Sri Ranganathaya Namaha!
Sri Ranganayakiye Namaha!
Sri Mathe Ramanujaya Namaha!
The story of Sri Namperumal's Nachiyar Thirukolam from the Srirangam Vaikuntha Ekadashi Festival is a profound tale of divine leela, showcasing the compassionate nature of Sri Ranganachiyar (Goddess Lakshmi) and the playful interaction between Lord Namperumal (Sri Ranganatha) and the great devotee Parasara Bhattar.
Context: The Vaikuntha Ekadashi Festival
The Vaikuntha Ekadashi Utsavam is one of the most significant festivals of the Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple, celebrated over 22 days in the Tamil months of Karthigai and Maargazhi. The festival was initiated by Thirumangai Alwar and refined by Naadhamunigal and Sri Ramanujacharya. One of its highlights is the Nachiyar Thirukolam, also called Mohini Alankaram, held on the 10th day of the festival.
This event has its roots in an episode involving Parasara Bhattar, a renowned Sri Vaishnavite acharya and devotee, and the divine interplay between Lord Namperumal and Ranganachiyar.
The Story of Nachiyar Thirukolam
1. Parasara Bhattar’s Devotion to Ranganachiyar
Parasara Bhattar, the son of Kurathazhwan and a disciple of Sri Ramanujacharya, was a devout servant of Sri Namperumal and Ranganachiyar. However, Bhattar had a special affection and deep trust in Ranganachiyar, the divine mother, considering her the ultimate embodiment of love and compassion.
Lord Namperumal noticed Bhattar's devotion and wondered why he was more attached to Ranganachiyar than to himself. The Lord decided to question Bhattar and uncover the reason for this preference.
2. The Lord's Question and Bhattar's Reply
Namperumal asked Parasara Bhattar, “Why are you so deeply devoted to Ranganachiyar? Why do you trust her more than me?”
Bhattar humbly replied, “Ranganachiyar is the mother of the entire universe. She showers kindness and unconditional love on her children. No matter how many mistakes we make, she forgives us and protects us. You, Namperumal, are a great Lord, but you also punish your devotees for their wrongdoings. Ranganachiyar, on the other hand, never punishes; instead, she pleads on our behalf and ensures our liberation.”
This answer left Namperumal both amused and slightly challenged. He wanted to prove to Bhattar that he was no less compassionate or beautiful than Ranganachiyar.
3. Namperumal Adorns Nachiyar Thirukolam
The next day, Lord Namperumal ordered his attendants to bring the ornaments and attire of Ranganachiyar. He adorned himself in the attire of the divine mother, complete with her jewelry and decorations, presenting himself in the form of Nachiyar Thirukolam.
When fully dressed as Ranganachiyar, Namperumal summoned Parasara Bhattar and asked him to observe this form.
4. Bhattar’s Insightful Response
Bhattar was mesmerized by Namperumal's beauty in Nachiyar Thirukolam. He admired the elegance, grace, and perfection of the Lord’s transformation. Namperumal then asked, “Now, Bhattar, do you think I am equal to Ranganachiyar? Do I not look as beautiful and compassionate as her?”
Bhattar, with childlike innocence and deep wisdom, replied:
“You are indeed beautiful, my Lord. You give beauty to the ornaments you wear. But your eyes give you away. While Ranganachiyar’s eyes are filled with pure compassion and unconditional love, your eyes, though kind, also carry a hint of authority and judgment. Ranganachiyar forgives all our mistakes and ensures our salvation, while you, as the Lord, uphold justice and sometimes punish. That is the difference, and it is why I revere Ranganachiyar as my divine mother.”
5. Namperumal’s Delight
Hearing this, Namperumal smiled, deeply pleased with Bhattar’s insight and devotion. The Lord acknowledged the truth in Bhattar’s words—that Ranganachiyar’s unique compassion complements his role as the upholder of dharma. Together, they form the perfect divine duo, with Ranganachiyar’s grace balancing Namperumal’s justice.
Significance of Nachiyar Thirukolam
The Nachiyar Thirukolam event is a celebration of the inseparable bond between Namperumal and Ranganachiyar. It highlights:
1. The Compassion of Ranganachiyar: Ranganachiyar, as the divine mother, is worshipped as the ultimate refuge for devotees, forgiving their mistakes and guiding them toward salvation.
2. The Playful Nature of the Lord: Namperumal’s willingness to adorn Ranganachiyar’s attire shows his accessibility and playful interaction with his devotees.
3. The Role of a Devotee’s Insight: Parasara Bhattar’s deep understanding of divine qualities emphasizes the importance of discernment and devotion in spiritual practice.
The Story of Lord Vishnu in Nachiyar Thirukolam
In this divine episode, the Lord’s playful nature and his profound lessons for devotees are revealed through his interaction with the child Parasara.
The Child’s Search
One day, Parasara, a young and devoted child, comes seeking his parents. As he enters their abode, he notices that his mother, the embodiment of compassion and nurturing love, is not present. Feeling the absence of her presence, the child innocently walks out in search of her.
The Questioning
When others notice Parasara leaving and question him, he candidly replies that he couldn’t find his mother and thus went out to seek her. His innocent honesty and devotion to his mother reflect the purity of his heart.
The Lord’s Playful Desire
Observing this, the Lord, touched by the child’s sincerity and longing, decides to take on the form of the divine mother herself. He wishes to be dressed like Nachiyar (Sri Lakshmi), his eternal consort, to see how Parasara would respond. This act is both a playful gesture and a deep lesson in devotion.
The Lord adorns himself meticulously, wearing the attire and ornaments of Nachiyar, embodying her grace and beauty. He then sends for Parasara to test his discernment and devotion.
Parasara’s Observation
When Parasara sees the Lord in Nachiyar Thirukolam, he is awestruck. As a child, he observes every detail with amazement and appreciation. He marvels at each aspect of the Lord’s transformation—the jewelry, the attire, the elegance. Parasara praises the beauty and the resemblance to his mother, seemingly convinced for a moment.
However, as he looks deeper into the Lord’s eyes, he notices something is amiss. With the innocence and clarity of a child, Parasara exclaims:
“You cannot be my divine mother. You lack her compassion.”
Despite the flawless external appearance, the child’s intuition recognizes the subtle difference—the infinite compassion and nurturing love that only the divine mother embodies.
The Lord’s Delight
Hearing this, the Lord smiles, pleased with Parasara’s insight. The child’s ability to see beyond external appearances and recognize the essence of the divine mother’s compassion reveals his pure heart and deep connection with divinity.
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Philosophical Significance
1. Compassion as the Essence of the Divine Mother
The story highlights that Sri Lakshmi, or Nachiyar, is the very embodiment of compassion (Karunai). Her presence is defined not just by external beauty but by her limitless grace and nurturing love for all beings.
2. Childlike Innocence and Discernment
Parasara’s ability to recognize the truth reflects the untainted clarity of a pure heart. Devotion with innocence and sincerity leads to true discernment of divine qualities.
3. The Lord’s Playful Nature
The Lord’s willingness to take on Nachiyar’s form shows his accessibility and love for his devotees. It demonstrates his readiness to transcend forms and roles to teach and interact with his devotees in meaningful ways.
4. The Oneness of Vishnu and Lakshmi
While the Lord and Lakshmi are inseparable, this story underscores their unique qualities—Vishnu as the protector and Lakshmi as the compassionate nurturer. Together, they form the complete divine.
Devotional Lessons
True devotion is about perceiving the essence of divinity, not merely its external form.
Compassion is the defining quality of the divine mother, and it is this compassion that devotees must cultivate in themselves.
A childlike heart, free from prejudice and full of faith, can see and connect with the divine in its truest form.
This story beautifully blends divine playfulness with profound philosophical insights, reminding us of the inseparability of love, compassion, and devotion in the journey to realizing the divine.
Both are lovely.
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