12 Alvars - ‘those immersed in god’
Thirumangai Azhwar as Mother / Daughter
Songs Sung by Thirumangai Azhwar by assuming the role of mother (of the bride)
o ‘thivalum’ (Periya Thirumozhi 2-7)
o ‘kalvankol’ (Periya Thirumozhi 3-7)
o ‘kavalayaanaikkombu’ (Periya Thirumozhi 4-8)
o ‘veruvaadaal’ (Periya Thirumozhi 5-5)
o ‘Silaiyilangu ponnaazhi’ (Periya Thirumozhi 8-1)
o ‘thelliyiir’ (Periya Thirumozhi 8-2)
o ‘moovaril mun mudhalvan’ (Periya Thirumozhi 9-9)
o ‘pulluruvaagi nallirulvandha’ (Periya Thirumozhi 10-9)
o Thirundunthaandakam songs 11 to 20
Songs sung by Thirumangai Azhwar by assuming the role of the daughter (bride)
o ‘thiripuram moondru’ (Periya Thirumozhi 2-8)
o ‘thooviriya malaruzhakki’ (PT 3-6)
o ‘thanthai kaalil peruvilangu’ (PT 7-5)
o ‘karaiyeduththa surisangum’ (PT 8-3)
o ‘vinnavar thangal perumaan’ (PT 8-4)
o ‘thanthai kaalil vilangara’ (PT 8-5)
o ‘ponnivar meni’ (PT 9-2)
o ‘thannai naivikkil en’ (PT 9-3)
o ‘kaavaar madarpennai’ (PT 9-4)
o ‘thavalavilampirai thullum’ (PT 9-5)
o ‘kaadir kadippittu’ (PT 10-8)
o ‘thiruththaai sembotthe’ (PT 10-10)
o ‘kundramondru edutthu’ (PT 11-1)
o ‘mannilangu baaradhaththu’ (PT 11-3)
o ‘maanamarum mennokki’ (PT 11-5)
o Thirunedunthaandakam songs 21 to 30
o Siriya Thirumadal and Periya Thirumadal
o ‘thivalum’ (Periya Thirumozhi 2-7)
o ‘kalvankol’ (Periya Thirumozhi 3-7)
o ‘kavalayaanaikkombu’ (Periya Thirumozhi 4-8)
o ‘veruvaadaal’ (Periya Thirumozhi 5-5)
o ‘Silaiyilangu ponnaazhi’ (Periya Thirumozhi 8-1)
o ‘thelliyiir’ (Periya Thirumozhi 8-2)
o ‘moovaril mun mudhalvan’ (Periya Thirumozhi 9-9)
o ‘pulluruvaagi nallirulvandha’ (Periya Thirumozhi 10-9)
o Thirundunthaandakam songs 11 to 20
Songs sung by Thirumangai Azhwar by assuming the role of the daughter (bride)
o ‘thiripuram moondru’ (Periya Thirumozhi 2-8)
o ‘thooviriya malaruzhakki’ (PT 3-6)
o ‘thanthai kaalil peruvilangu’ (PT 7-5)
o ‘karaiyeduththa surisangum’ (PT 8-3)
o ‘vinnavar thangal perumaan’ (PT 8-4)
o ‘thanthai kaalil vilangara’ (PT 8-5)
o ‘ponnivar meni’ (PT 9-2)
o ‘thannai naivikkil en’ (PT 9-3)
o ‘kaavaar madarpennai’ (PT 9-4)
o ‘thavalavilampirai thullum’ (PT 9-5)
o ‘kaadir kadippittu’ (PT 10-8)
o ‘thiruththaai sembotthe’ (PT 10-10)
o ‘kundramondru edutthu’ (PT 11-1)
o ‘mannilangu baaradhaththu’ (PT 11-3)
o ‘maanamarum mennokki’ (PT 11-5)
o Thirunedunthaandakam songs 21 to 30
o Siriya Thirumadal and Periya Thirumadal
Thirumangai Azhwar / Book / Temple
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirumangai_Alvar
http://www.ibiblio.org/sadagopan/sundarasimham/ebooks/Thirukurunthandakam.pdf
• The Unique Divyadesam sung in all the Six Hymns of Thirumangai Azhwar – Thirukudanthai (KumbaKonam)
http://www.ibiblio.org/sadagopan/sundarasimham/ebooks/Thirukurunthandakam.pdf
• The Unique Divyadesam sung in all the Six Hymns of Thirumangai Azhwar – Thirukudanthai (KumbaKonam)
Vinnulagam DivyaDesams by Alwars
108th Divyadesa glorified by the Azhwars
o PARAMA PADA (The Para or Highest aspect)
o Paramapada, known as Sri Vaikuntha; this holy region is devoid of punya(merit) and papa(demerit)
o So the powers and Jnana (knowledge) of those who live here shine without any diminution
o This is the 108th Divyadesa glorified by the Azhwars
o Everything here such as the gem studded hall, towers etc is full of Suddhasattva (pure sattva without the admixture of Rajas and Tamas)
o Those who attain this place will never return
o The path leading to Srivaikuntha (Parama Pada) is known as Archir-aadi or the path commencing with Fire. The following regions are found in this path:
Archis (Fire)
Ahas (Daytime)
Sukla Paksha (Bright Fortnight)
Uttaraayana (the summer solistice)
Samvatsara (Year)
Marut (Wind)
Soorya (Sun)
Chandra (Moon)
Vaidyuta (Lightning)
Varuna (Lord of Waters)
Indra (King of Gods)
Brahmaa (the four-faced God)
o River Viraja flows between the Leelaa Vibhooti (this world of ours) and Nitya Vibhooti (Sri Vaikunta)
o Details about the Parama Pada (Sri Vaikuntha) can be found in the Chandogya Upanishad (V.10), Sri Nammazhwar’s Tiruvaaymozhi (10.9) and the SriVaikunta Gadya of Bhagavad Ramanuja
o All the ten Azhwars except Bhootattaazhwar and Madhurakavi Azhwar have rendered Mangalasasanam to the Sacred Abode (Parama Pada or Sri Vaikuntha) in 73 Pasurams (Songs)
107th Divyadesa glorified by the Azhwars
o Of the 108 Divyadesas, the 107th Divyadesa is the auspicious Ocean of Milk. Excepting Madhurakavi Azhwar and Tiruppanazhwar, all the remaining 10 Azhwars have rendered Mangalasasanam to this Divyadesa in 147 pasurams (songs)
o Garuda picked up a chunk of white clay out of the Shveta Dveepa which is present in the auspicious Milky ocean and strewed it over a few places in our country. That clay is the “tiruman” (sacred earth) we are now wearing on forehead (and other parts of the body)
o The Twelve Forms, which are further Expansions of Vyoohas(Vyoohaantaras) – The twelve parts of our body where the Oordhva pundras are to be applied, along with their specific order:
Forehead
Middle portion of the stomach
Chest
Front portion of the neck
Right side of the Stomach
Right Upper arm
Right shoulder
Left side of the stomach
Left Upper arm
Left Shoulder
Middle portion of the back
Back side of the neck
o The mantras which we have to chant after applying the twelve Oordhva Pundras (Tiruman and Sri Choornam)
Tiruman Sri Choornam
Om Kesavaaya Namah Om Sriyai Namah
Om Naarayanaaya Namah Om Amritodbhavaayai Namah
Om Maadhavaaya Namah Om Kamalaayai Namah
Om Govindaaya Namah Om Chandra Shobhinyai Namah
Om Vishnave Namah Om VishuPatnyai Namah
Om Madhusoodhanaaye Namah Om Vaishnvyai Namah
Om Trivikramaaya Namah Om Varaarohaayai Namah
Om Vaamanaaya Namah Om Harivallabhaayai Namah
Om Sreedharaaya Namah Om Shaarnginyai Namah
Om Hrisheekeshaaya Namah Om DevadeviKaayai Namah
Om Padmanaabhaaya Namah Om Mahaalkshmiyai Namah
Om Daamodaraaya Namah Om Lokasundaryai Namah
o PARAMA PADA (The Para or Highest aspect)
o Paramapada, known as Sri Vaikuntha; this holy region is devoid of punya(merit) and papa(demerit)
o So the powers and Jnana (knowledge) of those who live here shine without any diminution
o This is the 108th Divyadesa glorified by the Azhwars
o Everything here such as the gem studded hall, towers etc is full of Suddhasattva (pure sattva without the admixture of Rajas and Tamas)
o Those who attain this place will never return
o The path leading to Srivaikuntha (Parama Pada) is known as Archir-aadi or the path commencing with Fire. The following regions are found in this path:
Archis (Fire)
Ahas (Daytime)
Sukla Paksha (Bright Fortnight)
Uttaraayana (the summer solistice)
Samvatsara (Year)
Marut (Wind)
Soorya (Sun)
Chandra (Moon)
Vaidyuta (Lightning)
Varuna (Lord of Waters)
Indra (King of Gods)
Brahmaa (the four-faced God)
o River Viraja flows between the Leelaa Vibhooti (this world of ours) and Nitya Vibhooti (Sri Vaikunta)
o Details about the Parama Pada (Sri Vaikuntha) can be found in the Chandogya Upanishad (V.10), Sri Nammazhwar’s Tiruvaaymozhi (10.9) and the SriVaikunta Gadya of Bhagavad Ramanuja
o All the ten Azhwars except Bhootattaazhwar and Madhurakavi Azhwar have rendered Mangalasasanam to the Sacred Abode (Parama Pada or Sri Vaikuntha) in 73 Pasurams (Songs)
107th Divyadesa glorified by the Azhwars
o Of the 108 Divyadesas, the 107th Divyadesa is the auspicious Ocean of Milk. Excepting Madhurakavi Azhwar and Tiruppanazhwar, all the remaining 10 Azhwars have rendered Mangalasasanam to this Divyadesa in 147 pasurams (songs)
o Garuda picked up a chunk of white clay out of the Shveta Dveepa which is present in the auspicious Milky ocean and strewed it over a few places in our country. That clay is the “tiruman” (sacred earth) we are now wearing on forehead (and other parts of the body)
o The Twelve Forms, which are further Expansions of Vyoohas(Vyoohaantaras) – The twelve parts of our body where the Oordhva pundras are to be applied, along with their specific order:
Forehead
Middle portion of the stomach
Chest
Front portion of the neck
Right side of the Stomach
Right Upper arm
Right shoulder
Left side of the stomach
Left Upper arm
Left Shoulder
Middle portion of the back
Back side of the neck
o The mantras which we have to chant after applying the twelve Oordhva Pundras (Tiruman and Sri Choornam)
Tiruman Sri Choornam
Om Kesavaaya Namah Om Sriyai Namah
Om Naarayanaaya Namah Om Amritodbhavaayai Namah
Om Maadhavaaya Namah Om Kamalaayai Namah
Om Govindaaya Namah Om Chandra Shobhinyai Namah
Om Vishnave Namah Om VishuPatnyai Namah
Om Madhusoodhanaaye Namah Om Vaishnvyai Namah
Om Trivikramaaya Namah Om Varaarohaayai Namah
Om Vaamanaaya Namah Om Harivallabhaayai Namah
Om Sreedharaaya Namah Om Shaarnginyai Namah
Om Hrisheekeshaaya Namah Om DevadeviKaayai Namah
Om Padmanaabhaaya Namah Om Mahaalkshmiyai Namah
Om Daamodaraaya Namah Om Lokasundaryai Namah
Count of Azhwar song by each Divyadesams
• The ONLY DIVYADESA sung by ALL the Azhwars and Andal – SRIRANGAM
• Divyadesams sung by all except Thondardipodi Azhwar – TIRUVENKADAM and TIRUPPAARKADAL
• Divyadesa sung by Eight Azhwars - PARAMAPADAM
• Divyadesa sung by Seven Azhwars – Thirukkudanthai
• Divyadesa sung by Six Azhwars – Thirumaliruncholai
• Divyadesa sung by Five Azhwars – 6 Divyadesams
• Divyadesa sung by Four Azhwars – 3 Divyadesams
• Divyadesa sung by Three Azhwars – 5 Divyadesams
• Divyadesa sung by Two Azhwars – 20 Divyadesams
• Divyadesa sung by One Azhwar – 68 DivyaDesams
• Divyadesams sung by all except Thondardipodi Azhwar – TIRUVENKADAM and TIRUPPAARKADAL
• Divyadesa sung by Eight Azhwars - PARAMAPADAM
• Divyadesa sung by Seven Azhwars – Thirukkudanthai
• Divyadesa sung by Six Azhwars – Thirumaliruncholai
• Divyadesa sung by Five Azhwars – 6 Divyadesams
• Divyadesa sung by Four Azhwars – 3 Divyadesams
• Divyadesa sung by Three Azhwars – 5 Divyadesams
• Divyadesa sung by Two Azhwars – 20 Divyadesams
• Divyadesa sung by One Azhwar – 68 DivyaDesams
Common and Difference : Objective
Of the twelve Alwars, 3 of them are different from the others.They are
Thiruppaan Alwar, Andal (Kodhai Naachiyaar) and Madhurakavi Alwar.
Their Works Were small and concise set of verses which has all Bhakthi,
the crux of the Vedas and the way to Mukthi.
Objective : To Cover the Shortest Way to Perumal
On the other hand the other Alwars had written a lot (Hundreds and
Thousands) and one have to read all of them to understand same aspect.
Objective : To Cover All the Ways to Perumal
Thiruppaan Alwar, Andal (Kodhai Naachiyaar) and Madhurakavi Alwar.
Their Works Were small and concise set of verses which has all Bhakthi,
the crux of the Vedas and the way to Mukthi.
Objective : To Cover the Shortest Way to Perumal
On the other hand the other Alwars had written a lot (Hundreds and
Thousands) and one have to read all of them to understand same aspect.
Objective : To Cover All the Ways to Perumal
Pasurappadi Ramayanam
SrI Peria vAchchaan pillai's Pasurappadi ramayanam is an brilliant attempt to bring the entire epic of Ramayana from the pasurams of Divya prabandham. He has brilliantly assembled the lines from various divya prabandhams from memory and the poem is so fluent and easy to understand the Ramayana.
Adhyayana Utsavam - Two Boons
The Adhyayana Utsavam means the Study, Learning, and Remembrance of Vedic Verses. 4000 Divya Prabandham is the composition by the 12 Sri Vaishnava Saints (Alwars) in praise of Lord Ranganatha, also Sriman Narayana. Divya Prabhandham has 4000 divine verses (Pasurams) and is recognized as Tamil Veda and is popularly known as Nalayiram in Tamil. It is also called Dravida Tamil Veda.The Temple of Lord Ranganatha, an incarnation of Vishnu in Srirangam, in Tamil Nadu, is the seat of Sri Vaishnava culture.
Thirumangai Alwar, the last of twelve Alwars sang one of his divine Pasurams (Thiru-Nedun-Thaandakam) to Lord Ranganatha. The Lord (Emperuman) was pleased by the meaning of the pasuram and granted two boons to Thirumangai Alwar. The Alwar took this propitious moment and asked Lord Ranganatha the following two boons:
1. The Lord with his divine consorts should listen to the divine Pasurams, Thiruvaimozhi
2. The sacred verses of Alwars i.e. 4000 Divya Prabhandams should be given the equal status in terms of authority and supremacy to that of Vedas. Lord Ranganatha agreed to the above request and singing of 4000 verses (Divya Prabhandham) has become the Sri Vaishnava tradition of worship. This is celebrated as the Adhyayana Utsavam in Sri Vaishnava temple such as Srirangam and Tirumala.
The Adhyayana Utsavam is celebrated Ten days before Vaikunta Ekadasi in the morning hours (called "Pagal Pathu", also known as "Thirumozhi Thirunal); and Ten days after Vaikunta Ekadasi in the evening hours (called "Irapathu", also known as "ThirivAimozhi Thirunal").
ShanguChakra's home ashram is devoted to worship of Sriman Narayana according to Thenkalai Iyengar Sect and the teachings of Sri Manavalamamuni and Vedanta who is also known as Devaperumal or Varavaramuni. It is operated out of a ShanguChakra's home in small basement space. All Alangarams are done by Shanguchakra. Daily rituals and kainkariyams are performed for the Lord including all auspicious events.
Thirumangai Alwar, the last of twelve Alwars sang one of his divine Pasurams (Thiru-Nedun-Thaandakam) to Lord Ranganatha. The Lord (Emperuman) was pleased by the meaning of the pasuram and granted two boons to Thirumangai Alwar. The Alwar took this propitious moment and asked Lord Ranganatha the following two boons:
1. The Lord with his divine consorts should listen to the divine Pasurams, Thiruvaimozhi
2. The sacred verses of Alwars i.e. 4000 Divya Prabhandams should be given the equal status in terms of authority and supremacy to that of Vedas. Lord Ranganatha agreed to the above request and singing of 4000 verses (Divya Prabhandham) has become the Sri Vaishnava tradition of worship. This is celebrated as the Adhyayana Utsavam in Sri Vaishnava temple such as Srirangam and Tirumala.
The Adhyayana Utsavam is celebrated Ten days before Vaikunta Ekadasi in the morning hours (called "Pagal Pathu", also known as "Thirumozhi Thirunal); and Ten days after Vaikunta Ekadasi in the evening hours (called "Irapathu", also known as "ThirivAimozhi Thirunal").
ShanguChakra's home ashram is devoted to worship of Sriman Narayana according to Thenkalai Iyengar Sect and the teachings of Sri Manavalamamuni and Vedanta who is also known as Devaperumal or Varavaramuni. It is operated out of a ShanguChakra's home in small basement space. All Alangarams are done by Shanguchakra. Daily rituals and kainkariyams are performed for the Lord including all auspicious events.
The List of Holy Hymns by Azhwars
Each Azhwar's personal experience of God shows that He is accessible through sincere and humble devotion. They have sung 4000 songs praising the supreme. Details are given below (with titles of the songs:
• Poigai Azhwar - Birth Place: Thiruvekoo (Kancheepuram) Mudhal Thiruanthaathi. He expressed the Para Bhakti by his songs.Demonstrated that the Lord is the essence of the Vedas.
• Boothath Azhwar - Birth Place: Mamallapuram Irandam Thiruanthathi. He expressed the Para Gnanam by his songs.
• Pey Azhwar - Birth Place: Mylapore (Chennai) Moondraam Thiruanthaathi. He expressed the Parama Bhakti by his songs. Revealed the truth of the Lord's consort, Goddess Lakshmi.
• Thirumazhisai Azhwar - Birth Place: Thirumazhisai (Chennai) Naanmugan Thiruanthaathi, Thiruchandavirutham. He expressed the reality of the supreme by his Knowledge--who is the supreme, what are his qualities, etc. Affirmed the truth of the Almighty and the need to remain focused on Him without distractions.
• Nam Azhwar - Birth Place: Tirukurugoor (Azhwar Tirunagari) Thiruvirutham, thiruvaasiriyam, Thiruvaaimozhi and periya thiruanthaathi. Converted the entire Sanskrit Vedas in to four Tamil prabhandams. That's why he is called Vedam Tamil seitha Maaran sadagopan. Propagated the principle of surrender as the means and end of attaining liberation.
• Madhurakavigal - Birth Place: Thirukollur (Azhwar Tirunagari) Kanninunsiruthambu. He expressed the Acharya Bhakti in his songs. He enjoyed Krishna Avatar in his songs from the childhood of the LordKrishna.
• Peria Azhwar - Birth Place: Srivilliputhur Periyazhwar Thirumozhi. Sensitized us to the Lord's infinite mercy and compassion when he spontaneously sung "Tirupallandu" to the Lord wishing Him longevity and protection against evil.
• Andal - Birth Place: Srivilliputhur Thiruppaavai and Naachiyaar Thirumozhi. Andal's devotion and bhakti was supreme love for Lord Vishnu. It was different from other commons. It was the spontaneous outpouring of Prem towards her Beloved. She vowed that Lord Vishnu would be her lover and her husband. She believed that her bhakti would show the way in getting married to Lord Vishnu. She invoked her Lord by chanting the hymns of Thiruppavai and Naachiyaar Thirumozhi. She chose the early morning hours in the Tamil month Margazhi (14 Dec - 13 Jan) to chant the hymns. She was thinking that Lord Vishnu is her Lord and also her reality. All wordly things are not permanent (only illusion). Reaching and attaining bliss in the company of Lord Vishnu was considered by her as 'REALITY.' She was able to reach and got married with Lord Vishnu as vowed by her. Of the 173 hymns composed by her, the 30 hymns Thiruppaavai are well known among people.
• Thiruppaanazhwar - Birth Place: Uraiyur (Trichy) Amalanaathipiran. He enjoyed the beauty of Lord Sri Rang Nathan. He said that he would never like to see anything after seeing the Beauty of the Lord.
• Kulasekara Aazhwar - Birth Place: Thiruvanjikkallam Perumal Thirumozhi. Taught by example the value of Vairagya (ability to renounce worldly objects even when in the midst of them). He enjoyed the Rama avatar as well.
• Thondaradipodi Azhwar - Birth Place: Thirumandangudi Thirumaalai text shows the barathvam of the supreme and Thirupalliezuchi songs are being prayed at temple daily at the vishwaroopam time. Stressed the path of worshipping God's devotees and taught the lesson of humility, without which it is impossible to realize God.
• Thirumangai Azhwar Birth Place: Thirukurayalur (Thiruvali) - Periya Thirumozhi, thiruvezhukkootrirukai, Siriya thirumadal, periya thirumadal, thirukkurunthaandagam and Thirunedunthaandagam. He had the unique distinction of having visited more than 86 holy places (Sri Vaishna Divya Desams) dotted all over the country and worshipped all the Divya Desa Emberumans and sung praising the deities therein in his six Prabandhams wherein he has poured out his Divine emotions.
Anyone can see why their poetry was so attractive, at once both impassioned and philosophical, their words cut across all barriers of caste and class, attracting all to their faith. In doing so, they sculpted a new religious heritage of intensely emotional bhakti, or love of the Divine, whose impact is still felt today in the Indian Spiritual life.
• Poigai Azhwar - Birth Place: Thiruvekoo (Kancheepuram) Mudhal Thiruanthaathi. He expressed the Para Bhakti by his songs.Demonstrated that the Lord is the essence of the Vedas.
• Boothath Azhwar - Birth Place: Mamallapuram Irandam Thiruanthathi. He expressed the Para Gnanam by his songs.
• Pey Azhwar - Birth Place: Mylapore (Chennai) Moondraam Thiruanthaathi. He expressed the Parama Bhakti by his songs. Revealed the truth of the Lord's consort, Goddess Lakshmi.
• Thirumazhisai Azhwar - Birth Place: Thirumazhisai (Chennai) Naanmugan Thiruanthaathi, Thiruchandavirutham. He expressed the reality of the supreme by his Knowledge--who is the supreme, what are his qualities, etc. Affirmed the truth of the Almighty and the need to remain focused on Him without distractions.
• Nam Azhwar - Birth Place: Tirukurugoor (Azhwar Tirunagari) Thiruvirutham, thiruvaasiriyam, Thiruvaaimozhi and periya thiruanthaathi. Converted the entire Sanskrit Vedas in to four Tamil prabhandams. That's why he is called Vedam Tamil seitha Maaran sadagopan. Propagated the principle of surrender as the means and end of attaining liberation.
• Madhurakavigal - Birth Place: Thirukollur (Azhwar Tirunagari) Kanninunsiruthambu. He expressed the Acharya Bhakti in his songs. He enjoyed Krishna Avatar in his songs from the childhood of the LordKrishna.
• Peria Azhwar - Birth Place: Srivilliputhur Periyazhwar Thirumozhi. Sensitized us to the Lord's infinite mercy and compassion when he spontaneously sung "Tirupallandu" to the Lord wishing Him longevity and protection against evil.
• Andal - Birth Place: Srivilliputhur Thiruppaavai and Naachiyaar Thirumozhi. Andal's devotion and bhakti was supreme love for Lord Vishnu. It was different from other commons. It was the spontaneous outpouring of Prem towards her Beloved. She vowed that Lord Vishnu would be her lover and her husband. She believed that her bhakti would show the way in getting married to Lord Vishnu. She invoked her Lord by chanting the hymns of Thiruppavai and Naachiyaar Thirumozhi. She chose the early morning hours in the Tamil month Margazhi (14 Dec - 13 Jan) to chant the hymns. She was thinking that Lord Vishnu is her Lord and also her reality. All wordly things are not permanent (only illusion). Reaching and attaining bliss in the company of Lord Vishnu was considered by her as 'REALITY.' She was able to reach and got married with Lord Vishnu as vowed by her. Of the 173 hymns composed by her, the 30 hymns Thiruppaavai are well known among people.
• Thiruppaanazhwar - Birth Place: Uraiyur (Trichy) Amalanaathipiran. He enjoyed the beauty of Lord Sri Rang Nathan. He said that he would never like to see anything after seeing the Beauty of the Lord.
• Kulasekara Aazhwar - Birth Place: Thiruvanjikkallam Perumal Thirumozhi. Taught by example the value of Vairagya (ability to renounce worldly objects even when in the midst of them). He enjoyed the Rama avatar as well.
• Thondaradipodi Azhwar - Birth Place: Thirumandangudi Thirumaalai text shows the barathvam of the supreme and Thirupalliezuchi songs are being prayed at temple daily at the vishwaroopam time. Stressed the path of worshipping God's devotees and taught the lesson of humility, without which it is impossible to realize God.
• Thirumangai Azhwar Birth Place: Thirukurayalur (Thiruvali) - Periya Thirumozhi, thiruvezhukkootrirukai, Siriya thirumadal, periya thirumadal, thirukkurunthaandagam and Thirunedunthaandagam. He had the unique distinction of having visited more than 86 holy places (Sri Vaishna Divya Desams) dotted all over the country and worshipped all the Divya Desa Emberumans and sung praising the deities therein in his six Prabandhams wherein he has poured out his Divine emotions.
Anyone can see why their poetry was so attractive, at once both impassioned and philosophical, their words cut across all barriers of caste and class, attracting all to their faith. In doing so, they sculpted a new religious heritage of intensely emotional bhakti, or love of the Divine, whose impact is still felt today in the Indian Spiritual life.
108 Holy Vaishnava Shrines or Divyadeasm / Link
Sri Vaishna Divya Desams: The 108 Divya Desams or Tirupatis (Sriyah Pathihi) are sacred places were sung upon by Azhwars, the ultimate devotees of Narayana. In the SriVaishna sampradayam or tradition, a Divya Desams is a temple whose Perumal or Lord has been sung about by at least one Azhwar. This is called "mangalasasanam." Among the twelve Azhwars, only 11 composed hymns on the 108 Divya Desams. Poykai Azhwar composed hymns on 6 Divya Desam, Boothath Azhwar on 13, Pey Azhwar on 15, Thirumazhisai Azhwar on 17, Namm Azhwar on 37, Kulasekar Azhwar on 9, Periya Azhwar on 18, Sri Andaal on 11 and Thondaradippodiy Azhwar on 1, respectively. Madhurakavi Azhvaar glorified Namm Azhvaar in his hymns.
There are 106 on the Indian Subcontinent (105 in India and 1 in Nepal). The remaining two, Tirupparkadal and Srivaikuntam, can be accessed only when one leaves this world. The Tirupparkadal is the "ocean of milk" and the Srivaikuntam is the domain where LORD NARAYANA presides.
Recitation of Pasurams / Audio / Video
Nathamunigal established an oral tradition of recitation of pasurams down the ages. The traditional recitation (recited with enactments by a traditional devotee) is named Arayar Sevai. Arayar Sevai is performed even today at Srirangam, and at Srivilliputtur and Azhwar Tirunagari (and at Melkote in Karnataka). Ahwar Pasurams are recited everyday without fail in most of the Vaishna shrines in Tamil Nadu.
To sum up, the Azhwars found themselves "immersed" in the experience of God. They have revitalized Vaishnavism with their Tamil Veda. The 108 Holy shrines or Vaishnava Divya Desams are considered as the abode of Shriman Narayan. The Holy Pilgrimage to these shrines is considered as the sole objective of every Vaishnavite. The tradition of Tenkalai is established and followed in South India.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Charulatha+Mani+-+Azhwar+Pasuram+Part+&aq=f
To sum up, the Azhwars found themselves "immersed" in the experience of God. They have revitalized Vaishnavism with their Tamil Veda. The 108 Holy shrines or Vaishnava Divya Desams are considered as the abode of Shriman Narayan. The Holy Pilgrimage to these shrines is considered as the sole objective of every Vaishnavite. The tradition of Tenkalai is established and followed in South India.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Charulatha+Mani+-+Azhwar+Pasuram+Part+&aq=f
Thirumaalai Prabhandam / Links
Thirumaalai Prabhandam is an ancient Tamil-Vaishnava text, written by Thondaradipodi Alwar. It is based on Vishnu Dharmam Shastra (another ancient text).
Thirumaalai Prabhandam is a dialogue between Alwar and Periya Perumal. The text written in simple Tamil, mentions the greatness of the Supreme Sriman Narayana, and reiterates that it was Narayana who incarnated as Lord Ram and Lord Krishna. Alwar gives advice on devotion (bhakti) and spiritual attainment (prapti).
Thirumaalai Prabhandam gives a jist of what a devotee of Supreme should do. It also teaches how to sing and cry in front of God Narayana.
http://www.ibiblio.org/sadagopan/ahobilavalli/tirumaalai.pdf
http://www.scribd.com/doc/36007381/Thirumaalai
Thirumaalai Prabhandam is a dialogue between Alwar and Periya Perumal. The text written in simple Tamil, mentions the greatness of the Supreme Sriman Narayana, and reiterates that it was Narayana who incarnated as Lord Ram and Lord Krishna. Alwar gives advice on devotion (bhakti) and spiritual attainment (prapti).
Thirumaalai Prabhandam gives a jist of what a devotee of Supreme should do. It also teaches how to sing and cry in front of God Narayana.
http://www.ibiblio.org/sadagopan/ahobilavalli/tirumaalai.pdf
http://www.scribd.com/doc/36007381/Thirumaalai
Godai
https://www.google.com/search?site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1600&bih=731&q=Godai+Andal
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Godai+Andal
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Godai+Andal
Alvar / Detail / Brief / Period / Revital
Azhwar means one who is "immersed" in the experience of God. They deeply immerse themselves in their devotion and bhakti towards the Lord Sriman Narayanan.There was socialism in the Bhakti cult and Azhwars come from all walks of life and all strata of society. Out of these 12 Azhwars, one was a woman (Andal) and two were kings (Kulasekaraazhwar and Thirumangaiazhwar). The first three Azhwars, viz., Poigai Azhwar, Boothath Azhwar and Pei Azhwar, were called "Mudhal Azhwars" as they lived during the same period. Out of the 12 Azhwars four were from different regions of Tamil Nadu, India, i.e. Thondai Naadu (North Tamil Nadu), four from Pandiya Naadu, three (south Tamil Nadu) from Chola Naadu (East Tamil Nadu) and one from Malai Naadu (present Kerala).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvars
http://www.divyadesam.com/alwars.shtml
Period of Azhwars. The period of the Azhwars based on Indian Historians range from 500 A.D for Poigai Azhwar, Bhoothatth Azhwar, Pey Azhwar and Thirumazhisai Azhwar; 550 A.D. for Namm Azhwar and Madhurakavi Azhwar; 600 A.D. for Kulasekara Azhwar and Peria Azhwar; 650 A.D. for Sri Andal; 700 A.D. for Thoddaradippodi Azhwar and Thiruppaan Azhwar and 750 A.D. for Thirumangai Azhwar.
Revitalization of Vaishnavism. Between the fifth and ninth century, in the Tamil-speaking land of India, Azhwars revitalized the Indian religious milieu, sparking a renewal of the Bhakti cult. Traveling by foot from place to place, from temple to temple, from holy site to holy site, they composed exceedingly beautiful poetry to their Divine Beloved, Vishnu, as an expression of their love for Him.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvars
http://www.divyadesam.com/alwars.shtml
Period of Azhwars. The period of the Azhwars based on Indian Historians range from 500 A.D for Poigai Azhwar, Bhoothatth Azhwar, Pey Azhwar and Thirumazhisai Azhwar; 550 A.D. for Namm Azhwar and Madhurakavi Azhwar; 600 A.D. for Kulasekara Azhwar and Peria Azhwar; 650 A.D. for Sri Andal; 700 A.D. for Thoddaradippodi Azhwar and Thiruppaan Azhwar and 750 A.D. for Thirumangai Azhwar.
Revitalization of Vaishnavism. Between the fifth and ninth century, in the Tamil-speaking land of India, Azhwars revitalized the Indian religious milieu, sparking a renewal of the Bhakti cult. Traveling by foot from place to place, from temple to temple, from holy site to holy site, they composed exceedingly beautiful poetry to their Divine Beloved, Vishnu, as an expression of their love for Him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Subscribe To
Posts
All Comments