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.
Thirumazhisai – Jagannatha Perumal
There are a number of ancient temples in and around the city of Chennai. This month we will visit Tirumazhisai, a suburb of Chennai. This place is known for Lord Jagannatha’s temple and is also the birthplace of Tirumazhisai Azhwar. There are totally three temples for Lord Jagannatha in India. The first and the most famous one is at Puri and is known as Uttara Jagannatha Kshetra. The second one is in Tirupullani and is known as Dakshina Jagannatha Kshetra. The third is the one in Tirumazhisai. As Tirumazhisai is in between Puri and Tirupullani, it is known as Madhya Jagannatha Kshetra.
Here, the Lord is found to be in a sitting posture along with his queens Satyabama and Rukmini. Saints Markandeya and Bhrigu are also found in the sanctum sanctorum. The temple legend says that the saints Markandeya and Bhrigu performed severe penance in Tirumazhisai and the Lord, pleased by their efforts, appeared in front of them.
Sri Muralidhara Swamiji has composed an exquisite piece extolling the beauty of Lord Jagannatha in Tirumazhisai. The lyrics and its meaning are presented here.
Jagannatham Mama Kuladeivatam
Raga: Yamuna Kalyani Tala: Chapu
Pallavi
jagannAtham mama kuladeivatam – bhaje
Charanam
bhAmArukmiNi- sahita- divyasvarUpam
bhaktisAravarada-vaiShNava-sevitam
mandahAsamukha-sundaravadanam
mamachittAkarShaNa-manmathasvarUpam
kaishika dvAdashI dinE bahu lalitam
muralIdhara prArthanA poorakam sadhA
Meaning
Pallavi
I sing [the praises of] Lord Jagannatha who is my family deity
Charanam
He has a divine form and stands with his queens Bhama and Rukmini
He is the Lord who was worshipped by Tirumazhisai Azhwar
He has a captivating smile on his beautiful face
He captivates my mind with his beauty that is equal to Manmatha’s
He is charming on the day of Kaisika Dvadashi
He always fulfils Muralidhara’s prayers
Sowmya Balasubramanian, Fremont CA