Being in the midst of the people of Srirangam elevates any new entrant to a mood of true devotion
They are always trying to help others including those going in the wrong direction
Much like Periyazhvaar (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2015/09/thiru-koshtiyur-periyazhvar-thirumozhi.html) who praised the noble qualities of the people of Thiru Koshtiyur), Kulasekara Azhvaar has dedicated an entire decad praising the people of Srirangam.
So moved was he with their devotion when he visited here after relinquishing his kingdom that he says that just meeting them is a blessing for us. They sing and dance in devotion completely forgetting themselves and are constantly uttering his names. When our eyes come in contact with such people we become possessed with such sublime devotion gripped with good thoughts that we are likely to be stuck in their midst like a glue.
Just one look at them is enough for our eyes to have served the purpose of this life such is their purity!!!
தேட்டருந்திறல்தேனினைத்தென்னரங்கனை
திருமாதுவாழ்வாட்டமில்வனமாலைமார்வனை
வாழ்த்திமால்கொள்சிந்தையராய்
ஆட்டமேவியலந்தழைத்துஅயர்வெய்தும்மெய்யடியார்கள்
தம்ஈட்டம்கண்டிடக்கூடுமேல்அதுகாணும்பயனாவதே
No more the dream of bathing in Ganga
Devotees of Srirangam shout out the name of Ranga in great devotion as they mingle in such devoted groups. Just anointing and bathing ourselves with the dust from the feet of such pious devotees is enough to fulfil one’s long cherished dreams of wanting to bathe in the Ganges – Such is the purity of the people of Srirangam.
ஆடிபாடிஅரங்கவோஎன்றழைக்கும்தொண்டரடிப்பொடி
ஆடநாம்பெறில்கங்கைநீர்
குடைந்தாடும்வேட்கைஎன்னாவதே
Dust from devotees’ feet equivalent to sacred ash
The devotees sing historical episodes inside the Ranganatha temple ones such as those relating to Vamana seeking alms, Hiranyaksha being rolled down the earth, Rama destroying the enemies in the forest and Krishna taking on the task of subduing the bulls in order to seek the hands of the beautiful Nappinnai.
When one hears such historical recitals at this temple from the devotees and as streams of tears roll down the eyes like the gushing Cauvery, even the dust from such devotees’ feet turns sacred. As one adorns it on the forehead, it is likely to serve as a sacred ash such is their bhakti.
வண் பொன்னிபேர்ஆறுபோல்வரும்கண்ணீர்கொண்டு
அரங்கன்கோயில்திருமுற்றம்
சேறுசெய்தொண்டர்சேவடி
செழுஞ்ச்சேறு என்சென்னிக்கணிவனே
Bound with Bhakti
Kulasekara Azhvaar compares the devotees being tightly bound in devotion to an episode relating to Krishna. Similar to child Krishna who stole the freshly curled curd and butter and milk and swallowed all in one gulp was caught and bound tight with a churning rope, the devotees of Srirangam seem to be engulfed in devotion to Lord Ranga. They all praise him as Lord Narayana till the time their tongues become numb and they prostrate again and again in full length till the time their body gets scars of devotion. Much to his surprise, Kulasekaara Azhvaar finds them revelling in such delight and seem to be enjoying the process day in day out.
And when one sees people with such devotion one is instantly elevated. Standing in their midst we too sense a feeling of a never before experienced devotion.
அடியார்களாய்நாத்தழும்பெழநாரணாஎன்றுஅழைத்து
மெய்தழம்பத்தொழுது
ஏத்திஇன்புறும்தொண்டர்சேவடிஏத்தி
வாழ்த்தும்என்நெஞ்சமே
Their Bhakti draws others to them
He finds it astonishing that the residents of Srirangam have so firmly held Lord Ranganatha in their thoughts and compares their devotion to thick black clouds that has formed ahead of the rains. But what amazes him even more is the ability and strength of their devotion to pull others instantly towards them.
When these pious devotees of Srirangam find a few of them going around without devotion, a few committing sins and a few others for whom thoughts are going in the wrong direction these noble residents do everything in their might to redeem these people and to get them back in the right direction. These devotees serve as a guiding light to others. For them the only thoughts are of complete surrender to Lord.
To such noble souls of Srirangam, Kulasekara Azhvaar says that his mind for this birth and all future births is filled with love for them.
பத்தியிலாதபாவிகள்உய்ந்திட
தீதில்நன்னெறிகாட்டி
எங்கும்திரிந்துஅரங்கனெம்மானுக்கே
காதல்செய்தொண்டர்க்கு
எப்பிறப்பிலும்காதல்செய்யும்என்நெஞ்சமே
The devotees of Srirangam have printed the Lord in their thoughts as they display such irrefutable devotion. When they pray with folded hands before the Lord with tears rolling down their eyes like flood in times of heavy rains, one knows that they are truly experiencing the Lord. One cannot but adore such truly sincere devotees and their way of devotion will forever remain in our minds. When they shed tears one is able to see their true love for the Lord.
காண்ணீர்களால்வாரநிற்பவர்
தாளிணைக்குஒருவாரமாகும்என்நெஞ்சமே
The devotees of Srirangam sing and dance, they seem to love their Lord Ranga as seen from the reverence in their devotion. When others arrive at Srirangam and find such devotees one cannot but help feeling happy for them and our own minds too yearn to live such a joyful and peaceful life amidst such devotees at Srirangam.
WHO IS MAD?
And in his final verse of decad two, Kulasekara Azhvaar defines the true devotee - a host of them he finds at Srirangam.
மொய்த்துக்கண்பனிசோரமெய்கள்சிலிர்ப்பஏங்கியிளைத்துநின்று
எய்த்துக்கும்பிடுநட்டமிட்டெழுந்துஆடிபாடிஇறைஞ்சி
என்அத்தனச்சனரங்கனுக்குஅடியார்களாகிஅவனுக்கே
பித்தராமவர்பித்தரல்லர்கள்மற்றையார்முற்றும்பித்தரே
The eyes of such devotees are steaming down with tears of joy of having experienced the Lord. Body is seen shaking with unflinching Bhakti and their hairs stand raised. They just seem an emancipated lot. They are all the time seeking the Lord and are making gestures to him to accept their devotion.
However, there are those who are seen rebuking him for renouncing his kingdom even suggesting that he had taken a decision in haste and in an insane moment almost indicating that he has reached a state of madness.
To such people Kulasekara Azhvaar clarifies in no uncertain language that based on what he has seen and experienced with the people of Srirangam, it is only those who are away from his services and devotion to Lord who are actually mad and insane.
Kulasekaran is described in this decad as the Protector of Kolli Nagar, the King of Madurai and the leader of Uraiyur (கொல்லிகாவலன்கூடல்நாயகன்கோழிக்கோன்குலசேகரன் )