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 .
Jagathacharyar Swami Ramanuja was explaining to his disciples about the glory of Tirumala . All of a sudden he remembered his dear disciple Ananthazhwan and felt like seeing him who was at Tirumala and have darshinam of Lord Venkatateshwara.
Ananthazvan obediently followed Acharyars instructions and was successful in laying a garden with all kinds of beautiful and pleasant fragrant flowers which he offered as soon as it started blooming to ensure the fragrance remains with LORD daily .
He also dug a small pond for gardening the plants .Swami Ramanuja was very glad to know about his disciple Ananthazvan dedication in serving the LORDSHIPS .
Swamy Ramanuja proceeded his journey towards Tirumala with few of his disciples from Srirangam . In those days Tirumalai was very hard to reach and there was dense forest on the way. The climate was also not suitable as it was too cold on…
Everyone needs to fulfill his dharma on earth, fulfill the duties, the reason why we are here and then hand our existence over to existence and let life itself play its tune on us , the hollow bamboo flute. just let destiny fulfill itself through us , emptying our self of all the selfish ego desires and illusions and then realize the divine which is acting in us through in order to bring blessings and final up liftment
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. .
As they overcome the material nature, they slowly get conditioned. One who can understand the plan of the Supreme Lord and cultivate Krsna consciousness gradually becomes intelligent.
He slowly realises the creation and destruction of the cosmic manifestation are under the superior guidance of Lord .
The Battle of Kuruksetra was fought according to the plan of LORD . Arjuna was refusing to fight, but he was told that he should fight and at the same time desire the Supreme Lord
Lord Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, the Song Celestial, tells his dearest friend and disciple, Arjuna, “Nimitta matram Bhava Savyasachi”.
Once JagathAcharyar Swamy Ramanuja was giving a discourse on the magnum opus “Nachiyar Thirumozhi ” from the 4000 Divya Prabhandam composed by Azhwars .
The disciples were engrossed with the inner meaning of “Nachiyar Tirumozhi ” a set of 143 divine verses that was composed by Andaal the only women saint among the Azhwars .
Mother Andaal’s eagerness to meet Lord Krishna is wonderfully described in these emotional outpourings .
Andaal attempts various methods to attain union with Lord Krishna which forms the major part of this epic ” Nachiyar Thirumozhi” .
Among these verses ,”Varanamaiyeeram ” is recited at all srivaishnava wedding ceremonies compulsorily . The divine verses narrate Mother Andaal’s experiences with her friends on her way to submit herself to the Lordships and thus fulfill her purpose of birth .
Another set of verses are chanted daily in Srivaishnava houses while offering the bhoga to the Lordships ..The verse goes like this ……in tamil
nAru narum pozhil mAlirunchOli nambikku
nAn…… nooru thadAvil vennai vAi nErindhu parAvi vaiththEn…
nooru thadA niraindha akkAra vadisil sonnEn……….
Aruthiruv udaiyAn endru vandhu evai kollungolO??
..In the above verses Andaal amma prays to Lord Sundararajan of “Thirumaliruncholai” a srivaishnava divya desam near Madurai .
She submits ..
Oh Lord !! I would place before your Lordships ,
One hundred vessels of butter and another one hundred vessels of nectarine sweet pudding ( Akkarav adishil …. Payasam of rice cooked in Milk with jaggery and ghee ) and If my Lord you accept them…..
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I would place another one hundred thousand more …………………………..
(This Nooru Thada (vessel ) utsavam is celebrated to this day in Melkote at Mysore)
Swamy Ramanuja stopped at this verse . He looked at his disciples and said ..
Why not we proceed to this Holy shrine “Thirumaliruncholai” at once…
and carry out our Goddess Andaal’s wish ?
So saying this, they all rose and journeyed to the holy place and spread a great feast before the LORDSHIPS chanting the divine pasurams .
The occasion was too special for Swamy Ramanuja .
After completion , they proceeded to Srivilliputtur the appearance place of Goddess Andaal. With tears he submitted his prayer before her in giving him an opportunity to serve the Lordships with by offering the nectarine bhoga .
As he entered the ardha Mandapam of Andaal’s temple , he was surprised to see Goddess Andaal eagerly waiting for him in person to appreciate for the services he rendered on her behalf to the Lordships at Thirumalirumcholai .
She moved out of the Inner sanctum and waited near the ardha Mantapam to greet her “elder brother ” for carrying out her task after the span of few centuries just as a responsible elder brother would fulfill the dear wishes of his younger sister.
She suddenly broke the protocol of archa silence and called Swamy Ramanuja as her annan ( brother ) .
She never went back into the sanctum and stays even today at the Ardha Mantapam with Her consort.
Ramanuja is therefore glorified with the title KOIL ANNAR .
With humble reverence , Swamy Ramanuja proceeds to Azhwar Tirunagari the appearance place of Swamy Nammazhwar and offers his obeisances to Lord Aadi deva perumal . Further he proceeds to Thirukkolur with the object of having darshan of Lord Vaithamanidhi Perumal
Being the appearance place of Madhurakavi Azhwar it had special significance and is believed that one who reaches this place and has darshan of the Lord here seldom wishes to leave the place due to the incomparable divine beauty of the LORD at this place .
This is the place where Nammazhwar imagined himself as a beautiful maiden and sings the wonderful pasuram ..
Unnum sorum.. pasuram ……..
Recollecting the below sweet verses Swamy Ramanuja walking along with his disciples have Lord’s darshan . En route , all people from the nearby villages had arrived to seek Jagathacharyar blessings .Among them a lady humbly prostrated and offered obeisances . Swamy Ramanuja pleased with her devotion asked her as to where was she coming from.
The lady replied that she was leaving Thirukkolur once for all . Swamy Ramanuja smiled and quoted a line from Nammazhwar’s paasuram
and said my child !!
how is that when all women are waiting here to go to Thirukkolur whereas you have decided to leave the divine place……………..
My child !! You know ….Thirukkolur is a holy place and most sought by the devotees who rush to be among the wonderful people there worshiping the Lordships .
The lady who was glowing with effulgence replied eloquently in a free flowing and unimpeded manner a set of eighty rhetorical questions, which referred to various divine incidents in the lives of sages, saints and the Lordships on her eligibility to stay at Thirukolur .
In each of the questions she compares the depth of devotion displayed by the immortal characters and thus submits her ineligibility to worship the Lordships and had no right to expect that Lord would treat her in a special way.
This great work is called ” Thirukkolur Pen Pillai Rahasyam” written by the great Acharyar Swamy Thiruvaimozhi Pillai provides deep insights for a aspiring devotee to spiritually progress in a material world.
The 81 questions referred have been briefly reflected below along with english translations
( The inner meanings and reflections shared by advance devotees in their discourses shall be shared separately in the coming posts )
The Thirukkolur Pen Pillai Ammals questions ..…..
Holy sire !!!
What is my eligibity in staying at this holy place …??
Did I go on a holy mission like the great devotee Akrura ?
Azhaiththu varugiren endreno akroorarai pOle…
Did I entertain Vidhura in my home ?
Agamozhiththu vitteno vithurarai pole…
Did I cast off my body like the Rishi’s wife ?
Dhegaththai vitteno rishi paththiniyai pole…
Did I cause a demon Ravana to be killed like Sita
Dhasamuganai setrenO piraattiyai pOle…
Did I raise like the dead like Tondaman Chakravarthy
PiNam ezhuppi vittenO thoNdaimaanai pOle…
Did I offer a corpse like Ghantakarana
PiNavirundhittenO gantaakarNanai pOle…
Did I adorn Goddess Sita like Anusuya
ThaaikkOlam seydhenO anasooyaiyai pOle…
Did I seek a father like Dhruva
Thandhai engE endREnO Dhruvanai pOle…
Did I repeat the 3 lettered name like Kshatrabandhu
Moondrezhuththu sonneno kshathra bandhuvai pOle…
Did I get trodden like Ahalya
Mudhaladiyai petREnO agaligaiyai pOle…
Did I ripen while yet raw like Andal
Pinjaai pazhuththEnO aaNdaaLai pOle…
Did I glorify Lord Narayana like Peria Azhwar
Did I ransack religions like Thirumisai Azhwar ?
Aaraaindhu vittEnO thirumazhisaiyaar pOle
Did I realise LORDSHIPS as the subtlest like Nammazhwar
Avan (Naan) siriyan endREnO aazhwaarai pOle
Did I say anything like Kulasekhara Azhwar
Edhenum endreno kulasekararai pOle…
Did I say ! I pledge my word like little krishna
Yaan saththiyam endreno krishnanai pOle…
Did I give clues to Lord Rama like Kabandha
Adaiyaalam sonneno kabandhanai pOle…
Did I reveal secrets like Trijatha
Andharangam sonnenO thirijadaiyai pOle…
Did I recognize LORD like Mandodari
Avan dheivam endREnO mandodhariyai pOle…
Did I say know thee like sage Vishwamitra
Aham vEdhmi endREnO vishwaamiththirarai pOle…
Did I say I know “No god” like Madhurakavi Azhwar
ThEvu matRaRiyEnO madhurakaviyaarai pOle…
Did I give birth like Devaki
Dheivaththai petREnO dhEvakiyai pOle…
Did i say conceal thy discuss like vasudeva
Aazhi marai endREnO vasudhevarai pOle…
Did I bring up the cowherd like Yasoda
Aayanaai (Aayanai) valarthEno yasodhayai pOle…
Did I do a mite of service like the squirrels..
Anuyaathirai seydheno anilangalai pOle…
Did I take beaten rice like Kuchela
Aval poriyai eendhEnO kuchelarai pOle…
Did I bestow weapons like Agastaya
Aayudhangal eendheno agasthiyarai pOle…
Could I enter the war mentally like sanjaya
Andharangam pukkeno sanjayanai pOle…
Could I by works obtain bliss like Janaka
Karmaththaal petREnO janakarai pOle…
Did I bite the toe and see HIM like Kaliyan ( Thirumangai Azhwar )
Did I behold HIM in a nook like the foremost Azhwars
Idai kazhiyil kandEnO mudhalaazhwaargalai pOle…
Did I guard the two princess like sage valmiki
Iru mannarai petREnO vaalmeekarai pOle…
Did I offer the two garlands like Tondaradipodi Azhwar
Iru maalai eendhEno thondaradipodi Aazhwaar pOle…
Did I obtain truths like Thirukachi Nambee
Avan uraikka petREnO thirukkachchiyaarai pOle…
Was I absorbed into God like Tiruppan Azhwar
Avan mEni aanEno thiruppaanarai pOle…
Did I say send them like vashista
Anuppi vaiyum endREnO vasishtarai pOle……….
Did I worship sandals like Kongil Piratee
Adi vaanginEno kongil piraattiyai pOle…
Did I offer clay flowers like Kuruva Nambi
Mann poovai ittEno kurava nambiyai pOle…
Did I exclaim Oh ! The originator like Gajendra
Moolam endru azhaithEno gajaraajanai pOle
Poosa koduthEno kooniyai pOle…
Did I offer wreaths like Malakara
Did I keep my assigned place like Bharata….
Vaiththa idaththu irundhEno bharathanai pOle…
Did I serve on the way like lakshmana
Vazhiyadimai seydhEno lakshmananai pOle…
Did I land on the other shore like Guha
Akkaraikke vittEno guhaperumaaLai pOle..
Did I fight with the demon Jatayu ?
Arakkanudan porudhEno periyavudaiyaarai pOle…
Did I land on this shore like Vibhishina
Ikkaraikke sendrEno vibheeshananai pOle…
Did I offer sweet fruits like Sabari
Iniyadhendru vaiththEno sabariyai pOle
Did I say Here he is like Prahalada
Ingum undu endrEno prahlaadhanai pOle…
Did I hide Little Krishna like Dhadhibandha the cowherd
Ingillai endrEno Dhadhipaandanai pOle…
Did I go to the forest like Lord Rama’s followers
Kaattukku pOnEno perumaalai pOle…….
Did I proclaim discovery of Mother Sita like Hanumanjee
Kandu vandhEn endrEno thiruvadiyai pOle…
Did I relinquish both hands like Draupadi
Iru kaiyyum vittEnO Dhraupadhiyai pOle…
Did I say the excuse Milk boils over like Vaduga nambee
Ingu paal pongum endrEno vaduga nambiyai pOle…
Did I hold my throat like Selva pilai
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Iru midaru pidiththEno Selva pillaiyai pOle…
Did I deserve the command STOP HERE as Idaiyaitrukkudi nambi
Nillena petrEno idaiyaatroor nambiyai pOle…
Did I carry the message He is dead like Marutiyandan
Avan pOnAn endrEnO maaruthi AndAnai pOle…
Did I go in pursuit like Nathamiunigal
Nedundhooram pOnEno naatha munigalai pOle…
Did I say I want HIM not like kuresa
Anukoolam sonnEno maalyavaanai pOle………
Did I refute Advaita like swamy Ramanuja
adadhwaitham vendrEnO emperumAnArai pOle…
Ananthapuram pukkEno aaLavandhaarai pOle…
Did I go to Anantapuram like Alavandar
Did I feel separation like Teyvavariyanden
Aariyanai pirindhEno dheivaari aandaanai pOle…
Did I compose Andhadee like Malyavan
Andhaadhi sonnEno amudhanaarai pOle…
Did I opine mere ocean roar like Mahapurna
SooLuravu kondEno thirukkottiyooraarai pOle…
Did I exact promise like Goshtipurna
yaan siriyan endrEnO Thirumalai nambiyai pOle…
Did I obtain mercy like a dumb person…
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Uyiraaya petrEno Oomaiayai pOle…
Did I give up my body like Tirunariyurariyar
Udambai veruththEno thirunaraiyooraararai pOle…
Did I profuse insignificantly like srisailapurna
Sutri kidandhEno thirumaalaiyaandaanai pOle…
Did I force my finger into snakes mouth like Embar
Vaayil kaiyittEno embaarai pOle…
Did I vanquish a pundit by showing marks on arm like Bhattaraya
ThoL kaatti vandhEno battarai pOle
Did I seek secluded spot like Villiputhur bhagavathar
Turai veru seydhEno bagavarai pOle…
Did I jump into water like kannapurattammal……………..
On hearing these questions and her deep understanding , Swamy Ramanuja was thunderstruck. Swamy Ramanuja delivered a sweet discourse that made her 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 .
Swamy Ramanuja ,Ammai 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 offered prayers 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 .
He blessed her and saw to that the due performance of all festivals connected with LORDSHIPS and Madhurakavi Azhwar are celebrated grandly as emphasised by shastras .
( The inner meanings and reflections shared by advance devotees in their discourses shall be shared separately in the coming posts in detail very soon by Acharyar’ s abundant mercy )
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Photos credits : Google images and social media pics uploaded by several devotees
Video credits : Thanks to “Sharp videos” / Thirukoshtiyar Vembu/ 4000 divyaprabhandam
During the year 1137 when our beloved Swamy Ramanujar shed his mortal coil and proceeded to Srivaikuntam , Swamy rested himself keeping his head in Embars lap .
Blissful are the experiences of our Poorvacharyas and Peetathipathis .The mystic experiences shared by the great souls instill confidence in a devotee in his spiritual advancements.
Appearing out of a pillar neither man nor an a animal and yet both man and lion HIS avatara bespeaks of LORD’s supremacy and transcendence .
Lord appeared from this place because the devotee child prahalada wanted him to appear ….
Thirumangai Azhwar visualised Lord Lakshmi Narasimhar in Ahobila Kshetra as the Lord who had thousand shoulders and sang several pasurams glorifying this holy place and the Lordships .
On his journey to Ahobilam he sang few pasurams which speaks about the tough conditions prevailing those days to seek Lords darshan ….
Senru kandarku Ariya koil
A temple where one cannot go with ease and offer worship to Lord
Deiva mallal sella vonna
Except for devas no one can attempt to seek darshan here
The devilish whirl wind blew with such force that the flames of the forest fire in that hill almost reached the sky
kanaitha theeum kallum atta villudai vedarumai
the blazing fire and the cracking noise of the dry heat is resounding in the hills.
Thinai thanayum sella onna
It is very difficult to go near this holy place even for few minutes..
All the above said , Lord Narasingha deva out of abundant mercy to uplift the jivas decided to make himself available for darshan by commanding the the first Pontiff His holiness Sri Sri Adivan Satakopa Yateendra Mahadesika Jeeyar during the period 1400 to take him to places and instruct jivas in the Ashtaksharam , Dwayam and the charama sloka and guide them in spiritual insights for salvation ….
The presiding deity Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar glorified as Malola ( The lord who is always fond of his consort Mahalakshmi as the meaning conveys ) .
To prove this point the LORD is seen with HIS left hand wound around the divine mothers slender waist .
HIS glance overlooks our faults .
Lord Malola wears a paduka indicating his divine will to grace us by traveling places
Azhagiya Singar in tamil means beautiful Lion and has been used from time immemorial to glorify Lord Narasingha deva and in recent centuries as a mark of respect to presiding Pontiff of Sri Ahobila Matam …..
A divine incident reveals the greatness of the Lordships and Acharyar both of whom are lovingly called as Azhagiya Singar
During a journey few hundred years ago , Lordships was traveling along with the His holiness Sri Sri Athipattu Azhagiya singar 34th jeeyar and disciples along with entire paraphernalia .
A local affluent devotee approached his holiness and offered ingredients to prepare Ksheerannam as bhoga for the Lordships .
Accordingly the sweet preparations was made and several huge vessels of the nectarine dish covered to the brim with ghee and milk and pieces of cashew nuts , dried grapes , diamond sugar floating over the offerings were placed before Lord Malola as naivedyam and the curtains were drawn.
The bells were rung along with the auspicious drumming and cymbals being played with devotion .
The Jeeyar with a beatific look folded hands and gleeful heart entreating the LORDSHIPS to have a morsel of bhoga . The divine chants of glorifying the Lordships begun …..
A morsel from Acharyar Azhagiyasingar’s hand , the LORD would certainly have with great relish .
BUT …. ..Today ??
No ..Nothing of that kind happened ………………
Lord Malola a did not stir from his royal seat .
The Jeeyars importunity , prayer and beseechment did not invoke any response from the LORD …………..
He implored the Lord to give him some reason in rejecting the offering ..
At last the LORD spoke .
Swamin …
This food contains few strands of human hair ..and hence we would not have this …….
With tears Jeeyar sought repeated forgiveness , and rushed to the devotees and advised them to immediately prepare a fresh offering to the Lordships . The kainkaryaparas were informed about the grave mistake committed . At his instance Pongal was prepared quickly and offered to Lord with all reverence .
However the cooks who prepared the Ksheerannam possessed of curiosity , began to examine the contents of the several vessels . The count went on …the first vessel ..the second …the third …..fourth, fifth ……sixth …..
Nothing was discovered …
One of the cooks even expressed a derisive laughter as only two more vessels remained to be checked .
The last vessel was being cleared now ..
And to the astonishment from under its depth…………. strands of hair stuck out !!
The cooks were dumbfounded…
They realised that the Jeeyar was indeed having a dialogue with Lord daily..
Unable to contain their awe and reverence like a fallen staff all of them prostrated at the lotus feet of Jeeyar seeking pardon …
Sri Rakumaayi sametha Sri Panduranga parabrahmane namah
Srimathey Ramanujaya namah
Asmath acharyar Sri Mudaliaandaan Swamy Thiruvadigaley Saranam
Adiyen is greatly indebted to His Holiness Sri Sri Muralidhar Swamy who personally visited all the places and telecasted the same in Vijay T.V. as “Veedu Thedi Varuvan Vittalan”. The craving to visit these holy places finally fructified after 2 years.
“Maha Bhakta Vijayam” –a compilation of real incidents of various devotees ,especially Lord Pandurangan devotees was the basis for this piligrimage Adiyen with family planned to first take the blessings of the famous devotees of Lord Pandurangan popularly known as Lord Vittaljee in Maharashtra before having HIS darshan at Pandharapur.
We visited all the places sanctified by the great devotees Sri Bhanudasar, Sri Janardhan Swamy, Eknath Maharaj, Jnaneswar, Tukaram Maharaj, Namdev, Chokamela,Sakkubai…
The Anadhyayana kaalam (period of non-recital of prabhandham) is observed from Karthigaiyil Karthikai(from Karthika Pournami) to Thai Hastam(which happens to be Sri Kooratazhwan’s appearance day).
Thiru Adhyayana Utsavam is an enlightening festival for all vaishnavas and is an assembly of devotees reciting of Vedic Verses. This divine incident is celebrated as the Thiru Adhyayana Utsavam in all the Sri Vaishnava temples starting on Margazhi Amavasai ( Dec-Jan ) with the Divya Prabhandam pasurams of Thirunedunthandakam (10 days before Vaikunta Ekadashi).
The 4000 Divya Prabandham are the out pouring of the Azhwars who appeared in various divyadesams few thousand year ago as per the divine command of Lord Sriman Narayana and composed the divine pasurams which all srivaishnavas make it a law to recite .
The Divya Prabhandham has 4000 divine verses (Pasurams) and is the Dravida Vedam popularly glorified as “Nalaayiram Divya Prabhandam “ in Tamil. It is also glorified as Dravida Tamil Veda.
Once at Srirangam the capital of Srivaishnavas , the last of twelve Azhwars , Thirumangai Azhwar sang one…
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.
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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 devotees were discussing..
Who else except Lord of the Lords is going to preside now.
Devotees from far off arrived in large numbers to attend the great festival .It was a darshanam not to be missed .
It was customary for the Lord to alight and have Abhishekam done amongst the huge gathering of devotees
. The entire stage was decorated. Milk , Curd , Honey, Coconut water , Rose water , sandal oil , various types of perfumes , flowers , holy basil leaves garlands was set in order for the Lords ceremonial bath .
The feast for the eyes was about to begin …
Finally the time arrived …amongst the mangala Nadaswaram and the priests chanting Azhwars prabhandams Lord of Lords arrived in majestic style .
The great Acharya Swamy Desikan , Swamy Sudarshana suri along with several disciples accompanied the Lordships and were guiding the priests in conducting the rituals . Mangala haarathee was offered amongst the huge crowd .
All the devotees in one voice chanted loudly clasping their hands on their heads …..
G O V I N D A ….. G O V I N D A G O V I N D A ….G O V I N D A…… R A N G A
Among the most revered Acharyas , Priests and devotees , a distinguished very old devotee aging around 85 years or more ,was contemplating on the various divine pastimes of the great devotees who had served Lord in all aspects , even sacrificing their lives for the Lordships .
Silently glorifying the great Jatayu who served Lord Rama , and Lord Rama performing funeral rites for Jatayu , Lord Krishna preferring to dine with Sri Vidura even though he had the option of dining with exalted elders such as Drona or Bheeshma the episode of ThiruppAN azhvar, LOkasAranga Munithe the great kulasekhara azhwar attachment to Lord , Sri Periya Nambi and his attachment to Sri MaranEri Nambi, Swami Ramanuja and his deep devotion to Sri Thirukachchi Nambi he was silently cherishing …
His thoughts were with pure devotion overflowing ….
What have I done for the Lord ??? for his mercy in being among this august gathering . His face exuded serenity and was in total peace.
Caught up in these devotional thoughts and having darshanam of Lord Ranganatha he was lost in a different world full of bliss …
He had slowly forgotten the world around him.
That great personality was none other than our Jagath Acharyar Swami Pillai Lokacharya .
The proceedings were being conducted smoothly .All of a sudden among the august gathering a person rushed to the old Acharyar .
He was sweating .
He took courage and said …
Acharya , I was washing clothes on the banks of Cauvery river when my donkeys ran away suddenly hearing some unusual noise .
I attempted to find what was the reason .
Slowly I climbed a small hillock to see what was that frightening my donkeys .
Much to my surprise I noticed a large battalion of men on horses with ammunition marching towards our direction .
With their attire I guess they should be the moslem invaders .
I am told by my relatives that many temples around us were being looted and desecrated by these invaders.
Acharya , I am scared ..
What would happen to our temple and our Lord Ranganatha .
I am afraid for our families .Please do something .
Swamy Lokacharya was taken aback . He closed his eyes and said ..Don’t worry ..Our Lord will take care ..
He got up majestically and walked towards the deities . Prostrating to Lord seeking his grace He looked at that man and said …
Just go and continue with your routine work . But ! Just keep watching the invaders movements and inform as soon as possible
Swamy Desikar , Swamy Sudarshana suri and other Acharyas assembled and met Swamy Pillai Lokacharyar and concluded it was Ulugh Khan the army commander sent by Tuglak . They had to take a quick decision .
All of them informed the priests for staying beside the deities at all cost , and gave some important tasks to be completed without any delay .
They briefed them about the unexpected calamity that may take place any time and hence instructed the priests to secretly carry the Lordships to the temple without the regular Abhisheka .
The devotees who had assembled were slowly coming to know about the sudden change in the programme as the news spread like fire .
All the assembled devotees silently marched back to their respective homes cursing the enemies who created this unholy trouble.
The Lordships were silently taken back inside the temple . Swamy Lokacharyar called the Chieftain and the Elders of the temple and advised them what could be the steps that may have to take facing the invader.
The objective was not to confront the enemy but to focus their efforts to ensure that the moola virat was not desecrated.
All of them decided that they shall form three groups .
One group shall be headed by the eldest Swamy Pillai Lokachariya, who shall carry the deities of Lord Ranganatha and His concerts in a covered palanquin and proceed southward with few disciples .
Swamy Sudarshana suri took up the task of erecting a stone wall in front of the main sanctorum to misguide the invaders .
A stone wall was constructed with support of many disciples in a short time ..
The third team was to provide cover for the team lead by Swamy Pillai Lokachariya [the team with the deities of our lord and his consorts so that swami had enough time to maintain safe distance from the enemy.
Swami Desika who was the youngest among the Acharyas was requested by Shri Sudarsana suri to go with the third party and somehow save himself so that he at least might be left to propound Sri Vaishnavism and the teachings of Jagatha Acharya Shri Ramanuja.
Shrutaprakashika was the work that was made out of generations of learning’s from Acharyas and an elaborate commentary on JagathaAcharyar Swamy Ramanuja’s Sri Bhasyam .
Sudharsana Suri entrusted his two young sons and manuscript “SrutaprakaasikA” to Swami Desika Swami Desika had an earnest desire that this great work must at any cost be saved . Swami as instructed immediately took up the directions from Sudharsana Suri and was about to leave towards northward with the little boys .
At the temple town , all of them decided in one voice that they will not oppose the army , but behave as if nothing is so serious .. There was a regular update about the Invaders who were approaching . The people were in two moods whether they should remain in town or flee.
Who was to decide and advise them? The people were utterly confused .They decided to take counsel from Lord Ranganatha himself then decided to appeal to the LORD Himself .
They all dropped chits (Tiru Ulla seettu) expressing their opinion and with devotion they drew up one chit which said that all could remain at Srirangam itself.
They decided in was the Lord’s order and remained facing the situation bravely.
The same evening, the invaders marched inside the Srirangam town from Samayavaram .
Thousands of the town’s citizens were harassed and injured .
The terror in which the enemy looted the prosperous town speaks about the bravery of the srivaishnavas there .It was a very sad plight and the bloodbath that followed who resisted will make one cry for our great forefathers who sacrificed their lives . This had been recorded in the History of Srirangam Temple known as Koil-Ozhugu .
The great bloodshed of 12,000 Sri Vaishnavas at Sri Varahaswamy Sannidhi makes it the worst day in the temple town .
Inside the Hall , Swamy saw heaps of corpses lying around .
He somehow braved the boys to lie down unnoticed to give an impression that no one survived .
The little boys stretched underneath along with some of them and our dear Swami also lay down next to them along with the holy book.
Swamy Desikar thus concealed the two boys and himself amidst a heap of corpses and passed the night with caution .
The enemy troops assumed that they were corpses and did not bother to probe. Observing the enemy troops moving away , Swamy slowly took the frightened boys before dawn unnoticed in North-Westerly direction towards Satyamangalam .
He was completely exhausted and was worried with LORD and the other revered Acharyas .
At the other side of the temple , while the enemy was invading the town, the old Acharyar dutifully carried the Lord’s deity with a small group of disciples with utmost caution braving the worst scenarios of terror with fear .
Leaving Srirangam, he had to suffer many hardships during the journey. He had to be wary of the enemy attack while he also had to protect himself and his party from robbers.
He was constantly praying LORD for his mercy and keeping his disciples motivated with LORD’s divya charitam . All of them decided that whatever sufferings may befall them, Lord Ranganatha’s should not face any danger or desecration. After an arduous trek, they reached Jyothishkudi near Madurai. Lokacharya was a man strictly adhering to religious modes of conduct and manners.
He was finding it difficult to secure accommodation and catering facilities on the way. These troubles were common to people in those days but the Acharya had to face more severe hardships as he had to carry Lord Ranganatha without any hardships to the Lord . All through the journey, they had to pass through possible attacks from invaders and thieves. They had to trek hundreds of miles on foot. In spite of all kinds of hardships, the Acharya carefully kept the Lord Ranganatha in his personal possession.
He was particular that the traditional daily worship of Lord Ranganatha should not be missed and therefore carried the deity himself with greatest care and devotion and proceeded towards the south. Trekking several miles with constant fear of the enemy lack of food and rest had adversely affected the Acharya’s health. Also enroute , he had to face the enemies wrath some occasions injuring him too .
Swamy Pillai Lokacharyar accepted all the sufferings for our LORD .He was mentally distressed about the future . His mind refused to continue living on this earth seeing the tragic state in which Ranganatha had to be kept often hiding here and there .
He wept several times with the unexpected turn of events .
It was like Jatayu the great devotee of Lord Rama injured by Ravana while the latter was carrying away mother Sita, he wept helplessly.
He proceeded to a village called jyothishkudi, which was surrounded by the Anamalai mountains adjoining thick, dense forests. They found a dilapidated mandapam (ceremonial hall), and decided to retire for the night.
He was exhausted and came to know it was time for him to leave his body. He was surrounded by his great disciples .
Looking at LORD sweating , he said to his disciples , Please fan the Lord as he is also tired coming along with us .
The disciples were sad to see their Acharyar completely exhausted and had tears watching the scene when he was fanning the Lord with those injuries in his body ..
There was a pin drop silence ..With tears He meditated on his Acharyar and father, Swami vadakku thiruveedhip piLLai , pleaded them to forgive him as He could not able to protect Lord Ranganatha .
He could see numerous ants in the small place .
He touched all of them, for the reason they also would be in srivaikuntam along with him , as it is believed that any living being touched by the hands of a Sri vaishnavA is assured mOksha .
He was always pining, ‘Let this body and soul of mine be sacrificed for Lords sake!’ and had his wish fulfilled. He sought nothing for himself, amassed no earthly riches, and laid down his life for a Noble cause and became Lokacharyar .
He once again justified his name as the universal guru, for he delivered even ants and insects until his last moment!!
The most amazing incident was when we can observe millions of ants in that region even this day who could be the descendants of the ants that Swami delivered by his touch.
Lokacharya was one of our esteemed teachers and philosophers who preached equality of men irrespective of caste, place of residence, etc.
After the disappearance of Pillailokacharya the disciples performed the last rites and continued their journey along with Lord Ranganatha towards south passing through a very long route covering Thirukoshtiyur ,Jyotishkudi .Srivalliputhur ,Calicut , Gundulpet , Chittoor Melkote , Sathyamangalam and finally Tirumala in the present Sriranganatha Mandapam where LORD stayed for 60 years .
Click the appended blog post below for details of LORD meeting our Nammazhwar and the divine pastime of Swamy Srisailer with Azhwar and Lordships
The great Iyppasi sravana ( October –November ) festival is celebrated as a mark of respect for Acharyar Pillailokacharya’s sacrifice even today .
He attained the lotus feet of his Acharyar in the tamil month of Adi, on the dwAdasi day. On reading this wonderful divine pastime we need to believe that…
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 .
All glories to Swamy Pillai LokaAcharyar
lOkAchAryAya guravE krushNapAdaSya SUnavE |
SamSArabhOgiSandashta jIvajIvAtavE nama: ||
All glories to Swamy Sudarshan suri
All glories to Swamy Desikar…………
“shrImAn venkaTa-nAthAryaH kavitArkika-kesari | vedAntAcharya-varyo me sannidhattAm sadA hridi | kavithArkika simhAya kalyANa guNa Saline Srimathe vEnkateSAya vEdhAntha guravE namaha
Lord Sriman Narayana incarnated in different avatharas in this world, for spreading the message of the liberation for the jeevatma from this material bondage .
Anathya swaroopam
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 200 years, and through your exhortations, empower the people with knowledge about their true nature and make them come to..
My world, so that they enjoy “eternal bliss” forever …….
Accordingly, Adishesha appeared as “Swamy Ramanuja” in the age of Kali, where Adharma was in the forefront due to the karmic vasanas .
Swamy Ramanuja followed LORD;s directives by spreading the divine message of Azhwars and the true knowledge to seek Lord’s mercy and disappeared at the age of 120.
The Lord was not satisfied with the developments and felt the…
The foremost devotee of LORD RANGANATHAR of Srirangam was Swamy Vipra Narayanan who later called himself Thondaradi podi Azhwar ( dust of the devotees of Lord Ranganathar) . He appeared in a holy dhaam “Thirumandangudi” in Tamilnadu,
He cultivated a beautiful garden and offered the best variety of flowers to LORD RANGANATHA daily .
This service was well liked by him and hence he wanted to live in Brahmacharyam ashram throughout his life and thus always be in service of LORD by offering pushpa kainkaryams .
However ,a divine play was enacted .
Vipranaryana was known for his sincere devotion ….
In the same village a beautiful dancer lived who was very popular for her beauty .
One day she came into the garden where Vipranaryana was growing flowers that was to be offered to Lord daily. (Nandavanam in tamil) .
While everyone around was attracted by her beauty, Vipra Narayanan remained engrossed in looking for the fresh and best flowers that can be offered to the LORD , though she was standing next to him and passerby’s eagerly looking at her beauty ..
She was surprised to see a man living in the same village ,who would not even turn to look at a beautiful lady within his sight.
Her friends informed her that he was committed in his devotional service and that she will not be able to attract him.
Taking it as a challenge, the beautiful lady Deva devi decided to be with him and help him in his service and later win the bet placed with her friends .
One evening, the area where Vipranarayana lived was struck by lightening and thunder and thus heavy rains followed .
The lady who was helping him daily with some service decided this was the right opportunity to enslave the devotee .
She innocently walked into the garden and asked for permitting her to stay in his place as it was unsafe to travel in the dark.
As a devotee , he felt sorry for her and allowed her to stay in his ashram . That night, she wins over him with her innocent talk and looks. She feels delighted to have finally enslaved him.
Having won the challenge, she decides to leave him and claim her supremacy in attracting anyone including an ardent devotee .
As time passes , Vipra Narayanan is unable to live without her and offers his karmic prayers to Lord Ranganatha to get her back.
All compassionate Lord Ranganatha goes to Deva devis place (incognito) as a small boy and hands over Golden Vattil ( vessel) and informs her that Vipra Narayanan asked him to hand it over to her.
The next day, in the temple the Priests are worried about the missing vessel in the temple .
The news reaches the King through his temple attendants . The search for the golden vessel inside the temple begins . A maid working at Deva Devi’s place informs the king that she saw the vessel (Vattil) in her place.
Suspecting Vipra Narayanan’s role in this, the king locks him up in a Jail.
It is here that Vipra Narayanan realises his folly of having fallen prey to the beauty of a woman.
He regrets the fact that he had lost thought of the Lord for a while and that what he is suffering now was the result of this weakness and giving over importance to his carnal temptations .
The divine play of LORD makes him realise the material influences that takes away from LORDs service . Later with Elders intervention Vipranarayana is released and remains in thought of the Lord .
He composes 2 of the best known Paasurams of the Divya Prabhandham – 45 verses of Thiru Maalai (872-916) as well as 10 verses of ThiruPalli Yezhuchi (917-926).
Having gone through a traumatic experience with devadevi, he decides to remain a staunch bhakta serving LORD every breath .
He calls himself the dust at the feet of devotees bhaktas
(ThoNdar adi ppodi AzhwAr).
Azhwar emotional outburst laments in one pasuram
“OorilEn kANiyillai; uRavu maRRu oruvar illai;/
pAril nin pAtha moolam paRRilEn parama moorthee;/
kAroLi vaNNanE (en) kaNNanE! kadharuginREn;/
AruLar kaLaikaN ammA! arngamA nagaruLAnE!/”
Meaning:
I have no place
no properties;
no relatives;
none other than you;
I know only your Lotus feet;
O Supreme Lord of Blue hued sky colour!
You only are my refuge.
Can you not hear my cries?
Is there any one else to save me except you?”……………………..
1-1-2022 is the appearance day of Azhwar
All Glories to our ThoNdar adi podi AzhwAr
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Pics Credits : Google images uploaded by several advanced devotees in social media
Offering countless obeisances to Asmath Acharyar, Sri Sri Mudaliandan Swamy and all spiritual masters , Adiyen wishes to share our travel and darisanam experiences at Thirunangoor done few years back . We had attended this great festival twice and wish to share the divine experiences to all the devotees .It will be a great fortune and mercy for the ones who will be attending this year festival on Thai Amavasai which is being celebrated from 21-1-2023 to 23-01-2023 at Thirunangoor and get the blessings of our Thirumanga Azhwar .Watch the clip and get in that mood of devotion ....
. The remote village of Thirunangoor near Sirkazhi reverberates with satsangh every year Thai Amavasya and the succeeding 2 days are celebrated in a very grand manner.On Thai Amavasya, Thirumangai Azhwar the great saint of Vaishnava sampradaya is given Manjal Kuliyal ........
(holy bath with turmeric water) which is being celebrated in this remote village past 12 centuries .The next day, 11 Garuda Seva of LORD is celebrated which is being done since past 100 years .The third day marks the return of Azhwar to Tiruvali-Thirunagari temple. Srivaishnavas make it a point to participate in these festivities.. MANJAL NEERATAM AND ELEVEN GARUDA SEVAS HELD AT THIRUNANGOOR EVERY YEAR ON THAI AMAVASAI AND PRADHAMAI DAY respectively. May the Supreme Lord bestow me the knowledge to describe about the Garuda Seva. Adiyen seeks the blessings of all the devotees , Acharyas and Azhwars for describing the great event .
. Thirumangai Azhwar affectionately called as Kaliyan, was the valiant army chief of the then Chola King that the king gifted him with a small territory to rule over. Hence, he was known as Thirumangai Mannan .He was attracted to an apsara Kumudavalli , daughter of a physician and expressed his desire to marry her.
Kumudavalli who appeared on this earth to transform this valiant king to a devotee , laid the condition that he should serve 1000 Srivaishnavas every day by offering Prasadam for one year .Thirumangai Mannan fulfilled her condition and continued to do so even after his marriage as he got habituated in this wonderful kainkaryam of feeding the srivaishnavas. In due course, his wealth diminished and as Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita, when HE decides to bless HIS devotee, HE takes away wealth and enacted a divya leela.Due to his love for vaishnavas , our Azhwar resorted to stealing and plundering wealth from the rich and the egoistic but used the wealth for feeding Vaishnavas and renovating temples.One day , Tirumangai Mannan comes to know through his friends that a newly wedded couple bedecked with precious jewellery were passing through a forest in a palanquin and if they could plunder their wealth, they could continue with their cause of serving Srivaishnavas forever.Overjoyed , Thirumangai Mannan along with his four friends rush to the place in the midnight , galloping fast on his horse, who he calls as Aadalmaa. He waylays the divine couple who are resting near a mandapam at “Thirumanankollai” and plunders their wealth. This precious booty is carefully put over a cloth and ties it .
Not being satisfied with the loot, he advances towards them and tries to remove the Thirumetti of Thayar with all his might but is unsuccessful.By coming in contact with Thayar’s thiruvadi, realisation dawns on him. He is amazed .Something draws him towards them for a second look . However he manages and when he tries to lift the loot, he is unable to do so. He suspects the bridegroom for having put some charm on the loot . He threatens Perumal who is disguised as the bridegroom with a sword to disclose the secret which is not allowing him to lift the loot .Perumal smiles at him . He advises him to purify himself by having a dip at the Kavery tributary and return so that he can impart the secret to him.Thirumangai mannan politely obeys the advise . He returns to Perumal. Lord gives him the most sacred mantram,Thirumantram . The moment Perumal whispers the sacred Ashtakshari Thirumantram , wisdom dawns on Kaliyan and he surrenders at the Lotus feet of the Divya Dampadhigal.He repents for all his earlier deeds and outbursts his divine pourings starting with the wonderful pasuram“Vaadinene Vaadi….” and decides to glorify Perumal by visiting holy places in India..He is transformed as Thirumangai Azhwar and riding on his Aadalma horse glorified Perumal in about 86 divya desams.Check the appended post appended below for more details of Azhwar's appearance vaibhavam...
https://kmkvaradhan.wordpress.com/2017/12/02/today-is-the-appearance-day-of-thirumangai-azhwar-our-parakaalan-kaalan-for-people-who-refuted-paran/ OUR PILIGRIMAGE EXPERIENCESWith the directions given by senior devotees we reached Thirunangoor in the evening and discussing about the divine pastimes of Azhwars with elders .
Though we did not have a proper resting place all of us relaxed lying down at the temple entrance awaiting Azhwars arrival as it was almost midnight when we reached Thirunangoor. The village of Thirunangoor is fully crowded with many devotees . We all relaxed in front of a house near Thirunagari temple. Suddenly around 1.30 A.M. in the early morning, we were awakened by sounds of crackers and trumpets .
The drums and Nadaswaram were being played to welcome our Azhwar .On enquiry, we were told that Azhwar’s purapaadu ( procession ) was about to start and Azhwar was being dressed as the chief .
https://www.youtube.com/watchv=NtXbiYGBi08&index=31&list=PL28444E81CFBBC177Adiyen was keen to join the procession amongst many many senior devotees and the excitement in following Azhwar . Un mindful adiyen took a shower near a bore well and quickly changed my clothes and applying Urdhvapundram ran behind the crowd to be as close to Azhwar and the devoted priests . It was totally dark with few street lights which were going ON and Off and sad that there were no proper roads. Unmindful of the thorns and stones, all the bhagavathas were literally running behind the Azhwar as some one is waiting for us .
True !......The all compassionate LORD is so keen to meet the Azhwar for his upliftment . Adiyen had the same feeling .As it was too difficult to carry children in the crowd my family followed us by hiring a motor car amongst other devotees .
This unique devotion of the villagers and the devotees coming from far off places has to be seen in person to taste the bliss . The holy intention of the procession ( purapaadu) is Azhwar personally goes to each of the 11 temples, glorifies the respective Perumals while going for Manjal Neeratam and personally invites the LORDSHIPS to grace them to come to Thirumanimaada kovil for the Garuda utsava darshanam which will be held the next day. The tradition of glorifying the LORD at the respective divyadesams by the pasurams sung by Azhwar is done with all humility. Let me attempt to narrate the happenings in the chilly night of Amavasai . Our Azhwar (Thirumangai Azhwar) was seated majestically in a well-decorated palanquin and the procession started from the temple Azhwar proceeds to Thirukuraiyalur, his birth place.The crowd braves the chilly weather to somehow occupy the temple corridor to have the closest darshan of Azhwar and Perumal . It was 2.30 AM when we reached this temple . We could see hundreds of devotees following the procession . The Azhwar literally runs and the bhagavathas also run behind the azhwar. Adiyen participated in the procession and literally was in bliss being with advanced devotees . It was a memorable trek for spiritual quest .The zeal cannot be explained.We are in THIRUKURAIYALUR, the appearance place of Thirumangai Alwar. The Temple Priest along with the senior devotees receive Azhwar with due temple honours and mangalasaasanams. The first pasuram starting with “VAADINEN VAADI” was recited .
It was as if Azhwar was almost there guiding us .The pasuram literally brought chilled tears in my eyes . Adiyen was able to feel the soul literally craving for HIS grace and the nectar was directly being fed .Was able to meet bhagavathaas who were carrying out “PUSHPA KAINKARYAM FOR THE AZHWAR ON THESE TWO DAYS”. Ahead of this recitation we were offered hot prasadam ( Kesaree) .This prasadam became a benchmark for me to offer it LORD later . After honouring the prasadam adiyen moved near to the temple premises where the devotees were thinning away .Offered humble obesiances to LORD NARASINGA PERUMAL and prayed LORD to bestow his abundant mercy in having satsangh always .
The special feature in this big festival is that without any discretion, all the residents of the 11 villages participate in this function and the hospitality extended by the local residents cannot be described in words.All the bhagavathas who attend this function are sumptuously fed . We can see the village residents voluntarily offering us buttermilk, hot milk and food etc en routeThey all consider it as their own family function. Now our Azhwar proceeds to THIRUMANGAIMAADAM , the birth place of Kumudavalli Thayar., who was solely responsible for transforming our Azhwar into a Srivaishnavite.
It’s a very old temple and the darshan of Azhwar specifically at this place reveals his liking to this place and his consort . After recitation of the respective pasurams and mangalashashanams , we were offered Chakrapongal prasadam which was honoured . The sweet prasad , the sweet pasurams , the sweet crowd and our SWEET AZHWAR was indeed most memorable night .
On looking at the watch , Adiyen was amazed ,It was already 3.30 AM and was looking as fresh .Never was Adiyen awake except for the Suprabatha seva at Tirumala Hills . We must have around 4 Kms .From here we proceeded along with Azhwar toTHIRUKAVALAMPADI THIRUMANIKOODAM and THIRUPAARTHANPALLI scattered around for about 10 kms and as done in the temples our Azhwar requests Perumal to grace the garuda Utsavam the nest day after reciting the prescribed pasurams of the Divya desams . Few temples the time taken is more as per the number of Pasurams .Adiyen was fortunate to be around the learned bhagavathas and advanced devotees who were literally up to date with the history of temple and Azhwars pastimes .
All these temples are scattered in a radius of 10 to 12 kms .Unmindful of the darkness , poor roads and route followed each of us were moving in a brisk pace to match the speed of the Procession .We must congratualate the palaquin bearers of Azhwar who are so energetic and infuse the spirit to just keep moving seeking his mercy . The whole place is charged with religious fervour and was eye- captivating. One must not miss to see bhagavatha’s bhakti for the Azhwar. Due to Azhwar’s sheer grace, Adiyen was able to participate in the procession.
The procession was more or less like a running race. It shows the Azhwar’s anxiety to have darshan of Perumal at different divya desams . In each of the temples, we could see the utsavar anxiety to receive the Azhwar by waiting outside the garbagriham to welcome our Azhwar. Adiyen was overwhelmed with joy and at the same time was stunned to see an ocean of Srivaishnavas running behind the Azhwar. True ! If a bhaktha makes a small attempt to seek him…LORD moves few miles to reach him .All through the way, Perumal’s naamasmaranam was done and Azhwar’s vaibhavam was recapitulated. Even the thorns and stones on the road become flowers to the devotees now .Enjoying the company of a senior devotee adiyen suddenly noticed Azhwars procession moving inside a field lushy and so green . For a moment, was totally confused . Adiyen didn’t know what was happening. The senior devotee explained that it was Azhwar’s practice to go across fields, muddy lands and canals during his times and as a mark of respect the procession goes in the similar fashion and that practice is followed even today. It was a very thrilling experience. Around 8-10 bhagavathas were shouldering the palanquin and by seeing the speed in which the procession was taken, Adiyen thought they may drop the palanquin.
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But was corrected about my misconception by other bhagavathas that such incidents do not happen and Azhwar enjoys the procession to be taken in this way. Adiyen decided to accompany the procession in the damp fields along with the bhagavathas though was bit apprehensive about slipping in the green fields . Adiyen never ever felt that we were in the fields .
We along with Azhwar cross the agricultural fields, (keni kattu), canals etc. One young devotee was sharing his experience that the local people request the procession to be taken across their fields because they strongly believe that Azhwars mercy on them will have a good yield if the procession goes from their fields. It takes about half a day for our Azhwar to cover these 5 temples. After inviting the Perumals in these five divyadesams it is almost the next day afternoon .
Now our Azhwar proceeds to the banks of Manikarnikarai ( tributary of the river cauvery )
On the banks of the canal, Azhwar does mangalasaasanam to his Acharyar , Sri Naraiyur Nambi Perumal (Naachiyar kovil, Kumbakonam) who personally initiated him into Vaishnavism and mangalasaasanam to his favourite Perumal, Sri Ranganathar . The Divyaprabhanda pasurams takes you literally to the divyadesam along with Azhwar .An interesting happening takes place .The Priests along with bhgavathas stood in knee deep water reciting pasurams on LORD Thirunaraiyur Nambi and Sri Ranganathar. Our Azhwar takes a quick dip in the canal . Along with the Azhwar, all the devotees also had a holy dip.One devotee informed that Azhwar, when he was the chief ,he used to have bath in these waters for refreshing himself after he returned from his looting expedition. Hence, the old practice of having holy dip in the Manikarnikai waters is still followed even today. Azhwar is now honoured with garlands and peethambarams which were adorned by the two Perumals of the divya desams previously. These gifts are specially brought from Kumbakonam and Srirangam with due temple honours. Now our Azhwar proceeds to a nearby old mandapam well decorated for Manjal Neeratam....Thirumanjanam ( Abhiskekam) was performed to SINDANAIKU INIYAN ( one who is sweet for contemplating ) who accompanies Azhwar during the entire procession ( deities worshipped by Thirumangai Azhwar himself),Thirumangai Azhwar and Kumudavalli Thayar. It is very interesting to note that Azwar is never separated from Thayar except on one occasion i.e. during THIRUVEDUPURI UTSAVAM celebrated during Panguni Uthiram day every year in April. Only during this occasion, Azhwar leaves Kumudavalli Thayar alone for a span of 3-4 hours as he goes to rob Perumal’s properties and eventually transforms to become HIS only property .We are now in the Mandapam premises . A sahsradhaara plate where the Azhwar deities are honoured with a holy bath . The beauty is during Abhishekam ( Thiurmanjanam) to Lord Sindanaiku Iniyan the remnants holy water / milk/ honey /curd flows through the Sahasradhaaram on Thirumangai Azhwar and Kumudavalli’s who are underneath LORDS LOTUS FEET. Its a great bhagyam to have darisanam of Azhwar when the holy water of his deities is allowed to bathe the divine couple who have showed us the path of surrender to our only LORD SRIMAN NARAYANA.
Adiyen was fully charged amongst the bhagavathas . Few senior bhagavathas sang Azhwars Pasurams with some dancing to the tunes .
Overall the festive atmosphere infused more and more bhakthi and adiyen found there was some special attraction in our Azhwars bewitching smile . Reflecting on Azhwars pastimes adiyen reclined at the mandapam premises sometimes with tearful eyes thanking Azhwar and Asmath Acharyar for blessing me to be among this wonderful devotees who are in the trance of HARINAAM all the while .At about 6 P.M., Azhwar reaches Thirumanimada kovil popularly known as Narayana Perumal kovil. It is here that 11 Garuda sevai is performed. The garuda vahanams of all Perumals are kept here in designated mandapams. Azhwar is greeted as usual and pasurams comprising of Thirupallandu, Kanninunsiruthambhu, respective pasuram from Peria Thirumozhi are recited followed by neivedyam, saatrumarai and vaazhi thirunaamam. Azhwar then visits Thiruvanpurushothaman kovil where professional musicians entertain Azhwar by exhibiting their talent in playing nadaswaram and mrudangam . After mangalasaasanam, Azhwar visits Manavaala maamunigal sannidhi in the temple precincts. Azhwar was one of the favourites for Manavala mamunigal mamunigal organizes the 11 garuda seva on the following day. We were offered prasadam , panchaamrutham, chakarai pongal etc sumptously .
The Manjal Neeratam is still fresh in our minds. May Azhwar bless us by giving us many many more oppurtunities to be amongst his devotees It was almost 3 P.M now . As per the plan , the procession re started. Azhwar now marches to THIRUMANIMADAKOVIL , THIRUNAGARI and glorifies the Perumals to grace the function the next day .Prasadam is offered at every Divyadesam to the devotees . Now our Azhwar proceeds to THIRUVANPURUSHOTHAM KOVIL , THIRUVAIKUNTAVINNAGRAMTHIRUSEM PON SEI KOVILTHIRUTHETRIAMBALAM THIRUARIMEYAVINNAGARAM and finally awaits for all Perumals to grace him at THIRUMANIMADA KOVIL and following the same custom of reciting the divyaprabhanda pasurams glorified by Azhwar at the respective divya desams.
We were overjoyed to be among a sea of devotees and managed to take rest in open area and moved to the premises of Srinivasa Perumal kovil more popularly known as “Annan Kovil “ and passed the night at temple along with devotees .The next day morning, all of us assembled at Thirumanimada kovil for participating in the most awaited 11 GARUDA SEVA.Adiyen took this small oppurtunity to have darisanam of Anann kovil,, Thirupaarthanpalli, Thiruvaali-Thirunagari before proceeding to attend the Eleven Garuda sevai . Offering repeated obesiances to our Azhwar in Thirunagari temple. The temple itself is very big. The deity of Thirumangai Azhwar along with Kumudavalli Thayar is eye captivating. It makes one recollect Acharyar Manavala mamuni’s thaniyan . Azhwar’s lips are slightly opened as if they are uttering THIRUMANTRAM. Azhwar is seen holding THIRUMADAL in one hand and has a spear with him. Azhwar is seen wearing anklet. This anklet and Vel were given as gifts to the Azhwar when he won in a contest about Vaishnavism with a advanced saiva devotee Thirugyanasambandhar .THE PREPARATION FOR ELEVEN GARUDA SEVAI BEGINSFrom 10 A.M. onwards we can have darhanam of divya desa Perumals from each temple who accept the Invitation of Azhwar We are able to observe a big pandal erected for the Perumals. The Perumals arrive in their respective palanquins with mangalashanams . Now we race towards Thirumanimadakovil at 14 hours. We take darshanam of almost Seven Perumals who had arrived . Almost by 4 P.M. all Perumals from 11 divya desams arrive and take the gaurd of honour from our Azhwar as our Azhwar arrives to recieve our most reverred guest of the wonderful seva from Thirumanimada kovil for receiving the Perumals.Our Azhwar awaits near the entrance of the temple. Acharyar Manavala maamuni awaits facing our Azhwar., Swamy Manavalamaamuni was very fond of Thirumangai Azhwar and he , as a disciple supervises this grand Garuda Utsavam . The place was over crowded but fortunately we could have a clear view of the proceedings and were able to have good darisanam . To enable the crowd to know about the proceedings, a big board was hung depicting the particular Perumal’s Thirunaamam, and Divya desam. Mangalasaasanam on the particular Perumal rendered by Thirumangai Alwar was recited and our Azhwar does pradakshinam to Perumal. Azhwar is honoured with parivattam and garlands previously worn by the Perumal as a blessing .
Our Azhwar humbly bows down to accept the gifts given by respective Perumals from the divyadesams . Azhwar wears the garland given by Perumal and adorns the parivattam . Fruits etc are offered as neivedyam to Perumal and then to Azhwar and later to Swamy Manavala Mamumuni followed by karpoora aarthi. Now the honoured Perumal gets inside the Thirumani mada kovil. An interesting feature noted was there was a separate troop of musicians who played naadaswaram, mela and thalam for each Divyadesam Perumal. Finally Karpoora mangala haarthi with Poorna khumbham is given. The sequence in which the mangalasaasanam done to the Perumal is as follows 1) THIRUNARAYANA PERUMAL OF THIRU MANIMADA KOVIL- adorned in white colour dress .2) KUDAMAADU KOOTHAR PERUMAL OF THIRU ARIMEYA VINNAGARAM- adorned in blue colour dress3) SRI LAKSHMI RANGANATHAR OF SEM PON SEI KOVIL4) SRI SRINIVASA PERUMAL OF ANNAN KOVIL (palanquin covered with blue and meron velvette cloth)5) SRI PURUSHOTHAMAN OF THIRUVANPURUSHOTHAM (dressed in white and grey)- palanquin covered with green cloth (Note: All the palanquins were covered with cloth with sankhu, chakram and Thiruman embedded on it)6) SRI VARADARAJA PERUMAL OF THIRUMANIKOODAM (silver crown, holding mace, dressed in blue and red –palanquin covered with white cloth)7) SRI VAIKUNTANATHAR OF THIRUVAIKUNTAM ( Adiseshan seen as umbrella for Perumal, blue and red colour cloth covered over the palanquin) (The alankaranam for all the Perumals are fantastic)8) SRI MADHAVA PERUMAL OF THIRUDEVANARTHOGAI (meron colour kreetam-dressed in yellow and red )9) SRI PARTHASARATHY PERUMAL OF THIRUPAARTHANPALLI (dressed in printed silk cloth-silver umbrella –Maragadham visible on Perumal’s Thirumaarbhu-red colour palanquin10) SRI RAJAGOPALAN of THIRUKAVALAMPAADI (dressed in pink and blue coloured silk cloth-red coloured palanquin) During circumbulation to LORD Sri Rajagopalan Azhwar majestically circumbalates amidsts the enchanting Nadaswaram ( Nagin music) . After all the Perumals take leave , Swami Manavala mamuni does pradakshinam to Azhwar amidst the background nadaswaram playing style and the Azhwar along with swami Manavala mamuni enter the temple. The reception function takes place for about 2 hours. Around 5PM inside the temple, we can have darshanam of each Perumal who have a separate chamber and ( Abhishekam ) Thirumanjanam to all the Perumals and Azhwar is performed in Ekantam ( private) . After the Maha Abhisheskam , all the Perumals are adorned with wonderful ornaments and flowers .The Garuda vahanam is also adorned with flowers and other paranphalia . We had darishnam of all the Perumals and seeked their grace in having satsangh always Around 11 P.M. , the Garuda seva starts. We quickly come out of the temple and eagerly await to have the Garuda seva darshanam of all the Perumals . We observe the moment the main door opens our Acharyar Swamy Manavala mamuni followed by Thirumangai Azhwar and Kumudavalli Thayar seated on hamsa vahanam arrive much to the joy of the devotees . Swamy Manavaala mamunigal in his parangi naarkali vahanam comes out first and receives Azhwar seated on Hamsa vahanam. One by one all the Divya desam Perumals arrive in Garuda vaahanams. Mangalasaasanam sung by Azhwar is recited and after due honours, the Perumal goes round the 4 mada streets.. Its a divine feeling to be amongst a sea of srivaishnavas assembeled reciting the Divya Prabhandam pasurams . Few devotees were distributing the pasurams books for others to follow and recite . Now the Perumals on Garuda vahanam grace Azhwar and the devotees who are eagerly waiting for his darshan . and All the divya desa Perumals follow them. The procession winds its way through the four mada streets of Thirumanikoodam. It takes about 3 hours for all the Perumals to complete the oorvalam. All the Perumals assemble in front of Thiurumanimaada kovil. Azhwar thanks all the Perumals for having blessed all the sinners like us with their Divine Grace. Swamy Manavala mamuni’s saatrumarai takes place later and all the Perumals enter into the temple. On the way to Thirunagari, Azhwar proceeds to Sri Annan Kovil, Madhava Perumal kovil (Thirudevanarthogai), Thiruvaali and Thirunagari divya desams. On the third day, after all the divyadesa Perumals leave to their respective divyadesams, Azhwar also leaves Manimada kovil.. On the way he visits Annan Kovil where he is received grandly as he is considered as their “Maapillai”(son-in-law”). Finally Azhwar reaches Thirunagari where Vayalaali Manavalan-the presiding diety of Thiruvali-Thirunagari temple waits near the entrance on Garuda Vaahanam to welcome Azhwar . Perumal and Azhwar then enter into the temple together. This marks the end of the three day festivities at Thirunangoor which is celebrated for more than 140 years. Adiyen with tears submit to the divine will of Azhwar and Almighty who graced us tohave the darishna bhagyam amongst several devotees .What else does a soul needs except HIS cool benovalent grace always to be among Haribhaktaas………..
Nadu nagaramum NAMO NARAYANA enru ..Thats the final prayer LORD ..Adiyen seeks his mercy to be HIS always …Please forgive adiyen for any slips in glorifying and describing the great festival .Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Offering countless obeisances to Asmath Acharyar, Sri Sri Mudaliandan Swamy and all spiritual masters , Adiyen wishes to share our travel and darisanam experiences at Thirunangoor done few years back . We had attended this great festival twice and wish to share the divine experiences to all the devotees .It will be a great fortune and mercy for the ones who will be attending this year festival on Thai Amavasai which is being celebrated from 21-1-2023 to 23-01-2023 at Thirunangoor and get the blessings of our Thirumanga Azhwar .Watch the clip and get in that mood of devotion ....
. The remote village of Thirunangoor near Sirkazhi reverberates with satsangh every year Thai Amavasya and the succeeding 2 days are celebrated in a very grand manner.On Thai Amavasya, Thirumangai Azhwar the great saint of Vaishnava sampradaya is given Manjal Kuliyal ........
(holy bath with turmeric water) which is being celebrated in this remote village past 12 centuries .The next day, 11 Garuda Seva of LORD is celebrated which is being done since past 100 years .The third day marks the return of Azhwar to Tiruvali-Thirunagari temple. Srivaishnavas make it a point to participate in these festivities.. MANJAL NEERATAM AND ELEVEN GARUDA SEVAS HELD AT THIRUNANGOOR EVERY YEAR ON THAI AMAVASAI AND PRADHAMAI DAY respectively. May the Supreme Lord bestow me the knowledge to describe about the Garuda Seva. Adiyen seeks the blessings of all the devotees , Acharyas and Azhwars for describing the great event .
. Thirumangai Azhwar affectionately called as Kaliyan, was the valiant army chief of the then Chola King that the king gifted him with a small territory to rule over. Hence, he was known as Thirumangai Mannan .He was attracted to an apsara Kumudavalli , daughter of a physician and expressed his desire to marry her.
Kumudavalli who appeared on this earth to transform this valiant king to a devotee , laid the condition that he should serve 1000 Srivaishnavas every day by offering Prasadam for one year .Thirumangai Mannan fulfilled her condition and continued to do so even after his marriage as he got habituated in this wonderful kainkaryam of feeding the srivaishnavas. In due course, his wealth diminished and as Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita, when HE decides to bless HIS devotee, HE takes away wealth and enacted a divya leela.Due to his love for vaishnavas , our Azhwar resorted to stealing and plundering wealth from the rich and the egoistic but used the wealth for feeding Vaishnavas and renovating temples.One day , Tirumangai Mannan comes to know through his friends that a newly wedded couple bedecked with precious jewellery were passing through a forest in a palanquin and if they could plunder their wealth, they could continue with their cause of serving Srivaishnavas forever.Overjoyed , Thirumangai Mannan along with his four friends rush to the place in the midnight , galloping fast on his horse, who he calls as Aadalmaa. He waylays the divine couple who are resting near a mandapam at “Thirumanankollai” and plunders their wealth. This precious booty is carefully put over a cloth and ties it .
Not being satisfied with the loot, he advances towards them and tries to remove the Thirumetti of Thayar with all his might but is unsuccessful.By coming in contact with Thayar’s thiruvadi, realisation dawns on him. He is amazed .Something draws him towards them for a second look . However he manages and when he tries to lift the loot, he is unable to do so. He suspects the bridegroom for having put some charm on the loot . He threatens Perumal who is disguised as the bridegroom with a sword to disclose the secret which is not allowing him to lift the loot .Perumal smiles at him . He advises him to purify himself by having a dip at the Kavery tributary and return so that he can impart the secret to him.Thirumangai mannan politely obeys the advise . He returns to Perumal. Lord gives him the most sacred mantram,Thirumantram . The moment Perumal whispers the sacred Ashtakshari Thirumantram , wisdom dawns on Kaliyan and he surrenders at the Lotus feet of the Divya Dampadhigal.He repents for all his earlier deeds and outbursts his divine pourings starting with the wonderful pasuram“Vaadinene Vaadi….” and decides to glorify Perumal by visiting holy places in India..He is transformed as Thirumangai Azhwar and riding on his Aadalma horse glorified Perumal in about 86 divya desams.Check the appended post appended below for more details of Azhwar's appearance vaibhavam...
https://kmkvaradhan.wordpress.com/2017/12/02/today-is-the-appearance-day-of-thirumangai-azhwar-our-parakaalan-kaalan-for-people-who-refuted-paran/ OUR PILIGRIMAGE EXPERIENCESWith the directions given by senior devotees we reached Thirunangoor in the evening and discussing about the divine pastimes of Azhwars with elders .
Though we did not have a proper resting place all of us relaxed lying down at the temple entrance awaiting Azhwars arrival as it was almost midnight when we reached Thirunangoor. The village of Thirunangoor is fully crowded with many devotees . We all relaxed in front of a house near Thirunagari temple. Suddenly around 1.30 A.M. in the early morning, we were awakened by sounds of crackers and trumpets .
The drums and Nadaswaram were being played to welcome our Azhwar .On enquiry, we were told that Azhwar’s purapaadu ( procession ) was about to start and Azhwar was being dressed as the chief .
https://www.youtube.com/watchv=NtXbiYGBi08&index=31&list=PL28444E81CFBBC177Adiyen was keen to join the procession amongst many many senior devotees and the excitement in following Azhwar . Un mindful adiyen took a shower near a bore well and quickly changed my clothes and applying Urdhvapundram ran behind the crowd to be as close to Azhwar and the devoted priests . It was totally dark with few street lights which were going ON and Off and sad that there were no proper roads. Unmindful of the thorns and stones, all the bhagavathas were literally running behind the Azhwar as some one is waiting for us .
True !......The all compassionate LORD is so keen to meet the Azhwar for his upliftment . Adiyen had the same feeling .As it was too difficult to carry children in the crowd my family followed us by hiring a motor car amongst other devotees .
This unique devotion of the villagers and the devotees coming from far off places has to be seen in person to taste the bliss . The holy intention of the procession ( purapaadu) is Azhwar personally goes to each of the 11 temples, glorifies the respective Perumals while going for Manjal Neeratam and personally invites the LORDSHIPS to grace them to come to Thirumanimaada kovil for the Garuda utsava darshanam which will be held the next day. The tradition of glorifying the LORD at the respective divyadesams by the pasurams sung by Azhwar is done with all humility. Let me attempt to narrate the happenings in the chilly night of Amavasai . Our Azhwar (Thirumangai Azhwar) was seated majestically in a well-decorated palanquin and the procession started from the temple Azhwar proceeds to Thirukuraiyalur, his birth place.The crowd braves the chilly weather to somehow occupy the temple corridor to have the closest darshan of Azhwar and Perumal . It was 2.30 AM when we reached this temple . We could see hundreds of devotees following the procession . The Azhwar literally runs and the bhagavathas also run behind the azhwar. Adiyen participated in the procession and literally was in bliss being with advanced devotees . It was a memorable trek for spiritual quest .The zeal cannot be explained.We are in THIRUKURAIYALUR, the appearance place of Thirumangai Alwar. The Temple Priest along with the senior devotees receive Azhwar with due temple honours and mangalasaasanams. The first pasuram starting with “VAADINEN VAADI” was recited .
It was as if Azhwar was almost there guiding us .The pasuram literally brought chilled tears in my eyes . Adiyen was able to feel the soul literally craving for HIS grace and the nectar was directly being fed .Was able to meet bhagavathaas who were carrying out “PUSHPA KAINKARYAM FOR THE AZHWAR ON THESE TWO DAYS”. Ahead of this recitation we were offered hot prasadam ( Kesaree) .This prasadam became a benchmark for me to offer it LORD later . After honouring the prasadam adiyen moved near to the temple premises where the devotees were thinning away .Offered humble obesiances to LORD NARASINGA PERUMAL and prayed LORD to bestow his abundant mercy in having satsangh always .
The special feature in this big festival is that without any discretion, all the residents of the 11 villages participate in this function and the hospitality extended by the local residents cannot be described in words.All the bhagavathas who attend this function are sumptuously fed . We can see the village residents voluntarily offering us buttermilk, hot milk and food etc en routeThey all consider it as their own family function. Now our Azhwar proceeds to THIRUMANGAIMAADAM , the birth place of Kumudavalli Thayar., who was solely responsible for transforming our Azhwar into a Srivaishnavite.
It’s a very old temple and the darshan of Azhwar specifically at this place reveals his liking to this place and his consort . After recitation of the respective pasurams and mangalashashanams , we were offered Chakrapongal prasadam which was honoured . The sweet prasad , the sweet pasurams , the sweet crowd and our SWEET AZHWAR was indeed most memorable night .
On looking at the watch , Adiyen was amazed ,It was already 3.30 AM and was looking as fresh .Never was Adiyen awake except for the Suprabatha seva at Tirumala Hills . We must have around 4 Kms .From here we proceeded along with Azhwar toTHIRUKAVALAMPADI THIRUMANIKOODAM and THIRUPAARTHANPALLI scattered around for about 10 kms and as done in the temples our Azhwar requests Perumal to grace the garuda Utsavam the nest day after reciting the prescribed pasurams of the Divya desams . Few temples the time taken is more as per the number of Pasurams .Adiyen was fortunate to be around the learned bhagavathas and advanced devotees who were literally up to date with the history of temple and Azhwars pastimes .
All these temples are scattered in a radius of 10 to 12 kms .Unmindful of the darkness , poor roads and route followed each of us were moving in a brisk pace to match the speed of the Procession .We must congratualate the palaquin bearers of Azhwar who are so energetic and infuse the spirit to just keep moving seeking his mercy . The whole place is charged with religious fervour and was eye- captivating. One must not miss to see bhagavatha’s bhakti for the Azhwar. Due to Azhwar’s sheer grace, Adiyen was able to participate in the procession.
The procession was more or less like a running race. It shows the Azhwar’s anxiety to have darshan of Perumal at different divya desams . In each of the temples, we could see the utsavar anxiety to receive the Azhwar by waiting outside the garbagriham to welcome our Azhwar. Adiyen was overwhelmed with joy and at the same time was stunned to see an ocean of Srivaishnavas running behind the Azhwar. True ! If a bhaktha makes a small attempt to seek him…LORD moves few miles to reach him .All through the way, Perumal’s naamasmaranam was done and Azhwar’s vaibhavam was recapitulated. Even the thorns and stones on the road become flowers to the devotees now .Enjoying the company of a senior devotee adiyen suddenly noticed Azhwars procession moving inside a field lushy and so green . For a moment, was totally confused . Adiyen didn’t know what was happening. The senior devotee explained that it was Azhwar’s practice to go across fields, muddy lands and canals during his times and as a mark of respect the procession goes in the similar fashion and that practice is followed even today. It was a very thrilling experience. Around 8-10 bhagavathas were shouldering the palanquin and by seeing the speed in which the procession was taken, Adiyen thought they may drop the palanquin.
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But was corrected about my misconception by other bhagavathas that such incidents do not happen and Azhwar enjoys the procession to be taken in this way. Adiyen decided to accompany the procession in the damp fields along with the bhagavathas though was bit apprehensive about slipping in the green fields . Adiyen never ever felt that we were in the fields .
We along with Azhwar cross the agricultural fields, (keni kattu), canals etc. One young devotee was sharing his experience that the local people request the procession to be taken across their fields because they strongly believe that Azhwars mercy on them will have a good yield if the procession goes from their fields. It takes about half a day for our Azhwar to cover these 5 temples. After inviting the Perumals in these five divyadesams it is almost the next day afternoon .
Now our Azhwar proceeds to the banks of Manikarnikarai ( tributary of the river cauvery )
On the banks of the canal, Azhwar does mangalasaasanam to his Acharyar , Sri Naraiyur Nambi Perumal (Naachiyar kovil, Kumbakonam) who personally initiated him into Vaishnavism and mangalasaasanam to his favourite Perumal, Sri Ranganathar . The Divyaprabhanda pasurams takes you literally to the divyadesam along with Azhwar .An interesting happening takes place .The Priests along with bhgavathas stood in knee deep water reciting pasurams on LORD Thirunaraiyur Nambi and Sri Ranganathar. Our Azhwar takes a quick dip in the canal . Along with the Azhwar, all the devotees also had a holy dip.One devotee informed that Azhwar, when he was the chief ,he used to have bath in these waters for refreshing himself after he returned from his looting expedition. Hence, the old practice of having holy dip in the Manikarnikai waters is still followed even today. Azhwar is now honoured with garlands and peethambarams which were adorned by the two Perumals of the divya desams previously. These gifts are specially brought from Kumbakonam and Srirangam with due temple honours. Now our Azhwar proceeds to a nearby old mandapam well decorated for Manjal Neeratam....Thirumanjanam ( Abhiskekam) was performed to SINDANAIKU INIYAN ( one who is sweet for contemplating ) who accompanies Azhwar during the entire procession ( deities worshipped by Thirumangai Azhwar himself),Thirumangai Azhwar and Kumudavalli Thayar. It is very interesting to note that Azwar is never separated from Thayar except on one occasion i.e. during THIRUVEDUPURI UTSAVAM celebrated during Panguni Uthiram day every year in April. Only during this occasion, Azhwar leaves Kumudavalli Thayar alone for a span of 3-4 hours as he goes to rob Perumal’s properties and eventually transforms to become HIS only property .We are now in the Mandapam premises . A sahsradhaara plate where the Azhwar deities are honoured with a holy bath . The beauty is during Abhishekam ( Thiurmanjanam) to Lord Sindanaiku Iniyan the remnants holy water / milk/ honey /curd flows through the Sahasradhaaram on Thirumangai Azhwar and Kumudavalli’s who are underneath LORDS LOTUS FEET. Its a great bhagyam to have darisanam of Azhwar when the holy water of his deities is allowed to bathe the divine couple who have showed us the path of surrender to our only LORD SRIMAN NARAYANA.
Adiyen was fully charged amongst the bhagavathas . Few senior bhagavathas sang Azhwars Pasurams with some dancing to the tunes .
Overall the festive atmosphere infused more and more bhakthi and adiyen found there was some special attraction in our Azhwars bewitching smile . Reflecting on Azhwars pastimes adiyen reclined at the mandapam premises sometimes with tearful eyes thanking Azhwar and Asmath Acharyar for blessing me to be among this wonderful devotees who are in the trance of HARINAAM all the while .At about 6 P.M., Azhwar reaches Thirumanimada kovil popularly known as Narayana Perumal kovil. It is here that 11 Garuda sevai is performed. The garuda vahanams of all Perumals are kept here in designated mandapams. Azhwar is greeted as usual and pasurams comprising of Thirupallandu, Kanninunsiruthambhu, respective pasuram from Peria Thirumozhi are recited followed by neivedyam, saatrumarai and vaazhi thirunaamam. Azhwar then visits Thiruvanpurushothaman kovil where professional musicians entertain Azhwar by exhibiting their talent in playing nadaswaram and mrudangam . After mangalasaasanam, Azhwar visits Manavaala maamunigal sannidhi in the temple precincts. Azhwar was one of the favourites for Manavala mamunigal mamunigal organizes the 11 garuda seva on the following day. We were offered prasadam , panchaamrutham, chakarai pongal etc sumptously .
The Manjal Neeratam is still fresh in our minds. May Azhwar bless us by giving us many many more oppurtunities to be amongst his devotees It was almost 3 P.M now . As per the plan , the procession re started. Azhwar now marches to THIRUMANIMADAKOVIL , THIRUNAGARI and glorifies the Perumals to grace the function the next day .Prasadam is offered at every Divyadesam to the devotees . Now our Azhwar proceeds to THIRUVANPURUSHOTHAM KOVIL , THIRUVAIKUNTAVINNAGRAMTHIRUSEM PON SEI KOVILTHIRUTHETRIAMBALAM THIRUARIMEYAVINNAGARAM and finally awaits for all Perumals to grace him at THIRUMANIMADA KOVIL and following the same custom of reciting the divyaprabhanda pasurams glorified by Azhwar at the respective divya desams.
We were overjoyed to be among a sea of devotees and managed to take rest in open area and moved to the premises of Srinivasa Perumal kovil more popularly known as “Annan Kovil “ and passed the night at temple along with devotees .The next day morning, all of us assembled at Thirumanimada kovil for participating in the most awaited 11 GARUDA SEVA.Adiyen took this small oppurtunity to have darisanam of Anann kovil,, Thirupaarthanpalli, Thiruvaali-Thirunagari before proceeding to attend the Eleven Garuda sevai . Offering repeated obesiances to our Azhwar in Thirunagari temple. The temple itself is very big. The deity of Thirumangai Azhwar along with Kumudavalli Thayar is eye captivating. It makes one recollect Acharyar Manavala mamuni’s thaniyan . Azhwar’s lips are slightly opened as if they are uttering THIRUMANTRAM. Azhwar is seen holding THIRUMADAL in one hand and has a spear with him. Azhwar is seen wearing anklet. This anklet and Vel were given as gifts to the Azhwar when he won in a contest about Vaishnavism with a advanced saiva devotee Thirugyanasambandhar .THE PREPARATION FOR ELEVEN GARUDA SEVAI BEGINSFrom 10 A.M. onwards we can have darhanam of divya desa Perumals from each temple who accept the Invitation of Azhwar We are able to observe a big pandal erected for the Perumals. The Perumals arrive in their respective palanquins with mangalashanams . Now we race towards Thirumanimadakovil at 14 hours. We take darshanam of almost Seven Perumals who had arrived . Almost by 4 P.M. all Perumals from 11 divya desams arrive and take the gaurd of honour from our Azhwar as our Azhwar arrives to recieve our most reverred guest of the wonderful seva from Thirumanimada kovil for receiving the Perumals.Our Azhwar awaits near the entrance of the temple. Acharyar Manavala maamuni awaits facing our Azhwar., Swamy Manavalamaamuni was very fond of Thirumangai Azhwar and he , as a disciple supervises this grand Garuda Utsavam . The place was over crowded but fortunately we could have a clear view of the proceedings and were able to have good darisanam . To enable the crowd to know about the proceedings, a big board was hung depicting the particular Perumal’s Thirunaamam, and Divya desam. Mangalasaasanam on the particular Perumal rendered by Thirumangai Alwar was recited and our Azhwar does pradakshinam to Perumal. Azhwar is honoured with parivattam and garlands previously worn by the Perumal as a blessing .
Our Azhwar humbly bows down to accept the gifts given by respective Perumals from the divyadesams . Azhwar wears the garland given by Perumal and adorns the parivattam . Fruits etc are offered as neivedyam to Perumal and then to Azhwar and later to Swamy Manavala Mamumuni followed by karpoora aarthi. Now the honoured Perumal gets inside the Thirumani mada kovil. An interesting feature noted was there was a separate troop of musicians who played naadaswaram, mela and thalam for each Divyadesam Perumal. Finally Karpoora mangala haarthi with Poorna khumbham is given. The sequence in which the mangalasaasanam done to the Perumal is as follows 1) THIRUNARAYANA PERUMAL OF THIRU MANIMADA KOVIL- adorned in white colour dress .2) KUDAMAADU KOOTHAR PERUMAL OF THIRU ARIMEYA VINNAGARAM- adorned in blue colour dress3) SRI LAKSHMI RANGANATHAR OF SEM PON SEI KOVIL4) SRI SRINIVASA PERUMAL OF ANNAN KOVIL (palanquin covered with blue and meron velvette cloth)5) SRI PURUSHOTHAMAN OF THIRUVANPURUSHOTHAM (dressed in white and grey)- palanquin covered with green cloth (Note: All the palanquins were covered with cloth with sankhu, chakram and Thiruman embedded on it)6) SRI VARADARAJA PERUMAL OF THIRUMANIKOODAM (silver crown, holding mace, dressed in blue and red –palanquin covered with white cloth)7) SRI VAIKUNTANATHAR OF THIRUVAIKUNTAM ( Adiseshan seen as umbrella for Perumal, blue and red colour cloth covered over the palanquin) (The alankaranam for all the Perumals are fantastic)8) SRI MADHAVA PERUMAL OF THIRUDEVANARTHOGAI (meron colour kreetam-dressed in yellow and red )9) SRI PARTHASARATHY PERUMAL OF THIRUPAARTHANPALLI (dressed in printed silk cloth-silver umbrella –Maragadham visible on Perumal’s Thirumaarbhu-red colour palanquin10) SRI RAJAGOPALAN of THIRUKAVALAMPAADI (dressed in pink and blue coloured silk cloth-red coloured palanquin) During circumbulation to LORD Sri Rajagopalan Azhwar majestically circumbalates amidsts the enchanting Nadaswaram ( Nagin music) . After all the Perumals take leave , Swami Manavala mamuni does pradakshinam to Azhwar amidst the background nadaswaram playing style and the Azhwar along with swami Manavala mamuni enter the temple. The reception function takes place for about 2 hours. Around 5PM inside the temple, we can have darshanam of each Perumal who have a separate chamber and ( Abhishekam ) Thirumanjanam to all the Perumals and Azhwar is performed in Ekantam ( private) . After the Maha Abhisheskam , all the Perumals are adorned with wonderful ornaments and flowers .The Garuda vahanam is also adorned with flowers and other paranphalia . We had darishnam of all the Perumals and seeked their grace in having satsangh always Around 11 P.M. , the Garuda seva starts. We quickly come out of the temple and eagerly await to have the Garuda seva darshanam of all the Perumals . We observe the moment the main door opens our Acharyar Swamy Manavala mamuni followed by Thirumangai Azhwar and Kumudavalli Thayar seated on hamsa vahanam arrive much to the joy of the devotees . Swamy Manavaala mamunigal in his parangi naarkali vahanam comes out first and receives Azhwar seated on Hamsa vahanam. One by one all the Divya desam Perumals arrive in Garuda vaahanams. Mangalasaasanam sung by Azhwar is recited and after due honours, the Perumal goes round the 4 mada streets.. Its a divine feeling to be amongst a sea of srivaishnavas assembeled reciting the Divya Prabhandam pasurams . Few devotees were distributing the pasurams books for others to follow and recite . Now the Perumals on Garuda vahanam grace Azhwar and the devotees who are eagerly waiting for his darshan . and All the divya desa Perumals follow them. The procession winds its way through the four mada streets of Thirumanikoodam. It takes about 3 hours for all the Perumals to complete the oorvalam. All the Perumals assemble in front of Thiurumanimaada kovil. Azhwar thanks all the Perumals for having blessed all the sinners like us with their Divine Grace. Swamy Manavala mamuni’s saatrumarai takes place later and all the Perumals enter into the temple. On the way to Thirunagari, Azhwar proceeds to Sri Annan Kovil, Madhava Perumal kovil (Thirudevanarthogai), Thiruvaali and Thirunagari divya desams. On the third day, after all the divyadesa Perumals leave to their respective divyadesams, Azhwar also leaves Manimada kovil.. On the way he visits Annan Kovil where he is received grandly as he is considered as their “Maapillai”(son-in-law”). Finally Azhwar reaches Thirunagari where Vayalaali Manavalan-the presiding diety of Thiruvali-Thirunagari temple waits near the entrance on Garuda Vaahanam to welcome Azhwar . Perumal and Azhwar then enter into the temple together. This marks the end of the three day festivities at Thirunangoor which is celebrated for more than 140 years. Adiyen with tears submit to the divine will of Azhwar and Almighty who graced us tohave the darishna bhagyam amongst several devotees .What else does a soul needs except HIS cool benovalent grace always to be among Haribhaktaas………..
Nadu nagaramum NAMO NARAYANA enru ..Thats the final prayer LORD ..Adiyen seeks his mercy to be HIS always …Please forgive adiyen for any slips in glorifying and describing the great festival .Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
” 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 and several friends who contributed in social media
Video credits : HG Balagovindadasa for Brahmakadigina padamu
” 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 and several friends who contributed in social media
Video credits : HG Balagovindadasa for Brahmakadigina padamu
Kidambi Achan was one of the seventy four simhadipatis authorised by Swamy Ramanujar to continue Srivaishnava sampradayam. Swamy gave him Hayagriva Perumal to him for worship. After Swamy Ramanujar left this mortal world, Kidambi Achan returned to Kanchipuram and left his body in the year 1157 -20 years Swamy Ramanuja attained paramapadam.
rAmAnuja padhAmbhOjayugaLI yasya dhImatha: prApyam cha prApakam vaNdhE pranNathArththiharam gurum
Kidambi Achan was born in the village “Kidambi” located between Kooram and Thiruputkuzhi near Kanchipuram in the year 1057 A.D.in the tamil month of Chithirai on Hasta Nakshataraday in Atreya gothram. As Hastam is considered to be the star of Varadaraja Perumal, his parents named him “PRANATHARTHIHARAM”- as glorified by Thirukachi nambigal in the first sloka of Devaraja Ashtakam. He was the nephew of Tirumala Nambi’s wife (Swamy Ramanujar’s maternal uncle’s wife) and was thus related to Swamy Ramanujar like Mudaliyandan Swamy who had both atma sambhandham and deha sambandham with Swamy Ramanujar. He was one of the prominent disciples of Swamy Ramanujar who felt that acharyar kainkaryam was of utmost importance.
Like Kooratazhwan and Mudaliandan, Achan also was a simple, devoted, highly knowledgeable person and was well versed with Thiruvaimozhi and Visishtadvaita granthas and…
ThirupAan azhwar appeared during the month of Karthikai in the Rohini thirunakshatram at Uraiyur near Srirangam which falls on 30-11-2020
Azhwar was a ardent devotee of Lord Ranganatha and used to sing songs in praise of the Lord with the accompaniment of his veenai .
Azhwar used to walk from Uraiyur to Srirangam which was almost 20 miles , but did not attempt to go inside the temple due to the practices followed by the temple those days .
He used to stand at the southern bank of river Kaveri facing the temple and used to glorify the Supreme Lord singing on his veenai . This was going on for a long time.
One day early in the morning hours , he was singing song in praise of the Lord with deep devotion and was in a absolute trance.
LokaSarangar, the chief priest of Lord Ranganatha’s temple came to river Kaveri as a routine , to collect kaveri water for ( abhishekam ) thirumanjanam to the Lordships . As he found ThirupaNazwar who was in a trance , obstructing his path, he told him to leave the place .
ThirupaNazwar who was in a different mood , did not hear anything as he was totally immersed in Lord Ranganatha’s glory and oblivious to his surroundings.
Lokasarangar got very angry . He picked up a stone and threw it at ThirupaNan to disurb him from the mood.
It struck ThirupaNa’s forehead and thus he suddenly came out of his trance.
A true devotee , he pleaded with the Priest Lokasarangar to forgive him for his mistake and left the place hurriedly .
Lokasarangar reached the temple with the kaveri water . He was panicked to find Lord was unhappy with his arrogance and was worried.
That night Lord Ranganatha appeared in his dream and told him that by hurting His true devotee he had committed a grave mistake. He ordered him to bring ThirupaN to the temple, carrying him on his shoulders.
Next morning Lokasarangar went in search of he great devotee ThirupaN with other devotees .
He located the devotee at the bank of Kaveri singing in deep devotion . Running towards him , he fell at his feet and pleaded him to forgive him for the act .
He requested Azhwar, that the Lord had ordered him to bring him to the temple.
ThirupaN was aghast and told Lokasrangar,
“Swami, I come from a low caste and I am not allowed even to set foot in Srirangam.
How can I go into the temple and have Lord’s darshan?”
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The Priest Lokasarngar replied …
Swamin !!! “You do not have to set foot, but
…. Please allow me to carry you on my shoulders as per the Lord’s order.”
As ThirupaN was still hesitating, Lokasarangar had to convince him to accede to his request as it was from Supreme Lord ……
When Lokasarangar carried Thirupan on his shoulders surrounded by vedic pundits , the people of Srirangam watched with astonishment.
It was a celebration …
The devotee was being carried by the Chief Priest .
The group reached the temple and Lokasarangar took him to the sanctum .
ThirupaN was in total bliss to get darshan of the Lord’s Sayana Thirukolam.
He was so bewitched to see the Lord’s beauty. He immediately started singing describing the Lord’s beauty from….
( Lotus feet to his blossoming divine face )Thiruvadi to Thirumudi in ten wonderful pasurams.
This outpouring during his very first darshanam of LORD glorified as “Amalan Aathipiraan.” which is among the 4000 Divya prabhanda pasurams .
As ThirupaNazwar finished singing he merged with Lord Ranganatha while the onlookers were looking dumb-founded. Thus he was also blessed like Andal to merge with the Lord.
* koNdal vaNNanaik *
kOvalanAy veNNey uNda vAyan *
en uLLam kavarndhAnai **
aNdar kOn aNi arangkan *
en amudhinaik kaNda kaNgaL *
maRRonRinaik kANAvE
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Having seen the One whose color dark like rain clouds and the one with the mouth that swallowed the butter of cowherds, He is the Lord of the devas, He is Lord Ranganatha, He is my nectar, my life ! My eyes that have seen my Supreme Lord and will not see anything else!
In Amalanaathipiraan ThirupaN Azwar describes Lord’s beauty from His Kamala Thiruptham to His thirumudi part by part and also sangu, chakram .
The Lord once again reconfirms that caste, colour or creed is no bar for a true devotee to reach his lotus feet . Lord’s grace and benevolence is showered on his true bhakthas without any discrimination.
Azhwars Appearance day is celebrated on November 30 , 2020 in all Sri vaishnava temples in grand scale.
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Photos Courtesy : Google images uploaded by advance devotees
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 .
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 14th 2019 Discourses on Narayaneeyam is given by eminent scholars .
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Pics credits : Google images and advanced devotees
A true seeker of LORD will always respect the devotees of Lord . He never distinguishes about their birth and caste in seeking their associationA devotees glory can be seen with that deep knowledge and practices which takes them nearer to LORD . It will be a boon serving such advanced devotees . The most advanced devotee Nampaaduvaan sang in praise of Lord Thirukkurungudi Nambi at Thirukkurungudi temple .
He submitted the fruit of the punya earned by him to a brahmin turned BrahmaRakshasa SomaSharma and thus converted him back into a Brahmin.The Uttana Ekadasi glorifies this divine pastime which happened few hundred years ago near a remote village Thirukurungudi which is briefed in the next few lines . Of the Ekadasi marking the annual calendar, the interval between the Sayana and the utthana ekadasi represents the span of yoga nidra (cosmic slumber) of Lord Sriman Narayana . This shukla paksha Ekadasi during the karthika month is celebrated as Uttana Ekadasi / kaisika ekadasi when Lord wakes up from his yoga nidra on this day after the chathurmasyam period .
Kaisika Ekadesi is a very important day for all Sri Vaishnavites . As per Elders ,even Vaikunta Ekadesi festival stands next to this glorious day .
Kaisika Ekadesi is celebrated during the Tamil month of Karthigai ( December ) which precedes Vaikunta Ekadesi.
The belief that those who undertake fast and recite / listen to the Kaisika Puraanam on the Kaisika Ekadesi day, are said to be fortunate devotees .
The word kaisikam means swaram .
This kaiSiki raga, is favorite to Lord as per the Srivaraha puranam. The divine message behind the auspicious day reverberates the fact that caste is not a hindrance in attaining LORD and true bhakthi alone is enough.
Lord varaha Perumal explains to Mother Sri Bhumidevi the greatness of those devotees who glorify him unconditionally without possessing any knowledge but just devotion and love towards HIM .
Lord assures that such a devotees even if they go to other planets , they would not think of the pleasures in such places and instead keep singing deeply moved in the mood of just glorifying HIM alone thus eventually they acquire HIM without any doubt.
This divine pastime happened in the beautiful Sri vaishnava divyadesam of Thirukurungudi where Lord appeared as vaduganambi the close disciple of JagathAcharyar Swamy Ramanuja in a divine pastime appended below……
Once there lived a advanced devotee Nambaduvaan who was born in the fourth varna . ( Swamy Parasara bhattar aptly names this pious soul as nampaduvan since the purana does not speak about the devotees name .
May be Acharyar wanted an appropriate prefix to represent the great avatara purushas like Swamy Nammazhwar , swamy Nampillai , Swamy Nam Jeeyar )
He was a great devotee of Lord Kurungudi Nambi. Every night, he would walk several miles to the Thiru Kurungudi Nambi temple and with utmost devotion for hours together would stand before the Lord with his Veena and glorify the Lord with his ballads and before dawn, he would go back to his place, so no one noticed his presence at the temple.
This was his daily routine This almost happened for about ten years
Once during the month of Karthigai ( November- December ) month Nambaduvaan left to Lord Kurungudi nambi temple to observe his Ekadasi fast and glorify the LORD as done earlier.
As he was passing in the dark night through the village he was way laid by a Brahmarakshasa on the way to temple.
The Rakshasa was looking very fearful and demanded its share of food and threatened him .
Nambaduvaan was shocked. He pleaded with Brahmarakshasu that, he would return back soon after his austerity is done with the last darshan of Lord ThiruKurungudi Nambi.
The Rakshasa was not prepared to believe him . Nambaaduvan pleaded the Raakshasha to allow him to go to the temple for a night which may be his last , so he could sing praise of the Lord one last time and that he would come back in the morning for the Raakshasha to consume him.
The Raakshasha laughed out stating no one in this world would be foolish enough to let go a handy prey. Wanting to meet the Lord one last time, Nambaaduvan requested the Raakshasha several times.
Finally he submits with all humility that he will accrue the related sins mentioned below in case he ignores the promises .
Nambaaduvan now clearly makes those 18 such promises that night and states that if he fails even in one of those 18 promises, he will be a party to committing of all these 17 deadly sins.
The 18th promise of Nambaaduvan is the essence of the Kaisika Puraanam and the reason why Kaisika Ekadesi and Kaisika Puraanam are most important to a Sri Vaishnavite is revealed in this statement
Nambaaduvan says
“If one ever tries equating Lord Sriman Naarayana to anyone else in this world, I will be a party to that biggest sin And may I never get Moksham from this cycle of births”
This promise reinforces the belief that ….
Lord Naarayana is the one and only supreme force and is incomparable. …….
This bold statement by Nampaduvan instills faith in the rakshasa about his sincerity . The Rakshasa says Oh ! Nampaduvana !!!
None would dare to say this .
Anyway , I believe on you, and shall wait till you return.
Nambaduvaan glad that he was allowed , happily marches to Sri Kurungudi temple, observes his jAkratha vratham , glorifies LORD with his songs for the last time and thanks HIM for his mercy seva for almost 10 years .
The next day Nambaduvaan walks back to submit himself to the Brahmarakshasa as promised . Lord ThiruKurungudi Nambi out of abundant compassion comes before him dressed as an old man (Nambi kizhavan ) .
He asks him why is he was returning in such a hurry ? Nambaduvaan explains about the incident.
LORD advises Nambaduvaan to take another path to escape from the Brahmarakshasa . Nampaduvan tells him about the 18th promise and being a devotee of LORD he does not want to loose that identity in befooling the Rakshasa
The old man replies “It’s usual in this world to save one’s own life from an enemy, one can promise on various things, but it’s not necessary to fulfill all those vows”.
Nambaduvaan replies that he would stand on Dharma being LORDs devotee and accepts whatsever comes on the way instead of this diminishing life .
Lord Thirukurugur Nambi is pleased with his devotion and blesses Nambaduvaan.
Now as decided Nambaduvaan meets Brahmarakshasa as promised and submits himself to consume him.
The Brahmarakshasu is shocked with Nambaduvaan’s humility and requests Nambaduvaan to bestow the punya credited by his songs on LORD which he sang last evening .
Nambaaduvaan states that his glorifying the LORD was not done with any motive. The Rakshasa pleads him to at least credit his punya he got from the songs he sung last night . Finally the Rakshasa falls at Nampaduvan’s feet pleading him . Later with further openness the Rakshasa reveals that previous birth he was a Brahmin vidwan Soma Sarma and used to conduct Yaagams ( Havans ) . Due to his arrogance of considering himself as the all knowing, he committed many sins including not completing a Yaagam.
Hence, he had to take the ugly form in this birth.
Hearing the pleas of the Brahmarakshasa, Nambaduvan again says that he never glorified LORD with any motive . But , still he shall pray LORD Thirukurungudi Nambhi to releive him from all his sins. LORD gives the merit of the last song and relieves Brahma Rakshasa of its sins.
This divine pastime strongly reiterates that true bhakthi is enough to attain Him and caste of a person is totally insignificant.
Kaisika Puranam, is a part of Sri Varaha Puraanam and comprises of several hundred slokas which glorify Lord Narayana as the ultimate supreme .
Thiru Kurungkudi is said to be the home to the Sri Vaishnava tradition of ‘Kaisika Ekadesi’ and Kaisika Natakam (drama) worship of the Lord through dance, music and drama is a special event at the Thiru Kurungudi Nambi temple .
On the Kaisika Ekadesi day an event that dates back several hundred years is enacted . There is a mandapam known as Kaisikga Mahatmyam mandapam where Perumal along with naachiyars, azhwars and acharyars give darshan.
Just ten days before this event , the temple servant who is all around in charge of the temple premises and another two persons belonging to devadasi vamsam take the blessings of Nambi perumal , undertake a (vow ) vratham, and are given coconut as prasadam. They stay in seclusion beside the sannidhi for 10 days, cook food offer it to Perumal and partake the prasadam for 10 days.
On ekadasi night, they once again take Perumal’s blessings, take the brahmarakshas’s mask which is kept behind Perumal and the person acting as brahmarakshas is adorned with the mask .
The drama is enacted amidst the august gathering all through the night till the early hours next day.
Later in the evening, Lord gives darshan on Garudan.
At Srirangam , on this day Lord Namperumal is offered 365 new vastrams and later in the night, descendants of Sri Parasara bhattar read out kaisika puranam along with bhattars commentary. After this, purapadu of namperumal takes place .
Elders command that ” Even if one is born in a lower caste and still follows the Nine types of devotional service and surrenders to Lord unconditionally , He automatically gets liberated . He becomes a scholar by word and deed because of Lord’s mercy on him.
Consuming the devotees Sripada Theertham is a great blessing and serving him is most pleasing to LORD . Many incidents appended below reveal this important lesson for a devotee to progress in spiritual world.
The great devotee Guha was accepted by Lord Rama as his own brother . Lord Krishna preferred to stay with Vidhura to anyother when He came as a messenger to meet the kauravas . Though he had many friends and Elders he preferred Vidhura . Hence status is no criteria to decide one’s BhagavadSambandham.
Lord Rama left Ayodhya the land of the learned scholars to join with the innocent monkeys and embrace Hanumanji lovingly and accepted Sugriva and Vibhishana as His Brothers. The sacred funeral of Vidhurar was done by Dharma putra, Jatayu by Lord Rama and Maraneri nambi by Periya nambi .
In the Rajasooya yaga the Agrapooja was done to a gopala by name – Krishna. At Thirupuliyur, the Priests performed Agrapooja to Thirumazhisai Aazhwar who was brought up by a woodcutter. Kurumbarutha Nambi was a great devotee at Thirumala(Pushpa Mandapam) was worshipped and reverred by a great king and Kshatriya Thondaiman Chakravarthy.
JagathAcharyar Swamy Ramanujacharya learnt from Sri Thiru Kachhi nambi who alone was able to talk to Lord Varadar at Kanchi. At Srirangam the temple priest Lokasaranga carried Thirupannazhwar on his shoulders into the temple sanctorum
During Thiruvaradhanam, Swamy Ramanujar used to hold the hands of Sripillai Urangavilli Dasar as Kayasuddhi. After Thiruvaradhanam, Sri Nampillai used to receive Prasadam from Pillai Eru Thiruvudaiya Dasar.
During Graha Pravesha, Sri Vadakku thiruveedi Pillai asked Sri Pillai Ramanuja Dasar to enter His house first
Our Poorvacharyars have written commentary on Vishnu Puranam and Kaisika Puranam only. Vishnu puranam by Engalzwan and Kaisika Puranam by Swamy Parasara bhattar.
Swamy Paraasara Bhattar had presented a wonderful commentary for the entire Kaisika Puraanam .
This Divya Desam is located about 30 kms South East of Tirunelveli and near Nanguneri .
One can have darisanam of all the Five temples of Nambi Perumal.
All glories to the devotees who are attending the great festival at this Holy place on December 8th , 2019 .
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Pics credits : Google images
video credits : Advanced devotees who attended this seva.
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. .
As they overcome the material nature, they slowly get conditioned. One who can understand the plan of the Supreme Lord and cultivate Krsna consciousness gradually becomes intelligent.
He slowly realises the creation and destruction of the cosmic manifestation are under the superior guidance of Lord .
The Battle of Kuruksetra was fought according to the plan of LORD . Arjuna was refusing to fight, but he was told that he should fight and at the same time desire the Supreme Lord
Lord Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, the Song Celestial, tells his dearest friend and disciple, Arjuna, “Nimitta matram Bhava Savyasachi”.
You just become an instrument.
So the man of God feels in the inmost recesses of his heart that he is a mere instrument. He works for God, he lives for God.
He feels that God Realisation is not enough.
He feels that God Manifestation here on earth is of paramount importance.
One divine pastime chronicled as Azhwar’s musings is being shared for a vivid description of a jiva seeking Lord’s lotus feet ….
…
The youngest Azhwar among the illustrious revered twelve Srivaishnava Azhwars was Thirumangai Azhwar He was also glorified with the names Kalivarimuni ,
Parakalamuni and had a title “Kaviloka divaakarah” .. ( the sun of the world of poets ) as glorified below …
kalayaami kalidhvamsam
kaviloka divakaram
yasyagobhih prakaasaabhih
aavidyam nihatam tamah …
The magnum opus “Periya Thirumozhi” consisting of 1080 pasurams in the Naalayira Divya Prabhandam speaks about Azhwar’s deep love to Lord .
The below post describes about Azhwars past and his attraction to LORD in his later life ..Please click the link below and relish your souls thirst with Azhwar’s divine experiences ..
The supremely devoted Azhwar after having darshan of the Sri vaishnava divyadesams by glorifying the Lordships in every divya desam was pondering about his position ..
Though his mission was accomplished in uplifting the fallen souls in seeking Lord’s lotus feet unconditionally thus surrendering to the only HIM the Supreme Lord Sriman Narayana ,
Azhwar had some musings for not able to obtain immediate results.
Azhwar became anxious and perplexed as how much longer he would have to bear his karma and when would he attain the bliss of emancipation.
He had a unexplained fear whether LORD would continue to keep him in the material world all together .In this perplexed mood he entered into a casual discussion with Lord of the Lords Sriman Narayana ..
Looking at the Lord !! he laments ,
Oh My Master !! you had pushed me away ..far far away ..by throwing me long long long ago in a bottomless pit full of material and mire in this world …
Oh Lord !!! Am I not yours like the Nitya muktas .
Am I stranger to your highness ?
Devareer could have kept me amongst the Nitya surees for serving your highness …
Azhwar submits …
It is described in Srimad Bhagavatham
Na me dveshyosti na priyah
You declared no one in particular is beloved to you and neither you hate any one .
It is also declared Samoham Sarva bhuteshu and look upon everyone equally ….and announced the supremely pure Jiva is like a kausthubha jewel that is effulgent with knowledge bliss …
Oh ! Lord does this give you any happiness seeing your children suffering in this infected material world ?
You have thrown me in this muddy samsara …a bottomless pit …
Lord with compassion replies !! with a bewitching smile …
Oh Parakala muni ……………….
Am I cause for your difficulties ? which……
you invited due to various sins committed by you in different lives you have taken since immemorial..
My child … Yes!
I appeared several times and taken various incarnations to punish the evil doers and reward the one who did virtuous deeds .
I took all the pain in seeing that people like you are uplifted ..
But am sad ..you never ever sought me and preferred to be Independent .
Never you showed inclination towards me ..
You evaded and avoided me and slowly moved away from me as if you had taken a vow that you would not see , hear , speak and seek me at all.
You were always seeking material pleasures and thus enjoyed the ephemeral worldly pleasures and indulged in sinful deeds. entertaining hatred every moment towards my devotees ,
My Child ….
You are therefore ..
cause for the succession of sorrows which have chased you for the gross misdeeds.
Kaliyan … Now don’t impute me for your misdeeds .
Azhwar humbly responded …..
Oh Lord !!
The Mind is the cause for a person to entertain a desire or wish in favor of a particular object and this crazy mind is under YOUR control ..
as you declared in SBG……
Sarvasya chaaham hridi samnishtah.”
As HRISHIKESHA you are the cause of the good and bad thoughts …
Azhwars have proclaimed
Ennaitheemanam Keduthathaai
and YOU alone have ensured that my mind is diverted from the evil thoughts which forces me to commit these sins
..Maruvithozhum maname thandhaai…
Oh ! Lord !!
This mind you gave me which with love seeks your refugee ……………………….
and you gave this sinful mind ..
and then threw me in this ocean of samsara
..Lord !! Please show compassion and uplift me ..
Lord once again smiles and replies…………..
Oh Parakaala muni …My child …
From time immemorial ….
You never sought me .
To attain specific fruits and get rid of difficulties you had performed certain yagas and yagynas and seeked fruits .
You overlooked me.
With that faith you had overlooked me and thus you had several succession of lives doing good and bad deeds thus falling in the unending cycle of karmas in this samsara .
Now tell me ..
How can I be a part of your sins ?
Azhwar shakes up and with moist eyes .
He continues to plead ..
Oh Lord !!
Please don’t say that I forgot you ..
I entertained the faith and trust that some actions would give specific results and that therefore I had distanced from you my LORD out of ignorance …
What authority do I have to do good or bad karma .
.My Lord …
Lord !!
Being LORD of LORD’s ,
please do not put me in the karmic code of life .
For my own upliftment please bear me ..
Lord !!
As per knowledgeable people what pleases you is a virtuous deed and that angers you is a sinful deed ……………
annaadah vasudaanah…
Lord !!
This verse proclaims you decide the fruits of our karma..
. In that case Lord !!
Can your grace not flow on us to do good karmas only ?
You are everything ..
Please exhibit that divine power by uplifting this fallen soul ..
Lord with abundant mercy smiled….
and said ..
Oh ! Azhwar ……
Are you an insentient being like a stone or that rock …
You have knowledge, a body and the senses .. With all these , You acted independently ..
You are the enjoyer
.. You seek ..
You attain …
and
then you enjoy your might…………………………
As a jiva you are supposed to use your Jnana to discriminate between good and bad .
In Spite of having Jnana and the freedom to act independently you have yourself become the cause of your evil consequences
.Child ! I am of no fault at all ..
Azhwar disappointed , once again pleads and begs LORD …
Lord ! You are Omnipotent and my Indweller ..
Yasya prithivee sariram
Yasyaatmaa sareeram
Sarvam vai karestanuh
Jagatsarvam sareerantey…
Lord !! Your entire body is this entire world …
Lord you enter matter in a very subtle manner and then you take control of this matter in the same way which Jiva controls or conduct the decaying body ..
For this entire matter……
Lord!!
you are the primary cause ….
Just as a charioteer directs the horses which draw the chariot ………
I act only as per the directions given by you and…..
If you oppose I cannot perform and become powerless
Oh Lord !!
Is it not your gesture to look after your own child and this body is of that Atma (Jiva) which belongs to you alone ..
and the protection of all the jivas like me is Lord !
Your responsibility as you are the nature of Eternal Atma
Lord !! In the Ashtakshara mantra it is proclaimed that there are nine types of connection which are with us and cannot be overlooked ..
Oh Lord !! Am shivering with fear as how much longer You who are Independent will push me into this abyss of samsara .Lord
………………..
Please don’t make me a victim of your divine leela ,….
instead make me an instrument in your service
The discussion echoes an ordinary Jiva’s struggle and plight in emancipation .
Azhwar further continues
Maattramula aagilum solluvan makkal
Thottrakkuzhi thottruvippaaikal Endru innam
Aaattrankarai vvzhmarampol anjugindren
Naattrachchuvai ooru oliyaagiya nambhi
Oh Lord …
The taste , touch , vision etc which are seen in the earthly and the five elements are being indicated as the qualities which are in you ..
You are the essence in water , sound in the sky , scent in the earth and in short sap and essence in everything..
..Lord !! Nothing can exist without you ..
Oh Lord …
With all these qualities that are substances which induce desire and hence creating problems that commits sins thus forgetting you ,………………
Lord due to ignorance and mad illusion thus falling in this bottomless pit repeatedly ..
We are just small puppets .
Though you have given us the knowledge , the senses in this body are uncontrollable horses which have caused my befall Knowing fully well that the physical pleasures are ephemeral , temporary and very minute which leads to great difficulties that resulted in deep sorrow ..
yet like a drunken mad monkey this mind runs swiftly and this body is like a fruit full of worms which have already begun to eat me inside ..
Lord ………………
You pushed me into this deep pit with a noose called karma and punish me by giving this body which has full of worms ..
As a tree which is on a bank of a rapidly flowing river fiercely cutting into the banks is all the time not knowing as and when the tree is washed out even my life is like that
…Lord !! Am trembling with fear now
Lord out of abundant compassion and like a father who painfully tweaks the cheeks of a child and enjoys the cries thought …chuckles and thinks …
Umn !!
That’s true..
I allowed you to fall and that was for your own good ..
I have got rid of your atheistic beliefs and cruel conduct once for all
I taught you the Ashtaakshara mantraa
which made you sing Naan kandu kondain Naarayana ennum Naamam and made you aware of the True Knowledge ..
Its just a matter of few more years ..
I will accept and uplift him permanently .
.as you have to just accept your Prarabhdha karmaa .
Lord now replies pretending to be unhappy …
Oh Parakala Muni …
What is this unusual behaviour from you
..Its your Prarabhdha karma which is causing pain .
Have you forgotten your unbearable misdeeds and hatred towards my devotees ?
Why is this anxiety bothering you ..
If you can find any other person who can uplift you ………..Please carry on …
You are an ocean of compassion and abundant mercy ..
How could I ever imagine to get your benevolent grace ….
.
Please forgive me………………………
Ashtaakshari is my only bread butter and life force .
Lord !
I am suffering with unlimited anxiety for the fear that I may be again pushed into this samsaara ..
Seetramula aagilum seppuvan makkall
Thottrakkuzhi thottruvippaikolendranchi
kaatrathidaippatta kalavar manam pol
Aattrathulangaanirppan Aazhivalvaa
Oh ! Lord adorning the mighty Sudarshana chakram ,
Tell me…………
Do you need the divine chakra ?
..In this entire creation there is NO ONE who can oppose your supremacy and cause difficulties
.Having the chakra is to protect people like me ..
All your weapons are for protecting your children……………………
The totality of the evil deeds of any devotee will be obliterated by the Sudarshana chakra if only such devotee were to have the insignia of the chakra on his shoulders ,
Oh Lord !! I am travelling in a boat which is caught in the middle of the ocean surrounded by agitated waves due to the winds of passion ..Oh Lord !! Please pardon me …
Azhwar submits with unconditional surrender ..
Knowing LORD is eternal , he submits
Lord when a child who is full of mischief falls into a well , the entire world blames the mother .though Mother is no way responsible for the event …
A story used to be shared by our great revered Acharyar Swami Peria Vachan Pillai …
The great war of Mahabharatha concluded ..
The revered saint Udanka was upset .
He approached Lord Krishna and enquired
Lord …
You revealed Srimad Bhagavad Gita and said ..
..na me dveshyosthi na priyah …..
For you all were same ..
You could have very well changed the minds of Kauravas thus preventing this catastrophe ….
Lord was silent ..
These were the words
nimitta mattram bhava savyassaachin
mayaivaite nihataah poorvameva
LORD was speechless when Azhwar addressed him with this revelation..
Azhwar was special to LORD ..
he earned his love for the devotion and unconditional surrender…..
….. …………………………..
Many elevated souls have realized this highest transcendental truth…
.They do not care much for earthly good or evil. They care only for Lord’s inner dictates.
Constantly they listen to the dictates of their Inner Pilot
( The Lord as Antharyamee) and then on the strength of their oneness, the inseparable oneness with their Inner Pilot, they offer their selfless, dedicated service to humanity
They try to offer divine knowledge to aspiring humanity.
Again, they tell humanity that Lord Realization is not their sole monopoly.
Everyone needs to fulfill his dharma on earth, fulfill the duties, the reason why we are here and then hand our existence over to existence and let life itself play its tune on us , the hollow bamboo flute. just let destiny fulfill itself through us , emptying our self of all the selfish ego desires and illusions and then realize the divine which is acting in us through in order to bring blessings and final up liftment
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Inspired by a discourse shared by an advanced Spiritual guru…
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 .
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…
The Sri vaishnava Divya desam of “Thirivikarama Perumal Temple” is located near Seerkazhi in Tanjore district ( Tamil Nadu). It’s about half mile away from the Seerkazhi Railway station. Lord Srirama Vinnakara Thadalan graces the devotees as Lord Thiruvikrama as he did in Thiruvekka and Thiru uragam divya desams of Kanchipuram.
Lord in Thirukovilur adorns shankhu and chakaram as abharanam , and in Thiru uragam of kanchipuram he is without them and raises his left and right lies up in order to scale the whole world by his foot, a majestic darisanam to be cherished by every devotee .
But here in Seerkazhi, Lord SrimanNarayana graces as Thirivikrama with all his five weapons with his left hand extending upto the left foot, which is folded upwards.
The temple priest was kind in explaining about the divine pastimes of the Lordships here , which makes one rush to this temple…
Swamy Nampillai happily agreed . He got the deed drafted and made his disciple recite before the old woman which stated that she would be reaching the presence of Lordships on a particular date and time and will be given the required space in the heaven honouring the deed which was attested by Swamy Nampillai himself .
Once Lord Ranganathar declared that all the riches of the Kingdom of Heaven as well as of earth were placed at Swamy Ramanuja’ disposal.
Lord Srinivasa also re confirmed this grant by His divine words . And to prove that this was not mere flattery, it is written in our poorvacharyas works that one incident happened when JagathAcharyar Swamy Ramanuja was in Tirumala .
During those few months stay , a milkmaid by name Tumbaiyur Kondi used to supply milk and curds to the deities of Swamy Ramanuja in his ashram . When he was about to take leave from Tirupati, the woman appeared and presented her bill for payment. Swamy Ramanuja advised Kidambi‐Acchan to give her prasadam and settle her bill in the Mutt . She was pleased with Acharyar’s words . She proceeded to the Mutt and had her Prasadam . She went to Swamy Ramanuja and prostrated to him…
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
Salutations to the great mahaan Srivathsa Chinha Misra (Swamy Koorathazhwan) whose Sri Sookthis became the thirumangaalyam ( mangalasoothram ) of Veda Maatha.
Swamy Koorathazhwan appeared during the year 1010 AD at the Kooram village about 16 kms from Kanchipuram, the temple town of Tamilnadu (Sowmya varusham on Thai –Hastham star during Jan-Feb as per English calendar ) to Sri Ananthan and Perundevi . Swamy is considered to be the amsam of “Srivatsam” which adorns Lord’s chest. As this mark is very close to where Thayar resides, he invariably inculcated Thayar’s abundant compassion.
Swamy Koorathazhwan is glorified as the “pavithram” of Swamy Ramanujar thus proving his closeness to Swamy Ramanujar.
Swamy Ramanujar felt incomplete without Mudaliandan Swamy and Koorath azwan. MudaliAndaan is considered as “Yathiraja Padhuka and Dhandam( tridandam which a sanyasi hold in his hand) .
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…
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 .
“Azhwar” are saintly souls who had immersed themselves in the exclusive devotion to Lord Sriman Narayana in unconditional surrender. The advanced saints, were the supreme devotees of Lord propagating Sri Vaishnavism among the masses through their poetical compositions glorified as Divya Prabhandams highlighting the beautiful effulgent form, auspicious attributes and divine deeds of the Supreme Lord in His various incarnations based on their personal mystic experiences. They lived as human beings and burst out bhakti laden great works for the sake of humanity. The direct result of the Lord’s divine grace on Azhwars made their outpourings special and therefore called ‘ Divyam’. It is because of this that the works of Azhwars are called ‘ Divya Prabandham’ and are 4000 poems (pAsurams).
The Divya Prabhandams of the Azhwars are, therefore, held in as great veneration and reverence as the Vedas in Sanskrit. All the Azhwars held the view that Lord Sriman Narayana is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and one’s only goal of life was to attain Him. And, the path that each one of these Azhwars advocated was chanting the Divine Name of the Lord! which is the easiest path to attain the lotus feet of Lord.
Of the twelve Azhwars , the first three — Poigai Azhwar, Bhoodhatazhwar and Pey Azhwar were believed to be of mystic birth dating back to Dwaapara era. The fourth, Thirumazhisai Azhwar was said to have been brought up by a couple who had the good luck to have his darshan in a forest . Kulashekara Azhwar was a Chera king. Periazhwar, Thondaradippodi Azhwar and Madhurakavi Azhwar were born into brahmin families. Nammazhwar was born in a farmer’s home and Thiruppannazhwar belonged to the Pana community. The only female among them was Godha (Andal) glorified for “Thiruppaavai pasurams ” even to a common man and celebrated as an incarnation of Mother Earth (Bhoodevi). Thirumangai Azhwar, the youngest of the Azhwars was a chieftain of a Chola king.
The first three AzhvArs – Poigai AzvhAr,
Bhudhath AzvhAr and
Pey Azhvar were “ayOnijAs” –
“ones who were not born from a womb”.
They appeared on water-flowers at three different water sources.
Poigai AzhvAr manifested on a lotus flower at Kancheepuram Lord YatthOkthakAri perumaL temple tank on the ” sravanam” star during the month of “aippasi” (November ) .
The second Azhwar was Bhudhath AzhvAr who appeared on a nIlOthphala (kurukkaththi flower in tamil ) near the seaside at thiru-k-kadal-mallai (present day Mahabalipuram) on the day subsequent to Poigai Azhvar (month of Aippasi, Avittam star ).
The third Azhwar “Pey Azhvar” appeared on a sengazhuneer flower in a well in thiru-mayilai (present day Mylapore, the temple of Lord Adikesava perumal on the day after Bhudath Azhvar appeared (aippasi month, sathayam star).
All the three Azhwars were blessed by the Lord with supreme knowledge, and as a result, they lived a life focused on divinity, worshiping the Supreme Lord at different temples, and living a life of ascetics.
To them the entire cosmos , all sentient and the insentient entities in it were alive and vibrating with the underlying divinity of Lord represented by HIS body and HE being the inner controller of the soul .
Azhwars point out very clearly in their outpourings the most important attribute of Lord is HIS immense compassion represented by HIS divine consort Sri: the divine mother forever residing in HIS heart and most easily accessible and who helps in the ultimate redemption of the embodied souls .
Since the appearance of such great souls is invariably tied to a reason of divine intent,
the three Azhvars had to meet to fulfill the purpose of their appearance, to wit, give the world the esoteric truths in a manner accessible to common man .
The stage was set at Thirukovilur and the divine plan was already about to reveal. Lord Sriman Narayana achieved this by making the Azhvars meet and become the harbingers in the effort towards the composition of the holy Dravida Vedas.
Thus Lord arranged a divine plan and made each of them go to the town Thirukovilur which is located 75 kms from Cuddalore and about 200 kms from Chennai.
The rain clouds had overcast the sky and cover of darkness spread all around in the holy town of Thirukovalur . The torrential rain began pouring generously . It was as if the sky will tear open to give its opulence .
Proceeding the temple streets , Poigai Azhwar found out a small front passage ( dehali or rayzhi , thinnai in tamil ) in front of Mrikanda Ashrams hut ( the present Thirukovalur temple sanctum sanctorum ) which was fit for one person to lie down.
Thanking Lord for his mercy ,
Poigai Azhwar moved in and occupied the space to lie down .
Meanwhile , Bhoodath Azhwar coincidentally arrived there looking for a shelter.
Poigai Azhvar welcomed him and said , Holy Sire ! Please come !!
“we have enough space for one to be supine, two to sit ,… please come in”.
Both the Azhwars were now seated , and were indulging in bhagavad guna anubhavam (recounting the innumerable auspicious qualities of the Lord) .
Meanwhile pEy Azhvar also came at the same time to the same Ashrama.
The two Azhvars already present in that little room said…..
Swamin !!
“in this place, one can lie down, two can sit, and three can stand …. please come in”.
PEy AzvhAr joined them, and the three Azhvars continued their joy filled discussion of the Lord’s auspicious qualities and divyaanubhutee which was one of the most auspicious moment to be remembered in the history of Thirukovalur.
Lord pleased with the divine outcome now decided to be amongst HIS favourite devotees .
The darkness became denser and inside the small room they were not able to see each other.
In the thunders and lightning that flashed across, the trio could see a fourth person exquisitely charming entering the room and they felt as if they were overpowered with a sublime, divine feeling.
The trio could immediately realize that the fourth person was none other than Lord Sriman Narayana Himself huddling among them. Poigai Azhwar , wishing to witness the charming divine effulgence of the Supreme Lord again and again, instantly lit a spiritual lamp to the Lord of the lords and the outpourings ….
which means “using the earth as the physical lamp structure, the sea of ether as the ghee for the flame, and the lit flame being verily the Sun himself!.”
thus the first Azhwar composed hundred verses glorifying the Lordships …. now glorified as “Mudhal thiruvandhAdhi (first poem of the type andhAdi, meaning the last word becomes the progenitor of the thought for the following verse) which is among the Naalayiram Divya Prabhandam …………….
Bhudaththu Azhvar, in turn offered a lamp using his yogic powers too, yet in a little different fashion
using his immense love for the Lord as the lamp structure, and his longing for union with the Lord as the energy engendering the flame. He composed a beautiful set of 100 divine verses known as “iraNdaam thiruvandhAdhi” (second poem of the type andhAdhi)….
The two sacred lamps of spiritual love, lit by Poigai Azhvar and Bhudhath Azhvar, allowed all the three Azvhars to experience the Lord in opulence proximity. That ambrosia filled experience inspired the third , Pey AzhvAr to glorify the Supreme Lord instantaneously …
“thiru-k-kaNdEn, pon mEni kaNdEn .
thigazhum aruKKan aNi niramum kaNdEn..
seRukkiLarum ponnAzhi kaNdEn
purisangam kai-k-kaNdEn……..
en Azhi vaNNan pAl inRu”
meaning,
“I had the darshan the divine consort of the Lord – Maha Lakshmi I had the darshan of the divine body of the Lord ,
the beautiful complexion of the Lord and the auspicious discus (chakra) verily the remover of obstacles that prevent us reaching the Lord, and the beautiful white, divine conch in the hands of the Lord”.
This becomes the first verse of ” Munraam Thiruvandhadhi (third poem of the type andhadi), which is a set of 100 verses too counted among the Naalayiram Divya Prabhandam .
This uplifting divine experience bound them into a state of togetherness.
They traveled across various parts of India spreading the divine message of the Lord for attaining HIS abode and remaining in that bliss through there divine pasurams (The three thiruvandhadhis).
The one hundredth verse in turn hooks up to the first verse forming a lovely garland of verses maintaining the eternal thread of continuity .
To all the Azhwars LORD was a living presence experienced in the totality of HIS being and manifestation in HIS myriad creation .
HE lived in them and they lived in HIM ..
November “4” 2019 is the appearance day of “Poigai Azhwar” followed by “Bhudhath AzhvhAr” on 05-11-19 and “Pey Azhvar” on 06-11-19…
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 of Shri Giri govardhan raj connected with bhaktha hanumanjee.
When Lord Rama along with the vanaras were building the bridge to Lanka in the Ram lila,..
Hanuman made an attempt to pick up Govardhan to use him in the noble service . Govardhan was so happy to be engaged in the service of the Lord but just as he was about to lift him, a voice from the sky said “the bridge is finished”.
Therefore Hanuman did not use the service of Sri Giri rAJ Govardhan. Giri Govardhan was sad.
When Lord Ram was returning from Lanka with Mother Sita he stopped here and spoke to GiriRaj Govardhan saying …My dera child ..
“do not worry, the next time I appear, ……
I will personally pick you up and personally engage you that happened in the Krishna avatar.
As per Srimad Bhagwatam Lord was lifting the huge Sri Goverdhan Parvat for seven days continuously prior to Diwali, and rested him back on earth & asked the citizens to worship the holy mountain Sri Sri GiriRaj …
Lord Krishna , then appeared in two forms.
One as Sri Goverdhan hillock itself, i.e., deity to be worshiped and second as resident to offer food to GIRIRAJ .
Thus on this day, the devotees offer their gratitude to Lord Krishna for his blessings in making their lives complete.
This holy hill Goverdhanagiri , more popularly addressed as “GIRIRAJ GOVERDHAN” is located in the middle of the town Goverdhan which is 24 kms from Vrindavan and approximately 26 kms west of Mathura.
The routes to Vrindavan and Goverdhan from Mathura are different . Many buses and share autos ply to Goverdhanagiri from Mathura and Vrindavan round the clock.
Radha Kund, Shyam Kund and Manasi Ganga are in the precints of the hill.
This HOLY DHAAM is considered as the most sacred place in Vrindavan.
Goverdhana hill is formed in the shape of a peacock.
Peria azhwar’s feelings when he expresses mother’s anguish to see her child returning from forest without slippers and umbrella.) .
It was customary for the gopas headed by Nanda Maharaja to perform yaagam to please Indra, the king of devas and give their offerings as they felt that Indra was responsible for rains. Krishna ,who was just 7 years old convinced elders that Indra was only doing duties assigned to him and there was no necessity to worship demigods.
The Lord added that Goverdhanagiri was providing with their daily requirements including enough grass to the cows which in turn yielded good milk resulting in their prosperity. The Supreme suggested that instead of Indra, Brahmins, cows and Goverdhanagiri have to be worshipped to which the elders agreed.
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On the day of pooja, all the gopas and gopikas performed GOW-pooja (pooja for cows), offered dakshinai to Brahmins, circumbulated the hill and offered huge quantities of various food items to the hill.
On Lord Krishna’s order, everyone closed their eyes while food was being offered. Lord Krishna assumed a great transcendental form like that of the mountain, declaring that HE was Goverdhana Hill and accepted all their offerings while little Krishna stood with his relatives and offered prayers to the mountain which was HIMSELF .
HE announced that Goverdhana Hill is non-different from HIM. Later when the gopas were asked to open their eyes, they were surprised to see the palates empty and were convinced by Krishna that the mountain had accepted their offerings.
The gopas returned happily. The identity of Sri Krishna with Goverdhana Hill is still honoured and devotees take goverdhana shila (-small impressions from Goverdhana Hill and place it in the altar and worship. (In order to preserve the hill, devotees are now restrained from taking them) .
As Lord Krishna Himself did parikrama to the hill and as He mentioned that both are identical, devotees in huge numbers perform parikrama ( pradikshana ) to this sacred hill with sincerity and devotion even today .
To commemorate the above incident, Krishna’s great grandson Vajranabha constructed a temple for the Lord. .
The residents of Vrindavan, Goverdhan and the devotees of the Lord do parikrama around Goverdhana hill and offer huge quantities of 56 varieties food preparations (chappan bhog) .
All the devotees are sumptuously fed with the mahaprasad offered to the Lord and Giriaj. ) As the Lord protected the cows and the people in Goverdhan, He got the name “GOVINDA” .
Lord Sriman Narayana incarnated in different avatharas in this world, for spreading the message of the liberation for the jeevatma from this material bondage .
Anathya swaroopam
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 200 years, and through
your exhortations, empower the people with knowledge about their true nature and make them come to..
My world, so that they enjoy “eternal bliss” forever …….
Accordingly, Adishesha appeared as “Swamy Ramanuja” in the age of Kali, where Adharma was in the forefront due to the karmic vasanas .
Swamy Ramanuja followed LORD;s directives by spreading the divine message of Azhwars and the true knowledge to seek Lord’s mercy and disappeared at the age of 120.
The Lord was not satisfied with the developments and felt the mission was incomplete Hence he once again advised Swamy Ramanuja to complete the original assignment of remaining in this material world for complete 200 years and uplift the jivatmaas .
With implicit obedience, Adishesha who appeared as Swamy Ramanuja once again appeared as Azhagiya Manavala Perumal Nayanar at Sikkil Kidaaram .
In his early years he was trained by his father Tigazhaakkidanthan on Vedas and the Divya Prabhandam .
He moved from Sikkil Kidaaram to Azhvar Thirunagari to become the disciple of the revered Acharyar Thiruvaimozhipillai who was the disciple of Loka Acharyar Swamy Pillai Lokacharyar .
Thus our Saint Vara Vara Muni was the last of the poorvacharyas amongst the grand galaxy of preceptors of Srivaishnavam.
It is believed , AdisEsha, in his previous incarnation as Swamy Ramanuja, was very much attracted to Nammazhvars’ s appearance and his divine outpouring (thiruvAimozhi), and hence, earned the appellation “mAran adipaNindhu Uynthavan”.
In keeping with this overwhelming love for Swamy Nammazhvar, the second time AdisEsha selected Azhvar Thirunagari as the place most suited for his appearance and thus Swamy appeared in the month of Aipassi under the star Moola which falls on November 1st 2019 , and was named “Azhakiya maNavALapperumAL nAyanAr by his parents .
This was an year after Swami Desikar ascended to Srivaikuntam
Swami Azhakiya maNavALapperumAL nAyanAr excelled as the disciple of Swamy Tiruvaimozhi pillai .
One day Swamy Tiruvaimozhi pillai while meditating on the great qualities of saint Ramanuja, pondered over those stanzas of Thiruvarangath-amudanar…………. depicting Swamy Ramanuja as a staunch devotee of Saint Nammazhvar proclaiming to the inhabitants of this wide world, end to end, the great glory of the Azhvar’s hymns.
Swamy Tiruvaimozhi pillai ( Srisailesar) decided for raising a fitting memorial for Swamy Ramanuja, right at the appearance place of Swamy Nammazhvar (Azhvar Thirunagari). This took concrete shape soon thereafter.
Tiruvaimozhi pillai with the support of the villagers after clearing the wild vegetation at Azhvar-thirunagari took all initiatives in bringing back the sacred deity which was lost during invasions .
Swamy thus had erected a temple at Azhvar-thirunagari for Swami Ramanuja and installed Sri Ramanuja’s deity ( Swamy Ramanuja’s Bhavishyad Acharaya vigraha ) which had been presented to Sri Madhurakavi Azhvar that lay buried at the foot of the famous Tamarind tree few hundred years back .
The surrounding streets were named as Sri Ramanuja Chaturvedi Mangalam and were permanently inhabited, exclusively by the ardent worshippers of Swamy Ramanuja.
The zealous disciple, Azhakiya Manavala Nayanar, was called upon by Srisailesar to stay in this new colony and look after the daily routine of the temple.
Nayanar s extra-ordinary devotion to this great cause earned the unstinting approbation of his Acharyar
Srisailesar, who started calling him a Yateendra Pravanar signifying the enormous love and devotion borne by him for Swamy Ramanuja, the Prince of ascetics a name which became immortal .
Over a period of time , Swamy Tiruvaimozhi pillai ordered his ardent disciple Azhakiya maNavALapperumAL nAyanAr who had learnt all sastras , to propagate the divya prabandham ( azhvar’s 4000 hymns and their commentaries) to the world.
He wished that living in Sri Rangam and propagating the true tenets of the Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya as given in the hoary aruLiccheyal (divya prabandham) was the need of the hour. Hence advised him to proceed .
The devoted disciple that he was, Azhakiya maNavALapperumAL nAyanAr did act according to the commandments of his Acharyar Thus Azhakiya maNavALapperumAL nAyanAr spent his time in giving divine discourses at Srirangam .
Once during this period , few relatives passed a message about some asowcham ( impurity ) which was coming in the way of service to the Lordships .
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Not being able to be kept out of service even for few days, Nayanar decided to take up sanyasam and requested LORD’S permission.
After accepting sanyasa, Nayanar offered benedictions to namperumal for uninterrupted services forever . Pleased with nAyanar, NamperumAl blessed him with theertham, thirumAlai, thiruparivattam, and Sri sadagopam and gave him a honorable name
AZHAGIYA MANAVALA JEEYER.
Thus the bonding between LORD and his disciple became closer and closer .
Lord Ranganathar ( Peria Perumal ) had a desire to be accomplished through Azhagiya Manavala Jeeyer in Srirangam.
He seized the golden opportunity and ordered him to give a public discourse on the Eedu (36000 padi), the super-commentary of Swami Nampillai on Thiruvaimozhi along with other commentaries, in alluring style for having the good fortune of being trained by the esteemed Acharyar Thiruvaimozhip pillai .( Srisailer )
In order to accommodate unhindered conduct for the divine discourses all festivities of the temple was kept in abeyance . History reveals that for a whole year, Namperumal had enjoined cessation of all festivals which proves the dedication of the disciple and the Acharyar .
On the final day of the discourse , and uplifting event occurred , which was interestingly, by the “Ani thiru-moola” star.
And hence the Sri Vaishnava-world attaches equal importance to this Ani moola star auspicious day also, in a manner akin to the day of Acharyar’s “Aippasi Thirumoola” appearance day.
Lord appeared amidst the august assembly of Acharyar and galaxy of sri vaishnavas, in the guise of an archakar’s (priest) son by the name Aranga Naayakam and brushing aside the opposition getting into proximate presence to Swami mAmunikaL’s seat
recited the following stanza in
His inimitable, majestic voice resembling the thunder of a rumbling cloud……………
LORD in the guise of an archakar’s (priest) a small boy ( kept a palm leaf containing the above sloka on a golden plate full of flowers, fruits, coconuts and other sacred paraphernalia of guru dakshiNa (token of appreciation) and after offering it at the holy feet of Swami mAmunikaL, walked towards the sanctum & disappeared.
To add to this magnificent miracle, Periya Perumal, the Lord Ranganatha Himself, immediately ordered through the archaka……….
let this slOka be recited at the beginning of all divya prabhanda recitations just as a Vedic recital begins and ends with the sacred
‘Om’
so also all recitals of the tamil veda, the divya prabhandam, shall commence and end with
These holy verses extols Swamys contributions to continued existence and prosperity of Sri Vaishnavaism, the followers, their holy temples, scriptures, traditions, and the well being of the whole world, and concludes with the prayer, that the great saint Swamy Manavalamaamuni live for another hundred years for fulfilling that purpose.
Swami mAmunikaL’s life was punctuated by many events that demonstrated that he was no ordinary person. In fact, authentic accounts of Sri Vaishnava literature and lineage, position Swami maNavALa mAmunikaL at the very pinnacle of the orthodox lineage of Sri Vaishnava AchAryas (called `OrAn vazhi’) and with the above divine incident , identify him as the Acharya (guru) for Lord RanganAtha himself!!
The apparent conflict between 100 years and perpetuity is resolved, when one understands the key link of devoted Sri Vaishnava devotees, their ongoing practice of the prayer and traditions as a “Vaazhaydi Vaazhai”, for the perpetuation of the faith.
Thus the 100 and more number of years down the line there will be faithful chanting of the divine prayers for the same for the infinite future.
Among several disciples the foremost eight disciples were very special . They are glorified as as “Ashta Dhig Gajams” or the mighty elephants guarding the eight directions of earth who are as below
(1) VaanamAmalai Jeeyar
(2) BhattarpirAn Jeeyar
(3) ThiruvEnkata RaamAnuja Jeeyar
(4) Koil aNNan
(5) PrathivAdhi Bhayankaram aNNan
(6) ErumpiappA
(7) aAppiLLai and
(8) AppiLLAr .
Swamy Erumbiappa, one of the astadiggajas glorified 100 verses adorning the divine qualities of Swamy Manavalamamuni .
In Srivaishnava sampradayam, Azhvar it indicates to only nammAzhvar, the term swamy refers only to Swamy Ramanuja and Jeeyer is a special term indicating Periya Jeeyer, our Sri Vara Vara Muni.
The verses of Swamy erumbiappa are called as Vara Vara Muni sathakam .
Swamy prathivAdi bayankaram annan had also glorified the divine qualities of his Acharyar .
Swamy Maamuni had the highest regard for Swami Desikan and used to refer him with great affection as ” ABHIYUKTHAR ” OR THE REVERED ONE likewise Swami Desikar had the highest regard for the Achaarya of Swamy Maamuni’s own Achaarya, Swamy Pillai LokAcharyar.
Swamy has been glorified with several names like Varavaramuni, Periya Jeer, Vichatavak Shikhamani , Sowmyajamatrumuni, ramyajamatra muni, Sowmyopayanthrumuni, Sundarajamatrumuni, , YatheendraPravanar .
“Upadesa Ratinamala” is a wonderful work composed by Swamy Mamunigal which has 73 verses that gives the details of Azhwars and Acharyas appearance & their divine works.
Swamy Erumbiappa composed the 74 th verse and pleaded Lord Ranganathar requesting LORD to accept them and hence as a result of Lord’s command, the following verse was included in Upadesa Ratinamala.
The verse goes like
“mannuyir_kAL ingE maNavALa mAmunivan *
senkamalappOthukaLai * –
unnis siraththAlE theeNdil
amAnavanum nammai *
karaththAlE theeNdal kadan “
The Meaning of the above verse ………….
“Oh my dear devotees who desire for Moksha seeking Swamy Mamunigal’s lotus Feet listen ….
taking refugee at the Lotus feet of Swamy Mamunigal will definitely lead us to the blessings of “Amanavan” who allows us at the entrance into Sri Vaikuntam” as we are Swamy Manavala mamuni’s disciples …
Swami Manavala Mamunikal is compared favorably with the kind of divinity exuded by Swami Ramanuja. After all, they were both the incarnation of our Lord’s dear serpent servant Adi sEsha.
. Fortunate are the devotees who are at Srirangam and Azhwar Thirunagari celebrating the grand festival of Aani Thirumoolam
Lord Krishna 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 ParamaShiva 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. ParamaShiva’s temple in Mammiyoor is about a kilometer away from the Guruvayur temple. It is believed that Shiva looks at…
The month of ( March – April ) in tamil (Panguni ) is sacred as it is the appearance month of – Lord Ranganatha on Panguni Revathi and Goddess Sri Ranganayaki Thayar on Panguni Uthiram both occur during this month.
This is the only day on which the Divya Dampatis of Srirangam are seen together in Utsavam.
The Utsavam takes place at the royal court located at the western entrance of the great Temple of Lord Ranganatha.
Interestingly, this is the only entrance which does not have a Rajagopuram.
Incredibly Swamy Ramanuja chose this blessed day for reciting the wonderful hymns the Gadya Trayam- Saranagathi gadyam, Sriranga gadyam and Vaikunta gadyam, unambiguously outlining the doctrine of Surrender .
(SharaNagati-which is atma Vivaham) wedding of the jivAtma to the paramAtma.
On this day Panguni Uttaram , Swamy Ramanuja gathered all his disciples and approached the great Temple of Lord Ranganatha.
Our Paramacharya was greatly moved by the majestic sight of the Divya Dampatis beautifully decorated in Utsavam at the Royal Court…
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 were the chief disciples.
Of these Perianambi personally taught swami Ramanuja and it was Thirukoshtiyur Nambi who made swamy Ramanuja walk to his place 18 times to learn the meaning of LORD’S name.
Alavandar had another disciple by name Maraneri Nambi. The other disciples were all high-caste Brahmans whereas Maraneri Nambi belonged to a caste which was in the lowest rung of the social ladder during those period.Alavandar did not discriminate between his disciples and he loved Maraneri Nambi more than the other disciples.
Peria Nambi and Maraneri Nambi were of the same age. They became close friends. They would discuss their…
Sundare sundaram mantram…….Sundare kim na sundaram…….
The fifth kaandam in Sriramayanam known as “SUNDARA KAANDAM” is the most popular kaanda. Unlike names of other kandams which are self explanatory, this kandam is known as “Sundaram-beautiful” as everything ..
-Hanumanji’s Rama bhakti, Sitadevi’s chastity, Srirama’s plight to rescue HER, their concern for each other, torments in samsaara are so beautifully described by maharishi. The characters of the trio makes even a stone melt. That’s the reason even after so many lakhs of years, we read Sundarkandam with reverence. Also, reciting Sundarakandam is considered equivalent to reading the entire Ramayana as Hanuman and Trijata narrate all the incidents-past,present and future in the august presence of Sitadevi.
After coronation of Sugreeva as the King of Vaanaras, Lord Srirama and Lakshmana spent four months during monsoon in Malyavan parvath in Prasvanagiri in Hampi, Karnataka.
Lord Srirama experienced unbearable pain due to separation from our mother Sitadevi. The Lord was worried about Sitadevi’s welfare and used to lament uncontrollably.
At the end of monsoon, Sugreeva deputed crores of vaanaras and bears in all directions in search of Sitadevi giving them one month’s time to trace the whereabouts and inform for taking up next course of action.
Sugreeva explained geographical particulars about all the places around the world in detail .
The vanaras headed by Prince Angadha and supported by senior Jambavan and Hanuman were assigned the task of searching in the southern direction. Lord Srirama handed over HIS finger ring to Hanumanji who was standing in a corner.
Our poorvacharyars give reason as to why Srirama selected Hanuman to give his finger ring . It was the time at Kishkinda when Lord Rama was in search of Mother Sita . Hanumanji was in thoughts to see Srirama lamenting for a lady.
Hanumanji a brahmachari was wondering as to why a person of high stature like Lord Srirama tutored by rishis like Sage Vasishta, Vishwamitra was so emotional .
Lord Srirama our antaryami sensed Hanumanji’s feelings . To make Hanuman realise the greatness of Sitadevi, Srirama selected Hanuman and handed over HIS finger ring with HIS holy name engraved on it.
And it was also an indication that Paramatma laments for all the jivaatma in the same lines .
It was because of the holy ring that Hanuman could cross the ocean and meet Mother Sitadevi and obtain HER blessings. When Hanumanji saw Sitadevi’s steadfast devotion towards Lord Srirama, he regretted for his thoughts initially .
Having understood HER greatness , Hanuman visualised both of them together in his heart and offered prayers.
IMAGE OF HANUMAN AT DIVURUMPOLA IN SRILANKA (SITA AGNI PRAVESHA STHAL )
Hanumanji introduced to mother Sitadevi that he was “Rama dhoothan” whereas when he returned to Lord Rama as “Sitadevi’s messenger” to convey the good news about Sitadevi’s welfare, he addressed himself as “Raama daasan”. With Mother’s grace, our ego vanishes. Our poorvacharyars comment that when Hanuman went as “rama dhootan”-, he was gifted with fire on the tail whereas when he returned as Sita dhootan, he was embraced by Lord Rama.
The vanaras who went in the southern direction explored all the places until they reached SWayamprabha caves in Kadayanallur near Tirunelveli in Tamilnadu .
Swayamprabha an advanced Sathwi was the guardian for the magical cave owned by Mayasuran. Anyone who entered could not come out. She hosted the vanaras and later transported the vanaras to the seashore( about 150 kms away from Kadayanallur) after knowing about their devotion to Lord Rama with her powers .
Having reached the seashore, the vanaras were worried because the stipulated time of one month fixed by their King Sugreeva was over and they could not trace Sitadevi. They knew for sure that Sugreeva would not spare them and decided to end their lives as they did not have the courage to face Srirama who was already suffering pangs of separation.
Angadha had lit a big pyre for them to sacrifice their lives.
He started lamenting about Sitadevi’s abduction, Jatayu sacrificing his life in Ramaseva after fighting with Ravana , their search expedition and failure in the assignment.
Sampaati-the eagle bird summoned Angadha and introduced himself as Jatayu’s elder brother , shared how he lost his wings while protecting Jatayu from the scorching heat of sun in the process loosing his wings and became immobile.
Sampaati was informed about Jatayu’s Raama kainkaryam and he too resolved to do the same. He informed the vanaras about Sitadevi’s whereabouts with his sharp vision in the far away land, Lanka. Having done this Raama kainkaryam, Sampaati regained his lost wings and flew away.
SAMPAATI CONVERSING WITH ANGADHA AND OTHER VANARAS NEAR SEASHORE
Now that the whereabouts of Sitadevi were known, the vanaras started contemplating as to who would cross the ocean which was measuring 100 yojanas (1000 miles) to meet mother Sitadevi. Each vanara expressed their ability to cross few yojanas . Angadha said that he could cross 100 yojanas but would not have the energy to return. The aged Jambavaan who knew Hanuman’s capabilities approached Hanuman and started enumerating his strength and skills. When Hanuman was a child, he mistook Sun to be an apple and leapt in the sky to hold it.
He was hit by Indra with vajrayudham on his chin(hanu) and hence was called Hanuman. Vayu, hanuman’s father stopped air which made the whole world breathless. To appease his anger, brahma and other devas bestowed many boons on Hanuman.
Brahma cursed him to forget his prowess but would get back his strength when someone reminded him at an apporpriate time. Jambavan reminded him of his capabilities and requested Hanuman to undertake Rama kainkaryam. (Sage Agastya extolled Hanuman’s greatness to Srirama in Uttara kaandam)
MAHENDRAGIRI MOUNTAIN IN THIRUKURUNGUDI AT TAMILNADU
He confidently proclaimed that he would finish the yeomen task of locating mother Sitadevi saying that like Sri Rama’s arrow which never failed to hit its target, he would accomplish the task.
All the vanaras vowed to observe fast until Sitadevi was found. Reposing confidence to the vaanaras, Hanuman stood on Mahendragiri parvatham in Thirukurungudi beyond Tirunelveli in Tamilnadu and after offering prayers to Suryan, Indran, Vayu, Sri Rama , He increased in size and leapt on the sky to cross the ocean.
HANUMAN LEAPING FROM MAHENDRAGIRI
Thus starts Sundarakandam,-the most beautiful kaandam as everything is beautiful in it. Every household in India has a copy of Sundarakanda . It is a normal practice in Srivaishnava wedding to present Sundarakandam to the groom as it is considered very auspicious.
Our poorvacharyars have clearly indicated that
Lord Rama is the Paramatma
MOther Sita is the Jivatma suffering in this material world for reunion with Paramatma
Lanka is the samsara(material world)
Our manas is Ravana and the ten senses are considered as the ten heads of Ravana
Hanuman is the acharya(gurudeva) who extols Paramatma’s qualities to Jivatma, gives the holy name to Jivatma, submits Jivatma’s plea to Paramatma, destroys Lanka(samsaara) with the fire of knowledge and finaly reunites Jivatma with Paramatma.
The jivatma who gets illusioned with material world, leaves Paramatma and ends up in trouble loitering in the material world until an acharya intervenes and imparts supreme knowledge about the Lord, gives us the mantra to attain HIM, submits our plea to the Lord and ensures our union with the Supreme Lord by destroying our desires (samasara)
And our journey to Sri Lanka to have the darshan of all the holy places fructified in August 2018 and an attempt is being made to reproduce the divine bliss to millions of Hari bhaktha .
Hanumanji must have entered Srilanka from the north-western part via Thiruketeeswaram near Mannar, proceeded southwards and landed on Ramboda hills. The places related to Sundarakandam are mostly located in Central Srilanka upto Sigiriya in the north and Ussangoda in the south.
Valmiki maharishi beautifully describes Hanuman’s flight. Hanumanji increased in size and stretching his hands wide leapt from Mahendragiri mountain causing its residents to leave the place. The flowers from the trees had covered Hanuman who was now resembling a flowered mountain.
Hanumanji faced the first hurdle which was a friendly gesture by Mynaaka parvatham who was a close friend of Vayu bhagavan ( Hanumanji’s father ). He offered fruits and asked Hanuman to take rest but he refused politely by embracing the mountain for its gesture saying that he intended to reach Lanka by evening and was lacking time.
Hanuman won Mynaakam with his friendly gesture. He didn’t succumb to any temptation.
The second hurdle came in the form of Surasa who was a Naagamaatha( mother of snakes). The devas prompted her to test Hanuman’s capabilities. Surasa obstructed Hanuman’s way saying that she wanted to swallow Hanuman to satiate her hunger.
Hanuman informed her about his mission promising her to return and satiate her hunger but she didn’t budge saying that as per Brahma’s words, none could pass by her without fulfilling her wish. He asked her to open her mouth wide enough for him to get into , started increasing in size. Surasa also widened her mouth to match his size. The witty Hanuman suddenly decreased in size , went inside her mouth and came back even before she closed her mouth, offered obeisances to her and having satisfied her wish continued his journey. As she was a well wisher , Hanuman won her with his intelligence and presence of mind and didn’t kill her.
Surasa was pleased with Hanuman .She blessed him assuming her true form.
The place where this incident took place is known as Nagadweepa, also known as Nayanateevu, is an island near the North-western part of Srilanka (between Mannar and Jaffna) is now identified as the place where this incident took place.
There is a big temple for Naagamaatha known as Nagapooshani temple. This is also considered as one of the eighteen shakti peetams.
To reach this place, one has to drive from Jaffna for about 38 kms upto Pungudutheevu . From Pungudutheevu drive for about 15 kms on a bridge to reach jetty.
Our journey to this wonderful place is recorded in this video
Regular boat services at an interval of one hour is available to go to Nagadeepa. The fare for the boat ride is LKR 50/- and will take about 20 minutes .
It is one way-the boat stops near the buddhist monastery and the return would be pick up from Nagapooshani temple or vice-versa . Autos ply between these two places for a nominal charge of Rs.10/- LKR.
NAGAPOOSHANI AMMAN TEMPLE NAGADWEEPA
BUDDHIST MONASTERY NAGADWEEPA
In Nagadeepa, there are two places to be visited- the first one is the Buddhist monastery as Buddha had visited this place and changed the factionist Naagas into pious people and made them follow Buddhism. Nagapooshani amman temple can be reached by auto. Devotees perform milk abhishekam to the naagas in the temple.
The third hurdle for Hanumanjee was a rakshasi named Simhika. Lying on the ocean she had the power to pull the shadow of anyone flying over her. She used her strength to reduce Hanuman’jis speed by pulling his shadow.
Hanumanji realised the gravity and the unexpected hurdle . She opened her mouth widely and with all her might, she tried to swallow Hanuman who entered into her mouth and came out swiftly piercing her stomach thus killing her. Simhika was in a pool of blood. Hanumanjee thus encountered the third hurdle who was an enemy in reality with his strength.
This place is identified as Thiruketeeswaram near Mannar on the North-western part of Srilanka (between Jaffna and Anuradhapura) about 116 kms north-west of Anuradhapura-a famous site for Buddhists.
Also, Kethu-one of the navagrahas who is Simhika’s son prayed to Shiva at this place. Hence this place is known as Thiruketeeswaram.
Mandodari’s father built this temple. Presently the Shiva temple is undergoing renovation.
Hanumanji landed on Suvela parvatham in Srilanka . This place is now known as Ramboda. Chinmaya mission have constructed a beautiful temple for 16 ft Hanumanjee . There are 3 sets of deities of Sita-Rama Lakshmana in the temple premises.
Chariot procession takes place during December . As Hanumanji alighted on this parvath on Pournami (Valmiki rishi mentions that Hanuman started his search operation on Pournami and the full moon helped Hanuman with his cool light to see things clearly ), special poojas are performed here. Guest house accomodation(LKR 6600/-for more than 2 PAX) and food court (AnnapurnaVeg.restaurant) are being operated by the mission. (Srirama viewed Lankapura from this placE)
After sunset, Hanumanji took a miniature form to search for Mother Sita. He marched towards Lankapura city after crossing forests. Being an island, Lanka was protected by sea on all four sides which was a natural barrier, it has many mountains ,lakes and rivers. Lankapura was situated on one such mountain known as Trikuta parvatham(Sigiriya) and the surrounding places around Kandy are also considered part of this . The historical importance of Sigiriya (a world heritage site ) now is being attributed to King Kasyapa who was an unjust king very similar to Ravana and hid at this place. (Research relating to Ramayana reveal that this was Ravana’s kingdom)
It was well guarded on all sides by armed soldiers right from the foot of the hill. The beautiful city was built by Mayasuran-architect for asuras and Ravana’s father in law. Valmiki rishi has aptly described this location which can be found even today. There were tunnels connections various mountains to which only Ravana had access. Also, there were aircraft centres at various places which was used by Ravana to fly on his pushpaka vimanam.
Hanumanjee was encountered by Lankini- a rakshasi who was a personification of Lanka when he was trying to enter into Lankapura. Hanuman politely told her that he would return after viewing the beautiful city but the raksasi didn’t accede. Though she hurt Hanuman by hitting with a mace, hanuman pitied her and slightly hit her with his left fist which was unbearable for her. She accepted defeat and recollecting Brahma’s words that when she would be defeated by a vanara, Lanka’s destruction would be inevitable, she blessed Hanuman to be victorious in his mission.
Lankapura is considered as the places around Sigiriya and Kandy.
RAvana ruled from Sigiriya Fort
HANUMANJI IN RAMBODA
Hanuman defeated Lankini and started searching for Sitadevi in all the places including the Pushpaka vimanam, palaces of RAvana’s queens, Ravana’s palace, Mandodari’s palace, kitchen ,etc. Lankapura was situated on Trikuta parvatham(Sigiriya rock ) making it inaccessible to intruders.
Ravana’s court, palace, his queens’ palaces were all situated around this. Right from the foot of the hills, every place was well guarded. The fort was surrounded with mouts, lakes with crocodiles is it . There are about
Inside sigiriya fort
He came across stationed armies well equipped guarding the kingdom.
The place where Pushpaka vimanam was kept is now known as Gurulopotha near Sita Kotuwa about 100 kms north east of Kandy. (There is only a name board and a buddhist temple ). Likewise Mandodari palace is now known as “Sita Kotuwa” as Sitadevi was first kept here. This is an archeological site about 3 hours drive from Kandy.
Sita Kotuwa.
A guide from the archeological survey office accompanies the visitors to the place. (Guest house facility and a small restaurant serving cool drinks,water, snacks is run by them.) We need to walk down the steep terrain for about an hour to reach Sita Kotuwa. The place where the army was stationed is known as Weragantota. Gurulopotha and Weragantota are situated near Sita Kotuwa.
Steps from Ravana palace leading to sita kotuwa (this is not the path which we take)
He found heaps of food in the kitchen but didn’t have the slightest temptation to eat. He searched every nook and corner of Lanka but could not trace mother Sitadevi. Hanuman was worried that he had to look many ladies which was against his brahmachari vow. But he convinced himself that if you have to search for a deer, you will have to search amongst deers. Likewise, a woman has to be searched amongst women. AS he respected all women as his mother and sister, his mind was very clear and was only focused on our Mother’s ( Thayar’s ) welfare.
After searching for the second time, Hanumanji was worried .He sat on a rock and decided to end his life as he knew that if he returned without seeing Sitadevi, he would be the cause for destruction of Ishvaku race and the vaanaras.
Hanuman however regained his determination and realized his mistake.
He understood that though he prayed to all the gods he forgot to offer prayers to Mother Sitadevi
Recollecting HER appearance as an ayonija,
He immediately prayed to Sitadevi guarded by Rama and Lakshmana to disclose her whereabouts similar to the way SHE chose to appear to King Janaka.
BIRTH PLACE OF SITADEVI AT SITA MARHI, BIHAR
By the grace of Sitadevi, Hanumanji spotted Ashoka vanam- a beautiful garden which he had missed to explore.
This place where Hanuman sat and contemplated on Mother Sita is identified as MANIKATUTHER located between Ramboda and Nuwara Eliya.
It is about 20 kms from RAmboda hill and Nuwara Eliya is about 50 kms from Manikatuther.
Manikatuther is located in Labbookelle Tea Estate in Kondakalai village on a hill bgetween Nuwara Eliya and Ramboda. WE need to take an auto to go up the hill which has a muddy path from the base. AFter reaching a certain point, we have to trek up the hill through Labbookelle Tea Estate .
The scenic beauty is inexplicable. When we visited this place, the whole area was engulfed in fog , it was drizzling and cool breeze was soothing . ( As the muddy road was drenched with rain, we were told that it would not be possible to go there by our guide. But we insisted to be taken there and because of Hanuman’s grace, two auto drivers agreed to take us and we could visit the place.) Presently , there is only a small shiva linga under a tree.
Sri.Kanakaraj, a disciple of Chinmaya Mission who accompanied us informed that on a clear day, we can view both Ramboda and Nuwara Eliya.
Reaching Lanka, Ravana held Sitadevi captive in Mandodari’s palace which is now known as Sita kotuwa. Indra prayed to Sitadevi to sustain herself by partaking heavenly sweet for the world’s welfare . Ravana later shifted HER to Ashoka vanam(presently known as Hakgala Gardens in Nuwara Eliya)
presuming SHE would like the hill station and the natural beauty of his kingdom and succumb to his wish. The village is named as Kondakalai because while Ravana was forcibly taking Sitadevi to Ashoka vanam, Sitadevi’s hair got deranged.
He also informed that the food given by RAvana to Sitadevi was thrown away by HER which fell scattered in the surrounding forests. The remains became fossils known as “SITA GOOLI” have been certified by American researchers as vitaminised rice balls dating few thousands of years . These balls are considered as symbol of auspiciousness. We were fortunate to get them to be placed in our altar.
SITA GOOLI AND LEAVES OF ASHOKA TREE
Near Manikatuther, there is a temple for Sriman Narayana seated on Garuda with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Mahavishnu is bluish in complexion . But the locals address this temple as “Rama temple”.
During Margazhi,(Dec-Jan), early morning Pooja is performed and bhajans are conducted in the nights during the whole month. Few rare beautiful pics from Ramayanam are hung on the walls inside the temple.
ASHOKA VANAM (HAKGALA BOTANICAL GARDENS IN NUWARA ELIYA)
When Hanumanji entered Ashoka Vanam (presently known as Hakgala Botanical Gardens in Nuwara Eliya), the flowers blossomed , birds chirped and the weather was very pleasant. Some flowers dropped on Hanuman’s body which added to his beauty.
Hanuman jumped from one tree to the other in search of Sitadevi. Finally, he found a sobbing distressed lady glowing with effulgence under a tree and looking at her appearance, the colour of her sari and the jewels which were hanging from the tree, Hanuman guessed that it was Sitadevi. His joy knew no bounds.
He was contemplating as to how he has to pick up a conversation with her. Meanwhile, RAvana arrived and started persuading Sitadevi.
Mother Sita underwent all these troubles to put an end to Ravana’s atrocities who was slave to lust thus causing harm to womanhood all over the world. (Poorvacharyars reason that as the wives of celestial persons were held captive by him, Mother Sitadevi came to Lanka to rescue them ). Just as a mother who will ensure to protect all the children,
Sitadevi who is the mother of Universe advised him to restore HER back to Lord Rama and get saved mentioning Sri Rama’s nature to forgive anyone who came for asylum even if it had committed the gravest sin. When Sitadevi rebuked him by recalling his cowardly act of stealing HER in Srirama’s absence , he became so wild that he wanted to harm her but was stopped by his wife Daanyamaalini.
The egoistic Ravana left after warning her that she would be killed and served as breakfast at the end of two months in case she doesn’t concede to his request.
The rakshasis who were threatening her were chastised by Trijata-Vibhishana’s daughter who disclosed the dream she had.
Trijata revealed her dream in which she saw victorious Lord Rama seated with Sitadevi wearing white silk clothes on Pushpaka vimanam ,Ravana’s death, anhilation of rakshasa clan, Vibhishana’s coronation and advised the rakshasis to stop torturing Sitadevi as SHE alone could protect them from SRirama’s wrath.
The rakshasis stopped harassing and slept. Sitadevi who was totally devastated, decided to end her life by hanging HERSELF from Simshuka tree with her hair.
Hanumanji who was sitting on the Simshuka tree became worried at HER approach. To save HER from this disaster, Hanuman softly sang Srirama’s story starting from HIS appearance,wedding, banishment , Ravana’s foul play in kidnapping Sitadevi, Jatayu’s death, Sugreeva’s friendship, their search operation etc. Hanuman presented himself as Rama’s messenger and sugreeva’s minister.
He described in detail about Srirama and enquired about devi’s identity. When Sitadevi got convinced that he was Rama’s messenger, Hanuman presented the holy ring given by Srirama to her and pacified HER that SRirama would kill Ravana ,resuce HER and return to Ayodhya to rule the world. Just as our acharyar gives us the holy name (Tirumantram) to us during Samasrayanam, Hanuman gave tthe holy ring with SRirama’s name engraved on it. Looking at the ring, Sitadevi wept uncontrollably remembering their separation and suffering .
Thus , the entire Ramayana was sung by Hanuman. This place is known famously known as “SITA ELIYA-SITA AMMAN TEMPLE” located about 4 kms from Nuwara Eliya on a lower altitude. Nuwara Eliya,also known as “Little England” located in the Central highlands of Srilanka is a hill station and one of the coldest regions in Srilanka .
The thought that Sitadevi sitting under the tree in the cool Ashoka gardens without any protection against the harsh weather conditions made us feel depressed.
Hanuman convinced Sitadevi that Srirama would come at the earliest and rescue HER. Unable to tolerate Sitadevi’s distress, Hanumanji offered to carry HER on his shoulders and unite HER with Srirama. He expanded his form to convince about his capabilities. So, we can see two sets of footprints in Sita Amman temple-one small and the other one huge .
Hanuman pacified Jaganmatha assuring HER of Srirama’s arrival to resue HER and consoled her thus saving HER life. When Hanuman requested Sitadevi to give some token of identification to present to Srirama, Sitadevi handed over the “choodamani ” and shared few incidents with Hanuman including Kakasuran’s episode , about how the Lord applied thilak so that HE would believe Hanuman as these incidents happened in solitude.
SPHATIK SHILA IN CHITRAKOOT-THE PLACE OF KAKASURAN EPISODE
After taking Sitadevi’s blessings, Hanuman decided to meet Ravana and convey Rama’s message. So, he uprooted the trees in Ashoka vanam . He defeated the rakshasas who came to fight, destroyed one-fourth of Ravana’s army including 80000 kinnaras, five army chiefs, Ravana’s son-Akshakumara and finally voluntarily got bound by Indrajit’s brahmastra as vayuputra wanted an audience with Ravana.
All these incidents took place at “” Hakgala Botanical Gardens”.
The deities which are considered thousands of years old were recovered from the stream in Sita Eliya two hundred years ago
Hanuman was taken to RAvana’s assembly in Sigiriya Fort.
INNER VIEW OF SIGIRIYA FORT (RAVANA PALACE)
Hanuman introduced himself as Sugreeva’s minister and Srirama’s messenger , informed the killing of Vali who had humbled RAvana earlier , advised Ravana to return Sitadevi and save his clan from Srirama’s wrath which infuriated Ravana .
Ravana ordered Hanuman to be killed but was intercepted by Vibhishana who said that a messenger should not be killed but could be punished.
RAVANA’S THRONE ON SIGIRIYA FORT
Ravana ordered that Hanuman’s tail be burnt and taken along all the streets . Hanuman’s tail was wound with cloth dipped in oil and fire was lit. The jubilant rakshasas unaware of Hanuman’s prowess abused him and insulted him by throwing stones and took him through all the places. Hanuman unmindful of the pain thought that it was a good opportunity so that he can once again see Lanka in the day light. Few rakshasis rushed to Sitadevi to inform about the happenings. Sitadevi experienced intolerable grief for the punishment. She washed her hands in the nearby stream , lit a pyre and prayed to Agnideva to protect Hanuman by proclaiming that if she was chaste and if it is true that sirama would resuce her, Agni should not harm Hanuman.
Hanuman realised that though his tail was burning, he didn’t feel any burning sensation or pain. He realised that it was because of Sitadevi’s compassion , the fire didn’t harm him. Hanuman wanted to express his gratitude to firegod by offering the tall mansions to agni. Hanuman freed himself from rakshasas’ clutches and jumping from one building to the other including RAvana’s palace and assembly , he lit fire in all the places.
AS the golden Lankapura was on a hill where heavy winds blow, the fire spread immediately . The whole of Lanka was in flames.
Hanuman burnt the whole Lanka including Ravana’s airports at WEragantota , Ussangoda (the southern tip of Lanka).
Hanuman cooled his burning tail in the waters near Ussangoda near Hambantota- a sea coast about 83 kms from Galle.The sand here is red in colour. Usually red sand would be wet whereas here it is as hard as rock. No vegetation grows here. This is a protected site. It is advisable to visit this place in daytime .
Hanuman became worried about Sitadevi’s welfare as the entire Lanka was burning. But he heard from celestial beings about Sitadevi’s safety and Vibhishana’s house not burnt. The pleased Hanuman returned to Ashoka vanam and after personally seeing Sitadevi assured her about Rama’s arrival and returned to Kishkinda after taking Mother Sita’s blessings. Assuming a huge form, Hanuman took off from “Arishta” parvatham from Lanka to cross over the ocean to reach Mahendragiri. Unable to bear his weight, Arishta parvatham got submerged into the sea with only the top visible. This is considered as “Andaman islands” (this info was shared by Andamanese during our visit-not sure about the authenticity but there is a similarity in the names-Arishta—Andaman)
Hanuman returned to the vanara camp and shared with them Sitadevi’s welfare. He informed them in detail about his entire journey. They started the return journey to Kishkinda to inform the good news to SRiram, Enroute stopped for a while at Madhuban near Hampi to satisfy their hunger. While all the vanaras were satiating their hunger by drinking honey and eating fruits, Our Hanuman was relising the nectarian names of Lord Rama which was his lifeline.
HANUMAN’S IMAGE AT MADHUVAN NEAR HAMPI
Hanuman and other vanaras headed by Angadha returned to Maalyavan parvath and informed about Sitadevi’s welfare and presented the choodamani to Srirama. A beautiful temple for the Lordships at the place where this incident took place can be seen in Hampi. Srirama praised Hanuman and embraced him for completing the mission thus emphasising that HE COULD BE ATTAINED ONLY WITH HANUMAN’S GRACE.
The place where Hanumanji conveyed Sitamata’s welfare and offered Choodamani to Srirama-Hampi,Karnataka
Our poorvacharyas say that when Hanuman submittd to Srirama without Sitadevi, his tail got burnt but when he got Sitadevi’s blessings, he was blessed with Lord Rama’s embrace .
This emphasizes Thayar’s intervention as PUrushakaaram in our Srivaishnava sampradayam. Thus ends the wonderful prose Sundarakandam.
Shanka Chakra Dhara Vaijayanthi Dara
Pithambaradara Govardhanodhara
Tulasimala Shobhita Gala
Garuda Gamana Hari Pankaja Nabha
Vittala Yere Pandhari Raya
Mastaka Linga Swaroopa Linga
Roopa Banga Sajjana Sangha
Yadukula Thilaka Manmatha Janaka
Pathitha Pavana Dena Dayalo
Vittala Yere Pandhari Raya
Pilgrimage to Pandharpur near Sholapur in Maharashtra and having darshan of Lord Vittal is incomplete without mentioning the great devotee Pundalikan.
Pundalaikan who hailed from southern part of India undertook a pilgrimage to kasi along with his parents and family . As his old parents couldn’t withstand the long journey they camped on the banks of Bhima river in the present Pandharpur.
As there was no improvement in their fitness and due to their old age , they decided to stay there forever serving LORD and his devotees .
Pundalikan was a caring and obedient son .
Always in the service of his parents chanting the holy name he continued to start a fresh life being at this new place.
The Divine Name of ‘ Jai Jai Ramakrishna Hari Jai Jai Vasudeva Hari’ ever reverberating in this holy town made him swoon into transcendental…
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…
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…
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 save the deities from disrespect. However the demons used to destroy them and if that was not possible, deface them. The smaller utsavar idols made of the expensive Panchaloha were carried off in large heaps to Delhi, to be melted into new ornaments.
The priests did their very best to cover the sanctum with bricks and send the smaller idols for safekeeping with trusted families. The forces however, kept driving further in conquest. People mourned the deaths of their near and dear in the struggle .
The invaders were ruthlessly attacking the temples and looting…
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 “Hasthi giri”. ‘Hasthi’ 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 . …
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)
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Muktinath Divya 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 OR during September…
This Srivaishnava divyadesam is located near Pallavaram in Chennai . The temple is located on a hillock and one must climb around 250 steps to have darshan of the LORD .The glory of this divya desam is related to this temple is described in Brahmanda Puranam and other Sanskrit literature.
This holy hill was previously known as “Thoyagiri” meaning hill surrounded by water. When our Thirumangai Azhwar had visited this holy spot and glorified the LORD this place came to be known as Thiru neer malai” . LORD (Perumal) gives darshan in 4 Thirukolam which is compared to the other divya desams by Thirumangai Azhwar as given below (2-4-1)
Nindra(standing):- Lord Ramar (at foot of hill) =Thirunaraiyur Sri Thirunaraiyur nambi
Kidandha (lying):- Lord Ranganathar= Thirukudandhai Sri Aaraamudhan
Irundha(sitting) :- Lord Saantha Narasimhar =Thiruvaali Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar
Nadandha(walking):- Lord Thiruvikraman =Thirukovaloor Trivikraman
As mentioned earlier, one can have darshan of LORD…
One day, Paramasivan along with Parvathi , were passing by on their vahanam on the sky. When their shadow was about to touch Thirumazhisai AzhwAr, (AzhwAr an advanced sidha purusha) who was on some work notices , he moves away. Noticing this PArvathi requeats Paramasivanar that they should go and meet him. Paramasivan hesitates .He informs Paravathi that Azhwar is a great soul and devotee of SrimanNarayana and he will simply ignore them.
However , Parvathi insists that she wants to go down and meet him and hesitatingly , Paramasivan obliges. AzhwAr does not even bother to look at him as he is trance with Harivibhuthee. .
Paramasivan asks AzhwAr “How can he ignore them , when they are right next to him ?”. AzhwAr offers his Pranaams and replies “ Adiyen has nothing to ask you” except Haribhakthi . Parameshwaran replies “We want to give you some benediction”. AzhwAr says…
The Supreme Personality of Godhead , out of HIS causeless mercy appeared as Sri Krishna in Vraj bhoomi during Dwapara yugam to protect the good and destroy the evil. Sri Krishnavataaram is considered as the poornavataram amongst the innumerable avatarams taken by Mahavishnu.
KRISHNA’S APPEARANCE
Lord Krishna appeared as the eighth son to Devaki and Vasudevar but as per HIS instructions, Vasudevar carried the just born little child across Yamuna river and exchanged HIM with a just born girl child who was Yogamaya.
VASUDEVAR CARRYING LITTLE KRISHNA TO GOKULAM
Sri Krishna was very affectionately brought up by HIS foster parents-Nand Maharaja and Mother Yashodha in Gokulam for the first few years and then later shifted to Vrindavan where the Lord lived with the gopis till the age of 10. Gokulam is known as AAyarpaadi.
MOTHER YASODHA WITH KRISHNA
Mother Yashoda is the most blessed devotee in the whole world as…
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 year .
The Pancha samaskara Vybhavam is enacted under tree very same Maghizam tree where original event took place long long ago every year .
It was during the time , when the news came that Swamy Alavandar was sick and desired to meet Swamy Ramanuja . Swamy Ramanuja meanwhile had association of the great devotee Swamy Tirukkachi Nambi who obtained from Lord Varadaraja the famous ‘ Six Words ‘ and the six words provided the guidelines for Swamy Ramanuja to follow.
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( i ) that Lord Sriman Narayana is the Paramatma. (ii ) that the individual souls were different from Paramatma. (iii) that Prapatti is the means to attain salvation. (iv) that the last remembrance of the Lord on the part of the departing soul was not necessary. (v) that Moksha can be obtained only on laying off the mortal coils (Videha Mukti) and (vi) Ramanuja should take refuge at the feet of Periya Nambi.
Accordingly, when he met Periya Nambi at Madurantakam he pleaded to perform Samashranayam without wasting any time . And thus under the shade of Vakula tree Periya Nambi performed Pancha Samskara to him.
As he was initiated into the esoteric of Dvaya Mantra at Madurantakam, the place came to be known as “Dvayam Vilaindha Tiruppathi”
videos courtesy : Sriman Ranganathan Srinivasan
Pics courtesy : Thanking several devotees who uploaded in in social media
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 …
Swamy Parasara bhattar replied .. I shall not trouble you with all that , for when I shall quote one authority , to which we commonly agree . The first sutra of Apastamba Dharma which says Wise practices of our wise elders are our best authority . Only after this comes Vedas .. Adiyens father Kooresa observed the sacrament in question and therefore , Adiyen does it .. Hope you to follow your Elders footsteps without doubt ..
During the days of Swamy Parasarabhattar , a vedantin came to have darshan of Lord Ranganatha . He was very learned in sastras .
While having darshan he noticed Swamy Parasara bhattar advising a group of devotees .The Vedantin walked near to Swamy and asked him to explain how a vaishnava is distinquished from a smarta . Swamy Parasara bhattar did not care to enter into an elaborate controversy with the adversary on this query , delicate in as much as it is a bone of contention between the two divisions the advaitins and visishitadvaitins.
He just smiled and called his attention to the signs of chakra and shankha inscribed in both his arms a sacrament enjoyed by sastras on all vaishnavas .
The vedantin said ..Oh I see !! but what authorities can you quote from the shastras justifying you to set this type of custom ? of wearing…
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…
When Krishna was leaving Gokula to free his biological parents and Ugrasena by vanquishing the demon Kamsa, Radharani was awaiting for Krishna on the way. Krishna’s eyes dissolves in Radharanis eyes .He asks the driver to stop the cart. Akrura surprisingly asks, Oh Lord!! “Who is she?” Krishna responds, Akrura
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 pranks.
They threatened her to keep away from Him and to avoid Him by every possible means. Neeraja was confused.
However ,she was very curious to see how he looked and what were those pranks which attracted so many gopis .
Her mind was absorbed now .
One summer evening, near the outskirts of a village ….
Neeraja was returning from the banks of Yamuna river immersed in the thoughts of the dark skinned boy. .
Suddenly , she heard some mellifluous music from a direction which almost pulled her She ran towards the…