Thirumangai Azhvar stresses the need to visit Badrikashram, when one is young and capable of undertaking the arduous journey, P.T. Seshadri said in a discourse. He warns that when one is old, the back aches. An old man holds his back with one hand, and with the other he holds a stick. Constant coughing leaves him weak. He talks to himself. He faints owing to weakness. When his health has deteriorated to such an extent, can he go to Badrikashram? He has wasted his life and has not understood the purpose of the five indriyas. He should have used his eyes to see the Lord and his ears to hear His praises. But he has not done this. And now with sight and hearing weakened, he is alone and cries. Solitude is all that is left for him. Who cares for us when we are weak? When old age catches up with us, we are not able to do anything except worry over our aches and pains. We are anxious about whether anyone will look after us. Given all these concerns, will we be able to worship Him when we are old? The best time to worship Him is when we are young. Even parents may tire of looking after us for long, but the Lord never abandons those who seek Him.
The Azhvar, in the first decad of his Peria Tirumozhi, speaks of the importance of Narayana mantra. He then talks about the Lord of Tiruppiridi. And then he begins to sing of the Lord of Badrikashram. The Azhvar tells his heart to worship the Lord of Badrikashram. In Badrikashram, the Lord manifests as both teacher and pupil. As Narayana, He is the Acharya. As Nara, He is the sishya. Pillai Lokacharya says the Lord wanted to show the world what a good sishya should be like, and hence He took the form of Nara. And what did the Lord as Nara learn? He learnt the Narayana mantra from Himself!
