4000 Divya Prabandham: Chapter – 165

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Darshana Pushkarani, Mudhal Alwars, Periya Thirumozhi, Tirukannamangai, Tirumangai Alwar

The sacred temple tank of Tirukannamangai Bhakta Vatsala Perumal Koil – one of the 108 Divya Desams located in Tiruvarur district, is called as Darshana Pushkarani. It is believed the merely seeing this temple tank grants salvation to us. Perhaps, Tirumangai Alwar is alluding to this by ending each of his verses about the Lord of Tirukannamangai with ‘kandu kondene’ (I have seen!)

Periya Thirumozhi – The Seventieth Set of Ten

Maadhav depicts a Red Water Lily blossom.

1638. He is like the vast ocean; he is like a mighty bull; he embodies the feminine; he embodies the masculine; he bestows boons abundantly to sages; he is as beautiful as a garland of pearls; he is verily the divine fruit; he is as beautiful as a flower blossom; he embodies the desire in my heart; he is (as sweet as) rock-sugar & fruit. I have seen this Lord in Tirukannamangai.

1639. He is deserving of severe penance; he bestows salvation (paramapadam); he is invisible to those who don’t believe in him; he is ocean hued and holds a conch in his hand; he slumbers on a banyan leaf; he was sweet yesterday; he is sweet today; he is sweet tomorrow; he remains sweet even as years go by; he is as sweet as sugar-cane; he is the sweet essence of sugar-cane. I have seen this Lord in Tirukannamangai.

1640. He shares his body (as Hari-Hara) with Shiva-Parvati (Ardhanareeswara) – the bestower of boons; he is sweet-natured; he is like a cool breeze; he is of the northern mountain (Tirumala); he embodies our desires; he is both the day and the night. I have seen this Lord in Tirukannamangai.

1641. He suckled milk from the poisonous breasts of Putana; he is worshipped by the scholars; he appeared before the pious in Tirukovilur; he is resident in the hearts of the brahmins; he is the glowing light; he is my father; he is flawless gold; he is the glittering pearl. I have seen this Lord in Tirukannamangai. (In this verse, Tirumangai refers to the Lord appearing before the Mudhal Alwars in Tirukovilur!)

1642. He embodies rice (food); he brought Shiva who was leading an ascetic life in the snowy mountains to domestic bliss (Shiva-Parvati wedding); he is the medicine to the worldly life; he possesses mighty powers; he pervades beyond all worlds; he is the pearl who stands in Tiruneermalai; he is ever-present like air. I have seen this Lord in Tirukannamangai.

1643. He is strong; he (as Krishna) felled the asura Kesi; he is adorned with glittering ornaments; he is the beloved of Sri; he is bright as light; he is responsible for the seven worlds and the flow of time; he wields the discus; he is praised by the brahmins. I have seen this Lord in Tirukannamangai amidst red water lilies.

1644. He is flawless; he is father to the four-headed Brahma; he is the first among the three Gods; he embodies light; he is Lord to the world below and to the sky above; he shares his body with Shiva. I have seen this Lord in Tirukannamangai where bees surround the flower blossoms.

1645. He (as Krishna) subdued the mad elephant; he killed the asura who had disguised himself as a calf; he is the baby who suckled Putana; he (as Rama) caused the demise of the wicked Ravana; he is nectar to his devotees; he killed the wicked Kansa. I have seen this Lord in Tirukannamangai.

1646. He is the melody within song & music; he is the ghee within milk; he is wrapped in light; he is the glow of sacrificial yagnas; he is the mountain; he is the ocean waves; he is as precious as eyesight to brahmins. I have seen this Lord in Tirukannamangai.

1647. These verses lovingly composed by Tirumangai about the Lord of Tirukannamangai who holds the conch, are worthy of being recited by the Lord himself. Those who recite these nine and one (totaling to ten!) verses will become celestials in their after-life.

What are you waiting for? Have you seen? 😊

4000 Divya Prabandham: Chapter – 164

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Periya Thirumozhi, Sirupuliyur, Sthala Sayan Perumal Koil, Tirumangai Alwar

Among the 12 Alwars, Tirumangai Alwar was the only Alwar who had visited all the Divya Desams located in the mortal realm.

It must have been a tremendous feat of dedication and persistence for him to visit these temples and compose these devotional verses.

Periya Thirumozhi – The Sixty Nineth Set of Ten

Ananya depicts a Water-Lily in this pencil sketch

1628. Those of you who wish to worship the Lord’s feet in order to cleanse your mind, think of the Lord who slumbers in Sirupuliyur (Sthala Sayana Perumal Koil – one of the 108 Divya Desams located in Tiruvarur district) where precious stones brought by waves of the ocean are found in abundance!

1629. Jain monks will roam around the streets partaking kanji with rice. Instead of listening to those (Jain) tongues speaking strange languages, desire to attain the Lord’s feet. Seek the feet of Vamana in Sirupuliyur, where the Lord slumbers. (Jain religious activity peaked in the Cauvery delta region in those days and Alwar is warning us about it!)

1630. Shed all of your trivial desires and dwell your mind on the Lord! I know of nothing other than the Lord who slumbers in Sirupuliyur where waves rise from the waters on one side and there are lush paddy fields on the other side with bees humming noisily in all directions.

1631. Lord Shiva who bears the crescent moon on his dreadlocks and Indra – the king of the Devas; belong to this Lord. I know of nothing other than the feet of the cowherd Krishna who slumbers in Sirupuliyur where bees buzz in the fragrant gardens.

1632. Oh Lord, please save me from the clutches of hell! The Devas praise the lotus feet of the Lord who slumbers in Sirupuliyur. I know of nothing else.

1633. The water lily flowers; the slender grass stalks and Lotus buds resemble the eyes and lips of the lasses of Sirupuliyur which is surrounded by water-bodies. Those who regularly worship the Lord who slumbers in Sirupuliyur have nothing to fear!

1634. Oh Lord of Tirumaaliruncholai (Azhagar Koil)! Do you manifest in the four Vedas? Do you slumber in Sirupuliyur where pious brahmins build sacrificial fires? Or, do you reside in the hearts of your devotees? I know not.

1635. Instead of chasing lasses with beautiful eyes that seem like water-lilies, I worship you, My Lord! I seek the blessings of the Lord who slumbers in Sirupuliyur where lasses have red-beaked parrots as pets.

1636. Oh blue-sky hued Lord! Oh Lord who is verily the fire! Oh Lord who is the water! Oh Lord who is the mountain! Oh Lord who manifests in all forms and shapes! You slumber in Sirupuliyur where Sri resides with you. Your feet are my only refuge.

1637. Those who recite these verses composed by Tirumangai on the blue-sky hued Lord who resides in Sirupuliyur where the streets are wide and prosperous, will commit no sin!

Know that the Lord who resides in Sirupuliyur also resides in our hearts. 😊

4000 Divya Prabandham: Chapter – 163

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Periya Thirumozhi, Therazhandur, Tirumangai Alwar

These days, Cauvery does not flow past the village of Therazhundur. Perhaps the river has changed course over the years.  Nevertheless, thanks to the verses of Tirumangai, we can just for a moment, imagine the waters of Cauvery gushing past Therazhundur pushing fragrant Sandalwood and precious coral stones into this village.

Swans pose happily for Maadhav

Periya Thirumozhi – The Sixty Eighth Set of Ten

1618. Sri Devi, Bhu Devi and ascetics find refuge at the feet of the Lord who slumbers on the coils of the Ananta snake and who resides in Therazhandur where the Brahmins are as scholarly in the Vedas and yagnas as Brahma seated on a lotus.

1619. When the seven worlds were plunged in darkness and ignorance, the horse-faced Lord (Hayagreeva) imparted the knowledge of the four Vedas to all. The Lord of all celestial beings resides in Therazhandur where the stalks in the paddy fields sway in the wind, where the conches are blown loud & clear and where swans swim gently in the midst of lotus flowers in ponds.

1620. When trapped by a crocodile, the elephant Gajendra sought the help of the Lord who is the lamp that glows in all directions and the Lord immediately rushed to the rescue of his elephant devotee.  This Lord resides in Therazhandur where waters of the Cauvery effortlessly toss fragrant sandalwood tree trunks into lush paddy fields.

1621. The boar-faced Lord (Varaha) adorned himself with anklets & other beautiful ornaments and rescued Bhu Devi with his tusks.  This Lord resides in Therazhandur where bees hum, the koel sings and the peacocks dance in the betel-nut groves amidst plenty of ponds.

1622. See the angry lion-faced Lord (Narasimha) who tore apart Hiranyakasipu’s chest. See the infant Lord (Krishna) who suckled the life out of the wicked Putana. This Lord resides in Therazhandur where the lasses adorned in beautiful bangles talk amongst themselves sweetly like parrots and whose walk is as graceful as swans.

1623. See the Lord adorned in deer-skin (Vamana) who dispelled the fear of the Devas by asking Mahabali for land measuring three paces and who won over all the worlds. This Lord resides in Therazhandur where there are large mansions on all streets surrounded by fragrant gardens.

1624. The Lord dismembered the Lanka King’s (Ravana) ten heads for the sake of the gentle Sita who holds a flower ball in her slender hands. This Lord resides in Therazhandur where sweet Tamil and Sanskrit verses are recited by Pundits as holy smoke arises from yagnas.

1625. See the Lord (Krishna) who subdued the ferocious bulls, who merrily danced with the girls from the cowherd clan and who stole curd and butter from mother Yashoda who adorned herself with flowers. This Lord resides in Therazhandur which abounds in coral stones, emeralds & pearls and where bananas & fragrant flowers are plentiful.

1626. See the Lord (Krishna) who killed the wicked Kansa & his wrestles as well as Sakatasura and who wields the discus from his mighty shoulders. This Lord resides in Therazhandur where girls adorn themselves in fragrant flowers during festivals held in the streets lined with beautiful mansions.

1627. The Lord of Therazhandur took the form of a boar, a fish, a lion & as a baby who swallowed & then regurgitated the world during the deluge. These delightful verses of the Lord of Therazhandur are composed by Tirumangai. Those who recite these ten verses will find themselves ruling over the entire world.

Have you got ready to rule? 😊

4000 Divya Prabandham: Chapter – 162

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Periya Thirumozhi, Therazhandur, Tirumangai Alwar, Upanishads

The Alwars including Tirumangai, drew deeply on the philosophical messages from the Upanishads. They clothed these messages with devotion and made it accessible to the general public in a language that people could understand & enjoy.

It is for this reason that the Divya Prabandham verses stand neck to neck in equal importance to the Upanishads and other sacred texts in Sanskrit.

Anjana depicts the flower ball that
Goddess Lakshmi holds in her palm

Periya Thirumozhi – The Sixty Seventh Set of Ten

1608. You are the very epitome of wealth who showers prosperity on all of us. You are the red-eyed one who wields the fiery discus. Lord of all celestials! You are the peerless one who has chosen to descend to Therazhandur. Fearing the ceaseless onslaught of the five senses, I seek refuge at your feet. Keep me safe!

1609. You are accompanied by Sri who carries a ball of flowers in her slender hand, jeweled with beautiful bangles. You have manifested in my heart. You are dark hued. You are the very embodiment of Chandogya, Brihadaranyaka and Taittiriya Upanishads. You know the Sama Veda. You have chosen to reside in Therazhandur. I know nothing other than seeking refuge at your feet.

1610. You wield the conch and discus on your broad shoulders. You have shown your love & affection for me. Lord who resides in Therazhandur! I fear the wild swing between desire and despair that the five senses inflict on me. Hence, I seek refuge at your feet. I know of no other way.

1611. Rulers of rulers like the five Pandya kings (Panchavan) and the Cholas submit to your will and sing your praises. Madhava! Madusudhana! Nara! Narayana! Tirunaraiyur Nambi! My God who incarnated earlier as Varaha! You have chosen to reside in Therazhandur.

1612. You took the form of a man-lion to bestow the sleep of death on Hiranya by tearing his chest apart with your sharp nails. As Krishna, you lifted the (Govardhana) hill to protect the cattle from the unceasing rains. I have seen with my own eyes what Kali Yuga does to people! I know nothing other than seeking refuge at the feet of the Lord who is residing in Therazhandur.

1613. You cried after being scolded by mother Yashoda for eating ghee and sweetened milk kept aside for curdling. You are the Lord of all beings in this world and above. You are the presiding deity of Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali yugas. I know nothing other than seeking refuge at the feet of the Lord who is residing in Therazhandur.

1614. You felled the wicked Kansa. You are colored like the sky and the ocean. As Krishna, you subdued seven ferocious bulls. The senses torment me. Fearing them, I seek refuge at the feet of the Lord who is residing in Therazhandur.

1615. My Lord who slumbers on the ocean! The senses prevent me from seeking you. Help me to escape from their clutches and to take refuge at your feet. May the Lord who resides in Therazhandur allow me to do service to him now and ever after.

1616. My senses tempt me to seek food and clothing from you. I know not how to handle their unceasing temptations. My Lord who holds the flag with Garuda insignia! Beloved of Sri! I seek refuge at the feet of the Lord who resides in Therazhandur.

1617. The Lord resides in Therazhandur where beautiful swans and fragrant flower gardens flourish. Those who recite these 10 verses composed by Tirumangai will spend the rest of the days happy like kings with their magnificent umbrellas!

Your umbrella is waiting to shelter you from the hot sun. 😊

4000 Divya Prabandham: Chapter – 161

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Gosakan, Periya Thirumozhi, Therazhundur, Tirumangai Alwar

The Sanskrit name of the presiding deity of Therazhandur is ‘Gosakan’ – the friend of cows. The Lord here is one among them. He is not above them. I believe this was intentional. The Lord is accessible to all. There is no hierarchy between the Lord and his beloved.

The cow and calf happily frolic under the Karpagavriksham posing for Anjana

Periya Thirumozhi – The Sixty Sixth Set of Ten

1598. I saw in Therazhandur, the Lord who as Narasimha tore apart Hiranyakasipu’s body, who bears the conch and discus, who is the Lord to Brahma and whose eyes blossom like lotus buds.

1599. I saw in Therazhandur, the Lord of Lords (‘Devaadhidevan’) who defeats even mighty kings, who towers to the sky above, who is colored like the ocean and who descended below hearing the cries of his devotees. (Tirumangai Alwar uses the term ‘Devaadhidevan’ – the Lord of Lords in this verse. The presiding deity of Therazhandur is ‘Devaadhirajan’ – the King of Lords!)

1600. I was redeemed by the Lord of Therazhandur who is engulfed by light, who created the worlds, who defeated Banasura and who felled the wicked king of Lanka.

1601. I became happy seeing the Lord of Therazhandur who lifted a mountain to shield the innocents from the rains, who came to the rescue of the devoted Gajendra and who delights in eating ghee and curds.

1602. I saw in Therazhandur, where Vedic pandits reside, the Lord who killed Kansa, the Lord who resides in Tirukannamangai and who suckled the wicked Putana to death. (Verses penned by Tirumangai Alwar pertaining to Tirukannamangai make a subsequent appearance in the Prabandham!)

1603. I saw in Therazhandur, where the devout worship, the one who is the Lord to the Devas, to Brahma and to the strong-shouldered Shiva.

1604. I saw in Therazhandur, the Lord who holds Lakshmi in his chest, who manifests in all the directions & in the five elements and who is verily the wish-fulfilling Karpagam tree.

1605. I saw in Therazhandur where Vedic chants reverberate in all the streets, the Lord who made me capable enough to be his devotee and who embodies the truth in words.

1606. I saw in Therazhandur, Aravamudhan – the Lord of Tirukudanthai (Kumbakonam), who is wedded to the flower clad Sri Devi and who is like a dark-hued mountain.

1607.  These ten verses on the Lord of Therazhandur where warriors who are as valiant as Lord Muruga reside, are composed by Tirumangai. Those who recite these verses will rule over the heavenly abode.

The friend of cows is a friend of ours too. 😊

4000 Divya Prabandham: Chapter – 160

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Kambar, Periya Thirumozhi, Therazhundur, Tirumangai Alwar

Therazhundur is a religiously significant place as it finds mention in the Divya Prabandham verses. It also is of historic significance.

Kambar, the author of the Tamil version of Ramayana, hailed from Therazhundur. The Kamba Ramayanam is considered as no less important than the Valmiki Ramayanam.

Periya Thirumozhi – The Sixty Fifth Set of Ten

Krishna poses on a banyan leaf for Ananya

1588. My Lord who caused the shackles of Vasudeva to be broken, resides in a place that is verily like Vaikuntam. This place where rain drenches the trees and where brahmins sincerely light sacrificial fires thrice a day, is Therazhundur (One of the 108 Divya Desams located near Mayiladuthurai).

1589. The Lord of Lords who rode the chariot that felled Duryodhana in Mahabharata war, resides in this place. This place where fish try and avoid getting captured by the long beaks of cranes that hunt for food in the abundant lakes, is Therazhundur. (Tirumangai Alwar uses the phrase Devadevan – Lord of Lords in this pasuram. The presiding deity of Therazhundur temple is Devaadi Rajan!)

1590. The Lord who felled the ten heads of the king of Lanka which is surrounded by golden walls, resides in this place. This place where bees hunt for honey in the flower vines and where women’s glances are as sharp as arrows, is Therazhundur.

1591. The Lord who slumbered on a banyan leaf during the deluge and who has ever since dwelled in my heart & my eyes, resides in this place. This place where birds fly high in search of food for their little ones and where fields yield abundant harvests, is Therazhundur.

1592. The Lord who is the night and the day, who is the sky and the earth resides in this place. This place with clotheslines, where dust rises from chariot wheels and where fumes rise from the fragrant smoke (Sambrani) that women apply to their hair, is Therazhundur. (Interestingly, the word thugilin kodi translated here as clothesline is also used to describe the umbilical cord!)

1593. The Lord whose lips blossom into a smile and who is very dear to me, resides in this place. This place where the sound of bugles pierces the sky and where the sound of anklets of dancing girls resonate everywhere, is Therazhundur.

1594. The Lord who resides on a flower bed during the evenings and who manifests in my heart, stays in this place. This place where the streets are as wide as the sea, the mansions are as high as the sky and the smoke appears to mask the sun, is Therazhundur.

1595. The Lord who forgives my mistakes, stays in this place. This place where lasses walk softly and yet the sound of their anklets resonates in the beautiful streets, is Therazhundur.

1596. The Lord whose beauty is mesmerizing and who has subdued my five senses, resides in this place. This place where fish live in ponds where lotus flowers bloom, bees hum and cranes dance in rhythm, is Therazhandur.

1597. Those who recite these verses composed by Tirumangai about the Lord of Therazhundur, where the corn stalks resemble the eyes of lasses and the lotuses floating in abundant waterbodies resemble their lovely faces; will find their sins crumble to nothing.

What are you waiting for? Therazhundur is about 10 KM from Mayiladuthurai. 😊

4000 Divya Prabandham: Chapter – 159

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Periya Thirumozhi, Saranathar, Tirumangai Alwar

The Sthalapuranam of Thirucherai (one of the 108 Divya Desams located near Kumbakonam) tells us that this is where Lord Vishnu granted darshan as a young baby to river Cauvery who raised him as her own child.

This tale reaffirms that rivers like Cauvery were the cradle of ancient civilizations.

Periya Thirumozhi – The Sixty Fourth Set of Ten

Ananya depicts Baby Krishna in this traditional Thanjavur Painting

1578. The celestials praise the Lord as the baby who suckled the poisonous milk of the fiery Putana and as the leader of the courageous Vanaras (monkeys). I will bear on my head, the feet of the devotees of this Lord who resides in Thirucherai, where the mansions seem to touch the very skies.

1579. The Lord bears in his chest – Sri, who has beautiful eyebrows and well-shaped eyes. He flung the calf (Vatsasura in disguise) far into the forests. Those who worship this Lord who resides in Thirucherai, where the gardens blossom with fragrant flowers, will forever find place in my heart.

1580. The Lord cut off the nose and ears of Surpanaka whose teeth were fearsome and whose form made those who stand before her tremble. Those who worship this Lord with flowers & holy waters in Tirucherai, where bees buzz noisily around nectar-dripping flowers, will truly become celestials in heavens.

1581. The Lord felled with his fiery arrows, Ravana of Lanka, who rode a majestic chariot wielding a sword. This Lord who sports a garland and protects all the worlds, resides in Thirucherai. I will never part ways from devotees who ceaselessly chant the names of this Lord.

1582. The Lord took the form of a man-lion to subdue the wicked Hiranyakasipu. This Lord belongs neither to the Buddhists nor to the Jain monks. I will think all the time about the devotees who worship the feet of the Lord who resides in Thirucherai, where sandalwood trees grow in abundance. (Jainism & Buddhism competed for patronage during Tirumangai’s lifetime!)

1583. I praise the Lord who took the form of a boar (Varaha) to rescue earth from the swirling waters. The Lord’s feet are my protection. I have no other refuge than the Lord. My eyes & heart have feasted on the devotees of the Lord who resides in Thirucherai, where flowers blossom in fragrant gardens.

1584. The Lord rests on the coils of Ananta in the ocean of milk. He is like a blue-hued mountain. I always think of the Lord who resides in Thirucherai where flowers blossom in water-bodies. The Lord has accepted the offerings of my five senses. I am verily a slave to those who are his devotees.

1585. The Lord’s tender feet are worshipped by the celestials as well as the mortals. The Lord of Death will not approach those who feast their eyes on the form of this Lord who resides midst of the greenery in Thirucherai.

1586. The farmers wade through the flowers that blossom in the water that surrounds the abundant paddy fields of Thirucherai. My heart melts when I think of those who worship this Lord’s tender feet. How lucky am I that the Lord thinks that the life that dwells inside this body of mine is his property!

1587. The Lord resides in Thirucherai where swans walk daintily like flower clad damsels. These verses on the Lord have been composed by Tirumangai who rides a chariot to subdue his enemies. Place your hands on top of the feet of this Lord and worship him.

Saranathan waits for us patiently in Thirucherai. 😊

4000 Divya Prabandham: Chapter – 158

Tags

Periya Thirumozhi, Tirumangai Alwar, Tirunaraiyur, Yaazh

Cultural references are abundantly sprinkled in the Prabandham verses.

Does Kudam Aadu that Tirumangai refers to in his verses below, refer to the present-day Karagaattam? Is Yaazh, a precursor of the present-day Veena? One is left wondering.

Periya Thirumozhi – The Sixty Third Set of Ten

Anjana depicts a Yaazh

1568. The wise praise him (Lord Rama) as the one who killed the fiery eyed evil ones with his mighty bow. He pierced seven trees with a single arrow. I have experienced in my mind, the vision of the Lord who stands in Tirunaraiyur. Today, through my eyes, I have feasted on the Lord’s form!

1569. Like a calf that yearns for its mother, the Lord has made me yearn for him. He swallowed the entire world during the deluge. He sports the Makara Kundala earrings in his ears. He is the Lord who manifested in Tirukovilur. (Tirumangai Alwar is alluding to the Mudhal Alwars – Poigai Alwar, Boodhath Alwar and Pei Alwar jointly having darshan of the Lord in Tirukovilur.) I will support none other than the Lord who is the prime of all celestials.

1570. The Lord has started to dwell in my heart from the day I was born. He will never forsake me for anyone else. He will spare me from (the fear of) death. Why will I forsake the Lord of Kudanthai (Kumbakonam), the Kudam Aadu Koothan (the presiding deity of the Tirunangur temple who is said to have danced with a pot) who is my father and forefather?

1571. He rode the chariot for the five brothers (Pandavas) to defeat the arrogant Duryodhana. He is the Lord of Srirangam where the waters of Cauvery flow majestically. He defeated the wicked hordes of Lanka with his fierce arrows. My heart will settle for none other than the Lord whose eyes are like cool lotus buds.

1572. When we are caught in hell, the Lord comes to our rescue. His feet are tender like lotus flowers. He is venerated by the celestials. He is the lion who resides in Venkata hills (Tirumala). He tore open the mouth of Kesi (in Krishna avatar). He was tied to the mortar when he stole butter. My mind will not dwell on anyone other than the Lord who is like fragrant milk!

1573. He does not leave my heart for even a moment. He resides midst the dense forest of Tirumaaliruncholai (Azhagar Koil). He is as sweet as sugar-candy! He slumbers on the serpent bed. I will sing the praises of none other than my Lord.

1574. He is as melodious as the tunes that emerge from the Yazh (harp). He has accepted to stay in my eyes, in my words and in my heart. He is the one who controls me. He is blue-hued like the seas in which the fish frolic. He is like the blue-hued precious stone. My mouth has no words to utter about his beauty.

1575. With the grace of our Lord, no sin can touch us. He dispels sorrow and bestows happiness. He is the peerless one who is venerated by all in this world and by the celestials. He is like a priceless fruit. I have now seen the Lord who has stolen into my heart.

1576.  Tell me what I can do in return for the Lord who has done so much for me? He resides in my heart. He is the Lord of Maamani Koil. (one of the 108 Divya Desams located in Thanjavur). He is the Lord who tore apart the chest of Hiranyakasipu. He built a bridge to Lanka to subdue the unbeatable sword of Ravana. He is worshipped by the celestials. He is like a blue-hued jewel. My heart refuses to sing the praises of anyone but him.

1577. These ten verses about the Lord of Tirunaraiyur have been composed by Tirumangai who adorns on his head, the flowers blessed by the Lord. The devotees who chant these verses will be untouched by sin.

May the Lord reside in your heart. 😊

4000 Divya Prabandham: Chapter – 157

Tags

Nachiyar Koil, Periya Thirumozhi, Tirumangai Alwar, Tirunaraiyur

Much as we would like to visit temples frequently and feast on the beauty of the Lord, our daily commitments hold us back from doing so. It is perhaps for this reason that Tirumangai Alwar urges the Lord to reside in his heart.

The temple in our heart is accessible to us daily 24/7!

Periya Thirumozhi – The Sixty Second Set of Ten

Varahar poses for Anjana

1558.  Like a sly thief, you stole into my heart in the form of a swan (Hansa avatar) and boar (Varaha avatar). As I say this, my eyes overflow with tears of joy! The Lord who stands in Tirunaraiyur! May I think of no one other than you!

1559. In the form of a Man-lion (Narasimha avatar) who was not seen by anyone in this kingdom, you dissolved me into you. I erred in composing poems about mere mortals. The Lord who stands in Tirunaraiyur! May I no longer even think of composing poems on anyone but you!

1560. You have been father and mother to me after my parents passed away. Fire that burns bright! The Lord who stands in Tirunaraiyur! May I desire nothing else other than your dark hued form!

1561. You slumbered on a banyan leaf after swallowing all the worlds during the deluge. You reside in my heart. The Lord who stands in Tirunaraiyur! May I never forget that you have made my heart your home!

1562. The celestials praise your limitless virtues. I have willingly surrendered to you. The Lord who stands in Tirunaraiyur! May I never let you leave my heart!

1563. Ten generations of my ancestors were your devoted slaves! I will never allow you to leave my heart. You are my very life. The Lord who stands in Tirunaraiyur! You have never ceased to bless me!

1564. You killed the thousand shouldered valorous Kartavirya. (Parasurama avatar). I will never allow you to leave my heart for another one! The Lord who stands in Tirunaraiyur! Lakshmi, with her swan-like gait, resides in your heart!

1565. The celestials worship you with flowers of gold and surrender at your feet. My Lord who stands amidst the fragrant flower gardens of Tirunaraiyur! I will never allow you to leave my heart!

1566. This mortal body of mine has grown only to hold you in my heart. The Lord who stands in Tirunaraiyur! Your presence in my heart is the essence of sugarcane and more sweeter than honey.

1567. Those who recite these verses in praise of the Lord who resides amidst the paddy fields of Tirunaraiyur, will reside happily for a long time at the feet of the Lord.

May your Ishta Deivam reside in your heart forever. 😊

4000 Divya Prabandham: Chapter – 156

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Nachiyar Koil, Periya Thirumozhi, Tirumangai Alwar

Both Tirumangai Alwar as well as Kulasekara Alwar were kings prior to walking the path of the Lord. Despite this similarity, while Kulasekara Alwar is depicted with folded hands, Tirumangai Alwar is generally depicted with his spear!

Tirumangai Alwar’s devotion to the Lord was fierce and his verses evoke this war-like focus to the fullest.

Periya Thirumozhi – The Sixty First Set of Ten

Seeta poses for Anjana

1548. I call for you all the time, like a calf that wants to suckle the milk of its mother cow. Lord who resides in the honeyed gardens of Tirunaraiyur (Nachiyar Koil near Kumbakonam)!  Please grant me escape from the cycle of rebirth!

1549. You swallowed the waters of the vast oceans as well as the seven huge mountains in one gulp (as Aalilai Krishnar)! I have the privilege of serving you and singing your glory. Grant me your abundant blessings!

1550. You gave your blessings to me. I will share it with no one! You granted me your darshan in Tirupaarkadal, Tirupati & Tirukoshtiyur. I spend my time thinking of this good fortune of mine. (The Tirupaarkadal Divya Desam is the ocean of milk where Lord Vishnu resides reclining on Adi Sesha. It is not accessible in the human form. Was Tirumangai Alwar simply referring to the reclining form of the Lord while referring to this Divya Desam or did he really visit this heavenly abode of the Lord? We do not know.)

1551. You tore open the mouth of the wicked Bakasura. You bestow your grace to me in abundance! You hold the cowherd clan in your heart. You are the Lord who reclines in Tirukadalmallai (Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram) embodying sweetness. How will I forget my generous benefactor!

1552. You accompanied Seeta, who’s forehead is like an arrowhead and whose eyesight is as sharp as a spear, to the ferocious forest. You have always done the right thing. You incarnated as Nara & Narayana. You have always responded to my prayers. Please grant me the boon of unceasing devotion to you!

1553. You reside in the misty mountains of Tirupati. You are as beautiful as coral beads. You are the lamp of Thirumoozhikulam (one of the 108 Divya Desams located near Ernakulam). You are the divine fruit that a hungry devotee like me, partakes! I was granted the opportunity to see you!

1554. I have no other refuge other than your grace. You are like a string of pearls in Tiruneermalai. You hold on to those who hold your feet. I am delighted to see you!

1555. People think I am mad when I talk to you. You are like a pearl. You are like a rare jewel that bestows boons. Knowing you, how can I forsake you?

1556. You are like a mother who bestows cool moonlight on this world. Lord with eyes like lotus buds! You swallowed the seven worlds. How can I forget you?

1557. Those who sing and dance to this garland of Tamil verses composed by Tirumangai about the Lord who resides in Tirunaraiyur, where bees buzz around the nectar dripping flower gardens, will have nothing to worry about in life.

May you too have nothing to worry about, now and ever after. 😊