Thirumangai aazhvaar

[Guest guest]

I am sure the story of Thirumangai mannan is familiar

to most in this group. However I am posting the

following having prepared it for the newly formed NG SRV.

Please pardon me for any and all mistakes. Thank you.

 

 

-- Dileepan

 

 

====================

 

The star Krithigai in the month of Kaarthigai (December

5, 1995) is an auspicious day for all Sri Vaishnavas for it

is the birth star of one of their most revered saints, Thiru

Mangai Alwar (TMA). He is the second most prolific

author among the 12 Alwars, next only to Nam Alwar.

Of the 24 poems by the twelve Alwars consisting of

almost 4,000 verses, TMA's share is 6 poems with 1,253

verses. Nam Alwar's share is 4 poems with 1,296 verses.

 

In his early days, as a man of the sword, our Lord

Narayana was far from TMA's thoughts. His spiritual

journey started with a commitment he made to his

sweetheart Kumudhavalli in exchange for her hand in

marriage. While most women may have asked for her

suitor's everlasting love, or a diamond ring, or a gold

bangle, all our gentle lady Kumudhavalli sought from

TMA was that he must wear the marks of Sri Vaishnava

and serve food (amudhu) for 1,000 Vaishnavaas everyday

for a period of one year. This service, initiated as a price

for carnal pleasure, turned into a labor of divine love

towards the devotees of our Lord Narayana. Years rolled

by. TMA spent all his wealth in the service of

Vaishnavas. With his coffers empty, TMA could not

continue the service. He could not bear the thought of

having to turn away the Vasihnavas who by then were

accustomed to blessing TMA's abode with their presence.

 

The feeling of despair turned to anger at the sight of the

greedy idle rich strolling around with all their gaudy and

ostentatious jewels and showing contempt for the simple

and devout Vasihnavas. This was enough to drive TMA

to actions that a certain individual of English folklore in

Sherwood forest, a continent away, would resort to and

become famous world over. But it was not just fame that

was in store for our good TMA.

 

Our Lord Narayana decided to intervene and turn TMA

away from the ways of the sword. He and His consort,

our divine mother Sri, appeared before TMA as a newly

wed couple bedecked with priceless ornaments. TMA

stopped the couple and forcibly relieved them of all the

jewelry. But, there was one piece on our Lord's toe

that wouldn't come off however much TMA tried. In

frustration TMA put his head on the lotus feet of our Lord

with the intention of biting the ring off. At that moment

TMA was drawn in by the beauty of the lotus feet and

realized the true nature of the couple standing in front of

him. The Lord then instructed the esoteric meaning of

"Thirumandhiram" (Om namO Narayanaya) for TMA.

Thus TMA learnt of the efficacy of the divine name

"Narayana" from our Lord Narayana Himself!

 

TMA immediately went on to sing the poem "Periya

Thirumozhi" (Great divine poem) consisting of 1,084

verses. The first ten of these verses are dedicated to the

name "Narayana." These first 10 emotional verses give

aid and comfort to people like me who have strayed in

their youth. TMA comes down hard on himself with

intense self criticism for the violence he had caused,

albeit for a good cause, for having sought fleeting worldly

pleasures, for having squandered his days on mundane

pursuits. He ends each of these ten verses with a

celebration of the divine name Narayana, for after finding

this sweet name, TMA declares, he was free from all the

sins and assured of the everlasting bliss at the lotus feet of

our sweet Lord Narayana. These 10 verses will bring

emotional tears of longing for the lotus feet of our Lord

Narayana to the eyes of any Vaishnava.

 

Here is the first of these ten Tamil verses:

 

vaadinEnvaadivarundhinEnmanatthaal

perunthuyaridumbaiyil piRanNdhu,

koodinEn koodiyiLaiyavarthammOdu

avartharumkalaviyEkarudhi,

OdinEnOdiyuyvadhOrporuLaal

uNarvenumperumpadhantherindhu,

naadinEnn^aadin^aan_kaNdukoNdEn

naaraayaNaavennumn^aamam.

 

"Born into this worldly body, a receptacle of profound

sorrow, I am weltering, I am filled with remorse;

I have let myself run after beautiful women, seeking the

fleeting carnal pleasures of the union they give;

Lo and behold, through the grace of our Lord I now

realize there is a greater goal, that which will deliver me

into eternal happiness;

I have searched for this state and have now found it in the

sweet name _Narayana_."

 

When you offer your prayers this Friday, think of this

great Sri Vaishnava saint.

 

 

-- Dileepan

 

Notes:

1. This post is based on my recollection of TMA's story

narrated by elders.

2. I have not included many epsiodes from TMA's long

life story. This may be found in many publications

including the one by Ramakrishna Mutt in English titled

"Sri Ramanuja."

[Guest guest]

On Sat, 02 Dec 95 19:30:28 EST you said:

>

>

>When you offer your prayers this Friday, think of this

^^^^^^^

>great Sri Vaishnava saint.

 

 

That must be Tuesday! I regret the error.

 

 

-- Dileepan

[Guest guest]

Thanks to Dr Dileepan for posting the touching verse by Thirumangai

mannar. In the version of his story that I have heard, it is the

metti of ThAyAr that he tries to remove with his teeth and his

consciousness is transformed instantly by the grace of ThAyAr. In

fact, this is acted out during the vEdupari day during Vaikuntha

EkAdasi. This is the biggest event after V.EkAdasi and NammAzhvAr's

mOksham. True to the name, that day Lord Ranganathar and pakkathu

nAchiAr come riding a horse when TMA sends first his gangs, then his

trusted lieutenants and finally comes himself to rob the divine

couple. The enacting of the whole episode is unforgettable.

 

Thanks

Raghu