Azhwar Vaibhavam & Sri Sookthis : Part I & II/ Introduction on Content

[Guest guest]

SrI:

 

Dear BhakthAs : Both Sriman Alwar and myself have completed and released

the First Volume of AzhwAr CD ROM covering the Vaibhavam and Dhivya Prabhandhams

of 7 AzhwArs and trhe dhivya dEsams that they performed MangaLAsAsanams.

The recordign of their dhivya prabhandhams as recited by the Melkote dhivya

Prabahndha adhyayayana ghOshti is also in included in this multimedia CD ROM

with outstandign graphics . We are ready to start the work on Volume II that

would cover the Vaibhavam of Swamy NammAzhwAr , Madhura Kavi , Thirumazhisai

AzhwAr , KulasEkharar and Thirumangai AzhwAr . More than half of the dhivya

Prabhandha Pasurams are from Swamy NammAzhwAr & Thirumangai . Hence

the volume II about the 5 AzhwArs and their 14 Prabhandhams would be a treat

for the Sri VaishNavite Families to enjoy .

 

We need your help to raise $2,000 to cover the expenses of the Volume II

creation . AaasthikAs have helped us with raising $620 of the needed $2,000

sofar . Only $ 1,3890 needs to be raised to start the Volume II creation at

Bangalore . Please let me know if you wish to support this important educational

project . It would eb my pleasure to send you volume I of the Azhwar CD ROM .

 

Please enjoy the short write up below on the AzhwArs and the dhivya dEsams

that they sang about .

 

NamO NaarAyaNAya ,

V.Sadagopan

 

The 108 Dhivya Deshams

Azvars immersed in the eternal beauty and effulgence of the Supreme

Lord enshrined in holy places and merged in ecstasy in his entrancing

charm. Known as Dhivya Desams a total of 108 are such shrines that

have been hymned by them. These shrines are spread over from the

southern most tip of India to the vast Himalayan mountains. A life

time ambition of a Srivaishnava is to visit all these 106 holy

shrines with the exception of Srivaikuntam and Thiruparkadal.

The 'Life and works of Azvars' CD-ROM contains information on all

these 108 shrines besides the life and prabhandhams of the 12 Azvars.

Beautiful pictures of deities enshrined, legends associated, the

Dhivya prabanda hymns dedicated to, road maps and other information

provided make it a treasure to possess. This page contains pictures

and information about some important shrines. Please support and

acquire the CD-ROM to enjoy all the shrines and the divine message of

Azvars.

Here is a chance to participate in a once-in-life time opportunity.

You can sponsor your favorite dhivya desham/Azvar/Dhivya Prabhandham

by helping with a contribution ( $50 - $100) for covering the

development expense of this CD-ROM. You will be sent a copy of the CD

ROM in a few months time when the CD is released. Your name will be

added to the roster of sponsors. Please send your conformation by

mail to Dr.V.Sadagopan - sgopan (AT) computer (DOT) net Those who wish to

contribute in Indian currency are requested to contact Dr.M.A.Alvar

at alvar (AT) vsnal (DOT) com. We will cover five of the 108 Dhivya Deshams in

this Page.

Thiruvarangam

Thiruvenkadam

Thirukachi

Thiruvinnagar

Thiruvilliputtur

Thirukovaluur

Sri Rangam (Thiruvarangam)

Eulogized as 'bhuuloka vaikuntam' the paradise in earth, this Dhivya

Desham stands atop of all. Hymned by the ten Azvars and Andal who wed

Sri Ranganata, this place is unique. It is a fact that no kshetradanam

of any Bhakthan is complete with out a visit to Srirangam. One may

have missed a shrine and another included yet another, but none have

missed Sri Rangam, the divine abode of Sri Ranganata.

Garlanded by the golden river Kaveri, amidst green fields, the

recently erected Raja Gopuram pierces the clouds and proclaims its

glory to the celestial beings. As we pass through the seven

surroundings and enter the divine abode, the spiritual fragrance

uplifts us to a state of transcendental bliss.What a splendid sight

that we see, under the shade of the golden Pranavakara Vimana lies

Sri Ranganata (namperumal) on Sesha Paryankam in Ekanta Shayanam

supporting his head on his arm .

The festival deity with his golden hued form, wielding his discuss

and conch, bearing the celestial weapon Kaumodaki and ensuring

fearlessness with his abhaya mudra, indeed melts our hearts. Sri

Ranganayaki his divine consort is enshrined separately. Bearing lotus

on her tender golden palms, removing all fear and showering

auspiciousness, she glances at her children with compassion filled

lotus eyes. This alone would account for 'sarva sampath samruddhi'.

Handed over to Manu by Brahma, Sri Ranganata was the kuladhanam of

Ishvaku kulam, the celestial dynasty in which Sri Rama was born.

Marked as 'bruhataayatanam' in Ramayana, Sri Rama presented it to

Vibhishana after His grand coronation. The lord descended in Sri

Rangam at the request of Dharma varma before Vibhishana could reach

Sri Lanka and is seen facing south to bless Vibhishana and all who

seek him. Indeed there is little surprise that Tondaradipodi Azvar

addresses Ranganata and firmly declines any boon, not even the

kingship of heaven, other than this blissful joy of looking again and

again at his coral lips, lotus eyes, sing 'achuta, a bull among the

celestial, the tendril shoot of cowheards'.

Sri Venkatam (Thiruvenkadam)

The emperor of all Dhivya Deshams Sri Srinivasa has his abode in

Thirumalai. A range of seven hills namely Venkadari, Seshadri,

Vedadri, Garudari, Rrishabadri, Anjanadri and Aanandadri leads us to

the pilgrim center where millions flock daily to have a glimpse of

the lord's divine beauty. These hills are compared to a recumbent

serpent. It is a practice to have darshan of Adivarahar Swami, the

ancient resident of this place before visiting Srinivasa.

As we climb through the steep steps to Kali Gopuram, crossing the

chasm and climbing again to Muzangal murichchaan and have a long walk

towards the temple, the sight of the golden glittering Vimanam of the

lord showers rejuvenating ambrosia. The resonating cries 'Govinda,

Venkataramana' fill the air as we enter the sanctum. Kulashekarazvar

begs the lord at this shrine to allow him to be a door step as to

feast his eyes permanently on the lotus face of the lord.

Venkatachalapati (Thiruvengadamudayan), the main deity in the sanctum

sanctorum is about five feet tall, seen in a standing posture

wielding the conch (Panchajanyam) and discus (Sudharshanam) in two

hands and showering bliss through the third, while the fourth is held

on the hip in katyavalambaita posture. Right from the diamond crown,

Ashtottara Lakshmi mala, Salgrama Mala, Dashavatara odyanam, a golden

sword that hangs from this belt, two golden plaques of Lakshmi and

Padmavathi on his chest and all that we see is a glitter of spiritual

ecstasy and the personification of perfection. Indeed it's a glory

that we are able to feast on the beauty of the lord. Malayappa Swamy

or Srinivasa is the processional deity. He too is seen in a standing

posture again as a replica of the mula vigraham. He is flanked by Sri

Devi and Bhu Devi. Everyday is a festival day for Him. The nine-day

Brahmotsava festival is indeed a divine splendor when the lord is

richly dressed and carried on various vehicles day and night. Sri

Padmavati (Alarmelmangai) is the consort of Sri Venkatesa. She is

enshrined in a separate temple at Thiruchanur.

 

Kanchipuram (Thirukachi)

As the lord revealed himself and blessed Brahma in Kanchi, he is known

as Varadan. This deity is stationed here in all the four yugas. Brahma

worshipped him in Krita yuga, Gajendran in Treta, Bhrihaspati in

Dvapara and Adiseshan in Kali. The mortal coil of Iravadam is seen as

Hasthigiri on which Devadirajan is enshrined under Punyakoti Vimanam

facing west. He is as majestic as Thirumala Srinivasa and bears the

celestial conch (Panchajanyam), discus (Sudarshanam) and gada while

the fourth palm is held in abhaya mudra.

The elegant smile of the lord indeed captures our hearts. The

festival deity Yagna Varadarajan is said to have manifested from the

fire sacrifice of Brahma. Sri and Bhu Devi on his sides both bearing

flower-cluster on their right hand is a unique sight to see. Maha

Devi or Perundevi Thaayaar is the goddess. She is housed in a

separate temple within the complex.The wooden Varada, Attivaradan, is

lying submerged in the sacred tank Amruta saras is taken out only once

in 40 years, kept outside for 40 days for worship and again returned

to His watery abode.

Garuda seva of Varadan is a famous event that attracts pilgrims from

far and wide. To the east of the holy tank is a Sannidhi for

Sundarshana.The vast temple campus is an amalgamation of

architectural beauty created by rulers of several eras. The

hundred-pillared hall by the side of the temple tank is indeed an

epitome of architecture. Peyalvar, Alavandar, Tirukachi Nambi,

Ramanuja, Kurathazvan, Vedanta Deshika, Manavala maamuni and

Thirumangaialvar have composed hymns for this lord. The history of

Sri Vaishnavisum owes a lot to this lord for blessing both Ramanuja

and Vedanta Deshikar to become two of the main Acharyas.

Tulasivanam (Thiruvinnagar )

What a splendid sight that we see in Thiruvinnagar. Oppilaa appan, a

grand figure towering twelve plus feet, adorned with salagrama mala,

dashavatara odyanam and other celestial ornaments glitters with

eternal youth and charm. Bhumi Devi the young maiden kneels in front,

while Markandeya offers her in marriage.

Legends proclaim Him as the elder brother of Thirumalai Srinivasan.

Thirumangai alvar, Nammalvar and Peyalvar have sung in praise of this

deity. Nammalvar perceives this wonderful lord as Ponnappan,

Maniappan, Muttappan, Ennappan and Vinnagarappan in accordance with

his five fold nature.

In response to the penance of sage Markandeya, Vasumati (Bhudevi)

manifested as his daughter in this Tulasi vanam (Thiruvinnagar). When

she was six, a tottering grand old man came by and asked Markandeya

for her hand. With much difficulty Markandaya tried to dissuade the

old man. But the old man could not take no for an answer. Unable to

tackle, Markandeya cried, 'Behold O! Old man, my daughter does not

even know how to mix the appropriate measure of salt in food, how do

you expect such an young girl to serve you'. The old man vanished and

there stood Sriman Narayana wielding his discuss and conch with

unmatched splendor. The celestial wedding between the divne couple

took place in the month of Iypasi in Shravana star.

Dhanvipuri (Thiruvilliputtur)

The birth place of Thirupaavai t and that of Andal and Periyazvar is

Srivilliputtur. Vatapatra Shayi is the main deity here. He is seen in

bujanga syananam facing east under a banyan tree, flanked by Sri devi,

Bhu devi , Brahma, Surya, Brugu, Markandeya, Villi and the divine

weapons of the lord. He was a child to Periyazvar who approached him

with vatsalya bhakti and the dear love of Andal who fused into the

supreme in Nayaki Bhava. Glittering icons of Rangamannar, Andal and

Garuda are seen in the sanctum. Unparalleled is the beauty of the

Processional deity in this Shrine

 

Villiputtur- named after the hunter Villi, who founded this city at

the command of the lord; to add to its glory Adivaraha has rested in

Srivilliputtur for a while. Vishnu Chittar (Periyazvar) tended a

flower garden here and made garlands for Vatapatrashayi every day. It

is in this garden that he found a child who became the beloved of

Ranganata. This was Andal whose songs are unrivaled in devotion and

fervor to the lord. She used to deck herself with the garland created

for the lord and enjoy the sight in reflection. Shocked was Periyazvar

when he saw that accidentally, but the lord insisted in wearing only

those garlands. Later at the behest of Ranganata, she was brought to

his sanctum by Perivazvar, and she merged in to the lord.

Including the Panguni uttaram marriage celebrations, all festivals are

of grand scale here. The Shayanotsavam in which Sri Rangamannar rests

on the lap of Andal is indeed a sight to see. Arayar sevai, a form of

ritual dance is enacted here as in Srirangam and Azvar

Thirunagari.Ramanuja held Andal in high esteem and it is said that

when he visited this shrine, she came seven steps forward addressing

him as 'Elder brother'.

Gopalakshetram (Thirukovalur)

The garden where the flower of Vaishnavam blossomed is Thirukovalur.

It was heavily raining when the first three Azvars met here. A small

corridor was provided for shelter when Poygaiyazvar approached. When

another devotee knocked seeking space, he was also let in. When yet

another joined, there was barely space for one more to stand. They

spent time in singing praises of the lord, and to their surprise felt

yet another person squeezing them. That was none other than the lord

who wanted to enjoy the company of his devotees.

Thirivikraman who measured the entire universe in two steps is the

main deity here. Indeed we have the darshana saubhagyam of a huge

icon with one leg lifted up piercing the sky and the other on the

head of Mahabali. Decorated with celestial ornaments, the lord bears

conch in his right hand and the discuss in the left contrary to the

customary pose.

The main deity Thrivikraman is made of wood. Pungoval Nacchiyar is the

goddess here.Thirukovallur is one of the five Krishnaranya Kshetrams.

Gopalan is the festival deity falnked by Rukmani and Satyabhama.

Mudalazvars, Thirumangai azvar, Vedanta deshikar and Manavala Mamuni

have offered their eulogized hymns to the lord in this Dhivya Desham.

 

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