Supremeconnection

It is quite known that brahmins, particularly Iyengars have a separate dialect of their own. A unique characteristic of Srivaishnava Tamizh is its retention of a lexicon associated with sacredness called the Paribhashai. A very interesting thing to note is that the Srivaishnava community comprises of non brahmins too from the other varnas who equally pride themselves in using this vocabulary.  To a common man, this may sound like a completely different language. Let me give you an example: Brahmin Tamizh makes distinctions between potable water (tīrtham) and non-potable water (jalam), with the former bearing a sacred connotation. But it is to be noted that in the present day jalam is also used for potable water, but making it a word particularly used in the brahmin community.  The general Tamizh vernacular, in comparison, employs the terms tanīr or tannī to refer to potable water. Srivaishnavas use the word Thiru in a lot of varied instances as a prefix. This brings out t...

The exceptional qualities of Sri Andal cannot be adequately described. Recognizing her as the incarnation of Bhoomi Piratti gives a glimpse of her greatness. Similar to Sita Piratti, Andal's birth defied the conventional gestation period, highlighting her divine eminence.  Notably, while deities like Rama and Krishna undergo the process of garbha vAsam, Andal, as the Universal Mother, is born without it, perhaps due to the lack of a suitable mother. Andal's achievements are unparalleled. She is the lone female among the Azhwars, privileged to unite with the Lord.  Unlike others, she authentically portrays the emotions of separation and reunion with Krishna. Her audacious act of using garlands meant for the Lord sets her apart. Additionally, she fearlessly criticizes Krishna, a feat unmatched by other Azhwars. Her Tiruppavai is esteemed as the very essence of Vedas, a distinction not shared by other works. Sri Ramanuja's admiration for Tiruppavai is evident from his title ...

In the 5th padhigam, Thirumangai azhwar continues expressing the pain of his separation from his beloved Sowriraja Perumal, speaking as parakaala naayaki: She says, “My heart went to the lord of kannapuram who removed the chains from the ankles of his father Nandagopan. I am waiting to receive his divine grace. The moon, the king of the night, sends his cool rays as sweet as nectar and burns me and the soft breeze comes and blows over my beautiful breasts. They never cease giving me pain. ” She says, “ My heart, longing for the garland on his divine chest, has gone to him (who is in kannapuram) who is the younger brother of white-colored BalaRāma but has the color of a cloud and the dark ocean. There is no one here to help me now. The village sleeps and the world too. The chariot of the shining sun has disappeared from the sky and there is no light to be seen anywhere in the night. I don’t know what to do. ” She says, “The bangles on my arms have grown loose and fallen. Is this because...

According to the Hindu tradition of time measurement, the basic unit is in terms of the wink of the eye. While the human wink, Devas, on the other hand, do not wink. That is why they are known as 'Imaiyavar' in Tamil – those who don't wink. In Nala-Dhamayanthi purana, Dhamayanthi identified Nala by the wink of the eye and the garland he was wearing was withering. Time is not applicable for celestials.  That means there is no time for them. Time is applicable for us in the created world. 18 winks = 1 kashtam 30 kashtam = 1 kala 30 kala = 1 vinadi 60 vinadi = 1 naazhigai / ghati = 24 minutes 2 naazhigai / ghati  = 1 muhurtha 30 muhurtha = 1 day = 24 hours or 60 naazhigai / ghati = 1 day. Another way is to take 'truti' as the basic unit. Truti is the time taken for a needle to prick a lotus leaf. 60  truti = 1 prana (1 inhale + 1 exhale = 1 prana) 6 pranas = 1 vinadi 60 vinadi = 1 naazhigai (and the rest continues as before.) Another way of calculation is like this. 1 ...

From padhigam 3 onwards, Thirumangai azhwar speaks as parakaala naayaki herself, still immersed in the pain of separation from her Lord in Thirukannapuram. She begins to narrate how her bangles grow loose and fall from her arms, describing the heroic acts of Perumal as follows: Padhigam 3: She says, “My bangles grew loose and fell from my arms because of him who wears a fragrant thulasi garland, and carried Govardhanā mountain with his strong mountain-like arms. He stays in Thirukannapuram surrounded by the ocean where waves roll and bring curved conches, precious corals and creepers and leave them on the banks. ” She says, “ My bangles grow loose and fall from my arms because I love him who rests on the ocean on the snake bed of Adisesha, and who terrified the elephant Kuvalayābeedam that had small heroic eyes and shed rut like rain and broke its tusks. He stays in Thirukannapuram filled with beautiful palaces where the smoke of fragrant akil wood rises up and touches the top of the h...

 Thirumangai azhwar's Periya Thirumozhi  consists of 10 decads, with each decad containing 10 sections (padhigam). Each padhigam contains 10 paasurams. Out of all the divya desams that Thirumangai azhwar has sung about,  Periya Thirumozhi holds a special place for Thirukkannapuram. The entire 8th decad comprising 100 paasurams is dedicated to Thirukannapuram, from describing the journey towards Thirukannapuram in the first 5 padhigams, to admiring the beauty of thirukkannapuram and Sowriraja Perumal and finally surrendering himself (sharanaagati) to Perumal.  An interesting feature of the first few padhigams is that Thirumangai azhwar assumes the role of parakaala naayaki. In the role of a young girl who is anguished from the separation from her lord in Thirukannapuram. Such is her suffering that she is unable to even speak, and her mother is put in great distress as well. In the first 2 padhigams, the mother speaks on behalf of the daughter (parakaala naayaki) ...

  Yajna Upakaranas (Samskrit: यज्ञोपकरणानि) deals with the specialized implements, containers and utensils (upakaranas) used during the conduct of yajnas. A large number of specialized storage vessels, buckets, leather bags for storing liquids, spoons and ladles, mixing vessels, strainer, sieves, grinding stones, mortar and pestle, knives, winnowing baskets, pounders are a few common names of utensils of various types used since ancient times. They are made of metals or wood mostly, as revealed by the archaeological excavations in many sites of India. The ample references of these upakaranas in Vedas are mentioned as required instruments or implements for the performance of yajnas such as Somayaga, Asvamedha yajna and Pashuyajnas which were quite elaborate. Introduction The knowledge of making utensils, instruments and implements for both common and specialized activities of bharatiya jivana vidhana dates back to hoary antiquity. The Rigveda mentions the use of a large number of ut...

Sage Agathiya blessed Azhaghar Sundarararaja in Sivalapperi, Tirunelveli district, to tamiraparani, a perennial river of life from the Western Ghats. Many towns are enriched by the Tamiraparani River, which receives rain three times a month. Located on the banks of this river, Sivalapperi Alaghar Sundararaja has a special feature. That is, every year on the last Sunday of the month of Tai, a special pooja is held for Lord Vinayaka in this temple to bring rain. After completing this puja, one should measure the steps to the Alagara here. In front of the Alaghar temple flag tree, Perumal should measure the produce of that year according to his convenience. It is believed that if they do so, with the grace of Ganesha and the grace of Alagara, Alagara will provide them with the food they need throughout the coming year. There are many people who have felt the beauty of stepping stones. This also applies to beautiful guardian deities and retinue deities. Every morning a priest would bring t...

There are different types of snAnam. Let us see important snAnam one by one. a. vAruNa snAnam – This is dip bathing. One need to take a dip of his whole body inside water including his head. b. pArthiva snAnam – Applying pure sand all over the body and asking mother Earth to remove all my sins through manthram starting with “mruththikE hana mE pApam”. c. AgnEya snAnam – Applying ashes from agnihOthra kuNdam over body. d. vAyavEya snAnam – reciting gOSAvitrI mantra and applying cow’s hoof dust on body to purify us. e. dhivya snAnam or AkASa snAnam – Getting wet in rain with sun shine (rain with sun not covered in clouds). f. manthra snAnam – Other than snAnam with five elements (panchabhUtha snAnam ), saying “ApOhistA” manthra and doing prOkshaNam on head, chest and legs. g. mAnaSa snAnam – By dwelling in thoughts of SrIman nArAyaNan’s SrIpAdha thIrtham, that is, river gangA which removes all our impurities from inside. h. panchAnga snAnam – Washing two legs, two hands and face. i. kApi...

  1.1. ahas ahas means daytime, in general. But, also means Sunrise to next day Sunrise. Now let us see the activities which need to be performed during ahas one by one. 1.2. brahma muhUrtham One need to wake up during brahma muhUrtham. brahma muhUrtham is the last portion of fourth yAmam of the night. That is, 1.5 hrs before Sunrise. One needs to wake up during this time and think of Sri vishNu bhagavAn in mind. 1.3. bahirvihAra: This is the process of cleansing our body by removing the waste accumulated. This needs to be done in the south side direction outside the house. Distance of the place to do this activity should be an arrow throw distance from house. brAhmaNan should put his sacred thread as mAlA and put around his right ear and should do this activity in a clean place. Next soucham, that is cleaning by water and sand post this activity. 1.4. gaNdUsham Next is gargling with water. As devathAs always reside in the right side of a brAhmaNan, he needs to gargle ...

Thiruooragam,Tiruneeragam,Tirukkaaragam, Tirukkaravanam.  The temple complex actually houses four Divya Desams in its different precincts. The central shrine of the temple is most commonly referred as Peragam, while the smaller shrine housing the lord Ooragathan in the form of Adisheshan is Ooragam. As per tradition, Mahabali at the foot of Vamana, could not view the deity's vishvarupam and requested him to manifest as a smaller form. Vishnu obliged and appeared as a snake in a smaller shrine. The shrine is frequented by childless couples praying for offspring or for people to get married, by offering paal payasam, a sweet dish made of milk.  In Kaarakam the presiding deity of the shrine is Karunakara Perumal facing north and seated on Adishesha and his consort Padmamani Nachiyar. The temple tank associated with it is called Agraya Tirtham, and the vimana is called Vamana Vimanam or Ramaya Vimanam.  Tirukkaravanam shrine is located in the second precinct. The presiding de...

Start the practice of chewing betel leaf again. Tell everyone. There is no indigestion, no cancer, no diabetes, no heart diseases... Chewing betel leaves and drinking alcohol have become bad and normal habits respectively for the drunkards and become incapable, and they are the youth of today's Tamil society. The 'Thaambulam', referred to as betel leaf and areca nut, plays a vital role in Tamil culture. The betel and nut have a significant place in all rituals and ceremonies of a Tamil person, from birth to death. Not just ordinary betel leaf and nut, but a simple betel and nut can even finalize a marriage in Tamil culture. During the times of our grandparents, who grew up chewing betel leaf and nut, there was no cancer, no diabetes, no heart diseases, and importantly, no constipation. Hence, the betel leaf, known to be a cure for many ailments in Tamil medicine, has been given so much importance by the Tamil people. The decadence of culture and foreign lust have made the h...

Nandi, the revered bull of Lord Shiva, is believed to have obtained redemption from his curses through devout worship of Lord Vishnu at this sacred site, hence the place is known as Nandipuram. Every aspect of this temple, including its shrines and water features, bears the name of Nandi, paying homage to the divine bull. Within this hallowed sanctuary, Lord Jagannatha presides in a seated posture, facing west, and is venerated as Srinivasan, while his consort Lakshmi takes the form of Shenbagavalli. The temple's maintenance and administration are overseen by the Vanamamalai Mutt. According to legend, Nandi once failed to show due reverence to the gatekeepers of Lord Vishnu, leading to a curse that subjected his body to scorching heat. Nandi, seeking relief, approached Lord Shiva, who advised him to undertake penance in Shenbaranyam. Impressed by Nandi's sincere penance, Lord Vishnu granted him redemption from the curse. Consequently, this place is also known as 'Thiru Nand...

 Video Attached During the Ponal/Makara Sankramana utsavams in the Tamil month of Thai, the final day of the festivities is dedicated to the "Allum Thallum" utsavam, featuring the prominent participation of Thondanoor Nambi. The sequence of events unfolds as follows: In this ritual, the presiding deity's utsavar murtis of Swami Chellapillai are initially presented with offerings such as food, fruits, sweets, and other refreshments. This ceremony takes place in the presence of revered figures like Nammazhwar, Kaliyan, and Swami Emberumaanar, accompanied by the recitation of Arayar Sevai. As a gesture of appreciation for their service, all of the Lord's attendants are honored with "bahumanams" or tokens of honor. Subsequently, Veda mantra pushpams (offering of floral chants) are dedicated to the deity. Following this, with grandeur and splendor, Thondanoor Nambi participates in a procession that traverses through the four "mada veedhis" or streets su...

How did Shraaddha originate? It is essential to know how Shraaddha originated in the world initially. It is said to be stipulated in the Anushasana Parva, 138th chapter of the great epic Mahabharata. Here, I'm sharing an article that I read about this. A sage named Atri was born from Brahma. That sage had a son named Dattatreya. He had a son named Nimi. He was a great ascetic. He had a son named Sriman. He was a great ascetic and during his thousand-year-long penance, he died one day. Overwhelmed by grief at the loss of his son, Nimi performed the last rites for his body and was deeply distressed by the calamity that had befallen him. After making many preparations with sorrow, he fell asleep that night. Upon waking up at dawn, he began to think about what to do next. At that time, a thought occurred to him that inviting some Brahmins and offering them a meal would bring satisfaction to his son's soul. He felt this was a very good idea to consider. When the time came, he gather...