SrIvaishNavam Beginners Guide Part2 - English

Beginner’s Guide Part 2
Beginner’s guide
http://pillai.koyil.org 1 http://koyil.org
dhivya prabandham – translations project

srI:
srImathE satakOpAya nama:
srImathE rAmAnujAya nama:
srImadh varavaramunayE nama:
dhivya prabandhams are the most essential aspect of srIvaishNava sampradhAyam.

AzhwArs who were blessed by srIman nArAyaNan’s causeless mercy, sung many
prabandhams in the ancient thamizh language which became to be known as dhivya
prabandham. The importance of dhivya prabandham is greatly highlighted by azhagiya
maNavALa perumAL nAyanAr in AchArya hrudhayam. AchArya hrudhayam fully reveals
the divine heart and emotions of nammAzhwAr. nAyanAr explains that one becomes
established in srIvaishNava principles by first learning the thiruvAimozhi text, then
understanding the meanings and finally living by the same. Here, thiruvAimozhi is
explained as upalakshaNam (example) for all dhivya prabandhams.
These dhivya prabandhams were greatly appreciated by our AchAryas and especially
srI rAmAnuja ushered in a new era of our sampradhAyam which fully focussed on
understanding the meanings of the dhivya prabandhams and living by it. srI rAmAnuja’s
1000th birth anniversary is approaching us soon in May 2017. To commemorate this
most glorious and auspicious occasion, we are providing simple translation of the
dhivya prabandhams in our http://divyaprabandham.koyil.org website. These
translations are done fully based on pUrvAchArya vyAkyAnams.
We pray to srIman nArAyaNan, AzhwArs and AchAryas to guide us in this effort and
make this kainkaryam a successful one which will benefit srIvaishNavas of different
regions (who are familiar with different languages, etc).
adiyen sarathy ramanuja dasan
on behalf of http://divyaprabandham.koyil.org team
pramEyam (goal) – http://koyil.org

pramANam (scriptures) – http://srivaishnavagranthams.wordpress.com
pramAthA (preceptors) – http://acharyas.koyil.org
srIvaishNava education/kids portal – http://pillai.koyil.org.
Preface
srI:
srImathE satakOpAya nama:
srImathE rAmAnujAya nama:
srImadh varavaramunayE nama:
Simple introductory articles.
ANdAL pAtti (grandma) teaches her grand children parAsara and vyAsa who are eager
to learn the basics (and the nitty gritties too) about srIvaishNavam. vyAsa and parAsara
are two smart kids who are fond of questioning a lot and ANdAL pAtti is smarter and is
fond of answering the questions with patience. It is said that when one has any
queries/doubts in ones conduct, he/she should enquire from the elderly lady in the
family. Our srIvaishNava ammangars (grand mothers specifically) were traditionally
filled with wisdom and were also great story-tellers. They would so beautifully explain
the incidents from srI rAmAyaNam, mahAbhAratham and the lives of AzhwArs and
AchAryas. Children too were greatly attached to their grand mothers for their ability to
engage them in wonderful matters effortlessly. We hope that you will enjoy this series of
articles and learn from them too.
Source: http://pillai.koyil.org/index.php/beginners-guide/
Web: http://koyil.org , http://ponnadi.blogspot.com, http://acharyas.koyil.org,

http://pillai.koyil.org
manmatha – Adi 17 – sathayam (August 2nd, 2015)
Topic of Contents
Preface ...................................................................................................................... 4
Introduction to AzhwArs .......................................................................................... 7
mudhalAzhwArgaL – part 1 ................................................................................... 10
mudhalAzhwArgaL – part 2 ................................................................................... 13
thirumazhisai AzhwAr ............................................................................................ 15
nammAzhwAr and madhurakavi AzhwAr ............................................................. 17
kulasEkara AzhwAr ................................................................................................ 20
periyAzhwAr ........................................................................................................... 23
ANdAL ..................................................................................................................... 25
thoNdaradippodi AzhwAr ...................................................................................... 28
thiruppANAzhwAr .................................................................................................. 30
thirumangai AzhwAr .............................................................................................. 32
....................... 32
dhivya prabandham – the most valuable gift from AzhwArs.............................. 35
Introduction to AzhwArs
ANdAL pAtti : vyAsa and parAsara! I m going to kAttazhagiyasinga perumAL sannidhi (a
separate temple for narasimha perumAL). Do you want to join me?
vyAsa: Sure pAtti. We will join you. Last time you were telling us about AzhwArs. Can
you tell us more about them now?
ANdAL pAtti: Good that you have asked, I will tell you both about them now.
All three of them start walking towards kAttazhagiyasinga perumAL sannidhi.
ANdAL pAtti: There are 12 AzhwArs in total. The collection of all their songs is now
known as ‘nAlAyira (4000) dhivya prabhandham’. Infact, amalanAdhipiran, the one I
recited yesterday is part of this collection of dhivya prabhandham.
parAsara: Oh! Who are those 12 AzhwArs, pAtti?
ANdAL pAtti: The 12 AzhwArs are poigai

AzhwAr, bhUthathAzhwAr, pEyAzhwAr, thirumazisai AzhwAr, madhurakavi
AzhwAr, nammAzhwAr, kulasEkara AzhwAr, periyAzhwAr,ANdAL,thoNdaradippodi
AzhwAr, thiruppANAzhwAr, thirumangai AzhwAr.
vyAsa: Nice, pAtti. So they are the ones who had the great mercy of perumAL?
ANdAL pAtti: Yes, vyAsa. They were fully blessed by bhagavAn. After being blessed,
out of great care towards other people in this world, they shared the mercy
of perumAL through their pAsurams (songs) thousands of years back. It is through those
pAsurams we are understanding about bhagavAn and we are enjoying glories
of perumAL.
parAsara: Oh! pAtti, I thought we understood bhagavAn through vEdham.
ANdAL pAtti: Yes. Definitely. But vEdham is very big. There are many complex matters
which are explained in samskrutham in vEdham that are difficult to understand without
deep study. But,AzhwArs brought about the essence of vEdham in simple thamizh
language in these 4000 pAsurams. And as you well know, the essence of vEdham is to
glorify perumAL. More so, AzhwArs acquired their knowledge by the direct grace of
bhagavAn instead of their self-effort – so it is all the more special.
vyAsa: Yes, we understand this now. AzhwArs were kindly explaining about perumAL in
much simpler and focussed way. Just like you are explaining these matters to us now.
ANdAL pAtti: Very nice vyAsa – that is very good example. Now, you remember,
previously we discussed that perumAL exists in 5 different forms – in paramapadham, in
vyUham, avathArams, antharyAmi and archA form. Different AzhwArs had attachment
towards different forms of perumAL.
parAsara: Oh – just like we like srI ranganAthan so much, did each AzhwAr had their own
favourite perumAL?
ANdAL pAtti: Yes. mudhalAzhwArgaL (First 3 AzhwArs – poigai

AzhwAr, bhUthathAzhwAr,pEyAzhwAr) were very attached to perumAL‘s supremacy – as
seen in paramapadham. thirumazisai AzhwAr had great attachment towards antharyAmi
– theperumAL inside the heart of each one of
us. nammAzhwAr, periyAzhwAr and ANdAL had great attachment towards
krishNa. kulasEkara AzhwAr had great attachment towards srI rAma. thoNdaradippodi
AzhwAr and thiruppANAzhwAr had great attachment towards srI ranganAthan. thirumangai
AzhwAr had great attachment towards all archAvathAra perumALs.
vyAsa and parAsara: pAtti, you left madhurakavi AzhwAr.
ANdAL pAtti: Yes – very nice observation. madhurakavi AzhwAr was fully devoted
tonammAzhwAr.
ANdAL pAtti stops at a flower vendor’s shop to buy some flowers for perumAL.
parAsara: pAtti, Can you now tell us about each AzhwAr?
ANdAL pAtti: Surely. But now we have arrived at the temple. We will go inside and have
his dharsan and glorify him. Next time, I will explain more about each AzhwAr in detail.
vyAsa and parAsara: OK pAtti. Let us go in – we cant wait to see narasimhar any more.
Authors: jayakrishNan rAmAnuja dAsan, sArathy rAmanuja dAsan
Source: http://pillai.koyil.org/index.php/2014/10/introduction-to-azhwars/
mudhalAzhwArgaL – part 1
ANdAL pAtti is planning to take vyAsa and parAsara to mudhalAzhwArgaL sannidhi in
srIrangam and explain them their glories.
poigai AzhwAr
bhUthaththAzhwAr
pEyAzhwAr
ANdAL pAtti: vyAsa and parAsara! Today we will go to mudhalAzhwArgaL sannidhi in the
temple.
vyAsa and parAsarA: Great pAtti. Let us go now.
ANdAL pAtti: Let me tell a little bit about them while we walk towards their sannidhi.
mudhal means first. We already know the meaning of AzhwAr – one who is immersed in
devotion. So,mudhalAzhwArgaL are the first amongst the 12 AzhwArs.
vyAsa: Why is there a plural in mudhalAzhwArgaL pAtti? Are there more than one “first”
AzhwAr?
ANdAL pAtti: Ha! Ha! Very nice question. Yes, amongst the AzhwArs, the first 3
AzhwArs are always quoted together.
parAsara: Why pAtti? Are they like pancha pANdavas who were always together?
ANdAL pAtti: Very nice example parAsara. Yes – though the first 3 AzhwArs were born in
3 different places, through a divine event, they came together and met at thirukkOvalUr
dhivya dhEsam and worshipped/enjoyed srIman nArAyaNan together. After that incident,
they are generally quoted together.
vyAsa: What is that divine event pAtti? I am so curious to know about it.
ANdAL pAtti: Surely, I will tell you that incident. But before that, we understand a little
about the 3 AzhwArs. First AzhwAr is named poigai AzhwAr – sarO yOgi. Second
AzhwAr isbhUthaththAzhwAr – bhUtha yOgi. Third AzhwAr is known as pEyAzhwAr –
mahathAhvaya.
parAsara: When and where were they born pAtti?
ANdAL pAtti: All 3 of them were born in the previous yuga – dhvApara yuga (the yuga
when krishNAvathAram took place). All 3 of them appeared from flowers. poigai
AzhwAr was born on aippasi thiruvONam in a pond in thiruvekkA in
kAnchIpuram. bhUthaththAzhwAr was born on aippasi avittam in a pond in
thirukkadalmallai – now you know this place as mahAbalipuram.pEyAzhwAr was born on
aippasi sathayam in a well in thirumayilai – now you know this place as mylApUr.
vyAsa: Wow! They were born from flowers. So, dont they have mother and father?
ANdAL pAtti: Yes, they were blessed by bhagavAn during their birth itself and they fully
considered thAyAr and perumAL as their mother and father.
parAsara: Oh, that is wonderful to know. So, how did they meet and what was that
divine incident?
ANdAL pAtti: Well, they were individually travelling to different kshEthrams and were
worshipping bhagavAn in many places. That was their life – just go to a temple,
worshipperumAL and stay there for a few days and then move on to the next one.
vyAsa: That sounds so wonderful – no need to worry about anything else. Wish we
could do that too pAtti.
ANdAL pAtti: Yes. Look we have arrived at mudhalAzhwArgaL sannidhi. Let us go in and
have their dharsan. We will continue with rest of their life on return.
Authors: sArathy rAmanuja dAsan
Source: http://pillai.koyil.org/index.php/2014/11/mudhalazhwargal-part-1/
mudhalAzhwArgaL – part 2
ANdAL pAtti, vyAsa and parAsara come out of mudhalAzhwArgaL sannidhi.
parAsara: pAtti, it was nice to have the dharsan of mudhalAzhwArgaL . Are these 3
AzhwArs always together pAtti?
mudhalAzhwArgaL with thirukkOvalUr emperumAn – thirrukkOvalUr
ANdAL pAtti: Good question. There is a reason for them being together. Let me explain.
One fine day, by the divine plan of perumAL, they arrived at thirukkOvalUr one after
another. It was a stormy day. There was heavy rains. There was a rishi named
mrukaNdu who had an Ashram in thirukkOvalUr. In the front of his Ashram, there was a
small shed. First poigai AzhwAr arrived and took shelter of the shed to protect himself
from the rain. He lied down there and relaxed for a bit.
parAsara: All alone? Wont he be scared?
ANdAL pAtti: No parAsara! He wont be scared since he is always thinking of perumAL.

At that time, bhUthaththAzhwAr arrives there in the rain and requests permission to enter
the shed. poigai AzhwAr says “There is limited space here. One person can lie down but
two persons can sit. So, please come in.”. bhUthaththAzhwAr happily enters and they
both sit next to each other. Soon after, pEyAzhwAr comes running in the rain wanting to
take shelter and he asks permission to enter the shed. poigai AzhwAr says “Well, there is
limited space here. One person can lie down, two persons can sit and three persons
can stand. So, please come in, we can all stand.”. Hearing that pEyAzhwAr, happily
enters the place and they all stand shivering in the cold. They start speaking to each
other, get to know about each other and being very joyed about the common interest,
they start discussing about perumAL‘s beautiful names, forms, qualities, etc.
vyAsa: Wow! That is very nice. Divine indeed. But pAtti, it would be nice, if perumAL too
was present there, just like he is here as periya perumAL to see us.
ANdAL pAtti: Wait, the incident does not end here. You have very nicely guessed the
next sequence. There is more divinity on the way. Seeing the assembly of his dear
devotees, nowperumAL wants to be part of this too. So, he too enters the shed and
squeezes himself in the space. Being dark and suddenly squeezed for space, the three
AzhwArs start wondering what is going on and who entered the place without their
knowledge. So, first poigai AzhwAr starts singing “vaiyam thagaLiyA” – imagining the
world itself as a lamp. Then, bhUthaththAzhwAr sings “anbE thagaLiyA” – imagining his
love itself as a lamp. With these lamps, the place becomes lit brightly,
and pEyAzhwAr first sees the divine form of srIman nArAyaNan with his divine consort srI
mahAlakshmi in the shed amidst them. He starts singing “ thirukkaNdEn …” (I have had
the divine vision of srIman nArAyaNan with srI mahAlakshmi, his divine/beautiful golden
form, his divine conch and disc). All AzhwArs together enjoy the divine vision
of perumAL and thAyAr.
parAsara: This is so great. They must have felt so happy.
ANdAL pAtti: Yes – they were very happy. perumAL and thAyAr too were very happy.
After this wonderful incident, they visited archAvathAra emperumAns in many other
temples together. They stayed for the rest of the life together and ascended to
paramapadham finally to be withperumAL always and serve him.
vyAsa and parAsara: This incident is so amazing to hear. Shall we hear about the next
AzhwAr’s life now?
ANdAL pAtti: You have to wait until next time for that. Its time for you to play and have
some fun outside now while I go and prepare some food for perumAL which we can eat
later tonight.
vyAsa and parAsara: Sure pAtti. We will come back tomorrow to hear more from you.
Authors: sArathy rAmanuja dAsan
Source: http://pillai.koyil.org/index.php/2014/11/mudhalazhwargal-part-2/
thirumazhisai AzhwAr
ANdAL pAtti takes parAsara and vyAsa to thiruveLLaRai temple. They board a bus
outside srIrangam rAja gOpuram.
parAsara: pAtti, while we are in the bus, can you tell us about the fourth AzhwAr?
ANdAL pAtti: Sure, parAsara. I am happy to know that you prefer to speak
about AzhwArsduring the journey.
parAsara and vyAsa smile at pAtti. The bus starts from srIrangam.
ANdAL PAtti: The fourth AzhwAr is thirumazhisai AzhwAr, he was fondly called as
bhaktisAra. He was born on thai month magam nakshathram in thirumazhisai near
chennai to bhArgava muni and kanakAngi. He was the AzhwAr who lived the longest in
this world. He lived for almost 4700 years.
parAsara and vyAsa drop their jaw in astonishment and ask ”4700 years!!!”.
ANdAL pAtti: Yes, He traversed through most of the different philosophies before he
met pEyAzhwAr.
vyAsa: Oh! What happened after they met?
ANdAL pAtti: pEyAzhwAr taught him about perumAL in detail and brought thirumazhisai
AzhwAr into srivaishNavam.
The bus reached chathram bus stand.
ANdAL pAtti: He had particular interest in knowing about antharyami, the perumAL who
exists within us and he was deeply devoted to kumbakONam Aravamudhan, so much
so thatperumAL exchanged his name with AzhwAr and they came to be known as
ArAvamudhAzhwAr and thirumazhisai pirAn.
parAsara: Wow, pAtti. Looks like he had been very close to perumAL.
ANdAL pAtti: Yes, he had been. Once in a village, when he was traveling, he visited the
temple in that village. The perumAL was so fond of him, he started turning towards
whichever direction AzhwAr was moving. Similarly, ArAvamudhan emperumAn was so
fond that he listened to him politely and started to get up from his reclining posture when
AzhwAr asked him to do that.
parAsara and vyAsa eyes pop out in astonishment and ask “What happened then
pAtti?”.
ANdAL pAtti: AzhwAr got shocked and requested perumAL to get back to his reclining
position.perumAL was in double-mind and so he is still in half reclining position.
vyAsa: Oh! that is very nice pAtti. One day we should go and visit this perumAL.
ANdAL pAtti: Surely, we will go some time there. He stays there for a long time. He
throws all of his works into Cauvery river and retains the only 2 prabandhams –
thiruchchantha viruththam and nAnmugan thiruvanthAdhi. After that he finally ascends
to paramapadham and continues to serve emperumAn in paramapadham eternally.
The bus reaches thiruveLLaRai. They enter the temple and have the dharsan
of thAyAr and perumAL.
Author: jayakrishNan rAmAnuja dAsan, sArathy rAmAnuja dAsan
Source: http://pillai.koyil.org/index.php/2014/11/thirumazhisai-azhwar/
nammAzhwAr and madhurakavi AzhwAr

ANdAL pAtti is in the process of explaining the life of AzhwArs to vyAsa and parAsara.
vyAsa: pAtti, we have now heard about mudhalAzhwArgaL and thirumazhisai AzhwAr. Who
is next pAtti?
ANdAL pAtti: I will tell you about nammAzhwAr who is considered as the chief among
AzhwArs. I will also tell a little about his dear sishya madhurakavi AzhwAr.
nammAzhwAr – AzhwAr thirunagari, madhurakavi AzhwAr – thirukkOLUr
parAsara: Sure pAtti. We are looking forward to hearing about them from you.
ANdAL pAtti: nammAzhwAr means “our AzhwAr” in thamizh. He was honored

by perumALhimself with this title. nammAzhwAr was born in AzhwAr thirunagari on
vaikAsi month visAka nakshathram. He was born as the son of the local
king/administrator named kAri and his wife udaiyanangai. kAri and udaiyanangai did not
have any children for a long time. So they went and prayed to thirukkuRungudi nambi
for a child. nambi blesses them that he himself will appear as their child. kAri and
udaiyanangai returns to AzhwAr thirunagari and soon udayanangai gives birth to a
beautiful child. He is hailed as an amsam of perumAL himself and as an amsam
of vishwaksEnar at times.
vyAsa: Oh! very nice. So, is he perumAL himself?
ANdAL pAtti: Looking at his glories, surely we can say that. But as explained by our
AchAryas, he himself proclaims that he was one of the jIvAthmAs wandering in this
world since time-immemorial and was divinely blessed by srIman nArAyaNan out of his
unconditional grace. So, we accept that he is some one who was specially blessed
by perumAL.
parAsara: Yes pAtti, I remember you saying in the beginning that perumAL blesses
certain persons with full knowledge and make them AzhwArs so that they will bring
many of us towardsperumAL.
ANdAL pAtti: Very true parAsara. It is so wonderful that you both remember these
important points nicely. So, getting back to nammAzhwAr‘s birth, though he was born like
a normal child, he did not eat, cry or do anything. His parents were initially worried and
they brought him on the 12th day to Adhi nAtha perumAL temple and placed him in front
of perumAL. Due to his distinctive nature from other babies, he was given the name
mARan (one who is different). Seeing his unique nature, his parents considered him as
a divine personality and placed him under the divine tamarind tree which is located at
the south side of the temple and worshiped him with great respect. Since then he
stayed for 16 years without speaking a word under the tamarind tree.
vyAsa: So, what was he doing all the time? And did he ever speak finally?
ANdAL pAtti: Being blessed at the time of birth, he was in deep meditation
on perumALthroughout the time. Finally, it was the arrival of madhurakavi AzhwAr which
made him speak.
parAsara: Who was madhurakavi AzhwAr? What did he do?
ANdAL pAtti: madhurakavi AzhwAr was born in thirukkOLUr on chithrai month chithrai
nakshathram. He was a great scholar and devotee of srIman nArAyaNan. He was much
older than nammAzhwAr and he was on a pilgrimage in ayOdhyA. He had already heard
about mARan’s life. At that time, he notices a shining light from the south side and he
follows that light which finally leads him all the way to AzhwAr thirunagari temple where
mARan is staying.
vyAsa: Did nammAzhwAr speak to madhurakavi AzhwAr?
ANdAL pAtti: Yes, he did. madhurakavi AzhwAr engages him in a divine conversation and
AzhwAr finally speaks. Understanding his glories, madhurakavi AzhwAr at once becomes
his sishya and learns all the essential principles that are to be learnt. He also fully
servesnammAzhwAr and takes care of him for the rest of his life.
parAsara: Oh, that is nice. So, it seems that age is not a criteria when it comes to
learning the true knowledge. Here, even though madhurakavi AzhwAr was older
than nammAzhwAr, he learnt these principles from nammAzhwAr.
ANdAL pAtti: Very good observation parAsara. Yes, one has to be humble to learn from
any learned person even if the person is younger than him. That is the true quality of
srIvaishNavas and is nicely demonstrated by madhurakavi AzhwAr here. After some
years, at the age of 32,nammAzhwAr decides to ascend to paramapadham as he was
unable to bear the separation from perumAL any longer. After singing the glories
of perumAL in his four prabandhams namely thiruviruththam, thiruvAsiriyam, periya
thiruvanthAdhi and thiruvAimozhi, by the grace of perumAL he ascends to
paramapadham to be engaged in eternal kainkaryam to perumALthere.
vyAsa: That was too young to go to paramapadham pAtti.
ANdAL pAtti: Yes. But he wanted to be blissful eternally. And perumAL wanted him to be
there. So, he left this world and reached there. madhurakavi AzhwAr then established the
archA vigraham of nammAzhwAr which was received by boiling the water of river and
arranged for proper worship of nammAzhwAr in this dhivya dhEsam. He composed a
prabandham named “kaNNinuN chiRu thAmbu” in full glorification of nammAzhwAr. He
also spread the glories ofnammAzhwAr every where and established nammAzhwAr‘s
greatness all over the region.
parAsara: So, it is because of madhurakavi AzhwAr we fully understand nammAzhwAr‘s

glories.
ANdAL pAtti: Yes. He was totally dedicated to nammAzhwAr and he himself was glorified
due to his dedication to nammAzhwAr. See, devotees of perumAL are more glorified
than perumALhimself. So, glorification of devotees of perumAL is considered much
greater than glorifying perumAL. We too should try to serve the devotees
of perumAL whenever possible.
vyAsa and parAsara: Surely pAtti. We will keep that mind and look forward to such
opportunities.
ANdAL pAtti: With this we have seen the life of nammAzhwAr and madhurakavi AzhwAr.
Let us go to nammAzhwAr‘s sannidhi and worship him.
Author: sArathy rAmanuja dAsan
Source: http://pillai.koyil.org/index.php/2014/11/nammazhwar-and-madhurakavi-azhwar/
kulasEkara AzhwAr
vyAsa and parAsara goes to ANdAL pAtti and ask her to continue with the AzhwAr
stories.
ANdAL pAtti: vyAsa and parAsara! Today I am going to tell you about a king who is an
AzhwAr.
vyAsa: Who is that pAtti? What is his name? when and where was he born? What are
his special qualities?
ANdAL pAtti: His name is kulasEkara AzhwAr. He was born on mAsi month punarpUsam
nakshathram in thiruvanjikkaLam which is located in kEraLa. He was born in a
kshathriya family.
parAsara: What does kshathriya mean pAtti?
ANdAL pAtti: kshathriya means administrators generally, like king, emperor, etc. They
rule the kingdom, protect the citizens, etc.
vyAsa: Oh, just like our rangarAja, who rules us and protects us in srIrangam.
ANdAL pAtti: Yes. Our perumAL is the king for everyone. But each region is ruled by a
king and these kings are greatly respected by the local people. Coming back to the
history, As he was born in kshathriya family, he was feeling that he was the controller,
fully independent, etc. But by the grace of srIman nArAyaNan, he became fully realized
that he was fully dependent onperumAL and developed great taste to listening to the
glories of perumAL and also taking care of the devotees of perumAL.
parAsara: pAtti, I remember you telling that we should be like madhurakavi AzhwAr in
serving devotees of perumAL. Was he like that pAtti?
ANdAL pAtti: Very nice parAsara. Yes. kulasEkarAzhwAr had great attachment to srI
rAmAyaNam. See, in our sampradhAyam “srI rAma” is lovingly called as “perumAL“. Due
to kulasEkarAzhwAr’s great attachment towards srI ramAyaNam and srI rAma, he
himself becomes to be called as “kulasEkara perumAL”. He would listen to srI
rAmAyaNam every day from great scholars and be immersed in the incidents. Once,
when he heard that srI rAma was attacked by 14000 rAkshasas, he became disturbed
very much and called out for his army to go and assist srI rAma. The devotees
of perumAL would then pacify him and tell him that srI rAma had already defeated the
rAkshasas single handedly.
vyAsa: How did he rule the kingdom pAtti if he was fully engaged in hearing
about perumAL?
ANdAL pAtti: Yes. That is a very good question. He was unable to focus on the
kingdom. His ministers planned to eliminate his attachment towards bhAgavathas who
are devotees ofperumAL. They stole the necklace of perumAL from his temple in the
palace and told him that it was stolen by the bhAgavathas. He did not believe the words
of the ministers. It was an ancient practice of proving ones words by putting their hand
in a pot which has snake in it. One must be very confident on truth and brave to do this.
He asked them to bring a pot which has snake inside it. He boldly put his hand inside
the pot and proclaimed that the bhAgavathas are innocent.
parAsara: That is very nice pAtti.
ANdAL pAtti: Yes, also, just like srI rAma had great attachment to periya perumAL (srI
ranganAtha), kulasEkara AzhwAr was also greatly attached to periya perumAL and
srIrangam.
vyAsa: What is the relationship with srI rAma and periya perumAL pAtti?
ANdAL pAtti: periya perumAL was the thiruvArAdhana perumAL of srI rAma in ayOdhya.
thiruvArAdhana perumAL means the perumAL whom we worship at home. So, in his
palace, srI rAma worshipped periya perumAL. But he gave that perumaL as a gift to
vibhIshaNa who is his dear devotee. When vibhIshaNa was carrying periya perumAL to
lankA, he stopped at srIrangam to perform sandhyA vandhanam. After his sandhyA
vandhanam, when he wanted to continue his journey to lankA, periya perumAL said to
vibhIshaNa that he liked this place so much and just wanted to stay here facing south
side where lankA is. vibhIshaNa agreed toperiya perumAL and left to lankA without him.
Thus, periya perumAL arrived at srIrangam and continues to stay here till now.
parAsara: Oh! Very nice to hear this pAtti. We did not know this connection
between perumAL(srI rAma) and periya perumAL before.
ANdAL pAtti: So, kulasEkara AzhwAr also had great attachment towards srIrangam
and periya perumAL. He wanted to visit srIrangam everyday from his kingdom and would
leave from there. But his ministers would stop him by giving some reason or the other
so that he can continue to rule the kingdom from there. Eventually, he gave up his
kingdom and reaches srIrangam. He sings perumAL thirumozhi in glorification
of emperumAn and stays in srIrangam for some time. Finally, he leaves from this world
and reaches paramapadham to serve him permanently.
vyAsa: pAtti, the more we hear about AzhwArs, the more we know about perumAL since
their lives are fully focussed on perumAL.
ANdAL pAtti: Yes. We should also focus our lives towards perumAL and his devotees.
Now, let us go to kulasEkara AzhwAr sannidhi and have his dharsan.
vyAsa and parAsara: Sure pAtti. Let us go now.
Source: http://pillai.koyil.org/index.php/2014/11/kulasekarazhwar/
periyAzhwAr
On a beautiful Sunday morning, ANdAL pAtti sits in the pyol (thiNNai – veranda) outside her
house and makes garland for perumAL. vyAsa and parAsara come and sit on the pyol next to
ANdAL pAtti . They both watch ANdAL pAtti curiously.
vyAsa: What are you doing pAtti?
ANdAL pAtti: Making a garland for perumAL, that reminds me of a couple of AzhwArs? Would
you like to hear about one of them now?
parAsara: Oh sure pAtti. We are eagerly waiting for that.
ANdAL pAtti: That’s like my boy. Then let me tell you about periyAzhwAr. He was born in Ani
month swAthi nakshathram in srIvillipuththUr. He was also called as pattarpirAn. He used to
make garlands for vatapathrasAyi emperumAn. One fine day, the king who ruled the pAndiyan
kingdom, threw open a challenge to the scholars. He announced that he will award a bag full of
gold coins to anyone who could establish who is the supreme god.
vyAsa: That would have been very difficult, isn’t it pAtti?
ANdAL pAtti: It wasn’t so for periyAzhwAr. Due to his bhakthi and the mercy of perumAL, he
went to the king’s court and established that perumAL is the almighty through vEdham. The king
was so happy that he gave periyAzhwAr the prize money and sent him through the streets of
Madurai on a royal elephant.
parAsara : That would have been a sight to watch, pAtti.
ANdAL pAtti: Yes parAsara, that was. And that is why perumAL himself came down from
paramapadham riding his garuda. Even though periyAzhwAr was riding on top of an elephant,
he was ever so humble and was worried about the safety of perumAL. So he sang
thiruppallANdu to ensure perumAL is protected. That’s how he came to be known
asperiyAzhwAr. He also sang periyAzhwAr thirumozhi.
vyAsa: Oh. Yes pAtti – pallANdu pallANdu sounds familiar. That is what is recited everyday in
the beginning. We have heard it in the temple.
ANdAL pAtti. Yes, you are right vyAsa. periyAzhwAr‘s thiruppallANdu is always recited in the
beginning and the end too.
parAsara: That’s nice pAtti. We will also learn it and start reciting it in front of perumAL.
ANdAL pAtti: I’m sure, you will start doing that very soon. By the way, he was also the father
ofANdAL, the one who sang the most popular thiruppAvai. Will tell you more about ANdAL later,
come let’s go and offer the garland to perumAL.
ANdAL pAtti finishes making the garland and starts towards srI ranganAthan temple along with
vyAsa and parAsara to offer it to perumAL.
Author: jayakrishNan rAmAnuja dAsan. Edited by: sArathy rAmanuja dAsan
Source: http://pillai.koyil.org/index.php/2014/11/periyazhwar/
ANdAL
ANdAL pAtti collects cow milk from the milkman in the early morning and brings it inside
her house. After heating the milk, she gives it to vyAsa and parAsara. vyAsa and
parAsara drink the milk.
parAsara: pAtti, on the other day, you said you will tell us about ANdAL later. Can you
tell us now?
ANdAL pAtti: Oh, yes. I do remember telling you both. Sure, it is time that I tell you
aboutANdAL.
ANdAL pAtti, vyAsa and parAsara, all three sit in the lounge.
ANdAL pAtti: ANdAL was the daughter of periyAzhwAr, She was born
in srIvillipuththUr,periyAzhwAr found ANdAL in the garden next to the temple near a
thuLasi plant. She was born in Adi month pUram nakshathram. This days is greatly
celebrated as thiruvAdippUram. Along with regular food periyAzhwAr also fed ANdAL with
devotion towards perumAL.
vyAsa: Oh, that is nice pAtti. is it like you are teaching us now?
ANdAL pAtti: Yes. Infact more than this. Because periyAzhwAr was engaged in
kainkaryam fully, he would always explain to her all the different wonderful aspects
about kainkaryam toperumAL. And due to that even at a tender age of 5 years, she
started dreaming that perumALwould marry him and she would serve him.
parAsara: Oh. What was his main kainkaryam pAtti?
ANdAL pAtti: His main kainkaryam was to maintain the temple garden and prepare nice
garlands for perumAL every day. He would make nice garlands, keep them at home, do
his routines and then while going to temple, he would carry the garlands with him and
offer the same to perumAL. While he was keeping the garland at home, ANdAL would put
it on and see if she looks nice in that and imagine that perumAL looks at her with the
garland with great love.
vyAsa: So, periyAzhwAr did not know this at all?
ANdAL pAtti: Yes. For many days, he did not know this. perumAL was also accepting the
garlands with great joy since they were worn by ANdAL who is very dear to him. But one
day,periyAzhwAr prepared a garland, kept it at home and went out. ANdAL as usual wore
it on herself. Later, periyAzhwAr took it to the temple, but a string of hair was found in the
garland and he brought it back to his home. He realized that his daughter might have
worn it, so he prepared a new garland and took it back to the temple. perumAL refused
the accept the new garland and asked for the one worn
by ANdAL. periyAzhwAr understood the depth of bhakti of his daughter and the love
of perumAL for her and came back with the garland worn by ANdAL.perumAL accepted it
with great joy.
vyAsa and parAsara stood mesmerized listening about ANdAL and her love towards
perumAL.
vyAsa: What happened after that?
ANdAL pAtti: ANdAL‘s devotion for perumAL increased very much day by day. At a very
tender age, she rendered thiruppAvai and nAchiyar thirumozhi. During the month of
mArgazhi,thiruppAvai is recited in all homes and temples. Finally, periya
perumAL asked periyAzhwAr to bring her to srIrangam to accept her in
marriage. periyAzhwAr happily arrived at srIrangam withANdAL in a great
procession. ANdAL went straight in to periya perumAL sannidhi and perumALaccepted
her in marriage and she returned to paramapadham.
parAsara: She returned means? Was she originally from paramapadham?
ANdAL pAtti: Yes. She was bhUmi dhEvi herself. Unlike other AzhwArs who are from
this world and were blessed by perumAL to become AzhwArs, ANdAL descended from
parampadham to guide us in the path of devotion. Once her job was done, she returned
to paramapadham.
parAsara: Oh, very nice to know pAtti. That is so kind of her.
ANdAL pAtti: Very good. Now, you both need to learn and practice thiruppAvai, so that
you too can recite them during mArgazhi month which is arriving soon.
vyAsa and parAsara: Sure pAtti, let us start it right now.
ANdAL pAtti starts teaching them and the boys learn it very eagerly.
Author: jayakrishNan rAmAnuja dAsan, Edited by: sArathy rAmanuja dAsan
Source: http://pillai.koyil.org/index.php/2014/12/andal/
thoNdaradippodi AzhwAr
AndAL pAtti buys flowers from one of the vendor outside her house. vyAsA and
parasAra wakes up early in the morning and goes to ANdAL pAtti.
vyAsa: pAtti, just remembered that you said there were two AzhwArs who performed
pushpa kainkaryam to perumAL and right now we know one of them was periyAzhwAr,
can you tell us about the second AzhwAr now?
AndAL pAtti: You really have a very good memory vyAsa. As you asked for it, let me tell
you about the second AzhwAr who performed pushpa kainkaryam to perumAL.
vyAsa and parasAra sit around pAtti to listen about the next AzhwAr.
AndAL pAtti: He was known as thoNdaradippodi AzhwAr. His parents named him vipra
nArAyanAn. He was born on mArgazhi month kEttai nakshathram at thirumaNdangudi
near kumbakONam. He was very fond of srI ranganAthan. So much so that he didn’t
mention any other perumAL in the two dhivya prabandhams he rendered, one is
thirumAlai and and the other one is thiruppaLLiyezhuchchi. It is said that one who doesn’t
know thirumAlai, he will not be able to understand perumAL.
parasAra: Oh! is it pAtti? Then we both will learn thirumAlai as well.
AndAL pAtti: I am sure, you will learn it too. thirumAlai fully explains the glories of periya
perumAL. Do you know one special aspect about this AzhwAr?
vyAsa: What is that pAtti?
ANdAL pAtti: Have you heard the first slOkam of srI vEnkatEsa suprabAtham?
parAsara: Yes pAtti. (sings) “kausalyA suprajA rAma…”.
ANdAL pAtti: Yes. Do you know that, it is from srI rAmAyaNam? This was recited by
sage viswAmithra to wake srI rAma up. Similarly, periyAzhwAr also woke kaNNan
emperumAn up in his pAsurams. thoNdaradippodi AzhwAr sung suprabAtham
for srIranganAthan in histhiruppaLLiyezhuchchi prabandham.
vyAsa: Oh! This is what we hear araiyar swamy sings everyday in the morning in front
of periya perumAL along with thiruppAvai during mArgazhi mAsam.
ANdAL pAtti: Yes. You are very right. Let us prepare a garland with these flowers and
go to periya perumAL sannidhi.
Source: http://pillai.koyil.org/index.php/2014/12/thondaradippodi-azhwar/
thiruppANAzhwAr
ANdAL pAtti plans to stay awake on a vAikunta EkAdhasi day, parAsara and vyAsa also
express their interest to stay awake on that day.
ANdAL pAtti : On this auspicious day, staying awake is not enough. We should be
talking and engaging ourselves in services to perumAL.
parAsara: pAtti, as we are planning to stay awake, can you tell us about the
next AzhwAr?
ANdAL pAtti : parAsara, you just asked what I had in my mind. Yes, I will tell you
aboutthiruppANAzhwAr now.
parAsara and vyAsa: Sure pAtti.
ANdAL pAtti: thiruppANAzhwAr was born in kArthikai mAsam in rOhiNi nakshatram at

uRaiyUr near srIrangam. He composed amalanAdhipirAn containing 10 pAsurams in
which he praises the beauty of srIranganAthan from toe to head.
vyAsa: Oh! Yes pAtti, our perumAL is so beautiful that anyone who sees him will fully
enjoy him.
ANdAL pAtti. Yes dear! He was a very dear devotee of periya perumAL and an
interesting incident lead to him reaching ascending to parampadham suddenly.
parAsara: Please tell us that incident pAtti.
ANdAL pAtti: One day, he was singing songs in praise of perumAL from the shore at the
other side of cauvery. He never physically stepped in to srIrangam until that time. One
of the kainkaryarparars of periya perumAL named lOka sArangamuni went to fetch water
from the river. At that time he noticed AzhwAr was on his way. He asks AzhwAr to move
away so he can fetch water. But AzhwAr is in deep meditation on periya perumAL. So he
does not respond.
vyAsa: What happens next pAtti?
ANdAL pAtti: lOka sArangamuni picked up a pebble and threw it on AzhwAr. AzhwAr got
hurt in the process and blood starts oozing out from him. AzhwAr wakes up from the
meditation and realizes that he was on the way.
parAsara: Did he get angry on lOka sAranga muni?
ANdAL pAtti: No dear! srIvaishNavas never get angry for these petty things. AzhwAr at
once asks for forgiveness for being on his way and moves away. lOka sArangamuni
goes to the temple but periya perumAL is very upset with him for his needless offensive
act towards AzhwAr. He refuses to open the doors and asks lOka sArangamuni to go at
once to AzhwAr, beg for forgiveness and bring him to the temple. lOka sArangamuni
realizes the great mistake he committed and runs to AzhwAr. He begs AzhwAr to forgive
him. AzhwAr does not have any ill-feeling towards him and accepts his words gracefully
and very humbly.
vyAsa: He is such an example for us pAtti. We will also try to be magnanimous like him.
ANdAL pAtti: After lOka sArangamuni repeatedly insisting, AzhwAr climbs on the
shoulders of lOka sArangamuni and arrives at periya perumAL sannidhi singing
amalanAdhipirAn on his way. He reaches periya perumAL sannidhi, recites the final
pAsuram where he says “I will not see anything else with the eyes that have seen periya
perumAL” and at once disappears at the lotus feet of periya perumAL ascending to
paramapadham for eternal kainkaryam.
parAsara: Wow! This is so amazing pAtti. Of all the history of AzhwArs we have heard so
far, this is the best.
ANdAL pAtti: Yes, thiruppANAzhwAr was a very special devotee of periya perumAL and
we too can go to uRaiyUr today and worship him.
Source: http://pillai.koyil.org/index.php/2015/01/thiruppanazhwar/
thirumangai AzhwAr
thirumangai AzhwAr on his AdalmA horse
ANdAL pAtti, parAsara and vyAsa are returning home from uRaiyUr.
ANdAL pAtti: parAsara and vyAsa, looks like you had a wonderful time at uRaiyUr.
parAsara and vyAsa: Yes, pAtti. It was so nice to see thiruppANAzhwAr there. We like
going todhivya dhEsams and worship the archAvathAra emperumAns there.
ANdAL pAtti: I will now tell you about thirumangai AzhwAr who is instrumental in revealing
the glories of so many dhivya dhEsams. He was born on kArthikai mAsam kArthikai
nakshathram at thirukkuraiyalUr near thirunAngUr dhivya dhEsam. He composed 6
dhivya prabandhams namely periya thirumozhi, thirukkuRunthANdgam,
thiruvezhkURRirukkai, siRiya thirumadal, periya thirumadal and thirunedunthANdagam.
His original name was nIlan (since he was bluish colored).
parAsara: How did he travel to the dhivya dhEsams those days pAtti?
ANdAL pAtti: He had a horse named AdalmA which was so powerful and he used to
travel everywhere in that horse.
vyAsa: What are his specialities pAtti?
ANdAL pAtti: There are many unique aspects of thirumangai AzhwAr. Initially, he was a
great fighter and was ruling over a small kingdom. At that time he meets kumudhavalli
nAchiyAr and he wants to marry her. kumudhavalli nAchiyAr tells him that he will only
marry a devotee ofperumAL who also serves bhAgavathas with great
care. AzhwAr agrees and becomes a devotee of perumAL and thus they marry each
other. AzhwAr serves many srIvaishNavas by feeding them prasAdham. But eventually,
he runs out of wealth to support that kainkaryam. So he starts robbing wealthy people
who pass by the near by forest and uses that money in serving others.
parAsara: Oh! can we steal pAtti?
ANdAL pAtti: No! we should never do that. But since AzhwAr was so desperate to serve
bhAgavathas, he started robbing wealthy people. Anyway, perumAL wanted to give full
knowledge to him and reform him fully. So, he himself along with thAyAr, dresses like a
newly married wealthy couple and travels in the same forest along with a grand
family/relatives.AzhwAr sensing a good opportunity to earn some money, tries to rob
them. But by perumAL‘s grace, he finally realizes that perumAL himself has
arrived. perumAL blesses him fully and reforms him to be very pure. Since he tried to
force perumAL himself to bless him, perumALnames him “kaliyan” which means very
majestic/prideful. He is also known as parakAlan (one who is feared by supreme lord
himself).
vyAsa: Wow! this is amazing pAtti. What did he do after that.
ANdAL pAtii: Being overwhelmed with great emotions, he fully surrendered to perumAL.
After that, he travelled the length and breadth of bhAratha dhEsam visiting many dhivya
dhEsams(over 80) and glorified the perumALs there. That too, he has exclusively sung
about over 40perumALs who were not sung by any other AzhwArs – thus revealing
those dhivya dhEsams to us.
parAsara: Oh! It is our great fortune – because of him, we are worshipping these dhivya
dhEsams now. We will always be thankful to him.
ANdAL pAtti: He also performed many kainkaryams in our srIrangam, building forts
around the temple, etc. During his lifetime itself, perumAL orders AzhwAr‘s brother-in-law
to make a vigraham of AzhwAr and worship the same. After some time, thirumangai
AzhwAr goes tothirukkuRungudi dhivya dhEsam, spends some time there worshipping
nambi emperumAn. Finally, meditating on emperumAn, he ascends to paramapadham to
be engaged in kainkaryam to emperumAn eternally.
vyAsa: We have understood the importance of kainkaryam to archAvathAra perumAL and

his devotees from AzhwAr‘s life pAtti.
ANdAL pAtti: Yes, that is the essence of our sampradhAyam. With this, you have heard
about all the AzhwArs. I will tell you both about our AchAryas next time.
parAsara and vyAsa: OK pAtti! We are eagerly waiting for that.
Source: http://pillai.koyil.org/index.php/2015/02/thirumangai-azhwar/
dhivya prabandham – the most valuable gift from AzhwArs
ANdAL pAtti is reciting kaNNinuN chiRuth thAmbu prabandham. parAsara and vyAsa
arrive there.
vyAsa: pAtti! what are you reciting now?
ANdAL pAtti: vyAsa! I am reciting kaNNinuN chiRtuth thAmbu which is part of dhivya
prabandham.
parAsara: pAtti! Isn’t this the one that was composed by madhurakavi AzhwAr?
ANdAL pAtti: Yes. Very good memory.
vyAsa: pAtti! While explaining the history of AzhwArs you told that each AzhwAr has
composed some dhivya prabandhams. Please explain about dhivya prabandhams in detail
pAtti.
ANdAL pAtti: Sure vyAsa. That is very nice of you to have the interest to learn things in
detail. Our srIranganAthan and srIranganAchiyAr are called as dhivya dhampathi (divine
couple).AzhwArs are called as dhivya sUris (divine and auspicious personalities)
because of them being blessed by bhagavAn. The pAsurams (slOkams in thamizh) that
were composed by AzhwArs are called dhivya prabandham (divine literature). The
kshEthrams that are glorified in dhivya prabandham by the AzhwArs are called as dhivya
dhEsam (divine town).
parAsara: Oh! that is very interesting pAtti. What are these dhivya prabandhams talking
about pAtti?
ANdAL pAtti: The main purpose of dhivya prabandham is to fully discuss the auspicious
qualities of emperumAn. That too, specifically, archAvathAra emperumAn like our periya
perumAL, thiruvEnkatamudaiyAn, etc.
vyAsa: But we have heard that vEdham is very important for us pAtti. How is vEdham
connected to dhivya prabandham?
ANdAL pAtti: That is a good question. vEdham is the main source to know
about perumAL. vEdhAntham, which is the top-most part of vEdham discusses in detail
about perumAL, his divine qualities, philosophy, etc. But all of these are in
samskrutham. AzhwArs brought out the essence of vEdham and vEdhAntham in
their dhivya prabandhams in beautiful thamizh language.
parAsara: Oh! But what is the difference between vEdham and dhivya prabandham pAtti?
ANdAL pAtti: It is explained that, when bhagavAn descended from srIvaikuNtam to

ayOdhyA as srIrAma, vEdham also appeared as srI rAmAyaNam. Similarly, when that
same perumALdescended as archAvathAra emperumAn, vEdham appeared as dhivya
prabandham through the words of AzhwArs. paramapadhanAthan is very difficult for us to
comprehend from where we are now. So, we are approaching archAvathAra
perumAL easily in our own place. Similarly, vEdham/vEdhAntham are difficult to
comprehend. But the same principles are explained in a much simpler and crisper
manner in dhivya prabandham by AzhwArs.
vyAsa: pAtti! Does that mean vEdham is not important for us?
ANdAL pAtti: No no! Both vEdham and dhivya prabandham are equally important for us.
vEdham is important because it is the root of all sources to understand about perumAL.
But for learning and enjoying the auspicious qualities of perumAL, dhivya prabandham is
most apt. Also, the most complicated principles that are explained in vEdham, can be
easily understood by studying the meanings of dhivya prabandham, with the help of the
explanations given by ourpUrvAchAryas. So, one should study vEdham, vEdhAntham
and dhivya prabandham according to ones own situation.
parAsara: What is the main focus of dhivya prabandham pAtti?
ANdAL pAtti: The main focus of dhivya prabandham is to eliminate our engagement in
temporary pleasure/pain in this material world and to elevate us to permanent and
natural bliss in paramapadham by serving srI mahAlakshmi and srIman
nArAyaNan eternally there. Our nature is to serve srIman nArAyaNan eternally, but due to
us being in this world engaged in worldly activities, we are missing out on that valuable
joy. dhivya prabandham highlights the importance of serving perumAL eternally in

paramapadham.
vyAsa: Yes pAtti! We understand that a little bit as you have previously explained this
principle before.
parAsara: Who are our pUrvAchAryas pAtti?
ANdAL pAtti: parAsara! very nice question. I will explain you about the many AchAryas
of our sampradhAyam from now onwards. It is very importance for us to know about
our AchAryas in detail so that we can fully realize how they lived by the words
of AzhwArs and the importance for us to follow in their foot steps.
parAsara and vyAsa: Thanks pAtti! We are looking forward to hearing about
our AchAryas.
Source: http://pillai.koyil.org/index.php/2015/02/dhivya-prabandham-the-most-valuable-
gift-from-azhwars/

SrIvaishNavam Beginners Guide Part2 - English

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Beginner’s Guide Part 2

dhivya prabandham – translations project

dhivya prabandhams are the most essential aspect of srIvaishNava sampradhAyam.

adiyen sarathy ramanuja dasan

on behalf of http://divyaprabandham.koyil.org team

pramEyam (goal) – http://koyil.org

Simple introductory articles.

Web: http://koyil.org , http://ponnadi.blogspot.com, http://acharyas.koyil.org,

manmatha – Adi 17 – sathayam (August 2nd, 2015)

All three of them start walking towards kAttazhagiyasinga perumAL sannidhi.

parAsara: Oh! Who are those 12 AzhwArs, pAtti?

ANdAL pAtti: The 12 AzhwArs are poigai

parAsara: Oh! pAtti, I thought we understood bhagavAn through vEdham.

ANdAL pAtti: Yes. mudhalAzhwArgaL (First 3 AzhwArs – poigai

vyAsa and parAsara: pAtti, you left madhurakavi AzhwAr.

parAsara: pAtti, Can you now tell us about each AzhwAr?

Authors: jayakrishNan rAmAnuja dAsan, sArathy rAmanuja dAsan

vyAsa and parAsarA: Great pAtti. Let us go now.

parAsara: When and where were they born pAtti?

Authors: sArathy rAmanuja dAsan

mudhalAzhwArgaL with thirukkOvalUr emperumAn – thirrukkOvalUr

parAsara: All alone? Wont he be scared?

ANdAL pAtti: No parAsara! He wont be scared since he is always thinking of perumAL.

parAsara: This is so great. They must have felt so happy.

Authors: sArathy rAmanuja dAsan

vyAsa: Oh! What happened after they met?

The bus reached chathram bus stand.

Author: jayakrishNan rAmAnuja dAsan, sArathy rAmAnuja dAsan

nammAzhwAr and madhurakavi AzhwAr

nammAzhwAr – AzhwAr thirunagari, madhurakavi AzhwAr – thirukkOLUr

ANdAL pAtti: nammAzhwAr means “our AzhwAr” in thamizh. He was honored

vyAsa: Oh! very nice. So, is he perumAL himself?

parAsara: Who was madhurakavi AzhwAr? What did he do?

vyAsa: Did nammAzhwAr speak to madhurakavi AzhwAr?

vyAsa: That was too young to go to paramapadham pAtti.

parAsara: So, it is because of madhurakavi AzhwAr we fully understand nammAzhwAr‘s

Author: sArathy rAmanuja dAsan

parAsara: What does kshathriya mean pAtti?

parAsara: That is very nice pAtti.

vyAsa and parAsara: Sure pAtti. Let us go now.

Author: sArathy rAmanuja dAsan

vyAsa: What are you doing pAtti?

parAsara: Oh sure pAtti. We are eagerly waiting for that.

vyAsa: That would have been very difficult, isn’t it pAtti?

parAsara : That would have been a sight to watch, pAtti.

Author: jayakrishNan rAmAnuja dAsan. Edited by: sArathy rAmanuja dAsan

parAsara: Oh. What was his main kainkaryam pAtti?

vyAsa: So, periyAzhwAr did not know this at all?

vyAsa: What happened after that?

parAsara: She returned means? Was she originally from paramapadham?

parAsara: Oh, very nice to know pAtti. That is so kind of her.

vyAsa and parAsara: Sure pAtti, let us start it right now.

Author: jayakrishNan rAmAnuja dAsan, Edited by: sArathy rAmanuja dAsan

parasAra: Oh! is it pAtti? Then we both will learn thirumAlai as well.

vyAsa: What is that pAtti?

parAsara: Yes pAtti. (sings) “kausalyA suprajA rAma…”.

Authors: jayakrishNan rAmAnuja dAsan, sArathy rAmanuja dAsan

parAsara and vyAsa: Sure pAtti.

ANdAL pAtti: thiruppANAzhwAr was born in kArthikai mAsam in rOhiNi nakshatram at

parAsara: Please tell us that incident pAtti.

vyAsa: What happens next pAtti?

parAsara: Did he get angry on lOka sAranga muni?

Authors: jayakrishNan rAmAnuja dAsan, sArathy rAmanuja dAsan

thirumangai AzhwAr on his AdalmA horse