Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam – Literary Mention
Ranganathaswamy
temple is the only one out of the 108 temples that was sung in praise by all
the Azhwars (Divine saints of
Tamil Bhakthi movement), having a total of 247 pasurams (divine
hymns) against its name. Acharyas (guru) of all schools of thought – Advaita, Vishistadvaita & Dvaita recognize the
immense significance the temple, regardless of their affiliation.
Nalayira Divya Prabandam, collection of 4000 hymns sung by twelve azhwars saints
spread over 300 years (from the late 6th to 9th century AD) and collected
by Nathamuni (910–990 AD). Divya
Desams refers to 108 Vishnu
temples that are mentioned in Nalayira Divya Prabandham. 105 of these are
located in India, 1 in Nepal, while 2 are located outside of the Earthly realms. Divya in Tamil language indicates premium and Desam indicates
place or temple.
Periyalvar, begins the decade on Srirangam with two puranic
stories according to which Krishna restored to life the son of his guru Santipini and the children of a Brahmin. Thondaradippodi Alvar &Thiruppaan
Alvar has sung exclusively on Ranganatha. Andal attained Ranganatha on completion of her Thiruppavai (a composition of 30 verses) in Srirangam. In
total there are 247 hymns of the 4000 Pasurams dedicated to Ranganathar
deity of this temple.
Except Madhurakavi
Alvar, all the other
eleven azhwars have created Mangalasasanam (praise) about the Ranganathar in Srirangam. Out
of 247, 35 are by Periyalvar, 10 by Aandaal, 31 by Kulasekara
Alvar, 14 by Thirumalisai Alvar, 55 by Thondaradippodi Alvar, 10 by Thiruppaan
Alvar, 73 by Thirumangai Alvar,
one by Poigai Alvar,4 by Bhoothathalvar, two by Peyalvar and twelve
by Nammalvar.
Kambar is a 12th-century Tamil poet who composed Kamba
Ramayanam, a work inspired from the
epic, Valmiki Ramayana. He is believed to have come to the temple to get the
approval of his work from scholars. The Jain scholar Tirunarungundam honoured the work and it
resulted in Tamil and Sanskrit scholars
approving the work. The open hall where he recited his verse lies close to
the Ranganayaki shrine within the temple.
Some of
the religious works like
·
Sri
Bhashyam by Ramanuja
·
Sriranga
Gadhyam & Vaikunta Gadhyam by Ramanuja
·
Saranagadhi
Gadhyam (Gadhyathrayam) by Ramanuja
·
Sri
Renganathashtakam by Adi
Shankaracharya
·
Paduka
Sahasram by Swami Vedanta
Desika
·
Rengaraja
Stavam & Gunaratnakosham by Sri Parasar Bhattar
·
Rengaraja
Sthothram by Kurathazhwar
·
Bhagavaddhyana
Sopnam & Abheethi Stavam by Swami Vedanta Desika
These are
works that were exclusively composed in praise of Srirangam temple.
Of
these, Thirumalisai
Alvar refers many a time
in his hymns to the shrine of Srirangam and the Kaveri and its branch -
Kollidam - encircling the shrine, luxuriant gardens and the beautiful
Tiruvarangam, the eight tirthams (pools) in which people from far and near
bathe and worship the Lord (Tiruchanda Viruttam 49 & 50). Tirumangai Alvar renovated many shrines, towers and Prakara walls and the
Dasavatara Shrine. He instituted the "Adhyayanothsavam" for which in
the good old days, Nammalvar's image was brought all the way from Tirunagari.
Thiruppaan
Alwar got his Paramapadha Mukthi (left his life and went to paramapadham) here.
Krishna Sayanar, thulasi dhasar, Maadhavar had also sang songs on Sri Ranga
nathar. Manavaala Mamuni did Kaalatshebham here. (Kaalatshebham means
explaining some good things on the basis of god to everyone).
Sri
Desikar sang a song on Sri Ranganathars Paadhukai (feet) and it is called as "Paadhukasahesram".
To appreciate this, he was given the name as "Kavitharkkitha simhan"
by the God itself and as "Sarvathantira Swathanthar" by pirattiyaar.
Sri
Rangam is more special than Paarkadal and Vaikundam. It is called as
"Bhooloka Vaikundam".
