Natteri Srihari Prabhandham Acharya 35 years Felicitation

Vayam Namaamaha Dravida Veda Vaibhavam - Celebrate together the glory of Divya Prabhandham

To mark 35years of his Prabhandham Acharya service including 25years at the Vedantha Desikar Srinivasa Perumal temple, Sishyas are planning a grand four day celebration later this month

He will be felicitated by the Jeer of Ahobila Mutt and it is likely he will be honoured with a Title for his over three decades service and creating the next generation of Prabhandham members

Around 100 Students have been initiated into Prabhandham during this period

1970s and 80s marked a low key period in the devotional movement. There was a mass exodus of original inhabitants from historic temple towns to cities in search of greener pastures. Most moved into corporate jobs away from the previous traditional endeavours connected with temple and related activity. Recital of Nalayira Divya Prabhandham is one such that has now been lost in most of the remote temples in Tamil Nadu as the Prabhandham Scholars of yesteryears have moved into cities and the next gen too has.

It is in light of this background that the contribution of Prabhandham Acharya Natteri Srihari Parthasarathy assumes significance. 

His own Prabhandham initiation in the 1970s

Hailing from an orthodox family in the Ahobila Mutt tradition, Srihari,  son of renowned Bruhaspathi and Vedic scholar Natteri Parthasarathy, learned Nalayira Divya Prabandham from Vaikuntavaasi Sevilimedu Srinivasacharya and later from his maternal uncle Esayanur Sridhara Satakopacharya (presently Aradhakar, Ahobila Mutt) and completed the course at the age of 17. Srihari had the fortune of undergoing Aahnikam and Grantha Chathushtaya Kalakshepam from Maha Vidwans Vaikuntavaasi Purisai Nadadhur Sri Bhashya Simhasanam Krishnamacharya Swami and Azhisoor Srinivasacharya Swami.

The first batch of students in the mid 1980s

He had joined the kainkaryam at the Vedantha Desikar Srinivasa Perumal temple in Mylapore (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/01/vedantha-desikar-srinivasa-perumal.html) in the early 1970s. By the mid 1980s, a large proportion of devotees had moved into the corporate world. The traditional service personnel in temples were dwindling. Having learnt from such stalwarts in the 1970s, Srihari was keen to share his learning with the next generation of students and began his Divya Prabhandham tutoring in the mid 1980s initiating the sacred verses of the Azhvaars to a small group of students. 

1996 - Formal Full Fledged Prabhandham Course at the Desikar Temple

A decade later, in 1996, he formally began the full time Prabhandham class at the temple arriving at the temple at 6am every morning (though initially for a period the classes had been in the evening) after his late night work at the Sports Desk at The Hindu, from where he often returned home well past 1am.

The first batch of students, who are still an integral part of the Prabhandham Ghosti at the temple utsavams, graduated in 2007. With these students he adopted different techniques to get them to imbibe not just aspects relating to the recital but also to understand the essence of the verses through a secret process. 

Felicitation in 2017

Over the next decade, he initiated around 40 students into Divya Prabhandham. In May 2017, the Prabhandham Students had felicitated him for his two decades of service at the Vedantha Desikar temple. 

Now well into his 50s, Srihari has begun, in the last few years, the third batch comprising of another 35 students. The new batch of students has been already initiated into Namazhvaar’s Tiruvoimozhi and is currently learning the Iyarpa verses.

End of 2006, when the temple was planning to launch a website, Srihari was entrusted with the task of creating a strong content to propagate the time-tested values of the rich tradition of Sanathana Dharma and important tenets of the Visishtaadvaita philosophy. As the Founder Editor of the website, Srihari has been conducting online quizzes and contests on varied topics relating to this philosophy. As part of this engagement, he has also been writing commentaries, online, on Vaishnavite Philosophy.

When a book was brought out in 2006 as part of the 80th Birthday Celebrations of 45th Jeer of Ahobila Mutt, Srihari wrote a ten page commentary with his own interpretation of each of the decads of the 10th Canto of Nam Azhvaar’s Tiruvoimozhi including praising Lord’s Kalyana Gunas, describing the way in which Azhvaar has shown us the noble path and about how Prapatti’s five Angams have been showcased in this last canto.

Four Day Celebrations - Oct 25 -28

Marking the completion of 35 years of Prabhandham Acharya service, the Sishyas of Srihari, are planning a grand four day celebration - 'Vayam Namaamaha Dravida Veda Vaibhavam - Celebrate together the glory of Divya Prabhandham' - later this month at the Vedantha Desikar Srinivasa Perumal temple in Mylapore. The celebration will start with Veda Parayanam on Monday October 25. This will be followed by an Upanyasam on Divya Prabhandham by Esayanur Sridhara Satakopacharyar on Tuesday (Oct 26) evening. 

Felicitation by Ahobila Mutt Jeer

Prabhandham Acharya Srihari will be felicitated on Wednesday October 27 evening by Azhagiyasingar, the Head of the Ahobila Mutt. The felicitation function will be preceded on Wednesday morning by a Vidwat Sadas on Divya Prabhandham & Desika Prabhandham. It is likely that he will also be conferred a title for his 'Prabhandham Kainkaryam' that day. The four day event will conclude on Thursday Oct 28 with a Music Concert exclusively on Divya Prabandham by Smt. Jayanthi Sridharan. A Thematic Souvenir is expected to be released soon after the celebratory event.

Creating the Next Gen Prabhandham Members

Srihari has made a Significant Contribution in taking forward the Prabhandham recital into this new Century. He has gone about creating the next generation of Divya Prabhandham Experts in a quiet and unassuming way. While the idea has been for youngsters to learn and become proficient, he has also encouraged older people to take up to learning the Divya Prabhandham. One of the important lessons he has imbibed in his students throughout these three and a half decades has been to present these verses at temples and not to use it to further their financial interests.  His outstanding efforts to initiate four different set of students over the last 35years has been a great act of selfless service that he has rendered to our society in the process helping keep the Prabhandham tradition for the foreseeable future.

KoorathAzhvaan 1000th Anniversary

Disciple Secures Moksham for his Acharya!!


Born in Kooram Village near Kanchipuram, KoorathAzhvaan ruled the place, while at the same time devoting a lot of his time in the service of Bhagavathas and other Vishnu devotees.

A little distance away, at Kanchipuram, Thiru Kachi Nambi was engaged in a direct one to one conversation with Varadaraja Perumal every night.

One night, while they were involved in one such long conversation, they heard a huge bell sound. Lord Varadar enquired if this was the closing bell of the temple and as to why it was so late.

Nambi narrated to him the story of KoorathAzhvaan and his dedicated service. Having served all the Bhagavathas till late in the night with Thathikarathanai (serving food to guests), it was the noise of the closing of the door at KoorathAzhvaan’s house signalling the end of the service for the day.

An inquisitive Varadar asked if KoorathAzhvaan was a wealthy person and rich enough to serve so many people.


The next day Nambi met KoorathAzhvaan and shared the details of his previous night’s conversation, leaving KoorathAzhvaan disappointed. After all his service, did the Lord only see him as a rich and wealthy person and not his dedicated service?

But quickly he realized the real intention of Lord Varadar and gave away his wealth that very minute.

Renounces Wealth

Time had come for him to be with his Acharya Ramanuja and he along with his wife took the long route from Kooram to Srirangam. On the way through the forest, he found his wife showing signs of anxiety. On enquiry, he found his wife to be carrying a golden vattil (sacred bowl). Angered at her holding back a bit of his wealth, he immediately threw it away. Such was his commitment to renunciation.

At Srirangam, he dedicated his entire life to service assigned by his Acharya. During this period, KoorathAzhvaan displayed immeasurable instances of unstinting service.

On one occasion, he found a frog under the clutches of a big snake and immediately shouted if someone could save the small frog. Such was his tenderness. On another occasion, a pregnant woman was struggling to fill water on the Cauvery river banks and KoorathAzhvaan immediately ran into help.

Once, he was assigned the task of cutting the plantain. A little later not finding him, Ramanuja searched out for him only to find his disciple in a fainted condition. On enquiry, he informed that he was shocked to see juice coming out of the plantain (when he pressed with a knife) and hence the reason for his fainting. Such was his softness!!!!

Knowledge unequalled

Ramanuja was to write the Sri Bashyam composition, the reference material for which was available only in Kashmir. Ramanuja and koorathazhvaan collected the material but before they could start their journey back to srirangam, they found the material had been stolen(while at Kashmir itself).

While Ramanuja was completely shocked, KoorathAzhvaan seemed less worried for he had gone through the material once through the night and had the special ability to absorb all that he had read.

Such was his absorption power and knowledge, that a single read was enough for him to grasp the entire content of such an extensive document.

Highest form of Service
On another occasion, angered by some action, Ramanuja asked KoorathAzhvaan to leave the house. Obedient disciple that he was, KoorathAzhvaan stayed outside the house leading to embarrassing questions from onlookers. Unmindful of the comments, KoorathAzhvaan continue his service.

KoorathAzhvaan’s simple answer was he was a Sishya of Ramanuja and his duty was to follow everything as directed by his Acharya and hence there was no embarrassment in being outside.

Stunned by this response, Ramanuja called him back. This was another instance of his outstanding commitment to service.

KoorathAzhvaan plucks out his eyes

Once a chozha king, who was a Saivite devotee, directed his people to sign a document that Lord Siva was the greatest. A Vaishnavite devotee refused to sign and asked the king to get Ramanuja to sign, if he really believed that Siva was the greatest. Accordingly, the king ordered for Ramanuja to be brought to his court.

Anxious at the anger of the king and worried as to what could happen to his Acharya, KoorathAzhvaan disguised as Ramanuja and entered the court of the Chozha King. As expected he refused to sign.

Angered at his refusal to sign and having found out his disguised form, the king ordered the plucking of his eyes. Not wanting the king’s messenger to touch him, KoorathAzhvaan did the unthinkable- he removed both his eyes with his own hands using his long sharp nails.

Sishya gets Moksham for his Acharya

Varadaraja Perumal

For a long time, he was without vision and away from his Acharya, who had left for Melkote. Later, Ramanuja came back and took KoorathAzhvaan to Lord Varadan to help him regain his vision. When asked what he wanted, KoorathAzhvaan asked for Moksham for Naaluran, the person who was the cause for his lost vision. Such was his greatness that he would not think ill even to those who did wrong to him.

When pressed again, he said he would like to see his Acharya, another indication of his supreme service to his Acharya!

Periya Perumal of Srirangam gave the final Moksham- ‘To you and to your related/connected people I give moksham’. KoorathAzhvaan had thus indirectly secured Moksham for his Acharya as well- A very unique occurance indeed- that of an Acharya getting Moksham through his sishya.

When asked the reason for asking moksham before his Acharya, KoorathAzhvaan revealed that he wanted to go and get ready the sacred water so he could serve the feet of his Acharya when he arrived there later. Even after Moksham, KoorathAzhvaan wanted to serve his Acharya Ramanuja!

KoorathAzhvaan was the ultimate symbol of Perfection – The Perfect disciple with the Perfect knowledge.

He lived for 110years, spending his final days in Srirangam before attaining Moksham.

Badri Bhattar, a descendent of the KoorathAzhvaan/Parasara Bhattar clan, resides in Srirangam and runs a Vedic School there through his Srimaan Trust. He can be reached on: 91504 03472 or badribhattar@gmail.com

Thondaradipodi Azhvaar

Composed 55 of the most beautiful verses of the Naalayira Divya Prabhandham
Thirupalli Yezhuchi and Thiru Maalai in praise of Srirangam Lord Ranganatha

Born in Thiru Mandangudi in the Papanasam taluk in Kumbakonam district, Thondaradipodi Azhvaar, one of the last of the Azhvaars (he lived just before ThirupaanAzhvaar), was the most ardent devotee of Srirangam Lord Rangantha. So much so that he decided to sing praise only of the Srirangam Lord.

But what songs were they… some of the most beautifully composed paasurams of the Naalaayira Divya Prabhandham were the ones composed by Thondaradipodi, whose original name was Vipra Narayanan, signifying one who had not just mastered all the Vedas but who lived by the essence of the Vedas- ‘I surrender to Lord Emberamaanaar and am a slave of him’.

His early life
Thondaradi Podi Azhvaar lived his life in the ultimate service of Lord Ranganatha. He created a beautiful Nandavanam in Srirangam on the western side.

Every day, he would pluck flowers, make a garland and would hand it to the Lord. This is said to be the most ‘Uththamam’ of service to the Lord.

Living in Brahmacharyam
Vipra Narayanan wanted to live in Brahmacharyam through his life. Once, Deva Devi, a beautiful dancer, came to the Nandavanam. While everyone was attracted by her beauty, Vipra Narayanan remained engrossed in plucking the flowers, though she was standing next to him.

She was surprised to see a man who would not even turn to look at a beautiful lady within his sight. Her friends informed her that he was very committed in his service and that she will not be able to attract him.

Taking it as a challenge, Deva Devi decided to be with him and help him in his service. One evening, the place was struck by lightening and thunder and in the heavy rains that followed, she asked for permission to stay in his place that night. Having been pleased with her service, he permits her to stay. That night, she wins over him and is delighted to have finally attracted him.

Having won the challenge, she decides to leave him. By now, Vipra Narayanan is unable to live without her and offers his prayers to Lord Ranganatha to get her back.

One evening, Lord Ranganatha goes to her place and hands over 4 Golden Vattil and informs her that Vipra Narayanan asked him to hand it over to her. The next day, the king finds that the Vattils are missing from the temple. A maid working at Deva Devi’s place informs the king that she saw those Vattil’s in her place. Suspecting Vipra Narayanan’s role in this, the king locks him up in a Jail.

It is here that Vipra Narayanan realises his folly of having fallen prey to the beauty of a woman. He regretted the fact that he had lost thought of the Lord for a while and that what he is suffering now was a result of this weakness.

Thirupalli Yezhuchi and Thiru Maalai

Once released, Vipra Narayanan comes back, remains in thought of the Lord ever after and composes 2 of the best known Paasurams of the Divya Prabhandham - 45 verses of Thiru Maalai(872-916) as well as 10 verses of ThiruPalli Yezhuchi (917-926).

It is said that those who do not know Thiru Maalai will not really understand the Lord, his fame and his powers, such is its composition. Belief is that one who listens regularly to the Thiru Maalai will change, dramatically, for the good.

One of the specialities of the Thiru Maalai is that it is in a very simple language and can be easily understood by all. Listening to Thiru Maalai will instantly enlighten one. In his first paasuram, Thondaradi Podi says:

காவலிற் புலனை வைத்து , களிதன்னைக்
கடக்க பாய்ந்து
நாவலிட்டு உழிதர்கின்றோம் நமன்-தமர்
தலைகள் மீதே

மூவுலகு உண்டு உமிழ்ந்த முதல்வ
நின் நாமம் கற்ற

ஆவலிப்பு உடைமை கண்டாய்
அரங்க மா நகருளானே

It is said that Lord Ranganatha wanted to listen to the praise from his own son and hence wanted Thondaradipodi Azhvaar to sing praise of his fame. In his very first Paasuram, Thondaradipodi tells Lord Ranganatha of the fame behind his name (Lord’s).

Thondaradipodi has his feet on Yaama and says that he has sung praise of Lord Ranganatha himself and hence no foul can befall him and that Yama cannot take him (as he has Ranganatha’s blessings). He says he can exult and rejoice stepping on the head of Yama.

பச்சை மா மலை போல் மேனி பவளவாய்
கமலச் செங்கன்
அச்சுத அமரர் ஏறே,ஆயர் தம்

கொழுந்தே என்னும் இச்ச சேவை தவிர,
யான் போய் இந்திரா லோகம் ஆளும்
அச்ச சுவை பெறினும் வேண்டேன்,
அரங்க மா நகருளானே

In the 2nd of his Thiru Maalai, Thondaradipodi says, "Lord of Srirangam, I would not even accept the opportunity to rule Indira Logam if you gave it to me. I would not want even that, if you deny me the opportunity and the joy of singing praise of you".

Through his 10 verses of Thiru Palli Yezhuchi, Thondaradipodi Azhvaar praises Srirangam Ranganatha and asks him to wake up and shower his blessings to all his devotees, now that the sun is up!!!!

கதிரவன் குணதிசைச் சிகரம் வந்து அணைந்தான்,
கணை இருள் அகன்றது காலை அம பொழுதாய்

மது விரிந்து ஒழுகின மா மலர் எல்லாம்
வானவர் அரசர்கள் வந்து வந்து ஈண்டி

எதிர்திசை நிறைந்தனர் இவரொடும் புகுந்த
இருங் களிற்று ஈட்டமும் பிடியொடு முரசும்

அதிர்தலில் அலை-கடல் போன்றுள்ளது எங்கும்
அரங்கத்தம்மா, பள்ளி எழுந்தருளாயே!!

Says Thondaradipodi, “The sun has risen, flowers have blossomed, everyone is ready before your sanctum. The elephant has come. The drums are beating. Please wake up, Lord Rangantha”

Thirumangai changes the direction of his famous Mathil

The last of the Azhvaars, Thirumangai, found the Nandavanam created by Thondaradipodi, coming in the way of the Western wall of the Srirangam temple. But such was the regard for Thondaradipodi and his creation of the beautiful garden that was abound with flowers all around, that Thirumangai altered the direction of the wall slightly and moved it away from the Nandavanam.

Lord offers Sri Vaikuntam, Thondaradipodi refuses
Srirangam Ranganatha offered Thondaradipodi a chance to go to SriVaikuntam, but he refused. He then offered him to go to the 14 logams(7+7 logams). But Thondaradipodi refused this too saying that this 3rd world – Srirangam- is where he will stay. Nothing can move him out of here.

In all times, this is the best place for one to be- to spend your Childhood, Youth,family life- for all of them. In and around the Srirangam temple, all of them can enjoy. Hence, I will not move out of here, said Thondaradipodi Azhvaar. And stayed here ever after.

Thondaradipodi Azhvaar Sannidhi is at the Southern Entrance(தெற்கு வாசல்) of the Srirangam temple on the right just before the Ranga Vilas Mandapam.

ThirupaanAzhvaar

No matter who you are, if you show sincere faith in the Lord he will take care of you
The man who, earlier, could not enter the Srirangam temple gains a grand entry into the Sannadhi - Composes 10 sweet songs in praise of ‘Arangan’

This story is a classic illustration of the Lord sharing the pain with the devotee and being by the side of a devotee, when he needs HIM the most.

The Baanar community lived in Srirangam on the Cauvery river banks near Melur. The Baanars were well known for their special penchant for playing sweet music. However, they were seen as outcastes and would not be allowed inside temples.

Among them was one who developed a special affection for Srirangam Lord Ranganatha from a very young age and who later went on to compose 10 beautiful verses, in praise of the Lord, called ‘Amalanaathipiraan’ .

Prayers from the southern side of Cauvery
Being denied entry into the temple, this young man, Thiru Baanar ( Thirupaan Azhvaar), had only heard of Namperumal and had never seen the Lord. Given this constraint, Thirupaan (Azhvaar) would wake up very early in the morning and, before dawn, would walk up to the banks of the Cauvery with a Veena in hand and facing the direction of Lord Ranganatha would immerse himself in the thoughts of the Lord. This man would visualise the Lord, engage himself in deep conversation with the Lord day in day out and would sing praises of the Lord as visualised by him in his thoughts.

Baanar pelted with stone
One morning, Sage Loka Saranga came to the banks of Cauvery to bathe and to then proceed to meet the Lord in Srirangam. Finding this man blocking his way, the sage indicated to him with a show of hands to move away from his path (prior to his bath and during this early morning process before meeting the Lord, the sage would not talk to anyone).

With no reply from the man, the sage began to lose his patience. Another wave of hands and with no answer from this man, the sage mistook this lack of reaction for arrogance and in a fit of anger threw a stone at the man. With blood oozing from his forehand, the man opened his eyes and found the sage behind him in an angry mood.

The man soon realized that he had obstructed the path of the sage and had delayed the sage’s bath and his visit to the Lord Ranganatha temple. Immediately, he moved away from this place so the sage could carry on with his devotion to the Lord.

Lord Ranganatha bleeds-Shares pain with his devotee
After completing the formalities, the sage proceeded to the Lord Ranganatha temple. On reaching the sannidhi, he found to his shock blood from the fore head of Lord Ranganatha. Unable to immediately understand the reason for the bleeding, the sage became restless. He would not have anything that day and spent the entire day wondering the cause of this bleeding.

That night, in his dream, he saw Lord Ranganatha unhappy with him and expressing his displeasure about the sage‘s treatment of the devotee who was immersed in his morning prayers. The Lord said ‘To those who show utmost devotion, I become one among them and share their pains. You have hurt Baanar, who despite not being able to visit me, has been relentless in his devotion from the Cauvery banks. I am today sharing the pains of Baanar.”

Sage Loka Saranga carries Baanar on his shoulder

Realising his folly, the sage pleaded with the Lord to forgive his actions and asked for a reprieve. The Lord wanted the sage to carry this devotee on his shoulder from the Cauvery river banks and bring him to his sannidhi. Obeying the Lord’s orders, the sage went to the southern banks of Cauvery the next morning where he found the man immersed once again in his prayers facing the direction of the Srirangam temple.

The sage fell at the feet of Baanar who was shocked at the action of this great sage and requested that the sage not do such a thing- falling at the feet of a lowly man from a different community. The sage sang praise of this man from the Baanar community and said that his eyes had been opened thanks to the sincere prayers offered by Baanar every morning on the banks of Cauvery .

He added that Lord Ranganatha had come in his dreams the previous night and instructed him to carry Baanar all the way to the Ranganatha temple. The sage requested Baanar to allow him to follow the instructions of the Lord.

Amalanaathipiraan- ThiruPaan Azhvaar’s 10 songs in praise of Lord Ranganatha
The sage, accompanied by his disciples, carried him into the Ranganatha Sannidhi and for the first time Baanar entered the temple and found himself in front of the Lord who he had only visualised till then. So thrilled was Baanar at the sight of the Lord that he instantly showered in 10 verses of praise of Lord Ranganatha beginning with the loving legs of the Lord - ‘Amalan Aathipiraan …. Thiru Kamala Paatham Vanthu En Kanninullaney Okkinrathey’.

He ended his praise of the Lord with the words “ En Amuthinai Kanda Kangal Matronrinai Kaanaathey”. Now that he had seen the Lord, he wanted nothing else in this life and wanted the Lord to take him along…

The Lord was truly impressed with this composition and the devotion of Baanar that he took him in along with him. In front of a startled Sage and all his followers, Baanar merged with the Lord and attained moksham.

The ten compositions came to be called Amalanaathipiraan and the man from the Baanar community who would sing praise of Lord Ranganatha from the banks of Cauvery came to be called ThiruPaanAzhvaar.

ThiruPaanAzhvaar Jayanthi takes place in Karthigai on Rohini Nakshatram.