Dear
(s)
For a
Srivaishnavaite, Perumal Koil refers to “Sri Varadharaja Swamy temple’ at
Kanchipuram. Legend has it that Brahma performed Asvamedha yaga at
mokshapuri i.e., Kanchi and Lord Vishnu emerged out of the fire with Sanku
Chakram. It is believed that the annual Uthsavam was initiated by Brahma
himself. Indira’s white elephant Iravatham took the form of a hill called
Hastigiri on which shrine of Varadharajar is located. This Swami is known by
various names, prominent among them being : Devarajar, Devathirajar,
Thepperumal, Varadhar, PerArulalar …
The
annual brahmothsavam is now on and today (Wednesday, 14th May
2014) is the famous Garuda Sevai – when
Lord is taken in procession on vahanam of Garuda also known as Periya
Thiruvadi. Garuda was born to Kaashyapar and Vinathai (Vinathai siruvan
siraguennum ena pasuram]
My
Acharya is Cholasimhapuram Doddayachaaryar (presently Sri U. Ve. Kovil Kanthadai
Chandamarutham Singarachaar Swamy) . Garuda Seva has special
significance for Kanchi, Sholinghur because of Swami Doddayachaaryar
connection. The Sri
Vaishnavaite and Thennacharya Sampradhayam places great emphasis on following
the path shown by Acharyan and our Sampradhayam is pround of the rich
lineage of greatest of Acharyars who have guided us towards
salvation. One can easily discern from the Great ‘Thaniyan’ of
Swami Koorathazhwaan that we observe daily - “Lakshminatha
samarambaam, Nathayamuna madhyamam – Asmath Achaarya paryanthaam, vanthe Guru
parambaram” - We the
Sishyas of Swami belong to the lineage, which emanated from the Holy feet of
Sri Periya Perumal, Periya Pirattiar, Senai Muthalvar,
Nammazhwar, Naathamunigal, Uyyakkondar, Manakkal Nambigal, Aalavanthar,
Periya Nambi, Emperumaanar, Koorathazhwar, Mudaliandan, Embaar, Battar, Nanjeeyar,
Nampillai, Vadakku
Thiruveethipillai, Pillai Logachariyar, Thiruvoimozhipillai, Maanavala
Maamunigal, Vaanamamalai Jeeyar to Doddacharyar
(of whose lineage we have the present head – Sri Singarachaaryar Swami)
As
our Swami observed, even in Kali Yuga – Perumal had direct interaction with
Thirukachi Nambigal and our Doddacharyar Swami.
Garuda Seva has special significance not only for Kanchi, more so for
Sholinghur because of Swami Doddachaaryar connection. Forefather of the
present day Acharyar, who lived during 16th century, was an ardent devotee of
Lord Varadharaja and did many kainkaryams to Him. He was a regular in the
annual Vaikasi Garuda Sevai of Devathirajar. Legend has it that on a particular year, he was not well and could not attend the
Garudothsavam at Kachi. He was feeling desperate about his misfortune of not
being able to have darshan of PerArulalar at Kachi on Garuda vahanam. He
lamented standing near the Thakkan kulam at Cholasimhapuram (Sholinghur]. He
composed hymns on Varadharaja, known as Sri Devaraja Panchakam. He longed for
the Lord's sevai and these outpourings were a direct result.
Emperuman
will never let his ardent bhaktha down. He came down to Sholinghur and gave
darshan to Doddacharyar - seated on Garuda vahanam. Such is the mercy and leela
vinotham of PerArulalar. Even today, on
Vaikasi Garudothsavam day, there is a tradition known as Doddachaaryar Sevai,
when the archakas hide Lord Varadar at the western gate for a short time with
two umbrellas just before He leaves the temple. It is believed that Lord goes to
Sholinghur for giving darshan to Doddacharyar. The mangala harathi takes place
thereafter.
In
the Devaraja Panchakam, Acharyan [Doddachaaryar] sings that .’Lord Varadarajan
is radiant on the back of Garudan --the son of Vinathai—and is flanked on both
sides by the twin sets of white umbrellas and Kavari deer tail chamarams
(fans). His sacred, lotus-soft right hand is held in abhaya mudhra pose
assuring all that He will free them from all their fears. His beautiful
lotus-like eyes rain anugraham on all the beholders. Adiyen salutes always that
Sarva Mangala Moorthy emerging out of His aasthaanam through the western
gopuram on the third day of His Vaikasi Brahmothsavam.
Understand
that there were 5 Thirumaligais of the lineage of Doddacharyar
earlier. Presently there are only two - the family of
Swami Periyappangar Swami - of whose lineage is our varthamana Acharyar - Sri Ubhaya Vedantha Kovil Kanthadai Chandamarutham
Singarachar Swamy; the other is that of Swami Vedanthachaar.
Here
are some photos taken this morning during the purappadu at
Thiruvallikkeni.
