses .
Azhwar observes the seven worlds or universe itself inside the little mouth ! Next, he enjoys the beauty of the parts of LORDs body from the Holy Feet to the lovely Locks of hairs and as a mother he invites other gopis to partake in his transcendental bliss .
As Lord Krishna was hid from the demon Kamsa notice and secretively brought up, Azhvar innocently says that this child was born in ascendant star that is tenth from Hastam star ! Counting forward tenth star from Hastam is Thiruvonam ( Sravana ) which is Lord Narayana’s star and counting backwards from Hastam is Rohini, Star of Lord Krishna. This is he does to ensure the demon kamsa does not harm little Krishna after knowing his whereabouts . Azhwar intelligently announces this for the safety of this child in his wonderful pasurams .
Azhvar further proceeds by singing a Lullaby for Divine Child and lists out the various presents made by different celestials Brahma, Rudra, Kubera, Varuna, Indra, Sri Mahalakshmi, Bhumadevi and Kali .
Azhwar visualises Yashodamma along with little krishna and shows him the moon. She invites the moon to come near as child is eager to play with him. She pleads the moon to come quickly as He is feeling sleepy after His food and if He sleeps late the food will not be digested properly ! She also cautions Moon not to ignore him saying He is no doubt a small kid and don’t take him lightly as one incident (reminds him of the experience of Mahabali with this small one !)
In the next few pasurams Azhwar visualises as mother keeping the child and sways him forward and back like a see saw . The outpourings further highlight about the dwarf and the faltering steps. Azhwar like any mother quotes ………………
Acho Acho …………for the child’s bravery for his little steps…….
While feeding the Lord and the ear boring ceremonies , he visualizes and sings the Twelve Holy Names of the Lord ,
and advises the ordinary mortals to name their kids with the holy names of Lord to be attached to the supreme personality .
Azhwar now visualises the holy oil bath ( Neerattam ) of little krishna . Krishna is not keen to join his mother for taking a bath . Yasoda pleads him with several quotes amusing the reciter . Little Krishna refuses and runs away every attempt . She entreats him saying- Kanna !! “Having besmeared your body with butter and mud, I will not let you soil your bed tonight. See! For how long I have been waiting with oil, scented soap-nut powder etc. O! Lord! Narana! who is beyond anybody’s reach. Please do come and have your bath”.
Yashoda having failed convincing , finally tricks him into a sense of shame by saying “I might even like to leave you go with all the dirt on your beautiful body smeared by you, while playing in the cattle-shed but others ‘will not like it a bit and more importantly, if your darling Nappinnai ( Radha rani ) sees you in this state, she will laugh at you!.
Are you so shameless to let this happen to you? Come,Quickly finish your bath and get ready” – This hymn is recited in all the Srivaishnava temples during Abhishekam Tirumanjanam (ceremonial bath) to the Lord. Azhwar amuses him by calling Kakkai (crow ) to groom the hair, to get a Stick for Him to play.
Further Azhwar visualises decorating the Lord with variety of eight flowers which is taken out immediately once it blooms . Azhwar dresses him with finest sandal perfume and to ward of the evil eye for his nectarian beauty he keeps a Rakshai …
The Naughty divine pastimes of little Krishna and the casual complaints of the neighbours on little Krishna is interesting .
The verses take the reciter to many moods of a mother . Affection , Emotion , Deep love concern etc …. ( why not !!!! And it has a message for ordinary mortals like us ) At one stage , Yashodamaa is in awe of child is refusing to feed her breast but only solid food.
She feels sorry that she had to send child to tend the calves for grazing , and worried about his safe return . The Gopikas getting enamored of Lord coming behind the Cattle. The verses conclude with some of the finest pictures of Krishna playing the flute in the forest.
The incident of Lord Krishna’s lifting Govardhana Hill follows with glories to the Hill and the Lord who lifted saving the entire inhabitants . He gives vivid description of mountain itself. Azhwar visualises Lord Krishna’s playing Flute mesmerizing the Gopis, Cows, the birds the trees and the celestial in heaven. Periazhwar describes Lord Krishna’s flute-playing in 10 mellifluous verses.
Azhwars often express their love as a mother OR of a daughter OR a lover meaning their own Souls longing for union with the Supreme Lord. Most of his 473 verses in Divya Prabandham, collectively known as “Periazhwar Tirumozhi” speak of the early years of Krishna. Azhwar became the father- in- law of Lord Narayana when his daughter Andal marries the Lord. – – an honor none else could claim.
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Pics credits : Courtesy : Google images uploaded by devotees
video credits: Shri Ananthanarayana for MS Amma’s clip
” paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskrtam dharma-samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge.
(In order to deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to re establish the principles of religion, I advent Myself millennium after millennium.)
The Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared at various times to protect the good and eradicate the evil. Out of the prominent Dasa-avatarams, Vamana avataram has a special significance .
Bhakta Prahalad’s grandson Mahabali Chakravarthy had conquered all the worlds including Deva lokam as a result of which the devas headed by Indra had to leave Devalokam and sought their mother, Aditi’s intervention. Kashyapa rishi and Aditi prayed to Lord SrimanNarayanan for protecting the devas.
The All compassionate Lord appeared to them as their own child during the month of Sravanam when the star Sravanam was ascendant which is celebrated as Vamana Jayanti. This place is presently in Buxar, Bihar .
The revered parents in the presence of rishis,devas and demi-gods performed yagnopaveetham (thread ceremony) to the divine child .
The demi gods attended in large numbers and presented deer skin, stalk, kamandalam, umbrella etc to the divine child who immediately left for the place where Bali Chakravarthy was performing a yaaga.
Though Bali Chakravarthy was born as an asura, he was dharmic and a great devotee of Lord MahaVishnu. Out of pride , he conquered the Devalokam and occupied Indra simhasanam which could be attained only after performing 100 aswamedha yagas. As the Lord had promised Prahalad earlier that HE would not kill any one his descendants and as Bali himself was a great devotee, Lord resorted to approach Bali Chakravarthy asking for alms.
As per the sastras only a brahmachari and a sanyasi can go for alms. The all-compassionate Lord arrived in the form of brahmachari for seeking alms.
This divine scene makes Andal glorifiy the Lord in Thiruppavai as “ONGI ULAGALANDHA UTTHAMAN PERE PAADI…..” She addresses Perumal as “UTHTHAMAN” because the all opulent Perumal resorted for seeking alms for the sake of saranagathaars (who took refuge in HIS LOTUS FEET )
Looking at the divine aura of Vamana murthi who was approaching Bali’s yaagam, Bali Chakravarthy went forward to welcome him. Bali Chakravarthy with reverence offered athithi sathkaaram and pleaded the boy to ask for anything.
The boy replied that HE needed only 3 measures of land measured by HIS holy feet to which Bali immediately consented. Bali’s guru, Sukracharyar guessed who the guest was and warned his disciple to refrain from fulfilling the grant. Bali didn’t listen to his guru and went ahead to make the offering.
The guru cursed him that he would loose all his wealth. His guru, in order to protect his disciple, assumed the form of a bee and obstructed water from passing through the kamandalam with which Bali was offering.
Lord Vamana poked the hole with a dharbai which resulted in Sukracharyar losing an eye. Bali was an exalted devotee who was prepared to forego everything for pleasing the Lord who was their kula dhanam.
The moment Bali Chakravarthy finished oblations, Lord grew gigantically and with HIS first foot measuring the earth, with HIS second foot measured the above worlds .
When the holy FEET reached Satyalokam, Brahma immediately did paada puja(washed the Lord’s Lotus Feet). The water which washed the holy feet became the holiest river, Ganges which Parama Shiva adorns on his head.
Annamacharyar says “Brahma Kadigina Paadhamu…….” Lord who had taken the Viswaroopam showed HIS two fingers saying that HE had conquered the entire Universe and asked as to where HE should place HIS third foot. Bali Chakravarthy with reverence offered his head to the Lord for him to place HIS LOTUS FEET.
Prahalada appeared before Lord and praised him for the mercy HE showered on his grandfather.
Lord pleased with his bhakti ordered him to rule the Patala loka and granted Bali’s prayer to have HIS darshan always by remaining as a guard in Patala loka!!!!! such was the Lord’s compassion…..
This Viswaroopam of Lord is glorified as Trivikraman .
One can have darshan of this Divya Roopam at 3 Srivaishnava divya desams in Tamil nadu- namely,
Kaazhiseerama vinnagaram(Sirkazhi ).,
2) Ulagalandha Perumal kovil at Thirukovalur and
3) Ulagalandha Perumal kovil at Kanchipuram.
As per elders version, in Sirkazhi, Lord Trivikraman measured the first step. Vamana murthi grew in size and taking the Viswaroopam measured the world with HIS left foot here which is on the air.
WE can have darsanam of right thiruvadi ( divine foot) along with Vamana murthi at this place only once in a year on Vaikunta Ekadasi when the kavacham from Thirumaal’s thiruvadi is removed. Here in garbagriham, Lord gives darshan all alone. Compared to the other divya desams mentioned above, the Lord ‘s thirumeni ( roopam ) is smaller in size . The main deity in this temple is glorified as ‘Kaazhicheerama Vinnagaram‘, and ‘Thavitu Paane Thadalan‘, the King of World.
LORD TRIVIKRAMAN AT SIRKAZHI
The Thirivikarama Perumal Temple is located near Seerkazhi of Tanjore district in Tamil Nadu. It’s about half mile away from the Seerkazhi Railway station. . Lord Thiru Vikrama is otherwise called “Thadalan”. As Lord scaled the world with his foot He is called “Thadalanperumal”.
Andal in her verses praise the glory of LORD THIRUVIKRAMANARAYANA calling him ‘THAADALAN’.
As LORD scaled the world and sky with his FOOT so he is called ‘THAADALA PERUMAL’.THAAL in tamil means‘THIRUVADEE’ (foot) and AALAN means MEASURING or SCALING.
Thirumangai Azhwar glorifies the LORD here with the below pasuram :
Oru kuralai irunilam moovadi mannvendi
Oolagamanathium Eeradiyal odukki onrum
Tharaga ena maavaliya sirayil vaitha
Thaadalan thaalanaiveer thakka keerthi
Arumaraiyin thiral naagum velvi ayinthum
Angamgal avaiyarum esaigal yezhum
Theruvil malivizha valamum sirukkum kazhi
Srirama vinnagare sermin neere
The next Divya desam is Thirukovilur located 75 kms from Cuddalore, 36km from Villupuram, 36 km from Thiruvannamalai, and 40 from Kallakurichi .
This holy place is celebrated as one of the 108 Divyadesam and more significant in the Nadunadu region. Lord in Thirukovilur adorns shankhu and chakaram as abharanam whereas in Thiru uragam of kanchipuram he is unarmed and raises his left and right lies up in order to scale the whole world by his foot, a majestic darisanam . But at Seerkazhi, Lord Narayana gives darshan as Thirivikrama with all his five weapons with his left hand extending upto the left foot, which is folded upwards.
The Thirukovalur darsanam of the Lord measuring the nether worlds with HIS second foot is majestic . This place is very important because this is
(1) one of the Pancha Krishna kshetrams with the temple tower is 192 feet tall , third biggest in Tamilnadu.
(2) the place where Poigai Azhwar from Kanchi, Bhoodath Azhwar from Mahabalipuram and Pey azhwar from Mylapore met for the first time on a rainy night. Perumal appeared to them and was glorified by each of these azhwars in 100 stanzas. This is the place where Naalayira Divya Prabhandham began.
(3) Another interesting feature is Thiurmangai Azhwar has glorified Vishnu Durga, a demigoddess here. Sukra, the teacher of the demon king has a temple here.
(4) Lord gives darsanam as Trivikraman. with HIS right thiruvadi raised , Lord is seen measuring heaven. On the right side top, Brahma from heaven is seen offering water to Lord’s thiruvadi which turned to be the sacred Ganges. Here, near the left Thiruvadi of Lord , Bali’s son is seen doing puja.
As this is the place where Mudal Azhwars met, we can have darsanam of Mudal Azhwars on the left side of Perumal and Mruganda rishi in whose hamlet Lord appeared to the Mudal Azhwars is seen on the right side. The Moolavar is seen in Pachai varnam. (Like in Tirukurungudi, they have now adorned Moolavar’s thirumeni with different colours using herbs. )
LORD TRIVIKRAMAN AT THIRUKOVALUR
Finally, the darsanam of the Lord placing the third foot on Mahabali’s head can be had at Kanchipuram in Ulagalandha Perumal temple. Ulagalandha Perumal (Trivikraman) is about 35 feet high with HIS left foot raised and right foot on Bali’s head.Lord’s 2 fingers on HIS left hand pointed upwards symbolising measuring of the entire Universe with HIS two feet and pointing out one finger of HIS right hand downwards towards Bali as to where HE has to place HIS third foot. Ulagalantha Perumal Temple is glorified in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the Vaishnava canon, with hymns sung by the great saint Thirumazhisai Azhwar
The Lord’s form is so captivating that it remains fresh in the minds of devotees. The beautiful floral design on Perumal’s vastram can be clearly seen on Perumal’s thirumeni. Perumal is under Srikara vimanam, the Pushkarini is known as Vamana Pushkarini, thirumanjanam is performed in Ekantham, the priest lights a lamp attached to a stick to enable us to have HIS gigantic darshan.
As Bali Chakravarthy who was under the Lord’s feet (as nammazhwar says “adikeezh pugundu….. in 6-10) wanted to have darshan of Perumal, the Lord appeared in a very small form of adisesha and fulfilled his wish. This form of the LOrd is known as Ooragathan and is one of the divya desams.
The priest clad in wet clothes with complete fasting performs abhishekam to the Lord and offer milk payasam to this Lord here on Fridays and Sundays.
Pictures credits : Google images
Video credits : HG Balagovindadasa for Brahmakadigina padamu
Our poorvacharyars comment that though he appeared after Mudal azhwar, Nammazhwar, Thirumazhisai Azhwar, he was honoured with the title “Peria Azhwar because while all other azhwars glorified Lord as Supreme Personality, Azhwar had “pongum parivu”( vatsalyabhava).
Swamy Manavala Mamunigal in ” Upadesa Ratnamala ” says “Pongum parivaale petraan Periazhwar ennum peyar” meaning that because of the vatsalya bhaavam like a mother towards the Lord, he was conferred with this title. Periyazhwar was overwhelmed to have darshanam of the Lord after winning the debate called by the Pandyan King at Madurai few hundred years back .
Having darshan of Lord Koodal Azhagar Perumal , along with the Goddess who had come to witness the marathon procession honours done by the King to the Azhwar , on Garuda Vahanam , Periyazhwar was worried that such a beautiful form of Lord may attract evil eye . He innocently takes the bell from the elephant’s neck from where he was riding (as symbol warding off the evil ) and starts glorifying Lord with his mangala shasanam instantly , by chanting the introductory verses of Divya Prabhandam
Out of the vatsalya bhaavam which he had for the Lord, he considered himself to be Mother Yasodha and experienced all the divine pastimes which the Lord displayed during HIS avataram. Out of the 473 pasurams which he composed known as “Periazhwar Thirumozhi”, about 190 pasurams are about the divine pastimes of Lord Krishna …..
Periya Azhwar was an incarnation of Garuda (the divine vehicle of Lord Maha Vishnu).
Azhwar was serving Lord Vatapatrasayi perumal at Srivalliputhur . During a recitation event of Srimad Bhagavatam inside the temple , Azhwar was struck to one incident which inspired him to take up the garland service to Lord . This sweet pastime of Lord Krishna meeting a person at Mathura moved him .
Lord Krishna meets a person who was carrying garlands to the demon king kamsa . Lord asks him to part with a flower garland much to the surprise of the villager.The innocent man he was , replied Oh Lord !!! ” several saints perform austerity and devotional service to seek your company and I am humbled with your mercy on me . Please take this wonderful garland as a small gift .. I surrender even If Kamsa kills me ….
The lord was very pleased with his service and blessed him . The incident left a strong impression on azhwar’s mind and he concluded that preparing and offering flower garlands to the Lord was the best kaimkaryam to HIM and thus he cultivated flower gardens all around the temple and used to prepare a small flower garlands with different varieties of flowers.
The list included Tulasi, lotus, lilly roses and other perfumed flowers ( shengazhaneer, mallikai mullai ) which he offered to Lord daily with deep love . He used to offer eight varieties of flowers which would blossom at different times in a day . The divine couple competed amongs’t themselves to bless this devotee.
Bhoomi devi, the Lord’s eternal consort appeared as his daughter whom he named “Kodhai”/ Andal His love for Lord Krishna was ultimate . Always in the mood of serving LORD as little Krishna he used to swoon in bhakthi bhava of Yasodha .
After being conferred “Bhattar pirAn”, PeriaAzhwAr continued on his garland service while singing the pasurams on Lord Krishna .The mood in which Azhwar sung was as if he became His mother, yasOdhA. He bathed him, fed Him, dressed Him up played with him and enjoyed every part of his beauty . Azhwar imagines all his childhood mischief which yasOdhA had undergone. The Child’s naughty mischief, divine leelAs, were all sung by periyAzhwAr at a stretch which is a prayer book of all vaishnavas .
All the pAsurams of Azhwar are to be sung , re-sung and enjoyed.
All were bhakti laden pAsurams and shall taste like a ripe grape fruit soaked in honey by the devotees .
Azhwar , takes over the scene from LORD’s appearance , wherein all citizens of Mathura are happy on the appearance of Lord Krishna. Here he considers Thirukkottiyur a place near Madurai as Mathura and paints the picture of people going ecstatic, unable to contain the unlimited joy of LORD’s appearance .
His choosing of words are so perfect that it can bring the divine scene before the devotees eyes . He reveals the ecstatic joy encountered by the gopas .
Azhwar immerses himself into the emotional outpourings of Yashoda maa that keeps the reciter to visualize the mood of a mother giving holy bath to little Krishna while cleansing the tiny mouth of the Lord in his pasurams . The verses keep the reciter emotionally charged with several divine pastimes of Lord Krishna in the following verses .
Azhwar observes the seven worlds or universe itself inside the little mouth ! Next, he enjoys the beauty of the parts of LORDs body from the Holy Feet to the lovely Locks of hairs and as a mother he invites other gopis to partake in his transcendental bliss .
As Lord Krishna was hid from the demon Kamsa notice and secretively brought up, Azhvar innocently says that this child was born in ascendant star that is tenth from Hastam star ! Counting forward tenth star from Hastam is Thiruvonam ( Sravana ) which is Lord Narayana’s star and counting backwards from Hastam is Rohini, Star of Lord Krishna.
This is he does to ensure the demon kamsa does not harm little Krishna after knowing his whereabouts . Azhwar intelligently announces this for the safety of this child in his wonderful pasurams .
Azhvar further proceeds by singing a Lullaby for Divine Child and lists out the various presents made by different celestials Brahma, Rudra, Kubera, Varuna, Indra, Sri Mahalakshmi, Bhumadevi and Kali .
Azhwar visualises Yashodamma along with little krishna and shows him the moon. She invites the moon to come near as child is eager to play with him. She pleads the moon to come quickly as He is feeling sleepy after His food and if He sleeps late the food will not be digested properly !
She also cautions Moon not to ignore him saying He is no doubt a small kid and don’t take him lightly as one incident (reminds him of the experience of Mahabali with this small one !)
In the next few pasurams Azhwar visualises as mother keeping the child and sways him forward and back like a see saw . The outpourings further highlight about the dwarf and the faltering steps. Azhwar like any mother quotes ………………
Acho Acho …………for the child’s bravery for his little steps…….
While feeding the Lord and the ear boring ceremonies , he visualizes and sings the Twelve Holy Names of the Lord ,
KESHAVA,
NARAYANA ,
MADHAVA,
GOVINDA,
VISHNU,
MADHUSUDANA
TRIVIKRAMA,
VAMANA,
SRIDHARA,
HRISHIKESHA,
PADMANABHA & DAMODARA
and advises the ordinary mortals to name their kids with the holy names of Lord to be attached to the supreme personality .
Azhwar now visualises the holy oil bath ( Neerattam ) of little krishna . Krishna is not keen to join his mother for taking a bath . Yasoda pleads him with several quotes amusing the reciter . Little Krishna refuses and runs away every attempt .
She entreats him saying- Kanna !! “Having besmeared your body with butter and mud, I will not let you soil your bed tonight. See! For how long I have been waiting with oil, scented soap-nut powder etc. O! Lord! Narana! who is beyond anybody’s reach. Please do come and have your bath”.
Yashoda having failed convincing , finally tricks him into a sense of shame by saying “I might even like to leave you go with all the dirt on your beautiful body smeared by you, while playing in the cattle-shed but others ‘will not like it a bit and more importantly, if your darling Nappinnai ( Radha rani ) sees you in this state, she will laugh at you!.
Are you so shameless to let this happen to you? Come,Quickly finish your bath and get ready” – This hymn is recited in all the Srivaishnava temples during Abhishekam Tirumanjanam (ceremonial bath) to the Lord. Azhwar amuses him by calling Kakkai (crow ) to groom the hair, to get a Stick for Him to play.
Further Azhwar visualises decorating the Lord with variety of eight flowers which is taken out immediately once it blooms . Azhwar dresses him with finest sandal perfume and to ward of the evil eye for his nectarian beauty he keeps a Rakshai …
The Naughty divine pastimes of little Krishna and the casual complaints of the neighbours on little Krishna is interesting .
The verses take the reciter to many moods of a mother . Affection , Emotion , Deep love concern etc …. ( why not !!!! And it has a message for ordinary mortals like us ) At one stage , Yashodamaa is in awe of child is refusing to feed her breast but only solid food.
She feels sorry that she had to send child to tend the calves for grazing , and worried about his safe return . The Gopikas getting enamored of Lord coming behind the Cattle. The verses conclude with some of the finest pictures of Krishna playing the flute in the forest.
The incident of Lord Krishna’s lifting Govardhana Hill follows with glories to the Hill and the Lord who lifted saving the entire inhabitants .
He gives vivid description of mountain itself. Azhwar visualises Lord Krishna’s playing Flute mesmerizing the Gopis, Cows, the birds the trees and the celestial in heaven. Periazhwar describes Lord Krishna’s flute-playing in 10 mellifluous verses.
Azhwars often express their love as a mother OR of a daughter OR a lover meaning their own Souls longing for union with the Supreme Lord.
Most of his 473 verses in Divya Prabandham, collectively known as “Periazhwar Tirumozhi” speak of the early years of Krishna. Azhwar became the father- in- law of Lord Narayana when his daughter Andal marries the Lord. – – an honor none else could claim.
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Pics credits : Courtesy : Google images uploaded by devotees
video credits: Shri Ananthanarayana for MS Amma’s clip
The above verse points out that the eight Swayam Vyakta Kshetrams , Srirangam, Tirupathi, SrimushNam, Vanamamalai, Salagramam, Badri, NaimisharaNyam and Pushkar grant liberation to those who visit the place and seek Lord’s grace .
Elders say the Lord as the Archa Murthy at each of these holy Kshetrams signify one Aksharam of the Ashtakshara Mantram .
Naimisaaranyam is 120 kms away from Lucknow between Sitapur and Balmau in the state of Uttar Pradesh .
Naimisaraanyam is 42 kms away from Shidoli .
Naimisharanya is situated on the left bank of the river Gomathi, which is a tributary of the river Ganges .
At ” NAIMISAARANYAM” Lord ( Perumal ) is in Aaranya ( Forest) swaroopam.
This is a swayam vyaktha kshethram. The Lord here is glorified as Deivapiran and goddess Harilakshmi as Pundarikavalli. Once, few sages went to BrahmA and asked him “In this vast world, which place is the best place for thapas (penance)?”.
BrahmA took few thruNam (dharbhaippul- grass) and joined them to make a circle. BramhA rolled the circular (nEmi- circular) dharbhai on the ground and said “Wherever this nEmi stops, let that be the best place for performing thapas”. And it rolled .. rolled and rolled. & finally stopped at this place of dense forest; and hence called as NaimisaaraNyam.
The rishis followed the wheel and arrived here. To purify the place, Lord Maha Vishnu sent his Sudarshana Chakra.
The place where the Chakram landed became a deep pit and came to be known as Chakra Theertha .
It is said to be the center of the universe and the location of Chakra Tirtha has no bottom. Legend says , whoever has a dip in Chakra Theertham will be redeemed from all their sins.
Lord blessed the rishis ( saints ) that hereafter this place would be the best place for them to do penance and attain the Lotus feet of the Lord. At the behest of the rishis, Lord decided to s remain there in Aaranya swaroopam. The rishis in due course got transformed into trees and are still doing penance.
It is believed that Lord Sri Rama performed Aswamedha yaga at this place after the war .
It is also said that this is the place where Goddess Sita Devi was accepted by Mother Earth. Sant Tulasidas wrote Sri Rama Charitha Manas here.
The deities of Divyadesam Perumal and Thayar as described in Divya Prabhandham is not to be seen here . It is believed that around 60,000 sages are still doing penance taking the form of trees. Every leaf in this forest is considered very sacred.
We will be graced to enter a South Indian temple Sri Balaji Temple and have darshan of Lord Srinivasa Perumal. On either sides of the Moolavar’s sannidhi, there are shrines for Padmavathi Thayar and Andal.
There is also a place called VyAsaghatti, where saint Sukhabrahmam narrated Srimad Bhagawtham, Bharatham to King ParIkshith.
It is in the banks of the river Gomathi and is reported to be the place where Veda vyAsa maharishi also performed his thapas (penance) for very many years.
There is a temple in this place, called PurANa mandhir wherein Sukhar’s bronze deity with parrot nose is worshipped here and besides this temple, there is a Hanumangatti temple, where HUGE HanumAn shows himself in standing posture carrying Lord Rama, Lakshmana on his shoulders.
Vyaas Gaddi also known as Puran Mandir. This is the place where Maharishi Vyasa divided the Vedas into four and wrote 18 puranas.
It was here that the famous epic Mahabharatham was composed..
Dadichi Kund is 5 kms away from Mishrik.
There is an interesting story connected with this place. The sage Dadichi,used to utter “NARAYANA KAVACHAM” here.
The whole episode related to Sage Dhadhichi donating his back bone to the devas happened at at Naimisharanya.
He donated his bones to the devas at this ashram to make weapons to defeat the demons (Vritrasura) and the place where the rishi gave up his mortal coils and merged with the Lord by giving up his life for worlds prosperity .
ThirumangaiAzhwAr sings on this Emperumaan as “thEnudaik kamalatth thiruvinukku arasE!” (the King of PiraaTTi, who is on honey dripping Lotus flower!) and performs sarangathy to Divya Dampatis, with PiraaTTi for Purushaakaaram (recommendation).
An emotional outpour from Thirumangai AzhwAr evokes tears to any devotee who reads this pasuram …..
Villidasan instantly fell in love with those large, beautiful eyes, for which nothing in the world is even a pale comparison. Villi prostrated at Sri Ramanujar’s feet proclaiming his slavery to the saint. …………………
Pillai Uranga Villidasan was a powerful wrestler. Not just any ordinary wrestler but one of very high standing. Almost all the wrestlers in the Chola Kingdom used to pay him a ‘protection fee’.
A Famous Wrestler was majestic in his looks and a terror to his rivals naturally .There was a beautiful lady in the village Ponnachi. (Pon in Tamil means gold.) Every one who saw her swore that she richly deserved her name. Her complexion, came closest to the yellow metal. She was slightly on the plumpy side. Her dance-like walk, her height and her dimpled cheeks made her the much-acclaimed beauty in her village. But the most prominent feature of her face was her eyes , very large, round and from which you cannot take your eyes off.
Ponnachi’s beauty was at least as well known as Villi’dasan s prowess. Villidasan was a very good man and had…
Soul stirring experiences at the cost of trimming the body ..and that is what is LIFE ….Realizations streaming ….This body ..mind and spirit in equilibrium is what is good quality of self realisation …The MIND understands and the body too ..as the soul is going to meet the supersoul ( PARAMATMAN)
Muktinath Kshetram is located in Nepal and is an important pilgrimage site for Sri Vaishnavites and Buddhists. It is one of the eight swayam vyakta kshetrams-out of this 4 are in southern India and 4 in Northern India. In Northern India, LORD has manifested Himself in the form of forest at Naimisaranyam, as divine water in Pushkar, as mountain in Badrinath and as Fossils in Saalagramam kshetram whereas in rest of India, Perumal is in Archa form (Tirumala, Srirangam) ,The best season to visit ( Mukthinaath) “saalagramam” is during March-April and during September to 1s week of October. May to August is rainy season and is not advisable as per locals . As a visit to this place bestows liberation, this kshetram is known as Mukthi kshetram and Perumal as MUKTHI NARAYANAN. This piligrimage was undertaken during 2006 and was posted in www.srivaishnavam.com . Was keen to share the…
I bow to Acharya Ananthazhvan, who is the repository of knowledge, mercy and wisdom, the one Acharyar who removes ignorance and is eminently eligible for surrender by disciples……
It may be mentioned here that TIRUMALAi is Kaliyuga Vaikuntam and Sri Vaikuntanathan has manifested Himself as Lord Srinivasar. The sacred TIRUMALA Hills consisting of seven peaks is considered to be seven-hooded. Blessed are the devotees who are fortunate to have his darshan .There are countless devotees who have served the LORD since ages .
One such great devotee was Swamy Ananthazhwan an ardent disciple of Swamy Ramanuja . As per Swamy Ramanuja’s directives he served the LORD few hundred years ago .There are several pastimes of Swamy Anathazhwan with Lord Srinivasa . One divine pastime is memorable as Lord himself accepts to become Swamy Anathazhwans disciple .
Knowing about the initiatives taken by Swamy Anathazhwan in organising the temple rituals with religious fervor few devotees decided to trek the hills and have darshanam of Lord and seek the blessings of his dear devotee too . The Srivaishnavites were walking from…
It was Namperumal’s divine plan to make Swamy Ramanujar leave Srirangam for a short time , and purify other places by placing his holy feet in Melnadu and retrieve Thirunarayanan who was worshipped by SriRamar and Sri Krishna during Tretha and Dwapara yugas .
Peria Perumal thus created a difficult situation by which Swamy Ramanujar had to leave Srirangam after taking Peria Perumal’s consent and thus proceeded towards north accompanied by Sri Mudaliandan Swamy. After many days of travel and undergoing various hardships following the course of Kaveri, Swamy Ramanuja finally arrived in Karnataka where the local tribals served them. En route he met his disciple kongu piratti and graced her . Later he moved near Srirangapatinam. The local people who were averse to Swamy Ramanujar conspired a plan to do away with him. Swamy Ramanujar learning their evil intentions ordered Mudaliandan Swamy to place his feet in the drinking water…
Nathdwara, one of the Nava Dwarakas, is a small town in Mavli-Udiapur route.
As part of Sri Krishna anubhava yatra, after darshan of the Lord at Mathura, Vrindavan and Goverdhan, we proceeded to have darshan of Nava Dwarakas scattered over in Gujarat, Saurashtra and Rajasthan. WE had taken a train from Mathura to Udaipur to visit Nathdwara. The co-passengers however advised us to get down at Mauvli as it is nearer to Nathdwara. A 40 minutes drive took us to Nathdwara from Mauvli . We refreshed ourselves in a nearby rest house Lakshmi Lodge, one of the hotels opposite car parking(a big open ground) on the way to temple. For one hour, we paid nominal amount of Rs.100/- for the same.
It was 10 A.M. by the time we finished and proceeded to the temple . A five minute walk along the narrow streets led to the temple. This reminded us of Pandirpur Divya Kshetram in Maharashtra .
STHALAPURANAM
Here LORD gives darshan with HIS left hand raised upwards with little finger pointing upwards, HIS right hand closed in a fist rests on HIS hip. HIS eyes glance downward affectionately at HIS devotees. Lord Shrinathji is very special and attractive diety. There is a diamond stone on the chin of the Lord. This deity is swayambhu (self manifested and not carved by anyone).
As the Lord is the combined form of Radharani and Gopala, HE is known as “SHRI SHRINATHJI”.( “SHRI” indicates Thayar ). The Lord is also affectionately called as “Banke Bhihari”. The LORD was earlier in Vrindavan near Goverdhana giri and is related to one of Sri Krishna’s pastimes in Vrindavan lifting Goverdhana hill.
To briefly recapitulate, Nanda Maharaja after consulting the other elderly gopas, decided to do pooja and give offerings to Indra, the king of devas , as they thought that Indra was responsible for timely rains and good yield of their crops. When the discussion was thus going on, child Sri Krishna , who was only 7 years old , intervened saying that Indra was not responsible for the cattle prosperity and it was Goverdhana giri which was responsible for the same as it provides the necessary grass to cattle, and crops to the gopas.
Krishna suggested that they should therefore give their offerings to Goverdhana giri and all the gopas including Nanda Maharaj accepted to this proposal. An auspicious day was selected and all the gopas assembled in front of Goverdhana giri with heaps of offerings. Krishna advised them to close their eyes and everyone obeyed.
Then Krishna assumed a huge form and with wide opened mouth, He consumed the entire offering without leaving anything for others. (Our poorvacharyars point out that Lord Krishna consumed the entire offering which was given to Goverdhana giri because HE didn’t want HIS devotees to partake the offering made to demi gods. We are supposed to consume only what is offered to Lord Krishna).
When it was finished, Krishna resumed HIS original child form and joined the gopis. The gopis were pleased to see that their offerings were accepted and happily returned home.
Indra was naturally upset that no offering was made and decided to punish the gopis by sending torrential rains accompanied by thunder storms. Not knowing what to do, all the vraj vasis( gopis) approached Sri Krishna for help with their cattle and children.
The child Krishna assured them and to their astonishment, lifted the Goverdhana giri with HIS left hand little finger and all the residents of Vrindavan along with their cattle took shelter under the hill .
(recollected Nammazhwar’s pasuram”
” KUNDRAM ENDHI KULIR MAZHAI KAATHAVAN” .
LORD Krishna thus stood braving for 7 days. Indra thus humbled realized HIS folly and surrendered at Lord Krishna’s Lotus feet for forgiveness. Repenting for not realizing who Krishna was, he prayed to Krishna for forgiveness which is known as Govinda Stuthi.
Krishna came to be known as “GOVINDA”- the protector of cows. Indra did Govinda pattabhishekam to Krishna with Kamadhenu , the divine cow and left the place. The devotees of Lord Krishna recite this Govinda stuti while offering abhishekam to the Lord.
To mark this incident, King Vajranabha constructed a temple at the foot of the hill. Due to passage of time, this deity disappeared and the whereabouts remained unknown for many years. After many years, LORD appeared as Gopala in Madhavendra Puri’s dream, informed him about HIS whereabouts and subsequently, a temple was constructed in Goverdhanagiri . When Aurangzeb invaded Mathura and Vrindavan, the deity disappeared into the hill and could not be traced out.
One night, the all compassionate Lord appeared in Vallabhacharyar’s dream who was a great devotee and ordered him to take HIM away from Goverdhan to Mewar.
When Sri Vallabacharyar reached Goverdhanagiri, the idol emerged out by itself . (This reminds me the of the incident connected to Melkote Selva Narayana Perumal. Melkote is a small village near Mysore on the banks of Kalyani Pushkarini . When Swamy Ramanujar arrived here, there was no temple. The Lord of the Universe chose to be hidden under sand dunes awaiting Swamy Ramanujar’s arrival. Perumal appeared in his dream and informed HIS whereabouts . With the help of the local king and devotees, Swamy Ramanujar dug the place and traced out Perumal.
The pathway to the hill which was filled with bushes and thorns were cleared and a temple was constructed in which the moolavar Thirunarayanan was placed in the sanctum sanctorum according to vedic rituals. As there was no utsavar, Udayavar prayed to Perumal for disclosing HIS whereabouts . The utsava murthi appeared in Sri Ramanujar’s dream informing that HE was presently with Sultan of Delhi.
At the ripe age , Swamy Ramanujar undertook the journey to Delhi and requested the king to return the idol. As there were many such idols which the king brought by looting various temples, he asked our acharyar to locate the idol. Ramanujar was taken to a storeroom where many idols were heaped. But as none matched with his divine vision of the Lord, acharyar was disheartened.
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Then he heard that there was an idol with the princess with whom she played with. With the king’s permission, Ramanujar went to the palace to see the vigraham and LO , the vigraham jumped up from the place and suddenly moved towards Sri Ramanujar and sat on his lap. Hence the Lord is known a “CHELLA PILLAI” and also as “Yathiraja Sampath Kumaran (son of the king of ascetics). As the princess was obsessed with the idol, she secretely followed our acharyar and finally Lord accepted her at HIS thiruvadi. At melkote, the utsava vigraham of Sri Ramanujar has Chella Pillai on his shoulders with the princess near the Lord’s thiruvadi )
Vallabacharyar arranged a cart for Perumal and left for Mewar. Rana Raja Singh of Mewar helped Vallabhacharyar . After 2 months, the cart reached the present Nathdwara enroute to Mewar in the 17th century.
But on the way to Mewar, the cart stopped suddenly at this place and did not move an inch. Vallabacharyar heard a divine voice say that Perumal wished to stay in this place itself as it was the place where HIS dear devotee, Meera bhai stayed.
( The story of Meera bhai is well known to all of us. To briefly recapitulate, Mira bhai was fondly attached to Krishna’s idol given by her father. As a child, she always used to play with the , dress Him up and sing songs in praise of the and considered Krishna to be her spouse.
She exhibited bhakti like the gopis of Vrindavan. The king of Mewar impressed with her bhakti married her despite having many queens. Though she was the queen of Mewar, she was totally disinterested in material comforts and always used to be in service of the Lord. In fact with every passing day, her bhakti enhanced and she was totally immersed in Krishna Bhakti. She was unmindful of all the hardships and tortures implicated on her by the annoyed king and her co-sisters. They tried to kill her in many ways by even giving her poisoned milk.
Mira offered the milk to her Lord and drank it.
Krishna’s Thirumeni turned blue as HE consumed the poison but nothing happened to her. The king realized HIS folly and begged for forgiveness . Mira felt that it was not fit for her to remain there and left the palace and stayed in this place. )
Swamy Vallabhacharyar with the help of Mewar king constructed a beautiful temple for the Lord . Vallabhacharyar used to please the Lord with his kirtans which was later followed by his disciples.
(Similarly, the original Dwarkadeesh idol left Dwaraka out of HIS own free will to stay at his devotee’s place in Dakore near Ahmedabad -this incident would be mentioned while narrating about Dakore Dwaraka)
Situated in the heart of the town, SHRINATHJI temple is the main attraction with thousands of devotees thronging to the temple daily. This is the second richest temple in India, first being Tirumala temple.
Opposite to the temple is the information centre who guide the pilgrims for prashad, timings etc. Near the entrance of the temple, we can find many vendors selling varieties of vegetables and fruits. .
There is a unique practice followed in this temple. Usually we find vendors selling coconuts,tulasi and flowers in front of the temple. But here vendors sell varieties of fruits,vegetables,milk etc which would be used for Lords (Perumal’s) bhog (neivedyam-food offering).
Devotees can offer milk, varieties of fruits,vegetables which would be used for Perumal’s bhog (neivedyam-food offering). Milk is to be given at a different place and vegetables , fruits in another place.
It is customary for the local devotees to pray to the Lord for fulfilling their wish and when it gets fulfilled, people offer to change the flag on the Gopuram ( Temple top ) .
The temple has 5 kainkaryapaars( serve the Lord) who are authorized to change the flag which is a hereditary right for them. While the flag is being changed, the assembled devotees continuously sing in praise of the Lord .
As we were waiting near the entrance, an elderly person came forward and offered to guide us . He gave us information about the temple which we could not get any where . He took us to the first floor of the temple where kirtan was going on while the temple flag was being changed. He informed that it was customary for the local devotees to pray to the Lord for fulfilling their wish and when it was fulfilled, people offer to change the flag.
The temple has 5 persons who are authorized to change the flag. This is hereditary right for them. While the flag is being changed, the assembled devotees continuously sing in praise of the Lord . He then took us to a room where a big photograph of Perumal “SHRI SHRINATHJI” was hung and pointed out to the nose ring worn by Perumal and a diamond stone studded on Perumal’s chin. It was for taking this diamond that Aurangzeb invaded Mathura but HIS attempts became futile because disappeared from that place.
He said that in the garbagriham, Perumal gives darshan as Krishna-Radha rani together and hence is known as “SHRI SHRINATHJI”.
The pandit ushered us to a room where the cart in which the Lord arrived is kept. This event is commemorated every year. A new cart is made and is rested on the cart. In the adjacent room, there are 2 mortars- one made of gold and the other made of silver.
Once in eight days, chandan(sandal paste ) for the LORD is ground using these mortars. In east of the temple, the photographs of Sri Vallabhacharyar along with his descendants are displayed. Bhog is offered to Perumal on behalf of Sri Vallabhacharyar. We offered our obeisances and reached the entrance of the main sannidhi. In front of the sannidhi, the guide showed us a place where sets of 5 coconuts were tied to a string and hung.
It was a typical Gokulam scene –serene atmosphere with vendors doing their business as god’s seva without any competition and cows moving around freely inside and outside the temple. Like in Puri dhaam , the pandas have hereditary right for their share in temple prashad daily and they in turn sell it to the devotees . Another similarity is like in Jagannath Puri, here many varieties of food are offered to the Lord..
To have the next darshan at 11.30 A.M. , devotees had already gathered in large numbers in front of the big closed doors. WE handed over the 11 varieties of fruits and 11 varieties of vegetables and 2 pots of milk which we had purchased earlier at the respective kitchens ( we wished we could have bought some rice , cereals, sugar , jaggery, dry fruits for the offering.) and started reciting Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam while waiting outside. When we completed , the doors sprang open and the devotees thronged inside to have darshan of the LORD .
There is a separate queue for ladies and gents. It is a common practice in North India to have darshan of the Lord when the doors are opened and aarthi is given . Hence the hall in front of the sannidhi is constructed in such a way so as to accommodate few hundreds of devotees at a time.
All the devotees can have darshan of the Lord during haarthi and the devotees themselves can offer prasadam- sweets/dry fruits to the Lord. As they consider the “Lord of Universe” as a small “child”- the Lord is “NANDHA LAALA”- the darling of Nanda maharaja, the darshan is allowed only for fifteen minutes because the child has to take rest. Again after an hour, the altar is opened for darshan. EVerytime, neivedyam is offered to the Lord. AFter darshan, the devotees who are immersed in the beautiful form of the Lord leave the place half-heartedly continuously gazing at the divya mangala swaroopam of the most enchanting CHILD of the Universe until they are gently ushered out.
The LORD is dressed like a small cowherd boy of 7 years . The haarthi had just begun and shodasa upacharams (16 types of upacharam) were offered to the Lord while chanting slokas and singing songs.
Lord was dressed in “Parrot green coloured “cloth round HIS waist like a typical cowherd boy and was adorned with varieties of flowers. Adiyen recollected Periazwar’s pasurams describing the Lord’s return to HIS home after gazing the cows.
Amidst loudly uttering “KANNAIYA LAL KI JAI” and singing of haarthi songs, we could experience the unalloyed vatsalya bhaavam of the devotees present. Like the gopis of Vrindavan , the devotees were unaware of their surroundings with their whole concentration on the LORD alone.
The enchanting beautiful divya mangala swaroopam of the LORD can only be described by sages ,pure devotees like azhwars and acharyars. WE mortals can only satisfy ourselves that our eyesight has been put to correct use only now. As Tiruppanzhwar says in Amalanadhipiran, “Unn Kangalai kanda kangal mattru ondraiyum kaanome “(The eyes which has seen the Lotus eyes of the Lord should not see anything else in this world!)
The LORD is very very attractive with HIS left hand raised up with HIS little finger lifted up and HIS right hand closed in a fist and placed on HIS waist. A small stick is placed in front of Him which is used while gazing cows. We were being squeezed out in the rush but were unmindful of the pushing .
The devotees were competing with each other to have a very close darshan. Fortunately, we had darshan to our heart’s content. We just couldn’t take our eyes off from the Lords Thirumeni. Every part is so attractive that we felt that one darshan is not enough. A person standing on a higher platform in the hall was touching the devotees head with a stick which is considered to be a blessing.
As they say, it is
NOT THE DARSHAN WHAT WE SEEK,………………………….
IT IS THE DARSHAN WHAT HE GIVES”.
After darshan, we had to come out through another door in front of which there is a small sannidhi where charanamruth (theertham/ holy water) is distributed. Beside this, there is a counter from which the devotees can purchase sweets, laddus etc by paying money. This counter also would be open only for limited time. As instructed by the panda who offered us prashad, we were sitting in front of the main door recollecting Perumal’s divya mangala swaroopam. After some time, my wife went in search of the Panda, and brought the prashad in two plates which was carried by panda’s attendant.. As having prashad in the temple premises is strictly prohibited, the attendant showed us a dharmashaala where we could have the prashad. Like in Jagannath Puri, many varieties of prasadam are offered to the Lord and are distributed to all the pandas. So it is better to purchase prasadam through two or three pandas because we would be able to partake the various prasadams.
After honouring prasadam and praying to Perumal for giving us another darshan, we left for Kankroli Dwaraka…
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Pics/videos credits : Uploaded from Google images and various social media sites which was shared by advanced devotees
LordKrishna in Guruvayoor stands out and has enticed everyone the most. The beautiful stature of Lord Guruvayoor attracts the devotees to come in large numbers and imagine to hug the Lord. Guruvayoor is located in Trichur district in Southern India. Sri Narayana Bhattatri composed the beautiful Narayaneeyam, containing thousand slokas which is sung in most of the houses in India .
Guru and Vayu adorned the deity of Lord Krishna to Narayana Saras and ParamaShivan was residing in a temple. On seeing Lord Krishna, it is said that Shiva moved out of the temple and shifted to a place called Mammiyoor. So Lord Shiva gave his own place to Lord Krishna and that is verily where Guru and Vayu consecrated Krishna. The little Krishna stands there as “Guruvayurappa” even today. Lord Shiva’s temple in Mammiyoor is about a kilometer away from the Guruvayur temple. It is believed that Lord Shiva…
The only divya desams where Perumal, Azhwar and Naachiyar had done thiru avatharam is the holy shrine Srivilliputhur near Madurai. Also our mother Andal came from Moolasthanam to garbagruham to welcome Swami Ramanuja and addresses our JagathAcharyar as Anna and hence during margazhi utsavams, Swamy Ramanujar is welcomed as ” aruLapAdu Koil Annan” . Srivilliputhur has been given to Sri Andal as ‘Sri dhanam’ by Lord Varaha Perumal (Adhipathi of the kshetram), Sri Vada Perunkoviludayan (referred to as ‘Kannan’ by Sri Andal) & ‘oru magal thannai udayavarana’ Sri Periazhwar and hence this is the reason all the houses in Srivilliputhur are glorified as ‘Nachiar Thirumaaligai’ and the Sannidhi is also be called as ‘Nachiar Devasthanam’,
And importantly not like other Nachimaars, for whom birth place is different from the husband’s place, Andal has both these places as the same place. This is another…
Swamy Nam pillai became Lokacharyar because he did not loose his temper with even the ones who abused him , instead showed the qualities of patience and mercy of sri vaishnava which converted others too.
Those were the days when Swami Nampillai the distinguished Acharyar was delivering religious discourses at Srirangam temple attended by many devotees . As Swamys discourses were absolutely soul stirring due its sweetness in delivery devotees used to throng in thousands inside the temple . Many occasions there was a confusion about the crowds pouring inside the temple whether some festival was going on there , as the numbers used to match with the number of devotees in Utsavams .
His reputation was increasing and consequently the reputation of other Acharyas was being overlooked.
A contempory of Swamy Nampillai was Sri Kandadai Thozappar , grandson of Swamy Mudali Andaan the foremost disciple of Swamy Ramanuja . Swamy Thozhappar was very knowledgeable . Somehow he became increasingly jealous about the fame and reputation of Swamy Nampillai which was going up day by day.
One evening while he was returning from the temple shrine , by divine…
Madhurakavi (meaning in sanskrit the sweet poet ) appeared at a holy place in Thirukolur,, Tamilnadu which happens today (chitrai nakshatram)
Once Madhurakavi Azhwar undertook an pilgrimage to Ayodhya.
He was very moved by the beauty of deities of Lord Rama, Sita Devi, Lakshmana & Anjaneya and decided to stay in Ayodhya for sometime.
During his stay, one night he saw a bright light in the sky emitting from the southern direction .
He couldn’t comprehend if it was a bright star, a forest fire or anything else. Amazed with the strange happening , he decided to follow the light and see it for himself.
Unmindful walking long distances , he followed the light .
After days of voyage, he finally reached Azhwarthirunagari a remote village and the light suddenly disappeared .
He was surprised at the phenomenon.
He enquired from the villagers about anything strange happening in their village assuming the dazzling light could have some prophecy too .
The villagers replied in negative, but expressed that a boy has been meditating under a Tamarind tree for past 16 years without even opening his eyes.
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He had crawled to the tree as a baby 16 years back and remained in the tree thereafter.
Madhurakavi Azhwar was amazed with the villagers expression .
He decided to see the child for himself. Azhwar goes close as near to the tree and finds the divine child with tejas . Eyes closed and meditating the boy was glowing with radiance which was what he saw at Ayodhya .
The place was filled with divine aura and true the boy was looking too divine as much as Lordships themselves ..
Azhwar attempts to question the divine boy about what is True knowledge and gets convinced with his instant replies .
He immediately accepts the divine boy who is none other than our great Swamy Nammazhwar as his ACHARYAN
Sri Madurakavi AzhwAr becomes an ardent disciple of NammAzhwAr and serves him with utmost devotion . With all humility he submits the 11 verses of the grand KaNNinunchiRuthAmbhu glorifying his Acharyan Swamy NammAzhwAr / Sri SaTakOpar with all humility equating to Lordships .
A devotee can dwell and enjoy these verses for ages on the divine works of Madhura kavi AzhwAr’s grand
“KaNNinunchiRuthAmbhu” .
Azhwar declared in this Prabhandham
“tEvu maRRariyEn”
( I do not know of any God other than my AchAryan, Swamy NammAzhwAr).
After NammAzhwAr departed from this earthly world to srivaikuntam , MadhurakaviAzhwAr was worshipping deity of Swamy NammAzhwAr with deep devotion
which he consecrated and performed ThiruvarAdhanA and uthsavams in his honour.
Impressed by Swamy NammAzhwAr’s works he wanted to stage NammAzhwAr’s works in front of other scholars .
Azhwar used to contemplate on the divine knowledge shared by Acharyar .
Vaikaasi visaakam the appearance day of Swamy NammAzhwar was celebrated in a grand manner .
One particular year, when Swami Madhurakavi azhwar was taking azhwar’s deity in a procession during the celebrations, few poets from Madurai Thamizh Sangam objected to Swami Madhurakavi azhwar and said .
“Oh! Madhurakavi!!
You are worshiping Nammazhwar who is a just a ordinary devotee not Perumal and reciting verses glorifying him ..
Are those verses “sangam” certified? and authenticated by the great Madurai Tamil Sangam as “ the original and of the highest quality”?
and is he really qualified enough to translate the Vedas into tamil ”?
Azhwar was completely disappointed hearing these critics .
He politely went to Azhwar’s sannidhi and pleaded “Azhweer!!
These people are objecting to adiyen’s only kainkaryam which is my only purpose of life ..
Please do something that will not come in the way of my service to you . Nammazhwar pleased with his devotion appeared before Swami Madhurakavi azhwar in a disguised form.
Dressed like an old man he asked Swami Madhurakavi azhwar about his reason for his grief. Swami repeated the story to the old man.
The old man replied please do not worry about these trivial issues. Submit this pAsuram of “kaNNan kazhaliNai…” and see the miracle “saying this he disappeared.
“Kannan Kazhalinai”
will support you always”.
Madhurakavi obeyed as instructed and proceeded to Madurai to meet the so called great sangam poets .
All of them were debating in a boat discussing the authenticity of the literature .
Madhurakavi offered the holy verse to the poets .
(Madhurakavi azhwar had offered the divine verses in a small leaf which was used during olden times and the divine verse “Kannam Kazhalinai…” from Thiruvaaimozhi was ever glowing )
The poets read those verses and laughed at Swami Madhurakavi azhwar for his childishness and threw it aside .
Suddenly the whole boat top sided all the poets much to their surprise .
They swam hard and with great difficulty reached the shore. To their astonishment, they found that the boat retained only that palm leaf .
The poets read it patiently and were of opinion that Swamy Nammazhwar was not any ordinary saint and apologised for their foolishness . Thus their ego was shattered
Azhwar further says that For a true devotee of Lord Krishna ….
all is Lord Krishna the Food – eaten to satisfy the appetite,
water drunk to quench the thirst,
the betel leaves consumed after the food, are all Lord Krishna .
Chanting HIS holy name, speaking of HIS qualities, and thinking of HIM , HIS devotee will feel the hunger and the thirst and all other needs satisfied.
They will not eat any other food since KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS is enough food for them and always remain in that bliss forever ……kaNNan kazaliNai naNNum manamudaiyeer eNNum thiru_naamam thiNNam naaraNamEnaaraNan emmaan paaraNangaaLan vaaraNam tholaiththa kaaraNan thane
“Oh Lord Sri Rama!” prayed the Britisher ,” Please do this, if not for my sake, then for the sake of the thousands who believe in You with all their spiritual might and conviction…. shall remain your slave
It was during the period 1795 to 1799 a British officer called Colonel Lionel Blazehe was Collector of Chengalpattu District . Colonel Lionel on his routine survey had witnessed two cracks to the huge tank in Madurantakam taluk. The enormity of the problem can be appreciated only when we know of the massive size of the tank. Having an area of 13 square miles and a depth of 21 feet, the breaching of the tank following torrential downpour was any official’s nightmare. Wanting to take preemptive action in the year 1798 the Collector camped at Madurantakam. During his sojourn the Collector was exploring ways and means to undertake urgent repairs of the breaches if and when they happened. During the course of his inspections, he happened to see a large collection of granite and other stones in the precincts of the LOrd Sri Rama…
The scene near the ocean was very different . Few squirrels suddenly noticed an army of vanaras marching near the mountains and lifting boulders and handing it over to the chain of vanaras who were carrying them to put in the ocean with valour . Few vanaras were uprooting the trees and a few making way for collecting the boulders . All squirrels residing near to the mountains were wondering what was going around .
They could hear all the vanaras doing the work with enthusiasm and were chanting . The sweetest name RAMA reverberated the entire area . Slowly they came out and found the vanaras were in fact constructing a bridge over the ocean ,.They understood that the bridge is being constructed for them to march to the other end of the ocean . Inquisitively few squirrels moved further to see the mammoth work being undertaken along with the Nama sankirtana . To their utter…
After the mahabharata war , Yudhishthir was ruling the kingdom .
Bhimasena was assisting the King in public relations ministry . He used to help in solving the problems of people; therefore whoever had any questions/problems would come to Bhimasena and ask him for help.
One day, a person confessed Bhimsena that he noticed a strange thing . His fence near the house was moving into other’s place and he was wondering why it would have happened .
Bhimsena said ..
Look ! I can help if a demon is troubling you, but not these kinds of strange puzzles.
As a result , he asked him to approach Yudhishthir Maharaj.
On the same day, another citizen expressed another strange thing. He confessed that he had a big pot with full of water.
He distributed this water into small pots , for the citizens to be served .
However as there was not much crowd to distribute , he thought these small pots may leak so decided to pour back all the water from the small pots to the original big pot but surprisingly he could fill only half the big pot.
Bhimsena not knowing what to say, asked them to contact Yudhishthir Maharaj.
Another person too came to Bhimsena and said that he saw a strange thing – a big elephant was passing through a needle hole but surprisingly its tail got stuck in that hole. Bhimsena was getting irritated with these unusual stories narrated by them . He was loosing cool .
But as a last resort he again referred him to Yudhishthir Maharaj.
Suddenly ,another person also joined the group and said that he saw big rock on the street. Many strong people tried to push the rock out but were not able to move it.
Suddenly a saint entered the gathering and he waved his Sanyasa danda at the rock And lo !! It moved !
Bhimsena thought that it was a really a bad day for him as he was forced to hear to many cock and bull stories from the citizens . He commanded his assistant to take all of them to the King immediately ..
They all went to Maharaj Yudhishthir and put forth these questions. Yudhishthir Maharaj politely heard their versions and said that, all these happenings shows that kali yuga has entered .
He meticulously answers to the strange incidents and what they really meant ……
The first case is one of the citizen’s fence is moving into other’s area shows that people are interested in what other’s have and feel unhappy why they don’t have, then start thinking a way to acquire them either by hook or by crook.
The second case the big pot full of water. When it is poured into small pots and pour back into big pot, he noticed only half was getting full, which means that one can expect 50% love/affection/help from others compared what you did to the same person.
The third case is big elephant is going through a needle but the tail is stuck, it means that people are ready to spend a huge chunk of their income/strength/resource for the sense satisfaction of their family, friends and love (Personal sense gratification)but when it comes to Bhagavan and devotee-seva they are not ready to spend a little bit also.
The fourth case is, big rock not moved by persons who are having lot of strength but a sadhu moved that rock just by waving his danda, which means that one can get rid of all their unlimited sins, just by performing Namasankirtanam.
(Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.) Though there are so many faults in this kaliyuga, the good thing is, just by chanting the holy names of the lord, one can get up to the highest benefit of liberation as mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatham
kaler dosha-nidhe rajann asti hy eko mahan gunah kirtanad
eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet –”
My dear King, ….
although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about this age is by simply by chanting the holy name of SRIMANNARAYANA, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom.”
Just hold the HOLY NAME always and swim across this Kali….
Those were the days where Swamy Parasarabhattar was delivering discourses at his ashram in Srirangam . Many devotees used to attend in large numbers .
Amongst them a highly learned pundit and a srivaishnava used to attend the discourses daily .
The learned pundit was received with scant respect and the srivaishnava was received with great attention . One disciple who was watching swamy Parasara bhattar’s indifference reached his Guru and humbly submitted , Acharya !! This pundit is a famous scholar with high respect among the people in entire kingdom .
How could you be indifferent with him considering his scholarship amongst all the people assembled here . Bhattar replied , My child !! Listen to the discourse now . After the discourse you will be able to understand .
In the discourse Bhattar explained the importance of LORD RAMA’s avataram which was a divine gift of free grace to all . LORD irrespective of caste or creed or condition extended friendship with humble folk like Guhan , Sugriva , Vibhishana and many living beings . LORD went a step ahead in performing the obsequies of a brahman for jatayu the bird .
He was humble in accepting food from the hands of Sabari a tribal and partaking food along with hanumanjee. Bhattar continued , The Importance of LORD KRISHNA avatar was Lord delivering the Apocalypse of the epic Srimad Bhagavadgita with its charama sloka and in rejecting the hospitality of Bhishma and Drona for that of Vidura and so forth .
Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy Kovil
The reputation of Srirangam comes to LORD RANGANATHAR having mixed with Tiruppan Azhwar as intimately as body and soul . The reputation of LORD OF SEVEN HILLS was as LORD moved freely with the potter kurumbuatta Nambi and King Thondaman .
The reputation of LORD VARADARAJA was his friendship with his dear devotee Sri Thirukachi Nambee and our LORD NARAYANA of Melkote for accepting Swamy Ramanuja as his father and himself being called Yatiraja Sampath kumara . The discourse had a message for unconditional surrender to Lord Narayana with utmost faith .
Once the discourse was done all the people paid their respects to Bhattar and were leaving .The pundit also came along along with the citizens . Bhattar casually asked the pundit ..
Swamin !! whom have you settled to yourself as Ultimate Truth ? The pundit who was attentively listening the discourse answered ! Some authorities speak of Brahma as Ultimate , Few say It is Rudra and few schools claim it is Lord Mahavishnu .
How can we arrive at a conclusion with so many school of thoughts claiming the supremacy of one over other .
Meanwhile the srivaishnava arrived and paid obesiances to the assembly and took permission to leave . Bhattar casually asked the same question to the srivaishnava .
The srivaishnava politely replied Swamin !
Adiyen knows none others than whom devareer daily discusses ..
the only NARAYANA ..maam” EKAM” ….
Bhattar once again asked Swamin , Pray what other truth is available to you ? The srivaishnava replied …
For adiyen Means as well as end is Swamy Ramanuja ..
my end of salvation is the lotus feet of Swamy Ramanuja …forever and said ..
I seek the lotus feet of Swamy Ramanuja who considered all the worldly things and pleasures as mere nothing (grass) because of his love towards the lotus feet of Achchuta.
He is our Acharya since he possesses all the auspicious qualities (guNAs) and therefore dayAsAgara (ocean of mercy) for uplifting us .
Continuing , he quotes Embaar’s verse on the divine beauty [azhagu] of Swamy Ramanuja and declares in the end
To reaffirm the faith of HIS devotees, LORD conversed with HIS devotees time to time .
There are three incidents which our Elders keep saying about the compassion of the LORD in temples .
Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy Kovil
At Tirumala – Tirupathi, Lord Venkateshwara used to converse with the King Thondaman Chakravarthy . In Kancheepuram, Lord Vardarajar used to converse with his dear devotee Swamy Tirukachi Nambigal who used to fan him daily .
Similarly at Srirangam Lord Ranganathar used to converse with “Tiruvilakku pichan”the temple servant who used to light the lamps in the temple .
It is a general practice all the devotees surrender to LORD and express their gratitude pain and love for the LORD in this material world.
Few devotees develop extremely intimate relationship with the Lord conversing freely and interact almost daily treating him as a human friend.
At Srirangam , there lived a man who was serving at temple . His job was to light all the lamps at the huge temple of Srirangam .
He used to keep the lamps topped with oil and ensure they were maintained in perfect condition . Under constant vigilance he had to ensure the lamps are lighted effectively without any flaws.
He had free access to enter the temple and light all the temple lamps being the temple servant . He had a peculiar habit of addressing the LORD daily about how his day was and was he treated well .
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It was almost routine especially during festivals when LORD had to be amongst HIS devotees . For his behaviour he earned a title Pichan ( mad person ) . Unmindful of whatever people spoke of him he continued to greet the LORD and converse with utmost sincerity and faith .
Lord Ranganathar also got used to HIS devotee’s greeting . Days became months .Months turned to years .Lord out of abundant mercy wanted to reply to HIS dear devotee .
It so happened one day Lord spoke from his Archa thirumeni ,and this also happened regularly .Lord was answering his dear devotees queries .It was more of vatsalya bhavam inquiring the well being of each other . There was no barrier in the divine exchange of speech .A lowly employee of the temple speaking to the LORD who was replying too .To the devotees who were witnessing this man standing before the LORD and apparently talking to himself appeared to be a mad person conversing with himself and they called him “Picchan” ( a mad man). Combining his job title and popularity of remaining , he came to be known as “ThiruviLakku Picchan”.
One day, while carrying out his daily chores , Picchan conversed with the Lord about the great people and the huge crowd attending the festival in the temple .
All knowing Compassionate Lord wanted to draw out his opinion about the great people. Pichan politely replied Oh Lord ! even all these great men had their own weaknesses and it was very confusing to follow them. He submitted that he was very happy with the small service gifted to him by his Elders and seek no favors other than being near HIM always .
There is another pastime which installs absolute surrender to LORD in Archathirumeni . The great Acharyar Swamy Nampillai was delivering a lecture in the mandapam inside the temple and as usual our Thiruvilakku Picchan was standing in front of the sanctorum with a lamp in his hand. Lord was so impressed hearing Swamy Nampillai’s divine discourse which made him get up and wished to be among the august gathering hearing the divine discourse
Suddenly , Thiruvilakku Picchan saw a huge personality near him and realizing that it was LORD himself , he requested LORD to relax and not do this and remain in his original Archa Swaroopam . LORD politely obeyed his devotees concern……………
All glories to this great devotee who had the fortune to enjoy such intimate relationship with the Lord himself who listened to Him .
This Srivaishnava Divya desam is located near the shores of Bay of Bengal. Mamallamallapuram now corrupted as Mahabalipuram is Varaha kshetram and a famous tourist centre.
The sculptures speak volumes about the contributions of Chola,Pandya , Vijayanagara kings to this place and it was an important trade center.
This holy place also glorified as Thirukadalmallai is the birth place of the great Bhoodath Azhwar which is 55kms away from Chennai and one of the 22 Thondai naadu divya desam
STHALASAYANA PERUMAL IN BHUJANGA SAYANAM(Reclining) FACING EAST
UTSAVAR ULAGU UYIYA NINDRAN
THAYAR NILAMANGAI THAYAR
THEERTHAM : PUNDRIKA PUSHKARINI, GARUDA NADHI, BAY OF BENGAL
VIMANA : PUNDARIKA
MANGALASAASANAM :
THIRUMANGAI AZHWAR(20 pasurams-1088-1107),
BHOODATH AZHWAR (7 pasurams),
THIRUMZAHISAIZHWAR( NO 861)
Legend reveals about a devotee Sage Pundarika who was on a piligrimage visiting various shrines, reached this place. He was amazed to see numerous 1000 petaled lotuses in a pond. He immediately desired to offer them to Lord Ksheerabadhrinathan lying at the milk ocean and this desire was also endorsed by asareeri( heavenly voice).
The sage was so immersed in bhakti that he started his way to Ksheerasagaram and as the ocean, Bay of Bengal was obstructing his path, he left the garland of flowers near the shore and in the divine mood , attempted to empty the ocean which was an impossible task. This is as similar to the devotion expressed by the the great Kulashekhara Azhwar who marched towards the sea to fight with the rakshasas along with Lord Rama .
Pleased with the sage’s devotion, Perumal appeared as an old Brahmin and took the audience of the sage . The sage requested the Brahmin to take care of the flowers and left to Mahabalipuram to fetch some food.
When the sage returned he was astonished to see Perumal lying on the floor on Adisesha with the garland of flowers near His Thiruvadi. The sage glorified Perumal and pleaded the Lord to continue to stay in this place and give darshan. Thus, we can see the Perumal lying on the floor and the sage seated near His Thiruvadi.The temple priests were kind to explain about the sthala puranam .Adiyen offers humble obeisances to them .
Sena Nayi was a barber by profession who lived near Pandharapur .A very pious and god loving used to get up early in the morning, have his bath, perform his poojas and only then look at his occupation and other domestic affairs. Sena was also the king’s barber and would have to go to the palace whenever the king called him. One day as Sena was performing his pooja in his house, the king’s messenger came looking for Sena.
Sena was immersed in his prayers . His wife knew he will not entertain anyone disturbing him during his worship to LORD . She politely told the king’s messenger that he was not at home.
Sena’s neighbor who was also a barber on seeing his wife lying , calmly went and complained to the king, that Sena was very much at at home . He also submitted to do the job himself.
The king got angry on listening to him .He sent the guards to arrest Sena. Knowing what was in the king’s mind LORD KRISHNA immediately appeared in the form of Sena and came to palace. The moment the king saw him, his anger disappeared.He got attracted to his magnetic personality . Without battling his eyelids he was watching the beautiful form of sena smiling cheerfully and working with the dressing kit .
When Sena touched him , the king was filled with amazement. The feeling was something new . He had never felt the soothing touch . He watched him without any words . the beauty attracted him . His glance was something divine . Sena went on with his job . He then shaved the king and shampooed his head. It was heaven for the King .The cool feeling along with the fragrance made the King top of the world .
The king felt very happy and told him that he was the best barber in town and should remain with him in the palace forever . Sena then started applying the fragrant oil to the body of the king.
As Sena was collecting the oil from a vessel , the king could see the reflection of Lord Krishna in the oil. He was amazed on seeing this and unable to understand whose reflection that blue eyed lad was being reflected in the oil . That cheerful divine smile made him ecstatic wanting him for more and more of his form . He lost all consciousness and was absorbed in the form of LORD that he was seeing in the oil bowl. The men in the kings assembly started laughing at the king looking at his stage and told him that it was already afternoon and that he should go and have his bath.
The king looked at Sena and politely pleaded him to remain forever . Sena requested the King for a break to inform his family home so that he would return quickly. The king pleased with him gave him a handful of gold coins . Lord took the coins, placed it in the bag in Sena’s house and disappeared.
The king after finishing his bath came and commanded his servants to get Sena at once as he was in a different state of mind and could neither eat nor dress up or sleep . The royal servants immediately went to Sena’s house and pleaded him to reach the palace immediately. The real Sena was too scared to see the King for his act of non reporting to the King . Taking his bag, Sena immediately came to the palace. On seeing Sena entering the palace the king got up and greeted him . He pleads him to reveal that divine form he exhibited few hours ago . Sena was astonished . He then ordered his servants to bring the bowl of oil and saw Sena’s reflection in it, but was disappointed that he could not see the form he had seen in the morning. Sena understood what had happened in the morning His eyes were filled with tears .Sobbing uncontrollably he told the king that it was LORD KRISHNA who had graced him .He was sad that LORD had to take his role to save him from King’s punishment .
The king rushed up to Sena and thanked him for his devotion and told him that he had the fortune to have darshan of the Lord due to his association . Sena then saw the coins that god had put in his bag and distributed them to the Brahmans. Sena then took leave from the king and decided to serve the LORD permanently at Pandharapur
All glories to the DIVINE BARBER ..
All glories to Sena …
Swamy Ramanuja out of deep devotion to LORD VENKATESHWARA instructed his disciple Anathazhwan to proceed to Tirumala and do service to Lord few hundred years ago .
Anathazhwan immediately proceeded to Tirumala with family.
Swamy grew a flower garden which would provide Tulasi and all the fragnant flowers for the daily worship of Lord .
Coming to know about the dedicated service being executed by his dear disciple Anathazhwan Swamy Ramanuja undertook his first trip to Tirumala via Kancheepuram along with his disciples .
Looking at the holy hills Swamy immediately falls like an uprooted tree offering obeisances .
Swamy Ramanuja calls his disciples and gives a discourse about the sanctity of the Hills referring several pasurams which our Azhwars have sung on Lord and the Hills .
Watching the gigantic hills , glorifying the animate and inanimate beings who are serving the Lord Swamy goes in a divine trance .
Coming to know Swamy Ramanujas vist to Tirumala , the local king Vittala Deva rushes to have Swamy’s darshan .
He offers obeisance’s and orders his troupe to take care of the saint and his disciples with royal treatment .
A colony named IlayaMandapam is instantaneously constructed . Around thirty families reside in the colony . Swamy also stay along with them for few days given sermons and gracing the villagers coming from far off places
.
Coming to know about Swamy Ramanuja s visit , Tirumala Nambi rushes to the village for welcoming Swamy Ramanuja .
.Both the Acharyas are overjoyed to be in the holiest place . Tirmala Nambi requests Swamy to join him for the afternoon prayers at the Hills and leaves quickly up the Hills
.
All the disciples request Swamy Ramanuja to lead them to the hills for having Lord’s darshan . Swamy refuses to trek the hills owing to its sanctity .
Swamy informs about all the Azhwars who had remained at the foot of the hills glorifying the Lord and they never attempted to trek the hills hence trekking the Hills amounts to overstepping their commands
.
All the disciples plead Swamy to reconsider his decision as so many disciples will be sad to return without having the divya darshan of Lord .
Swamy Ramanuja considering the disciples plea decides to trek the hills crawling thus not putting his feet on the sacred Hills .
It was those days when the route was very tough even to trek .
Crawling , Swamy reaches the steep Knee breaker Hills .
He pauses to take rest on the step of `knee-breaker’ hill (`mokalla mitta’).
Tirumala Nambi and Ananthazhwar, rush to receive him with the Lord’s prasada — holy tirta and fruits.
Swamy is glad to see them .
He honors the prasad offering the same to many of his disciples .
He takes one Mango fruit and buries the seeds there. In course of time, a big mango tree grew out of these seeds.
On reaching the abode of Lord Venkatesa, Swamy Ramanuja is received with temple honours.
Swamy offers obeisance’s and feasts his eyes on the majestic form of the Lord.
Later he walks along with his disciples to see the verdant ( garden) nandavana, established by Anantazhwar, with a beautiful tank.
He affectionately embraces his dear disciple, and announces “Valarthadhanal Payan Petren” (I have obtained the fruits of bringing you up).
Swamy Ramanuja decides to remain for few days to deliver discourses on the Upanishads.
The discourses were soon compiled in the form of a book, “Vedanta Sangraha”, Swamy Ramanuja’s first work on the Vedanta.
Swamy Ramanuja stayed almost for a year in Tirupati, to study the essence of Valmiki’s Ramayana under the guidance of revered Acharya Tirumalai Nambi.
Since he thought it was a sacrilege to live on the holy hill, which he revered as the body of Adisesha, and Tirumalai Nambi could not miss his service and worship of Venkateswara even for a day, they met at the foot of the hills everyday to study the epic..
Lord Venkatesa, did not want to miss the company of His ardent devotees, and joined them.
The imprint of his lotus feet ( Tiruvadi ) can be seen at the foothills where they studied the Srimad Ramayana…
It was Swamy Manavalamamuni who identified the spot where Swamy Ramanuja had rested, and wished to build a temple there.
Kandadai Ramanuja Iyengar (Muni), a trusted lieutenant of Mamunigal, built a temple there and consecrated a beautiful archa deity (moolavar) of Swamy Ramanuja and arranged for regular aaradhanai .
Manavalamamunigal had lovingly referred to this archa form as
King Veerasikhamani was one of the disciple of Swamy Parasara bhattar . He used to personally come to Srirangam and have darshan of Lord Ranganathar and his Acharyar Swamy Parasara Bhattar . Due to preoccupation with the state matters , he arrived to Srirangam after few months . He was feeling guilty and sad for he could not progress in his spiritual endeavors like listening to discourses , worshiping the Lord , seeking satsangh etc . He humbly submitted to Acharyar about his poor commitment in spiritual progress . The King pleaded Acharyar to advise him a simple method for Lord realisation .
Swamy parasara bhattar out of abundant compassion , advised him to carry the image of LORD RAMACHANDRA always with him in his heart and cherish the divine pastimes . The King was curious to know that incident of Lord Rama which swamy cherished . Swamy Bhattar…
It was Namperumal’s divine plan to make Swamy Ramanujar leave Srirangam for a short time , and purify other places by placing his holy feet in Melnadu and retrieve Thirunarayanan who was worshipped by Sri Ramar and Sri Krishna during Tretha and Dwapara yugas .
Peria Perumal thus created a difficult situation by which Swamy Ramanujar had to leave Srirangam after taking Peria Perumal’s consent and thus proceeded towards north accompanied by Sri Mudaliandan Swamy.
After many days of travel and undergoing various hardships following the course of Kaveri, Swamy Ramanuja finally arrived in Karnataka where the local tribals served them. En route he met his disciple kongu piratti and graced her
.
Check the url below for kongu piratti divine pastime with Swamy Ramanuja
The local people who were averse to Swamy Ramanujar conspired a plan to do away with him.
Swamy Ramanujar learning their evil intentions ordered Mudaliandan Swamy to place his feet in the drinking water pond in that area now called saligrama near Thondanur , which he politely obeyed.
At salagrama ,by partaking this Sripada theertham, the minds of the evildoers changed miraculously and they fell at Swamy Ramanujar lotus feet seeking forgiveness. Such was the greatness of Swamy Mudaliandan .
Ramanujar named this place as “Saligramam” which is near to Melkote.
Even today this pond is maintained by the archakar family .
There is a small temple opposite to this pond in which Swamy Ramanujar’s lotus feet are worshiped.
Swamy Ramanuja had a large number of disciples at Melnadu .
Vangipurathu Achi , Vangipurathu Nambi , Thondanur Nambi , Marudhur Nambi, Malur Nambi , Anathazhwan were some of them in the large group of disciples he had at Melnadu.
Thondanur Nambi was a great bhagavatha , a saint and most respected scholar as he was close to the Royal family .
Thondanur Nambi , during his pilgrimage to Srirangam was attracted to Swamy Ramanuja .
He loved his approach and the simple teachings which leads to self realisation that takes one to godhead. He was one among the 74 Simhadhipathees .
Thondanur was the summer capital of the Hoyasala kingdom ruled by King Vittala deva who was a staunch follower of Jainism .
They were tolerant to other religions too . The King had a daughter who was possessed with an evil spirit .
No treatment could cure her illness . She was always under the possession of the evil spirit which made her do unnatural things .
She was almost dressed like a madwoman and was a big embarrassment to the Royal family . There was another tragedy , during a war the King lost his finger.
This earned him the name Bitti deva .
The King was very upset due to the deformity and the new worry of his daughter that took shape .
No treatment either medicines or tantric rituals could cure her .
The Jain monks also tried their best but nothing seemed possible to relieve her from the evil spirit .
Thondanur Nambi, the disciple of Swamy Ramanujar suggested to the queen that his spiritual master who arrived recently and staying at Saligrama was capable of restoring the princess to normalcy.
The Jain king pleaded Nambi to invite Swamy Ramanuja to his palace .
He even promises that If his daughter is cured he will adopt Srivaishnava faith and surrender to Swamy Ramanuja..
Thondanur Nambi goes to Saligrama and surrenders to the lotus feet of Swamy Ramanuja and briefs him about the Jain Kings intentions .
It was a wonderful opportunity to grace the King and his people and induct them in the great srivaishnava sampradayam .
Swamy Ramanuja and Thondanur Nambi look for an auspicious time and leave to Thondanur to the Royal palace .
The Royal couple have the divya darshan of JagathAcharyar Swamy Ramanuja .
Both of them fall like uprooted trees looking at Swamy Ramanujas divine aura .
They welcome Swamy to their Royal chambers .
The whole Royal family pay their obeisance’s to Swamy Ramanuja .
The mad princess who was irritating the members few minutes back suddenly leaves into another room when Swamy enters the chambers . With some cajoling the princess who is shabbily dressed is brought before Swamy Ramanuja .
Looking at the pitiable state of the princess , Swamy gives the holy water that was offered to his Lordships and applies the holy turmeric paste offered to Lord on her forehead .
The moment she sips the holy water and makes an eye contact with the great Acharya the evil spirit vanishes and she almost faints before him .
The princess is slowly brought back to senses by sprinkling some water on her .
To everybody’s surprise she gets up , looks at herself feels shy and runs away to her chambers . She dresses herself elegantly and offers obeisances to Swamy Ramanuja amongst all the people .
The Royal couple are amazed with the sudden happenings . They accept that the great seer who is with them is a very pious soul who has incarnated to uplift them . Instantly they surrender to his lotus feet and beg to be taken into his fold .
Swamy Ramanuja asks them to offer prayers at Nambi Narayana Temple and meet him there .
At Swamy Nambi Narayana temple , Swamy Ramanuja conducts a discourse attended by many people . The King along with his Royal family too attend the discourse which speaks about the ultimate purpose of life as a srivaisnava .
. Attracted to his simple teachings the entire crowd adopt srivaishnavism . Amongst the citizens the King , Queen and all his family members are given Panchasamskara initiation .
The King is given a name a Vishnu vardhana after due initiation by Swamy Ramanuja himself . The celebration among st the citizens is multi fold .
All the citizens hail Swamy Ramanujas discourse and accept him as their Jagath Acharya .
Somewhere down the lane the Jain monks are upset with the happenings .
All of them march to the Royal Palace and argue with the king for taking such a foolish step
They convince the King that their proposed debate with Swamy Ramanuja will prove Jainism superiority and he must agree to their command .
The King knew very well that such thing can never happen .
However he along with the Jain monks in huge numbers walk up to the Yoga narasimhar temple located on a hillock as Swamy Ramanuja was staying there .
The Jain monks along with the King meet Swamy Ramanuja and invite him to a debate on the esoteric truths . All the Jain monks assemble and start posing questions .
The euphoria around makes Swamy Ramanuja to command his disciples to surround him with a curtain . Almost 1000 jain monks shoot questions on him without any break .
It is was ONE vs ONE THOUSAND .
The divine incident of Swamy Ramanuja taking over one thousand Jain monks was relished by the disciples . Inside , Swamy Ramanujar was covered by a curtain and with his original form as Adisesha with 1000 hoods, he answers every question of the monk with patience and clarity .
Thus he defeats all the 1000 Jains at a time. One monk was inquisitive to find out why the curtain was put .He slowly managed to peep inside the curtain .
To his shock he could see JagathAcharyar’s viswaroopam and fainted . The Jain monks had no reply and were forced to accept defeat and adopt to srivaishnavism .This incident happened at Lord Narasimha swamy temple in Bhakta nagari (presently known as Thondanur).
Swamy MudaliAndaan who gave us the nectarian sloka DHAATI PANCHAKA in praise of Swamy Ramanujar at this place. This place is on the way to Melkote(about 16 kms) from Srirangapatinam.
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The wonderful opportunity given by Swamy Ramanuja to Mudaliandaan is remembered even today . “Dhati Panchakam” speaks of the victory of Swamy Ramanuja over other philosophies – both those that accept Vedas and those that don’t – and his establishing the Visishtadvaita philosohpy that was built by Azhvars and Purvacharyas.
As the name suggests, it comprises of five slokas The word “DHATI” means “attacking” – as this work shows the attack that Ramanuja carried over the other philosophies that were widespread at that time, it is an appropriate name for it.
Swamy out of his love composed a wonderful composition on Swamy Ramanuja called “DHATEE PANCHAKAM” which starts with the introductory sloka ..
Our Varthamana swamy descendant of Swamy MudaliAndaan was kind to recite this sloka at our residence during his recent visit , a clip presented below and the sloka
It is only he who can command and all our acharyas and we follow his command .
Swamy Ramanuja is the only acharya who was referred with respect and followed by all other schools in vaishnavism like chaitanya, vallabhacharya, Swamy narayan as the margadayee .
Uyya Ore Vazhi Udayavar Thiurvadi!
(only way for spiritual up liftment is to take refuge in Yathiraja Padhuka)
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Pictures courtesy : Google images uploaded by several devotees
King Thondaman Chakravarthy was a great devotee of Lord Venkateshwara .He was ruling the region of Tamil Nadu including Tirumala several hundred years ago . The King used to speak to Lord and by the mercy of LORD he was ruling the kingdom to the satisfaction of the people by all means .
During this period an Asura Simhada started torturing the people which made the king upset .No amount of resistance could drive out this Asura .The unusual happenings in the kingdom was causing fear among the people . The King was annoyed and hence surrendered to Lord Venkateswara to save the people from the calamity .
The Lord out of compassion to the King appeared to him and lent his ThiruSankha and Sri Chakra and commanded the King to vanquish the enemy with the divine weapons . The King obediently followed the Lord’s commands and won the battle . After the victory, He kept the sankha and chakra in his palace and worshiped them daily as they were the representation of the Lord on the Hills!
Later , Jagathacharyar’s Swamy Ramanuja’s contribution earned him the title ” Appanukku Sangaazhi Alittha Perumaal” in Tirumala .
Poet Arunagiri also sung in his poem “Ulageenra Pachai umaiyanan, Vada Venkadathil Uraibhavan, Uyar Sanga Chakra kara Thalan” .
During this period there lived another great devotee by the name Kurumbarutha Nambi near the foot of the holy hills .He was a potter by profession . A sincere devotee of the Lord , he made a deity of Lord Venkateshwara and worshipped daily with flowers made of ‘left over clay’ .
Kurumbarathu Nambi was worshiping with the mud flowers , King Thondaman chakravarthy was worshipping Lord with golden flowers. The King was surprised to observe every time he entered the sannithee of Lord he used to see the mud flowers crafted wonderfully lying , instead of the golden flowers that he was offering .
He was keen to find out the reason for the unusual happening . No amount of vigilance worked for him to get an answer . He hence decided to plead LORD to help him in revealing the identity of that intruder .
The King prayed LORD for helping him to reveal his identity . Lord out of abundant mercy spoke to the King about the poor potter , his dear devotee service to him in offering the mud flowers . The LORD said the mud flowers offered by Nambi contained rich fragrance of love than the golden flowers he was offering .
Elders say that generally a person develops EGO if he is good looking ,well educated, has administrative power and enormous wealth.
A person birth in upper caste etc also contributes to his ego and Kurumbarutha Nambi was not attached to all the above which placed him above everything . The divine pastime shows that the Lord attaches no importance to our wealth or position.
The devotee’s love for the Lord was like the maternal love of Periazhvar, who worried over the Lord, when he sang his glorious Pallandu pasuram , to ward off evil eyes from the Lord.
It is bhakti that the Lord values; it is often the humblest of us who gets the grace of Lord. While men may value wealth and bow before the rich, why would the Master of the Universe even care for such impermanent things?
The great saint Annamaya sings a wonderful kirtana in which he mentions the devotees pastime …
May for many hundreds, thousands and crores of years ,the Gem -Hued LORD with mighty wrestling shoulders, HIS bright red lotus feet be protected. This inseparable bond between us ,may it last many thousand years .To the GODDESS who ever adorns the Lord’s right chest many thousand years. To the fiery luminous sudharshan chakra on the right hand, many thousand years. To the Panchajanya ,the famous conch which stikes terror in the battle field ,many many thousand years…
King Vallaba Deva the Pandyan king was going around his kingdom one night in a civil dress . Somewhere near a temple He saw an old man sleeping on a pial (thinnai) in front of a house. The King out of curiosity , woke him up and asked him who he was and why he was sleeping there in the open. The man answered that he was a temple priest and was supposed to leave in the early hours of the day to Sethu to complete his Thirtha yathra . Being new to the place , he took shelter near to the temple .
Out of devotion the king requested him to chant a good sloka. The Priest chanted a sanskrit sloka to the request of the King . Delighted , the King asked the priest to explain the meaning of the chants .
Swamy Mudumbai Nambee Ananthacharya was one amongst the 74 Simhadipathees nominated by Jagathacharyar Swamy Ramanuja .
Swamy Ananthacharyar belonged to the illustrious family of the great srivaishnava stalwarts Swamy Pillai Lokacharyar and Vadakku Thiruvidhi pillai . .
During 1360 , Swamy Ananthacharyar was blessed with a son who was named as Hasthagiri Ananthar Anna being ardent devotees of Lord Varadaraja . ( Lord Varadaraja has been giving darshan to the devotees at this holy place called “Hastha giri”. ‘Hastham’ means elephant and “giri “ means hill) .
The young boy was very attractive and devotional right from his childhood .The boy was admitted in to the school of Swamy Nayana varadacharyar , the direct descendent of Swamy Vedanta Desikar . He received the Vedic inputs from his Acharya and progressed in leaps and bounds by his sheer devotion .
During this period , a staunch Advaitin Narasimha Mishra had come to Kancheepuram . He decided to debate with the learned scholars in that area in proving the supremacy of Advaitam and thus convert the opponent and his followers into his fold .
As his mission was incomplete , he invited Swamy Nayana varadacharyar for a debate as was done during those days .The bet was announced that the one who looses will follow others faith along with his followers .
Swamy Nayana varadacharyar was not keen to interact with the scholar and not able to decide how to ignore his request too . It was the last day .The young boy could see his Acharyar’s concern . He wanted to somehow make his Acharyar happy .
He understood from his senior disciples what made his Acharyar sad . He never wanted the rich heritage of Vishishtadwaitam being taken for a ride by the vedantin .It was a high time to make the world believe the glorious sampradaya Jagathacharyar Swamy Ramanuja had given us . The young boy approached his Acharya and pleaded him to be allowed to take upon the vedantin .
Swamy Nayanavaradacharyar was glad that the young boy was also thinking in the same lines .Confident of his victory , he blessed the child with Sri Hayagreeva Upadesa mantra and wished him the best .
The young lad Hasthagiri Anna with the blessings of his Acharyar walked into the debate hall which had revered scholars from different places . The locals also assembled to watch the Vedantins arguments. He looked at the learned scholars and the great vedantin Narasimha Mehta .
He was amused with his looks and the arrogance in his speech . The vedantin chuckled at the boys entry for his age and size . He said this boy is of no match to me .Anyway as his guru has sent him on his behalf , let me bundle him up with simple questions !! he thought .
Hasthagiri Anna looked at the vedantin and said ..
Hey Vedantin ..
Are you going to wage a war against me ?
Why does size or stature matter to you .
For a person like you I am the best match .Let me not disturb my Gurudeva ..
The debate is to convince you and all these so called scholars the illustrious sampradaya of Jagath Acharyar Swamy Ramanuja is supreme .
If you have any doubts , questions ask me else accept the sampradaya which will give you moksha .
The Vedantin was surprised with the boys daring words .
He decided to quiz him in shastras and then take him on about the sampradaya .
The outpouring of Vedic knowledge , apt recitation with intricate meanings made vedantin shocked .
The debate was almost looking like a repeat of Swamy Yamunacharya debate with the Vedantin few hundred years ago and Swamy Yamunacharya was glorified as Alavandar the King…
Few onlookers rushed to their Acharyar to inform him about Hasthagiri Annas mastery in handling the vedantin with esoteric truths .
The Old Acharyar walked along with his disciples to see the brave boy’s confidence . Hasthagiri Anna presented many verses in the Vedic texts to demonstrate the supreme position of Swamy Ramanuja’s Vishishitadwaitam .
The debate ended with the vedantin accepting the supremacy of the sampradaya .
All the scholars unitedly agreed with jubilations about the young boy defeating the arrogant vedantin in his own den.
Overjoyed the Acharyar hugged Hasthagiri Anna and said henceforth you will be called as Prathivadi bhayanakaram Anna .
Meanwhile the Vedantin along with his followers rushed to Anna accepting defeat and pleaded to be taken in their fold .
The Acharyar blessed both of the disciples and handed over the reins of the school for him to take over due to his old age .
Swamy Annan was carrying out the Theertha kainkaryam at Kancheepuram as done by our Jagath Acharyar Swamy Ramanuja .
One day he took permission from Lord Vardaraja for having darshanam of Lord Sreenivasa at Tirumala after getting immersed in the Nammazhwar’s description of Tirumala and Lord Srinivasa in Thiruvamozhi .
Anna became associated with Swami Ananthanpillai descendants and was engaged in serving Lord Srinivasa by collecting and preparing the water required for His worship every day.
One day, while returning from Akasha Ganga after having gathered the holy water to be taken to the Lord, a devotee from Srirangam came across his path.
As divine will would have it, they entered into a conversation.
The devotee from Srirangam narrated the glories of the revered saint Svami Mamunigal and his extraordinary service in Srirangam.
Anna was deeply moved on hearing about Swamy’s devotion to Lordships and the zeal to carry out the mantle of Jagathacharyar Swamy Ramanuja’s philosophy all over .
In the process of hearing the satsangath , he completely forgot about the holy water he was supposed to deliver to the Lord.
Having exhausted with their patience, the priests from the temple came out in search of Anna and hurriedly collected the pots of holy water from him and rushed back to the temple to complete the worship according to established protocol .
Anna was confused and hence rushed to the temple to inform the priests that he had not yet prepared the water by mixing in it fragrant substances, as was the norms .
But as it was too late the worship had already begun and nearing completion .
Anna was cursing himself for overlooking the protocol that was followed . He was dejected for not compiling with the procedures thus committing an offence . Standing all alone inside the temple Anna was seeking forgivance .
Lord Srinivasa , all compassionate Lord , broke his silence .
There was a divine voice coming from the deity form, addressing him ,
“Oh My dear Anna!
The holy water you delivered today had the best fragrance and quality. I am pleased with your service!”
Don’t be dejected !!!
This was a shock to Anna, who had not added any fragrance at all that day. On pondering , Anna realized that the water must have got fragnant by the mere mention of the account of Swami Manavala Mamunigal vaibhavam .
Realizing the glory of the saint, Anna took permission from Lord Sreenivasa and left Tirumala heading towards south to srirangam to have Swami manavala maamuni’s darshanam .
On reaching Srirangam , Anna has darshan of the Lordships and goes straight to attend the discourse of Swamy Manavala mamuni which impresses him very much . He waits patiently for having Acharyar’s darshanam .
Amongst all the disciples , Swamy Manavala Mamuni calls him and asks Oh! You are that srivaishnava called as Prathivadi Bhayankaran in a lighter vein .
Anna humbly offers obesiances and replies Swamy , that he is Prathivadi Bhayankaran to his opponents and a servant of servants to srivaishnavas .
Swamy is pleased with his commitment in protecting our rich sampradaya and honours him with another title “SrIvaishnava dAsan”.
Later , Anna moves to Tirumala for serving Lord Srinivasa . Swamy Manavalamamuni joins him at Tirumala and taken by the glory of Lord Srinivasa, he ordains his disciple Prathivadi Bhayankaram Anna to compose hymns on Lord Srinivasa through which Lord’s glory is well understood and enjoyed by all walks of people. Anna taking his Acharyar’s command composes hymns on LORD that shed light on the greatness of the Lord of the Seven Hills.
Annan, pens the morning song suprabhatham slokas comprising of (29 verses , stotram 11 verses , prapatti 16 verses and mangalam 14 verses) .
The holy verses has four aspects Suprabhatam, which is the actual awaking of Lordships Sree and Vishnu, Stotram, which is essentially a glorifications and the last Prapatti through Sree and the beautiful Mangalam to Lordships which serves as a conclusion.
These four hymnal renditions of Anna are the hallmark of worship that are conducted in Srivaishnava parlance. The Vaishnava Agamas require the Lord to be worshipped and honoured at least as much as a king is.
The Suprabhatam or wishing of an auspicious dawn is not only analogous to the service offered normally to the royalty but also an expression of Mangalasasanam. Mangalasasanam is the highest virtue recognized in Srivaishnavism.
It is It is the exalted state of devotion where the devotee is not worried about his own welfare or the welfare of others, but only about the welfare of the Lord (which automatically ensures the well being of everyone and everything else).
He serves the Lord, sings His benediction and longs for His auspiciousness always and the Prapatti is another core concept of Srivaishnavism that teaches the complete resignation to the saving grace of the Lord.
The final goal of a Srivaishnava is to please the Lord with one’s services. One of the most important forms of service is the service of singing the Lord’s praise. He is sthavapriya: or one who is pleased with stotrams. The Venkatesa Stotram serves this purpose. Through the four works, Anna captures the entire essence of Srivaishnavism as he sings the glory of Lord Venkatesa. The pleased Lord listens to these hymns several times every day during the course of His worship in several temples…
Swamy Manavala Mamuni then ordered his disciples , that every day except in the month of Margazhi, these four stotras must be recited at the time of opening of the temple sanctorum in the morning which is being religiously followed till date .
Thus we have an advanced Acharyar Swamy Prativadi Bhayankaram Annan of Tirupati Suprabhatam fame who was a disciple of both Swamy Vedantha Desika’s son and Swamy Manavaala Maamunigal, indicating that there was no remarkable differences in following between the two sects . His treatises establishing the unifying nature of all of our acharyas are a treasure for several generations .
A detailed description of THIRUMANJANA SEVA at Tirumala is appended in the below linked post
Swamy Prativadi Bhayankaram Annan Thiruadigale sharanam
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Picture credits : Google images/antaryami.org/varavaramuni /TTG/ISKCON and enlightened devotees who uploaded the beautiful pictures in social media web sites
Video credits : Thallapaka Annamacharyulu garu / Keerthi / Baba and other devotees
During the years 1690 to 1800 , the Nawabs of the Carnatic (also referred to as the Nawabs of Arcot), ruled the Carnatic region of South India. They had their capital at Arcot near Vellore region in Tamil Nadu . The temple town Kanchipuram was ruled by the Arcot Nawabs .
Robert Clive from East India was serving as a clerk could not digest the French expansion taking place at different parts of India .He was too upset with the British response to the French onslaught during the Carnatic wars .
He could see the French advancing in the areas around Madras with the Muslem kings . He was moved and hence proposed a plan to the governor at Madras to somehow defend this . He wished he could somehow challenge the strong Franco-Indian forces at Trichinopoly by taking a strike at Arcot, Chanda Sahib’s capital city, with the goal of forcing Chanda Sahib to lift the siege at Trichinopoly.
The plan was brilliant .Though they did not have enough forces , Saunders agreed . He commanded the 200 of the 350 British soldiers to charge under Robert Clives command. Those 200 soldiers and a further 300 sepoys along with artillery marched towards Arcot from Madras . It was a tough terrain .
Robert Clive was unwell due to the heat and was severely de hydrated . They somehow reached Kancheepuram which was at a distance 68 km from Madras.
Robert Clive was completely dehydrated in the journey .He was seriously ill and the doctors had given up hope.
The entire army was demotivated with his illness . Meanwhile at Kancheepuram ,the temple was busting with festival time .
Many pilgrim’s had camped at the outskirts of the temple seeking Lord’s darshan .
Robert Clive’s forces were camping near the present day Ekambareshwara temple which was used as military camp.
The Lordships are taken in procession accompanied by huge temple elephants , Nadaswaram ,Kolattam along with other festive customs .
The mood was ecstatic as the crowd were eagerly awaiting for the Lord’s shower of mercy on them . The unusual activities that was happening around was very new to Robert Clive .
During festivals Lordships arrive to meet the people . Clive summoned his soldiers to brief him about the unusual music and the crowd .
The soldier was overjoyed to praise the Lordships and briefed him about the Emperor of Emperors Lord Vardarajan .
Robert Clive was immersed in his description and the divine pastimes . One soldier braved to meet the Procession priests for the holy water and the sataari for Clive to honour them who was unwell . Being too tired and completely de hydrated he decided to submit to the Lord’s lotus feet for him to recover after having the holy water .
The prayers were with utmost faith . Oh Lord! I am new to your place . I have come here on a mission .Please help me in succeeding in the mission .To everybody’s surprise Clive had completely recovered by next morning. Thanking the Lord he marched along with his men to Arcot .
Clives’s intelligence informed him that the enemy garrison at Arcot was twice the size of his marching forces. Clive however decided to proceed to Arcot which was 43 km and the troops of Clive, in spite of a delay caused by a tremendous storm of thunder and lighting, reached Arcot .
The garrison left by Chanda Sahib to defend Arcot, struck with panic at the sudden arrival of Clives forces . They at once abandoned the fort, despite their larger number of sepoys and rushed to safe pastures . Clive and his forces took over the city and the fort without firing a single shot and went on to capture Arcot . He was amazed with the unusual events .
A blessing from Lord Varadarajar made the task so simple . He was so much impressed with Lord’s mercy that even without harming a single soldier the war was won . Being deeply indebted to Lord’s benevolence and mercy in gratitude, he decided that he would present to Lord Varadaraja the most valuable thing he captured from Arkad’s treasury. Clive while returning went to Lord Vardarajar’s temple and gifted most famous Arcot necklace to Lord and told the priests to offer the same to the Lord . This necklace Clive makarakandi is decorated to the Lord on ceremonial occasions even to this present day . Later once , on the way to Arkad, Clive stopped in Kanchi to have Lord’s darshan He observed the priests were fanning Lord Varadaraja amidst recitation of divine sukthis .
Clive expressed his doubts about the deity feeling hot. Upon hearing this, the priest fanning the Lord wiped the deity’s face with a small towel and gave it to Clive, who was amazed to find the wet cloth with divine fragnance . He had special regard for the Lord and made it a point to have his darshan whenever he visited Arcot .
Robert Clive later became an ardent devotee of the Lord , an Emperor of Emperors
The disciple wanted to know how to identify a srivaishnava ? Swamy sent his new disciple from Srirangam to Tirumala to ascertain from the great devotee Ananthazhwan as what was the quality of a srivaishnava . The disciple though bit amused with his Gurus instructions proceeded to Tirumala which took him almost a week to reach the holy place .
Being too hungry he reached the ashram of Sri Anatazhwan and expected some good hospitality from the intimates there . The Ashram was full of bhagavathas who were having the prasadam ( Thadiaaradhanai ) . He did not have a proper place to sit along with the guests in honouring the prasadam. He had to wait until everyone finished their prasad which almost took a long time as there were a good number of piligrims who had come to honour the prasadam.
Yagnyamurthy’ was a great scholar who lived near a place called “Vinjimoor” near to Tirumala hills. The scholar he was , highly successful in tarkha vaadam which forced the opponent to accepts defeat in an argument and accept the philosophy of the winner at once.
He had many victories during his encounters amongst learned men . As days progressed, his victories grew by leaps and bounds. Overjoyed , the great scholar decides to proceed to different parts of the country to win over his contemporaries and propagate Advaitam . Thus he moves towards Kasi and on the banks of river Ganges defeats many vidwAns in argument and as per the agreement converts them into advaitans .For his authorative knowledge he was almost being worshipped as one of Advaitin icon.
There were few devotees who somehow wished the learned scholar is corrected soon . They were just praying the Lord to correct the scholar who was a genius in tarka vadham .
Days passed and the count of his followers were increasing . Lord had a divine plan for uplifting this great scholar . It so happened few devotees from Srirangam and Kanchi had come for a pilgrimage to North .
They were glorifying Swamy Ramanuja’s commendable knowledge on shastras and his devotion to Lord propagating Vishishtadvaita . Yagyamurthy’s came to know about Swamy Ramanuja’s greatness through his disciples .Puffed with ego he decided to leave to South to confront on the scholars living there .Enroute , he was imagining the great knowledge he possessed which could nullify even the intellectuals .
After reaching Kancheepuram he invited Swamy Ramanuja for a debate on sasthras and Vedanta . Swamy Ramanuja with a smile told him , Swamy ! Adiyen accepts you are a genius and have no questions for raising a debate to avoid any unpleasant confrontations.
Yaghnamurthi was pleased at Swamy Ramanuja’s reply but took the opportunity to declare in that case you accept my philosophy instead of propagating Vishishtadvaita .
Swamy Ramanuja replied .. your philosophy kept people in a confused state. Hence , adiyen can neither accept it nor follow it. The scholar , took this as a nice opportunity to bow down Ramanuja and overtake him by forcing him for a debate.And it was destined that the debate was to happen . Swamy Ramanuja accepted for the same .
Finally the big debate was about to begin with the authoritative scholars of the era . Advaitam …Visishistadvaitam…at the famous divyadesam Pandavathootha perumal temple at Kancheepuram.
As usual, the rules of the debate were laid clearly before it began . The one who looses shall accept the others faith . The debate started and both the great philosophers put their revered points before . Attacks, counter attacks ensued from both the sides . At some point it looked that the battle would never end. The debate entered the seventeenth day .
The scholar challenged Swami Ramanuja on a key point for which Swami could not retaliate immediately. The day’s battle was regarded as “Over” and was set to continue the next morning .
Swami Ramanuja went back to his Ashrama and offered humble prayers to his “Aaradhana Perumal –Varadarajan” (AruLaLa perumal) .
Putting his request before the Lord he said Oh Lord ! The great Vishitadvaita sampradhayam nurtured and propelled by the revered Acharyas and Azhwars would have to come to an end for the only reason that an ignorant person like me is countering this vedantin .
It will be a disgrace to the entire followers of our sampradaya for a defeat . He was confident that Lord “PerAruLaLan” would always come to his rescue as done throughout his life .
And sure HE did. The same night, AruLaLa perumal came in Swami Ramanujar’s dream and pointed out some of the arguments he could use for winning over Yagyamurthy.
Specifically, HE suggested to take excerpts from “Maayavaandha Kandanam” chapter from Swami Alavandar’s Sidhithrayam. He told Ramanuja not to lose heart and instead said he was going to give him a nice disciple which was HIS plan only .
It was the final day .Almost 17 days of debate was about to end . Swami Ramanujar offered his prayers and cheerfully marched towards the debate hall .He was looking with divine tejas Swamy’s face looked like a freshly bloomed lotus. The scholar was shocked to see Swamy Ramanujar divine tejas . There was a divine aura around him that could neutralise the surroundings .He repeatedly kept watching Swamy’s Tejas . He just did not have any words .. He felt that Swamy Ramanuja was no ordinary human being .He knew he has possessed divine qualities and great wisdom.
He felt belittle and ashamed to think that he was a scholar and that false ego which puffed over his wisdom all these days which he did not realize . The debate was about to start .
Even before Ramanuja could put his points of contention , the scholar prostrated before the great Acharyar saying the debate is closed . He pleaded Swamy ! Adiyen am left with no words . Please forgive me for the foolishness to enter into this debate with an advanced seer and how foolish I was to argue on issues which are unworthy .
Swamy Ramanuja was surprised with his behaviour .He asked him with love , Oh Seer what was so sudden that made you submit ? Yaghnamurthi humbly replied , Swamin I was a fool blinded with ego thinking that I was the most learned man in the world . But looking at your simplicity ,humility and abundant wisdom my ego has been shattered .Swamin !! Please accept my obeisance’s and Kindly accept me as your disciple .Please enlighten me with wisdom .
Just one day back the scene was totally different Swamy Ramanuja felt that the sea-change in Yaghyamurthi’s behaviour was due to the benevolence of Lord PeraruLaLa PerumaL only. He accepted Yaghyamurthi as his disciple . He rechristened him as “ AruLaLaperumanar Emberumanar .” thanking Lord for his grace on him . Yaghyamurthi was now called by the name AruLaLaperumanar . He settled in a mutt near to Swamy Ramanuja’s ashrama and serving his Acharya with utmost devotion .
He became a Tridandee sanyasi from Ekadandi sanyasi . Swamy Ramanuja used to direct few srivaishnavas as his disciples. When Ananthazwhan seeked the lotus feet of Swamy Ramanujar for the first time, they were directed to surrender to Swami Arulala Perumal Emberumanar and seek refuge under him. Swami Arulala Perumal Emberumanar was taken back and he could not deny too since it was his Acharyan’s order again. He politely told them that even though you all surrender to me, there will be only one acharyan to you and me and to the whole world.
He is our Jagath Acharyar Swami Ramanujar.
He will take care of you just like he takes care of me”.
Ramanujar also established a separate mutt for Arulala Perumal Emberumanar. Once few strangers had come to have darshan of Swamy Ramanuja at his mutt Since they were new to the place, they asked one of the locals “Where is Emberumanar’s mutt?”.
The local person politely replied ,Swamin please let me know “which Emberumanar mutt are you talking about?
Is it our Swami Ramanujar who is also called as Emberumanar, Ethirajar,Udayavar, Godhagrajan
OR
Swami “Arulala Perumal Emberumanar’s mutt”?
While this conversation was going along, Swami Arulala Perumal Emberumanar accidentally happened to listen . He was shocked with the local’s reply . He wept terribly hearing that his mutt had caused confusion in the minds of people to an extent that they started believing that there is another Swamy who can be compared to his own Acharyar . Swami Arulala Perumal Emberumanar was very upset . He immediately went ahead and pulled down his mutt then and there .
He took the strangers along with him to Acharyar and seeked his blessings to serve them .He decided to serve Swamy Ramanujar in his mutt itself from then on . In Srivaishnava parlance, when we say “Swami”, it can refer to only one person. He is none other than Swami Ramaujar himself. Just like when we say “kovil” it refers to Srirangam, when we say “Swami”, it is our Ramanujar only.
Swamy Ramanuja along with his disciples proceeded on a pilgrimage to divyadesams glorified by Azhwars . He reached Thirunagari the holy place where Swamy Nammazhwar appeared .He prostrated the Lordships at Sri Aadhinathar swamin.
Later proceeded towards Thirukolur with the thirst to serve the Lordships who were glorified by Swamy Nammazhwar as ” Sri Aravindalochana and Sri Vaithamaanidhee perumals.
It is said that one who has darshan of this holy dhaam and Perumal here will not wish to leave the place .
Swamy Ramanujar proceeded further to the holy spot with entourage .He was overjoyed to reach the divine place where Sri Madhurakavi azhwar appeared . He recollected Swamy Nammazhwar pasurams in the sixth sataka of Thiruvaimozhi –..”Unnum soru parugu neere pasuram ..
Nammazhwar knew none other than Lord Krishna true to his divine pasuram
” Here the mother of ParAnkusa Nayaki decribes the KrishNA- conscious state of her daughter : ” My dear young daughter has gone to ThirukkOLoor . She would not have gone anywhere else. To her , ALL is KrishNA . Food (eaten to satisfy the appetite), water (drunk to quell the thirst ) and betel leaves (chewed for digestion after partaking of food ) are all KrishNA only in her case. Saying KrishNA, speaking of His (auspicious ) qualities , thinking (always ) of Him , she would feel she has eaten and enjoyed . She would not eat food at all since KrishNA-consciousness is enough food for her . Reciting the Lord’s names and inquiring of every one that she comes across , ” Am I on the right track for ThirukkOLoor ? How far is it from here ? , she would be going. The very thought of the place (of the Lord of ThirukkOLoor ) serves as her (total ) nourishment in her walking- journey .”
Immersed in the divine thoughts of Nammazhwar , Swamy Ramanuja saw a lady leaving the village with all her belongings near the boundary of the Thirukolur village .
Swamy was surprised and hence asked her why she was leaving such a holy place when many come from far distances to render service the the Lord here worshiped by the great Nammazhwar ?
Even if people do not have adequate food or clothes because of famine etc , they still come on a pilgrimage and ensure they serve the all compassionate Lord here . In that case what made you leave this holy space ? my child asked Swamy Ramanuja ..
The lady replied eloquently in a free flowing and unimpeded manner citing the history of various great devotees There are about Eighty one sayings ( small sentences ) uttered by her which are all full of great spiritual significance .
A vessel of nectarine sayings full of essence for a devotee ( a must for all devotees to en chew ) She said that it was her misfortune to leave this holy place as she did not have the fitness or eligibility of any of the great devotees she had quoted in the 81 sayings .
Swamy Ramanuja was wonderstruck at her candid reply and wondered her utter helplessness in leaving the holy space . Swamy delivered a sweet discourse so that her mind would be in peace and reconsider her hasty decision in leaving the holy place .
The lady very respectfully offered obeisance’s to Swamy Ramanuja and requested Swamy to initiate a system to be adopted at the temple where the Lord is offered traditional poojas daily , fortnightly ,monthly and annual festivals with pomp and show .
This would increase the glory of the holy place and force the people to stay there forever .
Both of them along with the disciples entered the holy place Thirukolur .The pious lady invited Swamy Ramanuja to her house and offered prasada to be honoured by Jagathacharya . Swamy gladly accepted the same . Later all of them went to the temple at thirukoloor and initiated the process of systematic seva to the Lordships .
Thus the glory of Thirukolur spread and the great spiritual treasure Thirukolur Penpillai rahasyam (Thirukkolur Ammal Varththaigal ) became a legendary guideline for ardent devotees seeking Lords lotus feet .
Brief details of the temple are mentioned below ..
LOCATION
2 miles to the east of Alwar Thirunagari near Thirunelveli , Tamilnadu
PERUMAL
VAITHAMANIDHI PERUMAL , NIKSHEPAVITHAM IN RECLINING POSTURE
THAYAR
KOLURVALLI NACHIYAR, KUMUDAVALLI NACHIYAR
VIMANAM
SRIKARA
THEERTHAM
KUBERA
PRATHEKSHAM
KUBERA, MADURAKAVI AZHWAR
IMPORTANCE
BIRTH PLACE OF MADURAKAVI AZHWAR
“THIRUKOLUR” signifies in tamil ( THIRU + KOLUR ) which means this is a treasure house of wealth. As per Puranas , Kubera was cursed by Parvathi to loose all his nava nidhis (9 types of wealth) , his beauty and one eye during one divine pastime .
As the nava nidhis felt insecure, they too came to this place and sought Perumal’s protection .
Kubera also came to this place during his course of wandering , took a holy dip in the temple tank and offered prayers to Perumal.
In response to Kubera’s prayers, Perumal gave a part of navva nidhis to kubera by measuring the wealth with marakkal( a unit used to measure commodities). Hence, Perumal is seen in sayana posture with marakkal as a pillow .
video Credits : 4000 Divya Prabhandam and Sri Padmanabhan
Thirukannapuram Divyadesam Sowriraja Perumal Temple is located 30 KM from Kumbakonam on the way to Thiruvarur, Tanjore District, Tamilnadu which is one among the Five Krishraranya Kshetrams.
The Main Deity is glorified as Thiru Neelamega perumal along with Sridevi and Bhoodevi Thayar . The Processional deity is worshipped as Lord Sowriraja perumal. Lord Sowriraja perumal is seen with prayoga chakkra in his hands. The place is considered as Bhoolokha vaikundam. This Vaishnava Divya desam temple is located on the Kumbakonam / Mayavaram-Nannilam-Nagapattinam route. One has to get down at Thiru Pugalur and take auto (2kms). The temple can also be reached directly from Thiruvarur. The temple has a 7-tier rajagopuram and a vast temple complex. The Nithya pushkarini just in front of the Temple is so vast that it looks more like a large lake As we go around the main sanctum we can have darshanam of Thirumangai…
The holy place Alwar Thirunagari is located in Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu. Those were the days when our most respected Azhwar , Swami Nammazhwar was meditating near the southern banks of the holy Tambaraparani river .
There was a yogi who was staying near the northern bank of the same river along with his dog . The dog used to daily leave the northern bank of the river and reach southern bank .It would eat the remnants of the food honored by the srivaishnavas near the temple . It would return daily by sun set back to wait near the tree along with the Yogi .This became a routine for the dog .
One day as usual the dog left in the morning but did not return as per the expected time . There was a change in weather and the weather was too cloudy for a heavy downpour . The yogi was feeling lonely without his company .
He went in search of his companion in the pouring rain . He could see the dog which was swimming against the current and somehow he was not able to succeed . In the struggle the dog had to leave his body . The Yogi was amazed to see another event . The head burst out from the dog and a shining light emanated that was going upwards to the heavens .
This made the Yogi wonder about the holy place .He observed that when a dog who just took the remnants of the pious sri vaishnavas could get salvation what can be told about this holy place where our Nammazhwar had graced this place with his divine darshan .
The great Sri Kamban azhwan had quoted this incident of the dog attaining moksha in his works Satagopar Anthadhee..
This incident of the dog attaining moksha is also sculpted in a stone on the banks of Tambaraparani river near Azhwar Theerthavari mandapam …
Blessed are those devotees who will be attending Swami Nammazhwars Apperance day at Thirukurugoor .
As Lord Narayana came here as ‘Mannan’ to take the hand of Mahalakshmi and later asked Nathamuni to share the Divya Prabandham and the Vaishnava Sampradayam to the world at large, he was referred to as ‘ Kattum’ ‘Mannan- Aanaar’ (the Lord who came as a king and later presented the entire prabandham through Nathamuni). In course of time, Kattum Mannan-Aanaar became Kattu Mannar.
The above sloka …. reverberates in all srivaishnava temples and homes glorifying the rich sampradaya we have inherited from our poorvacharyas who have given us .
Sriman Nathamunigal and Sri Alavandar, the two great acharyas who have been pillars to Srivaishnava sampradayam, took their avatara at Kattumannar koil, which is 25 kms from Chidambaram in Cuddalore district of Tamil nadu, South India. Kattumannarkoil (situated on the banks of the vast Veeranam Lake) hallowed by the birth of these Acharyas is the only place with magnificent temples dedicated to Sriman Nathamunigal and Sri Alavandar. Sriman Nathamunigal and Sri Alavandar were the pioneering and foremost Acharyas of Srivaishnavism.
Nathamuni, who mastered himself in Vedas at a young age, was very attached to Veera Narayana Perumal and spent most of his time performing daily poojas for the Lord here. One day, during his pilgrimage to Thirukudanthai (…
A man inspired with Azhwars Divya Prabhandam wanted to learn Nammazhwars Tiruvaimozhi .He proceeded to Swamy Nanjeeyars Ashram and was waiting for swamy’s audience . He was fortunate to be called immediately . Nanjeeyar was pleased with the man’s interest . Nanjeeyar without any thought , directed him to his disciple Nampillai.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
The man was a bit hesitant as he had come seeking spiritual instructions from Nanjeeyar only, as he was told by his friends about Nanjeeyar scholarship and had great regard for him . Though elderly , he was ready to fall at Nanjeeyar’s feet and learn from him rather than to fall at his disciple Nampillai’s feet.
Nanjeeyar calmed the seeker and told him at no point of time he has to fall at Nampillai’s feet. Nanjeeyar called Nampillai his foremost disciple and said ,Child , You need to teach this gentlemen Nammazhwars Thirumozhi .Please see that he is comfortable both in mind and action when you teach him .
Nanjeeyar also told Nampillai that this class shall be a bit different as you shall be seated on the floor and teach this gentlemen who will be seated on a chair . The great disciple he was , obeyed Acharyars command with cheerful smile . Nampillai welcomed the new student with respects to the class .
The lessons began, and as instructed by Nanjeeyar, Nampillai obediently sat on the floor, while the student sat on a chair. The classes was conducted with lot of respect to the student . As the classes progressed, the student felt very bad about being seated on a chair, while his young teacher sat on the floor. One day , he got up with tears and fell at Swamy Nampillais lotus feet like an uprooted tree with tears for his foolish behaviour .He pleaded Swamy to be seated on chair .
Surprisingly for him , Swamy Nampillai said he would no longer teach him. The reason given by Nampillai was that he had been asked by Nanjeeyar to sit on the floor and instruct the student. Now if he were asked to sit on a chair, he could not teach, because that was not what his acharya had expected from him . Thus Nampillai not only was humble enough to sit on the floor and teach he was also always obedient to his preceptor. Later , the student approached Nanjeeyar with tears apologising for his foolish act .
He pleaded Nanjeeyar to be allowed to attend Swamy Nampillai’s class along with other students as a true disciple .Nanjeeyar agreed and once again the student happily attended the classes sitting on the floor .
A similar incident happened in the days of Swamy Ramanuja . There was a learned scholar who wanted to know few esoteric truths from Kooratazhvan. He was a most influential person in the Kingdom . Almost an advisor to the Royal family .
Knowing about Koorathazhwans humility and great knowledge , he approached him for clearing his doubts . He said , the whole kingdom knows that I am a scholar and advisor to the Royal family but I do not want anyone to know about my doubts .
Both of them decided the classes would begin from the next day near the shores of the river . Kooratazhvar humbly suggested that the man sit on a chair and Koorathazhwan sat on the floor as If he was learning from the scholar . The moment they heard someone approach, the man could hand the book over to Kooratazhvar, and the visitor would think Kooratazhvar was the student, which was why he was seated on the floor!
Swamy Nampillai was the fourteenth Acharya in the prestigious Guruparampara lineage of Srivaishnava sampradaya .
One day Swamy Nampillai asked his Acharya Nan Jeeyar the most relevant question of present day. He submitted to his Acharyar humbly and asked Swamin !!
How can one confirm that he has the qualities of a srivaishnava ?
Nanjeeyar was a chosen disciple of Swamy Parasra Bhattar and naturally possessed all the divine knowledge from his Acharyar .
Nanjeeyar replied !
My child If a person undoubtedly believes that Lord Sriman Narayana in his Archa form gracing us in the temples and house does possess all supreme powers as in Srivaikunta Loka, He can count to be one among a Srivaishnava .
Our Azhwars were possessing that divine quality which made them glorify the Lordships in all the vaishnava divyadesams and Abhimana sthalas .
No doubt the Lord in the Divyadesam also replied to their devotion .
Thirumangai Azhwar had innumerable experiences in this kainkaryam
And , it is generally seen a man loves his son very dearly .
If the same person loves a srivaishnva as dear as his son he can consider to be in the list of srivaishnavas and in case he has been abused by a Srivaishnava and does not react , and accepts his pungent words with cheerful obedience as positive development for his durguna he is a Srivaishnava.
Finally , the Acharya summed up the answer in few words
Archaavatara abhimanam , Bhagavatha Prema and Bhagavatha Katinokthi Bhogyatha buddhi are essential characteristics of a srivaishnava .
If at all any one has these three virtues, he can conclude within himself that he is a Srivaishnava.
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
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The Chief Priest understood the main motive of the Lord to ignore their plea . All of them rushed into Vengamambas house and begged repentance for their offence . They requested her to pray LORD for HIS approval . 
![[p] charama sloka.jpg](https://kazhiyurvaradansblog.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/p-charama-sloka.jpg)
kaNNan kazaliNai
aaLvaan aazi_neer
saaraa EdhangaL
Looking at the holy hills Swamy immediately falls like an uprooted tree offering obeisances . 
He takes one Mango fruit and buries the seeds there. In course of time, a big mango tree grew out of these seeds.
There was a yogi who was staying near the northern bank of the same river along with his dog . The dog used to daily leave the northern bank of the river and reach southern bank .It would eat the remnants of the food honored by the srivaishnavas near the temple . It would return daily by sun set back to wait near the tree along with the Yogi .This became a routine for the dog .
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