April 13th (Panguni Tiruvadhirai) was the confluence of Manmatha and Durmukhi varsham. It marked the last day of Panguni and the first day pf Chitrai. Vishu punyakalam was observed and Varadaraja Perumal and Consorts had tirumanjanam at ‘kanadi-arai’ mandapam. After Theertham, Srisathari and prasada distribution were over the Panguni Tiruvadhirai tirumanjanam commenced at Bhaghavadh Bashyakarar Sannidhi housed in Azhwar Tiruchutru.
Devotees were blessed with guru kataksham on the first day of Tamil varusha pirappu and acharya kataksham bestows all auspiciousness. The tirumanjanam with curds, milk, honey, raw coconut water, and sandal paste highlighted the beauty of acharya’s tirumeni. Various flower garlands were offered and there was a samparpanam of a haram-a golden chain consisting of six discs with the pendant in the shape of ‘punyakoti vimanam’.
A beautiful piece of jewellery which reminds us of Ramanuja’s six queries and Varadan’s six words conveyed through Tirukacchi nambi. The six words are “Ahame Paratatvam’, “Darsanam bheda eva cha”, “Upayethi Prappathi”, “Anthima smrithi varjanam”, “Dehavasane mukthisyaath” “Poornacharya samashraya”. – this translates roughly as:
Sriman Narayana is the ultimate truth, Darshanam is Bhedam, The Means to attain Him is ‘prappathi. Remembering Him in our last moments is excused. Mukthi will be at the end of one’s lifespan. Acharya samashrayanam should be done.
These golden words etched on the golden discs and the punyakoti pendant reminds us of Bhaghavadh Bhashyakarar and the punyakoti vimanam of Kanchi Varadaraja temple the sighting of which confers a crore punyams. What better way to begin a new year than these lofty thoughts! In the evening after Perumal had finished puappadu on the mada veedhis and returned to ‘kanadi-arai’ sattrumurai took place at Bashyakarar Sannidhi and we went to bed remembering his soundaryam and kaarunyam which has paved the path to Srivaikuntam.
Courtesy: Vyjayanthi Rajan, Sundararajan
