When Kaliyan was talking to God ! (Translation of Kaliyan Arulpadu) 02

(continued) 

Then Tirumangai Azhwar began to pour out his great compositions starting from Periya Tirumozhi, which starts with 'vAdinEn vAdi' (I did suffer and suffer and having suffered); he was of the firm conviction that the temples are the ultimate refuge of aspiring souls; the temples are called Divya Desams (Divine Topos) or Ugandarulina Nilangal (lands on Earth most cherished by the Divine), of those temples it is Srirangam 'which is primemost and which houses the self-manifested Vimanam named Rangam'; that Srirangam is the foremost of all the places of archavatarams of Bhagavan which is the fondest place to live in for all groups and groups of devotees as sung in Tiruchandaviruttam 52, 'devotees who have no worldly attachments so lovingly surround that place Srirangam. surrounded by cool waters of Kaveri'. Azhwar chose that Srirangam as his permanent residing place. 

Everyday he use to get involved in the beauty of Sri Ranganatha, feeling 'Oh, the limitless beauty of the Blue Form, adorned by the garlands of pearls, such comely necklaces of great jewels, it has completely filled my heart and brimming' (Amalanadipiran 9) In such manner the Azhwar was deeply engrossed in the Divine Form of Periya Perumal and wishing for all good things to happen for ever, he engaged himself totally in the upkeep of the temple like building the tower, the rampart walls, mantaps and the cooking places for offerings. Also he was a great scholar in Dramida Sastras, leader of the Tamil poets and he was called Nalukavipperumal (great one excelling in four genres of poetry) as expressed in the verse Periya Tirumozhi 1.7.10 which says that Azhwar was 'the sage of the vast books of Tamil and leader of Tirumangai'. 

And Tirumangai Azhwar always engaged himself in the great works of Nammalwar and it was so dear to his heart. Nammalwar out of his intense experience and wonderful involvement in God sang Tiruviruttam, Tiruvasiriyam, Periya Tiruvandati and Tiruvaimozhi. The beauty of the very words and the profundity of meanings and the great charm of the sentiments, all these aspects of Nammalwar's works captivated the heart of Tirumangai Azhwar. Especially Tiruvaimozhi, after completing which Nammalwar attained the Infinite Bliss, it was this Tiruvaimozhi in which Kaliyan was losing himself so happily. 

Srirangam Mohanarangan 

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