Deepavali has special significance for all hindus in common . On the fourth day of the five day Diwali festival Sri Goverdhana Puja and Annakoot Utsavam is celebrated in Vrindavan amidst chanting of “Giriraj Dharan ki Jai” (Glory to the lord who lifted Goverdhan on his little finger) reverberates . There is very interesting pastime […]
Sri Goverdhana Puja and Annakoot Utsavam in Vrindavan
All Merciful “Lord Sriman Narayana” appears in five different forms as para, vyuha, vibhava, archai and antaryAmi . To uplift the fallen souls Lord advises the Nityasurees to incarnate in the mortal world and spread the message of divine love and true knowledge for a common man to come back to God head . Thus […]
“VEERUDAYA KARTHIGAIYIL KAARTHIGAI NAAL”
Lord Sriman Narayana incarnated in different avatharas in this world, for spreading the message of the liberation for the jeevatma from this material bondage . Unsatisfied , LORD summoned His serpent couch, the nitya-soori (eternally free soul) . Adisesha, and instructed, My dear Adishesha ! “Go down to the mortal world and live there for […]
As per Lord’s divine command ..Adishesha who appeared as Swamy Ramanuja once again appeared as Azhagiya Manavala Perumal Nayanar…..
Srirangam Venkatadrischa SrimushNam Totaparvatam Salagramam Pushkaramcha NaranarayaNAshramam Naimisham Cheti ME SthananyasoU Mukthi PradhAnivai YetusvashtAksharaIkAka: VarNamUrthir VasAmyaham TishtAmi KrishNa KshEtrE puNya SapthakOgatha: AshtAksharasya Mantrasya SarvAkshara Maya SadA 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 […]
GLORY OF NAIMISHARANYAM— ONE OF THE EIGHT SWAYAM VYAKTA KSHETRAMS
The term “Azhwar“ refers to those saintly souls who immerse themselves in the exclusive devotion of Lord Sriman Narayana in total and unconditional surrender. The saints, as the supreme devotees of Lord Vishnu propagated Sri Vaishnavism among the masses through their poetical compositions in the vernacular highlighting the beautiful effulgent form, auspicious attributes and divine deeds of the Supreme Lord in His various incarnations based on their personal mystic experiences in 108 Divya desams .
The Divya Prabhandams of the Azhwars are, therefore, held in as great veneration and reverence as the Vedas in Sanskrit.
The Azhwars have together rendered 195 verses in praise of the Lord of the Seven Hills Sri Venkateshwara. The largest number of compositions i.e. 63 have been compiled by the last among the twelve Azhwars named Tirumangai Azhwar
while Tiruppan Azhwar makes a passing reference to Tirumala in two of his eleven verses in praise of the Lord of Tiruvarangam.
The first three Azhwars are collectively known as the Mudal Azhwars. The first among them named Poigai Azhwar is the author of the Mudal Tiruvanthathi or the first hundred psalms and he has sung ten verses in praise of Lord Balaji. He calls Venkatam as MAL UGANDA VUR i.e. the Abode most preferred by the Supreme Lord.
The second Azhwar known as Bhutatazhwar has given us the Irandam Tiruvanthathi or the second hundred verses. He has rendered nine verses on Tirmalaiappan and he refers to Lord Venkatesa as VENKADATHAN VINNOR MUDI THOYUM PADHATHAN meaning thereby that the prostrating Devas or the demi-gods with bowed head worship the Lotus Feet of the Lord of the Seven Hills who is the Parama Purusha of the Vedas in Archa form in Tirumalai.
The third Azhwar called Peyazhwar is the author of Munram Tiruvanthathi or the third hundred verses and he has composed as many as 19 verses in praise of Lord Govinda.
Peyazhwar refers to Venkadathan as VEDATHAN indicating that Lord Venkatesa is the one Supreme Lord without a second and the Ultimate Truth and Reality of the Vedas. The fourth Azhwar by name Tirumalisai Azhwar who is the author of Nanmugan Tiruvanthathi has recorded 12 verses in praise of Tiruvenkadathan more or less on the lines of his three illustrious predecessors
Nammazhwar who is the crest jewel and the most prominent of all the Azhwars in one of his 44 verses in praise of Lord Venkatesa says that the entire life time should be spent in ceaseless loving service of the Supreme Lord in Tirumalai. In his most popular verse beginning with the words AKALAHILLEN the saint abjectly surrenders himself to the Lotus Feet of the Lord declaring that His Consort Shree resides for ever in the bosom of the Lord inseparably united and indistinguishable from Him as fragrance from Lotus flower.
The two are in fact One conceptually but different functionally. The ethical idea of justice and the rule of law and the religious idea of redemption from sins by Grace are reconciled in Saint Nammazhwar`s Prapatti to the Divya Dhampathi.
The inner purport is that Lord Venkateshwara rules strictly by the moral law of Karma whereas Mother Shree in His bosom entices Him by love to pardon the sinning souls. Mother’s love is indispensable for gaining the Lord’s Grace. Knowledge is inspired by devotion and Bhakti is illumined by Jnana and the two together constitute Bhakti utpanna Jnana or knowledge inspired by devotion.
The whole attitude of devotion is consummated in Prapatti or Saranagathi ( surrender ) in the case of Nammazhwar when he says PUGALONDRILLA ADIYEN UN ADIKKEEZH AMARNDU PUKUNDENE.
His Lotus Feet are the sole refuge for all sinful souls.
In the eleven most poignant and moving verses composed by Kulaseharazhvar, the saint fervently prays to the Lord of the Seven Hills that he should always reside with the Tirumal in His Tirumala hills either as an insect or a bird or a fish or a vessel or a flower or a tree or a passing stream or a foot-step or any other object to see the coral lips of the Supreme Lord in ceaseless remembrance.
In fact, the psalms of all the ten Azhwars on the Lord of the Seven Hills are full of piety and love that can move even the most stone hearted people into tears.
These verses describe vividly the natural beauty of Tiruvengadam as also the glory and greatness of the Supreme Lord in lyrically brilliant Tamil verses, which cannot be recaptured in English translation
Name of the Azhwar His work Number of Verses
Periazhwar Tiruppallandu 1
Periazhwar ,, Periazhwar Tirumozhi 7
Poigai Azhwar Mudal Tiruvanthathi 10
Bhutatazhwar Irandam Tiruvanthathi 9
Peyazhwar Mundram Tiruvanthathi 19
Trimalisaiazhwar Nanmugan Tiruvanthathi 12
,, Tirucchandaviruttam 2
Nammazhwar Tiruviruttam 8
,, Peria Tiruvanthathi 1
,, Tiruvaimozhi 35
Andal Nacchiar Tirumozhi 16
Kulasekharazhwar Perumal Tirumozhi 11
Tiruppanazhwar Amalanadipiran 2
Tirumangaiazhwar Peria Tirumozhi 55
,, Tirukkurundandakam 1
,, Tirunedunthandakam 3
,, Siriya Tirumadal 1
,, Peria Tirumadal 2
Total 195 verses
Sri Ramanujacharya has not composed any devotional hymn in praise of the Lord of the Seven Hills. However, at the very start of his monumental Magnum Opus called the Sri Bhasya which is his detailed commentary on the Vedanta Sutras, in the Invocatory verse he begins the work praying to the Lord in Tirumala with the words SRUTI SIRASSI VIDEEPTE BRAHMANI SRINIVASE. In this introductory verse he seeks the blessings of Lord Venkatesa with the words -“ May my mind be filled with devotion towards the Highest Brahman the Abode of Goddess Shree who is luminously revealed in the Upanishads.
Swamy Yamunacharya (also glorified as as Alavandar who was Acharyar to Swamy Ramanuja ) who in his poetical work called the STOTRA RATNA (the Hymn Jewel) asks the question KAHA SRIHI SRIYAHA? His question is who is the Lord of Shree? This question is an obvious reference to the passage in the Purusha Sukhta HRISCHA TE LAKSMISCHA PATNYOU i.e. Hari and Shree are Lord Srinivasa`s consorts
Among the subsequent Sri Vaishnava Acharyas Swamy Vedanta Desika and Pillai Perumal Iyengar have rendered detailed poetical works in praise of Lord Venkateswara.
In his hymnal work called DAYA SATAKAM Swamy Vedanta Desika has composed a hundred and odd verses exclusively in praise of the Daya /Abundant mercy of the Lord of the Seven Hills. The prolific poet begins his work with the words
PRAPDYE TAM GIRIM PRAYAHA SRINIVASANUKAMPAYA
by surrendering himself like Swamy Nammalwar in AGALAHILLEN to Lord Venkateshwara before taking up the task of describing the Lord’s profound mercy. According to scholarly Acharyas, this work of hundred verses can be grouped into ten verses each and each decade refers to an auspicious attribute of Lord Venkateshwara
“Venkatadri Samasthanam Brahmande Nasti Kinchana,
Venkatesha Samo Devo Na Bhuto Na Bhavishyati”
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Pictures/Videos : Courtesy Google images
Originally posted on kazhiyur varadan’s blog:
Characteristics of a srivaishnava as told by Swamy Nanjeeyar
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…
LORD RAMA ANSWERS A BRITISHER’S PRAYER 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 […]
LORD RAMA ANSWERS A BRITISHER’S PRAYER
Swamy Periyavaachan Pillai appeared in the same asterism as Lord Krishna namely Rohini star in tamil month of Aavani which happens today 17-09-2022 Periyavaachan Pillai elucidates about a revered venerated great teacher . We have glories to Periya perumal ( Lord Ranganathar) Peria Azhwar ( Bhattarpiran ) Periya Jeeyar ( Swamy Manavalamamuni) and Periyavaachanpillai ( […]
(Swamy Periyavaachan Pillai and Acharyar Swamy Nampillai) Kanna ..the bearer of the white conch ..should you be so inclined …
Sonnaal virOdam ithu aagilum solvEn kENminO
Ennaavil in kaviyaan oruvarkkum koDukkillEn
Thennaa tenaavenru VaNDu mural tiruvEnkatathu
Ennaanai ennappan emperumaaLuLan aagavE
Once , Swamy Ramanuja proceeds along with his disciples to Azhwar Tirunagari near Thirunelvelli , the appearance place of Swamy Nammazhwar and offers his obeisances to Lord Aadi deva perumal . Further he proceeds towards Thirukkolur with the object of having darshan of Lord Vaithamanidhi Perumal . Divyakavi Pillai Iyengar in 108 Tirupati Andhadhi […]
” Thirukkolur Pen Pillai Rahasyam”…. …..insights for a aspiring devotee to spiritually progress in this material world.
Amongst the several revered disciples of Jagath Acharyar Swamy Ramanujar Swami AmudhanAr earlier known as Peria Koil Nambi was transformed disciple of JagathaAcharyar . Nambi appeared in “mungirkkudi” on Panguni Hastham day in Srirangam which coincides to be today March 22 2019. He became the most dearest disciple of Swamy Ramanuja . However […]
Periya Koil Nambi to Thiruvarangatthu AmudhanAr ” by Jagath Acharyar Swamy Ramanuja’s grace..
venkaTAdri samam sthAnam brahmANDe nAsti kincana; venkateSa samo devo na bhUto na bhaviSyati This sloka taken from the Puranas claims ………… There is no place in the entire universe that equals Venkatadri, the place where the Lord resides and there is no God, neither in the past nor in the future who equals Lord Venkateswara. Everything begins and ends […]
VenkaTAdri samam sthAnam brahmANDe nAsti kinchana; VenkateSa samo devo na bhUto na bhaviSyati
The whole Brajbhoomi vibrates with the name “Radhey Radhey”. Radharani, the dearest gopi of Krishna is “personification of bhakti”. To attain Krishna’s lotus feet, one must pray to RAdharani for HER divine intervention and grace. She alone is capable of uniting us with Lord Krishna. Srimati Radharani, the personification of bhakti and the foremost dearest […]
Radharani ki Jai….. Maharaani ki jai …..
Many years ago there was a severe drought in melnadu located near present coimbatore The drought continued for almost 12 long years . An old couple who were living there decided to leave to the banks of cauvery and reside near the holy Sri Ranga Kshetra . They shifted their camp near to the Lord’s […]
Kongil Piratti worships Swamy Ramanuja padukas……
Every year the holy Panchasamaskara Vybhavam of Swamy Ramanujar is celebrated at Madhurantakam in grand manner during Avani Month in Sukla Paksha Panchami Thi-thi. ( the very next day after the Vinayaka Chathurthi ). The Pancha samaskara Vybhavam is enacted under tree very same Maghizam tree where original event took place long long ago every […]
Swamy Ramanujars Panchasamaskara vaibhavam at Madurantakam
Every year the holy Panchasamaskara Vybhavam of Swamy Ramanujar is celebrated at Madhurantakam in grand manner during Avani Month in Sukla Paksha Panchami Thi-thi. ( the very next day after the Vinayaka Chathurthi ). The Pancha samaskara Vybhavam is enacted under tree very same Maghizam tree where original event took place long long ago every […]
“Dvayam Vilaindha Tiruppathi” Swamy Ramanujars Panchasamaskara vaibhavam at Madurantakam
Braj Bhumi is the most sacred dham spread over 168 miles- 42 miles on each direction with Mathura as the center. The holy place comprises of Mathura, Goverdhan, Gokulam Barsana ,Vrindavan and the surrounding 12 forests. The Supreme Lord manifested Himself as Lord Krishna along with HIS attendants and enacted various pastimes 5000 years ago […]
LORD KRISHNA’S ASHTA SAKHI TEMPLES NEAR BARSAANA VRINDAVAN.. An Introduction
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, […]
Chinni Krishna’s butter cup ( Dhonai leela ) at Vrindaavan
Originally posted on kazhiyur varadan’s blog:
Whichever devotee desires to faithfully worship a particular form, I fortify his faith in exactly that (form).
A divine pastime happened few hundreds year ago near the banks of Cauvery river. One sunny day few srivaishnava boys were playing on the banks of Cauvery river . As they inherited their parents daily rituals , the boys smartly erected a small temple and installed an idol…
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 […]
ThiruKannapuram Lord Sowriraja perumal and Vibheeshana
Mother Yasodha was on lookout for her little naughty child Krishna .She was worried about his pranks. He was not seen in his usual place where he used to play. The kitchen, cow sheds, porch and the huge storage room for curds and yogurts.
The little fellow dark as the clouds had unusual craving for the yummy curds, butter and yoghurt especially in their colony milk maid’s houses and he ensured he tastes their curds more frequently.
She recollected the little fella’s pranks and guessed that he was into some mischief. She called him loudly much to the surprise of the cattle around. The name was so sweet to call and sweeter to hear.
Krishnaaa ..Kanna … where are you. .I am tired searching for you … The calves looked around with curiosity .
Suddenly at the entrance there was a commotion. All the milkmaids from the colonies assembled and called names. Oh Yasodha ! Your son has done his part once again. He has robbed all the pots full of butter that was in the kitchen. Am done.
I guess whether you are really feeding the poor child as much he wants. There words were pungent and piercing.
Yasodha was upset. She could not accept the comment.
She decided to punish the little one. She ran like a girl of twelve searching for the little master.
In the process she reached at a place surrounded by a pond. The calves and cows were grazing peacefully .The Peacocks were on the trees making noise .It was a pleasant site. Far away over a small hillock she saw the dark child climbing over few small pots to reach the bigger pot with care .He somehow managed to put his tiny hands on the large pot that had yummy butter. Yasodha was surprised how the little fella could carry that huge pot which a fully grown adult also cannot do it alone. He took the yummy butter and blabbered …now you come … show me your hand …. And this is how you must eat …
Yasodha was curious to find who he was feeding… She slowly marched behind the hillock to see. She was amazed to see little monkeys were standing in a row to collect the butter.
She shooed away all the monkeys and approached the little one. She knew he must have brought all those pots from the milkmaid’s house.
The sight was a feast to watch. But the anger was not subsiding. She grabbed him and started dragging him away carrying him briskly saying he deserved a punishment. The little fella was watching his mother innocently thinking what mistake he had done by serving those little monkeys. The cattle were watching the drama patiently.
Yasodha now reached her home. She saw a stone mortar lying near to a cow shed. AH! Yes I must bind him here. She saw a rope around. Yes Imprisonment to this little fella is the best punishment .She brought the rope and started tying him to the mortar .But she couldn’t as the rope was short .She looked around, there was another piece of rope lying. She brought the same and made a knot and once again tied the rope to the child. But even then the rope was not fitting his little size. She looked around and found heap of tiny ropes lying that was used to tie the cattle. She made knots with the ropes and said now this length will be enough to bind him. Somehow once again the rope fell short to bind him. The kid was watching innocently the daring moments and thought why mother was so angry.
Yasodha looked at the child and saw those dark eyes that can dissolve even a huge whale. A tear stain on his cheeks was something strange. The sun light reflecting on the tear showed a huge rainbow. She could not resist in hugging the child, but was firm. He needs to be punished. She looked at the sky and prayed the Supreme Lord to help her in tying the kid.
The lord of the high skies, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient being bound by an ordinary, illiterate milk maid who was standing before her like an innocent kid was blinded by that pure love .
And yes the Lord reciprocated by getting binded to the mortar to teach the world what love is….The Supreme one who can be blinded with love and only pure love …
Not for grand sacrifices or great rituals. And any day you will prefer the tear stained cheeks to the grand mansions and other material comforts.
And the Lord not only obeyed his mother for her prayer, but proved the world by bearing the marks of this rope on his waist all the time. When Lord gave us the greatest philosophy in the battle field, those rope marks made him remember the mothers love.
And when Lord laid down in this kaliyuga as a statue in Srirangam , he made those ropes impressions visible to all the man kind to proclaim his abundant love for all the mothers and his own children making this world full of unconditional love ….
The indulgent smile of little Krishna made everyone faint ..
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Photos : Courtesy Google images
Videos : Social media
THIRUTHANKAAL This is one of the Srivaishnava divya desams in Tamilnadu between Sivakasi and Virudanagar. The wonderful temple is located on a hillock in a serene atmosphere . As per the legend , the banyan leaf on which Perumal laid during Pralaya was converted into this hillock. The Soma Sandha Vimanam is clearly visible even from […]
THE TEMPLE WHERE LORD KRISHNA ALONG WITH FAMILY GIVE DARSHAN
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” […]
Chinni Krishna and Peria Azhwar
Pandava Dhootha Perumal Temple ( Thirupadagam ) Kancheepuram Pandava Dhootha Perumal Temple ( Thirupadagam ) is located in Kancheepuram in Tamilnadu. 1 km West of Kanchipuram Bus Stand we can proceed to this temple to have a darshan of LORD KRISHNA which is very special We can see LORD Krishna in […]
LORD KRISHNA’S VISHWAROOPA DARSHAN TEMPLE AT KANCHIPURAM.
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 […]
… Lord of abundant grace.. KripasamudraPerumal…ThiruSiripuliyur….
Neeraja was a gopi who came to Gokulam as the daughter-in-law to a Gopa family. She was beautiful and humble and loved the new place which had some special vibrations . Her husband and in-laws cautioned her about a dark skinned cowherd boy who was very mischievous and warned her to be away from his […]
LORD KRISHNA LEAVES HIS FLUTE
Lords chariot waits for Swamy Peria Nambee Swami Alavandar is universally considered to be the Acharyar of Sri Ramanujacharya, though he had never spoken once to Swami Ramanuja till he lived. Whatever he taught Ramanuja he did it only through his disciples. Alavandar’s disciples were priceless gems. Perianambi, Thirukoshtiyur Nambi, Thirumaalaiyaandan and Peria Thirumalai Nambi […]
Lord waits for his dear devotee “Peria Nambi” during Rathayatra..
This whole world is moving according to the plan of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There is a specific plan being carried out in this material world. What is this plan? The cosmic manifestation is a chance for the elevated souls to go back to Godhead. By the imperceptible power of time, the greatest of […]
Journey to the Eternal world …Introduction….
Once the ardent devotee of Lord Venkateshwara of Tirumala Hills , Swamy Ananthazhwan was engrossed in making garlands for Perumal . Lord sent for him through asuri voice and ordered him to come to the sanctum sanctorum at once. Ananthazhwan waited for sometime, completed the garland and entered the sanctum sanctorum. The Lord was unhappy […]
Lord Venkateshwara’s “Pranayakopa” (anger in love) on Ananthazhwan…
Sanandhana was dejected!! What use of my austerity and sadhana? When a normal person won Lord mercy by his sheer love without any iota of pride. He understood Lord was looking for his innocent and unconditional love . Check the appended post for the full story https://atomic-temporary-2692795.wpcomstaging.com/2016/04/21/lord-narasingha-and-the-hunter-mata-narasimha-pita-narasimha-bratha-narasimha-sakha-narasimha-vidyaa-narasimha-dravinam-narasimha-swami-narasimha-sakalam-narasimha/ The spiritual pride of Sanandana was shattered with […]
***** Sanandana to Padmapada ***** …….. Jai Jai Nrsimha …Govinda keshava janardana vasudeva vishvesha-vishva madhusudana vishvarupa shri padmanabha purushottama pushkaraksha narayanachyuta nrisimho namo namaste
Swami Nammazhvar the most celebrated amongst all the Azhwars quotes in one of his paasuram 6.9.5 ( 3435) “vinmeediruppAi, malaimElnirppAi, kadal sErppAi manmeeduyalvAi evattrul engum maraindhuraivAi enmeedhiyandra puravandaththAi enadAvi vunmeedhAdi vurukkAttAdhE olippAyO?” The above pasuram reveals that LORD existence at paravatam .. vin meediruppAi .. (staying in the sky/heavens).. malaimEl nirppAi ….to archai (staying […]
An Introduction to Kerala Divyadesams. (Malai Nadu Divyadesams)
Srimathey Ramanujaya namah Sri Kumudavalli sametha Thirumangai Azhwar Thiruvadigaley saranam Sri Aravindavalli Nayika sametha Sri Badri Narayanaya namah : —————————————————————— Saptha BAdri are a a group of seven temples dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu which are located in the Garhwal Himalayas. (Some consider ARdha Badri as one of the Sapta Badri and omit Narsing Badri) […]
JAI BHADRIVISHAAL…..PILIGRIMAGE TO SAPTHA BHADRI TEMPLES
Srivilliputtur beautiful village turned ” town” houses two famous temples- Lord Vatapatrasayee kovil ( sri vaishnava divyadesa kovil) and Andal kovil(Godadevi’s residence). Located in Virudhunagar District about 75 kms away from Madurai from north and about 70kms away from Tirunelveli from south ,this…
..Aandaal… the goddess who rules the Lord …. ThiruAadi Pooram festival ( July 26, 2017 Wednesday)
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 […]
“Swamy Prativadi Bhayankaram Annan” Lord Venkateshwara’s Suprabhatham glories…
It was during 1783-84 , a time when the atrocities of the foreigners were unbearable . Their hatred for idol worship made the locals tremble, not in fear for their lives, but in fear of the possible damages that the age old holy idols in their ancient temples would suffer. Drastic measures were made to […]
ALI.PIRI…THE GATEWAY TO TIRUMALA
venkaTAdri samam sthAnam brahmANDe nAsti kincana; venkateSa samo devo na bhUto na bhaviSyati This sloka taken from the Puranas claims ………… There is no place in the entire universe that equals Venkatadri, the place where the Lord resides and there is no God, neither in the past nor in the future who equals Lord Venkateswara. Everything begins and ends […]
VenkaTAdri samam sthAnam brahmANDe nAsti kinchana; VenkateSa samo devo na bhUto na bhaviSyati
Swamy Parasara Bhattar had a new disciple . 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 […]
WHO IS A SRIVAISHNAVA ?
Sundare sundaro ramah …… Sundare sundari katha………. Sundare sundari sita ………… Sundare sundaram vanam, Sundare sundaram kavyam…….Sundare sundarah kapih ……… Sundare sundaram mantram…….Sundare kim na sundaram……. The beautiful Sundara Kanda is the chapter of the Srimad Ramayana which speaks about the great devotee Hanuman’s selflessness, strength, and devotion to Lord Rama .. Hanuman was fondly called”Sundara” by his […]
SUNDARAKANDAM PLACES IN SRI LANKA-DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Azhwar proceeded to Thiruvali his native place .Overjoyed to see the wonderful lushy green fields and the magnetic aroma of divinity sang several verses on the Lordships of Thirunangoor. He proceeded to Thiruvindaloor . Lord mischievously disaaperaed after appearing for few seconds sending Azhwar into grief . He recited the nectarine pasuram …. Vasi vallir […]
Thirumangai Azhwar at Nagapattinam …………… A divine pastime…
Lord Sriman Narayana incarnated in different avatharas in this world, for spreading the message of the liberation for the jeevatma from this material bondage . Unsatisfied , LORD summoned His serpent couch, the nitya-soori (eternally free soul) . Adisesha, and instructed, My dear Adishesha ! “Go down to the mortal world and live there for […]
As per Lord’s divine command ..Adishesha who appeared as Swamy Ramanuja once again appeared as Azhagiya Manavala Perumal Nayanar…..
SriSailEsha dayA pAthram dheeibhakthyAdi guNarnavam Yetheendra pravaNam vandE ramyajA mAtharam munim ——————————————————— Swamy Ramanuja had to to complete the original assignment of 200 years as ordered by LORD to uplift fallen souls . With implicit obedience, Adishesha appeared to this world as Swami maNavALa mAmunikaL. AdisEsha, in his previous incarnation as SriRamanuja, was very much […]
‘Let this sloka be recited at the beginning of all Divya prabhandam recitations … just as a Vedic recital begins and ends with the sacred ‘Om’ ordered LORD RANGANATHA
Few hundred years ago Gangaikonda Chozhapuram a place in Tamil Nadu , was ruled by the Cholas who were active patrons of the arts , poetry, drama, music and dance . The Chola kingdom grew into an extensive and well-knit empire, efficiently organized and administered by the King . One fine day two courtesans […]
Swamy Nathamuni and the 4000 Divya prabhandam
Millions of devotees all over the world gather at Pandharpur on the eleventh day of the waxing moon in June -July ( Aashaada Suddha Ekadasi) and in October -November ( Karthik Suddha Ekadasi ) . The lovely devotees mostly are Varkaris . Kari means one who undertakes .. Vari means periodical piligrimage .. Varkaris are […]
“Aashada Ekadasi ” darshan to Santh Kurmadasar
Few hundred years ago , King Vallaba Deva the Pandyan king was going around his kingdom in a disguise . 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 […]
Long live ….Hundreds, thousands, and crores of years..my adorable LORD …
Puri” means fullness. This holiest temple town is in the form of a conch. It is also known as Jagannath dhaam-the abode of Jaganath, Purushotama kshetra, Nilachala Nilagiri- the blue mountain, Sri kshetram-the abode of Sri(Lakshmi). The holy dham vibrates with Mahamantra and other holy names of the Lord. It is also known […]
The Chariot festival …
We know, what a dear friend Arjuna was to Krishna.
He was such a dear friend to Krishna that he used to lay down with Krishna. Krishna became his chariot driver. Krishna was so conquered by the love of Arjuna, that he became a menial servant. Being a driver, is a humbling relationship. Is it not?
And in Mahabharta, what Krishna did for Arjuna? When Arjuna had to kill Jayadrata by sunset, the whole Kuru Army was in front between Arjuna and Jayadrata. Every single man in the entire Kuru Army, tens and millions of people, their only service, that they were blocking Arjuna. Dronacharya, such great souls were there and Krishna, he was just supporting Arjuna as a chariot driver.
Those horses were going so fast, so fast, so fast and Arjuna was fighting and fighting and Krishna was empowering him to fight and He was driving.
Arjuna was getting all the glory and Krishna was just a driver. And the horses were tired, Krishna was brushing the horses, giving them water, while Arjuna was doing the heroic work of fighting. What Krishna did, for Arjuna. Krishna was the menial servant of Arjuna, why?
Because of Arjuna’s love. Krishna also spoke Bhagvad Gita. He gave all the credit of the greatest war in history to Arjuna. Because of Arjuna’s love.
So once Arjuna was asking Krishna, “I want to understand the love of Vrindavan, I want to understand the love of your Gopis, I want to understand the mercy of Radharani”.
So Krishna told Arjuna that this is an impossible subject to discuss. It’s too confidential for you to understand.
Just imagine His best friend, he cannot understand these things, who are we?
Krishna told Arjuna, “you cannot understand, what is Gopis love, what is Radha’s love, what is Vrindavan’s love? You can only understand, if you experience it.
Then, he told him to go to Mother Parvati, and appeal to her and through her He [Krishna] will give the means.So Arjuna expressed Krishna’s instruction to Parvati and she gave him mantra and told him how to do various types of tapasya.And ultimately she took him to a lake and he bathed in that lake for purification and he was met by a Gopi and that Gopi took him to a lake in Vrindavan.
And he bathed in that lake of nectar and when he came out, he was not Arjuna, he was ‘Arjunia’. He had a female body of a Gopi. And he completely forgot his previous identity. There was no trace of recollection.So this Gopi took her into the assembly of other Gopis and they were very curious to see this new Gopi.
They said “please tell us who are you, where are you coming from, why have you come”.
And Arjunia said, I don’t know who I am, and I don’t know where I am coming from and I don’t know why I am here. The only thing I remember in my whole life is that I am coming out of a lake and I am a Gopi”.So they taught her how to chant various mantras. And then brought her into a Kunja, where she was brought before goddess Srimati Radharani.And Arjunia, seeing the beauty, the mercy, the love of Sri Radharani, surrendered at Her feet, fell at Her feet in complete surrender and Sri Radharani presented her to Krishna.
And Krishna sported with Arjunia in the forest.
And then Sri Radharani said to him to go to the lake and take your bath again. He took his bath and became Arjuna. But that he did not forget.
Moral of the incident:
1) So, even Arjuna closest friend of Krishna is longing to experience the love of Vrindavan. And what is the love of Vrindavan?, the abode of Vrindavaneshwari, Sri Radharani, who is the Supreme goddess of Vrindavan.
2 ) For receiving mercy of Krishna we need blessings of another devotee as Arjuna get blessings of Paravati and the gopi.
3 ) In spiritual life nothing is cheep. One need to do tapasya and some endeavor to show Lord intention of achieving him.
4 ) Mantra is arrow and Lord is target. By power of mantra we can achieve the Lord.
When we understand our relationship with God then we all will be happy. It is an essential factor for establishing peace in the world.
Joy can only be experienced when we offer our love to Krishna.
Please accept my humble obeisances
Those were the glorious days when the most revered Acharyar Swamy Yamuna Acharyar was living . A great devotee Nambi also lived near srirangam . One day, Swamy Yamunacharya was on the way to a village . To his surprise he saw Nambi who was working in the field was drinking the mud water in […]
THE DISCIPLE WHO TOOK THE PAIN OF HIS ACHARYAR (Maran Err Nambi Vaibhavam )
“ Jagannatha? Who Jaggantha …..
Who is He?
Where is He?
What can He do for us?
Can He kill the whale with a weapon ?
Can He save the ship?” retorted the captain.
A trace of a smile came over the old man’s face. He appeared so calm and composed at that moment of crisis.
“ Lord Jagannatha is my only resort.
Any danger is dispelled if one prays to Him,” the old man said passionately.
“He makes a human response.
His mystery is inscrutable, even to the demigods, what to speak of mere human beings. Yet when we call to Him, He comes and helps us instantly .”
Few hundred years ago the King of Puri, Purusottama Deva, was to marry the princess who was the daughter of a king, Maharaja Salluva Narasingha, from the southern state .
That was the period the Annual Ratha-Yatra festival was to take place . The King of Puri invited the father of the princess for the great festival . However , the King sent his minister Chinnu bhatta Godaranga instead.
The Minister carefully observed the kingdom to give the inputs to his King . The Rath Yatra date arrived . The King of Puri along with his ministerial staff went to the temple performed pooja and with the permission of the Supreme Lord the tradition of sweeping the road in front of the carts was done by the King .
The visiting minister was shocked to see the King hold the broom , Rather , being impressed with the devotion of the King for Lord Jagannatha, he did not agree of him sweeping the road, even if it was for the Supreme Lord.
He took leave and reported this incident to King Salluva Narasingha. The king too was unhappy and objected to the idea of his daughter marrying the King of Puri as he was merely a street sweeper. He informed through his counsel about his ejection for the alliance .
Purusottama Dev was extremely angry that he, as the servant of Lord Jagannatha, would be insulted for his service to the Supreme Lord . He gathered his army troupes and went to the southern state to teach King a lesson.
Unfortunately, King Purusottama Dev was badly defeated.
Upset , with a downcast mood, he approached “Saikatacharya”, who was a great ascetic, and a householder devotee of Lord Jagannatha.
The Sadhu said , My dear King You had forgotten to ask permission from Lord Jagannatha before you went to Southern state . It was your mistake . You are King but Lord Jagganath is Emperor. Please take his permision before waging a battle
With this realization, the King returned to Puri and rushed to the temple of the Lord, crying over his defeat, asking why the Lord had let this happen. He spent the entire night in the temple, and with doors closed, before the night came to an end, the King heard a voice asking why he was so distraught over such a simple thing.
The divine voice said … my dear Purusottama Please go and gather our troupes again, and we two brothers, Jagannatha and Balarama, would go along to fight on the your behalf.
The King was astonished . He did all that as Lord commanded . As the news spread, many people, both old and young, joined the King’s forces to fight along with their Lordships. However, as they proceeded , the King was filled with some doubts whether their Lordships were really coming along with him.
While the King along with his army went onward, far ahead were two soldiers who rode , one on black horse and one white horse.
They were looking majestic from behind . They stopped to quench their thirst at a small village near Chilika Lake by buying some yogurt from a devotee named “Manika”.
Manika offered them yogurt looking at their beauty . She was awe stuck and just could not move her eyes away from them . The soldiers looked at Manika and smiled . They said they did not have any money to give her . She just kept looking without uttering any word . The dark soldier shook her and said , Manika ..we don’t have money but I have my ring that will be your payment for the sweet yoghurt . Please give this to your King and collect the gift he gives . Both of them smiled and proceeded
The King was fast approaching behind them . Curious he was , he caught up to the lady, who flagged him down to give him the ring and asked for payment for the soldiers’ drink.
The king was shocked to see the ratnamudrika ring of Lord Jagannatha and then regained his confidence that, indeed, their Lordships had certainly come along with him.
Overjoyed , In payment for the ring, the king gave her the whole village, which is still named “Manikapatna”.
The king and his troupes effortlessly won the battle and as planned he also took King Sallowo’s daughter back to Puri.
The King did not marry her after the insult her father had given him.
He instructed his minister to see that she get married to a most qualified sweeper.
Exactly after one year, Ratha-Yatra date was announced . As per traditional guidance , the King again took blessings from Supreme Lord and performed his sweeping of the ground before the Rath .
The king’s minister felt pity for the princess and announced that the king was the most qualified sweeper, since he swept for Lord Jagannatha, and that the princess, Padmavati, should marry him.
Amongst the crowds Maharaja Purusottama Dev married the princess and she later gave birth to “King Prataparudra” the great devotee of Lord Chaitanya Maha Prabhu .
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Pictures& Videos : Courtesy from advanced devotees who uploaded in social media
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