PERIYA TIRUMOZHI = VIRTUAL DIVYA DESA YATRA – Should we name it so?!!
Yes! An outstanding feature of Tirumangai AzhvAr’s prabandhams is that they are full of direct divya dEsha archA vigraha anubhavams of AzhvAr.
As the name has it, Periya Tirumozhi is a big prabandham of 1084 verses containing 11 decads in which tirumangai AzhvAr explains his spiritual transformation which was ushered by the unconditional compassion of the Lord (nirhEtuka kRupA) on AzhvAr, who made no effort to attain Him. (upAyAntara shoonyatvam).
aRivutarum periya tirumozhi tappaamal
aayiraTtODeNpaTtunaalu paaTTum
kuRiyatoru taaNDagam NaalaintaaRaintuNG
kulaan NeDuntaaNDakamezukooRRirukkai yonRum
siRiyamaDaR paaTTu muppatteTTiraNDum
seer periya maDaRaNniRpaaTTezupatteTTum
iRaiyavanE kaarttigaiyiR kaarttikainaaL
eziRkuraiyal varukaliyaa virangu neeyE.
pEdai nenjE inRaip perumai aRindilaiyO
Edu perumai inRaikku enRiyEl (en ennil) – OduginRen
vAytta pugazh mangaiyar kOn mAnilattil vandu uditta
kArttikaiyil kArttikai nAL kAN
Let us all re-route our minds and fasten our seat belts to follow AzhvAr on a virtual divya dEsa yAtrA.
PERIYA TIRUMOZHI AUDIO LESSONS
TIRUMANGAI AZHVAR TANIYANS
TRIUMANGAI AZHVAR TANIYAN – 1
By Shri tirukOTTiyUr nambi
கலயாமி கலித்வம்ஸம் கவிம் லோகதிவாகரம்யஸ்ய கோபி: ப்ரகாஶாபிராவித்யம் நிஹதம் தம:
कलयामि कलिध्वंसं कविं लॊकदिवाकरम्यस्य गॊभि: प्रकाशाभिराविद्यं निहतं तम:
kalayAmi kalidhvaMsaM kaviM lOkadivAkaramyasya gObhi: prakAshabhirAvidyaM nihataM tama:
I meditate on the great poet who is like the sun to the universe, whose divya prabandhams have removed the darkness of ignorance, destroying the evils of Kali Yuga.
TIRUMANGAI AZHVAR TANIYAN – 2
By Shri emperumAnAr
வாழி பரகாலன், வாழி கலிகன்றிவாழி குறையலூர்வாழ் வேந்தன் வாழியரோமாயோனை வாள்வலியால் மந்திரம் கொள், மங்கையர்கோன்தூயோன்-சுடர்மானவேல்.
vAzhi parakAlan, vAzhi kalikanRivAzhi kuRaiyalUrvAzh vE~nthan – vAzhiyarOmAyOnai vALvaliyAl ma~ndiram koL, ma~ggaiyarkOntooyOn-chuDarmAnavEl.
Long Live ParakAlan !Long Live KalikanRi!Long Live the king of kuRaiyaloor !Long Live the King of tirumangai, who was purified by the aShTAkshara mantra upadEsham by emperumAn, mAyOn at the point of his brilliant and mighty sword.
TIRUMANGAI AZHVAR TANIYAN – 3
By Shri koorattAzhvAn
நெஞ்சுக்கு இருள் கடி தீபம் அடங்கா நெடும் பிறவிநன்ஞ்சுக்கு நல்லவமுதம் தமிழ் நன்னூல் துறைகள்அஞ்சுக்கிலக்கிய மாரணசாரம், பரசமயபஞ்ஜுக் கனலின்பொறி, பரகாலன் பனுவல்களே.
nenjchukku iruL kaDi deepam aDangA neDum piRavinanjchukku nallavamudam tamizh nannool tuRaigaLaanjchukkilakkiya mAraNachAram, parachamayapanjjuk kanalinpoRi, parakAlan panuvalgaLE.
Chanting ParakAlan’s divya prabandhams rich in tamizh poetry illuminates the darkness in our heart, and treats the never ending disease of samsAra. The divya sooktis that carry the essence of the vEdas are like a fire to cotton (other opposing religions).
TIRUMANGAI AZHVAR TANIYAN – 4By Shri embAr
எங்கள் கதியெ! இராமானுச முநியே!சங்கை கேடுத்தாண்ட தவராசா பொங்குபுகழ்மங்கையர்கோன் ஈந்த மறை ஆயிரம் அனைத்தும்தங்கு மனம் நீ எனக்கு தா.
engaL gatiye! irAmAnusa muniyE!Sangai kEduttAnDa tavarAsA – pongupugazhmangaiyarkOn eenda maRai Ayiram anaittumtangumanam nee enaku tA.
Oh! Saint rAmAnujA! Our only refuge. The King of ascetics who removes all our doubts! (derived from sanskrit word shankhA). Give me the power to learn and remember all the 1000 divya prabandhams of mangaiyOrkOn tirumangai AzhvAr which are equivalent to the vEdas.
By Shri tirukOTTiyUr nambi
By Shri emperumAnAr
By Shri koorattAzhvAn
PERIYA TIRUMOZHI 1.1
PASURAMS 948 TO 957
GLORIES OF TIRU ASHTAKSHARAM
kooDinEn kooDi iLaiyavar tammODu avar tarum kalaviyE karudi |
ODinEn ODi uivadOr poruLAl uNarvenum perum padam terindu
nADinEn nADi nAn kaNDu koNDEn nArAyaNA ennum nAmam. (1)
948. Being born with the soul inside the body, in this misery of birth, I was in distress and repented. Stuck by the worldly pleasures, I ran behind young women. Finally, I got enlightened with the grace of God to realise and differentiate the good and the bad thereby getting emancipated. Thus I understood the value of the “aShTAkshara mahAmantram” [OM NAMO NARAYANAYA]. (1)
pAviyEn uNarAdu ettanai pagalum pazhudu pOi ozhindana nALgaL |
tOviSEr annam tuNaiyoDum puNarum Soozh punal kuDandaiyE tozhudu en
nAvinAl uyya nAn kaNDu koNDEn nArAyaNA ennum nAmam. (2)
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| Thirukudanthai ArAvamudan |
949. TIRUKUDANDAI MANGALASHASANAM
How have I wasted so many days and nights thinking about the pleasures from women acquaintances? I became worthless delving in the sensual pleasures and praising them with pseudo words like, O my soul! (ஆவியே), Oh my honey! (அமுதே). Whereas at least now, I realised the worth of chanting the name of ‘Lord nArAyana’, who resides in ‘TirukuDandai’, as ‘ArAvamudan’, where the beautiful feathered swan (annam) lives with its mate in this place surrounded by water bodies. (2)
oomanAr kaNDa kanavilum pazhudAi ozhindana kazhinda annALgaL |
kAmanAr tAdai nammuDai aDigaL tammaDaindAr manattiruppAr
nAmam nAn uyya nAn kaNDu koNDEn nArAyaNA ennum nAmam. (3)
950. Even though desirous of a virtuous life, instead of doing good deeds, l ended up adding immorality. Getting drenched in the physical beauty of women, all my earlier days got wasted like the dreams of a dumb person. Lord ViShNu, the father of kAma (manmadan) stays in those hearts who seek asylum in Him. Now I realised for my very existence the value of the name of this Lord ‘nArAyaNA’, which is the Moolamantram. (3)
ninravA nillA nenjinai uDaiyEn en SeigEn neDu viSumbu aNavum |
panriyAi anru pAragam keeNDa pAzhiyAn AzhiyAn aruLE
nanru nAn uyya nAn kaNDu koNDEn nArAyaNA ennum nAmam. (4)
951. Aspiring for a victorious life, I sought after this inconsistent wealth. With an ever wavering mind my thoughts hovered around the physical pleasures from women with beautiful spear-like eyes. Oh! What do I do? But with the grace of the Lord who is the bearer of the divine chakra (SudarshaNa), who once measured the whole space and leveraged the earth taking the form of VarAha, I was opened up to the wonders of this divine “aShTAkShara mantram” and the name ‘nArAyaNa’ that would take me off these petty pleasures and lead to enlightenment.(4)
teLLiyEn AnEn Selgadikku amaindEn Sikkena tiruvaruL peTTrEn |
uLLelAm urugi kuraL tazhuttozhindEn uDambelAm kaNNa neer SOra
naLLiruL aLavum pagalum nAn azhaippan nArAyaNA ennum nAmam. (5)
952. In the days that went, I wandered as a thief having stolen the property of the Lord, that is the AtmA and doing wrong deeds. But today with His divine grace, acquired a clear mind and discovered the path that leads to Him. Hence forth with a melting heart, eyes filled with tears and a choking voice I shall chant through the day until midnight the divine name “nArAyaNA”.(5)
ambinAl arakkar verukkoLa nerukki avaruyir Sehutta em aNNal |
vambulAm SOlai mA madiL tanjai mAmaNi koyilE vaNangi
nambigAL uyya nAn kaNDu koNDEn nArAyaNA ennum nAmam. (6)
953. TANJAIMAMANI KOVIL MANGALASHASANAM
Oh! BhAgavatas, drenched in the divine fervour (Bhagavat anubhavam), my Lord who is my father helped me as a friend and ruled me. He is my life . He who destroyed the demons scaring them with fierce arrows resides in the great Tanjai mAmaNi kOvil. Paying my obeisance to this Lord who stays in this place rich with aromatic garden and forts, I found the quintessence of the nArAyaNA nAmam. (6)
karpagam pulavar kaLai kaN enru ulagil kaNDavA toNDrai pADum |
Sor poruLALeer SollugEn vammin Soozh punal kuDandaiyE tozhumin
narporuL kANmin pADi neer uimin nArAyaNA ennum nAmam.(7)
954. TIRUKUDANDAI MANGALASHASANAM
Oh learned well versed poets, without knowing the family background and the way of living of the mean people, don’t praise them with flowery language like ‘karpagamE’, ‘The guardian of the laureates’ etc. Are you aware that these wealthy people were once poor? Let me tell you a devout faith. Worship Lord ArAvamudan at TirukuDandai rich with water resources and by chanting his name ‘nArAyaNA’ get enlightened. (7)
peTTrilEn adanAl pEdaiyEn nanmai peru nilattu Aruyirkku ellAm |
SeTTramE vENDi tiritaruvEn tavirndEn Selgadikku uyyumAru eNNi
naTTruNaiyaga paTTrinEn aDiyEn nArAyaNA ennum nAmam. (8)
955. I have not learnt different kinds of arts or rituals (shAstras). I have been letting my mind wander to the desire of my senses. As a result I have been ignorant of all the virtues. I have been roaming, hurting all the creatures in this world. Even then with the grace of God, got retrieved of all these and found the benefits of NArAyaNA nAma for my emancipation.(8)
nilam taram Seyyum neeL viSumbu aruLum aruLoDu peru nilam aLikkum |
valam tarum maTTrum tandiDum peTTra tAyinum Ayina Seyyum
nalam tarum Sollai nAn kaNDu koNDEn nArAyaNA ennum nAmam. (9)
956. I realised the greatness and the goodness of the ‘nArAyaNa nAmam’ that gives the best of the clan and wealth. Waning away the sufferings of his devotees, it will take us to the heavenly abode. Showering His grace, it will lead us to the path of serving Him. Bestow on us the strength to relish Him and much more. Surpassing the mother’s love, it does caress and make us realise our inner self. (9)
SenjolAl eDutta deiva nan mAlai ivai koNDu Sikkena toNDeer |
tunjum pOdu azhaimin tuyarvaril ninaimin tuyarileer Sollilum nanrAm
najudAn kaNDeer nammuDaiya vinaikku nArAyaNA ennum nAmam. (10)
957. Tirumangai AzhvAr, the holder of a sword, who removed the miseries of ‘Kali’, is the chieftain of Tirumangai city which has clouds hovering above its groves and bees lingering around its water bodies. Recite these garland of verses sung by him with eloquent words while nearing your last days and when in deep distress. This nArAyaNA nAmam, will surely bestow all the virtues and be the venom for all our sins.(10)
PERIYA TIRUMOZHI 1.2
PASURAMS 958 TO 967
TIRUPIRITI, JOSHI MUTT, UTTARAKHAND
PARIMALA VALLI SAMETA PARAMAPURUSHA PERUMAL MANGALASHASANAM
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| TIRUPIRITI, TIRUMANGAI AZHVAR MANGALASHASANAM |
As advised by vayalALi perumAl, AzhvAr begins his travel to divya dEshams. He first begins with TIRUPIRUTI/TIRUPIRITI in the North. AzhvAr beautifully describes bhagavAn’s kalyANa guNas in the backdrop of the super-rich flora and fauna of the mighty HimAlayas.
yEla nAru taN taDampozhil iDam pera irunda nal imaiyattuL
Ali mAmugil adirtara aruvarai agaDura mugaDEri
peeli mAmayil naDam Seyum taDanjunai pirudi Senru aDai nenjE! (1)
958. The righteous Lord rAma who once shattered the errant vAnara king vAli, by wielding His beautiful bow (varisilai), is now residing in TIRUPIRITI nestled in the lofty HimAlayan peaks on which the dark clouds float, overlooking natural springs, extensive cool and fragrant groves where peacocks dance, carefully climbing up carrying the weight of their beautiful feathers. Oh mind! Take some efforts to reach the divine abode, ‘TIRUPIRITI’. “piriti senRaDai nenjE". (1)
ilangai mAnagar poDi seida aDigaL tAm irunda nal imaiyattu
vilangal pOlvana viralirum sinattana vEzhangaL tuyar koora
pilangoL vALeyiTTru ariyavai tiritaru pirudi Senru aDai nenjE! (2)
959. The efficient Lord rAma who built the bridge to reach LankA, engaging the vAnara clan (arikulam), the big floating stones and the turbulent ocean in His kainkaryam is now residing in TIRUPIRITI. It is surrounded by the beautiful HimavAn range, which houses both the mountain like huge, angry elephants and the lions with sword like teeth, hiding in their caves. Oh mind! Set yourself in Kainkaryam and visit the divine abode, ‘TIRUPIRITI’. “piriti senRaDai nenjE!”.(2)
iDikoL vengural inaviDai aDarttavan irunda nal imayattu
kaDi koL vEngaiyin narumalar amaLiyin maNi arai misai vEzham
piDiyinODu vaNDu isai sola tuyil koLum pirudi Senru aDai nenjE! (3)
960. The smart Lord KrishNa, who assumed an easy form of a cowherd and tamed the seven ferocious bulls to marry the beautiful Nappinnai with a slender 'uDukku’ like waist, curly hair and sparkling teeth is now residing in ‘TIRUPIRITI’ where couple elephants sleep in peace on the fragrant ‘vEngai’ flower beds that cover the sapphire colored rocks, swarmed by honey bees. Oh mind! Enjoy the easily approachable peace giver at the divine abode, ‘TIRUPIRITI’. “piriti senRaDai nenjE!”. (3)
tirandu vAnavar maNi muDi paNi tara iranda nal imayattuL
irangi EnangaL vaLai maruppu iDandiDa kiDandarugu eri veesum
pirangu mA maNi aruviyODu izhitaru pirudi Senru aDai nenjE! (4)
961. The fierce Lord Narasimha, who was compassionate to the most devoted PrahlAda, tore open the asura HiraNyakashipu’s chest with his sharp nails in anger, to the wonder of the gem crowned dEvas who bowed down in humility. He now rests in ‘TIRUPIRITI’, where the red ruby rock particles broken by the wild boar’s curved sharp teeth, come rushing down with the waterfalls of the lovely HimAlayas like HiraNyan’s blood. Oh mind! Praise the protector at the divine abode, ‘TIRUPIRITI’. “piriti senRaDai nenjE!”. (4)
arai sei mEgaLai alar magaL avaLODum amarnda nal imaiyattu
varai sei mA kaLir iLavedir vaLar muLai aLai migu tEn tOittu
pirisa vAri tan iLam piDikku aruL seyyum pirudi Senru aDai nenjE! (5)
962. The resplendent ksheerAbdinAthan is reclining on pArkaDal, with His consort Lakshmi, (alar magaL) wearing the beautiful waist band ‘mEkhalA’, in an easily approachable lovable form. This wonderous Lord who showers His grace on the dEvas who worship His brilliant feet, is residing now in ‘TIRUPIRITI’, where the elephant shows it's love to his young lady, by offering tender bamboo shoots dipped in honey, specially chosen from the HimAlayan forests and saved in the caves for her. Oh mind! Experience His true love at the divine abode, ‘TIRUPIRITI’. “piriti senRaDai nenjE!”. (5)
iNangi vAnavar maNi muDi paNi tara irunda nal imaiyattu
maNangoL mAdavi neDungoDi visumbura nimirndu avai mugil paTTri
piNangu poompozhil nuzhaindu vaNDu isai solum pirudi Senru aDai nenjE! (6)
963. The universal Lord paramA is reclining on the AdishEshan with thousand hoods, gracing crores of dEvas waiting for His glance, wearing gem studded crowns of power. That sarvEshvaran, out of compassion for jeevAtmAs, has come down to the HimAlayas, where the mAdhavi/kurukatti creepers have grown so sky-tall that they seem to be entwined with the clouds to produce scented blossoms of mAdhavi flowers. Oh mind! He rests ready to bless us! Get set to the divine abode, ‘TIRUPIRITI’. “piriti senRaDai nenjE!”. (6)
pOrkoL vEngaigaL punavarai tazhuviya poompozhil imaiyattuL |
ErkoL poonjunai taDam paDindu ina malar eTTum iTTu imaiyOrgaL
PErgaL Ayiram paravi ninru aDi tozhum pirudi Senru aDai nenjE! (7)
964. ‘TIRUPIRITI’ is surrounded by sky-high, dark HimAlayan vEngai trees (kino trees) entwined by pepper creepers, small hills where large-striped tigers, (vEngai puli) live as if ready to fight a war. This beautiful garden is visited by dEvas who come and bathe in the beautiful flower-bedded lakes of TIRUPIRITI.
They collect 8 types of flowers found there namely, (ina malar eTTum iTTu - sengkazhuneer (red water lily), shenbagam (champA), iruvATchi (naLLi-nuL-nAri - jasmine sambac), pAdiri (pAdEli), punnai (mast wood), kurukatti (mAdhavi-helicopter flower), karumugai (manOranjitam), tAmarai (lotus) and offer the flowers at the Lord’s lotus feet as they sing sahasranAma. Oh mind! Worship Him with flowers at the divine ‘TIRUPIRITI’. “piriti senRaDai nenjE!”.(7)
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| 8 TYPES OF FLOWERS IN MALAR ETTUM, PERIYA TIRUMOZHI 1.2.7 |
965. iravu koorndu iruL perugiya varai muzhai irumpasi adu koora
aravam Avikkum agan pozhil tazhuviya aruvarai imaiyattu |
paraman Adi yam pani mugil vaNNan enru eNNi ninru imaiyOrgaL
pirama nODu Senru aDi tozhum perundagai pirudi senRu aDai nenjE! (8)
965. The deep dark valleys of the breathtaking HimAlayas seem to have been engulfed with the night permanently, emitting the sound of mountain snakes hissing in hunger. Yet in the groves above, ‘TIRUPIRITI’ welcomes with delight, all the dEvas preceded by BrahmA, who recite His tirunAmas like parama purusha, Adi, jagatkAraNa, kALamEgha, shyAmala, etc and worship His feet. Oh mind! Sing His tirunAmas at the divine abode of ‘TIRUPIRITI’. “piriti senRaDai nenjE!”.(8)
966. Odi Ayira nAmangaL uNarndavarku urutuyar aDaiyAmal
Edaminri ninru aruLum nam perundagai irundanal imaiyattu
tAdu malhiya piNDi viNDalarhinra tazgaL purai ezhil nOkki
pEdai vaNDugaL eriyana veru varu pirudi senRu aDai nenjE! (9)
966. The Lord at ‘TIRUPIRITI’, the swami, the remover of evils, never fails to protect His devotees who always chant His sahasranAma with the belief that the tirunAmas themselves will protect them. This swAmi resides in the HimAlayas where bees wander in fear, mistaking the bright red-colored flower bloom of the ashOkA tree for fire. Oh mind! Believe in His omnipresence! Reach the divine abode, ‘TIRUPIRITI’. “piriti senRaDai nenjE!”. (9)
967. kariya mAmugil paDalangaL kiDandu avai muzhangiDa kaLiru enru
periya mAsuNam varai ena peyar taru pirudi em perumAnai |
varikoL vaNDu arai paimpozhil mangaiyar kaliyandu oli mAlai
ariya innisai pADu nallaDiyavarkku aruvinai aDaiyAvE. (10)
967. Seeing the rain laden dark clouds of TIRUPIRITI gathered in the one place, and hearing their thunder sounds, the pythons mistake them to be big elephants and rise high to grab them. Those bhAgavatas who recite this garland of 10 verses in praise of this beautiful TIRUPIRITI, composed by Kaliyan, the king of the beautiful grove-filled tirumangai, will never be affected by bad karmas. (10)
PERIYA THIRUMOZHI 1.3
PASURAMS 968 - 977
TIRUVADARI
Tirumangai AzhvAr describes the travails of old age and urges us to visit BadrikAshramam, where, the Lord took the form of both AchAryan ( nArAyanan) and sishyan (naran) and did penance in these holy Himalayan mountain ranges. It is here that Lord nArAyaNa gave the ashTAkshara mantrOpadesam to Naran, and thus to the entire mankind.
Since BadrikAshramam is so far away and not an easy terrain to visit, AzhvAr says that we should visit this divyakshEtram and pay our obeisance to Him, while our limbs and other faculties are in good condition.
968. muTTra moottu kOl tuNaiyA munnaDi nOkki vaLaindu
iTTra kAl pOl taLLi meLLa irundu angu iLaiyAmun |
peTTra tAi pOl vanda pEichchi perumulaiyooDu uyirai
vaTTra vAngi uNDa vAyAn vadari vaNangudumE. (1)
968. Even before we become old and seek the help of a stick for assistance; before our back is bent over and each step becomes painful as if our limbs are fractured, making our progress impossible without resting after every few steps..... May we pay our obeisance to Shri Vadari, who once suck the soul of the demon pootanA , who came in the guise of mA yashOdA. Vadari vaNangudumE! (1)
vidir vidirtu kaN suzhanRu mEr kiLai koNDu irumi |
idu ennappar moottavAru enru iLaiyavar EsAmun
madu uN vaNDu paNgaL pADum vadari vaNangudumE. (2)
969. Before old age forces us to hold our bent back with one hand and hold the stick with the other hand ; before our withered body aches, eyes blur and we are racked with cough, making young women smirkingly remark how old and haggard we have become..... May we pay obeisance to Shri Vadari, where bees hum musically after having drunk the nectar from the flowers. Vadari vaNangudumE! (2)
neriyai nOkki kaN suzhanRu ninru naDungA mun |
aridiyagil nenjam anbAi Ayira nAmam Solli
veri koL vaNDu paNgaL pADum vadari vaNangudumE. (3)
970. Before our nerves show up like wound ropes, as our skin and muscles shrink; before our vision gets hazy and we are unable to walk further and start faltering... Oh Mind! Realise His glory! With immense love for Him, chanting His thousand names, may we pay obeisance to Shri Vadari, where bees buzz musically. Vadari vaNangudumE! (3)
tALgaL nOva tammil muTTi taLLi naDavA mun
kALaiyagi kanRu mEittu kunreDuttu anRu ninrAn
vALai pAyum taN taDanjoozh vadari vaNangudumE (4)
971. Before our eyes dry up and gets bleary; before we are affected by old age afflictions of bile and cough ; before our legs tangle and make us shuffle and stumble.... May we pay obeisance to Shri Vadari, which is surrounded by cool streams and rivers. This is the abode of the Lord, who as a young boy, grazed the cows and lifted the lofty Govardhana mountain. Vadari vaNangudumE! (4)
uNDavArum vAzhnda vArum okka uraittu irumi |
taNDu kAlA oonri oonri taLLi naDavA mun
vaNDu pADum taN tuzhAyAn vadari vaNangudumE. (5)
972. Having wasted all our youth in frivolous pleasures, even in old age, as we cough incessantly, we still boast about how we were sought many young ladies. Before our walk falters and we are forced to use the stick to help us walk... May we pay obeisance to Shri Vadari, who wears the cool tulasi garlands with bees buzzing around it. Vadari vaNangudumE! (5)
pittar pOla sittam vErAi pEsi ayarA mun |
attan endai Adi moorti AzhkaDalai kaDainda
maitta sOdi emberumAn vadari vaNangudumE. (6)
973. Before our speech gets slurred and our body is racked by phlegmatic cough; before our body shrinks and we start babbling due to mental instability... May we pay obeisance to Shri Vadari, who is indeed my swAmi, my revered father, the omniscient. He is the one who churned the milky ocean and is the collyrium coloured EmperumAn. Vadari vaNangudumE! (6)
oppa aikkaL pOda unda un tamar kANmin enru |
seppu nEr men kongai nallAr tAm SiriyAda munnam
vaippum nangaL vAzhvum AnAn vadari vaNangudumE. (7)
974. Before the dainty ladies remark in disgust at the way we have become old and are racked by phlegmatic cough; before these women mock at our incapacitated existence.... May we pay obeisance to Shri Vadari, who is our precious wealth and the one who is the cause for our life! Vadari vaNangudumE! (7)
koosi iTTeer enru pEsum kuvaLayam kaNNiyar pAl
nAsamAna pAsam viTTu nanneri nOkkaluril
vAsam malhu taN tuzhAyAn vadari vaNangudumE. (8)
975. The women with beautiful eyes like the kuvaLai flowers shun us and exclaim, " Get away! Don't remain here! You have become thin and lustre-less. You cough incessantly!" If we finally realise that the association with the ladies only brought us disrepute and we yearn to mend our ways. May we pay obeisance to Shri Vadari, who wears the cool, fragrant tulasi garland. Vadari vaNangudumE! (8)
kalanga aikkaL pOda undi kaNDa pidaTTrA mun |
alangalAya taN tuzhAi koNDu Ayira nAmam Solli
valangoL toNDar pADi ADum vadari vaNangudumE. (9)
976. Before our organs start failing; before we become senile and our senses become slurred, constantly spitting the phlegm collecting in our chest; before we start babbling irrelevantly. May we pay obeisance to Shri Vadari for whom true devotees make garlands of the cool, fragrant tulasi. May we chant His sahasranAma, dance and sing His glory. Vadari vaNangudumE! (9)
PHALA SHRUTI
977. vaNDu taN tEn uNDu vAzhum vadari neDu mAlai
kaNDal vEli mangai vEndan kaliyan olimAlai |
koNDu toNDar pADi ADa kooDiDil neeL visumbil
aNDam allAl maTTru avarkkOr ATchi aRiyOmE. (10)
977. The king of Mangai city (surrounded by taazhai bushes), has strung this garland of verses on SarvEshwaran, Shri BadrinArAyanan of Vadari, where bees buzz after drinking the nectar. Those devotees who sing, dance and enjoy this devotional experience, will definitely attain Paramapadam and nothing less. (10)
PERIYA TIRUMOZHI 1.4
PASURAMS 978 TO 987
TIRUVADARI ASHRAMAM -2
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| BADRINATH UTSAVA MOORTHI NARA NARAYANA AS KRISHNA AND ARJUNA IN DWAPARA YUGA |
tAnavan Agam daraNiyir puraLa taDanjilai kunitta em talaivan |
tEnamar SOlai karpagam payanda deiva nannaru malar koNarndu
vAnavar vaNangum gangaiyin karaimEl vadari ASramattu uLLAnE. (1)
978. Once, He took the form of an enormous boar and dug out the Earth with His tusks. His divine feet are worshipped by the dEvas. He strung His powerful bow that led to the rAkshasa king rAvaNa being killed and thrown to the ground.
He is the one who resides in BadrikAshram, on the banks of the Ganges, where dEvAs come with fragrant and honey laden flowers from the Divine karpagavruksham to offer to this emperumAn. (1)
979. kAniDai uruvai suDusaram turandu kaNDu mun koDuntozhil uravOn
oonuDai agalattu aDukaNai kuLippa uyir kavarndu uganda em oruvan |
tEnuDai kamalattu ayanoDu dEvar senru senru irainjiDa perugu
vAniDai muduneer gangaiyin karai mEl vadari ASramattu uLLAnE. (2)
979. He killed the deceitful deer, mAreecha, with His powerful arrow. His arrows pierced the chest of the valiant vAli, who had resorted to cruel deeds (kodun tozhil uravOn).
He is none other than my celebrated swAmi! BrahmA, who was born in the honey dripping lotus, and all the dEvas visit this shrine often, to pay obeisance to the Badri emperumAn, who resides on the banks of the sacred Ganges, that flows from the AkAsha. (2)
980. ilangaiyum kaDalum aDalarunduppin irunidikku iraivanum arakkar
kulangaLum keDa mun koDuntozhil purinda koTTravan kozhunjudar suzhanra |
vilangalil urinji mEl ninra visumbil veN tugil koDiyana virindu
valandaru maNi neer gangaiyin karai mEl vadari ASramattu uLLAnE. (3)
980. In the rAmAvatAra, He destroyed and annihilated the rAkshasa clan, led by their valiant (arum thuppu) and wealthy rAvaNa, the king of LankA, surrounded by the Southern seas. ( Wealthy, because he looted kubEra's twin wealth, the Sanga nidhi and Padma nidhi ( iru nidhi)).
He is the one who resides in BadrikAshram, on the banks of the Ganges with pristine water, which reaches the heights of the Mount mEru (vilangal) glowing in the sun and gushes down elegantly like a fluttering white flag! (3)
981. tuNivini unakku solluvan manamE tozhudezhu toNDargaL tamakku
piNi ozhittu amarar peru visumbu aruLum pEraruLALan emberumAn |
aNimalarkuzhalAr arambaiyar tugilum Aramum vAri vandu aNineer
maNikozhittu izhinda gangaiyin karaimEl vadari ASramattu uLLAnE. (4)
981. Addressing his mind, AzhvAr says ," Oh mind! Take this resolution! Spend your life worshipping the sarvEshwaran, who removes all the afflictions of His devotees and compassionately assures them, the Paramapadam of the nityasooris."
He is the one who resides in BadrikAshram on the banks of the Ganges, whose beautiful waters bring along its flow, the flowers worn in the braids of the apsaras, their garments, ornaments and various other precious gems. (4)
982. pEyiDaikku irundu vanda maTTravaL tan perumulai suvaittiDa peTTra
tAyiDaikku iruttal anjuvan enru taLarndiDa vaLarnda em talaivan |
sEi mugaTTu uchchi aNDamum sumanda sembon sei vilangalil ilangu
vAi mugaTTu izhinda gangaiyin karaimEl vadari ASramattu uLLAnE. (5)
982. He sat on the waist of the demon pUtanA, who came in the guise of mA yashOdA and sucked her life, which made yashOdA fear carrying baby Krishna on her waist.
He is the one who resides in BadrikAshram on the banks of the Ganges, which tumbles down from the peaks of the lofty, glowing mEru mountain on which the universe rests. (5)
983. tEraNangu alhul sezhungayar kaNNi tirattu oru marattozhil purindu
pAraNangu imilErEzhum mun aDartta pani mugil vaNNan emberumAn |
kAraNam tannAl kaDum punal kayatta karuvarai piLavezha kutti
vAraNam koNarnda gangaiyin karaimEl vadari ASramattu uLLAnE. (6)
983. To win the hands of nappinnai whose eyes are like the beautiful fish (kayal), He tamed the seven terrifying bulls ! He is my cool cloud- hued emperumAn!
He is the one who resides in BadrikAshram on the banks of the Ganges, which was brought to the Earth due to the extraordinary efforts of Bhageeratha. The waters of the Ganges flows furiously, shattering the mountains with such enormous force, dragging elephants along its flow. (6)
984. vendiral kaLirum vElai vAi amudum viNNoDu viNNavarkku arasum
indirarku aruLi emakkum eendaruLum endai yammaDigaL emberumAn |
andarattu amarar aDiyiNai vaNanga Ayira mugattinAl aruLi
mandarattu izhinda gangaiyin karaimEl vadari ASramattu uLLAnE. (7)
984. He churned the milky ocean, and brought forth the royal elephant, airAvata, the ambrosia, the swarga and bestowed the lordship to indrA (indrapadavi), and He also fulfils our desires.
He is the sarvEswaran who resides in BadrikAshram on the banks of the Ganges, which was made to flow from a thousand outlets in the mount mandArA, ( lest the force of the Ganges becomes too much for the Earth to bear), at the behest of the emperumAn to whom the dEvas pleaded. (7)
985. mAn munindu oru kAl varisilai vaLaitta mannavan ponnirattu uravOn
oonmunindu avanadu uDal irupiLavA ugir nudi maDuttu ayan aranai |
tAn munindiTTa vendiral sAbam tavirttavan tavam purindu uyarnda
mAmuni koNarnda gangaiyin karaimEl vadari ASramattu uLLAnE. (8)
985. He killed the illusory golden deer, mAreechA with His beautiful arrow. He furiously tore apart the body of the golden hued asuran hiraNyAkshan. He saved Shiva from the brahmahatti curse.
He is the one who resides in BadrikAshram on the banks of the Ganges, which was brought to the earth by the tapasvi Bhageerathan. (8)
986. koNDal mArudangaL kulavarai tohuneer kurai kaDal ulaguDan anaittum
uNDa mAvayiTTrOn oN chuDar Einda umbarum oozhiyum AnAn |
aNDam ooDaruttu anru andarattu izhindu angu avaniyAL alamara perugum
maNDu mAmaNi neer gangaiyin karaimEl vadari ASramattu uLLAnE. (9)
986. He swallowed the clouds, the wind, the mountains, the turbulent ocean ( thongu neer kurai kaDal), all the worlds and saved it in His divine stomach. He is the master of the sun, moon, stars, the dEvas, directions and the eons (oozhi).
He is the one who resides in BadrikAshram on the banks of the Ganges, with clear water which came gushing to the Earth as a result of Bhageerathan 's penance, crashing through the brahmalOkam, flowing down the space and thundering onto the Earth.(9)
PHALA SHRUTHI
987. varum tirai maNi neer gangaiyin karaimEl vadari ASramattu uLLAnai
karungaDal munneer vaNNanai eNNi kaliyan vAyoli seida panuval |
varam seida aindum aindum vallArgaL vAnavar ulaguDan maruvi
irungaDal ulagam ANDu veN kuDaikkeezh imaiyavar Aguvar tAmE. (10)
These pAsurams are sung in praise of BadrinArAyanan perumAl, who is in the colour of the ocean with its three waters ( munneer - river water, spring water and rain water), residing on the banks of the Ganges, whose gushing waters are pure and clear. Those who chant these pAsurams sung by Tirumangai AzhvAr, will get to rule this world surrounded be the ocean, and, later, will enter swargam and become nityasooris! (10)
PERIYA TIRUMOZHI - 1.5
PASURAMS 988 TO 997
TIRUSHALAGRAMAM
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| TIRU SHALAGRAMAM, MUKTINATH |
Tirumangai AzhvAr decides to settle in BadrinAth when SRI MOORTHY PERUMAL of SHALAGRAMAM reveals Himself and requests him to visit the divya desam.
Hence AzhvAr commands his mind (nenjam or manam)--“ Let’s proceed to the abode of SRI MOORTHY PERUMAL (NENJE ADAI !)”
silaiyum kaNaiyum tuNaiyAga senrAn venri serukkaLattu |
malaikoNDu alaineer aNaikaTTi madiL neer ilangai vALarakkar
talaivan talai pattaruttu ugandAn sALagrAmam aDai nenjE! (1)
988. Crossing the dense forests filled with ferocious wild animals like deer (kalaiyum), elephants (kariyum ), horses (parimAvum) , with the bow and arrow as His companion, Rama was ever victorious (veRichEru) in the forest too and vanquished rAkshasas. Lord rAma marched towards LankA, confident of victory again. He built the sEtu bridge in the ocean (alai neer) using mountains as boulders and reached the city of Lanka protected by the ocean and huge walls. He cut the ten heads of the mighty RAvaNa with His sword (khaDgam).
NenjE! Do you know where He is? He is our rAmapiran who stands here in shAlagrAmam ready to kill our friendly enemies of sensual pleasures (Ashrita virOdhi) with his sword which is our protection. nenjE! Let’s proceed towards ShAlagrAmam. ADAI NENJE!
An insight: AzhvAr, in this pAsuram, classifies the deer clan as wild animals as the rakshAsa deer mAreecha was the cause of Lord rAma’s mental disturbance due to separation from SeetA PirATTi . (1)
uDan soozhndu ezhunda kaDi ilangai poDiyA vaDivAi saram turandAn |
iDam soozhndu engum iru visumbil imaiyOr vaNanga maNam kamazhum
taDam soozhndu engum azhahAya sALagrAmam aDai nenjE! (2)
989. Sri rAmapirAn charged into the city of LankA with a retinue of huge ferocious elephants (kaDamsoozh kariyum), chariots driven by elegant horses and monkey soldiers on foot. He destroyed Lanka with his sharp arrows (saram turandAn) which was surrounded by huge walls. The earth, crowded with all the devAs residing in the vast heavenly abode have come down to have the glimpse of this Lord.
NenjE! It is this chakravarti tirumagan who resides in shAlagrAmam surrounded by beautiful ponds filled with fragrant colourful water lilies or neer pookkaL that have spread their fragrance everywhere. Let’s reach this kshEtram! ADAI NENJE! (2)
nilavum suDarum iruLumAi ninrAn venri viralAzhi |
valavan vAnOr tam perumAn maruvA arakkarkku enjnAnrum
salavan salam soozhndu azhahAya sALagrAmam aDai nenjE! (3)
990. The lord nArAyanA is the jagatswaroopi, master and the antaryAmi (AyaninRAn) of all, namely the unending waves of the ocean(ulAvu tirayum), huge mountains (kulamvaraiyum), the moon (nilavum), the sun (suDarum), the night (iruLum), He is the master of brahmA and all the dEvas (vAnOr tam perumAL). He is the enemy of those rakshasas /men (maruvA arakkarum) who commit bhagavad bhAgavata apachAram and refrain from surrendering unto Him and is ever honest to His bhaktas.
The Lord with the amazing divya maNgala vigraham, who is the embodiment of strength and victory, holding the discus (venDRi viral Azhi) in his right hand, Oh nenjE! He is the one who stands tall in shAlagrAmam divya desam with very attractive water bodies. Let’s go and worship this Lord. ADAI NENJE! (3)
tEra arakkar tEr veLLam seRRAn vaRRa varu punal soozh |
pErAn pErAyiram uDaiyAn pirangu sirai vaNDu araiginra
tArAn tArA vayal soozhnda sALagrAmam aDai nenjE! (4)
991. Oh! The amazing Lord with a thousand names (pEr Ayiram uDayAn)! Once before in rAmAvatAram, he vanquished the army of rAkshasas by bending the edges of their arrows with ease. He is the one who is reclining in tiruppEr divya dEsam (pErAn- appakuDattAn) surrounded by cauvery river which hardly dries up. His residence is tiru ooragam divya dEsam (oorAn- in a snake form) and He is the purushOttaman of tirukkuDandai (kuDandai uttaman).
NenjE! All these divya desa perumALs reside as one in shAlagrAmam crowded with sea-birds (sarasa pakshi-tArA vayalsoozh) in the rich paddy fields. The perumAL here has adorned a fragrant tulasi garland (tArAn) with huge winged bees swarming around it. Let’s reach this kshEtram. ADAI NENJE! (4)
viDuttAn viLangu suDarAzhi viNNOr perumAn naNNAr mun |
kaDuttArttu ezhunda perumazhaiyai kallonrEndi inanirai kAttu
taDuttAn taDanjoozhndu azhahAya sALagrAmam aDai nenjE! (5)
993. tAyAi vanda pEiyuyirum tayirum vizhudum uDan uNDa
vAyAn tooya vari urivir kuraLAi senru mAvaliyai
EyAn irappa moovaDi maN inrE tA enru ulahEzhum
tAyAn kAyA malar vaNNan sALagrAmam aDai nenjE! (6)
992. Oh, dear Lord who is the head of Indra and devas (viNNOr perumAn)! Once, ramapirAn, during his stay at panchavaTi, was approached by the rAkshasee shoorpaNakhA. He got her ears and nose cut by lakshmana when she charged to attack seetA pirATTi. She opened her cave like mouth (pilam vAy) and screamed out in pain.
During krishNAvatAram, the Lord shattered the ego of devEndran when he showered incessant rains for seven long days out of anger due to hunger on the people of brindAvan. The lord lifted the govardhana mountain (kallOnRu Endi) with ease as if it were a small stone, protected the cattle and the cowherds under the umbrella like mountain!
NenjE! One who holds the shining and powerful sudarshana chakram (viLangu suDar Azhi)! Let’s procced towards that divya dEsam shAlagrAmam surrounded by beautiful ponds where our dear lord rAma and krishNa reside and who performed such amazing feats. ADAI NENJE! (5)
993. Lord MahAvishNu in KrishNa avatara is tAyAn! One who effortlessly sucked together the life of the demoness pUtanA who came in the guise of a mother (tAyAy vanda pEy) and He also swallowed his favourite butter and curd (tayirum vizhudum - bhOgya vastu) though the Lord is beyond the nature (guNam) of having pangs of hunger like the mortals (vAyAn).
His attributes (kalyANa gunAs) are beyond the nature of begging(EyAn-yAchagam). Yet, to subdue the pride of King MahAbali, He came in the disguise of a young dwarf (kuraLAy), naive and very handsome (tooya vari uruvin) brahmin boy (vAmana avataram). Then, with modesty and command, He asked for three pieces of land to the size of His feet. When MahAbali washed the Lord’s feet and granted his plea, immediately He jumped to measure all the worlds (ulagEzhum tAyAn--sarvalOka vyApakatvam) .
NenjE! It is here in shAlagrAmam that Lord Krishna and vAmanA reside whose tirumEni resembles the hue of kAyAm flowers ( kAyA malar-ironwood). Let’s reach the abode of this Lord. ADAI NENJE!! (6)
oonAr ahalam piLaveDutta oruvan tAnE iru suDarAi |
vAnAi teeyAi mArudamAi malaiyAi alaineer ulahanaittum
tAnAi tAnu mAnAn tan sALagrAmam aDai nenjE! (7)
In the sun and moon (iru suDar),
in space (AkAshamAy), in fire (agniyAy),
in wind (kAtRAy), in mountains (malaiyAy),
in landforms surrounded by water (kaDal zhoonda ulagaNgaL),
and hence HE is present in everything (anaiththum tAnAy).
Lord Narasimha ! This nAmA instilled fear in the enemies and asuras (EnOr aNja). The asura Hiranyakashipu refused to accept that Lord nArAyaNa could be present in the pillar, when young prahlAda said He is omnipresent. The Lord took the ferocious form of Narasimha Moorty (aRiyAy), waged a war with Hiranyakashipu who had a huge form (pariya iraNiyanai) and killed him by splitting his chest filled with flesh.
NenjE! This kshEtram ShAlagrAmam belongs to this Lord NArAyaNa who is beyond description (tAnum AnAn) with a beautiful divya mangala vigraham. Let’s proceed towards this divya dEsam. ADAI NENJE! (7)
sandAr talai koNDu ulahEzhum tiriyum periyOn tAn senru en
endAi sAbam teer enna ilangu amudu neer tirumArbil
tandAn sandAr pozhil soozhnda sALagrAmam aDai nenjE! (8)
NenjE! Let’s reach the abode of this perumAl who resides in shAlagrAmam full of fragrant sandalwood trees. ADAI NENJE! (8)
aNDA emakkE aruLAi enru aNaiyum kOyil arugellAm |
vaNDAr pozhilin pazhanattu vayalin ayalE kayal pAya
taNDAmaraigaL mugam malarttum sALagrAmam aDai nenjE! (9)
996. The Vaishnava bhAgavatas (toNDAm inamum) who wish to serve only the Lord, the nityasooris (imaiyOr) enjoy the nearness to the paratvam in SrivaikunTham, yet desire to enjoy the sauseelyam and soulabhyam of emperumAn on the earth and the brahmins (andanarum) who have adorned the sacred thread along their chest, have come to this kshEtram in big groups. They flock together prostrating and addressing the Lord with humility as dEvanE (aNDA). Each one requests Him to protect them (emakku aruLAy).
ManamE! It is this beautiful kshEtram named shAlagrAmam with dense groves with swarming bees and small pools. Nearby, there are rich paddy fields with small water bodies. The grey mullet fishes (kayal) in them jump over to reach and fall on the lotus buds in the pools ,thereby inciting happiness in them. Let’s proceed to worship him. NENJE ADAI! (9)
PHALASRUTHI
kArAr puravil mangai vEndan kaliyan olisei tamizhmAlai |
ArAr ulahattu arivuDaiyAr amarar nannATTu arasALa
pErAyiramum OdumingaL anri ivaiyE pidaRRuminE. (10)
997. Those wise men (arivu uDaya yAr ArAr) who wish to reside and rule in paramapadam amongst the nityasooris must recite the thousand names of the Lord Shreeman nArAyanA. If one finds it difficult to recite His thousand names, they can recite or at least blabber this string of ten verses written in sweet tamil language addressing the Lord who resides in shAlagrAmam filled with sea birds (sarasa pakshi ) in the rich paddy fields. This has been rendered by Kaliyan, the king of Tirumangai surrounded by dense groves with dark clouds above them. (10)
AzhvAr says with conviction that these ten beautiful verses give the same benefits of reciting Vishnu SahasranAmam. (10)
PERIYA TIRUMOZHI 1.6
PASURAMS 998 TO 1007
TIRU NAIMISHARANYAM
SHRI HARI LAKSHMI SAMETA SHRI HARI PERUMAL MANGALASHASANAM
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| TIRUNAIMISHARANAYAM MANGALASASANAM, TIRUMANGAI AZHWAR |
SWAYAM VYAKTA KSHETRAM
A purAnic saying goes..
श्रीमुष्णं वेङ्कटाद्रिं च साळग्रामं च नैमिशम् ।
तोयाद्रिं पुष्करं चैव नरनारायणाश्रमम् ।
अष्टौ मे मूर्तयः सन्ति स्वयंव्यक्ता महीतले ॥
Shree muShNam, vEnkaTAdrim cha shAlagrAmam cha naimiSham ।।
tOyAdrim puShkaraM chaiva nara-nArAyaNAshramam ।
aShaTau mE moortayah santi svayam vyaktA maheetalE।।
Srirangam temple, ShrimushNam, vEnkaTAdri, shAlagrAmam, Naimisham, totAdri(vAnamAmalai), pushkaram and naranArayana Ashramam are the eight sacred places of my self manifestation.- MahA viShNu
HIGLIGHTS OF NAIMISHARANYA KSHETRAM:
# NaimishAraNyam is one of the 8 swayam vyaktam kshEtrams, where Lord VishNu self-manifested.
# It is also called tapOvanam, the forest where Rishis including Manu and Shataroopa meditated.
# It is believed that 60000 sages are still doing penance in the form of trees. Hence every leaf of this forest is considered very holy.
# It is the place where the six shAstras and the 18 purANas were compiled.
# Sage Soota narrated the bhAgavatam to Sage Shaunaka in NaimishAraNyam. (SMB – 1.1.4 – nimishE animisha kshEtrE)
# It is called ‘animisha’ kshEtram meaning the land of Lord VishNu ( the one who never closes his eyelids)
# This is also the place where satyanArAyan kathA was narrated by Sage Soota to Sage Shaunaka and others.
# There is a place called ‘vyAsa gaddi” where vyAsa maharishi is believed to have compiled all the purANas under a banyan tree.
# Lord VishNu sent his chakra here to make a pushkarini called chakra teertha which goes deep down pAtAla and it is said to be the centre of the Universe. of the Universe.
# Lord rAma performed the asvamEdha yAga here, after returning from LankA. Encountered by his sons Lava and kusha, he heard the full RAMAYANA from them in NaimisharaNyam.
Tirumangai AzhvAr is the only one who has performed mangalAshAsanam in this divya dEsham, NaimishAraNyam. The Lord here stands in the form of ‘AraNya’ meaning forest. ‘nEmi’, the chakra made of darbha grass, rolled down by BrahmA for selecting the best place for tapas, fell down in this kshEtra. Hence the name ‘naimishAraNya’.
AzhvAr surrenders to Lord 'Shree Hari', atoning for the sins committed on account of prakRuti sambandham. This way of resorting to introspection of one’s own mistakes is called “naichyAnusandhAnam” or ‘dOshAnushandhAnam’. A list of misdeeds and meaningless pursuits of human life, their consequences and corrective actions follows for us to reflect upon!!
pENinEn adanai pizhaiyina karudi pEdaiyEn piravi nOyaruppAn |
ENilEn irundEn eNNinEn eNNi iLaiyavar kalaviyin tirattai
nANinEn vandun tiruvaDi aDaindEn naimiSAraNyattuL endAi! (1)
998. ILLUSORY PLEASURES
It was my utter folly that I considered the pleasures derived from beautiful young women with reverberating giggles, small foreheads, big shoulders and tender bosoms, as being the ultimate bliss. Even after I realized that my actions were wrong, I did not take any efforts to cure this chronic disease of samsAra.
Now I ponder over them and stand ashamed of my despicable acts. I have now surrendered at your feet for protection, Oh, swAmi of naimishAraNyam! (naimishAraNiyattu entAy!) (1)
pulam paDinduNNum bOgamE perukki pOkkinEn pozhudinai vALA |
alamburi taDakkai AyanE mAyA vAnavarkku arasanE vAnOr
nalampurindu irainjum tiruvaDi aDaindEn naimiSAraNyattuL endAi! (2
999. WASTED TIMES
Ignoring my duties, I have wasted so much time indulging again and again in sensual pleasures, obsessed by women’s beautiful feet adorned with anklets and their big dark attractive eyes.
Now I have now surrendered at your feet so that you will protect me. Oh! the generous one with a charitable hand! (alam puri taDa kai). The favourite Lord of the nitysooris! (vAnavarkku arasanE). The master of the cowherds (AyanE)! The wonderous one (mAyA)! Oh swAmi of naimishAraNyam! (naimishAraNiyattu entAy!) (2)
kAdalE miguttu kaNDavA tirinda toNDanEn naman tamar seyyum |
vEdanaikku oDungi naDunginEn vElai veNDirai alamara kaDainda
nAdanE vandun tiruvaDi aDaindEn naimiSAraNyattuL endAi! (3)
1000. IMMORAL DEEDS
I have been running frantically here and there doing wrong deeds like robbing, gambling and falling for beautiful women with dark curly tresses.
Now I cringe in fear because I realise that Yama would torture me for these sins. Please protect me dear master, the one who churned the milky waved ocean to bless the dEvas! Oh swAmi of naimishAraNyam! (naimishAraNiyattu entAy!) (3)
nambinAr irandAl naman tamar paTTri eTTri vaittu eri ezhuginra |
sembinAl iyanra pAvaiyai pAvee tazhuvu ena mozhivadarku anji
nambanE vandun tiruvaDi aDaindEn naimiSAraNyattuL endAi! (4)
1001. BETRAYING WIFE
It is said that if one betrays his own beautiful wife (with fragrant tresses) and goes after another person’s wife or wealth, he will be taken to naraka after his death, by the messengers of Yama (Naman tamar). He will be denounced by them as a sinner (pAvee) and tortured badly until their hands ache, and he will be forced to hug a burning hot copper idol of a woman.
These thoughts bring nightmares to me. Dear Lord, I have sought your divine feet (tiruvaDi) because You are the only trustworthy saviour (nambanE) for the jeevAtmAs suffering in this cycle of birth and death! Protect me, Oh swAmi of naimishAraNyam! (naimishAraNiyattu entAy!) (4)
neDunjolAl marutta neechanEn andO ninaikkilEn vinaippayan tannai |
kaDunjolAr kaDiyAr kAlanAr tamarAl paDuvadOr koDumiraikku anji
naDungi nAn vandun tiruvaDi aDaindEn naimiSAraNyattuL endAi. (5)
1002. IGNORING BEGGARS
When beggars stricken with poverty (iDumbaiyil) beseeched, “Oh Lord, please give me a morsel of food (tuRRu)”, I chased them away with harsh words. What a lowly person I have been! (neechanEn nAn)
I now came to know that such a sinner will be yelled at with harsher words by the cruel and tough messengers of yama (kAlan/tamar). Alas! (andO). I have not thought of the repercussions at that time. Protect me, Oh swAmi of naimishAraNyam! (naimishAraNiyattu entAy!) (5)
ODiyum uzhanrum uyirgaLE konrEn unarvilEn AdalAl namanAr |
pADiyai peridum parisazhittiTTEn paramanE pArkaDal kiDandAi
nADi nAn vandu un tiruvaDi aDaindEn naimiSAraNyattuL endAi! (6)
1003. KILLING ANIMALS
I wandered here and there like a dog, troubling people and ruthlessly hunting animals. Why did I not realise my utter absurdity?
Oh purushOttama! Now that I have come to take refuge at your feet, I am sure that you will absolve my grave sins and not save me from visiting Naraka. Oh swAmi of naimishAraNyam! (naimishAraNiyattu entAy!) (6)
tunjinAr sellum tonneri kETTE tuLanginEn viLangani munindAi |
vanjanEn aDiyEn nenjinir piriyA vAnavA tAnavarku enrum
nanjanE vandun tiruvaDi aDaindEn naimiSAraNyattuL endAi! (7)
1004. SINS OF THOUGHT, WORD AND DEED (TRIKARANA-PAPA)
I shivered in fear when I came to know about the vigorous punishments for the sins committed by unrighteous people, through their wrong thoughts of the mind (manasA) bad words of speech (vAchA) and unjust actions (karmanA).
Oh Lord ! (vAnavA), slayer of the vilambAsura, the poison to the dAnava demons! Even though I have committed such lowly mistakes, you decided to enter my heart and shower your grace constantly protecting me. How blessed I am! Oh swami of naimishAraNyam! (naimishAraNiyattu entAy!) (7)
kOvinAr seyyum koDumaiyai maDittEn kurunguDi neDungaDal vaNNA |
pAvinAr insol pan malar koNDu un pAdamE paravi nAn paNindu en
nAvinAl vandun tiruvaDi aDaindEn naimiSAraNyattuL endAi! (8)
1005. TIRKARANA SHUDDHI FOR WINNING OVER KALI PURUSHA
Oh compassionate blue hued Lord of tirukurunguDi! If kali purusha (kaliyAr) now directs his weapons of the five uncontrollable senses at me, it will all only be in vain. Having come under Your protective umbrella, I have now learnt to win over kali purusha by purifying the three sins committed by my senses.
I have purified my tongue with sweet prayers and songs for you, I have purified my actions by prostrating and offering special flowers at Your feet. I have purified my thoughts by constantly meditating on your divine feet. Oh swAmi of naimishAraNyam! (naimishAraNiyattu entAy!) (8)
tAnuDai kurambai piriyum pOdu undan charaNamE SaraNam enru irundEn |
tEnuDai kamala tiruvinukku arasE tiraikoL mA neDungaDal kiDandAi
nAnuDai tavattAl tiruvaDi aDaindEn naimiSAraNyattuL endAi! (9)
1006. BLESSING OF BEING A SHRIVAISHNAVA
Oh Lord reclining on the huge milky ocean, tiru pArkaDal! The master of periya pirATTi, ‘tiru”, who was born out of the honey filled lotus flower!
AzhvAr surrenders to Shri Hari Lakshmi samEta Shri hari:
I was thinking that this soul is embodied in the shareeram which is just a temporary hut (kurumbu) made of bones that serve as pillars, stuffed flesh (oon) that serve as walls, navadwAras that are the nine doors and coated with hairy skin (urOmam) and that it will reach You after death without any divine experience.
It is my parama bhAgyam that I have reached the divine feet of the divya dampati now itself and become a vaishNava sharaNAgatan. Habituated by humble prayers, I am sure that when the time comes to leave this hut (body), I will depart happily and reach You easily, just thinking of Your divine feet. Oh swAmi of naimishAraNyam! (naimishAraNiyattu entAy!) (9)
1007. Edam vandu aNuga vaNNAm nAm eNNi ezhuminO tozhudum enRu imaiyOr
nAdan vandu irainjum naimiSAraNyattu endaiyai sindaiyuL vaittu |
kAdalE migutta kaliyan vAyoli sei mAlai tAn kaTTru vallArgaL
Oda neer vaiyam ANDu veN kuDaikkeezh unbarum Aguvar tAmE. (10)
1007. PHALA SHRUTI
These 10 verses on Lord Shri Hari of NaimishAraNya frequented by the celestial dEvas, have been composed by Kaliyan to relieve the miseries of life. Those who learn, practise well and sing this prabandham meditating on Lord Shri Hari with love are sure to experience the power of an emperor crowned under the royal white umbrella ruling the vast earth; and finally attain the divine abode of vaikunTha to join the nityasooris. (10)
PERIYA TIRUMOZHI 1.7
PASURAMS 1008 TO 1017
AHOBILAM
In NaimishAraNyam, where AzhvAr kept lamenting about his vices and its consequences, he felt miserable and saddened. In order to elevate the AzhvAr from his plight, emperumAn advised AzhvAr not to worry and directed him to visit SINGKAVEL KUNRAM where He is present taking an unique form of Nrisimha to protect His baktha, PrahlAda and the mankind thereafter.
Nava Nrisimha ksEtram.
1. JwAlA
2. ahObhilA
3. MAlOla
4. KrOda
5. KArancha
6. BhArgava
7. YogAnanda
8. Chatravata
9. PAvana
ponga Agam vaLLugirAl pOzhnda punidan iDam |
paingaN Anai kombu koNDu pattimaiyAl aDikkeezh
sengaN ALi iTTirainjum singavEzh kunramE. (1)
1008. At the very same place where the cruel HiraNyan challenged the absence of lord Vishnu, He appeared taking a unique form of Nrisimha making the whole world tremble with fear and split open his body into two using His sharp nails. In this holy place singavEL kunRam, the fiery lions with its red eyes, bow down and pray offering the tusks of the elephants at the feet of the Lord. (1)
kolaikkaiyALan nenjiDanda koorugirALan iDam |
malaitta selsAttu erinda poosal vantuDi vAi kaDuppa
silaikkai vEDar tezhipparAda singavEzh kunramE. (2)
1009. With a waggling tongue, bright teeth and exhibiting great valour, Lord Nrisimha, who resides in ‘singavEL kunRam’, split open the chest of HiraNyan who has an ever harrowing nature, using His nails. This is a place where you can see hunters (silaik kai vEdar)(the native chenchus) with their arrows, the sound of the small drum and the yelling of those who plunder the wayfarers.
Senchu Lakshmi was born as the daughter of the king of hunters and she married the Lord here. Therefore, they consider Lord Narasimhan, who married Chenchu Lakshmi as their kulam's son-in-law (MaappiLLai Swamy). (2)
vAinda Agam vaLLugirAl vagirnda ammAnadu iDam |
Oinda mAvum uDainda kunrum anriyum ninru azhalAl
tEinda vEyum alladu illA singavEzh kunramE. (3)
1010. Lord Nrisimha who resides in ‘singavEL kunRam’, appeared with immense strength having a wide mouth, sharp sword like teeth and tore open HiraNyan’s body with His nails. Here one can find nothing other than resting tired animals, broken hillocks and half burnt bamboo shoots making it difficult for the faint hearted to tread upon. (3)
vavvi Agam vaLLugirAl vagirnda ammAnadu iDam |
kavvum nAyum kazhugum uchchi pOdODu kAl suzhanru
deivam allAl sellavoNNA singavEzh kunramE. (4)
1011. Lord Nrisimha, who ripped apart the body of HiraNyan the holder of horrifying spears with His nails, is seated in ‘singavEL kunRam’, where the hounding dogs and eagles are waiting to pounce upon the weary pilgrims . Where there is scorching heat and hurricane that allows only the devas and none other than His devotees to visit. (4)
ponra Agam vaLLugirAl pOzhnda punidan iDam |
ninra sendee moNDu soorai neeL visumbu ooDiriya
senru kANDarkku ariya kOyil singavEzh kunramE. (5)
1012. As the hurricane gobbles up the fire and spreads it all over the place, (the jwAlai, similar to jwAlA Nrisimha) it is not so easy to visit ‘singavEL kunRam’, where Lord Nrisimha, who appeared with a huge mouth that can chew up along with sharp sword like teeth and great valour clawed open HiraNyan’s body, abodes. (5)
irindu vAnOr kalangi ODa irunda ammAnadu iDam |
nerinda vEyin muzhaiyuL ninru neeL neri vAyuzhuvai
tirinda Anai suvaDu pArkkum singavEzh kunramE. (6)
1013. Beholding Lord Nrisimha with his fiery eyes and gory teeth in a horrendous mouth, the devas, trembled in fear saying , “What an horrific form is this?”, and started running away. This Lord stays in ‘singavEL kunRam’. The tigers in this place hide behind the bamboo bushes and keep tracking for elephant’s foot that has travelled before. (6)
anaittum anja ALariyAi irunda ammAnadu iDam |
kanaitta teeyum kallum allA villuDai vEDarumAi
tinaittanaiyum sellavoNNA singavEzh kunramE. (7)
1014. The anger that arose grew multifold , literally scorching the sky and all the three lOkAs trembled with fear. Thus appeared Lord Nrisimha who is seated in ‘singavEL kunRam’. The fire that breaks out here, even burn the stones. Further as armed hunters will always be on the vigil, reaching out to this place is arduous.(7)
Etta angOr ALariyAi irunda ammAnadu iDam |
kAitta vAgai neTTrolippa kalladar vEingazhai pOi
tEitta teeyAl viN sivakkum singavEzh kunramE. (8)
1015. As Brahma and Shiva chanted incessantly the thousand names of the Lord developing welts (tazhumbu) in their tongue, He incarnated as Nrisimha and resided in ‘singavEL kunRam’. Here the long dried fruits of the (siris tree or woman’s tongue as it is commonly called) vAgai tree burst open due to the fire and shoot out the seeds noisily all around. The bamboo shoots that grow tall envelopes fire over the sky due to friction making the whole place turn reddish. (8)
alli mAdar pulha ninra Ayiram toLan iDam
nelli malhi kalluDaippa pullilai Arttu adar vAi
sillu sillu enru ollarAda singavEzh kunramE. (9)
1016. Oh gracious heart, let us reach ‘singavEL kunRam’, where our Lord Nrisimha with his thousand shoulders exhibit himself embracing the Goddess (Periya PirATTi) and pray. It is in this place that gooseberry trees are well grown and the sounds of the breaking stones are heard along with the rattle of the palm leaves. All along the path, one can hear the constant sounds of the crickets.
In all the verses above AzhvAr has been descriptive about the place being treacherous and the fiery nature of the Lord. Whereas in this verse, he calls the heart to reach out to Him saying that, He is easily reachable for His devotees and there is no need to have any fear. (9)
1017. sengaN ALi iTTirainjum singavEzh kunruDaiya
engaL eesan embirAnai irundamizh noorpulavan |
mangaiyALan mannu tol seer vaNDarai tAr kaliyan
sengaiyALan senjol mAlai vallavar teedilarE. (10)
1017. The ruler of Tirumangai, well versed Tamil poet has praised in these verses about Lord Nrisimha of ‘singavEL kunRam’, where the valorous reddish eyed Lions offer their bait in the feet of the Lord. Those who recite these garland of verses by the generous Kaliyan who wears a garland swarmed by bees will be devoid of any sin.(10)
PERIYA TIRUMOZHI 1.8
PASURAMS 1018 to 1027
TIRUVENKATAM - 1/4
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| TIRUVENKATESHA, TIRUMALA TIRUPATI |
1018. AzhvAr enjoys the natural beauty of tiruvEnkaTam.
The asura disguised as a kurunda tree (wild lime tree) filled with fragrant flowers was bent and slayed down by kOvalan, the cowherd king, my empirAn. The same lotus eyed kaNNan while reclining on the huge resourceful ksheerAbdi filled with auspicious conches, tore open the beak of the angry bakAsura to save the cowherds. (puLLinai vAy piLanda).
That paramapurushan of endless fame is now standing in the beautiful tiruvEnkATam hills abundant in water resources, where red carp fishes (sem kayal) play joyfully in freshwater springs. May your heart reach this beautiful abode of tiruvEnKaTam! nenjamE aDai! (1)
1019. AzhvAr contemplates on krishNa’s omnipresence.
The Lord ksheerAbdhinAthan reclining on the serpent in tirupArkaDal manifests as sriranganAtha in trEtA yugam and as baby kaNNan in dwApara Yugam at gOkulam to suck the life out of pootanA. Next in Kaliyugam, He has come down in archA roopam as gOvindA to tiruvEnkaTam which has become prosperous (perugum iDam) because he stands here, waiting to bless His devotees.
May your heart seek to worship ShreenivAsan at tiruvEnkaTam where the learned bhagavatas of clear understanding (teLLiyAr) spend their whole day remembering Him as veLLiyAn (white colored Lord in satya yugam), kariyAn (black coloured Lord in kali yugam) and maNi vaNNan ( blue gem colored Lord in dwApara yugam). tiruvEnkaTam aDai nenjamE! (2)
1020. AzhvAr wonders about krishNa’s miraculous deeds in every step.
Even when krishNA was tied to the mortar by mother yashOdA for having troubled the women of gOkulam, He was not quiet. He crawled slowly towards the twin maruda trees (yamala arjuna trees), pushed himself between them and caused the trees to fall down. Kubera’s sons Manigreeva and NalakuvEra who were actually cursed to be trees emerged out, thanking dAmOdaran in humble prayers. He lifted the gOvardhana hill to protect the cowherds and the cattle from torrential rains sent by the angry and jealous Lord Indra (kunRam eDuttAn),.
That merciful Lord, ninmalan (the blemishless one), nEmiyAn (bearer of the chakra), the one whose divine feet is worshipped by the celestial dEvas is residing in tiruvEnkaTam, waiting for you to reach there. tiruvEnkaTam aDai nenjE! (3)
1021. AzhvAr ponders on krishNa’s intelligent support to Arjuna.
During the mahAbharata war, Lord KrishNa, the guiding light (param chuddar) extended a helping hand to arjunA (pArtha) by advising him intelligently, sitting close to him as a charioteer (kai seydiTTu) and won the battle for him without taking up arms himself. Is He not the same gopikA nAtha who remains in our hearts as the kOvalan who indulged in ‘rAsa leelA’ called ‘kuruvai koottu’ with the young gOpis?
What a wonder to see that kaNNan empirAn in tiruviDavendai divya dEsham residing here in the gorgeous hills of tiruvEnkaTam embedded with fresh gardens and lakes. Come here and worship the Lord, dear mind! tiruvEnkaTam aDai nenjE! (4)
1022. AzhvAr is reminded of the Lord’s charitable hands and similar divya dEshams.
Lord nArAyaNa is believed to have innumerable hands (eN kaiyAn – or 8 hands). But to do justice to vibhava avatAram, he had to slew the seven mara trees (sal trees) with his one arrow to prove his might to sugreeva. The one with such valour went to the most charitable (vaN kaiyAn) asura king mahAbali (avunarkku nAyakan), begging with his small hands in the guise of a brahmachAri (mAniyAy).
I am reminded of the Lord at tirupiriti (imaiyattu uLLAn) and tirumAlirunchOlai (iru chOlai mEviya emperumAn). The one who used His chakra to relieve the strong tusked gajEndran from the clenches of the crocodile is now standing in tiruvEnkaTam. Oh Mind! Reach this divine abode soon. tiruvEnkaTam aDai nenjE! (5)
1023. AzhvAr is reminded of the Lord’s massive power.
During pralaya kAlam, krishNa absorbs the seven lOkAs set in eight directions into his wonderous stomach inorder to preserve it and lies peacefully on a banyan leaf (vaTa vRuksha, Al ilai leaf).
The one who relieved the milky moon from the curse of reducing in size (kshayarOga). (pAl madi) and Lord varAha who rescued mother earth with his tusks (Lord varAha), the powerful Lord Narasimha who tore open HiraNyakashyapu’s chest with his sharp nails stands easily accessible to us in tiruvEnkaTam. Oh Mind, Enjoy this glorious Lord in this divine abode. tiruvEnkaTam aDai nenjE! (6)
1024. AzhvAr recalls bhagavAn’s swaroopa and guNas.
The Lord takes forms as panchabhootas namely earth, (pAr), water (neer), fire (eri), air (kARRu), ether (AkAsam). He is the one who is praised by 1000 tirunAmams that speak of his Swaroopa and GuNas. He is nirmalan, totally free from karma sambandham standing here in tiruvEnkaTam.
That illustrious emperumAn has blessed this kshEtra with the beauty of vast skies that shower rain from rain clouds, misty meadows and hanging dark clouds. Oh what a sight dear mind! Reach this enchanting abode of tiruvEnkaTam. tiruvEnkaTam aDai nenjE! (7)
1025. AzhvAr extols the Lord as the consort of Shree.
The Lord of nityasooris (amarar kOn) is the one who manifests as panchabhootas namely sky (ambaram), fire (anal), air (kAl), earth (nilam), water (jalam). The nAyakan of periya pirATTi, padmAvati tAyAr seated on the fragrant lotus (vambulA), is standing here in tiruvEnkaTam, where simple gypsy women (maDa kuRa mAdar – simple kurattis) with slender waist are seen atop tall tree houses, guarding the fertile fields from birds. Dear mind! Get set to reach the divine couple at tiruvEnkaTam. tiruvEnkaTam aDai nenjE! (8)
1026. AzhvAr eulogises the ‘ashTAkshara’ mantram.
The Lord of tiruvEnkaTam liberates those mumukshus (prapannas desiring mOksha) who just do not stop with just chanting the eight syllabled ashTAkshara mahAmantra but who also spend time contemplating about the meaning and greatness of each word of the mahAmantra (pinnarum pEsuvAr tammai).
That mOkshadAyee Lord vEnkaTEsha who cuts the endless chord of birth (pirappu arukkum pirAn) resides in this fragrant flower filled grove, tiruvEnkaTa hill, the pride of the universe. (ulagukku ellAm dEsamAy tigazhum). Oh mind? Come to the holy abode of tirunEnkaTam. tiruvEnkaTam aDai nenjE! (9)
1027. PHALA SHRUTI
This garland of 10 pAsurams in beautiful tamizh has been composed by tirumangai maNNan- kalikanRi, about the beautiful tiruvEnkaTam divya dEsam where the red carp fishes (sem kayal) swim joyfully in the freshwater lakes. Those who sing these pAsurams with interest, not doubting its efficacy, will certainly attain Shreeman nArAyaNan’s divine abode after ruling this earth which is surrounded by vast oceans filled with ships. (10)
PERIYA TIRUMOZHI 1.8.9
CONTEMPLATING ON THE ASHTAKSHARA MANTRA WITH SNIPPETS FROM SRIMAD RAHASYA TRAYA SARAM OF SWAMI DESIKAN
ASHTAKSHARAM also called tirumantram is a vyApaka mantra that describes the ‘omnipresence of Shreeman nArAyaNa'. It has everything one needs to know.
It is one of three secret mantras received from our AchAryan during samAshrayaNam. The very fact that it is received from our AchAryan makes it the most sacred.
It is made up of three padas OM, NAMO and NARAYANAYA which state the tattva, hita and the purshArtha. In other words, it has the Swaroopa, upAya and upEyam, all in one mantra.
It consists of 8 syllables Om, na, mO, nA, rA, ya, nA, and ya and hence called aShTAksharam.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE THREE PADAS.
FIRST WORD – THE PRANAVA - ‘OM-AUM’ SIGNIFYING THE TRUTH CALLED TATTVA/SWAROOPA
The praNava AUM consists of three letters – A, U and M.
The devotees belonging to the three varNas utter it as ‘Om’ but women and those who do not belong to the three varNas have to recite the praNava as ‘am’.
A
The letter ‘a’ in ‘AUM’ denotes bhagavAn VishNu as the protector. It is derived from the Sanskrit letter 'a' meaning 'the original cause - kAraNa' and the verbal root ‘ava’ meaning ‘to protect’. Hence, BhagavAn is called shEshi (supreme master), the omnipresent with endless kalyANa guNas (auspicious qualities, kAruNyam being the main guNa). He is always worshipped along with MahAlakshmi, ‘Shree’.
M
The letter ‘m’ in ‘AUM’ denotes jeevAtmA. The letter ‘m’ is derived from the word ‘aham’ meaning ‘I’ and also from the word ‘manas’ meaning thoughts. The jeeva is called ‘shEsha’ (servant), a property of paramatmA, existing only for his sake and attains mukti through constant meditation.
U
The letter ‘u’ in ‘AUM’ denotes the inseparable relationship of jeeva only with Ishwara. The letter ‘u’ in Sanskrit means ‘only’. From time immemorial, jeevas are servants of Ishwara by nature and incapable of being separated from Him at any time or place.
‘U’ also denotes Lakshmi, Shri, who is inseparable from Shriman nArayaNa, who always does ‘purushakAram’ recommending us to bhagavAn for His grace.
So all three letters put together, AUM represents the tattva - inseparable relationship between jeevAtmA and paramAtmA.
Namah is derived from root word ‘namas’. The word namas is again derived form ‘na mama’ meaning ‘I am not mine’. This explains the destitute nature of the soul (akinchana) which is subservient to the Lord (sarva shEshi) and is not an independent entity. The word ‘NAMO’ is a re-iteration of the syllable ‘U’ in ‘AUM’ reconfirming the Sheshi-Shesha relationship between bhagavAn and jeevAtmA.
*STHOOLA ARTHAM – THE GROSS MEANING OF NAMAH*
When we utter the word ‘NAMAH’ and bow down joining our hands, we are actually doing sharanAgati, surrendering ourselves to paramAtmA every time, without expecting anything in return.
*SOOKSHMA ARTHAM – THE SUBTLE MEANING OF NAMAH*
Whenever we utter the word I (aham) or mine (mama), we get attached to all our vAsanas from time immemorial and develop ahankAra and mamakAra. To shed this, we have to always utter the word ‘NAMAH’ which will make us humble.
*PARA ARTHAM – THE SUPREME MEANING OF NAMAH*
Shreeman nArAyaNa is the siddhOpAyam (the final granter of mOksha), for the seekers who adopt the path of sAdyOpAyas namely bhakti yOga and prapatti yOga.
THIRD WORD ‘NARAYANAYA’ – SIGNIFIES THE GOAL/PURSHARTHA
NARYANAYA means ‘for nArAyana’ expressing in totality that this soul has surrendered only to nArAyaNa, the only master. So, it is a re-confirmation of the letter ‘m’ in AUM.
(NARAYANAYA = NARAYANA + AYA). This word is derived from the fourth dative case (chaturthi vibhakti) in Sanskrit grammar)
*The word NARAYANA is derived from the following word combinations.*
'ayana’ means RESTING, PERVADING OR REACHING
'nAra’ means BEINGS, WATER.
1. ‘nArAh ayanam yasya' – The one who rests or pervades in all jeevAtmAs. This term extends to include all sentient and non-sentient beings (chetanas and achEtanams- nAra).
2. ‘nArANAm ayanam’ - The one who is the resting place or abode (ayanam) of the jeevAtmAs.(nAra).
3. nAra also means water. Since bhagavAn has been reclining on the cosmic ocean forever, he is also referred as ‘nArAyana’.
*DERIVATION OF THE WORD ‘nAra’*
‘nara’ means the one who leads. (from ‘nRu’ means king or leader). All the subjects who belong to the king, the purshOttama are called ‘nAra’. Hence NARAYANA becomes the one who pervades all beings.
‘nara’ also means the one who does not change. (na (does not) – ra (change). Hence all creations that belong to the imperishable and omnipresent (avyayah and sarvavyApi) are called ‘nArah’. Hence the name ‘NARAYANA'
PERIYA TIRUMOZHI 1.9
PASURAMS 1028 TO 1037
TIRUVENKATAM 2/4
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| TIRUVENKATAMUDAIYAN |
In the previous decad, AzhvAr instructs his heart to reach tiruvEnkaTam. Now, he enters this divyakshEtram with the sole intent of enjoying and experiencing the darshan of the emperumAn. Not receiving the expected reception from Perumal, AzhvAr is full of introspection and lists out the countless sins he had committed, feels deep regret, and in the process of atoning for the sins, performs *sharaNAgati*, at the divine lotus feet of tiruvEnkaTamudaiyAn, who has His divine consort alarmElmangai tAyAr, constantly at His side.
These verses also display one more of AzhvAr 's naichyAnusandhAna bhAvam, where he takes on the blame of having committed various grave sins.
Shree vEnkatEsha prapatti
श्रीमन् कृपाजलनिधे कृतसर्वलोक!
सर्वज्ञ शक्त नतवत्सल सर्वशेषिन्।
स्वामिन् सुशील सुलभाश्रितपारिजात
श्रीवेङ्कटेश चरणौ शरणं प्रपद्ये ||
The Consort of Shree (wealth)! Ocean of Compassion! Creator of the whole Universe! The Omniscient! The Almighty! Affectionate to those who bow (to Thee)! The Principal of the animate and inanimate world! The Lord easily attainable by persons of good conduct! The Divine Tree (pArijAta) to those who seek refuge! VenkaTEsa! I resort to Thy feet.
nOyE paTTu ozhindEn unnai kANbadOr AsaiyinAl |
1028. Oh Lord vEnkaTavA, residing on the tirumalA mountain, which has dense bamboo (vEy) vegetation and plenty of floral gardens!
I have let my life rot, living under the wrong perception that the mother, father, spouse, children and friends alone are my eternal bandhUs , and slogged for them. I have been living like a being lesser than a dog. Now, with immense love, I have come seeking Your permanent association, and to take asylum at Your Divine feet. I plead with You to accept me as Your sharaNAgatan and grace me. (1)
nAnE nAnAvida narakam pugum pAvam SeidEn |
tEnEi poompozhil Soozh tiruvEngaDa mA malai en
AnAi vandaDaindEn aDiyEnai ATkONDarulE. (2)
1029. Oh Lord vEnkaTavA, residing on the tirumalA hills where there are abundant gardens with bees buzzing. My Lord, who is like the mighty elephant!
I have been caught in the enticing glances of the doe-eyed women and committed grave sins, fit to land me in the various hells. I have now come to You to surrender at Your feet. Please accept me as Your sharaNAgatan and grace me. (2)
என் ஆனாய்!
en AnAy!
* emperumAn is ever enchanting as the elephant is.
* Just as the elephant extends its leg to help us mount on to it's back, it is perumAl's divine feet that help us reach Paramapadam.
* Just as the female elephant is sought to trap and catch the male elephant, pirATTi 's purushakAratvam is essential to get perumAl to accept prapannas.
* Elephant has a long hand ( trunk), just as perumAl has a long hand , always waiting to bless and save us.
enrEnum irandArkku inidAga uraittu ariyEn |
kunREi mEha madir kuLir mA malai vEngaDavA!
anrE vandaDaindEn aDiyEnai ATkONDaruLE. (3)
1030. Oh Lord vEnkaTavA, residing on the Divine tirumalA mountain, which is made cool by the turbulent, hillock- like clouds, hovering over it.
I have killed many living beings without any qualms. I have never spoken kindly to people who come asking for favors. Realizing my folly, I have now come to You, seeking asylum. Please accept me as Your sharaNAgatan and grace me. (3)
nalam tAn onrum ilEn nalladOr aram SeidumilEn |
nilandtOi neeL mugil SEr neriyAr tiruvEngaDavA!
alandEn vandaDaindEn aDiyEnai ATkONDaruLE. (4)
I have been born in various clans, lived, slogged and died, repeatedly, in my various janmAs. I cannot boast of any goodness, nor have I done any good deed. I have undergone so much suffering ( owing to the samsAric cycle of jananam and maraNam). I have now come to You seeking asylum. Please accept me and grace me. (4)
SeppAr tiN varai Soozh tiru vEngaDa mA malai en
appA vandaDaindEn aDiyEnai ATkONDaruLE. (5)
1032. Oh Lord vEnkTavA, residing on the tirumalA, surrounded by the fortified mountains! My Revered father!
Having committed innumerable sins, I have lost all credibility . I am not even fit to pray for Your benevolence. I don't possess the eligibility to pray with my heart filled with bhakti. With all these infirmities, I have come to You, seeking asylum. I plead with you to accept me and grace me. (5)
puNNAr Akkai tannuL pulambi taLarndu eittozhindEn |
viNNAr neeL Sikara viraiyAr tiru vEngaDavA!
aNNA vandaDaindEn aDiyEnai ATkONDaruLE. (6)
1033. Oh Lord vEnkaTavA, residing on the tirumalA , beyond the seven sacred hills, which have peaks standing tall, reaching the sky. My swAmi!
I have been trapped in this festering body made up of the five elements- earth, water, fire, air and space. After all the suffering, I, now, feel drained. Finally, repenting, I have now surrendered unto you. Please accept me and grace me. (6)
periyEn Ayinapin pirarkE uzhaittu EzhaiyAnEn|
kariSEr poombozhil soozh kana mA malai vEngaDavA
ariyE vandaDaindEn aDiyEnai ATkONDaruLE. (7)
1034. Oh Lord vEnkaTavA, residing on the tirumalA , surrounded by lofty mountains, where elephant herds roam about in the gardens. Oh my Lion!
As a young boy, in my ignorance, I have committed several sins. Even as a youth, I wasted my days trying to please others. But now, I have come to You seeking asylum. Please accept me and grace me. (7)
ETTrEn ippirappE iDar uTTranan emberumAn |
kOTTrEn pAindozhugum kuLir sOlai Soozh vEngaDavA
ATTrEn vandaDaindEn aDiyEnai ATkONDaruLE. (8)
1035. Oh Lord vEnkaTavA, residing on the tirumalA hills, which have plenty of cool, honey-dripping gardens.
I have taken several janmas, and accumulated sins. I am blessed to have taken this birth now, and with great love, I have come seeking You. I have suffered enough. Please accept me as Your sharanAgatan and grace me. (8)
maTTrEl onrum ariyEn mAyanE engaL mAdavnE |
kaTTrEn pAindozhugum kamala chunai vEngaDavA
aTTrEn vandaDaindEn aDiyEnai ATkONDaruLE. (9)
1036. Oh Lord vEnkaTavA, residing in the tirumalA hills, where there are many caves with bee hives laden with honey, and many ponds with lotuses. Oh my Lord with unparalleled kalyANaguNas (mAyA)! PirATTi's Beloved (mAdhavA)! I have no other refuge. I have no virtue to boast of. After meandering, I have now come to You seeking asylum, without knowing what else do do. (9)
viNNOr tAm paravum pozhil vEngaDa vEdiyanai |
tiNNAr mADangaL Soozh tirumangaiyar kOn kaliyan
paNNAr pADal pattum payilvArkkillai pAvangaLE. (10)
1037. These ten musical verses have been composed by tirumangaimannan, on the cloud- coloured tiruvEnkaTamuDaiyAn, who is the soul and the indispensable eye of the seven worlds. He resides on the holy tirumalA hills as the embodiment of the Vedas; to whom the dEvas come to offer their prayers. Sins will never harm those who recite these pAsurams. (10)
PERIYA TIRUMOZHI 1.10
PASURAMS 1038 TO 1047
TIRUVENKATAM 3/4
Having done prapatti, AzhvAr pleads to TiruvEnkaTamuDayAn to bestow upon him the wealth of paramabhakti (பக்தி சம்பத்). He requests the perumAL to remove those qualities which stand as hindrance to paramabhakti.
As swAmi rAmAnujA prays in "sharanAgati gadyam",
अनादि काल प्रवृत्तं विपरीत ज्ञानम् आत्म विषयं कृत्स्न जगद्विषयं च विपरीत वृत्तं च अशेष विषयम् अद्यापि वर्तमानं वर्तिष्यमाणं च सर्वं क्षमस्व।।
"I seek protection and surrender under your divine lotus feet. Help me leap over the prakRuti sambandham which has deluded me into wrong notions and enjoyment. Protect me from all present sins and those which will occur in future.
tiNNAgam piLakka Sarm Sala uittAi!
viNNOr tozhum vEngaDa mA malai mEya
aNNA, aDiyEn iDarai kaLaiyAyE. (1)
1038. The Lord of tiruvEnkaTam is none but rAmapirAn, says AzhvAr. Extremely distressed by the menace created by rAvaNa, brahmA and other dEvas came to seek relief from the lord who stands majestically(mEya aNNA) in tirumalai. Lord rAma barged into the beautiful city of SrilankA surrounded by massive ramparts and the huge surging ocean (kan Ar kadal choozh). He split the sturdy body (tiNNAgam) of the King of Lanka (ilaNgaikku talaivan) with His sharp edged arrows. Oh Lord TiruvEnkaTamuDayAn! You relieved the dEvAs from their distress. I realised that I am dwelling in the darkness of agnyAnam which is the biggest misery . Please remove these miseries (idarai kaLaiyAYE) through your grace. (1)
kulam keTTu avar mALa kODippuL tirittAi!
vilangal kuDumi tiruvEngaDam mEya
alangal tuLaba muDiyAi aruLAyE. (2)
1039. Once LankApuri was the ruled by ferocious rAkshsas which seemed like an anthill filled with poisonous snakes. They troubled the demi-gods who surrendered at feet of Lord Vishnu for protection. NArAyanA!! to vanquish the race, you elegantly came riding on garuDa (puL-periya tiruvaDi) who is Your vehicle and flag. You severed the head of mAli, vanquished the race (kulam kettu mALa) while some some fled in different directions hearing the twang of your arrows. You are that Lord who resides in tiruvEnkaTam where the mountains peaks reach the sky! The suns and moons bypass them as they block their orbital path. The One who has adorned the tulasi garland around your head (alangal tuLaba muDiyAy) to protect your devotees, please bestow your compassionate glance on me and help me get rid of the accumulated friendly enemies which reside in me. (2)
(THE STORY OF MALYAVAN, MALI AND SUMALI)
PERIYA TIRUMOZHI 1.10
uttarakanDa of Srimad Ramayana (canto 6-7)
The fierce rAkshasas mAlyavAn, mAli and sumAli ruled SrilankA even before rAvaNa. These rakshasas harassed the demi-gods who in-turn ran to Lord nArAyanA for protection. Mounting on his beautifully feathered vehicle, the GaruDa, the Lord set out to destroy the rAkshasAs. The rAkshasa troops under the leadership of mAli, waged a fierce battle with Lord Vishnu. At the end, ViShNu cut off the head of mAli with his sudarshana chakra. Seized with fear, mAlyavAn and sumAli, fled towards LankA with the remnants of their forces.
1040. neerAr kaDalum nilanum muzhuduNDu
ErAlam iLam taLirmEl tuyilendAi!
SeerAr tiruvEngaDa mA malai mEya
ArA amudE aDiyErku aruLAyE. (3)
1040. My swAmi (entAy)!! During deluge or pralayA, you took the form of vaTapatrashAyee. An infant lying calmly on a fresh tender banyan leaf (AlantaLir mEl) . Oh ArAvamudE! You looked so innocent with your beautiful open eyes and yet swallowed the oceans (neerAr kaDalum), the earth(nilanum) and the cosmos and retained them in your stomach. Dear Lord! The hills of tirumalA is regarded to be greater (seerAr) than Shree VaikuNTham and You who reside on it is the divine nectar in the heaven which has always been insatiable (ArAvamudE). Please grace me with your merciful glance. (3)
koNDAi kuraLAi nilam eeraDiyAlE
viN tOi Sikara tiruvEngaDa mA malai mEya
aNDA aDiyEnukku aruL puriyAyE. (4)
1041. TiruvEnkaTamuDayAnE! You permanent abode is the tirumalA hills whose peaks reach paramapadam. You are Lord krishnA , the cowherd who gulped the clarified butter(ghee- naRu nei) in the hanging pots (uRi mEl) as if it were nectar. You took the beautiful form of vAmanA (kuRaLAy), measured the two worlds in two steps (eer aDiyAlE). Oh dEvAdi dEvanE! Your attributes of SOULABHYAM being easily accessible to the cowherds and your PARATVAM of growing tall as trivikramA is awe-inspiring. Please empathise and manifest to me just as You revealed yourself to the cowherds and king mahAbali. (4)
pENA avuNan uDalam piLandiTTAi!
SENAr tiruvEngaDa mA malai mEya
kOL nAgaNaiyAi kurikkoL enai neeyE. (5)
1042. TiruvEnkaTamuDayAnE! You stand majestically in the huge tirumalA hills who appeared as the ferocious Narasimha Moorthy (ariyAy) from a non-sentient pillar (toonAy) to honour the words of young prahlAdA that you are omnipresent. You tore the body of hiraNyakashipu who refused to believe or respect you (pENAvunan). One who has the mighty and ever subservient AdisEsha or tiruvantAzhwAn as his bed (kOL nAga aNaiyAy)! with your sympathetic glance mould (neeyE kuRikoL) me like AdisEshA to do bhagavat kainkaryam to you alone considering me as prahladA (5)
tannAkki tannin aruL Seyyum talaivan |
minnAr mugil SEr tiruvEngaDam mEya
ennAnai ennappan en nenjiluLAnE. (6)
1043. PERUMAL PERVADES INTO AZHWAR’S HEART.
AzhvAr expresses his blissful state. MY SWAMI! With your grace, you passionately took me closer to you, freed me from the shackles of this unstable human birth. You entered my heart along with pirATTi (minnAl mugilsEr). You are the One with amazing wisdom and strength like an elephant (en Anai)! I am so overwhelmed! You graced me with knowledge and attributes similar to you thus instilling the attitude of bhagavat kainkaryam in me. My great father (en appan)! You are the dear Lord of TirumalA who is residing in my heart (en nenjil uLAn), the kshEtram where lightning and clouds seem to co-exist. (6)
AnEzh viDai SeTTra aNivaraittOLA!
tEnE tiruvEngaDa mA malai mEya
kOnE en manam kuDi koNDirundAyE. (7)
1044. My master (entAy) who stands elegantly in the tall hills of tirumalA (mA malai)! You are Lord krishNa with majestic broad shoulders (ani vaRai tOLA) who killed the seven ferocious bulls to win the hands of nappinai pirATTi who has beautiful deer like eyes. Oh the One as sweet as honey (tEnE)! I am experiencing the ecstasy of your attributes of strength, reliability and saulabhyam just like nappinai pirATTi felt when she won you. I am extremely blessed that you unconditionally chose to reside in my heart (en manam kuDikoNdu). (7)
mAyan maNivAL oLi veN taraLangaL |
vEi viNDudir vEngaDa mA malai mEya
Ayan aDiyalladu maTTru ariyEnE. (8)
1045. Dear Lord! You are easily accessible and friendly to your bhaktas (aNiyan) and unreachable to your non-believers (sEyan). Your home is that tiruvEnkaTam where rare pearls formed in the old bamboo trees burst open flinging the bright shining reddish pearls like the edge of a sword , all around the hills. I desire to experience only the tiruvaDi kainkaryam of Lord krishNa (Ayan) as HE resides in me. (8)
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| BAMBOO GEMS |
BAMBOO GEMS
In the dense forests, in very ancient bamboo trees, precious gems and stones are formed in the hollow of the stem. They have auspicious virtues, curative properties and more to add. Names of some pearls and stones are-
# Bamsa mOti or bamboo pearl.
# Deva bamsa mani
# Green bamboo mani or Markata (maragada ) bamboo mani.
1046. vandAi enmanam pugundAi manni ninrAi
nandAda kozhunjuDarE engaL nambee!
SindAmaNiyE tiruvEngaDam mEya
endAi! ini yAnunnai enrum viDEnE. (9)
1046. MANGALASHASHANAM OF TIRUVENKATAMUDAYAN.
Overwhelmed with immense paramabhakti, AzhvAr does mangalAshAshanam to TiruvEnkaTamuDayAn.
NANDAY KOZHU SUDARE! One who is ever full of brilliant lustre or tEjas that never gets mellowed down. ENGAL NAMBI! One who is complete and ever ready to fulfil our needs. CHINTAMANIYE! one who will grant our desires (to his bhaktas) immediately like kAmadhEnu (the divine cow) and the kalpavruksha (the divine tree). Oh dear perumAnE! Leaving your favourite abodes of tirupArkadal and Shree vaikuNTham, you chose to reside in tirumalA on the earth. You came closer to me, blessed me and entered my heart (en manam pugundAy). Instead of choosing to reside in the hearts of yogis who are adept of knowledge and have performed great austerities, you were determined to reside permanently in my heart (manniniDRAy) without relenting the fact that I am not pure. Henceforth, Dear Lord! I will never let You leave my heart (unnai enDRum viDEn). (9)
1047. villAr mali vEngaDa mA malai mEya
mallAr tiraL tOL maNivaNNn ammAnai |
kallAr traLtOL kaliyan sonna mAlai
vallAr avar vAnavarAguvar tAmE. (10)
1047. The beautiful blue hued (maNivaNNan) broad shouldered lord TiruvEnkaTamuDayAn resides in the auspicious tirumalA hills with hunters( villAr valee) who live there as if to protect Him from dangers. The AzhvAr who is very strong with mountain like shoulders is Kaliyan or tirumaNgaimannan, wrote these ten beautiful verses and whoever recites these will attain the state of nityasooris engaged in bhagavat kainkaryam in Shree VaikuNTham. (10)
AZHVAR EMPERUMANAR TIRUVADIGALE SHARANAM
