Swami Koorathazhvaan 1000th Thirunakshatram

Swami Koorathazhvaan Vaibhavam in Short

The ever liberated and liberated sould are always enjoying the supreme Lord Sriman Narayana in Sri Vaikuntam. Although the souls living in this world are also eligible to have this enjoyment, they due to their sinful deeds are unable to have such an experience; as a result, they live in this world. The Lord, with a view to correct the denizens of this world and receive their services, has out of compassion, manifested himself as Sri Rama and Sri Krishna.Even by such an effort, the Lord was unable to correct the human beings. So, he though that they could be brought round and made serviceable only through other human beings. So, he thought that instead of correcting them from this Supreme position as their master, it would be easier for him to this by placing himself in a lower status as a subservient person. He also opined that instead of correcting them from the position of their perceptor, it would be easier to correct them by Himself becoming a disciple and thus practically implementing His own teachings.

Accordingly, Sri Thiruvanantazhvan (Adisesha) manifested as Sri Ramanuja, while the Lord manifested Himself in the village Kooram, as Sri Koorathazhwan in the “Saumya” year in the month of Pushya under the asterism “Hastha”. Swami Koorathazhwan became a foremost disciple of Sri Ramanauja.

Our toungues cannot sing the glory of Sri Koorathazhwan. He brough to light the secret teachings of the Upanishads through his compositions, Panchastavam. Sri Ramanuja felt that he would certainly attain the highest abode, purely by virtue of his association with Azhwan!

- From Vedics.org site

Swami Koorathazhvaan’s 1000th Thirunakshatram falls on 3rd of February 2010. A committee has been formed to celebrate Swami’s Thirunakshatram in a very grand manner, befitting for Sri Ramanuja’s foremost disciple & an incarnation of Sriman Narayana himself. The celebrations planned include the following

1. Release of Books on Azhwan’s life history in several languages.
2. Release of CD’s on Panjastvam Discourses.
3. Release of Banners & Books that depict Swami’s life in a Pictorial format.
4. Azhvan’s history in Dance & Drama format during the celebrations.
5. Annadhanam to the poor & needy.

Apart from the above a lot more has been planned to celebrate Swami’s 1000th year of appearance. We are lucky to be in this time and celebrate Swami’s Avatar. We kindly request you to take part in the celebrations & provide financial and any assistance in whatever way possible. Every small help will be of great use. The committee in charge of the celebrations is

Sri Koorathazhwan 1000th year Mahotsava Committee,
19/37, Rathinakudil Apartments,
TP Kovil St,
Triplicane, Chennai – 5.
Ph – 044 28441110 | azhwan1000@gmail.com | www.kuresan.com

Honorary Patrons of the Committee include Sri.U.Ve.Parasara Azhagiyasinga Bhattar swamy, Velukkudi Sri.U.Ve.Krishnan swamy, Sri.U.Ve.Akkaarakkani T.A.Srinidhi swamy, Sri.U.Ve.K.B.Devarajan swamy and many similar prominent figures.

Cheques can be drawn in favor of  ”Sri Koorathazhwan 1000th year Mahotsava Committee” and sent to the above address.

Invitation for Swami Koorathazhwan 1000th Thirunakshatram Celebrations.

Periyavaachaan Pillai Thirunakshatram

Today is the Thirunakshatram of Swami Periyavaachaan Pillai, the famous Vyakhana Chakaravathy of Sri Vaishnavism. Here is a little about Swamy, adopted from the book “Thirupallandu Vyakhanam”, published by Kinchitkaram Trust.

Sri Periyavaachaan Pillai, also known as SriKrsnapada was born at Sanganallur near Kumbakonam as the son of Yamuna Desika and Nachiyar Ammal. He is believed to have lived between 1167 – 1262 AD. He is an Amsa of Lord Krishna himself. For his lucid explanation of Divyaprabandha, he is known as “Dravidaveda Bhasyakara” and for his commentary on select verses of Ramayana, he is given the title “Abhayapradaraja”. Periyavaachaan Pillai was a disciple of Swami Nampillai. Vadikesari Azhagiya Manaval Jeeyar, who wrote the commentary 1200 padi on Thiruvaimozhi was a prominent disciple of Sri Periyavaachaan Pillai. Periyavaachaan Pillai wanted to take the meaning of Divyaprabandhas to even the most ordinary people, and hence earned the title “ParamaKaarunika” (One who is extremely compassionate).

Periyavaachaan Pillai was the celebrated author of 24000 padi. He has the unique reputation of having commented (vyakhyanams) on all the 4000 hymns of the Alwars. However his commentary on Periyalwar Thirumozhi is available only for the last 60 songs or so. His 24000 padi commentary became so famous that he is known as “Vyakhana Chakaravathy” (emeperor among commentators). Maanika Maalai, Sakala Pramaana Taatparaya and Abhayapradaana are some of his other works.

Sri Periyavaachaan Pillai always commented in a lucid & compact style, so that the maximum number of people can understand the Divyaprabandhas. Periyavaachan Pillai never commented without a valid source. To this day Periyavaachaan Pillai’s commentaries are considered authentic amongst many other commentaries.

Madhurakavi Alwar Thirunakshatram

Today is the Thirunakshatram of Swami Madhurakavi Alwar, the devout disciple of Swami Nammalwar. Though it was Nammalwar who said the Thiruvaimozhi, it was due to Madhurakavi Alwar that the world came to know of it. Here is a short story of Swami Madhurakavi Alwar.

Madhurakavi Alwar was born in Thirukolur, a small village near Alwarthirunagari. Alwar was born into a devout Sri Vaishnava family and eventually grew up into a learned and devout Sri Vaishnava. Once he undertook an pilgrimage to North India and visited many Kshetrams and finally to Ayodhya. He was very moved by the beauty of Deities of Sri Rama, Sita Devi, Lakshmana & Hanuman and put stay in Ayodhya for sometime.

During his stay, one night he saw a bright light coming from South. He didn’t know what it was. He couldn’t comprehend if it was a bright star, a forest fire or anything else. Regardless he decided to follow the light and see it for himself. After days of voyage, he finally reached Alwarthirunagari and the light disappeared. He was surprised at the phenomenon. He enquired the villagers if there was any festival or anything strange happening in their village. The villagers replied in negative, but added that a boy had been sitting under a Tamarind tree for past 16 years without drinking, eating or even opening the eyes. He had crawled to the tree as a baby 16 years back and remained in the tree thereafter. Madhurakavi Alwar was amazed and decided to see the child for himself.

Madurakavi Alwar reaches the tree and finds the child, with its eyes closed as if meditating. Alwar wanted to see if the child was healthy and if it reacted to the external world, and so he dropped a huge stone on the ground to make a noise. The child slowly opened its eyes and saw Alwar. Alwar next wanted to see if the child  was knowledgable, and so asked a question,

“Sethathin Vayitril Siriyadhu Pirandhal; Eatthai Thindru Engae Kidakkum?”

to which the child replied,

“Atthai Thindru Angae Kidakkum”

Madurakavi Alwar immediately realised that the child, Nammalwar was a hamsam of Sriman Narayana and possessed infinite knowledge. Madhurakavi Alwar fell at Nammalwar’s feet and became his disciple. After this, Nammalwar said the Thiruvaimozhi which is the fine nectar of the Vedas themselves {Thiruvaimozhi is known as the Tamil Vedam}.

Madhurakavi Alwar wrote Kanninun Siruththambu on Nammalwar’s advice. The pasurams and meanings of Kanninun Siruththambu can be read here.

Sri Ramanujar Thirunakshatram

Today is the Thirunakshatram of Sri Ramanuja, one of the foremost Sri Vaishnava Acharyas. I felt that instead of writing few incidents from the great Acharyas life, it would be more ideal to have the entire life history on his Thirunakshatram. Here is a wonderful book on Life of Sri Ramanuja from Scribd.

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Kulasekara Alwar Thirunakshatram

Today is the Thirunakshatram of Kulasekara Alwar. Alwar’s vaibhavam can be read in this blog post & also from our own blog post last year.

Kulasekara Alwar is famous for his Mukundamala, the only Sanskrit composition by any Alwar. All the lines show Alwar’s immense devotion to the Lord. There’s an interesting commentry / translation of Alwar’s Mukundamala by Srila Prabhupada. You can find it at the end of the post. The translation is very simple and makes an engaging read.

Today is also the Thirunakshatram of Kandhadai Aandaan, son of Swami Mudhali Aandaan {an important sishya of Swamy Ramanujar}. Kandhadai Aandaan has said that a Sri Vaishnava should live without any fear and have faith in Sriman Narayana. A person who has fear cannot be a Sri Vaishnava.

Srila Prabhupada’s Commentry on Mukundamala.

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