The Patrikai lists “Mohini avataram” as today’s alankara, but Thathacharya corrects us. Wrong to call it that, he says, it’s more correctly Nachiyar Thirukolam. He pauses on his way home after the morning’s responsibilities, and pauses to talk to us at the end of the street, across from the (independent) Naalvar mandapam that is at the corner. He speaks about a few things, but this is a key point, so here’s the story:
Kurathalvan was one of Ramanuja’s principal disciples in Srirangam; he and his wife Andal had two sons, Parasara Bhatter and Vedhavyasa Bhatter, both named By Ramanuja himself. Both grew into learned and accomplished devotees.
Parasara Bhatter had profound devotion to both Sri Ranganatha (Namperumal) and Ranganayaki Thayar, but a particular affection for Thayar. He trusted her compassion above all else because he regarded her as the mother of the entire universe—one who never abandons her children, overlooks their faults, and continually pleads for them before the Lord.
Curious about Bhatter’s unusual preference for Thayar, Namperumal one day asked him why he was so much more affectionate toward her. Bhatter explained his devotion, and that he therefore could not regard Namperumal as equal to her in this respect. Displeased, Namperumal challenged Bhatter: he too could equal Thayar in appearance and qualities. The following day, he ordered his attendants to bring Ranganayaki’s garments and ornaments and had himself dressed and adorned in the manner of Thayar. He appeared before Bhatter: now would he be the equal of Ranganayaki?
Namperumal was indeed beautiful, and perfectly adorned. But Bhatter pointed to one thing that could not be imitated: the eyes! Namperumal’s eyes could express both anger and compassion, whereas Ranganayaki’s eyes were filled only with motherly love. The Lord might punish a devotee for his faults, Bhatter explained, but Thayar would overlook them, and intercede with Him, asking that those who had surrendered to her be granted Vaikuntha-prapti.
Thus, in the Sri Vaishnava understanding of the story, Nachiyar Thirukolam celebrates not merely the Lord’s assumption of a female appearance, but the unique compassion and intercessory role of Sri/Ranganayaki. Devotees surrender themselves to her, trusting that the Divine Mother will forgive their shortcomings, accept them as her children, and ultimately lead them to service at the lotus feet of Sri Namperumal.
In the Sri Vaishnava tradition therefore, Nachiyar Thirukolam is the preferred terminology. It really has nothing to do with the seduction of Mohini.
For the evening: Ramanan Bhattacharya had told us: the exit from the temple is what is special about the Garuda Sevai. So be there– was the implication. We obeyed! It was a spectacle, modelled after what is seen in places like Kanchipuram, and we understood from there what it meant to take on the ubhayam of an event like this. Priests were up there with Garuda, fanning Perumal seated grandly in Garudasana. The pictures and videos of the evening speak for themselves.
Brahmotsavam Day 5 Schedule:
07:00 AM: Pallakku - Mohanavatharam/ Nachiyar Thirukolam Appearance Procession | 10:00 AM: Thirumanjanam
08:00 PM: Golden Garuda Seva Street Procession