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