Thirukachi Nambigal Sarrumurai : 'மாசி மிருகசீர்ஷம்'

Today 27^th Feb 2015 is Masi Mirugaseersham nakshathiram denoting the Sarrumurai (Birth celebrations) of Acharyar Thirukachi Nambigal .  Due to balalayam, there is no purappadu at Thiruvallikkeni.  Here is something excerpted and reposted from my earlier posts.

ஆலவட்டம் :  துணி, பனையோலை முதலியவற்றால் செய்யப்பட்ட,

வட்டமான பெருவிசிறி

இன்று 'மாசி மிருகசீர்ஷம்'  - திருக்கச்சி நம்பிகளின் அவதார திருநாள்.   திருக்கச்சி நம்பிகள் - எம்பெருமானாருக்கு ஆச்சார்யர் ஆவார்.  இவர் சௌம்ய வருஷம்,  1009 ஆம் ஆண்டு,  வைசிய குல திலகரான வீராரகவருக்கும் கமலைக்கும் அவதரித்தார். இவரது அவதார ஸ்தலம் : பூவிருந்தவல்லி.  சென்னையில் இருந்து பெங்களூர் காஞ்சிபுரம், ஸ்ரீபெரும்புதூர், திருவள்ளூர், திருப்பதி செல்லும் மார்க்கத்தில் இந்த ஊர் உள்ளது.   இவ்வூர் தர்மபுரீ என்றும் புருஷமங்கலம் என்றும் பெயர் பெற்றிருந்தது எனவும் திருக்கச்சி நம்பிகள் திருநந்தவனம் வைத்த காரணத்தால், பூவிருந்தவல்லி என்னும் பெயர் பெற்றது எனவும் அறிகிறோம்.   பூந்தமல்லி பேருந்து நிலையத்துக்கு மிக  அருகில் உள்ள ஸ்ரீவரதராஜ பெருமாள் கோவில் திருக்கச்சிநம்பிகள் சம்பந்தப்பட்டது.  புராதானமான  இக்கோவிலில், திருக்கச்சி  வரதராஜர், ஸ்ரீரங்கம் ரங்கநாதர், திருப்பதி ஸ்ரீநிவாசர் என மூவரும் சந்நிதி கொண்டுள்ளனர். இங்கே உள்ள தாயார் திருநாமம் : புஷ்பவல்லி தாயார்.  திருக்கச்சி நம்பிகள் அவதரித்த ஆயிரமாவது ஆண்டு  சமீபத்தில், 2009ஆம் ஆண்டு  விமர்சையாய் கொண்டாடப்பட்டது.

Thiruvallikkeni Thirukachi Nambigal - photos of earlier years

Living in Chennai, you would for sure have travelled by this road – the arterial road connecting Chennai to its suburb…. Approx 25 km stretch starting from Muthusamy Bridge near Medical college, winds through Ega, Pachaiyappas, Aminjikarai, Ampa Skywalk, DG Vaishnav, Maduravoyal … reaches Poovirundhavalli (Poonamallee) ….. it was once the point through all vehicles travelled towards Sriperumpudur, Kanchipuram, Bangalore … Thirumazhisai, Thiruvallur, Thiruttani, Tirupathi…. This road has more hospitals than any other roads in the city and is popularly known as the city's 'Med street'.  The town of Poonamallee is situated at a distance of 23 kilometres from Fort St George and 17 kilometres from Sriperumbudur on the Chennai-Bangalore highway.  

The name "Poonamallee" is derived from "Poovirundavalli", meaning "the place where flowers are cultivated". In Sanskrit, the place is called Pushpakavalli.  Near the main bus stand is the temple of Lord Varadharaja whose consort is Pushpakavalli, who gave this place the name ~ and this place is more significant to us for its attachment to our Acharyar who lived 1000 years ago and who had a great role in the life of our Greatest Acharyar Sri Ramanujar.

Acharyar Thirukachi Nambigal  was born to  Veeraghava chettiyar  and Kamalai.  He was the disciple of Aalavanthar and had association with Thirukoshtiyur Nambigal too.  Thirukachi Nambigal is reverred for his devoted committed service of  ‘thiru aalavatta kainkaryam – (service of providing air by hand fan) to Devathirajar, the Lord at Thirukachi.  Nambigal is reverred as acharyan of Swami Ramanujar.  In the Kaliyuga, Nambigal was blessed that Sri Perarulalar spoke to Nambigal in person and through him, Devathirajar gave message of ‘Six words’ to Ramanuja – of which ‘Aham Eva Param Thatvam’ – Lord Sriman Narayana is Supreme is the first message. 

On this day let us prostrate at the feet of Acharyar Thirukachi Nambigal, Sri Bhagawath Ramanuja and all our Acharyar and pray to Sriman Narayana for all good things in life and after.  At Thiruvallikkeni generally it would have been  Thavana Uthsavam and sarrumurai of Acharyar.  But due to renovation works, there is no purappadu today.   

 Adiyen Srinivasadhasan

Nambigal at Thirukachi – courtesy VN Kesavavbashyam

Here is another interesting repost.  When searching for some details, stumbled upon the website of Desikan.  Have read his posts earlier, as am also a very ardent fan of Sujatha.  Here is something taken from Desikan's web (with his due permission and thanks to him)-  Nandri :  http://sujathadesikan.blogspot.in/2010/01/blog-post_8257.html

முதல் பராந்தகன் (கிபி 907-954) கல்வெட்டில் ‘புலியூர்கோட்டத்துப் பூந்தண்மலி’ என்ற சொற்றொடர் இந்த ஊரைத்தான் குறிக்கிறது என்கிறார்கள். கிபி 13 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு கல்வெட்டுகள் நான்கு இந்தக் கோயிலில் இருக்கின்றன. இந்தக் கல்வெட்டுகளில் செம்பாக்கததைச் சேர்ந்த ஒருவர் விளக்கு எரிய ஒரு பசுவை வழங்கினார் என்றும், சேரன் இரவிவர்மன் (கிபி 1275-1290) மானியம் வழங்கினார் என்றும் இருக்கிறது.

கோயில் அர்ச்சகரிடம், திருக்கச்சி நம்பிகள் வாழ்ந்த வீடு இன்னும் இருக்கிறதா என்று கேட்டேன். “இங்கே தான் எங்கேயாவது இருக்கணும்… இப்ப கடை எல்லாம் வந்து அந்த இடமே எங்கே என்று தெரியாமல் போய்விட்டது” என்று பட்டும் படாமலும் சொன்னார். கொஞ்சம் நேரம் கழித்து “எனக்கு அவர் வசித்த இடத்தைக் காண்பிக்க முடியுமா?” என்று மீண்டும் கேட்டேன். “இப்படியே நேராகப் போய் வலது பக்கம் திரும்பினால் நம்பி தெரு வரும்; அங்கே ஒரு பிள்ளையார் கோயில் இருக்கு அது தான் நம்பி இருந்த வீடு…இப்ப அவருடைய 1000 வருஷத்துல அதை மீட்க நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க போறதா சொல்றா” என்றார்.

நம்பி தெருவில் ஒருவரிடம் பிள்ளையார் கோயில் எங்கே இருக்கிறது என்று கேட்டேன். “எந்தப் பிள்ளையார் கோயில்? இங்க மூணு பிள்ளையார் கோயில் இருக்கு” என்றார். அப்போதுதான் எனக்கு அங்கே போகும் குறுக்கு சந்தில் எல்லாம் பிள்ளையார் இருக்கிறார் என்று தெரிந்தது.

“நம்பி தெரு பிள்ளையார்” என்று நம்பிக்கையாகக் கேட்டேன். அவர் என்னை ஒரு மாதிரி பார்த்துவிட்டு நேராகப் போக சொன்னார். அதற்குள் வேறு ஒருவர் “சார் உங்களுக்கு யாரை பார்க்கணும்?” என்றார்.

“நம்பி வீடு”

“இது நம்பி தெரு, நீங்க யாரைப் பார்க்கணும்?” என்று கேள்வியை மாற்றிக் கேட்டார்.

“நம்பி தெருவில் இருக்கும் நம்பியின் வீட்டை,” என்றேன் திரும்ப. அவர் ஒன்றும் சொல்லாமல் போய்விட்டார்.

நம்பி தெருவில் அந்த பிரசித்தி பெற்ற பிள்ளையார் கோயிலுக்குப் பக்கத்தில் சென்றபோது பல கேஸ் சிலிண்டர்கள் அடுக்கப்பட்டு பிள்ளையார் ஒளிந்துக்கொண்டு இருந்தார். கோயில் பக்கத்தில் ஒரு பழைய கட்டிடம் மூடியிருந்தது, பக்கத்தில் இருந்தவரிடம் அது என்ன என்று கேட்டேன் “அது ஏதோ பழைய மண்டபம், இப்ப அது உரம் வைக்கற கோடவுனாக இருக்கிறது” என்றார்.

“உரமா ?”………..“ஆமங்க வியசாயத்துக்கு”

அந்த கோடவுன் மீது ஏதோ 3வது வட்ட தலைவர் பெயர் எழுதியிருந்தது.

அங்கிருந்து தமிழ்நாடு அறநிலையத் துறை அதிகாரி ஒருவருக்கு தொலைபேசியில் பேசியபோது அவர், “ஆமாங்க அந்த கோடவுன் தான் திருக்கச்சி நம்பிகள் இல்லம், அது இப்ப பாழடைஞ்சு இருக்கு” என்றார்.

“அத உர கோடவுனா யூஸ் பண்ணிக்கிட்டு இருக்காங்களாமே ?”

“ஆமாங்க அதை கோயிலோட சேர்க்க நடவடிக்கை எடுத்துகிட்டிருக்கோம்”

திருக்கச்சி நம்பிகள் திருமாளிகையை நம்பிக்கே விட்டுக்கொடுத்தால் நம்பி தெரு பிள்ளையாருக்கு ஒரு தேங்காய் உடைப்பதாக வேண்டிக்கொண்டேன்.

நம்பிக்கை தான் !!!!

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91st Thirunakshathiram Celebrations of H.H. Sri Perumpudur Appan Parakala Ramanuja Embar Jeeyar Swami.

25^th Feb 2015 [Masi Krithigai] is a day of importance !

For Srivaishnavaites – divyadesams assume great significance as these are the places where our Great Azhwars visited and sung about the Lord. Equally important are the places associated with Azhwagal and Acharyargal….. around 50 kms away from the city of Chennai on the Bangalore Highway lies Sriperumpudur, the birthplace of Sri Ramanujar - after Sriperumpudur comes Sunkuvar Chathiram  - here one has to branch off  right and travel around 5-6 kms… to reach Madhuramangalam, the birth place of Embar.

Sri Ramanujar has the pride of place in the list of our Acharyars; he is hailed as Udayavar, Emperumanar, Bashyakarar, Ilayazhwaar, Yathirajar, Thiruppavai Jeeyar, Num Kovil annan,  amongst other names.   Our darsana Sthapakar, Sri Ramanujar rightly reverred as ‘Yathi Rajar’ ~ the king among yathis [hermits and sages, the greatest reformer he was, Ramanuja gave us many vedantic treatises - toured the entire Country, making the Srivaishnavatie tradition flourish in all his path.  Of those who remained closest to Sri Ramanuja – Sri  Mudaliandan, Sri Koorathazhwan, Sri Embar,  Sri Ananthazhwan, Arulalaperumal Emperumanar, Kidambi Achaan, Thirukurugai Piraan Pillan, Thiruvarangathu Amuthanar and more. 

25^th Feb 2015 happens to be the day of 91^st Thirunakshathiram of His Holiness Sri Perumpudur Appan Parakala Ramanuja Embar Jeeyar Swami.  The 1^st peedapathi of this Embar Mutt was Sri Krishnan Swami who travelled wide and finally established a Mutt at Sriperumpudur known as Sri Perumpudur Embar Jeeyar Mutt.  The mutt was founded by him in 1834 CE.

The Varthamana Jeeyar is HH Srimath Paramahamsethyadhi  Appan ParakAla EmbAr Jeeyar swamy. This swamy was popularly known as Kumaravadi Ramanujachariar in his purvasraman [i.e., before accepting sanyasam].  Swami is a renowned scholar, known for his exceptional clarity and style of writing and deliverance of kalakshepams. Swami was fondly known as ‘Che Ra’ – was with Dinamani and ran Srivaishnava Sampradhaya magazine “Thirumal” – wrote many books too.   On 25^th a Committee consisting of Sri Vaishnava Scholars have arranged for programmes comprising Dhivyaprabandha sevakalam, Vedha Parayanam; meeting; mangalasasanam by many Jeeyars and book release. 

Sri Embar Jeeyar Swami is very active and visits many divyadesams with exceptional regularity.  He has presided over many vidwat sadas and has been propagating Srivaishnavaite doctrines.  Swami was present  on 22^nd Feb 2015 at the  961^st  Birth day celebrations of Thirumalai Ananthai Pillai at holy Thirumala  alongside  His Holiness Thirumalai Periya Kelviappan Sri Satakopa Ramanuja Periya Jeeyar Swami,  His Holiness Thirumalai Ilaiya Kelviappan Sri Govinda Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar  Swami,   His Holiness Melkote Yadugiri Yathiraja Jeeyar Swami, Thirukovalur Jeeyar Swami  and many other adhyapakas from various divyadesams.

I fall at the feet of these great Yathis who guide us towards eternal Sriman Narayana with the blessings of our Acharyas. 

Sometime back in Sept. 2010, recall that the two Yathis – Sree Govinda Yathiraja Jeeyar Swami and  Sreemath Paramahamsa Appan Parakala Ramanuja Embaar Jeeyar Swami were present at our native village Mamandur [Dusi Mamandur approx 9 kms away from Kanchi after river Palaru].  Here is a photo of Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal during  the Samprokshanam and Jeeyars attending the same.

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

Here are photos of the Jeeyar Swami taken on various occasions ….

PS:  Acknowledge with  thanks the inputs taken from  Sri Thotathri Sarathi 

Thirumalai Ananthan Pillai 961st Thiru Avathara Mahothsavam ~ Thirumala 2015

The name 'Pandavapura' means "Town of Pandavas".  Pandavapura having paddy and sugarcane fields is 130 km from Bangalore and 25 km from Mysore. There are many jaggery manufacturing units too adding sweetness to the town which has Cauvery water flowing through Visweswarayya Canal.  To us, devout Sri Vaishnavaites, this place – to be specific a small village known as Siruputhur ‘Kiranganoor’ [Hale Kiranguru] in Srirangapatna taluk is of significance as it is associated with one of our Acharyars ~ and can you connect it the Holiest of places “Thirumala Thirupathi” . 

Sri Ananthazhwaan was born in year 1053 near Mysore in a village called ‘siruputhoor’ ~ now called Hale Kiranguru.  When Udayavar was rendering kalakshepam on Thiruvaimozhi, (the verse – sindhu poo magizhum Thiruvengadathu – meaning the place replete with flowers), Udayavar asked whether anybody would do the pushpa kainkaryam at Thirumala.  Remember, Tirupathi was a very dense jungle ridden with wild animals with adverse weather.  Ananthazhwaan readily came forward and said that he would go, if Udayavar so desires.  Udayavar was so elated that he praised Ananthazhwaan as the real man and till date, his descendents have the name ‘Thirumalai Ananthanpillai’ meaning manly.

திருமலையில் சிறப்பு வைபவம் -

திருமலை அனந்தான்பிள்ளை திருவவதார மகோத்சவம் :

Thirumalai Ananthan Pillai Uthsavam at Thirumala 2015

Fortunate to attend the 961^st  Thiruvavathara Uthsvam of Thirumalai Ananthan Pillai held at Thirumala Tirupathi on Sunday 22^nd Feb 2015.

As ordained by Swami Ramanujacharya, Thirumalai Ananthalwan, a great Acharyar did devoted service for Thiruvengadamudayan, about 1000 years ago.  Sure you would have had darshan of Lord Venkateswara – Tirupathi Balaji so many times – have you not noticed the ‘crowbar’ kept at the Main entrance to the temple and do you know it's legend.  If not, do observe and bow obeisance the next time, you enter the Holy entrance at Thirumala.

Of the many divyadesams sung by Azhwaargal, Thirumala occupies a very prominent position.  Our Acharyan Emperumanaar (Udayavar, Ramanujar, Bashyakarar……….) did many service to the Lord here and Udayavar was instrumental in many of the religious practices being established in Thirumala.  His disciple ‘Thirumalai Ananthazhwaan’  served the Lord here as ordained by his Acharyar. 

Legend has it that Ananthazhwaan was organizing ‘a flower garden’ – he was constructing a lake for supply of water on the hills – an extremely arduous work.  Lord Balaji in one of His Thiruvilayadals, came to the place and tried helping him.  Wrongly assuming the person as hindering the work, Ananthazhwaan threw the crowbar at the Lord (without knowing Him); later realised his folly and got the Divine Blessings of Lord.  This  crowbar is now seen at the entrance of the Templeof Supreme Lord Thiruvengadam Udaiyaan.  Thirumalai Ananthazhwaan continued his floral and other services to Lord Srinivasar for many years. He was so devoted in his service ordained by Ramanujacharya that for him, it was service that was of primary importance, even when compared to God.   In the holy shrine of Thirumala, there is the beautiful sannathi of Sri Ramanujacharya.   The Vigraham of Sri Ramanujar that we worship inside the Sri Vari Temple was given by Udayavar himself and installed by Ananthalwar. 

The garden created by Ananthazhwaan is now known as ‘Puraisaivari Thottam’.  It lies on the back side of the temple near Chinna Jeeyar Mutt and one can reach this place through the Thirumala Museum also.    Now there is a beautiful brundavanam at this place maintained by the descendents of Thirumalai Ananthazhwaan.  The lake created by him now stands majestically as ‘Ramanuja lake” replete with water on the hill !!   Twice in a year,  Sri Malayappar visits this place [Baag Savari]  and honours Ananthazhwaan now in the form of Magizha maram.  ‘Sri Venkatesa Ithihasa maala’ is considered the best amongst the many works of Thirumalai Ananthazhwaan

For the past few years, anniversary Uthsavam of Sri Ananthazhwaan is being celebrated at his place at Thirumala.   It is being organized by his descendents, well supported by Thirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam, through its ‘Alwar Divya Prabandha Project’.   Almost a decade back, when it was organized for the first time, the place wore not so great looks, but over the years has been improved and maintained so well that it is a fitting tribute to Thirumalai Ananthazhwaan who did yeoman service to Lord Srinivasar. 

This year it was 961^st  Birth day celebrations which was  very well organized.  His Holiness Thirumalai Periya Kelviappan Sri Satakopa Ramanuja Periya Jeeyar Swami,  His Holiness Thirumalai Ilaiya Kelviappan Sri Govinda Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar  Swami,  His Holiness Sriperumpudur Embaar Jeeyar Swami,  His Holiness Melkote Yadugiri Yathiraja Jeeyar Swami, Thirukovalur Jeeyar Swami  presided over the divyaprabandha goshti. There were hundreds of Kalakshepa Athigarigal,  Athyapakars from various divyadesams, Ubaya Vedantha periyavargal and many youngsters who participated in the ‘Thiruvaimozhi Goshti’.  There were kalakshepams by renowned scholars too.

Let us worship the feets of Thirumalai Ananthazhwaan who was renowned for his knowledge, devotion, steadfastness and more good qualities. Some photos taken during the celebrations are here  :

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan. 

the magizha maram - Acharyar himself and his statue below

the story of Acharyar Ananthazhwan

Swami Udayavar Ananthazhwanai niyamithal

Ananthazhwar doing kainkaryam to Thiruvengadamudaiyan

Swami Emperumanar sannathi inside Thirumala Temple

Srinivasar purappadu to thiruvarasu of Ananthazhwar and mariyadhai

Jeeyars at the Function

Sri Ramanujar pushkarini at purasaivari thottam

Sri Sita Ramaswami Gudi ~ Kakinada.

Train no. 17643  takes you there ….. it is called ‘Pensioner’s paradise; and 2^nd Madras’ it is the HQ of East Godavari District, Kakinada ~ also called Cocanada.  Most trains are named after Gods, rivers and important places in the origin or destination – but this one is a bit different  - it is known as Circar Express ! The word ‘Circar’ – noun would mean a District or part of a Province.  More on a different post.  

In this industrial city which has Fertilizer plants and known for vegetable oil extraction plants, old heritage still coexists with modernity. The people of Kakinada are very affable and are characterized by Godavari Telugu accent.  There is the Subash Road [named after Netaji Subash Chandra Bose], which in fact is the Main Road.  On the main road, existed the Town Hall and just opposite Town Hall is the Temple of Sri Sita Rama, which should be at least a century old. A traditional Vaishnavaite temple referred as ‘Pedda Ramalayam’ it is the Sri Sita Ramaswami temple, one of the oldest temples of Kakinada.

Not a very big temple ~ but neatly maintained one where lot of bakthas come daily.  The presiding deity is ‘Sri Rama’ as ‘Sri Sita Rama’ having Sitadevi in His lap and in a seated posture.  The temple lies on the Main road with tradition 5 layered Gopuram.  In the main sannathi, Lord Sri Rama is in seated posture having Sri Sita on his lap. There is a separate sannathi for Goda Devi [Andal - Kothai Piratti] and another housing all Azhwars and Acharyar.

During Margazhi, corresponding to Pagal Pathu in Sri Vaishnavaite temples down south, 10 days of festivity gets celebrated as ‘Dasavathara Sevai’. Each day, the Moolavar is decorated representing the ten avathars of Sri Maha Vishnu. Unlike the sarrupadi [alankaram] seen in Temples of Tamilnadu, here they have silvercast of Avathars, which would be placed in front of the Lord, and would represent the Avathar of the day.  Thiruppavai Uthsavam gets celebrated in the month of Margazhi with traditional fervour.

After many years had the fortune of worshipping Sri Sitarama on 28^th Nov 2012. It was another festivity ~ this time Dasavatharam – [mini dasavatharam] as the silver ones were much smaller in size and hence one can have darshan of the Avatharam as also the Moolavar ~ the presiding deity.  On 28^th it was Narasimha Avatharam and on the next day, it was Vamana Avatharam. 

Here are photos of the temple as seen from outside, the Moolavar, Uthsavar, Azhwargal, Sri Narasimha Avatharam and Vamana avatharam.

Jai Sri Ram.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.

the temple as seen on Main road, Kakinada

the main entrance to the century old temple

the dwajasthambam and sannathi entrance

a view of Vimana and Gopuram from inside.

Moolavar Sri Sita Ramar and special - Narasimha Avatharam

Uthsavar - Sri Sitaramar

Azhwargal - Acharyargal in the sannathi.

Moolavar - Special Vamana Avatharam

Thaiyil Hastham ~ Sri Koorathazhwan Sarrumurai

Today, 8^th Feb 2o15 is a day of significane ~ today is ‘hastha’ nakshathiram in ‘thai’ -  the day on which a great saint ‘Swamy koorathaazhwan’ was born, thousand and five  years ago.  We are fortunate to read something about this mahan Sri Srivathsa Chinna Misrar, who was a living example of Sri Vaishnava lakshanam. This song by Thiruvarangathu Amuthanar in ‘Ramanuja Nootranthathi’ typifies his glory.

Num Swami was born on Thai Hastham in Kooram village near Kanchipuram. He was the King of Kooram and every day he organized feeding bhakthas in a grandiose manner. After realization, he renunciated all his material wealth to the poor and set on foot to Srirangam. There he identified his noble Guru, the enlightened Sri Ramanujacharya, obeyed him and became the choicest and most celebrated disciple of him. A strange bond of kinship developed between master and student over the years. Kuresar was Ramanuja’s aide in scriptural study, disputations and exegesis acting as a faithful shadow.

Acharyar Ramanujar was  institutionalizing his philosophy and set about writing down the principles later known as ‘Ramanuja darsanam’. In this he was assisted by the principal disciples – Kuresan, Dasarathi  and Embar.   In search of  ‘boddhayana vrutti’ – a rate treatise on Vyasa brahma sutra that  was lying somewhere obscure in a Kashmiri state, Sri  Ramanujar at a ripe age  undertook a digvijayam by foot in pursuit of the vrutti and propagating his message. Kuresan also accompanied him. Kuresan by sheer power of his prodigious memory was able to accurately recall vast passages from the vrutti word by word  assisting the making of  commentary  of Acharya on Vyasa’s brahma sutra.   

Many of you would have seen the film Dasavatharam which had many factual mistakes especially about history and religion. The character of “Nambi” – the kallai mattum kandal – was portrayal (though not appropriately) of Kuresan. (see post script).

Sri Ramanuja and Kuresan were septugenarians when the Chola kingdom was ruled by tyrant Kulothungam who was to be known as kirimikanda chozhan. He was bent on rooting out Vaishnavism and trying to destroy Ramanuja issued summon to Acharya to appear in his court to punish him in some manner. Getting wind of the king’s evil designs, the disciples dissuaded Acharya from going to Gangaikondachozhapuram and Kuresan volunteered to go as His proxy. With great anguish  the Acharya left Srirangam to the land of Melkote and lived in exile for over 12 long years.  When Kuresar declined to write according to the designs of the King, the  incensed King ordered his courtiers to harm Mahapurnar and blood streamed out the eyeless cavities giving poignant agony. Mahapurnar breathed his last on the lap of Kuresan.

After this unsavoury incident, a blinded Kuresan  returned to Srirangam. After a few years he reached the town of Thirumalirum cholai (Kallalagar koil, Madurai)Swami gave us gift of 5 granthas called ‘panchasthavams’  Heard from knowledgeable sources that the sthavam on Azhagar though written at a stage when he was suffering with blindness, old age and being away from his Guru, he vowed to praise the Lord without any self-pity and everything is only positive in his writing.   Such was his will power and devotion to Almighty and Acharya.  Kuresan despite the great physical handicap continued all kainkaryam and remained eternally faithful shadow of Acharyar. Ramanujar took his dearest disciple to Lord Varadharaja and commanded Kuresan to pray for restoration of eye sight. Kuresar agreed for restoration of eye sight for seeing none else than his Acharyan; when Ramanujar commanded, he prayed that moksham be granted to himself and also to Nalooraan, a person who had sort of betrayed the Acharyar before the Chozha, wishing that all srivaishnavaites be blessed. Such was his benevolence even for those who had done harm.

Kuresar prayed to Ranganatha to release him from his mortal body and be merged at the Lotus feet and received the supreme blessing. This he did to go in advance and welcome his Master. Kuresan passed away peacefully.   On the day of his Thirunakshathiram, let us fall at the feet of Kuresan and pray for all good things from him and from Ramanujar.

Azhwar Emperumanaar Jeeyar Thiruvadigale Saranam.

Adiyen – Srinivasa Dhasan.

PS 1 : the cinema ‘Dasavatharam’ might have been well taken, but the dialogues and intense abhorrence for Hinduism and its values are apparent. Though there are many historical blunders and abject wrong portrayal – the character of Nambi does instill interest and some good depiction of the steadfastness and mental strength of a Srivaishnavaite. ‘Adieyn Ramanuja dhasan’ – enum vaarthai Srivaishnavargal parimarra chol.

PS 2 :  The above is only an excerpt of my earlier post in Dec 2009 ~ the full text can be read at : http://tamil.sampspeak.in/2009/12/millennium-celebrations-of-sri.html

PS 3 :  Today there was no purappadu at Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam as Sri Kuresar is also in Balalayam

PS 4 :  it is a practice to recite Divyaprabandham at home only from Sri Kurathazhwan Sarrumurai after anathyayanam.

the temple at Kuram and Azhwar sannathi there