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March 1, 1996 is the Tirunakshatram of Raja Rishi Kulashekara Azhwar.

The following is a brief note about the Azhwar and his contributions.

Sri Jaganath posted an excellent article on the Pasurams of this Azhwar a

few days ago.

 

Kumbhe Punarvasubhavam Kerale Chola Pattane

Kaustubhamsham DharaDheesam Kulashekaramashraye.

 

I take refuge in king Kulashekara of Kerala, who was born (at Tiruvanjikkolam)

in the month of Magha (Feb-March) under the asterism of Punarvasu as an

incarnation of the Kaustubha gem of Lord Narayana.

 

Kushyate Yasya Nagare Ranga Yatra Dhine Dhine

TAmaham Shirasam Vande RajanAm Kulashekaram.

 

Kulashekara Azhwar wished for

pilgrimage to Srirangam everyday so that he could be by the side of

his Abhimana Daivam (Lord Sri Rama). In accordance with his wishes,

his disciples built him a hermitage very close to the Ranganatha Temple.

This great man composed the Mukunda Mala. The language of his Bhakti was

very simple. This can be seen from the following verse:

 

Namami Narayana Pada Pankajam Karomi Narayana Pujanam Sada

Vadami Narayana Nama Nirmalam Smarami Narayana Tattvamavyayam.

 

Salutations to the lotus feet of Lord Narayana in whose prayers forever I am

engaged, whose sweet name I constantly take and whose thoughts is the

"Tattvam" (for me).

 

Elsewhere, the Azhwar says:

 

Meyyil Vazhkaii meyyanakollum Ivvaim

Thannodum Kooduvathilai nan Iyene

ARANGA yenru Azhaikkindren...

 

In Perumal Thirumozhi the Azhwar declares that he does not seek the

company of those who think that this earthly life is real, but he cries

for the Lord Sri Ranganatha. The Dwajasthambam ( interior ) in

Srirangam Temple is called ANI ARANGATHU THIRU MUTTRAM following the

declaration of Kulasekhara Azhwar and the Gold-plated steps leading

from this Muttram to the inside is called Kulasekharan Padi. The IDEEHAM

is that The Azhwar lives in these steps and traditional people do not

dare to put their feet on these steps - instead they jump over it contrary

to the wishes of Azhwar. The Azhwar wished that devotees step over

this Padi so that he is sanctified by the dust of the Bhagavata's feet.

 

The Azhwar has also composed a number of Paasurams in praise of

Lord Srinivasa during his sojourn to Tirupati. Sri Jaganath has provided

a very eloquent summary of the the Azhwar's Paasuram in his article. Of

particular note is the Paasuram where the Azhwar wishes he was a fish in

the sacred Pushkarani at Tirupati. The thoughts of the Azhwar while

composing this Paasuram are indicative of Lakshmana's statement to Lord

Sri Rama "I shall be like a fish out of water without you" while requesting

that he be allowed to accompany the Lord to the forest. This must be

seen in the context of Lord Rama being the Abhimana Daivam of the Azhwar.

Consequently, the Azhwar does not like any thought of separation from the

Lord. In conclusion, I must say that Sri Vaishnava Sampradayam has been

greatly enriched by the contributions of Raja Rishi Kulashekara Azhwar.

 

I hope this serves as input for more reflections about the Azhwar and his

works. Sri Sadagopan informed me in a private note that he may be able to

post a copy of his commentary on the Mukunda Mala. I look forward to reading

his post and enjoying the Azhwar's Vaibhavam. I also request Sri Dileepan to

post his informative article (as usual) about the Azhwar on the occassion of

the Azhwar's Tirunakshatram (as is his practice).

 

Azhwar Tiruvadigale Sharanam,

 

Sri Ramachandra Swami Parabrahmane Namaha.

 

Muralidhar Rangaswamy