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Azhwars prescription for liberation

rom Sri Velukkudi Krishnan Swami’s

Upanyasam in Houston 2008 

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My Acharyans – Srimad Azhagiya Singar

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Introduction:

AzhwArgal vAzhi aruLichcheyal vAzhi

thAzhvAdhumil kuravar thAm vAzhi – yEzhpArum

uyya avargaL uraiththavaigaL thAm vAzhi

seyyamaRai thannudanE sErndhu 

Explanation:

May the divine azhwars live long!

May their works, the divya prabandhams, live long!

May the spotless poorvacharyas live long!

May their accurate commentaries, which were generously offered so that people of the seven worlds

can benefit from them; live long along with the sanskrit vedas!

This song is benedictory verse of Manavala Mamunigal in his work Upadesarathina malai. Hehails

azhwars and their glorious collection 4000 Divya Prabhandham.The collection of azhwars’ works,

devotional outpour is called Divya Prabandham. We all live in this material world, we should transcend,

raise ourselves to reach Sri Vaikuntam.

Atmas are categorized as 3:

1.  Baddha Atma – Bonded souls – All of us who are bound with our karmas

2.  Muktha Atma –liberated souls – due to grace of Sriman Narayana and we reach

Srivaikuntam

3.  Nithya Atma – ever liberated souls – they are also called nithya suris. They ever remain

with Sriman Narayana.

Sriman Narayana has 2 vibuthis (properties):

a.  Leela vibuthi – it is play ground for Bhagawan – He creates and destroys the universe

cyclically

b.  Nithya vibuthi – Sri Vaikuntam – Permanent abode of Sriman Narayana, it is never

created or destroyed

Why do we want to go back to Sri Vaikuntam if we are happy in this material world?

The truth is we never experience pleasure alone in this world or we go through pain alone. Pain

and pleasure alternate in all our lives. The human end for each sould is to reach the eternal

abode of Sriman Narayana.

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We will discuss about Azhwars and their works called Nalayira Divya Prabandham and try to

find the means/prescription to liberate from this world. Azhwars have given us the ways to live

well in the dharmic path in this world and have also given us the means to leave this world

peacefully to go back to Sriman Narayana.

Who are Azhwars and what is their purpose of birth?

They are poets absorbed in the bhakti/devotion to Sriman Narayana. Since they were always

immersed (Azhndhu) in kalyana gunas (the most auspicious attributes) of Sriman Narayana they

are called Azhwars. They guide us to get immersed in bhakti as well.

They were also bonded souls like us, but, Bhagawan chose them and showered His eternal

grace on them. He ordered one of the Nithyasuri and orders him to shower their powers on the

chosen souls and sent them as azhwars to guide the humans.

Every azhwar was an incarnation of Nithyasuri (pancha janya, chakra, Garuda, Vishwaksenar,Adiseshan etc). Some of the azhwars lived during the same period, but some were born in

different time periods. Their divine poems/hymns collected and made into 4000 divya

prabandham by a noble soul called Sriman Nathamunigal.

Azhwars are 12 in number and the names of the azhwars in the order of birth are

1.  Poigai Azhwar

2.  Boothath Azhwar

3.  Peyazhwar

4.  Tirumazhisai Azhwar5.  Nammazhwar

6.  Periazhwar

7.  Madura kavi Azhwar

8.  Thondaradipodi Azhwar

9.  Kulasekara Azhwar

10. TirupAnAzhwar

11. Andal

12. Tirumangai Azhwar

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poigayAr boodhathAr pEyAr pugazhmazhisai

ayyan aruLmARan sEralarkOn – thuyyabhatta

nAthan anbar thAL thooLi naRpANan naRkaliyan

eedhivar thorRRath thadaivAmingu 

Explanation:

In this pasuram, Manavala Mamunigal explains the order of incarnation of the Azhwars on this earth.

The first three azhwars to incarnate in this world were poigai AzhwAr, bhoodhathAzhwAr and

pEyAzhwar. Then came the reputed Thirumazhisai AzhwAr, the illustrious grace of NammAzhwAr,

Kulasekara AzhwAr, the spotless periyAzhwAr, thondaradippodi AzhwAr, the epitome of naichchyam – 

thiruppAn AzhwAr and Thirumangai Azhwar.

Are Azhwars 10 or 12 in number?

Exceptfor Andal and Madurakavi Azhwar, they were immersed in the bhakti of Sriman

Narayana. They believed Bhagawan to be ultimate Supreme person and sung in praise of Him.

But, for Andal and Madura kavi azhwar, their Acharyas(Gurus) were the ultimateGod for them.

For them, Acharya is equal to Bhagawan and they sung in praise of their Acharyas.

Purpose of Azhwars birth:

1.  To mend the bound atman’s ways and show us the right path to reach Bhagawan  

2.  To import difficult meanings found in Sanskrit Vedas into easy tamil language

3.  To emphasize the easy accessibility of Bhagawan rather than the supremacy ofParamatma

4.  To convey the significance of Bhagawan’s kalyana guNa and meditate upon His guNAs

and forms

5.  To assure Saranagathi is the simplest and best method to reach Sri Vaikuntam compared

to practicing karma yoga or jnana yoga.

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Poigai Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Maha Vishnu’s panchajanyam (divine conch). He appeared on a lotus

bud in a pond in Tiruve:ka near Kanchipuram, during the Ayippasi month in Tiruvonam birth

star.

Prabandham sung by Poigai Azhwar is known as Mudhal Tiruvandhadhi (it has 100 songs).

Andhadhi means the first word of one verse will be the last word of the previous verse.

Message from his prabandham:

a.  Atman is subservient to Paramatma

b.  We should serve Him and His devotees with utmost devotion till our last breath

Boothath Azhwar:

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He was an incarnation of Divine mace (called kaumOdaki) of Sriman Narayana. He appeared in a

flower called kurukkathi in a garden at Tirukadalmallai (Mahabalipuram), during the month of

Ayippasi and in birth star Avittam.

He sang Irandam Tiruvandhadhi (it has 100 songs).

Message from his prabandham:

Sriman Narayana’s compassion is the only means for reaching Sri Vaikuntam.

A very good example given by Sri Velukkudi Krishnan Swami:

We build water tanks for storing water when it rains. But, it is not going to rain, since we have

built the tanks. We have to wait for the clouds to shower the rain. But, if we don ’t have a tank,

we won’t be able to store the water when it rains. 

Likewise, after we do Saranagathi/surrender, we have to make Bhagawan reside in our mind all

the time and wait for Bhagawan to shower His blessings.

Pey Azhwar:

He was born as an incarnation of sword of Maha Vishnu (Nandaki). He appeared in sevvalli

flower in a well in Adikesava Perumal koil at Mylapore in Chennai during Ayippasi month, in the

birth star Sadhayam.

He sang the Moondram Tiruvandhadhi.

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Message from his prabandham:

Considering the essential nature of the atman and paramatman, Saranagathi (surrender) is

natural and simple. Abstain from strenuous austerities. If we have understood that Paramatma,

Sriman Narayana is ever willing to protect us and have accepted that we are totally dependent

on Him, it is quite natural that He needs to protect us. For example, it is natural for our parents

to protect us, give us food, good education and a good life. Likewise, Sriman Narayana is the

Supreme Father for all the jeevatmas. So, He will protect us naturally.

Offer flowers to the lotus feet of Bhagawan with utmost devotion and He will shower His grace

and will protect you.

Tirumazhisai Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Sudarsana Chakram. He was born at Tirumazhisai to Bhargava rishi

and his patni kanakangi during the month of Thai and in Maga nakshatram.

He sang Tiruchanda virutham and Nanmugan Tiruvandhadhi.

Message from his prabandham:

Bhagawan is so intimate and dear that He resides in us for ever waiting for an opportunity to

help us.

He is inside every jeevatma whether it is a non-living thing or an animal or a human being. His

favourite abode is our mind. We should reciprocate this by showing our love to Him and

surrender unto Him.

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Nammazhwar:

He was born as an incarnation of Vishwaksenar, the Chief administrator of Maha Vishnu. He

was born to Kaari and Udayanangai in Azhwar Tirunagari during the month of Vaikasi in the

birth star Visagam.

He sang 4 prabandham which is considered as an essence of 4 vedas:

1.  Tiruvirutham – essence of Rig Veda

2.  Tiruvasiriyam – essence of Yajur Veda

3.  Periya Tiruvandhadhi – essence of Atharvana Veda

4.  Tiruvaimozhi – essence of Sama Veda

Message from his prabandham:

Bhagawan treats everyone equally. Lord Varaha, who saved Bhoomi Devi submerged in the

ocean, is the only savior to all the atmans in this world.

Saranagathi can be performed by anyone. Example, in Yuddha Kanda, Vibeeshana performed

saranagathi to Rama and Rama accepted him immediately even though he was a demon by

birth and was Ravana’s brother. Rama gave moksham to Jatayu (a bird), Sabhari (a hunter

woman) when they did Saranagathi. He never discriminates between people based on birth,education or wealth.

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Kulasekara Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Kaustubham (a jewel). He was born as a prince to Chera king

Dhidavradhan and nAdhanAyagi in TiruvanchikaLam (Kerala) during the month of Masi in birth star

Punarpoosam.

He sang Perumal Tirumozhi.

Message from his prabandham:

Do not blame Bhagawan for our sufferings. Work for permanent relief from this world.

Example:

A patient pays a huge sum of money to a surgeon who does his surgery and is ever thankful to him for

saving his life, even though the surgeon has cut open his parts of the body to perform the surgery.

Similarly, when Bhagawan gives us some obstacles in life, we should not blame Him; we have to accept

the challenge as they will become stepping stone to attain permanent happiness. 

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Thondaradipodi Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Vaijayanthi mala (divine garland of Maha Vishnu). He was born to a

vedic brahmin by name, Vedavisarathar in Thirumandangudi in the month of Margazhi and in kEttai

nakshathram.

He sang Tirumaalai and Tirupalliyezhuchi.

Message from his prabandham:

Namasankeertanam is medicine as well as elixir for this Kali yuga. Chanting His holy names is the only

way for liberation.

TirupAn Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Srivatsam (the divine mole on Lord’s chest). He was born in Urayur

(Trichi) during the month of Karthigai in birth star Rohini.

He sang Amalanathipiran.

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Message from his prabandham:

To control our senses and employ them in the right path, rest the sensual organs and mind in

the divine body of Bhagawan.

Bhagawan’s body is made of pure quality of serenity (suddha sathvam). If we look at Bhagawan,we will gain jnana and it will transcend us to ternal abode. Looking at Him promotes wisdom

and joy.

Tirumangai Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Sarngam (divine bow). He was born in TiruVALi (TirukuRayalUr) during

the month of Karthigai in birth star Karthigai.

He sang Periya Tirumozhi, Periya Tirumadal, Siriya Tirumadal, TirunedunthAndakam,

TirukurunthAndakam and Tiruvezhukootrirukai.

Message from his prabandham:

Spend your time till liberation by enjoying the deities in Divya Desams and serving Perumal and

His devotees. Archa form is easily accessible. He is visible to us. So, go prostrate before thedeities and serve Him.

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Madurakavi Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Garudan. He was born in TirukOvalur during the month of Chithirai

and in birth star Chithirai.

He sang Kanninun SiruthAmbu.

Message from his prabandham:

Preceptors who introduce Bhagawan to us are our Acharyas. So, we should show ultimate

respect to our Acharyas. Nammazhwar was God to Madura kavi Azhwar. He spent his life

singing Nammazhwar’s Tiruvaimozhi. 

Andal:

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She was an incarnation of Bhoomi Devi. She appeared under the Tulasi plant in Periyazhwar’s

garden during the month of Aadi in the birth star Pooram.

She sang Tiruppavai and Nachiyar Tirumozhi.

Message from his prabandham:

All of us are spiritually related. Let us join together and realize that human end is Bhagawan and

enjoy His divine attributes.

We are all servants of the same Lord Narayana and enjoy His divine qualities as “Sakkarai

Pongal (sweet rice)”. 

Conclusion:

Message from all 12 Azhwars:

Sriman Narayana is the ultimate human end. He is the only means for liberation. He is the end

as well as the means to reach the end. He is Upaya (means) and He is Prapyam (end) as well.