Panniru Naamam

The twelve Urdhva PuNDrams that a SrI VaishNavan wears on his body (upper torso) is an important ritual that qualifies him for performing SandhyA Vandhanam, AarAdhanam and all Vaidhika KarmAs. It is VaishNava lakshaNam.

The 12 NaamAs from Keasavan to DhAmOdharan are invoked as the SrI VaishNavan after SnAnam adorns the ThirumaNN KaapukaL and the 12 Moorthys are invoked to stay at the different locations of the upper torso for protection. The 12 Moorthys exist in our bodies in PuNDra roopam at their sTAnams and protect us . This Prabhnadham is to be recited as we apply the PuNDram at the different locations of the body for the invocation ( aavAhanam ) of the appropriate Moorthys.

There are number of Manthrams for adorning the Urdhva PuNDrams : asthra manthram for purification of the hand used in touching the ThirumaNN katti , another manthram for prathishtai and yet another manthram for preparing the ThirumaNN paste with water as well as the AshtAksharam and Nrusimha BheejAksharam for consecration of the ThirumaNN paste .

One should be seated , while adorning the Urdhva PuNDrams. The index finger or Pavithram adorning finger has to be used for ThirumaNN Kaappu placement .The middle finger should never ever be used in placing the ThirumaNN .The Paadham has to be drawn first and the right extension and the left extension for that Paadham follow next. The two lines connected by the Paadham should have good amount of space in between to place the consecrated yellow SrI ChoorNam to have the aavAhanam of MahA Lakshmi with specified names for the different parts of the upper torso (starting with Sriyai Nama: for the forehead and ending with SarvAbIshta Phala PradhAyai Nama: for the little ThirumaNN on the upper forehead).

We start the application of the PuNDram in this sequence:

(1) The Forehead (2) center of stomach (3) Center of chest (4) Middle of the fore portion of the neck (5) Right side of the stomach (6)Right shoulder /bhujam (7) the right side of the fore portion of the neck (8), the left side of the stomach (9) the left shoulder (10) the left side of the fore portion of the neck (11) lower back/lumbar region (12) and the center of the backside of the neck

The Moorthys invoked to reside in the above positions in sequence are:
(1) Keasavan 2. NaarAyaNan (3) Maadhavan (4) Govindhan (5) VishNu (6) Madhusoodhanan (7) Thirvikraman (8) Vaamanan (9) Sridharan (10) HrisheekEsan (11) PadhmanAbhan and (12) DhAmOdharan .

The color of these 12 Moorthys , their favorite weapons and their locations have been described by Swamy Desikan in this Prabhandham named Panniru ThirunAmam.

These PunDRams are recognized as the sacred Paadhams of Lord VaradarAjan in this Prabhandham by Swamy Desikan . Hence this Prabhnadham like Thirucchinna Maalai , Mey Viratha Maanmiyam , Aruttha Panchakam focuses on Lord VaradarAjan.

Slokas
See Commentary below
Commentary
There are two Taniyans for this Prabhandham , which we will take up in the next posting .

Taniyan 1:
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Panniru Naamam ThiruvathiUrappan paadham yenRu
nanniRa nAmam padai dhikku yAvayum nAmaRiya
tennan-tamizh thodai seerAr kalitthuRai Odhi yeenthAn
minn uRu nool amar VenkatanAthan namm DesikanE

(Meaning): SrI VedAntha Desikan with the radiant sacred thread , an avathAram of ThiruvEnatamudayAn's Temple bell , recognized the 12 Urdhva PuNdrams as the sacred feet of Lord VaradarAjan of Hasthigiri and described for our anushtAnam the individual names of the Lord's Moorthams ( PuNDra DEvathais )associated with
each of these PuNDrams , their color , locations and the weapons adorned by each of them . These 12 paasurams along with the Phala Sruthi Paasuram are set in the celebrated KattaLai KalitthuRai metre of Tamil poetry for our enjoyment and benefit .

Taniyan 2:
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Kaar-koNDa mEniyan PaadhAmbhutthaik-karutthu irutthi
yEr koNDa keertthi IrAmAnusan tann iNayadi sEr
seer koNDa ThUppul Thiruvenkadaariyan seermozhiyai
Aar koNDu poRRinum ammAl Paadhatthai adaivikkumE

(Meaning): The SrI Sookthi of Panniru ThirunAmam has been composed by the VedAnthAchAryan of ThUppul , while he placed firmly in his heart , the lotus feet of the Lord of Hasthigiri with the hue of dark rain-bearing cloud and meditated on Them . That AcAryan of ThUppul is assoicated forever with the sacred feet of ParamAchAryan , RaamAnujA of undiminished fame . Whoever recites these paasurams of Panniru ThirunAmam will land easily at the holy feet of Lord VaradarAjan .

280. Kesavan , the PuNDra Roopa Moorthy for the forehead
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KesavanAi ninRu keezhai tisayilum neRRiyilum
tEsudai aazhikaL naankudan sempasumponn malai pOl
vaasi mihutthu yenai mangAmal kAkkum maRayathanAl
aasai mihuttha maha vEdhiyil aRbhuthanE

(Meaning): Through Veda PramANam , Brahma was convinced that Lord VaradarAjan is the Supreme Being . In the Yaaga kuNtam of Brahma (on top of Hasthigiri) , the mysterious Lord appeared with the ThirunAmam of Kesavan . That Kesava Moorthy with the hue of a golden mountain , having four radiant chakrams as weapons
and facing the Eastern direction will stand firmly on my forehead and protect me without fail .

The Sanskrit Manthram used while adorning the ThirumaNN on the forehead is: "Chathus-chakram namasyAmi Kesavam Kanaka Prabham". "tEsudai Aazhi Naanku" is the equivalent of Chathus-chakram here. The hue of the Kesava Moorthy is Kanaka Prabhai (semm pasum ponn malai pOl).

Devathai: Kesavan, Color: Golden ; Weapons: four discs ; direction: East ; PuNDra sTAnam: Forehead.

Manthram: Chathus-chakram namasyAmi Kesavam Kanakaprabham.



281. NaarAyaNa Moorthy protecting the center over stomach
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NaaraNanAi nall valampuri nAlum uhanthu edutthum
Oor aNi mEham yenavE udharamum mERkku ninRum
AaraNa nool tanthu aruLAl adaikkalam koNDaruLum
VaaraNa veRppin mazhai muhil pOl ninRa MaayavanE

(Meaning): PeraruLALan is like the dark blue rain cloud standing on top of Hasthigiri. This Maayavan takes on the form of NaarAyaNa Moorthy , holds four conches as His weapons and faces west . He adorns the sTAnam of the center of the stomach region and is like a beautiful travelling cloud .He propagates the Veda Saasthrams and through His limitless mercy has accepted adiyEn as the object to be protected .

Devathai : NaarAyaNan; Hue: Sky Blue ; Weapon: four conches; Direction facing: West; PuNDra sTAnam: middle portion of stomach .

Manthram: NaarAyaNam ghana-shyAmam chathus-sankham namAmyaham.

282. Madhavan as rakshakan at the center of the chest region
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Maadhva nAmamum vaann gathai nAnkum maNi niRamum
Odhum muRaippadi yEnthi uratthilum mElum alhip-
pOdhalar Maathudan punthiyil anbAl puhunthu aLikkum
ThUthanum NaaTanum aaya toll Atthigiric-chudarE

(Meaning): Athtigiri AruLALan is both the Swamy as well as the ambasador/messenger for the PaaNDavAs. This ancient jyOthi on top of Hasthigiri became Maadhava Moorthy adorning four powerful maces in the manner prescribed by the SaasthrAs. He has the hue of sapphire (Indhra Neelam). He stays at my chest region as well as in the upper (Urdhva disai) direction.He has entered with affection inside my mind with His lotus lady to protect me.

Devathai: Madhavan; Hue: Indhraneelam ; Weapons: Four gadhais ; Direction: Urdhva ; PuNDra sTAnam : Chest .

Manthram: Maadhavam MaNibhangAbham chinthayAmi Chathurgadham

283. Govindhan as the Rakshakan at the front center of the Neck
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Govindhan yenRum kuLir mathi aahik-kodiyavarai
yEvum dhanukkaLudan teRkkilum uLL kazhuthu ninRu
mEvum ThiruvaruLAl vinai theerthu yenai aaNDaruLum
Poovan thozha Atthi Maamalai mEl ninRa PuNNiyanE

(Meaning): Lord VaradarAjan , the holiest of the holies , stands on top of Hasthigiri so that His son BrahmA originating from the lotus in His navel can worship Him and derive immense pleasure. He is the embodiment of all PuNNiyams (PuNNiyan) . He took on the form of Govindhan with the hue of the cool rays of Chnadran and stays in the center of my neck facing the southern direction. He is armed with four bows for my protection . Out of His boundless mercy , He chases away all my sins and accepts me as His eternal servant.

Devathai: Govindhan; Hue: Moon ray; Weapon: Four Bows; Directon: Southern ; PuNDra sTAnam: center of front neck
region.

Manthram: Chandra-bhAsam chathus-sArngam Govindham aham aasrayE

284. VishNu as Rakshakan from the right side of stomach region
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Vittu vala vayiRRin kaNN vadakkum vidAthu ninRu
mattavizh tAmarait-thAthu niRam koNDa mEniyanAit-
thotta kalappaihaL yeer-iraNDAlum thuyar aRukkum
kattu yezhil sOlaik-Karigiri mEl ninRa KaRpakamE

(Meaning): The boon granting Kalpaka tree , Lord VaradarAjan is standing on top of the Hasthigiri surrounded by beautiful groves with lovely trees. This Lord has assumed the roopam of VishNu with golden hue similar to the makarandham dust of the lotus flower . He faces the northern direction and stays on the right side of
the stomach region . He holds two ploughs ( Kalappai) as His weapons to protect me and chase away my SamsAric sorrows .

Devathai: VishNu ; Hue: golden ; weapons: four ploughs; Direction: Northern; PuNDra sTAnam: Right side of stomach.

Manthram: VishNum Chathur-halam vandhE Padhma-kinjalka-sannibham

285: Madhusoodhanan & Protection from right shoulder
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Madhusoodhanan yenn valab-bhuyam tenn-kizhakku yenRu ivaRRil
PathiyAi irunthu ponn mAthu uRai Pankaya vaNNanumAi
muthu maa vinaikaL aRukkum muyalankaL yeer iraNDAl
madhu aar iLam pozhil VaaraNa veRppin mazhai muhilE

(Meaning): Lord VaradarAjan is standing on top of the Elephant hill surrounded by the young trees with honey-laden flowers. This Lord with the hue of the cloud during the rainy season has taken the form of Madhusoodhanan and stays on my right shoulder carrying four pestles as His weapons to protect me. This Lord with the hue of the red lotus faces South East and destroys all of my ancient and fierce karmAs.

Devathai: Madhusoodhanan; Hue; Lotus; Weapons: four pestles ( Ulakkai); Direction: South East; PuNDra sTAnam: right shoulder.

Manthram: Chatur-musalam-abjAbham SamsrayE Madhusoodhanam.



286. Thrivikraman& the right side of the neck
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Thrivikraman thihazh Thee niRatthan theLivudai VaaL
uruvik-karangaLil yeeraraNDu yEnthi valak-kazhutthum
seru-vikkiramatthu arakkar tikkum siRanthuALum iRai
maruvik-Karigiri mEl varam tanthidum MannavanE

(Meaning): The Lord of Hasthi Giri , the boon-granting VaradarAjar takes the form of Thrivikraman with the hue of a radiant flame , adorns four swords in His four hands , faces North west ( the direction of powerful RaakshasAs) and stays watchful while established in the left side of the neck .

Devathai: Thrivikraman; Color: Agni varNam ; Weapons: four Swords; Direction: South West ; PuNDra sTAnam : Right side of the Neck.

Manthram: Agni varNam chathu: khdkam BhAvayAmi Thrivikramam

287. Vaamanan & left Side of the stomach
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Vaamanan yenRan vAmOdharamum Vaayuvin tisayum
thAm adainthu taruNa arukkan niRatthanumAi
sEma-marakkalam semm-pavi-yeer iraNDAl thihazhum
Naamangai mEvia Naanmukan vedhiyil namm ParanE

(Meaning): The Supreme One , who appeared in the agni kuntam of the Yaagam that Brahma Devan performed with His dear consort , Sarswathi , takes the form of Vaamanan , faces northwest direction and stays on the left side of my stomach .His hue is that of Baala Sooryan and uses four VajrAyudhams for protecting His BhakthAs and serves as the safe boat to ferry us across the dangerous ocean of SamsAram.

Devathai: Vaamanan; Hue: the color of Sun at Dawn ; Weapons : Four Vajrams ; Directon: Northwest; PuNDra sTAnam: Left side of stomach.

Manthram: Vaamanam Baala-SooryAbham chathur-vajram vibhAvayE

288. SrIdharan & Left shoulder
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SeerAr SrIdharanAi Sivan tikkum idappuyamum
yEr aar idam koNDu ilangu veNN tAmarai mEniyanAi
Paar aaya pattayam yeer iraNDAlum bhayam aRukkum
AarA amudhu Atthi Maamalai mEl ninRa AcchyuthanE

(Meaning): The insatiable nectar , the Acchyuthan who never abandons His BhakthAs stands on top of Hasthi Giri and assumes the form of the celebrated SrIdharan to remove all of our fears (SamsAra Bheethi). He faces the north east direction (IsAnyam , the direction of Lord Sivan) holding four big swords (PattAyams). His color is that of white lotus and stays as the protector and fear remover on our left shoulders.

Devathai: Sridharan ; Hue: White Lotus ; Weapons: Four PattAkkatthi; Direction: North East ; PuNDra sTAnam: Left Shoulder .

289. HrusheekEsan & the left side of the Neck
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yennidikEsan iRai keezh-idakkazhutthu yenRu ivaRRil
nannilai minnuruvAi nAlu muRkkaram koNDu aLikkum
ponnahil sErnthu alaikkum punal vEhai vadakarayil
Tennan uhanthu thozhum tEna Vedhiyar dhaivam onRE

(Meaning): PeraruLALan is the Only God for the great VaidhikAs of TenampAkkam located on the northern banks of Vegavathi river, who are worshipped in turn by the PaaNDyan King . That SrIgrAmam of TenampAkkam located on the banks of the river Vegavathi with jostling waves rushing gold and akil kattais to us has many Parama VaidhikAs with expertise in PaancharAthra Saasthram indispensable for Bhagavath AarAdhanam .That Prama Purushan on top of Hasthi Giri takes on the form of HrusheekEsan with the hue of the lightning and protects us with four hammers as His weapons . He faces the lower direction and occupies the left section of the neck to protect us.

Devathai: HrusheekEsan ; Hue: Lightning ; Weapons: Four hammers; Direction faced: lower ; PuNDra sTAnam: Left ide of the neck .

Manthram: ChathurmudhgaramabhyEmi HrusheekEsam TaDithprabham

290. PadhmanAbhAn & Lower Back
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Yemm PaRpanAbhanum yenn pinn manam paRRi mannu ninRu
vemm porrk-kathiravan aayiram mEviya mey uruvAi
amm poRRk-karangaLil aimpadai koNDu anjal yenRu aLikkum
sempoRRt-ThirumathiL soozh SindhurAchala SevakanE

(Meaning): The Lord of Hasthi Giri surrounded by the golden ramparts is a MahA Veeran and takes on the form of PadhmanAbhan to give abahya pradhAnam to us . He locates Himself on the lower back region and manas. He has the hue and lustre of thousand Suns and in His beautiful hands and body carries the five weapons (Chakram , Sankham , Sword , Bow and Gathai) .

Devathai: PadhmanAbhan ; Hue: Rising Sooryan ( Pattu Poocchi) ; Weapons: Five; sTAnam: Manas; PuNDra sTAnam: Lower Back .

Manthram: PanchAyudham PadhmanAbham PraNamAmyarkka-rOchisham

291. DhAmOdharan & Back of the Neck
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DhAmOdharan yenRu dhAmangaL naalu karangaLil koNDu
aamO taram yena aahatthin utppuram piRRkkazhutthum
thAmOr iLam KathirOn yena yenn uLL aruL aRukkum
MaamOham mARRum mathiL AtthiyUrin MaragathamE

(Meaning): The Lord who banishes the mighty nescience stands at Hasthigiri surrounded by mighty walls and is splendid like a Maragatha gem (Emerald) in lustre . He takes on the matchlessform of DhAmOdharan and adorns four nooses (Paasams) as His weapon to remove our false and viparItha knowledge . He is seen inside and outside our bodies and is worshipped at the back side of the neck.

Devathai: DhAmOdharan; Hue: Rising Sun ; Weapons: Four Paasams; Location: Inside and outside the body ; PuNDra sTAnam: back of the neck .

292. Insatiable delight arising from recital of Panniru ThirunAmam
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Katthit-thiriyum kalaihaLai vellum karutthil vaitthu
patthikku uRu thuNai Panniru Naamam payilbhavarkku
Mutthikku Moolam yenavE mozhintha immUnRu nAnkum
titthikkum yengaL Thiru-AtthiUrarai sErbhavarkkE

(Meaning) : Those BhaagavathAs engaged in the worship of the sacred feet of Lord VaradarAjan will revere these Paasurams of Panniru ThirunAmam. They will experience the growth of Bhagavath Bhakthi , perform SaraNAgathi as an upAyam for Moksham and will be blessed with Nithya KaimkaryAnugraham in SrIVaikuntam . During their life on earth , those Prapanna BhaagavathAs will conquer in debate , the vainglorious loud mouths , who run around seeking debates through display of their imperfect knowledge.These PrapannAs will find the Panniru ThirunAma Prabhandham indispensable for their Moksham and will surrender at the sacred feet of PeraruLALan of Hasthigiri.

NaarAyaNa , NarAyaNa , NaarAyaNa
Daasan , Oppiliappan Koil VaradachAri Sadagopan

Srimate Sri Lakshminrisimha Divya Paduka Sevaka
SrivaNN SaThakopa Sri Narayana Yatindra Mahadesikaya Nama:

http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/vdesikan/pannirunamam/index.html