Srivaishnavism Intresting Facts

SRIVAISHNAVISM - SOME INTRESTING FACTS (Source : Calendar from Vedics) •

The DivyaDesam sung by both Nammazhwar as well as Kaliyan at the end of their hymns ThiruvoyMozhi and Periya Tirumozhi - Thirukudanthai (KumbaKonam)

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The Unique Divyadesam sung in all the Six Hymns of Thirumangai Azhwar – Thirukudanthai (KumbaKonam)

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The unique Divyadesam that was given by Kaliyan a separate Divyaprabandha(ThiruEzhu-Kootriukkai) - Thirukkudanthai (Kumbakonam)

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Maximum number of Divyadesams sung in a single decad (Periya Thirumozhi 10-1 of Kaliyan) - 18 Divyadesams

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The Seven Divyadesams situated on seacoast - Thiruvallikkeni - Thiruvidavendhai - Thirukkadalmallai - Dwarka - Thirunagai - Thiruppullani - Thiruvananthapuram

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The Six Divyadesams situated on cliff - Thirukkachchi (Hastigiri) - Thiruvellarai (Swetagiri) - Thirunaraiyur (Sugandagiri) - Thirupper Nagar (Indragiri) - Thirukoshtiyur - Thiruvaattaaru

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The Thirteen Divyadesams situated on Top of/at the foothills of Mountains - Thirukkadigai (Sholinghur) - Kandam Kadi Nagar (Himalayas) - Thirkkurungudi - Saalagramam - Ahobilam (Singavel Kundram) - Thiruthankal - Thirunermalai - Naimisaranya - Thiruppiridhi - Thirumaliruncholai - Thirumeyyam - Badarikashrama

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- Thiruvenkatam The Twelve Divyadesams situated on the Banks of River Kaveri - Srirangam - Anbil - Thiruvindalur - Thirukkandiyur - Thirukkarambanur - Kapisthalam - Thirukkudandhai - Koodalur - Uraiyur - Thalaichanga Naanmadiyam - Pullamboodangudi - Thirupper Nagar

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Eight Swayam-Vyakta Kshetras - Srirangam - Thiruvenkatam - Srimushnam - Vanamamalai (Nanguneri) - Pushkaram - Naimisaranya - Badarikashrama - Saalagraman

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Seven Kshetras that grant Moksha (Salvation) - Ayodhya - Mathura - Maya (Puri-Jagannath) - Kasi (Varnasi) - Kanchi - Avantika - Dwaraka

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Count of Divyadesams sung by each Azhwar - Pogai Azhwar 6 Divyadesams - Bhoodhathazhwar 13 Divyadesams - Peyazhwar 15 Divyadesams - Thirumazhisaipiraan 16 Divyadesams - Nammazhwar 38 Divyadesams - Kulasekaraperumal 10 Divyadesams - Periyazhwar 19 Divyadesams - Andal 11 Divyadesams - Thondaradipodigal 4 Divyadesams - Thiruppanazhwar 3 Divyadesams - Thirumangai Azhwar 86 Divyadesams

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Count of verses in Divya prabandham for DivyaDesams - Above 200 verses : 2 Divyadesams (Thiruvarangam and Thiruvenkatam) - Between 100 and 200 verses : Thirukkannapuram, Thirunaraiyur and Thirumaliruncholai - Between 11 and 100 verses : 49 Divyadesams - 10 verses : 24 Divyadesams - Between 2 and 9 verses: 15 Divyadesams - Only one verse: 15 Divyadesams

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Different postures in the manifest Deities of 108 Divyadesams - Perumal in standing posture at 60 Divyadesams - Perumal in Sitting posture at 21 Divyadesams - Perumal in reclining posture at 27 Divyadesams

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Direction wise classification of Divyadesams - North-facing shrines 3 Divyadesams - South-facing shrines 7 Divyadesams - West-facing Shrines 19 Divyadesams - East-facing shrines 79 Divyadesams

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Nomenclature for some Divyadesams (offered by Azhagiya Manavalaperumal Nayanar in “Acharya Hrudayam” ) DIVYADESAM - Thiruvarangam - Thirukurugoor - Thiruvallavaazh - Thiruvinnagar - Thirukkollor - Thenthirupperai - Thiruvaaranvilai - Thiruvannparisaaram - Thirupper Nagar

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UniqueName Thiruvaalan Thirupathi Urai Koil Thennagar Nannagar Pugumoor Maanagar Neenagar Aay Cheri Peru Nagar

The ONLY DIVYADESA sung by ALL the Azhwars and Andal – SRIRANGAM Divyadesams sung by all except Thondardipodi Azhwar – TIRUVENKADAM and TIRUPPAARKADAL Divyadesa sung by Eight Azhwars - PARAMAPADAM Divyadesa sung by Seven Azhwars – Thirukkudanthai Divyadesa sung by Six Azhwars – Thirumaliruncholai Divyadesa sung by Five Azhwars – 6 Divyadesams Divyadesa sung by Four Azhwars – 3 Divyadesams Divyadesa sung by Three Azhwars – 5 Divyadesams Divyadesa sung by Two Azhwars – 20 Divyadesams Divyadesa sung by One Azhwar – 68 DivyaDesams

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Decads sung by Namazhwar in Nayaki Bhava – 27 Thiruvoymozhis - As a damsel 17 Tiruvoymozhis - As a mother of the damsel 7 Tiruvoymozhis - As a maiden – Friend (to the damsel) 3 Tiruvoymozhis

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Nammazhwar’s Ode (Bringing his woes to the public) – Thiruvoymozhi (5-3) Thirumangai Azhwar’s ode - Siriya/Periya Thirumadals Nammazhwar’s /Azhwar’s pangs of Separation(love-driven anger) – Thiruvoymozhi(6-2) Kulasekara Azhwar’s pangs of separation – Perumal Thirumozhi(6) Thirumangai Azhwar’s pangs of separation – Periya Thirumozhi (10-8) Kaliyan’s pangs of separation AS A MALE – Periya Thirumozhi (4-9)

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Place where SrimanNarayann listens to Samaveda - Paramapadam Place where he listens to the woes of Devas – Thirupparkadal Place where he incarnates – Vibhavam Place where he surrounds for his devoted souls – Srirangam and other Divyadesams, Purana/Abhimana Stalas/ at Mutts / houses Place where he nourishes as in-dweller - Antaryami

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Messages sent by Azhwars to the Lord o Nammazhwar’s message :  ‘anchiraiya’(TVM 1-4)  ‘vaikal poonkazhivaai’ (TVM 6-1)  ‘ponnulakaaliiro’ (TVM 6-8)  ‘enkaanal’ (TVM 9-7) o Thirumangai Azhwar’s message (to Vayalali Mavavala:  ‘thooviriya’ (Periya Thirumozhi 3-6) o Andal’s message:  ‘vinniila melaappu’ (Nachiyar Thirumozhi 8)

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Azhwar’s who sang after having a love-quarrel with the Lord, the songs they sang and their significance o Nammazhwar : “minnidai TVM 6-2 / Signficance – Serious nature of lovequarrel o Kaliyan : “kaadirkadippittu (PeriyaTirumozhi 10-8 ) / Significance – Mild nature of love-quarrel o Kulasekara Azhwar : “ermalarppoonkuzhal’ (Perumal Thirumozhi 6) / Significance – Royal Glory reflected in the love-quarrel

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Azhwar’s assumption of someone’s role and attaining calmness o Nammazhwar : kadal jnaanam (TVM 5-6) / Significance – Imitation of the Lord’s assuming the form of the universe o Kaliyan: vadavarai (PeriyaTirumozhi 8.2.6) / Significance – Imitation of the Lord in his Archavatara (becoming the consecrated image)

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Andal : Thiruppavai Significance – Imitation of a young cowherdess

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Divya Prabhandas bearing the name of the Azhwar who sang them: o Periyazhwar Thirumozhi (Greatness acquired due to the effervescent emotional attachment) o Nacchiyaar Thirumozhi (Nacchiyar is another name of Andal)

o Perumal Thirumozhi (Kulasekara perumal is another name of Kulasekara Azhwar)

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Divya Prabhandas which got their name after the opening word/words of the song o Thiruppallaandu - Divyaprabhanda opening with the word ‘pallaandu’ o Amalanaadipiraan – Divyaprabhanda opening with the word ‘amalanadipiraan’ o Kaninunciruthaambu – Divyaprabhanda opening with the word ‘kaninunciruthaambu’

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Work of an azhwar which is names after the opening word/words and also after the Antadi format o Naanmugan Thiruvanthaadhi sung by Thirumazhisaippiraan

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Work (of Azhwars) which is named after the Antadi format o Mudal Thiruvantadi o Irandaam Thiruvantadi o Moondraam Thiruvantadi o Periya Thiruvantadi

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Divyaprabanda which got it’s name from Numeral o Thiruvezhukootrirukkai

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Divyaprabhandas that are named after the meter (i.e. after the name of the particular pattern in which the songs are composed) o In aasiriyappaa (Thiruvaasiriyam) o In viruththappan (Thiruviruththam, Tiruchandaviruttham) o In thaandakam ( Thirukkurnthaandakam, Thirunedunthaandakam)

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Divyaprabhanda which got their name from the service of function they highlight o Thirupaavai – Due to the act of observing the vow of Maidens o Thiruppalliyezhuchchi – Due to the act of singing the song to awaken (the sleeping deity) o Siriya Thirumadal, Periya Thirumadal – Due to the act of the aggressive display of one’s love with someone

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Particulars of the names of the Divya Prabhandas: o Thirumaalai – Because it is seen to be more of the nature of eulogy o Periya Thirumozhi – Because of the large number of songs

o Thiruvaimozhi – Vaymozhi(or word of the mouth) is the name for veda. Nammazhwar rendered the same scripture in Tamil. This is called Thiruvaimozhi by prefixing the adjective ‘Thiru’ to it. •

Azhwar’s who sang in the Antadi format, the name of the Divyaprabhanda and the number of songs (Nine Prabhandas and two thirumozhis) o Poigaiyaaazhwar Mudal Thiruvantaadi - 100 o Bhootataazhwar Irandaam Thiruvantaadi - 100 o PeyAzhwar Moondram Thiruvantaadi -100 o Thirumazhisai Naanmugan Tiruvantaadi -96 o Nammazhwar Thiruviruththam -100 o Thiruvaasiriyam -7 o Periya Thiruvantaadi -87 o Thiruvaaymozhi -1102 o MadhurakaviAzhwar Kannin Siruththaambu - 11 o Periyazhwar Periyazhwar Thirumozhi o “poippaadu’ Thirumozhi - 13 o ThirumangaiAzhwar Periya Thirumozhi (11-3) – 10

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Songs Sung by Thirumangai Azhwar by assuming the role of mother (of the bride) o ‘thivalum’ (Periya Thirumozhi 2-7) o ‘kalvankol’ (Periya Thirumozhi 3-7) o ‘kavalayaanaikkombu’ (Periya Thirumozhi 4-8) o ‘veruvaadaal’ (Periya Thirumozhi 5-5) o ‘Silaiyilangu ponnaazhi’ (Periya Thirumozhi 8-1) o ‘thelliyiir’ (Periya Thirumozhi 8-2) o ‘moovaril mun mudhalvan’ (Periya Thirumozhi 9-9) o ‘pulluruvaagi nallirulvandha’ (Periya Thirumozhi 10-9) o Thirundunthaandakam songs 11 to 20

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Songs sung by Thirumangai Azhwar by assuming the role of the daughter (bride) o ‘thiripuram moondru’ (Periya Thirumozhi 2-8) o ‘thooviriya malaruzhakki’ (PT 3-6) o ‘thanthai kaalil peruvilangu’ (PT 7-5) o ‘karaiyeduththa surisangum’ (PT 8-3) o ‘vinnavar thangal perumaan’ (PT 8-4) o ‘thanthai kaalil vilangara’ (PT 8-5) o ‘ponnivar meni’ (PT 9-2) o ‘thannai naivikkil en’ (PT 9-3) o ‘kaavaar madarpennai’ (PT 9-4) o ‘thavalavilampirai thullum’ (PT 9-5) o ‘kaadir kadippittu’ (PT 10-8) o ‘thiruththaai sembotthe’ (PT 10-10)

o o o o o

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‘kundramondru edutthu’ (PT 11-1) ‘mannilangu baaradhaththu’ (PT 11-3) ‘maanamarum mennokki’ (PT 11-5) Thirunedunthaandakam songs 21 to 30 Siriya Thirumadal and Periya Thirumadal

Paratvaadipanchakam (Five aspects of the Lord) o PARAMA PADA (The Para or Highest aspect) o Paramapada, known as Sri Vaikuntha; this holy region is devoid of punya(merit) and papa(demerit) o So the powers and Jnana (knowledge) of those who live here shine without any diminution o This is the 108th Divyadesa glorified by the Azhwars o Everything here such as the gem studded hall, towers etc is full of Suddhasattva (pure sattva without the admixture of Rajas and Tamas) o Those who attain this place will never return o The path leading to Srivaikuntha (Parama Pada) is known as Archir-aadi or the path commencing with Fire. The following regions are found in this path:  Archis (Fire)  Ahas (Daytime)  Sukla Paksha (Bright Fortnight)  Uttaraayana (the summer solistice)  Samvatsara (Year)  Marut (Wind)  Soorya (Sun)  Chandra (Moon)  Vaidyuta (Lightning)  Varuna (Lord of Waters)  Indra (King of Gods)  Brahmaa (the four-faced God) o River Viraja flows between the Leelaa Vibhooti (this world of ours) and Nitya Vibhooti (Sri Vaikunta) o Details about the Parama Pada (Sri Vaikuntha) can be found in the Chandogya Upanishad (V.10), Sri Nammazhwar’s Tiruvaaymozhi (10.9) and the SriVaikunta Gadya of Bhagavad Ramanuja o All the ten Azhwars except Bhootattaazhwar and Madhurakavi Azhwar have rendered Mangalasasanam to the Sacred Abode (Parama Pada or Sri Vaikuntha) in 73 Pasurams (Songs)

o VYOOHA (The auspicious ocean of milk) o The earth is divided into seven islands. These are surrounded by seven oceans. They are:  Islands The encircling Ocean  Jamboo Dveepa (where we live) Salty Ocean  Plaksha Dveepa Ocean of Sugarcane Juice  Shaalmalee Dveepa Ocean of Honey  Kusha Dveepa Ocean of Ghee  Krauncha Dveepa Ocean of curds  Shaaka Dveeepa Ocean of Milk  Pushkara Dveepa Ocean of Pure Water o Details about the names of the Vyooha forms (Emanations)  Vaasudeva : He dwells everywhere and every living being entity dwells in him  Sankarshana: He attracts(pulls) to himself the sentient and insentient entities at the time of cosmic dissolution  Pradyumna: He is self-manifest (He shines forth at the time of creation)  Aniruddha: He does not face any impediment in the act of protecting the universe o Of the 108 Divyadesas, the 107th Divyadesa is the auspicious Ocean of Milk. Excepting Madhurakavi Azhwar and Tiruppanazhwar, all the remaining 10 Azhwars have rendered Mangalasasanam to this Divyadesa in 147 pasurams (songs) o Garuda picked up a chunk of white clay out of the Shveta Dveepa which is present in the auspicious Milky ocean and strewed it over a few places in our country. That clay is the “tiruman” (sacred earth) we are now wearing on forehead (and other parts of the body) o The Twelve Forms, which are further Expansions of Vyoohas(Vyoohaantaras) – The twelve parts of our body where the Oordhva pundras are to be applied, along with their specific order:  Forehead  Middle portion of the stomach  Chest  Front portion of the neck  Right side of the Stomach

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Right Upper arm Right shoulder Left side of the stomach Left Upper arm Left Shoulder Middle portion of the back Back side of the neck

o The mantras which we have to chant after applying the twelve Oordhva Pundras (Tiruman and Sri Choornam)  Tiruman Sri Choornam  Om Kesavaaya Namah Om Sriyai Namah  Om Naarayanaaya Namah Om Amritodbhavaayai Namah  Om Maadhavaaya Namah Om Kamalaayai Namah  Om Govindaaya Namah Om Chandra Shobhinyai Namah  Om Vishnave Namah Om VishuPatnyai Namah  Om Madhusoodhanaaye Namah Om Vaishnvyai Namah  Om Trivikramaaya Namah Om Varaarohaayai Namah  Om Vaamanaaya Namah Om Harivallabhaayai Namah  Om Sreedharaaya Namah Om Shaarnginyai Namah  Om Hrisheekeshaaya Namah Om DevadeviKaayai Namah  Om Padmanaabhaaya Namah Om Mahaalkshmiyai Namah  Om Daamodaraaya Namah Om Lokasundaryai Namah o o VIBHAVA (Avataara) o Innumerable are the avataaras (manifestations) of the Lord. Given below is a list of seventeen Avataaras mentioned in Sri Pancharatra Agamas, which are in addition to those mentioned in the Bhaagavata Purana.  Padmanaabha  Ananta  Shaktyaatmaa  Madhusoodana  Vishvaroopa  Vihangama  Krodaatmaa  Badabaa Vaktra  Dharma  Amritaaharana  Raahujit  Kaalanemighna

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Paarijaatahara Vatapatrashaayee Naarada Vrishabha Paataala Shayana

o The auspicious names found in Srivishnusahasranama stotra, which refer to the ten manifestations of the Lord:  Avataara The Auspicious name  Matsya 211-225  Koorma 323-333, 520-521  Varaaha 538-543  Narasimha 200-210  Vaamana(Trivikrama) 153-164  Parashuraama 315-322  Raama 391-421, 503-513  Balaraama 565-568  Krishna 697-770, 989-992  Kalkin 422-436 o The auspicious names found in SrivishnuSahasranama which refer to the sacred shrines where the Archavataara of the Lord are enshrined, and also the sacred shrines:  Auspicious Names Sacred Shrines  Kaalaneminihaa Vasubhaanda  Shauri Tirukkannapuram  Shoora Chitrakoota  Trilokaatmaa Mahaabodha  Trilokesha Praagjyotishapura  Keshava Mathura, Vaarnaasi  Hari Govardhana  Kaamadeva Himalaya