Thirumangai Alwar

Chozha was a beautiful and prosperous empire that had multiple empires within it. In the Chozha empire, there was a small town named Thiruvaali Nadu. This place was mesmerizing itself and was blessed by nature, having several lakes and gardens.

In that village, even there was a village named "ThirukKuraiyaloor." It was famous for having all the Vishnu devotees who were living for Sriman Narayanan. Aalinaadaar was the chief of the army of the Chozha Empire; he and her loving wife both used to live happily together, and they both themselves were devotees of Lord Vishnu.

With the blessings of Vishnu, the couple gave birth to a beautiful son in Kaarthikai month on Pournami Thursday. The child was named "Neelan," he was given proper education, the art of fighting, and the knowledge of Sanskrit too. Learning about his braveness and intelligence, he was appointed as head of the forces by the Chozha king.

Neelar was given the name "Thirumangai Mannan" after he was appointed as the King of Thirumangai. His bravery and triumph in all the fights also named him "Parakaalan," which means the one who can't be defeated or reached by anyone.

Years passed, and Thirumangai Mannan came to know about a beautiful girl named Kumudhavalli. The King thought of meeting the girl and wanted to get married to her. The King sent a message about the same to the father of the girl. The meeting happened, and both people got attracted to each other immediately. The girl Kumudhavalli however, put a condition that only if the King dedicates his life to the service of Lord Vishnu can marry her. The King got agree to the same, and he started living the life of an ordinary man.

Thirumangai Mannan agreed to every condition of the girl, and as a result, he dedicated the food for 1008 Bhagavatam daily. Gradually spending money on food, his wealth started to diminish, and it vanished.

When he got out of money, Thirumangai thought of stealing money from people and using it to feed the Vishnu Bhaktas. Lord Vishnu got worried about this thought process of Thirumangai and thought of changing it. Lord Vishnu with Goddess Laxmi came in the form of a newly wedded couple. They decided to go through the same forest where Thirumangai was looting people. The newly wedded couple was also stopped by Thirumangai and his soldiers, and they were forced to give all their ornaments and wealth.

Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi gave all their ornaments, and they were all kept in a bag. In the end, when Thirumangai tried to lift the sack full of ornaments, he couldn't. When after trying many times, the sack didn't move, Thirumangai got angry and accused the Lord that he might have infused some mantra to make him unable to lift the bag. Upon that, Lord Vishnu called Thirumangai closer and said the Ashtaakshara Mantram.

Since then, Thirumangai was called Thirumangai alwar since he was infused with the mantra that was given by Lord Vishnu himself. Upon listening to the mantra, Thirumangai got enlightened, and he recognized that the wedded couple is none other than the Supreme power themselves.

He couldn't control himself from crying, and tears rolled down from his eyes. His hands started raising above his head to praise the Lord.

He said the following words in praise of the Lord:

"Vaadinen; vaadi varunthinen; Manathaar perunthuyar.... and ended with Naadinen; Naadi Naan Kandu konden Narayana Ennum Naamam."

He said ten Paasurams in the admiration of Lord Vishnu. After listening to his Paasurams finally, Lord Vishnu, along with his consort Laxmi seated on the Garudan, disappeared.

After having the miraculous event of his life, the alwar visited 108 Divyadesams and sung the paasurams on Lord Vishnu. The alwar composed six prabhandham as Periya Thriumozhi, Thirukkurunthandagam, Thirunedunthandagam, Thiru vezhukootirukkai, Siriya Thrumadal, Periya Thirumadal, which includes a total of 1137 paasurams.

The alwar also helped in raising the walls of the temple of Sri Rangam and Sri Ranganathar temple. Thirumangai alwar established the statue of Nammalwar, which was made up of 5 different kinds of precious ornaments. The war brought the statue from Azhwar Thirunagari to Srirangam. It was done in Maargazhi Month; after he returned back Azhwar Thirunagari, a ten days festival was organized.

This was the life of Thirumangai Alwar, who was once an ordinary person. Because of his skills, bravery, and intelligence, he was recognized as the King. He also became a famous poet who later served Vishnu Bhaktas. He was the person who was fortunate enough to stop by Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. Finally, the Lord infused the mantra to Thirumangai, and from there, he became an alwar. He realized the presence of the almighty in his life and sang the verses for him.