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.