T.Narsipur-- Sri Gunja Narasimha Swamy Temple- Message from SRI V K Rajagopalan

T.Narsipur - Sri Gunja Narasimha Swamy Temple

Gunja Narasimha Swamy is Udbhava murthy . The temple is more than 1000 years old. The river Cauvery , Kapila and gupta vahini flows. Hence it is It is known as Thirumalakoodu Narasipur (in short T.Narsipur). A washer man had a dream and Lord Lakshminnarasimhan appeared in dream and told that he is in a Ant hill and asked the washer man to take him out and build a temple for him. Then our washer man tells Lord that He is poor man who washes everybody's clothes and leads a contended life, and for building the temple he requires a huge amount of money. How he will construct the temple, For that our Karuna murthy tells that please go and look beneath the washing stone you will find the large amount of treasure. Then our washer man goes and lifts the stone and behold he gets a Hidden treasure. Then with that money as instructed by the perumal he builds a temple Garbhagudi, Then Swami asks what he wants in return for having built the temples. Then our Washer man tells in those days after taking birth as human being it is one life time ambition to visit Kashi. Then Swami tells this Kshetram will be known as Daskshina Kashi and the Puniya will be one Gunji ( a measurement in olden days) more than Uttara Kashi ( Since Swami told this Kshetram is having Puniya of One Gunji More hence he got the name GUNJA NARASIMHA SWAMI). How Ganga Yamuna And Saraswathi flows in North here in south at Thirumalakoodu Narasipur Kaveri Kapila and Spatika Sarovara flows and like Saraswathi in north Spatika Sarovara is Gupta Gamini the River which is in flowing in front of temple is Kapila it comes from Kerala, Then on the other side is Kaveri which comes from Tala Kaveri in the middle is Spatika Sarovara and since the river bed is closed the Idekam is Spatika Sarovara flows beneath and all the three river join here hence this is known as Thirumalakoodu. Then the Washer man asked for Moksha Pradhana , and since Lord Maha Vishnu is only giver of Moksha , the washer man get it. In the Nelapadi of Main Sacred Santorum the figure of Washer man and his wife is carved because he prayed Sriman Narayana that all the Bhaktha s legs dust should fall on him. Then later on the Mogur Pallegara did Perumal Kainkaryam. Then Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar built Praharam etc.

With Warm Regards,
V.K.Rajagopalan.

Pictures of Srimath Andavan with Ahobila Mutt Jeers

                                   Sreemathe Ranga Ramanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha

Meeting of Srimath Andavan with Ahobila Mutt Jeers on 17th December, 2011 was a memeorable event for Ashramam and Sannithi sishyas. I have already loaded you tube movie clips for the benefit group members. From those movie clips, I just picked up three pictures

from those movie clips, first one Srimath Andavan in conversation with Peria Jeer, the second one with Chinna Jeer and the third is receiving Panchamudrai from Chinna Jeer.

Daasan,

R Srinivasan

Attachment(s) from Srinivasan Rangaswamy

3 of 3 Photo(s)

Andavan with Peria Jeer.JPG

Andavan with Chinna Jeer.jpg

Andavan having Panchamudrai.JPG

__._,_.___

Sri Ramabhakta Anjaneyar Temple in Villivakkam-- Hanumath Jayanthi

Sreemathe RangaRamanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha

Members may be aware that Sri Ramabhakta Anjaneyar Koil in Villivakkam, Chennai is one of the Temples coming under Andavan Ashramam It is renamed as Sri Padmavathi Sametha Sri Srinivasa Perumal Koil. This temple originally founded as Sri Anjaneyar Temple, gradually upgraded to have Sri Padmavathi Sametha Srinivasa Perumal Sannathi. Sri Anjaneyar installed here is so powerful to come up to this stage and has brought in Lord Srinvasa Perumal also. Not only this. Srimath Andavan also has come in and taken over this Temple on 31st October, 2010, from the hands of the famous Ubhaya Vedantha Vidwan, Sri Veerapuram Krishnamachariar .

Today being Hanumath Jayanthi, Tirumanjanam was performed in the morning and vadamalai was offered to Sri Anjaneyar. Hundreds of devotees in Villivakkam enthusiastically participated in both sessions and received the blessings of Sri Rama Bhakta Anjaneyar Swamy.

I am attaching with this a short video clip mas wellas photos taken on the occasion. Moolavar can be seen adorning silver kavacham on this day. Please enjoy viewing, today, being Hanumath Jayanthi

To view the images please click here https://picasaweb.google.com/113272891841483968193/AnjaneyarKoyilVillivakkam

Daasan,

R Srinivasan

 

Srimath Andavan's visit to Ahobila Mutt-- additional movie clips

                        Sreemathe RangaRamanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha

 

In continuation to my earlier e mails on the subject, please find the additional video clips taken on Marghazhi first day, 17/12/2011. You may be able to see and hear Anugraha Bhashanam of H H on that day and also the happenings on that day at Desika Bhavanam, Mylapore. This is the great event , which everyuone of us has been waiting for after many years, This has happened with the blessings of Srirangam Divya Dampathees and padukaas of poorvachariars of both Ashramam and SriMatam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za-IHw4Gesw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot9_l2X-ahk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99_nmm3U05s

The following video,I have already posted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wao_FAFIEq0

Please enjoy viewing. On behalf of Ashramam, I thank all those who have expressed their happiness on viewing this first video clips.

Daasan,

R Srinivasan.

Cheyyar Temple Karthigai Deebam photos

Sreemathe RangaRamanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha

A report about this Temple has already appeared in this blog. I had access to the a set of photographs taken on Karthigai Deebam day and inserting for your viewing.
https://picasaweb.google.com/113272891841483968193/KarthigaiDeepam2011

Daasan.
R Srinivasan

An appeal for Temple renovation

ஸ்ரீமதே ரங்கராமானுஜ மஹாதேசிகாய நம:

 

அடியேன் தாஸஸ்ய விக்ஞாபனம்.

சோழ நாடு சோறுடைத்து என்பது ஆன்றோர் வாக்கு அதே போல் தஞ்சை மாவட்டம் முழுவதும் ஆழ்வார்கள் பாடிய திவ்ய தேசங்களும் நாயன்மார் பாடிய சிவஸ்தலங்களும் பல புராண ஸ்தலங்களும் நிறைந்துள்ளன. ஆனால் கலியின் விசேஷம் பல அக்ரஹாரங்கள் க்ஷீணமடைந்து கோவில்கள் பொலிவிழந்து போயின. எம்பெருமான் கருணையினால் பலகோயில்கள் அழிவிலிருந்து மீண்டாலும் இன்னும் பல கோயில்கள் புனருத்தாரணத்திற்கு காத்திருக்கின்றன. பல பேர் வெளிதேசவாசிகளாயும் நம் தேசத்திலேயே பல நகரங்களுக்கு குடிபெயர்ந்ததும் கோயில்களின் வருந்தத் தக்க நிலைக்கு ஒரு காரணம். அப்படிப்பட்ட ஒரு அக்ரஹாரம் தஞ்சை மாவட்டத்தில் குடவாசல் அருகே உள்ள கண்டிரமாணிக்கம் என்கிற க்ராமம். இது அந்நாளில் சாமவேதம் ஓதும் அந்தணர்களால் நிரம்பப் பெற்றிருந்தது என்கின்றனர் விவரமறிந்த பெரியோர். அந்த க்ராமத்தில் ஒரு அற்புதமான ஸ்ரீ கோதண்டராமன் சன்னிதியுள்ளது. சக்ரவர்த்தி திருமகன் தம்பி லக்ஷ்மணனோடும் பிராட்டியோடும் அருகில் சிறிய திருவடியோடு(அஞ்சலி ஹஸ்தனாய்) காட்சியளிக்கிறான். மேலும் வரதராஜப் பெருமாள் சமேத ஸ்ரீபெருந்தேவித் தாயாரின் அழகு உள்ளத்தைக் கொள்ளை கொள்ளும். ஆனால் கோயில் இருக்கும் நிலை நம்மைக் கண்ணீர் விடவைக்கும். திருப்பணியாகி அரை நூற்றாண்டு ஆகிறது. கோயிலின் கர்பக்ரஹ விமானம் மிகவும் அழகியது. இப்படிப்பட்ட ஒரு சன்னிதியை அழியவிடக்கூடாது என்கிற சங்கல்பத்தோடு ஸ்ரீராம கைங்கர்ய சபா என்கிற அமைப்பு புனருத்தாரணத் திருப்பணியைத் தொடங்கியுள்ளனர். இந்த ஊரைப் பூர்வீகமாகக் கொண்டபலர் நம் தேசத்திலேயோ அல்லது வெளிநாடுகளிலோ நல்ல உத்யோகத்தில் இருக்கலாம். ஊர் கூடி தேர் இழுப்பது என்பது போல் எல்லோரும் இணைந்து இத்திருப்பணியில் ஈடுபட்டு வெகு விரைவில் இந்தச்சன்னிதி மஹாசம்ப்ரோக்ஷணம் காண உதவுவது என்பது ஆயிரம் அஸ்வமேத யாக பலனைத்தரும் என்பதில் சந்தேகமில்லை.ஸ்ரீரங்கம் ஸ்ரீமத் ஆண்டவன் ஆஸ்ரமத்தில் ஸ்ரீகார்யமாய் இருந்த ஸ்ரீமான் சித்ரகூடம் விஜயராகவாச்சார்யர் ஸ்வாமி இந்த ஊரைப் பூர்வீகமாகக் கொண்டவர் என்றும் தெரிகிறது..மேலும் விவரங்களுக்கு ஸ்ரீமான் வி. ரமேஷ் (கும்பகோணம் ரயில்வே ஸ்டேஷன் மாஸ்டர்) 9443748915 அவர்களைத் தொடர்பு கொள்ளப் ப்ரார்த்திக்கிறேன்.

சித்ரகூடம் ரங்கநாதன்.

A pleasant picture

                          Sreemathe RangaRamanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha

Please find attached a pleasant photograph of Sri Ahobila Mutt Jeer Swamy (Senior) with H.H. Srimath Andavan taken during the later's Mangalaasaasanam visit of Sri Malola Nrisimhar. Reprts on this has already appeared in our Blog mails.

Daasan,

R Srinivasan

Attachment(s) from Rangaswamy Srinivasan

1 of 1 Photo(s)

Jeer Swamy with Srimath Andavan.jpg

Srimath Andavan in Chennai Ashramam

Sreemathe Ranga Ramanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha
Viewers may interested to a glimpse of H.H. at Ashramam, particularly after his recovery from illness recently. He is advised restricted access to visitors, to avoid complications due spread of infections.. Here is a short video clip of His Holiness in Ashramam premises, taken on 17th dece.,2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFDV5oWqKjk

Daasan,
R Srinivasan

Srimath Andavan Mangalaasaasanam of Sri Malolan Nrisimhar of Ahobila Mutt

                                 Sreemathe RangaRamanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha
Srimath Andavan Sri Ranga Ramanuja Mahadesikan at the invitation of Sri Ahobila Mutt Jeers, visited Sri Ahobila Mutt camp site in Mylapore Sri Desika Bhavanam, yesterday, 17th Decmber on the first day of Margazhi. H.H. was received with Mutt's Poornakumba Mariyaadai by SriKaryam swamy and performed Mangalaasaasanam of Sri Malola Nrisimhar. srimath Chinna Jeer Swamy offrered Theertha Prasadam and made panchamudra Chatari mariyadai. You can have a look at the meeting of three yathees in the link given below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wao_FAFIEq0

In the earlier message mailed in andavan yahoogroups, we informed about the visit of both Azhagiyasingar Swamins to Srimath Andavan Ashramam mainly to enquire about the health of H H, who was recently hospitalised. They were received with Ashramam honours at the entrance and Managlaasaasanam of our Ashramam Perumal Sri Venugopalan as also Ashramam Temple Sri Srinivasan Sannathi. This has been one of the memorable events in our Ashramam history. Please visit andavan yahoogroups mailing for the photographs taken on the occasion.

Daasan,
R Srinivasan

Ahobila Mutt Jeers' Visit Andavan Ashramam this morning

Sreemathe Ranga Ramanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha

Please be informed that His Holiness Srimath Andavan had some health problems a couple of weeks back and has to be hospitalised in Chennai Apollo. After a few day's treatment he is back in Ashramam and for the past few days only, he is in a position to meet devotees.Hence devotees are advised not to tax him at this time and be satisfied with his Kataaksham only.It may take a few more days before situation comes to normal.Please bear this situation till that time.

Both Senior and Junior Azhagiyasingars of Ahobila Mutt wished to pay respects to H.H. this morning, as they were camping in the nearby Mylapore and to enquire about His health.. Both of Them were received with full Ashramam mariyaadais and were closetted with H.H. and enquired about Their health issues mutually. This must have been a half an hour meeting. More details are awaited. I am just posting this as the first information, as every one of us must be feeling happy of such a meeting among Holinesses after a long time. Also this must be the first ever meeting of Junior Azhagiyasinger with Srimath Andavan, after His Sweekaaram to Ahobila Mutt.

Daasan,

R Srinivasan.

Tiruppavai discourses

Forwarded Message -----
From: RANGARAJ RAMASWAMY <rangaraj_ramaswamy@yahoo.co.in>
To: sabha <rangaraj_ramaswamy@yahoo.co.in>
Sent: Wednesday, 14 December 2011 10:35 PM
Subject: MARGAZHI UPANYASAMS

MARGAZHI UPANYASAMS

Sri U.Ve. Kalaimamani Kalyanapuram Aravamudachariar Swami- Harikatha discourses

Date	Time	Topic	Venue
December 17-31, 2011	7.00 am daily	Tiruppavai Upanyasam	Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai
December 18, 2011	6.30 pm	Harikatha	Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane, Chennai
December 19, 2011	7.30 pm	Harikatha	Narada Gana Sabha, Main Hall, Alwarpet, Chennai
December 29, 2011	10.30 an	Harikatha on Prahlada Charitram	Brahma Gana Sabha, Chennai
December 30, 2011	6.30 pm	Harikatha on Kannanin Arpuda Leelaigal (Jaya TV programme)	Chettinad School, RA Puram (MRC Nagar), Chennai
January 1-15, 2012	5.30-7.00 pm daily	Tiruppavai Upanyasam	Chettinad Sri Jagannatha Perumal Temple, Siddapudur (Papanayakanpalavam) Coimbatore
January 4, 2011	6.30 pm	Upanyasam on Kulasekhara Alwar Vaibhavam	Ayyappa Pooja Sangham, Ramnagar, Coimbatore (organized by Sri Krishna Sweets)
January 31-February 3, 2011	6.45 pm daily	Harikatha on Krishna Vaibhavam	Chettinad Sringeri Pravachana Mandiram, RA Puram, Chennai

Sri Velukkudi Krishnan Swamin venue ; Srirangam ;

Morning Thiruppavai / Evening " Azwargalum Acharyargalum Anubhavittha Arangan "

Dr. M V Ananathapadmanabhan - At Mysore

Also in Sri Sankara TV - Timings from 06 30 AM from Dec.16th,2011

Sri U Ve Sowyanarayanachariar Swamin at Sri Andal Sannidhi ,daily from 17 Dec 2011 to 14 Jan 2012 ,6.30 to 7.30 pm. Upanyasam on Thiruppavai Desikapadesam - Vyakkyana Upanyasam.

Sri Kidambi Narayanan.

27.12.2011 "PAAVAI NONBU" lecture demonstration at

8.30 a.m. Narada Gana Sabha, Alwarpet chennai

17.12.2011 daily from 4.45 pm to 5.45 pm

to at Ashtalakshmi Temple, Besant Nagar, Chennai

14.1.2012 and from 7.15 pm to 9.15 pm at

Srinivasa Perumal Koil, Egmore, Chennai

Sri Dushyant Sridhar

a ) 19 Dec to 29 Dec 2011 ,from 7 pm to 8.30 pm

TTD Information center , ' Jayanth ', 67 Sion West ,near Sion circle , Mumbai 400 022

b) 2 Jan to 15 Jan 2012 7.15 pm to 9.15 pm

At Bhajana samaj Matunga, Mumbai

Sri Villoor Nadadur Karunakarachariar Swamy 
16th Dec. to 15 jan. at Venakatapuram, Ambattur,Chennai

Thiruppanaazhwar Tirunakshatram- Karthigai,Rohini,10th Dec.,2011

Thiruppaan Alvar

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thiruppaan Alvar is one of the 12 Alvar saints of South India, who are known for their affiliation to Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. The temples reverred by these azhwars are termed Divya desam. He was born into a community, then considered as outcastes and untouchables. Birth being no requisite qualification for devotion towards Sriman Narayana, he is traditionally listed among the twelve great Alvars. Thirupaan Alvar has composed one collection on Srirangam divya desam containing 10 paasurams (verses) - AmalanAdhipiran.

Contents  1 Birth in the Paanar community 2 Reaching Srirangam 3 Ten Paasurams 4 One of the Paasurams 5 Commentary and Interpretations 6 Audio Link 7 References

 Birth in the Paanar community

Thiruppaan Alvar was born in Purthurmadhi year, Kaarthigai(Nov-Dec) month, on a Wednesday in the Rohini Nakshatra(star) in a small village of Alagapuri near Srirangam in the 8th or 9th century C.E. He was born in Paanar Cheri. Paanars are a community of musicians and traditional songmakers who are capable of moving their audiences to states of ecstacy and bliss. Because of these skills they had an influence over the Devas (demigods) and Sages. The Paanar community were considered as outcastes and were victims of the social dynamics of their times.
It is said that Alvar is the amsam(form) of the small mole (legend has it that all alvars are avatars of some part of the Lord), called as Srivatsam on the chest of Sriman Narayanan. Having a veena(string instrument) in his hand, he was always to be seen singing the glories of Sri Vishnu. He was soon famous in and around these tamil lands of Southern India. His skills as a bhakti(divine) musician and his abilities to express and invoke bhakti amongst his listeners, drew audiences from afar. He was soon to be known as "Paanar perumal".
One of the strictures on outcastes was that they were not to come anywhere near the Cauvery river , considered scared and pure by the people of the region. Following this stricture Paan Perumal did not come anywhere near the Kaveri river, but mostly stood alongside its banks facing the Srirangam temple and sung his praises to the Lord.^[1]

Reaching Srirangam

The following incident in the life of the Alvar, is considered a "divine play" or lila of the Lord. The supreme bhakti and devotion that Paanar held within him had to be brought out and explicated as an example of devotion to the supreme. As is the wont of the Lord, the other bhaktas(devotees) of the world had to be made aware of such a soul in their midst.
One day, a devout brahmin in the service of the temple, by name Loka Saaranga came to the river for taking water for use in the temple. He motioned to Paanar to move away. But, PaaNar was so engrossed in the rhapsody of his music that he did not hear this. Lokasaranga threw a small stone in his direction to shake him up. But, the stone accidentally fell on the forehead of PaaNar and it started to bleed. PaaNar quietly retired.
Unaware of the injury caused , Loka Saaranga returned to the temple. He was taken aback on seeing blood oozing out from the forehead of the image of Lord Ranganatha. But, none could connect the two incidents. That very night, the Lord appeared in the dream of Loka Saaranga and commanded him to fetch Paanar to the temple the next morning. Accordingly, Lokasaranga requested PaaNar to come to the temple. But, PaaNar referring to his low birth declined even to set foot on the holy earth of Srirangam lest he pollute the holy place. When he was told of the Lord's commandment, PaaNar was beside himself and was lost in a deep trance. Loka Saaranga said that if that were his objection PaaNar could get on his shoulders and he offered to carry PaaNar to the temple. Loka Saaranga carried Paanar who was in a state of trance.This also earned the Alvar title, the sobriquet, Munivaahanar (the one astride a priest).
When they reached the Sanctum Sanctorum, PaaNar experienced the bliss of Ranganatha and composed the 'Amalan Adhipiraan' a poem describing the beauty from head to foot of the Lord in 10 verses and laid his life at the feet of the Lord. The poem is considered to be sweeter than even the 'sound of music' of the Veena.

 Ten Paasurams

The first pasuram(hymn) sung by Alvar is on Arangan's feet. On seeing the Thiruvadi(lotus feet)of Aranganathan he sang:

Neel madhil Arangathamman thrukkamalpadham vandhu en Kanninullana okkinrathe.

He then started to see the whole thirumeni (body) of Emperumaan and he sung a total of ten paasurams(hymns) which explain the beauty of Sri Ranganathar from his thiruvadi(foot) to thirumudi(head).
He explains in his ten paasurams(hymns) about the clean saffron cloth which is worn on the body of Ranganathar, his jewels the thiru vayiru(stomach) from where Lord Brahma originated, the broad chest, the red lips and finally on explaining the beauty of the two broad eyes, he fell down. After some time, Thiruppaan Alwar was not found and he went in to the body of Thiruvaranganathan. Like Andal, whose thoughts were always on Aranganathan, and was enraptured by the love of the Perumal, Thiruppaan Alwar was also captured by this love and he became a part of the Lord along with his mortal sheath.
Thiruppaan Alwar has composed a total of ten paasurams, where he has explained about how a human life should be lived. His principal purport in them is : "Perumal is the principal supreme entity and our aims and aspirations should be to attain Him through total surrender to him signified by our placing all of ourselves at his lotus feet." ^[2]

 One of the Paasurams

Kondal vannanaik kovalanay venney
Unda vayan en ullam kavarndhanai
Andar kon ani arangkan en amudhinaik
Kanda kangal marronrinaik kanave

Meaning:^[3]
I have seen the One whose color is like dark rainclouds
He is the one with the mouth that swallowed the butter of cowherds,
He is the Lord of the devas,
He is Lord Ranganatha,
He is my nectar, my life!
My eyes have seen my Lord and will not see anything else!

 Commentary and Interpretations

Thiruppaanaalvar's 10 verse Amalannadhipiraan and the Alvar's Bhagavad Anubhavam(experiences of the divine) moved many of the Vaishnava Acharyas(gurus). These ten verses are housed in the Sixth Prabhandam of the Mudalaaiyram of the Divya Prabandha. This Alvar by tradition is considered to be Ayonija or one, who is not born of mortal human beings.^[4] He is also considered as an Amsa of (Sri Vatsa mark, the mole on the chest ) of Sriman Narayana. He was brought up however as a foster-child by a childless couple of the Paanar caste (wandering minstrels akin that of Neelakanta Yazhpaanar, who accompanied Thiru Gyana Sambhandar in Tamil Saivite tradition).
Swami Vedanta Desikan was moved very much by the Composition of this Alvar and wrote a commentary called 'Munivahana Bhogam' in Sanskritized Tamil - Manipravalam. He also composed four verses in Tamil in His 'Prabhanda Saaram' to elaborate on the significance of the contribution of this Alvar. He went on to compose a Stotram(divine text) in Sanskrit known as 'Sri Bhagavad Dhyana Sobhaanam'.
Sri Vedanta Desikan was so moved by the ten verses of Amalanaadhipiraan that he paid multiple tributes to the Alvar. Swami Desikan was so overwhelmed by the profoundity of the alvar's bhagavad anubhavam that he declared the ten verse compendium to be the essence of countless Vedic texts.

 Audio Link

Audio Link of amalanAdhipirAn

 References

1. ^ "Birth of Paan". divyadesamonline.com. Archived from the original on 2007-06-29. http://web.archive.org/web/20070629011559/http://www.divyadesamonline.com/alwars/thiruppaan-alwar.asp. Retrieved 2007-07-22.
2. ^ "Amaladhipiran". ibiblio.org. http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/srirangasri/archives/srsvol/msg00134.html. Retrieved 2007-07-22.
3. ^ "koNdal vaNNanaik". www.ramanuja.org. http://www.ramanuja.org/sv/alvars/paan. Retrieved 2007-07-22.
4. ^ http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/vdesikan/munivahana_bhogam/index.html#commentary

ThirumangaiAzhwar Tirunakshatram-- Kaarthigai nakshatram, Kaarthigai month- 9th December,2011 ThiruvAli nAdu was part of ChOzhA kingdom. There, Ali nAdAr (belonged to the fourth caste), an Army General (ThaLapathi) of ChozhA king earned the king's goodwill and respect with his devoted work. He and his wife, vallitthiru were blessed with a beautiful male child, whom they named neelan (due to his dark (neela mEga) colour. He was born in the year nala, on a karigai mAsam, kritigai nakshathram, full moon day and was an incarnation of the Lord's SArngam (Divine bow). Neelan grew up a shrewd smart boy, learning Tamizh and Sanskrit and mastered them; became well versed in sword fight(vAL payiRchi), vil viddhai with, Horse riding, elephant riding, etc. He grew up a young, intelligent, smart, healthy, strong, handsome lad (and yet simple and modest with a religous mind like his parents) and not surprisingly, people liked him very much. When Neelan's father got old, the chOzhA king, having heard about Neelan, appointed Neelan as the Army General(ThaLapathi). He was agile, dynamic, young and was good at battle fields; and hence captured the neighbouring states; The king was immensely pleased and presented him a small portion of his kingdom, a place called Thirumangai, as a tribute and made him a KING! (He was thereafter called "Thirumangai mannan".) That was his first success. And that became the cause for his slipping from all bhakti, devotion, religion etc., etc., and the success of reaching the SimhAsanam at such a young age, (with no chance of becoming a king, otherwise) went to his head. He took to all vices; He was deeply caught in seeking sensual pleasures. The parent were helpless and could do nothing but pray to the Lord to correct their son. The Lord Sriman nArAyaNA did listen to them. He had organised such a situation that made a dEvamAdhu by name sumangalai(who was performing the kainkaryam of fanning(sAmaram)the Lord) to appear as the most beautiful daughter of a local doctor in Tirumangai, in the name "kumudhavalli" (based on a "sApam" given by kapila muni for her laughing at an ugly face and coarse voice of his disciple). Being an incarnate of dEvamAdhu, she was exquisitely pretty and could attract even a recluse. Our "new" king, Thirumangai mannan heard of her alluringly feminine beauty and wished to see her immediately. When he saw her, he was so much cativated by her darting glance at him, he fell head over heels for her and proposed to marry her. Kumudhavalli, through her father, stipulated two prerequisites for him to qualify for marrying her. They were Her husband should be a (or become a) Sri vaishNavA, wear ThirumaNkAppu on his forehead, and be a true bhaktA of Sriman NarayaNan. (Sriman Narayanan Himself spoke through her) and Her husband should feed daily 1000 (ONE THOUSAND!) vaishNava bhakthALs. Our mannan, being intoxicated by her looks, agreed after listening to her conditions immediately. They got married.So there he was. With a bright ThirumaNkAppu, thuLasi mAlai, he paid obeisance to Sriman NarayaNa. He started the annadhAnam for 1000 Sri vaishNava bhaktALs. Slowly day by day, our mannan was transfering into a true, sincere devotee of the Lord and was getting tremendous satisfaction from feeding Sri vaishNavALs daily. The enjoyment of Bhakti and BhagavatOttamAL sEvai were really experienced by Thirumangai mannan. While this was going on, the entire "gajAnA" (treasury) was spent on the annadhAnam kainkaryam. So he could not even send the "tax" which he was supposed to send to the chOzhA king every year. So, chOzhA sent a message to pay the tax; but since our mannan could not pay and sent back a reply saying that he will not be able to pay. ChOzhA king got wild and sent soldiers to bring him. Our hero sent them back effortlessly with his fighting skills. ChOzhA king himself came with a heavy army and attacked Thirumangai mannan. Even though Thirumangai mannan's army is small, he fought with tremendous skills and he won the battle. His horse went near the chOzhA king and he got down from the horse. He said: "Oh pErarasE(Big king!), I did not send the tax- I don't deny. But did I spend the money on trivial matters? It was spent for Sri VaishNavALs. How can I stop when your soldiers came to imprison me?". Our chOzhA king was hurt due to his defeat and did not listen to all this. He said,"I made you a king. I gave you all these luxuries. Now you are not even grateful. and you fought with me, too" Our mannan got hurt very badly by that "grateful" statement. He was very much grateful to chOzhA king for all that he had done. So Thirumangai mannan threw away his sword and bowed down before the king and said " Chozha mannA! what a word you spoke about me! Am I ungrateful? You forgot all kingdoms which I captured for you. Now I am standing in front of you. Go ahead and do waht you wish to do with me". The chOzhA king melted and was moved. He hugged thirumangaimannan and said "Don't worry. I know you. But we should pay respects to pErarasar-chitRarsar relation and hence, you are to send your tax within 3 days. Till then, you will be imprisoned in the perumAL temple." There was no way he could get any money and hence, he begged the Lord to help him. The Lord appeared in his dream and suggested him to go to the banks of river vEdhavathi near kanchi where he could find a big treasure of Gold coins and jewels. He narrated the dream to the chOzhA king and thirumangaimannan and few ministers went to kanchi, vEdhavathi river banks and did find a BIG TREASURE. Having heard this news, chOzhA king got up from the throne and whole heartedly bowed down to Thirumangai mannan for his bhakti and thee Lord's mercy on him. He said" I have done a great mistake of taxing a great bhakthA for a small tax issue and caused a hindrance to BhagavathALs' anna dhAna kankaryam. Please take all this treasure and let me send you back with full Royal honours. You need not insult me by paying the tax any more!". The mannan came back with more wealth and with great honours. The citizns of Thirumangai were greatly thrilled by their king and kumudhavalli was proud of her husband. They revived their kainkaryam for 1000 Sri VaishNanvALs more aggressively and attained their happiness and satisfaction as usual. Again, they found themselves left with no wealth for the kainkaryam. With a view to keeping the promise to his beloved wife, he had to resort to highway robbery from rich people. With the booty, he continued the kainkaryam. One day The Lord Sriya: patih Sriman NarayaNan and Vishnu pathni Sri MahAlakshmi appeared on the highway as a"just married" couple with lots and lots of jewels adorned them. Our mannan turned robber heard of a new rich young couple's coming on the Highway and immediately rushed with his adiyALs. He was very happy to see Them with so many jewels and thanked God(!) for that. They also had a bag containing more ornaments. Our anti-hero demanded Them to surrender all they had. They did precisely waht was instructed to Them; all with Their katAksham on our hero. They put all their ornaments on a piece of cloth. When Thirumangai mannan tried to lift the bundle of ornaments he just could not even move it a bit! He was shocked and perplexed as to why it was so difficult to move it! He went near the Lord Sri mahAvishNu and with a fierce look into His eyes, asked Him " What is the manthram you have for lifting this bundle?. Tell me, else, I will kill you both." He threatened Them with a sword. The Lord and the PirAtti smiled with a gentle mandhahAsam. He asked Thirumangai mannan to come near him and whispered in his right ear "OM NAMO NARAYANAYA". Having heard those EIGHT SYALLABLES (AshtAksharam) right from none other than SRIYA: PATHI himself, his mind, heart became pure!. All his dirt had disappeared! He was simply electrified by the AshtAksharam. He got goose pimples all over his body; He got undescribable blissful happiness! He prostrated fullt at Their Lotus feet with eyes full of tears at Their mercy to bless him despite his shortcomings and negative qualities. They blessed him with Their karunai kataaksham. Then They disappeared. He realised His ThiruviLaiyAdal and the purpose of his birth and poured out tamizh pAsurams on the Lordas if it comes from just opened dam ("madai thirandha veLLam pOl"). He looked at the sky and kept on crying ceaselessly for Their dayA on his lowly self. His hands and the legs were shivering with tremendous amount of Bhakti and love for the Lord. He came back galloping on his horse to narrate the entire exciting incident to the beloved kumudhavalli. Kumudhavalli, before he started even, asked him as to why his face looked so bright, serene, divine and beaming that day. He said "kumudhA, I have reached the purpose of my manushya janmam kumudhA. I have seen NARAYANA, kumudhA. (nAn kaNdu koNdEn NARAYANAnai ). He was too excited to even complete his statements in a coherent manner. (After all, he has been initited by SarvEswaran Himself!). Kumudhavalli said, "Then, I have also reached the purpose of my deputation (by Lord through kapila muni)" and she narrated her story. Our AzhwAr became all the more blissful and happier to know that The Lord Sriya: pathih sent Kumudhavalli only to set him right from his wrong path and "ThadutthAkoLLified" him. He could not control his tears and sobbed heavily at the Lord's mercy on him. Then he sang GREAT PASURAMS (on NARAYANAN's name) and visited almost about 80 temples (out of 108 Divya dEsams). He built the fort and kOttai (ramparts) of Srirangam without affecting or spoiling ThoNdaradippodiAzhwAr's nandhavanam. ("pAdi pAdi paraparappAi thirinthAr") His compositions were : Periya thirumozhi Periya thirumadal SiRiya thirumadal Thiru nedunthANdakam (TNT) Thiru KurunthANdakam(TKT) Thiru vezhuk kurrirukkai. His pAsurams are marvellous; excellent and have unsurpassed beauty in them. parAsara Bhattar made use of his TNT to win over his counter part, a advaitin scholar in his arguments and later the advaitin became his disciple 'nam jeeyar'. Sri RanganAtha himself heard and was greatly pleased with that argument reenacted from Bhattar quoting from TNT (Please read excellent posts of Sri V. SadagOpan on TNT and TKT during Feb 96 from Bhakti Archives - a real feast to each one of you). Thirumangai AzhwAr (a KING, a person who enjoyed the bhOgams so much) walked all the way and visited almost all temples. He is simply GREAT, my dearest brothers and sisters. He is just SUPERB AzhwAr. His wordings are his outpourings straight from his heart. We will conclude this post with my favourite pAsuram of this AzhwAr: Here is one of his periya thirumozhi pasurams: vAdinEn vAdi varundhinEn manatthaal/ perun thuyaridum idumbaiyil piRanNdhu/ koodinEn koodi iLaiyavar thammOdu/ avar tharum kalaviyE karudhi/ OdinEn Odi uyvadhOr poruLaal/ uNarvenum perumpadhan therindhu/ naadinEn nAdi nadi nAn kaNdukoNdEn/ nArAyaNA vennum nAmam. Being born into this body, a reservior of profound sorrow, I am repenting, melting and crying, I am filled with pathos and self-pity;I have let myself run after beautiful women, seeking the sensual pleasures from their union; Through the grace of our Lord I have now realised that there is a greater goal and That will deliver me into eternal happiness; I have been searching for this state and have now found it in THE SWEET NAME NARAYANA. This pASsuram will bring tears to the eyes of any Vaishnava for AzhwAr's Bhakti and love and his heart longing for the lotus feet of our Lord Narayana. Thirumangai AzhwAr thiruvadigaLE saraNam

Courtesy ; http://sriramanujar.tripod.com/thirumangai.html

Story on Kaisga Ekadasi & Kaisiga Dwadasi- Reported by Sri Rangaraj Ramaswamy

In our Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya every Ekadasi (the 11th day of bright & black fortnight) has a special name. Accordingly during the Krittika month, the Ekadasi during the bright fortnight is called Kaishika Ekadasi (today some use the term Koushika Ekadasi, which is wrong; Sage Vishwamitra has nothing to do with this Ekadasi). Kaishika is a raga in music. How is this raga related with this Ekadasi will become clear in the course of this article!

Sri Varaha Puranam has this episode in its body. Once upon a time the earth got submerged in water. Lord Sriman Narayana assumed the garb of a wild boar and without hesitation entered the muddy water and brought out the earth from the deluge. Sri Bhoomi Piratti, who is the presiding deity, was very much upset by this tragic event. She was consoled and comforted by Lord Sriman Narayana, keeping Her on His lap. At that time she was very much worried about Her children on the earth. Their sufferings gave Her great sorrow and she desired to know a means (Upaya) for their deliverance from the worldly bondage. The Lord narrated the episode that took place in the village Thirukkurungudi near Thirunelveli in South India and assured Her that the sole means of salvation is singing His glory (Gana Rupa Upayam).

The story is as follows: Once there lived a man at Thirukkurungudi. He was fondly called Nampaduvan” (We do not know his Original name). He was born in a Chandala family who were known for their merciless nature and activities. But quite contrary to his family behavior he was very pious and deeply devoted to Lord Sriman Narayana. He used to fast during every Ekadasi day. Getting up very early in the morning on the next day he used to go to the vicinity of the temple with his veena in his hands and remaining at a distance from the temple as per the prescription of the shastras he used to sing songs in praise of the Lord going around the temple.

Once during the month of Krittika on a bright fortnight Dwadasi i.e the 12th day, he went to the temple early in the morning as usual. On the way he was met by a Brahma Rakshasa who was very hungry and who therefore expressed his desire to eat him up. Nampaduvan was very happy to offer his body for the food of Brahma Rakshasa. That was because his suffering in this world would come to an end and he would reach the abode of the Lord. But he prayed to the Brahma Rakshasa to spare some time so that he may go to the temple and sing the songs and return. But the Rakshasa was not ready to grant his request, as he would never return having made this false excuse. But Nampaduvan made 18 oaths to the effect that he would certainly return.

1. If I do not return as per my promise let me get the sin of a man who is a liar.

2. Let me get the sin of a person who commits adultery, if I don’t return.

3. While eating in the company of a person if a man differentiates in menu (i.e. serving inferior or less quantity of food to the guest), he gets a great sin (Papam). Let me get that sin, if I don’t return.

4. If a man donates a piece of an earth to a Brahmin and takes it back after some time he will certainly accrue sin. Let me get that sin, if I don’t return.

5. If a man enjoys the company of a woman during her youthful age and subsequently rejects her when she becomes old he is sure to get sin. Let me get that sin, if I don’t return.

6. Having performed ablution rite (Tharpanam) on Amavasya day and then recourse (physical relationship) to his wife the same day, he will entertain great sin. Let me get that sin, if I don’t return.

7. Having dined delicious dishes in the house of a host and then if a person showers heaps of abuse on his host, he is sure to meet with great sin. Let me get that sin, if I don’t return.

8. A man makes a solemn promise that he would give away his young daughter in marriage to a youth but later on breaks his promise, which would entertain sin. Let me get that sin, if I don’t return.

9. A man is prohibited from eating without taking bath on Shashti (the sixth day of both fortnight), Ashtami (the eighth day), Chaturdashi (the fourteenth day) and Amavasya (the fifteenth day of bright fortnight). Let me get that sin, if I don’t return.

10. A man promises to donate something to another man but he doesn’t keep up his promise. Let me get the sin of breach of promise if I fail to come back.

11. If a person tries to allure the wife of a friend who has helped him in manifold ways, he is sure of reaching hell. I will get that sin, if I fail to return.

12. If a person, afflicted by lust, enjoys the company of his revered teacher’s wife who is responsible for his salvation; and so also the company of the wife of a king who endows all worldly pleasure to him - he will be the worst sinner. I will suffer that sin by not keeping up my promise.

13. A man marries two girls without being impartial to both of them. If he evinces greater pleasure in the company of one rejecting the other, he is sure to accrue very great sin. Let me get that sin, if I don’t keep up my promise.

14. If a man divorces his wife who is very chaste and has no one to care for her, he will become a sinner. Let me be equated to him for not returning.

15. If a man causes obstruction to the cattle that are afflicted very much by thirst to drink water, he will get a sin. Let me also get that sin by breaking your faith in me.

16. Killing a Brahmin, addiction to liquor, stealing gold, breaking a vow are considered to be heinous crimes. Severe punishments are prescribed for a sinner, who commits all these crimes. Let me suffer all these punishments in case I fail to get back to you.

17. If some people worship only other deities and not Sri Vasudeva who is easily accessible to His votaries and is Omnipresent, they will get a great sin. Let me get that sin, if I do not return.

18. Sriman Narayana is the supreme deity. He is the inner soul for all created beings, both sentient and insentient. He is worshipped by all karmas (i.e. by all holy rites prescribed by the Shastras). He is to be meditated by all who are desirous of liberation. He alone has the ability to grant salvation. He is to be reached by all the liberated souls. Having understood the supreme qualities of the Lord, if a man equates Him to all other angels who are bound by karma, He will be born in this world again and again. Let me get that sin by breach of this promise.

All these promises did not convince or satisfy the Brahma Rakshasa, but the 18th one totally convinced him about the certainty of Nampaduvan’s return. We therefore have to understand that the last sin is the greatest sin of all sins. Hence it is to be meticulously avoided.

The Brahma Rakshas became pleased by all these promises and saluted Nampaduvan and bade him farewell so that he may fulfill his vow and come back to him.

Accordingly Nampaduvan went to the neighborhood of the temple and sang the songs as usual. Afterwards the day dawned. Having completed the vow pertaining to Ekadasi (i.e. spending sleepless night) Nampaduvan surrendered to the Lord. With great speed, he returned to the Rakshas as his heart was filled up with pleasure owing to his desertion of his body, which was inimical to his attaining salvation.

On his way a person met him. That man questioned him “Hello, where are you going with such speed?” Nampaduvan replied him in a sweet manner – “I am going to Brahma Rakshas. If I don’t find him where I met him before, and departed having made several promises, I will go in search of him and offer my body as food for him.”

That man desired to test his mind on hearing his steadfast resolve. He said "There stands a Rakshasa by birth. He is not righteous minded like Vibeeshana, but a worst criminal. You cannot escape from his cruel clutches, as he is a cannibal. Don’t go to that strong devil." Though exhorted by that man, Nampaduvan refused to listen to him and was very adamant in keeping up his promise. That stranger, who obstructed him and advised him, was none other than Sri Varaha (the Lord Himself). Nampaduvan found Brahma Rakshas at the same place and offered his body as a carcass (meat) for him, but the Rakshas, remembering his previous birth did not accept it. He narrated his previous life history. He was a Brahmin by name Somasarma in his former birth. While performing a sacrifice, he committed all sorts of blunder, as he was niggardly. Moreover a fatal disease in the course of performing sacrifice afflicted him. The result was his birth as Brahma Rakshasa.

Having given a detailed account of his previous life the Rakshasa knelt before Nampaduvan to grant him the merit of all these songs that he sang in praise of the Lord for a long time but the songster refused sternly. Finally being moved by pity he granted him the merit (Punya) of one song, which he sang that day morning which was in the raga named “Kaishika”. The Brahma Rakshas was relieved of his bond. Later he was born in a family of Vaishnava and at the end of the birth he reached Vaikunta.

This is the story narrated by Sri Varaha Perumal to Sri Bhoomi Devi. The whole episode as found in “Sri Varaha Puranam”, is taken up by Sri Parasara Bhattar for an elaborate commentary in Tamil. Every year the whole episode with all Sanskrit shlokas and commentary of Sri Bhattar is read out in all the Vishnu temples especially at Thirukkurungudi where the event actually took place. This is enacted on the stage even today. Those who take part in the festival or who hear the episode will be rid of their sins. Hence I gave this story in an abridged version.

What do we understand from this episode? Somasarma though a Brahmin became a Rakshasa, but Nampaduvan though a Chandala was able to expiate him of all his sins. Hence caste is not a criterion for us to salute a person. His deep devotion to the Lord, knowledge of the Lord and a total renunciation of all worldly pleasures are very important criteria. The caste is physical. It does not belong to the soul. Hence Nampaduvan was elevated to the highest order. In case of such holy men of that high order, consideration of the caste is an offence. They are equal to Nithyasooris. Hence our Acharyas equate Nampaduvan with Vishwamitra, Sri Vishnuchitta and ThondarAdiPodi Azhwar, all of whom sang divine songs in order to wake up the Lord (Thiruppalliyezhuchchi). The Lord (Sri Varaha) also showered on him love and affection and called him Nampaduvan (My Singer). Let us therefore be very careful in not committing Bhaagavata Apachara. This is what we learn from Kaishika Puranam.

(TKS TO SRI SRI KRISHNA FOR THIS REF / CONTRIBUTION)

Normally the Kaisika purAnam is to be recited on Dwadasi day (7th Dec) early morning in Brahma muhUrtham

You may like to recite the same along with this audio clip (by Sri Dr MA Venkatakrishnan Swami)

http://acharya.org/mmedia/audio/stotra/KP01/index.html

and refer the attached PDF page..

http://www.namperumal.com/kaisiga%20mahatmyam.pdf

What is this Kaisika and why this name?

Listen to this

http://acharya.org/mmedia/audio/stotra/KP01/index.html

and view this youtube:

Kaisika Puranam by D.A.Joseph (Part-1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf9jAO_hi2U

And you may recite the link here in PDF

http://mannaram.tripod.com/ramanuja/pdfs/kysikl.pdf

Here is a link on Kaisika Puranam and nampAduavan

http://www.narthaki.com/info/intervw/intrvw35a.html

http://www.salagram.net/ekadasi-2.htm

http://thiruvilwamala.tripod.com/id12.html