THONDARADIPPODI AZHWAR
|
Place |
Other Names |
Month | Star | Sign |
| Thirumandangudi | Vipranaaraayanar, Thirumandangudiyaar, Bhakthangirirenu, Palliunarthiyapiraan | Maargazhi | Kettai (Jyeshta) |
Vanamaalai (Garland) |
ThoNdaradippodiAzhwAr, who called himself as "the Dust at the feet of Bhagavatals", was born to a vedic brahmin by name, vedavisarathar in Thirumandangudi in the month of Margazhi and in "kEttai" nakshathram, in the family of sOzhiya vaishnava (who had their "kudumi" (tuft) on the top front portion and not behind); He was an incarnation of vanamAlA (Divine Garland of Lord Maha vishnu) and he was named "Vipranarayana". He was taught Tamil, Sanskrit, vedas, upanishds, etc., at an early age and he mastered them with no effort and shone like a bright tEjasvi. He was also well versed in writing and singing Tamil poetry and was fully well versed in Shastras.
Azhvar lived a life of
devotion to Lord ranganaatha of thiruvarangam. A Devadaasi called dEva dEvi took on a challenge to seduce the
Azhvar and divert his attention away from the Lord.
Dressed as a sri vaishnava devotee she started as a helpmate for the Azhvar's godly duties. Over time she succeeded in
seducing the Azhvar. After that, dEva dEvi turned Azhvar out of her home demanding
money. Heart broken, Azhvar went into deep depression. Lord ranganaathaa missed the
daily prayers of the Azhvar. To get the problem resolved the Lord took on human form
and gave one of the golden vessels belonging to the temple to dEva dEvi and asked her to
take the Azhvar back. She did so.
However, the temple officials noticed the missing vessel and accused the
Azhvar. Azhvaar was then jailed. That night the Lord appeared in the king's dream and revealed
what actually had happened. The king immediately released the Azhvar. However,
Azhvar was distraught for having turned away
from his beloved Lord ranganaathaa. To make amends for his transgressions with dEva
dEvi, Azhvar consumed water from the feet of sri vaishnavaas. He also resolved to be called
thoNdaradippodi.
ThoNdaradippodiAzhwAr composed two poems namely., Thirumalai (45) (a garland for the Lord) and ThiruppaLLiyezhucchi (10) (waking up the Lord). His pAsurams are really excellent marvellous compositions and one is certain to get moved by the bhakti and longing for the Lord Ranganatha. He did not sing any other sthalam ; He sang only in praise of SriRangan.
A look at one of his GREAT PASURAMS and let us get blessed by Him.
"OorilEn kANiyillai; uRavu maRRu oruvar
illai;
pAril nin pAtha moolam paRRilEn parama moorthee;
kAroLi vaNNanE (en) kaNNanE! kadharuginREn;
AruLar kaLaikaN ammA! arngamA nagaruLAnE!"
Meaning: I have no place; no properties; no relatves; none other than you; I know only your Lotus feet; O Lord of Blue hued sky colour! You only are my refuge. Can you not hear my cries? Is there any one else to save me except you?" An excellent pAsuram and how aptly it matches with our lives! May Lord Sri Ranganatha and His AzhwAr ThoNdaradippodiAzhwAr shower Their grace and blessings on us, poor mortals, to help us get rid of this viscious circle of samsara sagaram.
|Poigai-Azhwar||Bhoodath-Azhwar||Pey Azhwar||Thirumahishai-Azhwar| |NammAzhwar||Madhurakavi-Azhwar||Kulasekhara-Azhwar||Periya-Azhwar|
|Andal||Thondaradippodi-Azhwar||Thiruppan Azhwar||Thirumangai Azhwar|