Thirumazhisai Aazhwar

Tirumazhisai-aazhvaar is one of the twelve Alvars of Vaishnavism, and is so called because he was born in Tirumazhisai. His asterism is makham. He is also known as Patti-saarar. He became an enlightened devotee even in his youth. His search after Truth took him into studies of non-vaishnava schools of philosophy, but finally landed him in the folds of God Narayana. Always meditating on Him, he remained in that yoga for a long time, touring places like Tiru-allikkeni. Finally he landed in Kumbakonam and that is where he composed the two Prabhandhams entitled ‘Tiruchanda-virutham’ (120 songs counted in the first thousand of the 4000 songs of Divya Prabhandham) and ‘Naanmukhan tiru-anthaadi’ (96 songs, counted in the third thousand).

We are told he was met by the three Muthal-aazhvaargal while he was in Tiruvallikkeni. His poetical style is rated by scholars as very majestic and inspiring. The content of his songs is mostly philosophical. He lived around 600 A.D.

Legend

Thirumazhisai Azhwar was born at Thirumazhisai, to Bhargava rishi and his wife Kanakangi after an unusual of 12 months stay in the womb. The foetus came out as just a lifeless lump of flesh with no arms, legs, etc., The couple were terribly depressed and with unwillingness left it at the bamboo bush and proceeded on their spiritual journey. Then God appeared with His consort and blessed the "flesh" with Their katAksham and it turned into an alive, Divya tEjas, cute little bundle of joy; a fully developed and lovely baby which was later picked up with both the arms affectionately by a tribe(Harijan) named "ThiruvALan". A really blessed couple Thiruvalan and pankaya chelvi, was very much overwhelmed by the grace of God for this Gift of swarna vigraham-like (golden statue) baby. This boy became Thirumazhisai azhwar. He also has an eye on the thumb nail in his right leg.

Thirumazhisai is situated in Tamil Nadu—40 km from Chennai. This place have a temple for Jagan Natha Perumal (Lord Vishnu) where you can see the idol of Thirumazhisai Azhwar with the eye on his leg. This place also have two other temples with pleny of history.

ources

*Naalaayira divya prabhandham: Commentary by. Dr. Jagadrakshakan. (1997). Aazhvaargal Research Centre, Chennai 600017.

External links

* [http://www.srivaishnavan.com Alvars and Srivaishnavism]
* [http://www.divyadesamonline.com www.divyadesamonline.com]