Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram (Kudamudakoothan Perumal
Temple), Thirunangur – Literary Mention
The
temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabhandam, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Periazhwar, Thirumalisai Alvar & Thirumangai Azhwar. The temple is
classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in
the book. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the temple finds mention in
several works like 108 Tirupathi Anthathi by Divya Kavi Pillai
Perumal Aiyangar. The Lord of the temple is praised by Saint Tirumangai Azhwar
in his Mangalasasanam hymn. His songs are long in meters, pregnant with
devotion praising his deeds from very childhood in destroying demons and the
pleasant serene environments where his temples are situated. His songs
constitute all richness of the Tamil language.
Tirumangai
Azhwar in his Mangalasasanam hymn describes this place – Ariyameya Vinnagaram –
as the abode of Lord who destroyed demons, extracted nectar from the Milk Ocean
and guiding people on the righteous path.
Thirumangai Alwar sings about the Lord of Arimeya
Vinnagaram in ten beautiful songs:
Gopal
resides in Arimeya Vinnagaram with Lakshmi and Bhoomi Devi on both sides. He
removes all sins of His servants and blesses them. He is worshipped and His
glories are sung by eternal residents of Vaikuntha and the people of seven
worlds. This place is beautiful with plenty of flowering plants and trees in
the forests, lotuses in all ponds and well versed brahmanas who spread the fame
everywhere. Thirumangai asks his mind not to go stupidly after worldly things
but to worship him.
My very
sweet nectar resides in Arimeya Vinnagaram where brahmanas sing hymns with seven
swaras and chant Vedas teach Ithihasas and Puranas and who possess excellent
gunas that speak of the wealth of the city. Our Lord who resides here is the
one who killed Narakasura with His discus, churned the milk ocean with Mandara
mountain to give nectar to the devas. Oh! My mind! Worship and meditate on his
form.
He is
the sweet boy who once swallowed Brahma and devas, seven worlds and seven seas.
He is the boy who once killed the wild bull whose head looked like a pot and
who pulled Kamsan from his throne and killed him, causing relief and happiness
to the devotees. He resides in Arimeya Vinnagaram in Nangoor where there are
champaka trees whose buds look like white pearls and whose full bloomed flowers
look like gold. The women of this city are very beautiful with hood-like hips
and arrow-like eyes.
He who
split open the chest of Hiranya with his sharp nails and protected his son Prahalada,
resides in Thirunangur where there are forests full of champaka, Punnai, and
jasmine dispersing their variety of aroma in the air. Added to it is the
aromatic smoke from the sugarcane cottages where jaggery is made by boiling the
sugar cane.
The
Supreme Lord took a charming Vamana avatara for the sake of Indra and begged
Bali only three feet of land. When He got it He measured with His huge
Trivikrama form, the whole of the upper regions, the Bhoomi, the oceans and all
other objects. He resides in Arimeya Vinnagaram where the sound of the playing
of musical instruments, the sound of Vedic chanting, the sound of the buzzing
of bees and the jingling sound of women’s anklets when they dance and walk—all
of these together produce a sound similar to the roaring of the sea during
pralaya when the waves rise sky high.
The son
of Dasaratha (Sri Rama) fought with Ravana, the king of Lanka and cut off his
ten heads and twenty arms since he abducted Sita Devi and put her in a secluded
place. He is my sole asylum since he is the savior, as he is the chief of even
eternal residents of Vaikuntha. He resides in Thiru Arimeya Vinnagaram where
there are big lotus ponds full of different kinds of fish.
The
Supreme Lord killed the raakshakas called Dhenuka and Puthana who were sent by
the wicked Kamsan to kill Krishna. He is dark in colour, having Manmatha
(Cupid) as his son. He resides in Arimeya Vinnagaram—where brahmanas chant four
vedas, meditate on his gunas, perform sacrifices, do Pancha maha yajnas, teach
Vedangas, discourse on Ithihasas and Puranas, having moksha as their final
goal.
Sri
Krishna, who killed Kapitasura by throwing Vatsasura on him causing the fruits
to fall for the Vraja boys to eat; who lifted Govardhana mountain to prevent
the heavy rain tormenting the men and animals of Vraja; who played the pot
dance; who is dark like clouds and who possesses all auspicious gunas—resides
in Arimeya Vinnagaram. The city is rich with great mansions, forts with flags
flying on their walls, public halls with gem-studded walls, brahmanas who chant
Vedas, wide roads, thick forests where birds chirp and flowers shed honey which
the bees drink and then buzz with joy.
Sri
Krishna, the ever youthful one, consumed the life of Puthana, the life of Kamsan,
the curds and butter and the whole world (during pralaya). He resides in
Arimeya Vinnagaram where the brahmanas offer flowers praying “Oh Hari! You are
one sole refuge!”; where the Cauvery flows, bringing sandalwood trees and gold
along her current; where the river irrigates the forests and fields bringing
wealth and prosperity to the city.
