Thirumalisai Alwar Vaibhavam 6

Click here for Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Part 6

After the happenings at Thiruvekka, Alwar once again sets out on a journey to another Divyadesam and goes to Thirukudanthai. En route at a small village called Perumpuliyur, alwar decides to rest for sometime and sits in an outside verandah (திண்ணை) of a house. This house turns out to be a house of a Brahmin who had been chanting the Vedas with his peers. Seeing Alwar in simple clothes, they mistake Alwar to be  of a lower caste and stop chanting the Vedas. Alwar realises that the Brahmins in the house are uncomfortable chanting the Vedas with him nearby and so decides to leave the place. The Lord Sriman Narayana, to teach a lesson to the Brahmins and show them the greatness of Thirumalisia Alwar plays a drama. Seeing Alwar leave the place the Brahmins once again decide to go ahead with their chanting, but they forget the line where they stopped chanting and are confused as to where to start. Alwar notes this and to help the Brahmins continue their Veda paranyam (chanting), symbolically shows them a piece of broken grain (The Brahmins had stopped at a word meaning broken grain). The Brahmins understand alwar’s cue and also immediately realise the greatness of Alwar. They seek his forgiveness and blessings.

Alwar then reaches the divyadesam of Thirukudanthai and as always lived on alms. As days went by the Archakar of Thirkudanthai Perumal finds out an staggering phenomenon. The Perumal of the Divyadesam turned His head towards the direction in which Thirumalisai Alwar went to seek alms. Soon the news spreads to entire locality and Perumpuliyur Dikshitar, who had been doing a yagna invites alwar to grace the occasion. When Alwar arrives at the ceremony, the dikshitar honours alwar with due respects. Seeing dikshitar giving so much respect to alwar, people around begin to question dikshitar’s actions, who becomes very upset at people gauging alwar just from his appearance and being ignorant of alwar’s bhakthi & greatness. Seeing the dikshitar hurt by the people’s action, alwar decides to show people his greatness. Alwar sings a song and requests Perumal to show the greatness of true bhakthi. At the very moment the Perumal & Thayar appear in Alwar’s heart. Everyone who had questioned Alwar’s greatness and the actions of the dikshitar become dumbfounded and fall at alwar’s feet and apologise for their actions. The people also honour Alwar with a Brahmaratham ceremony.

To be Continued…

Thiruppaan Alwar Thirunakshatram

Thirupaan Alwar was born in Urayoor, a town near Sri Rangam. Thiruppan Alwar was well versed in playing Veena and every day he sang songs in praise of Sri Ranganatha. But since he was from a lower caste, instead of going to Sri Rangam, he used to go to banks of the Cauvery river and sing. looking in the direction of the Sri Rangam temple {Like Thiruppan Alwar, Koorathalwar though born as a Brahmin lived only beyond the 7th Agrahara of Sri Rangam. Both of them, though very devoted considered themselves ineligible of living in a divine place like Sri Rangam}. Sri Ranganatha wanted to show Alwar’s devotion to the world and so played a small drama.

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One morning as usual Alwar was singing in the banks of Cauvery River. But this time he was too immersed in his Devotion that he did not feel the presence of a Archaka (Saranga Muni) asking him to move way, since he was from a lower caste. The Archaka had come to take water for Lord Sri Ranganatha. The archaka then takes a small stone and throws at Alwar, which brings back alwar to consciousness. Alwar immediately moved away from the place to give way for archaka. Alwar was afraid that he had commited apacharam and had delayed the service to Lord Sri Ranaganatha.

The archaka goes back to temple with the water and seeing Lord Ranganatha he is shocked. Lord Ranganatha bleeds at the exact place where he hit Thirupaan Alwar with stone. The archaka is terrified and requests the Lord to tell the reason for his bleeding. Sri Ranganatha says that the one he hit with the stone is his devout baktha. Sri Ranganatha says that He Himself was with alwar in his songs and when archaka hit him with stone He too was injured. Sri Ranganatha instructs the archaka to bring alwar on his shoulders.

The archaka then goes back to alwar and narrates the entire incident. Alwar objects to be taken on archaka’s shoulder, since he held archakas in a very high regard as they serve the Lord Ranganatha himself daily. But when the archaka says that it is the instruction of Lord Ranganatha to bring him on his shoulders, alwar accepts finally.

Saranga Muni starts walking towards him Sri Arangathan through the Cauvery river. Everyone was surprised to see this scene and stood in silence. After reaching the temple, Thiruppan Alwar could not believe his eyes because he was seeing Perumal whom he thought that could never see him in his life. He raised his hands above his head and started to sing slokas on Sri Arangathan. He then started to see the whole thirumeni (body) of Emperumaan and he sung a total of ten paasurams which explain the beauty of Sri Ranganathar from his thiruvadi (foot) to thirumudi (head). He explains in his ten paasuram called amalanAdhipirAn about the clean safron cloth which is worn on the body of Ranganathar, his jewels the thiru vayiru (stomach) from where Lord Brahma originated, the broad chest, the red lips and finally the beauty of the two broad eyes.

After singing the 10 paasurams (known as Amalanadhipiran) THIRUPPAN ALWAR merges with the Lord Sri Ranganathar.

Thirumalisai Alwar Vaibhavam 5

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Part 5

After the Mudhal Alwars leave for Divyadesa Yatra, Thirumalisai Alwar goes back to Thirumalisai. At Thirumalisai, when Alwar searches for Thiruman in the usual place, he is unable to find it (Clarification – In times of Alwar, Thiruman was not sold across shops. It is a natural stone and has to be found in ground).  Unable to wear the mark of the Lord, Alwar feels sad. Later in his dream, Lord Srinivasa relieves Alwar by telling that he can find Thirumaan in Kachi Vekka. Alwar immediately leaves for Kachi Vekka and finds it at the place Perumal had mentioned in the dream. Alwar wears the Thiruman he had so longed for. Alwar then comes back to Thirumalisai and spends sometime in Bagavad Anubhavam.

Alwar had always travelled a lot and once again Alwar sets out for a journey. Alwar leaves for Thiru Vekka (near Kanchipuram) to serve the Reclining Lord Yadhodkari (Sonna Vanam Seidha Perumal). He is joined by KanniKannan, his ardent disciple (mentioned in Part 2 of Thirumalisai Alwar Vaibhavam). Alwar & Kani Kannan spend their time in serving the Lord. During this time an old woman who could barely walk straight starts serving Alwar & Kani Kannan daily. Impressed with her service, Alwar asks the old lady what she wants. The old lady replies that she could not bear her old age, her wrinkled face, and so on. Alwar immediately changes her to a beautiful young woman. The woman gratefully thanks Alwar and feels very happy that she will be young and beautiful forever. Soon, the king of the province, Pallavarayan sees her and immediately falls for her beauty. He sends word through his guards to the woman, who is only happy to marry the king and accepts the king’s proposal. They both marry and live happily. But as years pass by the king is intrigued by his woman’s unchanged beauty who never seems to age. Upon asking, she tells the king about her being an old woman and how she became young again by the grace of Thirumalisai Alwar. She also adds that Alwar’s disciple Kanni Kannan visits the palace everyday to seek alms (Alwar & Kani Kannan would eat only by seeking alms, just like true sanyasins). The very day the king meets Kanni Kannan and asks him to bring his Guru, so he too can get the boon of ageless beauty. Kani Kannan strongly replies that Alwar wouldn’t come for the king’s desires. The king then asks Kannan to take him to Alwar. For this, Kanni Kannan says that Alwar would not even see a person who has such worldly desires in him. Finally the king asks Kani Kannan to sing a song in praise of him. Kannan tells that he will never sing for any person in this world and would sing only on Sriman Narayana. Listening to this, the king is enraged and orders Kanni Kannan to leave his kingdom.

Kanni Kannan narrates the entire incident to Alwar and requests permission from Alwar to leave him and the kingdom. Alwar says the he too will leave the kingdom and joins Kanni Kannan. As he leaves he goes to the temple of Thiru Vekka and asks the Perumal too to leave the kingdom and join them. Without asking anything and the very moment, Perumal rolls his mat (adhi seshan), and like an innocent child follows Alwar & Kanni Kannan. To this day the Perumal is called Sonna Vanam Seidha Perumal (Yadhodkaari in North), since He unquestioningly listens to Alwar and does what he says. This single incident from the life of Alwar stands out wonderfully and beautifully shows the Sowlabhyam of Perumal. Sriman Narayana is waiting for instructions from his true devotees, just like a baby towards its mother.

Meanwhile, without Alwar & Perumal, the entire kingdom suddenly plunges into a gloom and the people long for Perumal & Alwar to come back to their kingdom. The King immediately realises his folly and pleads to the trio to return to the Kingdom. Kanni Kanna is moved and requests Alwar to return, who in turn requests Perumal to return to the kingdom. The Trio then return to the kingdom, which again gets back its happiness & peacefulness. The place where Perumal, Alwar & Kanni Kannan rested for a night came to be known as “Oar Irukkai” and is now known as Oarikkai.

Continued in Thirumalisai Alwar Vaibhavam 6..

1000th Thirunakshitram of Swami Koorathazhwan

Swami Koorathazhwan Thaniyan

This is a momentous day that Sriman Narayana has blessed us to be in, the 1000th Thirunakshatram of Swami Koorathazhvan. Even lucky are those, who are taking part in the grand utsavam taking place at Kooram. (Live coverage of 1000th year celebrations are available from 2 pm IST at www.vedics.org (Requires FREE Registration). The rest of us can at least spend some few minutes reading, thinking & talking about the great Acharya and the foremost disciple of Sri Ramanuja.

All  Acharyas  were of one voice in declaring that Koorathazhwan even  excelled  the  most excellent of all Acharyas – Sri Ramanuja –  in  qualities of  head and  heart. Koorathazhwan has no equal  in  qualities like  compassion  towards all  jivas. Acharya  Bhakti,  Vairagya,  Jnana,  Annushtana. All atma-gunas fund their hall-mark of perfection in the being called Koorathazhvaan. Here are some incidents that show Azhwan’s greatness.

Swami Koorathazhwan 1000th year celebrations Details & Invitation

As you must have known, Swami Koorathazhwan’s 1000th year celebrations will take place from January 25th – February 3rd at Kooram (Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu). Here is the invitation for the Utsavam. The details of the Utsavam is given after the invitation. 

Click here to know about Donating for the Celebrations

The following are the utsavam details for the 10 Day function.

• Day 1 | January 25
  • 6am – Aasthaanathil Irundhu Yezhundarulal followed by Thirupallaandu thodakkam & theertham
  • 7am – Veethi Purappaadu in Pallakku – Mudhal thiruvandaadhi Ghosti, followed by PerumalSannishi mandagapadi & Mangalaasaasanam
  • 10.30am to 12.30pm – 1000th Year Mahotsava Celebrations (Jeeyar’s anugrahabaashanam and a Vidwaan’s upanyaasam)
  • 2pm – Thirumanjanam
  • 3.30pm to 5pm – Thiruppaavai Saathumurai – Periazhwar Thirumozhi mudhal pathu (1 to 100) ghosti, saathumurai & theertham.
  • 6.30pm – Veethi Purappaadu in Tholukkiniyaan – Periazhwar thirumozhi ghosti (iranddaam pathu – from 101).
  • 8.30pm – Thiruvaaimozhi Mudhal Pathu Ghosti (1 to 100) and Saathumurai.
  • 10pm – Sayanam in Kannaadhi Arai.
• Day 2 | January 26
  • 7am – Veethi Purappaadu in Pallakku – Irandaam thiruvandaadhi Ghosti, followed by PerumalSannishi mandagapadi & Mangalaasaasanam
  • 10.30am to 12.30pm – 1000th Year Mahotsava Celebrations (Jeeyar’s anugrahabaashanam and a Vidwaan’s upanyaasam) 
  • 2pm – Thirumanjanam
  • 3.30pm to 5pm – Thiruppaavai Saathumurai – Periazhwar thirumozhi moondraam pathu (till 300) ghosti, saathumurai & theertham.
  • 7.30pm – Vaahana Mandapam Yezhundarulal
  • 8.00pm – Veethi Purappaadu in Yaali Vaahanam – Periazhwar thirumozhi ghosti (Naangaam pathu – from 301).
  • 9.00pm – Thiruvaaimozhi Irandaam Pathu Ghosti (101 to 200) and Saathumurai.
  • 10.30pm – Sayanam in Kannaadhi Arai.
• Day 3 | January 27
  • 7am – Veethi Purappaadu in Pallakku – Moondraam thiruvandaadhi Ghosti, followed by PerumalSannishi mandagapadi & Mangalaasaasanam
  • 10.30am to 12.30pm – 1000th Year Mahotsava Celebrations (Jeeyar’s anugrahabaashanam and a Vidwaan’s upanyaasam) 
  • 2pm – Thirumanjanam with Udayavar (thiruvaadhirai)
  • 3.30pm to 5pm – Thiruppaavai Saathumurai – Thiruppaavai & Periazhwar thirumozhi saathumurai and theertham.
  • 7.30pm – Vaahana Mandapam Yezhundarulal
  • 8.00pm – Veethi Purappaadu in Simha Vaahanam – Naachiyaar thirumozhi Thodakkam & ghosti
  • 9.00pm – Thiruvaaimozhi Moondraam Pathu Ghosti (201 to 300) and Saathumurai.
  • 10.30pm – Sayanam in Kannaadhi Arai.
• Day 4 | January 28
  • 7am – Veethi Purappaadu in Pallakku – Naangaam thiruvandaadhi Ghosti, followed by PerumalSannishi mandagapadi & Mangalaasaasanam
  • 10.30am to 12.30pm – 1000th Year Mahotsava Celebrations (Jeeyar’s anugrahabaashanam and a Vidwaan’s upanyaasam) 
  • 2pm – Thirumanjanam with Ramar (Punarvasu)
  • 3.30pm to 5pm – Thiruppaavai Saathumurai – Naachiyaar thirumozhi saathumurai and theertham.
  • 7.30pm – Vaahana Mandapam Yezhundarulal
  • 8.00pm – Veethi Purappaadu in Kamalaasana Thotti – Perumal thirumozhi Thodakkam & ghosti
  • 9.00pm – Thiruvaaimozhi Naangaam pathu Ghosti (301 to 400) and Saathumurai.
  • 10.30pm – Sayanam in Kannaadhi Arai.
• Day 5 | January 29
  • 7am – Veethi Purappaadu in Pallakku – Thiruvirutham Ghosti, followed by PerumalSannishi mandagapadi & Mangalaasaasanam
  • 10.30am to 12.30pm – 1000th Year Mahotsava Celebrations (Jeeyar’s anugrahabaashanam and a Vidwaan’s upanyaasam) 
  • 2pm – Thirumanjanam
  • 3.30pm to 5pm – Thiruppaavai Saathumurai – Remaining perumal thirumozhi, Thiruchandavirutham, and mudalaayiram saathumurai and theertham.
  • 7.30pm – Oonjal & Vaahana Mandapam Yezhundarulal
  • 8.00pm – Veethi Purappaadu in Soorya Prabhai Vaahanam – Thiruvirutham ghosti
  • 9.00pm – Thiruvaaimozhi Eyenndhaam Pathu Ghosti (401 to 500) and Saathumurai.
  • 10.30pm – Sayanam in Kannaadhi Arai.
• Day 6 | January 30 | Vellai Saathupadi for Udayavar & Kaashaaya Saathupadi for Azhwan
  • 7am – Peria Thirumozhi Thodakkam & Ghosti.
  • 7am – Veethi Purappaadu in Pallakku in UDAYAVAR THIRUKKOOLAM – Thiruvaasiriyam following by Perial Thirumozhi Ghosti, followed by PerumalSannishi mandagapadi & Mangalaasaasanam
  • 10.30am to 12.30pm – 1000th Year Mahotsava Celebrations (Jeeyar’s anugrahabaashanam and a Vidwaan’s upanyaasam, and Bhattar Kuzhaam programs)
  • 2pm – Thirumanjanam with Udayavar
  • 3.30pm to 5pm – Thiruppaavai Saathumurai – PeriaThirumozhi mudhal pathu (1 to 100) saathumurai and theertham.
  • 7.30pm – Oonjal & Vaahana Mandapam Yezhundarulal
  • 8.00pm – Veethi Purappaadu in Gudhirai Vaahanam – PeriaThirumozhi Irandaam pathu ghosti (from 101)
  • 9.00pm – Thiruvaaimozhi Aaraam Pathu Ghosti (501 to 600) and Saathumurai.
  • 10.30pm – Sayanam in Kannaadhi Arai.
• Day 7 | January 31
  • 7am – Veethi Purappaadu in Pavazhakkaal Chaparam – Peria Thiruvandhaadhi Ghosti, followed by PerumalSannishi mandagapadi & Mangalaasaasanam
  • 10.30am to 12.30pm – 1000th Year Mahotsava Celebrations (Jeeyar’s anugrahabaashanam and a Vidwaan’s upanyaasam)
  • 2pm – Thirumanjanam
  • 3.30pm to 5pm – Thiruppaavai Saathumurai – PeriaThirumozhi till moondraam pathu (till 300) saathumurai and theertham.
  • 7.30pm – Oonjal & Vaahana Mandapam Yezhundarulal
  • 8.00pm – Veethi Purappaadu in Chandraprabhai Vaahanam with Naachiyaar thirukkolam – PeriaThirumozhi Naangaam pathu (from 301)
  • 9.00pm – Thiruvaaimozhi yezhaam Pathu Ghosti (601 to 700) and Saathumurai.
  • 10.30pm – Sayanam in Kannaadhi Arai.
• Day 8 | February 1
  • 7am – Veethi Purappaadu in Pallakku – Thiruvazhikotrikkai & PeriaThirumozhi Ghosti, followed by PerumalSannishi mandagapadi, Aandaal Sannidhi Mandagapadi (Pooram) & Mangalaasaasanam
  • 2pm – Thirumanjanam
  • 3.30pm to 5pm – Thiruppaavai Saathumurai – PeriaThirumozhi Eyendhaam pathu (till 500) saathumurai and theertham.
  • 7.30pm – Oonjal & Vaahana Mandapam Yezhundarulal
  • 8.00pm – Veethi Purappaadu in Yaanai Vaahanam – PeriaThirumozhi Aaraam pathu (from 501) ghosti
  • 9.00pm – Thiruvaaimozhi Irandaam Pathu Ghosti (701 to 800) and Saathumurai.
  • 10.30pm – Sayanam in Kannaadhi Arai.
• Day 9 | February 2
  • 7am – THIRUTHEAIR – Veethi Purappaadu – SiriyaThirumadal, PeriaThirumadal, followed by PeriaThirumozhi Ghosti (approx 250 paatu), followed by thaayaar Sannidhi Mandagapai (Uthiram) & Mangalaasaasanam
  • 2.30 or 3pm – Thirumanjanam
  • 3.30pm to 5pm – Thiruppaavai Saathumurai – PeriaThirumozhi Oanbadhaam pathu (till 900) saathumurai and theertham.
  • 7.30pm – Vaahana Mandapam Yezhundarulal
  • 8.00pm – Veethi Purappaadu in Hamsa Vaahanam – PeriaThirumozhi Pathaam pathu (from 901) ghosti
  • 9.00pm – Thirumozhi Saathumurai
  • 9.30pm – Thiruvaaimozhi Onebadhaam Pathu Ghosti (801 to 900) and Saathumurai.
  • 11.00pm – Sayanam in Kannaadhi Arai.
• Day 10  | February 3 | Saathumurai day
  • 7am – Mangalaasaasanam with KooranaathaPanjaasathu, Kooresa Vimsathi, Ethiraja Vimsathi, DaatiPanjagam, few other slogams about Azhwan.
  • 7am – Virudhu in Perumal Sannidhi with SriVaigundastavam ghosti.
  • 9am – Veedhi purappaadhu in Pallakku with Sundarabaahustavam ghosti.
  • 3pm – Thirumanjanam
  • 4.30pm – Thiruppaavai Saathumurai – Thiruppaavai ghosti, saathumurai, theertham and Athimaanushastavam & Sristavam ghosti.
  • 9.00pm or 10pm – Grand purappaadu in Tholukkiniyaan with Raamaanusa Noortrandaadhi ghosti, Ennai Theevatti & VaanaVeadikkai
  • 1.00am – Thiruvaaimozhi Pathaam Pathu Ghosti (901 to 1000), Ubadesarathinamaalai ghosti, followed by Saathumurai and Varadharajastavam ghosti.
  • 4am – Saathumurai theertham.
• 11th day, 12th day & 13th day – Vidaayathi, followed by PushpaPallakku on 13th day evening, followed by Aasthaanathukku Ezhundarulal.

Thirumalisai Alwar Vaibhavam 4

Click here for Part 1| Part 2 | Part 3

Part 4

After visits from the Lord Siva, the Siddha and the Rasavaadhi, Thirumalisai Alwar decides to move to a place where none would disturb him. He leaves Thirumalisai and after looking for an ideal place for penance, finally finds one in a cave of a mountain. Alwar immediately sits for penance and leads a very spiritual life, undisturbed by anyone.

Meanwhile, the Mudhal Alwars who were in a Divyadesa Yatra reach the cave where Thirumalisai Alwar had been living. They immediately see Alwar’s greatness and decide to spend some days in Alwar’s company and the four Alwars live together for sometime in the cave. During these days, the Alwars spoke, sang and thought of only Sriman Narayana. They had no worldly issues to worry about. After days of enjoying each others presence, the Mudhal Alwars leave the cave to continue their Divyadesa Yatra. Thirumalisai Alwar too returns to Thirumalisai.

Thirumlisai Alwar Vaibhavam continued in Part 5

Thirumalisai Alwar Vaibhavam 3

Click here for Part 1 | Part 2

Part 3

After the debate with PeiAlwar, Thirumalisai Alwar became a devout Sri Vaishnava and moved to Thirumalisai where he lead a life of Poojas, Kainkaryams & Meditation. Some incidents during this period show Alwar’s greatness.

Once Alwar was sitting in his Ashram and stitching a cloth when Lord Shiva and his consort Parvathi were crossing him in their divine vehicle on sky. Seeing a divine glow in Alwar face, Parvathi enquired about it. Shiva explains that the person was Thirumalisai Alwar who had once been his devotee but now was Sriman Narayana’s devotee. Hearing this Parvathi was happy and said to Shiva that they should get down to Alwar and present him a boon. Lord Shiva accepted and both appear before Alwar. But Alwar inspite of having noticed them, doesn’t welcome or even react to their presence. Lord Shiva then announces his arrival to Alwar and asks why he had not reacted to their presence. Alwar replies that he doesn’t require anything from Him and so he didn’t mind to do anything. Shiva insists that he had decided to give him a boon and so he should ask for something. Alwar then asks Shiva to give him the Moksha. Lord Shiva replies that He can’t give anyone Moksha and only Sriman Narayana is capable of giving Moksha. Shiva asks Alwar to ask for some other boon. Alwar then asks him to give him a long life so he can do all the Penace, Poojas& other things required to attain Moksha. Shiva explains that a persons life time is determined based on his Karma’s and that cannot be changed by him. Again Shiva asks Alwar to seek any other boon. With a funny smile Alwar asks for a boon, wherein the thread should follow the needle with which he is stitching. Lord Shiva is enraged by Alwar’s reply and opens his third eye to bring out a fire and burn Alwar.