Author: Kazhiyur Varadan

Lord Sriman Narayana  incarnated as Lord  SRI RAMAR to personally demonstrate  the world the teachings of Vedas  and adhere to the path of DHARMA in all circumstances.    Azhwars, acharyars, and innumerable saints and advanced  devotees like Tyagarajar, Bhakta Ramadas,  Kabirdas,  Tulsidas, Kambar  and countless  worshipped Lord Rama who personally blessed them  all…

. Our elders suggest us to read Srimad Ramayanam, especially the first sargam in Sundara kaandam  for  self realisation .

 The great saint Swamy  Nammazhwar in  his emotional out pourings “Thiruvaimozhi 7-5  reveals  “kaRpaar Ramapiraanai allaal maRRum kaRparO?…” meaning …

         Why should anyone wish to learn anything but Sri Rama?

       Sri Rama ruled the  entire world from Ayodhya for 11,000 years and when he was reminded by Brahma through Dharmaraja to return to Sri Vaikuntam,

Lord Rama shed all the royal robes and walking barefoot from the royal palace, clad in  pure white holding dharbha reached the banks of Sarayu  to ascend to Sri Vaikuntam.

The Lord  took everything (the Grass, the creeping ant, the living and non-living, everyone and everything, – both animate and inanimate- all that was born or created by Brahma- all that existed in His Ayodhya to the supreme  position (moksham).

That was Lord SriRama  so merciful and compassionate that He took ALL (irrespective of their jnanam, bhakti, knowledge, scholarship, or even an inclination to think of moksham) out of His own  unlimited compassion  .

Kulasekhara Azhwar confirms this in Peria Thirumozhi “ Andru Saraasarangalai Vaikunthathuku Yetri….”.  Lord took the entire living and non-living thing to Sri Vaikuntam. Once again Mother Andal glorifies Lord  Rama as “Manathukku Iniyaan”-the one who is dear to heart.

 One is reminded with the divine incident when Sage Valmiki  requests Narada  to name a person who is known for having all the sixteen opulent qualities. Narada  unhesitatingly replies that  Lord Sri Rama, the Emperor  of Ayodhya is the embodiment of all the sixteen qualities.  

Among  the sixteen great  qualities 

Goodness

Honesty

Sweetness

Simplicity

Compassion ,

Strength ,

Humility ,

Bravery , 

Valour,

 Talent ,

Prowess,

 Success , 

Memory ,

Trustworthiness ,

Heroism,

 Genuinity

and .we humans  get attracted to the quality of Daya(compassion) as it is only due to Lords mercy  , our  pile of sins are forgiven and  thus  redeemed from the cycle of birth and death.

  Lord Rama exhibited this quality of dhaaya to  many of the humans  .

Ayodhya vaasis, Kakasuran, the rakshasa who attacked him in Panchavati  , Kaikeyi   and most of the characters in the Ramayana ….

 It is said Once , Parvati devi questions ParamaShiva as to on whom he contemplates while meditating. ParamaShiva replied that he always keep chanting the most sacred naama of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.- the  sweetest name RAAMA .

ParamaShiva emphasizes the importance of the innumerable names of the Lord composed by Bheesmacharyar known  as Vishnu Sahasranama stotram.

Parvati devi out of motherly compassion questions Parama Shiva as to what is the alternative if a person is not able to chant the  entire thousand names of the Lord.

ParamaShiva answers that uttering the holy name of SRI RAMA  will  bestow the benefit of reciting the  entire thousand names of  Lord Sri Hari. 

 Such is the power of RAAMA NAAMAM.

Sri Rama Rama Rameti, Ramey Ramey Manoramey; Sahasrenama tattulyam, Rama Nama Varanane

In Varanasi,  ParamaShiva personally utters the Tharaka mantram in the ears of the person leaving this mortal body and ensures that the jiva atma  attains moksham. When Bharata along with raja maatas and entire retinue met Sri rama in Chitrakoot, Bharata abuses his mother for her sinful action and seeks pardon from Lord . 

Lord Rama chastises Bharata for accusing Mother Kaikeyi and remained untainted with her behaviour. 

He showed the same respect to her. Indra’s son Jayantan was captivated by  Mother Sita’s looks .

He took the form of a crow and while Lord Rama and Sitadevi were resting in Chitrakoot, he inflicted injury on Sita maata by perching her .

Lord  Rama who was lying on Sitadevi’s lap was fast asleep, Mother Sita endured the pain without disturbing  the Lord .  But the evil Kakasuran took it as an advantage and continued with his evil act until Lord Rama got up. 

Lord Rama was furious with Kakasuran and as he did not have Kodhandam with HIM at that time, HE took a grass, uttered Brahmastram and aimed at Kakasuran which chased him until he  fell down on the same rock where Sita and Rama were resting.

Mother Sita out of compassion slowly turned him towards Lord Rama’s holy feet and made him seek refuge.

  The most compassionate Lord, who is  spared his life by  defacing  his eye.

Lord Rama’s daya gunam was exhibited.  Spatik shila in Chitrakoot is the place where this incident took place. While in Panchavati, when 14000 rakshasas headed by Kara and Dhooshana attacked , Lord Rama  killed everyone but spared one rakshasa as he donned a saree and escaped. 

Lord Rama’s dhayaa gunam was so much that even though he knew him to be an enemy, he spared him because he was in woman’s attire! Lord Rama performed the final rites to Jataayu, the eagle king who fought valiantly with Ravana and tried to rescue Sita .

Lord Rama affectionately took the ailing Jatayu in HIS arms and  conferred moksha .The holy place where Lord Rama completed his incarnation  is  glorified  as Gupthar Ghat located in Faizabad about 15 kms from Ayodhya. Driving past the military areas in Faizabad roads really grand , we reached Gupthar Ghat in half an hour’s time from Ayodhya few years ago as a part of our Sri Rama Anu Yatra .

River Saruyu also known as River Gargha considered as Sage Vasishta’s daughter was  very calm.

The bathing ghats at River Saruyu are meaningfully constructed and are well maintained.  Few years back , as a part of our Sri Rama Anu Yatra , after purifying ourselves in the sacred waters and offering morning oblations, Adiyen was engaged in routine morning rituals when a group of devotees headed by Sri Gomadam Swami of Sri Rangam reached the banks of Sarayu .

Looking at us near the ghat, they chose to have bath in the same place.  When we approached Swami to pay our respects,  the revered swamin  was delighted to know about our trip and blessed us.

He said that it was due to the divine will of the Lord that we drove all the way from Ayodhya to have holy bath in Saruyu at this place because usually devotees have bath in Ayodhya itself .

Swami mentioned about the greatness of Gupthar Ghat….

More details of this holy place at this appended link :

https://kmkvaradhan.wordpress.com/2011/01/26/piligrim-diary-to-sri-rama-holy-abodes/

Adiyen Ramanuja dasan

Videos courtesy :  Sri Balakrishna Prasad garu/ Sri Naveen kumar

Pics : Few from social media and  Google images

( Thanks to all the devotees who have uploaded them ) 

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 .

As a result of this Anubhavam, Swamy  Ramanuja  poured out his heart in an extremely soulful, highly intimate, and deeply intense SharaNagati  ( TOTAL SURRENDER ) in the Sharanagati Gadyam and the Sri Ranganatha Gadyam.

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The most important and the oldest Brahmotsavam called as “Adi Brahmotsavam” is performed during this month for 10 days and culminates on the next day of Panguni Uthiram.

 During this brahmotsavam, Lord Ranganatha marries Kamalavalli Nachiyar of Uraiyur  divyadesam.

Many devotees make it a point to have darshanam of Lordships on this day specially to have kataksham by Divine Parents .

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Few days before Panguni Uthram(when Asilesha star is in ascendant),  Lord Namperumal visits  Goddess Kamalavalli Nachiyar at Uraiyur and marries the princess..

And , only on this day, Perumal gives darshan with Kamalavalli Thayar  at Uraiyur for one full day.  

 Incidentally this is the place where our  great  Thiruppan Azhwar appeared .

On the 9th day of Brahmotsavam, the serthi (divine union) takes place at Srirangam.

On this day alone, Namperumal gives darshan along with Ranganayaki Thayar.  

An  interesting event cherished as  ” Pranaya Kalagam Uthsavam ”  takes  place on Panguni Uthiram  day morning and in the night , Gadyathrayam  (threee gadyams) are recited in presence  of the Supreme  Lordships which is followed by Thirumanjanam (Holy abhishekam) to Namperumal and Ranganayaki Thayar .  

Thirumanjanam is performed for 18 times reminding us of Swamy  Ramanujar’s visits to Thirugoshtiyur.  which  are sequel to this  sweet visit.

Our Mother Sr Ranganayaki comes to know of  LORDs  visit to  Uraiyur  nachiyar and gets upset. ( a vatsalya bhava )

The dramatic events on the Panguni Uthiram day unfold as Sri Ranganachiyar vents her Pranaya  Kobam  on Lord  Namperumal and how Lord  pacifies her and how in the end the divya dampathis join together to bless the devotees makes this festival a feast to the soul  .

 In the morning hours  , Lord aware of Goddess mood goes around the four mada streets without any  musical instrument being played ( Nadaswaram )  to collect  kanikai ( gifts )  from devotees and  thus gives darsanam to everyone   .

 The devotees are given an opportunity to serve Rajadhirajan (Lord of the Universe) with offerings . He stops at every house asking His  devotees  to support Him when He faces the queen   Goddess Sri Ranga Nachiyar.

With the temple elephant (Andal) leading the way followed by the vedic pundits reciting  dhivya prabhandha goshti  LORD  enters the temple and walks towards the  sanctorium (sannidhi)  of Goddess (Thayar)  after literally moving around  for  three hours  around the prakarams.

When Sri Ranga Nachiyar understands that  Lord Ranganatha coming towards Her, the temple  doors  are  shut.

For the next couple of hours, Pranaya Kalagam Uthsavam (household quarrel between the Lord and His consort) takes place that is wonderfully enacted by Arayar swamy..

The conversations  between Namperumal and Ranganayaki Thayar are  communicated through Arayar swami (for Namperumal) and through Pandari swami (for Ranganayaki Thayar) and they never face each other during this  kalagam Utsavam .  

The Lord pleads innocence  and tries to appease  the goddess  in many ways but all his submission is out rightly rejected .   

Few questions asked by Goddess  make this  utsavam very interesting …

Goddess questions  Lord  about  his scratch marks on His Thirukkazuthu (neck) and  reason for  His Thirukkangal (eyes) becoming  so red.

She also asks why His Thiruman kappu  ( Tilak ) and His Thirukkuzal (hair) are all messed up.

She also goes on to ask Him why His Thiruvadharam (lips) are white and  ……

why He has kungumappoo (Saffron powder) all over his Thirumeni (body),

His ThiruvadigaL (lotus feet) are red.

Hence,  She was very unhappy because of HIS indifference to her .

The Lord  out of divine love  responds back to each question.

 My dear …. Listen …

Being   the protector of the universe (Jagadhrakshakan),   riding the horse  in the night   and fighting against all evil  forces to protect my  devotees I had to be awake  and  thus the  eyes  have become  red.

These Hair locks are messed up because of the fierce winds  which faced me while I was  galloping on the horse.

And listen dear  ….

This  Thiruman kappu had dissolved because of the harsh sun rays during my horse ride

And my  lips are  white because  i was   fighting  against the asuras (demons)  with single pointed concentration

My  neck was   scratched by  those thorns while  I  was riding through thick forests to fight the same  Asuras.

Lord further continues .. my .dear Listen   , these  legs were red because I  had to ride the horse with  the  feet tightly hooked  in the stirrup and finally this  kungumappoo  is all over my  body because the Devathas  were happy and praised us  after the victorious campaign by showering me  with flowers.

Thus,  Lord   submits to Goddess  that He was late because of all the battles he  had to wage with the Asuras and due to this calamity  he had   lost the ring in the river Kollidam while   returning.

And  had to get a new ring and some flowers before he  meets  Her.

This caused Him to be late.

Goddess    is still not convinced and   refuses all His gifts and flowers and  commands  him to never come inside and return back to Uraiyur  where HE had been  a couple of days ago.

Lord Namperumal with a very innocent look replies saying that He doesn’t know  the place called Uraiyur and has never been there. Ranganayaki Thayaar asks the Lord to prove His statements.

To prove his innocence  Lord offers to put His hands in a vessel full of snakes ,

cross any ocean  of Goddess choice ,

and offered to promise on His devotees that He has never seen Uraiyur.

Sri Ranga Nachiyar rebukes HIS explanations.   She replies /.

He, the one who sleeps on a bed of Adhi Sesha  ( Serpent bed ) would never be harmed by any snakes. He, the one who lies in the great milk ocean (ThiruppArkadal) and for whom the river Yamuna parted to let Him through as baby Krishna will have no problem crossing any ocean.

Also, HE, whose lotus feet are sought after by all His devotees would never be betrayed by them. Unmindful , she exhibits her  annoyance of Pranayakalpa by  throwing  milk, curd, butter and flowers on Him .

Lord Ranganatha now pleads  innocently then says that He has come to meet Her after going through such difficulties and She is not letting Him in. He says He feels very depressed and embarrassed as She shut the door in His face. The Lord says – “andha avamanam umakku andri yamakku illai” meaning “this embarrassment is not for me but for you.”

Seeing the Lord is feeling very sad,  our  great  Nammazwaar, acts as the mediator and approaches  mother Sri Ranganayaki and says that if the supreme Lord and Goddess  are upset against each other, then that would be the end of all known universe (Pralayam).

He requests  Mother and  prays that  the Lord is for all and She has to understand that He is sought after by all and so She should be able to let Her Azhagiya MaNavalan go to His devotees too  as well for granting their prayers  and uplift them finally  So, He humbly requests that Sriranganachiyar forgive the Lord and allow Him to enter Her premises.

Goddess Ranganayaki   understands Nammazwars reasoning and commands Her assistants to let Her Lord  enter inside.  Lord Ranganatha and Ranganayaki come together and exchange garlands, Kasturi Thilakam, turmeric and necklaces  making a benchmark of a  divine couple .

As soon as the door is opened, Lord  Azhagiya Manavalan is delighted and rushes  in to be with His consort. A beautiful scene transpires here.

The Lord does not go immediately to our Sri Ranganayaki  sannidhi . But rather goes to the mudhal mandapam and stands there, as if to ascertain whether our Thayar has really accepted and forgiven him.

 Lord sends his vastram  across to Thayar, which is accepted  by the Thayar. After this the Lord then directly heads towards and Thayar Sannidhi and then he seats directly across Sri Ranganayaki Thayar.

Now our Aranganathan looks at our Lokamatha  Thayar’s eyes directly as if to ask “why did you make me go through this struggle” and Thayar in turn asks him “Why did you go away without telling me”.

At this point of time other than the Sri Ranganayaki’s Archakas and our Sriranganathan’s Archakas, no one is allowed to be present. 

Thus sweet conversation takes place between our  Lord Aranganthan and Ranganyaki Thayar as it would take place between any husband and wife.

After they have talked for a long time, our Azagiya manavalan asks Thayars permission to go and complete the Panguni uthram thirunal as several devotees are waiting.

  Thayar replies that how can she let him without having performed any upacharam. She then gets delicious and sumptuous “Akkara adasil” ( Sweet pudding )   prepared for him, with copious amount of milk, rice, dhal ( lentils ) , jaggery and lots pure ghee.

Both our  Lordships now grace  together and have the delicious “Akara adisil” ! The happiness of the Lord and   Thayar can be seen in the eyes of lord who cannot take his eyes away from the Thayar! After this beautiful sight, the lord then decides to head towards the beautifully renovated Panguni Uthram mandapam. As soon as our Azagiya manavalan reaches the mandapam in the afternoon, our Thayar immediately, but silently and surreptitiously enters the mandapam as if she doesnt want anybody to talk about or ask her about what  had happened .

After this the Lord and Ranganayaki Thayar  give darsanam to several devotees who have thronged to see them. It has to be mentioned that here only the Thayar is adorned with a garland and not then Lord himself!

Also, Namperumal doesn’t face the audience but looks uninterruptedly at Thayar.

The  recitation of the Gadhya Thrayam begins at about 11 P.M. . Those heavenly chants fill the air with beatitude and immense happiness. At this time the whole srirangam is very festive and people make sweets and savories as if there is a marriage in their own house.After all, it is a happy and beautiful unification between the Royal couple! The Gadhya Thrayam starts with the chant of “Vaikunta Gadhyam” and then proceeds with the “Sri RangaGadhyam” and at last ends with the beautiful chant of the “Sarangadhi gadhyam”!

Lord Namperumal (Sri Ranganathar) and Peria pirattlar (Sriranga nachiar) are seated together. Lord (naMperumAL) is standing majestically as usual and more beautiful and graceful today due to the compassionate looking pirAtti and is enjoying the beauty of Her Lord without taking Her eyes off Him even for a second This was the right opportunity for LokaAcharyar Swami Ramanuja to ask for favors from our DIVINE PARENTS.

He submits to the LOTUS FEET through his divine outpourings Gadyatrayam. Swamy Ramanuja worshipping them, submits his deep fear of samsara (association with the body in a cycle of births) and begs the Lord to save him. Swamy Ramanuja surrendered his all to the Lord and begged Him to be his sole savior. In the Three Gadyaas, Swamy Ramanuja’s prayed swamies innermost feelings of deep devotion to the Lord break all restrictions and flow freely towards the Lord and His consort.

https://wn.com/vaikunta_gadyam

These are prima facie a spontaneous outburst of devotional experience and not coldly labored compositions. The inner voice of the devotee addresses Sri and the Lord and they do reply clearly through the same inner voice.

In the Saranagati gadya, Swamy Ramanuja first addresses Sri as the mother of the Universe, as his own mother, and as the loving consort of his Lord, and seeks her intercession on his behalf. This is itself a saranagati addressed to the mother.

Happy at being addressed this, Sri replies ‘So be it’; “let your prapathi bear the proper fruit of being accepted as a devoted servant” The commentators have it that this assurance is not only for the Acharya but for all his spiritual progeny. The boon that Lord granted to Swamy Ramanuja applies to his spiritual heirs. It is worth noting that once he gets the assurance from Sri of her sure mediation, he addresses himself directly to the Lord seeking Him as the sole savior.

The LokAcharya then addresses the Lord speaking of His incomparable glory, “His immense wealth, His power, His retinue, His divine weapons, His beautiful ornaments, His loving consorts, of His infinite compassion and other admirable qualities words which are a rhapsody of devout fervor which can come only from the very depth of a realized soul. Swamy Ramanuja holds out prapathi as the highest message he had for his followers.

The Sriranga gadyam is a shorter piece and is essentially the same as the Saranagati gadyam.

It is addressed directly to Sriranganatha.

” Sriranganatha!

mama natha!

namostu te”

are the words of the acharya.

To the seeker of salvation who has taken to the path of Prapathi, it is essential that he should spend his time in devoted service of the lord; in serving his devotees; by meditating on Him and singing His praise; by repeatedly uttering the Dvaya mantra (this is an enjoyable and sweet pastime).

The acharya gives expression to all these, briefly, in confidence to the lord at Srirangam. His intention is that this short text may be repeated easily in the presence of the Lord by devotees intent on the fruit prayed for.  

 Immensely pleased , Lord assures Swamy Ramanuja that  He and all his disciples will be surely uplifted for attaining the paramaporul Moksha for sure .

Later, Thirumanjanam to Namperumal and Thayar are performed for 18 times.  This signifies Sri Ramanujar’s visit to Thirugoshtiyur to learn the dwayam mantra artham.  All the upacharams are performed for 18 times.

 Later, saatrumarai goshti is done at Udayavar (Ramanujar’s )sannidhi in the early hours.  At about 7 A.M. the next day, Perumal reluctantly leaves thayar and goes back on Goratham.

After all this, the Lord then requests Thayar’s permission to go and complete the remaining procession.

At this request, our Ranganayaki thayar’s face drops and looks downcast, which indicates her reluctance to part with  the Lord at this point of time.

But ,  thayar then mentions that First she will leave and return back to her Moolasthanam after which the Lord can start.

This shows the patience, forbearance and the humility of our beloved Thayar.

The Lord then starts to leave towards the “Goratham (Chariot), before which  he peeps into Sri Ranganyaki Thayrs sannidhi, as if to take a glimpse of his beloved wife and say “Bye” before proceeding . After this the Lord starts for the procession.

 Anywhere in the world a woman has to undergo lot of troubles and hardships and still put  up a smile to make everyone in her family happy.

 On Panguni Uthiram day, only Thayar sannidhi is kept open and it is not possible to have Sri Ranganathar(moolavar) darsanam on that day.

All adiyars know that the Lord and Thayar are above all such domestic quarrels taking place in our lives all the time.

We also know that He is the fountainhead of all things in the universe and there is nothing like He  should  be going after several  women  etc. when He himself is paramporul ( The ultimate )  . 

Secondly  the big question  will Thayar ever quarrel with the Lord? So what is the significance ??

Elders clarify that  the significance of all this drama is that Namperumal and Thayar are doing a play act to demonstrate to ordinary mortals like us how to run the household with harmony in the face of upsets. They also show the deep love ,  mercy  and  compassion  true ladies have and why we have to give the ladies great respect and exalted position in our society.

 Azhwar describes Srirangam as the abode of the supreme Lord who had sixteen thousand devi’s (as he married all of them in His Krishnavataram by their  deep devotion and request ).

When he has already taken sixteen thousand consorts which Sri Rukmini Devi whole heartedly accepted, where is the question of getting upset about one Kamalavalli nachiyar of Uraiyur .

Our   Perumal is Paramatma and the jivatmas represented by Thayar are all wedded to Paramatma with Thayar doing the purushakaaram(bridge between Perumal and the fallen souls)

Andal nachiyar explains:-
“Peyyu ma mukil pol vanna, un pechum seikaium engalai
Maiyal erri mayakka un mukam maya mandiram than kolo”

Hey, dark skinned Lord, your words, acts and your innocent looking face are all designed to cast a spell over us. The Lord will always cast his spell over His devotees to protect them. And Maya Jagan Mohini Thayar always  assists Him in his spell!

When the Lord knows that Nachityar is upset with him, He is planning to pacify her indicating thereby that all of us should try earnestly to take care of the ladies’ concerns.

In this entire drama, what stands out is the “Paraspara Anyonyam” of the Divya Dampathis.

When Thayar is angry Lord understands and adopts a seemingly submissive posture. And Thayar relents when overlooking the fact that it is the only day in a year she is with Him and He has been to another nachiyar.

She sets an example of kindness and  forgiveness  for all the womenfolk.

When Thayar allows Lord  to enter Her Sannadhi, He at first stops at first mantapam and sends His Vastram to her. He does not rush in all the way. Thayar also understands His intention and accepts the vastram.

She knows He will be hungry and gets a sumptuous Akkara Adisil  ( sweet pudding) prepared for Him. In these days of hurried life when both the partners sometime go to work, can you imagine such understandings  .

Later…….

She silently follows Him so that the devotees do not smell any difference between them! It is truly amazing that Divya Dhampathis had set examples which are relevant even today………

Let Lord Ranganatha protect us    

Let Shri Ranganachiyar bless us always …

Sri Ranga MangaLa nidhim karuna nivAsam
Sri Venkatadhri SikharAlaya KaaLamegham
Sri Hastigiri Siksrojvala Paarijatham
Sreesam namAmi Sirasa yadhusaila dheepam
Seeking the Lotus feet of Narayana

Kaveri Viraja Seyam Vaikuntam Rangamandiram,
Sri Vasudevo Rangesaha, Prathyaksham paramam patham
Vimanam Pranavakaram, Vedasrungam mahadbhutham
SriRangasayi bhagavan pranavaartha prakasakaha!

May the Lord and Thayar bless all devotees with such anyonyam. Let the  eyes which had darshan of the Supreme Lord who ate plenty of butter and who has conquered my heart view nothing else.

All glories to devotees who are having darshan on the auspicious day 30.03.2018 in several divya desams

Adiyen must have committed apacharas in expressing this wonderful utsavam which is due to adiyens mandha budhee and seeks forgivance to all the bhagavathas who are reading this ..

Arangan Vazhga,     Arangamaanagar Vazhga

Vachaka Dhosham Kashamikkavaum………….

Pics : Courtesy Google images /and all the great devotees who shared in social media

Adapted from Sriman Narasimha bhattar article ..
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan

                 When one thinks of  the holy place Pandharpur , mind races to have darshan of Lord Vittala and when the quest  to know about  his devotees begin  ,  the  biography of the great saint Santh Tukaram  brings tears .

Santh Tukaram appeared  during  the year 1608 A.D in   a  small village  Dehu in Poone  district which is about 41 kms from Ahobila Mutt, Pune .     and  seven miles from another important place  Alandi—the place honored by the Samadhi of  another  great saint Jnaneshwar.

Tukaram  from his childhood  worshiped  Lord Vittala  of Pandharpur.  

                   His  Elders  constructed a  small temple of their own  and dedicated it  to  Lord Vittala  and  family members, since many generations, had  participated in  the ‘Wari’ of Pandharpur, i.e., the annual pilgrimages to Pandharpur on the eleventh day of the month of Ashadh (June-July) and again on the eleventh day of the month of Kartik (October-November).

 When  Tukaram  was about seventeen years, he lost his parents and  about that time, his elder brother left the village and went to Varanasi seeking spiritual salvation.The  next few years,  were almost cyclonic in their effect for Tukaram. 

Taking advantage of his state of mind, the debtors would not repay whatever was  due to him and the creditors began to trouble  him for the money due to them.

Tukaram tried his hand in several ventures of trade and came back either with empty hands or with a loss as he was a man of simplicity and humane to the core .

He was robbed of everything by confidence-tricksters who gave him gilt brass ornaments in exchange for all the money he had with him.

He was a  simple person who could not see others unhappiness  people .One  occasion, returning home, he came across a poor man  along with his family starving. He could not see  their plight . He  just gave away the profit as well as the principal which his wife had borrowed for some petty business.

Seeing his  behaviour , Tukaram was not entrusted with anything valuable when he went far from home.

Tukaram’s  wife Jijabai helped him  again and again to set up a small shop in his own village, but she was always convinced by Tukaram that serving all  the beings , no matter it was fellow human beings , animals , insects etc  was his only goal .

Tukaram used to sit in the shop doing  kirtan and being very kind and honest to his customers. As usual due to his  compassion  to his fellow humans , he became bankrupt very soon as he never thought of himself and family .

 Sant  Tukaram saw  Lord Panduranga in all creatures. Once he was asked to guard a corn field. He liked this job as it did not hinder with his habit of Namakirtan on Lord Panduranga. The birds would see human presence and fly away without touching the corns.

But as Tukaram got immersed in his abhangs, the birds started to feed on the corns. Seeing Panduranga in all the birds, he, instead of scaring the birds away, fed the birds with more corns from the field that he was supposed to guard, thus gaining the wrath of the owner.

During  the years 1629 and 1630, the country was  facing  severe famine.   It was most difficult period  The promissory notes  dues for  the family became dead letters of credit as nothing could be realised  during the  famine.

Tukaram   lost his people and cattle  .Very upset he  went into the Bhamnath forest nearby. For fifteen days he stayed there  meditating on the Supreme Lord   without  any basic needs .

 He realised the true knowledge with his penance . The revelation made  Tukaram  more aware of the purpose of his life .He slowly withdrew his  love for his household, wife and  relations.

He gathered all the promissory notes  and threw them into the Indrayani river, in spite of the protests of his relatives.

He reconstructed the temple which had fallen into disrepair and began to spend his  entire time in  Naama Kirtan. His mind  was  now steady fast with total surrender  .

As a result of his whole-hearted devotion ,  Tukaram was rewarded with Guru Upadesh.

As elders say , SathGuru visited  Tukaram  in a dream. Tukaram describes this, as the greatest event of his life, thus

“The Sadguru came to me in a dream and was really very kind to me, though  I had done nothing to deserve it. He met me when I was going to the river for a bath and placed his hand on my head and blessed me  and advised me to do Japa …….of  Jai jai Ramakrishna Hari.   Tukaram’s joy knew no bounds.

Tukaram began to spend his life more and more in devotional practices, study of the  works of  great saints Jnanadev, Namdev and Ekanath thus getting inspired to pen Abhangs 

Whenever Tukaram began to perform  Kirtan, people began to flock in large numbers considering  him as a  realised saint and give  him all the  respect.

This was  resented by a small number of people  who sent a report against Tukaram to Rameshwar Shastri  regarded as a learned Scholar during those  times . Due to his standing in society , he forced Tukaram to stop all those activities which will pull crowds due to his kirtans .He instructed him to stop  penning abhangs and,  that  he had already made,  should be drowned in the  nearby Indrayani river.

Tukaram held all  elders  in great reverence,. He was sad . He immediately brought out of his home all the  works , bound them together, tied a big stone round the bundle, and threw it into the river in presence of the village elders .

Tukaram’s traducers, who were jealous of him, were greatly pleased. Tukaram did not mind their taunts. He thought , was it a big fault for  merely, singing the praise of Lord in his  abhangs as advised by Lord himself .

 Dejected , Tukaram  sat on the bank of the river Indrayani praying  to  Lord Panduranga to forgive him and show some way out as  Naama sanKirtan was his breath . For thirteen long  days he thus sat unmoved  without water, food or sleep seeking Lords guidance .

On the  fourteenth  day, one of Tukaram’s followers, in a dream, saw  Lord Panduranga advising him to fetch  the Abhangs composed by Sant Tukaram  floating on the surface  which was intact.” .

Tukaram was moved by the mercy of Lord and  thus in ecstasy he  delivered  Abhangs  blaming himself for doubting the word of Lord and  putting Him to so much trouble of having to preserve the poems in water for thirteen days.

By this  divine incident, Tukaram’s name and fame spread far and wide. Materially he  remained poorer but spiritually richer . He was always  in  Naama sanKirtan and he earned nothing.Whatever LORD arranged was his meal and wherever he moved he comforted himself under trees , ashrams , temples no matter where he was . It was Naama sankirtan always .

The great Maharashtra King  Shivaji was a great admirer always supporting his devotional services .

Tukaram always advocated Saguna Bhakti in the form of repeating His Name and in the form of  singing LORD’s  praises. He said  Bhakti was the higher form of devotion and service  was even higher than Mukti.

Many wonderful events  have occurred in  Sant Tukaram’s life. His fame spread throughout the land, but he himself remained unaffected by all that. He knew the exact time when he would depart from this world. He grew weary of living and thought his time was being wasted in attending to the wants of the body when it should have been better utilised in Kirtan, Bhajan and praise of Vithoba.

He prayed to the Lord that he might be taken away soon to His lotus feet where he could remain worshiping Him continuously for ever and anon.

 Once  Tukaram’s  told his friends that he would be going away to meet Vittala  in a few days.  No one believed his words .Finally that day arrived . He called all the villagers for a Akhanda sankirtan . The night  was splendid . Many came to  hear his kirtans and the last kirtan before  was memorable in many respects as the  subject was Harikatha.

Tuakaram  continued .

.my brothers and sisters …

“Harikatha is like the union of three holy rivers—

Lord, the devotee and His holy  Name.

By  participating in this kirtan   one’s sins are burnt  and one is purified.

And my children ….

Even the pebbles lying around here  become holy and fit to be worshiped. 

And…….

“Though you all bear the responsibilities of family life, never ever  forget our Lord Panduranga.

Never forget to worship Him and sing  his  praises.

Pandharpur is very near you.

It is the Vaikuntha on this earth.

Please  Go and worship the Lord there. It is my experience that the Name of the Lord alone will save you at the time of death.

All of you have protected and maintained me in your midst for such a long time. I can never repay you and I am very grateful to you.

I shall ever pray to Vithoba to bless you all and take you all to heaven after this life. This is my goodbye to you all and this is my advice to you.

I prostrate before you and beseech you with tears never to forget the Name of the Lord. Always do Kirtan and Bhajan of Lord Narayana.

Do not be anxious about your material welfare.

The Lord will look to it.

This is all ephemeral. The Lord’s Name is eternal.

Depend on it only, live and  sing the praises of the Lord.

Do Japa of Ramakrishna Hari and He will always save you.

This is my last request and advice to you.”

 The Lord’s Name is eternal rest all is ephemeral

Thus passed away one of the great saints of Maharashtra with Lord’s Name of his lips, singing praises of Him.

Tukaram left this world  during  the year 1649the second day after  the Holi festival   . Every year  the  day  of his disappearance day ( March 11th 2020  this year ) popularly known as Bheej is  remembered at the banks of the river  dehu .

Thousands  of devotees assemble near to this holy place

   This place  is located inside  Military area. We were fortunate to be here unexpectedly during our Pandharpur yatra  few years back .

The  vehicles had to be parked before one enters the military area .  From the parking area, the temple is about 3-4 kilometres.

Most of the devotees join  singing bhajans holding Tulasi pots on their hand, some  playing tambura , kartaal etc.  

It is usual practice of the devotees to fast on that day and have prasadam only after taking Sant  Tukaram’s blessings.

  Along with us, other devotees joined and within no time, the bus was jam packed.  The bus was however parked at a distance of about  one kilometer.  The entire place was charged up in devotional fervor.

A devotee was singing Abhangs and was so glad to share the meanings and the  essence of the various  teachings of Santh Tukaram  which am reproducing ….

     Pandavas were sent to exile in the woods but they held Lord Vittala in their hearts. Pralhada was tortured by his father but still he meditated on Narayana in his mind. Sudama, a brahmin, was afflicted by poverty but he did not forget Narayana. Tukaram Maharaj says,

O Lord Vittala we should not forget you even at the time of being under the mountain of miseries…

A donkey that is made to have bath in a sacred river does not become a horse. He, who does not have a pure mind, does not listen to any good advice.

Even if a sweet juice is fed to a snake, there won’t be any reduction in its poison.

There are many who proclaim themselves as saints. How can we accept unless we see their behaviour.

There appears a stream of water only for a while after it rains.

Later not a drop of water is seen.

A particle of snow appears like a diamond as long as it does not meet a hammer.

Dogs barking at an elephant develop pain in their mouths. The elephant is least affected by this.

Monkeys mocking at tiger invite disaster for their lives.

Tukaram Maharaj says, he who mocks at saints will lose his face.

A monkey puts its hand in a vessel containing peanuts. After taking peanuts in its hand it cannot take out its hand as the mouth of the vessel is not big enough.

The monkey for the sake of handful of peanuts does not go away and is caught.

A parrot sits on a string laid by the hunter. The string inverts its position and so is the parrot. Due to high voltage fear the parrot firmly grasps the string and forgets that it has two feathers to fly away.

The parrot is caught ultimately. Tukaram Maharaj says that it is not surprising if creatures without brains behave like this. It is surprising to see human beings forgoing their greatest interest for a pittance.

Earn money through an honest business.

Spend money for noble cause by maintaining equanimity of mind. Work for others’ welfare. Dont say harsh words for others. Consider others’ ladies like your mother and sisters.

Show kindness to all beings.

Rear cows and other cattle.

Make possible arrangements for drinking water at remote places for quenching the thirst of people.

Dont harm others.

He, who abides by the above teaching, spreads good name of his parents all around.

The virtue of renunciation that is required for realising Panduranga is also acquired through such actions..

A creeper of nectar will bear fruits of nectar.

This will also result in continuous rise in the seeds of nectar.

Like this association with good people results in all round increase of happiness.

From a seed originates a tree.

From a tree countless seeds originate.

Who would like to be crucified on a cross of sandalwood? Similarly none would like to remain tied in the chain of gold.

Similarly whatever knowledge one gains is a burden if that raises one’s ego.

A dead tiger filled with stuff appears like a tiger.

Actually it is not a tiger. A coin with gold plating is not a coin of gold.

This fact is clear if it is observed closely. A monkey dances as per the training of its master, it does not have any talents of its own.

Tukaram Maharaj says, he who keeps stock of absurd virtues has to suffer embarrassment.

The best worship of Lord Vittala can be performed by the mind. There is no need of instruments and implements for performing a puja.

The purpose of worship is to understand the mind, to understand the truth.

The final benefit or loss will be caused by the mind.

Mind is the seed that gives birth to the tree of action.

Tukaram Maharaj says, let us be equanimous in happiness and misery.

There is no discrimination for devotees in the eyes of the Almighty. He is waiting for those who have devotion in their minds.

He eats coarse grain offered by Vidura.

He protects Prahalada in the house of demons.

He helps Rohidas to dye clothes.

He helps Kabir to weave cloth.

He helps Sajan Butcher selling meat.

He helps Sawata Mali in petty agricultural operations.

He helps Narhari in performing chores of a goldsmith.

He helps Chokhamela for grazing cattle.

He drives the chariot of Arjuna.

He eats with great love dry food offered by Sudama.

In the homes of milkmen he does the task of maintaining cows

 He acts as a doorkeeper for King Bali. He repays loan of Yekoba.

He takes birth as a human being for the sake of Rishi Amba.

He drinks a glass of poison for Meerabai.

He becomes a low breed person to pay off loan of Damaji.

He carries earth for Gora Kumbhar.

He repays loan of Narsi Mehta.

He is still standing on a brick for Pundalik.

Parents of Pundalik are great to have such a great son.

Thanking Supreme Lord for the wonderful company , we  joined the ocean of ecstasy relished by great devotees of Lord Vittala …

 Tukaram’s abhangs was  being played everywhere through the sound systems.  

There is another arc with the beautiful words “ JNAN,BHAKTI,VAIRAGYA TUKARAM”.  The crowd reminded us of Brahmotsava celebrations in Tirumala.  

Amidst  the sea of devotees more than  a lakh of devotees ready to witness that miracle which happens every year at noon. 

  A big cut-out of Lord Pandurangan from a distance attracted everyone’s attention.

On the way, we could have sparsham of Tukaram’s padhukas which were placed in a palanquin.   Unmindful of the scorching heat and clasping each other’s hands we proceeded to Tukaram’s Samadhi mandir. On the left side, we have darshan of   Indrani river which was witness to the various incidents in Tukaram’s life flowing peacefully. 

Many pilgrims were purifying themselves in the water.  This  river which flows past Alandi, brings Jnanadev’s blessings too along with her to this place.  Pilgrims who have a holy dip are benefited with Jnanadev and Tukaram Maharaj’s grace.

Sant Tukaram like Nammazhwar was the only person who left to SriVaikuntam with this mortal body.   Elders reveal Lord  arranged  Garuda vahanam and singing the praises of the Lord , while everyone was watching, Sant Tukaram embarked on the Garuda vahanam and ascended to Srivaikuntam. 

He promised his followers that on every disappearance day which falls on the second day after Holi ,popularly known as Bheej, he would come from Vaikuntam exactly at noon in the form of a gentle breeze to this place and bless the devotees.  Because of the gentle breeze, the leaves of the tree which was a witness to the incident gently move and the leaves fall.

To enable the assembled devotees who stand far away from the tree, the temple authorities have tied a red flag as an indication. 

When the breeze gently blows, the red flag moves which can be witnessed by everyone. 

The assembled devotees continuously sing the abhangs and as noon approaches, the fervor and intensity of the bhajans increases.  Words cannot describe the sight.

One has to personally witness this incident.

We were there … to receive Our Bhaktha Tukaram’s blessings …

What a journey it was ..

Sadhu Satsangh  ki Jai ..

Bhaktha Tukaram ki Jai

Adiyen Ramanuja dasan

Pics/ Videos  :

Credits to all Lord Vittala devotees who uploaded in social media /Google pics

Jai Jai Ramakrishna Hari

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 bliss  .

Pundalikan was so concerned that he  changed the course of  the river so that it would pass by his hut to enable his parents for taking their daily bath .

Even today we can see the  shape of this river  looks like  a crescent  of moon  and hence the river came to be known as “Chandrabhaga” river.

All compassionate Lord Krishna  in Dwaraka,  wanted  the world to know about   this  great devotee  Pundalikan  who was serving his  parents with utmost sincerity .

  The   cheerful obedience mixed with devotion attracted  Lord  personally  to visit  his hut to bless him. It was a direct meeting of the great Lord  with his favorite  devotee .

Lord arrived  near his hut  silently  and was immersed in listening to his devotees Nama sankirtana. 

  Lord walked inside his hut  like a normal  man and  looking at his  devotee  called him. 

Pundalikan was  engrossed in the Holy name and  was serving his old parents by comforting their legs . 

The voice was melodious …… unheard ….  

My son !!

Lord once again called

Pundalikaa…..

Look  ..

Pundalik was in trance and that bliss he was already enjoying the holy name  in his transcendental mood  and hence he did not want to come out of that mood ..

and he  did not want to disturb his  old parents sleep as they too were engrossed in the Holy name  ..

He attempted to whisper slowly  his helplessness  ,that he couldn’t come and receive the honorable guest due to his position .

He requested  him to  please  wait  . 

He presumed that once his parents were fast asleep he could take leave from them and attend the respected guest .

He innocently  requested the revered guest to rest .

Lord replied , I find only bricks around . Any way  as desired by his devotee he just stood  on a small  brick which was lying nearby.

The demigod Indra to atone for his brahmahathi  dosham  immediately took the form of brick  awaiting Lord’s arrival so that the Lord would place HIS lotus  feet. The divine incident was happening at the great devotees hut.

Once he observed that his parents were fast asleep , he comforted them and looked around .

Pundalikan  had a glance of the wonderful  darshan .

Lord Krishna as Vitthala, standing on a brick, hands on hips, with a smile on his lips.

He scanned the lovely form further .  His eyes were starving for that darshan .Torrent of tears flowed ..Speechless .   His soul now rejoiced in pure love ..

His breath that was synchronized with the holy name could swim deep in that ocean of sheer bliss ..

.Panduranga …

My Lord !! Vittala…

Nothing more ..Let this remain with me .

..Oh ! Lord …

Ocean of Compassion … You came to see this worm …

And..

LORD !  Please forgive me for asking you to stand on the brick ..

Pundalikan was inconsolable ….

Lord Panduranga, Lord Vittala  the enchanter of the Universe, wearing  ‘Makara Kundala’ (fish shaped ear stud) in his ears, …….

Peethambara (clad in yellow silk), wearing exquisite  royal ornaments, a bewitching smile playing on His lips and having the insignia of Goddess Lakshmi on His chest,  two palms on His hips was looking at Pundalikan ..

Pundalik     was overwhelmed and touched .

He submitted to LORD for  HIM to stay there forever.

Lord with a enchanting smile replied ..

My dear son !

Now and  forever will I remain on this brick standing to see all my children seeking me…

Rukmini ,SAtyabhama arrived later , assumed the same posture of Lord  and blessed Pundalikan.

AT the behest of Pundalikan, Lord resides here and gives darshan to millions of devotees . As Lord stands on Vittu(brick) , HE is  glorified as  as Vittalan.

The place where the Lord   stands is the present temple. 

The Saints like Namdeo, Dnyaneshwar to Tukaram wove their life around Vitthala and saw in Vitthala their brother, father, friend and a compassionate Lord who could bless them with ultimate salvation.

“Vittala ”  is  our Compassionate Lord who mingled with all the devotees by taking various roles like a cobbler, barber, servant, potter, gardener thus assisting his devotees in household chores and helping them in their own spiritual up liftment and seek salvation

Pundalikan and his parents attained Lord’s feet after the divine darshan .   The Pundalika Temple is about half a km from the Vitthal Temple.

This temple marks the spot where Pundalika, the Lord’s devotee, spent the last years of his life and also is the place of his Samadhi. It is on the riverbank of Chandrabhaga.

Great Bhagavathas have composed wonderful Naama sankirtana which swoon even a rock to breath the holy name and reach HIS holy abode ..One such kirtan is presented below sung by Sri Kadyanallur Rajagopal  feeds the soul with a grand feast of holy names  .The lyrics is shared below for the feel …

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

Tribhuvana Roopa     ………..
 Vishwa Swaroopa     ……….
Bhava Bhaya Thapa   .
Harithi Papa   Rukmini Kantha  
  Roopa Anantha 
  Janani Janaka     Tuja Mavakalena
Vittala Yere     Pandhari Raya…………

Chandrabhageteeram Ubha Vitevari –
Kara Katavari Ranga Shilevari     
 Mahadwari Garuda Vahini 
Vinavinatha Janardhana Swamy
Vittala Yere Pandhari Raya

Panduranga       Panduranga – Panduranga

Rukmini Kantha    
Roopa Anantha 
 Janani Janaka  …….   Tuja Mavakalena
Vittala Yere     Pandhari Raya
Chandrabhageteeram Ubha Vitevari –
Kara Katavari Ranga Shilevari       
   Mahadwari Garuda Vahini   
Vinavinatha Janardhana Swamy
Vittala Yere Pandhari Raya
Panduranga       Panduranga – Panduranga

Adiyen Ramanuja dasan

Pics Credits : Google images uploaded by advanced devotees

Videos : Credits to all devotees who shared in social media

                     Sholingur is a small town in Vellore district  in Chennai city in South India. Lord Narasimha temple and Hanuman temple are  located on top of two separate hills in this town and  are  the most popular Sri Vaishnaivite temples in India. 

Located about 90kms west of Madras (and about 25kms from Arakkonam and 40kms from Tiruttani), atop a hill on a single rock  is the Lord Narasimha Divya Desam in Sholingur, also called Chozha-Simha-Puram and Thiru Kadigai.

The Yoga Narasimha Swamy temple is situated on this  hillock is  at a height of 750 ft, and there are 1305 steps. This is also referred to as UtheeCheerangam(North Srirangam).There are two temples of significance here- the Yoga Narasimha temple at Periya Malai (the big hill) and the Yoga Chathurbhuja Anjaneyar temple at Chinna Malai (the small hill). Bhaktha Anjaneya also was doing thapas (penance) here.

The Lord  pleased with him  gave His Shanku and chakram to him .This is the only place where Lord Anjaneya is giving darshan in sitting position as yoga Anjaneya adorned with sangu chakram in upper hands and with ,japa malai and counting with fingers on lower hands. Anjaneyars temple is just opposite to Lord Narasimha’s temple on a smaller hill.

After killing the demon named Hiranya, it is believed that Lord Narasimha reached Sholingur and settled down here. As he gave darshan to Sapta rishis(seven saints) for a kadigai time duration (24  minutes), the site is called as Kadigachalam.

This place was also called as Chola Simha Puram, which later became Sholinga Puram and ultimately to ‘Sholingur’.

              The Lord Shri Yoga Narasimhar atop the Sholinghur hill is  glorified as  “AKKARAKANI” meaning sweetest fruit by Thirumangai azhwar.

At  this holy place Sholingur , ( Ghatikachalam)   there were two Sri Vaishnava brothers Swamy Periyappan and Siriyappan the descendants of Swami Mudaliyandan who were the nephews and disciple of Acharya Ramanuja.

They were well versed in sasthras . They were doing kainkaryam to the devotees of Lord Narasimhar .  The great devotee Swamy Dhoddachar was born on auspicious star uthradasha to Siriyappan which falls on 20-02-2020 ( Today) 

He learned Vedas and divya prabandam from Periyappan who was his acharya and mentor. Slowly with his steadfast devotion , He became an  upasaka of Sri Sudarsanazwar.

He continued his  upasana for twelve years  Lord Sudarsana  was pleased with his devotion  and  appeared before  his devotee .

Lord  said,” I am very much pleased with your devotion.

What do you want?”my child ….

 Swamy Dhoddachar said,” I want to have darshan of Lord Nrusimhar .”

Sri Sudarsanazwar told him to follow him. He took him to a cave and showed him Lord Nrusimha’s  deity  with His upaya Nachimar Sridevi and Bhoodevi .

 Swamy Dhoddachar was very happy to  have darshan of  Lord Nrusimha in yoga nishta pose in a calm and serene pose  and christened Him as Akkarakani as described by our Azhwar ( Thirumangai Azhwar )

He decided  to build a temple for the Lord and conduct all uthsavas and daily rituals.

King Achutha Devaraya who was related to Krishna Devaraya was ruling over Kanchipuram. He came to know about Sri Dhoddachar  intention to build a temple to Lord Akkarakkani, (The Yoga Nrusimha.)

He came to Ghatikachalam and paid his obeisances to  the great devotee Dhoddachar.

He rode on his favourite high breed horse and to honour Dhoddacharya he arranged to carry him on a pearl palanquin.

When they reached a village called Erumbi Achutha Devaraya’s horse suddenly fell on the ground and died.

Achutha Devaraya felt very sad to see this.

 Swamy Dhoddachar saw this . He took out water from his Thirtha pathram and sprinkled it over the horse.

Presto ! The horse got up as if it woke up from sleep.

Achutha Devaraya was wonder struck to see this and he prostrated before  acharya and thanked him immensely for giving new life to his horse.

He also gave Erumbi village and some other places nearby to him.

Dhoddachar built a temple for Lord Nrusimha with the help of his disciples and also built a tank which is called Thakkan Kulam.

He was now happy that his wish to build a temple was fulfilled.

He also made Thiruvabaranams (jewelery) to the Lord and started celebrating all the  uthsavas with the help of his shisyas and Srivaishnavas.

He visited Kanchipuram “PeraruLaLa PerumaL” who was his favourite Deity regularly .

Every year he used to go to Kanchipuram on the third day of Brahmmothsavam when LORD VARADARAJAR PeraruLaLa perumal would give darshan on Garuda vahanam.

But one year he was indisposed and so was unable to go to Kanchipuram.

He prayed Lord for his darshan

On the  day of garuda vahanam  early morning he took  a dip  at thakkan kulam              ( pond ) .

He felt very sad and prayed to Lord Devaraja at the bank of the tank chanting his Holy names .

     Lord Devaraja was very much pleased with his deep devotion and he flew to Ghatikachalam on Garuda and gave darshan to his dear devotee .

Dhoddachar was overwhelmed with emotion and his eyes were filled  with tears of joy and gratitude.

He prostrated before the Lord repeatedly  and praised the Lord with five slokas which is known as Devaraja Panchakam.

Even now on Garuda vahana sevai  day early morning when Lord Devaraja comes out of the entrance of the temple, he stops for a few minutes and He  is covered by an umbrella to symbolize this incident marking the incident of LORD giving darshanam to his dear devotee .

There is a temple for Lord Devaraja on the bank of Thakkan kulam where the moolavar is giving Darshan on Garuda Vahanam which is a very rare sight.

On Vaikasi visakam day in  this place Ghatikachalam Garudothsavam for utsava murthi is  conducted with due respects  to the devotee Dhoddachar .

All glories to Swamy Doddaacharyar!

Adiyen Ramanuja dasan

 Photos : Courtesy : Google Pics/varavaramuni

EETHO NARASIMHA,    PARATHO NARASIMHA

YATHO YATHO YAHIHI,  TATHO NARASIMHA

This is one of a real incident happened in the life of  His Holiness the 33rd Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt .

One day ,  His Holiness  Jeeyar was passing through the dense forest  from Ahobilam to Mysore accompanied by his disciples, journeying to the next destination .

It was a very tough task traveling those old days .

Enroute , His Holiness Jeeyar decided to halt at a spot near a small rivulet to perform his evening puja to Lord Narasimha .

As he was settling down to offer prayers, there was a commotion.

His disciples rushed to him  informing about  the  bandits  who  had come to loot the baggage they were carrying which had Lords Jewelry and paraphernalia offered by several kings and devotees .

The unperturbed Jeeyar went  boldly to meet the  bandit leader of the gang, and told him that they had nothing which belonged to them , and everything they possessed belonged to Lord Narasimha .

He requested him to take it  without any inhibitions , after he finished his  evening puja . He politely returned and offered prayers .

The dacoit leader  followed His holiness and was waiting for his turn to loot the jewelry.

The jeeyar commenced his puja.

He offered “Chakkarai Pongal (Sweet) prepared out of rice and jaggery” to the lord.

A Mangala Haarati to Lord Narasinga thrice and prayed LORD  humbly to accept his offerings .

At the end of third round of the mangala Haarathee  all the dacoits  who were hiding near the bushes  came out and suddenly fell at the  lotus feet of Jeeyar and asked him to protect them .

They were shivering with fear and pleaded His holiness to save them as  large number of lions were attacking them.

The Jeeyar could not see the lions but he realized that his Lord had come to rescue him. He requested the lions to disappear.

The dacoits who had come to rob fell at his lotus feet  repeatedly , begging forgiveness and then escorted the jeeyar safely out of the forest till Mysore .

Let us immerse in the divine glories of Lord Narasingha deva..

Lovely darshan of Lord in various divya desams uploaded by great devotees in Social media is being shared below …

Lets glorify our LORD by singing HIS holy names .

MAATHA NARASIMHA,

PITHA NARASIMHA

BRATHA NARASIMHA,

SAKHA NARASIMHA

VIDYAA NARASIMHA, 

DRAVINAM NARASIMHA

SWAMI NARASIMHA,

SAKALAM NARASIMHA………..

ITHO NARASIMHA,

PARATHO NARASIMHA

YATHO YATHO YAHIHI,

TATHO NARASIMHA…

NARASIMHA DEVAATH PARO NA KASCHIT TASMAAN NARASIMHA SHARANAM PRAPADYE

Adiyen Ramanuja dasan

Pics credits : Google images and uploaded pics from social media shared by several advanced devotees

Thirumazhisai is a holy place located equidistant to Kancheepuram , Mahabalipuram and Mylapur in the present  chengelpet district ( Tamilnadu) . This place is very famous for  Lord Jagganatha Perumal temple . 

The holy place  has  cool streams  fruit and flower grooves yielding abundant fruits.  The  blossoming flowers all through makes it  a  perfect place for a  nature  lover .

Several seers , sages , nomadaic saints , bhikshukas relax and perform penance at  this place for eternal peace .

In such an wonderful place , Thirumazhisai Azhwar appeared  much earlier than the advent of Kaliyuga .

Azhwar lived for almost 300 years glorifying the Lordships .

Thirumazhisai Azhwar was a junior contemporary of the foremost Azhwars Pogai , Pey and Bhudath Azhwar  who laid a solid foundation for vishistadvaita long long ago .

Azhwar was brought up by his foster parents at Thirumazhisai . It is believed Azhwar left them at a very young age  and practiced Ashtanga Yoga .

With the main aim of seeking absolute truth  he performed severe austerities and penances . He studied and practiced  all religious ideas  existed during those days  Jainism , Buddhism , Carvaka etc one by one until he got disillusioned with each of them . Slowly he came into the fold of saivism through a siddar and  started practicing their faith .  He was given a name Sivavakyar .

However his search to the absolute truth was not finished . It so happened  by divine will he happened to see the effulgence of  Pey Azhwar  at Kanchipuram.

Peyazhwar was maintaining a garden and  Siva Vakyar used to pass that way. Keen to know the secrets of the divine knowledge , both used to discuss about the faith they followed and wanted to conclude  about the ultimate truth . Peyazhwar decided to practically demonstrate the absolute truth to his friend .

One day Peyazhwar took a weak rope with knots and a pot with holes .He drew water from the well through this pot  and poured it to the  plants that he planted upside down.

Siva Vakyar  saw this  strange act and was surprised to see PeyAzhwar’s behaviour  . Peyazhwar asked him why  was he disturbed  . Thirumazhisai  replied   Holy Sire ! I am surprised with your strange act!  being so learned  ,  How will the purpose of watering the plants serve in this method , as the plant is planted upside down and the pot that contained  holes will water the plants?

Peyazhwar  was glad  that he had started pondering over the truth   .Peyazwar told him that the rope was the example for his Athma which is searching through different faiths  to find the Absolute truth ,  but  has not succeeded in its search for the truth and still going on searching wasting precious time .

  Peyazhwar further explained ,

My dear young man ,

Our ancestors had explained in the following verse“ Thirumaal is like the root of the plant and is  the only Paramporul…

From the root only , the  leaves, branches, flowers and fruits appear . Similarly all the demigods  took forms only from the root and so they might wither away at some time or other. Hence it is poor understanding  to think that the other parts of the plant are superior to the root, meaning without the root the plant cannot survive.

 “Persons engaged in the worship of demigods are not  clear , although such worship is indirectly offered to Me.” For example, when water is poured  on the leaves and branches of a tree instead  on the root, he does so without sufficient knowledge or without observing regulative principles. The process of watering a tree is to pour water on the root.

Similarly, the process of rendering service to different parts of the body is to supply food to the stomach. The demigods are, so to speak, different directors in the government of the Supreme Lord. One has to follow the laws made by the government only , not by the others . Similarly, everyone is to offer his worship to the Supreme Lord only. That will automatically satisfy the different  denigods who are working under the  the Lord.

Peyazwar’s explanation put Siva Vakyar in deep thought. He realized that he was still searching for the true knowledge , but couldn’t find it.

He requested Peyazhwar to accept him as his disciple.  Peyazhwar  named  him Bhaktisaara . He started following vaishnavism and serving Peyazhwar  for more lessons  .

Later he took leave of Peyazhwar and went on divya desa yathra. After visiting few divya desams he went  back to Thiruvekka ( Kancheepuram) and stayed there. Kanikannan  a devotee , requested  Bhaktisarar  to accept him as his disciple. Azhwar accepted him as his disciple.

 It so happened  at Thiruvekka in his ashram an old lady used to come and clean his place, and perform small service to him. One day she prayed him that being old she felt that she may not be able to serve him longer and regretted for joining this pious service after becoming old.

Azhwar was touched with her devotion and sincerity and blessed her regain her youth .

One day the king who ruled over Kanchi happened to see this lady who was so beautiful after Azhwars blessings , and instantly fell in love with her. He married her and took her to his palace. As years rolled by the king was becoming old, but his wife was as young as she was when he got her married.

He asked her what was the secret and she  revealed about Azhwar’s blessings..

.She suggested the King to ask KaNaikaNNan to request Azhwar to the palace and pray for the same. 

The king sent for KaNIkaNNan and told him to summon  Azhwar and compose a verse in his praise and to restore his youth. KaNikaNNan told him that Azhwar would not compose verse praising mortals, but only in praise of  Lordships..

 He orders  them  to leave the kingdom immediately. KaNikaNNan informs  Azhwar all that had happened.  Azhwar decided to leave the kingdom with his disciple and prays  Lord  to join along with them folding His couch ( AravaNai)

Azhwar  expresses in his Prabhandam , Creation or Life emanated through creatures and vegetation around , on all four sides everywhere . This creation is rampant quickly spreading continuous and  is powerful . The divine fragrant LORD the Universal Lord created Brahma . Brahma in turn created Rudra  . 

I the humble devotee of the Universal Lord submit these  in my prabhanda Naanmugam Thiruvandhaadhi . In his Prabhanda , Azhwar builds up by stages the total helplessness of the jivatmas and affirms that only LORD should shower his mercy and grace the helpless soul every stage for his upliftment and reach Godhead .

Makhayam makare mase     Chakramsam bhargavodbhavam

Mahisara puradhisam     bhakthisara maham bhaje

           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 )

Kadiththu avanai kandeno thirumangaiyaarai pOle

Did I become an Umbrella like Adhisheshan

Kudai mudhalaanadhu aaneeno ananthaazhwaanai pOle…

Did I carry HIM like Garuda

Kondu thirindhEno thiruvadiyai pOle…

Did I keep up the promise like Nampaduvan

Ilaippu vidaai theertheno nampaaduvaanai pOle…

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

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…

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

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

soorai kaatru kattu theeyai akasam varaiyil kondu sllugirathu

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 …

.Such  was the greatness of both…….

the Azhagiyasingars ..the Acharyar

and

Azhagiyasingar  Lord Lakshminarasimha deva  ..

Let us glorify our LORD …

Ugram  Viram   Maha Vishnum    Jvalantam      Sarvato Mukham

Nirisimham     Bhishanam      Bhadram    Mrutyur Mrutyum       Namamy Aham..

Ugram – the ferocious one

Viram – The most courageous

Mahavishnum – The all-pervasive one (Lord Maha Vishnu)

Jvalantam – the effulgence of fire

Sarvato Mukham – Having his face everywhere (manifested throughout the universe)

Nrisimham – The Lion-man form

Bhishanam – The terrific

Bhadram – The auspicious

Mrutyur Mrutym – death of death

Namamy Aham – I bow down and revere

Adiyen Ramanuja dasan

Pics : Courtesy Google images uploaded by several advanced devotees

The month of  ( March – April )   in tamil (Panguni )  is sacred  as it is the appearance month of –  Lord Ranganatha  on Revathi  star and Goddess  Sri Ranganayaki Thayar on Uthiram star  both occur during the same  month.

The most important and the oldest festival called as “Adi Brahmotsavam” is performed during this month for 10 days and culminates on the  day of Panguni Uthiram .  

About 800 years ago ……………………………………………

an unusual incident occurred which has remained as one of the most cherished brave effort by our Acharyas for protecting and leaving us the  legacy  of our great srivaishnava sampradaya and our Lordships…

           Almost 800 years ago , the festive mood was vibrating with splendor.                  At the banks of Kollidam river preparations were being made for  Lord’s arrival with pomp and show . The stage was decorated with wonderful flowers and   the best decorative lamps .

         A huge golden throne decked with diamonds and costly jewels, attracted the venue.  The 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

https://kmkvaradhan.wordpress.com/2017/09/23/thiruvaaimozhi-pillai-vaibhavam-parama-guru-of-lord-ranganathar-swamy-manavala-mamuni-attributing-everything-to-the-lotus-feet-of-his-legendary-acharyar/

 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

aththigiri aruLALar anumathiyOn vAzhiyE
aippasiyil thiruvONaththavathariththAn vAzhiyE
muththi neRi maRaith thamizhAl mozhintharuLvOn vAzhiyE
niththiyam nampiLLai patham nenjchil vaippOn vAzhiyE
nIL vachana bUdaNaththil niyamiththAn vAzhiyE
uththamamAm mudumbai nagar uthiththa vaLLal vAzhiyE
ulagAriyan pathangkaL UzhithoRum vAzhiyE

Adiyen Ramanuja dasan

Pics : Courtesy  Google images

video / Pictures credits  : Google images shared by several devotees

Sriranga yatra , Perumal pictures ( CDs available in 2 volumes Must watch )

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?”……………………..

25-12-2019 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

video credits : Sriman MK Saravanan

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 24-01-2020 to 26-02-2020 at Thirunangoor and get the blessings of our Thirumanga Azhwar .Watch the clip and get in that mood of devotion ….

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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.

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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 .

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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://kazhiyurvaradanblog.in/2017/12/02/today-is-the-appearance-day-of-thirumangai-azhwar-our-parakaalan-kaalan-for-people-who-refuted-paran/

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 EXPERIENCES

With 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=PL28444E81CFBBC177

Adiyen 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.