108 Tirupathi Anthathi (English translation)
by Sri Varadachari Sadagopan | 285,952 words
The English translation of the “108 Tirupathi Anthathi”, which enumerates the Divya Desams or “sacred places of Lord Vishnu” celebrated by the Alvars—a group of twelve Tamil poet-saints from South India. It is also known for its intricate poetry and devotion. It was originally written by Sri Pillai Perumal Iyengar as part of his series of eight Pra...
Verse 41: Azhagar Kovil (or, Thirumaliruncholai Divya Desam)
Tamil text and transliteration:
திரு மால் இருஞ்சோலை:—
பணிந்தேன் திருமாலை பாமாலை தாளில்
அணிந்தேன் அருள் தஞ்சமாகத் துணிந்தேன்
திருமால் இருஞ்சோலை சேர்ந்தேன் எனக்கு
வருமால் இருஞ்சோதி வான் (41)
tiru māl iruñcōlai:—
paṇintēṉ tirumālai pāmālai tāḷil
aṇintēṉ aruḷ tañcamākat tuṇintēṉ
tirumāl iruñcōlai cērntēṉ eṉakku
varumāl iruñcōti vāṉ (41)
திருமாலிருஞ்சோலை:—
பணிந்தேன் றிருமாலைப் பாமாலை தாளில்
அணிந்தே னருட்டஞ்ச மாகத்—துணிந்தேன்
திருமா லிருஞ்சோலை சேர்ந்தே னெனக்கு
வருமா லிருஞ்சோதி வான். (41)
tirumāliruñcōlai:—
paṇintēṉ ṟirumālaip pāmālai tāḷil
aṇintē ṉaruṭṭañca mākat—tuṇintēṉ
tirumā liruñcōlai cērntē ṉeṉakku
varumā liruñcōti vāṉ. (41)
English rendering
Author: ‘SrI nrsimha sevA rasikan’ Oppiliappan Koil SrI VaradAchAri Sadagopan Swami
English meaning of verse:
aDiyEn reached the divya deSam of TirumAlirumcOlai. There aDiyEn worshipped the consort of TAmaraiyAL KeLvan. aDiyEn presented a garland of Tamil verses (Azhagar antAdi with 100 pAyirams) to Azhagar. aDiyEn determined that the Lord of TirumAlirumcolai is my "paRRukkODu", the staff to lean on, during the rest of my life. With that mahA viSvAsam, aDiyEn is sure that the jyotirmaya Paramapadam will be within my reach.
Special points:
PerumAL is Azhagar, MaalalankArar, standing, facing east; tAyAr is Sundaravalli; Somasundara VimAnam; nUpura Gangai river; Vrshabhagiri and cantana sthala vrukshams; pratyaksham to dharma rAjar, malayadvaja pANDiyan.
Five AzhvArs (PeriyAzhvAr, ANDAL, Tirumangai AzhvAr, BhutattAzhvAr, PEy AzhvAr and NammAzhvAr) have blessed us with 128 pAsurams.
Guide to 108 Divya Desams
Author: Mr. T. Sampath Kumaran
TIRUMAALIRUNCHOLAI (Azhagar Koyil).—This Divya kshetram is located in the suburbs of Madurai, and is around 15 Kms by road, at the foot of Vrishabadri Hills. The moolavar is Kallazhagar also called Sundararajan in a standing posture and the Thayar is Sundaravalli. The Theertham is Noopura Gangai and the Vimanam Somachanda Vimanam.
Legend has it that Yama; the lord of death once undertook a pilgrimage. While he was visiting all the holy shrines, he was attracted by the serenity and beauty of Azhagar Malai and meditated to Lord Vishnu to reside in the beautiful surroundings for the benefit of the people. Responding to Yama’s request the Lord ordered Viswakarma, the architect of the celestials, to construct a temple for him there. The Lord took this place as his permanent abode with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. There is also an interesting story that the water that was used by Brahma to wash the feet of the Lord in the Trivikrama Avatara passed through the Silambu (ornament worn on the legs) and fell down at this shetram and hence the river that flows close by is called Silambaru. The river water is being used for Tirumanjanam to the deity.
Azhwar Mangalaasaasanam:
Periyaazhwar–71,258, 338-59, 453-62
Andaal–534, 587-96
Tirumangai Azhwar–1022, 1114, 1329,1573, 1634, 1760, 1765, 1818-37, 1855, 1969, 2020, 2034, 2673 (74), 2674 (125)
Bhootathazhwar–2227, 2229, 2235
Nammaazhwar–2886-2918, 3733-44, 3748
Peyaazhwar–2342 (pasuram numbers as found in Naalaayira Divya prabhandam)
18 steps lead to the main doors of the temple, and these steps are considered to be the manifestation of Karuppannaswami, the guardian deity at this temple.
Chittirai Tiruvizha is the important festival.
Tamil commentary (Vyakhyana)
Title: Nutrettu Thiruppathi Andadhi Vyakhyanam;
Author: Vai Mu Satakoparamanujachariar Swami [Satakopa Ramanujachariar]
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Tamil text.]
(I-Meaning.) (I), – Thirumāliruñcōlai – (The divine place where Alagar is graciously present, called) Thirumāliruñcōlai,
cērntēn – reached;
thirumālai – (That) Emperumān (Lord) who is the husband of Srī (Lakshmi),
paṇintēn – worshipped;
pā mālai – a garland made of Tamil poems,
tāḷil – on (His) holy feet,
aṇintēn – placed;
aruḷ – (His) divine grace alone,
tañcam āka – as a refuge,
tuṇintēn – resolved/determined; (Since I resolved thus, now), for me -,
iruñ cōti vān – the great effulgent form of Paramapadam (Vaikuṇṭha),
varum – will be attained/granted; (E-ru.) – Āl – is an expletive (or particle); it can also mean tēṟṟam (certainty).
(இ – ள்.) (நான்), – திருமாலிருஞ்சோலை – (அழகன் எழுந்தருளியுள்ள) திருமாலிருஞ்சோலை யென்னுந் திவ்வியதலத்தை,
சேர்ந்தேன் – அடைந்தேன்;
திருமாலை – ஸ்ரிய:பதியான அவ்வெம்பெருமானை,
பணிந்தேன் – வணங்கினேன்;
பா மாலை – தமிழ்ப்பாடலினாலாகிய மாலையை,
தாளில் – (அவனது) திருவடிகளில்,
அணிந்தேன் – சூட்டினேன்;
அருள் – (அவனது) திருவருளையே,
தஞ்சம் ஆக – பற்றுக்கோடாக,
துணிந்தேன் – நிச்சயித்தேன்; (அங்ஙனந் துணிந்ததனால், இனி), எனக்கு -,
இருஞ் சோதி வான் – பெரிய ஒளிவடிவமான பரமபதம்,
வரும் – கிடைக்கும்; (எ – று.) – ஆல் – ஈற்றசை; தேற்றமுமாம்.
(i – ḷ.) (nāṉ), – tirumāliruñcōlai – (aḻakaṉ eḻuntaruḷiyuḷḷa) tirumāliruñcōlai yeṉṉun tivviyatalattai,
cērntēṉ – aṭaintēṉ;
tirumālai – sriya:patiyāṉa avvemperumāṉai,
paṇintēṉ – vaṇaṅkiṉēṉ;
pā mālai – tamiḻppāṭaliṉālākiya mālaiyai,
tāḷil – (avaṉatu) tiruvaṭikaḷil,
aṇintēṉ – cūṭṭiṉēṉ;
aruḷ – (avaṉatu) tiruvaruḷaiyē,
tañcam āka – paṟṟukkōṭāka,
tuṇintēṉ – niccayittēṉ; (aṅṅaṉan tuṇintataṉāl, iṉi), eṉakku -,
iruñ cōti vāṉ – periya oḷivaṭivamāṉa paramapatam,
varum – kiṭaikkum; (e – ṟu.) – āl – īṟṟacai; tēṟṟamumām.
(i – l.) (nan), – thirumaliruncholai – (azhagan ezhuntharuliyulla) thirumaliruncholai yennun thivviyathalathai,
sernthen – adainthen;
thirumalai – sriya:pathiyana avvemberumanai,
paninthen – vananginen;
pa malai – thamizhppadalinalagiya malaiyai,
thalil – (avanathu) thiruvadigalil,
aninthen – suttinen;
arul – (avanathu) thiruvarulaiye,
thancham aga – parrukkodaga,
thuninthen – nichayithen; (angnganan thuninthathanal, ini), enakku -,
irugn sothi van – periya olivadivamana paramapatham,
varum – kidaikkum; (e – ru.) – al – irrasai; therramumam.
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Tamil text.]
By reaching the Thirumāliruñcōlai mountain, worshipping Azhagappirān who is graciously present there, offering a garland of poems on the Lord's holy feet, and having resolved to take His grace alone as the refuge, it is certain that a good fortune will be granted to me by His grace.
திருமாலிருஞ்சோலைமலையைச் சேர்ந்து அங்கு எழுந்தருளியுள்ள அழகப்பிரானைச் சேவித்து அப்பிரான்
திருவடிகளிற் பாமாலைசூட்டி அவனது அருளையே தஞ்சமாகத் துணிந்திருத்தலால்,
அவனருளால் எனக்கு நற்பேறுவாய்த்தல் திண்ண மென்பதாம்.
tirumāliruñcōlaimalaiyaic cērntu aṅku eḻuntaruḷiyuḷḷa aḻakappirāṉaic cēvittu appirāṉ
tiruvaṭikaḷiṟ pāmālaicūṭṭi avaṉatu aruḷaiyē tañcamākat tuṇintiruttalāl,
avaṉaruḷāl eṉakku naṟpēṟuvāyttal tiṇṇa meṉpatām.
thirumaliruncholaimalaiyais sernthu angu ezhuntharuliyulla azhagappiranais sevithu appiran
thiruvadigalir pamalaisutti avanathu arulaiye thanchamagath thuninthiruthalal,
avanarulal enakku narperuvaythal thinna menpatham.
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Tamil text.]
This verse follows the Pācuram (hymn) that says: "I worshipped Your divine form, with my hands I adorned Your holy feet with the fresh lotus; resolved with love, I worshipped You and sought refuge in You, and remaining there, I live praising You."
“பணிந்தேன்திருமேனி பைங்கமலங் கையால், அணிந்தேன் உன்சேவடிமே லன்பாய்த் –
துணிந்தேன், புரிந்தேத்தி உன்னைப் புகலிடம்பார்த்து ஆங்கே, இருந்தேத்திவாழுமிது” என்ற பாசுரத்தை அடியொற்றியது, இச்செய்யுள்.
“paṇintēṉtirumēṉi paiṅkamalaṅ kaiyāl, aṇintēṉ uṉcēvaṭimē laṉpāyt –
tuṇintēṉ, purintētti uṉṉaip pukaliṭampārttu āṅkē, iruntēttivāḻumitu” eṉṟa pācurattai aṭiyoṟṟiyatu, icceyyuḷ.
“paninthenthirumeni paingamalang kaiyal, aninthen unsevadime lanpayth –
thuninthen, purinthethi unnaip pugalidambarthu ange, irunthethivazhumithu” enra pasurathai adiyorriyathu, icheyyul.
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Tamil text.]
Since Paramapadam (Vaikuṇṭha), where the Lord is graciously present, possesses a great effulgence that surpasses the light of the three celestial lights (Sun, Moon, and Fire/Stars), He said, "iruñcōti vān" (The great effulgent heaven).
இறைவன் எழுந்தருளியிருக் கின்ற பரமபதம், முச்சுடர்களின் ஒளியினும் மிக்கபேரொளியுடைமையால், “இருஞ்சோதிவான்’ என்றார்.
iṟaivaṉ eḻuntaruḷiyiruk kiṉṟa paramapatam, muccuṭarkaḷiṉ oḷiyiṉum mikkapēroḷiyuṭaimaiyāl, “iruñcōtivāṉ’ eṉṟār.
iraivan ezhuntharuliyirug kinra paramapatham, muchudarkalin oliyinum mikkaperoliyudaimaiyal, “irunchothivan’ enrar.
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Tamil text.]
It is also possible to split (the words) as varum māl iruñcōti vān (will be attained/granted, Mālin's/Vishnu's great effulgent heaven) and interpret the meaning as Thirumāl's (Vishnu's) Paramapadam (Vaikuṇṭha) will be attained.
வரும் மால் இருஞ்சோதி வான் என்று பிரித்து, திருமாலினது பரமபதம் கிடைக்குமென்றும் பொருள்கூறலாம்.
varum māl iruñcōti vāṉ eṉṟu pirittu, tirumāliṉatu paramapatam kiṭaikkumeṉṟum poruḷkūṟalām.
varum mal irunchothi van enru pirithu, thirumalinathu paramapatham kidaikkumenrum porulkuralam.
Tamil Glossary
[Note: The following list was automatically generated; do not assume transliteration or translation as facts]
திருமாலிருஞ்சோலை: / tirumāliruñcōlai: "Thirumaliruncholai": A sacred place (Divyadesam) associated with the deity Vishnu, also referred to as Azhagar Koyil (Azhagar Temple). A place-name composed of native Tamil words (Thiru=sacred/holy, Maal=Vishnu, Irum=large/great, Solai=grove/garden).
மலை: / malai: "Malai": Mountain/Hill. The text refers to Thirumaliruncholai as a hill/mountain.
தலம்: / talam: "Thalam": A place or holy site, used here as 'Divyadesam' (divine place). (While thala has a Sanskrit root meaning 'ground' or 'place', in this context, it functions as a place-name component).
பா மாலை: / pā mālai: "Pa Malai": A garland or string of Tamil poems/songs. (Pa = song/poem, Malai = garland/necklace).
தாள்: / tāḷ: "Thal": Foot, referring to the divine feet of the deity.
திருவடிகளில்: / tiruvaṭikaḷil: "Thiruvadi": At the sacred feet. A respectful term for the feet of a revered person or deity. (Thiru = sacred/holy, Adi = foot).
அருள்: / aruḷ: "Arul": Divine grace or blessing.
தஞ்சம்: / tañcam: "Thanjam": Refuge or resort; what one relies on. (Though its origin can be debated, it is considered a common, foundational term in Tamil usage meaning 'shelter').
சோதி: / cōti: "Sothi": Light or radiance. Used in the compound 'Irunjothi Van' (great radiant heaven).
வான்: / vāṉ: "Van": Sky, heaven, or the supreme space.
நற்பேறு: / naṟpēṟu: "Narperu": Good fortune or blessing/salvation. The reward obtained by the devotee. (Nar = good, Peru = gain/blessing).
செய்யுள்: / ceyyuḷ: "Seyyul": A poem or verse, referring to the composition under commentary.
முச்சுடர்கள்: / muccuṭarkaḷ: "Muccudarkal": The three lights (Sun, Moon, and Fire). Used to convey the brilliance of the divine realm. (Mu = three, Cudar = light/flame).
[Note: The following list was automatically generated; do not assume transliteration or translation as facts]
திருமாலை / tirumālai [Śrī-pati or Viṣṇu]: "Śrī-pati" (Lord of Śrī/Lakshmi) or Viṣṇu (a major Hindu deity). The text glosses the term as Śriy:patikāṉ "that Emperumān who is the husband/lord of Śrī/Lakshmi." Thirumāḻ itself is a common Tamil name for Viṣṇu.
திவ்வியதலம் / tivviyatalam [Divya-sthala]: Divine Abode or Holy Place. The term divya means 'divine' or 'celestial,' and sthala means 'place,' referring to one of the sacred Vaishnava temples mentioned in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
திருவடிகளில் / tiruvaṭikaḷil [Śrī-caraṇa]: Holy Feet. Tiru (or Śrī) means 'holy/auspicious/revered,' and aḍi (feet) is often rendered as caraṇa or pāda in Sanskrit. The text refers to the act of offering to the deity's sacred feet.
அருள் / aruḷ [Kṛpā or Prasāda]: Divine Grace. Aruḷ is a Tamil word, but in religious commentary, it corresponds to the Sanskrit concept of divine compassion, favour, or grace, most commonly expressed as Kṛpā or Prasāda.
தஞ்சம் / tañcam [Śaraṇam]: Refuge or Support. The commentator uses tañcam (tanjam) to mean 'refuge' or 'ultimate support', which is directly equivalent to the Sanskrit concept of Śaraṇam or Āśraya.
நற்பேறு / naṟpēṟu [Mokṣa or Sadgati]: Good fortune or Salvation/Liberation. Nar means 'good' and pēru means 'fortune' or 'fruit/reward'. In a Vaishnava context, the 'good reward' that is guaranteed (tiṇṇam) is final liberation, equivalent to Mokṣa or Sadgati (good state/destination).
பரமபதம் / paramapatam [Parama-pada or Vaikuṇṭha]: The Supreme Abode or Heaven. The Tamil Parama Padam is a direct Sanskrit loanword compound: Parama (supreme) + Pada (state/abode), referring to the highest heaven and eternal abode of Viṣṇu, also known as Vaikuṇṭha.
இருஞ் சோதி வான் / iruñ cōti vāṉ [Mahā-jyotir-ākāśa]: Great Luminous Heaven/Sky. This phrase describes Parama Padam as a great luminous expanse. Irum (great) is like Mahā (great), jōti (light) is Jyotiṣ (light/lustre), and vāṉ (sky/heaven) is Ākāśa (sky/space). The entire phrase describes the Supreme Luminous Heaven.
திருமாலினது / tirumāliṉatu [Viṣṇu-sambandhi]: Pertaining to Thirumāl/Viṣṇu. The genitive form Thirumāl-in-atu means 'that which belongs to Thirumāl', equivalent to using the genitive case with the Sanskrit name, e.g., Viṣṇoḥ or a possessive adjective like Vaiṣṇava (relating to Viṣṇu).