Efficacy of Adi Puram
It highlights the importance of surrendering to Bhagavan, singing His divine names, and being subservient to the devotees of the Lord. Just as Krishna's discourse is called Gitopanishad, Andal's Tiruppavai is revered as Godopanishad (the Upanishad of Goda). The great preceptor Ramanuja always used to chant Tiruppavai and hence came to be renowned as Tiruppavai Jeeyar. The verses of Tiruppavai played a vital role in helping Ramanuja explain the tenets of Visishtadvaitam to disciples.
Growing up, Andal expressed her devotion to Lord Vatapatrasayi by adoring herself with the garland meant for the deity, before it was offered to Him. When Periyazhwar found out, he admonished Andal and did not offer any garland to the deity on that day. However, that very night, Perumal appeared in Periyazhwar's dream and demanded to know why He was not offered the garland. When Periazhwar explained that it was desecrated because his daughter wore it, Vadapatrasayi said, 'It is consecration, not desecration,' and sought the Andal-worn garland as a daily offering.
When Perumal manifested as Varaha and retrieved Bhu Devi, She asked Him, 'You have saved me. What about countless humans who need to be ferried across the ocean of births?' He informed Bhu Devi that She would appear on Earth as Goda and teach devotees the importance of praying to God with flowers and verses at a very young age, and surrendering to Him. He also affirmed that whoever served Him in such a manner would receive His protection, even if the devotee were to forget to do so in later years due to approaching old age.
When Andal reached a marriageable age, and insisted upon marrying Rangamannar, the archa murti at Srirangam asked Periazhwar to bring her to His sanctum, wherein She attained eternal service at His lotus feet.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Time of India
From Sangam-Era Love Practices to 2025's Digital Dating Culture
'Kalivu tharum punarchi', where love first came with a show of valour From flocking (where singles seek out destinations where they can meet new people) and 'micro-mances' (switching out the grand gesture for small acts of affection) to 'soft launching' relationships (sharing glimpses of love lives without committing to a full public reveal), the list of viral dating trends in 2025 is growing, but what was courtship like in Tamil Nadu in times past? For starters, there was the first date, or 'idam thalaipadu' as explored in Ettuthogai and Pattupattu anthologies, says historian R Raman, principal of Presidency College, Chennai. 'The woman would scribble the time and location to meet and slip it to her lover.' You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai These secret meetings were referred to as 'malai arivu' — daytime dates in public-yet-secluded spots such as waterfalls, marketplaces, tree groves or gardens. The late evening dates were different too, say the ancient texts, where the suitor would signal his arrival by throwing pebbles, dropping fruits from a tree, or whistling softly beneath her window. 'These secret night meetings were romantic and rebellious. They had to outwit both family and community to be together,' says Raman. Long before dating apps and arranged marriages, says Bernard D'Sami, former professor of history at Loyola College, ancient Tamil society was alive with poems of longing, courtship, and bold declarations of love. 'It was not seen negatively by society. Parents were aware that their kids were getting into relationships and eventually married their lovers. Love marriages were the norm.' Supanki Kalanadan, a Canada-based lawyer and researcher specialising in Tamil cultural practices, says that though Tamil society was encouraging of love and relationships; it was still patriarchal and so the woman's friend would have to set secret meetings for the couple to meet, pass on messages to each other, and in the rare cases that the parents didn't approve of their union, help the woman convince the parents. 'Sangam literature also talks of 'kalivu tharum punarchi', where love first came with a show of valour. The man might rescue the woman from wild animals (such as saving her from an elephant) or bandits while she was out gathering firewood or returning from a festival,' she says. 'Women liked men who exhibited their valour and heroism; that's what interested them. This is where the ritual taming of the bull comes from. It was dangerous and exposed them to death and danger. But men did it anyway,' says Bernard. In the past, men were expected to initiate romantic relationships, and women were expected to be passive recipients, says Pratham Parekh, assistant professor in sociology at Nirma University in Gujarat, who published a paper on 'Online Dating and Social Change in India' in 2024. 'Dating apps have given both greater agency and control in their lives, which is a positive development,' says Pratham. 'The flipside though is that online dating continues to feed gender and social stereotypes. Men still look for submissive women, women prefer able-bodied men, and most of the people on the platform are heterosexual. What's more, many people choose their partner based on caste and religion on these dating apps.' WAYS WE DATED BEFORE 'THE SWIPE': 1. Sangam literature has references to 'poo tharum punarchi' or love at first sight. 'To woo the woman, the man would give her 'kai urai', which means gifts and it was often senganthal poo (Gloriosa superba). If the woman accepted his proposal, she would take the flower and keep it on her head,' says Raman, professor of history. 2. While the thozhans or wingmen talked up the suitor's strength and devotion, the woman's best friends, the thozhis, had her back. If she wasn't feeling the vibe, the thozhi would quietly take the flower from the wooer, signalling a polite no. 3. Sangam-era meet-cutes were all about chance encounters at rivers, waterfalls or bathing ghats (it even had a term: 'punal tharum punarchi'). According to a 2022 research paper by D Latha in the International Research Journal of Tamil, these moments often led to kalavu (secret love unions), marked by gift-giving, emotional intimacy and symbolic gestures such as offering flowers (kai urai), which preceded formal marriage (karpu). 4. Marriage was society's fix to deal with lies and betrayals, says the Tholkappiyam, a way to turn secret love (kalavu) into an honourable union (karpu), says researcher Supanki. But there were no big fat weddings, just a simple exchange of vows (ooral), a sign of mutual respect Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
The Hindu
15 hours ago
- The Hindu
Stones with ancient Tamil inscriptions discovered at Pudhuppalayam village near Avinashi in Tiruppur district
An archaeology research team has discovered ancient stones with Tamil inscriptions dating back to 18th and 19th centuries at Pudhuppalayam village near Avinashi in Tiruppur district. Director of Virarajendran Archaeological and Historical Research Centre S. Ravikumar and member K. Ponnusamy had learnt from R. Ponnusamy of Pudhuppalayam about the presence of a half-buried inscription stone on the Arulmigu Ponn Azhakunachi Amman Temple premises. Taking the help of the villagers, they had cleared the soil and found the full stone of 55 cm width and 135 cm height with 16 lines of Tamil inscription engraved on it. The inscription, the researchers had determined, describes the happening on the auspicious 19th day of Tamil month Karthigai of Rudhragari Varsum in CE 1803. It states that when Sri Appachirayar was the 'Rayar' of the area, the 'Maniam' of Pudhuppalayam Venkita Subbaiyan, at a meeting with Sivagirippillai, Pon Thattan and Azhagappa Gounden granted two acres of land to Azhzku Nachiamman. Another stone with Tamil Inscription was found in 'Naduvayakkattu' Thottam, a few metres away from the temple. The stone of 30 cm width and 60 cm height depict the moon and sun symbol on the top, and a 'Trishul' at the centre. A Dharmacharka and a garland was found on both sides of 'Trishul'. The three-line Tamil inscription is damaged and the last word ends with 'Maniam', indicating that a donation had been made to the temple. Yet another 19th century Kannimar sculpture with Tamil inscription was found in Kudikinarruth Thottam in the same village. The sculpture of 125 cm width and 45 cm height features three lines of Tamil inscription. The sculpture of 'Kannimar' deity is worshipped for fertility by the Tamil people from time immemorable, the research team said. The inscription states that the sculpture was made on the 24th day of Markali month in Thunmathi Tamil year by Karumanda Gounden, son of Periyuanna Gounder of Palladam taluk, Mr. Ravikumar explained.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Centre for Hindu Studies to begin at Doon Univ in Aug
Dehradun: The 'Centre for Hindu Studies' will start operations at Doon University this month, officials said on Friday. The centre aims to deepen understanding of Indian knowledge traditions among youth through multidisciplinary study, research, and training in subjects such as philosophy, history, literature, sociology, art, and architecture. State education minister Dhan Singh Rawat urged officials to expedite formalities during a recent review meeting at the university. "The centre will serve as an important platform for preserving, analysing, and disseminating Indian spiritual and philosophical traditions. It will encourage understanding of Hindu traditions, texts, and philosophy and will promote Indian research methodologies for teaching and research," he said. The centre will offer a four-year undergraduate course covering metaphysics, discourse on religion and duty, debate traditions, Ramayana, Mahabharata, leadership and organisational behaviour. Postgraduate studies will focus on Hindu philosophy, society, literature, religion, and leadership skills. Rawat added that the centre will bridge modernity and tradition, preparing citizens and leaders with moral and cultural awareness. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The minister said that after Banaras Hindu University, Doon University will be the second institution in the country to formally study Vedas, Puranas, and Indian philosophy. However, 17 other universities, including Delhi University and JNU, offer similar courses, said a senior faculty member at the centre. Prof HC Purohit, dean of the school of management and students' welfare, has been appointed coordinator of the centre. He said that admissions are open until Aug 8, after which classes will begin. "The course framework was finalised in June. The MA course has 20 seats, and a guest lecturer roster has already been prepared," he said. During the meeting, the minister also reviewed the progress of Dr Nityanand Himalayan Research and Study Centre and the MSc Urban Development Management program. He instructed departmental officials and university administration to make the research centre more student-friendly and to develop the university as a centre for excellence.
