AdiyenRamanujaDasan

  "Singing and Dancing, Crying Out 'Arangavo!' – The Sacred Dust of Devotees" Kulasekara Azhwar’s pasuram vividly portrays the depth of devotion toward Lord Ranganatha and the unique sanctity of Srirangam’s Manalveli. In his beautiful verse, Azhwar expresses his heartfelt desire to roll in the sand, soaked by the joyful, bhakti-filled tears of devotees witnessing the Lord’s divine beauty. The Manalveli becomes a sacred space where the very essence of devotion—bhakti rasam—permeates the ground. For Azhwar, this sacred dust, touched by the tears of Lord Ranganatha’s devotees, is holier than the waters of the Ganges itself. Kulasekara Azhwar’s devotion to Lord Ranganatha was so profound that his desire to be immersed in the Lord’s presence became an eternal bond with the Manalveli. It is believed that due to this intense devotion, Kulasekara Azhwar is enshrined in the Kondandarama Sannadhi, located within the Manalveli itself. This sannidhi holds a special place in Srira...

Pavitra Utsavam at Srirangam – A Festival of Purity and Divine Grace Srirangam, the Rajadhani of all 108 Divya Desams, is the sacred heart of Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya. It is firmly believed that only if proper Thiruvaradhanam is performed at Srirangam, the Thiruvaradhanam in all other Divya Desams will be considered complete. Within this Divya Desam, filled with the divine grace of Lord Ranganatha, the auspicious Pavitra Utsavam takes place every year with great devotion and ritualistic splendor. The Pavitra Utsavam begins in the Tamil month of Avani, on the Shukla Paksha Dasami day, marking the beginning of an event filled with spiritual significance. The following day, Ekadashi, is known as the revered Poo Perattiya Ekadashi, a day when Namperumal symbolically steps onto flowers before making his sacred journey toward the Yaagasalai. The atmosphere is filled with devotion as the Lord’s divine feet bless the fragrant flowers, symbolizing purity and grace. Once at the Yaagasalai, the ...

Tiruvaranga Perumal Araiyar, one of the five revered Acharyas of Emperumanar (Ramanuja), once found himself unable to perform his usual service (kaimkaryam) to Lord Ranganatha due to illness. During this difficult period, Sri Kura Narayana Jeeyar, who, like Kuresar, was a direct disciple of Ramanuja, came to his aid. Both Kuresar and Kura Narayana Jeeyar hailed from the same Vedic village of Kuram. Kuresar often joked with Kura Narayana Jeeyar, questioning the need for any mantra beyond the Ashtakshari for one who has surrendered to the Lord (Prapannan). However, Kura Narayana Jeeyar always responded by saying that the Sudarshana Mantra would reveal its importance when the right time came. When Tiruvaranga Perumal Araiyar became gravely ill, Kuresar, also known as Srivatsanga Mishrar, sought help from Kura Narayana Jeeyar, asking him to invoke the power of the Sudarshana Mantra to heal Araiyar. In response, Kura Narayana Jeeyar composed the Sudarshana Shatakam and, with the help of Ved...

 The Divine Promise: A Tale of Bhakti in Srirangam and Thirukkannapuram In the vast spiritual landscape of India, where divinity takes form in different ways, one of the most beloved stories resonates with devotion, surrender, and divine grace. This is the story of Lord Sriman Narayana, Vibheeshana, and the sacred bond that transcends space and time. After the great battle of Lanka, where Lord Rama emerged victorious, Vibheeshana, the noble younger brother of Ravana, chose the path of righteousness by surrendering at the feet of the Supreme Lord. His devotion was unwavering, and his heart was full of love and gratitude. As a reward for his bhakti, Vibheeshana sought a divine boon — to have the Lord Ranganatha reside forever near him, so he could eternally gaze upon His blessed form.Moved by the pure devotion of Vibheeshana, He took abode in the sacred land of Srirangam, the Western abode, assuming a peaceful reclining posture known as the Sayana Kolam.  The Lord, resting on th...