In this series, we will go on a pradakshina of Bharata desha as we present, each month, a kirtan composed by His Holiness Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji on a particular kshetra, starting from south India and then going north and back.
Tirunindravur – Bhaktavatsala Perumal
About 30 minutes from Tiruvallur is the town of Tirunindravur, another Divyadesam that was built during the Pallava era. The Lord here is known as Bhaktavatsala Perumal. Bhakta Vatsala means “one who is very affectionate to his devotee”.
It is believed that Tirumangai Azhwar went on a tour to various kshetras and arrived at Tirunindravur as part of the trip. During his visit to this holy place, he did not compose any song on the Lord. So the Lord followed Tirumangai Azhwar all the way to the next divyadesam Tirukadalmalai, which is present day Mahabalipuram and requested the Azhwar to compose and sing some songs on him.
Tirunindravur is also the hometown of Poosalar who was one of the 63 Nayanmars (ardent devotees of Lord Shiva) and is home to a famous Shiva temple, Hridayaleeswara temple.
This month, we will look at a beautiful song composed by Sri Swamiji on Bhaktavatsala Perumal in Raga Pantuvarali. The lyrics and the meaning are presented here:
Bhaktavatsala Parama Dayala
Ragam: Panthuvarali
bhaktavatsala parama dayALa
pItAmbaradhara bhavya guNAlaya
shankha chakra gadhA dhara
AjAnu bAho! achyuta charaNam
Adi purusha kalyANa guNasAgara
adbhuta rupa mama chittAkarshaka
tava nAma smaraNena tava vAtsalyam
muraLIdharasya mama svAnubhavam
Meaning
Bhaktavatsala, the compassionate one,
You are adorned in yellow silk and endowed with humility
You hold the conch, discus and the mace!
You possess long (protecting) arms and steadfast Feet!
You are the Primordial One, an infinite ocean of auspicious qualities
You have an extraordinary form that attracts my mind
The moment one chants Your name, You pour Your affection on them
This is my own (Muralidhara’s) experience!
Sowmya Balasubramanian, Fremont CA
