It is possible that you
would have seen posters in Thiruvallikkeni today…… there are posters and there
are rare ones like these…. ~ it is about a meeting at Nampillai Sannathi at
Peyalwar Kovil Street – a meeting organized by Hindu Makkal Katchi (Sri Arjun
Sampath) and Divyadesa Parampariya Padukappu Peravai [Protection Force for
the traditions in Sri Vaishnava
Divyadesams]….. somehow cannot understand it happening on Monday morning ~
anyway, it is not about the numbers or the groups – more about the noble aim …
and significance for us (all Sri Vaishnavaites)
For a Srivaishnavaite,
Kainkaryam is essential; Selfless and unconditional „kainkarya‟ cleanses the soul of
the performer. One must adore and be attached to their Acharyan and only the
direction of Acharyar will lift us from all earthly evils. ~
and everyday we must think of our Greatest Acharyar – Periya Jeeyar - Saint
Vara Vara Muni, the last of the ‘Poorvacharyars’ in the grand galaxy of
preceptors, known as Alagiya Manavala Nayanar, before he was ordained the holy
order of Sanyasa. It is none other than our most adored
Acharyar “Swami Manavala Mamunigal” -
the reincarnation of Sri Ramanuja who was himself an incarnation of Adisesha.
Thiruvallikkeni Mamunigal Sarrumurai purappadu.
It will be too
rudimentary to write of the details of our Swami Maamunigal - known as
‘Yathindra Pravanar’ arising out of his irresistible attachment to the
lotus feet of Sri Ramanujar known as ‘Yatheendrar’. Sri
Manavala Mamunigal was born in Alwar Thirunagari, Tamilnadu in AD
1370. At birth he was known as ‘Azhagiya
Manavala Perumal Nayanaar’. Later he was
hailed in very many names such as ‘Yatheendra Pravanar’, Ramyajamathru,
Saumyajamatru, Visada-Vak-Sikhamani
Varayogi, varavaramuni. He lived for 73 years on this earth performing
many Kaimkaryams at Sri Rangam and
undertook many pilgrimages to many Sri
Vaishnava Divyadesams.
Of the many works,
‘Upadesa Rathinamalai’ is one which all of us should know and recite
regularly. There are 73 paasurams +
thanian given by Kovil Kandadai annan
and another one to complete rendered by Erumbiappa. Upadesa Rathina Malai is a
legendary work which provide complete details of month of the birth of Azhwars,
the constellation in ascendance at the time of birth , the avathAra sthalams
and the unique glories of each of them.
The Jeeyar who
established our Thennacharya Sampradhayam believed and practised the tenet of
following the words of early Acharyars as they are [munnor mozhintha murai
thappamal kettu]. Mamunigal’s commentaries are characterised by great clearness
and completeness of exposition. He had 8
famous disciples known as Ashtadig Gajas who were to take over the mantle and
spread Sampradhayam for posterity.
More than hailing the greatness of our Acharyar, there is some
tinge of sadness to this post….
From inscriptions,
books like Yathindra Pravana Prabhavam and the like, it is learnt that hundreds
of years ago – there was the temple known as Adhi Kesava Perumal in
Thiruvarangam to the east of
Adaiyavalainthan Street ~ nearer
this temple, our Great Acharyar after he left for heavenly abode of Paramapadam
– his mortal remains were laid to rest [Thirupalli paduthutal]. This is Sri Mamunigal Thiruvarasu…
Over the years arising
out of floods and natural happenings – the temple of Adhi Kesava
Perumal
For sure, ‘Thiruvarasu’
is not any ordinary structure …… it is embodiment of our Acharyar and we need
to transform it and restore to be the place where all Sri Vaishnavaites will
rededicate to the cause of Sri Vaishnavism – doing kainkaryam to the Lord and
to his devotees. Thiruvarasu should be
nerve cente for realization of our glorious Acharyar’s ideals – preaching and
practicing what He taught us.
The immediate need is to stand-by those who fight for our Cause and
be with them in restoring our glory. We
must rise above all petty differences to ensure that our Sampradhayam flourishes
and we sing the glory of our Acharyars and Arangan daily throughout the day…
If we ponder - we realise having lost many things……… and mostly all these are due to our generations not
properly adhering to the customs and rituals prescribed to our Sampradhayam by
our elders and our Acharyars ~ there is no purpose blaming outsiders for the
mess.
At least from now, let
us try to live our lives as pious Sri Vaishnavaites – ever singing the glory of
Sriman Narayana, practicing our sampradhayam and preaching the glory of our
Emperuman, Emperumanaar and other Acharyars.
Let us learn our treasure of Divyaprabandham and other Grandhams – and
ensure that our children also learn these and do not get away from the
mainstream. We must go to temple daily –
support our sampradhaya activities. We
must visit Divyadesams and all other important places associated with our
Acharyars and ensure that they are maintained properly and in this ….. we have
to support – those who have been wedded to the ideals of our sampradhayam and
maintaining our culture by doing yeoman service to Lord and to our culture, foregoing earthly material benefits for which many of us crave.
Let us unite and be united all the time – with ill-will / hatred
towards none …. and devotion to Acharyas and Sriman Narayana.
Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha:
Sri Vara Vara Munayeh Namaha:
Azhwar, Emperumanaar, Jeeyar Thiruvadigale Saranam.
Adiyargal Vazha, Arangana Nagar vazha.......
Sri Manavala Mamunigale – innum pala noorrandu irum..
Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.
7th Dec. 2013.
Sir, such issues are beyond doubt trouble the real Sri Vaishnavaite.... but while people at best would create turbulence (read ripple) in interenet.... just tell me - how many persons attended this meeting at Triplicane today.... just a handful ? - sure everyone would have excuse... but that is the bane of Sri Vaishnavaites and Hindus - Geetha
ReplyDeleteSad to read ... pained to be part of this great sampradhayam which does nothing to protect itself and becoming more and more of ritualistic perseverance and nothing more.... ask those inside temples of what they know of our Acharyars ? .... sad but truth .. Ramesh
ReplyDeleteSir, I remember Sujatha writing something on this... did not understand much... but now feeling sad to read about the sad state of affairs - Malini
ReplyDelete