Life of Thirumangai Alwar !!

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thirumangai Alwar/Parakalan/Neelan was born to Thiru Alinadudaiyar and Vallithiru Ammaiyar  as an incarnation of the bow /Sharngam of Lord Vishnu, with the birth star Karthikai in 8^th Century, in a village called Thirukuraiyallur, Sheerkazhi, Nagapattinam Dist. Tamil Nadu.   The King who was ruled this city was overwhelmed at the valor of Neelan and appointed him as the chief of the army and later he was crowned as the King of Thiruvali in Thirumangai.    There was a celestial Apsara Amangala was cursed by Sage Kapila, due to the curse Amangala was born as Kumudavalli Nachiyar on Earth.    Thirumangai Alwar was mesmerized at the fame and intelligence of Kumudavalli Nachiyar and earnestly desired to marry her.  Kumudavalli Nachiyar put forward a condition that Thirumangai Alwar should serve 1008 Vaishnavas with food on daily basis.   Thirumangai Alwar sincerely follower her instruction, soon it affected the financial condition of the city.  The Chola King who was ruled the city ordered his men to collect tax from the Thirumangai, but he was refused to pay and detailed them about the pitiable state of the city.  King ordered his men to detain Thirumangai Alwar, but they were failed to perform their duty.  Finally King was pleased at the valor of Thirumangai arrived with his men to capture him and detained him in a temple for three days with no food and water.     Thirumangai had a dream in that Lord Varadaraja of Kanchipuram instructed him that if he serves Lord and follow the divine instruction, Alwar can have the money to pay off his taxes.  Thirumangai Alwar returned to Kanchipuram with the permission of the King and conducted an excavation process as per the instruction of Lord and found a pot full of gold coins,  with these golden coins Thirumangai alwar paid off his debt and kept the remaining for the service of Vaishnavaites.  The King refused to accept the gold coins and returned them to Alwar for the smooth functioning of his service.  Shortly, Alwar found shortage of fund for his service, decided to filch money from the wealthy people, in this way Thirumangai Alwar relentlessly served the Vaishnavaites.  Once, Lord Narayana and Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi appeared before him, disguised in the form of a newly wedded couple in a dense forest.  Alwar and his men threatened the couple and plundered all the jewels and money from them.  They snatched all the jewels except the ring on the feet of Lord Narayana, pretended that it was difficult to remove and instructed Thirumangai to remove the ring.   Thirumangai clasped the ring with his teeth; Lord Narayana whispered the sacred hymn Ashtakshara on his ears.  Soon, Thirumangai realized the presence of Lord Narayana and begged for forgiveness.   Thirumangai Alwar never utilized the money ransacked for his personal use; he had spent it all for serving the devotees of Lord.    

 

Thirumangai Alwar composed sung 1253 verses praising the glories of Supreme Lord know as Periya Thirumozhi, Thirukkurnthandakam, Thirunedunthandakam, Thiruyezhukootrirukkai, Periya Thirumadal, Siriya Thirumadal.   Alwar visited 46 sacred shrines of Lord Vishnu and 36 shrines with other Vaishnavaite saints who were lived during that period.

 

http://www.indiatempletour.blogspot.ae/search/label/108%20Divya%20Desams

 

Details of the sacred shrines visited by Thirumangai Alwar are Thiruppullani, Thirumayam, Uthamarkovil, Thirukandiyur, Naimisharanyam, Thiruppiruthi/Nandaprayag, Ahobilam/Thirusingavelkundram, Thiruvannur, Thirunindravoor, Thiruthanka, Thiruparameswara Vinnagaram, Thirupavalavannam, Thiruneeragam, Thirukaragam, Thirukkarvanam,Thirukkalvannur, Thirunilathingal Thundan, Thiruputkuzhi, Thiruvanthipuram/Thiruvaheendrapuram, Kazhicheera Vinnagaram, Thirukkavalampadi, Thiruvellakulam, Thirukeezhaichalai/Thiruthevanarthokai, Thiruparthanpalli, Thirumanikkoodam, Manimadakkovil, Ariyameyavinnagaram, Thiruvanpursharthamam, Thiruthetriambalam, Thiruvaikundavinnagaram, Thirusemponsei Koyil, Thiruthalaichangadu/Thalaichingananmathiyam, Thiruinthalur, Theramundhur,  Thiruchirupuliyur, Nagai, Thirukkannangudi, Thirukkannamangai, Thiruccherai, Thirunaraiyur, Thiruvelliangudi, Nanthipuravinnagaram, Thiruadhannur, Thiruppullabhoothangudi, Thirukkadaloor, Thirukkozhi,

 

Thirumangai Alwar visited 36 shrines with the other Alwars who were lived at that period of time.  Those temples are:

 

(Thirumangai Alwar & Thiru Bhoothathalvar) Thiruneermalai, Thiruvidanthai, Thirukadalmallai, Athigiri,

 

(Thirumangai Alwar & Poikai Alwar) Thiru Ashtabujam,

 

(Thirumangai Alwar & Peiyalvar ) Thirukkadigai,

 

(Thirumangai Alwar & Thirumazhisai Alwar) Thiruoorakam, 

 

(Thirumangai Alwar & Nammalvar) Thirumohur, Thiruppuliyur, Thiruvallavazh, Thirumoozhikkalm, Thirunavai,

 

(Thirumangai Alwar & Periyalvar) Badrinath, Salagramam, Thirukkoodal

 

(Thirumangai Alwar & Kulazhekara Alwar) Thiruchithrakoodam, Thiruvazhi Thirunagari,

 

(Thirumangai Alwar & Boothathalvar) Thiruthangal,

 

(Thirumangai Alwar, Peyalwar & Thirumazhisai Alwar) Thiruvallikkeni

 

(Thirumangai Alwar, Poikai Alwar, Bhoothathalvar ) Thirukkoyilur

 

(Thirumangai Alwar, Peialvar & Nammalvar) Thiruvinnagaram

 

(Thirumangai Alwar, Bhoothathalvar & Nammalvar) Thiruvennatrangarai/Thanjaimamani Koyil

 

(Thirumangai Alwar, Nammalvar, Periyalvar & Andal) Thiruvadamathurai/Mathura, Dwaraka

 

 

(Thirumangai Alwar, Poikai Alwar, Peiyalvar & Thirumazhisai Alwar) Thiruvekka

 

 

(Thirumangai Alwar, Thirumazhisai Alwar, Periyalvar & Nammalvar) Thiruppernagar/Koyiladi, Thirukkurungudi,

 

 

(Thirumangai Alwar, Bhoothathalvar, Peiyalvar & Thirumazhisai Alwar)  Thiruppadagam

 

 

(Thirumangai Alwar, Periyalvar, Andal, Kulazhekara Alwar, Nammalvar) Thirukkannapuram

 

 

(Thirumangai Alwar, Periyalvar, Kulazhekara Alawar, Nammalvar, Thondaradipodi Alwar) Ayodhya

 

 

(Thirumangai Alwar, Thirumazhisai Alwar, Bhoothathalvar, Periyalvar, Peiyalvar) Thirukoshtiyur

 

 

(Thirumangai Alwar, Periyalvar, Andal, Bhoothathalvar, Peiyalvar, Nammalvar) Thirumalirumcholai

 

 

 

 

(Thirumangai Alwar, Periyalvar, Andal, Boothathalvar, Peiyalvar, Thirumazhisai Alwar, Nammalvar) Kumbakonam

 

 

(Thirumangai Alwar, Periyalvar, Andal, Peiyalvar, Bhoothathalvar, Poikai Alwar, Nammalvar, Kulazhekara Alwar, Thiruppana Alwar, Thirumazhisai Alwar) Thirumalai/Thiruvengadam, Thirupparkadal

 

 

(Thirumangai Alwar, Peialvar, Periyalvar, Andal, Bhoothathalvar, Poikai Alwar, Thirumazhisai Alwar, Thiruppana Alwar, Nammalvar, Kulazhekara Alwar, Thondaradipodi Alwar) Thiruvarangam/Srirangam

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

12 Azhwars !! Life of Sri Andal !!

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Sri Andal was found by Periyalwar in his Tulsi Garden; he used to pick flowers from this garden to make beautiful garlands for Lord Vatapatrasayee. Sri Andal was born in 9^th century – Adi Month – with the birth star Pooram – An incarnation of Sri Boodevi Thayar.    Periyalwar was an ardent devotee of Lord Ragamannar and a self-less devotee of Lord Vatapatrasayee.  He makes beautiful garlands for Lord on daily basis and present before Him.  One day, while plucking flowers from his garden, he happened to listens the cries of a baby.  He rushed towards the Tulsi shrubs.  There he found a stunningly beautiful baby girl.  Periyalwar took the baby affectionately and brought up her.  He named her ‘Andal’ (Godha).  The baby girl assisted her father in plucking flowers and making garlands for Vatapatrasayee.  Andal grew up listening to the glories of Lord Krishna.  She attentively listens to His childhood pranks and she imagined herself as one of the gopis – childhood friends of Lord Krishna.  Slowly and steadily Andal’s undivided devotion towards Lord turned into desire to attain him as her husband.  She imagined herself as Gopi, Srivilliputhur as Gokulam and the villagers as Gopis.  Her yearning for Lord Krishna had no bounds.  She composed ‘Nachiyar Thirumozhi’ and ‘Thiruppavai’ out of her longing for Lord Krishna. 

 

 

Once, there arrived an orator to give speech about Lord Krishna and happened to describe the ‘Markazhi Nombu’ (fasting) to attain Lord Krishna’s grace.  The little girl Andal earnestly paid attention to the rules for fasting should be followed and assembled her friends encouraged them to   observe Markazhi Nombu. During the Month of Markazhi , Andal raise in the early morning and enthusiastically knock at the doors of her friends to take bath in the river.   Her ‘Thiruppavi’ beautiful and divine compositions are exciting and it grabs the attentions of everyone.  The thirty songs under the title ‘Thiruppavai’ is totally mesmerizing and enthralling.   Witnessing the vivacious acts of Andal, her father started to worry about the girl.  Whenever Periyalwar remind her about her marriage, she replies with innocent remarks ‘I want to marry only Lord Krishna’. It added Periyalwar’s worries about his dearest daughter, eventually   people started criticizing at her devotion to Lord. 

 

 

As the years passed by, Periyalwar continued to serve Lord Vatapatrasayee with fresh flower garlands every day.  As usual, one day Periyalwar kept ready fresh garlands for Vatapatrasayee and rushed to attend his chore.  Andal furtively hurried to the place where her father kept the fresh flower garland and took it in her hand.  She stood dreamingly before the mirror and wore the garland around her neck.  She imagined herself marrying to Lord Vatapatrasayee and kept the garland back on its place.  Periyalwar naively took the garland and went to temple.  He handed over the garlands to the temple priest.   The temple priest inspected the garland and called back Periyalwar  ‘ Your garland is not fresh today, there is a long hair entwine with this.  So please take it back.’  Periyalwar shocked to hear this.  His face reddened with anger, he came rushing to home.  There he found his lovely girl anxiously waiting to see his father back.  Thus, Andal has another name too ' soodikodutha Sudar Kodi'.   She was waiting to hear from her father that the garland she had already worn by her was accepted by Lord as a sign of acceptance to the marriage between them.  She was fully engrossed with the thoughts of   Lord; she envisioned her marriage with Lord Vatapatrasayee. 

 

 

All of a sudden, there appeared Periyalwar in a rage questioned her in harsh words and yelled at her.  Abruptly, Periyalwar went to take bath, moved to collect fresh flowers from the garden and started to construct garland all over again.  Periyalwar approached the priest with confidence regained and handed over the garland to him.  When the priest moved closer to the idol of the Lord with garland on his hand, a mysterious voice demanded ‘Bring the garland which was worn by Andal.  I don’t need this fresh garland anymore.’  At this, Periyalwar astounded and rushed back home.  There, he found his lovely girl in tears, she was crying to Lord for rejecting her proposal for marriage that she was dreamt from her childhood.  Periyalwar informed about the miraculous event happened at the temple.  He rushed back to the temple holding the garland in one hand and Andal in the other. 

 

Periyalwar rushed to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple weeping as he had committed an unforgivable sin.  He expressed his grief before Vatapatrasayee and lamented at his sin of offering used flowers to Lord.  Andal was crying silently and stood before the idol.  She convinced herself that she did not commit any mistake.  It was her long cherished wish to marry Aranganathar.  She was already made up her mind and gracefully walked towards the idol as if a married woman approaching her husband.   Periyalwar looked at her lovely daughter and both exchanged their views at a glance and offered farewell to each other.  Within a blink of an eye Andal disappeared from the sight and a mysterious voice heard ‘Andal is mine Periyalvar.  You need not worry about her’.

 

Sri Andal composed enthralling verses praising the glories of Lord Narayana in her famous work Nachiyar Thirumozhi (143) and Thiruppavai (30).

 

Thiruppavai Pasurams with meanings:

http://www.indiatempletour.blogspot.ae/search/label/Thiruppavai

 

 

Kamalamudan Villiputhur Vilangavandhal Vazhiye !

Karar Nattruzhaikana Avatharithal Vazhiye !

Vimalamam Thiruvadi Poorathal Vazhiye !

Vishnuchithan Valarthedutha Ilamkizhaiyal Vazhiye !

Amala Thiruppavai Aiyyaru Alitharulval Vazhiye !

Aga Noottraindhu Moonuraithal Vazhiye !

Amudanam Aranganukke Malayitral Vazhiye !

Andal Tham Inaiyadigal Anavartham Vazhiye !

Thiruvadipoorathu Jagathudhithal Vazhiye !

Thiruppavai Muppathum Seppinal Vazhiye !

Periyazhvar Petredutha Pen Pillai Vazhiye !

Perumpudur Mamunikku Pinnanal Vazhiye !

Oru Nootru Narppathu Munnuraithal Vazhiye !

Uyar Aranganukke Kanni Ugandalithal Vazhiye !

Maruvarum Thirumalli Vala Nadi Vazhiye !

Van Puduvai Nagar Kodhai Malarpadhangal Vazhiye !

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

12 Azhwars !! Life of Kulasekharalvar !!

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey Gopalaka Kripa Jalanidhe Hey Sindhu Kanyapathe

Hey Kamsanthaka Hey Gajendra Karunapareena Hey Madhava |

Hey Ramanuja Jagathrya Guro: Hey Pundarikakshamam

Hey Gopijananatha Palaya Param Janami Na Thwam Vina || (Mukundamala)

 

Thiru Kulasekhara Alwar/Kolli Kavalan/Koodal Nayakan/Koyikone/Villavar Kone/Cheyralar Kone was born during 8^th century A.D to King Dhidavratha and his chaste wife Nadhanayaki in the year Pramadhi, Tamil month Masi with the birth star Punarvasu in Thiruvanjikulam, Kodungallur, Kerala.   The entire Chera Kingdom rejoiced over the birth of this divine child, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu’s Kausthubam, the precious gem adorned on the chest of Lord Vishnu.   Young Kulashekara was introduced to Astra & Sastra, sacred scriptures at early years of childhood.  In a short span of time, Kulashekara mastered all the subjects and acquired profound knowledge in war tactics, archery, horse & elephant riding and the science of armaments.  In due course of time, Kulashekara was crowned as the King of Chera Kingdom. 

 

King Kulashekara was righteous ruler and a fervent devotee of Lord Vishnu.  The people of the Chera Kingdom expressed immense joy over their mighty King and his benevolence.  He was a wise and unparalleled ruler, conquered all the neighboring cities including the Kingdoms of Pandya and Chozha.   Later, King Kulazhekara was married to the princess of Pandya Kingdom.  This couple had a son Dhidavradha and a daughter Ila. 

 

One day King Kulazhekara had a dream in the Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala instructed the purpose of his life and remain unfaltering in the path of devotion and dedication.  That was the life changing event in the life of this mighty King.  King Kulazhekara grieved over the several deaths happened while achieving greatest heights in life and realized his absence in the field of spiritual progress and the missed opportunities to serve the supreme Lord.  He invited profound scholars in Vaishnavism to the palace and immersed in the study of the sacred scriptures, contributed immense wealth for the renovation of temples and its management, especially to the famous temple of Lord Ranganatha in Sri Rangam.  Gradually King Kulasekhara turned out an zealous devotee of Lord Rama, he would spend several hours listening to the glories of Lord Rama as an ideal King, dutiful son, perfect husband, affectionate brother etc….While listening to the spiritual discourse on the great epic Srimad Ramayana, King Kulasekhara was deeply perturbed at certain moments after listening to the hardships Lord Rama had to undergo and the gruesome battle with the demons, he immediately orders his men to be ready with their forces to assist Lord Rama in the battle,   often the orator had to calm down the King saying that it was Lord Rama won the battle over the demons.  The Ministers and members of the assembly were puzzled at the devotion of the King.  A beautiful idol of Lord Rama & Goddess Sita was installed in the palace and daily rituals and rituals on special occasions were performed elaborately. 

 

On a Ramanavami day the deities were arranged for the special rituals, King Kulazhekara noticed that the precious jewel ornament was missing from the idol, ordered his men to locate the same.  The ministers suspected the Vaishnavaite scholars and saints who used to conduct lectures and prayers.  There was a custom prevailed in those days that in case of any dispute the innocent should prove blamelessness by putting hands into a pot full of venomous snakes.  King Kulazhekara was certain that no Vaishnavaite saint or scholar could commit such a sin and slipped his hand inside the pot, shortly removed his hand from the pot unharmed.  In this way, King Kulazhekara proven the innocence and staunch devotion of the saints and scholars assembled.  Later, it was proved that the ministers constructed a ploy against the holy men; in order to cut off the association of the King with the Vaishnavaite Saints and scholars, thus put an end to King’s undue interest in spiritual activities.  This incident had cemented King’s devotion and dedication towards Lord.  King Kulazhekara lost interest in the material world, discarded all the wealth and crowned his son Dhidavardan as the King of Chera Kingdom.  Ilai/Serkkulavalli/Chera Kula Valli Nachiyar, daughter of King Kulazhekara was a staunch devotee of Lord Ranganatha.  On the auspicious day of Sri Rama Navami Sri Serkkulavalli Nachiyar married to Lord Ranganatha/Namperumal and devoted her life as a dutiful wife to Lord Rangatha and immersed in the service of Lord.  King Kulazhekara lived a life of an ascetic, composed enthralling verses like Mukundamala and Perumal Thirumozhi (105) praising the glories of Lord Rama.    Lord was pleased at the devotion of the King and bestowed him with the title Kulazhekara Perumal.

 

Thiru Kulazhekara Alwar visited many sacred shrines of Lord Vishnu and sung praising the glories of Lord.  In Perumal Thirumozhi Thiru Kulazhekara Alwar earnestly reveals his desire to remain close to Lord in the form of a bird or rock or fish in the sacred pond or stairs before the sanctum of Lord.   At the age of 67 years on a Swathi day, Thiru Kulazhekara Alwar attained salvation at the lotus feet of Lord Narayana.   As desired by this great Vaishnavaite saint Thiru Kulazhekara Alwar resides closer to Lord Venkateswara in the form of doorstep/Kulazhekara Padi in Tirupathi.

 

Vanperu Vanakam Uyya, Amarar Uyya

Manuyya, Mannulakil Manisaruyya

Thunpamigu Thuyar Akala, Ayarvu Ondrilla

Sukam Valara, Agamagizhum Thondar Vazha

Anpodu Thenthisai Nokki Pallikollum

Aniyarangan Thirumuttratthu Adiyar Thangal

Inbamigu Perunkuzhuvu Kandu Yanum

Isaindhudane Yendru Kolo Irukkum Nale? (Perumal Thirumozhi 1-10)

 

 

 

Namami Narayana Padha Pankajam

Karomi Narayana Poojanam Sadha |

Vadhami Narayana Nama Nirmalam

Smarami Narayana Thathwam Avyayam || (Mukundamala)

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

12 Azhwars !! Life of Thiru Nammalvar !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘Kandu Kettuttru Morthunduzhalum Aimkaruvi

Kandavinpam Therivariya Alavilla Chittrinbam

Ondodiyan Thirumakalum Neeyume Ula Nirpa

Kanda Kathir Kandozhinthen Aadainthen Un Thiruvadiye’( Thiruvaimozhi 4-9-10)

 

Thiruvadiyai Narananai Kesavanai Paramchudarai

Thiruvadi Servathu Karuthi Chezhunguruhur Sadagopan

Thiruvadimel  Uraiththa Tamizh Ayirathul Ippathum

Thiruvadiye Adaivikkum Thiruvadi Sernthu Undrumine (Thiruvaimozhi 4-9-11)

Thiru Nammalvar Thiruvadikale Saranam:

 

 

Sadagopan/Maran/Parankusan/Vakulabaranan/Kuraingayar Kone/Sadari was born to Kariyar and his wife Udaya Nangaiyar on a full moon day of Shukla Paksha Chathurthi in the year Pramathi, Tamil month Vaikasi with the birth star Vishakam.  Thiru Porkariyar was a descendant of renowned King Thiruvazhudivala Nadar who was ruled the city of Kurangunadu with Kurugur/Thirukkurugur as its capital, had a son Kariyar who was married to Udaya Nangaiyar, daughter of Thiruvazhmarpar an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu.  Kariyar was righteous and Udaya Nagaiyar was a dutiful wife to him.  Once, Thiru Kariyar and Udaya Nagaiyar visited Thirukkurungudi Sri Adinatha Swamy temple and offered prayers.  This pious couple had no offspring and they sincerely prayed to Lord Adinatha Swamy for a virtuous child.  At the divine instruction of Lord Adinatha, the temple priest put into words the blissful message that the couple will be soon blessed with an honorable child; Lord Adinatha will descend on Earth as their offspring.  The couple rejoiced over the compassion of Lord Adinatha, they abundantly offered alms to the priest and returned home.

 

 

In due course of time, Udaya Nangaiyar conceived with a child and gave birth to a stunning boy child, who was the personification of Lord Vishwaksena, Commander-in-chief of Lord Vishnu.  The new born was neither moved its limbs nor responded to any of the sounds of the outer world.  The beautiful face has the resemblances of full moon and it was serene, refused to accept any intake.  The parents were deeply worried about the abnormal behavior of their child.  They took their child Maran to Lord Adinatha Swamy temple, Thirukkurungudi/Alwar Thirunagari.  After the usual rituals, young Maran crawled towards the Tamarind tree situated in the temple, eventually disappeared into the burrow inside the tree and underwent deep meditation for sixteen years.

 

Madurakavi Alwar visited Alwar Thirunagri and witnessed Thiru Nammalvar/Maran inside the tamarind tree.  Madurakavi Alwar clapped his hands standing before the burrow; consequently Nammalvar got out from the transcendental state and opened his eyes.  Madurakavi Alwar shot a question ‘Sethathin Vayitril Siriyathu Piranthal, Athu Yethai Thindru Engey Kidakkum’? (If Jeevathma enters into the body of lifeless matter, what would it do?), Thiru Nammalvar gracefully answered ‘Athai Thindru Ange Kidakkum’ (The supreme Lord dwells in the liberated soul and He will be the source of Energy, wisdom and eternal bliss).  Madurakavi Alwar prostrated before Nammalvar with a request to accept him as his disciple.  Henceforth, Thiru Madurakavi Alwar turned out an earnest disciple of Thiru Nammalavar, he wrote down all the sacred verses sung by Thiru Nammalvar in praise of Lord Vishnu.   Thiru Nammalvar remained in the burrow, all the deities of the Divya Desams assembled in Alwar Thirunagari and provided dharshan to Nammalwar and Nammalvar passionately sung praising all the deities.

 

 

The famous literary works of Thiru Nammalvar was compiled by Thiru Madhurakavi Alwar into four sections such as Thiruvaimozhi (1102) Thiru Virutham (100), Thiruvasiriyam (7), Periya Thiruvandhadhi (87).  Thiruvaimozhi consists of 1,102 verses are the essence of Samaveda, Thiruvirutham consist of 100 verses are the essences of Rig Veda, Thiruvasiriyam consists of 7 verses are the essence of Yajur Veda and Periya Thiruvandhadhi consists of 87 verses are the essence of Atharva Veda.  The exemplary work of Thiru Nammalvar emphasizes the nature of Paramathma & Jeevathma, several means to attain the Paramathma and the obstacles caused to attain the objective.

 

Thiru Nammalvar attained salvation at the age of 32.  Thiru Madurakavi Alwar was grief stricken at the demise of his Master.  One day, Thiru Nammalvar appeared in the dream of Thiru Madurakavi Alwar and instructed to locate his idol in the brimming water of river Tamraparni.  Later, this idol of Thiru Nammalvar was sanctified and installed for the worship in Alwar Thirunagari.

 

Aniyar Pozhil Shoozh Aranga Nagarappa !

Thnaiyen Ini Nin Arul Allathu Enakku

Maniye ! Mani Manikkame ! Madusooda !

Paniyai Yenakku Uyyum Vahai Paramjothi !

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

12 Azhwars !! Life of Thirumazhisai Alwar !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

Thirumazhisai Alwar was born to Bhargava Rishi and his chaste wife Kanakangi in a village Thirumazhisai in Kanchipuram.   After an unusual stay of twelve months in mother’s womb the fetus came out was a lifeless lump of flesh.  The couple was deeply depressed at their fate and abandoned the lump of flesh in a bamboo woods and proceeded for spiritual journey.    Lord Vishnu & Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi blessed the new born into a fully matured child.   Later, this baby was found by a poor planter couple, Thiruvalan and his wife Pankayachelvi.  They considered the child as a gift from God and named him Bakthisara.    

 

Thirumazhisai Alwar was born in the year Siddharthi with the birth star Makam in the Tamil month Thai on a Shukla Paksha Prathama Thithi.  He was an incarnation of discus/Sudarshana Chakram of Lord Vishnu, one of the Panchayudham.  From early childhood, Bakthisara was discarded worldly interests; he immersed in meditation and refused to have food for living for several years.   Thiruvalan and Pankayachelvi were deeply worried about the health of their son, eventually Pankayaselvi sought advice from a sage, he predicted that the child born to them was not an ordinary child and he would be known to the world for his devotion and dedication to Lord Vishnu.   

 

Thirumazhisai Alwar composed 216 enchanting verses praising the glories of Lord Vishnu in his famous composition Nanmughan Thiruvandhadhi (96) and Thiruchandha Virutham (120) respectively.    Once an old couple visited Bakthisara and offered him cow’s milk, after consuming a certain portion Bakthisara advised Pankayachelvi to have the remaining the milk.   In due course of time, Pankayachelvi conceived a child and gave birth to a son, Kanikannan.  Later, Kanikannan became favorite disciple of Bakthisara.

 

Bakthisara completely discarded material life and visited many holy places.  He practiced Yoga, attracted to the teachings and philosophies of Sankhya, Nyaya, Purva & Uthara Mimamsa, Ashtanga Yoga and other schools of philosophy and finally immersed in silence. 

 

Once, Bakthisara was immersed in meditation inside a cave, the brilliant rays emanating from the cave caught the attention of Muthal Alwar, they met a divine saint absorbed in the meditation surrounded by the hue of brilliant rays.  The very moment Muthalwars decided to initiate the trivia of Vaishnavism to the saint that would bring liberation to him.   Poigai Alwar planted a plant upside down on the path where Bakthisara would use to go for bath to the nearby tank and started watering the plant.   Bakthisara renounced the practice of silence and engaged in a rewarding conversation with Poigai Alwar.  Bakthisara was enlightened with the ultimate truth that the meditation without the knowledge of conviction in the existence of the Supreme Lord would be equivalent to planting a plant upside down and watering the same.   Muthal Alwars brought Bakthisara into the glorious path of Vaishnava Siddhantha and sanctified with the title Thirumazhisai Alwar, he engrossed in the study about the philosophy of Vaishnavism and became a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu.  He performed many miracles with his divine powers.  It was the time Thirumazhisai Alwar tirelessly served the Lord at Thiruvetka with his disciple Kanikannan.  There was an old woman who was devoted her entire life in cleaning the temple premises, engrossed in the selfless service to Lord.  It was her earnest desire to serve the Lord like in her past days; it was her grief that she was not able to perform any of the services like previously as she was grown old.   Thirumazhisai Alwar felt empathy on her and transformed her into a young attractive maiden.  The Pallava King who was ruled this city fallen in love with the maiden and married her.  This couple lived wonderfully for several years and the King had the insatiable desire to remain young seeing his wife’s everlasting youth, he approached Kanikannan and demanded him to sing praising his glories, also revealed his yearning to remain young.   Kanikannan turned down the request of the King, hence he was ordered to exile from the city.  Thirumazhisai Alwar came to know about the happenings, eventually received the verdict of King to expel Kanikannan from Kanchipuram.  Thirumazhisai Alwar decided to leave the city with his dearest disciple.  He rushed to Lord Varadaraja/Sonnavannam Seitha Perumal/Yatothkari Perumal and revealed his choice and earnestly prayed to Lord to leave Kanchipuram with them. 

 

Kanikkannan Pokindran Kamarupoong Kachi

Manivanna ! Ni Kidakka Venda

Senna Pulavarum Pogindren Neeyum Unthan

Pai Naga Pai Suruttikkol

 

 

The compassionate Lord obeyed the request of his devotee and left Athigiri with Alwar and Kanikannan.  The people of Kanchi realized the absence of Lord in the sanctum sanctorum and rushed to the King.  The King realized his foolishness and requested Alwar to return to Kanchi, eventually Alwar and Kanikannan along with the Lord Varadaraja returned to Athigiri once again.

 

Thirumazhisai Alwar was on his way to Thirukkudanthai, stayed in Thiruperumpuliyur where he saw a group of Brahmins were reciting Veda; they put a sudden halt to chant after witnessing Thirumazhisai Alwar as he was born in a lower caste.  Alwar gracefully left the place without creating further impediments to their chant.  But the Brahmins were entirely forgotten the text where they left and where they have to begin.   Alwar realized the anxious state of the Brahmins; he took a grain of paddy and opened it and cut it into two pieces from this sign the Brahmins were realized the text where they had exactly left and recommenced.  Shortly, the Brahmins realized their folly and begged for forgiveness. 

 

Thirumazhisai Alwar composed Nanmugan Thiruvandadhi contains 96 verses and Thirucchandhavirutham contains 120 verses praising the eternal glories of Lord Vishnu.   He had visited twenty Divya Desam (Thiru Kapisthalam, Thiru Anbil, Thiruevvul, Thiru Ooragam, Thiruvallikkeni, Thiruppernagar, Thirukkurungudi, Thiruvekka, Thiruppadagam, Thirukoshitiyur, Thirukkudanthai, Thiruvengadam, Sri Rangam, Azhagarkovil, Koviladi, Thirupparkadal) and sung praising the glories of Lord.  There were many miraculous incidents happened throughout his life was added the glories to Thirumazhisai Alwar. 

 

Thirumazhisai Alwar arrived at Thirukkudanthai, he tossed the palm leaves containing the sacred text ‘Thiruchanddha Virutham’on the brimming river of Cauvery, but it drifted back to him.  At last, Thirumazhisai Alwar attained Samadhi at Thirukkudanthai.

 

Nindrathu Enthai Ooragathu Irunthathu Enthai Padagathu

Andru Vekkanai Kidanthu Yennillath Munnellam

Andru Nan Pirandilen Pirandapin Marandilen

Nindrathum Irunthathum Kidanthamun Yen Nenjulle

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!