Chapter#19: Thiruppaan Azhwar

Thiruppaan Azhwar is one of the 12 Azhwars. He was born in an untouchable community, but as a result of his devotion towards Sriman Narayanan, he was listed among the great twelve Azhwars. It is said that Azhwar is an hamsam of the small mole, called as "Sri Vatsam" which is found in the chest of Sriman Narayanan. Having a veena in his hand, he always sang on Sri Vishnu. Since he belonged to the backward class, he wasn't allowed inside the temple. Also he wasn't allowed to wash his legs in the banks of Kauvery. One day Lord Aranganathar appeared in the dreams of Sarangamuni, another devotee of Vishnu and asked him to carry Thiruppaan Azhwar into Sri Rangam temple complex. Sarangamuni being a staunch Vishnu devotee went to Thiruppaan and asked him to climb on his shoulders. Thiruppaan refused at first. The reason was that he belonged to the caste of untouchable. Sarangamuni belonged to a higher caste. But at last Sarangamuni convinced Thiruppaan to climb on his shoulders. As Sarangamuni walked towards the temple, everyone was shocked. Surprisingly, Thiruppaan was able to see Perumal. He couldn’t believe his eyes.






He then started to see the whole thirumeni (body) of Emperumaan and he sung a total of ten paasurams which explain the beauty of Sri Ranganathar from his thiruvadi (foot) to thirumudi(head). He explains in his ten paasuram about the clean saffron cloth which is worn on the body of Ranganathar, his jewels the thiru vayiru(stomach) from where Lord Brahma originated, the broad chest, the red lips and finally on explaining the beauty of the two broad eyes, he fell down. After some time, Thiruppaan Azhwar was not found and he is believed to have merged into the body of Thiruvaranganathan. Like Andal, whose thought was always on Aranganathan, who was captured by the love of the Perumal, Thiruppaan Azhwar was also captured by the love and he went towards the Aranganathan.Thiruppaan Azhwar has sung only ten paasurams, where he has explained about how a human should be in his/her life.