Thirumalisai Alvar

Tirumalisai Alvar (IAST) is a Tamil saint revered in the Sri Vaishnavism school of south India between the 4th to 9th century CE, in Tondai Nadu (now part of Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts). The legend of this saint devotees of Sri Vaishnavism believe that he was the incarnation of Vishnu's disc, Sudarshana. He is believed to have been born at the Jagannatha Perumal temple, Tirumalisai, by "divine grace".

Historically, Tirumalisai Alvar is regarded to have been the son of a sage.

Alvars

The word ''Alvar'' means the one who dives deep into the ocean of the countless attributes of god. ''Alvars'' are considered to have been the twelve supreme devotees of Vishnu, who were instrumental in popularising Vaishnavism in South India. The religious works of these saints in Tamil, songs of love and devotion, are compiled as ''Naalayira Divya Prabandham'' containing 4000 verses and the 108 temples revered in their songs are classified as ''Divya desam''.Dalal 2011, pp. 20-21 The saints had different origins and belonged to different castes. As per tradition, the first three ''Alvars'', Poigai, Bhutha and Pey were born miraculously. Tirumalisai was the son of a sage, Thondaradi, Mathurakavi, Periyalvar and Andal were from the Brahmin community, Kulasekhara from ''Kshatriya'' community, Nammalvar was from a cultivator family, Tirupana from the ''panar'' community and Tirumangai from ''kalvar'' community. ''Divya Suri Saritra'' by Garuda-Vahana Pandita (11th century CE), ''Guruparamparaprabavam'' by Pinbaragiya Perumal Jiyar, ''Periya tiru mudi adaivu'' by Anbillai Kandadiappan, ''Yatindra Pranava Prabavam'' by Pillai Lokacharya, commentaries on ''Divya Prabandam'', Guru Parampara (lineage of Gurus) texts, temple records and inscriptions give a detailed account of the ''Alvars'' and their works. According to these texts, the saints were considered incarnations of some form of Vishnu. Poigai is considered an incarnation of ''Panchajanya'' (Krishna's conch), Bhoothath of ''Kaumodakee'' (Vishnu's Mace/Club), Pey of ''Nandaka'' (Vishnu's sword), Thirumalisai of ''Sudarshanam'' (Vishnu's discus), Namm of ''Vishvaksena'' (Vishnu's commander), Madhurakavi of ''Vainatheya'' (Vishnu's eagle, Garuda), Kulasekhara of ''Kaustubha'' (Vishnu's necklace), Periy of Garuda (Vishnu's eagle), Andal of Bhoodevi (Vishnu's wife, Lakshmi, in her form as Bhudevi), Thondaradippodi of ''Vanamaalai'' (Vishnu's garland), Thiruppaan of ''Srivatsa'' (An auspicious mark on Vishnu's chest) and Thirumangai of ''Saranga'' (Rama's bow). The songs of ''Prabandam'' are regularly sung in all the Vishnu temples of South India daily and also during festivals.

Early life

The name of the Alvar comes from his birthplace, Tirumalisai, a suburb in modern-day Chennai.
The Alvar was born to Bhargava maharishi and an apsara, Kanakangi, after an unusual 12 months stay in the womb. The foetus came out as just a lifeless lump of flesh with no arms and legs. The couple were terribly depressed and with unwillingness left it under a bamboo bush and proceeded with their spiritual journey. Vishnu appeared with Lakshmi and blessed the "flesh" with their kataksham and it turned into an lively human being.

He was later picked up with both the arms affectionately by a tribal named Thiruvalan. A really blessed couple Thiruvalan and pankajavalli, was overwhelmed by the grace of god for this gift of a baby. The boy grew on to become Tirumalisai Alvar. He also has an eye on his right leg. He lived up to 10 years of age in a hamlet near Tirumalisai village named as Pirayampathu. This Alvar was an incarnation of Sudarsana Chakra ( the divine discus of Lord Vishnu).

Tirumalisai Alvar decided to learn about all other religions. He also got initiated into Vaishnavism by Pey Alvar. After visiting several temples, he reached Tiruvekka, the birthplace of Poigai Alvar.

Displeasing the Pallava king

Legend also says that when Kanikannan, his disciple displeased the pallava king for not agreeing to restore the king's youth. Earlier on he granted youth to an old unmarried maid of the temple. The king married that woman but he himself was an old man and thus wanted to enjoy life as a youth with his new wife. Tirumalisai refused him and the king decided to banish him. Tirumalisai Alvar asked the God from the temple, Yathotkari, to leave with him.

Vishnu is said to have rolled up the snake Sesha like a mattress and left with him.

Mangalasasanam

There are 216 of his paasurams in the 4000 Divya Prabhandham. His first ''Prabandham'' named ''Tiruchanda Viruttam'' contains 120 hymns and starts from 752 ''paasuram'' and ends at 871 ''paasuram''. The second ''Prabandham'' of Tirumalisai Alvar is titled ''Naanmugan Thiruvandhadhi'' and it contains 96 verses. The work of ''Naanmugan Thiruvandhadhi'' starts from 2382 paasuram and ends at 2477 paasuram.

He has sung in praise of 20 temples.

Notes

References

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External links

{{Azhwars

Vaishnava saints
Alvars
Tamil Hindu saints