12 Alvars - ‘those immersed in god’
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
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