THIRUMANGAI ALVAR has enriched the Divya prabandham by composing 1084 verses 0f Peria Thirumozhi besides Thirukkurunthandagam of 20 pasurams, Thirunedunthandagam of 30 pasurams, 1 Pasuram of Thiruvezhukootrarikkai, Siriya Thirumadal of 40 Pasurams and Periya Thirumadal of 78 pasurams. Total of 1253 Pasurams.An attempt is made to give a skeleton review of these celestial , Divine Hymns on the subject addressed. It is humbly hoped that this would induce the interest of readers to read and understand the original further. In such a case, this work is considered of having achieved the intended objective.1.1 In this group of Ten pasurams, Alvar speaks of the greatness of the eight lettered Mantra to which he was initiated into by Lord Himself at Thirunaraiyur ( Nachiyar Koil ).

 

1.1 Thirumangai Alvar indulges in self-pity in this group of ten pasurams. He is sad that he had wasted his precious time in seeking worldly pleasures. At last, he could identify and get to know the eight-lettered mantra which could redeem him. Alvar speaks loftily of the mantra that could save him.

In one pasuram he says that the mantra is capable of : obtaining to the person chanting it a noble clan, that is, a clan of God’s servants.; It will give all wealth and pleasures in this world and also the permanent wealth of serving the Lord’s Lotus Feet ; It will remove all sorrows by hitting at the root of all misery by removing the cycle of births and death ; It is capable of revealing the Vaikuntha, the abode of Lord Vishnu clearly; It will get the kimgdom of Moksha, (Liberation from Bith and Death cycle); It is known that there is no mantra more effective than Gayatri and no God holier than Mother. Having born out of Gayatri and developing into Ashtakshara ( Eight Lettered ) mantra, this superior mantra will nurse and take care of ourselves as a mother; Alvar says reciting this mantra he could have the vision of the Lord. We too can see him if we can chant the mantra that is His divine name.

1.2 Kaliyan sings the praise of THIRUPPIRITHI a holy place in Himalayas. This shrine has not been identified with existing temples in the region in present day. Alvar, a Divine poet he is, paints a picture of scenic nature of all places he sings about. Thiruppirithi is amid dense forest where gigantic elephants are troubled by the lions roaming therein. It is also the habitat for wild boars. The tigers there are ferocious , always in fighting profession A place where the snakes sigh deep due to hunger and where pythons of size which can easily swallow the elephants crawl about, says the Alvar.

One of ten pasurams runs like this : In Thiruppirithi huge dense clouds roll out in groups and one behind the other roaring . Seeing this a big snake leaves its living place , starting to move under the impression that a huge mountain is beginning to crawl. Those who worship the Lord reclining in such a place called THIRUPPIRITHI and also those who can sing setting to music the hymns sung by me in praise of the Lord there will not gather sins, alvar says.

1.3 This group is in praise of Thiruvadari, Badrinath of present times also in Himalayas. Alvar is singing in praise of Lord Badri Narayanan

In one of the pasurams, alvar says: Beautiful flowers surround Badri, where bees hum and are happy drinking the nectar of cool flowers Alvar has sung in praise of Lord residing there .The devotees who can sing these pasurams and dance in groups will reach Vaikuntham and rule the celestial land. So says the Alvar.

1.4 This group is also dedicated to Lord at Badari. Here Alvar sings in praise of Lord who has shown many leelas in different avatharams and who is residing in the banks of Holy Ganga.

1.5 Alvar has reached Salagramam present day Muktinath in Nepal on the banks of river Gandaki. Alvar says that this place is hard to approach, as it is in Himalayas. He sings the praise of Lord here, whom he sees as Lord Rama. (Perialvar sings of Lord here as lord Krishna.)

1.6 This group is in praise of lord at Naimisharanyam. This is present day Nimsar in U. P. Alvar is surrendering himself seeking protection to Lord at Naimisharanyam. In one of the pasuram Alvar says that in Yama Loka the punishments are severe. For sinners like the person who covets other’s wife while neglecting his wife, and those who desire other’s wealth on death will be punished like This:: They will be asked to embrace a red hot sizzling figure of woman made in Copper. So I fear to commit such sins . O Lord who does not forsake the Faithful ! I take refuge in Your Holy Feet in Naimisharanyam