About PeriyAzhwAr from The Hindu religion column

[Guest guest]

A mystic’s benediction religion

http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/05/stories/2007070559651100.htm

 

 

CHENNAI: Among the 12 Azhwars, the mystics whose hymns

were codified by Nathamuni in the Nalayira Divya

Prabandham, Periazhwar has the singular status of

being the father-in-law of the Lord. Vedanta Desika in

his hymn Godastuti states that he attained greatness

through his foster daughter Andal, who became the

consort of Lord Ranganatha by her loving devotion to

Him from a tender age. That was a double blessing for

Periazhwar’s greatness was well established when he

sang the Tiruppallandu (a hymn in benediction) out of

ecstasy on the Lord when He graced him with the vision

of His divine form.

 

In his discourse, Uttamur Sri Rajagopalachariar said

the prelude (Taniyan) chanted before Periazhwar’s hymn

attested to incidents that proclaimed his greatness to

the world. Vishnuchitta, as he was known before he

came to be hailed as Periazhwar, was a priest (hence

the name Pattarbiran) who performed the loving service

of offering garlands to the deity in Srivilliputtur.

One day the Lord directed him to the Pandya king

Vallabhadeva’s court in Madurai to establish His

supremacy in a debate with scholars. He went

reluctantly as he could not transgress the divine

command. And, to his wonder he won and was awarded the

prize of a bag of gold. The king rejoiced that

Pattarbiran had enlightened him with his eloquent

elucidation of the Vedic texts. He was searching for

one who would teach him wisdom after an elderly person

counselled him: “To save for the rainy day toil for

eight months; to enjoy the night, work during the day;

to save for your old age, work during your youth; to

secure a better life hereafter, do good in this life.”

 

 

Vallabhadeva overwhelmed by his profundity honoured

him by parading him on a bedecked elephant when

Vishnuchitta envisioned the Lord. It was then that he

extolled the Lord moved by His beatific form: “Many

years, many years, many thousands of years and many

hundred thousands more…” A doubt will naturally arise

whether it is appropriate or possible for anyone to

bless the Almighty who is eternal. This has to be seen

as an act of divine grace for the Lord enabled His

devotee to experience Him thus with mystical insight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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