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 ..sloha 18-51..7-Thiru kandiyoor-We have already visited some Divya desams around Srirangam. We have come to Tirukkandiyur, slightly away from there. The Lord is Sri Harasapa Vimochana Perumal aka Sri Kamala Nathan. The Lord is facing East and is in standing pose. Kamalakriti Vimanam. This Kshetram is also known as Pancha Kamala Kshetram. Lord Shiva came here and after worshiping the Lord here, got his curse resolved.-kabalam pokki kondaan- Hara = Shiva, sapa = curse, vimochana = release. The large Lord Sri Narasimha and Sri Sudarshana are gracing here…8-Thiru koodaloor/Aadu thurai-This is situated in the Tiruvaiyaru – Kumbakonam road. The Lord is Sri Jagat Rakshaka Perumal aka Sri Aduturai Perumal aka Sri Vaiyam Kattha Perumal. Tirumangai Alwar has praised this Kshetram in Ten pasurams. At this place, sage Durvasa tried to curse King Ambareesha; but the Discus of the Lord, with the King, drove away Durvasa. The Lord is in standing pose. Sri Thayar is Sri Padmasani Thayar aka Sri Pushpavalli Thayar. Since sages and Devas came ia crowd [Tamil koottam கூட்டம்] and so, this place is Koodalur. Normally, Koodalur refers to Madurai in Pandya region. This Koodalur is in Chola region. There is also another place Aduturai [ஆடுதுறை], nearby. So, one has to properly enquire and reach this place.
9-Thiru kabisthalam-Situated on the banks of Kaveri and praised by Tirumazhisai Alwar, Sri Gajendra Varada Perumal is gracing in Kapisthalam. The Lord is in reclining pose. Sri Thayar is Sri Ramamani Thayar [ஸ்ரீ ரமாமணி தாயார்]. Tirumazhisai Alwar says that from Sri Gajendra Varada of Kapisthalam, he learnt Gita.-attrangarai pasuram- Recently samprokshanam was performed. King Indradyumna was born as an Elephant, due to a curse by a sage. One day this elephant entered a pond to fetch flower for the Lord. A crocodile in the pond grabbed elephant’s leg. Elephant struggled hard to get released from the crocodile’s clutch, for a very long time. Finally, the elephant cried for help from the Origin of everything [Adimoolam]. -narayana oh mani vanna pasuram-The Lord rushed, seated on Garuda, and saved the elephant…10-Thiru pullam bootham kudi-he Lord here is Sri Val Vil Rama [Sri Dhruda Dhanvi Rama], in reclining pose. Sri Thayar is Sri Potramaraiyal [ஸ்ரீ பொற்றாமரையாள்]. Here, Jatayu was granted Moksham. There is another place, Tirupputkuzhi, which is also the place, where Jatayu was granted Moksham and it is near Kanchipuram. Am அம் = eautiful, pul புள் = bird, bhutam பூதம்= body. The last rites for Jatayu’s body were performed here and Jatayu’s atman was granted Moksham. Tirumangai Alwar has presented Ten pasurams on this Kshetram.pillaikku erai thedum pasuram- Is not the place, where Sri Rama gave Moksham to Jatayu, in Maharashtra? Alwars had the power to view the Lord’s actions in any place…11-Thiru Aathanoor-Lord is Sri Aandalakkum Ayyan [ஸ்ரீ ஆண்டளக்கும் ஐயன்]. He is having rice measuring bowl [marakkal மரக்கால்] under His head! He is reclining, with palm leaf [ஓலை] and writing pen [எழுத்தாணி] in His left hand, to maintain accounts! Tirumangai Alwar has praised this Kshetram.kamadenu perumalai adaintha edam- Sri Thayar is Sri Bhargavi Thayar, daughter of sage Brighu. This temple is well maintained by Azhagiyasingar Swami of Sri Ahobila Mutt…12-Kumbakonam means corner of pot. Once lord Brahma had stored all seeds for creation in a pot and kept it in the remote Himalayas. During pralayam, the pot was carried by the flood waters from Himalatas to South. Lord Shiva took the form of a hunter and aimed at the pot to break. All seeds in the pot got scattered away, in this place. Sri Thayar, as daughter of sage Brighu, married the Lord at Hema pushkarini here. On Makara Sankaranti [Pongal day], the Lord descended from sky, in a chariot. The Lord married Sri Komalavalli Thayar. Tirumazhisai Alwar and the Lord here are closely connected. -nadantha kaal nonthatho-Vaideeka Vimanam. The Lord is known as Sri Aratha Amudan [Sri Aravamudan]. Sri Utsavar is in standing pose, while Sri Moolavar is in reclining pose. Tirumazhisai Alwar, Nammalwar, Three Mudal Azhvars, Sri Andal and Tirumangai Alwar have praised the Lord here. Chittira Ther is very famous. Using that Tirumangai Alwar had composed Tiru Ezhukootrirukkai [திருவேழ்கூற்றிருக்கை]. Pasurams on this Kshetram [by Nammalwar] were responsible for the discovery of Naalayira Divya Prabhandam. We had earlier seen how Swami Nathamuni obtained Naalayira Divya Prabhandam.

 ..sloha 18-52..13th Divya desam-We are at Tiruvinnagar aka Oppiliappan Koil and Uppiliappan Koil. Sage Markandeya wanted to get his Daughter, Who was an incarnation of Sri Bhudevi, married. The Lord appeared as an old Man and proposed to the sage to get his Daughter married to Him. The sage was baffled. How could he get his young Daughter married to an old Man? He said that his daughter was too young and did not know even how to cook by adding salt! The old Man replied that the father need not worry on that and He was prepared to sacrifice salt altogether! Thus He became Sri Uppili Appan. Many people observe Sravana Vratam, here. The Lord gracing with Sri Bhumi Devi Nacchiyar, has been praised by Tirumangai Alwar and Nammalwar..14-We are at Nacchiyar Koil aka Tiru Naraiyur, praised by Tirumangai Alwar. The Lord is Tirunaraiyur Ninra Nambi [திரு நறையூர் நின்ற நம்பி] aka Sri Srinivasan, and Sri Thayar is Sri Vanjulavalli Thayar. There was a sage Medhavi and he found a girl Child under Vanjula tree. In this Kshetram, Sri Neela Devi [ஸ்ரீ நீளா தேவி] is appearing as Sri Thayar. Sri Sridevi Nacchiyar is famous in Tiruvellarai. Sri Bhudevi is famous as Sri Andal in Srivilliputhur. Sri Neeladevi is famous as Sri Vanjulavalli Thayar aka Sri Nambikkai Nacchiyar [ஸ்ரீ நம்பிக்கை நாச்சியார்] in Tirunaraiyur. Tirumangai Alwar [in the guise of His sweet heart] wrote Madal [a Tamil poetic form] here. Also, according to Sri Vaishnava sampradhayam, Pancha samskarams have to be got done for every Sri Vaishnava devotee. Among those Pancha samskarams, samasrayanam is important. In this the discus and conch emblems are imprinted on the shoulders of a devotee. Here, the Lord imprinted these emblems on the shoulders of Tirumangai Alwar. The Lord is gracing in Vyuha [ Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradhyumna and Aniruddha] form, in a large salagrama stone, in standing pose, here. The Kal Garuda [கல் கருடன் -stone Garuda] is very famous. The Lord appears on Kal Garuda twice a year. It seems, once a sculptor carved this Garuda out of stone and it was so beautiful and life like, that it started flying like real Garuda! Frightened, the sculptor hit the bird with his chisel, and the Garuda statue landed in this Kshetram and is gracing devotees. Kal Garuda is both Moolavar and Utsavar. Daily poojas are performed. One interesting feature is that when the Kal Garuda is taken out from garbhagruha, only Four persons are able to lift. But after crossing the threshold, the weight increases and Eight persons are needed. At the next stage 16 persons are needed to lift and finally 32 persons are needed to take on procession. While returning the weight reduces and gradually number of persons needed to lift, are reduced in the same order..15-Thiru cherai-Pancha saram – Sri Saranathan Perumal, Sri Saranayaki Thayar, Sara Kshetram, Sara Vimanam and Sara Pushkarini, are here and so it is Pancha Sara Kshetram. Lord Brahma desired to store seeds of all, in a mud pot. He found that mud from various places did not suit to make the pot. He prayed the Lord, Who directed Brahma to take mud from Pancha Sara Kshetram and prepare the pot for storing all seeds. Brahma did like wise. Tirumangai Alwar has praised in Ten pasurams. Sri Kaveri Thayar once meditated on lord Brahma and She came here and the Lord graced Her. Thai Poosam is important here. The Lord holds a lotus flower in His right hand..16-Thiru kanna mangai-The Lord here is Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal aka Sri Bhaktaraavi Perumal, and Sri Thayar is Sri Abhishekavalli Thayar. darisana pushkarani-Tirumangai Alwar has praised in Ten pasurams. Sri Thayar emerged from Parkkadal or Ksheerabdi [Milk ocean]. She immediately sat on the Lord’s chest. To get married, the Divine Couple came here. All the 33 Crore Devas came here to celebrate the marriage. Brihat [large] Bahar [outside] Sindhu [ocean]. The Lord is very large and so is called Sri Brihat Bahar Sindhu Perumal [Sri Perum Purak Kadal ஸ்ரீ பெரும் புறக் கடல்]. One of the notable feature is that all the 33 Crore Devas are in bees form and are in a beehive in Sri Thayar sannidhi. Here also, Garuda is important and is draped in checkered clothes. All prayers are fulfilled. Swami Tirukkannamangai Aandan, a disciple of Swami Nathamuni, preached the importance of Saranagati and lived here..17-Thiru kanna puram-This is also referred to as Keezhai Veedu [கீழை வீடு]. The Lord is Sri Neelamega Perumal aka Sri Sowriraja Perumal. Sri Thayar is Sri Kannapura Nayaki Thayar. King Vasu was returning after participating in Deva – Asura battle. He found in this place sages very lean and thin, due to starving. Mistaking them to be some wild grass, his soldiers were about to cut them off. The sages prayed to the Lord, Who appeared and saved them. Utpalakavada Vimanam. The Lord blessed Gandaka rishi in this place. The Lord as Sri Saranya Mukunda, grants to all those surrendering, Moksham. Once one Archaka honoured the King with a garland, presented to his lover. One of the hairs of the lover was in the garland. The King saw the hair in the garland. He called the Archaka and asked how hair was in the garland. The Archaka lied that the Lord had hairs on His head and so the garland had the hair. Unbelieving, the King wanted to see the Lord next morning. The Lord did not want to let His devotee down and so, when the King inspected the Lord next day, he found real hair on the Lord’s head! That is why He is called Sowri [wig] Raja! Muniyodharam Pongal [முநியோதரம் பொங்கல்] prasad is very famous here.18.Thiru kannangudi-Here the Lord appeared to sage Vasishta as Sri Damodara Narayana Perumal. Sri Thayar is Aravinda Nayaki. Vasishta was a great devotee of Sri Krishna. He, by his yoga power, made an idol of Sri Krishna in butter and ensured it did not melt away. The Lord in the guise of an young Boy, took the idol and ran away. Sage Vasishta chased the Boy! On the way there were many sages meditating. The Boy stood there and revealed His true form as Sri Damodara Narayana! Tirumangai Alwar has described the Lord as Sri Shyamalameni Perumal..

 ..sloha 18-53..19th divya desam-Thiru naga pattinum-Because Adisesha, the great serpent, worshiped the Lord in Kruta yug, this place is known as Nagappattinam. The Lord Sri Soundara Raja Perumal, is in standing pose. Sri Thayar is Sri Soundaryavalli Thayar. Tirumangai Alwar was so much attracted by the beauty of the Lord that he wanted to mention the beauty in every pasuram. But he lost himself in the beauty and excitingly cried ‘accho! oruvar azhagiyava! [அச்சோ! ஒருவர் அழகியவா!]’ – like a bride! In Kali yug, King Salisuka worshiped and did many services. One can be attracted by the Lord’s eyes, chin, nose, cheeks and what not! Alwar found the Lord here as Soundara [beautiful] Raja [King]…20-This temple is in Tanjore, on the banks of Vennaru. Actually, this Kshetram consists of Three temples, counted as a Single Divya desam. In Thanjaimamani Koil, the Lord is Sri Neelamega Perumal. Next is Sri Manikkuntra Perumal. Third is Sri Narasimha as Sri Thanjai Aali Perumal. [ஸ்ரீ தஞ்சையாளி பெருமாள்] Why here the Lord is in Three forms? There were Three Asuras – Tanjakan, Gajamukan and Dandakan, were tormenting devotees. They meditated on lord Shiva and tried to get immortality. Once sage Parashara was meditating near a pond, which was the only water storage at that time, here. The Three Asuras came here and after spoiling the water tried to give trouble to the sage. The sage prayed to the Lord. The Lord took Three forms and destroyed all of them. First He killed Tanjakan, who requested that the place should be named after him. Thus this place came to be known as Tanjavur. Then, the Lord took the form of Sri Narasimha or Sri Tanjai Aali, and killed Gajamukan. The Third Asura, Dandakan was driven away by Sri Manikuntra Perumal…21-This place is known as Nandipura Vinnagaram and as Nathan Koil, very near Kumbakonam. The Lord is Sri Jagannathan. There are Five Vinnagarams in the 108 Divya desams – Tiru Vinnagar [Oppilappan Koil], Parameswara Vinnagaram, Kazhichirama Vinnagaram, Nandipura Vinnagaram and Arimeya Vinnagaram. This temple is ably administered by the Jeer of Sri Vanamamalai Mutt. Sri Thayar is Senbagavalli Thayar. Sri Thayar, in order to be with the Lord, meditated facing East. The Lord, facing West and seated, accepted Her on HIs chest. The Lord appeared before Sri Thayar on Aippasi Shukla Paksha Friday. The Lord is gracing with all the Five Divine weapons. Nandi is the vehicle of lord Shiva. Once Nandi came to worship Sriman Narayana. Nandi was stopped at the gates by the Dwara Palakas. Nandi tried to go in and so the Dwara Palakas cursed Nandi. Lord Shiva advised Nandi to go to Nathan Koil and pray to the Lord there. Thus this place is called Nandipura Vinnagaram…22-Here also the Lord is gracing as Sri Rama. Velli means Shukra. Shukra’s curse was resolved. So, this place is known as Velliyankudi. Viswakarma was Devas; carpenter and Mayan was Asuras’ carpenter. While the former had many jobs, Mayan was without any job and so he came to this place and worshiped. The Lord is Sri Kolavilli Rama [we saw Sri Valvil Rama in Pullambhutamkudi]. Sri Moolavar is in reclining pose. Sri Thayar is Sri Marakathavalli Nacchiyar. One speciality is that Garuda graces with Four hands. Another thing is Banana tree is on stone surface! -karunkal tharaiyil vaazai maram-It is the Sthala Vruksham. Also every year bunch of bananas are produced..23-The Kshetram has been praised by Tirumangai Alwar. The Lord is Sri Aamaruvi Appan aka Sri Gosakan aka Sri Devadiraja. -thiruvukkum thiruvahiya devan-When Tirumangai Alwar came to this place, he was told that Sri Devadeva was here. Alwar, thining it was another demi god, returned without worshiping the Lord. But he could not go beyond Pushkarini and some force was preventing him to go further. When he turned back, the Lord appeared with cow and calf. Sri Thayar is Sri Senkamalavalli Thayar. Sri Moolavar is not accompanied by Sri Thayar, but by Garuda and Prahlada on either sides. Prahlada prayed to Sri Narasimha, to appear with shanta swaroopam and the Lord obliged him here. Garuda wanted to donate a precious Vimanam and found this place suitable and presented it to the Lord, and remained here ever worshiping Him. King Uparichara Vasu’s chariot was always running above the ground. But once in a debate between Rishis and Devas, his judgement was one sided and then the chariot got into the ground. Thus it is Ther [தேர் chariot], azhundu [அழுந்து pressed] place. There are sannidhis of Sri Ranganatha and Sri Govindaraja…24-Thiru siru puliyoor-The Lord is Sri Arulmakadal or Sri Krupa Samudra Perumal. If His mercy could be like an ocean, how great the Lord would be?!-arul ma kadal-kruba samuthra perumal- To resolve a dispute between Garuda and Adisesha, the Lord is reclining here in a small form! Sri Thayar is Sri Tirumamagal aka Sri Dayanayaki Thayar. There is separate sannidhi for Adisesha. At the entrance of the temple is a sannidhi for Swami Manavala Mamunigal. Tirumangai Alwar has praised this Kshetram in Ten pasurams

 ..sloha 18-46..Kaveri virajaseyam vaikuntam ranga mandiram |
sa vasudevo rangesa: pratyaksha paramampadam ||
In this sloka on the glory of Srirangam, similarities between Srirangam and Vaikuntam are shown. Kaveri is Viraja. Srirangam is Vaikuntam. Sri Ranganatha is Sri Para Vasudeva. Viraja river flows near Vaikuntam. Viraja means without rajas [and tamas] qualities. There is also a pushkarini Airamvadam [ஐரம்வதம்]. An atman reaching Vaikuntam, has to take bath in this river and go to Vaikuntam..fter dip in Viraja all impurities are cleared and association with prakruti is removed. This side of Viraja river in which moola prakruti and all worlds [including ours] are there, is called prakruti mandalam. The other side of Viraja, where Vaikuntam is there, is called Aprakruta mandalam..When atman raises from Viraja river after a bath, Amanava [who has been accompanying from Vidyut lok], helps to cross over to the other side of Viraja river. There is a pasuram at the end in Upadesa Rathnamalai. Swami Manavala Mamunigal is the last of Sri Vaishnava Acharyas. In this pasuram, it is said that he who is touched by the Divine feet of Swami Manavala Mamunigal, is certain to be helped by Amanava, and cross Viraja river. During that instant, the atman gets another body. This body will be in contrast with all the bodies this atman resided in the infinite births in samsaram. It will be an aprakruta body. This body is not made of the pancha bhoota or the five great elements [space, air, fire, water and earth]; but is composed of suddha satvam or pure satva quaity matter, uncontaminated by rajas and tamas..

yataḥ pravṛttir bhūtānāṃ yena sarvam idaṃ tatam
svakarmaṇā tam abhyarcya siddhiṃ vindati mānavaḥ

Manava = human, siddhim vindati = attains result [Vaikuntam], sva karmana = by doing one’s own duty, tam = I [Supreme Lord Sri Krishna] am, abhyarca = well worshiped…Bhutanam = all living beings, yata pravrttir = from Whom originate, sarvam idam = all these are, yena tatam = well pervaded by Whom [without exception]…

Ramanuja’s Commentary  for sloha 18-46..It is natural that those spiritually intelligent human beings who worship the source of their very existence, Lord Krishna who is the root, the foundation from whence all creation originates and by whom all existence is pervaded will certainly receive His grace and achieve the perfection of self-realisation. The Supreme Lord’s position has already been established in chapter 7, verses 6 and 7 where Lord Krishna confirms: He alone is the origin of all as well as the demise of all. There is nothing superior to Lord Krishna for all creation depends upon Him. In chapter 9, verse 4 He states: In an unperceivable manner He pervades all existence yet everything is in Him but He is not in it. In chapter 9, verse 10 He states: That His external energy manifests all moving and stationary jivas or embodied beings according to His direction and in chapter 10, verse 8 He reveals: That every aspect of creation, maintenance and existence as well as the Vedic scriptures has Him alone as the sole source. Such examples are unique to Lord Krishna exclusively and unprecedented.