Sunday, June 12, 2016

Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple (Thirupadagam), Kanchipuram – Literary Mention

Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple (Thirupadagam), Kanchipuram – Literary Mention
The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by PeyalvarBhoothathazhwarThirumazhisai Aazhwar and Thirumangai Alvar. The Azhwars have sung praise on the different forms of Pandava Thoothar. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book. Many Acharyas have also written songs on the various forms of God in this Temple.
Swami Arulala Perumal Emperumanar also called Yajnamurthy visited here. There is said to have been an 18 day debate between Ramanuja and a Saivite Scholar. Having lost the debate to Ramanuja, the Saivite Scholar is said to have become his discipline and changed his name to Arulala Perumal Emberumaanar. His descendants are the ones currently managing the temple. Acharya Manavala Mamunigal also had visited this place. Manavala Maamuni also did Mangalasasanam here.
Azhvaars:
Four Azhvaars have praised the Lord here. Thirumazhisai Azhvaar refers to 3 temples in Kanchipuram as representative of the 3 postures of Lord Vishnu. Among the Divya Desams, this temple (Thiru Paadagam) was just referred to as ‘Lord in Sitting Posture’ in those days, while Thiru Ooragam was referred to the Lord in standing posture and Thiru Vekka as the Lord in Sleeping Posture. It was only later that other Azhvaars referred to Lord Vishnu and his 3 postures.
நின்றதேந்தை ஊரகத்து, இருந்ததேந்தை பாடகத்து
அன்று  வேக்கனை  கிடந்தது  எண்ணிலாத முன்னெல்லாம்
அன்று  நான்  பிறந்திலேன்  பிறந்தபின்  மறந்திலேன்
நின்றதும்  இருந்ததும்  கிடந்ததும்  என்  நெஞ்சுள்ளே ”- Thirumazhisai Azhvaar
Just in the way Krishna protected the Pandavas, it is believed that the Lord here will protect devotees who pray with sincerity and unflinching devotion.
Mangalasasanam:
·        Thirumazhisai Alwar - 2 Paasurams
·        Thiru Mangai Alwar - 2 Paasurams
·        Bhoodhatalwar - 1 Paasuram
·        Peiyalwar - 1 Paasuram
·        Total - 6 Paasurams