WHY THIRUMALIRUMCHOLAI IS THE KSHETRAM OF CHANDRAN ? part- 9

Sri Ranga Ramanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha:

WHY THIRUMALIRUMCHOLAI IS THE KSHETRAM OF CHANDRAN ? part- 9

by Dasan Kudanthai Amudhan

concluding

Chandran and Srivaishnavam –Lord Vishnu is reclining in his coiled serpent adiseshan at Thiruparkadal, keeping in front of him the bird Garuda,the bitter enemy and slayer of Serpents.Similarly Serpents are nurtured by Chandran by giving amurt kiranas on full moon days,while providing water to its preys mandukas (frogs) which dwell in wells,rivers and ocean..Chandran who gives rest to the mind and bodies of all living beings by comforting them with sleep in the night ,also feed the terror striking subtle and astral bodies like ghosts and spirits through its rays to rise up in the night due to their attraction towards amrut kiranas on full moon nights.This is because Chandran got boon from Sri Vishnu to serve all classes of beings without any discrimination.Chandran surrendered to Lord Vishnu at thiruparkadal and later emerged from it when it was churned by both devas and asuras.So Chandran came out with open mind to serve anyone either be devas or asuras.Later Chandran adorned the thirumudi of Shiv dev as ordained by Lord Vishnu in his Kurma avatar to cool the body of Shiva and saved him from scotching heat of halakala venom.He received the Sripatha theertham of Lord Vishnu on its body to mitigate the dreadful force of “ganga” water before being passed on to the thirumudi of Shiv dev.Lord Krishna gave moksha not only to the potter Thadhipandan but also to his clay Pot. All demi gods, devas and devathais were created by Lord Vishnu who assigned them with certain duties to perform in the universe.So they simply carry out his divine orders of Emperuman for his mercy always.Chandran serve all these demigods,devas, devathais apart from achit and chits like living beings, plants and vegetation ect.Services to anyone without any expectation of results is the dictum of Lord Krishna as per the Karma yoga pronounced by him in baghwat gita. Similarly Surrender to the paramathma Lord Krishna is expected to be followed by all in line with Bhakthi yoga.These are the essence of Srivaishnavam.Hence Chandran is doing immense services to every beings in the universe without any discrimination to carry out the desire of Lord Vishnu.so chandran function as “திருமால் அடியார்களுக்கு அடியார்” besides as “ஸ்ரீவைஷ்ணவ தொண்டர்குலத்திற்க்கு தொண்டர் “.Sri Koorathazhwan born in Hastham, a star owned by moon, fell unconscious upon seeing the plight of a frog being swallowed by a snake and a plantain tree branch fell on the ground cut off by a farmer.He exhibited the quality of chandran in showing the compassion and mercy to all.So Chandran signify the essence of Srivaishnavam propounded by Bhagwath Sri Ramanujar.Most of the prominent achariyars took birth either in moon stars of Hastham or sravanam or its nodes stars like Thiruvathirai.They all exhibited the six qualities of chandran who is said to have come out from the mind and abode of Sriman Narayanan.Sri ramanujar went to see Delhi Badusha,mughal emperor to bring back the Ramar idol (selva pillai) from his palace.He exhibited the qualities of moon.Azhagarhill was most favourite to periazhagar,swathi (rahu star) and Sri koorathazhan,hastham (moon star).Both azhwar and achariyar were closely associated with this kshetram.

Chandran and sakada yoga – Chandran got boon from Lord Vishnu to serve every beings and fulfill their desires without any discrimination.True to this nature,chandran yielded to the desire of Tara,the wife of guru, who was attracted towards his beauty and got a child “Bhudan” through him.Although his guru ‘Brahaspathi” pardoned chandran upon his surrender realizing his grave mistake and betrayal done to his guru, yet chandran got a permanent dosham. Accordingly his beauty of 15 kalais vanishes on the new moon day ( symbolically dark on this day when chandran do not appear in the sky) with his constant absolute 16^th kalai getting purified by agni on this day,once he conjunct with Suriyan before he gets rebirthed again by regaining his beauty every day till pounami when he would be with all 16 kalais in shinning splendor.Becouse of Guru apachara dosham,Chandran is destined to be placed in any natal horoscope within the direct sight or in kona or in Kendra with Jupiter or in gurus stars to get his blessings always.If chandran is placed out of sight or just behind guru or ahead or 6/8 signs with Jupiter, it will give the natives horoscope an adverse “Sakada yoga”wherein one has to undergo ups and downs in life without much benefic results from moon.Hence chandran will give benefic results only if Jupiter is also well placed in a native horoscope.If Jupiter is weak in a horoscope, the native has to surrender to a good achariyar for his blessings and grace.

Hence Chandran always needs the blessings of all gurus due to the above episode.Therefore in jyotish, Jupiter gets exalted only in the sign of moon (kataka) while chandran gets exalted in Vrushbha raasi owned by Sukran ,other Brahaspati for asuras.The later is due to the fact chandran needs the blessings of sukran to get rebirthed on every new moon day since only Sukran alone knows the“Sanjeevini Mantra”to make one rebirth again. As chandran got emerged from Thiruparkadal churned by both devas and asuras, Chandran seeking the blessings of both achariyars of devas and asuras is understood.Also both Venus and moon signify the beauty, womenhood,water (rain) ect.Hence Srirangam temple,is seen with the influences of both Venus and chandran in every aspects of its temple rituals..

Because of Chandrans dosham of guru apacharam, moon has tagged with many controversies still lingering like ‘moon landing hoax theory of astronomers’ or “frog in the moon or “rabbit in the moon” and “devandhari” ect.Hence on account of above reason, although our rishies assigned chandran is the karagha for water many centuries ago, only recently it was scientifically proved that water is existing in moon as found out by our desi satellite and later reconfirmed by other nations.So chandran needs the grace of Jupiter always. So the mind needs to be nurtured by the blessings of achariyar to get the benefic results since chandran is the vehicle of mind and faith. Thirumangaiazhwar thirumozhi (11-2-8) signify azhagar connection with mind as

“மஞ்சுறு மாலிருஞ்சோலை நின்றமணாளனார்

நெஞ்சம் நிறைகொண்டு போயினார்!

(திருமங்கையாழ்வார் திருமொழி 11-2-8)

Remedial measures (Pariharams) for “Moon “and its nodes “Rahu” and “ketu” –

Chandran is very humble and kind hearted to give life to everyone.Hence other neecha grahas get their life due to his mercy. Even if chandran is neecha in vrichika it will not give bad results during his dasa provided the horoscope is not afflicted by malefic grahas.since moon is closely connected to Rahu and ketu, its two intersecting nodes, any pariharam to Rahu and ketu have to be done only in this Kshetram.Since partial solar and appulse lunar eclipse occurs around 18th degrees of nodes,Symbolically on the 18^th step of the closed entrance doors of this koil has a pole with a long metal sword fixed on the brass metal icon of a small peacock cutting across on its metallic feather (chandrik).Peacock represent Sun and its feather denotes Moon.Locals call this as “Karrupana swamy” without any idol or image.There are many swords and spears lying on this 18^th step to denote symbolically the evil efforts of Rahu-ketu.Hence passing through this permanently closed entrance of 18 steps by Chakrathazhwar is considered to be an important event.Hence those native horoscopes affected by Kala sarpa dosha and rahu/ketu in 2^nd,7^th and 8^th house need to have darshan of chakrathazhwar on any of the eight days prior to Aadi pournami, when the otherwise permanently closed doors will be opened only for sudharsana Chakra to pass through symbolically to break the clutches of moons nodes.Aadi (18^th)Perukku sometimes falls during Aadi brahmotsavam.worshipping Chakram on this day is good to remove rahu-ketu dosham.No one will be allowed inside the steps. Even kallazahgar never uses these 18 steps but go via vandivasal,the side entrance.No one will dare to tell lies against their own consciousness before this closed doors fearing immediate punishment. On rest of the days, one can visit the temple and apply sandal wood paste on the closed doors of pathinettam padi and worship Lord azhagar besides having holy baths in noopura ganga.Moon gives benefic results and make native happy always.But if moon is very badly afflicted and is in neecha or in 8^th house aspected by mars or Saturn ,it will give depression,fear of death in mind, drowning in water, mental disturbances leading to insanity,paranoid and fickle mind besides having mystical experiences ect.Those having fear of ‘yama bhayam” in the mind must worship Lord azhagar to get rid of it. Stubborn mind can be broken by the worship of chakram while passing through 18 steps.Giving Annadhanam of curd rice and water besides giving away white cloths to Brahmins here on Mondays is good. Moolavar Sri paramaswamy and three utsavars are holding Prayogachakras in their hands to destroy the evil forces. worshipping lord azhagar will remove all doshams.wearing pearls and moon stones will reduce the bad efforts of moon as it will calm down the mind to some extend.Thirumangai azhwar pasuram signify the importance of praying lord azhagar.

"தெள்ளருவிகொழிக்கும் திருமாலிருஞ்சோலை நின்ற

வள்ளலை வாணுதலான் வணங்கித்தொழ வல்லள்கொலோ!

(திருமங்கையாழ்வார் திருமொழி 9-9)

Srivaishnavam/ Achariyar/Chandran and their links -The two main salient features of Srivaishnavam is the continuation of unbroken chain of guru parampara starting from Sriman Narayana himself being the very first achariyar and also giving thadhiarathana to bhagvathas.Moon is the vehicle of mind which takes us to an achariyar as chandran needs to be blessed always by guru astrologically due to Sakada yoga and hence our mind needs to be nurtured by good achariyar always who symbolically represent guru- Jupiter.That is where moon tries to change the karmic cycle to some extend as explained above.Providing annam/food are due to the influence of moon to please the mind of bhagvathas.SrI Krishna is called as ‘gitachariyan” as he gave baghvad gita to the world. Lord Krishna ensured that Srivaishnavam is propagated by many achariyars in kali yuga to nurture the mind of all jeevathmas.Sri koorthazhwar composed a work “sundrabahusthvam” praying Lord azhagar to take him back to his achariyar. Accordingly lord Azhagar blessed him and made azhwan go back to Sri Ramanujar.

Achariyar acts as a Catalist to precipitate the sediments (dur gunas) from mind similar to giving clarity in a chemical solution.This is possible only in a reactive solution like those natives who are fortunately well placed with moon and Jupiter in their horoscopes.Others similar to non reactive dormant solution will not seek the blessings of an achiaryar as they are not destined due to the bad placement of moon/Jupiter by birth in their chart.They would try to seek the help of many demi-gods for solving their immediate problems as moon nodes rahu and ketu tend to divert their mind in different directions to seek quick relief.

Sri Namazhwar in his thirvaimozhi (10-8) under the heading “Thirumaliurmchoolai” rendered 11 pasurams involving azhagar with Sri appakudathan of Thirupernagar where the moolavar”appallu sriranganathar‘ is holding appakudam in his right hand. Here the lord is presented daily appam with milk in a kudam to remind the puranic episode of this kshetram . Thirumaliurmchollai is reminded by the tradition of giving‘’ akkaravadisil” to azhagar on the day of coinciding 27th pasuram of thiruppavai recited during margazhi. Chandran signify giving of annam (food) and water to satisfy the mind and the body as he denotes both.So Namazhwar connected both divya desa emperumans together in a pasuram as lord Krishna is standing and reclining postures in both temples.

“திருப்பேர் நகரான் திருமாலிருஞ்சோலைப்

பொருப்பேயுறைகின்ற பிரான் இன்றுவந்து

இருப்பேனென்று என்னெஞ்சு நிறையப் புகுந்தான்

விருப்பேபெற்று அமுதமுண்டு களித்தேனே !

( நம்மாழ்வார் திருவாய்மொழி 10-8)

CHANDRAN AND YOGA – “ YOGA’ MEANS UNION OCCURING BETWEEN THE MIND AND BODY WITH SOUL which involves physical postures of body and spiritual orientation in the mind.As chandran denotes the living body besides also being the karagha for mind, ‘YOGA’ is siginified by moon.Lord Krishna in Bhagvad Gita mentioned about the importance of ‘Yoga’ which is imparted only by the guidance of guru.Hence to keep the body and mind in good condition, gurus guidance is required.

Mind and health – Sun denotes immortal ‘athma’ while chandran denotes the living body containing 65% water and subjected to waxing and waning physically over a period of time during lifespan.Similarly Chandran also denotes mind and hence he is called as ‘manokaraghan’. Modern science found that both mind and body are interlinked with the health condition of any living being as mind is always subjected to stress,anxity,sadness,emotional feelings,unwanted thoughts and mental upset ect.This relatively weaken the body unless the mind is shielded by ‘self realisation’ to realize that “athma’ and “body” are different and also to get the divine knowledge.This will make our mind strong and protected against the worries arised in the material life. Hence by keeping the mind focused on divine knowledge by doing karma,Ghana and bhakthi yogas simultaneously, one can keep the body in perfect health condition always. This is what lord Krishna told in bhagwath gita.

Periazhwar dedicated 10 pasurams in his thirumozhi (1-5) under”Thun mugathu” depicting the call of yasodha to chandran inviting him to come down for playing with child Bala Krishna when he was then passing through“ambuli parvam”.Periazhwar also described in a pasuram of ‘’sappani parvam’ as to how child Krishna brought down chandran to come closer to play with him. Lord Krishna has liking for chandran always.

தூநிலாமுற்றத்தே போந்துவிளையாட

வானிலா அம்புலீ ! சந்திரா ! வாவென்று

நீநிலா நின்புகழா நின்றஆயர்தம்

கோநிலாவக் கொட்டாய்சப்பாணி குடந்தைக்கிடந்தானே! சப்பாணி.

( பெரியாழ்வார் திருமொழி 1-7-4 )

Iyswaryam is given by the lord of tirumala to his devotees as he reflects the guna of sani who can lift a jeevathma to the highest peak if sani is well placed in his chart.As sani gives benefic results to one as per the past karmas,those natives who worship lord Srinivasar at tirumala will get what they pray for.Thirumaliumchoolai being the kshetram of chandran, azhagar gives happiness in the mind for ever to his devotees by entering in his heart to stay. Chandran being cool gives happiness.Happiness is possible only if one is blessed with health and wealth lifelong.Hence one should visit this kshetram and worship this lord before it is too late.Sri Namazhavar calls the devotees to worship azhagar before one becomes old.

கிளரொளி இளமை கெடுவதன் முன்னம்

வளரொளி மாயோன் மருவிய கோயில்

வளரிளம் பொழில் சூழ் மாலிருஞ் சோலை

தளர்வில ராகில் சார்வது சதிரே.

--- நம்மாழ்வார் திருவாய்மொழி ( 2-10)

Thirumaliurmcholai glory in details are mentioned in scriptures like ’sanathkumara samhithai’,Brahma samhithai, Srivalliputtur sthala purana, Sri jagannatha Kshetra mahathmaiyam, Gotha parinayam, Hamsa santhesam, Nootriyettu tirupathi anthaathi ect. This temple is inside the fort called as ‘hiranya fort’ which name was mentioned in Sangam periods “pathupattu”as “hiranya mutham”.This koil has Munithrayan thirumandapam, alankara mandapam, ariyan mandapam,.Ther(car) of this koil is called as “ amaintha narayanan’. Behind the main gopuram just before the entrance to the sanctum, there is a open place called as “ Eithraja thirumutham”.

There are many ilakiyams and kaaviyams on azhgar koil. ‘Sollaimalai kuravanji“,azhagar killai vedu thuthu’’ in Pillai tamizh about azhagar, azhagar andhathi, azhagar kalambagam’ and sri soundraraja stosthram are few to be mentioned.There were many mutts existed long before in azhagarkoil like “Kulasekara mutt, vanathirayanan mutt, Thirunadudaiyan mutt, Ramanuja koodam for staying.Also there existed was a mutt called “ Sri ramanuja mutt” started by bhagvath sri ramanujar which was headed by Sri manavala mamuni as its first pontiff.

Chirtrai thiruvizha during chittra pournami is the festival of 9 days.Brahmotsvam is celebrated during aadi month for 9 days ending on addi pournami. There is a three days festival known as ‘thalai aruvi utsavam” during iypasai month. Chittra pournami will attract more than 10 lacs people assembling in vaigai river bed at Madurai to have glimpse of azhagar in horse vahana stepping in to the vaigai river to redeem the curse of sage manduka rishi. Chandana kudam,water spraying by peechangkuzhal on azhagar and fire balls (thee pantham ) will be carried out on this day with fervor and festive mood by millions of devotees who come from all villages nearby two days before this event.

Azhagar was the first one to pronounce Thaniyan for Sri manavala mamunigal.When thirumaliurmcholai jeer took Sennaimudhaliyar,an ardent sishya of manavala mamuni,Lord azhagar rendered through archamukam a ”Thaniyan” reciting ‘Srisailesa dhayapathram’.This news was immediately carried by sennaimuthaliyar to srirangam to inform other sishyas by which time just before his arrival, it is believed that Sri azhagiya manavalan appeared as a young boy and rendered the same thaniyan to the muni at periya koil.Namazhwar in his thiruvaimozhi pasuram described the lord of this hill enters in the heart of his devotees once he thinks of this kshetram.Azhagar is also called as ‘Maalalangarar’ among his many thirunamams.

“ திருமாலிருஞ்சோலை மலையென்றேன் என்னத்

திருமால்வந்து என்னெஞ்சு நிறையப் புகுந்தான் !

--- நம்மாழ்வார் திருவாய்மொழி (10-8-1)

HOW SRIVAISHNAVAM IS SIGNIFIED BY CHANDRAN THROUGH THE MYSTICAL NUMBER 18 AND ITS LINK WITH SRI KRISHNA AVATAR.

we have already seen more details in the past issues of march 10 and sep 10,the close link between chandran and the mystical number 18 and its root numbers 108 and 180 besides its total no 9 both astrologically and scientifically. Above numbers are closely connected with Srivaishnavam as given below-

There are 18 puranas,18 chapters in bhagvad gita,18 parvas in Mahabharata, it is mentioned in muktika Upanishad, the total list of names of 108 upanishads, there are 18,000 slokas in Srimad bhagavatam.There are 18 rahasya granthas composed by Sri Pillai lokachariyar.Sri Ramanujar got thirumandiram only on his 18^th attempt and defeated Yajnamurthi,an advaita scholar on 18^th attempt.Similarly this divine number has significance in Sri krishnas avatar. Bhagwan Sri Krishna after killing kamsa stayed in his birth place Madura for 18 years before he had moved to dwaraka.In Mahabharata war, Lord Krishna was a chariateer for 18 days and got jarasandan killed by bhima on his 18^th attempt to invade Madura. Sri Krishna rendered bhagvad gita with 18 chapters and gave the charma sloka on the last 18^th chapter.Hence logically,astrologically and scientifically chandran is closely linked to Srivaishnavam and with Bhagwan Sri Krishna.

Conclusion – Thirumaliurmcholai is counted as third important Kshetram after Srirangam and Tirumala in terms of number of pasurams and fourth after thirukudandai in terms of number of azhwars mangalasaasanam on divya desams barring thiruparkadal and paramapatham.Ramanuja nootranthadhi rendered by Thiruvarangathamudhanar with 108 verses gives importance to thirumaliurmcholai after Srirangam and tirumala as given below in one of its verses.

“இருப்பிடம் வைகுந்தம் வேங்கடம் மாலிருஞ்சோலை யென்னும்

பொருப்பிடம் மாயனுக்கென்பர் நல்லோர் “

- -இராமானுஜ நூற்றந்தாதி (106ஆவது பாசுரம்)

Thirumaliurmcholai inspite of its puranic importance in scriptures, has not reached its prominence it deserved in srivaishnavam on account of its lack of connection of achariyar sambandham in this kshetram. Chandran got the dosham due to the apasaram of achariyar and hence he is not properly understood still inspite of his significance in Srivaishnavam and he is called as ‘davandhari’,the one who serve devas. Sri Thirumalai azhwan was born in this sthalam. Sri kurathazhwan stayed in this Kshetram. This kshetram was once upon a time well served by a chain of pontiffs known as ‘Thirumaliurmcholai jeers’ in good spirit of devout and dedication for long time. Sri Manavala mamuni came and established a mutt here which was later headed by his clan of achariyars in chain known as “Thimaliurmcholai jeers” for many decades untill early 19^th century when due to the intervention of other communities in temple and mutt administration, this chain of achariyars clan was broken.Thereafter mutt has now become the place for staying of all pilgrimages .One can see this mutt still is existing next to Sri ramanujar sannidhi.Namazhwar Pasuram in thiruvaimozhi mentioned that achariyar sambandham will one day be renewed as lord paramaswamy will not let down this.

“தென்கொள் திசைக்குத் திலதமாய் நின்ற திருமாலிருஞ்சோலை

நங்கள் குன்றம் கைவிடான் நண்ணா அசுரர் நலியவே”

- நம்மாழ்வார் திருவாய்மொழி (10-7)

True to the essence of above pasuram of namazhwar, our prakrutham H H Srimath andavan is now establishing a branch of ashramam at Thirumaliurmcholai on the main road of azhagarkoil to madurai neaby to kallandhiri canal, just 3 kms away from the main temple in a place of picturesque scenery of 2.3 acres land with facilities for staying to worship azhagar in this kshetram. Once this ashramam branch is ready, it will help all Srivaishnavas to stay and witness the chittrai festival when lord kallazhagar goes via this main road for mandakapadis to many places enroute to Madurai.The highlight of this subject covered in the past nine issues since march 2010 gives us the message in nutshell that chandran came out from thiruparkadal,chandran signify Srivaishnavam and denotes Sri Krishna avatar.chandran takes us to guru/achariyar through his karagathvam of mind besides this Kshetram itself is the Sthalam for chandran to worship and do pariharams.Those worship lord azhagar will feel the happiness as lord Krishna enters in their mind and will grace them as given below in the concluding pasuram.

“தென்றல் மணங்கமழும் திருமாலிருஞ்சோலை தன்னுள்

நின்றபிரான் அடியேன் மனத்தேவந்து நேர்படிலே”

( நாச்சியார் திருமொழி - 9)

concluded

Sarvam sri krishnarpanam

!!OM NAMO NARAYANAYA!!