ThirukArthikai

[Guest guest]

Today marks the occasion when the star krithika ascends in Tamil

month of kArthikai. This astrological position marks the holy

appearance of Thirumangai Alwar, the last of the twelve Tamil Mystics

whose poetic experiences serve as the heart of the devotional

experience of the SriVaishnava religion.

 

Sri Thirumangai's life story is a colorful one, a spiritual

transformation of sorts that takes from him from the affluent life as

a village chieftain, to the life of a thief, and eventually to his

position as One Who Dives Deep into the Nectar of Devotion for the

Lord. Such a diverse experience makes his story and his mystical

words something that all of us can relate to in way or the other, as

through them we encounter the foibles of the human condition, and the

Grace of the Compassionate Lord Who is ever striving to save us from

them.

 

To learn more about Thirumangai Mannan's life and works, please click

on the following URL:

 

http://www.ramanuja.org/sv/alvars/kaliyan/index.html

 

Please keep this great saint in mind in your prayers and thoughts

today.

 

vaadinEn vaadi varundhinEn manatthaal

perunthuyar idumbaiyil piRanNdhu,

koodinEn koodi iLaiyavar thammOdu

avartharum kalaviyE karudhi,

OdinEn Odi uyvadhOr poruLaal

uNarvenum perumpadhantherindhu,

naadinEn n^aadi n^aan kaNdukoNdEn

naaraayaNaa ennum n^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.

 

--periya thirumozhi 1.1.1