Thirupallandu by Periya aazhwar-Translation in English

Processional deity

Periya aazhwar--
                         He is one of the most revered saint or Aazhwaar[as they are known in Tamil]  of the twelve aazhwaars ,who contributed greatly to Sri Vaishnavism by writing beautiful verses soaked in deep devotion on Narayana [Maha Vishnu] in Tamil.

He lived between 7 th and 8 th century AD in Srivalliputhur , which is a small town in present Tamilnadu and he was known as Vishnu Chithar.
He wrested a bag full of gold by winning a debate in a Pandyan King's court at Madurai with other sects and religions and established the primacy of Narayana , over other gods.The ruler honoured the saint and conferred on him the tittle --Periya azhwaar.

Periya azhwaar is also famous for being the father of Andal , the only woman Sri Vaishnavaite saint.He has to his credit nearly 500 hymns .The most famous and popular of them all  is the body of hymns of 12 verses blessing Narayana with several hundred crore years of reign and supremacy .

' "Pallandu Pallandu Palla Kodi Noor Andu " is the beginning of the verse in Tamil.

Apart from Thiru Pallandu , he has written 461 verses codified under the heading 'Thirumozhi', which mainly seek to portray the experience of Yashodha as the  the young mother of Sri Krishna through his infancy  to his boyhood.
These are the experiences of Yashodha as divined by Periya azhwaar which  are expounded  in touching verses.
Thirumozhi also contain verses praising temples that have  enshrined MahaVishnu  .


Though periya azhwar is not the earliest of Azhwars , it is his hymns /Pasurams that Nalayira divya
 Prabhandam starts with , proclaiming his eminence and the honour accorded to him and his works by
 the   codifier of hymns of aazhwars  - Sri Nathamuni in 10 th century AD.
                                      
                                         திரு பல்லாண்டு
                                            Thiru Pallandu

1** பல்லாண்டு பல்லாண்டு பல்லாயிரத்து ஆண்டு ,
பலகோடி நூறாயிரம் ,
மல்லாண்ட திண் தோள் மணிவண்ணா உன் சேவடி செவ்விய திருகாப்பு !
                                           
Pasuram -1
                    Pallandu Pallandu Pallayirathandu,
                    Palakodi noorayiram ,
                    Mallanda thinthol manivanna ,
                    Vun sevadi sevia thirukappu!

For several years, several more years,for several thousands of years and for crores of lakhs of years,
The strong shouldered blue hued victor of wrestlers ,
May Your reddish sacred feet be well protected .

2**அடியோமோடும் நின்னோடும் பிரிவின்றி ஆயிரம் பல்லாண்டு ,
வடிவாய் உன் வலமார்பில் வாழ்கின்ற மங்கையும் பல்லாண்டு ,
வடிவார் சோதி வலதுறையும் சுடராழியும் பல்லாண்டு
படைபோர்க்குக்  முழங்கும் அப்பஞ்சசனியமும் பல்லாண்டே !

Pasuram 2.
                Adiyomodum ninodum pirivindri aayiram pallandu,
                Vadivai nin valar marbhinil vazhkindra mangaiyum pallandu,
                Vadivaar jothi valathuraiyum soodarazhiyum pallandu,
                 Padai porikku muzhangum  app panjya sanniyamum pallande!

We the devout followers of You , Swamy , hope and pray that We be inseparable for several thousands of years ,
And that Mahalakshmi who has added lustre to Your sacred self by residing permanently on the right side of Your chest , continues to reside there in  for several thousands of years ,
That the bright and glowing Chakra [disc] held in Your sacred right hand and that conch known as Pancha sannium that roars in wars continues to be held in Your hands for several thousands of years.


Introduction to third, fourth and fifth Pasurams,

In the  3rd, 4th and 5 th pasurums Periyaazhwar invites three types of devotees to support him in his endeavour  to sing Bhagwan's praises,so as to enable him to share his enthusiasm and to enlarge devotion to Narayana to as many persons as possible and thus deepen his satisfaction in his spiritual experience and servitude to Bhagwan.
The following are the three types of devotees who have been recognised and classified in the much earlier and sacred religious text --Bhagwad Gita.
The first type of persons are those whose devotion to Bhagwan is solely for acquiring wealth.

The second type of devotees are such persons who aim to free their Atmas from recurring cycle of birth and death and reach Kaivalyam or self satisfying bliss.

The third type of devotees are those who ceaselessly endeavour to attain Parama Padam or the sacred feet of the original cause of the universe and hope to be constantly at His service.

                                        Pasuram 3
In this pasuram Periyaazhwar invites the third type of devotees.

         Vazhapattu ninreerul yeere'l vandhu mannum mannamum konnmin ,
          Koozhatpattu ninneergalai yengal khuzhuvinil pughudal vottom,
          Yezhaat kalum pazhippilom nangal irrakathar vaazh illangai ,
          Paazhaallagup padai poruthannuku pallandu koorudhume!

All of you ,who are firm and determined in your ceaseless devotion to reach the sacred feet of One who is the cause of life and have resolved to be in servitude to Him for eternity ,kindly participate whole heartedly in the on going festival of the deity by inaugurating it, by fetching fragrant soil.

We, who spend our lives serving Bhagwan,will not allow all such persons who have enslaved themselves to outsiders in order to satisfy their material wants and greed.

Our honour and prestige rests in the fact that in seven generations preceding us we have no stain attached to our name nor was our  character in disrepute.

Let us all pray together that Bhagwan who annihilated all the Rakshas living in Lanka , with the help of His army, retains his auspiciousness for years to come and that His sacred feet is protected for crores of lakhs of years .

                         Pasuram -4
In this pasuram Periyaazhwar invites the second type of devotees.

              Yedunillathil iduvathan munnam vandhu yengal kuzhaam pugundu,
               Koodu manamudaieergal vaampozhi vanthollai koodumino,
               Naadu nagaramum nangariya Namo Narayana yendru ,
               Paadum manamudai patharooleer! Vandhu Pallandu koorumeeno!

Before your efforts to reach the self satisfying land of no return --Kaivalyam, fructifies by  separating the cream like Atma from the mortal body ,

Make haste to join our group of devotees and then announce to the country and the cities the good tidings and auspicious benefits that you would be in receipt of, by chanting Namo Narayana , along with the devotees.

And  also pray for Bhagwan's reign to continue for several crores of centuries without a break


                                                 Pasuram--5.

In this pasuran Periyazwar invites the first type of devote to join his group.

Anda kulathiku adhipadhiyagi asurar irakkatharai,
Indai kulathu Yeduthu kalaindhu irudikesan thanakku,
Thondai kulathil ulleer!vandhu adithozhudu aayiram namam solli,
Pandai kulathai thavirthu pallandu pallayirathaandu yenmino

All those persons who are aspiring for wealth and therefore meditating constantly on Hrishikesa , the Lord of universe who is the destroyer of enemies  , Asuras and Rakshas,

Discard this materialistic pursuit of yours and join  the devotees who are at all times worshipping His sacred feet and chant His thousand names along with us and  gain spiritual wealth,

And pray that Bhagwan's sacred feet be well protected for several years, nay for several thousands of years and for crores of lakhs of years.

                                       Pasuram --6

Yendai thandai thandai thandaithum moothappan yezhpadikaal thodangi,
Vandhu vazhi vazhiyat seiginrom thiruvona thiruvizhavil,
Andhium podhil Harivuruvagi hariyai pazhithavanai ,
Panthanai theera Pallandu pallayirathu aandu yendru paduthume.

[In this pasuram the third type of devotees whose aim is to reach Bhagwan's residence and to serve him till eternity , give the following reply to Periyaazhwar's invitation to join his devotional group.]

For the past seven generations which comprises of my father, his father, my grand father's father, my great grand father and his  father and grand father have been serving Bhagwan.

We will sing and pray that Narsimha who destroyed Hiranyakasupu in the dusk of the sacred day of Thiruvonam , be well protected for many years and many thousands of years to come and for crores of lakhs of years to come .

                                    Pasuram --7

Thee ir poligindra sensudar aazhi thigazh, thiruchakrathin,
Koyir Pori yaale ottrundu nindru kudi kudiyaat seigindrom,
Mayaporupadai vaananai aayirantholum pozhi karudhi,
Paya kazhatri vaazhi vallanikku pallandu korudhume

[This Pasuram refers to change of  heart of those seeking self enjoyment of Atma to servitude to Bhagwan's feet]

Now we have emblazoned our shoulders with help of the  smouldering Chakra symbol and thus bear his Sudarshana Chakra's brilliance which is more radiant than fire and is deep red in hue.

And our entire family is serving the conqueror -Sri Krishna ,who annihilated the thousand shouldered wicked Vanasuran ,by whirling and aiming his Chakra ,making that Asuras blood gush out  and flow rapidly.

And we will sing Bhagwan's praises and pray for the  protection of His sacred feet for crores of lakhs of years .

                             Pasuram--8
[In this pasuram the first type of devotees relate how they are serving Bhagwan after enjoying the wealth bestowed by Swami on them ]

Neiyedai  nallodhor sorum niyadhamum thanni sevagamum
Kai yadai kaayum khazhuthukku poonodu kadhukku kundalamum ,
Mei yida nallodhor saanthamum thandu yennai velluyirakavalla ,
Pai yudai nagapagai kodiyanukku pallandu kooruvene!

O Swamy! You bestowed upon us  large quantities  of rice and ghee in equal measures and blessed us daily from the place of your repose,
You also gave us betel leaf and arcenut as well as ornaments to be worn , like  chains for the neck and bracelets to adorn the hand,  and big ear rings for the ears.You also gave special and high quality sandal wood paste to smear on our bodies as desired by us.
You also made pure satvic knowledge to flow upon  householders like us.
One who has the arch enemy of cobra in his flag , I pray that Your sacred  self and feet  be well protected for several crores of lakhs of years to come.

Note : Arch enemy of serpent cobra is Garuda the white crested eagle the vehicle of MahaVishnu

                                       Pasuram--9

Uduthu kalaindhu nin peedhagavadai udduthu kalanthundu ,
Thodutha thuzhai malar choodi kalaindhana choodumith thondargalom,
Viddutha disai karuman thiruthi thiruvona thiruvizhavil ,
Padutha painnaganai palli kondanukku korudhume!

[This pasuram is sung by gyani's ,the third type of devotees]

We wear the golden yellow vastras [garments] known as Pithambaram , worn and discarded by You
We eat that which has been partaken and left over by You and adorn ourselves with the discarded garland of fragrant Tulsi and flowers which have adorned You first .
Though we  have  performed all such duties as directed by you we are still dissatisfied

Fear grips us for the safety of Your beautiful form reclining on the serpent Adisesha and therefore pray on Thiruvonam , the star on the day of Your birth, that Your sacred self and feet be well protected for crores of years to come .

                          Pasuram --10

Yennalum peruman undran kadio menrezhudhapatta ,
Annalle adiyongkaladi kudil veedu petru undhakaan '
Sennaal thotri thiru madurai ut silai kunithu inthalai ,
Paindhavane unnai Pallandu koovudhume!

[The kaivalya devotees , the second type of devotees admit to thier reformation ]

O Swamy, the day we surrendered to Your sacred feet that day itself we and our families were freed from the quest of self enjoyment --Kaivalyam
You appeared on the day of Rohini star [as Sri Krishna ] in Mathura and bent and broke the bow in Kamsa's arsenal.
You also jumped on to the head of a five hooded serpent ,
We pray that Your sacred feet is well protected for several crores of lakhs of years .

                    Pasuram --11

  
Alvazhaikku vondrumilla anni kotiyur abhimana thungan,
Selvanai pol thirumale nanum unnakku pazhavadiyon,
Nal vagaiyaal Namo Narayana namum pala paravee,
Palvagaiyulum pavithrane ! unnai Pallandu kooruvene!

[in this pasuram all those persons who were praying only for gaining wealth tell their reformation]

'O 'Bhagwan, 'Selva nambi' the leader of all inhabitants of Thirukotiyur , a place that has not witnessed any injustice , is brimming with the pride of being a SriVaishnavaite and feels honoured at being Your slave.
Similarily I too have enslaved myself to You.

'O' infinetly pure  Bhagwan, I shall chant Namo Narayana and also recite all your sacred names and slokas and reap good merits here after,

I will also pray that Your sacred feet is well protected for several crores of lakhs of years.

**12  பல்லாண்டுஎன்று பவித்திரனை ப் பரமேட்டியை ச்  சார்ங்கமென்னும் ,
வில்லாண்டான் தன்னை ,
வில்லிபுத்தூர் விட்டு சித்தன் விரும்பிய சொல் ,நல்லாண்டென்று நவின்றுரைப்பார் ,
நமோநாராயணவென்று பல்லாண்டு பரமாத்மனை ச்  சூழ்ந்திருந் தேத்துவார் பல்லாண்டே !

12--Pallandu endra pavithranai parametiyai saranga yennum villandaan thanai Villiputhur Vitu Chithan virumbia so ,
Nallandaan yedru navindru oraipar ,
Namo Narayana endru pallandu Paramathmanai choozdu thethuvar , Pallande!

This pasurum relates the benifit of reciting all the above 12 pasurums

Meaning--The sacred Bhagwan the Resident of Paramapadam[Vaikuntum] who is the Bhagwan who possesses the bow Saranga , has His auspicious qualities enumerated in the hymn Pallandu by Vishnu Chittar[Peraizhwar], the resident of Sri Valli Puthur.

Periazhwar has written these pasurums owing to his compassion towards us all  .

All those who recite the above pasurum and chant Namo Narayana with the belief that good days have dawned upon us will reach the abode of Paramatma  The One and only Atma and worship Him there, by reciting His sacred names and also pray To Him in His proximity that His sacred feet be protected for crores of lakhs of years to come

                               பெரியாழவார் திருவடிகளே சரணம் .
                                         Periazhwar thiruvadigale saranam
                                [I surrender to the sacred feet of Peria aazhwar']
                            

                                   
                                             concluded
         *****************************************************

Note:Selva nambi was a  close and respected friend of Periyazhwar .He held a important position in court of Pandya king.It was Selva nambi who invited his friend to take part in a debate in that rulers court and clear  doubts  of the king pertaining to religion and to the question as to who was the supreme god.

Periyazhwar won the religious debate and cleared the doubts of the ruler by firmly establishing the primacy of Sriman Narayana .The king then gifted gold coins and bestowed the tittle Periya aazhwar , who was till then known as Vishnu chithar.

When Periyazhwar was felicitated by being taken around the city on a caprisoned royal elephant , Narayana seated on His vehicle Garuda is said to have come in person to felicitate Azhwar on his victory and to bless him.

Periyaazhwar was awestruck by the beautiful form of Vishnu.He was afraid that evil eyes would be cast on Narayana and immediately prayed that His sacred feet be well protected for several crores of years and thus the Pasurams known as Thiru Pallandu was born.

 

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Reference : Naalayira Divya Prabhandham By Prof: Sri Kamalakannan.[Moolamum Villakuraiyum]