Thirumangai Azhwar and Kumudhavalli Nachiyar
Neelan, the great warrior in Chozha Kingdom. Once in a village called Thirukurayalur near Thiruvali, a boy was born with bluish body and hence he was called as Neelan. Very soon he became the successful warrior and attained an honorable status in the Kingdom of Chola Dynasty beacuse of his braveness. To admire Neelan, Chozha Emperor gave him a villages called "Thiru Aali" ( Now it is Thiruvali ) and Mangaimadam made him as a ruler of those places. Thus Neelan became Aali Nadan, Parakalan and Mangai Mannan. Once a head of Apsaras named Sumangali visited Bhoologam along with her collegues. At that time, she saw Kapila Munivar when he was on his penance. Kapila Munivar was ugly and Sumnagali on seeing him commented about his ugliness. Angry Kapilar cursed her that she would not go to Vinnulagam and will born as a human being. Stunned Sumnagali apologized her mistake and begged for the remedy. Pleased Kapila Muni said her that soon she will get married with a great warrior of Chola Kingdom and if sumnagali twist his mind towards Sreeman Narayanan, both will get Blessed by the Almighty.
Sumnagali was born as a female baby and brought by a Vaishnava Doctor in the name of "Kumudhavalli". When she attained the age for the marriage, her parents discussed her about the marriage. Sumangali clearly explained to her parents about his curse and the remedy. Meanwhile, Aalinadan who was also called as Mangai Mannan came to know about Sumnagali and her beauty.
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She was looking pretty. King Parakalan happen to see her, and fell in love. He went to her place with marriage proposal. Kumudha valli wanted to marry a true vaishnavite only and she refused his proposal.
King Parakalan went to Thirunarayoor and worshipped perumal there, to help him with his proposal to Kumudha valli. Perumal was pleased with his prayers and Lord himself, bestowed him with, pancha samskara and turned him into a vaishnavite. King Parakalan returned to Kumudavalli once again with proposal of marriage.
Kumudha valli came up with another condition that the person should be feeding 1008 Brahmin daily. King Parakalan from that day started feeding 1008 Brahmin daily in the temple. He utilised all his wealth to feed devotees. One day he was running short of wealth, and he started utilising the tax money for feeding devotees.
Chola King came to know about this and he was angry with King Parakalan's act. He punished him by putting him in jail. Parakalan started worshipping Lord to help him. That day in Parakalan's dream he was told, he will find treasure near Vegavathy River. The river is flowing in Kancheepuram town. Parakalan told this to King and with his permission he went in search of the treasure.
He was able to find the treasure in the place,where it was mentioned,in his dream. He paid the tax amount of the Chola King and used the left over wealth,to continue feeding Brahanins. Kumudhavalli was happy about this and got married to King Parakalan, who was known as Thirumangai Azwar in later days
He approached her parents and made a proposal to them that he wanted to marry Kumudhavalli. But Kumudhavalli made a condition to Thirumangai that if he dedicates his life towards Sreeman Narayanan and doing the service for the Vaishnava devotees, she will marry him. Aalinadan accepted her condition and became an adherent devotee of Parantahman and started servicing HIS devotees. He became a typical vaishnavite and based on the request from Kumudhavalli he fed 1008 vaishnavites a day for the whole year in a place called Mangaimadam. Finally on a very auspecious day they got married.
Neelan becomes Thirumangai Mannan
Being very fond and dedicated to Paranthaman, Mangai Mannan started to raise funds to build temples for Him. One fine day he had no funds to proceed further. To a big surprise, he started robbery. By noticing this all his acts, Goddess Lakshmi requested Paranthaman to bless Aalinadan and his deep devotion. One Fine Day Paranthaman along with His consort Goddess Lakshmi Devi came as a Rich Newly Married Couple and passing through the place where Thirumangai was making robbery. By seeing the rich couple Neelan attempted to capture all the ornaments. He took all the ornaments from the couple and finally he saw a Toe Ring the bride was wearing. He tried his level best to pluck that, but he was not able to do so. Mangai Mannan asked the bride what was the mandhram he made for not removing his toe ring. The Almighty called Neelan near to HIM and taught Thirumandhiram. Overjoyed Aalinadan begging the Almighty for His blessings. Thus a King Mangai Mannan became Thirumangai Azhwar. Thereafter Thirumangai followed a righteous religious life and became one among the 12 Azhwars. |
