A mystic?s benediction religion http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/05/stories/2007070559651100.htm CHENNAI: Among the 12 Azhwars, the mystics whose hymns were codified by Nathamuni in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, Periazhwar has the singular status of being the father-in-law of the Lord. Vedanta Desika in his hymn Godastuti states that he attained greatness through his foster daughter Andal, who became the consort of Lord Ranganatha by her loving devotion to Him from a tender age. That was a double blessing for Periazhwar?s greatness was well established when he sang the Tiruppallandu (a hymn in benediction) out of ecstasy on the Lord when He graced him with the vision of His divine form. In his discourse, Uttamur Sri Rajagopalachariar said the prelude (Taniyan) chanted before Periazhwar?s hymn attested to incidents that proclaimed his greatness to the world. Vishnuchitta, as he was known before he came to be hailed as Periazhwar, was a priest (hence the name Pattarbiran) who performed the loving service of offering garlands to the deity in Srivilliputtur. One day the Lord directed him to the Pandya king Vallabhadeva?s court in Madurai to establish His supremacy in a debate with scholars. He went reluctantly as he could not transgress the divine command. And, to his wonder he won and was awarded the prize of a bag of gold. The king rejoiced that Pattarbiran had enlightened him with his eloquent elucidation of the Vedic texts. He was searching for one who would teach him wisdom after an elderly person counselled him: ?To save for the rainy day toil for eight months; to enjoy the night, work during the day; to save for your old age, work during your youth; to secure a better life hereafter, do good in this life.? Vallabhadeva overwhelmed by his profundity honoured him by parading him on a bedecked elephant when Vishnuchitta envisioned the Lord. It was then that he extolled the Lord moved by His beatific form: ?Many years, many years, many thousands of years and many hundred thousands more?? A doubt will naturally arise whether it is appropriate or possible for anyone to bless the Almighty who is eternal. This has to be seen as an act of divine grace for the Lord enabled His devotee to experience Him thus with mystical insight. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss an email again! Yahoo! Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/mail/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Oppiliappan/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Oppiliappan/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:Oppiliappan-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:Oppiliappan-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Oppiliappan-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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