Araiyar Sevai - An Unique Musical Chanting Perfomance
The prominent Araiyar Sevai was originated here at Thirukurungudi which was introduced by the First and Foremost Sree Vasihnava Acharya Nadhamunigal, the one who compiled Naalaayira Divya Prabandham. Araiyars are the disciples of Nadhamunigal and they are the special class Sree Vaishnava Brahmins who had been assigned the task of performing Naalaayira Divya Prabandham on special days in Divyadesams. Sevai means a glorious service without expecting anything in any manner. It is believed that Aranganathar of Srirangam Divyadesam had given the rights to perform the Unique Musical Chanting named as Araiyar Sevai and presented the Araiyars the Cone Shaped Red Cap and the Sacred Garland. It is also believed that the Almighty comes and listens to Araiyars’ Dancing and Singing Performances in Divyadesams wherever they perform
Thirumangai’s Moksham at Thirukurungudi
One among the 12 Alwars Thirumangai Azhwar, who built the huge compound walls around Srirangam requested the Almighty of Srirangam Ranganathar for the Moksham but he was directed to make a worship to HIS Southern House Thirukurungudi. Thirumangai Alwar composed his last Paasurams here in this temple and attained Moksham only from here. As per the Vaishnavite Sampradayam, Thirukurungudi is said to be the ‘Southern House’ of Lord Vishnu. Hence, it is strongly believed that ‘Vaikundham’ is in a calling distance’ from Thirukurungudi. Thiru Narayana Puram is said to be the ‘Melai Veedu’, Kanchipuram the ‘Keezhai Veedu’ and Srirangam is ‘The Veedu’.
Thiruparkadal Nambi Temple
Hanuman’s Leap to Srilanka to worship Sita Madha is In a Half a km distance from the main temple is the Thirupaarkadal Nambi Temple and about 8 kms from here on the Western Ghats is the Thirumalai Nambi Temple, from where it is believed that Lord Hanuman is said to have taken the leap to Srilanka.
Thirukurungudi and Kaisika Ekadesi
Srirangam is known for Vaikunda Ekadasi where as Thiru Kurungkudi is said to be the home to the Vaishnava tradition of ‘Kaisika Ekadesi’ , which is celebrated in the Tamil month of Karthigai and precedes Vaikunta Ekadasi. It is strongly believed that those who undertake fasting, singing or listening to the Kaisika Puraanam on the Kaisika Ekadesi day will attain Vaikunta Moksham. Kaisika Puranam, which is a part of Varaaha Puraanam and comprises several hundred songs- all in small stanzas- shows Lord Narayana as the ultimate supreme force and is a case study in this modern money making world of keeping up one’s word at the cost of anything, even life.
Paraasara Bhattar - The one who composed the Kaisika Puraanam
Parasara Bhattar took the story of a complex Kaisika Puraanam which was originaly in Sanskrit and composed it in a simple, easily understandable language. He made it more interesting by analyzing the different Avatars of Lord Vishnu and showcasing Varaaha Avatar as the best and the purest, Paraasara Bhattar dissected the Kaisika Puraanam and created the vyakyaanam for the entire Kaisika Puraanam.
The Story of Nambaaduvan
Kaisika Puraanam is the story of Nambaaduvaan, a lower caste person and his dedication towards ThiruKurungudi Nambi. Being the lower caste person Nambaaduvan was not entertained to enter into the temple to wrship the Almighty ( Like Thirupaanaazhwar in Srirangam ). He used walk several miles through the dense forest in the night time to reach Thirukurungudi so that to worship and praise Nambi. He used to praise him standing before the temple for hours together with a music from his veena and would return to his place before dawn. One night, he was stopped by a Brahmma Raakshasha - A Huge Demon, who wanted to consume him. Nambaaduvan promised the demon that he would return after worshipping Lord Nambi one last time. He also related the essence of Sathya Sankalpam to the Raakshasha: “The world was created through Sathya Sankalpam- Promises- and continues to exist as a result of the promises. It is because of the Lord’s Sathya Sankalpam that the world is seeing peace today.” Nambaaduvan made 18 promises that night to the Raakshasha and stated that if he fails even in one of those 18 promises, he will be a party to 18 sins. The 18th promise of Nambaaduvan is the essence of the Kaisika Puraanam.
Nambaaduvan says “If one ever tries equating Lord Narayana to anyone else in this world, I will be a party to the biggest sin in the world and will never get Moksham from this cycle of births”
These promises convinced the Raakshasha that Nambaaduvan would return and he let him go. Nambaaduvan spent the entire night at the Thirukurungkudi Nambi temple and then made his way back to the Raakshasha as promised.On his way back , the Lord disguised as an old Brahmin stops Nambaaduvan and asks the reason for him rushing back, much in contrast to his usually slow and thoughtful walk. Nambaaduvan explains his situation to the Brahmin, who condemned him as a fool and offered protection from the Raakshasha. Nambaaduvan rejected the offer stating his promise to return as quickly as possible. By then, the Raakshasha had changed his mind and no more did he want Nambaaduvan’s body. Instead, he now asked for the fruits of all the praise that Nambaaduvan had secured through his visits to Thirukurungudi Nambi every night. Nambaaduvan shared with the Raakshasha the ‘Kaisika’ Puranam, the songs which he had sung that very night in front of Lord Nambi of ThiruKurungkudi and thus helped secure Vaikunta Moksham for the Raakshasha. It is believed that any one who recites, reads or listens to the Kaisika Puraanam will attain Moksham. |
