Praise of Pundareekaksha – The Hindu

Thirumangai Azhvar has sung verses in praise of Lord Pundareekaksha, the presiding deity of Thiruvellarai. In these verses, he describes the various avataras of Lord Narayana. Besides the usual 10 avataras, he includes other avataras such as Hayagriva (the horse-faced form) and the swan avatara. Even with regard to the dasavataras, he does not give them in the usual chronological order that is followed. He begins with Parasurama avatara and then praises Hayagriva, Narasimha, Krishna, Varaha, Kurma, Rama, Hamsa and Vamana. The penultimate verse among the Thiruvellarai verses is in praise of Vamana, said K.B. Devarajan in a discourse.

Addressing Lord Pundareekaksha, Thirumangai Azhvar says, “Oh Parama, You took the Vamana avatara. You then went to Mahabali’s yagna and asked for land measured with three steps of Your tiny feet. Bali wanted You to ask him for something befitting his status. But You wanted nothing more than the land You had asked for. When Mahabali granted You Your request, You grew taller, even as people watched. You recaptured all the wealth lost by Indra to Mahabali.”

Thirumangai Azhvar uses the word ‘parama’ to indicate Lord Narayana’s Supremacy. The Asoka trees in Thiruvellarai are in full bloom, says the Azhvar. Bees suck the nectar in the Asoka trees. Koels sing the praises of Pundareekaksha. The mansions in Thiruvellarai town, where Pundareekaksha resides, are tall and there are gems embedded in them. In the final pasuram, Thirumangai Azhvar shows us that He is the primordial cause of the Universe. He uses the word ‘aadhi’ to show us that He is the One without beginning or end. The Azhvar promises that those who read the 10 pasurams that he has composed in praise of Pundareekaksha will attain liberation.