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 ”
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”