We are delighted to announce that, by the grace of Divya Suris and Acharyas, to commemorate the celebrations of the Millennium of Bhagavat Sri Ramanuja, a special edition has been brought out of the 4000 hymns of Azhwars, (The Divyaprabhadam) and information about Divyadesas' with Divyadesa Emperumans' beautiful multi-colour photographs and the same is being dedicated at the golden feet of Swami Bhagavat Ramanuja. In this year we shall deem ourselves extremely fortunate to witness the celebrations of 1000 years (1017-2017) of Bhagavat Ramanuja.
Shri Ramanuja while writing his commentary (Bhasyam) on Brahma Sutra frequently refers to Azhwar's Srisukthis for clarifications. Azhakiya Manavala Perumal Nayanar, in his Acharya Hridayam, says "Bhashyakarar idu kondu sutra vakyangal orungaviduvar" and the words in the Mangala sloka abave is the proof of that: "Sathakopa surimatha tatsuktyabdhimagnasayam" (Immersed in the nectarine ocean of Swami Nammalwar's works.) Moreover we can understand from the guruparampara narrative that Ramanuja's heart was full of hymns of Azhwars and he kept reciting them even during his stroll. In this context an anecdote is cited, in ldu Commentary (T.V.10.8.3): "Saint Ramanuja was having a stroll in the verandah of the mutt, after a meal, (bhutva satapadam gacchet- To walk 100 steps after meals) but abruptly stopped. This was because he was reciting the particular decade of Tiruvaymozhi in which there is the line, referring to the Azhwar's severance of his age-long association with "Maya" which had kept him in bondage from time immemorial. The Saint therefore abruptly stopped strolling and entered the hall. Embar, the enlightened disciple, who was watching this, instantly sized up the situation and asked the Saint whether he was reciting, just then, the particular pasuram (T.V.10.8.3) and the latter affirmed it. I quote "Thirumalirunsolai yaakaathe thiruuilanttilo odukirathu" "enna"; "Aam, appadiye" said Saint Ramanuja. This exemplifies the deep interest of Shri. Ramanuja in the works of Azhwars and therefore it is very appropriate to bring out this edition in his millennium year celebrations by putting together all the 3 Divyas (i.e. Divyaprabhandam, Divyadesa Emberumans, & and the Information about Divya Suris).
The main objective of this edition is to enable readers to develop the ruchi or taste in Divyadesas, Divyasuries and Divyaprabhandam. By reading, rendering and memorizing the Divyaprabhandam-one can develop bhakti to the Lord and understand the glorious Srivaishnava tradition and culture and eagerness to know the inner meaning of our literature by approaching a learned Acharya, in a proper framework of Grantha Kalakshepam in an Acharya-Sishya Parampara and continue to do the Kainkaryas here and hereafter.
The Special feature of this edition is that a running number has been given to each pasuram and its essence has been given as title to each pasuram. Colour Photo of the each temple deity and the location and route of the temple and the details of the temple, important features and Azhwar Mangalaasaasana pasuram with the pasuram number are mentioned in this edition. Important features and other details are given in English for non-Tamil knowing devotees.
We are very grateful to all the heads of Srivaishnava Mutts and all the Acharyapurusas from different Divya Desas and the learned scholars who had contributed their "Sri Mukam" for this special edition of this work. We are also grateful to all editors and publishers who brought out the Nalayira Divya Prabhandam and information about the Divya Desams in the yester years.
Our sincere thanks are due to Sri. Ue. V. Bhasyakara Sannidhi Vangipuram Ramapriya Ramanuja Dasan for his foreword for this special edition. I thank Mr. Rupan for typesetting the first two thousand pasurams . I must mention the name of Sriman. Seshadri Krishnan of Nerul for his immence help to type set the pasurams of remaining two thousands pasuram of the Azhwars without any mistake and gave it to us in recorded time. Special thanks are due to Sriman Vankipuram Krishnamachari of Chembur, Mumbai-71 for rendering useful advice in bringing out this volume. I must also make a special mention of the help and encouragement given by my parents, and my spouse Smt. Sudha Valli who is Senior Manager, Western Railway Printing Press for her technical help and of course our children Mr. Archish and Mr. Shrikanth for their support. Our thanks are also due to Mr. Ashok, & Mr. Yogesh Babu Print Solutions, Sion, Mumbai for their neat layout. Our special thanks are due to the Print Process (Mumbai) printers for their timely help to bring out this edition in time.
I express my gratitude to all the donar's who helped us to bring out this edition, but for their help this edition could not have seen the light of the day.
Our sincere thanks are due to lovers of Divya Desas and Divya Prabhandam who will buy this book not for their puja room or their library but for their personal immense pleasure by enjoying while reading and understanding the subtle tenets of the Tamil Veda of Divya Suris and visiting the Divyadesas for worship, and their spiritual enlightment.
Srivaishnava Divya Desas are so called, because Azhwars have sung in praise of the presiding deities of the temples in these places. As is well known excepting Thiruparkkadal and Paramapadam, the rest 106 are located in different parts of our country, most of them in South India.
The hymns (Pasurams) of Azhwars, song by Divya Suris considered as Vedas themselves taken the Tamil form to celebrate the glories of the Archa form. Swami Pillai Lokacharya, in his Srivachana Bhushanam explains the five forms of the Lord, namely Para, Vyooha, Vibhava Antaryami and Archa, but lays special emphasis on the importance of the Archa form because it is the only form which is visible and accessible easily. Archa forms are compared to the deep pockets of water which are always available even after the floods have dried up. Tondaradippodi Azhwar says in his Tirumalai "O Lord of Arangamanagar, with the hue of a huge green mountain! Lord of coral lips, lotus-red eyes, Achyuta! Lord of Eternals, O Cowherd-lord",--denying the joy of praising you thus, if I were given to rule Indira's kingdom, I will not want it". Thirumangai Azhwar also says in his Periya Thirumozhi "Carry me now to His abode in Kurungudi". Swami Venkata Natha in his Varadaraja Panchasat says, "I have no desire even for Vaikunta." Swami Manavala Mamunigal, considered the re-incarnation of Swami Ramanuja says in his Thirvaymozhi Nutru Antati Pasuram (Emma vedu) that he does not even want Paramapadam and emphasizes the importance and easy accessibility of Archa form compared to other 4 forms of the Lord. Incidentally, in recent times His Holiness Srimad Vedanta Ramanuja Maha Desikan, popularly known as Thirukkudantai Andavan had covered all the 106 Divya Desas by foot and did Mangalaasaasanam.
Thus the Azhwars and Acharyas have laid the path for all Srivaishnavas to follow, namely to undertake the 106 Divya Desa Divya Yatra Darsan to as many places as possible so as to strengthen their bhakti. In this context the present publication is a unique guide to those undertaking the yatras. I congratulate the author and publisher of the book Sri Vanamamali Vidwan Dr.T.D. Muralidharan, Director, Ubhaya Vedanta International Research Centre, Mumbai, who is the driving force behind this centre which has brought out this edition has himself completed the holy yatra to all the 106 Divya Desas and, therefore has the advantage of first-hand information about the Divya Desas and has thus included a lot of information which those undertaking the yatras will find useful. Apart from the 106 Divya Desas, well known Kshetras like Pushkar and Srimushnam have also been included being Svyam Bhu Kshetras and Purana Kshetras are also included in this edition.
The Ubhaya Vedanta International Research Centre which has several other useful publications to its credit has done yeomen service to all Srivaishnavas by bringing out this unique edition " Divya Suris's Divya Prabhandam along with 108 Divya Desa Divya Yatra Darsan" on the special occasion of the Millennium celebrations of Sri Ramanuja and thus passing on the importance of Pramana, Prameya and Pramana to the future generations to enjoy this wonderful glory of the Srivaishnava tradition.
I have great pleasure in writing this foreword to this edition and I have no doubt that members of our community will take advantage of this book to make their yatra meaningful and useful, by reading the 4000 hymns of Azhwars and dosed in the devotion of Bhakti in the lotus feed of Sriman Narayana.
**Contents and Sample Pages**
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