Kulashekhara

Kulashekhara

Kulashekhara was an Indian King from modern day Kerala and one of the Alvars, a prominent group of Vaishnava saints. From historical estimates it is believed he lived in or around the 8th century. Born in the asterism "Punarvasu" as Kulaśekhara Varma, he was king of the Chera Dynasty and lived in Kollam in Kerala. After ruling for a few years, he gave up his throne, became a sanyasi and is revered as the 9th of the alvars (one of 12 mendicant saints venerated by South Indian Sri Vaishnavism) and wrote bhakti songs filled with yearning towards God called paasurams which are an important part of Carnatic classical music repertory. A great devotee of Rama, he considered the painful experiences of Lord Rama to be his own. He is therefore also known as ‘Perum-al’, meaning ‘The Great’ – which is usually the epithet for the Lord. His devotion was so intense that he worshipped the devotees of the Lord as the Lord Himself. He lived in Srirangam and was serving the deity Ranganatha in the temple there.

Much of the details of Kulashekhara's personal life have been lost. He was an exceptional poet of devotional hymns and songs (including the famous Mukundamala-stotra). He wrote a set of ten exquisite poems in Tamil, and the work is called "Perumal Tirumoli". His poems are devotional in nature, being dedicated to the most prominent avatar's of Vishnu (Rama and Krishna).

The rock band Kula Shaker is named after King Kulashekhara as is their music company Alvar Music.

References

*"Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend" (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola
*Naalaayira divya prabhandham: Commentary by Dr. Jagadrakshakan (1997). Aazhvaargal Research Centre, Chennai 600017.

ee also

* Kula Shaker
* Mukundamala stotra
* Divya Prabhandham.
* Kulasekhara (the dynasty)

External links

* [http://mukundamala.com/mm/en1 Mukunda Mala Stotra] (Prayers of King Kulashekhara)
* [http://www.boloji.com/bookreviews/111.htm Kulashekara's contribution to theatre]
* [http://www.divyadesamonline.com - Information about the 12 Alvars]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Rama Varma Kulashekhara — 1102 Reign 1090–1102 AD Coronation 1090 Predecessor Ravi Rama Varma (1082–1090 AD) House House of Cheras or Kulasekharas …   Wikipedia

  • Kulasekhara dynasty (Second Cheras) — For the King and Vaishnava Saint, see Kulashekhara Alwar. For the Tamil sangam dynasty of Cheras, see Chera Dynasty. For the Venad Kulasekhara dynasty based on Kollam, see Venad. Mahodayapuram Chera Kingdom or Kulasekhara kingdom …   Wikipedia

  • Chera Dynasty — For the mythological stories about Kerala, see Kerala Kingdom, for district of Kuala Lumpur, see Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, the town in Spain, see Chera, Valencia, for the town in Selangor, see Cheras, Selangor. Chera Kingdom சேரர் …   Wikipedia

  • Cheraman Perumal — Part of a series on the Chera dynasty Kings  · Uthiyan Chera …   Wikipedia

  • List of Indian monarchs — The following list of Indian monarchs is one of several lists of incumbents.Rulers and dynasties who ruled a portion of the Indian subcontinent and were based in South Asia will be included in this list.For more information, see History of South… …   Wikipedia

  • Cheraman Juma Masjid — The renovated Cheraman Juma Masjid Location On the Paravur Kodungalloor Road, NH 17, Methala, Kodungalloor Taluk Architectural information Style Traditional …   Wikipedia

  • Mangalasasanam by Divyadesam — The Alvars during the early medieval period of Tamil history (between the seventh and the tenth centuries CE) worshipped Vishnu and his Avatars through their hymns. This collection of their hymns is known as Divya Prabhandham. Mangalasasanam… …   Wikipedia

  • Malayalam calendar — Midhunam redirects here. For the Malayalam film, see Mithunam. Part of a series on the Chera dynasty Kings …   Wikipedia

  • Kodungallur — This article is about the city. For the medieval kingdom of the same name, see Kodungallur Kovilakam. Not to be confused with Kadungallur. Kodungallur   municipality and town   …   Wikipedia

  • Kollam — (കൊല്ലം) Quilon   city   …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”