Sri Ramanuja Journal Volume 3, Issue 2

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*Margazhi, Vyaya

Azhvar 3. Acharya 2 *

 

*Sri:*

 

*Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha*

 

*Srimathe Varavaramunaye namaH*

 

* *

 

*Adhyanotsavam At Srirangam*

 

*SRIRANGAM-BHOOLOKA VAIKUNTAM*

 

*Srirangam is not just a place in Tamil Nadu, India. Srirangam is the

epicentre of a glorious philosophy called Srivaishnavism. The history of

this enchanting place is not restrained by the boundaries of planet Earth.

Srirangam bears testimony to the larger picture, the grand order, the

magnificence of creation itself, and of course, the brilliance of the

Creator, who resides here in Archavataram, Sayana-ThirukkOlam, ever so

majestic, poised and peaceful, in the midst of chaos, the order of Kali. *

 

*An attempt is made here, most certainly in vain, to try and describe the

enticing beauty of one of the many utsavams which take place in Srirangam.

The Adhyainotsavam happens during the month of Maarghazhi, it is an

experience that must not be missed by those who wish to get an idea of the

grander picture, and those who wonder why the phrase 'Bhooloka Vaikuntam'

adorns Srirangam, and Srirangam only. *

 

* 'ADHYAINAM'*

 

*The word 'Adhyainam' is synonymous to the word 'Parayanam'. Originally,

Adhyainotsavam entailed 'Veda Parayanam' in front of Perumal. It was

Thirumangai Azhwar who, stressing on the importance Tamil, introduced the

recitation of the Thiruvaimozhi (Essence of the Vedas composed in Tamil by

Nammazhwar) along with the Vedas during the Adhyainotsavam. This forms only

a part of the Adhyainotsavam, which is known as 'Raapathu'. It is so called

because the recitation of the Thiruvaimozhi happens after sunset for a

period of ten days, with the recitation of 100 pasurams each day. Our

Purvacharyas also decided to introduce the recitation of Mudhalaayiram and

PeriyaThirumozhi during Adhyainotsavam, and this part of the utsavam is

called 'Pahalpathu'. It is also for a period of ten days, before the

commencement of the Raapathu. (Pahalpathu happens during the daytime). *

 

* THE THIRUNEDUNTHANDAGATH THIRUNAL *

 

*The Adhyainotsavam goes on for twenty-two days. Even before the Pahalpathu

commences, i.e., on the preceding day of the first day of the utsavam, the

first thirty-pasurams of Thirunedundandagam (composed by Thirumangai Azhwar)

are recited in front of the Lord. Though it is customary, to start a

Naalayiram recital with Thiruppallandu, here it starts with

Thirunedundandagam because of an incident which adds to the glory of

this utsavam

.. In Swamy Ramanujar's time, there lived a great advaitha pandithar

(scholar) called 'VEdanti'. The time had come when Swamy Ramanujar had to

leave for Paramapadam. It was then that he told Swamy Parasara Bhattar to

defeat this pandithar in debate, and establish the superiority of

Vishishtadvaitha. In the guise of a person seeking alms, Parasara Bhattar

defeated Vedanti, and did so by referring to the last prabandham (thirty

pasurams) of Thirumangai AzvAr -The Thirunedundandagam. Parasara Bhattar

arrived at Srirangam after this glorious feat on the day before the

Pahalpathu was to start. Lord Ranganathar communicated to the Araiyar of

Srirangam at the time to start the Adhyainotsavam with a recital of these

thirty pasurams. To this day the same chronology is followed, the

Adyainotsavam commencing with thirty pasurams of Thirunedundandagam on the

first day, followed by Pahalpathu for the next ten days, followed by

Raapathu for the next ten days- concluding with iyaRpA. *

 

*AZHVAR MOKSHAM*

 

*The last night of Raapathu is the climax of the Adhyainostavam. The last

ten pasurams of the Thiruvaimozhi are to be recited. It is on this day that

Nammazhwar (composer of Thiruvaimozhi) attains Moksham. The atmosphere is

almost unearthly as we witness Nammazhwar's Thirumudi being placed on Lord

Ranganathar's Thiruvadi Thamaraighal . As this happens the Araiyar will

recite the last ten pasurams of Thiruvaimozhi. Nammazhwar Moksham is a

divine event which erases from our minds everything else, which makes us

forget our habitation of Bhoolokam and transports us to Vaikuntam itself.

The atmosphere is loaded with Bhakthi and the collective shudders of

excitement running through everyone spill over everywhere and create a

different world. *

 

*IYARPA*

 

*After Nammazhwar Moksham, the next night signals the end of the

Adhyainotsavam. 'Iyarpa', is the part of the Naalayiram which remains. It

consists of a thousand pasurams, composed by various Azhwars, and is recited

through the course of that night. *

 

*IYAL-ISAI-NATAKAM *

 

*There are several aspects of the Adhyainotsavam in Srirangam which gives it

a unique character. The most significant aspect is that over the years, this

Adhyainotsavam has come to showcase the three types of Tamil, i.e., Iyal

(prose), Isai (poem) and Natakam (drama). Iyal is the style in which the

pasurams are recited by the Ghoshti. Isai and Natakam are demonstrated by

the Araiyars. Isai involves incorporating raga and tala into the pasurams,

and the Araiyar sings them along with actions. The various Vibhava-avatars

of the Lord are also demonstrated by the Araiyars using Natakam form of

Tamil. In addition, the Araiyars demonstrate in the form of Natakam, how

Thiruvaradhanam for Lord Ranganathar happens in Srirangam. All these aspects

make Adhyainotsavam a special, unique and revelatory event, which must be

witnessed by all Srivaishnava adiyars who want to experience the divine

beauty of our Sampradayam, our Ramanujar, our Azhwars, our Acharyas and all

our glory. *

 

* *

 

*Varavaramuni dAsargaL*