Sri Manavaalamaamunigal

Sri:

Srimathe Iraamaanujaaya Nama:

Srimath Varavara Munayae Nama:

Brief History:

Thirunaamam/Name: Sri Azhagiya Manavala Naayanaar.

Matrumulla Thirunaamangal/Other Names: Sri Vara Vara Muni, Sri Yathindrap Pravanar.

Thiru Avathaara Sthalam/Birth place: Kidaaram.

Thirunakshatra Thingal/Month: Aipasi

Thirunakshatram/Star: Moolam

Brief history of Vishathavaakshikaamanigal:

Swami Thiruvaaimozhi Pillai attained paramapatham after instructing his disciples to accept that Swami Azhagiya Manavaala Naayanaar who would be the next acharyan in the Oran Vazhi Acharya Paramparai. With his acharyan’s grace, swami took sanyaasam from Sri Sadagopa Jeeyar Swami. Swami was the last acharyan in the Oran Vazhi kramam. Similarly swami had a deep knowledge in vedanthas. Our life is insufficient to speak or write about Swami and his works, who had contributed immensely to our sampradayam. Swami was honoured by Lord Ranganatha himself.

Swami’s vaibhavam in brief.

Swami spent his life in Thiruvarangam and was performing kalakshebams on Aazhwar Arulicheyals, commonly called Naalaayiradivya Prabhandham. Swami devoted his life in doing kaingaryams to Lord Ranghanathan. On a fine day, the Lord ordered swami to perform kalakshebam on Swami Namaazhwar’s Thiruvaaimozhi (Bagavath Vishsyam), in his presence. It is important here to note that the Lord Ranghanathan had stopped all his regular Utsavams for one year, as it might take more than a year to complete the discourse.

Swami’s kalakshebam was based on all the five commentaries of Thiruvaaimozhi Prabhandham. Kalakshebam continued for a year. The satrumarai day had fallen on Aani Thirumoolam. On that day, Swamy completed his discourse in Thiruvaimozhi vyakyanam. Thriuparivittam and fruits were placed before Lord Ranganatha and His consort. Then, to the surprise of all, a five year old boy appeared before the swami, and recited the Mantram in praise of his Acharyan. Here “AchArya” refers to Swami Manavaalamaamunigal.

Mantram:

Srisailesa Dayaapaatram Deepakyaadhi Gunaarnavam
Yatheendra Pravanam Vande Ramyajaa Maatharam Munim.

After reciting this sloka, that small boy disappeared immediately. Ghosti wondered on seeing the happenings. Immediately Lord Ranghanathan revealed through Archakar that it was He, who came there as a boy to say the mantra and declared that swami was the punar Avathaaram of Swami Ramanujar. Thus swami became the greatest Acharya of our sampradayam. It is, here, important to note that the Lord, who gave the Manthra Rahasyam, had offered this Mantram once again, which shows the significance.
In order to comply Lord Ranganatha’s order, Swamy Appillai, dedicated an ‘Arulapadu’ to Swamy Manavalamamugal as follows:

“Vazhi Thiruvaimozhipillai madhagaval
vazhum manavalamamunivan—vazhiyavan
maran thiruvaimozhipporulai manilathoor
therumpadi uraikkum seer”.

Then, Lord Ranganatha was very much pleased to hear the above verse and ordered that in all Divyadesams, the Thanian “Srisailesa Dayapathram….” Should compulsorily be sung and conclude with the above Pasuram. Lord Ranganatha conferred the title “Muppathariyira Perukkar” to Sriman Manavala Mamunigal.

Aazhwar convey us the message to reach God in his paasuram –“ Kaatinaan Thiruvarangam Uybavarkku Uyyum Vannam”. It is a paasuram dedicated to Thiruvarangan. Previously, Lord had shown us the Acharya Sishya Lakshanam & Mantram in Badarikaasramam, Here the Lord explained us the importance of Acharyas.

Swami’s works:

• Vyaakyaanam to Sri Vachana Bhooshanam
• Vyaakyaanam to Mumukshuppadi.
• Vyaakyaanam to Thathvathrayam
• Vyaakyaanam to Aachaarya Hrudhayam
• Gnana Saaram Vyaakyaanam
• Prameya Saara Vyaakyaanam
• Periyaazhwaar Thirumozhi Vyaakyaanam
• Ramanuja Nootrandaadhi Vyaakyaanam
• Upadesarathnamaalai
• Thiruvaaimozhi Nootrandhaadhi
• Iyal Saatru
• Jeeyar Padi Thiruvaaradhanakkramam
• Yathiraja Vimsathi
• Devaraja Mangalam
• Aarthi prabhandham etc.

Swami lived for 73 years. Swami’s famous eight disciples are:

• Sri Vaanamaamalai Jeeyar
• Sri Erumbiyappa
• Sri Prathivaathi Bayankaram Anna
• Sri Koil kandhadai annan
• Sri Thiruvengada Jeeyar
• Sri Appillai
• Sri Appillar
• Sri Pattarbiran Jeeyar.

Swami’s 74 Upadesarathnamaalai prabhandhams represent the 74 Simmasanaathipathis of Emberumaanaar Darsanam. Swami attained paramapatham in the year 1443.
Adiyaen request all adiyars to learn the ‘Yatheenthrapravanapprabhaavam’. This is the script that explains us the life history of our swami in detail.

Vaazhi Sadagopan
Vaazhi Emberumaanaar
Vaazhi Emberumaanaar Darsanam
Vaazhi Ethirajan
Vaazhi Manavaalamaamunivan.
Jai Srimannarayana!

Sri Thiruvaaimozhip Pillai

Sri:

Srimathe Iraamaanujaaya Nama:

Srimath Varavara Munayae Nama:

Breif History of Sri Thiruvaaimozhip Pillai

Thirunaamam/Name: Thiruvaaimozhippillai.

Thirunakshatra Thingal/Month: Vaikaasi.

Thirunakshatram/Star: Visaakam.

Acharyan: Swami Pillai Lokaacharyar.

Thiruththaayaar/Mother: Saathvikai Ammaiyaar.

Matrumor Thirunaamam?Other name: Sri Thirumalai Aazhwar.

Swami was a scholar in both Tamil and Sanskrit. He surrendered to the lotus feet of his acharyan Swami Pillai Lokaacharyar. Swami Pillai Lokaacharyar having known the administrative abilities of Swami Thirumalai Aazhwar decided to appoint him as the next acharyan in the Oran vazhi guru paramparai. Swami Pillai Lokacharyar instructed his disciples to do certain activities as listed below:

* Swami instructed Sri Koora Kulothama dasar to bring back Sri Thirumalai Aazhwar
to our sampradayam and teach Him the rahasyaarthaas of our sampradayam.

* Swami instructed Sri Kannangudippillai to teach Him (Swami Namaazhwaar’s)
Thiruvaaimozhi paasurams.

* Swami instructed Sri Naaloor pillai to teach Him the meanings of other Aazhwar
Paasurams.

* As instructed by swami Sri Vilancholaipillai taught Him Sri Vachana Bhushanam.

As instructed by his Acharyan, Sri Koorakulothamadaasar tried to bring back Sri Thirumalai azhwar to Sri Vaishnava fold. Since swami being aged and not being a famous person was unable to approach Him (Sri Thirumalai Aazhwaar) as he was a chief minister of pandya king (before coming to our sampradayam). Sri Daasar had sung the Thiruviruttham prabhandham with music in front of Sri Thirumalai Aazhwar. Sri Thirumalai Aazhwaar approached him and asked to teach the same. Swami Dasar replied that it could not be taught in a common place. Second time he met swamy Dasar and misunderstood him to be Swami Pillai Lokaacharyar. Swami Koorakulothama Dasar explained the desire of his acharyan to Sri Thirumalai Aazhwar.

Sri Thirumalai aazhwar accepted the words of Dasar, but he was unable to leave the king alone, as the king was very young at that time. So Sri Dasar went to his place and taught him everything about the sampradayam. On a fine day Sri Thirumalai Aazhwar was very busy and did not meet the Sri KKDasar. Sri KKDasar stopped going there. Sri Thirumalai Aazhwar realized his mistake and went to Sri KKDasar’s house. Sri Dasar accepted his pardon.

Swami Thirumalai Aazhwar learnt all the works of our sampradayam from the disciples of swami Pillailokaacharyar.

As he was teaching Thiruvaaimozhi to everybody throughout his life, Swami got the name ‘Thiruvaaimozhippillai’.

Swami became old and expecting the successor for the leadership of the sampradayam. Swami decided to give the leadership to his young disciple Sri Azhagia Manavala Naayanaar, the son of Thigazhakkidanthaan Thirunaaveerudaiya Piran.

The young person was none but the great vishathavaakshigamanigal swami Manavalamaamunigal.

Swami advised adiyars to learn Sri Bashyam and Naalaayiradivyaprabhandam.

Swami Thiruvaaimozhipillai Thiruvadigalae charanam.

Vaazhi Ethirajan!

Sri Pillailokaachaaryar

Sri:

Srimathe Iraamaanujaaya Nama:

Srimath Varavara Munaeyae Nama:

Breif Life History of Sri Pillai Ulagaariyan:

Thirunaamam/Name: Swami Pillai Lokacharyar.

Thirunakshatra Thingal/Month of Birth: Aipasi

Thirunakshatram/Birth Star: Thiruvonam.

Thiruththagappanaar/Father: Swami Vadakku Thiruveedhi Pillai.

Acharyan: Swami’s Father and Swami Nambillai on some occasions.

Thiruththambiyaar/Brother: Azhagiya Manavaalap perumaal Naayanaar, composed Aachaarya hrudayam.

Brief History:

The word Lokacharyar refers to Swami Nampillai. Since swami was born, after his father swami Vadakku Thiruveedi pillai got the anugruham of his acharyan Lokacharyar, swami was named as Pillai Lokaacharyar. In tamil ‘Lokaacharyar anugruhathaal pirantha pillai enbathaal – Lokacharyar Pillai – Pillai Lokacharyar enraanathu.”

Swami started his learning from his father. Swami because of swami Nambillai’s anugruham had a very good Gnanam in vedantams. Swami Saakshaath Devapperumaal avathaarame. There was a swami named MANARPPAAKATTHU NAMBI. This swami requested Devapperumaal to teach him about the Aaramudham that are essence of the vedantams. Sri Devapperumaal also started giving upadesam, and while they were in half way Sri Devapperumal told that the other half has to be learnt at srirangam in between the two rivers. [vadathirukkaveri and Thenthirukkaveri].

Swami Manarppaakatthu Nambi went there; swami pillai Lokaacharyar was delivering the discourse to his sishyas inside the Kattazhagiyasingar swami temple. Swami Manarppakkathu Nambi was surprised to hear the same discourse and it continued where the Devapperumal had stopped. After the discourse was over, Manarppakkathu Nambi asked Swami Pillai Lokaacharyar – AVARO NEER – swami replied AAM AVARE NAAM.
So it is clear that Sri Devapperumal had taken the birth as Swami Pillai Lokaacharyar.
Swami remained as Brahmachari throughout his life.

Swami Pillai Lokaacharyar continued his kaingaryam at Srirangam. In the early 1300’s, a muslim king captured the rule at Srirangam. In order to protect the idol (moolavar) of srirangam temple, swami raised a brick wall before the sanctum and had it closed. Similarly He carried away the utsavar in his hand and started moving out of srirangam. Swami because of his old age, on reaching jyothishkudi, he could not continue his journey and Swami attained the lotus feet of his acharyan there. Only very recently the Samprokshanam took place and we can have a good darshan of Swamy’s Thiruvarasu.

Works:
Swami had composed 18 rahasya Grhanthams(Secrets), popularly called as Ashtaadhasa Rahasyams in order to save all jeevaathmas from this bavasaagaram.

8 rahasyams to describe rahasyathrayam, 5 rahasyams to describe tathvathrayam and finally 5 granthams to our sampradaayam.

Disciples: Swami Thiruvaaimozhippillai, Manarpaakatthu Nambi, Koorakulothamma Daasar,.

Swami Manavaala maamunigal in his Upadesa rathnamaali prabhandham had given the importance of swami’s rahasya Granthams.

Swami Pillai Lokaacharyar Thiruvadigalae Saranam.

Dasanu Dasan

Iramanuja Sishyan

Neechanaen Nirai Onrumilaen

Vaazhi Yathirajan!

 

Sri Vadakku Thiruveedhip Pillai

Sri:

Srimathe Iraamaanujaaya Nama:

Srimath Varavara Munayae Nama:

Sri Baaladhanvi Gurave nama:

Breif life history:

Thaniyan:
Sri Krishna Paadha Paadhaabje Namaami Sirasaa Sadhaa

Yatprasaada Prabhaavena Sarva Siddhiraboon Mamaa.

Thirunaamam/Name: Sri Vadakku Thiruveedi Pillai

Thiruavathaara Nagaram/Birth Place: Srirangam.

Thiruavathaara Thingal/Month: Aani.

Thirunakshatram/Birth Star: Swaathi.

Thirunakshatra Varudam/Year: Sarvajith

Kumaarargal: Swami Pillai Lokaacharyar and Swami Azhagiya Manavaalap perumaal Naayanar.

Aacharyan: Swami Nambillai.

Brief History:

Swami sacrificed his life for our sampradaayam. At the right age, swami got married. But swami maintained celibacy. It had been brought to the notice of swami’s mother. She became very sad, approached swami Nambillai, conveyed her worry and requested swami’s blessings to have a child for her vamsam.

Swami Nambillai called his sishyan Sri Vadakku Thiruveedhi Pillai and advised him to spend a night with his wife as it is the rule of Grahasthaasrama Dharmam. Getting his acharyan’s blessings swami did as advised. In due course, swami’s wife became pregnant and a son was born to them as blessed by swami Lokaacharyar.

Swami Nambillai had a very big ghosti for his kaalakshebams. Once at the time of giving discourses, swami asked Sri Periavaachaanpillai to record it. Swami Vadakku Thiruveedi pillai also recorded it, with out his acharyan’s permission.

One day Swami Vadakku Thiruveedi pillai invited his acharyan for a dinner. Swami Nambillai also accepted his invitation. Swami went there and surprised to see his discourses being documented sequentially. Swami enquired to him and Sri Vadakku Thiruveedipillai explained his acharyan about it. Swami was unhappy about it since a sishyan has got no right to do anything without the consultation of the respected acharyas. Sri VadakkuThiruveedipillai tendered his apology for the act done with the reason. The reason given was – ‘To remember his discourses it was documented’. Swami Nambillai continued his reading and collected back all the script.

Swami handed over them to Eyyunni Madhavar. It was nicely composed by Swami Manavaalamaamunigal in his Upadesa Rathnamaalai Prabhandham.

Upadesa Rathnamaalai Paasuram:

Seeraar Vadakku Thiruveedippillai, Ezhu Thaeraar Tamizh Vedhatheeduthanai – Thaarumena vaangimun Nambillai Eyunni Maadhavarkuththaan koduthaar, Pinnadhanaithaan.

Aangavarpaal Petra Siriyaazhvaanapillai, Thaam koduthaar Tham maganaar tham kaiyil, Paangudanae Naaloor Pillaikkavarthaam NallaMaganaarkavarthaam, Maelorkku eenthaaravare Mikku.

Note:
Eyunni Maadhavar – Siriyaazhvaanappillai.

As the above prabhandham states, then it was handed over to Sri Naaloorpillai and it came to the knowledge of OraanvazhiAacharyan Swami Thiruvaaimozhippillai. Finally it was taught to Swami Manavaalamaamunigal and swami did a kalakshebam for one year in front of Sri Namperumal which the entire srivaishnava community knows.

Disciples:

Eyyuni Maadhavar.

Periyavaachaan pillai

Swami’s first thirukkumaarar/son was the next successor in the Oraanvazhiacharya karamam.

Sri Vadakku Thiruveedipillai Thiruvadigalae Saranam.
Vaazhi Ethiraajan.

Sri Nambillai

Sri:

Srimathe Iraamaanujaaya Nama:

Srimath Varavara Munayae Nama:

Sri Baaladhanvi Guravae Nama:

Thaniyan:

Vedantavedyaamruthavaariraashe: vedaartha saaraamrutha Pooramakruyam

Aadaayavarshandamaham prapadye kaarunya poornam kalivairidaasam

Thirunaamam/Name: Sri Namboor Varadaacharyar.

Acharyan: Swami Nanjeer.

Sishyan: Swami Periavaachaanpillai.

Birth place/Thiru Avathaara Sthalam: Namboor.

Month/Thirunakshatra Maatham: Karthigai.

Star/Thirunakshatram: Karthigai.

Hamsam: Swami Thirumangaiaazhwaar.

Other name: Thirukkalikannidaasar.

Life History in brief:

With the anugruham of his acharyan swami Nanjeer had written a vyaakyaanam for swami Namaazhwar’s Thiruvaaimozhi popularly called as onpathinaayirappadi. Swami Nanjeer had a desire to document this vyaakyanam again. In Tamil it is called as Pattolai paduthuthal. [Pattu+Olai]

Swami Nanjeer was searching for a right person to fulfill his desire. Finally swami selected Sri Namboor Varadar to do the job. Then swami did panchasamskaaram to Sri Namboor Varadar, taught him the entire Onpathinaayirappadi and told him to rewrite the total vyaakyanam.
Sri Namboor Varadar took the script, obtained permission from his acharyan and started his journey towards his hometown.

On his way back to his native, Swami had to cross the Cauvery River. So swami keeping the scripts tied with towel on his head and started swimming to cross the river. In between a big wave he came and the script was taken away by the wave. Swami on reaching his town was very much worried about it.

Sri Namboor Varadar, with his memory power wrote the entire script again. With the grace of his acharyan, Sri Namboor Varadar had written with some additional references to the text. Then Swami Namboor Varadar showed it to his acharyan. Swami Nanjeer was surprised to see the additional references and Swami Nanjeer enquired about it. Sri Namboor Varadar fell at his lotus feet and explained his acharyan about the happenings. Swami Nanjeer showered his grace, picked him up and called him as ‘Nambillai’. [Our son].

Swami Nambillai continued to learn everything from Swami Nanjeer and at the same time Sri Nambillai was also teaching to some of his disciples. [Eyunni Madhavar, Vadakku Thiruveethippillai, and Swami Periavaachaanpillai etc.] Swamy Nambillai was giving discourses and a lot of people attended to it and even it outnumbered Namperumal Ghosti at times.

On seeing this, Sri Kandhaadai Thozhappar felt jealousy and blamed swami Nambillai with some harsh words in the Namperumal Sannidhi.

Note:
[The sannidhi nirvaaham at Srirangam was administered by swami Mudaliaandaan and it was continued by his family members. Swami Kandhaadai Thozhappar is the grand son of Swami Mudaliaandaan]

Swami Nambillai left for his Thirumaaligai, and was thinking about the incident throughout the night. Our sampradayam says that ‘a Sri Vaishnavan should not do or commit to do anything that hurts the heart of another Sri Vaishnavan. Even though the act was done by Sri Kandhaadai Thozhappar, Swamy Nambillai felt that there might be some reason for this act. So Swami Nambillai decided to convey his apology for the act. Immediately swami went to his(Thozhappar’s) house and waited there through out the night.

In the meantime, Swami Kandhaadai Thozhappar also realized his mistake by the advice of his wife, who strongly condemned Swamy Naambillai for his misdeed and decided to tender his apology to swami Nambillai, the next day. On the next morning, Sri Kandhaadai Thozhappar opened the doors and was surprised to see Swami Nambillai waiting there. Immediately Swami Nambillai fell down at his feet and conveyed his apology for his misconduct. Sri Kandhaadai Thozhappar picked Sri Nambillai up, realized the greatness of swami and said he had become the acharyan for the whole world. That’s why Sri Nambillai is called as Lokacharyar.

There is one famous saying in our sampradaayam. Swami had given so many lectures and discourses, irrespective of which he had a big ghosti for his lectures and discourses. So vidwans used to say when they enjoy the ghosti anubhavam – Thus Namperumaal Ghostiyaa alla Nambillai goshtiyaa.
Once Swamy Nambillai was returning from Thiruvellarai with his disciples, after having the Darshan of Emberuman and they had to cross Kauveri River, which was already flooded with water. It was raining heavily and the sun had already set. There was only one boat (parisil), wherein they all were aboard. While they were crossing half way, the boat started sinking and the boatman cautioned that one of them should jump down into the river or else all of them had to drown into the river. One lady who was also one of the disciples of Swamy Nambillai jumped into the river, requesting the boatman that he would live long, if he safely took her acharyan to the bank of the river. The ferryman did accordingly. Swamy Nambillai was very much moved by the act of the lady and felt that he had become the cause for the death of a lady. To their surprise they found that the lady was standing on the bank already and she fell down into the feet of Swamy saying that she had been saved by the blessings of Acharya and explained that the river was shallow where she jumped.

This story conveys the message to us that a Sishyan should always be prepared to sacrifice his soul, body and property for the sake of his Acharyan and in turn Emberuman would certainly come to the rescue of the Sishyan. If we go through the entire life history of Swamy Nambillai, we would understand the various qualities that adorn a true vaishnavite.

Works:

Eedu Muppatthaaraayirappadi Vyaakyaanam to Swami Namaazhwaars Thiruvaaimozhi prabhandham.

Finally on a fine day swami attained the lotus feet of his acharyan by keeping the head and feet in the lap of his sishyaas.

To complete the lecture of this Bhagavath Vishaya Grantham, hardly it will take one year. This grantham cannot be learnt by mere reading the book and it has to be learnt from a learned scholar or acharyan by getting upadesam. One has to learn the meaning at least for first twenty paasurams of Swami Nammaazhwaar’s Thiruvaaimozhi.

This vyaakyaanam is commonly called as Eedu. This Eedu has been taken by all our acharyas for kalakshebams.

Adiyaen request all the Bhagavathaas to learn Thiruvaaimozhi Nootrandaadhi Prabhandham, which was composed so beautifully by swami Manavaalamaamunigal. Chanting these 100 paasurams is equal to chanting of entire Thiruvaaimozhi Prabhandham.

Swami Nambillai Thiruvadigale Saranam.
Vaazhi Yathirajan!

Sri Nam Jeeyar

Sri:

Srimathe Iraamaanujaaya Nama:

Srimath Varavara Munayae Nama:

Sri Baaldhanvi Gurave Nama:

Life History of Sri Nanjeeyar:

Thaniyan:

Naamo Vedaanta Vedyaaya Jagatmangala Hethave
Yasya Vaakamruta Saarapooritham Bhuvanatrayam

• Thirunaamam/Name : Sri Nanjeeyar

• Iyarpeyar/Original Name: Madavaacharyar.

• He was called as a Vedanti at Thirunaaraayanapuram.

• Sishyan to Swami Paraasara Battar.

• Acharyan to Swami Nampillai

Brief History:

As his name indicates (Vedanti), had a very good knowledge in Vedantams. It came to the knowledge of Swami Ramanujar and swami Ramanujar decided to correct and bring him to our sampradaayam. Swami Ramanujar already had corrected a great advaiti Yagnamurthi and named him as Sri Arulaalapperumaal Emberumaanaar. Swami Ramanujar because of his age, he could not do this by himself and so he asked Swami Battar to do this kangaryam.

Vedanti was living in Tirunarayanapuram (Melkote). A Brahmin from Srirangam met and told him about the greatness of Swami Parasara Battar. This Brahmin returned to srirangam and told everything to Swami Paraasara Battar. Then swami asked about what he had replied to him. The Brahmin replied that he explained to the vedanthi about the profound knowledge of swami in vedantams. Battar said that he should have told about the thirudetunthaandagam, he knew. Next time this Brahmin met the Vedanthi and told about the Thirunedunthaandaga prabhandham.
As a matter of fact the Vedanthi was very much moved and he was thinking about it, since he did not come across this prabhandham before. One fine morning, Battar went to Thirunayanapuram in a palanquin with all his disciples. A local person from the town said that swami could not see him if he go over there like this and continued to say that the vedanti would perform anna dhanam to all Brahmins daily and if swami desired, he, with the Brahmins, could meet him. So swami dressed himself as a poor and went there.

Swami Battar stood there without receiving the Annam from him. The Vedanthi when enquired the reason, Battar replied that he came there not to receive food but to do debate. He realized that he was none, but Battar and accepted the challenge. The debate contined for 9 days ceaselessly. On the 10th day the vedanti agreed that he had been defeated in the debate and accepted our true philosophy. Then swami Battar performed panchasamskaaram to him and returned to srirangam.

Vedanti continued to live with his two wives at Tirunarayanapuram. On hearing the news that his wives had sent out a Brahmin without giving food, the vedanti divided all his wealth into 3 portions. He gave two portions to his wives and the third one to his acharyan for doing kaingaryam. Then he became sanyaasi and he was on the way to srirangam to meet his acharyan.

On his way, he met Swami Anandaazhwan and got his blessings. He reached srirangam and fell down at the feet of his acharyan. Swami Battar at the time of picking him up called him as ‘Namjeeyar’. This means “our jeeyar”. From that minute the name had been changed and he was called as Swami Nanjeeyar.

Swami Nanjeeyar started living with Swami Battar and learnt all the prabhandhams with Vyaakyaanams. At the time of learning, swami had asked so many questions and all the questions had been answered by swami Battar in a superb manner.

After the period of Swami Battar, Swami Namjeeyar took over the leadership of Oranvazhi Acharyas.

Works:

• Onbathanaayirappadi Vyaakyaanam

• Kanninun Sirutthaambu Vyaakyanam

Swami Nanjeeyar Thiruvadigalae Charanam.

Dasanu Dasan

Iramanuja Daasanu DAsan

Sri Paraasara Battar

 

Srimathe Iraamaanujaya Nama:

Srimath Varavara Munayae Nama:

Sri Baaladhanvi Guravae Nama:

Thaniyan:

Sri Paraasara Bhattaarya: Sri Rangaesa Purohithahaa
Srivathsaanka suta sreemaan Sreyasae Mesthu Bhuyase.

• Name/Thirunaamam: Paraasara Battar

• Month/Thingal: Vrishaba

• Star/Thirunakshatram: Anusham

• Parents/Thiruththagapanaar – Thiruththaayaar: Swami Koorathaazhwaan and Srimathi Aandaal.

• Native Place/Thiru Avathaara Sthalam: Kooram.

• Acharyan/Guru: Swami Embaar

• With the blessings of Swami Ramanujar, Battar had written a commentary for Sri
Vishnu Sahasranaamam.

• Swami Battar had a debate with great vedanti of Thirunaaraayanapuram named
Madavaacharyar and won it.

* Soon after winning the debate, the vedanthi surrenedered to the
Lotus feet of battar and Swami Battar recognized him as his sishyan.

Works:

a) Ashtasloki

b) Bhagavadgunadarpana

c) Sri Gunaratnakosam

d) Sri Ranghanatha Stotram

e) Sri Rangaraajasthavam.

f) Written commentary for Swami Thirumangai Aazhwar’s Thirunedunthaandagam.

• Swami Battar is said to be the son of Sri Ranghanathan himself, because swami was
born after His mother had taken Aravanai prasaadham offered by the Lord
in order to appease their hunger.

* Later this vedanthi became a sanyaasi, and came to get the blessings
of His acharyan Swami Battar.

• Swami Battar, on seeing him, said ‘Nam Jeeyar has come”.

• From that minute, He was called as Nanjeer.

• Swamy had a very deep knowledge in Naalaayira Divya Prabhandham from the child
hood.

* At the age of five, swami asked his father swami koorathaazhwaan why swami
Nammaazhwar used the adjectives siru and maa at a time to qualify a word.
(SIRUMAAMANISAR). Siru refers to small and maa refers to big.

• Swami Koorathaazhwaan’s reply was that the body was very small and lean; they
possessed a good and deep knowledge. (Example – Swami Mudaliaandaan).
Yet another example for Battar’s Intelligence

• After the Upanayanam, Battar was admitted in Veda patasala.
On the third day he was playing without attending to the class. When
asked about this, he replied that the teacher was repeatedly teaching
the same. When Battar was asked to chant what he had learnt, he
responded correctly to the surprise of all. He was stopped going to the
Patasala and later on he was put into to school.

* Swami was married to a girl from Mahapoornars family and blessed
with a son, in the name of Naduvil Thiruveedi Pillai.

* By naming him as Parasara Battar and naming his brother as Veda
Vyasa Battar swami Ramanujar fulfilled the third wish of Swami
Aalavandaar.

* This is a brief history of Battar Swami. Adiyaen would like to request all
Bhaagavathaas to go through guru paramparai to learn further.

SWAMI PARASARABATTAR THIRUVADIGALE SARANAM.

Daasaanu Daasan

Iraamaanuja Sishyan

Sri Embaar

Sri:

Srimathe Iraamaanujaaya Nama:

Srimath Varavara Munayae Nama:

Name/Thirunaamam: Sri Embaar.

 Other Name/Matra Thirunaamam: Sri Govinda Battar.

Place/Thiru Avathaara Sthalam : Madhura Mangalam.

 Year/Thiru Avathaara Varudam: Krodhana

 Month of birth/Thirunakshatra Thingal:Thai

 Birth Star/Thirunakshatram: Punarvasu.

 This swami is a cosine brother to Swami Ramanujar. Both swamis had their early education at the same advaitic paadasaalai run by advaitic scholar Yadavapprakaasar.

Swami Embar helped swami Ramanujar in escaping from the master plan of his guru to kill our swami.

 Once at the time of taking bath in the holy river with all his guru and paadasaalai mates, Sri Govinda Battar got a lingam in his hand. Sri Govinda Battar showed the same to his guru. The advaitic scholar replied that it is the anugruham of Lord Siva and named him as Ullankai Konarntha Naayanaar. From that day, Govinda Battar became pure advaitee and started practicing the same.

 This news was heard by swami Ramanujar and swami showed some interest in getting back him to our darsanam. Swami Emberumaanaar with the help of Swami Peria Thirumalai Nambigal got swami back, did panchasamskaaram and named him as Sri Embar.

Embar Jeeyar mutt is at Sri Perumboodur. Now the present swami in the mutt is our renowned Vidwan – Senthamizh Vediar Swami Kumaaravaadi Ramanujacharyar.

 At Madhuramangalam swami is giving darshan to all adiyars.

 Information about Madhuramangalam:

Perumaal Thirunaamam: Sri Vaikundapperumaal.

Thaayaar Thirunaamam: Sri Kamalavalli Naachiyaar.

Pushkarini: Garuda Pushkarini.

Swami’s avathaara Utsavam at his birth place is being celebrated in a large scale by adiyars.

Swami Embaar is one of our acharyas in the oraanvazhi list. This swami finds a place next to our Swami Ramanujar.  From Swami Embar all of our acharyas are Thiruvadi Sambhandham Petra Aacharyas.

As advised by our Jagathaacharyan, Swami Embar was an acharyan of Swami Parasara Battar.

Adiyaen Daasaanu Daasan

Iramanuja Sishyan

Neechanaen Nirai Onrumilaen

Sri Ramanujar

Srimathe Iraamaanuja Nama:

Srimath Varavara munaye Nama:

Thaniyan:

Yo Nithyam Achutha Pathaam Bujayukmarukma
Vyaamohathas Thathidharaani Thrunaayamaenae
Asmad Guroar Bhagavathoasya Dhayaika Sindhoho
Ramanujasya Charanou Saranam Prabadhyae.

Name/Thirunaamam: Swami Ramanujar.

Month/Thingal: Chittirai

Star/Thirunakshatram: Thiruvaathirai

Birth Place/Thiru Avathaaram panna Idam: Sriperumboodoor

Year/Thiru Avathaara Varudam: 1017A.D.

Avathaaram: Aadhisheshan.

Meaning of the name: Raman+anujan.

Raman: Lord Sriraamar.

Anujan: Brother.

The meaning for his name is “Brother of Sri Ramar”.

We all know brother of Sri Ramar is Sri Lakshmanar. Sri Lakshmanar is an avathaaram of Sri Aadhisheshan. Swami is also an avathaaram of Sri Aadhisheshan. So, Swami had the name Lakshmana Muni.

Father/Thiruththagappanaar: Kesava Somayaaji.

Mother/Thiruththaayaar: Kaanthimathi Ammal.

History in brief:

Swami, on completing 16 years of age, mastered all the Vedas and saastraas.

Swami had his studies at Advaita Vedanta School, run by an Advaitic Sanyaasi Yadavapprakasar at Thiruputkuzhi.

Since our swami had a very profound knowledge in Vedas, Swami never failed to raise his objections while the meanings given for Vedas by his Guru was adverse in so many occasions? There is an Upanishad called Chaantogya Upanishad. Yadavaprakkasar was explaining the meaning of this Upanishad. All the sishyaas were listening to their guru. Yadavaprakkasar when explaining the line ‘Kapyaasam Pundareekam’, yadavapparakaasar said that the eyes of the Lord looked like the buttocks of a monkey. On hearing this swami shed tears and the tears rolled down on his guru. Yadavapprakaasar enquired swami the reasons therefor… Swami replied with the correct explanation that the eyes of the lord were like a Lotus flower.

These misinterpretations by his Guru continued further and the objections by our swami also were raised on so many times. Finally yadavapprakasar had conspired to kill our swami by drowning him in the Ganges. For that he planned a yatra to Ganga with all the sishyas. Swami came to know this bad intention of his guru through one another sishyan and his cousin brother Govinda Bhattar.

Later Swami escaped from the Gang and Swami was in a fix to know the way to return back. Unexpectedly a couple appeared before swami to guide him. After giving guidance to swami the couple disappeared from that place. Swami then realized that the couple, who helped him, was none but the divine couple.

Then swami returned to Kanchi and stayed there with Swami Thirukachinambigal and was perfoming kaingaryam to Sri Devaraja Swami. .

At that time Swami Aalavandaar was aged, and was expecting Swami Ramanujar to replace him after His period. News was passed on to Swami Ethiraajar, and swami also started his journey towards Thiruvarangam. But unfortunately Swami Aalavandaar attained the lotus feet of his Acharyan before Swami Ethiraajar arrived there.

Even though Swami was not in a position to see Swami Aalavandaar, while he was alive, swami noticed that the three fingers of Sri Alavandaar’s hand were folded signifying his unfulfilled desires in his life time.

There were three reasons for the folded fingers.

Swami would write a commentary on Brahma Sutram, composed by Swami Vedavyaasar as per vishishtaadvaitam, which is now popularly called as Sri Baashyam.

Writing Baashyams to Swami Namaazhwaar’s Thiruvaaimozhi.

Doing something in the remembrance of Swami Vedavyaasar and Sri Paraacharar.

Swami came to know the above three unfulfilled desires of Swamy Alavadar and took a pledge immediately in the presence of them that His desires would be fulfilled, if he had the blessings of the Lord and Swamy Alavandaar. To their surprise, automatically the folder fingers became normal. Since Swami Aalavandaar had attained the abode of heaven before his arrival, Swami could not speak to Him. Swami Ramanujar did come back to Kanchi directly, without having the darshan of Sri Ranganatha and appraised the entire situation to Sri Thirukachinambigal.

At kanchipuram, swami continued his kaingaryam. On a fine day swami got reply for all his queries from God through swami Thirukkachinambigal. The reply included six words.

Six Words given by the Lord to Swami Ramanuja:

• Ahameva Param Thatvam:
• Darsanam Betha Evacha.
• Upaayeshu Prabathisyath.
• Dehaa Vasaane Mukthihi
• Anthima Smrithi Varjanam
• Periya Nambigalidam Samaashrayenam.

Ahameva Param Thatvam:

Meaning: The Lord Srimannaaraayanan is the supreme.

Dharsanam Betha Evacha:

Meaning: Jeeva Paramaathma Bethame Vedha Darsanam, It means the difference between Jeevathma and Paramaathma. This difference is not a svathanthra betham but parathanthra bedham. The relationship with Swami is always there, but thatvams are different.

Upaayeshu Prabathisyath:

Meaning: Charanaagathiyae Thanjam.

Anthima Smrithi varjanam:

One need not think about his final minute sense, which is a must. After performing charanaagathi, one should not worry about about his future days. God will take care everything.
Why the answer is in the next word.

Dehavasaane Mukthihi:

Meaning: Sareeram tholainthavaarae Moksham.

Those who surrender to God will get moksha after the death.

Last word is about Panchasamskaaram. That is Swami Ramanujar has to get manthra upadesam from Swami Peria Nambi.

Accordingly, swami on his way to Srirangam met his Acharyan. Swami Peria Nambi did panchasamskaaram to swami Ramanujar under a ‘Mahizha ‘tree. Then swami left from kanchipuram with Peria nambigal and commenced his kaingaryam to Sri Perarulaalan.

Swamy Ramauja , being unable to tolerate with his wife, who had disliked Swamy’s way of living, decided to take Sanniyasa Asramam and begged Lord Devaraja to offer Sanniyasa Asramam and the Lord consented . The lord called him As “Ramanuja Muni”

Other names of our swami:

Udaiyavar.

Emberumaanaar.

Illaiyaazhwaar.

Yathiraajar.

Lakshmanamuni.

Tiruppaavai Jeeyar.

Sri Baashyakkaarar.

Koilannan.

Swami after mastering everything wrote baashyam to Brahma sutram. Goddess Saraswathi named the commentary as Sri Baashyam. Swami Koorathaazhwaan helped our swami a lot in writing the script.

With the grace of Swami Ramanuja five of our acharyas, wrote 5 commentaries to Thiruvaaimozhi.

Swami named the two sons of Swami Koorathaazhwaan as Veda Vyasa Battar and Paraasaraa Battar.

Thus swami fulfilled the desires of Sri Aalavandaar.

Works of swami Ethiraajar:

Sri Baashyam.

Vedaartha Sankraham.

Vedantha Deepikai

Vedhaantha saaram

Gita Baashyam.

Gadyatrayam.

Nithyagrantham.

Highlights of some incidents in swami’s life:

• Yadavapprakaasar became disciple of our swami. Since he had deep knowledge in Vedas our swami advised Sri Yadavapprakaasar to write ‘Yathidharma Samuchayam’.

• On his way to preach the world about the vaidhiga matham, our swami had a debate with Yagna Murthi, and won the debate also. He became the disciple of our Swami. Swami named him as Sri Arullaalapperumaal Emberumaanaar. This swami wrote two great prabhandhams Gnana Saaram and Prameya Saaram.

• Swami got the administration of Srirangam temple from Thiruvarangatthu Amudhanaar, by making one of his great disciples Sri Koorathaazhwaan to participate in the Ekaakam kaingaryam performed by Thiruvarangathu Amudhanaar for his mother.

• Swami Emberumaanaar did panchasamskaaram to Emberumaan at Thirukkurungudi divya desam.

• Our swami had a name appanukku sangaazhi allittha perumaal.

• Our swami did a very good kaingaryam at Melkote for more than 12 years. At that time, the temple idol was stolen and used as a playing doll by princess of NewDelhi. Our swami went there to bring back the idol and called the idol as ‘Selvappillaai Vaarer’(Ramapriyan). Immediately the Lord came and sat in his (lap) madi.

• One of the most important disciples was Sri Vaduganambi. Like Swami Madhurakavigal, Sri Vaduganambi also had a great faith in his acharyan thiruvadi.

• Jain King Devarayan became the disciple of our swami, after our swami’s sreepaathatheertham did a miracle by making the king’s daughter free from devil.

• Our swami had paid a visit throughout India and did debate to prove the vishishtaadvaita matham is the only true vaidhiga matham.

• Our swami had so many sishyaas and out of such sishyas our swami selected 74 simmasanaathipathees, to save all jeevaathmaas from this bavasaakaram.

• Adiyaen has listed out some of the events only. Adiyaen request all the bhaagavathaas to go through the entire history of our swami in Guruparampara Prabaavam.

• Swami lived for 120 years.

• With his forehead on swami Embar’s lap and the thiruvadi on Vaduga nambi’s lap swami had his last breath in the year 1137A.D.

• Swamis Utsavam is being celebrated at all divyadesams for 10 days.

• Even today, we have a special darshan of our swami at three divyadesams.

• Thaanaana Thirumeni – As ordered by the Lord Sri Ranghanathar, his physical body is being preserved in the sitting posture, with in the temple limit at srirangam.

• Quote:

• Kaaraei Karunai Ramanuja.

• Thaanugantha Thirumeni – This thirumeni is at his birth place.

• Thamarugantha thirumeni – This thirumeni is at Melkote. Here our swami is giving darshan with the thirumeni which was designed by the bhaagavathaas with acharya bhakthi, they had.

• Swami stopped the oraan vazhikkramam and our sampradaayam had been named as Emberumaanaar darsanam because of kaarunyam, our swami had with all the bhaagavathaas.

• Our swami was a master of everything. This has been quoted in a Raamanuja Nootrandaathi paasuram as ‘Sollaar Tamizhoru Moondrum, Srudhigal Naangum, Ellailla Araneri Yaavum Therinthavan’.

• Adiyaen request all the bhaagavathaas to learn the Ramanuja Nootrandhaathi prabhandham, which was very beautifully composed by Swami Thiruarangathu Amudhanaar.

• This prabhandham is otherwise called as Prapanna Gayathri, i.e it is the gayathri manthra to all Prapannaas.

• Prapannaas refers to those who had surrendered to the lotus feet of God.

• Adiyaen pray to swami as said in the RN Prabhandham – Un Thondarkadkae Anbutrirukkumpadi Ennai Aakki Angaat Padutthae.

• Vazhi Ethiraajan

• Vaazhi Emberumaanar Darsanam

• Jai Srimannarayana!

• Note: Swami Thirunakshatiram is celebrated at his birth place for 10 days. Every Sri Vaishnavan must attend that atleast one time in his life time.

• Adiyaen would like to request all Bhaagavatha adiyars to learn Aarthi prabhandham composed by our swami Manavaala Maamunigal.

• Vaazhi Ethiraajan, Vaazhi Ethiraajan Vaazhi Ena Vaazhthuvaar………………………………………….

Swamy Ramanujar lived in this world for 120 years with so many Sri Vaihnava Adiyars. Whenever their life history is enjoyed, we shall enjoy the life history of Ramanuja once again.

Azhwar Emberumaanaar Jeeyar Thiruvadigalae Saranam

Dasanu Dasan

Iramanuja Sishyan

SRI PERIA NAMBIGAL

Srimathe Ramanujaya Nama:

Srimath Varavara Munayae Nama:

Thaniyan:

Kamalaapathi kalyaana Gunaamrutha Nishevayaa
Poorna Kaamaaya Sathatham Poornaaya Mahathae Namaha

Sri Peria Nambigal, in our Srivaishnava Acharya Paramparai finds an important place. In Sri Ramayana, while Ravana abducted Sita, Jadayu fought with him and lost his life. Similarly in order to protect Srivaishnavam, Sri Perianambigal and Swamy Kurathaazhwaan sacrificed their lives…

Year/Varusham: Hevilambi (997-998 A.D.)
Month/Thiruvavathaara Thingal: Margazhi
Star/Thirunakshatram: Kettai
Day: Wednesday Thithi: Poorva panchami
Amsam: Kumudar (Nithya suri)
Acharyan: Swamy Alavandar
Sishyas: Thirukachi nambigal, Swamy Emberumanar, Malaikunia ninrar,
Swamy Sadagopadasar, Aniarangathuamudanar, Thiruvaikulamudayar, Battar.

He was an adept in Vedanthas and practiced what he learnt.

He was one of the close diciples of Sri Alavandar.

Swamy Illayaazhwaar was learning sasthras in Kancheepuram under the guidance of
Yadavapraksar. Swamy Aalavandaar had composed Sthothra Rathanam, which vividly detailed “dvayam”. Swamy Aalavandaar called Swami Perianambigal and requested him to go to Kanchipuram and chant Sthothra Rathnam effectively in order to bring him in his fold. Swamy Illayaazhwaar was doing service of bringing water to the Temple. As instructed by Sri Aalavandaar, Swamy Perianambigal chanted Sthothra Rathnam (sloka 11), while Illayaazhwaar was on his way to the temple. Having attracted by the verses, Swamy Illayaazhwaar asked Swami Perianambigal whose composition was that. Then Perinambigal disclosed all the facts about Swamy Alavandar and explained that Sthothra Rathnam was equivalent to “dvayam”. Swamy Illayaazhwaar was immensely pleased to hear his preachings and thus Swami Perinambigal played a leading role in making Sri Illayaazhwaar as our “Darsana Pravarthagar’’.

Later in compliance to the order of Lord Varadharaja of Kanchi, Sri Perianambigal performed Panchsamskaram to Sri Ilayazhwar in Madhuranthagam and Dvayam was taught in his ears by his Acharyan. (Swami Peria Nambigal).

During His last days, swamy Aalavandaar was suffering from a carbuncle on his back and Swamy Maaranaer nambi, a disciple of him came forward to receive the suffering as an Acharyaprasadam. As such he started suffering from the ailment and Swamy Perianambigal dressed the wound daily despite knowing well that, Sri Maaranaer nambi hailed from a lower caste.

Maraanaer Nambi attained the abode of heaven and the last religious rites namely
Brahmameda samskaram was done by Swami Perianambigal to Sri Maaranaer Nambigal. This act was very much opposed and criticized by his own people. An inquiry was ordered by Swamy Ilayazhwar. Swamy Perianambigal pleaded that Swamy Maaranaer Nambigal was known for his “brahmagnanam” and he deserved for it, for which he adduced proofs.
1. Lord Rama performed obsequies to Jadayu

2. King Uthishtra performed obsequies to Vidura. And further pleaded that in what way he (Peria nambi) was superior to Lord Rama and King Uthishtra or Maaranaer Nambi was inferior to Jadayu and Vidura.

3. Sri Thiruppaanaazhwaar, who hailed from a lower caste, was being worshipped by all and who had been offered seat by Lord Ranganatha in his lotus heart. Swamy Ilayazhwar was satisfied by his compliance and praised his largeheartedness and high thinking.

Gangaikodacholapuram was ruled by one chola king named Kirumikandacholan. He was a veteran follower of Lord Siva. The king conducted a signature campaign from all scholars stating that Lord Siva was supreme and showed his performance to his minister Naaluraan. The Minister replied that it should be signed by the Lion Sri Ramanuja and there was no use, if it was signed by other scholars. The king sent a word to Swami Ramanuja and Swami Kurathaazhwaan apprehended that the king had conspired to kill Swami Ramanuja.

So Swami Kurathaazhwaan in the guise of Sri Ramanuja went to the court with Sri Perianambigal. The King ordered to sign in the paper stating that Lord Siva was Supreme God. Both of them refused to do so. The Kind ordered to pluck the eyes of both. The servants first plucked the eyes of Swami Perianambigal. Nambi screamed with intolerable pain and was at the threshold of attaining heaven. Swami Aazhwaan wanted to take him back to Srirangam for the last rites and Nambi refused to do so, stating that everybody would like to go to Srirangam for their last rites and his last wish was fulfilled by Aazhwaan.

To conclude, Sri Perianambigal sacrificed his eyes for the Darsanam of Srivaishnavam and established the truth that Srivasihnavam was beyond caste and creed.

Sri Peria Nambigal Thiruvadigalae Saranam

Dasanu dasan

Iramanuja Sishyan