Religion and Spirituality-The Twelve Azwars-Thirumangai Azwar

Thirumangai Azwar finding the treasure

They all reached the banks of the Vekavathi River at Kanchi. Thirumangai started walking to and fro not knowing what to do. The chief of the army was asking him where the treasure was. As it was getting dark Thirumangai told him to wait till dawn and then he would be able to locate it. He went to sleep with heavy heart praying to Lord Varadaraja to get him out of the predicament. The Lord appeared in his dream and showed him the place. Next morning Thirumangai prostrated at the direction of the temple extending his hands. Then he started digging the place and to the surprise of all a handi (pot) appeared and all the guards hailed Neelan. Neelan gave it to the chief of army. Then the chief told him that he was supposed to give grains also. Neelan again prayed to the Lord and measured the sand of the river which turned to grains. The chief was struck with wonder and felt that Neelan had some divine power. He returned to the king with the treasure and the grains and narrated all that had happened. The king also felt that Neelan had some divine power and so did not want to interfere with his activities. He told his chief to return every thing to Neelan and tell him to continue his thadiyaradhanai.

Thirumangai was very happy and he continued his activity. But after some time all the treasure was spent and yet one year was not over. He wanted to continue the thadhiyaradhanai by hook or crook. He had four true followers and he told them that they would rob the rich and continue the anna dhanam. The four true followers possessed some unique feats. One was able to walk on water and was known as neer mel nadappan.The second one was very dark and was able to hide himself under shadow and was called Nizalil Othunguvan. The third one was well versed in playing musical instrument that was used by him to alert his gang when he saw a party that could be robbed. He was called Thaluthuvan. The fourth one was very good in arguing cases and winning them are prolonging them and was called Thola Vazakkan. Thirumangai along with his gang robbed travelers and used the money for annadhanam.

Thirumal performing Thirumanthra upadesm to Thirumangai
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Now again Thirumal Devi wanted to help the devotee by bringing him to bhakthi margam. She requested the Lord to do some thing for the strayed devotee. Both the Lord and Piratti took form of newly wedded humans and proceeded to go back to their place after the marriage exhibiting the gold and other precious ornaments. When they were nearing a place called Vedarajapuram Thaluduvan alerted his gang by making the sound and then Nizalil othunguvan ran and gave the information at Mangaimadam. Neelan followed Nirmel Nadappan on his horse and all four surrounded the marriage party. They ordered all to remove their ornaments. The lord and His Devi took off their ornaments and handed over them with a smiling face. Neelan bundled all the ornaments in a cloth and tried to lift it. But he could not lift it and he started shouting with rage drawing his sword. He shouted before the Divine bridegroom,” Hey! What was the manthram you chanted that got the bundle stuck up? I could not lift it.” The lord bade him to come nearer to Him and then He would teach him the manthram. Neelan went up to the Lord and the Lord did the Thirumanthra upadesam As soon as he heard it Thirumangai’s body trembled as if he was electrified and he got the poorva janma vasanai.
There is also another version of the story which goes thus. Thirumangai got hold of all the ornaments from the Divine couple, but for the toe ring on the lotus feet of the Lord. He tried his best to remove it, but in vain. Then he tried to remove it by biting with his teeth. The Lord’s lotus feet did the magic. Thirumangai was drawn by the beauty of the lotus feet and realized the true nature of the Divine couple standing before him. The Lord then taught the esotoric meaning of the Thirumanthiram,” Om Namo Narayanaya nama: “Thus Thirumangai learnt the efficacy of the Divine name “ Narayana” none other than Narayana Himself. Then and there Thirumangai started singing the Periya Thirumozi. The first ten pasurams glorifies the Narayana Namam. Periya Thirumozi contains 1084 pasurams. Thirumangai Azwar composed pasurams on the Lords of 87 divya desams. He was the one who composed highest number of pasurams among the 12 azwars. He was blessed to undergo Pancha samskaramsms directly from the Lord and Thirumanthra upadesam also directly from the Lord.
The place where Azwar robbed the Divine couple and the Lord did the Thirumanthra upadesam is known as Vedarajapuram. Every year Vedupari uthsavam is also conducted at this place where lot of devotees throng to see the uthsavam.
After acquiring the Thirumanthra upadesam from the Lord, Azwar asked Him when he would attain moksham. The Lord told him that he should visit all the divya desams and sing songs in praise of the archa Murthis. Azwar was very glad to hear this and with his disciples he traveled to all divya desams.

Thirumangai Azwar ThiruvadikaLe SaraNam!

to be continued
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Dear CC,
Thank you for visiting this blog and for your nice words of appreciation. It was a nice experience for me to write about the Azwars and I have learned a lot.
Love.
PS

 

Dear AC,
Thank you for your nice words of appreciation. We have come to the end part of Thirumangai Azwar who is the twelfth and the last of the Azwars.
Love,
PS

 

Dear Sriniketan,
At last you made my day. I was wondering why you were not visible here since a long time. Thank you for your comments and visit.
Love,
PS