Temple structure at thiruvellarai

There are FIVE prakarams here. At very entrance are the 18 steps reminding one of the 18 chapters of Gita given to us by Pundareekakshan. After climbing these 18 steps, one comes across 4 steps that are considered equal to the 4 Vedas. One now reaches the Bali Peetam, where one prays for the fulfillment of one's wishes. Thirumanjanam is performed after the fulfillment of one's wishes. Beyond the Bali Peetam there are five steps representing the Pancha Bhoothams. After ascending the five steps and crossing the Naazhai Kettaan VAsal, one arrives at this site, where one meets the 2 gates for ascent to the scared hill, where the Garbha Graham is. One gate is used during Dakshinaayanam and other during Uttaraayanam. One climbs further 8 steps remind one of Ashtaaksharam and thereafter comes to the 24 steps reminding one of Gayathri Mantram. Now, one arrives at Moolasthaanam, where Senthaamarai KaNNan (Pundareekaakshan) stands with His consort Pankayacchelvi Naacchiyaar under the VimalAkruthi Vimanam. There Rajathi Rajan with Prayoga Chakram in one hand, aquiline nose, bewithching eyes, beautiful four shoulders and a winning smile welcomes the Sevaarthis and blesses them. His Prayoga Chakram chases the enemies of Bhagavad Anubhavam.

In this Sannidhi, the Lord has given over all His rights to His consort and in uthasavams, the Uthsava Murthy lets His consort to go ahead Him and follows Her. All the landed property of the temple are in Her name. There is a separate sannadhi for Sengamalavalli, His consort. She joins the Lord only the next day after Panguni Brahmothsavam car festival.

There are many stone inscriptions (archeological treasures) in this temple. The glory of this Divya Desam arises from the Azhwaar's prayers for Jnana Laabham. PiLLai PerumaaL Iyengaar reminds us to desire only the holy feet of the Lord of ThiruveLLaRai (VeLLaRaiaan TaaLeh Virumbhu).

Uyyakondaar was born here in Chittirai Karthigai and EngaL AzhwAn was born in Chittirai RohiNi.

AsthAm Sethasi Me nerantharamasavamBhodharasyamaLa:
puNNyae Srimathi Pundareekanayana: svethAchalae dasthivAn |

mArkhanDEya vihankarAja BhujakAdeecha kshma sEvitha:
chandraAdhithya vidhootha chamarayugO lakshmeesahayO hari: ||

 

THE UTSAVAMS

The Utsavams are as follows at this Kshetram.

1. Chittirai: Poocchaathu (Poocchudal) Utsavam
2. AAdi: Jyeshtaabishekam
3. AAvaNi: Sri Jayanythi
4. Purattasi:Nava Raathri for Senkamalavalli Thayyar
5. Eippasi: Dolothsavam
6. Karthigai: Deepothsavam
7. Thai: Sankaranthi, Paari Hunt
8. Panguni: Brahmotsavam
9. Panguni Sravanam: Car Festival

 

Namaste pundarIkAkSha namaste puruShottama

namaste pa~NkajanAtha namaste lokanAyaka

Azhwaar Acharyar EmberumAnAr ThiruvadigaLE Saranam

 

***

 

ThiruveLLaRai

Paasurams & Commentaries

DECAD 5.3 OF PERIA THIRUMOZHI

srImatE srIlakShmInrusimha divyapAdukAsEvaka srIvaNshaTakopa srInArAyaNayatIndramahAdEshikAya nama:

PAASURAM 1

venRi mAmazhuvendhi munmaNNmisai mannarai* moovezhukAlkondRa dEva
ninkuraikazhal thozhuvathOrvakai* enakkaruLpuriyE*
manRilmAmpozhil nuzhaithandhu* malligaimaualin pothalarthi*
thendral mAmaNam kamazhtharavaru* ThiruveLLaRai ninRAnE (5.3.1)

 

The first Paasuram is about ParasurAmAvathAram, which is considered as an amsAvathAram of Sriman NaarAyaNan, where the Lord destroyed 21 generations of Kshathriya vamsam for the offense committed by one King to his father, Sage Jamadagni. Kaliyan salutes the big axe in the hands of ParasurAman that beheaded the 21 generations of kings by the rOsha Raaman (angry ParasurAman).

 

MEANING

Oh Lord, who resides in ThiruveLLaRai known for its fragrant southern breeze wafting the aroma of Jasmine and Mullai flowers as it passes through the Mango groves situated at the center of Your dhivya dEsam! You held Your mighty axe in Your hands to fell the generations of kings for the offense caused by one king to your revered father, Sage Jamadagni. You are adorning the special ankle jewelry to symbolize those victories in the battles. Those Veera KaDayams on Your feet generate a pleasant sound to remind us of Your victories. Oh powerful Lord! Please show adiyEn atleast one path to worship You successfully. Please tell me whether Bhakthi maargam is better than Prapatthi maargam for one of my temperament. If You recommend Bhakthi maargam, then please instruct adiyEn as to which among the 32 Brahma VidhyAs adiyEn should choose as the path of worship (upAsanaa maargam).

 

***

 

PAASURAM 2

vasail naanmaRai keduttha ammalarayaRkku aruLi* munparimukamai*
isaikoL vEdanoolenRivai payandavanE!* enakkaruLpuriyE*
vuyarkoL maadavip pOthodulaaviya* maarutham veedhiyinvaai*
thisaiyellaam kamazhum pozhilsoozh* ThiruveLLaRai ninRaanE (5.3.2)

 

 

In this Paasuram, Kaliyan visualizes the Lord as the Suddha Sathva maya Moorthy, SrI HayagrIvan resembling a pure white crystal (Suddha Sphatika sankAsan). He seeks daasyam to that Lord HayagrIvan (Devam HayagrIvam aham prapadhyE).

 

Our Lord created Brahma dEvan and positioned him on a lotus arising out of His naabhi kamalam. Next, our Lord taught His son the four Vedams and their meanings to help him perform his assigned duties of creation. Brahma got carried away and his rajO and tamO guNams became dominant. At this time, two asurAs by the name of Madhu and KaiDabhA stole the four VedAs, while Brahma was not alert. They ran to the nether world and Brahma was unable to resume his duties without the help of the VedAs. Brahma cried out and sought his father’s help. In response, Sriman NaarAyaNan incarnated as Lord HayagrIvan, reached the nether world, engaged the two asuraas in a battle and crushed them to death between His powerful thighs. He came up and gave the restored VedAs to His son and taught him once again the meanings of the Veda Mantrams for assistance in creation.

 

MEANING

Oh Lord of ThiruveLLaRai surrounded by beautiful groves! At this dhivya dEsam of Yours, the gentle winds from south carry the fragrance of the just blossomed Kurukkatthi flowers in all directions through the routes of Your raajadhAni’s streets. Oh Lord! During the occasion of BrahmA’s loss of the four vedAs to Madhu and Kaidhabhan, You responded to the sad cry of Brahma and sought out the two asurAs, mesmerized them with Your udhgeetha PraNavam, caught them and crushed them between Your thighs and sent them to their death. Next, You climbed up from the nether world, reached the side of Your desolate son and reinstructed him on the meanings of the VedAs so that he can continue with his assigned duties relating to creation with the help of the Veda mantras. adiyEn Kaliyan pleads with You, the Lord of ThiruveLLaRai to instruct me on any one of the paths to sathgathy (ujjevanam).

 

***

 

PAASURAM 3

veyyanai vulakEzhudan nalindhavan* vudalakam yirupiLavaa*
kaiyil neeLukirppadaiyathu vaaitthavanE!* yenakku aruLpurivaayE,
mayyinaartharuvar aalinam paaya* vaNNthadatthidaik kamalangaL*
thaivnaaRum oNNpoykaikaL soozh* ThiruveLLaRai ninRaanE (5.3.3)

 

In the middle of the beautiful scenery at ThieuveLLaRai, Kaliyan sees the Lord of this dhivya dEsam as BhagavAn Narasimhan and seeks His counsel on the particular path for gaining Moksham.

 

MEANING

Oh Lord of ThiruveLLaRai! At Your dhivya dEsam, dense schools of fish move in beautiful ponds and bump over the lotus flowers in those ponds. The gentle breeze from south now carries the fragrance from the lotus flowers all over and makes Your dhivya dEsam very special. Here, adiyEn visualizes You as a fierce and ferocious one with a Lion’s head and human trunk. Here, You chased and got hold of the offending asuran, placed him on Your lap and tore his mighty chest into two with Your long and powerful nails. Oh Lord! Please instruct me on atleast one route to take for gaining Moksham.

 

***

 

PAASURAM 4

vaampariyaga mannartham vuyirccheka* aivarkkatku arasaLittha*
kaambinaar thiruvEnkatap poruppa!* nin kaathalai aruL yenakku*
maampozhil thaLirkOthiya madakkuyil* vaayathu thuvarppeytha*
theempalankanith thEnadhu nugar* ThiruveLLaRai ninRaanE (5.3.4)

 

Here, Thirumangai identifies ThiruveLLaRai Naathan with ThiruvengadamudayAn and visualizes both ArchA moorthys as Vibhava avathAra KaNNan. AzhwAr sees ThiruveLLaRai EmperumAn as ThiruvengadamudayAn and begs for the boon of Bhakthi.

 

MEANING

At Your dhivya dEsam are Mango groves. There the nightingales taste reddish green tender shoots of leaves of the Mango trees mistaking them to be fruits and are surprised by the astringent taste that they experience. To counter this unwelcome taste, they fly over to the nearby Jack fruit tree and drink the juice from the ripe jack fruit there. At this dhivya dEsam of Yours, You present Yourself as KaNNan as at ThiruvEngadam, known for its bamboo thickets. During Your KrishNAvatharam, You destroyed the hordes of kings, who showed enmity to the Pancha PaaNDavAs and then granted the kingdom to the five brothers. Oh PuNDareekAkshA! Please instruct adiyEn on Bhakthi roopa AarAdhanam to enjoy You!

 

***

 

PAASURAM 5

maanavEl oNNkaNNmadavaral* maNNmagaL azhunga munneerpparappil*
yEnamaaki anRu yirunilam yidanthavanE!* yenakkaruL puriyE*
kaanamaamullai kazhaik karumpERi* veNNmuRuval seithu alarkinRa*
thEnin vaimalar murukukkum* ThiruveLLaRai ninRaanE (5.3.5)

 

Aadhi VarAha avathAram is covered in this Paasuram as Thirumangai travels through the forest paths and cane sugar fields to reach ThiruveLLaRai dhivya dEsam.

 

MEANING

When an asuran by the name of HiranyAkshan, the elder brother of HiraNyakasipu stole BhUmi Devi known for Her beautiful eyes like a long sprear (vEl), You incarnated as VarAha PerumAn. The asuran incarcerated BhUmi Piratti — celebrated for Her infinite patience (sarvam sahaa) and other KalyANa guNams — under the vast waters of the Ocean, Oh Lord, You went after Him, destroyed him in the battle, lifted Your divine consort gently, placed Her on Your tusk and emerged out of the waters of the ocean and You blessed us all through the Varaaha Charama slOkam at the request of our compassionate Mother BhUmi PirAtti. Here at Your dhivya dEsam of ThiruveLLaRai, the blooming Mullai creepers have climbed up to the very top of the cane sugar plants and the bright whiteness of their flowers remind one of the charming smile of young ladies in play. The humming bees enjoy the honey from these Mullai flowers and perform Hari Naama Sankeerthanam. Oh Lord standing tall at Your dhivya dEsam of ThiruveLLaRai! Please instruct me to develop firm bhakthi to worship You!

 

***

 

PAASURAM 6

ponguneeLmudi amararkaL thozhuthezha* amuthinaik kodutthaLippaan*
angu Oraamaiyathaakiya vaathi!* ninnadimaiyai aruLenakku*
thangupEdaiyodudiya madhukaram* thaiyalaar kuzhalaNaivaan*
thingalthOey sennimaadam senRaNai* ThiruveLLaRai ninRaanE (5.3.6)

 

Here Thirumangai pleads for the boon of kaimkaryam to the Lord of ThiruveLLaRai as His sEshan (DhAsa BhUthan). Thirumangai is reminded of the KoormAvathAram and the troubles that our Lord took to bless the DevAs by playing the central role in the churning for nectar.

 

MEANING

The dEvas on being harassed by their enemies arrived at the shores of the Milky Ocean and prayed for Your intervention to free them from the troubles caused by the asurAs. You responded favorably and entered in the ocean to stay as a firm base for the Mandara malai, which was being used as the churning rod in the milky ocean. As You kept the mountain steady and churned the ocean by Yourself using the Mahaa sarpam, Vaasuki, as the churning rope, Lord Dhanvanthri arose out of the ocean with Nectar in a vessel for the benefit of the dEvAs. You distribted that life sustaining nectar to Your bhakthAs and protected them. The Paasuram lines are: “ Pongu neeL mudi AmararkaL thozhuthu yezha, amudinai kodutthu aLippAn". In that milky ocean, You stayed as Sarva KaaraNa bhUthan and fulfilled Your avathAra kaaryam. Oh Aadhi Koorma NaaTan standing tall at ThiruveLLaRai! At Your dhivya dEsam, the male bees leave their sarasa sallAbham with female bees inside their flower beds and fly to more enticing place of the black tresses of the beautiful women residing in tall mansions, whose crests are touched by the rising Moon. The male bees abandon the honey sweeter to them than the nectar, put up with the pangs of separation from their mates and reach out to the tresses of the beautiful women of ThiruveLLaRai.

 

***

 

 

 

PAASURAM 7

aaRinOdorunaan kudainedumudi* arakkan thanjiramellaam*
vERuvERuka villathuvaLaitthavanE!* yenakku aruLpuriyE*
maaRilsOthiya marathagap paasadaith* thaamarai malar vaarndha*
theRal maandhi vaNNdu yinnisaimural* ThiruveLLaRai ninRaanE (5.3.7)

 

Lord RaamachandrA’s destruction of RaavaNan in the battle field at Lankai with the bow presented by Sage Agasthyar is saluted here along with the Hari Naama sankeerthanam by the honey bees at ThiruveLLaRai, a Raaghava KshEthram. Thirumangai’s poetic skills are abundantly evident here as he describes the unchanging green lustre of the lotus leaves providing the background for the red lotus flowers: “MaaRu il sOthiya Maragatham paasu adai ThAmarai Malar". Next he describes the honey flowing from those lotus flowers which serves as the nectarine food for the honey bees: "ThAmarai malar vaarntha tERal maanthi VaNDu inn isai mural ThiruveLLaRai". Vaarntha tERal refers to the copiously flowing honey from the lotus flowers. The honey bees raising sweet music (inn isai) are connected to the source of their happiness.

 

MEANING

Oh PuNdareekAksha! During Your incarnation as Raamachandran, You used the bow and arrows given to You by Sage Agasthya and cut asunder the ten crowned heads of RaavaNa individually. Here at Your dhivya dEsam, the honey bees drink the madhu from the lotus flowers populating the lotus forests glistening with green leaves reminding one of emerald in their green hue. The honey bees perform sankeerthanam about your heroic valor as Raghuveeran at ThiruveLLaRai. Please bless me with Jn~Anam about the way to worship You properly.

 

***

 

PAASURAM 8

mun yivvEzhulaku vuNarvinRi* yiruLmika vumbarkaL thozhuvEttha*
annamaakiya anRarumaRai payanthavanE!* yenakku aruLpurivaayE,
mannukEdhakai soothakam yenRivai* vanatthidach churumbinangaL*
thennavenRu vaNNdu yinnisaimural* ThiruveLLaRai ninRaanE (5.3.8)

 

The HamsAvathAram of the Lord is celebrated here. Once in the middle of his assigned duties of srushti, Brahma dEvan and his sons got confused about the relation between Sareeram and Aathmaa. They developed vipareetha Jn~Anam. Our Lord took the form of a Hamsam, which can separate chaff (asAram) from the essence (Saaram) just like milk from the water and performed upadEsam for them and liberated them from their confusions.

 

MEANING

Once upon a time, during the middle of Srushti, Brahma and Sanaka et al were confused about pradhAna Paritantram (SareerAthma bhAvam) needed for progress in their UpAsanAs. That led to confusion about the true meanings of Veda Mantrams, which interfered with the creation activities of Brahma dEvan. Your exasperated son cried out to You and You responded quickly by taking the form of a Raaja Hamsam and instructed Your son on the esoteric meanings of Veda Mantrams so that he can continue with the creation activies. In Your dhivya dEsam, there are groves of ThAzhai, Mango and other trees. Amidst them, many groups of VaNDus fly around singing tennAthenA, which is the symbol of the Bramarams (bees) singing Your praise.

 

***

 

PAASURAM 9

aangu maavalivELviyil yirandhu senRu* akalidam muzhuthinaiyum*
paanginaal koNNda parama! ninpaNindhezhuvEn* yenakku aruLpurivaayE*
OngupiNNdiyin semmalarERi* vaNNdu vuzhithara*
maavERith theenguyil mizhaRRum padappaith* ThiruveLLaRai ninRaanE (5.3.9)

 

In this Paasuram, Thirumangai visualizes ThoruveLLaRai Iyyan as VaamanAvataaran, Who arrived at MahA Bali’s Yaaga Saalai seeking the gift of three feet of earth and grew after the dhAnam to the gigantic sized Thrivikraman and repossessed all the Iswaryams lost by Indhran. Kaliyan addresses the Lord as “Parama” (SarvEswarA) to pay tribute to His Emperorship over all the three worlds and Nithya VibhUthi and their beings.

 

MEANING:

Oh ThiruveLLaRai SarvEswarA! once You incarnated as KapaDa Vaamana BrahmachAri and walked to the Yaj~na Saalai of Bali "chakravarthy" and asked for a gift of three feet of land measured by Your tiny feet. Bali laughed and asked you to request some gift that will be more befitting to his anthasthu (status). You insisted on just the three feet of land. He granted Your request in spite of his AchAryan’s protest. Once water was poured on your hand to cede the gift, You grew right in front of the eyes of the people of the world (KaaNminkaL ulaher yenRu kaNN muhappE NimirnthAn).

You became "Ongi ulahu aLantha Utthaman” and repossessed the worlds, which are really Your vibhUthi (Iswaryam) and was stolen by Bali. You demonstrated Your SarvEswarathvam through this act. Here at Your dhivya dEsam, the bees are coming in and out of the red flowers of the AsOka trees and the nightingales are sitting in the mango groves to sing for You. Oh Lord! adiyEn will continue my prostrations before You. Please shower Your anugrahams on adiyEn.

 

***

 

PAASURAM 10

manjula maNimaadangaL soozh* ThiruveLLaRai athanmEya*
anjanampuraiyum thiruvuruvanai* aadhiyai amudhathai*
nanjulaaviya vElvalavan* kalikanRi sol aiyyiraNNdum*
yenjalinRi ninRu yEtthavallaar* yimaiyOrkku arasu aavarkaLE. (5.3.10)

 

In this Phala sruthi Paasuram, Kaliyan bows before the cool hand of the Lord (abhaya hastham), which banishes the heat and afflictions of SamsAram (SamsAra tApams). The MangaLAsAsanam as "anjanam purayum Thiru uruvanai". He is recognized as the primordial vasthu (Aadhiyai) and delectable nectar (Amudhatthai). Kaliyan describes Himself as the sworn enemy to Bahgavath-BhAgavatha dhvEshis and says that he is holding a poison tipped spear in his hand (nanjulAviya vEl Valavan Kali KanRi) to destroy them. The choice of the word "Aadhi" in this tenth Paasuram refers to the Lord’s Jagath KaaraNathvam And His Parathvam. The word "amudham" refers to His Parama BhOgyathvam.

 

MEANING

At ThiruveLLaRai, there are lofty mansions engraved with gems and the clouds in the sky touch them. Here, the Lord PuNDareekAkshan resides with the dhivya mangaLa vigraham, which is cool like anjanam (colyrium). He is Sarva Jagath KaaraNan and parama BhOgyam for His bhakthAs. adiyEn Kaliyan is holding a poison tipped spear in my hand and sang about Your Vaibhavam and that of Your KshEthram. Those who recite these ten paasurams on You, the Lord of ThiruveLLaRai and become expert in comprehending Your tatthvam as Parama PrApyam (Supreme goal) would rule over the eternally liberated Jeevans (nithya Sooris) in SrI Vaikuntam.