Sri VaishNaVa Sampradaya Saara Nidhi(in Tamil)
By Sri P.B.Annangarachariar Swamy
(The quintessence of of VaishNaVa Tradition)
English Translation
by Vengrai Parthasarathy
Many are the ‘Living Creatures’ created by Brahma, the Lord of Creation (who is himself a creation of Sri Narayana). To be born a Human is a special privilege. And, to be born as a Hindu, that too a Sri VaishNaVa is a matchless blessing, because it is the cumulative effect or fruit of generational virtuous deeds (Karma). At the same time this privileged position carries with it many an obligation. To enhance its value, a true VaishNaVa has to know what the tradition is about and follow certain daily duties (dinacharya) or guide-lines.
Lord Maha Vishnu, (known also as Narayana and Vasudeva among a thousand other names) manifested Himself in many AvatArs on earth to animate house-holders who may have lost their spiritual moorings and to crush evil doers and protect the virtuous (ParitharANAya SadhunAm, vinAashAya dushskruthAm). Archa-s are consecrated idols in the Divya Desam-s (108) the most prominent of which are Tirumalai, Srirangam, KAnchipuram, and TirunArayanapuram (Melkote) shrines. To bring home these truths the Lord has deputed Azhvar-s and Acharyas in human form. VaishNaVas are expected to follow sincerely the daily observances’ (anushtAnam-s). We shall now follow through the highlights, by citing important things that Sri VaishnavA-s should know and do..
The Bhakthi cult was propagated by the Azhvar-s and the shrines cited by them are known as DIVYA DESAMs. The word ‘Divya’ has been employed by our ancestors very elegantly.Of all the religious literature on the Supreme Being, Sriman Narayana, the most important are the Sastra-s (in Sanskrit ) and –of equal importance–the Tamil Veda known as DIVYA PRABHANDHAM. The divinities who sang them are called DIVYA SURI-s. And the holy places that have been sung about by the Azhvar-s are known as DIVYA DESAMS. What an exquisite set up of appellations!
The Azhvar-s known as Divya suris are ten in mumber. They are:
Poigai Azhvar, Bhoodath Azhvar, Pey Azhvar (the premier three), followed by Thirumazhisai Azhvar, NammAzhvar, Kulasekhara Azhvar, Periya Azhvar,Thondaradipodi Azhvar, ThirupaNN Azhvar, and Thirumangai Azhvar.
NammAzhvar’s disciple Mathura Kavi Azhvar and PeriyaAzhvar’s daughter Sri Andal have been added to the list of Divya suri-s making a total of twelve. Mathurakavi Azhvar sang about his guru NammAzhvar and only obliquely about the Supreme being. Sri Andal is considered an incarnation of Sri Lakshmi (Bhoo Devi). Though a woman saint, (the only woman among the Azhvars) she has also been added because of the Ayonija birth and divine attributes attached to her. Here is the list of 12 Azhvar-s, their birth place, star and number of Pasurams ( stanza-s) composed by them.
AZHVAR THANIAN
(Thanian–laudatory verse of dedication )
Bhootham Sarascha Mahadāhvaya Bhaṭṭ anātha
Sri Bhakthisāra Kulasékhara Yogi vāhān
Bhakthāngri rēnu Parakāla Yathidra miṣrān
Srimad Parānkusa munim PraNathōsmi nithyam