The alwars saintly order begins with three principal alwars (collectively called mudhal alwars) who were not known to be born from any human being. Those alwars
are : (i) Poigai, (ii) Bhoodath, (iii) Pei, and others after them are
(iv) Thirumazhisai, (v) Nammalwar (vi) Madhurakavi, (vii) Periya, (viii)
Andal, (ix) Thondaradippodi,, (x) Thiruppan, (xi) Thirumangai, (xii)
Kulsekhara. Among all the twelve alwars, Andal was a woman who happened to be a step-child of Periya alwar whom he found in the basil garden (tulsi udyan) of SriVilliputtur temple in Tamil Nadu. The alwars came from different social background. Some of them were Brahmin, others were either kshatriya, or of low social order. Their
economic background was also very different. Two were from royal
lineage whereas others were from low to poor income family. Except one alwar, Kulasekhara, who was from Kerala, all others were from Tamil Nadu. For better appreciation of the places connected to alwar saints, a map of Tamil Nadu and Kerala presented
hereafter may be referred to locate the places of interest (highlighted
in light yellow colour). For alwars (Poi, Bhoota, Pey and Andal) are
self manifested (ayo-nija) where as others are known to be born to some parents.
The period of alwars
is indeterminate, and according to traditional conviction they belong
to 4200 – 2700 BC (Dwapara to Kaliyuga), where as modern linguistic
research analyzing their composition of devotional songs (included in divya prabandham) suggests that they belong to 5th to 9th century AD. It
is said Kaliyuga commenced from 3102 BC and Nammalwar was born in the
first year of Kaliyuga where as the other four Poigai, Bhutha, Peya and
Thirumazhasai were born in the ending years of Dwapara.
There
is an interesting story as to how God appeared to mudhal alwars
(initial three alwars Poigai, Bhoodath, and Pey are collectively called
mudhal) at a place according to one version, near
Kanchipuram, and yet another version claims it to be at Thirukkoilur
(.between Thiruvannamalai and Villupuram).
It was day time but the rain clouds have overcast the sky and cover of darkness spread all
around. The torrential rain began beating the earth. Wandering Poigai
found out a small hiding place which was fit for one person to lie down.
He had just occupied the space that Boodath, coincidently arrived there
looking for a hiding place. Poigai accommodated him by sitting, as only
two persons could be accommodated by sitting. In the meanwhile, under
strange coincidence, Pey also came soliciting against the heavy
downpour. He was also accommodated as all the three preferred to stand
because the space was too tight to accommodate three sitting persons.
The darkness had become denser and inside the small room they were not able to see each other. In the meanwhile they felt that some fourth one also forced his way among them.
The
thundering of the clouds and associated lightening were frequently
being witnessed. It so happened that some of the lightening could help
flash-light inside the room. The three alwars could immediately see the
fourth one with an exquisitely charming face; it was sublime and divine.
The three alwars could immediately realize that it was Narayana Himself
huddling among them.
Poigai
wished to see His face continuously but the lightening was playing the
hide and seek game. With a view to maintain the continuity of light and
never miss the view of the divine face, he instantly composed 100 songs
wishing the earth to be a big pot full of ghee of ocean where the sun
could be the burning wick.
Bhoddath also sang 100 songs imagining to light the lamp constantly through ardent love for Him. The third one Pey alwar
sang another 100 songs where he could describe the enchanting charm of
the divine face and described the association of Narayana equipped with
chakra and sankha, and His divine consort goddess Lakshmi.
Poigai alwar
He
was variously called Saro-yogi, Kaasaara-yogi, Poigai-piraan, and
Padma-muni. He was found in a small pond at Kanchipuram. In Tamil, small
pond is called poigai, and that is why he was called Poigai. The pond
was near the Yadhotakaari temple of Vishnu Kanchi (Thiru Athiyoor) or
Chinna Kanchipuram. He was considered to be the incarnation of conch (panchjanya), one of the five divine insignia (panch ayudham) of Narayana. His birth star (nakshatra) is sravana (thiruvonam), shukla ashtami tithi, Tuesday in the month of aswin (Iyppasi - October-November) of Siddhartha
year. At Kanchipuram there is a temple inside the Deva-sarovara lake.
This temple enshrines an idol of Saroyogi in a recumbent posture with
eyes closed in meditation.
| Bhoodath alwar |
|---|
He
appeared near Maamalapuram (a sea shore place) in a tank from the
Madhavi flower. This place is now called Mahabalipuram. The earlier name
of the place was due to the king named Maamallan who ruled from this
place. The present name has a legend about the great king Bali (Maha
Bali) who performed the ygya here and Narayan came to test him in a
dwarf form. The story is well known that he couldn’t meet his words of
offering three steps of land to the dwarf lord Vamana. His birth star is
dhanishtha (Avittam) on navami tithi, in the month of Iyppasi of Siddhartha year. He is considered to be incarnation of mace (kaumodaki gada) of Narayana.
|
|
| Pey alwar |
|---|
He
appeared from the flower Alli of a pond near the temple of Sri Adi
Kesava Perumal of Mylapore (in Chennai). His birth star is satbhisha (sadhya) of dasmi tithi, Thursday in the month of Iyppasi of Siddhartha year. He represented sword (Nandakam) of Narayana.
|
| Thirumazhisai alwar |
|---|
His
another name is Bhaktisara and he was born to Bhargva muni near Chennai
(Thirumazhisai, also called Mahisarpura situated three km west of
Poonamallee) after performing the ygya with an intention to be blessed with a child as he was issueless. His birth star is magha in the month of pausha (January-February).
He is incarnation of Sudarshna Chakra (discus) At the birth time the
child had no legs nor hands. The parents were worried and in disgust
dropped him in a ditch of a bamboo tree. After Bhargava muni left
Narayana and Lakshmi came to the child and blessed him with his normal
limbs.
A stranger while passing by the place heard him crying. He
picked up the child and brought home. His wife, Pangaya became very
happy to see the child. They were issueless and therefore they took
utmost interest in rearing up the child. To their utter surprise, the
child was healthy even though he didn’t accept any food nor have any
sleep.
On
hearing the strange news, an old man of the place visited the child and
declared him to be a blessed child of Emperumaan; He named him
Thirumazhisai piraan. He also offered the child cow milk which the child
gladly accepted. The parents became happy and requested
the old man to come daily. The old man came regularly and offered the
child cow’s milk. He also advised the parents that the left over milk
from the cup after the child finished the drink should be taken by the
mother which will bless her with a child. Accordingly Pangya, wife of
Andhanan gave birth to a child who was named Kani Kannan. Both Kani
Kannan and Thirumazhisai lived together, but the former took the latter
as his guru.
Once
Thirumazhisai went to the place of Poigai alwar and stayed there for
sometime worshipping Yadhotthkaari Perumal. Perumal is known to become
close friend of Thirumazhisai . An old woman used to serve him, and
seeing her dedication to service, Thirumazhisai asked her whether she wanted any thing as a gift from him. She wanted to revert back to her young age with a charming beauty. He blessed her to be so.
Later it so happened that the king of the area saw her and impressed by her beauty wanted
to marry her. They were married and spent pleasant years. In course of
time, the king became old but the woman was ever young. When the king
wanted to know about secrecy of her ever youthfulness, she recited the
story of the boon of Thirumazhisai to her.
The king summoned Kani Kannan and asked him to convey to Thirumazhisai ti compose a song in his (king’s) praise. Kannan informed the king that Thirumazhisai did
not do anything other than the praise of Perumal. When the king asked
him to do that he also refused. The king asked him to quit his kingdom
immediately otherwise he would lose his head. Kannan came to
Thirumazhisai and told him about the entire incidence. Thirumazhisai also left Kanchipuram following Kannan. Perumal, Yadhotthkaari also left the place following his staunch
devotee Thirumazhisai . Kanchipuram became desolated and bad omens
began their appearance indicating bad days ahead. The king learnt about
the incidence and realized his mistake and went running to Thirumazhisai and Kannan to get them back. The place out side Kanchipuram where Perumal, Thirumazhisai, and Kannan spent their first night is known as “Oar Iravu Irukkai” and is now called Oarikkai.
|
| Nammalwar |
|---|
He
is variously called Maaran, Sadakopa, Prankush, Sathari and belonged to
vellalar tribe in the Pandya dynasty of Tamil Nadu. His parents name
are Kariyar and Udayanangayar and the birth place is Thiru
Kurukoor (now known as Alwar Thirunagari) on the bank of the river
Tamraparni and is near Tirunelveli. The area was called Pandydesa which
extended from south of Tirichy to Kanyakumarin. His birth star is vishaka on shukla –chaturdashi of the month is vaishakha (May-June) of parmadhi year. He was born on Friday. He is learnt to have stayed on the planet earth for a short period of thirty five years only. He is incarnation of Viswaksena, chief-of-the-host of vaikuntha.
After
his birth he didn’t open his eyes, nor cried and never accepted the
breast milk or any other food. The parents took him to Adinath temple
where he opened his eyes and had a look of the deity. Coming out from
there he again closed his eyes. The parents under great distress put him
back in the Adinath temple in the refuge of the deity. Alwar
walked to the cave of a tamarind tree on the premises of the temple and
stayed there for sixteen years in deep meditation without opening eyes
nor took any food.
There
is an interesting legend that during those days Madhurakavi a leaned
old aged Brahmin of the area had been to Ayodhya (North India). He could
see from there some brilliant light in the south sky. Targeting the
brilliant sky reflection he moved towards south and when he reached
Trichirapalli he could the sky light further down south. When he reached
Thiru Kurugoor, he found the light merged in Nammalwar. Awed by the Alwar’s brilliance, he maintained a close association with him by rendering service to him. Alwar was impressed by his service and he broke his smadhi and recited several verses in praise of the almighty. Madhurakavi
could retain by rote those verses for the benefit of the other
devotees. Maduharkavi himself composed eleven verses in praise of the alwar which is given the central place in the divya prabandham.
He is so endearing to Peumal and srivaishnav that every body calls him as his own, i.e., my alwar (Tamil meaning of nammu is “my own”) which was initially addressed by Lord Rangnath Himself.
It is believed Srivishvaksena (chief of vaikunthloka hosts) has incarnated as Nammalwar. A pair of ornamental sandal (sathari) is placed as blessings to srivaishnava’s head when they visit any srivaishnavite temple while prasada and thirtha are distributed. Sathari represents Nammalwar himself.
He
composed several devotional poems (pasurama) and songs in praise of the
presiding deities of several temples which he never visited. His divine songs are:
(i) Thiruvaimozhi which literally means (in Tamil) a groups of verses. One Thiruvaimozhi 11 number of 4 line verse(or pasurama). Ten such Thiruvaimozhi make one pathu and there are ten pathu with the exception that one pathu has thirteen number of verses. This has thus 10 pathu and 100 Thiruvaimozhi making 1102 verses. It has essence of samveda.
(ii) Thiruviruttam has 100 devotional songs of viruttam style of poetry. Viruttam also means an event. The events portrayed by Nammalwar represent “nursing in deep heart the bridal love for the almighty”. It is said to present the essence of Ri veda.
(iii) Thiruasiriyam contains the essence of Yajurveda and has collection in seven sections expressing the almighty glory.
(iv) Periya thiruvandadi has essence of Atharvaveda and has 87 lyrical stanzas expressing face to face interview with the almighty.
|
| Madhurakavi alwar |
|---|
His
advent has preceded the incarnation of Nammalwar and that is why he is
said to represent the morning rays of the rising sun before it appears
on the horizon. Nammalwar is the sun, and Madhurakavi is his soothing
morning rays indicating the appearance of the sun soon on the horizon.
He was born on Friday, chitra nakshatra, shukla chaturdashi, chaittrai (April-May) month of easwara year as an incarnation of Garuda (the mount of Narayan). His
birthplace, Thirukkoloor is about 3 km east of Thirukurugoor (also
called Alwar Thirunagari) the birthplace of Nammalwar. These places can
be visited from Tirunelveli, a well known railway junction. A narrow
gauge rail line connects to the alwar’s place and the nearest station is
named after him “Alwar Thirunagari”.
He
had become old and had undertaken pilgrimage to several north India
religious places. When he was at Ayodhya he could learn about the advent
of Nammalwar who had taken a deep meditation in a tamarind tree’s
niche. Once he saw a brilliant light on the horizon and being navigated
by that light he kept on moving until he reached the seat of Nammalwar
in the niche of a tamarind tree. He was surprised to see Nammalwar seating
with closed eyes. To test his consciousness, he dropped a big stone
mass near the tamarind tree. Nammalwar opened his eyes and smiled to Maduhrakavi. In order to examine Nammalwar depth of realization, he asked a question, “ Where does a being’s consciousness reside ? ” Namalwar replied, “Jeevatma resides in the supreme soul, i.e., Narayana”.
Maduhrakavi
being impressed by his reply became his disciple and spent his life in
his service only. He recorded all the sayings and songs coming out of
the lotus mouth of Nammalwar which is termed as sahsrageethi (divya prabandham). Besides his other devotional songs and writings, He composed kanni-nu shiruthambu eleven verses in praise of Nammalwar.
|
| Periya alwar |
|---|
He
is known as Sri Vishnuchitta swamy. The word Periya is a Tamil
equivalent for the senior respected saintly personality. His advent was
at Srivilliputtur in the month of jyestha (June-July) aani of krothana year, on ekadashi tithi, in swathi nakshatra
on Sunday. His parents of veyar family were Mukunda Bhatta (father),
and Padum Valli (mother). He is believed to represent Garuda the mount of Narayana. Some another version call him chariot of Vishnu also.
His
parents had inculcated in him since childhood the love and affection
for Kannapiran (Narayana). Gradually, he picked up the service of
growing flowers in the garden and offering regularly garland to the
deity, Badapatra Saayee Bhagwan of SriVilliputtur.
The reign of the Pandiyan state was in the hands of Sri
Ballavdev who has own the neighbouring Chola states and up to the
Northern states. The king used to roam about at night in disguise to
gather general impression about his rule. Once he met an old and
brilliant man who was coming from the North after bathing in the Ganga
and was going to setubandh Rameswarm. The king asked him, “ How
one can have a better rebirth?” The man replied, “One prepares during
day for the night’s contingencies; one stores the necessary goods for rainy days during spring and summer days; similarly one should work with diligence in this life itself for the better next life.”
The
king was impressed by the advice and he invited all the learned people
to advise him the desired way in this life for a better next life. He
also announced a very handsome prize to the winner for the best advice.
Sri Vishnuchitta was directed by SriBadapatra Saayee in his dream to
participate in the king’s open invitation for exposition of the
spiritual scriptures. Although Sri Vishnuchitta swamy had no such past
experience of presenting the leaned exposition to gathering
of scholars, he accepted the deity’s command. When he reached the
king’s place on the announced hour of discussion, he was given a proper
seat among the scholars. When his term came, he presented an excellent
exposition quoting several religious scriptures proving that only sarnagati to Narayana can bring about total emancipation of a being not in this life but all other coming lives also.
Sri
Vishnuchitta Swamy’s exposition was declared the best and he received
the fabulous gems and other valuable gifts from the king in award. He
was given a warm send off from the king mounting a royal elephant taking
him to Sri Villiputtur in a procession.
It is said that Narayana couldn’t help staying at vaikunthalok, and came rushing to witness the royal respect showered on Sri Vishnuchitta swamy. His excitement ran so high that even Garuda
was found to be slow, and Narayana jumped off Garuda to get closest to
the crowd watching Sri Vishnuchitta swamy mounting a royal elephant
followed by a large procession moving towards Sri Villiputtur.
Coming
back to Sri Villiputtur, Sri Vishnuchitta swamy offered every precious
gift in the service of the Lord and resumed his duty of offering flower
garland to the deity.
Sri
Vishnuchitta swamy was gifted with a girl child lying in the basil
garden whom he picked up and reared her up like his own child. She later
became a great lover of Narayana and is known by names i.e., Goda,
Andal . She didn’t marry any human being and her marriage was finally
solemnized with Sri Rangnath swamy Himself. Among the group of twelve,
she is the only woman alwar.
Some
well known writings of Sri Vishnuchitta swamy are (i) Periya Alwar
Thirumozhi, and (ii) Thiru Pallandu. In Tamil it is said, he did both,
“poo maalai” i.e., offering the garland, and “paa maalai”, i.e., explaining the greatness of Narayana.
|
| Sri Andal |
|---|
She is known by other names of Goda, and Rangnayaki. She appeared at Srivilliputtur in the basil garden on shukla chaturthi of ashadha month (July-August) on Tuesday in poorva phalguni ( puram) nakshatra (star). She is said to be incarnation of bhu devi (one of the three forms of goddess lakshmi, the
divine consort of Narayan). There is a belief that her advent date was
June 8, 3004 BC but modern historians fix her period in first half of
the 8th century AD.
Sri Vishnuchitta swamy had got her lying in the basil garden as an infant baby from there he picked her up. She was brought up in a modest and simple religious environment.
An
incident occurred which revealed her divinity to Sri Vishnuchitta
swamy. She began helping her father in preparing the garland for the
deity. After the garland was made ready to be put in a basket to be
carried to the temple, she used to bear that and have a view in
a mirror ensuring whether the garland would look proper on the deity.
Accordingly she used to make the wanted improvements in the garland.
This was not known to Sri Vishnuchitta swamy. Once he saw her bearing
the garland and viewing in the mirror. On enquiry he learnt that it was
done to ensure the garland’s propriety for the deity’s grandeur. He
became very sad because bearing the garland before that was offered to
the deity had defiled the garland and that was not fit to be offered to
the Lord.
He
kept fast as a mark of atoning his sin and confessing the guilt. To his
surprise, all other garlands offered to the Lord that day couldn’t stay
over the deity as they were falling off immediately. At the end, Lord directed him in the dream to offer the same garland to him which has born by Andal. Sri Vishnuchitta swamy found that garland fresher
than all other garlands and he offered that to the Lord. It was
accepted by the Lord as it stayed over the deity. He became very happy
and from that day onwards Sri Vishnuchitta swamy never questioned the
sanctification status of the garland prepared by Andal.
About
her marriage she was firm in her mind to marry Lord only. When Sri
Vishnuchitta swamy by of kidding, explained her about 108 known forms of
the Lord, she was impressed by the description of Lord
Rangnath swamy of Srirangam. She nodded to marry Him only. Sri
Vishnuchitta swamy was directed by Lord Rangnath in dream to allow her
to come to Him for marriage. A similar direction was given by Lord
Rangnath to the temple priests to bring Andal with bridal honour from
SriVilliputtur to SriRangam. This was organized with all grandeur with
the help of the Pandiyan king sri Vallabhdev. Both sides of the route of
her travel was exquisitely decorated. When she reached the temple, she
straight way entered the sanctum sanctorum and mounted His serpent
couch. She got immediately merged in Him.
She had developed an unalloyed love to Srikrishna. Her famous Thiruppavai is a composition of 30 stanzas in honour of Srikrishna. This is recited in all srivaishnavite temples in the month of margshirsha (agahan or agrahayan). Her other known writing is Naachiyaar Thirumozhi which contains 143 verses in praise of Lord.
|
| Thondaradipoddi alwar |
|---|
He
is also known as Bhaktanghrirenu and Vipra Narayana. The first one
means dust-of-the-devotees’-feet and this was his later name, where as
the second one was his previous family name. His advent took place in agrahayan ( maargazhi – Decemeber / January) month of prabhava year, on Krishna-chaturthi, Tuesday in jyestha (kettai) nakshatra at a place called Thirumandaguudi near Trichirapally inhabited by kudumi sozhiyap Brahmins who were well versed in all vedic (Rig, Yajur, Sam and Atharv) practices. His father Veda Visaradhar was a great Vishnu- bhakta. Vipra Narayana is said to be the incarnation of Vaijaayantimala of Srimanna Narayana.
The story goes that he had a vision of Viswaksena, the chief of army of vishunloka. From him he learnt about the duties on this earth. He thought of visiting all the 108 divya desam
temples to offer his respect to the presiding deities. He was not able
to decide from where to begin. After a little thought he decided to
visit the most famous srivaishnava temple at Srirangam. When he visited
the place he was highly impressed by the beauty of the Lord Ranganath.
He decided not to go any other place and he stayed there only. He
developed one garden there to grow varieties of flowers for the service
of Lord Ranganath. He became intensely involved in this work and he
built a small hut inside the flower garden where he used to stay also.
He was thus totally devoted to flower growing and preparing garland for
the worship of Lord Ranganath.
There were two sisters, Devi and Devdevi, famous
for their beauty, song and dance. They happened to pass by the flower
garden of Vipra Narayana. They were highly impressed by its maintenance
and wanted to talk to Vipra Naryana. They tried but Vipra Narayana
couldn’t look towards them and parried their questions as he was
immersed in the vision of Lord Ranganath and in preparation of flower
garland for Him. Devdevi felt herself ignored by Vipra Narayana and she
vowed to bring him in her fold. With this view she stayed back there and
her elder sister left for the home. After spending a number of months serving
in the garden she could one rainy day prevailed upon Vipra Narayana.
There after he became her slave and almost got diverted away from the
garland service of Lord Rangnath. He earned everything to keep her
happy. Once Devadevi went to see her mother and sister and Vipra
Narayana also followed her. Seeing him almost a pauper, Devadevi’s
mother pushed Vipra Narayana out of her home at night. He was lying on
the street in despair of separation from Devadevi.
Lord
Ranganath had a pity on him and wanted to bring back Vipra Narayana to
His service. He, in disguise of a student, went to Devadevi and offered
her a silver pot saying that it was a gift sent by his guru
Vipra Narayana to her. Next morning in the temple of Lord Rangnath the
worship silver pot was found missing and finally it was found in
possession of Devadevi. When brought before the king, Vipra Narayana was proved prime accused for the theft and he was punished with imprisonment.
Lord Ranganath, in dream directed the king to free Vipra Narayana as he
was not guilty and He wanted his service of offering Him regularly
flower garland.
Thereafter
Vipra Narayana was released out of prison and he resumed his service of
offering flower garland to Ranganath. He used to sit on the main gate
of the temple and smear his head with the dust (in Tamil “podi”) under the feet of devotees visiting Rangnath. This led to a new name for him, “Bhaktanghri-renu”.
|
| Thiruppaan alwar |
|---|
He is variously called Munivahana, and Paan. His advent was near Sri Rangam, in a small village named Algapuri in the year of purthumadhi, kartika (kaarthigai – November / December) month, Wednesday in rohini nakshatram. He was said to be the incarnation of “sri-vatsam”, an icon representing the foot of Bhrigumuni, on the chest of Srimanna Narayana.
He belonged to a community of musicians (in Tamil – baanar)
but they were untouchables. He was gifted with a natural talent of
composing lovely songs in the service of Sri Ranganath. His voice was melodious
and with a musical instrument in his hands he used to sing and play his
won devotional songs praising the services of the devotees to Sri
Ranganath.
There
are two versions of a story associated with him. In one version, he
used to sit on the other side of river Kaveri since he was an
untouchable and he was not allowed to sit on the temple side of Kaveri.
Sri Ranganath was impressed by his self-disciplined behaiour since he
never came to the temple side and always presented his songs from the
other bank of the river Kaveri. Lord Ranganath gave a direction in dream
to the head priest, Loksaranga muni, to go and bring Thiruppaan on his
shoulders in front of him in the temple. Loksarnagmuni obeyed the
command of the Lord and crossed the river and requested Thiruppaan to
ride his sholders for he was commanded by the Lord Himself to bring him
inside the temple. Thiruppaan couldn’t imagine such a situation that he,
being an untouchable would ride the shoulders of the main priest of the
temple. He declined to oblige Loksarangmuni. There was no way out, the
priest didn’t yield and he finally prevailed upon Thiruppaan to ride his
shoulders.
The
priest Lokasarangmuni crossed the river carrying Thiruppaan over his
shoulders which was witnessed silently by a large gathering. He was
brought inside the temple and put before the eyes of Lord Sri Ranganath.
Thiruppaan had never thought that he would have a direct glimpse of
Lord Ranganath in his life. His eyes were full of tears and he was
engrossed in presenting his best devotional songs praising the superb
qualities of devotees visiting Sri Ranganath.
There is another version of the legend. Thiruppaan used to be on the temple side of the river and he kept presenting his songs from the streets leading to the temple. Once in the early hours, he was engrossed in his song and the head priest happened to pass by on way to river Kaveri to fetch Thirumanjan
water. He commanded Thiruppaan to go away far from his way lest the
sacred water would be defiled. Thiruppaan obeyed his command. When the
priest came back to the temple with water he failed to open the door of
the sanctum sanctorum. He was then commanded by the Lord to bring
Thiruppaan on his shoulders inside the temple near the sanctum sanctorum
door. The head priest obeyed the command and after a great persuasion
could bring Thiruppaan on his sholders inside the temple. To utmost
surprise of everybody the door could be easily opened once Thiruppaan
began presenting his songs in front of Him.
When Thiruppaan had a glimpse of the Lord he composed ten excellent devotional stanza describing the beauty of the Lord from Thiruvadi (Lotus feet ) to Thirumudi (His Head).These stanzas have become part of the Divya Prabandham.
| Thirumangai alwar |
|---|
He is known by other names of Parkal and Kaliyan also. His advent place is Thirukkuraiyaloor of Chola kingdom near Sri Rangam. The time of advent falls in karthika (November / December) month of Nala varusham year, on Thursday, in krittika nakshtra. He is incarnation of bow (sarang)
of Narayana. His father was chief of the army of Chola king. Both
father and mother were a great devotee of Srimannarayana which drew him
since childhood as a protégé of Lord Narayana. His childhood name is
Neelan. Because of his bravery and intelligence he was given the
position of chief or armed forces by the Chola king of Thirumangai Nadu.
Subsequently he impressed the great poet Naarkvip Perumal and was crowned by his title “Naarkavip Perumal”. Later the king offered him the sovereignty of Aalin Nadu with its capital at Thirumangai. He became famous as “Kalan” or “Parakalan”
which meant he was beyond the control of time. Since he was the king of
Thirumangai he became popular as Thirumangai Mannan.
A
legend goes that once Kapil muni was annoyed by some celestial dancers
led by Sumangali. He cursed her to take birth on the earth. She was
found in a flower pond of Thirunaangoor as a child by a famous doctor of
the area. She was brought by him and later because of her exquisite
beauty she got a marriage proposal from the king Thirumangai Mannan. She
agreed to marry if the king promised to offer food to 1008 vaishnava
everyday. The king agreed and the marriage was solemnized.
In
course of time feeding everyday 1008 vaishnava proved heavy for the
king and he was forced to mobilize the necessary resources by robbery.
Impressed by his devotion to serve vaishnavas, Disguised in human form,
Lord Narayana accompanied by His divine consort goddess Lakshmi happened
to pass the forest way where Parkal used to rob the passers. The divine
couple has put valuable gems and ornaments over their body. Parkal
immediately held them and got their all valuables off their body except
one pearl studded ring from the small finger of the Narayana’s foot.
Despite sincere effort that couldn’t be taken out and finally Parkal
used his teeth to drag the ring out. No sooner his teeth touched the
ring, that divine knowledge dawned upon him.
He realized that his robbery target were Narayana and Lakshmi only. He began praying them and ten pasurams recited by him became a part of divya prabandham. Since then he turned into alwar and became known as Thirumangai alwar or Parkal swamy. Later he visited most of the vaishnavite divya desam temples and composed several devotional songs which comprised of 1137 pasurams and are known as six prabandham: (i) periya thirumozhi, (ii) thirukkurunthandagam, (iii) thirunedunthandagam, (iv) thiruvezhukootirukkai, (v) siriya thrumadal, (vi) periya thirumadal.
He
is known for raising the big wall around the temple of Sri Rangnath. He
is credited to commence a practice of bringing every year in the month
of margshirsha during the celebration of vaikuntha ekadasi the statue of Nammalwar made of precious stones from
Alwar thirunagari to Sri Rangam and return the same back to Alwar
thirunagari on completion of the festival. From his time the pasurams of
other alwars are regularly recited in the temples.
|
|
| Kulshekhara alwar |
|---|
His advent place is at Thirvanjikkolam in Kerala which is near Kodangalluur. He was son of a king and from childhood he demonstrated his deep devotion to Narayana. His birth star is punarvasu (punar poosam) in the month of magha (maasee- February / March). He was born on Thursday on shukla-dwadasi tithi and is the incarnation of kaustabha mani.
He used to serve each vaishnava visiting his palace with great reverence. His ministers were tired of his this practice so they played a mischief to defame the visiting vaishnavas. The precious pot from the temple was stolen and general accusation was raised towards vaishnavas staying
as guest. The king Kulshekhara didn’t believe this. As a test of his
believe he asked for a pot with a snake inside. He declared, “He will push his one hand inside the pot. If any of the vaishnavas would
have stolen the temple pot the snake would bite him, otherwise snake
would no harm to him.” When he pushed his hand inside the pot the snake
didn’t touch him at all. His ministers were ashamed of their malice
towards the visiting vaishnavas.
His
mind was deeply engrossed in devotion. Once at night he was coming down
the stair and he could see the vision of Lord Srikrishna. He prostrated
on the steps in respect of the Lord and began his prayer. It was so
natural that the stanza of prayer were instantly composed by him in
Sanskrit and that became famous as Mukund-mala.
Once ramleela was organized at the palace and he was avidly involved in watching the presentations. An event of Ram waiting on coastal land to
cross over to Lanka where Seeta was detained by Ravana after she was
hijacked from Panchvati, was being enacted. The army of monkeys gathered
to help Ram were in a state of helplessness because of the vast expanse
of the ocean. The king was so engrossed that he was swayed from the
past to the present and ordered the entire royal army to move towards
the ocean coast where Ram was waiting. Such was his deep devotion to the
Lord !!!.
Later,
in advanced age, he renounced his royal attachment and joined the
devotees of Srirangam. His compositions praising the glory of Narayana
have become part of diyva prabandham. He longed to be placed as the stepping stone
in his next birth to facilitate devotees movement to visit Lord
Venkatesh and therefore, the stepping stones of sanctum sanctorum is
called “Kulshekharpadi.”
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment