The azhvar was dark in complexion so was called Nilan. He was b ought up according to Kallar community culture being born in that tribe. he was well trained in warfare and was made army commander to the Chozha king winning many battles. he was known as Parakalar (God of death) by his enemies. He was made a vassal of Tirumangai. Owning to the great honour he was known as Tirumangai Mannan. He upheld Tamil culture being interested in dance music and drama.
Tiruvellakkulam was a lotus tank in his territory. Once a celestial damsel came to have a bath in the tank. A devotee known as Maruthavan who lived near the tank adopted her as his daughter and named her Kumudavalli. she belonged to the Brahman community. The condition Kumudavalli had is that she would marry only a Sri vaishnava who was sanctified with the panca samskara.
Tirumangai mannan wished to marry Kumudavalli he aproached Sri Tirunaraiyur Nambi and got himself sanctified with the panca samskara. When he proposed to Kumudavalli she laid another condition for him saying she would wed him only if he fed 1000 Sri vaishnava devotees each day for a year. She married him on his promise. He started feeding the devotees and utilised their services too to build the prakara walls for the lord in Srirangam. Soon however he ran out of all his wealth he then started using the tax money he was collecting as a vassal to the chozha king. when the King got to know of this he was furious and sent his soldiers to collect the money from Tirumangai mannan. Our Hero promised to pay the king in due course. It was at this time that the Lord appeared in Thirumangai's dream and directed him to go to Kanchipuram and find a treasure there. trusting the dream he requested the king to send his men with him so that he could repay the money due and clear his debt. As per the divine will Tirumangai mannan traced a huge wealth by the bank of Vegavathy river and repaid his debt. He however continued to feed the devotees every day. when the new found wealth did not suffice he returned to thieving. It was now that the Lord in the form of young married couple decked with the rarest of jewels appeared before him this story is well known as to how he got initiated to the Ashtakshara mantam by the Lord himself. this changed Tirumangai Mannan to Tirumangai azhvar. his great devotion poured forth and we have six of his works namely Periya Tirumozhi, Tirukkuruntandagam, Siriya Tirumadal, Periya Tirumadal, Tiruvezhukutrirukkai and Tiruneduntandagam.
Filled with delight on hearing his Tiruneduntandagam, Sri Ranganatha asked him to seek a boon. The azhvar replied he would like to listen to the Tiruvaymozhi hymns composed by Nammazhvar. Following the instructions of Sri Ranganatha Nammazhvar came to Srirangam. He recited the complete Tiruvaymozhi in just ten days. Tirumangai Azhvar was overwhelmed hearing it. He was amazed at the grace of the Lord. He paid appropriate respects to Nammazhvar and saw him off.
Finally Tirumangai Azhvar reached a place called Tirukkurungudi and attained Paramapada.
Tiruvellakkulam was a lotus tank in his territory. Once a celestial damsel came to have a bath in the tank. A devotee known as Maruthavan who lived near the tank adopted her as his daughter and named her Kumudavalli. she belonged to the Brahman community. The condition Kumudavalli had is that she would marry only a Sri vaishnava who was sanctified with the panca samskara.
Tirumangai mannan wished to marry Kumudavalli he aproached Sri Tirunaraiyur Nambi and got himself sanctified with the panca samskara. When he proposed to Kumudavalli she laid another condition for him saying she would wed him only if he fed 1000 Sri vaishnava devotees each day for a year. She married him on his promise. He started feeding the devotees and utilised their services too to build the prakara walls for the lord in Srirangam. Soon however he ran out of all his wealth he then started using the tax money he was collecting as a vassal to the chozha king. when the King got to know of this he was furious and sent his soldiers to collect the money from Tirumangai mannan. Our Hero promised to pay the king in due course. It was at this time that the Lord appeared in Thirumangai's dream and directed him to go to Kanchipuram and find a treasure there. trusting the dream he requested the king to send his men with him so that he could repay the money due and clear his debt. As per the divine will Tirumangai mannan traced a huge wealth by the bank of Vegavathy river and repaid his debt. He however continued to feed the devotees every day. when the new found wealth did not suffice he returned to thieving. It was now that the Lord in the form of young married couple decked with the rarest of jewels appeared before him this story is well known as to how he got initiated to the Ashtakshara mantam by the Lord himself. this changed Tirumangai Mannan to Tirumangai azhvar. his great devotion poured forth and we have six of his works namely Periya Tirumozhi, Tirukkuruntandagam, Siriya Tirumadal, Periya Tirumadal, Tiruvezhukutrirukkai and Tiruneduntandagam.
Filled with delight on hearing his Tiruneduntandagam, Sri Ranganatha asked him to seek a boon. The azhvar replied he would like to listen to the Tiruvaymozhi hymns composed by Nammazhvar. Following the instructions of Sri Ranganatha Nammazhvar came to Srirangam. He recited the complete Tiruvaymozhi in just ten days. Tirumangai Azhvar was overwhelmed hearing it. He was amazed at the grace of the Lord. He paid appropriate respects to Nammazhvar and saw him off.
Finally Tirumangai Azhvar reached a place called Tirukkurungudi and attained Paramapada.
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