Tiruvelukkutrirukkai

Tiruvelukkutrirukkai
Image of a ratha.
Information
ReligionHinduism
AuthorTirumangai Alvar
LanguageTamil
Period9th–10th century CE
Verses1

The Tiruvelukkutrirukkai (Tamil: திருவெழுகூற்றிருக்கை, romanized: Tirueḻukkuṟirukkai, lit. 'Structure of the sacred seven') is a Tamil Hindu work of literature written by Tirumangai Alvar, one of the twelve Alvars of Sri Vaishnavism.[1] Composed of a single hymn,[2] it is part of the compendium of hymns called the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.[3]

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Vaishnavism
Closeup of Vishnu, seated in the lotus position on a lotus. From depiction of the poet Jayadeva bowing to Vishnu, Gouache on paper Pahari, The very picture of devotion, bare-bodied, head bowed, legs crossed and hands folded, Jayadeva stands at left, with the implements of worship placed before the lotus-seat of Vishnu who sits there, blessing the poet.
Supreme deity
Vishnu / Krishna / Rama
Important deities
Dashavatara
Other forms
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Holy scriptures
Puranas
Sampradayas
Others
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Structure

Composed in a poetic style known as the ratha bandham,[4] the structure of this work consists of the inclusion of the Tamil terms of the numbers one to seven throughout the hymn. These numbers are arranged in both an ascending and descending order of frequency within the verses of the work, such that they form both an upright and an inverted pyramid that resemble a Pascal's triangle; the resulting arrangement looks like a ratha, the Sanskrit term for a chariot.[5][6]

Hymns

Topics in Tamil literature
Sangam Literature
Five Great Epics
Silappatikaram Manimekalai
Civaka Cintamani Valayapathi
Kundalakesi
The Five Minor Epics
Neelakesi Culamani
Naga Kumara Kaviyam Udayana Kumara Kaviyam
Yashodhara Kaviyam
Bhakti Literature
Naalayira Divya Prabandham Kamba Ramayanam
Tevaram Tirumurai
Tamil people
Sangam Sangam landscape
Tamil history from Sangam literature Ancient Tamil music
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The verses of the Tiruvelukkutrirukkai are replete with numbers, describing and exalting the attributes of the preserver deity, Vishnu:[7]

O Beautiful four-armed three-cloud-hued lord, with your two feet alone in their one-pointed hearts, the moon-faced two ladies pressing your feet three times all day, as you lie in Yogic sleep; you became the fourfold race of mankind; even the five elements are but you; for the six-legged bee-humming coiffured dame Nappinnai, you fought the seven bulls and destroyed them; you are the six schools of orthodoxy, hard to comprehend. The lotus dame of five auspicious qualities resides on your chest. O Giver of the four-fold fruits, Tri-murti, O Pair of opposites, O Manifold one!

— Tiruvelukkutrirukkai, Verse 1

See also

References

  1. ^ Garg, Gaṅgā Rām (1992). Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World. Concept Publishing Company. p. 353. ISBN 978-81-7022-375-7.
  2. ^ CGrJQjeVn0AC. p. 85.
  3. ^ Dalal, Roshen (2014-04-18). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin UK. p. 1238. ISBN 978-81-8475-277-9.
  4. ^ Saiva Siddhanta. Saiva Siddhanta Mahasamajam. 1983. p. 42.
  5. ^ Devnath, Lakshmi (2022-07-22). Poorva: Magic, Miracles and the Mystical Twelve. Sri Ramakrishna Math. p. 170.
  6. ^ Ramesh, M. S. (1992). 108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams: Divya desams in Chola Nadu. T.T. Devasthanams. p. 132.
  7. ^ Makarand Joshi. The Sacred Book Of Four Thousand 01 Nalayira Divya Prabandham Sri Rama Bharati 2000. p. 719.