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Tirumalisai Alvar

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This article is about Saint Thirumazhisai Alvar. For the Tamil language film, see Thirumalisai Alvar (film).

Tirumalisai Alvar
TitleAlvar
Personal
Born
Thirumalisai
ReligionHinduism
Organization
PhilosophyVaishnavism
Religious career
GuruVishvaksena
Literary worksTiruchanda Viruttam, Nanmukan Tiruvantati

Tirumalisai Alvar (IAST: Tirumaḻisai; Born: Bhargavar 4203 BCE - 297 CE) is a Tamil saint revered in the Sri Vaishnavism school of south India, in Tondai Nadu (now part of Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts). He was born in 4203 BCE.[1][2] The legend of this saint devotees of Sri Vaishnavism believe that he was the incarnation of Vishnu's disc, Sudarshana. He is believed to have been born at the Jagannatha Perumal temple, Tirumalisai, by "divine grace".

Historically, Tirumalisai Alvar is regarded to have been the son of a sage.

Alvars

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Main article: Alvars

The word Alvar means the one who dives deep into the ocean of the countless attributes of god. Alvars are considered to have been the twelve supreme devotees of Vishnu, who were instrumental in popularising Vaishnavism in South India. The religious works of these saints in Tamil, songs of love and devotion, are compiled as Naalayira Divya Prabandham containing 4000 verses and the 108 temples revered in their songs are classified as Divya desam.[3][4] The saints had different origins and belonged to different castes. As per tradition, the first three Alvars, Poigai, Bhutha and Pey were born miraculously. Tirumalisai was the son of a sage, Thondaradi, Mathurakavi, Periyalvar and Andal were from the Brahmin community, Kulasekhara from Kshatriya community, Nammalvar was from a cultivator family, Tirupana from the panar community and Tirumangai from kalvar community. Divya Suri Saritra by Garuda-Vahana Pandita (11th century CE), Guruparamparaprabavam by Pinbaragiya Perumal Jiyar, Periya tiru mudi adaivu by Anbillai Kandadiappan, Yatindra Pranava Prabavam by Pillai Lokacharya, commentaries on Divya Prabandam, Guru Parampara (lineage of Gurus) texts, temple records and inscriptions give a detailed account of the Alvars and their works. According to these texts, the saints were considered incarnations of some form of Vishnu. Poigai is considered an incarnation of Panchajanya (Krishna's conch), Bhoothath of Kaumodakee (Vishnu's Mace/Club), Pey of Nandaka (Vishnu's sword), Thirumalisai of Sudarshanam (Vishnu's discus), Namm of Vishvaksena (Vishnu's commander), Madhurakavi of Vainatheya (Vishnu's eagle, Garuda), Kulasekhara of Kaustubha (Vishnu's necklace), Periy of Garuda (Vishnu's eagle), Andal of Bhoodevi (Vishnu's wife, Lakshmi, in her form as Bhudevi), Thondaradippodi of Vanamaalai (Vishnu's garland), Thiruppaan of Srivatsa (An auspicious mark on Vishnu's chest) and Thirumangai of Saranga (Rama's bow). The songs of Prabandam are regularly sung in all the Vishnu temples of South India daily and also during festivals.[4][5]

Early life

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The name of the Alvar comes from his birthplace, Tirumalisai, a suburb in modern-day Chennai.[6] The Alvar was born to Bhargava maharishi and an apsara, Kanakangi, after an unusual 12 months stay in the womb. The foetus came out as just a lifeless lump of flesh with no arms and legs. The couple were terribly depressed and with unwillingness left it under a bamboo bush and proceeded with their spiritual journey. Vishnu appeared with Lakshmi and blessed the "flesh" with their kataksham and it turned into an lively human being.

He was later picked up with both the arms affectionately by a tribal named Thiruvalan. A really blessed couple Thiruvalan and pankajavalli, was overwhelmed by the grace of god for this gift of a baby. The boy grew on to become Tirumalisai Alvar. He also has an eye on his right leg. He lived up to 10 years of age in a hamlet near Tirumalisai village named as Pirayampathu. This Alvar was an incarnation of Sudarsana Chakra ( the divine discus of Lord Vishnu).

Tirumalisai Alvar decided to learn about all other religions. He also got initiated into Vaishnavism by Pey Alvar. After visiting several temples, he reached Tiruvekka, the birthplace of Poigai Alvar.

Displeasing the Pallava king

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Legend also says that when Kanikannan, his disciple displeased the pallava king for not agreeing to restore the king's youth. Earlier on he granted youth to an old unmarried maid of the temple. The king married that woman but he himself was an old man and thus wanted to enjoy life as a youth with his new wife. Tirumalisai refused him and the king decided to banish him. Tirumalisai Alvar asked the God from the temple, Yathotkari, to leave with him.

KanikaNNan is going out of kAnchi Oh! 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

Vishnu is said to have rolled up the snake Sesha like a mattress and left with him.

Mangalasasanam

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There are 216 of his paasurams in the 4000 Divya Prabhandham. His first Prabandham named Tiruchanda Viruttam contains 120 hymns and starts from 752 paasuram and ends at 871 paasuram. The second Prabandham of Tirumalisai Alvar is titled Naanmugan Thiruvandhadhi and it contains 96 verses. The work of Naanmugan Thiruvandhadhi starts from 2382 paasuram and ends at 2477 paasuram.

He has sung in praise of 20 temples.[7]

S.No. Name of the temple Location Photo Presiding deity Notes/Beliefs
1 Thiru Kapistalam 10°56′46″N 79°15′22″E / 10.946°N 79.256°E / 10.946; 79.256
2 Thiru Anbil[8] Anbil
Tiruchirappalli district
10°52′N 78°53′E / 10.86°N 78.88°E / 10.86; 78.88
Sundararaja Perumal
Azhagiya Nambi Perumal 		The temple is located on the Northern bank of the river Kollidam, at a distance of 25 km (16 mi) from Trichy. King Sundara Chola who ruled the area was a devotee of the temple and during each of his innumerable victories in wars, he showered a lot of wealth on this temple. His prime minister Anirudha Brahmarayar is believed to be from Anbil, the village where the temple is located. The copper plates having the records from the Chola period from Anbil indicate generous contribution from the Medieval Cholas indicate various gifts to the temple.[9][10]
3 Thiruevvul[8] 13°08′35″N 79°54′25″E / 13.143°N 79.907°E / 13.143; 79.907
4 Thiruuragam[11] 12°50′20″N 79°42′18″E / 12.839°N 79.705°E / 12.839; 79.705
5 Thiruvallikeni[12] 13°03′14″N 80°16′37″E / 13.053884°N 80.277020°E / 13.053884; 80.277020
6 Thirupper Nagar 10°50′21″N 78°53′21″E / 10.839282°N 78.889070°E / 10.839282; 78.889070
7 Thirukkurungudi[13] 8°26′10″N 77°33′57″E / 8.436096°N 77.565933°E / 8.436096; 77.565933
8 Tiruvekkaa[14] 12°49′26″N 79°42′43″E / 12.824°N 79.712°E / 12.824; 79.712
9 Tiruppatakam[15] 12°50′31″N 79°41′46″E / 12.842°N 79.696°E / 12.842; 79.696
10 Thirukoshtiyur[16] 10°03′36″N 78°33′36″E / 10.060°N 78.560°E / 10.060; 78.560
11 Thirukkudandhai[16] 10°57′32″N 79°22′30″E / 10.959°N 79.375°E / 10.959; 79.375
12 Thiruvenkadam 13°41′00″N 79°20′51″E / 13.683304°N 79.347406°E / 13.683304; 79.347406
13 Tirupparkatal
14 Srirangam Srirangam, Trichy district
Tamil Nadu
10°51′45″N 78°41′23″E / 10.8625°N 78.689722°E / 10.8625; 78.689722
Ranganayagi
Ranganathar (Periya Perumal) 		Srirangam temple is often listed as the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world, the still larger Angkor Wat being the largest existing temple. The temple occupies an area of 156 acres (631,000 m²) with a perimeter of 4,116m (10,710 feet) making it the largest temple in India and one of the largest religious complexes in the world.[17][18] The annual 21-day festival conducted during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) attracts 1 million visitors.[19]
15 Azhagar Kovil[13] 10°04′26″N 78°12′47″E / 10.074°N 78.213°E / 10.074; 78.213
16 Appakkudathaan Perumal Temple[13] Koviladi, Trichy district
Tamil Nadu
10°52′N 78°53′E / 10.86°N 78.88°E / 10.86; 78.88
Indravalli
Appala Ranganatha Perumal 		The temple has inscriptions from the 18th year of the reign of Aditya Chola.[20] The recorded inscriptions in this temple are numbered 283, 300, 301 and 303 of 1901.[21] The temple is one of the five Pancharanga Kshetrams (also called Pancharangams,

meaning the "five Rangams or Ranganathas"), a group of five Hindu temples on the banks of the Kaveri River dedicated to Ranganatha, a form of Vishnu.[22][23]

Notes

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  1. ^ L. Annapoorna (2000). Music and temples, a ritualistic approach. p. 23. ISBN 9788175740907.
  2. ^ Sakkottai Krishnaswami Aiyangar (1911). Ancient India: Collected Essays on the Literary and Political History of Southern India. pp. 403–404. ISBN 9788120618503.
  3. ^ Rao, P.V.L. Narasimha (2008). Kanchipuram – Land of Legends, Saints & Temples. New Delhi: Readworthy Publications (P) Ltd. p. 27. ISBN 978-93-5018-104-1.
  4. ^ a b Dalal 2011, pp. 20-21
  5. ^ Ramaswamy, Vijaya (2007). Historical Dictionary of the Tamils. Scarecrow Press. p. 211. ISBN 9780810864450.
  6. ^ Ramakrishna Mission (1998). Bulletin of the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture. Vol. 49. The Institute. pp. 535–538. ISBN 9780670083282.
  7. ^ Pillai, M. S. Purnalingam (1904). A Primer of Tamil Literature. Madras: Ananda Press. pp. 182–83. ISBN 9788120609556.
  8. ^ a b Kodayanallur Vanamamalai 2001, p. 51
  9. ^ "Sri Sundararaja Perumal temple". Dinamalar. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  10. ^ Ayyar, P. V. Jagadisa (1982). South Indian Shrines: Illustrated. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. p. 533. ISBN 9788120601512.
  11. ^ Kodayanallur Vanamamalai 2001, p. 52
  12. ^ T. 2002, p. 85
  13. ^ a b c Kodayanallur Vanamamalai 2001, p. 59
  14. ^ Kodayanallur Vanamamalai 2001, p. 70
  15. ^ T. 2002, p. 86
  16. ^ a b Kodayanallur Vanamamalai 2001, p. 58
  17. ^ Mittal, Sushil; Thursby, G.R. (2005). The Hindu World. New York: Routelge. p. 456. ISBN 0-203-67414-6.
  18. ^ Vater, Tom (2010). Moon Spotlight Angkor Wat. USA: Perseus Books Group. p. 40. ISBN 9781598805611.
  19. ^ Jones, Victoria (2004). Wonders of the World Dot-to-Dot. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. p. 4. ISBN 1-4027-1028-3.
  20. ^ Jouveau-Dubreuil, Tony (1994). The Pallavas. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. p. 77. ISBN 81-206-0574-8.
  21. ^ Jouveau-Dubreuil, G. (1994). Pallava Antiquities – 2 Vols. Asian Educational Services. p. 13. ISBN 978-81-206-0571-8.
  22. ^ S., Prabhu (16 September 2010). "Restoring the glory of a temple". The Hindu. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  23. ^ Soundara Rajan, Kodayanallur Vanamamalai (2001). Concise classified dictionary of Hinduism. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company. p. 65. ISBN 81-7022-857-3.

References

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