Azhwars : Thirumangai Azhwar

Thirumangai Azhwar (திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார்)

Thirumangai Azhwar was born to Aalinaadudaiyaar and Vallithiru in the month of Karthigai, pournami thithi, krithigai star, Thursday. He was the Saarngam amsam of Mahavishnu. He was named Nilanirathar by his parents. He grew up and became a commander in the army of Chozha king. He brought about many victories for the Chozha kingdom and made the king very happy. The king gave him a small kingdom of Aalinaadu with its capital Thirumangai and also gave him the title “Parakalan”

Sumangalai, a damsel from the Devaloka when on rounds near the Himalayas saw Kabilar teaching his disciples. Sumangalai laughed at Kabilar’s ugly form. Angered, Kabilar cursed that Sumangalai be born on the Earth and get married to a human being. Repenting, Sumangalai asked the rishi for saabavimochanam and he told her that she will get married to Parakalar, serve the Lord along with him and reach Devaloka.

Sumangalai was born as a baby in a kumudam flower. A medical practitioner saw the baby and brought her up, naming her Kumudavalli as she was found in a kumudam flower.

Parakalar came to know of Kumudavalli and requested her father for her hand in marriage. Kumudavalli said that she will not look at a person who does not have the symbols of Vaishnavam on him. Immediately Parakalar burnt the Vaishnava symbols on his body and came back. She said that if he serves food to 1008 Vaishnavas every day for one year, she will get married to him. He did this also for a year and then Kumudhavalli married him. Thirumangai Azhwar continued the service of providing food for 1008 Vaishnavas everyday. The King heard about this and was surprised. When he checked, he realised that Thirumangai Azhwar was not paying his tax to the kingdom properly and sent his messenger to enquire on this. Thirumangai Azhwar sent back the messenger saying that he will arrange for the money shortly. Time passed and as no money came from Thirumangai Azhwar, the king sent a small army to fight with him. The army came back defeated by the Azhwar. The king again sent an army and again they were defeated. Pleased by the Azhwar’s bravery, the king said he will forgive him and asked him to come to his palace. In the palace the king told Azhwar to give part of the taxes and until the taxes were paid, he was imprisoned in a temple. Azhwar stayed in the temple without food for three days and on the third day Perumal came in his dream, promised to give the money due to the king and asked him to come to Kanchipuram to collect it. Azhwar requested the king to let him go to Kanchipuram saying that money is hidden there. The king sent the Azhwar to Kanchipuram with one of his ministers. Azhwar found the money near the Vegavathi river, gave the money due to the king, to his minister and kept the balance safe for feeding the vaishnavas.

The minister informed the king how the Lord provided the money to Azhwar and the king repented for imprisoning and starving the Azhwar for three days. He gave back the tax money also to Azhwar. Thirumangai Azhwar continued his service of feeding 1008 vaishnavas everyday and again his treasury was depleted. To further continue this service, he started robbery. He used to wait on the road and rob the passersby. One day he was hiding behind a tree and Mahavishnu and Mahalakshmi came as a newly wedded couple with a lot of jewellery. Thirumangai Azhwar robbed all their clothes and jewellery and tied them into bundles. When he tried to lift the bundles, they did not budge. He accused Mahavishnu that he had done magic and asked him to teach the mantra. Mahavishnu asked the Azhwar to come close and taught him the eight letter mantra of Mahavishnu. Thirumangai azhwar realised the Lord and had darshan of both the God and the Goddess there. He came to be called “Arulmaari” after this.

Thirumangai Azhwar started singing the Lord’s praise and travelled to various temples.

குலந்தருஞ் செல்வந் தந்திடு மடியார்

படுதுய ராயின வெல்லாம்

நிலந்தரஞ் செய்யும் நீள்விசும் பருளும்

அருளோடு பெருநில மளிக்கும்

வளந்தரும் மற்றுந் தந்திடும் பெற்ற

தாயினு மாயின செய்யும்

நலந்தருஞ் சொல்லை நான்கண்டு கொண்டேன்

நாராய ணாவென்னும் நாமம்

     

I understood that the Namam of Narayana gives one good birth, wealth, destroys all sorrows, gives heaven and earth with His blessings, does more than a mother does for a child!

He has sung hymns on the following temples

* Thiruashtabuyagaram *Thiruarimeyavinnagaram * Thiru anbil * Thiru aadhanur *Thiru indhalur
* Uraiyur * Thiruvooragam * Thirukandiyur * Thirukkarambanur * Thirukkaragam * Thirukkarvanam
*Thirukkavalampaadi * Thirukaazhi seeramavinnagaram * Thirukoodalur * Thirusalakramam
* Thiruchingavelkundram * Thiruchitrakoodam *Thirusirupuliyur *Thirusemponseikoil *Thiruthanjai maamanikoil *Thiruthalai sanga naanmadhiyam * Mahabalipuram *Thirukkadigai *Thirukannakudi
*Thirukannapuram *Thirukannamangai *Thirukalvanur *Kumbakonam *Thirukurungudi *Thirukoodal
* Thirukotiyur *Thirukovilur * Thiruneermalai * Srirangam *Triplicane *Thiruvadavendhai

This completes the series on Azhwars. It was a dream come true and a great blessing to be able to write about the lives of the Azhwars even though my notes were not very long. No amount of writing will be enough to bring into words the grandeur of these great souls.

I am very grateful to all the readers who have called and commented on this series with a special mention about my sister Sundari thanks to whom I started blogging and Mr K Parathasarathi who has been not only commenting on the blogs, but also adding a paasuram of each of the azhwars. Thank you!

Azhwars : Thirupaanazhwar

Thirupaanazhwar (திருப்பாணாழ்வார்)

Thirupaanazhwar was born in a paddy field on a Wednesday in the month of Karthigai, theipirai, dvidiyai thithi, rohini star as Srivatsam amsam of Mahavishnu.

A bard (பாணர்) found the baby in the paddy field and brought it to his house. He and his wife brought up the child as their own as they did not have any. As he was brought up in a bard’s house, he was named Thirupaanar. True to his family tradition, he learnt singing and playing the instrument Yaazh (யாழ்) as well.

Thirupaanar was keen to serve the Lord of Srirangam by singing and playing the Yaazh for him, but as Baanar was considered a low caste in those days, he did not dare to enter Srirangam and stood on the opposite bank of The Cauvery singing in praise of the Lord. His singing and playing were very pleasing to one’s ears and made Perumal very happy. Everyday at dawn, Thirupaanar sang for the Lord with so much of Bhakti that he was unaware of what was happening around him.

One day Lokasaranga Rishi, a bhakta of Aranganathan, bathed in The Cauvery. He had also brought a golden pot to carry water for the Lord’s abhishekam. He saw Thirupaanar standing in his way, singing with his eyes closed. The Rishi clapped his hands and ordered him to move aside, but Thirupaanar, lost in his devotion, did not hear him. Angered by this, the Rishi threw a stone at Thirupaanar and it hit him on the forehead and blood started oozing out. Thirupaanar opened his eyes, noticed the Rishi, apologised to him and moved aside.

Lokasaranga Rishi collected water in the pot and proceeded to the temple. Once he went near the Lord, he noticed that blood was oozing out of the Lord’s forehead. Puzzled by this, he informed the temple Bhattars and other officers who in turn informed the King. Unable to understand the reason, the King requested the Lord for clarification. That night the Lord came in Lokasaranga Rishi’s dream and instructed him to bring Thirupaanar to the temple carrying him on his shoulders. Waking up, the Rishi was surprised by the dream but decided to follow the Lord’s instruction.

He reached Thirupaanar, with his hands above his head perambulated (pradakshinam) Thirupaanar thrice, fell at his feet and conveyed the Lord’s message that the Rishi had to bring Thirupaanar to the temple. Shocked by this, Thirupaanar refused saying that he belonged to a lower caste and cannot step inside the temple. To this the Rishi replied that Thirupaanar need not step inside and he will carry him on his shoulders. Thirupaanar objected to this but the Rishi insisted that it was the Lord’s orders and carried Thirupaanar on his shoulders upto Aranganathan’s sannidhi.

Once he reached the sannidhi, Thirupaanar studied the Lord in detail and sang ten songs in ecstasy. This collection is called Amalanaathipiran. (அமலனாதிபிரான்)

கொண்டல் வண்ணனைக்
கோவல  னாய்வெண்ணை
உண்ட வாயன் என்னுள்ளம் கவர்ந்தானை
அண்டர்கோன் அணிஅரங்கன் என் அமுதினைக்
கண்ட கண்கள் மற்றோன்றினைக் காணாவே

"After seeing the Lord whose  colour is that of  stormy clouds, who has  butter smeared  around his  mouth, who  has stolen my  heart, also The  Lord of The  Devas, The Aranganathan, my love, my eyes refuse to see anything else."

In front of everybody’s eyes, Thirupaanaazhwar became one with the Lord. The Lord blessed Lokasaranga Rishi also for bringing Thirupaanazhwar on his shoulders.
Thirupaanazhwar has sung hymns on the following temples
Srirangam
Tirupathi

Paramapadham

Azhwars : Thondaradipodi Azhwar

Thondaradipodi Azhwar  (தொண்டரடிப்பொடி ஆழ்வார்)

Thondaradipodi Azhwar was born in Thirumandankudi on a Saturday under the star Kettai, Chaturdasi thithi, Margazhi month theipirai. He is the Vanamala amsam of Mahavishnu. His parents named him Vipranarayanar.

Not interested in family life, Vipranarayanar wished to go on a pilgrimage to many temples and began his journey with Srirangam. Once he saw the Aranganathan in Srirangam he wanted to stay there and serve Him. Like Periyaazhwar, he also started making garlands out of flowers for Aranganathan. He created a garden full of flowering plants and trees and stayed in a kudil (a thatched home) there.

There lived a devadasi by name Devadevi in Uthamarkoil, north of Srirangam. Devadevi and her sister went to Uyriyor for a dance performance in the court of the Chozha king and on the way back, Devadevi saw Vipranarayanar’s garden and was so impressed by it that she wanted to meet the owner. Her sister advised her that Vipranarayanar was only interested in serving the Lord and it is not possible to make him hers. Devadevi challenged her sister that if she is not able to make Vipranarayanar hers in six months time, she will become her sister’s slave.

She dresses in a simple saffron saree and falls at the feet of Vipranarayanar. When Vipranarayanar enquires, Devadevi says that due to her sins in the previous births she was born as a Devadasi, but does not want to be one any more. She also tells Vipranarayanar that she wished to help him in his service to the Lord. Taking pity on her, Vipranarayanar lets her water the plants, pluck the flowers, make the garlands and generally take care of the garden. She does all these jobs to make him trust her. She was given to stay outside his kudil.

 

After some months, one day when it rained very heavily, Devadevi was drenched and taking pity on her Vipranarayanar allows her inside his kudil. Once she gets, she makes him hers. Successful in her mission, she leaves him.

Vipranarayanar yearns for her and goes to her house and stands hesitantly at the front door. Mahavishnu decides that it was time to make Vipranarayanar His and taking a human form, picks up a golden utensil from the temple vessels, brought it to Devadevi and said that he was Manavaladasan, sent by Vipranarayanar and passed the message that Vipranarayanar was waiting outside. Devadevi instructs Vipranarayanar to come inside her house. Next day morning, when the temple was opened, it was found that a golden utensil is missing and it was reported to the King. The king sets up an enquiry with the Bhattar and other people in charge. Finally he finds that the vessel is at Devadevi’s place and calls her for enquiry. She admits that Vipraranarayanar’s servant Manavaladasan brought it to her and then Vipranarayanar is called for enquiry. The king instructs Devadevi to return the vessel to the temple and puts Vipranarayanar in prison.

Mahavishnu comes in the king’s dream and makes him understand that Vipranarayanar was not the thief and He had only come as Manavaladasan. The Lord asks the king to release Vipranarayanar. The King released Vipranarayanar, apologises and sents him home.

Realising his mistakes, Vipranarayanar goes in search of the learned. He understood that to the best way to cleanse himself from his sins was to drink the water with which the Vaishnava Bhagavathas feet were washed and did just that. As he continued to serve the Vaishnava Bhagavathas, he was called “Thondaradipodi Azhwar”

Thondaradipodi Azhwar continued his floral service to Aranganathan and sang hymns in his praise.

Devadevi also gave all her property to the Lord and did service like cleaning, drawing kolams, etc at the temple

Here is an audio file of Thondaradipodi Azhwar's paasuram - Pachai ma malaipol meni sung by Unnikrishnan

Thondaradipodi Azhwar has sung hymns on the following temples

Srirangam
Ayodya
Thirupparkadal

Azhwars : Kulasekara Azhwar

 Kulasekara Azhwar (குலசேகர ஆழ்வார்)

Dhidavirathan who was a descendant of Chera Kings was ruling Kolli mountain area during the 8th century. He was well known for his bravery. Kulasekara Azhwar was born to Dhidavirathan on a Friday of Masi month valarapirai, dwadasi thithi under the star Punarpoosam. He is the Kausthuba amsam of the Lord . Kulasekara Azhwar was well versed in both Sanskrit and Tamizh and learnt all the martial arts necessary for a prince.

After his father, Kulasekara Azhwar became the king and ruled the kingdom well. He defeated both the Chozhas and the Pandyas who had battled with him. Impressed by Kulasekara Azhwar, the Pandya king gave his daughter in marriage to him. Days rolled and Mahavishnu decided it was time to make Kulasekara Azhwar realize God.

Kulasekara Azhwar listened to Lord Rama and Lord Krishna’s stories regularly. When he heard how hearing Soorpanaka’s complaint Karan brought many soldiers and Rama fought against him alone, he got so involved that he asked his soldiers to get ready to help Rama and he also got ready for a battle. Only when the minister explained to Kulasekara Azhwar that Rama killed Karan and his soldiers and was happy with Sita and Lakshmanan, he understood and asked his soldiers to go back. Seeing his bhakti for Rama, he came to be called as Kulasekara Perumal and the hymns sung by him are called Perumal Thirumozhi

As Kulasekara Azhwar got more and more closer with Vaishnava Bhaktas, his ministers wanted to separate them and hid the Navamani maalai which adorned the Mahavishnu’s idol. When the king enquired, the ministers said only the Vaishnava Bhaktas must have stolen it. Disagreeing with this, Kulasekara Azhwar instructed that a pot (குடம்) be brought with a snake in it. When it was brought, he announced “ If the Vaishnavas had taken the Navamani maalai, let the snake bite me” and put his hand inside. Nothing happened and after he took his hand out, the snake came out and fell at his feet. Kulasekara Azhwar instructed that the snake be taken back to a safe place. The ministers apologized to the king. Kulasekara Azhwar made his son the king and joined the Vaishnava Bhaktas to sing in praise of the Lord.

A sample of Perumal Thirumozhi below:

ஆனாத செல்வத் தரம்பையர்கள் தற்சூழ
வானாளும் செல்வமும் மண்ணரசும் யான்வேண்டேன்  
தேனார்பூஞ் சோலைத் திருவேங்கட சுனையில்
மீனாய்ப் பிறக்கும் விதியுடையே னாவேனே

Even if i  am given  the  kingdom with great treasures and beautiful maidens I prefer to be born as a  fish  in the  pond of Tirupathi !
He  goes on like this with wishes to be born  as a Shanbaka tree, a bush, a part of the Hill,  the water that falls from the hill the path on the hills and even the steps leading to temple which will allow him to have the Lord 's darshan always .
  Kulasekara Azhwar has sung hymns on the following temples:

 Srirangam

 Thirukannapuram

 Thiruchitrakoodam

 Thiruvitrukkodu

 Tirupathi

 Ayodya

 Thirpparkadal

Azhwars : Madurakaviyaar

Madurakaviyaar  (மதுரகவியார்)

Madurakaviyaar meeting Nammazhwar in yogam in the tamarind tree which is actually Adiseshan

Madurakaviyaar was born on a Friday under the star Chithirai in the month of Chithirai valarpirai chaturdasi thithi in the 9th century. He is the nithya soori amsam of Mahavishnu

He was well versed in Tamizh and Sanskrit and had great Bhakti for Mahavishnu. He went on a pilgrimage to the many important places in the North – Ayodya, Mathura, Gaya, Kasi, Avanthi and Dwaraka and came back to stay in Ayodya. As mentioned in the earlier blog on Nammazhwar, he saw a light from South and followed the light to reach Nammazhwar in Thirukurugoor. He stayed with Nammazhwar as his disciple. His love and respect for Nammazhwar was such that he sang not in praise of the Lord, but in praise of Nammazhwar.

After Nammazhwar reached the Lord’s feet, Madurakaviyaar had an idol of Nammazhwar made and continued prayers to him. Poets of the Madurai sangam objected to this, stating that Nammazhwar was only a Bhakta and not God, he did not belong to the sangam and the hymns sung by him will not be accepted by them. Upset by this, Madurakaviyaar prayed to the Lord to teach them a lesson. Perumal came in human form and advised Madurakaviyaar to keep a particular paasuram of Nammazhwar in the sanga palagai which will teach the poets a lesson. Madurakaviyaar did this and the sanga palagai drowned the poets and only the paasuram stayed on the palagai. The poets then realized their mistake and sang a poem each on Nammazhwar’s greatness.

Madurakaviyaar continued his pujas to his Guru Nammazhwar and made the world realize Nammazhwar’s greatness before reaching the Lord’s feet.

The first song sung by Madurakaviyaar on Nammazhwar as below :

கண்ணி நுண்சிறுத்    தாம்பினால் கட்டுண்ணப்
பண்ணி யபெரு மாயன் என் னப்பனில்
நண்ணித் தென்குரு கூர்நம்பி யென்றக்கால்
அண்ணிக் கும்அமு தூறுமென் நாவுக்கே

The  sweetness  of  Nammazhwar 's name tastes like nectar  in my tongue and is even better than that of the Lord who  allowed himself to be tied with a knotted  rope by Yashoda.

Azhwars : Nammazhwar

Nammazhwar (நம்மாழ்வார்)

Before the birth of Nammazhwar, as per instructions from Mahavishnu, Adhiseshan took the form of a tamarind tree in the temple of Thirukurugoor.

A couple in Thirukurugoor, Porkaariyar and Udaya nangai prayed to the Perumal in Thirukurungudi and were blessed with a son – Nammazhwar.

Nammazhwar was born on Visakam star, Friday, pournami thithi, twelfth day of Vaikasi. He is Senai Muthalyar amsam of Mahavishnu.

As a baby, Nammazhwar did not show any activity - no appetite, no cries and even his eyes were closed, but he was growing normally day by day. As soon as he was born, Perumal had fed him with Gnanam and this is why, the baby was not interested in food. Not aware of this, the couple were worried about the baby and took him to the temple and put the baby in front of the Lord in Thirukurugoor, named him Maaran and prayed for his welfare.

Adhiseshan had taken the form of tamarind tree only to give upadesam to Nammazhwar and once Nammazhwar reached the temple, he settled there in yogam for 16 years.

At that time, Madurakaviyaar, another azhwar was on pilgrimage to Mathura, Dwaraka, Kasi and Ayodya. When he was in Ayodya, he could see a bright light from south and was curious about it. This light was visible only in the night and disappeared in day time. Madurakaviyaar travelled towards south in search of the light’s source and reached Thirukurugoor. Once he entered the temple there, the light disappeared totally. He enquired in the town if there is anything special there and came to know about Nammazhwar. Madurakaviyaar stood in front of Nammazhwar and clapped his hands to wake him from his yogam and asked him “ செத்ததின் வயிற்றில் சிறியது பிறந்தால் எத்தை தின்று எங்கே கிடக்கும்?” meaning “When the soul enters a body (which is lifeless without a soul), what will it experience as happiness?” Nammazhwar promptly replied     “அத்தை தின்று அங்கே கிடக்கும்” meaning, “Due to the connection with the body which has all the five elements - sight, smell, taste, hearing and touch, the soul will experience all the joys and sorrows and be there”

Hearing this, Madurakaviyaar felt at the feet of Nammazhwar and requested him to accept him as disciple. Madurakaviyaar stayed with Nammazhwar as his disciple and his paasurams are not on the Lord, but on Nammazhwar.

Nammazhwar continued his yogam underneath the tamarind tree for 31 years. Though he was named Maaran initially, he had many names, but he was called Nammazhwar as everybody considered him as his own and called him Nammazhwar with love.

His slokam which I have studied in school is :

உயர்வற உயர்நல முடையவன் யவனவன்

மயர்வற மதிநலம் அருளினான் யவனவன்

அயர்வறும் அமரர்கள் அதிபதி யவனவன்

துயரறு சுடரடி தொழுதெழன் மனமே  

“My mind, fall at the feet of the Lord, the Supreme, one who gives you intelligence, Lord for the Devas and this will solve all your sorrows”

Nammazhwar has sung hymns on the following temples:

*Srirangam * Thirupernagar * Kumbakonam * Thiruvinnagar *Thirukkannapuram

*Thirumaliruncholai *Thirumogur *Thirukurugoor * Azhwar thirunagari

* Srivaramangai * Thirupulingudi *Thirupperai *Srivaikundam * Varagunamangai

* Perunkulam * Thirukurungudi * Thirukoviloor * Thiruvananthapuram

* Thiruvanparisaaram * Thirukaatkarai * Thirumoozhikalam * Thirupuliyur

* Thirusengundroor * Thirunaavai * Thiruvallavaazh * Thiruvanvandoor

*Thiruvaataaru * Thirukadithaanam * Thiruvaaranvilai * Tirupathi

* Ayodya * Dwaraka * Mathura * Thiruppaarkadal * Paramapadham

Azhwars : Poigai Azhwar

Azhwars


The month of Purattasi reminded me so much of Azhwars that I want to write a series on the 12 Azhwars. The word Azhwar literally means the one who delves deep and in this case it is the one who delves deep into Vishnu Bhakti.

All the 12 Azhwars are said to be parts (amsam அம்சம்) of Mahavishnu. I begin with the first one.

Poigai Azhwar   (பொய்கை ஆழ்வார்)

Poigai azhwar is said to have been born in a lotus in a pond (பொய்கை) in Thiruvekka, Kanchipuram in the 7th century

Star: Thirvonam
Day: Tuesday
Thithi: Ashtami
Month: Ipasi valarpirai
Amsam: Panchajanyam (conch)

Poigai Azhwar had so much of love for Mahavishnu that he used to say that “My love for Him says, go to Him; my tongue says, sing his praise; my ears say hear his greatness; my eyes say, look only at Him who does not have any birth or death.”

Poigai Azhwar has sung hymns on the following temples:


►Srirangam

►Thiruvinnagaram (Oppliappan Koil)

►Thirukovilur

►Thiruvekka

►Tirupathi

►Thirupparkadal

►Paramapadham