SRIVAISHNAVAM

Our philosophy is called Srivaishnavam - in Vedantic terms, it is called as Vishishtadvaitam.

Sri Sankara’s philosophy is called as Advaitam. Sri Madhvacharya's philosophy is called as Dvaitam

The 5 forms of Emperumans are

· Param – Emperuman in vaikuntam

· Vyukam – Emperuman in parkadal

· Vibhavam – Emperuman in dasavatharams

· Antharyami – Emperuman in our heart

· Archa – Emperuman in the temples

The 5 Ayudhams of Emperuman

· Chakram-Sudarshanar

· Sangam-Panchajanyam

· Sword-Nandakam

· Mace-Koumodhaki

· Bow-Sarngam

AVATARA TYPES:

Vibhava Avatarams: The 10 Dasavatharams : Matsya, Koorma , Varaha , Parasurama , Rama , BalaRama , Krishna , Kalki , etc.,

Archa Avatarams:The archanai moorthys in all temples : Srinivasan , Uppiliappan , Parthasarathy etc.,

The DivyaPrabhandham's Origin

DIVYAPRABHANDHAM is the Divine collection of 4000 Paasurams sung by Azhvars who lived before 8th century

A.D. The simple details are shown in this table :

Azhwar Name Month Nakshatram -Place Amsam

PogaiAzhwar Aypasi Tiruvonam - YathokthaKariSannidhi Kanchi Panchajanyam- Sangu

BoodathAzhwar Aypasi Avitam - TirukadalMallai Mahabalipuram Koumodaki - Gadhai

PeyAzhwar Aypasi Sadayam- AdiKesavaPerumalKoilMylapore Nandakam-Sword[Vaazh]

TirumazheiSeiAzhwar Thai Maham -TirumazheiSei Sudarsanam-Chakram

Nammazhvar Vaikasi Visakam-TiruKurungudi-AzhwarTirunagari Vishwaksenar

MaduraKaviAzhwar Chitirai Chitirai - TiruKovalur Vainatheyan - Garudan

KulasekararAzhwar Masi PunarPosam - TiruVanjikalam Koustubamani - Gem

Periyazhwar Ani Swathi - SriVilliPuthur Vainatheyan - Garudan

AndalThayar Adi Pooram - SriVilliPuthur Mahalakshmi-Boomadevi

TondarAdiPodiAzhwar Margazhi Kettai - Mandangudi Tulasimalai-Vanamalai

TirupaanAzhwar Karthigai Rohini - Uraiyur SriVatsam - Symbol

TirumangaiAzhwar Karthigai Karthigai - TiruvaliTirunagari Saarngam – Bow [Vil]

After 8th Century AD , due to the Political and Social situations in the Country , the Prabhandhams sung by Azhwars got

scattered and eventually lost. It was Nathamuni ( RangaNathaMuni fondly called NathaMuni) who discovered the lost

DivyaPrabhandham. He was born at KaatuMannarKovil ( Veera Narayana Puram), in the year 584 BCE.His other name is

ShadamarshanaKulaThilakar.

One day Nathamuni was worshipping at a temple when a few pilgrims who had come there sang the pasuram beginning

with the words " Aaraavamudhey..." .

The final verse concluded saying that “Kurugoor Sadagopan sonna Ayirathul ivai Pathum...”. Nathamuni was so impressed

with poetic beauty of the Pasuram and requested the devotees to teach the entire thousand.They told that only they know the

Ten Pasurams on Aravamudhan. He was clueless about the Pasurams and decided to go to the Saarangapani temple in

Kudanthai and started to pray hardly. Immedietely a flash ran in his mind the last line said that it was written by Sadagopan

of Thirukurukur . Sri Nathamuni immediately undertook the long journey by foot to Kurugur.The melody of Nammazhvar’s

Pasuram was ringing in his ears .Finally he came to Kurugur . He prayed to AdiNathaPerumal and Nammazhwar Sannidhi.

He was ordered to recite “Kanni nun Siruthambu” 12000 times at the tamarind tree and chanted the verses. Nammazhvar

taught him all his 4 Prabhandhams and the entire Prabhandhams of other 11 Azhvars too.

Sri Nathamuni promptly codified the devotional hymns as Nalayira Divya Prabhandham. He set them to melodious music

and rhythm and taught the Prabhandhams to his Sishyas and commenced the practice of Arayar Sevai at SriRangam temple.

NALAYIRA DIVYAPRABHANDHAM-AZHWAR DETAILS

Mudal Ayiram

Tiruppallandu-12; Periyazwar Tirumozhi- 461 Periyazwar

Tiruppavai-30; Natchiyar Tirumozhi-143 Andal

Perumal Tirumozhi-105 KulashekarAzhwar

Tiruchchanda Viruttam-120 TirumazhaiseiAzhwar

Tirumalai-45; Tiruppalliezhuchi-10 ThondarAdiPodiAzhwar

Amalanadhipiran-10 TirupaanAzhwar

Kanninum Chiruththambu-11 MadhurakaviAzhwar

Rendam Ayiram

PeriyaTirumozhi-1084; Tirukkurunthandakam-20

Tirunedunthandakam-30

TirumangaiAzhwar

Moondram Ayiram

Mudal Tiruvandadhi-100 PoigaiAzhwar

Rendam Tiruvadhadhi-100 BoodhathAzhwar

Moondram Tiruvandhadhi-100 PeyAzhwar

NanmuganTiruvandhadhi-96 TirumazhaiseiAzhwar

Viruttam-100;TiruVasiriyam-

7;PeriyaTiruAndadhi-87

NammAzhwar

Tiruvezhukutrirukkai-1;Siriya-Periya Tirumadal-1 TirumangaiAzhwar

NaangaamAyiram

Tiruvaimozhi-1102 NammAzhwar

Ramanujar Nootrandhadhi-108 Tiruvarangaththamudanar

DIVYADESHAM

The temples where Azhwars have sung Prabhanda Paasurams is called Divya Desams. There are 108 Divyadeshams and of

these 105 are located in India and 1 in Nepal, the remaining two - Parama padam and Thiruppaarkadal - are out of this

world.The presiding deities in these Divya Desams are found in various Thirukkolams (postures):

● Kidantha Thirukkolam (Sleeping posture) in 27 Divyadesams

● Veetrirundha Thirukkolam (Sitting posture) in 21 Divyadesams

● Nindra Thirukkolam (Standing posture) in 60 Divyadesams

WORSHIP PROTOCOL

Paanchratra Agamam or Vaikanasa Agamam is followed in Tamilnadu temples and Kerala temples follow Tantram

Procedure for worship . At BadriNath temple , AdiShankara established Protocols for worship.

TWO BRANCHES OF VAISHNAVAM

In Srivaishnava school itself; two branches of thought had emerged between the time of Sri Ramanuja and that of Sri

Vedanta Desika- called Vadakalai (Northern) and Tenkalai (Southern). The Vadakalai sect were giving importance to

Sanskrit Scriptures like Vedas. Later, Ramanuja spread SriVaishnavam from the temple Gopuram at Tirukoshtiyur and

declared all people hearing him as SriVaishnavas. These people learnt DivyaPrabhandhams which were easily understood

by all since it was in tamil. These SriVaishnavaites were called Thenkalai. The move towards the Tamil Divya

Prabandhams was natural because Tamil was the mother tongue of the people.

MUDAL AZHWARS- ( 7th Century - Sidhartha Year - Ayipasi Masam )

Azhwar Name Month - Nakshatram - Place Amsam

PogaiAzhwar Aypasi Tiruvonam - YathokthaKariSannidhi Kanchi Panchajanyam- Sangu

BoodathAzhwar Aypasi Avitam - TirukadalMallai Mahabalipuram Koumodaki - Gadhai

PeyAzhwar Aypasi Sadayam- AdiKesavaPerumalKoilMylapore Nandakam-Sword[Vaazh]

They are the three mudal (first) AzhwArs who were contemporary azhwArs and were born on three consecutive days

in SiddhArti year, Aiyppasi month on TiruvONam, Avittam and sadhayam nakshathrams respectively ;

The Three Azhwars appeared as babies on flowers of different kind (and not were born like us actually!- Instead ,

They are " A-Yoni-Ja" : A-not ;- Yoni-womb;-Ja-born: Not Born in a Womb – only appeared ).

1. PoigaiAr appeared on the "ThAmarai Poo" in the pushkarani of Yathokthakari temple.

2. BhoodhaththAr appeared on the "KuruKathThi Poo" in a garden at Tirukadalmallai SathalasayanaPerumal temple.

3. PEyazhwAr appeared on the " Sev-Alli Poo" in the well of TiruMayilai AdhikEsavaPerumal temple.

The Three of them, were not known to each other until they happened to meet in the Rezhi of TiruKovaloor temple.

Due to heavy rain , Poigai Azhwar took shelter in a narrow Rezhi of a house at the temple premises - and he lied down

in that place; After some time, BhoodhaththAr knocked the house and requested if he can be accommodated due to

heavy rain outside. PoigaiAzhwar welcomed BhoodhaththAr lovingly saying "Inside, there is place for one man to lie

down; but two can sit; please come in "(oruvar padukkalAm; iruvar amaralAm). There is yet another knock by

pEyAzhwar asking for a favour to accommodate him due to heavy downpour. Not surprisingly, both bhaktAs said in

chorus "Please come in; We can stand and accommodate you also" (oruvar padukkalAm; iruvar amaralAm; moover

niRkalAm). All three joined themselves in discussing Glorious attributes of Sriman nArAyaNan and were

deeply excited to describe what each one of them felt and feel towards their (our) Lord.

While they were standing all the time (in a space that is just sufficient for only three people to stand) discussing

namperumAls' nityakalyANa guNas, suddenly they found themselves cramped; and they could not even move about;

It was real squeezing against each other; They were perplexed as to why all of a sudden, there is less space as if there

are more than three persons; And they found that Saakshaath Emperuman SrimanNarayanan sttod there to listen to

their sweet outpourings.

Three AzhwArs were literally crying, tears rolling down their cheeks, Goose pimples all over their bodies; Chests

expanded as if they are going to burst with full of happiness; Their palms were glued to each other; and they were

feeling highly elated; Each one of them (one by one) sang 100 poems(pasurams) flowing from their mouths as if they

are clear "neerOdai", stream of river; BhagavAn listened to them with His full concentration and satisfaction all their

pasurams and blessed them. Since then , They always went together to other Divyadeshams and composed Mudal ,

Irandam and Moondram Tiruvandhadhi respectively.

|| Mudal Azhwargal Divya Tiruvadigaley Sharanam ||

TIRUMAZHEISEI AZHWAR : Thai Maham -TirumazheiSei Sudarsanam-Chakra Amsam

He was born at Thirumazhisai Village, to Bhargava rishi and Kanakaangi after an unusual of 12 months stay in the

womb. Seeing the foetus that came out as just a lifeless lump of flesh with no arms, legs, etc., Bhargava Rishi and his

wife were terribly depressed and with unwillingness left the lump-of-flesh born to them at a "moongil" (bamboo) bush

and proceeded .By Emperuman's grace , the shapeless -mass received Divya tEjas and became a fully developed baby

which was later picked up by a old-aged tribal-couple named ThiruvALan and Pankayachelvi .

But the baby did not drink or eat any thing . They brought some cow's milk and offered the milk saying "Oh our

beloved thirumazhisaiyE, please take this milk and remove our worries, dear". The child drank some milk and gave

the remaining to the old-couple. They started regaining their youth and later were blessed with a son .

Out of gratitude for the Azhwar , they named the child KANIKANNAN. TirumazheiseiAzhwar accepted kaniKannan

as his PradhaanaSishyan.

The AzhwAr, actually had learnt tried all other religions/doctrines., namely., Buddhism, jainism, advaita and in fact

became a staunch devotee of Siva (with a name siva vAkya. pEyAzhwAr argued with him, showed him evidences

from vedas ans smrithis to claim sriman Narayana as the supreme deity, and finally initiated him into vaishnavic

philosophy and named him bhaktisArar. AzhwAr later declares his struggles in his pAsuram:

"sAkkiyam kaRROm-samaN kaRROm-sankaranAr-Akkiya Agama nool arinthOm bhaktiyAl-senkatkariyaAnai

sErnthOm yAm theethilamE-yenkatkariyathOnRil"

Meaning : "After my futile efforts to know the supreme principle through jainism, buddhism, and saivic philosophy, I

am blessed by sriman Narayana to take refuge at the Lotus feet of Sri Devi and have escaped all problems and

misfortunes since then."

BhaktisArar (TirumazheiseiAzhwar) & KaniKannan came to Thiruvekka-yathokthakaari temple. There was also an

old lady who devotedly, whole heartedly served both BaktiSarar and Kanikannan by cleaning, mopping, drawing

"kOlams" near their hut. Seeing her , AzhwAr's kind heart melted and immediately transformed her into an extremely

beautiful young lady. PallavaKing who came on NagaraValam saw her and married her.

Hearing about the Azhwar and Kanikannan , the King later called Kanikannan to his palace and ordered KaniKannan

to sing in praise of the King. KaniKannan said that he would sing only the qualities of Emperuman by the Kataaksham

of his Acharyan BaktiSarar - and cannot sing the praise of a mortal.That enraged the king and he ordered to banish

Kanikkannan from his kingdom. Kanikkannan said "this is not the only sthalam for me; The entire world is His" and

walked off.

He went to azhwAr and narrated the incident .Hence, AzhwAr, too decided to leve the kingdom and went straight to

Yathokthakari Sannidhi and prayed wholeheartedly with tears in his eyes and requested the Lord also to come along

with them, as he can not think of living without the Lord.

"Kanikkannan pOginRAn-kAmaru poon kacchi maNivaNNA- nee kidakka vEndAm - Neeyum undhan PayiNaaga-

PaAi suruttikkoL " !

Meaning : " Kanikkannan is going , I am also leaving with him. You don't have to lie down here any more; You also

roll your "nAgam" (serpent bed) and follow me"

The Emperuman immedielty obeyed BaktiSarar's orders and followed the azhwar with the snake-bed tucked under his

arms. This Emperuman hence got the name " SONNA VANNAM SEYDHA PERUMAL - YATHOKTHAKARI "

The Kingdom lost all its treasures and became lifeless. So the king rushed immediately to chase the trio. He caught

them on the way and prostrated on the ground, repenting for what he had done; requested them to forgive him for his

mistake and to come back to kanchi. AzhwAr and Kanikkannan, understanding the sincerity of his regret and

repentance requested the Lord again to return and stay at kanchi. Needless to say, the Lord obeyed.

" Kanikkannan pOkkozhindAn kAmaru poon kacchi maNivaNNA- nee kidakka vEndum -Neeyum undhan

PayiNaaga-PaAi viritthukkoL ". The Meaning is not to be read but felt !

Once on his way to Tirukkudantai, Baktisarar stopped for a while to take rest and he sat on the "ThiNNai" of a house

in Perumpuliyur. A few brahmins were reciting vedas inside that house. On seeing the "harijan" (our AzhwAr), they

stopped their recitation . Bhaktisarar immediately understood and was about to leave when the Brahmins started their

recitation. They forgot the next line and at what point they had left the recitation. The AzhwAr broke open a paddy

seed that was lying there with his fingernail to indicate the exact context which had a reference to the paddy seed. The

brahmins were simply flabbergasted and astonished and realized the greatness of the AzhwAr and asked for his

pardon.

On reaching Tirukkudantai ( Kumbakonam), he let the olaichuvadi containing his writings in the waters of river

Kaveri - surrendering them at Aravamudhan's feet. The leaf floated back to him holding his works

TiruchandaVirutham , NaanmuganTiruvandhadhi.

TirumazheiseiAzhwar prayed to Lord Aravamudhan with great devotion. Seeing this, Aravamudhar began to get up

from his Sayana Tirukolam. Not willing to disturb Emperuman Aravamudhan's Sayanam , Azhwar requested him to

remain in the same pose and bless all devotees. Thus, Aravamudhan is in UdyogaSayanam at Tirukudandhai.

The Pasuram “ KidandhaVaaru Ezhundirundhu Pesu , Vaazhi Kesaney “ explains this incident.

|| TiruMazheiSei Azhwar Divya Tiruvadigale Sharanam ||

NAMMAZHWAR: Vaikasi Visakam-TiruKurungudi-AzhwarTirunagari – Vishwaksenar Amsam

nammAzhwAr(our azhwAr), sadagopan, parangusar , Vakulabaranan

NammAzhwAr's parents, kAri (a veLLALa agriculturist) and udhayanangai of Thirukkurugoor , the childless couple,

after praying to the Lord AdhinAthA , were blessed with a male child with a divya tEjas in the year pramadhi, vaikasi

tamil month and visAkam nakshatram on a friday (an incarnation of Vishvaksena, the Chief administrator of

Mahavishnu). The parents' happiness was shortlived only as the baby did not even cry, move or open its eyes or

mouth. Since the baby was different from others it was named "mARan" (later called karimaran). This Divine baby

AzhwAr did not eat/move; but did grow like other healthy kids. The grief stricken parents, due to this unusual

uncommon child went to Lord AdhiNatha, put the "immobile" baby in an emerald cradle under a tamarind tree

besides the temple.

This puLiyamaram(tamarind tree) also is supposed to be "AdhisEshan" (the Serpent of Mahavishnu) which grew here

before the azhwAr's birth. This tree has flowers, which tield unripened "puLiyngAi" and not a ripened one

(puLiyampazham). This tree, unlike other tamarind tree does not fold its leaves in the nights; and it is still called

"uRangap puLiyamaram (the tree which does not sleep), like Lakshmana. (Even today one can witness this

phenomenon ay AzhwArthirunagari).

The parents observed penance by putting the kid in the cradle at the temple daily. One day when they relaxed by

closing their eyes and fell into a short nap,

the "little azhwAr" crawled towards the tree bottom and sat down cross-legged and closed its eyes. From then on, the

divine child grew in the same state of

meditation for 16 years.

MadhurakaviAzhwar was living in Thirukkolur saw a very bright star and was pulled by the magnetism of this light

and started his journey following the light and guided only by THIS STAR. He found himseld at Lord AhinAthA

temple and the star's brightness in nammAzhwAr's tEjas. He was simply excited and deeply attracted by the Divine

figure and Golden hue of AzhwAr's face. Since he was a sanskrit and Tamil scholar and a great philosopher, too he

wanted to test the azhwAr, without knowing that the azhwAr does not talk or open his eyes.

He just threw a small stone into a nearby pond and for that splash sound, our azhwAr opened his lotus eyes.

Madhurakavi asked in tamil "Seththathin vayiRRil siRiyadhu piRandhAl yetthai thinRu engE kidakkum?"

meaning: If the small is born in a dead's body(or stomach), what will it eat and where will it stay?

NammAzhwAr, the one who has not opened his mouth since his birth (not even for food) opened his lips and

answered "aththaith thinRu angE kidakkum" (meaning: It will eat that and stay there).

Madhurakavi was greatly impressed at AzhwAr's depth of answer and his philosophy. He prostrated at the feet of

AzhwAr and with tears in his eyes said " O, southern sun! Please take me as your disciple: Please protect me".

Seeing him at his feet, nammAzhwAr said " Stay with me and write my pAsurams on Emperuman". From then on

nammAzhwAr sang with utmost Bhakti.

Only to NammAzhwar , it is also told that all perumAls from various Divya Desams appeared one by one before him

and got their quota of pAsurams. Such is the Greatness of "our AzhwAr"-nammAzhwAr -who stayed under that

tamarind tree for 35 years. MaduraKaviAzhwar was blessed with a swarna vigraha (Golden statute) of nammazhwAr

which he consecrated at the Tamarind tree. He performed daliy ArAdhanA to his AzhwAr and even ignored the Lord

Sriman Narayana since then - saying " Devu Matru Ariyen Tirukurugoor Nambi ..."

NammAzhwAr composed the following:

Thiruviruttam (100 verses as the essence of Rg vEdA)

ThiruvAsiriyam (7 verses as the essence of yajur vEdA)

Periya ThiruvandhAdhi (87 verses as the essence of atharvaNa vEdA)

ThiruvAimozhi (1002 verses as the essence of sAma vEdA)

SRISATAARI (Padhukai of Emperuman) IN TEMPLES :

In temples Sri Satakopam - commonly refered as Sataari represents NammAzhwar.

Through the ritual of placing our head under Swami Nammazhwar's feet , in the form of sataari , we surrender ourself

to Nammazhwar and thereby obtain a connection with him - this connection is essential to realise the unconditional

grace of Emperuman Narayanan. Our acharya lineage starts with Emperuman - Thayar-Vishwaksenar-

Nammazhwar....etc to present day acharyans. He is the first Human Acharyan.

All other Azhwars are considered to be part of Nammazhwar's Tirumeni [ Sataari]:

Budhath Azhwar : Head

Poigai Azhwar , Pey Azhwar : Eyes

PeriyAzhwar : Face

TirumazhaiseiAzhwar : Neck

Kulasekarar , TiruPaan Azhwar : Hands

Tirumangai Azhwar : Navel

MaduraKavi Azhwar : Feet

Acharyan Ramanujar : Paadukas

So when accepting Sataari , do so humbly and with prayers to protect you !

||NammAzhwar Divya Tiruvadigaley Sharanam ||

M ADURAKAVI AZHWAR: C hitirai Chitirai – TiruKovalur – Vainatheyan Amsam [Garudan]

AzhwAr Madhurakavi is the one who helped us by compiling the outpourings of NammazhwAr;

Not just that, he also sang 11 beautiful "andhadhi" style pAsurams - "kaNNinun siRutthAmbhu..." which do not have

any parallel to any other pAsuram/slOka for Acharya Bhakti. He sang these pasurams only in praise of his Acharya

"nammAzhwAr" and claimed, in the end, that one can attain mOkshA certainly and definitely after reciting just these

11 pAsurams.

Madhurakavi, Garuda Amsam , born in Easwara year, chitrai month and in chitrai nakshatram at ThirukkOLoor. He

was impressed by nammAzhwAr's works so much that wanted to stage NammAzhwAr's works in front of other

scholars at his time. The sangam poets objected to such claims and praises NammazhwAr who had no connection with

Sangam.Madhurakavi was saddened by this protest . NammAzhwar, appeared as an old Brahmin and consoled him

saying " You just place this pasuram of "Kannan kazhaliNai..." on a boat (Sanga-Palagai) and watch its power" and

disappeared. Madhurakavi did the same and the boat capsized throwing out all the jealous, haughty poets while it

retained only the leaf containing "Kannan kazhaliNai paasuram.."

It is also told that each one of those poets struggled to reach the shore and composed a verse dedicating to

NammAzhwAr. And when they were about to publish their verses, they were simply AMAZED to find that each one

wrote the same verse in same words;

The sangam chief says " NammAzhwAr's works are superior and other poets are like flies compared to Garudan ; fire

flies (minmini) in the presence of sun; dogs in front of the ferrocious tiger; wolf before the Lord Narasimha - All their

works are not equal to even one utterance of nammAzhwAr."

The eleven pAsurams - Kanninun Siruthaambu - are counted as part of 4000 DivyaPrabhandhams .

|| Madirakavi Azhwar Divya Tiruvadigaley Sharanam ||

KULASEKARA AZHWAR- M asi PunarPosam – TiruVanjikalam – KoustubaMani Amsam – Sacred Gem

KulasEkarAzhwar was born as a King to ChEra king Dhidavradhan and nAdhanAyagi during 8 th century in the

month of mAsi and the nakshatram of punarpoosam(same as that of Lord Rama).

Once when a UpanyAsakar was narrating Ramayanam , at the phase of Yudha kaandam , the narrator said that Rama

was standing in the battle-field without any huge chariot and was supported only by Vanara army which was very less

compared to the huge Asura Army. KulasEkara was so much attached immedietly ordered his Army to get ready to

move towards Lanka to help SriRaman in his fight. On his way , SriRaman gave a vision of his Pattabhisheka

Tirukolam with Janaki Thayar , Lakshmanar , Barathar , Shatrugnar and Hanuman and blessed him thus , " oh

Kulasekara ! Your blind affection for me is similar to Lakshmanan's affection. Like Lakshmana is called IlayaPerumal

, You too will be called KulasekaraPerumal and Your Pasurams will be known as PerumalTirumozhi" . Seeing

SriRaman and Hearing these words , Kulasekarar returned back to his Palace; Such was kulasEkarA's bhakti for

Rama.

In honour of Kulasekara Azhwar's Pasuram , " Padiyai Kidandhu Un Pavazha Vaai Kanbeney " , the Step leading to

the Garbagriham in all temples is called Kulasekarapadi. His daughter CheraKulaVali married SriRanganathar similar

to Andal. Even today, at SriRangam , PeriyaPerumal gives sevai along with CheraKulaValliThayar during certain

utsavams.

He lived till 67 years and served Emperuman through his Pasurams.

|| KulaSekaraPerumal DivyaTiruvadigaley Sharanam ||

PERIYAZHWAR AND ANDAL

Periyazhwar Ani Swathi - SriVilliPuthur Vainatheyan - Garuda Amsam

AndalThayar Adi Pooram - SriVilliPuthur Mahalakshmi-Boomadevi

Before getting into periyAzhwAr charithram, let us have a glance at the Great Villiputthoor charithram, where

periyAzhwAr hailed from. In "Then PAndya" kingdom, there was a small town called putthoor, where great sholars

pundits were residing. Nearby there is a forest where there were hunters living in it. The chief of these hunters had

two sons named Villi and KaNdan.

One day these two brothers Villi and KaNdan went inside the forest for hunting as usual. They spotted a tiger and it

escaped the arrows from their bows. KaNdan started chasing vigorously and went deep inside the forest. After som

time, the tiget hid behind a tree and pounced on kaNdan and killed him. Villi waited for kaNdan for along time and

started seraching for him with a worried look on his face about his dearest brother. When he spotted the dead body of

kaNdan, his heart almost stooped with grief and cried heavily and fell unconscious on his darling brother's body.

During his unconsciousness, he had a scene in front of his eyes; Emperuman&Thayar appeared and uttered

thus:"O villi, Do not worry. We will get back your brother's life. And you both go to find out the Big Banyan tree in

the midst of this forest where my DivyaMangalaVigraham has been lying for quite a long time. You both will also

find a cave nearby the tree where there is lots and lots of Golden jewels and coins and treaure available. You can take

them as much as you wish. using that wealth, you both need to deforest that place and build a temple and surrounding

town." Then the Lord disappeared.

When villi came back to consciousness, he did not know whether what he saw (in his unconscious state) was true at

all and was confused. But suddenly kaNdan got up alive as if he just woke up from sleep (without any wound even).

Villi explained the whole thing to his darling brother and both of them hugged each other for having been blessed by

the Lord and having been chosen by the Lord to establish the temple for Emperuman SrimanNarayanan.

The temple with VataparthraSayee Emperuman and RangaMannar utsavar at SriVilliputhur thus was established.

Great scholars, BhaktAs, pundits migrated from nearby villages to this holy place and started residing in this place.

There lived Mukunda Bhattar and his wife was Padmavalli - they were blessed with a male child and they named the

child as VishNu chittar- [ Vishnu as his Chittam-Mind&Heart].

VishnuChittan performed Pushpa-Kaimkaryam - plucking flowers and making garlands from the Nandavanam full of

flowering plants and tulasi plants for Sri VataPatraSayee.

During those times (9 th century A.D), there was a PandiyaKing by name "VallabhadEvan" ruling Madurai and

wished to know the meaning of vEdAs and seeked some clarifications . So he held a contest - " Whoever furnishes

good, satisfactory reply and clarifies you can be greatly rewarded". Announcement was made throughout the kingdom

and it was alos told that there will be a bag containing Golden coins [ Por-Kizhi ] hanging at the top and with the

power and truth of the vEdic statement/principle, it shall fall automatically. Emperuman VatapatraSayee ordered

VishnuChittar to attend the Contest. VishnuChittar did not know the depth of the Vedas so he hesitated but obeyed

Emperuman's orders and went to the Palace. There were many scholars, pundits, vEdic viRpannargaL, arguments,

discussions, seminars, pArAyaNams, etc, etc,; But the bag still was hanging!

VishNuchittar started his explanation which - The king, the ministers the people and the scholars, everybody could

follow the simple statements - the bag FELL by itself into the hands of VishNuchitthar. The King honoured and made

Vishnuchittar sit on the Royal Elephant and arranged for a great procession in the streets of his kingdom. Emperuman

and Thayar gave GarudaSevai Kaatchi to PeriAzhwar.Using the bells which the elephant was wearing he made

THALAMS and sang "pallaaNdu, pallaaNdu PallAyiratthAndu PalakOdi NoorAyiram" .

Since this Azhwar blessed the Emperuman with "Pallaandu " he is called PeriAzhwar - capable of blessing

Emperuman himself ! In PeriAzhwar's pasuram he sang as if he became Emperuman's mother, yasOdhA. He bathed

him, fed Him, dressed Him; played with him; and enjoyed and imagined all thollai inbam which yasOdhA had

undergone. The Child's azhaghu, mischiefs, leelAs, were all sung by periyAzhwAr. All his pAsurams are to be

read, re-read and enjoyed. All were bhakti laden pAsurams and taste like Grape fruit soaked in Honey.

One such day (on Adi pooram day) when he was plucking flowers and thulasi leaves in his beautiful nandhavanam, he

heard a faint cry of a femalebaby, whom they named "Godhaa" [ Go means Bhoomi ; dhaa- given ; Given by

BhoomaDevi]. Similar to her father , She also developed a great amount of affinity to kannan while she helped her

father in his kainkaryam. Godai wore the garlands meant for VatapatraSayee Emperuman before PeriyAzhwar ttok

them to the temple. One day , PeriAzhwar saw this deed of hers and sternly instructed her not to do so. He then made

anotehr garland and took it to Emperuman's sannidhi. But the Garland fell down . Again and again he tried to Garland

VatapatraSayee but the garland fell down each time.

Heart of hearts PeriAzhwar prayed to Emperuman , not understanding this phenomenon. Vatapatrasayee appeared

before him and said that he would only wear the garlands which were worn by Godhai. PeriyAzhwAr realised that

GOdhai's was none other than Thayar Mahalakshmi's avataram and called her "ANDAAL" ( one who ruled the

Emperuman ). Andal thus is known as "Soodi Kodutha Sudar Kodi ". Andal Thayar sang TiruPavai(30 paasurams)

and NachiyarTirumozhi (143 pasurams ) .

AndalThayar in her NachiyarTirumozhi has sung important Pasuram on Tirumaliruncholi Perumal starting as “ Naaru

Narum Pozhil Maaliruncholai Nambikki Naan Nooru Thada Vennai Vaay Nerndhu Paravi yaithen; Nooru Thada

Niraindha AkkaraAdisil Sonnen ; Eru Thiru Udayan Indru Vandhu Ivai Kolungalo “. This wish of hers was later

fulfilled by Acharyan Ramanujar. Hence , She is said to have invited Ramanujar , when he came to SriRangam temple

as “ Kovil Annan Vaareer “ ! And in her Vaazhi Tirunamam we say thus :, “ PerumPoodoor Mamunikki Pin Aanal

Vazhiye “ !

|| Periyazhwar Divya Tiruvadigaley Sharanam Andal Divya TiruVadigaley Sharanam ||

T HONDARADIPODIAZHWAR - M argazhi Kettai – Mandangudi – Tulasimalai Amsam

He was born to a vedic brahmin Vedavisarathar in Thirumandangudi in Margazhi masam kEttai nakshathram, in the family

of sOzhiya vaishnava (who had their "kudumi" (tuft) on the top front portion and not behind); They named him

"VipraNarayanan". VipraNarayanan performed PushpaKaimkaryam from his beautiful nandhavanam .

One day, two sisters were coming back after performing a dance performance in front of Chozha king and were attracted by

the beauty of our AzhwAr's nandhavanam. When they saw him closing his eyes and meditating on the Lord, they were

captivated by his tEjas and charm. He ignored their beauty. One of them, by name DevaDevi challenged the other sister that

she would make our AzhwAr her slave with her beauty. Disguised and dressed as a poor girl, she requested him to accept

her service to him at his place.

Unaware of the plot, VipraNarayanan agreed and later was deceived by Devadevi's beauty and forgot all sorts of

kainkaryams. His thoughts were only about Devadevi and he became so engrossed in his desire for her that he could not

bear even a moment separation from her.

When she achieved what she wished, she went back to her place in uttamarkoil (near SriRangam). Vipranarayana felt

isolated and was heavily lamenting the separation from Devadevi and did not know what to do. In the meanwhile, our Lord

Tiruvarangan felt it was enough for Him to playwith His bhakta and hence, appeared as a servant of Vipranarayana calling

Himself "Azhagiya manavala dasan" and went to Devadevi's house . He handed over the Big Golden vessel (Thanga vattil)

saying that Vipranarayana asked him to give this to her.

Next morning, the temple archakas found one of the "vattils" missing in the Lord's Sannidhi and immediately informed the

king. The servant maid of Devadevi informed the king. Vipranarayanan was taken away by the King's guards - now

Vipranarayan started praying to Emperuman at the time of distress.

Later, the king released Vipranarayan. Since then , Vipranarayan decided to become "Thondar-Adi-Podi"- Dust at the feet

of Emperuman's Thondars.He composed two poems namely., Thirumalai and ThiruppaLLiyezhucchi . He did sang only in

praise of SriRanganathar and one else.

|| TondarAdiPodiAzhwar Divya Tiruvadigaley Sharanam ||

TIRUPAAN AZHWAR – karthigai Rohini – Uraiyoor – SrivatsaAmsam – Sacred Mark

On a Kaisika EkAdasi day in the month of kArthigai, our ThiruppANAzhwAr, an incarnation of Sri vatsa mark, the mole on

Lord's Chest, where SriMahAlakshmi resides, appeared (as an "ayOnijA", one who is not born of mortal beings) and was

picked up and brought up by a childless pANar couple who belong to pANar caste (untouchable "Harijan" caste) in

uRaiyoor near SriRangam on the other side of river kAuvEri at Tirucchirappalli. PANars were known for their sweet voice

and singing in praise of BhagawAn Sriman NarayaNan.

Panan also grew up singing in praise of Arangan. He used to come daily to the banks of River KauvEri and stand there and

sing for hours together - enjoying the beauty of Srirangam temple from afar and imagining the Lord's ThirumEni

deeply(whom he had not seen since pANars were not allowed to even enter the temple).

On one such morning, the temple chief priest by name "SarangaMuni" (known as muni for his devotion and piety towards

the Lord Arangan) came to the River bank to collect water for NamperumAL's Thirumanjanam. When he saw Panan

standing on the way, since he belonged to untouchable category, sAranga muni ordered him to give way and go away from

that place. Panan was totally lost in his bhakti towards Emperuman.

SAranga muni shouted angrily and even threw a small stone at him to make him come to senses. The stone hit him on his

forhead and it started bleeding! Our pANan realized his blunder and apologised to muni and left the place immediately

feeling sorry for his action towards the priest of Arangan. Muni came back to the temple and found the Lord's forehead

bleeding and SarangaMuni was totally astonished and shocked. He felt really sorry for throwing a stone at that pANan and

recognised his apachAram. The entire place came to know of the bleeding scene from Lord's idol; but not aware of the

reason. Emperuman Ranganathar ordered the priest to bring His bhaktan Panan to the temple as a Prayashchittam for his

apachAram to His bhaktA. Loka sArangha muni realised the greatness of PANan and the next morning he rushed to the

river bank. He narrated the entire incident to pANan and prostrated to pANan pleading for his pardon. pANan was very

much embarassed and was deeply moved by the Lord's grace and dayA on him. But he refused to set his foot in the Holy

place.

Immediately SarangaMuni carried Panan on his shoulders amd took him to the PeriyaPerumal Sannidhi .

Hence Panan came to be known as Muni-Vahanar. SwamyDesikan wrote a Sanskritized Tamil commentary in four verses

called "Muni vAhana Bhogam" - attaching utmost importance to this event.

On reaching the inner sannidhi of Arangan where the Majestic Lord Sri Rangan, and sang 10 Pasurams the Tiruvadi-

Tirumudi Azhagu of Ranganathar in "AMALAN-ADI_PIRAN" [ Amalan- one without any fault] and disappeared before all

gathered there to become one with Emperuman. SwamiDesikan composed BhagavadhyAna sOpAnam on similar lines

admiring Lord Arangan's ThirumEni azhaghu- One can see in the top verse mentioned herein at the beginning of these

posts, VedAntha Desikan refers to PANAN as "NAM-PAANA-NATHAN".

|| TiruPaanAzhwar Divya Tiruvadigaley Sharanam ||

TIRUMANGAI AZHWAR- Karthigai Karthigai – TiruvaliTirunagari- Sarngam Amsam-Bow[Vil]

ThiruVaalinadu was part of ChOzhA kingdom. There, AalinAdAr (belonged to the fourth caste), an Army General

(ThaLapathi) of ChozhA king earned the king's goodwill and respect with his devoted work. He and his wife, vallitthiru

were blessed with a beautiful male child, whom they named NEELAN (due to his dark (neela mEga) colour.

He was born in the Nala year, on a karithigai mAsam, kritigai nakshathram, full moon day and was an incarnation of the

Lord's SArngam (Divine bow). Neelan was appointed as the Army General(ThaLapathi) of Aalinadu. He was agile,

dynamic, young and was good at battle fields; and hence captured the neighbouring states; The king was immensely pleased

and presented him a small portion of his kingdom, a place called Thirumangai, as a tribute and made him a KING! (He was

thereafter called "Thirumangai mannan".) That was his first success.

Thirumangai Mannan saw a lady named Kumudhavalli and expressed wish to marry her. Through her father, Kumudavalli

stipulated two prerequisites for him to qualify for marrying her. They were :TirumangaiMannan should become a

SriVaishnavan and must perform DadhiAradhani [ feeding] 1000 Brahmins everyday for one full year.

Immedietly TirumangaiMannan agreed to her two conditions and married Kumudhavalli.With a bright ThirumaNkAppu on

his forehead he started the DadiAradhanai . While this was going on, the entire treasury was spent on the dadhiAradhana

kainkaryam. So he could not even send the "tax" which he was supposed to send to the chOzhA king every year.

There was no way he could get any money . He had to resort to highway robbery . With the booty, he continued the

kainkaryam.

One the auspicious Panguni-Uthram day, the DivyaDampathis-EmperumanSriManNarayanan & Thayar appeared on the

highway as a"just married" couple with lots and lots of jewels adorned them. TirumangaiMannan turned robber heard of a

new rich young couple's coming on the Highway and immediately rushed with his adiyALs. TirumangaiMannan took away

all of their ornaments. Finally , he saw the Siththu [ Toe ornament called metti] in the BrideGroom's feet. Not in a mood to

leave even that small ornament , TirumangaiMannan fell at the feet of the BrideGroom and started biting-out the Metti .

TirumangaiMannan at that moment realised that something special about the Divine Tiruvadi of the

couple.Emperuman&Thayar lifted Tirumangai Mannan and whispered in his right ear "OM NAMO NARAYANAYA".

Having heard those EIGHT SYALLABLES (AshtAksharam) right from none other than Emperuman himself, his mind,

heart became pure!. All his dirt had disappeared! He was simply electrified by the AshtAksharam.

TirumangaiMannan sang pasurams begining with "Vaadinen Vaadi Varundhinen.." Ending with " Kandukonden Narayana

Ennum Naaman " - signifying the above incident.Among all other Azhwars , he travelled extensively to many

divyadeshams and sang Prabhandahams on Emperumans .

The above incident in the life of TirumangaiAzhwar is conducted as VeduPari Utsavam in all temples every year on the

sacred Panguni-Uthram day.He re-built the fort and kOttai and repaired the saptha -praakarams and repaired the vimana to

give it Gold cover and many such activities - He took immense care to establish the AdyayanaUtsavam at Srirangam . He

single handedly constructed the Dasavathara Sannidhi at SriRangam temple.

|| Tirumangai Azhwar Divya Tiruvadigaley Sharanam ||

SRI RAMANUJACHARYA'S LIFE HISTORY

Sri Ramanuja (1017 - 1137 CE), the most important philosopher-saint of Sri Vaishnavam and one of the most

dynamic characters of Hinduism.

He revitalised srivaishnavam so much that nearly every aspect of Hinduism has been influenced by his work and

hence Srivaishnavam is known as

"Ramanujar-Darshanam" - Path shown by Ramanujar.

Other Names : Ilayaazhwar , IlyaPermal [ amsam of Adisheshan - lakshmanan ] , Udayavar , Empermanaar ,

YathiRajar [Yathi-sage raja-king] , Bashyakarar [ one who gave Bashyam slokam ]

HIS AVATARA AND EARLY DAYS

Parents : Emperumanar was born to KesavaSomayaji Dikhsitar and KanthimathiAmmal at Sriperumpudur.

Gothra: Haritha Gothram , Vadama Sect By Birth

TiruNakshaktam : Chitirai maasam , Tiruvadirai Nakshatram

Year of Birth : Pingala Aandu

Ramanujar's parents were childless for a long time. They prayed to Tiruvallikeni Parthasarathy for a progeny and were

blessed with Sri Ramanujar.

EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF SRI RAMANUJA

(1) Within 16 years of age, he had mastered all the Vedas and Sastras. At age 17, he married Rakshakaambaal

( Tanjammal).

(2) Ilaya Perumal was placed under the Advaitic(Saivite)Scholar called YADAVA PRAKASA at Tirupput kuzhi for

training.Once during this period, Alavandar who desired nominating Ilaya Perumal to succeed himself visited

Tirupput kuzhi, met with him but had no opportunity to speak to him and had to return to Srirangam.

Very many occasions arose when the Saivite Guru clashed with IlayaPerumal when the Guru misinterpreted Vedantic

statements. Ilaya Perumal fearlessly pointed out the errors in the Guru's interpretations and corrected him. This

enraged the Guru. Fearing that one day, Ilaya Perumal would demolish Advaita philosophy, he plotted to kill Ilaya

Perumal by drowning him in Ganga while on a pilgrimage tour of the country with his disciples.

Learning of the design through another disciple named Govinda, who was also related to him, Ilaya Perumal slipped

out into the forest at dead of night. Miraculously, an aged hunter couple appeared and guided him. From some forest

in the Vindhya Mountains of the North , Ilaya Perumal who was in a trance, opened his eyes, he found himself at the

outskirts of Kanchipuram and the couple had disappeared. He realized that it was Lord Varadaraja and Perundevi

Thayar who had come in the guise of the hunter couple. He stayed at Kanchi for a while to assist Tiruk Kachi Nambi

in his daily chores of service to Lord Varadaraja.

(3)At Madurantakam Temple under the shade of Vakula tree Periya Nambi performed Pancha Samskara

( Samasrayanam) to Ramanujar. As he was initiated into the Dvaya Mantra at Madurantakam, the place came to be

known as "Dvayam Vilaindha Tiruppathi" Both returned to Srirangam and did Kalakshepams on Brahma Sutra etc.

for sometime. It was at this time that Lord Ranganatha called him "Nammudaiyavar" (He is ours).

(4) The seat of Acharya at Srirangam was lying vacant without a successor to take over. He was prevailed upon to

assume charge. But, before doing so, he wanted to equip himself with the secrets of the three great Mantras. For this

purpose, he approached one " Tiruk Koshtiyur Nambi" who made him come several times from Srirangam to

Tirukoshtiyur before actually instructing him. He cautioned Ramanuja that he should not give out the secrets to all

and sundry and if he did so, he head would blast & he would go to hell. Immediately on receiving the instructions,

Ramanuja climbed up to the top of the Gopuram of the temple and proclaimed to the large gathering of his

disciples assembled there the purport of the instruction. Though initially angry , his Guru was overwhelmed by this

attitude to spread vaishnavam. Embracing Ramanuja appreciating his broad mindedness, he called him

'Emperumanar'- " O! My lord" and declared that Srivaishnavism would thenceforward be known as " Ramanuja

Darsanam"- ' the light of Ramanuja'

(5) Yadava prakasa, his old Advaitha (Saivaite)Guru had by then returned to Kanchi, became Ramanuja's disciple

assuming the name of 'Govinda Yogi'

(6) Ramanuja traveled throughout the country spreading the message of Visishtadvaita. One of the most important

disciples who was totally devoted to Ramanuja was Kuresan also known as ' Kurattalwan'. Once, Kuresan

participated in the shradda ceremony performed for his mother by the famous Tiruvarangathu Amudanar. This

Amudanar was in charge of the Srirangam temple. When Amudanar inquired what Kuresan desired as reward for his

participation, Kuresan replied that the administration of the temple should be handed over to Ramanuja. Amudanar,

who had already known the greatness of Ramanuja was only too glad to hand over the key to Ramanuja. It is this

Tiruvarangattu Amudanar who subsequently wrote the Ramanuja Noorrantadhi of 108 verses which was included in

the holy collects to make up the total of 4,000.

(7) During Panguni Uttram, he did Prapatti before the Divya Dhampathi in Serthi and submitted his famous

Gadhyatrayam (comprising Saranagathi Gadhyam, Sriranga Gadhyam and Sri Vaikunta Gadhyam ), Later, he wrote a

Grantha called Nityam detailing the Tiruvaradhana Kramam

(8) While he was on his Sancharam, it is believed that the Lord himself appeared before him at TirukKurungudi as a

Brahmin got Samasrayanam from Ramanujar.

(9) When he visited Saraswati Peetam, Goddess Saraswati was so impressed with his commentary on Brahma Sutram

that she named it "Sri Bhashyam" and conferred on him the title of "Bhashyakaarar". It must be noted that while the

other commentaries are known by the names of their authors , the commentary of Ramanuja is always referred to

with the venerable honorific 'Sri' denoting its unsurpassed quality and clarity and known as ' Sri Bashyam'

(10) When he visited Tirumala, a miracle happened. Some argued that the Lord of Tirumalai was SaivaGod. It is

surprising that such a claim should have arisen about the Lord who had been worshipped as Lord Vishnu by all the

Alwars and Acharyas besides Elango Adigal and other Tamil Pulavars for several centuries. This was because the

Lord had earlier entrusted His Sangu, Chakram etc., to a King Tondamaan. The Lord desired to take back

from Tondamaan, these insignia viz., Sankhu, Tiruvaazhi ( chakram), Soolam, Damarukam etc. They were placed in

the Sannidhi the previous night. And, when the doors were opened the next morning, the Lord gave Darshan

adorning all his insignia . Ramanuja was hailed as " Appanukku Sangaazhi Alittha Perumaal" Poet Arunagiri himself

sang clearing all doubts in this regard saying "Ulageenra Pachai umaiyanan, Vada Venkadathil Uraibhavan, Uyar

Sanga Chakra kara Thalan" . Ramanuja arranged to make a lifelike idol of himself and embracing it invested it with

his powers and had it installed in Tirumalai at Tirupati. The only temple consecrated in Tirumalai , other than that of

Lord Venkateswara, is that of Ramanuja.

(11) Ramanuja systematized Visishtadvaitic philosophy, faithfully interpreting the ancient knowledge in tune with the

letter and spirit of the text in the light of revelation and experience tested by stern logic.

(12)His Disciple Kuresan who wrote the famous Pancha Sthava consisting of Athi Maanusha Sthava, Sri Sthava,

Varadaraja Sthava, Vaikunta Sthava and Sundarabaahu Sthava.

(13) Kulothunga Chola was a staunch devotee of Siva. He commanded Ramanuja to come to his court with a view to

enlisting his support to establish the superiority of Siva over all other deities. (including Vishnu ). If the support

was not forthcoming, the king was planning to kill Ramanuja. Sensing the danger, Kuresa went to the court disguised

as Ramanuja along with another disciple called Periya Nambi. The king ordered him to sign a document to the

effect that 'Siva is the greatest'. Kuresa added that ' Sivam was no doubt great but Dronam was greater than Sivam'-

both expressions referring to units of measurement. The enraged king ordered both of them to be blinded when he

came to know that he was Kuresa who was impersonating Ramanuja. Periya Nambi was tortured to death while

Kuresa survived. Kuresa, though he himself was blinded, was happy that he had saved Ramanuja.

(14) At Chidambaram temple , there is a Sannidhi for Govindarajan . It is this KulothungaChola who is threw away

the idol of Govindaraja in the nearby pichchaavaram sea to remove traces of vaishnavam from the Chidambaram

temple. Ramanujar is said to have later recovered the Moolavar-vigraham of GovidarajaPerumal from the

Pichchavaram sea and re-installed in the Chidambaram temple.

(15) Ramanuja went to Tiru narayana puram-Melkote as part of spreading vaishnavam. There the idol of ChellaPillai ,

utsavar at the temple was taken away by Muslim Rulers to Delhi. Utsavar chellapillai was used by the Muslim Ruler's

daugher- Bibi for playing. Ramanuja went to Delhi met the Nawab and requested him to return the idol of Chellapillai

, to which the Nawab said that there were thousands of such idols and only if Ramanuja could identify his Perumal he

would be allowed to return. Saying thus , bith Nawab and Ramanujar went to the Nawab's daughter's palace . Bibi was

always in the company of this utsavar- chellapillai . Ramanuja endearingly called " ChellaPillaai vaarai ', the idol

miraculously came onto his lap . But the Nawab's daughter had developed immense devotion and love for the idol of

chella pillai and could not live without it. Hearing this, the Nawab allowed his daughter to go along with Ramanuja.

Hence Even today , at Melkote BibiNachiyar is found seated between the legs of ChellaPillai Utsava Vigraham.

(16) Near Melkote Ramanujar attended a debate held by a Jain king of the Hoysala State . He was affected by some

ill-omen . Ramanuja easily won the debate and out of compassion , cured the jain King's illness. Seeing the thejus and

greatness of Ramanuja the Jain King surrendered himself and his state under the feet of Ramanuja. He was renamed "

VishnuVardhan" and his subjects too embraced vaishnavism under the name " hebbaar iyengars ".

After his long stay , when Ramanujar wanted to return to SriRangam , the people of Melkote could not bear the grief

of his seperation from th temple. So Ramanujar installed his own Vigraham and called it " Thamar Uhanda Tirumeni "

[ one loved by disciples ]. At Sriperumpudur, his BirthPlace, the Vigraham is called “ Thaam Uhanda Tirumeni” and

At SriRangam it is called “ Thaamaana Tirumeni”.

(17) Ramnuja regularised the Adyayana Utsavam at Srirangam . In earlier days ,Thirumangai Azhvar started the

tradition of Adhyayana Uthsavam in Srirangam. ThirumangaiAzhvar would travel to AzhvarThirunagari (tirukurugur)

and bring Swami Nammazhvar's Thirumeni to Sri Rangam on ShuklaPaksha Ekadasi (Vaikunta Ekadasi) The next 10

days Swami Nammazhwar's prabhandhams were chanted in front of Namperumal. Thirumangai Azhvar started this

practice of chanting Nammazhvar's pasurams as a ten day event. This is what we call today as IrapPathu or

Thiruvaimozhi Thirunaal. After the 10th day event (10 days after Vaikunta Ekadasi) Nammazhvar was taken back to

Azhvar Thirunagari. He would arrive at Azhvar Thirunagari on the day: Star: hastam, month: thai. For the start of this

ceremony, Thirumangai Azhvar will start from Srirangam on the day of Karthigai Karthigai (his own

thirunakshatram). Even today this tradition is followed in most of the temples; where the Kattiyakarar or the

Sthalathar who has the traditional rights along with temple's Paricharakas go to Swami Nammazhwar's shrine and read

the message from the Perumal. The day Swami Nammazhwar arrived in SriRangam was always the Sukla Paksha

Ekadasi (Sri Vaikunta Ekadasi). On this auspicious day, Swami Nammazhwar is adorned with Muthangi and

Namperumal with Rathnangi. Starting from Ekadasi, next nine days, Sri Thirumangai Azhwar arranged to recite

Swami Nammazhwar's prabhandhams in front of Namperumal. After the days of Sri Thirumangai Azhwar, the

practice was slowly stopped. It was Ramanujar who restarted this practice. After Thirumangai Azhvar's time, due to

practical difficulties of bringing Nammazhvar to Srirangam, a Thirumeni of Swami Nammazhvar was installed in

SriRangam temple. Sri Ramanujar added ten days before the Ira Paththu and called them Pagal Paththu, and arranged

that during these ten days prabhandhams of other Azhvars should be recited. Also Sri Ramanuja added one more day

for Iyarpa. Because, Sri Thirumangai Azhwar started it, the day before the Pagal Paththu Uthsavam first day,

Namperumal listens to ThiruNedunthandagam of Sri Thirumangai Azhwar. So, originally started as ten days festival

by Sri Thirumangai Azhwar and was later modified as Twenty days (+one day for ThiruNedunthandagam) by Swami

Ramanujar.Anadhyayana kalam starts during Karthigail Karthigai and normally ends on Thai hastham (Sri

Koorathazhwan's thirunakshatram).

(18) Ramanujar was fondly called as “Kovil Anna “ by Andal Thayar. In her Nachiyar Tirumozhi , she sang “ Naaru

NarumPozhil Maaliruncholai Nambikku Naan Nooru Thada Niranda AkkaraVadisil Sonnen...”. This wish of Andal

was fulfilled later by Ramanujar

Thus, Ramanujar being a Yathi[saint] has all relations – Sister- Andal , Son - ChellaPillai .

HIS ASCENT TO PARAMAPADAM

With his head on the lap of his cousin Embar and his feet on the lap of Vaduga Nambi, Ramanuja breathed his last in

1137 AD listening to the recitation of the Divya Prabandam. Born in PINGALA year, he left for his heavenly abode

also in PINGALA year that followed 120 years from the year of his Avatara. Thus, he lived TWO full cycles of

Tamil years after his birth [120 years].

SWAMI DESIKAN'S LIFE HISTORY

A poet, philosopher, logician, and a scrupulous Anushtatha he took upon himself the task of upholding the concepts

preached by Bhagavad Ramanuja. It is because of him that 'Ramanuja Darsanam' came to be recognized by the world..

Swami Vedanta Desika was the brightest star in the firmament of Visishtadvaita .

No writer among the followers of Ramanuja fought for the rightful place for Divya Prabandhams as did Swami

Desika. His prolific compositions in pure Tamil , pure Sanskrit, Praakrit and Manipravala bear ample testimony to the

fact that he is not exclusively a Vadakalai or exclusively a Tenkalai but more appropriately a "Ubhaya Kalai".

[ Ubhayam – mens twin ; example, we say ubhaya nachiyar's – the two consorts who always accompany utsavar.

Vaishnava scholars are called “ U.Ve”- Ubhaya Vedantin – meaning one who knows both tamil and sanskrit].

HIS AVATARA AND EARLY DAYS

Parents : Ananthasuri and Totaramba , Vishwamitra Gotram

Gotra : Vishwamitra Gotram

Tirunakshatram : Purattasi Masam , Sravana Nakshatram

Year of Birth : Vibhava Aandu

Swami Desika was born in 1268 AD (about 131 years after Sri Ramanuja attained Paramapada) at Tooppul near

Kanchipuram as the son of one Anantasuri and Totaramba. Swami Desikan's parents were childless for a long time.

They prayed to Tirupathi SrinivasaPerumal . The Lord appeared in their dreams in the garb of a Srivaishnava youth

and handed over a small golden bell which Totaramba swallowed. Next morning, when they compared notes, they

were astonished to find how both of them had the same dream which concurred in every detail. As the Archaka

opened the doors of the Sanctum Sanctorum, he found the bell missing. During an investigation ordered into the loss

of the bell, the Lord spoke as an asuriree and told that He had himself presented the bell to the Ananthasuri couple and

thenceforward, the small hand- bell need not be used in the Tiruvaradhana in the temple. Even today. when the

Naivedyam is offered to the lord, IT IS ONLY THE HUGE BELL suspended in the front praakaram that is being

rung. The child thus born was named "Venkatanathan " as he was born on the Tirunakshatram of SrinivasaPerumal.

He is believed to be the incarnation of the bell [ TirumalaiMaal Tirumaniyaai Sirakka Vandhon Vazhiye -

GantaaAvatharam ] .

He Married Tirumangai aka Kanakavalli and lived by "Uncha Vritti" . Their son was named Varadaaryan-

KumaraVaradacharyar. Swami Desikan's son later composed PillaiAndhadi on his father .

EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF SWAMI DESIKAN

AT TIRUVAHEENDRAPURAM :

Swami Desikan proceeded to Tiru vaheendra puram where at the Oushaadri hillock - hayagreevar Sannidhi , he sat

under an Aswatha tree and meditated on Garuda, reciting the Garuda Mantra taught to him by his Guru. Garuda

appeared before him and taught him the Hayagriva Mantra. As he recited it, Lord Hayagriva appeared before him, and

blessed him. Feeling grateful, Swami composed Hayagriva Stotram, Garuda Panchaasath, Devanaayaka Panchaasath

[ on TiruvahindraPuram DeivaNayakaPerumal] , Achyuta Sathakam etc in Sanskrit and Mummanikkaovai, Navamani

Maalai etc., in Tamil.

At Tiruvahindrapuram , a mason challenged Swami Desikan to construct a well with the broken and irregular shaped

bricks supplied by him. Swami Desikan accepted the challenge and successfully constructed the well . This well exists

even today in ThiruvahIndhrapuram. The marvelous vigraham of Desikan found at Tiruvahindrapuram was sculpted

by Swami himself.

AT TIRUK KOVILUR : Dehaleesha Stuti Stotram

On his way back to Kanchi, he visited TiruKovalur and composed DehaleeshaStuti[ DehaleeshaPerumal- Dehai -

means Rezhi. This Rezhi is where all the 3 mudal azhwars met to start DivyaPrabhandam - one azhwar was able to

dleep in the rezhi; whenthe next came, both had place only to sit; when the third azhwar came , all the three stood in

the rezhi and began tamil pasurams - DivyaPrabhandham ] .

AT KANCHIPURAM :

Returning to Kanchipuram, he composed Nyasa Dasakam, Varadaraja Panchasath etc. in Sanskrit and Adaikkalap

Pathu, Artha Panchakam etc., in Tamil. During Swami Desikan’s Thirunakshatram celebration every year, He gets the

rare honour of crossing the dwaarapaalakaas and getting close to the Lord to perform mangalaaSaasnam. No other

Acharya is given this Honour anywhere in any other temple.He visited several shrines in and near Kanchi and

composed lyrics of incomparable beauty on the Lords in the various shrines.

Saranagathi Deepika on DeepaPrakAsA- Thoopul(Vilakkoli Perumal);

Kaamaasikaashataka on Nrisimhar at Velukkai ;

AshtabujaAshtakam on Ashtabujanathan ;

VegaasethuStotra on Yathokthakaari- Vekka;

ParamaarthaSthuthi on Lord Vijayaraghava- Tirupputkuzhi.

He also composed Sri Vaishnava Dinasari, Panniru Naamam, Tiruchchinna Maalai; In Manipravala: Sampradaaya

Parisuddhi.

Sudarshanashtakam at Tiruputkuzhi:

A dangerous disease named Vaisuri struck like an epidemic at Tiruputkuzhi. Sudarshanashtakam was rendered by

SwamiDesikan to relive people of their miseries.

VairAgyaPanchakam Slokam :

One of Swami Desikan's friend (Vidhyaranyar) during their school days became the minister of Vijayanagara

kingdom. He heard about the poverty of SriDesikan and wanted to help him. So he sent a message asking Swamy

Desikan to come to the kingdom and receive gifts from the king. Swami Desika refused this request and in return sent

him a poem called VairAgya Panchakam in which he says:

" naasthi pithru-Aarjitham kinchith; na mayaa kinchith-Aarjitham; asthi mE Hasthi-shailAgrE; vasthu paithAamaham

dhanam "

Meaning: I have neither any accumulated wealth left behind by my father nor any wealth assembled from my own

efforts.I have however one of the greatest

of wealths in the world, that has been left behind by my grand seer (Brahma Devan), who gained it through the

performance of the Aswamedha Yaagam at Hastha Giri.When I have this imperishable wealth, where is the need for

other kinds of wealth for me?"

SriStuti Slokam :

Instigated by some jealous people , with the intention of embarrassing SwamiDesikan, the neighbours sent a bachelor

to Swami for financial help for his wedding, knowing full well that Swami had no money. Swami Desika took him to

Perundevi Thayar Sannidhi and sang the famous 'Sri Sthuthi'. Immediately, the sky opened up, as it were, and rained

gold coins. Swami asked the bachelor to take them away.

AT SRIVILLIPUTHUR : Goda Stuti

When Swami was at Srivilliputhur , the Utsava Vigraham of Andal Thayar was in Tiruveedhi Purappadu. Immersed in

the beauty of the Utsava idol , he sang Goda Stuti.

AT TIRUPATI : Daya Shatakam

He composed the famous DayaaSathakam on the divine-mercy of Emperuman and SrinivasaPerumal conferred on

him the honorific of "Vedaantha Aachaarya" title.

AT SRIPERUMPUDUR : Yathiraja Saptathi

Swami prayed to Ramanujar and composed the famous Yathiraja Saptadhi.

AT SRIRANGAM : Abheetistavam , Paduka Sahasram

A debate went on for 7 days in which Swami demolished every single argument of the opponents. The Maayaa

Vaadhis accepted defeat, became Srivaishnavas and his Sishyas. The essence of the debate is what we now have as a

sloka called "Satha Dushani".

AbheetiStavam:

The Muslim invasion at Srirangam caused a lot of loss of life and wealth. Looking at the scene after the battle ,

SwamiDesikan composed Abheetistava - to

promote fearlessness among devotees .

Paduka Sahasram :

Some vidhwans challenged Swami Desikan to compose 1000 hymns in praise of Lord Ranganatha in one day. Swami

accepted the challenge and he prayed to PeriyaPerumal. The Lord directed SwamiDesikan to compose the stotrams on

the Divine Sandals (padhukas). Then he started writing down the stotras and in less than 3 hours he composed 1008

stotras on the DivyaPadhukas. Even a fast recital of the entire paaduka sahasram would take us more than 6

hours while SwamiDesikan composed them in such a short time.

Thus he was conferred titles by PeripaPiratti&Perumal : “Kavitarkika simham” - lion among the poets ( kavi) and

Tarkikas (Debates); "VedantaDesikan" and " SarvaTantraSvatantran"- who is free(Svatrantra) from all Tantras.

HIS EXODUS TO TIRUNARAYANAPURAM -SATYAGAALAM

Due to the muslim army invasion , Swami was requested by disciples to stay away from SriRangam till peace

returned. For 12 years he stayed at SatyaGaalam near Mysore - until news of restoration of the temple in Srirangam

reached his ears. Here the unique feature is that Unlike in other places, SwamiDesikan is seen in a standing posture as

if he was on his toes ever ready to move to Srirangam awaiting the good news of reinstallation of the Lord

there. The ParakalaMatam headquartered at Mysore gained prominance due to Swami Desikan's presence and his

sishya BrahmaTantraSwatantraJeer.

SwamiDesikan wrote more than 100 works. His magnum opus is his 'Rahasya Traya Saram' in Manipravala style (a

mixture of Sanskrit and Tamil) explaining the significance of the three great Mantras of Ashtakshara, Dvaya and

Charama Sloka. This Rahasya Traya Sara is reckoned as one of the four works that any Srivaishnava should study the

other three being Sri Bashya, Gita Bashya and the Nalayira Divya Prabandams. Swami Desikan's Tamil Compositions

are collectively called “Desika Prabhandam”.

SWAMI ATTAINS PARAMAPADAM

Having lived a full and rich life for 101 years and satisfied with his work on earth, Swami Desika cast his tabernacle

of flesh, praying to Udaiyavar by placing Ramanujar's Paadukas on his head which he kept on the lap of

KumarVaradacharyar (Nainarachar) and his feet on the lap of Brahma Tantra Svatantrarar, while his Sishyas chanted

Tiruvoimozhi and Upanishads.

|| Desikan Divya Tiruvadigaley Sharanam ||