irumAlai IndhEnO thoNdaradippodiyAr pOlE
Thondaradippodi Azhwar or Vipra Narayanan, who called himself as "the Dust at the feet of Bhagavatals", is the tenth in the line of the twelve azhwars of South India, who are known for their affiliation to Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. Thondaradippodi Azhwar was born in a small village by name Thirumandangudi. He became an ardent devotee of Ranganatha of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. He developed a big flower garden in Srirangam, where various beautiful flower plants are still grown. He worshipped all the devotees of Sri Vishnu and put the podi (Small tiny dust particles), which is found under the feet of them in his head and sang songs in praise of Sri Ranganathar. It is for this reason he is called as "Thondaradippodi Azhwar".
The word "iru", used by Thirukkolur Ammal has two meanings - one is "two" and the other is "great".
Referring to the two garlands, one is the garlands made by the Azhwar using the flowers (Poomalai) he has grown in his garden and the other is the garland he made using words (Paamalai), out of his love and devotion to the Lord, Sri Ranganatha. The two Paamalai he comprised are Thirumaalai and Tirupalliezhuchi. Tirupalliezhuchi consisting of 10 verses is the Suprabatham for Ranganatha and is sung everyday. Thirumaalai comprising of 45 verses contains the essence of Vishnu dharmam. The power of Lord Narayana’s Tirunamam (names) has been laid out so clearly and it is said that those who do not know “Thirumaalai” do not know “Tirumal (another name of Lord Narayana).”
If used in the first sense, then we can say that Azhwar provided great and wonderful flower garlands to the Lord and also the two great works of his Paamalai - Thirumaalai and Tirupalliezhuchi. Vipra Narayana realized that the dust of the servants of Lord Narayana were the most precious thing on earth and with that heart, he lived for 105 years, singing only about Ranganatha. Thondaradippodi vehemently opposed the caste system that was prevalent during his times and mentioned that the ultimate way to reach Vishnu is through service to him and his devotees. Because of his devotion and service to the Lord Sri Ranganatha and to the devotees of the Lord without any expectation, the garlands are considered as the purest form of service to the Lord. Also, Azhwar wrote two amazing word garlands to the Lord through his works Thirumaalai and Tirupalliezhuchi.
Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I provide service to the Lord with such great garlands like Thondaradippodi Azhwar?"
