Thirumaalai---38 .

Sri Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala

Malappa swamy and His consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi

This verse of Thondaradipodi Aazhwar is to the entire body of 4000 verses ---Nalaayira divya prabhandam as the verse 66 [ charma sloka]of chapter 18 is to the Gita.

The following three principles are the most important tenets of Sri Vaishnaviam.

Firstly Vishnu or Narayana is always worshipped along with his consort Sri or Lakshmi.That is together they constitute Sriman Narayana , who is the supreme god.

Secondly, only SrimanNarayan is worshipped and the quest of a Sri Vaishnavaite ---devotee of SrimanNarayana is to serve only him always.

Finally whether one is able to fulfill his obligations viz through gyana or karma or bhakthi yoga or not, a mere surrender whole heartedly ,will invite the protection of the ever compassionate Narayana .
The most important preceptor of Sri vaishnavism Sri Ramanuja considered the following verse of Gita ,by far to be of utmost importance.

Sarva dharman parityaja mam ekam sarana vraja|
aham tva sarva papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah

meaning---

Abandoning dependence on all dharmas come to me as the only refuge,
Grieve not ,I will save you from all your karmas [deeds] and grant you Moksham.

Before I proceed to Thirumaalai verse 38 that enshrines the above principle ,I am referring the following two hymns ofNamaazhwaar and Andaal that illustrate the first two tenets of Sri vaishnavism , respectively.They are as follows---

I will not depart even for a second , is the vow taken by Alarmelmangai[Lakshmi seated on a lotus], who resides in your sacred heart!
One who is of Incomparable fame! Who owns all the three worlds! One who rules over me absolutely!
The incomparable Nitya suris [free souls] and Muni's are extremely fond of you, Thiruvengadanatha! [Lord Srinivasa at Tirumala]
I have no other refuge !I bow before your feet and surrender to you!--------

from Namaazhvars Thiruvai mozhi 6-10-10


In the early hours of dawn we have come here to bow before your golden, lotus feet . Kindly heed to the reason behind us doing so!

O,one who has taken birth in the clan whose sole occupation is to graze cows!Do not refuse our pleas to serve you personally.

Grant us this request today , an request that has been long pending ! That at all times and at all your avatars and in all our births which may exceed seven times seven-[7 x 7 ]that we will continue our relationship with You!

And that we bow , worship and serve only you!Help us to keep in this right path whenever we happen to stray!------

Andal's Thiruppavai---29.


After relinquishing worldly objects and perceiving and realising ,the indisputable truth,
And learning the true form of worship as well as controlling within , the five senses,
And shedding the burdensome head load of attachments'
When such a devotee stands at your gates , You assure them of your protection , Ranganatha!----

Thirumaalai ---38.


The verses in Tamil---


அகலகிலேன் இறையும் என்று அலர்மேல் மங்கை உரை மார்பா ,
நிகரில் புகழாய் உலகம்  மூன்று உடையாய் !என்னை ஆள் பவனே !
நிகரில் அமரர் முனிகணங்கள் விரும்பவும் திருவேங்கடத்தானே !
புகல் ஒன்றில்லா அடியேன் உன்னடி கீழ் அமர்ந்து புகுந்தேனே !

Allagilen iraiyum yendru alarmel mangai urai marbha!
nigaril pughazhai! ulagam moondru udaiyai! yennai all bhavane!
Nigaril amarar munikanagal virumbhum thiruvengadathane!
Pugal ondrilla adiyen unnadi kheez amarindhu pugundhene! ---Nam Aazhwars Thiruvaimozhi 6-10-10

Chitran chiru kale vandhunai sevithun
potramarai adi potrum porul kelai

Petrum meyathunnum kulathil piranda nee,
Kutravell yengalai kollamal pogadhu,

Itrai parai kolvaan andru kaan govinda!
yetrikum yezh yezh piraviikkum unthanodu

Utrome aavom unake nam aat seivom
matrai nam kamangal matre lorembhavai!

Andal's Thirupavai--29.


Mem porul pogavittu meimaiyai migha unarndhu,
Ambarisarindu kondu aaimpulan agathadaki,
kambhara thalaisiraithun kadithalai irundhu vaazhum, sombharai ughathipolum choozh punal Aranghathane.

Thirumaalai---38.

                                  *******************

                                  Thirupalli yezhuchi of Tondaradipodi azhwar .-----------------         [ 917-926]

1.Kadiravan kunnadisai sigaram vandhanaindhaan ,
  kanaiyirul agandradhu kalaiyum pozhudai                                                                                       madhuvirindhozhukina mamalar yellam!
Vanavar arasargal vandhu vantheendi
 yedhir disai niraindhanar .
Ivarodum pukundhu yirungkalireetamum pidi yodu murasum,
adhirdhalil alaikadal pondrulladhu yenkum ,
Arangathamma palli yezhundharulaye .


Sri Ranganatha!The the sun has reached the highest point in the eastern direction ,
The heavy darkness of the night has left.
The morning flowers have blossomed and nectar is dripping out of them ,
All the kings of the celestial worlds are nearing You to pay their obseince ,
They have occupied the entire space in the opposite direction ,
Male and female elephants have entered this array and are trumpeting .
The vibrations caused by the beat of the drums along with the trumpeting of elephants  is like the roar of the sea and this  is heard everywhere!
.Please wake up and bless everyone .


2.Khozhungkodi mullaiyin kozhumalar anavi koornthadhu kunnathisai maruthum idhuvo?
    Yezhundhana malaranai palli kollanam yeenpani nanaindhadha mirunsirakudhari ,
Vizhungiya mudalaiyin pilamburai pezhvai  vellai yirura adhanvidath thinukanunki
Azhunkiya aanaiyin arunthuyir  kedutha Arangathamma ! Palli yezhundharulaye!

The jasmine plants are in full bloom,
They are embraced by a gentle breeze blowing from the east,
The  swans that have passed the night comfortably , sleeping over a bed of flowers have woken up,
And are flapping their wings to dislodge the dew that has drenched them all night through .
Sri Ranga!One who rescued and dispelled the sorrow of the elephant [Gajendra] ,whose leg was caught in the invincible grip of rows upon rows of poisonous teeth lining the huge crater like mouth of a crocodile,
Please wake up ! Arise from Your bed and bless us.

3.Sudaroli  parandhana soozhthisai yellam,                                                                                                    thunniya tharakai minnolli  surungi,
   padarolli pasuthinan panni madhi ivano
   payirrul  agandradhu paimpozhir kamukin ,
  madalidai keerivan pallaikal naara ,
vaikarai  koorndhadhu maruthum idhuvo,
adalolli  thikazh tharu thikiriyan thadakai
Arangathamma ! Palli yezhundharulaye!


Bright light has spread across in all directions in the sorroundings.
The luminious light of the stars are fading.
The cool moon light is also shrinking.
Darkness has left.
The scent of the sap of arcenuts trees from nearby groves is wafting .
The cool breeze that signals the break of dawn is blowing gently.
Ranganatha! You  behold  conch and chakra in Your sacred hands .
Please wake up to not only to  see this beautiful sight but  also to bless us all .

4**
    Metilla medhigal thalaividum aayaragal.,
veing khuzhalosaiyum vidai mannikuralum,
yeetia isai disai parandhana;vayallull,
irindhana  surumbhinam ;illayangaiyar kulathai,
vaatiya varisilai vana varere!
maamuni vellviyai kathu avapiradham
aatiya aduthiral ayothiyemarase!
Arangathama!palli yezhundarullaye.

Herdsmen have let loose the buffaloes  for their morning  grazing and they are playing on their bamboo flutes as they follow their cattle,
The bells tied around the oxen's necks have started to tinkle,
Bees have begun humming in the fields ,
Sri Ranganatha!You are the leader of Devas.You have  in days gone by annihilated the ruler of Lanka and his kinsmen!
King of Ayodhya ,You guarded the yagna performed by the great sage Vishwamitra and on it successful completion You  took the ritual bath known as Avapiradham,
Please wake up and bless us all.

5**
         Pullambina putkalum poompozhilkallin vai,
poyitrru  kankul pukundhadhu pullari;
kalandhadhu kunnadisai kanai kadalaravum,
kalli vandu mizhatriya kalambakam  punaindha ,
alangkalan thodaiyal kondu adiyinnai pannivaan ,
amarakal pukundhanar aadalil amma!
illayankaiyar kone vazhipaadu seikovil ,
Emberuman !palli yezhundharullvaye!


Birds are chattering in the groves ,
Darkness has departed and dawn has broken,
From the eastern side the roar of the ocean is heard,
The Free Atmas are waiting to worship You  with garlands of flowers with bees humming over them,
Vibeeshan ,the king of Lanka has made You , the ruler of Ayodhya to halt here and preside over us!
He often comes here to worship You .
My Bhagwan! Please wake up and bless us all.

6**

Irraviyar manni neduntherodum ivaro?
irraiyavar padhinoru vidaiyarum ivaro?
maruviya mayilina narumugan ivano?
marutharum vasukallum vandhu vantheendi
puraviyodu aadalum padalum therum ,
kumara thandam pugundhu eendia vellam ,
aruvaraiyanaiya nin koyil mun ivaro?
Arangathamma ! Palliyezhundharlaye .

Are these the twelve Adityas who have come in their huge chariots?
Are these the eleven Uttaras?
Is this the six faced Murugan on His peacock?
Are those who are dancing and singing ,Maruts and eight Vasus,who have come on horse backs and chariots?
Won't this flood of devotees who have gathered outside Your mountain like temple gates ,breach it any time now?
Sri Ranganatha! Please wake up and bless us all .


explanation --12 Adityas , 11 Uttaras ,8 Vasus and  2 Aswins  together constitute 3 3 deities  who have each a crore Devas as followers .
In above pasurum /hymn Tondaradipodi azhwar refers to the33 crore deities who are waiting to pay their obseince to Sri Ranganatha.

7**

Andharath thamarargal kootangul ivayo?,
arunthava munivarum marutharum ivaro?
Indirananaiyum thanum vanthivano?
Emberuman! Un koyilin vasal
sundarar nerruka vichaatharar  nooka
yiyakarum mayanginar thiruvadi thozhuvaan,
andrampaaridamillai matrithuvo?
Arangathamma! palli yezhundharullaye!

The celestials Devas have gathered in large numbers,
Along with  the rishi's who have undertaken severe penances there are ,Maruts as well as  Indra seated on His elephant ,and also  Yakshas ,Vidyadhars and Ghandarvas of incomparable beauty and artistry who  are all waiting at the entrance to Your temple to worship You !
My Bhagwan ! There is not a inch of place left in the earth or in the sky to hold these crowds of devotees who are pushing one another restlessly in their quest to worship Your sacred feet.
Sri Ranganatha! Please wake up to bless all.







Tamil translation courtesy --"4000 Divyaprabandam" by Kamala kannan

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