Sri Ranganayaki sametha Sri Ranganatha Divya Thambathibyo Namaha
Dear Srirangasri Members and Friends,
My sashtanga namaskarams to our Periya Perumal Sriranganathan and our Periya Pirattiyar Sriranganayaki Thayaar
On the final day of the Theppotstavam, Namperumal starts from the moolsthanam and goes to the Theppam mandapam where Thirumanjam is performed for the Lord along with vedic chants.
On this final day of Teppostavam, I state yet again the importance of Teppam. Nachiyar describes the Lord as the Thoni, - float- with which we can cross the ocean of sorrow or samsaram.
Thunba kadal pukku vaikundhan enbathor
Thoni peraathuzhalkinren
To light the procession, a "Ney Pandam", which is a torch burnt with ghee, is used. This is called the "Pantha Kakshi". What is the significance of ghee? Thirumangai Alwar refers to Srirangam as
Panju ser maligai
Needagil pugayum maraiyor
Senjisol velvipugayum kamayam
Then arangame!
Meaning, the mansions of Srirangam are always surrounded by "Akil" perfume, the smoke from Yagna kundas. So, can there be anything less than aromatic ghee for Azagiya manavalan's torch? The smell of ghee even transcends our senses and leaves us thinking about pongal, sakkarai pongal and other delicacies for a moment before guilt sinks in! But isn't Srirangam, Sukranin iruppidam?
A distinct feature of the procession on the 9 th day of the Theppotsavam is that unlike the other days (when the Lord strolls only through the Utthirai and Chithirai streets), He also moves through Teppakulam Street which is not part of the Agraharam! He accepts the offerings of all the residents of the street. By this gesture, He sends a message that one's birth alone does not distinguish a person. Irrespective of which varna one is born, if he/she is a true devotee, the Lord commands all his adiyars (followers) to accept him//her as one of their own and engage in giving and taking from him/her.
In the words of Thondaradipodi Alwar:-
Pazhudhila ozhugal aattrup
pala sethupethi maargal
Eekulathavargalelum yam adiyaaraagil
Thozhumeeneer kodumin kolmin!
Yendru ninorum okka
Vazhipada arulinaay pol
Madhil thiruvarangathaane!
The Aazhwar continues that even if one has studied the four Vedas and is a high born, if he mistreats His devotees, in just a second he will fall down to the lowest form of srushti.
Amara orr angam aatrum
vedamor naangum othi
Thamargalil thalaivaraay, saathi anthanargalelum
Noomargalai pazhippar aagil,
Nodippathorr alavil,
Aange avargal thaam pulaiyar polum
Arangamaanagarulaane!
As Periazhwar says -
Sollalaam pothu un namam ellaam,
Yennalam pothu un namam ellam
"Whenever I speak, let me utter your namam; whenever I think let me think your namam"
Let us join Periazhwar and pray to The Lord that we may be given the ability to think and utter his namam all the time whatever might be the circumstance or struggles that we find ourselves in.
I thank all the members of Sriranga Sri group and other sites and forums who read my heartfelt experiences about our Azagiya manvalan. Thanks to Sow Shubhakara .
I wish them all my best for peace and prosperity in their lives.
The next festival is Adi Brahma uthsavam and Panguni Utthram about which adiyen will elaborate shortly in my next message.
Vachaka Dosham kshamikkavum,
Adiyen Dasan,
Narasimha Bhattar
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