Thirumazhisai Aazhwar

Tirumazhisai-aazhvaar is one of the twelve Alvars of Vaishnavism and is so called as he was born in Thirumazhisai. This place has a temple for Jagannatha Perumal (Lord Vishnu) where you can see the idol of Thirumazhisai Azhwar with the eye on the thumb nail in his right leg. His asterism is makham. He was also known as Patti-saarar.

Thirumazhisai Azhwar Other Names Bhakthi-saarar, Bhaargavar, Magisaaraapuriswarar, Mazhisai-piraan Period 7th Century AD Place Thirumazhisai Month Thai Star (Natshatram) Magam (Magha) Hamsam Sudarshanam (Discus)

Birth

Thirumazhisai Azhwar was born at Thirumazhisai, to Bhargava rishi and his wife Kanakangi after an unusual of 12 months stay in the womb. The foetus came out as just a lifeless lump of flesh with no arms, legs, etc., The couple were terribly depressed and with unwillingness left it at the bamboo bush and proceeded on their spiritual journey. Then God appeared with His consort and blessed the "flesh" with Their kataksham and it turned into an alive, Divya tejas, cute little bundle of joy;

Early life

He was later picked up with both the arms affectionately by a tribe(Harijan) named "Thiruvalan". A really blessed couple Thiruvalan and pankajavalli, was very much overwhelmed by the grace of God for this Gift of swarna vigraham-like (golden statue) baby. This boy became Thirumazhisai azhwar. He also has an eye on . This Alwar was an incarnation of Sudarsana Chakra ( the divine discus of Lord Vishnu). He was born to Bargava Muni and Kanakangi at Tirumazhisai near Kanchipuram. Even though the foetus was in the mother's womb for an unusual 12 months, when delivered was without arms, legs etc. The parents left it at the foot of a bush of cane shrubs in the forest. Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi appeared and blessed the child which then became fully developed into a lovely baby.

Thirumazhisai decided to learn about all other religions. So, he studied Buddhist, Jain and other literature. He became a staunch devotee of Siva assuming the name of Siva Vakya. One day, he saw an old man planting a plant upside down and then trying to water it with a broken pot using a tattered rope to lift water from a waterless well. Sivavakyar asked him why he was attempting such a foolish act. The old man was none other than Pey Alwar who replied that what he was doing was only less foolish than Sivavakya's allegiance to Saivism , knowing full well that the Vedas and Smritis proclaim Sri Narayana as the Supreme deity.

As a result of an argument with Pey Alwar, finally he got initiated into Vaishnavism by Pey Alwar assuming the name of Bhaktisarar. After visiting several temples, he reached Tiruvekka, the birthplace of Budat Alwar

Spiritual life

He became an enlightened devotee even in his youth. His search after Truth took him into studies of non-vaishnava schools of philosophy, but finally landed him in the folds of God Narayana. Always meditating on him, he had remained in that yoga for a long time, touring places like Tiruvallikeni. Finally he landed in Kumbakonam and that is where he composed the two Prabhandhams entitled ‘Tiruchanda-virutham’ (120 songs counted in the first thousand of the 4000 songs of Divya Prabhandham) and ‘Naanmukhan tiru-anthaadi’ (96 songs, counted in the third thousand). He was met by the three Muthal-aazhvaargal while he was in Tiruvallikeni. His poetical style is rated by scholars as very majestic and inspiring. The content of his songs is mostly philosophical. He lived around 600 A.D.

How Thirumazhisai got the name of BhaktisArar? There is an interesting story about this:

Once, when Thirumazhisai was steeped in BhaktiyOga,Lord Paramasivan and his consort PArvati Devi wanted to grant him some boon. But, the AzhwAr being a ParamaikAntin would have none from them. When they insisted on his requesting some boon, he asked whether they could grant him `MOKsham". Lord Siva replied that he was incapable of granting this, as it was in the sole domain of Lord NarAyaNa only and conferred on the AzhwAr the honorific of "BhatisArar". AzhwAr refers to this incident saying "pENilum varam thara miDukillAtha dEvar"- Deities who are incompetent to grant the boon he desired

Impressed by the service rendered by an old spinster, he restored her youth with unsurpassed beauty as desired by her. She married the Pallava king who learned of the secret of her youth. He wanted to regain youth himself. She told him that he approach Kanikannan for the purpose.

- When Kanikannan was summoned to court, he refused to come - When asked to compose a verse on the king, he refused to compose one on a mere mortal - When told that the king was an aspect of the Lord, he composed a verse on the Lord and not on the king. This enraged the king who banished him from his kingdom.

On hearing this, Bhaktisaarar requested the Lord in his puja to leave the place. He sang: Kanikannan Poginraan Kaamaru poong Kachi / Manivannaa! Nee Kidakka Vendaaa/ Sennaap Pulavanum Poginren Neeyum Unran / Pai Naagappaai Suruttik KoLL / " Kanikannan is going out of Kanchi O! Manivanna, You don't have to lie here anymore. Since, as the fluent poet that I am also leaving with him, you also roll your serpent bed and follow me" And, accordingly all of them left Kanchipuram.

When they left, Kanchi became desolate. The king realized his folly and requested Bhaktisarar and Kanikannan to forgive and return. Bhaktisarar prayed to the Lord that in view of the King's repentance, they might return. He sang again: Kanikannan Pokku ozhindaan Kamarupoong Kachi / Manivanna! Nee Kidakka VEndum - Thunivudaiya / Sennaap Pulavanum Pokku ozhindEn- Neeyum Unran / Pain Nagap Paai Paduthuk KoLL / " Kanikannan has changed his mind and rescind his decision to leave Kanchi. Since, as the fluent poet that I am also returning with him, You may also return and lie down on your serpent bed as before" All of them returned accordingly and Kanchipuram regained its lost glory.

Since the Lord did as he was told by the Azhwar, he came to be called 'Yathokta kaari' and 'Sonna vannam Seitha Perumal'-meaning 'the Lord who acted as told'

One day, when on his way to Tirukkudantai, he stopped for a while for rest and he sat on a pial of a house in Perumpuliyur. A few Brahmins were reciting Vedas. On seeing him, they stopped their recitation since Veda was not to be recited in the presence of a person belonging to the fourth caste. The Azhwar understood and was about to leave when the Brahmins started their recitation.

They did not remember at what point they had left the recitation. The Azhwar broke open a paddy seed with his fingernail to indicate the exact context, which had a reference to the paddy seed. The Brahmins realized the greatness of the Azhwar and begged to be excused.

When the Archaka (priest) of the local temple wanted to honor him, some objected and spoke ill of the Azhwar. The Azhwar prayed to the Lord to show himself to these people. He sang: Akkarangal Akkarangal Enrum Aavadhu En Kolo / Ik Kurumbai Neekki Ennai Eesanaakkka Vallaiyel / Sakkaram Koll Kaiyane Sadankar Vai Adangida / Ut Kidantha Vanname Puram Posindhu Kaattide / " What is the use of your having those resplendent hands if you cannot remove the idiosyncrasy of these ignorant folk and make me powerful in their midst? O1 Lord with the divine discus in your hand! Teach these fools a lesson by showing yourself appearing in my very body"

The Lord showed himself off in the body of Azhwar and the onlookers were astonished and begged forgiveness.

On reaching Tirukkudantai (Kumbakonam), he let the birchbark leaf containing his writings in the waters of river Kaveri. The leaf floated back to him holding his works viz.,'Tiruchanda Viruttam' (a poem of beautiful verses) in which he sang the following beautiful verse: Ninrathu Enthai Ooragathu Irundathu Enthai Paadagathu / Anru Vekkanaik Kidandhathu Ennilaatha Munnelaam / Anru Naan Pirandilen Pirandapin Marandilen / Ninrathum Irundhathum Kidandhathum En Nenjule / " Before I was born, He was standing in Ooragam, was sitting in Paadagam and was lying down in Tiruvekka. At that time I was not born with wisdom; when once I was born with this wisdom, I never forgot. Therefore, the Lord left all those places and has taken permanent abode in my heart".

The idea is that the great Gnanis never considered themselves as born at all until they realized this ' Artha gnaanam'. And, once they realized this, they had no other avocation than being immersed in the thought of the Lord. This is how Mumukshup padi explains this sentiment.

The other work of the Azhwar is ' Naanmugan Tiruvantadhi'- an Antadhi commencing with the words 'Naanmugan' - a reference to the four faced Brahma. He published them for the benefit of posterity.

The first stanza of the Antadhi categorically states Naan Mugani Naraayanan Padaithaan- Naan Muganum / Thaan Mugamaaai Sankaranaithaan Padaithaan / Yaan Mugamaai Anthaadhi Melittu Arivithen - Aazh Porulai Sinthaamal Konmin Neer Therndhu "The four faced Brahma was born to Narayana and to this Brahma was born Sankara. I am declaring this truth in this Antadhi. Resort to this without any doubt, if you desire to wipe out the pangs of birth"

He was so fearless, outspoken and frank to a fault in establishing his staunch devotion to Narayana that he was known as ' the sword that was never sheathed in the cause of Vaishnavam'.

Thanian on Tirumazhisai Azhwar On Tiruchhanda Viruttam by Tiruk Kachi Nambigal Taruchhandap Pozhil Thazhuvu Dhaaraniyin Thuyar Theera/ Tiruchhanda Viruttam Sei Tirumazhisai Paran Varum Oor / Karuchhandung Kaar Akhilum Kamazh Kongu Mana Naarum / Tiruchhandathudan Maruvu Tirumazhisai Valam Pathiye

The places of birth of Azhwars are considered to be as sacred as the Azhwars themselves. Hence, the Thanians praise the their birthplaces. " This place is filled with the divine Kalpa tree, Sandalwood tree and other groves of fragrant flowers. Tirumazhisai is the holy place where was born the great Tirumazhisai Azhwar who came to this world to relieve the populace of their misery. Mahalakshmi resides happily in this beautiful place."

Thanian on Naanmukhan Tiruvantaadhi Naaraayanan Padaithaan Naanmuganai- Naan muganukku / Eraar Sivan Pirandhaan Ennum Sol - / Seeraar Mozhi Seppi Vaazhalaam Nenjame! Moi Poo / Mazhisai Piraan Adiye Vaazhthu? " Naaraayana created Brahma and to this Brahma was born Siva who is known as the ' Mei Tavathone'- real penitent. If we read and understand this great psalm, we can redeem ourselves. The one who gave us this rare psalm is the great Tirumazhisai Azhwar who was born in the flower - garden city of Mazhisai" (This was featured in the Bhakti list on 23rd April 1996.)

Thirumazhisai Aazhwar has also sung in Parthasarathy swami temple which is in Triplicane, Chennai.

Thirumazhisai Aazhwar in Parthasarathy swami temple is provided with Kavasam and Kreedam in the month of January 2010. Three people contributed to get this task done for the Thirumazhisai Aazhwar.

Late Mr. Srinivasan (Thirumazhisai)

Mr. Sudarsanam (Thirumazhisai)

Mr. Ramanujam (Triplicane)

The above people are Trustees of Komalaammal Charities. Thanks to them

Sources

• Sujatha, (Tamil), (in Alvargal - Oor Eliya Arimugam), Visa Publications, Chennai, India, 2007.
• Naalaayira divya prabhandham: Commentary by. Dr. Jagadrakshakan. (1997). Aazhvaargal Research Centre, Chennai 600017.

See also

• Divya Prabhandham
• Alvars
• Ramanuja
• Manavala Mamunigal

External links

• Vedics foundation
• Srivaishnava Samprdayam
• Srivaishnava Universe
• Alvars and Srivaishnavism
• www.divyadesamonline.com