HH 46th Srimath Azhagiyasingar’s Chathurmasya Sankalpam – Day 22

Today Vijaya Aadi Chitrai, 12th of August 2013, Srimath Azhagiyasingar is on Day 22 of Chathurmasya Vratham.  Chitrai is the star of Chakrath Azhwar.  Sudharshanazhwar is the uninterruptible sankalpam of the lord which arises from His svayadhikaram and svathsankalpam.  The Chakrathazhwar sannidhi at SriRangam is very famous and Saturdays the sannidhi is more crowded than even Perumal.  In the swarna mandapam there is Chakrathazhwar along with other deities. Again during Samashrayanam Chakram adorns the shoulders of devotees along with Shanku.  Such is the importance of Sudarshanam in our Sampradhaya.  Koora Narayana jeer’s Sudarshana Shathakam and the popular Sudarshana Ashtaka of Swami Desikan with the lilting refrain “Jaya! Jaya Sri Sudarshana” and Sri Shodashayudha Stotram are in praise of Perumal’s chakram potent with meaning and effective in putting an end to diseases both physical and mental. At Dasavatharan Sannidhi Abhigamanam happened on time. Devotees assembled,  got flowers, fruits, theetham shatari and dadhiannam prasadam. Prapathi was done to the seekers.

So much happens at SriMatam with precision because of the systemised operation of the Kainkaryaparas. The Kainkaryaparas are classified into several departments. These are Aradhakars, Sannidhi Paricharakam, Ashramam, Alangaram, Tirumadaipalli, Ugranam, Maniyam, Ashramam, Mrith, Office, Agent, Drivers, Vadhyam etc. Aradhakars are the senior most among Kainkaryaparas and highly respected. They maintain an extremely high level of Aacharam.  Aaradhakas perform Ijyai and part of Panaka aradhanam. They also assist Srimadh Azhagiyasingar during Abhigamanam. They are responsible for Tirumanjanams on Swathi and also perform aradhanai during Dolais.  There are three or four of them. They are assisted by Sannidhi paricharakas. They keep all upacharams ready and hand it over to Srimadh Azhagiasingar or the Aradhakas at the right time. Each item is cleaned thoroughly and put back in the correct place.  They collect the offerings devotees bring and get them ready for offering. They get the Sripadhatheetham ready. They distribute milk after Vishvaroopam, theertham after Abhigamanam and Ijyai and Panakam and Perumal theertham after Panaka Aradhanam. There are four Sannidhi Paricharakas and they do their duties by turns(Murai).  A Murai starts after Abhigamanam on one day and ends  at the conclusion of Abhigamanam the next day.  Depending on the need those who are not on duty also pitch in.