Arulmigu Aathinatha Aazhwar Thirukovil (Nava thirupathi # 9) — Attraction in Tamil Nadu

Nammazwar



Period : 9th C. AD

Place : Azhwar Thirunagari (Kurugoor)

Month : Vaigaasi

Star  (Natshatram) : Vishaakam (Vishaaka)

Day : Friday

Father : kary

Mother : utaiyanankai

Other Names Sadagopan, Paraankusun, Sadaari, Maaran, Vakulaaa Baranan, Kurugaiyar Kone

His works : periya tiruvantati, tiruviruttam, tiruvaciriyam, tiruvaymoli

Songs : 1296

Hamsam : Vishwaksenar (Commander of Sri Vishnu's army)

Nammalwar was born in a clan "Vellalar tribe" on the 43rd day of kali yuga on Friday, under the star “Vishakha”, during the sukla pakshi, chathur dashi, in kataka lagna, in the month of vrushabha (May-June), in vasantha ruthu, in the year of Pramadhi, in Thiru kurugoor (near Thirunelveli) in the Pandaya dynasty of Tamil Nadu, to kariyar and Udayanangayar.

The child was extraordinary. For several days, it lived with eyes closed in perfect health, without food (neither breast fed milk nor any other). For days together, it never spoke. Distressed at this, the parents place the child at the shrine of Aadinathar, the deity of Kurugoor, surrendering into Him the entire burden of upbringing the child.

As the child was totally different from the general human nature, he was named Maran. He was also called “Sadagopan” as, unlike other children, he did not allow earthly ignorance to envelope him.

For sixteen long years, Maran sat motionless under the tamarind tree in Adinathar temple without food or drink, eyes closed, in padmasana ( one of the meditative posture), in utter silence. He was verily a SUN in human form with an aura encompassing the universe. He is believed to be the Avatara of Vishwak-Sena, chief of the hosts of Sriman Narayana in Vaikuntam.

Madhurakavi Alwar:

During that period, an elderly Brahmin scholar named Madhurakavi was on his pilgrimage to north Indian shrines. At Ayodhya, the pilgrim saw an extraordinary sweet glowing light as a star on the southern sky. Keen on knowing the source whence it emanated he traveled southward. Even when he reached Srirangam, (near Trichy in Tamil Nadu) the light was visible in far south. He continued his quest till he reached kurugoor, where the light merged with the person in Nammalwar, seated blissfully under the tamarind tree.

Getting Nammalwar to speak:

With great difficulty, Madhura kavi succeeded in drawing out Nammalwar from his deep samadhi. He learnt from Nammalwar the secrets of all the shastras by becoming his disciple. Thenceforward, he remained at his lotus feet, recording the divine poem swelling out of the heart of Nammalwar in great ecstasy of Krishna Bhakti, sometimes rapidly and other times slowly, depending on the intensity of intuition and inspiration. At the very thought of the birth and beauty of Sri Krishna, the Alwar used to go into deep trance for months together.

Nammalwar is the seer of Dravidian Vedas. He sang four immortal poems as the Tamil version of the of the four Vedas – Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharvanda.

Nammalwar stayed on earth in flesh and blood only for a brief thirty-five years. His return back to Vaikuntam through the Archaradhi gathi has also been sung by him in the penultimate portion of Thiruvaimozhi.

KANNI-NU CHIRUTHAMBU:

Madhurakavi composed "kanni-nun chiruthambu"—a short prabandha of just eleven poems, in praise of Nammalwar, which in tradition occupies a very central place. Madhurakavi spread the music of the poems of Nammalwar far and wie. During those days, it is said that everyone-be he an oarsman, or trader, a chieftain or a Brahmin, reached the transcendent state by merely singing...

Nestled amidst the serene landscape of Tamil Nadu, Arulmigu Aathinatha Aazhwaar Thirunagari temple stands as a beacon of spiritual enlightenment and divine grace. Steeped in rich history and tradition, this sacred abode of worship is a sanctuary for the soul-seekers and devotees alike.

From the moment one sets foot within its hallowed grounds, a sense of tranquility washes over them, transporting them to a realm of peace and serenity. The temple's architecture is a testament to the ingenuity of ancient artisans, with its ornate carvings and intricate details that speak volumes of the devotion and reverence with which it was constructed.

But it is not just the physical beauty of the temple that captivates visitors; it is the palpable aura of spirituality that permeates every corner, every nook and cranny. Here, amidst the chanting of hymns and the fragrance of incense, one can feel the presence of the divine, guiding and nurturing all who seek solace within its walls.

The priests, with their unwavering dedication and profound knowledge, serve as the custodians of this sacred space, offering guidance and blessings to all who come seeking their counsel. Their devotion is infectious, inspiring visitors to deepen their own spiritual practice and forge a deeper connection with the divine.

A visit to Aazhlwaar Thirunagari temple is not merely a religious pilgrimage; it is a transformative experience that nourishes the mind, body, and spirit. Whether seeking solace in times of trouble or simply basking in the divine presence, this temple offers a sanctuary for all who seek to commune...

The nine Vaishnava holy places are considered as related to the Navagrahas (Nine Planets) and worshipped. The deities themselves are taken to be the Navagrahas and prayed. To a Vaishnavite, the term Alvar signifies Nammalvar who has rendered in Tamil Thiruvaaymoli, considered to be the essence of Vedas. He had not visited any divyadesam and remaining in the tree-hole, he sang of all the deities in the different divyadesams. It is believed that all these deities rushed to Kurukoor, sat in the branches of the tamarind tree and requested Nammalvar to hail them! Madhurakavi Alvar, born in Thirukkolur (Navathiruppathi for Mars), saw a blazing light from the south when he was journeying in the north, came to Kurukkor following the light. He saw Nammalvar sitting in Yoga in the tree-hole, understood that he was his Guru and declared in his 11 pacurams, commencing with the phrase “kanninun cirutthaambuâ that there cannot be a God other than Kurukoor Nambi (Nammalvar). He then compiled the Thiruvaaymoli. Nammalvar alone has consecrated this deity in...