Question on Alvars

[Guest guest]

Thanks to Badri for explaining the questions on 'Alvars'. I have

to start practicing to write "Aazhvaars".

 

In his mail, he mentioned that there was no reference in scripture

on the Aazhvaars. I had read a book by A. Govindacharya in which

there was a refrence on Srimad Bhagavatham 11th canto. There

was mention of some Dravidian saints and how heavenly gods aspired

to take birth on earth even in Kali yuga just to associate with

these elevated souls.

 

Unfortunately, I do not have the the book by Govindacharya and the

11th canto Bhagavatham. Does anybody know what the verse from

the Bhagavatham is which talks about the Dravidian saints?

 

-Eswar

[Guest guest]

"Men who live in Krita Yuga and other ages long to be born into this world in

the age of Kali, O King. For it is in the Kali age that men who are wholly

devoted to Lord Narayana will appear. O King, they shall be found everywhere,

but they shall be found in large numbers in the Dravida country where the

rivers Tamraparni, Kritamala, Payasvini, the extremely sacred Kaveri, and the

great Vetravati (which flows to the west) flow. The men who drink the waters

of these rivers will become pure of heart and devoted to Lord Keshava."

 

Bhagavatam 11.5.38-40

 

"When by the influence of the wicked (daityas), virtue wanes, the Perfect

incarnates on earth to re-establish it. When again, by the effects of time,

God-dear virtue wears away, Three are born in the Krita-age, and Three in the

Treta. And Three in the Dvapara, and Three in Kali; and these emanate from

the Shanka, Chakra, Gada, Padma, Sarnga, and Senapati (the Lord of Hosts).

And Sesha, Lakshmi, and the effulgent Sanaka and others, take birth among all

grades of society, Brahma, Kshatra, etc. Some pure souls of Vishnu descend

ex-uterine, and in the Dravida Land mostly, and proclaim (truths) by

(Dravida) hymns. Sesha, as post-disciple of Natha (-muni), takes birth in the

Kali age to proclaim the real import of the Vedanta Sastra. The wicked

Daityas, who were killed in Tripura, and those on the Saugandhika-occasion,

are born on earth; and they upset the Vaishnava System. Matarisva is

similarly born, and battering down evil systems, establishes the righteous

one. All these show men virtue. Pure Godly souls are to be worshipped with

God. And this course was established in the past. God (Garuda-dhvaja) granted

them the privilege, that unless they were worshipped, His own worship would

be fruitless. Also God put to them the power of composing the Prabandhas,

-treating of His Greatness-when on the Gandhamadana-mount, they were

performing Tapas, immersed in His service. They thus deserve worship along

with God (in His Temples). Hence (O Bharadvaja), I (Angiras) have related all

to thee, -how lost virtue was restored, etc."

>From The Holy Lives of the Azhvars by A. Govindacharya

Introduction #2, Pages xxxi-xxxiii.

[Guest guest]

Concerning my extract from A. Govindacarya's Lives of the Holy Azhvars:

 

Govindacarya says that the quote is from Naradiya (Purana), Sri Mushna

Mahatmya, XI.

 

The incarnation of Sesha proclaiming the real purport of Vedanta is obviously

Ramanuja. But as to the question of the incarnation of Matarisva, I don't

know. Desika? Manavala Mahamunigal? Pillai Lokacharya? If anyone has any

ideas please let me know.

[Guest guest]

"Matarisva", a synonym of Vaayu, is probably referring to Madhva

(aka Ananda Tirtha), the founder of the Dvaita school of philosophy

who lived after Ramanuja. I think that this is a later addition to

the Bhagavatam -- a post-prophecy if you will.

 

Mani

[Guest guest]

Keshava Das (gorkeshava) quoted from Srimad Bhagavatham 11.5.38-40:

>"Men who live in Krita Yuga and other ages long to be born into this world in

>the age of Kali, O King. For it is in the Kali age that men who are wholly

>devoted to Lord Narayana will appear. O King, they shall be found everywhere,

>but they shall be found in large numbers in the Dravida country where the

>rivers Tamraparni, Kritamala, Payasvini, the extremely sacred Kaveri, and the

>great Vetravati (which flows to the west) flow. The men who drink the waters

>of these rivers will become pure of heart and devoted to Lord Keshava."

>

>Bhagavatam 11.5.38-40

 

A ray of hope for the people of Kali!

Anybody know about the rivers Tamprapani, Kritamala and Vetravati?

 

Kaveri (also spelt as Cauveri) as we know rises in the western ghats at

Mercara in the Coorg district of Karnataka, flows through Mysore, goes

south-east to Tamil Nadu past Krsihnarajnagar passing Kollegal, Mettur,

Bhavani, Erode and Tiruchirapally and at Srirangam divides into the Bay of

Bengal. The chief tributaries of Kaveri are Lakshmantirtah, Amaravati,

Bhavani, and Noyil rivers.

The Vaisnavas of the Sri sampradaya have their chief center of activity

at Srirangam.

 

Payaswani starts on the west coast near Kasargod, Kerala and flows

eastward into Karnataka to the Kaveri river.

The Vaisnavas of the Brahma sampradaya (Madhvacharya's) have their

major center of activity at Udupi which is about 70 miles north of Kasargod.

 

Also, it would be interest to know if Acaryas who have commented on the

Srimad Bhagavatham have provided any names of the devotees of Lord

Narayana who have (or are to be) born in the Dravida country.

 

 

Keshava Das (gorkeshava) further quoted from "The Holy Lives of the

Azhvars" by A. Govindacharya:

>"When by the influence of the wicked (daityas), virtue wanes, the Perfect

>incarnates on earth to re-establish it. When again, by the effects of time,

>God-dear virtue wears away, Three are born in the Krita-age, and Three in the

>Treta. And Three in the Dvapara, and Three in Kali; and these emanate from

>the Shanka, Chakra, Gada, Padma, Sarnga, and Senapati (the Lord of Hosts).

>And Sesha, Lakshmi, and the effulgent Sanaka and others, take birth among all

>grades of society, Brahma, Kshatra, etc. Some pure souls of Vishnu descend

>ex-uterine, and in the Dravida Land mostly, and proclaim (truths) by

>(Dravida) hymns. Sesha, as post-disciple of Natha (-muni), takes birth in the

>Kali age to proclaim the real import of the Vedanta Sastra. The wicked

>Daityas, who were killed in Tripura, and those on the Saugandhika-occasion,

>are born on earth; and they upset the Vaishnava System. Matarisva is

>similarly born, and battering down evil systems, establishes the righteous

>one. All these show men virtue. Pure Godly souls are to be worshipped with

>God. And this course was established in the past. God (Garuda-dhvaja) granted

>them the privilege, that unless they were worshipped, His own worship would

>be fruitless. Also God put to them the power of composing the Prabandhas,

>-treating of His Greatness-when on the Gandhamadana-mount, they were

>performing Tapas, immersed in His service. They thus deserve worship along

>with God (in His Temples). Hence (O Bharadvaja), I (Angiras) have related all

>to thee, -how lost virtue was restored, etc."

>

>From The Holy Lives of the Azhvars by A. Govindacharya

>Introduction #2, Pages xxxi-xxxiii.

>

 

"..Three are born in the Krita-age, and Three in the Treta. And Three in the

Dvapara, and Three in Kali.. "

Who are these devotees? Is this suggestive of the twelve Aazhvaars?

 

 

-Eswar

[Guest guest]

Mani had mentioned that the place of birth of Nammaazhvaar is close

to the river Tamrapani. He also wrote to me the following:

Nammalvar was born in Tirukkurugoor, now known as Alvar Tirunagiri.

It is about 30km east of Tirunelveli, which is the nearest major city

in the area. The temple of Adinaathan is there, as well as the tamarind

tree where Nammalvar meditated for many years. it is a rather small

and quiet site.

 

Can anybody add to the description of the place, the people, the

sites to see in that area, any saints presently residing there, etc?

 

-Eswar