Sarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam
– Literary Mention
The
temple is revered in Divya
Prabandham, the 7th – 9th century Vaishnava
canon, by Andal in
one, Periyalwar in three, Bhoothathalvar in
two, Peyalvar in two, Thirumazhisai Alvar in seven, Nammalvar in
eleven and Thirumangai Alvar in 25 verses. The
temple is classified as a Divyadesam,
the 108 Vishnu
temples that are revered in the Vaishnava canon, Nalayira Divya
Prabandham. Also, after Srirangam
(11) and Tirupathy
(10), the Sarangapani
temple has the maximum number of Azhvaars (7 of them) singing praise
of the Lord.
Nathamuni compilation of Divya Prabandham:
It is believed that the
Vaishnavite saint Nada Muni, was inspired to compile the works of the Alwars,
upon listening to the Tamil hymn Aaraavamudhe composed by Nammalvar at this
Temple.
'ஆராவமுதே அடியேன் உடலம் நின்பால் அன்பையே
நீரால் அலைந்து கரைய உருகின்ற நெடுமாலே
சீரார் சென்னேல் கவரி வீசும் செழு நீர் திரு குடந்தை
ஏரார் கோலம் திகழக் கிடந்தாய் கண்டேன் எம்மானே'
நீரால் அலைந்து கரைய உருகின்ற நெடுமாலே
சீரார் சென்னேல் கவரி வீசும் செழு நீர் திரு குடந்தை
ஏரார் கோலம் திகழக் கிடந்தாய் கண்டேன் எம்மானே'
It was after listening to the
above verses and was taken aback by its content "Aayirathil Ippathe"
(these 10 verses of the 1000), that Vaishnavite saint Natha Muni wanted to
listen to the 1000 verses of Divya Prabandham. As he was unaware of the
location of Divya Prabandham, Nathamuni prayed to Lord Aravamudhan who directed
him to go to Azhvaar
Tiru Nagari, near Tirunelveli, to meet Nammazhvar and to compile the
works of the Divya Prabandham.
Having searched for the 1000
verses, Natha Muni actually got to compile the entire 4000 verses (Nalayira
Divya Prabandham). Perumal in the
temple is also praised as Aravamudha Azhwar as he was instrumental
for the compilation of Nalayira Divya Prabandham – 4000 verses about the glory
of Perumal. Nathamuni spent his last years at the Chola capital of Gangai
Konda Cholapuram.
Uthaana Saayee:
Once, Thirumazhisai Alwar visited
this
temple to have a dharshan of Aravamudha Perumal. He was very much
impressed by his beauty and wanted to have a chat with him. Seeing the sleeping
posture of the Lord, Thiru Mazhisai Azhwar questioned if his tiredness was the
reason for him to be lying down in his sleeping posture. After hearing this, it
is believed that the Lord slightly raised his posture to greet the Azhwar.
Feeling the guilt of having caused strain on the Lord, Thiru Mazhisai Azhwar
asked him to remain in the same posture. Lord remained in the posture permanently.
To this day, one can see the Lord in a slightly raised reclining posture (Uthaana
Saayee). Thirumazhisai Alwar spent his last years and attained salvation here.
நடந்த கால்கள் நொந்ததோ நடுங்கு நில மேனமாய்
கிடந்த மேய் குலுங்கவோ விலங்கு மால் வரைசுரம்
கடந்த கால் பரப்பிக் காவேரிக் கறைக் குடந்திஆயுள்
கிடந்த வாரே எழுந்திருந்து பேசு, வாழி கேசவனே
கிடந்த மேய் குலுங்கவோ விலங்கு மால் வரைசுரம்
கடந்த கால் பரப்பிக் காவேரிக் கறைக் குடந்திஆயுள்
கிடந்த வாரே எழுந்திருந்து பேசு, வாழி கேசவனே
Seven shrines featuring Vishnu in a reclining
position:
Thirumazhisai Alwar refers to
seven shrines featuring Vishnu in a reclining position in a Paasuram. These
shrines are;
Thiru Pallaandu:
Periyazhwar in his Thirupallandu
refers to the Kudanthai
Lord as Lord with a Sarangam (bow) in his hand.
“சார்ங்கம் என்னும் வில்லாண்டான் தன்னை”