Bhagavad Vishayam - Onbatham Pathu 10tham Thiruvaimozhi Sarrumurai at Thirukkannapuram by Dr MAV

There are days which make you happy – 16^th Feb 2014 was one, for it was the perfect setting….. venue : a Great Divyadesam – Occasion : listening to Sri U.Ve. (Dr.) MA Venkatakrishnan Swami’s Bhagawad Vishayam lecture. 

Erudite scholar Dr. MAV swami has been delivering Bhagawad Vishyam discourse to an elite group for the past several months.  Swami has a got a lucid style of keeping the listeners engrossed detailing the greatness of Swami Nammalwar’s Thiruvaimozhi keeping absolutely path of “Puruvacharyargal’ ~ as one listens, one appreciates his in-depth knowledge of Tamil and Sanskrit grammar, his memory and knack of linking various commentaries of Purvacharyargal.

The divyadesam where we had the divine pleasure of listening was ‘Thirukannapuram” – the abode of Sri Sowri Raja Perumal.   The Neelamega Perumal temple situated near Nannilam on way to Nagapattinam from Mayiladuthurai is a big imposing temple with a beautifully made pond (Thirukulam).  The temple has a 7-tier rajagopuram and a vast temple complex.  A separate detailed post would soon follow on this temple….

On Sunday, it was “Sarrumurai discourse of Thiruvaimozhi – Onbatham Pathu – Patham Thiruvaimozhi [9^th canto – 10^th set verses] – “Maalai Nanni Thozhuthu Ezhumino”……. In these 11 verses  Swami Nammalwar guides us to go and prostrate before the Lord at Thirukkannapuram, Who for sure would give us everything including ‘moksham’ after one leaves the mortal World. 

MAV Swami brought out the quintessence of Thiruvaimozhi pasurams – on Prapathi, the surrender at the Lotus feet of the Lord.  MAV in his inimical style quoted from Acharya Hrudayam and Kanchi Swami explaining the primordial attributes of this great divyadesam.  Hearing the discourse, one was taken to the days of Azhwar whence this Divyadesam was in its pristine glory ~ a fortified place…..

Swami Nammazhwar in this canto describes the beautifully fortified temple mentioning in verses the ramparts of the temple variously as : “ வேலைமோதும் மதிள்சூழ் (கடலலை மோதப் பெற்ற மதிளாலே சூழப்பட்ட); வெள்ளியேய்ந்த மதிள்சூழ் ;  வானையுந்து மதிள்சூழ்;  அரணமைந்த மதிள்சூழ்; நன்பொனேய்ந்தமதிள்சூழ் ; மணிபொனேய்ந்தமதிள்சூழ்; ” ****

Concluding the discourse MAV Swami honoured the Sthalathars and Swami was also honoured by them.  His book on the most beautiful dancing Lord Sri Krishna titled “Vennaikku Aadum Pillai” was released on the occasion. 

Of the many Avatharams of Lord Maha Vishnu,  Sri Ramavatharam and Sri Krishnavatharam assume greater significance for their association with the greatest Ithihasams.  Every little thing about Lord Krishna is very interesting especially His youth, the way He grew up and the Leelas during those early days itself….. as a very special child Lord Krishna was fond of butter and was often caught stealing (Vennai Kalavu) – as MAV describes in this book, one of the many names of Lord Kannan is ‘Vennaikku Aadum Pillai’ [the title of the book meaning : the child who dances for butter] ~ in a very lucid manner, this book has 21 high quality articles of Krishna’s deeds with butter – combining the Pasurams, explanations of Purva Acharyargal, Sthothras, anecdotes from Ithihasa and more… this book is indeed a treasure to have and read.

All of us indeed felt very happy in having that golden opportunity of worshipping at so many Divyadesams, accompanying Dr MAV, hearing to the kalakshepa and spending time in a divine pervading atmosphere.

With great regards to my guru Dr MAV

Adiyen Srinivasan Sampathkumar [Srinivasa dhasan]

Masi Magam Samuthira Theerthavari - Mogappair Sri Santhana Srinivasa Perumal

14^th Feb 2014  is Masi Magam.  I had posted about the grand purappadu of Sri Parthasarathi Perumal in Garuda vahanam to Marina and the theerthavari at Bay of Bengal as also the purappadu of Egmore Srinivasa Perumal and Mylai Sri Madhava Perumal. 

This morning, the beach presented a holy sight of GODs ….         ~ the  vast expanse of Marina daily has so many people visiting starting with the early morning walkers to those who spend time happily in the evenings… but this day, the crowd was far different … they were the worshippers – those seeking divine blessings accompanying the Lord and had come for holy bath in the sea on the auspicious day of ‘masi magam’ ; the sea which was blessed with the Divine intervention was perhaps showing its happiness on seeing the holy crowd with huge tidal waves.

Alongside Sri Parthasarathi Perumal were many other Perumals including ~ Srinivasa Perumal  from Egmore on Garuda Vahanam;  Mylai Sri Madha Perumal  and this year there was Perumal from Mogappair.   Mogappair reportedly was once ‘Maga-p-peru’ [blessed with progeny] ~ as it happens, with persistent mispronunciation, the name became ‘Mugappair or Mogappair’….. there is the temple of Sri Santhana Srinivasa Perumal, the deity who grants the blessing of parenthood to his worshippers. 

There was congregation Perumals ~ and heads of Bakthas who took holy bath in the sea.  Here are some photos taken at Marina beach this morning.

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

14^th Feb 2o14

Masi Magam purappadu ~ congregation at Bay Of Bengal

14^th Feb 2014  is Masi Magam.  I had posted about the grand purappadu of Sri Parthasarathi Perumal in Garuda vahanam to Marina and the theerthavari at Bay of Bengal.  To have darshan of Perumal and be along with him, hundreds of bakthas accompanied Him to the beach and had bath in the sea.   Read the earlier post at :  http://tamil.sampspeak.in/2014/02/thiruvallikkeni-masi-magam-garuda-sevai.html

This morning, the beach presented a holy sight of GODs ….         ~ the  vast expanse of Marina daily has so many people visiting starting with the early morning walkers to those who spend time happily in the evenings… but this day, the crowd was far different … they were the worshippers – those seeking divine blessings accompanying the Lord and had come for holy bath in the sea on the auspicious day of ‘masi magam’ ; the sea which was blessed with the Divine intervention was perhaps showing its happiness on seeing the holy crowd with huge tidal waves.

Alongside Sri Parthasarathi Perumal were many other Perumals including ~ Srinivasa Perumal  from Egmore on Garuda Vahanam;  Mylai Sri Madha Perumal  and this year there was Perumal from Mogappair.   Here are photos of Srinivasa Perumal of Egmore and Mylai Madhava Perumal. There was congregation Perumals ~ and heads of Bakthas who took holy bath in the sea.  Here are some photos taken at Marina beach this morning.

 Sri Chakkarathazhwar above and

Sri Srinivasa Perumal of Egmore

Thiru Mayilai Sri Madhava Perumal

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

14^th Feb 2o14

PS: Mylai Madhava Perumal Photo courtesy : Bharathwaj Balaji Swamin.

Thiruvallikkeni Masi Magam Garuda Sevai 2014

Today [14^th Feb 2013] is Masi Magam.   At 05300 in the morning  Sri Parthasarathi  adorning beautiful  ornaments had purappadu astride Periya Thiruvadi ‘Garuda Vahanam’.

After a brief halt at Kangai Kondan Mandapam, Sri Parthasarathi visited the shores of Marina beach – the coast of Bay of Bengal.  “Theerthavari’  of Sri Chakkarathazhwaar was conducted.  The sea is not considered auspicious for bathing on ordinary days … but bathing in the sea is considered sacred on Pournami / Amavasyai / Grahana days [Full moon / dark moon / eclipse days]…. On this day, it is appropriate that ‘husband and wife’ together would take bathe … that too only after having a purificatory bath at home and then at Sea..

Hundreds of bakthas accompanied Sri Parthasarathi and had holy bath in the sea.  There was congregation of more Perumals ~ Srinivasa Perumal  from Egmore on Garuda Vahanam;  Mylai Sri Madha Perumal on Mena pallakku and more.   Here are some photos of the purappadu 

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

இன்று மாசி மகம் - மாசி மாதத்தில் பௌர்ணமி  நன்னாள். மாசி மகம் அன்று பெருமாள் கடல் மற்றும் நீர் நிலைகளுக்கு எழுந்து அருள்வது வழக்கம். இன்று அதிகாலை ஸ்ரீ பார்த்தசாரதி எம்பெருமான் கருட வாகனத்தில் அழகாக எழுந்து அருளினார்.   கங்கைகொண்டான் மண்டபத்தில் மண்டகப்படி கண்டருளி நல்ல தம்பி தெரு வழியாக மெரினா  கடற்கரைக்கு எழுந்து அருளினார். 

ஸ்ரீ பார்த்தசாரதி பெருமாள்,   வங்கக் கடலில் மெரினா அருகே (முன்பு சீரணி அரங்கம், திலகர் திடல் இருந்த இடம்) எழுந்து அருளினார்.   முன் காலத்தில் பெருமாளுக்கு அழகான பந்தல் போடப்பட்டு திருமஞ்சனம் கண்டு அருளினது ஞாபகம் உள்ளது. கால போக்கில் பல விழயங்கள் மாறி உள்ளன. சமீபகாலங்களில் பெருமாள் எழுந்து அருள்வது மட்டுமே நடை பெறுகிறது. 

அதிகாலை ஸ்ரீ பார்த்தசாரதி பெருமாள்  கடல் அருகே எழுந்து அருளிய உடன், ஸ்ரீ  சக்கரத்தாழ்வார் தீர்த்தவாரி நடை பெற்றது.  உடன் திரண்டிருந்த நூற்றுக்கணக்கான பக்தர்கள் கடலில் குளித்தனர். சாதாரண நாட்களில் கடலில் குளிக்க கூடாது என்பர் பெரியோர் - இன்று போன்ற முக்கிய தினங்களில் குளிப்பது புண்ணியமாக கருதப்படுகிறது. இன்று காலை  எடுத்த சில புகைப்படங்கள் இங்கே.

 Allikkeni Arulicheyal goshti

 Sri Chakkarathazhwar

Thiruvallikkeni Sri Parthasarathi - Rohini Nakshathiram purappadu

At  Thiruvallikkeni Divyadesam, on Thiruvonam and Rohini Thirunakshathirams, there will be Chinna mada veethi purappadu of Sri Parthasarathi Emperuman.  

Today, it was special ~ on this Rohini day [9^th Feb 2014] there was Periya Mada veethi purappadu

Here are some photos taken during the purappadu

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

Sri Nanjeeyar Avathara Sthalam at Melukote Thirunarayanapuram

Sri Nampillai, in the Acharya paramparai is known for his scholastic excellence. He was the disciple of Sri Nanjeeyar.   On Sept. 21, 2013, [thanks to Dr MA Venkata Krishnan Swami] a large group of us had the divine opportunity of being at ThiruNarayanapuram [Melukote] ~ a place of scholastic excellence  for Sri Vaishnavism ~  the land where our Great Acharyar Sri Ramanujar lived ~ the abode of Sri Cheluva Narayana Swami [we call Him SelvaNaranan].  The Temple is ‘Sri SelvaNarayana Perumal Kovil’ at Melkote referred to by us as ThiruNarayanapuram, Abhimana sthalam of Udayavar, who lived here for 12 years, codified and ordained strict procedures for betterment of Sri Vaishnavism. 

The birthplace of Thirumalai Ananthalwan is  the small village known as Siruputhur ‘Kiranganoor’ [Hale Kiranguru] in Srirangapatna taluk.  Thirunarayanapuram besides the Temple, and living place of Ramanujacharya, is the birth place of Swami Namjeeyar.  Besides the pristine temple, there is the Kalyani Pushkarini, the temple of Yoga Narasimha on the hillock, Sri Manavala Mamunigal sannithi  and the  birth place of Sri Vaishnava Acharyar – Sri Nanjeeyar. The sannathi at the birthplace stands renovated and has the idol of  Nampillai also here.

Sri Nanjeeyar the one with unparalleled knowledge, one who was hailed by the well-read,  by the grace of his Acharyan Sri Parasara Battar – gave us the commentary fondly called ‘Onbathinarayippadi’ for the Thiruvaimozhi of Swami Nammalwar.  Here is something on the Acharyar Nanjeeyar.

Originally, he was known as Madavaacharyar also called Vedanti – who lived in Thirunarayanapuram.  As his name indicates (Vedanti), had a very good knowledge in Vedantams.  Our Great Acharyar Sri Ramanujar brought him to the fold of Srivaishnavism through Sri Parasa battar.  Vedanthi was known for feeding people ~ Swami Battar went to his place, debated with him and after a lengthy debate, Vedanti understood the greatness of philosophy of Sri Vaishnavism  ~ on his way to Thiruvarangam, he Swami Anandaazhwan and got his blessings. At Thiruvarangam, the prostrating Vedanti was fondly embraced by our Acharyar Swami Battar called him Namjeeyar (meaning our Jeeyar)  The discussions between Battar and Nanjeeyar were of the highest order – imparting knowledge. 

Sri Nanjeeyar’s work – ‘Onbathinaayirappadi’ is hailed as a rich commentary. Here are some photos taken at the renovated Avathara Sthalam at Melukote Thirunarayanapuram. 

Azhwar Emperumanaar Jeeyar Thiruvadigale Saranam

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan 

Ratha Sapthami - Surya Prabhai purappadu at Thiruvallikkeni 2014

Thiruvallikkeni Ratha Sapthami - Surya Prabai Purappadu 6^th Feb 2014.

Today – 6^th  Feb 2014(24^th  day of Thai masam in Tamil calendar)  is a very auspicious day – Ratha Sapthami.  Ratha means chariot. Sapthami is a thithi in a lunar month falling on the 7^th  day of both sukla and Krishna paksha.   Ratha Sapthami also Surya Jayanthi is celebrated on 7^th day after Thai Amavasai-  Shukla paksha (waxing phase of moon)  dedicated to God Surya.   It is believed that earth’s inclination towards the sun is the steepest on the day.

Special bathing rituals are observed in some regions today.  Surya (Sun) worship is deep rooted in the Vedas and other Hindu scriptures.  Today  is celebrated as the birth of Surya to Sage Kashyapa and his wife Aditi and celebrated as Surya Jayanthi in many parts. Legend has it that the greatest warrior Bhishma breathed last the day after the Ratha Sapthami day.  The Pithamaha is one the greatest characters in the Epic Mahabaratha and the asthami is revered as “Bhishmaashtami”.

The sun god is driven by a seven-horsed Chariot depicting the seven days of the week.   Going by Upanishad, their names are : Gayatri, Brhati, Usnik, Jagati, Tristup, Anustup and Pankti.  The charioteer of Surya is Aruna, who is also personified as the redness that accompanies the sunlight in dawn and dusk.  Aruna was born to Vinatai and Sage Kashyapa….. the other son is the most illustrious Periya Thiruvadi (Sri Garuda Azhwar)  ~ to Aruna was born Jatayu and Sampati, who are mentioned in the epic Ramayana.

Uttarayana is the six month period between Makara sankranti (Jan 14) and July 14 when Sun travels towards North in the celestial sphere. Ratha saptami marks the seventh day following the Sun’s northerly movement of vernal equinox starting from Capricorn (Makara).  A journey from Makara rekai to Kadaka rekai – Capricorn to Cancer. Today symbolically represents the Sun God Surya turning his Ratha (chariot) drawn by seven horses towards northern hemisphere in a north-easterly direction.

Traditionally in villages, Rangoli kolam is drawn with coloured rice powder depicting Chariot drawn by horses. From today, the days would get warmer, especially in South India. This is an important annual festival at Vaishnavaite temples.  Today, it was celebrated grandly in Thiruvallikkeni also. Early morning, Sri Parthasarathi Emperuman  had purappadu on Surya prabhai with 7 horses drawing it. .  here are some photos taken this morning.

In Greek mythology, Helios is the personification of Sun, imagined to be handsome god crowned with the shining aureole of the Sun.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.