Story of varadha’s emergence 15-2

SrI:  SrImathE SatakOpAya nama:  SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImadh varavaramunayE nama:

Story of varadha’s emergence

<< Part 15-1

brahmA prayed to God that benevolence personified God should dwell permanently in thiru aththigiri standing as a Light that will be venerated by posterity. And breezed past from God’s mouth the words “So be it”…

brahmA too wished to stay in kAnchi. After having tasted and enjoyed this “ArAvamudhu” (Unending Elixir, nectar) , was reluctant to get back to sathyalOka.

He expressed his desire to the Lord of vEzhamalai that  “nithyam niraparAdEshu kainkaryEshu niyungshva mAm” – he be allowed to stay here itself for the favour of serving at the feet of dhEvap perumAL of kAnchi.

But God thought otherwise “Four faced! I hail and complement your bhakthi. But (remember) you occupy brahmA’s position by My decree and accordingly you are executing your duties. Those at sathyalOka miss you because of your absence there and they eagerly await your return there.  It is my will that you must go there. Forever I shall reside in your chaste, spotless heart. Fear not. Hurry and reach your world.

I am pleased by your conduct during the vELvi and your love during the vELvi. You offered havirbAgas directly to me instead of through dhEvas. Saddened, dhEvas enquired you about this and your reply is worth printing in letters of Gold (Highly meritorious).

By custom different dhEvas would be offered havirbAgam (food of havir). But generally these yAgas are preformed aiming at trivial rewards and pleasures. But this yAga was not aiming at any reward or return. It was to worship the One who awards the rewards. So you ventured to submit havis to Supreme Being directly and you did so.

I hail your resolve and congratulate you” so said varadhan.

Four faced (brahmA) recalled what pErarurALan had said. He had mentioned that he had some tasks to accomplish at kAnchi in the days to come. Curious to know, about the details, brahmA enquired hari.

“Listen” bhagavAn commenced his words ”In this first yuga, krutha yuga, you worshipped me. Likewise, in the next yuga, thrEthA, gajEndhra will offer prayers.

In dhvApara yuga, bruhaspathi who was earlier cursed by you and also suffering a few other curses, will be here to pray to me (Readers my recall the mutual curses exchanged between brahmA and bruhaspathi).

In kali yuga AdhiSEshan will offer invocations.

Eternally I will stand here in aththigiri as mAmaNi vaNNan, granting favour and benefaction perpetuating sanAthana dharma, protecting the pious. I will unite in wedlock with perundhEvi, the daughter of sage bhrugu. As perundhEvi maNALan (husband), as kali yuga varadhan, as a guide to the right path, easily approachable to devotees, I will stay here offering protection and patronage.

maNavAla mAmunigaL has also rendered

“athyApi sarvabhUthAnAm abhIshta pala dhAyinE|
praNathArthi harAyAsthu prabhavE mama mangaLam||”

– My salutations to the leader who remains even now the target of all eyes, who liberally grants favours who frees devotees from grief.

I ordain you administer the distinguished uthsava (holy ritualistic function), brahmOthsava, in a unique manner, culminating in thIrthavari (holy dip) for me (born in hastham day – chithrA month).

This will be celebrated in the month of vaIkAsi on the day of SravaNam.

brahmA submitted that he would act as ordered. He got back to his world after completing the uthsava in a befitting manner.

varadhan deliberated in His mind.

I have just informed brahmA that AdhiSEshan would worship me in kali yuga.

Who else but Me would know about the very many plans I have.

To nourish the sacred tenet of Sri VaishNavsim, nammAzhwAr must be blessed with “mayarvaRa madhinalam” – a mind and wisdom free from confusion and cloudiness of samsAra. I must enjoy listening to bhUdhaththAzhwAr’s song in praise my garuda sEvA. I have to donate wealth and riches to thirumangai AzhwAr so that he would not languish in the prison of chOLa king, grieving “vAdinen vAdi” (periya thirumozhi 1-1-1).

I have to guide AlavandhAr who would venerate me, then would identify my rAmAnuja – bhUthapurISar, yathirAjA (king of saints) as Amudhalvan (the first and foremost).

I have to, in the company of perundhEvi rescue and save my child rAmAnuja from the forest of vindhyA mountain. I have to drink to my heart’s content the sweet water fetched by rAmAnuja from sAlaik kiNaru (A sacred roadside well).

How much I have to talk to thirukkachi nambigal, essentially six words for rAmAnuja. I am waiting for the pleasure of the breeze from thirukkachi nambi’s Alavattam (hand fan).

I have to send rAmAnuja to SrIrangam with araiyar. I must have the pleasure of hearing kUrESan sing varadharAja sthavam. I have to drink the milk offered by nadAthur ammAL . I shall be born as piLLai lokAchArya and deliver ashtAdhasa rahasyam. SrI bhAshyam and eedu should be nourished. I must shower blessing on vEnkatESa ghantAvathArar vEdhAntha dhEsikan who will live with me as the soul of his life and breath.

Importantly, I have to listen and enjoy listening daily to ubhaya vEdhAntha (vEdhAntha in Sanskrit and Tamil). This should be unique to this place, not practised elsewhere.

I must earn the fame “arulichcheyal piththan” ( the one crazy of dhivya prabhandam  ).

Will I not suffer kaN drishti ( effect of evil eyes) if I have all this glory?  It will be good if a compassionate one with great concern sings mangaLASAsanam (to ward off this evil).

maNavALa mAmunigaL, who is hailed as viSathavAk SikAmaNi is going to recite SlOkas as mangaLASAsanam with care and concern. I must listen to them.

I must earn the fame “sampradhAyap perumAL” (God caring for sacred conventions) pEraruLALan pondered.

So many desires within Me.

He planned in krutha yuga and got these great assets and wealth in kali yuga.

The Lord smiled musing over all those brahmA did not know then. And now we know.

What a unique benefactor of varadhan. This story of varadha’s emergence is the seed for all other stories. We are gifted and fortunate to have had a chance of reading this.

“We are peerless in the world”  We keep saying forever!!!

The end

adiyen thOthAdri thirumalai rAmAnuja dAsan

Source: https://srivaishnavagranthamstamil.wordpress.com/2018/06/06/story-of-varadhas-emergence-15-2/

pramEyam (goal) – http://koyil.org
pramANam (scriptures) – http://granthams.koyil.org
pramAthA (preceptors) – http://acharyas.koyil.org/
SrIvaishNava education/kids portal – http://pillai.koyil.org

Story of varadha’s emergence 15-1

SrI:  SrImathE SatakOpAya nama:  SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImadh varavaramunayE nama:

Story of varadha’s emergence

<< Part 14-3

The blemishless Lord of aththigiri looked at ayan and spoke

“My son, brahmA! You have met with quite a few trials and tribulations (in your endeavour) but unmindful of that you have successfully completed the yAgam and fittingly too. Your unwavering mind and firm resolve make me pleased. Ask me what boon you solicit and have it. I am prepared to grant.

“varam varaya thasmAth thvam yathAbhimatham Athmana:
sarvam sampathsyathe pumsAm mayI dhrushtipadham kathE||”

“Now I have rendered myself visible to human beings. For them too everything will be fruitful and booming. Ask me, you will get”, said God.

Eyeing God, karigiri kaNNan, in front of him, the Lotus dweller, spoke to the supreme Lord in a polite tone. “swAmi ! It is really rare and curious that felicity itself is asking what felicity is solicited.

I do not believe that I have achieved anything through my endeavour. I have no refuge other than your merciful succour and support. It is plain truth.

Oh Exalted Being (perumAL)! Only elevated souls (mahAthmAs) like anantha, garuda, vishvaksEna and the like are gifted to behold your form. I have now been blessed with that. Is there any boon, any benefactor other than this?

My position or standing is transient. There must be abundant number of planetary groups (brahmAndasl) in your creation. And in there, there will be numerous brahmAs, who knows?

Presently I happen to be brahmA in a sathya lOka in one of those very many brahmAndas, by your grace. It is as difficult to count the number of brahmAs who have been in brahmA’s  post so far, as it is to count the number of grains of sand in Ganges or the rain drops in a downpour from indhra.

My eyes having feasted the nectar (of your sight), would not ask for anything else – “ennamudhinaik kaNda kaNgal maRRonRinaik kANAdhu”

I have only one appeal to make to you!  You must adorn and stay in this place, kachchi for all time to come.

“vaikuNtE thu yathA lOke yadhaiva kshIra sAgarE|
thathA sathyavratha kshEthrE nivAsasthE bhavEdhiha||

hasthiSailasya SikharE sarva lOka namaskruthE|
puNyakOti vimAnEsmin paSyanthu thvAm narAs sadhA||”

As in your fancied, favourite places. vaikuNta and thiruppARkadal, here in this sathyavratha kshEthra also, on this thiru aththigiri in puNya kOti vimAna grant our sight so that people may offer prayers and worship any time.

My compassionate Lord (Mother like)! This is what I beseech” petitioned brahmA.

God too agreed “brahmA! I assure that I will be station here eternally so that all can have a vision of me.

Are you happy? I have appeared to your eyes in this first yuga and I have many more missions to accomplish in the coming yugas.

Hear me as I list out” said the Lord.

To know the contents of the list, we will enter the next part…

adiyen thOthAdri thirumalai rAmAnuja dAsan

Source: https://srivaishnavagranthamstamil.wordpress.com/2018/06/05/story-of-varadhas-emergence-15-1/

pramEyam (goal) – http://koyil.org
pramANam (scriptures) – http://granthams.koyil.org
pramAthA (preceptors) – http://acharyas.koyil.org/
SrIvaishNava education/kids portal – http://pillai.koyil.org

Story of varadha’s emergence 14-3

SrI:  SrImathE SatakOpAya nama:  SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImadh varavaramunayE nama:

Story of varadha’s emergence

<< Part 14-2

The magnanimous, magnificent pErarurALan (varadhan) was sporting a smile accepting brahmA’s accolades and adoration. brahmA too continued to hand salutations to God pondering over His generous compassion.

“Oh God! AmudhalvA (The first and foremost)! It has again been proved that you alone guide and conduct those who trust you .

You stand alone. You are the independent power. How much love you store for your devotees? O bhaktha vathsalA! (One who cares for bhakthas) I was shattered by the curse of bruhaspathi and the ire of saraswathi. I would have become a no-body or non-entity had you not showered your benevolence.

You came as aSarIrI; commanded me to go to sathya vratha kshEthram; showed me kAnchi; gifted this mount dhandhAvaLa giri for yAgam;

You wrecked and smashed the disruptions attempted by saraswathi and asuras; when the threat came from champarAsura, you came as the brilliance of lamp (viLakkoLip perumAL) to ward off; when the crowd of asuras came and caused troubles, you showed yourself as narasimha (vELukkai ALari). When saraswathi employed kALi and asuras, you revealed yourself as ashtabhujap perumAL. You blew up the evils.

You showed yourself as sayanESan (in paLLikoNdAn) to us. You appeared as ranganAthan in thiruppARkadal. You showered your blessings as vehkaNaip perumAL.

Now here at this moment, you stand smiling in the middle of agni (fire), showering your grace.

Who can fully celebrate your love and virtues? The four vEdhas, if they search, won’t succeed in locating you. When I failed in my efforts to see you, standing with no asylum, it is you who appeared before my eyes, on your own free will.

vEdhas are the eyes for the world; and you are the black eye ball at the centre of the eye. Is there any match for you in raining mercy? You are like ocean. Who can have a view of your whole self? Like water you protect this world. The land still carries even those who abuse the earth. You are equal to earth (bhUmi) in bearing with our faults and misdeeds.

If we venture to investigate your traits, we end up with the conclusion that there is no other like you.

Your complexion is that of dark cloud; you the saviour of elephant!

My beloved kaNNA!!

Am I praising you or am I talking rubbish?

I am not sure. I am totally ignorant.

I met you on the mount karigiri. At that instant of your sight my miseries totally vanished as I have realised.

I am fortunate. I am favoured said an emotional brahmA.

“kAnthagu thoLaNNal thennaththiyUrar kaNNan” (He, who has shoulders that are a treat to the eyes) – the Lord of aththigiri, varadhan smiled. His hands signalled “Fear not”. He started speaking to brahmA.

What did he say?…

Let us wait..

adiyen thOthAdri thirumalai rAmAnuja dAsan

Source:  https://srivaishnavagranthamstamil.wordpress.com/2018/06/04/story-of-varadhas-emergence-14-3/

pramEyam (goal) – http://koyil.org
pramANam (scriptures) – http://granthams.koyil.org
pramAthA (preceptors) – http://acharyas.koyil.org/
SrIvaishNava education/kids portal – http://pillai.koyil.org

Story of varadha’s emergence 14-2

SrI:  SrImathE SatakOpAya nama:  SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImadh varavaramunayE nama:

Story of varadha’s emergence

<< Part 14-1

Appearing as a mount of gold rising, “puNya kOti vimAna” (God’s vehicle) appeared. Inside appeared varadhan as a flood of light which would put to shame even the sun.

“chaItra mAsi sithE pakshE chathurdhasyAm thithau munE:
ShObhanE hastha nakshathrE ravivAra samanvithE|
vapAhOmE pravruththE thu prAthas savana kAlikE:
dhAthuraththara vEdhyantha : prAthurAseeth janArdhana||”

In the month of chithrA on a Sunday, appeared mAmanivaNNan. It was the fourth day after new moon under auspicious hastha star.

During the time of prAthas savana, God became the feast to brahmA’s eyes.

vELvi has to be performed three times in the morning, mid noon and evening. Respectively, these are known as prAthas savanam, madhyAhnika savanam and sAyam savanam.

Morning yAga mandates employing the flesh from inner part of animal.

It was at that time pErarurALan (varadhan) generously and charitably arrived.

nArAyaNan himself has appeared as varadhan.

The Almighty God, bearing in His arms, conch, Wheel and gadhA (mace) has now taken the form of varadhan for our sake.

The light that is the essence and substance of vEdhAntha has now come from our sake (as varadhan). The one who will show us the path upwards (to vaikuNtam) has descended down for our sake. All were glorifying varadhan on seeing Him.

All assembled there lost themselves in the graceful charm of varadhan who reminded “manjuyar ponmalai mElezhundha mAmugil” – a big cloud on top of a high mountain of gold.

brahmA on seeing Him who is normally not detectable by one eyes, turned crazy, it appeared.

thirumangai AzhwAr grumbles “aththA ariyE enRazhaikka piththA enRu pEsuginrAr piRar ennai” – If I keep talking to you terming you as father, king etc, others call me insane. Those at the peak of devotion (Bhakthi) would be mad in the eyes of onlookers.

nAradha bhakthi sUthra describes three traits of bhakthi – unmaththavath, jadavath & piSAchavath.

Experience of bhakthi (fondness and dedication to God) may vary from person to person. It makes some wonder around without sticking to a place, makes them seem deranged. It keeps some one else fixed on the same spot as an inanimate object and some others like a phantom.

“mIrA hO gayI magan.. Oh gali gali hariguN gAne lagI”

(mIrA was mad after kannan (krishNa). She roamed around streets singing the merits and virtues of hari). This devotion of mIrA pouring out as bhajans illustrates “unmaththa” state.

jata bharatha was an outstanding bhaktha, stayed glued to a spot insensitive to surroundings. This is an example of Jadavath bhakthi.  Sankara bhagavathpAdha wonders if there is anything beyond the power of bhakthi.

The sight of varadhan made brahmA amazed and dumb founded. Like a man, hungry for days together, would react on seeing food, ayan’s eyes feasted on varadhan. His mouth was pouring out “ArAvamudhE!  ArAvamudhE!”.

Tears of joy rolling out from his eyes, his body quivering, not knowing what to do, running wither and thither. brahmA had his eyes fixed on varadhan, as though he was devouring Him through his eyes.

Occasionally, he clapped his hands and letting one or two words “varadharAjA!! dEvarAjA!! dAyAnidhi!! pErarurALA!!” (Different titles for Lord varadhan), dancing and circling him (doing pradhakshiNam) while in that process, now and there unwittingly he orbited anticlockwise also (apradhakshiNam).

purANA vividly pictured the state of brahmA –

“pradakshiNam praithi thadhApradakshiNam prayAthi dhUram punarEthi sannidhim|
karENa pasparsa mamArja thathvapu: priyENa gAtam parishasvajE kshaNam||”

Scriptures also justify this state –

“athyantha bhakthi yukthasya na SAsthram naiva cha krama:”

SAsthras, Rules, regulations and the like certainly do not have any control or hold over those having immense devotion (bhakthi).

brahmA wondered, “varadha looks so graceful and elegant from close quarters. From afar?”

Right away he went farther and caught sight of Him.

He looked even more handsome. Again he went a distance away  worshipped. He went close to varadha and stroked his fingers on Him, squeezed Him gently on his cheeks, hugged Him. But embracing child varadha firmly would be hurting, feared brahmA. So he withdrew his hands. People around was wonderstruck by brahmA’s acts. The four faced paid an emotional tribute to varadhan in a wobbling, trembling voice.

How exactly?

In the next part…

adiyen thOthAdri thirumalai rAmAnuja dAsan

Source: https://srivaishnavagranthamstamil.wordpress.com/2018/06/03/story-of-varadhas-emergence-14-2/

pramEyam (goal) – http://koyil.org
pramANam (scriptures) – http://granthams.koyil.org
pramAthA (preceptors) – http://acharyas.koyil.org/
SrIvaishNava education/kids portal – http://pillai.koyil.org

 

Story of varadha’s emergence 14-1

SrI:  SrImathE SatakOpAya nama:  SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImadh varavaramunayE nama:

Story of varadha’s emergence

<< Part 13

brahmA listened attentively to what vEgAsEthup perumAL told saraswathi. I am going to reside on your banks all days to come. The words addressed to him (brahmA) that he would soon have his gift also echoed in his mind.

brahmA recalled the events chronologically – the dispute between dhEvas and rishis and munis; the curse pelted on him; saraswathi leaving furiously; his search on the earth for an apt place for penance; voice of aSarIrI; his subsequent arrival at kAnchi;  numerous obstructions he faced from saraswathi and asuras and how emperumAn shielded them on every occasion.

So much had happened in so little time.

“You are beyond perception. The fortune I appeal for is that you shall be enshrined in my mind for ever ( i.e., I shall never forget you). Only you are the wealth I own.

Reflecting on you and your greatness, and only that is nourishing and beneficial for me.

I eagerly look forward to the day I will be endowed with the gift, namely you” said brahmA to himself.

Accompanied by saraswathi, he continued with the vELvi flawlessly. On an auspicious day, in the core of the uththara vEdi (place where fire is raised and penance performed) there appeared a dazzling brilliance which matched the radiance when thousand suns come into view at the same time.

All assembled danced jubilantly chanting “varadhan has emerged. varadhan has emerged!!”

dhEvas and those who have attained liberation (mukthi) expressed their joy sounding conches.

All present had their hearts fixed on the lotus eyes and the reddish mouth of varadha, resembling like fruit. They were labouring to prevent their hearts robbed by the charm of His eyes and lips.

varadha’s holy emergence occurred at the auspicious “prAthas savana kAlam”.

What is that period “prAthas savana kAlam”?

Wait to get enlightened .

“vAjimEthE vapA hOmE dhAthuruththara vEdhitha:|
udhithAya huthAdhAgnEr uthArAnkAya mangaLam||”  –  Sri dhEvarAja managalam – by maNavALa mAmunigaL

adiyen thOthAdri thirumalai rAmAnuja dAsan

Source: https://srivaishnavagranthamstamil.wordpress.com/2018/06/02/story-of-varadhas-emergence-14-1/

pramEyam (goal) – http://koyil.org
pramANam (scriptures) – http://granthams.koyil.org
pramAthA (preceptors) – http://acharyas.koyil.org/
SrIvaishNava education/kids portal – http://pillai.koyil.org

Story of varadha’s emergence 13

SrI:  SrImathE SatakOpAya nama:  SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImadh varavaramunayE nama:

Story of varadha’s emergence

<< Part 12-2

vEgavathi is making rapid strides towards kAnchi. God lay as a barricade in two places. Having witnessed His form as revealed by Him, she longed to have another dharSan (glimpse). Desire (to see) is the only requirement to see Him.

periyAzhwar and AndAL (Father and daughter) in their devotional hymns have convincingly conveyed that to reach Him the prime requisite is the desire to reach Him – “kUdumanamudaiyIrgaL varambozhi vandhollai kUduminO” (thirupallANdu) & “pOdhuvIr pOdhuminO” (thiruppAvai)

thirumangai AzhwAr advocates the same – “AsaiyO perithu koLga alaikadal vaNNar pAlE”. (Let us have our Great desire towards the ocean colored perumAL).

saraswathi’s passion for a dharSan of nArAyaNan made herself as the river, such was her pace.

The sound of the waves of the river seemed to echo her intent. What exactly was she thinking?!

The grief of not worshipping Him though she had run into Him twice, tormented her. She longed to see Him once more! This time, she was determined not to stop with just offering prayers, but she would eternally stay with Him, with her eyes fixed on His holy feet. It seemed this thought of her was echoed in the sound of the waves.

dhEvas and brahmA also submitted themselves to God. They strongly believed that God who had earlier saved them from all the perils and danger would continue to be their saviour in kAnchi and in the neighbourhood of hasthiSailam (aththigiri).

He renders Himself simple and easy to those who amass love for Him in heart. He will surely emerge.

Once again lying as sEthu (dam) the glamorous Lord appeared as feast on the eyes of onlookers.

Devoid of likes, dislikes, anger, contempt & other evil traits due to her allies till then, saraswathi caressed His holy feet. Feeling ashamed and humble, her heart burdened by and full of love was singing the glory of His feet.

On the western side of hasthiSailam, the saviour was lying as “vEgAsEthu” – barricade to arrest and confine the rapidly flowing river.

With gleaming eyes and unfading smile, He started addressing

“mathpAdhajAya:  gangAyA api thE Sraishtyam uththamam; dhaththam mayA adhunA kshEthrE madhIyE  punyA varthanE |
yasmAth vegAth anuprApthA kshEthram sathyavratham prathi: thasmAth vEgavathi ithi AkhyAm labdhvA vasa mathAnjayA |
aham chApi uththarE thIrE thava vathsyAmi shObhanE ||” –

(It will immensely benefit us to recite and hear above sacred SlOkas from purANAs.  These are added here for the benefit of readers)

saraswathi! You will be celebrated as superior to gangA. Everyone will salute you, who will be known as vEgavathi. I shall for ever rest on your bank, on the northern side.  Promises and boons shot out of vEga aNaip perumAL (vEga aNai became vehkanai finally became vehkA).

Happily and joyfully saraswathi was pouring encomiums on Him.

“The name vEgabAgai (vEgavathi) has grown close to my heart. ApakA is the name given to a flooded river. My Lord! When I gushed flooding forward, you stopped and gave refuge to me.

My Lord, who rest here in vehkA in the sleeping pose, I have no competence to praise you.

This slave of yours is blessed to have this dharSan of “unniya yOgaththu uRakkaththinai” (you in the yogic sleeping form). Have you willingly chosen this place to lie over your “pAnthan pAzhi” (snake bed)?

Oh kachchi Dweller! You have not taken the honorific aNai (Dam) form today.

vEdham declares “amruthasya Esha sEthu:” – You are an aNai (Saviour) to anybody with an eye on liberation from this ocean of samsAra.

Seeing your beauty and the tinge of your skin we wonder if the blue stone of indhra lies here as the dam.

You the saviour of all the worlds, lie amidst me in your bed of snakes. Inhabitants of all the three worlds enjoy this sight which is at once a feast to their eyes and minds.

I have shed my anger. I have realised my stature. With a perturbed heart, I  have caused innumerable disruptions. But you have taken me over (as your devotee) instead of getting irked and irate.

In so many words, saraswathi venerated and paid homage to Him. Joyfully brahmA also joined her.

aNai (God) offered blessing to this iNai (denotes a pair in thamizh; Pair of brahmA and saraswathi).

I act exactly as I speak (my words and deeds are in unison). I emerged below bIjagiri and in thiruppARkadal and you longed to see me again. I agreed to come. As I gave my word, I have come. As the only saviour and protector of the world, I shall rest here for ever. One and all will salute me as the authority of fulfilling justifiable pleas and appeals” said Almighty.

He continued “brahmA! No need to worry, vELvi will be completed fittingly. Fear not. Shortly the reward due to your will appear before your eyes. That prize is not for you only. That is a gift for this world.

Wait for that!”

We may also wait for that!!

adiyen thOthAdhri thirumalai rAmAnuja dAsan

Source: https://srivaishnavagranthamstamil.wordpress.com/2018/06/01/story-of-varadhas-emergence-13/

pramEyam (goal) – http://koyil.org
pramANam (scriptures) – http://granthams.koyil.org
pramAthA (preceptors) – http://acharyas.koyil.org/
SrIvaishNava education/kids portal – http://pillai.koyil.org

Story of varadha’s emergence 12-2

SrI:  SrImathE SatakOpAya nama:  SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImadh varavaramunayE nama:

Story of varadha’s emergence

<< Part 12-1

Transformed herself as vEgavathi, an irate saraswathi, fuming and livid, was fast approaching with the intent of ruining brahmA’s vELvi.

The river raced down accompanied by the flooding waters of sukthikA, kanakA, sruprA, kampA, pEyA, manjuLA and chandavEgA (the seven branches of vEgavathi). It is believed that the river has earned the name vEgavathi because the speed of its flow exceeds that of gangA.

All were worried and scared, unable to decide on the next course of action. Unable to guess what might follow, they stayed terrified, their eyes betraying fear.

vEgavathi is going to swallow “manimAdangal sUzhnthazhagAya kachchi” – the beautiful city of kAnchi adorned by mansions and palaces. This was the thought filling the minds of everyone. Rubbing their hands in dejection, they stood helplessly with no asylum or saviour.

brahmA was quizzing those close to Him about how distant saraswathi was and how fast she was approaching and the like.

The velocity of the flow was accurately arrived at and the same communicated to brahmA.

vEgavathi was 10 yOjanAs (90 miles approximately) away and rushing.

Grinned brahmA and said “By the time you calculated and conveyed to me, the river has crossed 4 yOjanAs and is fast approaching.

It is beyond our means to gauge her speed while beneath bIjagiri.

Misled and enticed by asuras,

“sayanjasAlam  sapuramsanAgAsala  gAnanam|
sadhEva rishi gandharvam kshEthram sathyavrathApitham |
vEgEna srOthasO gruhya pUrvAbdhim pravichAmyaham||”

vEgavathi was tearing forward determined to drown yAgASAlA, the locals, city, mountain m forest, dhEvas, rishis, gandharvas and the rest and wash them to the sea.

brahmA solicited the mercy of God. Accustomed to granting to His devotee, delight and joy, Lord again made up His mind to safeguard the vELvi.

To the west of hasthigiri, below bIjagiri lay the Almighty in the sleeping pose to arrest and stop the river like a dam, with His head and toe pointing to south and north respectively.

His revered name is sayanEsan which means God in the posture of lying down, i.e., paLLikoNdAn.

Surprisingly, the town also bears the same name. The inhabitation below bIjagiri is known as paLLikondA (lying in sleeping pose).

vEgavathi galloping like a forest river, did not waver or dither even at the sight of God on the way as a dam. But her arrogance and anger seemed to have receded, for sure.

In fact on seeing God, as a dam, across the path, she felt pacified and soothed a bit. vEgavathi surged forward hopping to caress the feet of the one adorned by cool thuLasi, remind a calf seeking the mother cow.

“kshIyanthE sAsya karmANi thasmin dhrushtE parAvarE” (muNdakha upanishadh).

All our sins and vices disappear for certain, the moment we have the glimpse of (become aware of) the Lord who dwells within everybody.

saraswathi too was pacified to some extent. Desiring to touch not only His feet, but the entire body of the supreme Being, who lay as a dam on the way to block her flow, mounted her speed.

Smilingly, paLLikondAn lay in wait for her to get close to Him.

Even today, He exhibits Himself as ranganAthan in this renowned holy place. God showers his grace on us in this acclaimed venue where pAdhiri tree is the favoured (sthala vruksham) tree of the locale.

In this exalted place, God made Himself visible to ambarIsha. The holy tank here is known by the name vyAsa pushkariNi.

Decorated in sAlagrAmam, lies God in the sleeping pose that is captivating and engrossing.

saraswathi went hurriedly past dam like God. Though He was lying as a barricade, she did not mind nor did she yield to His authority. She ignored Him, moistened Him and rushed past Him . But He did not get provoked.

On the contrary, He smiled gently sensing her desire. She is trying hard to earn supremacy over gangA. gangA is glorified and referred as “Divine River”, though she has chance to contact His venerable feet only.

But I have the distinction of bathing Him, head to foot. So, I am superior. She thought and became ecstatic. She took a revered glance of God who lay behind.

Due to Her speedy rushing, ornaments and garlands decorating His body turned untidy, messy and was not perceptible. But still the charm and beauty stayed with Him.

Goddess of words wanted to feel His touch for one more time.

Just a while earlier, she was pleased at heart that she had the honour of bathing totally whereas Ganges could only stroke His holy feet. Then why this urge again to have His physical contact again?

Justifiable query! saraswathi had this in mind. It is true that she was earlier provoked by the jealousy of gangA and wanted to contest her, by touching him. But once you offer prayers to Him, an intense longing to sing His praise again overcomes you. She was kindled by an intense desire to touch (worship) Him  unmindful of any other reward and caress Him just for the pleasure of it, taking the experience itself as the reward, she gained the awareness and realisation that contact with Him itself was the fruit of the act.

Again God rested as a dam on the place “thiruppARkadal” near kAvErippAkkam of the present day.

(Even today, we can witness Him there in sleeping posture. It is here that He disclosed Himself to puNdarIka maharishi. And we have puNdarIka pushkariNi here.)

vEgavathi was blessed again to touch Him. She slowed down a bit. She was delighted and feeling over the moon thinking of her blessed fortune. Just then, she had a flash in her mind and as a result, she damned herself.

In both places namely paLLikondA and thiruppARkadal, she had bowed to Him but had not offered prayers. She lamented over this.

She implored “yAsyAmi sAlAm dhEvEcha thathra me dhEhi dharSanam” – that she be granted vision of God.  Having sensed her mind, God too opted to grant her wish.

Where?

Shall we wait?

adiyen thOthAdri thirumalai rAmAnuja dAsan

Source: https://srivaishnavagranthamstamil.wordpress.com/2018/05/31/story-of-varadhas-emergence-12-2/

pramEyam (goal) – http://koyil.org
pramANam (scriptures) – http://granthams.koyil.org
pramAthA (preceptors) – http://acharyas.koyil.org/
SrIvaishNava education/kids portal – http://pillai.koyil.org

Story of varadha’s emergence 12-1

SrI:  SrImathE SatakOpAya nama:  SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImadh varavaramunayE nama:

Story of varadha’s emergence

<< Part 11-3

God was pleased with vELvi. He relishes yagya as it is so close to His heart. He has a name, yagya: too. That means, He is yagya personified.

In SrI bhagavath githA

“aham krathuraham yagna svadhAham ahamoushadam |
mantrOham ahamEvAjyam ahamagniraham hutham    ||”  (githA 9-16)

He proclaims “I am yAga. I am Maha yAga. I am piNdam (Offering) to ancestors (pithrus) as nourishment (swathA). I am shabdha (vEdha manthram). I am havis, manthra, I am ghee, I am agni, and I am hOmam”.

In sahasranAmam titles starting from yAga up to yagyaguhyam appear as a detailed supplement to the above verse from githA. It is an apt food for thought.

“sEiginRa kithiyellam yAne” – said nammAzhwAr (All rituals performed are Me (God).

kaliyan too concurred “vELviyum thAnAy ninRa emperumAn” – (yagya too is a manifestation of our Supreme Lord).

He is the ritual. He is the penance. He is the offering.

He is present latent in everything. So, brahmA did not fear. Where there is genuine faith, there is no place for fear. Fear is not an ally of faith.

This is precisely what prahlAdha declared. He was young in the age group of school children. But he is regarded as foremost among sAdhus (ardent devotees). The reason is obvious. He never feared.

hiraNya was startled. He asks his son “My son! Do you not get frightened ever”?

Smilingly, the child replies – “The one, whom even fear is afraid of, gives constant company to me. I have no worries or concerns.”. This only, this unfailing faith alone, stood by him steadfast as a shield till the end.

We too need to acquire this faith – faith in God. God too expects nothing but this from us – mahA viSvAsam (unflinching faith and loyalty toward God).

brahmA had it in abundance. He was not grieved over any impending assault by saraswathi.

Only saraswathi had misjudged. On top of this, there was evil guidance by asuras. Reasons were many for the ire of asuras. By nature, they were avers to the good natures. Further they had the grievance that brahmA’s vELvi gave prominence to dhEvas and they were not given due regards.

They wanted to use saraswathi to their advantage, to avenge (the humiliation) and hence their attempt to cause havoc in the yAga.

asuras intended to accomplish their vicious demonic mission employing saraswathi. saraswathi also yielded. Starting from the place of her penance, she surged southwards and reached this spot, turned into a torrent, a flooded river and rushed to rage brahmA’s vELvi to the ground.

saraswathi turned into “vEgavathi”. Her fury was obvious to onlookers when they saw the river gushing ferociously destroying all that encountered on the way. The participants wanted to save themselves and their belongings from the fury of the violent river, vEgavathi. So, they started looking for safer, elevated spots. The high waves made it look as though a sea stood there erect, causing terror this way.

vEgavathi was fast approaching the yAgSAlA. The speed of mind or that of wind seemed to be dwarfed by the surging river vEgavathi.

But this vEgavathi river seems to be totally erased by us; there is no trace of it now. It may sound incredible to us if it is stated that once this river had the distinction of having flown along with seven branches. The entire credit (blame) for wiping out vEgavathi along with seven river lets, by means of encroachments, must go to us only.

The glory of vEgavathi and the good, benefit we gain from a dip in the river are spelt out in (the purANa) hasthigiri mahAtmayam and dhESikan’s hamsasandhESam.

We have multiplied and magnified our burden of sins by obliterating vEgavathi, the river that had surfaced to free us from our sins (but we have freed the surface from vEgavathi).

“Apa Eva hi sumanasA:” and “water is sacred” – thus we quote holy statures and further we proclaim “world cannot survive without water”. But we only are responsible for the disappearance of rivers and water bodies.

We do indulge in many immoral, sinful acts. There may be salvation to all these. But there do not seem to be any redemption for the biggest among the sins, namely eradicating water points.

Incensed and outraged saraswathi (as vEgavathi)  flowed ferociously. But even God did not intend to destroy her, rather saved her by controlling her speed like a dam would.

But we!

We have totally liquidated vEgavathi and her seven associates  (Branches) . Shall we get to know the names of these at least?

In the next part..

Soon in the story of varadha’s emergence, we will hear thiruppARkadal, paLLikondAn, and thiruvehkA – their eminence.

adiyen thOthAdri thirumalai rAmAnuja dAsan

Source: https://srivaishnavagranthamstamil.wordpress.com/2018/05/30/story-of-varadhas-emergence-12-1/

pramEyam (goal) – http://koyil.org
pramANam (scriptures) – http://granthams.koyil.org
pramAthA (preceptors) – http://acharyas.koyil.org/
SrIvaishNava education/kids portal – http://pillai.koyil.org

Story of varadha’s emergence 11-3

SrI:  SrImathE SatakOpAya nama:  SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImadh varavaramunayE nama:

Story of varadha’s emergence

<< Part 11-2

thiru attabuyagaram is the only sacred place in kAnchi which houses vaikuNta vAsal (gate way to the abode of vaikuNtam). It is here God displays Himself with eight arms.

On the right side, His four hands bear wheel (discuss), sword, flower and arrow. On the left side His four hands hold conch, bow, shield and staff. Even today, He stands here armed this way to grant protection to us.

He is called AdhikESavan, gajEndra varadhan and attabuyakaraththAn, reverentially and with love.

This locale has the name ashtabhujam since He dwells here. thirumangai AZhwAr’s “parakAlan panuval” helps us relish the tale of this noble city.

kaliyan had a great love for Almighty’s valour. This love made him lose (forget) his gender and feel as though he got transformed into a female. (According to scriptures all souls are only female, irrespective of their gender). He spoke like a woman assuming the name “parakAla nAyaki”.

AzhwAr with a feminine feel, experiences pangs of separation from Him. His verse describes this agony as shooting from his (her) mouth, as spoken by mother and also by “her” friend.

His song in praise of the holy place, thiruvidavendhai refers to the following anecdote. Mother on seeing the daughter’s (parakAla nAyaki’s) suffering appeals to God- “My daughter is tormented due to separation from you. Oh Lord of idavendhai! What do you propose to do? What goes in your mind? On these lines goes that thirumozhi.

God made Himself visible to AzhwAr who had transformed into a woman (according to his mind). God showed Himself as a pleasing figure with eight hands, a treat to the eyes. He did this to console AzhwAr filled with agony.

parakAla nAyaki saw Him, wondered “Such a lovely person! Desiring to know who the person was, he deliberately avoided quizzing Him directly and asked one by the side ‘Who is this gorgeously elegant person standing over there?’. The Divine Being of the locale voluntarily came forward with the answer ‘I reside in attabuyagaram’ “.

He could have aptly replied “I am ashtabhujan (the one with eight shoulders)”. It would have revealed that He was God, the Almighty.  He didn’t seem to like that/ Nor did He desire to falsely portray Himself as some different person. So, He astutely replied “I am resident of ashtabhuja kshEthra” We infer. That is why in each verse of this work, we come across the words “ivarArkol enna attabuyagaraththEn enrAre” – when enquired who He was, He responded – resident of attabuyagaram.

In his ashtabhujAshtakam, vEdhAnta dESikan too addressed this lord as “ashtabujAspadhESa” (God who resides in ashtabhuja dhESam).

From these we come to know that this divine venue bears the name ashtabhuja.

This Lord had made everyone, from brahmA to parakAla nAyaki, His devout followers.

Such is His charitable nature. He deems it is His good fortune to grant protection to His devotees.

brahmA started meditating on His compassionate care. “Oh my Lord!  You have famously acquired the honorific “gajEndhra varadhan” because you have sheltered and protected the one sporting a trunk on the face (gajEndhra, the elephant)”.

What an enchanting narrative!

Fate turned a king into an elephant. As a king he had not skipped his prayers even on a single day. By divine grace, even after turning into an elephant, he continued to offer flowers and worship God. The true nature of his real self not erased from memory.

One day the elephant entered a pond to fetch lotus flowers. A big crocodile present there at the moment caught hold of a leg of the elephant.

The shocked elephant tried hard to free itself from the grip, but did not succeed. Female elephants present there also put their mite along, but still success eluded.

This struggle, battle went for a thousand dhEva varushas (1000 years on dhEvas’ calendar). After this long it darned on the elephant that it was not capable of saving itself; his efforts were futile. He sought divine intervention and appealed “Oh manivaNNA!  You who have serpent as your bed. Please emerge. Exterminate this grievous hassle of mine. AdhimUlamE! AdhikESavA!!  – cried out the elephant loudly.

All others deities drew back saying “Not me! Not me!” (I am not AdhimUlam – the original creator).

Only this God came rushing killed the crocodile and saved the elephant.

Elephant thanked the saviour profusely. God of eight shoulders blew air from His mouth on His upper cloth worn on the chest and with this stroked and caressed the wounds.

Elephant could not control tears of joy. It said “O AdhikESavA! Shall I sing the praises of you? Shall I  pour accolades on your benevolence and love! Or shall I shower tributes to the speed with which you arrived to rescue me.

parASara Bhattar says “bhagavathasthvarAyai namaha:” He thus salutes the swiftness with which He rushed to save His devotee, the elephant.

“Oh Almighty! You know why you are addressed anAdhi”?

Other deities though they indulge in praising you now and then consider themselves as supreme and turn immodest and vain and talk rubbish.

Oh you shower of grace and mercy!! You are glorified by the three eyed Siva, brahmA , indhra and dhEvas. To these dhEvas you deliver only trivial rewards. But you offer yourself to those like us who hold you as everything. You have gifted yourself to me. That is why you are anAdhi.

Sri parASara bhattar’s measured opinion is that this anecdote of God saving the elephant (Anai kAththa kaNNan) is detailed in the verses 912 to 945 of vishNu sahasranAmam.

It is said (with great conviction) that we will be freed from any adverse outcome due to evil dreams, if we meditate on ashtabhuja perumAL who is also called gajEndhra rakshakan (Protection and refuge)   – as we wake up in the morning. sahasranAmam also concurs: “udhdhAranO dushkruthihA punyO dhusswapna nASana:”.

Widely known by His popular names AdhikESavan and gajEndhra varadhan, Good till date presents Himself as ashtabhuja perumAL to safeguard and escort us.

brahmA went on with vELvi.

Vanquished kALi, with her head hung low, went to saraswathi.

saraswathi got ready for the next onslaught.

As saraswathi reflects on Her next move, we too would wait for the next part.

adiyen thOthAdri thirumalai rAmAnuja dAsan

Source: https://srivaishnavagranthamstamil.wordpress.com/2018/05/28/varadhan-vandha-kadhai-11-3/

pramEyam (goal) – http://koyil.org
pramANam (scriptures) – http://granthams.koyil.org
pramAthA (preceptors) – http://acharyas.koyil.org/
SrIvaishNava education/kids portal – http://pillai.koyil.org

Story of varadha’s emergence 11-2

SrI:  SrImathE SatakOpAya nama:  SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImadh varavaramunayE nama:

Story of varadha’s emergence

<< Part 11-1

The Supreme Lord showed Himself adorned with many weapons and armour, with His eight hands manifest. He had arrived to offer protection to brahmA and His yAgam.

Sporting a smile on His face He dared and countered kALi and her allies, the devilish cruel asuras. In no time, victory and triumph adorned Him. kALi was chased away and asurAs were razed and ruined.

For brahmA’s sake, He swiftly arrived and expeditiously accomplished the mission for which He came with His form. What a grace? Can’t help relishing.

“pumsAm dhrushti chitthApahAriNam” – His stately elegance is such that even males sighting Him would develop feminine feeling.

“What benevolence towards me! He has raced and galloped to come here to protect me with all His eight valorous hands.

He has all parts of His body as if taken from a masterly painting. Even manmadha cannot be a match to Him and will pale and fade into nought. He possesses imperishable eternal beauty. He is nithya yuvA (ever youthful) and worth any amount of exaltation; choicest words of praise cannot be an exaggeration.

Like a drawing rendered by expert, proficient artists, He has lotus like eyes, graceful body and eight shoulders. He has occupied my heart fully!!” said ayan.

We may recall piLLaip perumAL iyengAr’s narration in thiruvarangak kalmbakam. He had unflinching devotion towards thiruvarangan. He wanted to depict thiruvaranganAthan in a drawing, and fulfilled his desire.

It was a lovely portrait, an exact replica of arangan. But piLLaip perumAL iyengAr was not pleased and started wailing.  Painting was complete. Viewers also said it was an exact image. Why then did iyengAr sop!

Asked for the reason, he said

“vAzhum mavuliththuzhAy maNamum magarakkuzhai thOy vizhiyarulum malarndha pavaLath thirunagaiyum mArvilaNindha maNichchudarum thAzhumuLarith thirunAbith thadaththuLadangum anaiththuyirum charaNa kamalaththumaikELvan sadayiRpunalum kANenAl Azhamudayia karungadalin agadu kizhiyach chuzhiththOdi alaikkum kudakkAviri nAppaN aivAyaravil thuyilamudhai Ezhupirappil adiyavarai ezhudhAp periya perumAnai ezhudhavariya perumAnenReNNAdhu ezhudhiyirundhEnE!!”

“In the picture, see garland of thuLasi adorning His body. But it does not shoot out any fragrance”.

Eyes of God seem to converse (so live) but generosity and benefaction are not flowing out. What wrong did I commit?

This picture does not show the gushing laughter; it fails to provide us that feeling.

The blue complexioned gemstone didn’t radiate lustre. We are not able to see the belly that has the seven worlds, stomached by Him.

With the conviction that the holy feet of arangan are the only refuge, Lord Siva has the distinction of holding the holy water that has caressed the feet of arangan. This picture does not show the flowing gangA which is said the water which cleansed the lotus feet of hari, on Siva’s head.

The Lord who rests in the middle of ubhaya kAvEri on His bed, the five headed serpent awards liberation to those who surrender and submit to Him.

He is adored as “periya perumAL”.  His beauty is such that this grace cannot be completely portrayed in a picture.

I became oblivious to this fact and ventured copying His image. How ignorant have I been? Thus he censures himself.

The plight of piLLaip perumAL iyengAr was similar to that of brahmA on seeing the Lord with eight arms and shoulders.

“Shall I eye His beautiful face or His lovely nose akin to buds and similar parts of kaRpaga vruksham? I am at a loss! Or will I look at His pretty red lips?

What will I attempt? What am I going to miss?

“thiNkaimmA thuyar thIrththavan, eN kaiyAnai en mun niRpadhE” – He who saved gajEndhra, the mighty elephant, stands before me as Lord of eight hands” exclaimed brahmA.

purANa also speaks of the episode of God showering mercy on the elephant –

“sa pIdyamAno balinA makarENa gajOthama|
prabhEthE charanam dhEvam thathraiva ashtabhujam harim||”

brahmA started venerating with these words “You are the sole intimate succour (trustworthy benefactor) for the pious.

The list of virtuous traits of yours is endless (futile attempting).

Named as “AdhikESavan” you have selected this as your eternal abode with the sole aim of protecting souls like me”.

purANa glorified the Lord enshrined here (ashta bhujap perumAL) as the saviour of gajEndhra.

pEyAzhwar’s verses (“thottapadaiyettum...”) also narrates the tale of God saving gajEndhra.

Are you aware that to get rid of fear due to evil dreams, the asylum is gajEndhra varadhan alias “ashta bhujap perumAL” ?

“Really?”.. if you ask with raised eyebrows, stay that way and greet the next part.

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In part 11-3 of varadhan vandha kathai, ashta bhujap perumAL takes the centre stage. It is devoted to Him.  Followed by the greatness of bhIjagiri kshEthra, thiruppARkadal kshEthra and thiruvehkA. Only then will shower the blissful glance of aththigiri  appan. Thanks are due to the readers for the patience and support.

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adiyen thOthAdri thirumalai rAmAnuja dAsan

Source: https://srivaishnavagranthamstamil.wordpress.com/2018/05/22/story-of-varadhas-emergence-11-2/

pramEyam (goal) – http://koyil.org
pramANam (scriptures) – http://granthams.koyil.org
pramAthA (preceptors) – http://acharyas.koyil.org/
SrIvaishNava education/kids portal – http://pillai.koyil.org