Vishnudham Temple

This temple, Sri Varadraja Perumal Devasthanam or Vishnu Dham strongly adheres to Sri Ramanuja Sampraday of Vaishnava theology which is based on vaishnava agams(Panchratra and Vaikhanas) agams and nurtured by vaishnava saints ( Alvars – which are 12 in numbers) and further supported and expounded by Vaishnava acharyas. The sampradaya which was following the visistadwait (specified nondualism ) was given a high pedestal by Sri Ramanuja by writing a masterpiece commentary over Bramhasutra ( Uttar mimansa or sarirakmimansa of Badarayan). The sampraday was further nurtured and supported by post-Ramanuja Acharyas. The temple closely follows the tradition and philosophy of Ramanuja Sampradaya. Here the summarised description of the alvars and acharyas is given below.

ALVARS :

1. POIGAI ALVAR: Avatar of Panchajanya; Composed Mudhal Thiruvandhadhi which contains 100 verses

1. BHOOTHATH ALVAR: Avatar of Kaumodakee; Composed Mudhal Thiruvandhadhi which contains 100 verses

1. PEY ALVAR: Avatar of Nandaka; Composed Moondram Thiruvandhadhi which contains 100 verses

1. THIRUMAZHISAI ALVAR: Avatar of Sudarshan chakra; He composed 216 paasurams in the Divya Prabhandham. His prominent works are Thiruchchanda Viruththam and Naanmugan Thiruvandhadhi.

1. NAMMALVAR ALVAR: Avatar of Vishwaksena; Nammalvar is also known as Maran and Sadagopan. Some of his prominent works are Thiruvaymozhi, Thiruviruttam, Thiru Vaasiriam, and Periya Thiruvanthadi.

1. MADHURAKAVI ALVAR: Avatar of Garuda; Though, Madhurkavi was born before Nammalvar, he accepted Nammalvar as his guru. He is supposed to have been very gifted in music and is said to have set Nammalvar’s compositions to music. He composed Kanninun Siruthambu, 11 paasurams, and emphasised on aacharyabhakti.

1. KULASHEKHARA ALVAR: Avatar of Kausthuba; Kulashekhara Varman was a king of Chera dynasty in South India. He is said to have renounced the crown to become a sanyasi to serve Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam. He was also a great devotee of Lord Rama. His prominent compositions are Mukundamala and Perumal Thirumozhi.

1. PERIYALVAR ALVAR: Avatar of Garuda; Periyalvar is also known as Vishnuchitta. He was a great devotee of Lord Krishna. His prominent works are Periyalvar Thirumozhi and Tirupallandu.

1. ANDAL ALVAR: Avatar of Bhoodevi; Andal was adopted daughter of Periyalvar, who found her under a tulsi plant. She was given the name Kodhai, which later became known as Goda. Her prominent works are Thiruppavai and Nachiar Tirumozhi.

1. THONDARADIPPODI ALVAR: Avatar of Vanamaalai; Thondaradippodi Alvar’s prominent works are Tirumaalai (45 paasuram) and Tiruppalliezuchi (10 paasuram). He is also known as Bhaktanghri renu swami and Vipra Narayanar.

1. THIRUPPAAN ALVAR: Avatar of Srivatsam; Thiruppaan Alvar was born in Paanar community, which was a community of musicians. He is also known as Paanar perumal and Munivaahanar. His prominent work is Amalannadhipiraan, containing 10 verses.

1. THIRUMANGAI ALVAR: Avatar of Saranga; Thirumangai Alvar’s real name was Kaliyan/Kalikanti. He was initially a miltary commander under the Chola king, and was given the title of Parakala for his valour. He is considered one of the most learned alvars. He was given the title of Narkavi Perumal as he was a great poet. Some of his prominent works are Periya Thirumozhi, Thiru Vezhukootru irukkai, Thiru Kurun Thandagam, and Thiru Nedun Thandagam. He composed about 1361 verses in the Divya Prabhandham – the most for any alvar.

ACHARYAS :

1. Nathamuni: Natharmuni is credited with restories the Nalayira Divyaprabandham(collection of 4000 hymns) of the Alwars. He belonged to the Shadamarsha gothra. He was the grandfather of Yamunacharya. Sine if his famous works include Nayaaya-tattva, Purusa ninnaya and Yoga rahasya.

1. Yamunacharya: Yamunacharya (also known as Alavandar) Was the son of Ishwara Bhatta and grandson of Nathamuni. Some of his famous works are Chatushloki 9poem in praise of Goddess Lakshmi), Storraratnam ( Prayars in praise of Narayana), Agatna Pramnya(text which stated the authority of Pancharatnam Aganna) Siddhitrayam(consisting of Atma Sidhi Iswara Sidhi) Gitarha Sangraha (a commentary on Bhagwata Gita).

1. Periya Nambi: Periya Nambi was one of the prominent disciples of Shri Alvandar. He was also the primary acharya of Shri Ramanuja.

1. Yajnamurti: Yajnamurti is also known as Arulalap Perumal Emperumanar. He was originally an expert Advaita sanyasin. His famous works include jnyana Saram and Prameya Saram.

1. Kuresan: Kuresan was born in the rich landlord clan of Harita and was extremely philanthropic. He was a disciple of Shri ramanuja’s during latter time in Kancheepuram. He was also a great devotee of Lord vardaraja Perumal. He soon renounced his wealth and joined shri Ramanuja’s in srirangam with his wife Andlamma. Kuresan helped shri Ramanuja in composing shri Bhasya by travelling with him to Kashmir so that they could refer to Bodhyan Vritti. He was the father of Parasar Bhattar.

1. Mudaliandan: Swami Mudaliandan was Shri Ramanauja’s sister’s son. He is said to be an avatar of Lord Rama himself (hence the name dasarathi- referring to son of dasaratha) who wanted to serve Adisheshan because he was pleaded by his services in previous avatars. He was the first shishya of Sri Ramanuja who gave him the name.Mudaliandan.

1. Parasar Bhattar: Parasar Bhattar was the son of Kuresan. He is supposed to have lived from 1122-1174 CE. He is considered to be the next spiritual leader after Shri Ramanuja.

1. Pillai Lokacharya: Pillai Lokacharya authored 18 Ragasya Granthas( collectively known as Astandasa ragasya) of which the srivachanabhushan, the Tattvatraya and the Mumukshuppadi are the most important. He is commonly regarded as the founder of Tengalai sect of Shri vaishnavism.

1. Vadanta Desika: Vadanta Desika studied shastras under Kidambi Appulllaar, also known as atreya ramanuja. He rose to the status of acharya by the age of 27. He is believed to be the incarnation of the bell of Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati. Vadanta dwasika was a dedicated devotee of Hayagreeva Perumal. He was given the title of title “kaci Tarkika Simha” or lion among poets and debaters. He is the author of many famous works including” Paaduka Saltasram” -1008 Verses on the Sandals of the Lord: He died in 1370 CE.