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.
Tirutangal
About 500 kilometers south of Kanchipuram, which was the holy kshetra we visited last month, is the town of Tirutangal. Geographically, this town is located in the Virudhunagar district, about 3 kilometers from Sivakasi and about 20 kilometers from Srivilliputhur, the birth town of Andal. Tirutangal is a divyadesam and the temple is found on top of a hill called Tangal.
The main deity of the temple, is known as Ninra Narayana. As the name suggests, the Lord is found in the standing posture. His consort, Goddess Lakshmi is known as ‘Sengamala thaayar’. She has a separate shrine and interestingly, she is also found in the standing posture. Goddess Bhoomi and Goddess Neela are also present here.
Legend of the temple says that once the three consorts of the Lord had a small argument about who was superior. Goddess Lakshmi came down to the “Tangal” hill and did penance. The Lord was pleased with her and deemed her superior. Since, Goddess Lakshmi came and did penance here, the place came to be known as Tirutangal.
Among the Azhwars, Bhootataazhwar and Tirumangai Azhwar have sung hymns on this holy town. Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji too has composed a beautiful song in Raga Simmendramadhyama describing the virtues of the Lord. The lyrics and the meaning are presented here for you to read and enjoy.
Ninra Narayana
Raga: Simmendra Madhyamam
ninra nArAyaNA – tirutankAlil
ninra nArAyaNa maN tindra nArAyaNA
andrivvulagam aLanda nArAyaNA
puLLinvAi piLanda nArAyaNA
tavamiyatrum lakshmI nArAyaNA – ninravAre
kundrinmel ninra kuraiyondrumillAdha nArAyaNA
panrivuruvAi vandha bhUmi nArAyaNA
kandrinam mEitta muralI nArAyaNA
Meaning
Lord Narayana who stands – in Tirutankal
Is the Lord Narayana who once ate mud
He is that Narayana who measured the world (with his Feet)
He is that Narayana who tore open the mouth of a bird (Bakasura)
He is the Lord Narayana of Lakshmi who performed severe penance – while standing
He is that Narayana who stood on the hilltop without any blemish
He is that Bhumi Narayana who came as a Boar
He is that Murali Narayana who herded cattle
Sowmya Balasubramanian, Fremont CA
