VIPRANA:RA:YANA, BHAKTAGHRIRENU
Tirunakshtram: Dhanurma:sam Jyeshta Nakshtram
Tondaradippodi
Alwa:r was born in Mandamgudi village, on the north bank of Kauvery River
near Kumbhakonam in the year 787 AD. As he was born with the blessings
of Lord Na:ra:yana, he was named Viprana:ra:yana. After
Ve:da:dhyanam, he went to Srirangam and had darshan of Lord Rangana:tha.
His heart danced with joy and he decided to spend his life serving the Lord
with offering Tulasi garlands (ma:la: kainkaryam). On the Westside of
the Temple, he developed a garden growing Tulasi and a variety of flower
plants. Every day his duty was to make a beautiful garland with Tulasi
leaves and flowers, and offer to Lord Rangana:tha accompanied by Devi
Rangana:yaki.
On the north side of Kauvery
in the village Kadambanagaram, a dancer by name Devadevi was living.
One day she gave a performance in front of the Chola king. Impressed
by her charm and skill, the king granted her lot of gifts. On way back
she rested for a while in Viprana:ra:yana's garden along with her
sister Aliveni. They saw Viprana:ra:yana in the garden.
Devadevi went close to him and offered prana:m. Viprana:ra:yana
was so busy with his work, he did not reply her. Devadevi got terribly
offended, and took an oath to seduce Viprana:ra:yana. Her
sister tried to explain that he was a saintly person and tried to dissuade
her. Devadevi would not listen. Devadevi changed her robes to that of
a saintly person, went to Viprana:ra:yana and prostrated. Asked
who she was, Devadevi replied “I am an unfortunate destitute woman, I want
to serve a saintly person like you and get relief. Please allow me to
serve you as a servant, Sir”. Viprana:ra:yana believed her
words and accepted her. Devadevi acted her role well in helping him in
nursing the garden and making garlands. Several months passed.
Devadevi did not get a chance to put her intentions to action. She
prayed Lord Rangana:tha and Devi Rangana:yaki that her desire to be
fulfilled. The Lord smiled at her request. One winter day, the
weather was rough and very cold. As usual Viprana:ra:yana slept
in the room of the cottage and Devedevi sat outside, trying to withstand the
cold. Viprana:ra:yana woke up from his sleep and reflected for a
moment how Devadevi must be feeling miserable in the cold night. He
opened the door and suggested her to come in and sleep in a corner of the
room. That’s enough. Devadevi with all her charms and skills
achieved what she wanted to do. A total turn in the life of
Viprana:ra:yana.
Charmed by Devadevi, he was
all the time moving behind her and totally neglected his services to Lord.
He left the garden and went with Devadevi to her house and started living
there. Devadevi on her part was serving Viprana:ra:yana with
reverence thinking that this was the blessing of Lord Rangana:tha. But
her mother did not like this affair because Viprana:ra:yana’s
presence in the house became a cause of drain of money, and Devadevi was not
earning any more. One evening she drove him away from the house.
But Viprana:ra:yana out of attachment was sleeping on the steps of
Devadevi's house. Lord Rangana:tha and Devi Rangana:yaki during their
trip through the city saw Viprana:ra:yana sleeping outside, and took
pity on him. To save him, Lord in disguise brought the golden vessel
of worship from his temple, knocked the door of Devayani’s house, and gave
it to her saying that it was sent to her by Viprana:ra:yana.
Next day morning, the temple priest found the vessel missing and reported to
the king. The city was searched and vessel was found in the house of
Devadevi. She said that it was sent to her by Viprana:ra:yana,
thus he was found guilty, though he denied the charge. He was
imprisoned.
That night, Lord Rangana:tha
appeared in the dream of the king and said that the vessel was given by Him
to Devadevi. He commanded that the vessel should be given to Devadevi,
and Viprana:ra:yana released from the prison. The king released
him, and with all the respects sent him to his garden home.
Viprana:ra:yana felt guilty of his downfall with his material
involvement with Devadevi. The compassionate Lord told him ‘Don’t feel
guilty. Devadevi was an apsara in her previous life. With your
association she was released from the curse, and attained Moksha’. And
then, Viprana:ra:yana continued serving Lord Rangana:tha till the
rest of his life.
There are two great works of
this Alwar. The first one is ‘Tirupplliyeluchi’, Suprabha:tam of Lord
Rangana:tha, containing 10 Pasurams. The second one is ‘Tiruma:la’,
containing 45 Pasurams in praise of Lord Rangana:tha also.