All About Azhwars - V

PERIAZHWAR AND ANDAL

(Compiled by Vijaya Kumar)

Periazhwar was born in Srivilliputhur. His original name was "Vishnuchitthar". His parents kept this name as they were very fond of Vishnu and were very strong devotees of Vishnu. Periazhwar was born in the month of Aani in the star of Swathi. Azhwar chose to create a garden so that he could prepare a garland for his lord. He liked his kainkaryam better than learning Vedas and Sastras. He even sold his property to continue his kainkaryam and also constructed a beautiful nandavanam.

During this period, the Pandya king who was ruling, wanted to learn about Vedas and Sastras. So he announced a great gift for those who gave him a light on the Vedas. Lots of scholars attempted but nobody could give what the king wanted.

At this time, Lord Sriman Narayana appeared in the dream of Periazhwar and told him to go to the king's palace and explain about Vedas and get the prize money. Next day morning Periazhwar went tot he palace and gave all explanations the king wanted. The king was overwhelmed with the explanations and took a grand procession in praising Periazhwar. On seeing this Lord Sriman Narayana along with his consort appeared before everybody. Azhwar was happy and sang in praise of him "Pallandu Pallandu". As he sang in praise of Lord by greeting him in presence, he came to be called as Periazhwar. Then he went back to Srivilliputhur and sang lots of songs in praise of lord which is known as "Periazhwar Thirumozhi".

Periazhwar's important kainkaryam to Perumal was making garlands and offering it to Him. One day on Aadi Pooram, when he was plucking the flowers, he saw a child under a Tulasi plant. He took the child to the house and brought her up. He named the child as "Kodhai".

Everyday periazhwar used to collect all the flowers and thread a garland. At that time Periazhwar will tell lot of stories of Krishna to Kodhai. On listening these stories, Kodhai started liking Krishna very much and wanted to marry Him. She would even wear the garlands which his father used to make. One day Periazhwar saw this and was shocked. He threw the garland and told Kodhai that she should not do this. Periazhwar made a new garland and took it to Perumal. But Perumal refused to accept the new garland and insisted the garland which was worn by Kodhai. Then Periazhwar went and got the garland and Perumal accepted it.

When Kodhai was 15 years old, she sang the Thriuppavai and Nachiyar Thirumozhi pasurams in praise of Lord. Due to the extraordinary love shown by Kodhai (also called as Andal) Lord Ranganatha wanted her to come to Srirangam. When she reached Srirangam and had a darshan of Lord Ranganatha, she went close to him with full ecstasy and merged with Him.

It's a Baby Boy

Sriman Narayana!

Dear All,

Our beloved Sri. Alagappan Prabhu has been blessed with a 'grandson' as of today morning around 11.30AM (IST).

On behalf of Sathsangh Bahrain, we congratulate Sri. Kumar & Smt. Devi on this occasion.

We all pray divya dhampathi for the good health of Mother & Child.

Next Prabandham Class

Sriman Narayana!

Dear All,

The next prabandham class will be on 19th Aug 2011 (Friday), From 10.00AM To 12.00PM at Sri. Sundararajan's residence.

All are requested to attend the class without fail and get blessings of divya dhampathi.

Sravanam & Prabandham Combined Class (13-Aug-2011 - Saturday)

Sriman Narayana!

Dear All,

The next class (Sravanam & Prabandham Combined) will be on 13th Aug 2011 (Saturday), From 7.00PM To 9.00PM at Sri. Narayanan's residence.

All are requested to attend the class without fail and get blessings of divya dhampathi.

ONE DAY PARAYANAM OF 4000 VERSES OF DRAVIDA VEDAM

Dear Bhagavthas,

Sriman Narayana.

Please mark your dairy and  do not move out of Bahrain. We have planned to recite  the full 4000 versus of Azhwar Arulicheyal in a single day during first day of Eid Al Adha (6-NOVEMBER-2011).

It is a rare opportunity. Once in a life time for us to participate on this great event. Please adjust your schedule and  must be there to recite and enjoy  the great versus of Azhwars.

Please tell all of your friends also who are interested to participate on this one day event.

All About Azhwars - IV

NAMMAZHWAR AND MADURAKAVI AZHWAR

(Compiled by Vijaya Kumar)

Nammazhwar is considered to be the foremost among the azhwars. He is an Avatara of "Vishvaksena", commander of Perumal's army which destroys evil and protects good people. He was born in Azhwarthirunagari in the month of Vaigasi in Visakam star. His parents were Kari and Udayamangai. When Nammazhwar was born he was extraordinary. He did not open his eyes and did not take any food at all. But he was in good health. His parents got disgusted and left the child at the mercy of Lord narayana at the temple of Adhinathar, the deity of Azhwarthirumangai (Kurugoor).

As the child was totally different, he was called as Maran. For sixteen years Maran sat motionless under a tamarind tree in the temple without any food, drink and his eyes closed, in padmaasana. During that period, an elderly brahmin scholar named Madhurakavi was on a pilgrimage to North Indian shrines. When he was in Ayodhya, he saw a bright glowing light as a star on the southern sky. Somehow this attracted him and with a curiosity to know, he started coming down to south. Even when he reached Srirangam he still saw the star in the south. He continued his journey and when he reached Kurugoor, the light emerged from Nammazhwar.

With great difficulty Mathurakavi made Nammazhwar speak and learnt the Shasthras by becoming his disciple. He used to wait for months to have his teachings and he learnt a lot about vedas. Nammazhwar, who is considered as seer of Vedas, sang all the four vedas Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharvana Veda in 1196 pasurams. This reflected / mirrored Nammazhwar's composition. He composed teh following pasurams:

Thiruvirutham - The essence of Rig Veda

Thiruvasiriyam - The essence of Yajur Veda

Periya Thiruvandhadhi - The essence of Atharvana Vedha

Thiruvaimozhi - The essence of Sama Veda

Nammazhwar who is also called Maran, Sadagopan, Parangusar. He lived under the tamarind tree for 35 years and all perumals from various Divya Desams appeared before him so that Nammazhwar could sing in praise of them. How great and blessed the Azhwar is! After living for 35 years, Nammazhwar wished to reach the Vaikuntam and Perumal invited Nammazhwar to get merged with him.

Mathurakavi Azhwar composed a short but beautiful prabandam of just 11 poems in praise of Nammazhwar. it is called as the "Kanninum Chiruthambu", this occupies a very central place in the recitation of Divya Prabandams. At the end of this pasurams, he claims that one who receite these pasurams will definitely get a place in Srivaikuntam. But he spread the teachings and poems of Nammazhwar far and wide. Further it is considered that the "Sataari", placed on the heads of all bhaktas in Vishnu temple is supposed to be Nammazhwar because all other Azhwars are his limbs.

Madhurakavi an incorronate of Vainatheya (divine bird) was born in chithirai month and in chithirai star at a place called "Thirikollor". He was a great scholar and mastered the tamil and sanskrit languages.

Next Prabandham Class

Dear All,

Sriman Narayana!

The next Prabhandham sathsangh class will be on 5th Aug 2011, From 10.00AM To 12.30PM at Sri. Narayanan's residence.

All are requested to attend the class without fail and get blessings of divya dhampathi.

All About Azhwars - III

THIRUMAZHISAI AZHWAR

(Compiled by Vijaya Kumar)

Thondai Nadu is one of the parts of Tamilnadu where lots of knowledge and religious persons were born. In this Thondai Nadu there is a sthalam (religious place) called Thirumazhisai. There lived a saint by name Bhargava Muni. He did not have any child. He did lots of Tapas towards Perumal and as a result of this his wife gave birth to a baby in the month of Thai in Magam star. This baby is supposed to he the Hamsam of Sudharsana Chakram of Sriman Narayana. But the baby was found in an unusual manner i.e. the baby did not have legs and hands etc. On seeing this Bhargava Muni and his wife thought that it will be difficult to bring up a child like this and left the child in a Moongil (Bamboo) bush. But soon after they left the child, Perumal along with Lakshmi Thaayar appeared blessed the child with the hands and legs and also full Gnanaa (Knowledge).

An harijan by name Thiruvalan who was passing by the side of the bamboo ditch heard teh baby crying and took the child. Both the harijan and his wife Pankaya Chelvi were happy, as they did not have a baby. She tried to give milk to the child but the child did not take the milk. But at the same time the child was quite healthy without any intake. This miracle spread all over and an Old man in Thirumazhisai came to see the child. They saw a light shining on the face of the child and understood that the child is blessed by Sriman Narayana and Sri Lakshmi Thaayaar. Since the child was blessed by Perumal, the child was named as "Thirumazhisai Piraan". He was also called as Bhakthi Sarar and Siva Vakya. The old man offered a cup of milk by saying "Oh our blessed Thirumazhisai, please take this milk and remove our worries". The child drank the milk. Both the harijan and his wife were very happy and requested the old man to come daily and give milk to the child.

The old couple was coming everyday and giving milk to Azhwar. One day Azhwar signaled the old couple to drink the left over milk. What a surprise! The old couple regained their youth and later blessed with a male baby called "Kannikkannan" who became ardent disciple of Thirumazhisai Azhwar.

The Azhwar had learned all other religions (Buddhism, Jainism and Advaita) and became staunch devotee of Siva. However Peyazhwar convinced him to reveal the supremacy of Sriman Narayana and initiated him to Vaishnava Philosophy.

Once Thirumazhisai Piran went to "Thiruvekka" which is the Avataar sthalam of Poigai Azhwar and worshiped the Yadhotkari Perumal. Kanni Kannan also became the disciples of Thirumazhisai Piran.

Once a Pandava King called Kanni Kannan wanted his Guru Thirumazhisai Piran to sing in praise of him. But he refused and also told that his guru will not sing as they will sing song only in the praise of Lord Narayana and will not praise and sing for a mortal. The king became angry and told that both will be killed. Kanni Kannan went and told this to his guru Thirumazhisai Piran. So Kanni Kannan left Thiruvekka towards the palace to receive the punishment. At that time as Kanni Kannan and his guru were together from young age, Thirumazhisai Piran also left Thiruvekka along with Kanni Kannan. At that time he requested Perumal who is lying on Adhisesha to join them. So Perumal also joined them immediately the entire place became dark and dull and people started fearing that the World will end. Thirumazhisai azhwar, Kanni Kannan stayed in a place in that night and that place is called as "Oar Iravu Irukkai", which is now called as Oarikkai. The king heard this news and realized his mistake and apologized to go back to Thiruvekka and he went back to lie down on Adhisesha to give darshan to all. The universe became normal.

After some time Thirumazhisai Piran along with his disciple left Thiruvekka and went to Thirukudanthai. After worshipping the Perumal, Azhwar went to Cauvery river and left all of his Prabandham. Thiruchandha Viruththam and Nanmugan Thiruvanthathi Pranbandham did not merge in Cauvery and he took them back and did Mangalasasanam in Thirukkudanthai Temple.

All About Azhwars - II

MUDHALAZHWARS

(Compiled by Vijayakumar)

We call Poigai Azhwar, Boodhathazhwar, and  Peyazhwar as Mudhalazhwars.

Poigai Azhwar, an incarnation of Paanchajanyam (divine conch) was born in Thiruveka (in Kancheepuram) in a small pond called poigai, which was full of fresh and beautiful lotus flowers. He was born in the month if Aipasi in Thiruvonam (Sravanam) star. Since, he was born in a Poigai, he was called as Poigai Azhwar. He composed 100 pasurams known as “Mudhal Thiruvandhadhi”.

Boodhathazhwar, an incarnation of divine mace of Lord Sriman Narayana was born in Kadal Mallai Sthalam (now known as Mahabalipuram) in a flower at a garden in the month of Aipasi and Avittam star. Right from the childhood days, he was thinking only Sriman Narayana and spent his entire life by praising perumal. He composed 100 pasurams came to be known as “Irandam Thiruvandhadhi”.

Peyazhwar, an incarnation of sword of Mahavishnu was born in Thiru Mylai, now known as Mylapore. He was born in a small well in Sri Adhi Kesava Perumal Temple in Red Alli (Lily) flower in the month of Aipasi in Sadhayam star. He composed 100 pasurams which is called “Moonram Thiruvandhadhi”.

Mudhalazhwars have not met each other though they were living in the same period. However, they were singing the glories of Sriman Narayana and moving from one place to another for worshipping the Lord. They do not think anything other than Sriman Narayana. It was the wish of Sriman Narayana that they should meet each other so that they could sing more songs and discuss if they were together. So the Lord brought them to Thirukkovilur separately, but at the same time. Mudhalazhwars visited the temple at Thirukkovilur and had great darshan of Trivikrama Perumal.

At that time it was raining heavily. So, Poigai Azhwar took a shelter and was lying down. Boodhathazhwar also came to the same place and knocked at the door. As a true Bhaktha (devotee of Sriman Narayana) Poigai Azhwar immediately requested him to come inside and said that “there is place for one man to lie down and two to sit”. They started discussing about Lord’s leela and His great qualities.

Then came Peyazhwar also to the same place and knocked at the door. Both the Azhwars instantly requested him to come inside and said “one can lie down, two can sit and three can stand”. Such were the great qualities of these Azhwars. This illustrates that we should not see who asks for help and should help even if we are put into any inconvenience.

These Azhwars were very happy to see each other and exchanged their experiences of the various places (Divya Desams) they visited. As they were standing and discussing, suddenly the place got cramped and they were getting squeezed.

They were puzzled and confused over the sudden atmosphere. However, Lord Sriman Narayana appeared before and blessed them. On seeing this Mudhalazhwars started singing song in praise of Lord and each of the Azhwar sang pasurams separately which came to be known as Mudhal, Irandam and Moonram Thiruvandhadhi. Lord who wants this only, was very much satisfied and blessed them.

Sri Nammazhwar, the greatest Azhwar of all times, had said about Mudhalazhwars as “Inkavi padum parama kavigal” meaning “greatest poets who sang the sweetest songs”. Such is the greatness of Mudhalazhwars.

Next Prabandham Class

Dear All,

Sriman Narayana!

The next Prabhandham sathsangh class will be on 22nd Jul 2011, From 10.00AM To 12.30PM at Sri. Narayanan's residence.

All are requested to attend the class without fail and get blessings of divya dhampathi.

All About Azhwars - I

AZHWARS

(Compiled by Vijayakumar)

Who are Azhwars? Azhwars are those who deeply immersed themselves in Bhakthi. Azhwars are considered to be the incaranation of "Nityasirus" of Srivaikuntam. All of them lived like normal human beings and gave the complete Vedas in Tamil form in an easily understandable manner. Hence thier works are "Dravida Vedam". The total number of slokas compiled by them amounts to four thousands.

We call these 4000 slokas as NALAYIRA DIVYA PRABHANDAM. At one stage the world became so unfortunate that the entire 4000 Divya Prabhandam was lost. It was only by Sriman Narayana's divine grace, through Nathamuni we got it back.

Once Nathamuni heard 11 verses which were recited by a group of devotees who visited his home town Veera Narayana Puram, the present day Kattu Mannar Kudi near Mayavaram. When he heard, he realised that these songs had lots of inner meanings. The last of 11 verses indicated that there could be more such songs. He became very curious to find out the balance such songs. When Nathamuni checked up with devotees, they suggested him to go to Kurugoor where he can enquire more about these verses (pasurams).

So Nathamuni went to Kurugoor and got another 11 songs sung by Madhura Kavi Azhwar, namely "Kanninum Chiruthambu" from Parangusa Dasar. Thought he was happy that he got another 11 songs, his curiosity to know about the balance songs increased. When he could not find out any thing Parangusa Dasar suggested to Nathamuni to keep on reciting this Kanninum Chiruthambu and he may get the balance songs. So Nathamuni started reciting and after reciting over 12000 times, Nammazhwar appeared before him and gave him his full works (Thiruvaimozhi). Not only did Nammazhwar gave his ThiruvaiMozhi but also for the benefit of the complete mankind he gave the balance of all the 4000 pasurams sung by all the twelve Azhwars.

Sriman Narayan, through Nathamuni made all of us get back the 4000 pasurams. We all can be proud of our rich heritage which has been bestowed on us by Sriman Narayan Himself. After Nathamuni, the lineage of Acharyas have followed the torch and handed over to the successive generations. Let us all learn more about our Azhwars.

TBC...

Next Prabandham Class (Sundarakandam)

Dear All,
 
Sriman Narayana !

The next Prabhandham sath sangh class will be on 15-Jul-2011(Friday).
Timing - 6.00AM TO 12.30PM
Venue - Sri. Narayanan's residence.

We will recite "SUNDARAKANDAM" on this day.

All are requested to attend the class without fail and get blessings of Lord Rama, Seetha and Aanjaneya.

Next Prabandham Class

Dear All, Sriman Narayana!

The next Prabhandham sath sangh class will be on 27th May 2011 From 10.30AM To 12.30PM at Sri. Narayanan's residence. I request all to attend the class without fail and get blessings of divya dhampathi.