Koorathalvar
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Koorathalvar | |
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Personal | |
Born | 1010 CE Hamlet of 'Kura' or 'Kooram' near Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. |
Religion | Hinduism |
Philosophy | Vishishtadvaita |
Religious career | |
Guru | Ramanuja |
Part of a series on | |
Hindu philosophy | |
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Orthodox | |
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Heterodox | |
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Koorathalvan (born as Kuresa) was the chief disciple of the prominent Vaishnavite saint Ramanuja. According to popular tradition, he was a humble man who assisted Ramanuja in all of his endeavours.
Early life
Koorathalvan was born as Kuresan in a small hamlet 'Kooram' near
Meeting Ramanuja
Kuresan was heavily influenced by the teachings of Ramanuja, who was staying in Kanchipuram at that time. It was the period when Ramanuja's teachings were growing popular and his philosophy was slowly spreading. Kuresan quickly approached Ramanuja and became his disciple. A bond was established between them and under the effective guidance of Ramanuja, Kuresan was initiated into the rigorous study of Vedic scriptures and other canons.
Ramanuja moved to Srirangam and the friendship between Ramanuja and Koorathalvan came to a temporary end. Later, Koorathalvan continued his earlier philanthropic works.
Divine Plan
According to popular tradition, Varadaraja Perumal and his consort Perundevi heard the heavy sound of a door being closed. Kuresan had closed the brass doors of his home, after completing his daily routine of feeding the poor. By the order of this deity, who appeared in the dream, the chief priest arrived at the door step of Kuresan to usher him towards the deity. On hearing this news, rather than feeling happy, Kuresan was extremely saddened, as he believed that it was a sin on his part to disturb the deity and his consort during the night by 'announcing' his charity activities. This incident stirred up a turmoil in the mind of Kuresan, which was a turning point in his life. At once, he and his wife decided to renounce all their belongings and move to Srirangam, where Ramanuja was staying. On reaching Srirangam, the couple were given a warm welcome and Ramanuja was very happy to meet his old friend again. Kuresan became a disciple of Ramanuja and assisted him in all his works such as spiritual study, management of the temple, philosophical compositions and many others. Soon, Koorathalvan became the most indispensable attendant of Ramanuja.
Journey to Kashmir
One of the main aims of Ramanuja was to compose the
Thus, the completion of the Sri Bashya was mainly because of the involvement of Koorathalvan. His works include Sri Vaikuntha Stavam, Athimanushastavam, Sundarabahustavam, Varadarajastavam and Sri Stavam. These five works were collectively known as Panchastavi.[2]
Meeting the Chola King
After a certain period of time, the glory of Sri Ramanujacharya spread far and wide. Since Ramanuja had provided citations from authorised scriptures to prove the supreme authority of Narayana (Vishnu), the contemporary Chola King - Rajaraja Anabaya
The establishment of the deities Nataraja, Parvati, and Govindaraja dates back to Puranic times. According to religious tradition, Shiva and Parvati got into an argument regarding which of them dances better. Hence, they decided to select Vishnu (Govindaraja) as a judge to decide the superior one in a tournament. Shiva took the form of Nataraja, engaging in a celestial dance along with Parvati. They were believed to have transformed themselves into an idol and chosen to remain in Chidambaram.
The feet of Govindaraja reclining in the snake Adisesha were directed towards Lord Nataraja, which Kulothunga felt was an insult to his Shiva. At first, he made the footpath for devotees to visit the deity Govindaraja tougher to walk across. He later ordered the shrine to be closed indefinitely. An elderly woman who attempted to visit Govindaraja was severely beheaded in broad daylight by the zealous Kulothunga himself. At last, he discarded the idol out of the temple into the ocean, banishing all Vaishnava involvement in the temple.
Envious of Ramanuja, the monarch invited Ramanuja to his "Vidvatha Sadhas" to debate his philosophy. Realising that this was a threat, Koorathalvan immediately rushed back to the ashram in Srirangam and requested Ramanuja and the others to move away to a safer place. Though initially unwilling to do so, Ramanuja had to oblige to his adamant disciples. When the soldiers came to the ashram, Koorathalvan adorned the robes of his guru and presented himself to the soldiers as Ramanuja. Accompanied by Mahapurna (Periya Nambi), they reached the king's court. There, the Shaivite scholars debated them, but Koorathalvan (disguised as Ramanuja) and Mahapurna defeated them in the debate. One particular soldier who had seen Ramanuja before reported to the king about the disguise. The king was infuriated and at once ordered them to respect Shiva as the supreme deity and accept Shaivism, but Koorathalvan and Mahapurna refused, to which the king grew enraged and ordered their eyes to be pulled out. Koorathalvan at once pulled his eyes out and threw them at the king. The eyes of Mahapurna were also gorged by the soldiers and they were sent away from the court. Already 105 years old, Mahapurna passed away on the way back to Srirangam.
Records of temples and royal orders state that Kulothunga Chola II died painfully of throat cancer, and was mocked forever as Krimikanta Chola (Chola of the cancerous throat). The later Chola kings were supportive of both denominations, as stated by state records.
Ramanuja, meanwhile, had moved to
References
- ^ "Kooram Adikesava Perumal". Chennai Live news. Chennai, India. 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
- ^ "Rich in description". The Hindu. India. 8 March 2012.