On a Kaisika EkAdasi day in the month of kArthigai, our ThiruppANAzhwAr, an incarnation of Sri vatsa mark, the mole on Lord’s Chest, where Sri MahAlakshmi resides, appeared (as an “ayOnijA”, one who is not born of mortal beings) and was picked up and brought up by a childless pANar couple who belong to pANar caste (untouchable “Harijan” caste)(in uRaiyoor near SriRangam on the other side of river kAuvEri at Tirucchirappalli). PANars were known for their sweet voice and singing in praise of BhagawAn Sriman NarayaNan.
Being of low birth this Azhwar was not allowed to enter the thiruvarangam temple. One day, as the head priest, ulOgasaaranga muni, was returning to the temple with a vessel filled with kaavEri water, he came across the Azhwar, standing in the middle of the road, in a state of trans. Not realizing the Azhwar’s true nature, ulOgasaarangar threw a small stone at the Azhwar to get his attention. The stone struck Azhwar’s forehead and he returned back to this world. Feeling remorseful for having obstructed the priest’s path the Azhwar ran away. The priest proceeded to the temple. There he saw blood oozing out of Lord ranganaathaa’s forehead. That night the Lord appeared in the priest’s dream and asked him to carry the Azhwar in his shoulders and bring him to the Lord. Realizing the greatness of Azhwar, ulogasaaranga munivar was only too happy to comply with the Lord’s command. The Azhwar, seeing the Lord for first time with his physical eyes sang out describing each part of the divine body starting with His Lotus feet and ending with his Lotus eyes. Azhwar ends his Amalanaathipiran (10) with a vow that having seen the great beauty of the Lord his eyes won’t see anything else.
