The door step to the Garba Griha in Vishnu temples is referred to as ‘Kulasekaran Padi’ (Kulasekara’s door step). In honour of this Alwar, we don’t stamp on the door step when we enter the temple.
A temple is made of several things – the Vigraha within, the walls around and the roof on top. It also needs a door step.
Kulasekara Alwar reminds us that even small things have their use in our life.
Perumal Thirumozhi – The Second set of Ten
658. Of what use are these eyes if they don’t see the Lord’s devotees dance in joy taking the name of the Lord of Srirangam who is worth searching for, who is sweeter than honey, on whose chest resides Lakshmi and who wears a fragrant garland?
659. The Lord embraced Lakshmi whose lips are softer than the petals of the lotus and who felled seven Sala trees with a single arrow. If we could bathe in the dust of the devotees of this Lord who chant joyously – ‘Oh Ranga!, why would we need to bathe in the holy waters of the Ganga?
660. Tears roll from the eyes of the devotees who hear the stories of the Lord who felled seven bulls to wed Nappinnai (as Krishna), who used His tusks to save mother earth (as Varaha), who vanquished Ravana (as Rama) and who measured the three worlds (as Trivikrama). These tears mix with the dust of the streets of Srirangam. Let me sprinkle the holy dust of these devotees on my head.
661. My heart sings praises and I fall at the feet of the devotees of the Lord who was caught red handed by Yashoda for stealing curd, butter and milk and who was tied to the grinding stone as punishment. (Curd Rice is dear to Tirupati Balaji. It is the only prasadam that is taken inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple! That honour is not given even to the famous Tirupati Laddu!)
662. Calming down the raging bulls, quelling the (Kaliya) snake that came to fight, the Lord resides in Srirangam which is surrounded by high and mighty walls. Thinking of the Lord, His devotees get goose bumps. I get goose bumps looking at the extent of their devotion to the Lord!
663. My heart is filled with boundless affection for the devotees of the Lord who is responsible for the beginning and the end, who is eternal and whose feet are worshipped by the Lord of the Devas himself!
664. I am drawn to the feet of the devotees of the Lord who shed tears thinking of the Lord’s black colored body, His pearl-like teeth and red colored lips and who is like a bright flame drawing everyone closer.
665. My heart is attracted to the devotees who sing ecstatically of Lord Ranganatha who slumbers on the ocean, who wears a fragrant garland on which bees buzz drunk with honey, on whose chest Lakshmi resides and whose eyes are shaped like red flower buds.
666. Thinking of the Lord, shedding tears of joy, getting goose bumps on their hands, singing and dancing in joy; these devotees of my father and brother – Ranganatha appear to be mad. They are not so. Only those who lead loveless lives are truly mad!
667. With the intention of serving the devotees of the Lord who has Lakshmi as His wife, the king of Koodal (Madurai) and the hero of Madurai – Kulasekara has composed this garland of Tamil verses. Those who master these verses will forever be devoted to the Lord.
You may think you are just a door step. But, you are important to someone. 🙂