Kooratazhvan, in his Sundarabahu Stava, which is in praise of Lord Sundararaja of Thirumaliruncholai, speaks of the sacredness of river Nupura Ganga. Nupura means anklet. When Lord Narayana took the Trivikrama avatara, Brahma washed His feet, and the water became sanctified by contact with His feet. This water flows in Thirumaliruncholai, and hence the name Nupura Ganga, explained P.B. Rajahamsam, in a discourse. It is known as Silambaaru in Tamil (silambu - anklet). The wishes of those who bathe in Nupura Ganga are fulfilled, says Kooratazhvan. It is said that if one stays in Thirumaliruncholai for 24 days and bathes in the Nupura Ganga, and eats nothing but the temple prasada, then one will be blessed with children.
Periyazhvar, his daughter Andal and Thirumangai Azhvar have sung pasurams describing Silambaru and the beauty of the temple’s lush surroundings. Andal says that as Silambaru flows with force, it brings with it sandal trees, and reaches the place where the Lord of Thirumaliruncholai resides. Thirumaalayandan, one of the Acharyas of Ramanujacharya, reached the lotus feet of the Lord in the Tamil month of Aippasi, on sukla paksha dvadasi. In remembrance of this, the Lord of Thirumaliruncholai goes to the place where the Silambaru flows in, and has an abhisheka there. This thotti thirumanjanam is in honour of Thirumaalaiyandaan. Similarly, in Kancheepuram, on sukla paksha chaturdasi, in the month of Karthika, the day on which Thirukachchi Nambi attained the feet of the Lord, Lord Varadaraja goes to the mandapa where He had conversations with Thirukachchi Nambi, and has an abhisheka there. Likewise, in Srirangam, on New Moon day, in the month of Masi, Ranganatha has a special abhisheka in honour of Nampillai, who left this earth on that day.
Rama and his brothers had revealed different morals through their conduct and behaviour. The meaning of Satrugna is one who has conquered his enemies. Satrugna had never taken part in any battle. But how could he have won? Sri Periyavachan Pillai says, “ Satrugnaha: Nithya Satrugnaha:”, that is he had won his faculties. Only those who don’t control their faculties will succumb to lusty desires and anger. By this they develop two types of disease. One is called Vyadhi — disease to physical body and the other Aadhi — disease or disturbance to mind. Bharatha had revealed three concepts. First he refused to accept the kingdom and established his dharma. Second his devotion to Rama was abound and immeasurable. He had brought the sandals of Rama and worshipped every day. Third he had shunned the royal life in the palace and led a simple life at Nandhigram like a sage. This shows his steadfastness. Lakshmana did not know anything except serving his elder brother and had never transgressed the words of his brother. Lord as Sri Rama had displayed perfectly the role of a son to his father. Rama was not excited when Dasaratha told him about the coronation. He had neither said yes nor no to express his consent.
A wrong choice in choosing our friend will end up in ruins is revealed through Kaikeyi. Though Kaikeyi was good and kind-hearted by nature, she was spoiled by Kooni. Because Kaikeyi told about the two boons that she had got from Dasaratha when she helped him in a war, Kooni prompted and reminded her to ask Dasaratha. This shows that we should not divulge our family secrets to others, said Sri Hariji in a discourse.
To break free from the samsaric cycle and to attain moksha, we need to surrender at the feet of Lord Narayana, who has innumerable auspicious qualities, including saulabhya and sauseelya. These two qualities make it possible for us to approach Him without fear and to seek His proximity, said Kazhiyur B. Devarajan in a discourse.
The Upanishads, when speaking of the Supreme One, do not describe Him, and instead say “ neti, neti”. Neti (na+iti), meaning “not this”, simply means that the Upanishad is saying what Brahman is not. It does not say what He is, but says what He is not. That He is superlative is obvious, but a further definition is not to be found. In this sense, Hastigiri, the abode of Lord Varadaraja, deserves praise, for it shows us that the Lord who resides on this hill ( giri) is the Supreme One. Vedanta says you cannot see Him, but Peyazhvar saw Him and recorded his experience too. He uses the word “ kandaen” (I saw) many times.
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