Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Thiruninravur – Literary Mention

Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Thiruninravur – Literary Mention
The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabhandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai alvar. The Azhwars have sung praise on the different forms of Bhaktavatsala Perumal. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book. Many Acharyas have also written songs on the various forms of God in this Temple. This temple is also called Srinivasa Kshethra, the abode of Srinivasa (Vishnu) and is mentioned in two hymns (1089 and 1642) of Thirumangai Alvar in the ‘Nalayira Divya Prabhandham’ (4000 sacred hymns).
Having visited Thiruvallur, about 17 Kms west of Thiruninravur, Thirumangai Azhvaar comes to Thiru Ninravur and finding the Lord and Goddess relaxing and enjoying themselves, he decides to move on and gives Thiru Ninravur a miss. Thirumangai does not wait, moves on to Thiruvallikkeni. Unhappy with Thiru Mangai Azhvaar giving Thiruninravur a miss, Thayar asks the Lord to find Thiru Mangai and to get him to sing praise of this place. Acceding to Thayar’s wish, Lord goes to Thiruvallikkeni only to find that Thirumangai had already left. Same scenario repeats as the Lord moves on to Thiruvidandai on the Eastern sea shore.
Finally, the Lord catches up with Thiru Mangai Azhvaar at Thiru Kadal Mallai. Finding the Lord standing in front of him and looking for praise from him, Thirumangai Azhvaar sings:
நீண்ட வாத கருமுகிலை எம்மான் தன்னை
நின்றவூர் நித்திலத்தொதார் சோலை
காண்டவத்தை கனலேறிவாய் பேய்வித்தானை
கண்டது நான் கடல் மலை தலசயனத்தே ”
Lord returns to Thiruninravur with a single Paasuram. Happy with this, the Lord returns to Thiruninravur only to find the Goddess disappointed once again. Thirumangai who has sung several verses in praise of other Lords could give us only one, said the Goddess to the Lord. And forced him to follow Thirumangai a 2nd time. Lord went back in search of Thiru Mangai. On reaching Kadal Mallai, the Lord found that Thiru Mangai had moved on. Lord followed him all the way and finally tracked him down at Thiru Kanna Mangai (near Thiruvarur), south of Kadal Mallai. With the Lord entering the place, Thirumangai had noticed him and welcomed him thus:
ஏற்றினை மைதுலேம் மீசனை
இமையை மறுமைக்கு மருந்தினை......
நின்றவூர் நின்ற நித்திலத்தொத்தினை
காற்றினை புனலை சென்று
நாடி கண்ணமங்கையுள் கண்டு கொண்டேன்