By Smt. Sripriya Raman
Sri:
Srimathe Ramanujaya Nama:
During our recent trip to Thirumandangudi and other Kshetrams nearby, we visited Thirukannamangai, a Chola Nadu Divyadesam. This temple town is also well known in Srivaishnavism for being the birthplace of Thirukannamangai Andan, a great Acharya.
Thirukkannamangai Andan was born on Thiruvonam Nakshatram during the month of Aani. A disciple and nephew of the great Srivaishnava Acharya Sri Nathamunigal, he was also the foremost disciple to learn Naalayira Divya Prabhandam from his Acharya. He performed daily services to Sri Bhakthavathsala Emperuman (also known as Paththaraavi Perumal) of Thirukannamangai. He performed his kainkaryams unconditionally without any desires – he used to pluck the grown grass and make the pathway clean for devotees, such that devotees are taken care of; he was always ready to do any service that was needed for the temple and the devotees who visited it.
Andan was known for his profound devotion and his unique realisation of the Lord’s compassion, which he attained after witnessing a conflict involving two dogs.
One day, Andan saw two dogs fighting with each other, barking loudly near the temple. The owners of these dogs lost their temper. The quarrel extended to them, and out of fury to protect their dogs, they beat each other and lost their lives. Thirukkannamangai Anda,n upon witnessing this, thought to himself, “if the owners of the dogs have so much affection and sense of ownership for their loyal dogs that they are ready to give up their lives, then why would our Emperuman not come to our protection, if we are dedicated to Him?” This realisation led Thirukkannamangai Andan to renounce worldly attachments and dedicate himself entirely to serving the Lord. Renouncing the intent of protecting himself, he subjected himself to the mercy and protection of Emperuman instead. By doing so, he is said to have merged with Emperuman at the Thirukkannamangai temple, attaining moksha.
It is Thirukannamangai Andan who wrote the Thaniyan, which is always recited at the beginning of the Nachiyar Thirumozhi.
Alli nAL thAmarai mEl AraNangin inthuNaivi
malli nAdAnda madamayil – melliyalAL
Ayar kula vEndhan AgaththAL then pudhuvai
vEyar payandha viLakku
Swami Pillai Lokachariyar in his Sri Vachana Bhooshana Dhivyashasthram, mentions Andan’s vaibhavam in the suthrams 80 and 82.
In suthram 80,
“upAyaththukku pirAttiyaiyum, dhraupadhiyaiyum, thirukkaNNamangai ANdAnaiyum pOlE irukka vENum.”
Swami explains in this suthram, how a prapannan should conduct himself like Sita Piratti, Dhruapadhi and Thirukannamangai Andan concerning upAyam, which is the means to attain the goal (upEyam). By accepting Paththaraavi Emperuman as his total refuge and source of protection, Andan demonstrated that the upEyam and the upAyam are both none other than Emperuman himself.
In suthram 82, Swami explains the actions of the above personalities mentioned in Sutharam 80.
pirAtti svaSakthiyai vittAL, dhraupadhi lajjaiyai vittAL, thirukkaNNamangai ANdAn svavyApAraththai vittAn.
Sita Piratti abandoned her ability, Dhraupadhi abandoned her shyness, and Thirukkannamangai Andan abandoned his self-efforts (Svavyaapaaram).
Andan abandoned all acts which are done to protect the self. Seeing the dog owners’ actions, Andan thought, “If a lowly person would do so much for a dog that is under his protection – including losing one’s own life for it – then what if we take shelter under the Supreme Lord, how will He not protect us?” Thus, Andan likened himself to the dog, gave up all the activities, immediately came to Thirukkannamangai Pattharaavi EmperumAn and stayed in the temple itself. He spent the rest of his life in the temple performing kainkaryams, thus obtaining Moksha.
It is because of this that our Purvacharyas greatly glorify Thirukannamangai Andan for his utmost faith in Bhagavan‘s Rakshakathvam (protection). Andan’s vaibhavams were mentioned in various vyakhyanams of Nachiyar Thirumozhi, Thirumalai, Eedu and other Srisookthis.
Sources:
PC: Koyil.org and SwaraNama
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