In praise of Sri Veeraghavar at Thiru yevull by Aazhwars.

Thirumizhsai and Thiru mangai Azhwars have worshipped Sri Veeraraghava and have dedicated several hymns . Here are two hymns.

Naagath thanaikkudandai vekkha thiruyevull naagath thanaiyarangam peranbil ,

Naagathanai par kadal kidakkum aadhi nedumaal annaipaar karuthin aavaan....

By Thirumizhsai Aazhwar [2417 ]

Meaning: The original cause the infinite Swamy is reclining on Adisesha at Thiru kudanthai [Kumbakonam], ThiruVekkha [Kanchipurm], Thiruyevull[ Thiruvallur] , Sri Rangam,Anbil [Trichy],Koiladi [Trichy] and on the milky ocean,

Only to enter the hearts of his devotees!

Kasai yadai moodi vodi kadal seidhanuvanoor nasamaga nambavalla nambi nam peruman ,

Veiyenna thol madavar vannaiyundaan ivanendru yesa nindra emperuman yevuul kidanthane'.

By Thirumangai Azhwar [1058]

Meaning:

Ravana ,who was unable to overcome his inappropriate love and had disguised himself in saffron robes and abducted Sita ,was destroyed by Rama,

And Krishna who was taunted by bamboo like shouldered Gopika's for stealing and eating butter ,

Is my leader , my Bhagwan who is reclining at Thiruyevull!

Sree Veeraghava Perumal at Thiruvallur

Sri Veera Raghava Perumal temple at Tiruvallur is 30 to 40 kms away from Chennai.

Sri Veeraraghavan Perumal --Vishnu in reclining position as the presiding deity has his right hand resting on Salihotra rishi , who is said to have performed severe tapas in this very place and was blessed by Vishnu ,who allowed himself to be enshrined in here . It is a divya desam.

An unique feature is that the moolavar--main deity is covered by a red checked bed sheet upto his chest.

Once I happened to visit this temple in Amavasai---new moon day and was swamped by devotees mostly villagers from near and afar.On other days it has normal attendance. It is a strong faith associated with the temple and the deity that he is capable of curing one ,of all sickness and diseases., if a person bathes in the nearby pushkarni and pays obeisance to Veerraghava who is also known as 'Vaidya Veeraraghavan', on new moon days for a couple of times without a break.

The administration of the temple is under Ahobala mutt.I have to register here my appreciation of the management .Every contribution of a donor whether small or big is accounted meticulously , published each year in a book and reminders sent to the donors of the impending festival or Seva ,towards which they have donated , requesting them to visit the temple and receive prasadam.

I have contributed even larger sums to several temples whose attitude is very warm whilst receiving and tepid there after. None of them are as sincere , systematic and transparent as the administration ,in here, is.
Photo's. On top the Hrithapapanasa pushkarni of Veerarhagava swamy

Down. The Gopuram of Veeraraghava perumal as visible from his garden.

27.7.07

 

 எங்கிருந்தோ வந்தான் குழந்தையாய் மகிழ்வித்தான்  குமாரனாக என் இளநிரை  காலத்தில்  கனிவான ஊன்றுகோலாக இருந்தான் .
  க்ஷண பொழுதில் என் கண் மூடுவதற்கு முன்னே காற்றில் கலந்து எங்கேயோ போய்விட்டான் .
Yengirindo vandhan ,khuzhandhaiyai maghizhvithan , kumaranaga ,yen illainirai kalathil kanivana oondrukolaga irundhaan,

khshana pozhudil ,yen kann mooduvathirkkumune',

Katril kalandhu yengeyo poivittan.

Sri Bhagwan uvaca,

Na tv'ev aham jatu nasam,

na tvam n' eme jan adhipah|

Na c'aivana bhavisyamah,

sarve vayam atah param||........................Bhagwat Gita.

Sri Bhagwan said,

Never was there a time,

when I did not exist,

nor you , nor all those around us,

Nor shall all of us cease to be here after.

27.7.11

A parent's grief.

Centuries ago it was proclaimed of the epic Mahabharata ,

" What is not in it , is nowhere!"

How very true!

The following passage from the great epic Mahabharata mirrors the grief of a person whose son has met with a unforeseen, terrible death.

Arjuna and Krishna who were engaged in a battle some distance away , returned in twilight to Pandava's encampment . As they near the camp Arjuna asks

"Why is my heart afraid ? 'O' Kesava and why do my speech falter ? My limbs are weak . Thoughts of disaster posses my mind without living it ".

As they reach the camp he intuitively feels that some terrible tragedy had befallen him --that of his young son's terrible death.

He says "The sweet Vina is not playing .Subhadra's son ever cheerful does not receive me today with smiles .Ever obedient to superiors , quiet, acting like one of mature years though tender in age , of agreeable speech, reft of vanity , great courage, energy and knowledge , never striking first and nothing mean . Of aquiline nose , high forehead , of beautiful eyes , eyebrows and lips and possessing melodious voice".

"Why doesn't he come and greet me as he did every day?Without seeing his kindly countenance and listening to his voice ,what peace can I have?"

Realising that his son is dead by seeing the down cast eyes of those in the encampment ,who dared not to meet, his ,he cries,

"Without doubt , overthrown he lies today on bare earth bathed in his blood . Beautifying the earth with his body .Accustomed to every luxury , alas , he sleeps today on bare ground as if there is none to take care of him . He , on whom, while in his room and bed had the best of attenders , lies mangled with jackals prowling over the field to attend on him today".

"He who was formerly aroused from sleep by singers and bards will be awakened by discordant sounds of beasts of prey.That beautiful face of his , eminently deserved to be shaded by a umbrella , alas, the dust of the battle field will surely befoul today".

"'O' child , unfortunate I am , death forcibly takes thee away from me , who was never satiated with looking at thee. Without doubt the abode of Yama , which is always the goal of righteous deeds , that delightful mansion , illuminated today by thy own splendours is exceedingly beautiful by thee".

"Without doubt my heart is hard , like made of thunder, since it breaketh not into 1000 fragments on coming to know about my young son's untimely and cruel death."

From  Drona parva ---of Mahabharat.

Dasaavatara koodum---hall.

I offered to renovate this hall in Vardarajar temple complex at Kanchipuram in the memory of my son four years back to the official ,whose estimate for the same was within my resources.He accepted it.

When I visited him the very next week , he coldly turned down my offer as coldly as the doctor on whom we had reposed so much faith , when confronted on a clearly avoidable tragedy, saying dismissively that it was an error of judgement and that such stray failures happen in a medical practitioner's life. An young and very precious life to us, snuffed out callously , a mere number ,an statistics in her career.

He cited a meeting that had been convened where donors were willing to pay the costs , six times the amount he had first stated , for its renovation.As it was beyond my means, I let it go.

Four years have elapsed . Yet the koodum--hall hasn't a single work done on it .Even the weeds haven't been plucked.I saw a horse tethered within then and I also saw a horse tied to a pillar now .Whether it is one and the same horse I have no idea,but this once sacred hall is presently still serving the same purpose viz a horse's stable.

ps.Before I could photograph the horse ,it was led away.I last saw it furiously feasting on the ,lush green lawns in the temple percinincts, planted and maintained by a devotee, in good faith.

Note:'Error of judgement' is a valid legal defence , a generous refuge , an umbrella of legal protection difficult to refute, even of those who negate it with their wanton negligence or rank commercialisation or even both,but invoke it with impunity..

The fourth circumbulatory passage around Kanchi Varadharaja

After a wonderfully peaceful darshan of Vardharajar ,I decided to walk on the so far untested [by me] outer passage . The fourth one.I went on a little skeptical and readied myself to skilfully weave through thorns and bushes i was expecting to be on a narrow footpath.But my apprehensions were allayed by a well tiled broad passage with thorns and creepers kept out of harms way and the back Gopuram freshly painted!Though it looked a trifle mysteriously hidden away ,a path has been cleared and lights amply provided! All this the unsung work of a devotee , a top doctor in a top hospital,who prefers his work and not his name do the talking.
This is Namaazhwar sannidhi.

The drishti pottu --eye sore in the 4 th passage
There,I have taken you all to Kanchipuram and made you all circumbulate Sri VaradharajarPerumal.These priceless presents [gifts] from past from our predecessors need to be preserved.

The first circumbulatory passage , that is immediately around the presiding deity is in the worst condition and requires urgent ,expert, remedial measures.To my horror I saw red tobbaco stains in the corner right next to the entrance, in the inner most corridor. Every inch of the sorrounding walls are covered with names, signs, tatoos of restless crowds either whiling away the time whilst waiting for darshan or have proudly marked their attendance and presence. .There is no one to monitor the movements of the people crowding this sacred corridor.

I hear from long time residents and priests of this town that are no dearth of devout donors ,individual as well as corporates, who are willing at this very instant to spend crores to restore this complex to its original splendour ! Yet things stand as they are.

'O 'Varadha! Unnai vazhipaduvorikku vimochanam yendro?Viraivil varam vazhanguvai!

Nammaazhwar's Pasurams on Anantha padmanabar at Thirunvanthapurama--Translation

NammAazhwar who is considered as the foremost amongst all the 12 Azhwar's--vaishnavaite saints has sung 11 hymns in praise of Vishnu enshrined as Sri Padmanabar or Anantha sayanam at Trivandram. This is roughly in 8 th century AD.Some of them are as follows...

                                             
                                                 Thiruvaimozhi

                                      Kedum idar.......Destruction of troubles. [3678---3688]

1. **Kedum idar aya yellam,Kesava! Yenna nallum koduvinnai seiyum kootrin thmargalum kurugillar,

Vidamudai aravil palli virumbinaan surumbu ayatrum thadamudai vayal Ananthapura nagar pughudhum indre .......................3678.

If one says 'Kesava' , even just once all obstacles and troubles will be destroyed,

Even Yamadhooths ,who are known for doing only evil, will not cross one's path!

So let us proceed this very day to Thiruvanthapuram town , which is surrounded by ponds and fields humming with bees ,

That we may worship him who is reclining on Adiseshan!

**2.Indru poi pugudhiragil yezhumaiyum yedham sara  kundruner  madam  made kurundhuser serundhi punnai  mandrualar pozhil ananthapuranagar mayan namum ondrumvor aayiramaam uluvaarku umber ure. ----   3679

If you reach Thiruvanthapuram this day itself you will become free from all your troubles!

There the mansions are as tall as hillocks ,

And the temple of Maayan--[Sriman Narayana] is surrounded by groves of various types of trees...[Punnai,serundhi,mandru and so on]

His one name equals the chanting of 1000 sacred names!

Remember him but once and attain ultimate bliss!

**4.Pesumin koosum indri periyaneer velaisozhindha vasame kamazhum soali vayal anni Ananthapuram nesam seidhu uraiginranai  nerimaiyal malargal thoovi  pusanai seigindrargal punniyum seidhavare........3681

 The sacred place of Thiruvanthpuram is surrounded by large sheets of water--sea!

It is a place that is full of fragrant gardens and fields!

Bhagwaan who has fondly risen in this place is worshipped by people with due diligence and with great reverence and also by sprinkling flowers !

They are undoubtedly , greatly blessed!

Praise them without any restraint ,this blessing of theirs! .....................3681.

**5. Punniyum seidhu nalla punalodu malargal thoovi , yennumin endai namum ,ippirappu arukum appaal thinum naam ariya sonnom  seripozhil anathapurathu annalaar kamalapadam annuguvar amarar aavaar....... 3682

 With full bhakthi meditate on the sacred name of my god, sprinkling water and flowers at his feet!

This will put an end to your cycle of births and rebirths!

I am fully aware and firmly convinced that those who worship the lotus feet of 'The leader' of all enshrined at Thiruvanthpuram will become 'ever free souls'---nitya suri's!

                                      ***********

Aazhwars hymns on Sri Varadharjar Perumal at Kancheepuram Vardaraja perumal temple.Translation

 Sri Vardharajar andHis consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi and Perundevi thaayaar at VaradaRaja perumal temple at Kanchipuram

I sat on the steps leading to the pillared and closed corridor flanking the spacious circumbulatory passage.It was very quiet, most suited to meditate and to be with myself.

Some of the hymns sung in honour of Vardhrajar by early Aazhwar's--Bhoodat  Aazhwar[5 th-6th cent AD ]and later Aazhwar Thirumangai Aazwar[9th cent AD]-- enshrined in this temple at Kachchi---ancient name for Kanchipuram, flowed into my mind.

Kanchipuram is the holy place where Brahma is said to have performed Yagna 's in ancient times and secured several boons from Vishnu, hence the presiding deity's name is Vardharajar-- meaning-giver of boons. It is also the the temple where two ancient residents of Ayodhya ---Asamanjan and his wife transformed into a lizard by a curse , overcame it by having a darshan of Sri Vardharajar swami. There are two golden lizards on the ceiling near the sanctum , in their memory. It is a staunch belief that any sick and diseased person would be cured of his or her illness if they touch these lizards after paying obeisance to the deity.

Of the seven cities of Bharat that are regarded as Mukthi sthals ,Kanchi viz Kanchipuram is the only city in the entire South India to be accorded this status . In days gone by this city was renowned centre of learning and home to scores of Vedic scholars.

This temple is one of the three important  temples of  Vaishnavaites .The others being Sri Ranganathar temple at Srirangam and Sri venakteswara temple atTirumala.
Sri Varadharajar perumal koil is also known as Athigiri or hastigiri as the celestial elephant Aiyravadham is said to have taken the form of a hill to bear Sriman Narayana .

The following are  the hymns dedicated to  Sri Varadharajar and  in this sacred place.

                                         Bhoodath aazhwars Pasuram ------          2277

**அத்தியூரான் புள்ளை யூர்வான் அணிமணியின்  துத்திச்சேர்  நாகத்தின்  மேல்துயில்வான்  -முத்தீ மறையாவான்  மாகடல் நஞ்சுண்டான்  தனக்கும் இறையாவான்  எங்கள் பிரான் .

**Athiyuran pullai oorvaan annimaniyin thuthiser nagathin melthuyilvaan --muthi maraiyavan ,maakadal nanjundaan thanakum yirai yavan yengal piraan!........................By Bhoodat Aazhwar.2277

One who has Garuda as his vehicle,

one who is reclining on Adiseshan whose hood is adorned with lustrous precious stones!

One who is worshipped by performance of three Agni homams!

One who is praised by the Vedas!

One who is also the leader of Siva , who had swallowed the poison churned out from the ocean,

Is my leader who is residing at Athiyoor--[ancient name for Kanchipuram] to bless all his devotees.

                       Tirumangai aazhwars pasuram-----Thirunedundhandagam---2060

** வாங்கத்தால் மாமணி வந்துந்து முந்நீர் மல்லையாய்  !மதிள் கச்சியூராய் !பேராய் கொங்கத்தார்  வளங் கொன்றை யலங்கல்  மார்வன் குலவரையன் மடப்பவை இடபால் கொண்டான் ,பங்கததாய் !பாற்கடலாய் !பாரின் மேலாய் !
பனிவரை யினுச்சியாய் !பவள வண்ணா ! எங்குற்றாய் ?எம்பெருமான் !உன்னைநாடி  ஏழையேன் இங்ஙனமே ஊழி  தருகேனே .
  

**Vangathaal mamani vandundhu munneer mallaiyai!Madhil kachchiyurai!Peraikongathar vallangkondrai
Alangal maarvan kaulavaraiyan madapavai idapaal kondaan pangathai! Parin melai !Panivaraiyinuchiyai! Pavalavanna! Yengutrai! Emperuman! unaai naadi yezhaiyen inganame voozhi tharugene

One who resides in the coast Mahabalipuram where ships deposit precious stones!

One who is standing in the temple sorrounded by beautiful walls in  Kanchipuram!

One who resides in Thirupor!

One who has Siva along with his consort Parvathi, who is the daughter of the ruler of Himalayas and is decorated with fragrant  garlands of kondari flowers , residing on His left chest, as a part of Himself!

One who is reclining on the milky ocean!

One who takes avatars to help all the people of this world!

One who has a personage as attractive as red corals!

Where are you?why are you not appearing before me?

Sriman Narayana! this poor soul is constantly in search of a path leading to you!

                    அழுவார் திருவடிகளே சரணம்

The third circumbulatory passage at Deva Raja swamy/ Varadharaja perumal koil at Kanchipuram

                               Perundevi Thayaar samathe DevaRajaPerumal inVaradarajar Perumal temple at KanchipuramAnantha aazhwar's sannidhi---Adiseshan's shrine.

Arasa maram [tree].This is the only immovable entity in this entire huge temple complex that is in pink of health! Touch wood!
The passage leading from Anantha aazhwar sanidhi to Karu mani[Vishnu] shrine and around.
Karugamani sanidhi.  
Perundevi Thaayar[Lakshmi] sannidhi .

Corridors..

The temple has several corridors around its main deity..Each bigger than the other.Though the temple is well patronised by devotees ,it is sorely lacking in maintenance.The circumbulatory corridor immediately around Vardharajar perumal on the small hillock where he is enshrined ,have ancient paintings of Vishnu on the walls.

From my last visit the state of the paintings have taken a turn for the worse.Most have simply vanished ,under reckless scraping for crude white washing. Those that have miraculously escaped this insensitive and callous treatment ,look dull with age and lack of care and are simply fading away.




Photos.On top is MalayalaNacchiar's sannidhi with the front white coloured Gopuram the entrance to the temple visible at the backdrop in the 2nd circumbulatory corridor.

Next. The sannidhi of Andal in the 2nd circumbulatory corridor.

Lower.The way to moolavar--main deity-Varadharajar- from Andal's shrine in the second circumbulatory passage.The cream coloured back gopuram is visible at the background

Varadharaja perumal.

The chance I was looking for came today . I visited Kancheepuram Vardharajar Perumal and had a leisurely darshan. Not many around today, with no temple festival, as well as it being a week day.

A very thin old woman , so thin that she looked like as if a saree had been wound around a matchstick was seated all by herself ,near the steps leading to the main sannidhi[ shrine] , singing in a amazingly young and clear voice!
How does life linger on in such a pitifully frail old form?Where does she find the energy to chant and sing hymns clearly and melodiously?Must be from Vardhrajar!
Photos.At top the entrance to Vardharajaperumal sannidhi at Kancheepuram.
middle--Vimanam directly over Vardhrajar enshrined within.
below.The utsava mantap of Perundevi thayaar---Lakshmi.

Kulasekara Aazhwar's hymns on Tirumalai.

Ooneru selvam---Corpulence.

**Day after day the only wealth this body accumulates is flesh!Hence I do not want this human form in my next birth.

'O' One who subdued 7 bulls and holds a conch and is residing at Tiruvengadam[ Tirumalai],

Please bless me to be born as a stork in the falls [koneri] at Tirumalai in my next birth!.............677.


**Even if I am conferred with the over lordship of this entire world as well as the upper worlds with a bevy of beauties of infinite wealth fawning upon me ,without any effort from my part ,I donot want it .
I only want and hope that in my next birth I would be blessed to be born as a fish in the honey sweet springs of Thirumalai ..................................................................678.



**Pinnitta sadaiyanum bramhanum indhiranum thunnitu pogalariya vaikuntha neelvaasal min vatta sudaraazhi vengada kone thanumizhum pon vattil pidhithudane pugah peruverne'!.........679.

meaning.

The One with matted locks[Siva] , Brahma and Indira are nudging past each other to enter the long corridor of Vaikuntam [ Tirumala temple] on earth---,
Venkatanatha , enshrined here as bright as a flash of lightening ,is holding the dazzling chakra in his hands ,
Crowds of devotees are vying with one another to hold the gold salver close to his sacred,form to gather his blessings trickling down,

How I wish that I could also enter the temple and join them and hold the salver.



**The One with crescent moon on his matted locks, as well as Brahma and Indra perform several yagnas and reap blessings ,respectively,

From the One who is identified as the cause of all beings , in the Vedas,And who is residing in the pure and cool hills of Thiruvengadam,

How I wish that I could be the path , leading to the Temple , in these holy hills.....................684.

Kulasekara aazhwars--Meyyil vazhkai---Unreal life.

**Meyyil vazhkaiyai meyenna kollum ivvaiyan thanodum koodavathilai yan!Aiyane! Aranga! yendraizhaikindren maiyal konduvozhinden yendranmallooke'!.........668.


I do not keep company with those persons who regard this illusionary worldly life as real.

Lord! Ranga! I am calling you!

My Thirumaal! My infatuation ,is reserved only for you!

Kulasekara Aazhwar's Perumal mozhi-Thetarunthiral-Worthy of discovery .

Kulasekara Aazhwar was of the firm conviction that the devotees of Vishnu were to be ,equally if not even more worshipped than Vishnu himself.The following hymns expresses this sentiment.

Thetarunthiral.

**.Thetarunthiral theninai thenaranganai thirumadhu vazh vattamil vanamalai marvanai vazhthimaalkol sindhaiyarai attamevi yallanthzhaithu ayarveidhum meiyadiargal tham eetang kandikoodumel ,adhukaanum kann payanavadhe'. ..........................658.

meaning,

One who is worthy of discovery by one's own efforts !
And who is sweeter than honey ,
Is Ranganathan of South, in whose heart lives the sacred goddess ,encircled by a garland of tulasi!
He is worshipped by devotees who dance and sing and cry aloud his sacred names in ecstasy ,in high spirits, elevated by their deep devotion !
Only when I am able to see for myself this congregation of devotees ,I will be assured that my eyes have truly served their purpose!

**.Devotees of Vishnu sing and praise his deeds by recounting the slaying of 7 bulls [Krishna avatar], protection of the world by assuming the form of a boar [Varaha avatar],of measuring the three worlds by two steps [Vamana avatar]and of vanquishing the enemies as Rama the king!

Whilst doing so they shed a flood of tears like river Cauvery in spate,that has turned the mud at the courtyard of Sri Ranganathar's temple into slush,

I will smear this sacred slush trampled upon by the pious devotees ,proudly, on my forehead! ...660.

** Malai yutra kadal kidandhavan vandukindu narunthuzhai malaiyutra varai perinthiru marvanai malar kannanai malaiyur nezhundhadi paadi thirindarangan yemmanike malaiyutridum thondar vazhvukku malaiyutradhu yen nenchame"!...................665.

My heart is encircled with the yearning to lead the life of Ranganathar's devotees,

Who are entwined by their devotion to Kannan, who is broad shouldered , red eyed ,and encircled with fragrant tulasi garland ,humming with bees , and is reclining on the ocean,

To wander, visit and circumbulate all the holy places,like them, singing his praises .