|
|
Before we embark on our quest for knowledge on 108 Tirupathis or also known as Vaishnavite Divya Desams, one will definitely be wondering why only some specific temples have qualified to be in this venerable list and why not others. Would that mean, other temples are not important or their sacredness any way stand diminished? No, certainly not. Every temple is a sacred place for worship of the Lord and nothing is any less important than the other. When we say this, then why the prefix "108 Tirupathis or Vaishnavite Divya Desams"? To answer this question, one must go back in time to the days of Azhwars ... It is considered that Azhwars are amsams of Lord Sri Vishnu and they were sent to the earth to establish and spread bhakthi marga. They had spent their conscious time in constant chanting of the Lord and absolute in the knowledge that the Lord will grant them Moksha. They are considered superior to the erstwhile Rishis because unlike the Rishis (who spent their times in forests in performing yagas, etc., to attain Lotus Feet of the Lord), Azhwars spent their time among ordinary mortals and showed that even an ordinary person can follow the path towards Moksha through their pasurams. To lead us to Moksha through our worship of the Lord (in His Archavatra state - please also refer the page on "Lord Vishnu and His Holy Traits on this aspect), these Azhwars set forth to various Temples (or Divya Kshetrams) in search of the places where Lord Sri Vishnu had come to this world in the Archavatara state (Dieification in the form of Idols). They sang in praise of the Lord of these temples and identified to us the places so that we can also worship there and attain Moksha like they did. "What I could not do in so many of my earlier periods, I could enjoin the Paramathma in a few days, by being born as a human being keeping that as the only principle", says Nammazhwar. குறிக்கொள் ஞானங்களால் எனையூழிசெய்தவமும் கிறிக்கொண்டு இப்பிறப்பே சில நாளில் எய்தினேன்யான் (திருவாய்மொழி - 2-3-8) I had earlier stated that Azhwars were considered an Amsam of Lord Vishnu Himself and it was He who had sent the Azhwars to the earth so that they can continue the good deeds that He had accomplished during His previous nine Avataras. For the sake of brevity (and without losing focus on the main topic), I shall come back to the subject "Why only the specific temples are referred as 108 Divya Desams". According to Sriranga Mahamithyam, Lord Ranganathar informed Brahma, "I take many avataras to uphold dharma and eradicate evils whenever necessary. I will be in the form of a man, or an animal. I will also be in the form of idols (archavatara) - made from wood, sand, metals and stone by a good sthapathi. Further, these archavatara rupas (or forms or shapes) should be pleasing and lively to the seekers' eyes so that they can offer uninterrupted worship to Me". He also expounded that "I am the one who is in each of these 108 Tirupathis". Among the 108 Divya Desams, it is believed that the following eight were not created by any human hands (in other words - they came on their own) known as Swayamvaktha Kshetras ( ஸ்வயம்வக்த க்ஷேத்ரம்) They are (1) Srirangam (2) Srimushnam (3) Thiruvenkadam Hills (4) Salagrama Hills (5) Naimicharanyam (6) Thodhathri (7) Pushkara Kshetram (8) Badhri. Lord Rangathar further said: "Temples which were constructed or erected where Lord Vishnu's idols were installed and worshipped by other gods or semi-gods or angels will be known as "Divya Kshetrams (or திவ்ய க்ஷேத்ரம்)". "Temples which were established and Lord Vishnu's Idols were installed by great Rishis like Vyasa, Maithreyar, Marisi, and others (who earned the names as "sidhas" by their worshipping Me) will be known as "Saidham (or சைதம்)". "Then, there would be other persons who would construct temples for worshipping Me. These would be known as "Maanusham (மானுஷம்)". Thus, the above three types of temples have been known as 108 Tirupathis. He further informed Brahma "He will bless those who worship me in my Arachavatara state and grant them their wishes. They will be blessed with every good thing while on earth and Moksha upon leaving the mortal remains". As the idols installed ceremoniously and prayers offered as per agamas in the shrines, it is the most easily accessible form of Lord Vishnu or Sriman Narayana that human beings can turn to for their physical and spiritual welfare. God is amenable in that the installed deity gives divine experience as adorable object to the devotee, capable of leading him to the highest blissful experiences. It is the unique privilege of Srivaishnavas to worship Him in the holy shrines known as 108 Tirupathis (Divya Desams) which have all been the centre of attraction for the Azhwars and Acharyas (like Ramanuja, Vedanta Desikan .... ). One more word of information for the readers of this page .. I am arranging the 108 Tirupathis not in any specific order (that is, in the order of importance or any such sort). As I have mentioned elsewhere, I have had the privilege of visiting some of these temples and have had some wonderful moments. So, I shall be starting with the temples I have visited and will be sharing here my personal experience as well as other information that will be found useful for others. Initially, I have started with two of the famous temples - Srirangam and Tiruvenkadam (or Tirumalai). I shall plan to add other temples - one or two perhaps - every fortnight (if I have to compile the complete list of 108 Tirupathis after my visiting each of these temples and present here ... I do not know when will I even share with you my experience at least the temples I have visited). Finally, I dedicate this page to the memory of my father, S. Krishnan, who imbibed in me a sense of a righteousness, who showed me the bhakti marga. There were many a days when we used to engage in healthy discussions on various topics - be it religion, or politics, or economics. He also left behind a treasure house of books on religion, divya prabhandams, etc., and I just cannot express my gratitude in mere words. He had also composed quite a few songs in praise of Goddess Bali Amman (temple situated in Villivakkam, Chennai) and Goddess Mookambigai. It will be my pleasure to present these songs to the viewers - but this section will appear later and not now). With the above as introduction, it is now time for a tour of 108 Tirupathis .... Om Namo Narayanaya | ஓம் நமோ நாராயணாய | ஆச்சார்யர்கள் திருவடிகளே சரணம்
|
