ULAGALANDA PERUMAL

"Ulagalanda  perumaL" of Kanchipuram

Meaning"Lord who conquered Universe"

Lord  Vishnu's  fifth  incarnation

Ulagalanda  perumal  presentation

Vamana  Or Trivikrama , He is called

In   Kanchipuram  Ulagalada Perumal  Temple  you find

Mahabali ,  Grandson of Prahlada

A  devoted Vishnu  Bhakta

Driven by desire to conquer heaven

Displace Lord  Indra,  King of heaven

Lord Indra Worried and upset

To Vishnu makes a request

Vishnu pleased and agrees to help

Indra  relieved "no worry when I have Vishnu's help"

Vishnu as Vamana, a small  brahmin  brahmachari

With kamal and kundal approaches Mahabali

Requested Mahabli , three step land for him to stay

Mahabali, , very generous by nature

considered Vamana's request, very meagre

Readily granted the request soon

Ignoring Preceptor  Sukracharya's  caution

"Beware Vishnu in disguise present"

Mahabli , a king  too generous

Considered  negligible, land of little  Vamana 's three steps.

Vamana pleased with Mahabali

Begins his steps three

First step , He covers the whole earth

With his left finger pointing one step

Covered Heavens, with the next step

With His right fingers two, the count of two steps

Third step, Vamana asks "where shall I keep"

"Oh little brahmin you can rest on my head Please

It is not going to hurt me much" says Mahabali

Vamana with his foot on Mahabali's Head

Pushes him to Nether world

But still merciful on him

Made him ruler of Nether world

And offered to support him ,whenever he needed

You find in Kanchi Ulagalanda Perumal temple

Trivikrama 35 feet tall facing west

one finger on left pointing down

signifying conquer of earth won

two fingers on right pointing to sky'

Victory over heavens signify

Right foot on head of Mahabali

Forcing him to Netherlands instantly

Message, shun ego and let it go

submit to feet of Lord, protects sure

K.S.V.SESHADRI