SRIVAISHNAVAMOur philosophy is called Srivaishnavam - in Vedantic terms, it is called as Vishishtadvaitam. Sri Sankara’s philosophy is called as Advaitam. Sri Madhvacharya's philosophy is called as Dvaitam The 5 forms of Emperumans are • • • • • The 5 Ayudhams of Emperuman • • • • • Param – Emperuman in vaikuntam Vyukam – Emperuman in parkadal Vibhavam – Emperuman in dasavatharams Antharyami – Emperuman in our heart Archa – Emperuman in the temples Chakram-Sudarshanar Sangam-Panchajanyam Sword-Nandakam Mace-Koumodhaki Bow-Sarngam AVATARA TYPES: Vibhava Avatarams: The 10 Dasavatharams : Matsya, Koorma , Varaha , Parasurama , Rama , BalaRama , Krishna , Kalki , etc., Archa Avatarams:The archanai moorthys in all temples : Srinivasan , Uppiliappan , Parthasarathy etc., The DivyaPrabhandham's Origin DIVYAPRABHANDHAM is the Divine collection of 4000 Paasurams sung by Azhvars who lived before 8th century A.D. The simple details are shown in this table : Azhwar Name Month Nakshatram -Place Amsam PogaiAzhwar BoodathAzhwar PeyAzhwar TirumazheiSeiAzhwar Nammazhvar MaduraKaviAzhwar KulasekararAzhwar Periyazhwar AndalThayar TirupaanAzhwar TirumangaiAzhwar Aypasi Tiruvonam - YathokthaKariSannidhi Kanchi Panchajanyam- Sangu Aypasi Avitam - TirukadalMallai Mahabalipuram Thai Maham -TirumazheiSei Chitirai Chitirai - TiruKovalur Masi PunarPosam - TiruVanjikalam Ani Swathi - SriVilliPuthur Adi Pooram - SriVilliPuthur Karthigai Rohini - Uraiyur Karthigai Karthigai - TiruvaliTirunagari Koumodaki - Gadhai Sudarsanam-Chakram Vainatheyan - Garudan Koustubamani - Gem Vainatheyan - Garudan Mahalakshmi-Boomadevi Tulasimalai-Vanamalai SriVatsam - Symbol Saarngam – Bow [Vil] Aypasi Sadayam- AdiKesavaPerumalKoilMylapore Nandakam-Sword[Vaazh] Vaikasi Visakam-TiruKurungudi-AzhwarTirunagari Vishwaksenar TondarAdiPodiAzhwar Margazhi Kettai - Mandangudi After 8th Century AD , due to the Political and Social situations in the Country , the Prabhandhams sung by Azhwars got scattered and eventually lost. It was Nathamuni ( RangaNathaMuni fondly called NathaMuni) who discovered the lost DivyaPrabhandham. He was born at KaatuMannarKovil ( Veera Narayana Puram), in the year 584 BCE.His other name is ShadamarshanaKulaThilakar. One day Nathamuni was worshipping at a temple when a few pilgrims who had come there sang the pasuram beginning with the words " Aaraavamudhey..." . The final verse concluded saying that “Kurugoor Sadagopan sonna Ayirathul ivai Pathum...”. Nathamuni was so impressed with poetic beauty of the Pasuram and requested the devotees to teach the entire thousand.They told that only they know the Ten Pasurams on Aravamudhan. He was clueless about the Pasurams and decided to go to the Saarangapani temple in Kudanthai and started to pray hardly. Immedietely a flash ran in his mind the last line said that it was written by Sadagopan of Thirukurukur . Sri Nathamuni immediately undertook the long journey by foot to Kurugur.The melody of Nammazhvar’s Pasuram was ringing in his ears .Finally he came to Kurugur . He prayed to AdiNathaPerumal and Nammazhwar Sannidhi. He was ordered to recite “Kanni nun Siruthambu” 12000 times at the tamarind tree and chanted the verses. Nammazhvar taught him all his 4 Prabhandhams and the entire Prabhandhams of other 11 Azhvars too. Sri Nathamuni promptly codified the devotional hymns as Nalayira Divya Prabhandham. He set them to melodious music and rhythm and taught the Prabhandhams to his Sishyas and commenced the practice of Arayar Sevai at SriRangam temple. These SriVaishnavaites were called Thenkalai. Later.are out of this world.called Vadakalai (Northern) and Tenkalai (Southern).TiruVasiriyam7.Siriya-Periya Tirumadal-1 NaangaamAyiram Tiruvaimozhi-1102 Ramanujar Nootrandhadhi-108 DIVYADESHAM The temples where Azhwars have sung Prabhanda Paasurams is called Divya Desams. Tiruppalliezhuchi-10 Amalanadhipiran-10 Kanninum Chiruththambu-11 Rendam Ayiram PeriyaTirumozhi-1084. These people learnt DivyaPrabhandhams which were easily understood by all since it was in tamil. TWO BRANCHES OF VAISHNAVAM In Srivaishnava school itself.PeriyaTiruAndadhi-87 Tiruvezhukutrirukkai-1. Natchiyar Tirumozhi-143 Perumal Tirumozhi-105 Tiruchchanda Viruttam-120 Tirumalai-45.Parama padam and Thiruppaarkadal . The Vadakalai sect were giving importance to Sanskrit Scriptures like Vedas. . At BadriNath temple .The presiding deities in these Divya Desams are found in various Thirukkolams (postures): ● ● ● Periyazwar Andal KulashekarAzhwar TirumazhaiseiAzhwar ThondarAdiPodiAzhwar TirupaanAzhwar MadhurakaviAzhwar TirumangaiAzhwar PoigaiAzhwar BoodhathAzhwar PeyAzhwar TirumazhaiseiAzhwar NammAzhwar TirumangaiAzhwar NammAzhwar Tiruvarangaththamudanar Kidantha Thirukkolam (Sleeping posture) in 27 Divyadesams Veetrirundha Thirukkolam (Sitting posture) in 21 Divyadesams Nindra Thirukkolam (Standing posture) in 60 Divyadesams WORSHIP PROTOCOL Paanchratra Agamam or Vaikanasa Agamam is followed in Tamilnadu temples and Kerala temples follow Tantram Procedure for worship . There are 108 Divyadeshams and of these 105 are located in India and 1 in Nepal. The move towards the Tamil Divya Prabandhams was natural because Tamil was the mother tongue of the people. Ramanuja spread SriVaishnavam from the temple Gopuram at Tirukoshtiyur and declared all people hearing him as SriVaishnavas.NALAYIRA DIVYAPRABHANDHAM-AZHWAR DETAILS Mudal Ayiram Tiruppallandu-12. two branches of thought had emerged between the time of Sri Ramanuja and that of Sri Vedanta Desika. Periyazwar Tirumozhi. Tirukkurunthandakam-20 Tirunedunthandakam-30 Moondram Ayiram Mudal Tiruvandadhi-100 Rendam Tiruvadhadhi-100 Moondram Tiruvandhadhi-100 NanmuganTiruvandhadhi-96 Viruttam-100.461 Tiruppavai-30. AdiShankara established Protocols for worship. the remaining two . there is less space as if there are more than three persons. All three joined themselves in discussing Glorious attributes of Sriman nArAyaNan and were deeply excited to describe what each one of them felt and feel towards their (our) Lord. please take this milk and remove our worries. Bhargava Rishi and his wife were terribly depressed and with unwillingness left the lump-of-flesh born to them at a "moongil" (bamboo) bush and proceeded . Each one of them (one by one) sang 100 poems(pasurams) flowing from their mouths as if they are clear "neerOdai". 3. the shapeless -mass received Divya tEjas and became a fully developed baby which was later picked up by a old-aged tribal-couple named ThiruvALan and Pankayachelvi . suddenly they found themselves cramped.By Emperuman's grace . Due to heavy rain .Nakshatram . please come in "(oruvar padukkalAm.and he lied down in that place. Aiyppasi month on TiruvONam. Chests expanded as if they are going to burst with full of happiness.Sidhartha Year . They were perplexed as to why all of a sudden.MUDAL AZHWARS.YathokthaKariSannidhi Kanchi Panchajanyam. BhoodhaththAr appeared on the "KuruKathThi Poo" in a garden at Tirukadalmallai SathalasayanaPerumal temple.Instead .Gadhai Nandakam-Sword[Vaazh] Aypasi Tiruvonam . and they were feeling highly elated. Goose pimples all over their bodies.-Ja-born: Not Born in a Womb – only appeared ). PoigaiAr appeared on the "ThAmarai Poo" in the pushkarani of Yathokthakari temple.TirukadalMallai Mahabalipuram Aypasi Sadayam. They brought some cow's milk and offered the milk saying "Oh our beloved thirumazhisaiyE.. || Mudal Azhwargal Divya Tiruvadigaley Sharanam || TIRUMAZHEISEI AZHWAR : Thai Maham -TirumazheiSei Sudarsanam-Chakra Amsam He was born at Thirumazhisai Village. dear". legs.Place Aypasi Avitam . BhagavAn listened to them with His full concentration and satisfaction all their pasurams and blessed them. 1. PoigaiAzhwar welcomed BhoodhaththAr lovingly saying "Inside. BhoodhaththAr knocked the house and requested if he can be accommodated due to heavy rain outside. Irandam and Moondram Tiruvandhadhi respectively.AdiKesavaPerumalKoilMylapore Amsam Koumodaki . The Three Azhwars appeared as babies on flowers of different kind (and not were born like us actually!. to Bhargava rishi and Kanakaangi after an unusual of 12 months stay in the womb. The Three of them. Avittam and sadhayam nakshathrams respectively . While they were standing all the time (in a space that is just sufficient for only three people to stand) discussing namperumAls' nityakalyANa guNas. tears rolling down their cheeks. After some time.( 7th Century . PEyazhwAr appeared on the " Sev-Alli Poo" in the well of TiruMayilai AdhikEsavaPerumal temple.Ayipasi Masam ) Azhwar Name PogaiAzhwar BoodathAzhwar PeyAzhwar Month . both bhaktAs said in chorus "Please come in.. were not known to each other until they happened to meet in the Rezhi of TiruKovaloor temple. and they could not even move about. but two can sit. etc. moover niRkalAm). iruvar amaralAm). There is yet another knock by pEyAzhwar asking for a favour to accommodate him due to heavy downpour.Yoni-womb. Three AzhwArs were literally crying. We can stand and accommodate you also" (oruvar padukkalAm. And they found that Saakshaath Emperuman SrimanNarayanan sttod there to listen to their sweet outpourings. iruvar amaralAm. Seeing the foetus that came out as just a lifeless lump of flesh with no arms. The child drank some milk and gave . 2. Poigai Azhwar took shelter in a narrow Rezhi of a house at the temple premises . They are " A-Yoni-Ja" : A-not .Sangu They are the three mudal (first) AzhwArs who were contemporary azhwArs and were born on three consecutive days in SiddhArti year. Not surprisingly. there is place for one man to lie down. But the baby did not drink or eat any thing . It was real squeezing against each other. They always went together to other Divyadeshams and composed Mudal . Their palms were glued to each other. Since then . stream of river. YATHOKTHAKARI " The Kingdom lost all its treasures and became lifeless. A few brahmins were reciting vedas inside that house." BhaktisArar (TirumazheiseiAzhwar) & KaniKannan came to Thiruvekka-yathokthakaari temple. showed him evidences from vedas ans smrithis to claim sriman Narayana as the supreme deity. Buddhism. You don't have to lie down here any more. On seeing the "harijan" (our AzhwAr). Kanikkannan said "this is not the only sthalam for me. PallavaKing who came on NagaraValam saw her and married her.. So the king rushed immediately to chase the trio. The entire world is His" and walked off.nee kidakka vEndAm . and saivic philosophy. The AzhwAr. He caught them on the way and prostrated on the ground. jainism. pEyAzhwAr argued with him. The Meaning is not to be read but felt ! Once on his way to Tirukkudantai. This Emperuman hence got the name " SONNA VANNAM SEYDHA PERUMAL . AzhwAr and Kanikkannan. They started regaining their youth and later were blessed with a son .Hence. I am blessed by sriman Narayana to take refuge at the Lotus feet of Sri Devi and have escaped all problems and misfortunes since then. On reaching Tirukkudantai ( Kumbakonam). I am also leaving with him. advaita and in fact became a staunch devotee of Siva (with a name siva vAkya. TirumazheiseiAzhwar accepted kaniKannan as his PradhaanaSishyan. AzhwAr's kind heart melted and immediately transformed her into an extremely beautiful young lady. he let the olaichuvadi containing his writings in the waters of river Kaveri .That enraged the king and he ordered to banish Kanikkannan from his kingdom. whole heartedly served both BaktiSarar and Kanikannan by cleaning. The AzhwAr broke open a paddy seed that was lying there with his fingernail to indicate the exact context which had a reference to the paddy seed. buddhism. they stopped their recitation . "Kanikkannan pOginRAn-kAmaru poon kacchi maNivaNNA. The leaf floated back to him holding his works TiruchandaVirutham .. Seeing her . AzhwAr later declares his struggles in his pAsuram: "sAkkiyam kaRROm-samaN kaRROm-sankaranAr-Akkiya Agama nool arinthOm bhaktiyAl-senkatkariyaAnai sErnthOm yAm theethilamE-yenkatkariyathOnRil" Meaning : "After my futile efforts to know the supreme principle through jainism. repenting for what he had done. namely. Bhaktisarar immediately understood and was about to leave when the Brahmins started their recitation. Out of gratitude for the Azhwar . Needless to say. they named the child KANIKANNAN. There was also an old lady who devotedly. mopping.surrendering them at Aravamudhan's feet.nee kidakka vEndum -Neeyum undhan PayiNaaga-PaAi viritthukkoL ". and finally initiated him into vaishnavic philosophy and named him bhaktisArar. They forgot the next line and at what point they had left the recitation.the remaining to the old-couple. He went to azhwAr and narrated the incident . drawing "kOlams" near their hut.Neeyum undhan PayiNaagaPaAi suruttikkoL " ! Meaning : " Kanikkannan is going . Hearing about the Azhwar and Kanikannan . KaniKannan said that he would sing only the qualities of Emperuman by the Kataaksham of his Acharyan BaktiSarar . " Kanikkannan pOkkozhindAn kAmaru poon kacchi maNivaNNA. NaanmuganTiruvandhadhi.and cannot sing the praise of a mortal. requested them to forgive him for his mistake and to come back to kanchi. understanding the sincerity of his regret and repentance requested the Lord again to return and stay at kanchi. The brahmins were simply flabbergasted and astonished and realized the greatness of the AzhwAr and asked for his pardon. the King later called Kanikannan to his palace and ordered KaniKannan to sing in praise of the King. too decided to leve the kingdom and went straight to Yathokthakari Sannidhi and prayed wholeheartedly with tears in his eyes and requested the Lord also to come along with them. as he can not think of living without the Lord. actually had learnt tried all other religions/doctrines. You also roll your "nAgam" (serpent bed) and follow me" The Emperuman immedielty obeyed BaktiSarar's orders and followed the azhwar with the snake-bed tucked under his arms. . the Lord obeyed. Baktisarar stopped for a while to take rest and he sat on the "ThiNNai" of a house in Perumpuliyur. AzhwAr. unlike other tamarind tree does not fold its leaves in the nights. He was simply excited and deeply attracted by the Divine figure and Golden hue of AzhwAr's face. (Even today one can witness this phenomenon ay AzhwArthirunagari). Only to NammAzhwar . The Pasuram “ KidandhaVaaru Ezhundirundhu Pesu . like Lakshmana. Vaazhi Kesaney “ explains this incident. MaduraKaviAzhwar was blessed with a swarna vigraha (Golden statute) of nammazhwAr which he consecrated at the Tamarind tree. and it is still called "uRangap puLiyamaram (the tree which does not sleep). Madhurakavi asked in tamil "Seththathin vayiRRil siRiyadhu piRandhAl yetthai thinRu engE kidakkum?" meaning: If the small is born in a dead's body(or stomach). Since the baby was different from others it was named "mARan" (later called karimaran). The grief stricken parents. The parents' happiness was shortlived only as the baby did not even cry. which tield unripened "puLiyngAi" and not a ripened one (puLiyampazham). Not willing to disturb Emperuman Aravamudhan's Sayanam . too he wanted to test the azhwAr. He performed daliy ArAdhanA to his AzhwAr and even ignored the Lord Sriman Narayana since then . He just threw a small stone into a nearby pond and for that splash sound. due to this unusual uncommon child went to Lord AdhiNatha. The parents observed penance by putting the kid in the cradle at the temple daily. This puLiyamaram(tamarind tree) also is supposed to be "AdhisEshan" (the Serpent of Mahavishnu) which grew here before the azhwAr's birth. This tree. the divine child grew in the same state of meditation for 16 years. MadhurakaviAzhwar was living in Thirukkolur saw a very bright star and was pulled by the magnetism of this light and started his journey following the light and guided only by THIS STAR. kAri (a veLLALa agriculturist) and udhayanangai of Thirukkurugoor . vaikasi tamil month and visAkam nakshatram on a friday (an incarnation of Vishvaksena. This tree has flowers. after praying to the Lord AdhinAthA ." . He prostrated at the feet of AzhwAr and with tears in his eyes said " O. move or open its eyes or mouth. the childless couple. Such is the Greatness of "our AzhwAr"-nammAzhwAr -who stayed under that tamarind tree for 35 years. sadagopan. Thus.TirumazheiseiAzhwar prayed to Lord Aravamudhan with great devotion.saying " Devu Matru Ariyen Tirukurugoor Nambi . From then on nammAzhwAr sang with utmost Bhakti. nammAzhwAr said " Stay with me and write my pAsurams on Emperuman". the "little azhwAr" crawled towards the tree bottom and sat down cross-legged and closed its eyes. the Chief administrator of Mahavishnu). He found himseld at Lord AhinAthA temple and the star's brightness in nammAzhwAr's tEjas. were blessed with a male child with a divya tEjas in the year pramadhi. Since he was a sanskrit and Tamil scholar and a great philosopher. One day when they relaxed by closing their eyes and fell into a short nap. it is also told that all perumAls from various Divya Desams appeared one by one before him and got their quota of pAsurams. Madhurakavi was greatly impressed at AzhwAr's depth of answer and his philosophy. but did grow like other healthy kids. Seeing him at his feet. Vakulabaranan NammAzhwAr's parents.. Seeing this. Azhwar requested him to remain in the same pose and bless all devotees. our azhwAr opened his lotus eyes.. Aravamudhar began to get up from his Sayana Tirukolam. This Divine baby AzhwAr did not eat/move. From then on. what will it eat and where will it stay? NammAzhwAr. parangusar . southern sun! Please take me as your disciple: Please protect me". put the "immobile" baby in an emerald cradle under a tamarind tree besides the temple. without knowing that the azhwAr does not talk or open his eyes. Aravamudhan is in UdyogaSayanam at Tirukudandhai. || TiruMazheiSei Azhwar Divya Tiruvadigale Sharanam || NAMMAZHWAR: Vaikasi Visakam-TiruKurungudi-AzhwarTirunagari – Vishwaksenar Amsam nammAzhwAr(our azhwAr). the one who has not opened his mouth since his birth (not even for food) opened his lips and answered "aththaith thinRu angE kidakkum" (meaning: It will eat that and stay there). we surrender ourself to Nammazhwar and thereby obtain a connection with him .Kanninun Siruthaambu .. in the end.etc to present day acharyans. The sangam chief says " NammAzhwAr's works are superior and other poets are like flies compared to Garudan . appeared as an old Brahmin and consoled him saying " You just place this pasuram of "Kannan kazhaliNai."kaNNinun siRutthAmbhu.Thayar-VishwaksenarNammazhwar. TiruPaan Azhwar : Hands Tirumangai Azhwar : Navel MaduraKavi Azhwar : Feet Acharyan Ramanujar : Paadukas So when accepting Sataari . Through the ritual of placing our head under Swami Nammazhwar's feet . He is the first Human Acharyan. He sang these pasurams only in praise of his Acharya "nammAzhwAr" and claimed. Garuda Amsam . that one can attain mOkshA certainly and definitely after reciting just these 11 pAsurams... fire flies (minmini) in the presence of sun. The sangam poets objected to such claims and praises NammazhwAr who had no connection with Sangam. chitrai month and in chitrai nakshatram at ThirukkOLoor." on a boat (Sanga-Palagai) and watch its power" and disappeared.are counted as part of 4000 DivyaPrabhandhams . All other Azhwars are considered to be part of Nammazhwar's Tirumeni [ Sataari]: Budhath Azhwar : Head Poigai Azhwar .NammAzhwAr composed the following: Thiruviruttam (100 verses as the essence of Rg vEdA) ThiruvAsiriyam (7 verses as the essence of yajur vEdA) Periya ThiruvandhAdhi (87 verses as the essence of atharvaNa vEdA) ThiruvAimozhi (1002 verses as the essence of sAma vEdA) SRISATAARI (Padhukai of Emperuman) IN TEMPLES : In temples Sri Satakopam . born in Easwara year. in the form of sataari .. they were simply AMAZED to find that each one wrote the same verse in same words. Our acharya lineage starts with Emperuman .Madhurakavi was saddened by this protest . he also sang 11 beautiful "andhadhi" style pAsurams .. haughty poets while it retained only the leaf containing "Kannan kazhaliNai paasuram. And when they were about to publish their verses. wolf before the Lord Narasimha . Not just that.. He was impressed by nammAzhwAr's works so much that wanted to stage NammAzhwAr's works in front of other scholars at his time.. Pey Azhwar : Eyes PeriyAzhwar : Face TirumazhaiseiAzhwar : Neck Kulasekarar .this connection is essential to realise the unconditional grace of Emperuman Narayanan. do so humbly and with prayers to protect you ! ||NammAzhwar Divya Tiruvadigaley Sharanam || MADURAKAVI AZHWAR: Chitirai Chitirai – TiruKovalur – Vainatheyan Amsam [Garudan] AzhwAr Madhurakavi is the one who helped us by compiling the outpourings of NammazhwAr.." It is also told that each one of those poets struggled to reach the shore and composed a verse dedicating to NammAzhwAr." which do not have any parallel to any other pAsuram/slOka for Acharya Bhakti. Madhurakavi. || Madirakavi Azhwar Divya Tiruvadigaley Sharanam || .commonly refered as Sataari represents NammAzhwar.All their works are not equal to even one utterance of nammAzhwAr. dogs in front of the ferrocious tiger." The eleven pAsurams . Madhurakavi did the same and the boat capsized throwing out all the jealous. NammAzhwar. at SriRangam . BhaktAs.SriVilliPuthur Vainatheyan ." Then the Lord disappeared. using that wealth. We will get back your brother's life.Garuda Amsam Mahalakshmi-Boomadevi Before getting into periyAzhwAr charithram. you both need to deforest that place and build a temple and surrounding town. SriRaman gave a vision of his Pattabhisheka Tirukolam with Janaki Thayar . he did not know whether what he saw (in his unconscious state) was true at all and was confused. When villi came back to consciousness. Once when a UpanyAsakar was narrating Ramayanam . Such was kulasEkarA's bhakti for Rama. the Step leading to the Garbagriham in all temples is called Kulasekarapadi. He lived till 67 years and served Emperuman through his Pasurams. let us have a glance at the Great Villiputthoor charithram. at the phase of Yudha kaandam . But suddenly kaNdan got up alive as if he just woke up from sleep (without any wound even). the narrator said that Rama was standing in the battle-field without any huge chariot and was supported only by Vanara army which was very less compared to the huge Asura Army. Great scholars. Barathar . " oh Kulasekara ! Your blind affection for me is similar to Lakshmanan's affection. . his heart almost stooped with grief and cried heavily and fell unconscious on his darling brother's body. Nearby there is a forest where there were hunters living in it. And you both go to find out the Big Banyan tree in the midst of this forest where my DivyaMangalaVigraham has been lying for quite a long time. Villi waited for kaNdan for along time and started seraching for him with a worried look on his face about his dearest brother. His daughter CheraKulaVali married SriRanganathar similar to Andal. || KulaSekaraPerumal DivyaTiruvadigaley Sharanam || PERIYAZHWAR AND ANDAL Periyazhwar AndalThayar Ani Swathi . where periyAzhwAr hailed from.SriVilliPuthur Adi Pooram . In honour of Kulasekara Azhwar's Pasuram . In "Then PAndya" kingdom. You too will be called KulasekaraPerumal and Your Pasurams will be known as PerumalTirumozhi" . where great sholars pundits were residing. You can take them as much as you wish. Kulasekarar returned back to his Palace. During his unconsciousness. You both will also find a cave nearby the tree where there is lots and lots of Golden jewels and coins and treaure available. Do not worry. They spotted a tiger and it escaped the arrows from their bows. After som time. One day these two brothers Villi and KaNdan went inside the forest for hunting as usual. The temple with VataparthraSayee Emperuman and RangaMannar utsavar at SriVilliputhur thus was established. When he spotted the dead body of kaNdan. Even today. Like Lakshmana is called IlayaPerumal .KULASEKARA AZHWAR-Masi PunarPosam – TiruVanjikalam – KoustubaMani Amsam – Sacred Gem KulasEkarAzhwar was born as a King to ChEra king Dhidavradhan and nAdhanAyagi during 8 th century in the month of mAsi and the nakshatram of punarpoosam(same as that of Lord Rama). KulasEkara was so much attached immedietly ordered his Army to get ready to move towards Lanka to help SriRaman in his fight. Lakshmanar . Emperuman&Thayar appeared and uttered thus:"O villi. there was a small town called putthoor. he had a scene in front of his eyes. pundits migrated from nearby villages to this holy place and started residing in this place. " Padiyai Kidandhu Un Pavazha Vaai Kanbeney " . Seeing SriRaman and Hearing these words . Shatrugnar and Hanuman and blessed him thus . On his way . The chief of these hunters had two sons named Villi and KaNdan. Villi explained the whole thing to his darling brother and both of them hugged each other for having been blessed by the Lord and having been chosen by the Lord to establish the temple for Emperuman SrimanNarayanan. KaNdan started chasing vigorously and went deep inside the forest. PeriyaPerumal gives sevai along with CheraKulaValliThayar during certain utsavams. the tiget hid behind a tree and pounced on kaNdan and killed him. re-read and enjoyed. dhaa.they were blessed with a male child and they named the child as VishNu chittar. pundits. the ministers the people and the scholars. She is said to have invited Ramanujar . He bathed him. whom they named "Godhaa" [ Go means Bhoomi . etc. Announcement was made throughout the kingdom and it was alos told that there will be a bag containing Golden coins [ Por-Kizhi ] hanging at the top and with the power and truth of the vEdic statement/principle. etc. She also developed a great amount of affinity to kannan while she helped her father in his kainkaryam. discussions.the bag FELL by itself into the hands of VishNuchitthar. So he held a contest . “ PerumPoodoor Mamunikki Pin Aanal Vazhiye “ ! || Periyazhwar Divya Tiruvadigaley Sharanam Andal Divya TiruVadigaley Sharanam || . Similar to her father .The king. Nooru Thada Niraindha AkkaraAdisil Sonnen . yasOdhA. During those times (9 th century A.capable of blessing Emperuman himself ! In PeriAzhwar's pasuram he sang as if he became Emperuman's mother. and enjoyed and imagined all thollai inbam which yasOdhA had undergone. arguments.plucking flowers and making garlands from the Nandavanam full of flowering plants and tulasi plants for Sri VataPatraSayee.D). seminars. One such day (on Adi pooram day) when he was plucking flowers and thulasi leaves in his beautiful nandhavanam.There lived Mukunda Bhattar and his wife was Padmavalli . Vatapatrasayee appeared before him and said that he would only wear the garlands which were worn by Godhai. were all sung by periyAzhwAr. There were many scholars.[ Vishnu as his Chittam-Mind&Heart]. But the Garland fell down . PeriAzhwar saw this deed of hers and sternly instructed her not to do so. Eru Thiru Udayan Indru Vandhu Ivai Kolungalo “. fed Him. VishnuChittar did not know the depth of the Vedas so he hesitated but obeyed Emperuman's orders and went to the Palace. there was a PandiyaKing by name "VallabhadEvan" ruling Madurai and wished to know the meaning of vEdAs and seeked some clarifications . The Child's azhaghu. Andal Thayar sang TiruPavai(30 paasurams) and NachiyarTirumozhi (143 pasurams ) . VishnuChittan performed Pushpa-Kaimkaryam . mischiefs. Heart of hearts PeriAzhwar prayed to Emperuman . vEdic viRpannargaL. The King honoured and made Vishnuchittar sit on the Royal Elephant and arranged for a great procession in the streets of his kingdom." Whoever furnishes good. All were bhakti laden pAsurams and taste like Grape fruit soaked in Honey. it shall fall automatically. Again and again he tried to Garland VatapatraSayee but the garland fell down each time. Emperuman and Thayar gave GarudaSevai Kaatchi to PeriAzhwar. Godai wore the garlands meant for VatapatraSayee Emperuman before PeriyAzhwar ttok them to the temple. leelAs. dressed Him. Emperuman VatapatraSayee ordered VishnuChittar to attend the Contest. AndalThayar in her NachiyarTirumozhi has sung important Pasuram on Tirumaliruncholi Perumal starting as “ Naaru Narum Pozhil Maaliruncholai Nambikki Naan Nooru Thada Vennai Vaay Nerndhu Paravi yaithen. Since this Azhwar blessed the Emperuman with "Pallaandu " he is called PeriAzhwar . Andal thus is known as "Soodi Kodutha Sudar Kodi ". Given by BhoomaDevi]. But the bag still was hanging! VishNuchittar started his explanation which .. pArAyaNams.Using the bells which the elephant was wearing he made THALAMS and sang "pallaaNdu. satisfactory reply and clarifies you can be greatly rewarded". All his pAsurams are to be read. not understanding this phenomenon. played with him. everybody could follow the simple statements . One day . when he came to SriRangam temple as “ Kovil Annan Vaareer “ ! And in her Vaazhi Tirunamam we say thus :. pallaaNdu PallAyiratthAndu PalakOdi NoorAyiram" . He then made anotehr garland and took it to Emperuman's sannidhi.given . he heard a faint cry of a femalebaby. PeriyAzhwAr realised that GOdhai's was none other than Thayar Mahalakshmi's avataram and called her "ANDAAL" ( one who ruled the Emperuman ). This wish of hers was later fulfilled by Acharyan Ramanujar. Hence . Next morning. He ignored their beauty. the king released Vipranarayan. Unaware of the plot. appeared as a servant of Vipranarayana calling Himself "Azhagiya manavala dasan" and went to Devadevi's house . but not aware of the reason. He handed over the Big Golden vessel (Thanga vattil) saying that Vipranarayana asked him to give this to her.Margazhi Kettai – Mandangudi – Tulasimalai Amsam He was born to a vedic brahmin Vedavisarathar in Thirumandangudi in Margazhi masam kEttai nakshathram.THONDARADIPODIAZHWAR . They named him "VipraNarayanan". Vipranarayanan was taken away by the King's guards . appeared (as an "ayOnijA". Panan was totally lost in his bhakti towards Emperuman. VipraNarayanan agreed and later was deceived by Devadevi's beauty and forgot all sorts of kainkaryams. Vipranarayana felt isolated and was heavily lamenting the separation from Devadevi and did not know what to do. Loka sArangha muni realised the greatness of PANan and the next morning he rushed to the . where SriMahAlakshmi resides. The entire place came to know of the bleeding scene from Lord's idol. He did sang only in praise of SriRanganathar and one else. SAranga muni shouted angrily and even threw a small stone at him to make him come to senses. One day. our ThiruppANAzhwAr. When he saw Panan standing on the way. VipraNarayanan performed PushpaKaimkaryam from his beautiful nandhavanam . she requested him to accept her service to him at his place. He felt really sorry for throwing a stone at that pANan and recognised his apachAram. One of them. The servant maid of Devadevi informed the king.. sAranga muni ordered him to give way and go away from that place. the temple chief priest by name "SarangaMuni" (known as muni for his devotion and piety towards the Lord Arangan) came to the River bank to collect water for NamperumAL's Thirumanjanam. Since then . || TondarAdiPodiAzhwar Divya Tiruvadigaley Sharanam || TIRUPAAN AZHWAR – karthigai Rohini – Uraiyoor – SrivatsaAmsam – Sacred Mark On a Kaisika EkAdasi day in the month of kArthigai. PANars were known for their sweet voice and singing in praise of BhagawAn Sriman NarayaNan. In the meanwhile. by name DevaDevi challenged the other sister that she would make our AzhwAr her slave with her beauty. the mole on Lord's Chest. they were captivated by his tEjas and charm. an incarnation of Sri vatsa mark. When they saw him closing his eyes and meditating on the Lord. Emperuman Ranganathar ordered the priest to bring His bhaktan Panan to the temple as a Prayashchittam for his apachAram to His bhaktA.He composed two poems namely.now Vipranarayan started praying to Emperuman at the time of distress. Panan also grew up singing in praise of Arangan. Vipranarayan decided to become "Thondar-Adi-Podi".Dust at the feet of Emperuman's Thondars. in the family of sOzhiya vaishnava (who had their "kudumi" (tuft) on the top front portion and not behind). Muni came back to the temple and found the Lord's forehead bleeding and SarangaMuni was totally astonished and shocked. the temple archakas found one of the "vattils" missing in the Lord's Sannidhi and immediately informed the king. since he belonged to untouchable category. On one such morning. Disguised and dressed as a poor girl. Later.enjoying the beauty of Srirangam temple from afar and imagining the Lord's ThirumEni deeply(whom he had not seen since pANars were not allowed to even enter the temple). Thirumalai and ThiruppaLLiyezhucchi . When she achieved what she wished. His thoughts were only about Devadevi and he became so engrossed in his desire for her that he could not bear even a moment separation from her. two sisters were coming back after performing a dance performance in front of Chozha king and were attracted by the beauty of our AzhwAr's nandhavanam. one who is not born of mortal beings) and was picked up and brought up by a childless pANar couple who belong to pANar caste (untouchable "Harijan" caste) in uRaiyoor near SriRangam on the other side of river kAuvEri at Tirucchirappalli. The stone hit him on his forhead and it started bleeding! Our pANan realized his blunder and apologised to muni and left the place immediately feeling sorry for his action towards the priest of Arangan. He used to come daily to the banks of River KauvEri and stand there and sing for hours together . our Lord Tiruvarangan felt it was enough for Him to playwith His bhakta and hence. she went back to her place in uttamarkoil (near SriRangam). AalinAdAr (belonged to the fourth caste). All his dirt had disappeared! He was simply electrified by the AshtAksharam. With the booty. So he could not even send the "tax" which he was supposed to send to the chOzhA king every year. He was agile. whom they named NEELAN (due to his dark (neela mEga) colour. and hence captured the neighbouring states.He took immense care to establish the AdyayanaUtsavam at Srirangam . kritigai nakshathram. his mind." Ending with " Kandukonden Narayana Ennum Naaman " . the entire treasury was spent on the dadhiAradhana kainkaryam. TirumangaiMannan took away all of their ornaments.One can see in the top verse mentioned herein at the beginning of these posts. SwamyDesikan wrote a Sanskritized Tamil commentary in four verses called "Muni vAhana Bhogam" . pANan was very much embarassed and was deeply moved by the Lord's grace and dayA on him. he travelled extensively to many divyadeshams and sang Prabhandahams on Emperumans . The king was immensely pleased and presented him a small portion of his kingdom.) That was his first success. He single handedly constructed the Dasavathara Sannidhi at SriRangam temple.He re-built the fort and kOttai and repaired the saptha -praakarams and repaired the vimana to give it Gold cover and many such activities . Having heard those EIGHT SYALLABLES (AshtAksharam) right from none other than Emperuman himself. a place called Thirumangai.signifying the above incident.With a bright ThirumaNkAppu on his forehead he started the DadiAradhanai . On reaching the inner sannidhi of Arangan where the Majestic Lord Sri Rangan. Kumudavalli stipulated two prerequisites for him to qualify for marrying her. There was no way he could get any money . and sang 10 Pasurams the TiruvadiTirumudi Azhagu of Ranganathar in "AMALAN-ADI_PIRAN" [ Amalan. While this was going on. Hence Panan came to be known as Muni-Vahanar. Immediately SarangaMuni carried Panan on his shoulders amd took him to the PeriyaPerumal Sannidhi . The above incident in the life of TirumangaiAzhwar is conducted as VeduPari Utsavam in all temples every year on the sacred Panguni-Uthram day. TirumangaiMannan turned robber heard of a new rich young couple's coming on the Highway and immediately rushed with his adiyALs. Thirumangai Mannan saw a lady named Kumudhavalli and expressed wish to marry her. he saw the Siththu [ Toe ornament called metti] in the BrideGroom's feet.river bank.Emperuman&Thayar lifted Tirumangai Mannan and whispered in his right ear "OM NAMO NARAYANAYA".one without any fault] and disappeared before all gathered there to become one with Emperuman. There.attaching utmost importance to this event. young and was good at battle fields. TirumangaiMannan sang pasurams begining with "Vaadinen Vaadi Varundhinen. || TiruPaanAzhwar Divya Tiruvadigaley Sharanam || TIRUMANGAI AZHWAR.Sarngam Amsam-Bow[Vil] ThiruVaalinadu was part of ChOzhA kingdom. the DivyaDampathis-EmperumanSriManNarayanan & Thayar appeared on the highway as a"just married" couple with lots and lots of jewels adorned them. TirumangaiMannan at that moment realised that something special about the Divine Tiruvadi of the couple. TirumangaiMannan fell at the feet of the BrideGroom and started biting-out the Metti . They were :TirumangaiMannan should become a SriVaishnavan and must perform DadhiAradhani [ feeding] 1000 Brahmins everyday for one full year.. VedAntha Desikan refers to PANAN as "NAM-PAANA-NATHAN". He had to resort to highway robbery . heart became pure!.Among all other Azhwars . One the auspicious Panguni-Uthram day. vallitthiru were blessed with a beautiful male child. dynamic. Immedietly TirumangaiMannan agreed to her two conditions and married Kumudhavalli. full moon day and was an incarnation of the Lord's SArngam (Divine bow). But he refused to set his foot in the Holy place. He was born in the Nala year. Not in a mood to leave even that small ornament . He and his wife. on a karithigai mAsam. an Army General (ThaLapathi) of ChozhA king earned the king's goodwill and respect with his devoted work. He narrated the entire incident to pANan and prostrated to pANan pleading for his pardon. Through her father. || Tirumangai Azhwar Divya Tiruvadigaley Sharanam || . as a tribute and made him a KING! (He was thereafter called "Thirumangai mannan". Neelan was appointed as the Army General(ThaLapathi) of Aalinadu. he continued the kainkaryam. Finally . SwamiDesikan composed BhagavadhyAna sOpAnam on similar lines admiring Lord Arangan's ThirumEni azhaghu.Karthigai Karthigai – TiruvaliTirunagari. Embracing Ramanuja appreciating his broad mindedness. he married Rakshakaambaal ( Tanjammal). (2) Ilaya Perumal was placed under the Advaitic(Saivite)Scholar called YADAVA PRAKASA at Tirupput kuzhi for training. who was also related to him. He cautioned Ramanuja that he should not give out the secrets to all and sundry and if he did so. the place came to be known as "Dvayam Vilaindha Tiruppathi" Both returned to Srirangam and did Kalakshepams on Brahma Sutra etc. YathiRajar [Yathi-sage raja-king] .SRI RAMANUJACHARYA'S LIFE HISTORY Sri Ramanuja (1017 . Immediately on receiving the instructions. he plotted to kill Ilaya Perumal by drowning him in Ganga while on a pilgrimage tour of the country with his disciples.lakshmanan ] . He stayed at Kanchi for a while to assist Tiruk Kachi Nambi in his daily chores of service to Lord Varadaraja. he found himself at the outskirts of Kanchipuram and the couple had disappeared. Miraculously. Bashyakarar [ one who gave Bashyam slokam ] HIS AVATARA AND EARLY DAYS Parents : Emperumanar was born to KesavaSomayaji Dikhsitar and KanthimathiAmmal at Sriperumpudur. This enraged the Guru. EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF SRI RAMANUJA (1) Within 16 years of age. for sometime. he wanted to equip himself with the secrets of the three great Mantras. he head would blast & he would go to hell. an aged hunter couple appeared and guided him.Once during this period. Though initially angry . Gothra: Haritha Gothram . IlyaPermal [ amsam of Adisheshan . opened his eyes. Ilaya Perumal slipped out into the forest at dead of night.Path shown by Ramanujar. (4) The seat of Acharya at Srirangam was lying vacant without a successor to take over. Vadama Sect By Birth TiruNakshaktam : Chitirai maasam . met with him but had no opportunity to speak to him and had to return to Srirangam. Alavandar who desired nominating Ilaya Perumal to succeed himself visited Tirupput kuzhi. He realized that it was Lord Varadaraja and Perundevi Thayar who had come in the guise of the hunter couple.' the light of Ramanuja' . He was prevailed upon to assume charge. Very many occasions arose when the Saivite Guru clashed with IlayaPerumal when the Guru misinterpreted Vedantic statements. (3)At Madurantakam Temple under the shade of Vakula tree Periya Nambi performed Pancha Samskara ( Samasrayanam) to Ramanujar. Other Names : Ilayaazhwar . Udayavar ." O! My lord" and declared that Srivaishnavism would thenceforward be known as " Ramanuja Darsanam". he had mastered all the Vedas and Sastras. For this purpose. As he was initiated into the Dvaya Mantra at Madurantakam.1137 CE). Ramanuja climbed up to the top of the Gopuram of the temple and proclaimed to the large gathering of his disciples assembled there the purport of the instruction. Empermanaar . he called him 'Emperumanar'. he approached one " Tiruk Koshtiyur Nambi" who made him come several times from Srirangam to Tirukoshtiyur before actually instructing him. Ilaya Perumal who was in a trance. But. It was at this time that Lord Ranganatha called him "Nammudaiyavar" (He is ours). From some forest in the Vindhya Mountains of the North . Ilaya Perumal fearlessly pointed out the errors in the Guru's interpretations and corrected him. his Guru was overwhelmed by this attitude to spread vaishnavam. the most important philosopher-saint of Sri Vaishnavam and one of the most dynamic characters of Hinduism. He revitalised srivaishnavam so much that nearly every aspect of Hinduism has been influenced by his work and hence Srivaishnavam is known as "Ramanujar-Darshanam" . Tiruvadirai Nakshatram Year of Birth : Pingala Aandu Ramanujar's parents were childless for a long time. Fearing that one day. before doing so. At age 17. They prayed to Tiruvallikeni Parthasarathy for a progeny and were blessed with Sri Ramanujar. Learning of the design through another disciple named Govinda. Ilaya Perumal would demolish Advaita philosophy. the king was planning to kill Ramanuja. Kuresan replied that the administration of the temple should be handed over to Ramanuja. It is this Tiruvarangattu Amudanar who subsequently wrote the Ramanuja Noorrantadhi of 108 verses which was included in the holy collects to make up the total of 4. Kuresan participated in the shradda ceremony performed for his mother by the famous Tiruvarangathu Amudanar. One of the most important disciples who was totally devoted to Ramanuja was Kuresan also known as ' Kurattalwan'. these insignia viz.000. Varadaraja Sthava. Later. . Ramanuja arranged to make a lifelike idol of himself and embracing it invested it with his powers and had it installed in Tirumalai at Tirupati. Kuresa added that ' Sivam was no doubt great but Dronam was greater than Sivam'both expressions referring to units of measurement. Tiruvaazhi ( chakram). Goddess Saraswati was so impressed with his commentary on Brahma Sutram that she named it "Sri Bhashyam" and conferred on him the title of "Bhashyakaarar". They were placed in the Sannidhi the previous night. who had already known the greatness of Ramanuja was only too glad to hand over the key to Ramanuja. The Lord desired to take back from Tondamaan. Ramanujar is said to have later recovered the Moolavar-vigraham of GovidarajaPerumal from the Pichchavaram sea and re-installed in the Chidambaram temple. to a King Tondamaan. The enraged king ordered both of them to be blinded when he came to know that he was Kuresa who was impersonating Ramanuja. Once. though he himself was blinded. Ramanuja was hailed as " Appanukku Sangaazhi Alittha Perumaal" Poet Arunagiri himself sang clearing all doubts in this regard saying "Ulageenra Pachai umaiyanan. other than that of Lord Venkateswara. Amudanar. Sri Sthava. faithfully interpreting the ancient knowledge in tune with the letter and spirit of the text in the light of revelation and experience tested by stern logic. It must be noted that while the other commentaries are known by the names of their authors . Sankhu. Chakram etc. (12)His Disciple Kuresan who wrote the famous Pancha Sthava consisting of Athi Maanusha Sthava. Periya Nambi was tortured to death while Kuresa survived. And. is that of Ramanuja. there is a Sannidhi for Govindarajan . the Lord gave Darshan adorning all his insignia . was happy that he had saved Ramanuja. (9) When he visited Saraswati Peetam. (7) During Panguni Uttram. This Amudanar was in charge of the Srirangam temple. became Ramanuja's disciple assuming the name of 'Govinda Yogi' (6) Ramanuja traveled throughout the country spreading the message of Visishtadvaita.. He commanded Ramanuja to come to his court with a view to enlisting his support to establish the superiority of Siva over all other deities.(5) Yadava prakasa. Some argued that the Lord of Tirumalai was SaivaGod. (13) Kulothunga Chola was a staunch devotee of Siva. It is surprising that such a claim should have arisen about the Lord who had been worshipped as Lord Vishnu by all the Alwars and Acharyas besides Elango Adigal and other Tamil Pulavars for several centuries. When Amudanar inquired what Kuresan desired as reward for his participation.. Sriranga Gadhyam and Sri Vaikunta Gadhyam ). Kuresa went to the court disguised as Ramanuja along with another disciple called Periya Nambi. It is this KulothungaChola who is threw away the idol of Govindaraja in the nearby pichchaavaram sea to remove traces of vaishnavam from the Chidambaram temple. Sensing the danger. Vaikunta Sthava and Sundarabaahu Sthava. he wrote a Grantha called Nityam detailing the Tiruvaradhana Kramam (8) While he was on his Sancharam. Uyar Sanga Chakra kara Thalan" . (11) Ramanuja systematized Visishtadvaitic philosophy. If the support was not forthcoming. The only temple consecrated in Tirumalai . he did Prapatti before the Divya Dhampathi in Serthi and submitted his famous Gadhyatrayam (comprising Saranagathi Gadhyam. when the doors were opened the next morning. the commentary of Ramanuja is always referred to with the venerable honorific 'Sri' denoting its unsurpassed quality and clarity and known as ' Sri Bashyam' (10) When he visited Tirumala. (14) At Chidambaram temple . This was because the Lord had earlier entrusted His Sangu. (including Vishnu ). Soolam. a miracle happened. his old Advaitha (Saivaite)Guru had by then returned to Kanchi. it is believed that the Lord himself appeared before him at TirukKurungudi as a Brahmin got Samasrayanam from Ramanujar. Kuresa. Damarukam etc. Vada Venkadathil Uraibhavan. The king ordered him to sign a document to the effect that 'Siva is the greatest'. Sri Thirumangai Azhwar started it. So Ramanujar installed his own Vigraham and called it " Thamar Uhanda Tirumeni " [ one loved by disciples ]. Because. After the 10th day event (10 days after Vaikunta Ekadasi) Nammazhvar was taken back to Azhvar Thirunagari. There the idol of ChellaPillai . Thirumangai Azhvar will start from Srirangam on the day of Karthigai Karthigai (his own thirunakshatram).”.Andal .(15) Ramanuja went to Tiru narayana puram-Melkote as part of spreading vaishnavam. the day before the Pagal Paththu Uthsavam first day. Swami Nammazhwar is adorned with Muthangi and Namperumal with Rathnangi. he lived TWO full cycles of Tamil years after his birth [120 years]. a Thirumeni of Swami Nammazhvar was installed in SriRangam temple. Son . So. Seeing the thejus and greatness of Ramanuja the Jain King surrendered himself and his state under the feet of Ramanuja. where the Kattiyakarar or the Sthalathar who has the traditional rights along with temple's Paricharakas go to Swami Nammazhwar's shrine and read the message from the Perumal. This is what we call today as IrapPathu or Thiruvaimozhi Thirunaal. next nine days. (17) Ramnuja regularised the Adyayana Utsavam at Srirangam . Born in PINGALA year. Ramanuja endearingly called " ChellaPillaai vaarai '. Hearing this. the people of Melkote could not bear the grief of his seperation from th temple. Even today this tradition is followed in most of the temples. she sang “ Naaru NarumPozhil Maaliruncholai Nambikku Naan Nooru Thada Niranda AkkaraVadisil Sonnen.. He was affected by some ill-omen . After Thirumangai Azhvar's time. Hence Even today . Thirumangai Azhvar started this practice of chanting Nammazhvar's pasurams as a ten day event. After the days of Sri Thirumangai Azhwar. he left for his heavenly abode also in PINGALA year that followed 120 years from the year of his Avatara. (16) Near Melkote Ramanujar attended a debate held by a Jain king of the Hoysala State . Ramanuja breathed his last in 1137 AD listening to the recitation of the Divya Prabandam. The day Swami Nammazhwar arrived in SriRangam was always the Sukla Paksha Ekadasi (Sri Vaikunta Ekadasi). Ramanujar being a Yathi[saint] has all relations – Sister. Sri Ramanujar added ten days before the Ira Paththu and called them Pagal Paththu. ThirumangaiAzhvar would travel to AzhvarThirunagari (tirukurugur) and bring Swami Nammazhvar's Thirumeni to Sri Rangam on ShuklaPaksha Ekadasi (Vaikunta Ekadasi) The next 10 days Swami Nammazhwar's prabhandhams were chanted in front of Namperumal. After his long stay . In her Nachiyar Tirumozhi .Thirumangai Azhvar started the tradition of Adhyayana Uthsavam in Srirangam. On this auspicious day. Ramanuja went to Delhi met the Nawab and requested him to return the idol of Chellapillai . cured the jain King's illness. It was Ramanujar who restarted this practice. Utsavar chellapillai was used by the Muslim Ruler's daugher. utsavar at the temple was taken away by Muslim Rulers to Delhi. Thus. At Sriperumpudur.Anadhyayana kalam starts during Karthigail Karthigai and normally ends on Thai hastham (Sri Koorathazhwan's thirunakshatram). . the Vigraham is called “ Thaam Uhanda Tirumeni” and At SriRangam it is called “ Thaamaana Tirumeni”. Namperumal listens to ThiruNedunthandagam of Sri Thirumangai Azhwar. bith Nawab and Ramanujar went to the Nawab's daughter's palace .ChellaPillai . This wish of Andal was fulfilled later by Ramanujar Thus. In earlier days . at Melkote BibiNachiyar is found seated between the legs of ChellaPillai Utsava Vigraham. to which the Nawab said that there were thousands of such idols and only if Ramanuja could identify his Perumal he would be allowed to return. He would arrive at Azhvar Thirunagari on the day: Star: hastam. his BirthPlace. Saying thus . the practice was slowly stopped. But the Nawab's daughter had developed immense devotion and love for the idol of chella pillai and could not live without it. Sri Thirumangai Azhwar arranged to recite Swami Nammazhwar's prabhandhams in front of Namperumal. when Ramanujar wanted to return to SriRangam . month: thai. the Nawab allowed his daughter to go along with Ramanuja. For the start of this ceremony. originally started as ten days festival by Sri Thirumangai Azhwar and was later modified as Twenty days (+one day for ThiruNedunthandagam) by Swami Ramanujar. Ramanuja easily won the debate and out of compassion . the idol miraculously came onto his lap . and arranged that during these ten days prabhandhams of other Azhvars should be recited.Bibi for playing. He was renamed " VishnuVardhan" and his subjects too embraced vaishnavism under the name " hebbaar iyengars ".chellapillai .. Bibi was always in the company of this utsavar. HIS ASCENT TO PARAMAPADAM With his head on the lap of his cousin Embar and his feet on the lap of Vaduga Nambi. Also Sri Ramanuja added one more day for Iyarpa. due to practical difficulties of bringing Nammazhvar to Srirangam. Starting from Ekadasi. (18) Ramanujar was fondly called as “Kovil Anna “ by Andal Thayar. we say ubhaya nachiyar's – the two consorts who always accompany utsavar. when the third azhwar came .Dehai means Rezhi. and blessed him. HIS AVATARA AND EARLY DAYS Parents : Ananthasuri and Totaramba . whenthe next came. philosopher. Feeling grateful. Achyuta Sathakam etc in Sanskrit and Mummanikkaovai. Swami Desikan's parents were childless for a long time. Vaishnava scholars are called “ U.DivyaPrabhandham ] .hayagreevar Sannidhi . They prayed to Tirupathi SrinivasaPerumal . He Married Tirumangai aka Kanakavalli and lived by "Uncha Vritti" . Swami Desikan accepted the challenge and successfully constructed the well . Vishwamitra Gotram Gotra : Vishwamitra Gotram Tirunakshatram : Purattasi Masam .SWAMI DESIKAN'S LIFE HISTORY A poet. EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF SWAMI DESIKAN AT TIRUVAHEENDRAPURAM : Swami Desikan proceeded to Tiru vaheendra puram where at the Oushaadri hillock . Navamani Maalai etc. Devanaayaka Panchaasath [ on TiruvahindraPuram DeivaNayakaPerumal] . and a scrupulous Anushtatha he took upon himself the task of upholding the concepts preached by Bhagavad Ramanuja. Lord Hayagriva appeared before him.. he visited TiruKovalur and composed DehaleeshaStuti[ DehaleeshaPerumal. Swami composed Hayagriva Stotram. a mason challenged Swami Desikan to construct a well with the broken and irregular shaped bricks supplied by him. During an investigation ordered into the loss of the bell. all the three stood in the rezhi and began tamil pasurams .bell need not be used in the Tiruvaradhana in the temple. He is believed to be the incarnation of the bell [ TirumalaiMaal Tirumaniyaai Sirakka Vandhon Vazhiye GantaaAvatharam ] . when the Naivedyam is offered to the lord. the Lord spoke as an asuriree and told that He had himself presented the bell to the Ananthasuri couple and thenceforward. example. . the small hand. As he recited it. Garuda Panchaasath. [ Ubhayam – mens twin . At Tiruvahindrapuram . Garuda appeared before him and taught him the Hayagriva Mantra. pure Sanskrit. Swami Vedanta Desika was the brightest star in the firmament of Visishtadvaita . IT IS ONLY THE HUGE BELL suspended in the front praakaram that is being rung. The marvelous vigraham of Desikan found at Tiruvahindrapuram was sculpted by Swami himself. As the Archaka opened the doors of the Sanctum Sanctorum. His prolific compositions in pure Tamil . reciting the Garuda Mantra taught to him by his Guru. logician. This well exists even today in ThiruvahIndhrapuram. Swami Desikan's son later composed PillaiAndhadi on his father . Praakrit and Manipravala bear ample testimony to the fact that he is not exclusively a Vadakalai or exclusively a Tenkalai but more appropriately a "Ubhaya Kalai". he found the bell missing. Next morning. The child thus born was named "Venkatanathan " as he was born on the Tirunakshatram of SrinivasaPerumal. AT TIRUK KOVILUR : Dehaleesha Stuti Stotram On his way back to Kanchi.one azhwar was able to dleep in the rezhi. This Rezhi is where all the 3 mudal azhwars met to start DivyaPrabhandam . It is because of him that 'Ramanuja Darsanam' came to be recognized by the world. No writer among the followers of Ramanuja fought for the rightful place for Divya Prabandhams as did Swami Desika. he sat under an Aswatha tree and meditated on Garuda. when they compared notes. Sravana Nakshatram Year of Birth : Vibhava Aandu Swami Desika was born in 1268 AD (about 131 years after Sri Ramanuja attained Paramapada) at Tooppul near Kanchipuram as the son of one Anantasuri and Totaramba. they were astonished to find how both of them had the same dream which concurred in every detail.Ubhaya Vedantin – meaning one who knows both tamil and sanskrit]. both had place only to sit.Ve”. The Lord appeared in their dreams in the garb of a Srivaishnava youth and handed over a small golden bell which Totaramba swallowed.. in Tamil. Even today. Their son was named VaradaaryanKumaraVaradacharyar. Vekka.I have however one of the greatest of wealths in the world. that has been left behind by my grand seer (Brahma Devan). AT SRIPERUMPUDUR : Yathiraja Saptathi Swami prayed to Ramanujar and composed the famous Yathiraja Saptadhi. Sudarshanashtakam at Tiruputkuzhi: A dangerous disease named Vaisuri struck like an epidemic at Tiruputkuzhi. he sang Goda Stuti. in Tamil. knowing full well that Swami had no money. where is the need for other kinds of wealth for me?" SriStuti Slokam : Instigated by some jealous people . na mayaa kinchith-Aarjitham. So he sent a message asking Swamy Desikan to come to the kingdom and receive gifts from the king. Kaamaasikaashataka on Nrisimhar at Velukkai . AshtabujaAshtakam on Ashtabujanathan . Saranagathi Deepika on DeepaPrakAsA. Immersed in the beauty of the Utsava idol . and rained gold coins. In Manipravala: Sampradaaya Parisuddhi. with the intention of embarrassing SwamiDesikan. Panniru Naamam. became Srivaishnavas and his Sishyas. No other Acharya is given this Honour anywhere in any other temple. Artha Panchakam etc.Thoopul(Vilakkoli Perumal).Tirupputkuzhi. Sudarshanashtakam was rendered by SwamiDesikan to relive people of their miseries. he composed Nyasa Dasakam. He also composed Sri Vaishnava Dinasari. Swami Desika took him to Perundevi Thayar Sannidhi and sang the famous 'Sri Sthuthi'. Paduka Sahasram A debate went on for 7 days in which Swami demolished every single argument of the opponents.When I have this imperishable wealth. Swami Desika refused this request and in return sent him a poem called VairAgya Panchakam in which he says: " naasthi pithru-Aarjitham kinchith. AT SRIVILLIPUTHUR : Goda Stuti When Swami was at Srivilliputhur . the neighbours sent a bachelor to Swami for financial help for his wedding. VairAgyaPanchakam Slokam : One of Swami Desikan's friend (Vidhyaranyar) during their school days became the minister of Vijayanagara kingdom. the sky opened up.. VegaasethuStotra on Yathokthakaari. The Maayaa Vaadhis accepted defeat. During Swami Desikan’s Thirunakshatram celebration every year. AT SRIRANGAM : Abheetistavam .He visited several shrines in and near Kanchi and composed lyrics of incomparable beauty on the Lords in the various shrines. The essence of the debate is what we now have as a sloka called "Satha Dushani".AT KANCHIPURAM : Returning to Kanchipuram. Swami asked the bachelor to take them away. He heard about the poverty of SriDesikan and wanted to help him. the Utsava Vigraham of Andal Thayar was in Tiruveedhi Purappadu. Immediately. ParamaarthaSthuthi on Lord Vijayaraghava. He gets the rare honour of crossing the dwaarapaalakaas and getting close to the Lord to perform mangalaaSaasnam. Varadaraja Panchasath etc. asthi mE Hasthi-shailAgrE. vasthu paithAamaham dhanam " Meaning: I have neither any accumulated wealth left behind by my father nor any wealth assembled from my own efforts. who gained it through the performance of the Aswamedha Yaagam at Hastha Giri. Tiruchchinna Maalai. in Sanskrit and Adaikkalap Pathu. . as it were. AT TIRUPATI : Daya Shatakam He composed the famous DayaaSathakam on the divine-mercy of Emperuman and SrinivasaPerumal conferred on him the honorific of "Vedaantha Aachaarya" title. Swami Desikan's Tamil Compositions are collectively called “Desika Prabhandam”. "VedantaDesikan" and " SarvaTantraSvatantran".who is free(Svatrantra) from all Tantras. Then he started writing down the stotras and in less than 3 hours he composed 1008 stotras on the DivyaPadhukas. || Desikan Divya Tiruvadigaley Sharanam || . SwamiDesikan composed Abheetistava . His magnum opus is his 'Rahasya Traya Saram' in Manipravala style (a mixture of Sanskrit and Tamil) explaining the significance of the three great Mantras of Ashtakshara. Paduka Sahasram : Some vidhwans challenged Swami Desikan to compose 1000 hymns in praise of Lord Ranganatha in one day. The ParakalaMatam headquartered at Mysore gained prominance due to Swami Desikan's presence and his sishya BrahmaTantraSwatantraJeer. SwamiDesikan is seen in a standing posture as if he was on his toes ever ready to move to Srirangam awaiting the good news of reinstallation of the Lord there. while his Sishyas chanted Tiruvoimozhi and Upanishads. SWAMI ATTAINS PARAMAPADAM Having lived a full and rich life for 101 years and satisfied with his work on earth. Even a fast recital of the entire paaduka sahasram would take us more than 6 hours while SwamiDesikan composed them in such a short time. The Lord directed SwamiDesikan to compose the stotrams on the Divine Sandals (padhukas). Gita Bashya and the Nalayira Divya Prabandams. Swami Desika cast his tabernacle of flesh. Looking at the scene after the battle . HIS EXODUS TO TIRUNARAYANAPURAM -SATYAGAALAM Due to the muslim army invasion . For 12 years he stayed at SatyaGaalam near Mysore .until news of restoration of the temple in Srirangam reached his ears. This Rahasya Traya Sara is reckoned as one of the four works that any Srivaishnava should study the other three being Sri Bashya. Swami was requested by disciples to stay away from SriRangam till peace returned. SwamiDesikan wrote more than 100 works. Here the unique feature is that Unlike in other places.lion among the poets ( kavi) and Tarkikas (Debates).AbheetiStavam: The Muslim invasion at Srirangam caused a lot of loss of life and wealth.to promote fearlessness among devotees . Thus he was conferred titles by PeripaPiratti&Perumal : “Kavitarkika simham” . Swami accepted the challenge and he prayed to PeriyaPerumal. praying to Udaiyavar by placing Ramanujar's Paadukas on his head which he kept on the lap of KumarVaradacharyar (Nainarachar) and his feet on the lap of Brahma Tantra Svatantrarar. Dvaya and Charama Sloka.