Latest news with #Azhwar
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Steps involved in worship
Lord Narasimha protected His devotee, Prahalada, and Rama protected the people of Ayodhya, in addition to saving the rishis from the clutches of the demons, and Sri Krishna handed over the Bhagavad Gita — a treasure trove containing the essential concepts and principles that people should follow to lead a righteous life. As Lord Ranganatha in 'Archa' form, He extends His blessings to those who worship Him. His dwelling abode, Srirangam, is called Bhuloka Vaikuntam. The first syllable of the Vedas, 'OM', is also called 'pranava', and Lord Ranganatha's temple vimana is known as the 'Pranavakara Vimanam'. It has four kalasas symbolising the four Vedas. Srirangam is the first of the 108 Vaishnava divya desa kshetras. It is believed that Lord Ranganatha's divine power is present in all the deities of other kshetras. Valayappettai Ramachariar said in a discourse that Swami Vedanta Desika followed the lines of Thiruppanazhwar in worshipping Lord Ranganatha. The Azhwar composed 'Amalanadhipiran' in praise of the Lord and worshipped Him starting from the divine feet to the head. Swami Vedanta Desika composed 'Bhagavad Dhyana Sopanam,' in which he extolled the various qualities of the Lord. The Acharya tells us how to worship the Lord. 'Sopanam' refers to steps. Dhyanam relates to worship. The Acharya enjoyed worshipping the Lord's divine body step by step from the feet to the head. The smiling face and the lotus eyes of the Lord attract the devotees, who feel that their eyes refuse to take away from enjoying the glimpse of God. People are caged in a prison-like body, and by worshipping Lord Ranganatha, they can attain liberation. The divine radiance of the Lord removes our miseries. The works of Swami Vedanta Desika serve as a guide to humanity. He pleads on our behalf to include us in rendering divine service to the Lord.
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
A garland of verses
The term Thirumaalai consists of two words. Usually, Thiru is used as a prefix to express respect and reverence. Maalai refers to a garland. With Bhakti as the thread, verses as flowers, and tears of joy as water to touch and ease the making, Thondaradippodi Azhwar strung together beautiful, melodious, and melting verses on Lord Ranganatha, and titled them Thirumaalai. The Azhwar is the incarnation of 'Vaijayanthi Mala', a garland that adorns the chest of Lord Vishnu. His actual name is Vipranarayanan. He wanted to be the dust in the feet of devotees and renamed himself as Thondaradippodi. Thirukkudandhai Dr. Venkatesh said in a discourse that the Azhwar composed exclusively about Lord Ranganatha. Thirumaalai is the translation of the Sanskrit text Vishnu Dharmam into pure Tamil. Nama Sankeerthanam, or chanting the divine names of God, is the essence of Vishnu dharmam. Thondaradippodi Azhwar taught us the importance of chanting the names of God through Thirumaalai. It is written in a clear and concise style, making it easy to understand. It contains 45 verses. The great Acharya Sri Periavachan Pillai has divided Thirumaalai into eight parts for his commentary. The Azhwar says the bliss of chanting is more than the bliss of Srivaikuntam. He wanted neither Bhuloka (the Earth) nor Srivaikuntam (the heaven), but wished to be in Srirangam (Bhuloka Vaikuntam), existing in Bhuloka and experiencing Vaikuntam. The Azhwar says chanting mechanically the names of the Lord, even without deep devotion, a serene mind or self-control will remove all our sins. Just as Vibhishana befriended Rama to conquer Ravana, the Azhwar befriended God's names to conquer Yama, the Lord of Death. Undertaking penance is the most important in the Krita Yuga. The performance of Yagnas is predominant in the Treta Yuga. Rendering Archanas is essential in the Dwapara yuga. Chanting the names of God is considered the most effective and easiest medium in the Kali Yuga to derive God's blessings.
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
May 22, 2025
Sri Ramanujamji said in a discourse that a man becomes happy when a desire is fulfilled. Until that desire is achieved, his heart palpitates. The palpitation stops when the desire is fulfilled, and that moment is called happiness. But the real problem is that when one desire is fulfilled, another crops up, and equally, the palpitation also goes up. Why should people chase after desires that have no end? It is because the mind is going after them, and controlling the mind is an uphill task. How to subdue the mind? Thondaradippodi Azhwar says in the first poem of his composition 'Thirumaalai' that chanting the names of God can help a person control his mind. He says, 'I chant your name continually, and I have imprisoned my faculties through the chanting for which I had been a slave before. I have thrown the bundles of sins through chanting.' It is said that the Azhwar took the condensed essence of the Vishnu Dharma sastra from the scripture Hari Vamsam and composed 'Thirumaalai'. A person need not worry even if he cannot control his mind. Controlling the tongue is within his reach and easier, and if he starts chanting, God will take care of the rest. A person need not be afraid of being alone or who is there to care for him.. Chanting will establish a connection with God, and all our fears will be alleviated. Chanting God's names will remove depression, sorrow, anger, jealousy, and mental agitation and bring peace and happiness. It will transform a person and society into something good. The spiritual path flows from the Vedas and streams down to Azhwars and then to Acharyas and Gurus. With the help of a noble Guru, we can tread the path, chant God's names, and derive the ultimate true bliss.
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Ramanuja, Andal's big brother
Hailed as Bashyakarar, Emperumanar and Yatirajar, Ramanuja, the great preceptor, was an epitome of selflessness, without a fibre of discrimination in him, he is often compared to Lord Rama for his character, said Damal S. Ramakrishnan. Blessed with both great gurus and fantastic disciples, Ramanuja is an exemplar of how one should lead a dharmic life in Kali Yuga. His basic guidance for daily living is simple and easy to follow: every morning one should turn southwards, close one's eyes and pray to Sri Ranganatha, chanting 'Ranga, Ranga'. One should turn northwards and internalising Venkatadri, pray to Him. Turning eastwards, and bringing up the image of Kanchi Varadaraja Perumal in one's mind, one should pray to Him; Aligning to the West, one should think of Chella Pillai in Melkote and pray to Him. Hailed as the essence of the four Vedas, Ramanuja, who was born in the Tamil month of Chittirai, in Sriperumbudur, is also celebrated as the 'brother' of Andal, the only female Azhwar. How did this come about? Following her pavai nonbu, Andal was awaiting her wedding to Ranganatha, but it did not take place at once. As is common with most of us, when we want something very badly, we pray to more than one God, fervently. Andal too prayed to Kallazhagar and He, playfully asked her, 'What will you give me if I make your wish come true?'. Without a moment's hesitation, she promised Kallazhagar 100 tada (ancient measure) akkaravadisal and 100 tadas of butter. Before she could act on her vow, Ranganatha appears, to marry her, thanks to Kallazhagar. The vow remained unfulfilled, until Ramanuja, who hears of it, says he will execute her vow, being her brother and travels to Tirumaliruncholai and fulfills her promise to Kallazhagar.
