Dear Members and friends,
Saashtaanga pranams to Azagiya Manavalan and Sriranga Naachiar!!
With Namperumal's name on lips, I start my narration.
Today is the 8th day of bhoopathi thirunaal. On this auspicious day, Emperumal starts his porappadu (procession) at 7:30 am, through the uthirai streets of Thiruvarangam. After the porappadu, the Lord reaches the Ranga Vilasa mandapam at 9:00 am; thiruvaaraadhanai is performed with vedic chants, Neivedyam,Ghosti and the usual pomp and splendour worthy of the King of Srirangam.
At around 6:30pm, the Lord mounts his vahana - the thanga kuthirai ( Golden Horse ) - and then starts the procession.
The importance of horse as a vahanam for Namperumal cannot be said stressed enough .Namperumal himself took the Hayagriva avatharam (with head of a horse and body of man) to retrieve the vedas from the Daityas - Madhu & Kaitabha . So in that sense Sri Hayagriva himself represents the primeval Horse.
The sight of our Azhagiya Manavalan on top of the golden horse is magnificent and formidable. For after all, he is the king of kings, and horse is the most appropriate steed for a king. As our Namperuamal rides the golden horse, he reassures us that again he will come and protect us from the wicked and wipe out the evil and the sins that are present in this kali yuga. As the Lord says in Sri Bhagavad Gita.
Dharma Samsthapanaarthaaya,
Sambhavaami yuge yuge
-- To protect pure souls and to wipe out evil and for the reestablishment of dharma, I will "happen" yuga after yuga --
Coming back to the porappadu (procession), one has to really experience the splendid sight that follows.
The Lord, atop the Golden Horse is strolling through the uththirai street and the horse appears to be very much ecstatic and excited, and appears as if he is shouting "Ranga.." , lifting its front two legs in the air.
But once the shadow of our Azhagiya Manavalan's feet falls on south utthara street, the horse spots the heavenly chariot decorated by all the Muppattu Mukkodi Devathas waiting to carry the Lord. They very sight of the chariot makes the horse lose its senses. The very thought that Perumal would get off his back makes the horse go crazy. He loses his mind and even forgets that he is carrying the Lord on his back and starts running criss cross and zig zag across the south utthara street near the charriot. This is such a wonderful site and certainly holds so much meaning in it.
The horse itself has several connotations; it is a symbol of speed, swiftness, agility and great strength.
But the horse can go in any direction if not guided by its master, by using a halter. Of what use is of a horse, with all its abilities, if it is not properly guided?
As Namperumal holds the reins of the horse and pacifies and controls and guides it, we are reminded of the fact that even though every human is capable of several great accomplishments and has several great abilities, unless guided by the light of devotion towards Emperumal, we are all futile in the path towards enlightenment.
Let us all look towards our Azhgiya manavalan as our saviour and our guiding force towards the path of attaining him!
Our Azhagiya Manavalan now moves to the Kannadi Arai (palace of mirror) where he has a relaxing bath (Thirumanjanam) in warm water. He adornes a very delicate yet grand garland made of, vrukshi flower and pathiri flowers from Thondaradi podi azhwar's gardens and Madhura Kavi ahwar's gardens.
Adiyen
Narasimha Bhattar
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