Azhwars Prescription For Liberation

Azhwars prescription for liberation

From Sri Velukkudi Krishnan Swami’s Upanyasam in Houston, 2008

  

 Introduction:

AzhwArgal vAzhi aruLichcheyal vAzhi
thAzhvAdhumil kuravar thAm vAzhi – yEzhpArum
uyya avargaL uraiththavaigaL thAm vAzhi
seyyamaRai thannudanE sErndhu

Explanation:

May the divine azhwars live long!
May their works, the divya prabandhams, live long!
May the spotless poorvacharyas live long!
May their accurate commentaries, which were generously offered so that people of the seven worlds can benefit from them; live long along with the sanskrit vedas!

This song is benedictory verse of Manavala Mamunigal in his work Upadesarathina malai. He hails azhwars and their glorious collection 4000 Divya Prabhandham. The collection of azhwars’ works, devotional outpour is called Divya Prabandham. We all live in this material world, we should transcend, raise ourselves to reach Sri Vaikuntam.

Atmas are categorized as 3:

1. Baddha Atma – Bonded souls – All of us who are bound with our karmas
2. Muktha Atma –liberated souls – due to grace of Sriman Narayana and we reach Srivaikuntam
3. Nithya Atma – ever liberated souls – they are also called nithya suris. They ever remain with Sriman Narayana.

Sriman Narayana has 2 vibuthis (properties):

1.        Leela vibuthi – it is play ground for Bhagawan – He creates and destroys the universe cyclically
2.       Nithya vibuthi – Sri Vaikuntam – Permanent abode of Sriman Narayana, it is never created or destroyed

Why do we want to go back to Sri Vaikuntam if we are happy in this material world?

The truth is we never experience pleasure alone in this world or we go through pain alone. Pain and pleasure alternate in all our lives. The human end for each is to reach the eternal abode of Sriman Narayana.

We will discuss about Azhwars and their works called Nalayira Divya Prabandham and try to find the means/prescription to liberate from this world. Azhwars have given us the ways to live well in the dharmic path in this world and have also given us the means to leave this world peacefully to go back to Sriman Narayana.

Who are Azhwars and what is their purpose of birth?

They are poets absorbed in the bhakti/devotion to Sriman Narayana. Since they were always immersed (Azhndhu) in kalyana gunas (the most auspicious attributes) of Sriman Narayana they are called Azhwars. They guide us to get immersed in bhakti as well.

They were also bonded souls like us, but, Bhagawan chose them and showered His eternal grace on them. He chose one of the Nithyasuris and ordered him to shower their powers on the chosen souls and sent them as azhwars to guide the humans.

Every azhwar was an incarnation of Nithyasuri (pancha janya, chakra, Garuda, Vishwaksenar, Adiseshan etc). Some of the azhwars lived during the same period, but some were born in different time periods. Their divine poems/hymns were collected and made into 4000 divya prabandham by a noble soul called Sriman Nathamunigal.

Azhwars are 12 in number and the names of the azhwars are

1.       Poigai Azhwar
2.       Boothath Azhwar
3.       Peyazhwar
4.       Tirumazhisai Azhwar
5.       Nammazhwar
6.       Periazhwar
7.       Madura kavi Azhwar
8.       Thondaradipodi Azhwar
9.       Kulasekara Azhwar
10.      TirupAnAzhwar
11.       Andal
12.       Tirumangai Azhwar

 poigayAr boodhathAr pEyAr pugazhmazhisai

ayyan aruLmARan sEralarkOn – thuyyabhatta
nAthan anbar thAL thooLi naRpANan naRkaliyan
eedhivar thorRRath thadaivAmingu

Explanation:

In this pasuram, Manavala Mamunigal explains the order of incarnation of the Azhwars on this earth. The first three azhwars to incarnate in this world were poigai AzhwAr, bhoodhathAzhwAr and pEyAzhwar. Then came the reputed Thirumazhisai AzhwAr, the illustrious grace of NammAzhwAr, Kulasekara AzhwAr, the spotless periyAzhwAr, thondaradippodi AzhwAr, the epitome of naichchyam – thiruppAn AzhwAr and Thirumangai Azhwar.

Are Azhwars 10 or 12 in number?

Except for Andal and Madurakavi Azhwar, other Azhwars were immersed in the bhakti of Sriman Narayana. They believed Bhagawan to be ultimate Supreme person and sung in praise of Him.

But, for Andal and Madura kavi azhwar, their Acharyas(Gurus) were the ultimate God for them. For them, Acharya is equal to Bhagawan and they sung in praise of their Acharyas.

Purpose of Azhwars birth:

1. To mend the bound atman’s ways and show us the right path to reach Bhagawan
2.  To import difficult meanings found in Sanskrit Vedas into easy tamil language
3.  To emphasize the easy accessibility of Bhagawan rather than the supremacy of Paramatma
4.   To convey the significance of Bhagawan’s kalyana guNa and meditate upon His guNAs and forms
5.   To assure Saranagathi is the simplest and best method to reach Sri Vaikuntam compared to practicing karma yoga or jnana yoga.

 Poigai Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Maha Vishnu’s panchajanyam (divine conch). He appeared on a lotus bud in a pond in Tiruve:ka near Kanchipuram, during the Ayippasi month in Tiruvonam birth star.

Prabandham sung by Poigai Azhwar is known as Mudhal Tiruvandhadhi (it has 100 songs). Andhadhi means the first word of one verse will be the last word of the previous verse.

Message from his prabandham:

1.  Atman is subservient to Paramatma
2. We should serve Him and His devotees with utmost devotion till our last breath

Boothath Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Divine mace (called kaumOdaki) of Sriman Narayana. He appeared in a flower called kurukkathi in a garden at Tirukadalmallai (Mahabalipuram), during the month of Ayippasi and in birth star Avittam.

He sang Irandam Tiruvandhadhi (it has 100 songs).

Message from his prabandham: 

Sriman Narayana’s compassion is the only means for reaching Sri Vaikuntam.

A very good example given by Sri Velukkudi Krishnan Swami:

We build water tanks for storing water when it rains. But, it is not going to rain, since we have built the tanks. We have to wait for the clouds to shower the rain. But, if we don’t have a tank, we won’t be able to store the water when it rains.

Likewise, after we do Saranagathi/surrender, we have to make Bhagawan reside in our mind all the time and wait for Bhagawan to shower His blessings.

Pey Azhwar:

He was born as an incarnation of sword of Maha Vishnu (Nandaki). He appeared in sevvalli flower in a well in Adikesava Perumal koil at Mylapore in Chennai during Ayippasi month, in the birth star Sadhayam.

He sang the Moondram Tiruvandhadhi.

Message from his prabandham:

Considering the essential nature of the atman and paramatman, Saranagathi (surrender) is natural and simple. Abstain from strenuous austerities. If we have understood that Paramatma, Sriman Narayana is ever willing to protect us and have accepted that we are totally dependent on Him, it is quite natural that He needs to protect us. For example, it is natural for our parents to protect us, give us food, good education and a good life. Likewise, Sriman Narayana is the Supreme Father for all the jeevatmas. So, He will protect us naturally.

Offer flowers to the lotus feet of Bhagawan with utmost devotion and He will shower His grace and will protect you.

Tirumazhisai Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Sudarsana Chakram. He was born at Tirumazhisai to Bhargava rishi and his patni kanakangi during the month of Thai and in Maga nakshatram.

He sang Tiruchanda virutham and Nanmugan Tiruvandhadhi.

Message from his prabandham:

Bhagawan is so intimate and dear that He resides in us for ever waiting for an opportunity to help us.

He is inside every jeevatma whether it is a non-living thing or an animal or a human being. His favourite abode is our mind. We should reciprocate this by showing our love to Him and surrender unto Him.

Nammazhwar:

He was born as an incarnation of Vishwaksenar, the Chief administrator of Maha Vishnu. He was born to Kaari and Udayanangai in Azhwar Tirunagari during the month of Vaikasi in the birth star Visagam.

He sang 4 prabandham which is considered as an essence of 4 vedas:

1. Tiruvirutham – essence of Rig Veda
2. Tiruvasiriyam – essence of Yajur Veda
3.  Periya Tiruvandhadhi – essence of Atharvana Veda
4. Tiruvaimozhi – essence of Sama Veda

Message from his prabandham:

Bhagawan treats everyone equally. Lord Varaha, who saved Bhoomi Devi submerged in the ocean, is the only savior to all the atmans in this world.

Saranagathi can be performed by anyone. Example, in Yuddha Kanda, Vibeeshana performed saranagathi to Rama and Rama accepted him immediately even though he was a demon by birth and was Ravana’s brother. Rama gave moksham to Jatayu (a bird), Sabhari (a hunter woman) when they did Saranagathi. He never discriminates between people based on birth, education or wealth.

Kulasekara Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Kaustubham (a jewel). He was born as a prince to Chera king Dhidavradhan and nAdhanAyagi in TiruvanchikaLam (Kerala) during the month of Masi in birth star Punarpoosam.

He sang Perumal Tirumozhi.

Message from his prabandham:

Do not blame Bhagawan for our sufferings. Work for permanent relief from this world.

Example:

A patient pays a huge sum of money to a surgeon who does his surgery and is ever thankful to him for saving his life, even though the surgeon has cut open his parts of the body to perform the surgery. Similarly, when Bhagawan gives us some obstacles in life, we should not blame Him; we have to accept the challenge as they will become stepping stone to attain permanent happiness.

Periyazhwar:

He was an incarnation of nithya suri, Garudan. He was born in Sri Villiputhur, during the month of Aani in birth star Swathi.

He sang TiruPallandu and Periyazhwar Tirumozhi.

Message from his prabandham:

Be confident and wait eagerly that once you have surrendered to Bhagawan, He would grant liberation for sure.

He talks about Acharya samasrayanam in his hymns to convey that we are wedded to Bhagawan. His prabandham confirms the relationship between Bhagawan Sriman Narayana and a jeevatma. We do not have to worry about out liberation after we get our samasrayanam done. He will grant us liberation one day for sure.

Thondaradipodi Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Vaijayanthi mala (divine garland of Maha Vishnu). He was born to a vedic brahmin by name, Vedavisarathar in Thirumandangudi in the month of Margazhi and in kEttai nakshathram.

He sang Tirumaalai and Tirupalliyezhuchi.

Message from his prabandham:

Namasankeertanam is medicine as well as elixir for this Kali yuga. Chanting His holy names is the only way for liberation.

TirupAn Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Srivatsam (the divine mole on Lord’s chest). He was born in Urayur (Trichi) during the month of Karthigai in birth star Rohini.

He sang Amalanathipiran.

Message from his prabandham:

To control our senses and employ them in the right path, rest the sensual organs and mind in the divine body of Bhagawan.

Bhagawan’s body is made of pure quality of serenity (suddha sathvam). If we look at Bhagawan, we will gain jnana and it will transcend us to ternal abode. Looking at Him promotes wisdom and joy.

Tirumangai Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Sarngam (divine bow). He was born in TiruVALi (TirukuRayalUr) during the month of Karthigai in birth star Kirthigai.

He sang Periya Tirumozhi, Periya Tirumadal, Siriya Tirumadal, TirunedunthAndakam, TirukurunthAndakam and Tiruvezhukootrirukai.

Message from his prabandham:

Spend your time till liberation by enjoying the deities in Divya Desams and serving Perumal and His devotees. Archa form is easily accessible. He is visible to us. So, go prostrate before the deities and serve Him.

Madurakavi Azhwar:

He was an incarnation of Garudan. He was born in TirukOvalur during the month of Chithirai and in birth star Chithirai.

He sang Kanninun SiruthAmbu.

Message from his prabandham:

Preceptors who introduce Bhagawan to us are our Acharyas. So, we should show ultimate respect to our Acharyas. Nammazhwar was God to Madura kavi Azhwar. He spent his life singing Nammazhwar’s Tiruvaimozhi.

Andal:

She was an incarnation of Bhoomi Devi. She appeared under the Tulasi plant in Periyazhwar’s garden during the month of Aadi in the birth star Pooram.

She sang Tiruppavai and Nachiyar Tirumozhi.

Message from his prabandham:

All of us are spiritually related. Let us join together and realize that human end is Bhagawan and enjoy His divine attributes.

We are all servants of the same Lord Narayana and enjoy His divine qualities as “Sakkarai Pongal (sweet rice)”.

Conclusion:

Message from all 12 Azhwars:

Sriman Narayana is the ultimate human end. He is the only means for liberation. He is the end as well as the means to reach the end. He is Upaya (means) and He is Prapyam (end) as well.