ஆழ்வார்கள் நால்வரின் பாடல்களில் உள்ள ஒற்றுமை

பொய்கை ஆழ்வார், பூதத்தாழ்வார், பேயாழ்வார் ஆகியோர் முதல் ஆழ்வார்கள் மூவர் என அழைக்கப்படுவார்கள். ஒரே காலத்தில் வாழ்ந்தவர்கள். திருமழிசை ஆழ்வார் அவர்களும் இம்மூவர் காலத்தைச் சேர்ந்தவர் என்று நம்பப்படுகிறது.

பொய்கை ஆழ்வார் காஞ்சிபுரத்திற்குப் பக்கத்தில் உள்ள திருவெக்கா என்னும் தலத்தில் அவதரித்தவர்.
பூதத்தாழ்வார் திருக்கடல்மல்லை என்னும் மகாபலிபுரத்தில் அவதரித்தவர்.
பேயாழ்வார் திருமயிலையில் அவதரித்தவர்.

இம்மூவரும் திருக்கோவலூர் என்னும் தலத்தில் ஒருவரை ஒருவர் சந்தித்தனர். ஒவ்வொருவரும் திருமால் மேல் நூறு பாடல்கள் (அந்தாதியாக) பாடினார்கள். முறையே முதல் (1), இரண்டாம்(2) மற்றும் மூன்றாம் (3) திருவந்தாதி என அழைக்கப்படும்.

திருமழிசை ஆழ்வார், சென்னை - திருவள்ளூர் இடையே அமைந்திருக்கும் தலமான திருமழிசை என்னும் ஊரில் அதே காலகட்டத்தில் அவதரித்தவர். திருச்சந்த விருத்தம் என்னும் 120 பாடல்களையும், நான்முகன் திரு அந்தாதி என்று 96 பாடல்களையும் பாடியுள்ளார். நான்முகனை என்று அந்த தொகுப்பு தொடங்குவதால், நான்முகன் திருவந்தாதி என்று கூறப்படுகிறது. நாலாம் (4) திருவந்தாதி என்றும் கூறுகிறார்கள்.

முதல் ஆழ்வார்கள் ஒருவரை ஒருவர் சந்தித்துக்கொண்டனர். ஆனால் திருமழிசை பிரான், இவர்களைச் சந்தித்தாரா என்பது தெரியவில்லை.

பொய்கை ஆழ்வாரின் முதல் திருவந்தாதியில், பத்தாம் திருமொழியில் உள்ள ஒன்பதாவது பாடலின் (1.9.9) முதல் இரண்டு வரிகளும், பேயாழ்வாரின் மூன்றாம் திருவந்தாதியில், நான்காம் திருமொழியில் உள்ள பத்தாவது பாடலின் (3.4.10) முதல் இரண்டு வரிகளும் மற்றும் திருமழிசை ஆழ்வாரின் நான்முகன் திருவந்தாதியில், ஒன்பதாம் திருமொழியின் ஆறாம் பாடலின் (4.9.6) முதல் இரண்டு வரிகளும் ஒரே வரிகளாக உள்ளன. முறையே கீழே பார்ப்போம்.

பொய்கை ஆழ்வார் - முதல் திருவந்தாதி - 10 ஆம் திருமொழி - பாடல் 9

உளன்கண்டாய் நன்னெஞ்சே உத்தமன் என்றும்
உளன்கண்டாய் உள்ளுவார் உள்ளத்து - உளன்கண்டாய்
வெள்ளத்தின் உள்ளானும் வேங்கடத்து மேயானும்
உள்ளத்தின் உள்ளனென்று ஓர்

பேயாழ்வார் - மூன்றாம் திருவந்தாதி - 4 ஆம் திருமொழி - பாடல் 10

உளன்கண்டாய் நன்னெஞ்சே உத்தமன் என்றும்
உளன்கண்டாய் உள்ளுவார் உள்ளத்து - உளன்கண்டாய்
விண்ணொடுங்கக் கோடுயரும் வீங்கருவி வேங்கடத்தான்
மண்ணொடுங்கத் தானளந்த மன்

திருமழிசையாழ்வார் - நான்முகன் திருவந்தாதி - 9 ஆம் திருமொழி - பாடல் 6

உளன்கண்டாய் நன்னெஞ்சே உத்தமன் என்றும்
உளன்கண்டாய் உள்ளுவார் உள்ளத்து - உளன்கண்டாய்
தன்னொப்பான் தானாய் உளன்காண் தமியேற்(கு)
என்னொப்பார்க்(கு) ஈசன் இமை

இது போல, பூதத்தாழ்வாரின் இரண்டாம் திருவந்தாதி, இரண்டாம் திருமொழி, முதல் பாடலின் (2.2.1) எல்லா வரிகளும், திருமழிசை ஆழ்வாரின் நான்முகன் திருவந்தாதி, ஆறாம் திருமொழி, ஐந்தாம் பாடலின் (4.6.5) எல்லா வரிகளும் ஒத்துப் போகின்றன.

கடைநின்(று) அமரர் கழல்தொழுது நாளும்
இடைநின்ற இன்பத்தர் ஆவர் - புடைநின்ற
நீரோத மேனி நெடுமாலே நின்னடியை
ஆரோத வல்லார் அவர்

பெரியோர்களின் மனம் ஒன்றையே நினைக்கிறது. அந்த ஒன்றையே பாடுகிறது. அது சில சமயங்களில், அவர்கள் வாக்கு மூலமாக தெளிவாக நமக்குத் தெரிய வருகிறது. ஒருவரையொருவர் சந்தித்தாலும், சந்திக்காமலும் எப்படி ஒரே வரிகளை இவர்கள் பாடியுள்ளார்கள்? இறைவனின் கிருபை என்று சொல்வதை விட வேறென்ன!

Great Minds think alike!

Brahmma's upadesam to Celestials, Men and Demons

This is a story from Brihadaaranyaka Upanishad, once quoted by Sri Maha Periyava, as mentioned in Deivathin kural, volume 3, of Sri. Ra.Ganapathi.

The devas (Celestials) went to brahmma, and asked to teach them some truth. Brahmma replied, "dha". The devas, for whom there is no self control understood the meaning as "Dhaamyatha". This means, to control one's senses. They went and practiced self control.

Seeing the devas, the men went to brahmma and asked to teach the truth that was taught to the devas to them also. So brahmma again uttered the letter "dha". The men understood it as "dhatta" meaning - to give, which was lacking with them. Humans of course will not give their belongings to others. So they too came back and practiced the art of giving.

Then the asuras, saw the humans and they too went to brahmma. The demons asked brahmma to teach them the truth. Again brahmma said, "dha". The asuras understood it as "dhayathwam" meaning to be graceful to All. They too started practicing dhayaa.

The universe was so calm and nice then. God was so happy on seeing the world full of love, prosperity and peace. Why so? Because if we control our senses, there won't be anger or hatred and so there will be peace. Then if we give to others, there won't be poverty and hence prosperity will be there. Then if we are graceful, there will be no hatred. And so love will be spread across the world.

This is a story. We need to practice the same. The devas, asuras, manushaas here mean us, the citizens of the world.

"Dhaamyatha dhatta dhayathwam janathaam
Sreyo bhooyaa sakala janaanaam"

As quoted by Sri Maha Periyava in his song maitreem bhajatha, composed for Dr.M.S.Subbulakshmi to sing at the United Nations.

Thirunedungalam

This is one of the 275 paadal Petra sivasthalam. Eighth sthalam on the southern banks of river Kaveri in the chola mandala. This is located near Thuvakudi, in Trichy district. Saint poet Thirugnanasambandar has composed a pathigam, 10 slokas and a phalasthuthi on The Lord here. That is called by the name, "idar kalaiyum nedungala thiruppathigam". Please see here for the text. 

Also, arunagirinathar has sung a tiruppugazh on the subrahmanya shrine here. Few verses on this temple are also found in arunagirinathar's Kandhar alankaram.

 

Lord shiva is called as nithya sundareswara or nedungalanathar and goddess Parvati is called by name, mangalambika or oppillanayaki. A mid sized water tank is at the entrance of the temple. 

Temple tank

Lord Ganesha and lord muruga are on the two sides of the entrance. Then comes the rajagopuram, which has several sculptures depicting purana stories, like ravana rendering sama gana with one of his head and hand as veena and some more. Then comes the dwajasthambam, Bali peetam. Nandi is in front of the peetam.

Main Entrance

Nandhi, bali peetam

To the right side is the sannidhi of ambal, mangalambika. There is a mandapam where the utsavar idols are kept during festival days after procession. 

Ambal Sannidhi

Mandapam where utsava idols are kept

Further as we move in,there is another gopuram with lot more sculptures. We see the nataraja sivakami sannidhi to our right. We cross another gate to see lord shiva. Here this nedungalanathar is a swayambu murthy. I.e. It appeared on its own, without the involvement of anyone. The linga is small in size and it is moved a little, to accommodate ambal to it's left. Ambal performed tapas here and attained lord shiva, in this kshetra.

Outside the sanctum sanctorum, Ganesha and muruga are seated on either side. We go around the prakaram and there are lot of small idols of saptha kannikai(brahmmi, vaarahi, maaheswari, koumari, chaamundi, indrani, vaishnavi), shiva lingas, Sri Devi, bhumi Devi sametha narayanan, subrahmanya with his consorts valli and devasena. On the back side of shiva sannidhi,there is ardhanaareeswara. 

Two gopurams above the garbha griham - similar to Kashi

Saptha Kannikas

Varadaraja perumal with Bhoomi devi and Sri devi

Subrahmanya

Ardhanaareeswarar

Theertham in this temple is agastya theertham and there is ample water in the well, so close to our hands!

 

Navagraha in this temple is a unique one. All eight grahas face lord surya who is west faced here. Normally surya is east facing. So there is a difference in the arrangement of the nine planets. 

Normal arrangement of 9 grahas

Angaragan - sukran - Chandran

Guru           - suryan - Budhan 

Ragu          - sani      -  kethu

Each graha face different directions.

Sivagama prathishta

Budhan     - Chandran - ragu

Angaragan - suryan     - Sukran

Sani           - guru        - kethu

All face surya and surya faces west.

Then there sandikeswara, bhairava, somaskanda sannidhis. There is also a vahana mandapam, having horse, bull, peacock, nandhi. This kshetra is equivalent to kashi or Varanasi kshetra. There will be two gopurams above the garbage graham as it is in kashi.

Vahana Mandapam

Let us pray to the lord, to slay all our sorrows. Idar agattruvaai Nedungalanatha! Aum Nama Sivaaya.

Lakshmi kataksham

Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and prosperity. This we all know. Sri maha periyava in deivathin kural has given the examples of three great scholars who were benefitted by the blessings of mahalakshmi. They are Adhi Sankarar, Vedanta Desikar and Vidyaranyar. We shall see about them.

Sankara was born in kaladi. After his upanayanam, he wished to take up the sanyasa ashrama. But his mother didn't permit for that. He was so in need of entering into the sanyasa ashrama. While he was bathing in the river, a crocodile caught his feet and he was unable to move. A divine voice told that in this birth his life is about to end. He took that as a chance to make his mother allow him to enter sanyasa ashrama. So he told his mother that if she allows him to take up sanyasam,  which is considered as rebirth, he will be relieved from the hold of crocodile. His mother unable to do anything, allowed him as per his words. So sankara took up sanyasam and he was let free - from the holds of crocodile (As well as the bond of samsara). This sankara is none other than an incarnation of lord shiva himself.

In his poorvasrama, I.e before sanyasam, he was gathering food for the day, from households. It is the brahmmacharya dharma. Brahmmacharya ashrama is the period between upanayanam and marriage. Brahmmacharis have to gather food from the grihasthas (married couples, family) and eat what they get and not more than that. Even if they didn't get food for that day, they have to stay without food. He was standing in front of a hut, which seldom had any food. The very appearance of that hut, showed the poverty laden nature. When sankara asked for food, (bhavathi bikshandehi) a woman came out. She went in search of any food inside as she could not restrain herself from not giving food to this tejaswi sankara. All she could find was a stale amla (Nelli) fruit. Sankara understood the situation and he immediately wrote hymns praising goddess Lakshmi. Goddess immediately showered golden amla fruits that could fill the entire village. Sankara prayed for the lady, who even though was stuck with poverty, had an intention to give whatever she had. He prayed for the selfless nature of that woman. Thus the goddess showered her blessings on the poor lady, for sankara. This set of hymns praising Lakshmi came to be known as kanakadhara sthuthi.

Vedanta Desikar was a great vaishnavite scholar. He lived in kanchipuram. He was an ardent devotee of devaraja perumal (varadaraja perumal). Desikar was given a title "sarva tantra swatantrar" by the learned persons for his ability to achieve anything that he wanted, of his own, without any other's help. Desikar can get anything without borrowing anything from any human. The king was unhappy, on Desikar being given such a title, when he himself was there. He thought that he is the greatest person for all time. So he wanted to defeat Desikar. He made a plan. He chose a foolish boy and asked him to go to Desikar and ask him for a huge sum of money for his marriage. The boy unknown of the intention of the king, went to Desikar and asked for money for getting married. The plan of the king was to push desikar in an embrassing situation. Desikar doesn't have money of his own. He has to grant this foolish boy of his wish. And Desikar should not borrow anything from others. King was of the opinion that Desikar will be helpless. But what happened was, Desikar pleaded the goddess perundevi, the consort of varadaraja. Immediately, the foolish boy got the wealth that he requested from Desikar. The king, on coming to know about this, realised his mistake and fell at the feet of Desikar.

The next person was Vidyaranyar. He in his poorvasrama, was very much affected by the horribleness of poverty. He meditated on Lakshmi and a divine voice said, "in this birth you have to undergo the torments of poverty". Immediately, Vidyaranyar opted for sanyasa, and asked the goddess to grant wealth, stating that now it was his next birth. The goddess kept her words and granted huge wealth to him. But now since he is a sanyasi, he can't use the wealth for his needs. There are no family,  no relatives for a sanyasi. So he felt bad about his hasty decision for the want of wealth. But soon after meditating again, he got a clarity that it is all divine intervention. He has to make use of the wealth he got from goddess for the sake of world. At that time, there was a threat to Sanatana dharma, due to Turkish invasion. Also dvaita philosophy by madhvachariyar was prevalent in Karnataka. Sri Vidyaranyar, wanted to establish advaita and Sanatana dharma. He gave the wealth to two shepherds viz harihara and burka. They were crowned the king and minister respectively, of the new empire created under the guidance of  Vidyaranyar. The king was given the task of renovating the demolished temples. He also appointed another person, a cousin of this new king to conquer the captured princely states, to the south of Karnataka. They were successful in the attempt and thus came the raise of vijayanagara kingdom of hoysalas at hampi in Karnataka. Originally, the kingdom was named as vidyanagara kingdom, in praise of their guru Vidyaranyar. Later it became vijayanagara empire. This is not to be confused with vijayanagaram in Andhra Pradesh. The famous Krishna deva raya was a descendent of this vidyanagara (vijayanagara) empire.

The first king's cousin is known by the name kammpanna udaiyar. He conquered the southern provinces. There is a place called kambarasanpettai near trichy. It was named after this kammpanna udaiyar. He renovated a siva temple near samayapuram. That is now known as pocchaleswarar temple. The actual name of this temple is hoysaleswarar temple!

Goddess Lakshmi, thus showered her blessings for three persons. Let us pray to her so that we are also granted peace and prosperity.

Three siblings

Most of us know that lord Vishnu and goddess Parvati are brother and sister. Lord shiva - goddess saraswathi, lord Brahmma and goddess Lakshmi are siblings too. This fact is not known to many.

The complexion of these devathas will prove this fact. Vishnu, Parvati are dark complexioned, I.e blue or green or black... Both were born at the same time. When lord Krishna was born to devaki, vasudeva at mathura, yoga maya was born to yashoda at gokulam. Similarly, in the month of chithirai, when Rama navami is being celebrated, vasantha navarathri, the avatars of gnanambika is celebrated. We call Vishnu shyamalan and parvati as shyamala, meaning dark complexioned.

In shiva temples there will be a sannidhi for Durga, who is Parvati's form. She will be holding a conch and a chakra. She is usually called as Vishnu Durga. She is the protector. Protecting men is the task of Vishnu. Siblings show similarities in the task.

Shiva and saraswathi are white complexioned. We associate saraswathi with hamsam or swan which is white in color as her vehicle, white lotus as her seat. Shiva is described as shuddha spatika sankasham, meaning radiant like a pure spatika - transparent. Inherent meaning for pure is white.

Saraswathi is goddess of knowledge. Again in shiva temples there will be a sannidhi for dakshina murthy. This is siva's form. He will be holding, palm leaves, akshara mala in his hands. These are seen with saraswathi. Also both saraswathi and dakshinamurthy will have a crescent on their heads. Crescent is the one that grows. This indicates that arts should be ever growing. So these siblings grant ever growing knowledge to the devotees.

Lakshmi and Brahmma are red complexioned. Both are creators. Brahmma creates life, Lakshmi creates wealth to sustain life. We associate them with red lotus on which they are seated.

Parvati and shiva married one another, and supports one another in their activity. Similarly, Lakshmi and Vishnu and saraswathi and Brahmma. Knowledge (saraswathi) is required for creating (Brahmma) anything. Wealth (Lakshmi) is required for maintenance(Vishnu) and valour(Parvati) is required for destruction(shiva).

Warm and Cold

These are different words, infact opposites. But they have same meanings, that is they mean something good. Let us see.

In general, cold means cool, chillness (kulirchi, kulumai). In Tamil if we say, Manasu kulirndhadhu it means that we are happy at the happening of some good event. People generally relate the moon's cool rays to happiness. We even say the blessings of god as thannarul (cool rays). In Tamil if somebody receives scoldings, we say "sudu sol vanginargal" meaning, they received hot words.
But in the west, in English if we say cold welcome or cold hearted then it is something bad. If the response is not good, if someone arrives at a place, we say they were welcomed very cold. And we say a person who is not kind as cold hearted person. On the contrary, when we say so and so has been given a warm welcome, it means they are welcomed in a good way.

Why the same word have different meaning in different places? It is mainly because of the climatic conditions prevailing over the places where they are used. In India where the climate is hot, chillness gives immense pleasure. In western countries like America, England where the weather is already cold, warmth gives immense pleasure. So the people in tropics, use cold in their language for happiness and hot for feelings other than happiness. The English people use warm for happiness and cold for situations that are not happy.

This information was read by me in deivathin kural book, vol 1, in which mahapeiyava has enlightened the listeners of his lecture about the usages of these words.

Tamil, Sanskrit month names

We all know the names of 12 tamil months. Let me also give its sanskrit equivalents and why the months are named like this. This is a simple one and can be guessed by anyone. The full moon day or pournami will fall on a particular star and accordingly the month is named. (Source: Deivathin kural)

read as tamil month - sanskrit name - star (sanskrit name of star) on which pournami falls

Chithirai - Chaitra - chitthirai (chaitra)
Vaikasi - Vaishaka - vishakam (vaishaka)
Aani - Jyeshta - kettai (jyeshta)
Aadi - Aashada - pooraadam (poorvaashada) or uthraadam (uthraashada)
Aavani - Shraavana - tiruvonam (shravanam)
Purattasi - Bhadrapada - poorattadhi (poorva proshtapadha) or uthrattadhi (uthra proshtapadha)
Aipasi - Ashwina - aswathi (ashwini)
Karthikai - Kartika - karthikai (Karthika)
Margazhi - Margashirsha - mirugaseersham (mrugaseersha)
Thai - Pausha - Poosam (pushyam) or punarpoosam (punarvasu)
Maasi - Maagha - Magam (magam)
Panguni - Phalguna - Pooram (poorva phalguni) or uthram (uthra phalguni)

The twenty seven stars or nakshatras for reference - ashwini, bharani, karthikai, rohini, mrigaseersha, tiruvadirai, punarpoosam, poosam, aayilyam, magam, pooram, uthram, hastham, chithirai, swathi, vishakam, anusham, keettai, moolam, pooraadam, uthraadam, tiruvonam, avittam, sadhayam, poorattadhi, uthrattadhi, revathi.

If we see, these days on which pournami falls will be a festival time. Chitra pournami, vaikasi vishakam, guru poornima, karthikai, tiruvadirai (margazhi month), thai poosam, maasi magam, panguni uthram and so on.

Kuttu on our forehead for Ganesha

Why do we beat with our fists on our forehead while offering prayers to lord Ganesha?
Again I have two versions of history.

1. Ravana
Ravana was performing tapas at mount Kailash. Lord shiva was pleased by his tapas and asked him what boon does he want? Ravana replied, "his Kingdom Lanka should not be destroyed by his enemies.". Shiva the gave an atma lingam to Ravana and asked him to take to Lanka by foot, without keeping it down anywhere In the middle. Ravana agreed and proceeded towards Lanka with the lingam in his hands. The devas were worried about this and went to Ganesha and told the matter. They asked Ganesha to break Ravana's Plan. Ganesha assured them that he will take care of that and need not worry about it. So when Ravana was crossing a river, Ganesha created thirst and as a result ravana drank lots of water from the river. As he moved further, as per nature's rule, he wanted to answer it's call. But he can't keep the linga down. So he saw if anybody comes for his rescue. A small boy came by that side. Ravana asked that boy could hold the linga for a while and he shall return soon. The boy agreed but posted a warning that, he being a small boy could not hold the linga for a long time and if it pains, he will call Ravana thrice and if he didn't return, the linga will be kept down. Ravana agreed to that and went. No sooner did he went that side, than the boy called his name thrice and kept the linga on the earth. It was fixed at that spot. Ravana immediately came and saw that. He tried to take the linga away. But that's all in vain. Since his hands pressed so strongly on the linga, the elliptical shape of the linga turned out to be that of a cow's ear and the place came to be known as gokarnam. And even the mighty Ravana was unable to move the linga, it was named as mahabaleshwara.

Raging with anger, Ravana, hit the boy on his forehead with his fist. Boy turned out as lord Ganesha and blessed Ravana. To co-memorate this incident, we also hit our forehead with our fists in front of Ganesha.

2. Vibheeshana
After attending Sri Rama pattabhishekam at Ayodhya, vibheeshana got the idol of Sri ranganatha who is the Family deity of ikshvahu. Rama gave it to vibheeshana as his gift. Rama told vibheeshana if he keep the idol down, then it will stay at the same place. None can move it. Vibheeshana agreed and proceeded to Lanka. While he was crossing the river Kaveri near trichy, he was tempted to have a bath in the holy river. So he saw for someone who could help him in keeping the idol. As usual a small boy came for his help. He got the idol and told him that he can't keep it long and asked him to come as soon as possible. Soon, the boy called vibheeshana. But it took sometime for him to come and collect the idol. The boy placed the idol down, with its face facing the south, the direction of Lanka. Vibheeshana became angry and hit the boy with his fist on the forehead and there appeared Ganesha. Even now one can see the mark on uchi pillayar's forehead. The place where the ranganatha idol was placed is today's Sri Rangam.

Thorppukaranam for pillayar

Why do we put thorppukaranam for pillayar?I have two versions for reason.

1. Maha Vishnu:
Once lord Ganesha swallowed the sudarshana chakra of his uncle maha Vishnu. Ganesha was very powerful as we all know. So it is impossible to take out of his stomach using any force. Vishnu thought for a while. He must make something so that Ganesha himself voluntarily gives the chakra. So Vishnu decided to make Ganesha laugh aloud, so that the chakra can be retrieved. So Vishnu held his ears with his hands in a criss crosss manner i.e right hand holding his left ear and left hand holding his right ear and sat down and stood up alternatively. On seeing This, Ganesha laughed out aloud and the chakra automatically fell out of his stomach. So since this pleases Ganesha all started to do this in front of him.

2. Gajamukhasuran:
Gajamukhasuran got a boon from shiva that no weapon should harm him. So he started troubling the rishis and devas. He ordered them to put 1008 thorppukaranam in front of him 3 times daily. Also he troubled them by not allowing them to perform yagnas. So they went to shiva to find a solution for this. Shiva assured them that his son Ganesha will help them. Accordingly Ganesha waged a war against gajamukhasura. Because of the boon he got from shiva, ganesha's weapons could seldom hit him. He became invisible and reappeared in front of Ganesha as a mouse (mooshika). Ganesha thought for a while and did this. Ganesha sat on the mouse's back and the asura was thus unable to do anything. Ganesha thus won the asura's pride and the latter surrendered at the former's feet.
So to commemorate this victory we are offering thorppukaranam for Ganesha. Also since the asura surrendered, The Lord accepted him as his vahana. So Ganesha is seen along with mooshika.

Mandana mishra and Sharadambal

In my earlier post, I mentioned about Mandana Mishra (Sureshwaracharya). He became one of the prime four disciples of Adi shankara. Thodagar (for whom shankara wrote the famous thodagashtagam - vijithakila sastra sudha jalate...), hasthamalakar, padmapathar and sureshwaracharya are the four disciples of shankara.

Shankara went for thargam (argument on principles) with mandana mishra. He was about to get defeated. Then his wife posted a question to Shankara. Shankara was stunned and he meditated on Goddess Saraswati the vaag devata. He found that the person posting question is none other than the goddess. Shankara found the answer and convinced Her too. So Saraswati's work of establishing shankara's brilliance is done and mandana mishra has surrendered to Shankara. So she planned to leave this Earth. Shankara tied the goddess with a matra and pleaded her to stay on the Earth. Here the husband Mandana Mishra is none other than Brahmma's incarnation and his wife is none other than Saraswathi's incarnation.

Mandana mishra became shankara's disciple and was known as sureshwaracharya. Goddess accepted Shankara's plea and asked him to place her wherever he wants. Shankara chose the banks of river tunga. That place is today's sringeri. The goddess is blessing us as Sharadambal. Sureshwaracharya is the 2nd peetathipathi of sarvagya peetam at Kanchi and Sringeri (2 of the 6 peetams installed by Aadhi Shankara). 

Skandan and Sambandan

In Hindu mythology, Lord muruga is known as "The learned" - "Pandit". We call him gnana panditha. Gnana means wisdom. This word suits for skandan - gnanaskandan. Skanda was born to Lord Shiva from the fire that came out of his 5 five known faces (satyojatam, tatpurusham, eesaanam, vamadevam and aghoram) and 1 invisible adho mukham. So the six sparks (fire) came out of the sky, transported by air, reached the water (saravana poigai) and ruled (still ruling) the earth in the form of Lord Muruga or subrahmanya. This shows that skanda is manifestation of the five bhootas.

This skanda was 'Sanath kumara' (one of brahmma's manasa putra) in his previous birth. Sanath kumara was always meditating on Brahmman or the Paramatman. He had a dream that he was the leader of Devas or celestials and saved them from the holds of asuras or the demons. There is a rule that those who meditate on brahmman i.e for one who is an advaiti (practiser and preacher of the vakya aham brahmmasmi), will always speak, think the one that is true. Since sanath kumara dreamt about he being the lord of devas, it should become true. But in that birth, since he is meditating on brahman, there is nothing like leader or lord or deva or asura. So Lord Shiva came with his consort Parvati and made sanathkumara to ask for a boon. Sanathkumara in turn told shiva that he doesnt need anything and if he needs anything he will grant. Shiva was happy at his reply as sanathkumara proved that he is a true advaiti as he didnt differentiate him from brahman. So shiva asked sanathkumara that he may be born as his son in the next birth. Sanath kumara readily agreed to that request and told he will be born to Him, Shiva alone as Parvati didnt ask for any boon and it is wrong to grant boon to one who has not asked for it. Parvathi understood the situation and persuaded sanathkumara that there should be a small part played by her in this task. So sanathkumara assured that he will be born out of the sparks coming from Shiva's third eye and only a water body of Parvati's form could handle it.

Saravana poigai is Goddess Parvati's form. So it was able to handle the spark when even river Ganga was unable to handle it. Then goes the history of Kartika maids who got an opportunity to grow up six children and gave them back to goddess parvati who united them into one child with six faces, twelve hands. He is Skanda.

Sambandan was born in a family of priests in Sirkazhi in Tamilnadu. He is a reincarnation of Muruga. Because of his knowledge, he is known as GnanaSambandar. One of the six faces of lord skanda, protects the veda and the path established by it. Gnanasambandar too proclaims that it is his duty to uphold the vedic tradition. He did it. Fought against the Jains, re-established shaivam. Even the Pandya king who was supporting Jainism, returned back to shaivam after being cured by Sambandar's thiruneetru pathigam - "mandiram aavathu neeru.... thiru aalavaayaan thiruneeru".

Sambandar did lot of miracles that one cannot imagine. The poems written by him on palm leaves were undisturbed after being thrown into fire or water. Such is the highness of his songs. He drank the breast milk of tripurasundari ambal of sirkazhi when he was 3 years old. That incident is known to us. So I didnot mention much of it. This alone is enough that he is lord muruga. Who else is eligible to drink that mulaipaal?

Like sambandar in south india, there was a great scholar, kumarilabhatta who was a mimamsa by practice. For mimamsa, bhakti is not necessary. Just practising the karma mentioned in veda is enough. He fought against the buddhists who were of strong opinion that there is no bhakti no karma. Kumarilabhatta's mimamsa tradition came to be known as bhaatta matham after his victory over buddhism. Then came Adhi shankara who argued with kumarilabhatta that karma is first step to purify our external organs and bhakti is the next step to purify our mind. There is also a third step where there is no karma and no bhakti (i.e these will fuse together) and we will recognize our self (atman). Kumarilabhatta accepted his defeat and he sacrificed his mortal body in fire in front of shankara. Shankara tried to rescue him but it was a vain. Before leaving his body, kumarilabhatta asked shankara to go to Mandana mishra who was a staunch mimamsa, and tell him whatever was taught to him. Shankara even won mandana mishra and he became his disciple - sureshwaracharya also known as vaarthigar for his elaborate commentaries on upanishads and other vedic principles. 

Pancha or the number 5 in our life

This number 5 has a special place in Sanatana Dharma. We saw about panchayatana pooja. We know about pancha bhootas or 5 elements, pancha karmendriyas (motor organs - body, eye, ear, nose, mouth), pancha gnanendriyas (sense organs), panchaksharam, pancha tanmatras , pancha upacharas, pancha sankhyopacharam, pancha krutyam etc..

Pancha upacharam or 5 acts of offering to God consists of Gandham, pushpam, arkyam, dhoopam and dheepam. These 5 upacharas represent five elements of nature or pancha bhootaas namely sky, earth, fire, water and air.

Gandham is applying sandal paste to God (Alankaram or decoration). This represents Prithvi or Earth.
Pushpam is offering flowers to God (Archanam). This represents Aakash or Sky.
Arkyam is offering water to God (Abhishekam). This represents Appu or Water.
Dhoopam is showing sambrani or dhoop stick. This represents Vayu or Air.
Dheepam is showing deepaarathanai with camphor. This represents Agni or Fire.

Again these 5 bhootas are related to our 5 senses (shabda - sound, sparsha - touch, roopa - form, rasa - taste and gandha - smell) and sense organs (ear, skin, eye, tongue, nose).

Sky is has only sound and hence related to shabdam or sound.
Air has both sound and touch and is related to sparsha or touch sense.
Fire has sound, touch and  form and is related to roopam or having a form.
Water has sound, touch, form (takes the form of the container) and taste and is related to rasam or having taste. Though we chemically argue water is tasteless, it does have a taste that everyone of us will agree.
Earth has all these - sound, touch, form, taste and smell. Hence it is related to gandham or smell. (We even have a film called mann vasanai :))

We hear with our ears, feel with skin, see with eyes, taste with tongue and smell with nose. So our ear is representation of sky, skin is representation of earth, eye is representation of  fire, tongue is representation of  water and nose is representation of  air.

Panchaksharam is the 5 syllable mantra na ma shi va ya.

Pancha krutyam as we all know is the 5 duties of god namely srushti (create), sthithi (sustain), samharam (destroy), thirothanam (hide) and anugraham (bless).

Pancha sankyopacharam is doing 5 pradakshinams and 5 namaskarams in a temple for 5 continuous days. If we do this, Ambal who is known by the name panchasankyopacharini will be pleased and grant boons to us.

Coming to Pancha tanmatras or 5 state of mind as told in Lalita sahasranamam, it is harshanam, roshanam, soshanam, mohanam, maaranam. Goddess Lalita has 5 flowers in her hand which is known as pancha baanam or 5 arrows. These 5 five flowers symbolize the 5 tanmatras mentioned above.

We have pancha pranas that we say doing nivedanam - prana, apaana, vyaana, udaana and samaana.

The list may go endless. But whichever seemed to be important and likely to say in this posting, I mentioned.

Panchayatana Pooja

Panchayatana pooja - a way to unite with God, is the way of worship established by Aadi Shankara. The deities in this pooja are Ganapathy, Shiva, Parvathi, Vishnu and Surya. Incidentally these deities form the main aaraadhana moorthy under Ganapathyam, Shaivam, Shaaktam, Vaishnavam and Sowram of the shanmatham. The sixth being Kaumaram where Muruga is worshipped as prime deity.

Kanchi paramacharya has told, as seen in Deivathin kural, that one may add a vel (spear in the hands of Muruga) in this panchayatana pooja and worship muruga too to complete shanmatham.

If we see the forms of deities in this pooja, they are all from nature. The material for Ganapathy is found in river sona. Bana lingam for shiva is found in Narmada river. Ambal's swarnamukhi is found in Swarnamukhi river in Andhra. Salagramam for Vishnu as most of us know is found in Gantaki river. The spatika for Surya is found near Vallam in Tanjore, Tamilnadu.

Why this was established is that, we need to go with nature always. We should not deviate from it. Also the minimal requirement for this pooja is water, akshada (rice), dry grapes, vilvam and tulasi. Vilva for Shiva, tulasi for Vishnu, Akshada for Ganapathy, Ambal and Surya. We can perform archanai with these. Even if tulasi or vilva went dry, it is not a problem. Dry grapes can be used for nivedanam. So if one has taken this pooja, he can perform everyday, wherever he goes. It is easy for him to take these small things in a box. With all these in mind Guru Shankara has paved this pooja.

Power of Bhagawan Nama

Name of the God (Irai Namam or Bhagawan Namam), if uttered consciously or unconsciously, with or without devotion, it will definitely protect us. Such is the power of the Name. If somebody calls out our name, we will look back at them right? Same is the case for God. If we call out His name, He will definitely look back at us. This is the simple concept behind name.

Ajamila charitram of Srimad Bhagavatam tells about the power of bhagawan namam. Ajamila, who lead a life full of materialistic desires attained salvation because of Narayana namam. Let us see his story. Ajamila was leading a life that was full of mundane desires. He had many children. His last son's name was Narayanan. Ajamila had a special love for this son Narayanan. When Ajamila was on his death bed, he was calling all of his children one by one. When he called his lovable son Narayanan, his soul departed. He died while calling "Narayana". So he was taken to vaikuntam by attendants of Maha Vishnu, after posting a win over the Yama's attendants.

Narayana, Hari and more.. there are many names for Lord Vishnu. If we say "Hari", all our sins will be washed away. It is good to say "Hari" 7 times in the morning immediately after waking up.

Even a robber, who was asked to chant "mara mara .." by Narada, was born as a great sage - valmiki -  in his next birth and gave the world Ramayana. Though he uttered the rama nama in reverse order, he was given a good position.

Heated coal will be red in colour. After some time ash will cover it. But if we touch, still we feel the heat. Retaining heat is the property of coal. Such is the Bhagawan name. If we start saying the same, the fruit of it will be keep on accumulating and we can feel that whenever we want.

Sastras say, if we chant 1000 names (sahasranama) of god, 1008 times, we will attain all good things. But that is not possible for most of us. But keeping on chanting a single nama is possible. Even Yama (the lord of death) will  fear if one utters the bhagawan nama.

With a small story I will finish this post. A man rose up from his seat in his home and took a bag. his wife asked him where he had started. He said "Arisi vanga poren" (meaning he is going to buy rice). No sooner did he said, than he collapsed and died. He was immediately surrounded by attendants of Shiva and Vishnu. How come?? See what he told before collapsing. ari siva nga poren (the same sentence split like this). Now the meaning is he is going to tell hari,siva... He attained mukthi. This is just an imaginative story. Why I told this is we will get good and only good merits if we tell the name of God with or without our notice. So only  we keep God's names for our children. Atleast by calling their name, we can call God. But pity is we don't call their names fully. We abbreviate it and lose the chance of uttering the Nama.

AnandatAndavapuram Sri AyyanAr

Sri sokkAyi udanurai tiruvarasamoorthy ayyanaar - Well the term says about a graama devatha ayyanaar. But this ayyanaar is none other than the dharma sAsthA (Ayyappan). Famous musician Sri G.N.Balasubramanian has sung a song in praise of this lord at anandatandavapuram (small village near mayiladuthurai - place where the composer Sri Gopalakrishna Bharati lived). Yes. That song is mamakulEswaram shAsthAram in the rAga tOdi, set to Eka tAlam.

The song goes like this.

Pallavi
mama kulEshvaram shAstAram santatam cintayEham
Ananda tANDava puravihAram

Anu pallavi
shamita nata jana duritam nIlAmbara shObhitam
amita sukha shrIpradam atulita divya guNAnvitam

Charanam
kamala rucira karadhrta kAshAyudha vibhUSitam
amara munIshvara bhUta vaTuka nAyaka sEvitam
kamanIya nava yauvana sundarAmbA sahitam
sumashara guhAgrajam shrI rAjam harihara sutam

madhyama kAlam
rAkA shashinibha vadanam ravi sOmAnasa nayanam
rayagati turanga gamanam rakSita samasta bhuvanam

In this kriti, GNB declares that sri ayyanar of anandataandavapuram is his family deity.

mamakuleshwaram - mama (my) kula (family) eeswaram (deity)

I always think about my family deity, sAsthA, who resides at anandatandavapuram. The lord, drives away the sins of the bhaktas who pray to him and he looks great in blue coloured garment that he wears. He grants joy to them and he is an embodiment of sevaral virtues.

He holds a weapon made out of grass (kAshAyudha) in his lotus like hands. He is worshipped by the best of devas, rishis and vedic brahmins. He is accompanied by sundarAmbA who attracts all by her beauty and youthfulness. He is the elder brother of manmadha, muruga. He is the mighty king, son of vishnu and shiva. He has a face like full moon. His two eyes are the sun and the moon. He moves swiftly like that of a water current and protects the whole world.

Many thanks to rasikas.org which guided me with the exact lyrics and meaning of this great song.

In tamil, the goddess is called sokkAyi, which means, a lady who attracts every one by means of her beauty. The same word gets translated to sundarAmbA in sanskrit. Normally Ayyanaar is accompanied by poornA and pushkalA. In this place, he is with sundarAmbA, which is very unique.

Vadai or Jhagiri malai to Lord Aanjaneya

Many of us will be wondering why do devotees offer jhangiri malai (in north india) and vadai malai (in south india) to the lord Aanjaneya.

This doubt was raised before Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava Sri Chandrasekara saraswathi swamigal. This was the explanation given by him.

When aanjaneya was a small kid, he saw the sun in the evening time before sun-set. For him it appeared like a fruit. So Aanjaneya being pavana kumaran (son of pavan or vayu), went so fast near sun and was about to swallow it. Then Lord Surya appeared before him and told that he should not do that and its against nature. Agreeing to that, hanuman came back.

This act of shadowing the sun, was appreciated by Lord Rahu (one of the nava grahas) who use to cause solar eclipse. He granted a boon to aanjaneya that people will worship him with substances made out of urid dal (ulundhu in tamil). So we are worshipping him with vadai and jhangiri made out of urid.

Why do people in north india worship with sweet jhangiri and people in south india worship with salt vadai?

It is because of the availability of sugar and salt. If you see in north India, sugar cane is in abundance. So sweet jhangiri. And in south india, salt is in abundance because of the sea shores. So the salted vada with pepper (found in abundance in kerala) is offered.

Abhirami andhaadhi translation

Abhirami - the presiding deity of thirukkadavoor. She is the consort of shri AmrithakadEswara. She is known for the grace that she bestows on her devotees. Strong bhakti on her has saved the life of a man - Shri Abhirami bhattar who was about to lose his life as he uttered a lie to the king. To find out more interesting facts about Abhirami and this story, visit Abhirami Andhaadhi translation page. This great work was done by one of my friend Shri Rajagopal who is also a motivating factor for me to write more in this blog.

A glimpse of Mother Abhirami's attention when it falls on us, it will grant wealth, knowledge, courage, good relatives, god hood and all good things. Abhirami is light red complexioned. Light red is usually connected with grace. In the lalitha sahasranama dhyana slOkA there will be a phrase "arunaam karunaantharangithAksheem". Arunan is the charioteer of Surya. He comes before suryOdhayam. The light red that one could see before the dawn - how beautiful it is? So is Abhirami.

I had been following this translation work from the day shri rajagopal contacted me through this blog. Due to official and personal commitments I got very small time to surf through net. So I didn't write on this for these days. It was really a nice work. May goddess Abhirami and Lord Amrithakadeswara grant all good things to rajagopal and his family.

sree mAthA sree mahArAgnee sree madh simhAsanEswari
sree chakrarAjAnilayA sree madh tripurasundari
sree sivA sivasakthi aikya roopini lalithAmbikA

Mother's Day

This year (2009) Mother's day is on May 10. Usually 2nd sunday in the month of May is celebrated as Mother's day. Staunch Indian People may comment that this kind of celebrations is an impact of westernization. According to me there is nothing like that. Mother has given birth to us. She has been our teacher in our initial stages. She has taught us to walk, to run, to speak and what not! So when there is an occasion to thank her, do it. Do not miss it.

Again don't mistake me that I am restraining the love to a single day. We can and we must thank her for ever. For people who have failed to do that, let this be a start.

Our spiritual books have mentioned, that an Indian child encounters 5 mothers in its lifetime.

1. DEha mAthA - One who has given birth to us
2. bhoo mAthA - The mother Earth who sustains us
3. gO mAthA - The mother cow who has been nourishing us all these days
4. vEda mAthA - The mother of all vEdAs which has picked us an identity among rest of the world.
5. dEsa mAthA - Our motherland where we have been living so far.

So every one should take care of these mAthAs and they will in turn take care of us.

There is a shlOkA in our ancient texts:

gAyatrI tulasI gangAm kAmadhEnum arundhatheem |
pancha mAthu smarEn nityam mahA pAtaka nAsanam ||

This means, remembering the 5 mAthAs - gAyatri, tulasi, gangA, kAmadhenu, arundhathee daily will slay all our sins.

Thus is the greatness of a mother.

Upendran's Upanayanam

Upendran - Younger brother of Indran. He is none other than Vaamanan. Yes. One of the 10 avatars of Sri Maha vishnu. Why do I say him as the younger brother of Indran? Because, Vaamanan was born as the second son to Kashyapa Muni - Athithi couple.

Of the 10 popular avatars of Sri Maha Vishnu, it is in the Vaamana avatar, Vishnu manifests him as a brahmin boy and Upanayanam has been conducted for him. The upanayana brahmmopadesam of Sri Vaamana moorthi is well said in Sri Madh Bhagawatham.

The great ascetics and others who saw Vaamana moorthi in his upanayana ceremony, floated in the ocean of joy. Prajaapati was the head priest for the function. Surya, the sun god, performed the MantrOpadesam (chanting the Gayatri Mantra in the ears of Vaamana moorthi). Deva guru Brihaspathi gave the Brahmma Soothiram. His father Kashyapar gave the hip belt - Mekhala. Bhooma Devi, the goddess of the Earth offered the Deer skin which is considered to be a symbol of purity. Soma deva gave the Palaasa Dhandam, a stick to be held in the hand. Vaamana's mother Athithi gave the kowbeena vastram (cloth to wear). The lord of the Universe, Sri Parameswara offered an umbrella and Brahmma gifted the kamandalam or a stick that is used to support hands while doing Japam.

The seven rishis (Gritsamada, Vishvamitra, Vamadeva, Atri, Angirasa, Bharadvaja, Vasishta) gave the dharbai (a grass that is used for sacrifices or ceremonies) and Goddess Saraswathi gave the Japa mala (Garland used to keep track the number of times a mantra has been chanted). Kuberan, the lord of wealth presented a vessel (Biksha Paathiram) in which the great mother Uma devi offered rice.

So every person to who this Upanayana Brahmmopadesam is performed, acquires the status of Vaamana moorthi and the people involved in the above activities during the ceremony is transformed to the roles mentioned above. Such a sanctity is embedded in such functions. Hence let us not degrade ourselves by talking unnecessary things or passing mundane comments about the rituals and vain our lives. Do every thing with uttermost sincerity.