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Temple visits are incomplete without a stroll through the bazars around. It may seem hypocritical to pursue divinity inside and shopping outside. Spirituality can exist with materialistic pursuits. Both complement each other.
When asked who his greatest devotee was, Lord Vishnu did not point out to Narada who did nothing other than chanting the Lord’s name. He instead pointed out to a farmer. The farmer had to till his fields to support his family and lived amidst several domestic commitments all through the day. Yet he found time to pray to the Lord in the morning and to thank the Lord for a well spent day before going to sleep at night.
Yet these two prayers were good enough to endear himself to the Lord. Do your duty. Think of the Lord when you find the time. Your prayers will be heard.
Periyalwar Thirumozhi – The Fourth Set of Ten – The Eighth Divine Poem
402. This is the town of the Lord who rescued Sage Sandipani’s son from the jaws of an asura who resided in the ocean and brought him back from Yama’s clutches. This is the town where good people reside, wearing spotless clothes after bathing in the waters of the Cauvery. This town is none other than Srirangam where nectar spills from blossoming lotuses spreading fragrance across the river. (While rescuing Sandipani’s son, Krishna acquires the Panchajanya conch from the asura.)
403. This is the town of the Lord who rescued four new born infants who were about to pass on the abode of Yama and restored them to their joyful parents. This town is none other than Srirangam where people reside chanting Vedic mantras and generously feeding visitors to their homes.
404. This is the town of the Lord who rescued Parikshit, the son of Abhimanyu and heir to the Pandava throne. This town is none other than Srirangam where red lotus that look like the Lord’s face and blue lotus that look like his body blossom all around. (Krishna saves Parikshit when he was in his mother’s womb, from the effect of the Brahma Astra that was hurled by Ashwathama.)
405. Misled by Mantara’s words, Kaikeyi banished the Lord to the forest. This is the town of the Lord who left his kingdom and mother and proceeded to the forest and crushed the asuras living there who were like weeds in the fields. This town is none other than Srirangam where nectar never ceases to fall from the flowers in the gardens.
406. Emboldened by the boons bestowed on him, Ravana committed one sin after another. This is the town of the Lord who felled Ravana. This town is none other than Srirangam where flowers blossom, trees grow all over and birds sing joyfully.
407. This is the town of the Lord who subdued the Asuras who reside in the nether world. This town is none other Srirangam where marigold flowers spread their fragrance all over, people apply color powder on each other and sing & dance joyfully.
408. This is the town of the Lord who spilt the blood of the Asuras who had fattened themselves by harassing the innocent. This town is none other than Srirangam where the powerful waters of the Cauvery uproot the roots of the sandalwood trees from the mountains and brings them respectfully to submit at the feet of the Lord.
409. This is the town where the Lord incarnated as Varaha and vanquished Hiranyaksha. This town is none other than Srirangam where bees hum praises of the Lord and where the conch colored white like the jasmine flower is blown.
410. This is the town of the Lord who is colored like the rain bearing clouds, who makes noise like the mighty ocean and who dances like a peacock. This town is none other than Srirangam where the breeze goes through fragrant gardens, forests of sandalwood trees, caresses damsels and then blows through all the streets.
411. Periyalwar residing in Srivilliputtur has composed these garland of tamil verses of the Lord who felled Ravana as well as the twin asuras – Madhu & Kaitabha. Everyone will be devoted to those who master these verses.
May the Lord of Srirangam reside in your town and in your hearts too! 🙂