Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Sarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam – Literary Mention

Sarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam – Literary Mention
The temple is revered in Divya Prabandham, the 7th – 9th century Vaishnava canon, by Andal in one, Periyalwar in three, Bhoothathalvar in two, Peyalvar in two, Thirumazhisai Alvar in seven,  Nammalvar in eleven and Thirumangai Alvar in 25 verses. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, the 108 Vishnu temples that are revered in the Vaishnava canon, Nalayira Divya Prabandham. Also, after Srirangam (11) and Tirupathy (10), the Sarangapani temple has the maximum number of Azhvaars (7 of them) singing praise of the Lord.
Nathamuni compilation of Divya Prabandham:
It is believed that the Vaishnavite saint Nada Muni, was inspired to compile the works of the Alwars, upon listening to the Tamil hymn Aaraavamudhe composed by Nammalvar at this Temple.
'ஆராவமுதே அடியேன் உடலம் நின்பால் அன்பையே
நீரால் அலைந்து கரைய  உருகின்ற நெடுமாலே
சீரார் சென்னேல் கவரி  வீசும் செழு நீர் திரு குடந்தை
ஏரார் கோலம் திகழக் கிடந்தாய் கண்டேன் எம்மானே'
It was after listening to the above verses and was taken aback by its content "Aayirathil Ippathe" (these 10 verses of the 1000), that Vaishnavite saint Natha Muni wanted to listen to the 1000 verses of Divya Prabandham. As he was unaware of the location of Divya Prabandham, Nathamuni prayed to Lord Aravamudhan who directed him to go to Azhvaar Tiru Nagari, near Tirunelveli, to meet Nammazhvar and to compile the works of the Divya Prabandham.
Having searched for the 1000 verses, Natha Muni actually got to compile the entire 4000 verses (Nalayira Divya Prabandham). Perumal in the temple is also praised as Aravamudha Azhwar as he was instrumental for the compilation of Nalayira Divya Prabandham – 4000 verses about the glory of Perumal. Nathamuni spent his last years at the Chola capital of Gangai Konda Cholapuram.
Uthaana Saayee:
Once, Thirumazhisai Alwar visited this temple to have a dharshan of Aravamudha Perumal. He was very much impressed by his beauty and wanted to have a chat with him. Seeing the sleeping posture of the Lord, Thiru Mazhisai Azhwar questioned if his tiredness was the reason for him to be lying down in his sleeping posture. After hearing this, it is believed that the Lord slightly raised his posture to greet the Azhwar. Feeling the guilt of having caused strain on the Lord, Thiru Mazhisai Azhwar asked him to remain in the same posture. Lord remained in the posture permanently. To this day, one can see the Lord in a slightly raised reclining posture (Uthaana Saayee). Thirumazhisai Alwar spent his last years and attained salvation here.
நடந்த கால்கள் நொந்ததோ நடுங்கு நில மேனமாய் 
கிடந்த  மேய்  குலுங்கவோ விலங்கு மால் வரைசுரம்
கடந்த கால் பரப்பிக் காவேரிக் கறைக் குடந்திஆயுள்
கிடந்த  வாரே எழுந்திருந்து பேசு, வாழி கேசவனே
Seven shrines featuring Vishnu in a reclining position:
Thirumazhisai Alwar refers to seven shrines featuring Vishnu in a reclining position in a Paasuram. These shrines are;
·        Tirukkudandai
·        Tiruvekkaa,
·        Tiruvallur
·        Thiruvarangam
·        Tiruppernagar
·        Anbil 
·        Tirupparkkadal 
Thiru Pallaandu:
Periyazhwar in his Thirupallandu refers to the Kudanthai Lord as Lord with a Sarangam (bow) in his hand.
சார்ங்கம் என்னும் வில்லாண்டான் தன்னை