THIRUMANGAI ALVAR Tuesday, Aug 29 2006

 THIRUMANGAI ALVAR

Thirumangai    Alvar  was  born  in   the  Kingdom  of  Thiru AAlinadu  in  a  place  called  ThiruKkuraiyaloor.  His  compositions  are  6  in  number : (1 ) PERIA  THIRUMOZHI   ( 1,084 Pasurams )   ( 2 ) THIRUKKURUNTHAANDAKAM  ( 20  Pasurams )   ( 3 )  THIRUNEDUNTHANDAKAM  (30  Pasurams )  ( 4 ) THIRUVEZHUKOOTRIRUKKAI (  1 Pasuram )   ( 5 ) SHIRIYATHIRUMADAL (40 Pasurams )   and  (  6 )  PERIYATHIRUMADAL  (  78  Pasurams )   totaling   1253  Pasurams. There  are  many  incidents  related  to  his  life.  We  shall  see  them as   told   from  elders.  Alvar  is  also  known  by  names    AALINAADAN,    KALIYAN,    PARAKAALAN,  MANGAIYARKONE,  THIRUMANGAI MANNAN .    

Alvaar  fell  in  love  with   a  beautiful  maiden  by  name  KUMUDAVALLI  and   wanted  to  marry  her.  For  agreeing  to  marry  him, she  put  a  condition  to  Alvar .        The  condition  was  to  feed  1000 devotees  of   Lord  Sriman Narayana   ( BHAGAVATHAS )   So  agreeing  to   fulfill  the  task,  he  married  her.  Alvar   was  very  pious,  simple  man.  He  cooked his  own  food  by  receiving  alms  by  begging  at his  disciple’s  house. He  had  four  disciples  devoted  to  him.  He  wanted  to  build  a  temple  for  Lord  Ranganatha   at  Srirangam,  which  was  very  dilapidated  at  the  time,  home  to  bats.  So  alvar  approached  the  rich  people  to  help  him  in  Building the  Temple.  No  one   was  willing  to   part  with  the  riches  they  had.  Saddened,  Alvar   conferred  with  his  disciples  and  took  to   looting the  travelers.     He  started  to  waylay   rich  people  traveling  in  the  forest  areas  and  loot  their  belongings.  Thus,  we  can  see   the  idols  of  the  Alvar  sporting  a   sword  in  his  hand.  Lord  Sriman  Narayana  wanted  to    take  him  in His  fold  and  emancipate  him.  So  He  took  the  form  of  a  Newly – Wed   Human  being,  traveling  from   bride’s  place  to  his  own  place  soon  after  the  wedding,  both  bridal  couple  heavily  bedecked  with  ornaments  in  Gold  and  Diamonds and  precious gems.  Getting  the  information  of  such  a  traveling  group   Alvar   reached  the  place  quickly  and  he  showed  the  sword  to  the  bridegroom,  he  ordered  that the  man  remove  all  the  ornaments  and  hand  over  to  him.  Alvar  collected  all the  ornaments from  both  The Groom  and  Bride.  However  he  could  not  remove  a  ring  in  the  toe  of  the  Lord.  He  ordered  the  Lord  to  give  it to  him.  Groom  that  was  the  Lord  said that  He  cannot  remove  as  it is  tight  and  asked  alvar  to  help removing  it.  Alvar  tried  his  best   but  could  not  remove.  Frustrated,  he  put  his  teeth  in  the  Feet  of  the  Lord  to  wrench  the ring  out  of  its  place  in  the  toe.   Then  dawned  the  wisdom  on  alvar  revealing   who  the  Groom  was  and  Bride was !   He  stood  in  awe,  praising  the  Lord   Lord  taught  him the  meaning  of  sacred  mantra  and   made  him  His  dear  devotee.     Even  to  this  day,   this  scene  is  enacted  called  VEDUPARI UTSAVAM  in  many  temples  with  idols  of  Divine  couple  and  Alvar. He  built  the  Srirangam  Temple  out  of  the  money  earned  by  him  by  way  laying.  The  rich  people  who  saw  the  earnestness  of  the  Alvar  and  that  he  did  not  use  anything  out  of  the  funds  for  himself,  but  continued  to  live  on  alms,  came  forward  to  donate  willingly  for  the  cause.   While  building  the  fortress-like   compound  for  the  shrine  of  Sri Ranganatha,  Alvar  happened  to  find  that  the  Flower Garden  of   Thondaradi Podi  Alvar came  in  the  way. Respecting  the  Thondaradi podi  Alvar’s     devotion  and  service  to  the  Lord, Alvar  planned the  compound   to  save  the  the  Alvar’s  residence  and  Flower garden,  circumventing  it.Alvar  wanted  to   decorate  the  temple  spire  with  Gold.   He  heard   of   image   of  Buddha in          Gold   Worshipped  in   Nagapattinam   and  so  he  came  and  took  away  the  idol  to  use  it.   Travelling  during  night,  stealthily,   Alvar  took  rest  on  the  way  under  a  tamarind  tree  burying  the  Idol   in  a  field.  Before  resting  for  the night,  Alvar  bade   the  tamarind tree   to  keep  watch  over  him.  When  the  peasant  came  to  the  field  early  in  morning,  tree  shed  its  leaves  on  Alvar,  wakening  him  up. Alvar  got  into  argument  with  the  peasant  saying  that  he  should  keep  off   as  land   was  his  ( Alvar’s ).  They  got  into  argument and  the  case  was  not  at all settled !  During  construction  of  Srirangam  Temple,  Alvar  was   threatened  by   a  gang  of   robbers  thousand  strong.  They  wanted  a  share  in  whatever  Alvar  got   by  way – laying.  Alvar  had  a  disciple  who  had  magical  power  of  treading  on  water. Alvar   gave  a  secret  message  to  him.  Accordingly,  the  disciple  convinced  the  robbers  that  the  Alvar  had   secretly  kept  the  riches   across  the  river  Cauvery  on  the  other  bank.  So  he    took  them  by  a  boat  in   the  river.  The  river was  flowing full   turbulent   and eddying  as  it  was  monsoon  season.  The  disciple  drowned  the  boat  in  centre  of  the river,  himself  walking  back  to  the  shore  and  Alvar.  Alvar  was  relieved  and  said  Lord  Ranganatha  has  taken  them  under  His  care.  From  thence,  the  place  was  called    KOLLIDAM   (   place  of  killing  ).   In  English  called  Coleroon. 

 Thirumangai  Alvar   arranged  annual  utsavam  of   Thiruvoimozhi    every  Margazhi  month    with  Swami  Nammalva’s  idol  being  brought  to  Srirangam,  all  the way  from    Alvarthirunagari.

ALVAR EMPERUMAANAAR  DESHIKAR  THIRUVADIGALE  SHARANAM               

SRIMATHE  LAKSHMINRISIMHA  DIVYA  PAADUKAA  SEVAKA  SRIVANN SHATAKOPA SRI  NAARAYANA  YATHINDRA MAHAADESHIKAAYA NAMAHA.          

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KANNINUNNSHIRUTTHAMBU Friday, Aug 25 2006

KANNINUNSHIRUTTHAMBU

In this composition of 11 hymns / pasurams Madhurakavi Alvar has sung the praise of his Acharyan / Guru Swami Nammalvar. Madhurakavigal venerated his Guru as superior to God Himself. These hymns bring out his undivided Bhakti towards His Guru , Swami Nammalvar.

In the Thanian ( An invocation Hymn sung in praise of the composer before reading his composition ) of Madhurakavi Alvar, penned by Natha Munigal , Madhurakavigal is praised as follows :

Madhurakavi Alvar did not know anything other than Swami Nammalvar. He took great pleasure in singing the Prabandhams ( Divine Compositions ) of Swami Nammalvar. Enamored by the glorious virtues of Swami Nammalvar Madhurakavigal dedicated himself as an object of service to Swami Nammalvar.

Madhurakavi Alvar paid tributes to Swami Nammalvar as follows : “ Finer, Subtle meanings of Vedas ( which are difficult to understand ) were given in Tamil by Swami Nammalvar, named MAARAN. I do not know anything other than him. SHATAKOPA ( another name of Swami Nammalvar ) Leader of THIRUKURUKOOR is our Life. He only is capable of emancipating us. “

Alvar places His Guru, Swami Nammalvar in exalted position even to God Himself. Alvar takes reference to an incident in Bhagavatha related to Krishna avathara.. Once, Mother Yashoda wanted to punish child Krishna for His mischief by binding Him by a rope. But mother Yashoda found the rope short. Yashoda lengthened the rope by adding another piece connected by a knot. Even this was not sufficient. She tried several times by adding extensions and got tired, as she was not successful in the mission. Taking pity on her plight Lord allowed Himself to be bound by the rope.

Here Acharyas take note of His easy accessibility ( SAULABHYA ) to His devotees and wonder at His getting bound, The One who is capable of releasing the Devotees’ bond of SAMSARA ( Worldly Life ) ! . Madhurakavi Alvar says that he approached Swami Nammalvar in preference to The Lord of such marvelous power as cited above. Taking Swami’s name is relishing sweet as it is, like Nectar to me, says Madhurakavi Alvar.

I relished chanting his names several times, took refuge under his holy feet . I do not know of any God other than Swami (Nammalvar ). I will sing his compositions wherever I move. Says Alvar.

If ever separated from Swami, I will see the Lord himself, a favourite of Swami. I got the privilege of seeing the Lord , as I served the Swami , to the exclusion of others.

The scholars versatile in Vedas, consider me as a lowly person ( Due to my lack of education equal to theirs ). So I accept Swami as my Leader of Virtues, who is both Father and Mother to me, mastering over me.

Earlier, I used to crave for other’s riches , banked on other dames . Having become a devotee of the Swami, I got the moral strength

Swami Nammalvar blessed me to have unshakeable Bhakthi towards Acharyan for the next seven births in future, to sing his praises. Swami will acknowledge me as his forever , will not look down on me.

Swami Nammalvar, Son of KAARIYAAR, destroyed all my sins, out of deep concern for me. So, I will sing the praise of him and his kindness to me, spreading it in all the directions.

Swami Nammalvar composed the meaning of precious Vedas in Tamil, to the ecstatic joy of devotees of The Lord. Out of kindness ( to humanity ) he sang one thousand verses in Tamil and this kindness is great.

The Vedas studied and understood by scholars was condensed to give the inner meaning in Swami’s composition which he made to be rooted in my heart I got the desire of serving only him, out of devotion to the virtuous Swami

Swami is not benefited by correcting the erring folk and some people by nature are incorrigible, in spite of which swami will correct them and make them his devotees. Madhurakavigal prays that he should be blessed by Swami with steadfast Bhakti at his holy feet.

Madhurakavigal accepted Swami Nammalvar – who was devoted to Lord and His Devotees – as his Acharyan. Alvar says those who learn this hymn of Acharya Bhakti with devotion, will live in Vaikuntham, in eternal communion with the Lord.

ALVAR EMPERUMAANAAR DESHIKAR THIRUVADIGALE SHARANAM
SRIMATHE LAKSHMINARASIMHA DIVYA PAADUKAA SEVAKA
SRIVANN SHATAKOPA SRI NAARAYANA SHATAKOPA YATHINDRA MAHAADESHIKAAYA NAMAHA…

 

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MADHURAKAVI ALVAR Monday, Aug 21 2006

Madhurakavi  Alvar  occupies  unique  place  among  all Alvars  as  he  considered  his  Guru  above  Lord  Himself  and  spent  all  his  life  in  the  Service  of  Sri Nammalvar  of  Kurukur whom  he  chose  as  his  Guru or  Acharyan.

Alvar  has  sung  11 pasurams  called  KANNINUMSHIRUTTHAMBU  in  praise  of  Sri Nammalvar  of  Kurukoor whom  alvar  chose  as  his  Acharyan  or  Guru.

Madhurakavi ( literally  meaning  Poet  of  sweet  words )  was  born  in  THirukkolur near  Kurukoor.  He  went  on  a  pilgrimage to  North  India .  While  he  was  bathing  in River  Sarayu  at  Ayodhya,  he  saw  a   powerful  light  in  the  sky  illuminating  southern  direction  of  the  sky. Curious  about  its  significance,  he  travelled  in  the  direction  of  the  celestial  light  travelling  south  in  its  quest. To  his  surprise  he  found  it  originating  from  inside of  Lord  Adipiran  at  Kurukoor,  Thirunelveli  Dist. ( Present  Alvar Thirunagari )  Inside  the  premises  he  found  Sri  Nammalvar  sitting  in meditation  inside  the  hollow  of  a  tamarind tree.  The  divine  Light  emanated  from  his  person. To  a  philosophic  question   he  got  a  philosophic  equally  crypt  answer.  Madhurakavi  was  satisfied  of  Sri  Nammalvar’s  erudition  and  chose  him  as  a  preceptor,  doing  the  service  to the  Nam Alwar.

Madhurakavi  Alvar  was  again  responsible  to  retrieve  the  4000  verses  after  they  became  extinct  after  some  time.

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THIRUPPANALVAR Monday, Aug 21 2006

Thiruppanalvar  was  born  in  Uraiyur,  near  Thiruchirapalli.  He  was  born  in  Panchama  caste.  He  got  his  name  by  the  fact  of  his  singing  hymns in  praise  of  the  Lord  of  Srirangam to  the  accompaniment  of  Pann,  a  stringed  musical  instrument.  Playing  this,  he  used  to  be  immersed  in  Divine  love  singing  praises  of  Lord  Sriranganatha.

 His  contribution  on  record  for  Nalayiram  is  ten  immortal  songs.  He  praises  God  as  the  Holy, the  Pure  and  The  Perfect . He  says  that  he  does  not  want  to  see  any  other  ” God “  having  seen  Lord  of  Srirangam.    A  Mahatma  by  name  Shri  D.  Ramaswami  Iyengar  has  written  a  booklet  rendering  English  translation,  soaking  with  devotion  as  much  equal  to  Alvar’s  himself. Swami  Deshikan  has  written  a  commentary  titled  Munivahana Bhogam.

The  chain  of  events  that  lead  to  his  having  darshan  of  the  Lord   goes  like  this :  He  used  to  sing  glories  of  the   Lord  from  afar  on  the  banks  of  Cauvery  in  Srirangam  looking  at   the  temple  spires  of  the  Lord. Once  it  so  happened  that Lord’s  priest  went  to   fetch  water  for Abhishekam  from  the  River  and  encountered  Alvar  in  the  way,  totally  oblivious to  the  surroundings  immersed  as  he  was  in  Divine  Love,  singing  his heart  out  to  the  tune  of  his  instrument.  Unaware  of  his  greatness, the  priest  whose  name  was  LOKASAARANGA MUNI, accosted  the  Alvar  asking  him  to  give  way so  he  can  collect  the  water.  Alvar  was  lost  in Devotion  and  hence  could  not  listen  and  respond.  Muni  called  him  many  times  without  effect  and  so  he  threw  a  small  stone  at  him  to  draw  his  attention.  The  stone  hit  Alvar  on  head  and  he  realised  the  situation  on  coming  out  from  the  trance and  hastened  to  make  way.  Muni  collected  the water   and  went  back  to  his  duties  in  the  Temple. On  entering  the  Sanctum,  he  was  shocked  to  see  the  Lord  Ranga Natha  hurt  and  bleeding  at  the  same  place  on  head  as  Alwar  His  devotee and  dearest  to  His  heart. He  spoke  to  Muni  letting  know  His  displeasure  at  the  act  of  Muni  and  ordered  that  muni  bring  the  Alvar  to  Him immediately.  Repenting,  Muni  went  to  Alvar  and  told  him  of  Lord’s  edict  and that  alvar  should  accompany  Muni  to  the  temple. Afraid  that  he  would  violate  the  social  customs  which  denied  him  entry  to  the  temple, he  refused.  Muni  wanted  to  obey  the  Lord’s  edict  and  so  forcibly  carried  Alvar  over  his  shoulders  to  the  temple.  Alvar  was  pleased  to  drink  in  the  beauty  of  the  Lord  from  Holy  Feet  to  His  lotus like  Eyes, lips etc  His  mind  rested  in  each  of  the  parts  of  Sri Ranga’s  body which  beauty  he  sang  in  ten  paasurams called   AMALANAADIPIRAN.  While  concluding  the  verses  Alvar  sang  that  he  does  not  wish  to  see  any  other  God  after  drinking  in the  nectar  of  Lord’s  beauty. With  this  alvar  Merged  into  the  Lord.  Alvar  got  the  name  Munivahanan  due  to  the  carriage  on  Muni’s  shoulders.

Amalanadipiran  speaks  of  Lord’s  beauty  beginning  with  HOLY  LOTUS  FEET, HIS  RED  SILK  ROBE  IN  HIS  WAIST, THE  NAVEL  JUST  ABOVE  RED  PITHAMBARAM WHICH  BROUGHT  FORTH  LORD  BRAHMA,  HIS  WAIST  BELT THAT  IS  AN  ORNAMENT  NAMED  UDARABANDHAM, HIS  CHEST  THAT  IS  THE  ABODE  OF  SRI  LAKSHMI  AND  GARLAND  OF  PEARL  ADORNING  IT, HIS  THROAT  THAT  SWALLOWED  THE  WHOLE  OF  HIS  CREATION  AND  GUARDED  DURING  PRALAYA OR  DELUGE,  HIS  BEAUTIFUL  EYES  THAT  ARE  WIDE,  RED TINGED  AND BEAUTIFUL, HIS  SPLENDOROUS  BODY  OF  BLUE  HUE, Such a Lord  he  has  seen  and  does  not  want  to  see  anything  other than  this.

       

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THIRUMAALAI & THIRUPALLIEZHUCCHI Thursday, Aug 17 2006

In  these  Devotion  soaked  composition  of  Hymns,  Thondaradippodi  Alvar  seeks  to  awaken  Lord  SriRanganatha  of  Srirangam   from  His  Yoganidra  and  make  Him  responsive  to  the call  of  Bhakthi.  There  are  45  hymns  or  Pasurams  of  Thirumaalai  and  10  Pasurams  of  Thiruppalliezhucchi. Alvar advises  the  people  to  reject  the  path  of  sin  and  to  surrender  at  the Holy Feet  of  the  Lord  to  redeem  themselves.

In  Thirumaalai  Alvar  says that addressingthe Lord  as  of  form  like a  mountain  of  Green hue, lips  resembling  coral in  red colour,  with  the eyes  resembling  Red  LOTUS,  o  achyutha, Leader  of  liberated  souls, King  of  cowherds! gives  him  more  bliss  superior  even  to  that  of  being  KING of  Indra loka  of  celestials.

In  another  hymn,  he  says  he  does  not  wish  to  be  born  again  as:  humans   are  given  life  of  100  years  as  per  vedas, out  of  which half  of  it  that  is  50  years  are  spent  in  sleeping.Remaining  50  years  are  lost  in infancy, boyhood,  lustful youth,  disease, hunger  and  old age.

THIRUPPALLIEZHUCCHI  paints  beautiful  scenery  of  Srirangam  progressively  as  Sun  rises  illumining  the directions  in  Morning.  Alvar  requests  that  the  Lord  should  wake  up  from  His  slumber. 

This  hymn  is  chanted  during  the  Month  of  Dhanur masa  also  called  Margazhi or  Margashira  ( Dec 15 to Jan 14th. )  in   Thirupathi  Sri  Venkateswaraswami  temple  during  suprabhatham.  

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THIRUCCHANDAVRUTTHAM Monday, Aug 14 2006

This  composition  is  indicative  ofthe  Erudition  combined  with  devotion  unparalleled  of  Sri  Thirumazhisai  Alvar.He  has  packed  in  120 pasurams  the  cardinal  principles  of  Sri Vaishnava  Philosophy  as  a  tiny  seed  holdsthe  huge  banyan  tree  in  its  womb. It  becomes  imperative  to  study  the  hymns  under  a  Guru  in  Kalakshepam  understanding  inherent   special  meanings  which  are  subject  of  many  commentaries  of  Nalaayiram   by  Acharyas  of  yore.

A  short  write up  with  limited  knowledge  and  reference  to  texts  is  attempted  herein.

Alvar refers  to  the  panchabhutas( Five  great  gross  Elements  in  creation )  and  its  attributes( Qualities )  The  gross  elements  are  Five  like   Ether / Akaasha,  Air /Vayu, Fire / Agni, Water/ Jala or  App,  and  Earth / Bhumi  The  gross  elements  are  made  of Subtle  Elements.  These  are  called  THANMATHRAS.Thanmathra  is  substance  in  subtle  state  immediately  prior  to  formation  of  gross  element.  It  is  likened to  state  of  milk  getting  curdled. this  state  is  halfway  to  formation of  curd  from  Milk.These  Thanmathras  are  five  in  number  like SOUNDTHANMATHRA/SHABDA ,TOUCH THANMATRA / SPARSHA, COLOUR  THANMATHRA / ROOPA,  SAVOUR THANMATHRA/RASA, AND  ODOUR THANMATHRA/GANDHA.  Lord  (supreme Creator )having  created the  elements  into two. Of  the  two  parts   He   keeps  aside one  part of  its  own  nature, dividing  other  half into  four  parts, He  combines the  four sub-parts  with  other  four  elements. Thus  Earth  as an  example  is  Earth  because of  its  portion  being  more though  other  elements  are  also  in  its  composition.   This  process  is  called   PANCHIKARANA.

In  first  verse  of  this composition,ALVAR   is  speaking  of  Lord’s  creation  thus:

Who  can  know You  fully  identifying  You as  the  inherent  Spirit, Primordial Cause  of , and   Supreme  Being  of  Following ? ( No  One  can Gauge His  Greatness ) ( He Is )  AS SHABDA, SPARSHA, ROOPA, RASA AND  GANDHA  in  Earth, in  WATER, AS SHABDA, SPARSHA, ROOPA  AND  RASA;  IN  AGNI, AS  SHABDA, SPARSHA  AND  GANDHA;  IN  WIND AS  SHABDA  AND  SPARSHA ;  IN  SKY AS  SHABDA; AS  SOUL  OF  Celestials (Devas ) Humans,Animals  and  Vegetation  (You  are  there ). 

Alvar  says  that LORD  is  six  occupations  of  reading  scriptures etc.  Six  seasons  like  spring  etc.,Six    yagnas  like  Agneya  etc., Five  sacrificial Agnis,  Gnana (Knowledge )  and Vairagya (renunciation ) Wealth, Kaivalya (Liberation )  Paramapadam (ultimate – Abode  of  Lord )  Vivekam (Discriminatory  sense  )  etc. seven  in  no. , Knowledge,  power  six in  no. Different   Religions Truth  and  Falsehood , Thanmathras are  all  Lord  Krishna  Himself !

Alvar continues to say  that  everything  is  Lord  Himself in  next  pasuram  as  well.The  five  gross  elements ( pancha Bhutas ),  sense organs, and  their  functions  totalling  ten, five  thanmathras,   PREMORDIAL  NATURE (PRAKRUTHI ) MAHAN,  AHANKARA,,  MANAS (MIND ) are  Lord  Himself   who  is  ruling  these  as  Atma (spirit ) of  these  .  He  has  permeated  ten  senses  by  five  shaktis  of  upanishadic  origin, He  is the five Enjoyments  of   Sound  etc.,  Enjoyer, INSTRUMENT, DEVAS,SAGES,  LIBERATED  SOULS,totalling  five  are Yourself.  Who  is  capable of   knowing  Him  Fully ? ( None  is  capable )     

He  is  the  33 letters (Alphabets )  that  are  origin  of  Vedas, 16  vowels,’la’kkara  that  are  five, Rig YAJUR and  SAMA vedas, meaning  of  twelve  lettered  mantra,  Light  in  three  lettered  Omkara,  Immutable  meaning  of  ‘A’kara, Such  is  the  greatness  and  Alvar  wonders  how  He  has  entered  his  mind  as  the  Leader,  His  kindness  is  infinite  indeed !

Such  is  the  burden  of  Alvar’s  Hymns  as  it  reads, but  there  are  plenty  meanings  in  each  line  and  each  verse  of  this  Great  composition.

Next  we  will  try  to  enjoy  Alvar’sskill  in  composition by  taking  one  example.

In a single hymn,  philosophical  truths  are  charged  as inner  meaning. That  is  why  aGuru  is  needed  to  understand  these  truths fully.

Elders  have  held  the  view  that the  inner  meaning  of  a  hymn  is  superior  to  the  meaning  which  meets  the  eye  on  initial  reading  of  the  hymn. This  inner  meaning is  called  SWAPADESHAM

We  shalltake  the  example  of  hymn  no.  49.  This  hymn  of  four  lines  is  about  the  holy  place  of SRIRANGAM. The  last  two  lines  of  pasuram  speaks  about  the  rich  natural  scenery  of  the  place.

 GENERAL Meaning :  The  bird  Egret ( Naarai in  Tamil ) ate  the  crab in  water. Due  to  sumptuous  food, it  could  not  fly  away.So  the  bird  moved  slowly. Vaalai, a  species  of   Fish  saw  the  Egret walking  slowly.The  Fish  Vaalai  was  afraid that  the  Egret’s  movement was  directed  towards  itself (  Food   of  Egret ). So,  Vaalai  leaped  to  another  place  of  safety from  the  place  it  occupied.  These  two  events were  seen  by  another  Fish  of  KENDAI  species.  Kendai  fish sheltered  itself  under  the Blue Flower  nearby  and  stayed  under  its  shade. Kendai  moved  fearlessly  there.

SWAPADESHAM / INNER MEANING : Crab  denotes  worldly,  materialistic  people. These  people  are  tortured  by AHANKARA / Ego. So  the  bird  Egret (NARAI )  which  ate  crab  is called   AHANKARA. ( Ego ) Vaalai  Fish  represents  the  people  who  try  to  live  by  self-effort. The  act  of  Vaalai Fish  of  moving   to  different  area out  of  sight  of  the  bird  Egret ( Narai ),   reminds  one’s  effort  of  saving oneself through  Self-effort.   The  KENDAI Fish considered  both  AHAMKARA  and  Self- effort  (NAARAI, VAALAI )  as  the  source  of  fear. Here,  KENDAI  Fish  remindsof  the  PRAPANNA, who  has done  PRAPATTI  ( ACT  OF  SURRENDER )  at  the  Holy Feet  of  the  Lord.  Blue  flower  represents  the  Blue Hued  Lord. Thus  Kendai’s  act  reminds  one  of  the  happy  state  of   Prapannas  ( SURRENDERED  ONES ) who  have  surrenendered at  the  Holy  Feet  Of the  Blue-Hued  LOrd ,  happy  because  of  freedom  from  fear  and freed  of  the  responsibility  of   saving  oneself  through  self-effort.

This  composition  abounds  in  many  such  meanings  and  should  be  learnt  under  a  Preceptor.

ALVAR  EMPERUMAANAAR  DESHIKAR  THIRUVADIGALE  SHARANAM

SRIMATHE LAKSHMINRISIMHA  DIVYA PADUKA  SEVAKA  SRIVANN  SHATAKOPA  SRI  NARAYANA  YATHINDRA  MAHADESHIKAAYA NAMAHA. 

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THONDARADIPPODI ALVAR Saturday, Aug 12 2006

This  Alvar was  born  in  a  place  called  MANDANGUDI in  Tamilnadu.  His  name  given  by  parents  was  VIPRANARAYANA. This alvar  lived  in  Srirangam  for  105 years.He  took  the  humble  name  of  THONDARADIPPODI,  THONDAR  meaning  BHAKTAS  ADI  meaning  FEET,  PODI meaning  DUST, Alvar  considering  himself  as  lowly  and  humble  as  the  dust  of  Holy  Feet  of  Devotees  of  the Lord. In  Sanskrit   this  name  translates  to  BHAKTHAANGHRIRENU.  

Alvar  was  doing  the  service  of  making  Flower  Garlands  to  Lord  Ranganatha.  So  Alvar’s   idols  are  made  showing  him  holding  a  Basket  ( for  flower Garlands )

This  Alvar  unlike  other  Alvars,  has  sung  in  praise  of  Lord  Sriranganatha  Of  Srirangam  only.  His  compositions  are  THIRUMAALAI  of  45  pasurams     and    THIRUPPALLI EZHUCCHI  of  10  pasurams.  totalling  55  pasurams     

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THIRUMAZHISHAI ALVAR Thursday, Aug 10 2006

thaThirumazhishai Alvar is named after the place where he hails from. Thirumazhisai is a place near Chennai. In Sanskrit it is called MAHISAARAPURAM It is said that Alvar was born of an Apsara called Kanakangi and a sage.

The child was abandoned by the parents and was brought up by poor childless couple who eked out their living by bamboo basket weaving.

Alvar is famous as he followed other philosophical schools like Shaiva, Jainism and finally he found Vaishanava school as more truthful by philosophic reasoning and spiritual inquiry So he developed unshakeable faith in Supremacy of Lord Narayana. Alvar is well known for his faith in single God and fervour as also yogic powers.

Many are the incidents in his life that are known, though not chronologically. Alvar had Yogic powers it seems and he took pity on elderly woman in temple service who used to clean temple premises daily and put rangoli. So Alvar blessed her to take the form of a beautiful maiden in blooming youth. It is said that the King who happened to visit the temple saw her and fell in love and married her.

Once Alvar was passing through an agrahara or colony of Scholarly Brahmins . The scholars who were chanting from Vedas, stopped as they saw Alvar coming in the street. While trying to resume, they forgot where exactly they had broken. As they were trying to recollect, Alvar took pity on their predicament and with a gesture made them pick up the lost thread. As he knew the meaning in Sanskrit of lines to be chanted, Alvar gestured by taking a black coloured paddy grain and breaking it by his fingernail. The clue was sufficient to remind the grateful brahmins who prostrated before alvar.

Alvar’s power of composing beautiful hymns in praise of The Lord reached the ears of the State’s King. The king wanted a Poetry composed by Alvar praising him. So he sent words to Alvar to meet him in Royal Court. Alvar sent his favourite disciple to the King. When King expressed his desire, disciple informed the king that Alvar would not sing in praise of mortals. Alvar’s songs are only for praising the Lord. King tempted him with all the riches imaginable. When there was constant refusal, he got enraged and ordered banishment of disciple out of his kingdom. Alvar on learning this was very sad to be parted with his disciple and he prayed to the Lord Vishnu lying on the couch of Adisesha in local temple, Alvar’s favourite deity of daily worship. Alvar told Him that he himself was leaving the kingdom as he coud not tolerate the separation from his disciple. Of what interest was the life for the Lord there without His Bhaktas ? So he commanded that the Lord should roll his Adisesha couch and walk out with His devotees! The Lord followed the order of His devotee, Alvar. The three were seen at the city gates by guards going out of city, capital. Astonished that God should accompany the two devotees, they promptly reported the matter to the king. Equally surprised, King realised his folly and pardoned the Disciple saying he could stay on. Order of banishment earlier passed was withdrawn. Alvar and his disciple came back to their living place and Alvar said that as disciple was allowed to stay on, he too returned to his abode. Accordingly, Lord also should return to His place. Lord in a hurry, changed direction of His earlier Headstead in couch of Adisesha and put His feet in Earlier Head Position ! Lord is even now in the temple near Kanchipuram, in a temple called SHONNA VANNAM SHAIDA PERUMAL KOIL ( LORD WHO DID AS HE WAS TOLD ) OR YATHOKTHAKAARI in Sanskrit giving same meaning.

Alvar worshipped Lord Aravamuthan ( meaning Lord who is as sweet as Amrutham/ Ambrosia  that  does  not  satiate  one’s thirst  even  taking  in    long draughts  ) at  Thirukkudanthai -  Present  day  Kumbhakonam -  on  banks  of  Kaveri.  He  was  enamoured  by  the  Lord  reclining  on  AdiSesha.  He asks  the  Lord,  Are  you  lying  on  Adisesha  because  you  are  tired  of  walking  in  forest (Ref  Rama’s  Avathar )  or  are  you  tired  after  reclaiming  the  Mother  Earth  from  under  water  after  killing  the  demon   ( Ref  Lord  Varaha avathar ) ?  Please  get  up  and  answer.  Lord  started  getting  up,  Alvar  was  overwhelmed  and  said  it  is  enough. So  Lord  at  Kumbhakonam  can  be  seen  in  a pose  with  his  head  in  a  raised  position !  He  gives  darshan as  if  inviting  devotees  coming  for  Darshan ! </p>  Alvar was given darshan by Lord Shiva, who voluntarily asked Alvar to ask a boon of Him. Alvar refused anything from Him, saying he was not interested in anything less than Moksham ( Liberation From Cycle Of Births and Death ) This moksham can only be granted by Lord Vishnu and no one else. </p>

Alvar  was  present  in  Aravamudan’s  sannidhi while  the  Lord  was  being  offered  food  offerings  in  temple.  Other  devotees  are  not allowed  in during  this  offering.  So  they  usually  close  the  Sanctum  by  means  of  a  clothe  curtain.  Only  the  priest  is  officiating  offering  food  to  the  Lord.   While  they  began  the  ritual  of  offering  food  to  Lord  chanting  appropriate  mantras,  Lord  roared  Stop !  He  wanted  Alvar  to  be  fed  first  and  He  was  satisfied to  eat  after  His  Devotee !  Priests  offered  food  first  to Alvar  in  line  with  Lord’s  command  and  then  to  The  Lord.  So  Lord  Aravamudan  was  called  ARAVAMUDHAALVAAN  ( DEVOTEE )  and  Alvar  as  THIRUMAZHISAIPIRAAN  (LORD  HIMSELF ! )  after  this  incident.</p>

Alvar has embellished Nalayiram by his compositions ( 1 ) Thirucchandavruttam – 120 Pasurams ( Hymns) and (2 ) Nanmuhan Thiruvandhadhi – 96 pasurams ( Hymns ).

ALVAR EMPERUMANAR DESHIKAR THIRUVADIGALE SHARANAM.

SRIMATHE LAKSHMINRISIMHA DIVYAPADUKASEVAKA SRI NARAYANA YATHINDRA MAHADESHIKAYA NAMAHA.

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PERUMAL THIRUMOZHI Tuesday, Aug 8 2006

Perumal Thirumozhi is composed by Sri Kulashekhara Alvar consisting of 105 pasurams of supreme devotion.

Perumal here means Sri Rama of whom Alvar was a great devotee. Thirumozhi is Alvar’s holy sayings.

Following are the titles under which he has composed the hymns with most of them with 10 hymns or pasurams under each title or group. Some have been sampled to show the meaning and richness of composition in imagination and bhakti.

1. Alvar is longing for darshan of Lord at Srirangam

He wants to join devotees and lose himself in Darshan of the Lord with tears of joy flowing in his eyes, his mind melting in devotion to the Lord etc. He says he wants to roll on the dust of holy devotees’ feet on the floor in temple.

2. In this group Alvar is proclaiming himself to be mad after Sri Azhagiya Manavala Perumal ( Another name of Sri Ranganatha) whose temple is found on opposite bank of Cauvery and Srirangam in place called Uraiyur, Near Trichy Tamilnadu.

In one of the Pasurams, Alvar says that he finds the worldly folk is like a spirit (Pey ) that is non-existent to him as he is a spirit to the common folk immersed in worldly matters . He does not wish to speak on this and calling O Ranga, O protector he has become a spirit immersed in Bhakti to the Lord.

4. Alvar says that it is satisfying for him to be born and live in holy Thiruvengadam ( Thirumala hills, Thirupathi.)

In one of the hymns ( Pasuram ), Alvar he likes to be born as the doorstep in Lord Venkateswara’s temple. The step crossed by devotees, celestials and nymphs like Rambha so alvar can constantly be looking at the red lips of the Lord, which resemble Red Coral Even today, the innermost step in front of The Lord Venkatesha of Tirumalai at the sanctum sanctorum is known as KULASHEKHARA PADI, after the Alvar.

5. In these pasurams Alvar prays to Lord at Vitthvakkodu in Kerala Alvar’s family deity. These are soaked in devotion and shows the utter helplessness of Alvar who is dependent on Divine Mercy for existence.

In one of the pasurams, Alvar compares himself to a sick patient who is totally dependent on his Apothecary (vaidyan ) The latter may by way of treatment cut by knife (operation ) burn diseased location patient does not lose his goodwill or faith in him. Similarly, even if God gives him difficulties / sorrow Alvar is looking forward to His Grace to alleviate his suffering.

6. This group is on Gopikas chastising the Lord for having deluded them.

7. This group is on lamentation of Mother Devaki on deprivation of the pleasure of the bringing up the child Krishna, which fell to the lot of Mother Yashoda.

8. This group is the famous Lullaby sung on Lord of Thirukkannapuram, whom Alvar sees as child Sri Rama.These are very popular and sung by many young mothers for their babes.

9. Dasharatha is lamenting the Lord Rama’s entering the Forest.

10. Alvar while worshipping Lord Govindaraja of Chidambaram , sees Lord Rama in him and sung the epic of Ramayana in these 11 pasurams.

These are titles of pasurams soaked in Devotion by Mahatma Sri Kulashekhara Alvar

ALVAR EMPERUMANAR DESHIKAR THIRUVADIGALE SHRANAM.

SRIMATHE LAKSHMINRISIMHA DIVYA PADUKASEVAKA SRIVAN SHATAKOPA SRI NARAYANA YATHINDRA MAHADESHIKAYA NAMAHA.

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SRI KULASHEKHARA ALVAR Tuesday, Aug 8 2006

Sri Kulashekhara Alvar was the King of a princely state in Kerala. He was a great devotee of sri Rama . He was as much attached to Vishnu Bhaktas (Called Bhagavathas ) as to the Lord Himself. He was always in company with devotees who came and stayed with him as guests. He liked their company and spent time in satsang singing the praise of the Lord. He was into this to the extent of overlooking the administration of the country which he left it to his ministers. The ministers in their turn were concerned that the King was showing apathy towards administration. In order to make him realise his mistake, the ministers planned to remove a valuable vessel of gold from the palace. They reported the matter to the King promptly. They also said that their suspicion of theft lay with the Bhagavatas who had free access to the King and palace. To this the king was sad that the Bhagavatas should be blamed. Without a second thought, he swore that Bhagavatas were innocent and pure. To prove this he put his hand inside a pot with a Cobra in it saying that he would be bitten if his statement ( that Bhagavatas were innocent ) is false. He was saved, showing his faith in Lord and His devotees.

Alvar was very much devoted to Lord Sri Rama so much so that he saw Sri Rama in all the deities he worshipped. It seems that once he was listening to a discourse on Ramayana. The lecturer was describing the battle of Sri Rama fighting alone with 14,000 Rakshasas in Janasthana. Alvar, on hearing this, got up excited and ordered his army to be ready to assist Sri Rama. Hurriedly, the lecturer explained that the Rakshasas were vanquished which cooled down.

His compositions is full of Bhakti Bhava. He is a good poet and he has composed 105 pasurams on Srirangam, his Family deity at Vithuvakkodu in Kerala, Thirumalai Thirupathi, Chidambaram etc. A sweet has to be tasted and words cannot give the experience !

Perhaps, he is the only Alvar who has written a Sanskrit Shloka, MUKUNDAMALA, in praise of Lord Krishna. This shloka is a classic in itself showing Alvar’s devotion, ecstasy he feels in chanting Lord’s names.

We shall find the titles under which he has composed 105 pasurams. This composition is called PERUMAL THIRUMOZHI under NALAAYIRAM. See Perumal Thirumozhi.

ALVAR EMPERUMANAR DESHIKAR THIRUVADIGALE SHARANAM

SRIMATHE LAKSHMINRISIMHA DIVYA PADUKA SEVAKA SRIVAN SHATAKOPA SRI NARAYANA YATHINDRA MAHADESHIKAYA NAMAHA.

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