Know about Alwars

Sri Nammalwar and Sri Nathamunigal


Swamy Nammalwar was born on the 43rd day of kali yuga, on Vaikasi Visakam in Thiru kurugoor. Since the current year is 5108th year of Kaliyuga, Swamy Nammalwar was born 5108 years before. The new born child was totally different from general human nature. It did not open its eyes, did not cry and did not eat. The distressed parents took the child to the Temple and surrendered to God. The child grew in years but did not speak to any one and sat motion– less under a Tamarind Tree in the Temple.
All these 16 years, Swamy Nammalwar was doing penance and finally Vishwaksenar from Sri Vaikuntam appeared before him and initiated him through Pancha Samskaram and gifted him with Sacred Mantras.
Swamy Nammalwar then made his profound writings and composed the following:
1.Thiruviruttam— as the essence of Rig Veda
2.ThiruvAsiriyam— as the essence of Yajur Veda
3.Periya ThiruvandhAdhi as the essence of Atharva Veda
4.ThiruvAimozhi— as the essence of Sama Veda

Swamy Nammalwar is also known as Satagopa. Sata is said to be the Maya that engulfs every human being immediately after one’s birth. Sri Nammalwar resisted the Sata and hence is called Satagopa.

After living for 35 years, Swamy Nammalwar wished to reach the Abode of Sriman Narayana and before the eyes of his discipline, Sri Madhurakavi, he became one with God.


From the History, we know that new religions were born and Emperors like Ashoka propagated these new religions and Sanatana Dharma was not patronized. Later with foreign invasions taking place, many of our Granthas were lost to us and even the 4000 Divya Prabandhams were lost to us. In 9th Century AD, Sri Nathamunigal did penance invoking Swami Nammalwar and Swami Nammalwar appeared before him and gave Upadesam of all the 4000 Divya Prabandhams. Thus for the Tamil Vedam we have today, we have to be very grateful to Swamy Nammalwar and Sri Nathamunigal.
The Thirunakshatram of Sri Nammalwar is celebrated on the day of Visakam in every Vaikasi Month. A grand 10 day festival is celebrated in Alwar Thirunagari which every Srivaishna must attend at least once in a life time. The speciality of this festival is :

Alwar Thirunagari is surrounded by Nava Thiruppathis, i.e. Nine Divya Desams. On the fifth day of this Festival, Emperumans from all the 9 Thiruppathis arrive at Alwar Thirunagar and are received by Swami Nammalwar. And on that day, every Emperumal is seen on Garuda Vahana and you will have the rare Darshan of 9 Garuda Sevai with Swami Nammalwar in Hamsa Vahanam and Sri Madhurakavi Alwar in Pallakku. A rare event for any Sri Vaishnava, indeed.



Sri Peria Alwar

King Vallabha deva was the Pandian king who was ruling the country with headquarters at Madurai. He used to take inspection rounds in the night. During one of his rounds, he saw a Brahmin sitting in a Mandap. He enquired who he was and wherefrom he had come, etc. When he came to know that he was a scholar, the king asked him to share with him a worthy philosophy. The scholar said :

To be comfortable in the night we earn during the day. To be comfortable in the old age, we earn during youth. To be comfortable in the future, we earn during the present. To be comfortable in the other world what are we doing in this world?

This question made the king to ponder. He shared his thoughts with his ministers. During discussions, the subject matter shifted to the question as to whom we should worship now to give us everlasting happiness in Moksha. One of his counsellers, Selva Nambi, suggested to the King to congregate Scholars from all philosophies and determine as to who is the Supreme God. The king agreed to the suggestion and ordered that due announcements may be made inviting learned people to attend the congregation and participate in the debate. The king also offered a bag containing gold coins as reward to the winner.

Vishnu Chitta was the fifth son of his parents – Mukunda and Padma. He was leading a simple life in Srivilliputhur plucking flowers and making garlands for the daily worship of Sri Vatapatra sayee, the presiding deity of the Temple. One day, he had a dream in which Sri Vatapatra sayee appeared and ordered him to proceed to Madurai to participate in the debate announced by the King Vallabha Deva.

Obeying the divine orders, Vishnu Chitta proceeded to Madurai and participated in the debate. The debate began, As Vishnu Chitta started speaking, the fundamental vedantic philosophy floated out of his lips due to the divine inspiration. Vishnu Chitta explained to the august assembly that Vishnu is Narayana and that He is the Parabrahma, the beginning and end of all creation, He proved to the satisfaction of every one in the assembly that one can attain Moksha only with the Krupa / Blessing of Sriman Narayana. Right at that time, the bag containing the gold coins which was hung atop the Hall, fell on the lap of Vishnu Chitta signifying the correctness of the statement made by him in the congregation. This miracle occurred to prove that Vishnu Chitta was the undoubted victor. The entire assembly stood up in reverential devotion and threw themselves at the feet of Vishnu Chitta.

The King celebrated this event by taking a procession in the streets of Madurai with Perialwar on the Royal elephant. Lord Sriman Narayana wanted to witness this event personally and so He appeared on the skies with His Consorts, on Garuda. Just as a mother would like to protect her beautiful child from the Dhrushti of people around, Perialwar, was afraid that all people's Dhrushti might affect the Lord appearing brilliantly on the skies, He immediately burst out singing Pallandu, Pallandu.., using the bells on the elephant for metre, blessing the Lord. This is the famous Thiruppallandu.

Vishnu Chitta was the only Alwar who sang blessing the God Himself. Because of his Parental affection on God, Lord chose him to be His father in law, by marrying his daughter Andal. Hence among all Alwars, he is known as Peria Alwar.



Sri Andal

Though most of us know the Andal Vaibhavam, may be it is time to make the young people know about Sri Andal. Here is a brief narrative about Sri Andal for their information.

As Sita was found by king Janaka while tilling the land for doing yagna, Vishnuchitha found the divine girl child under a Tulasi plant while he was tending his nandavana(garden) in Srivilliputhur. Sri Vishnuchitha, a great vedic scholar, poet, a Vishnu devotee and also known as Periyazhvar brought her up in simple and godly surroundings natural to a pious, vedic Brahmin. The child prodigy thus fostered lovingly grew into a beautiful maiden and became an embodiment of love for Sri Krishna.

Being a devotee of Lord Vishnu, Vishnuchitha would weave a garland of tulasi leaves daily and keep it sacredly rolled in a flower basket so that he may, after attending to his other course, take the garland later to the temple for offering to the lord. The child Andal in her profound innocence would take out the garland daily without her father's knowledge, adorn herself and look into the mirror to satisfy herself whether she was suitable bride to the lord and then would remove the garland and place it in the basket in its original form. This was going on for days and without actually knowing that his daughter had adorned the garland around herself, Vishnuchitha would offer this to the deity who wore it beatifically.

One day to his surprise, Vishnucitha saw the child wearing the garland before he could take it to the temple. He was shocked for he considered this as a great defilement. He remonstrated her for this act. He fasted that day and did not offer the garland to the Lord and remained all repentant.

But lo! What a surprise? At night, the Lord appearing in dreams asked Vishnuchitha, why he did not offer the Tulasi Garland at the Temple that day? The Lord said to Vishnuchitha that he was ever eager to have the Garland touched by His devotee. He said “Think not Andal to be a mere mortal.” To his wonder Vishnuchitha found that the Tulasi mala worn on the previous day by Andal had not faded, but was fresher than a freshly made garland. Thereafter, he offered the garland to the deity after being worn by Andal. And this is the reason why Sri Andal is also respectfully remembered as Soodi Kodutha Nachiar. Sri Andal is also called “Kodai” in Tamil, meaning, “Sweet Garland”.



Thirumangai Alwar

The star Krittikai in the month of Kaarttikai is an auspicious day for all Sri Vaishnavas for it is the birth star of one of their most revered saints, Tirumangai Alvar. He is the second most prolific author among the 12 Alvars, next only to Nammalvar.

In his early days Thirumangai Mannan, a small king himself, was a man of the sword, At that time Lord Narayana was far from his thoughts. His spiritual journey started with a commitment he made to his sweetheart Kumudavalli in exchange for her hand in marriage. While most women may have asked for her lover’s everlasting love, or a diamond ring, or a gold bangle, all that lady Kumudavalli sought from Tirumangai was that he must wear the marks of Sri Vaishnava and serve food for 1,000 Vaishnavas everyday for a period of one year. This service, initiated as a price for love, turned into a divine love towards the devotees of Lord Narayana. Days rolled by. Tirumangai spent all his wealth in the service of Vaishnavas. With his coffers empty, Tirumangai could not continue the service. That made him take to robbery.

Now Lord Narayana decided to intervene and turn Tirumangai away from the evil ways of robbery. He and Mahalakshmi appeared before Tirumangai as a newly wed couple bedecked with priceless ornaments. Tirumangai stopped the couple and forcibly relieved them of all the jewelry. But, there was one piece on our Lord's toe that wouldn't come off however much Tirumangai tried. In frustration Tirumangai put his head on the lotus feet of our Lord with the intention of biting the ring off. At that moment Tirumangai was drawn in by the beauty of the lotus feet and realized the true nature of the couple standing in front of him. The Lord then taught him the meaning of "Tirumanthram". Thus Tirumangai Mannan had his Acharya in Lord Narayana Himself!

Tirumangai immediately went on to sing the poem ``Periya Tirumozhi'' consisting of 1,084 verses. In these Pasurams, our Alwar declares that he was free from all the sins and felt assured of the ever lasting bliss at the lotus feet of Sriman Narayana. The first ten of these verses are dedicated to the name ``Narayana''. These first 10 emotional verses even today have the power of those who strayed in their youth. Tirumangai in his Pasurams comes down hard on himself with intense self criticism for the violence he had caused and for having squandered his days on mundane pursuits. He ends each of the ten verses with a celebration of the divine name Narayana, These verses will bring emotional tears of longing for the lotus feet of Lord Narayana in the eyes of any Vaishnava.

Thirumangai Alwar visited various Divya Desams and offered his Mangalasaasanam. In particular he offered his Mangalasaasanam before Lord Sri Lakshmi Nrisimha at Sri Ahobilam.



History of Srivaishnavism

Swamy Nammalwar’s Thirunakshatram falls on 19.5.08 and Sri Ramanuja Jayanthi falls on May 9, 2008. On this auspicious occasion we need know that Swamy Nammalwar is the Kootasthar, i.e. Head of Sri Vaishnavism and Sri Ramanuja was the Sthapaka of our Srivaishnava Siddhantam. In this article let us learn about the History of Sri Srivaishnava Siddhantam.

Swamy Nammalwar was born on the 42nd day of Kaliyuga, just missing Sri Krishna by 42 days. He did penance, had the Darshan of Vishwaksena, gifted us with his Pasurams in praise of Lord and conveyed to us the Glory of Sriman Narayana.

Swami Nammalwar was followed by other Alwars who also sang in praise of Lord. But then all these treasures were being passed on from one generation to another by word of mouth and through palm leaves. And over centuries most of these were lost.

824 AD: In this Scenario, our Poorvacharya, Sri Nathamuni went on a long pilgrimage. In one Divya Desam he met some Sri Vaishnavas who were reciting some Paasurams composed by Swamy Nammazhvar. He heard the 11th paasuram ending with "orayirathhul ippathum….". This meant "these ten poems out of the one thousand composed by Sadakopan of Kurugoor” Then Sri Nathamuni asked those Srivaishnavas whether they knew the rest of the thousand paasurams. They answered with a "No". In search of the remaining poems, Sri Nathamuni went to Kurugoor and enquired about the remaining Poems. Not able to make much headway, he did severe Tapasya praying Swamy Nammalwar. As a result of this Tapasya, Sri Nathamuni not only got the 1000 verses composed by Sri Nammalwar, but also received the entire Divya Prabandham composed by other Alwars. Sri Nathamuni then compiled all these Prabandhams together and made arrangements for these hymns to be sung in the temples as Tamil Veda.

This Srivaishnavite treasure passed hands from Sriman Nathamunigal to his Sishya, Shri Uyyakondar. Then to his Sishya, Sri Manakkal Nambi. Then it was passed on to Sri Nathamuni’s Grand son, Sri Alavandar. Sri Alavandar was teaching these to his Sishyas Peria Nambi and others at Srirangam.

1017 AD -- Sri Ramanuja was born. He was born during a time when Sankara's Advaita was the dominant philosophical force. Sri Ramanuja received his primary education from the Advaita teacher, Sri Yadava Prakasa. During the course of Education, Sri Ramanuja was more influenced by Sri Vaishnava Siddhantam and often disagreed with his Advaita Teacher Sri Yadava Prakasa over interpretation of various principles. The differences between them became so intense that both parted ways.

During this period, Sri Alavandar visited Kanchi and was impressed by the Sri Ramanuja’s knowledge, eminence and his daily service to Lord Sri Varadaraja. Later, in Srirangam, when Alavandar fell ill and he asked Periyanambi to go to Kancheepuram and bring Ramanuja to pass on his heritage.

Perianambi met Sri Ramanuja at Madhurantakam on way to Kancheepuram. At Madurantakam the two learned men met and had discussions. Sri Ramanuja was impressed with the erudite knowledge of Sri Peria Nambi and requested him to do Samasrayanam to him. Thereafter, both reached Srirangam. But as fate would have it, Sri Alavandar died before Ramanuja could reach Srirangam.

Sri Ramanuja promised to the departed soul that he would fulfill his wishes of carrying forward the Srivaishnava Philosophy.

This point in Ramanuja's life is really the beginning of his long life as a philosopher and preacher within the school of Sri Vaisnavism. He was now 40 years old and he decided to spend the remaining years of his life studying, writing and preaching Sri Vaisnava philosophy.

Sri Ramanuja settled in Srirangam and started writing and preaching. Daily hundreds of people flocked to him to hear his lectures. Slowly he had a following of thousands of followers, who revered him as their Guru. Ramanuja's fame quickly spread far and wide. He had converted thousands of people to the path of devotion. And he was now seventy years old.

What would have been the end of a long career for most people was just the beginning for Sri Ramanuja. He was destined to live for many more years.

Sri Ramanuja completed is famous Sri Bhashya and established the Vishishtadvaita principles of Sri Vaisnavism. He proclaimed to the people the doctrines of devotion and surrender, Bhakti and Prapatti to God.

Sri Ramanuja continued his work for many more years and made several religious works. His works include Vedanta Sangraha; · Sri Bashyam ; · Gita Bashyam ; · Vedanata Dipa ; Vedanta Sara ; Saranagathi Gadya ; Sriranga Gadya ‘ · Srivaikunta Gadya ; and Nitya Granta .

At his advanced age, he traveled far and wide up to Kashmir and appointed 74 Simhasanadhipatis to propagate the principles of Vishishtadvaita. He finally closed his long career after attaining the remarkable age of 120 years.

The story of Ramanujacharya is actually the story Sri Vaisnavism. The Sri Vaishnavite world is very much indebted to Sri Ramanuja. And in our Temple, we are celebrating the Annual Thirunakshatram of Sri Ramanuja over a period of 5 days starting from 5.5.08. There would be Sevakalam every day in honour of our Acharya.

In reverence to our Great Acharya, please make it a point to associate yourself in this Great Celebration of Thirunakshatram of our Greatest Acharya on 9.5.2008.

And in another 9 years, we would be celebrating the 1000th Thirunakshatram of Sri Ramanuja. And with the Blessings of Sri Prahlada Varada, Sri Mahalakshmi, Sri Ramanuja and Srimad Azhagiyasingar, we all are sure to be participating in the Grand 1000th Thirunakshatram Festival of Sri Ramanuja in the year 2017.