Swami Emperumanar Uthsavam 2020

Celebrating the birth of Swami Ramanuja – brahmothsavam 2020

Blessed are We, the present generation –  we celebrated 1000 years of Swami Ramanuja on  1st May 2017 -   thiruvathirai nakshathiram in the month of Chithirai. .. and this year the grand celebrations of Swami Ramanujar are on a different level. Never worry that there will be no purappadu outside the temple, understand that at Thiruvallikkeni as in every other divyadesam, there will be Uthsavam of Udayavar culminating in sarrumurai on ‘Chithiraiyil Thiruvathirai’ – the 10 day annual brahmothsavam of Swami Ramanujar starts on 19.4.2020.

Swami Ramanuja @ Sriperumpudur

‘Ananthah sarasi dhere  Ramye  Bhoothapurivare’ – on the bank of Ananthasaras the temple pushkarini, is the temple of Sri Adhi Kesavar.   Boothapuri, better known now as Sri Perumpudur is the most divine place for us –  the place where our Greatest Acharyar “Emperumanaar, Bashyakarar” the reincarnation of Aadi Sesha and Sri Lakshmanar was born,  in the year 1017  to Kesava Somayaji and Gandhimathi couples.   Ilayavalwar as he was known at birth, Ramanujar was born in the year of grace of Pingala corresponding to year 939 of Salivahana era  and lived for a period of 120 years.   He was named Illayazhwar [denoting Lakshmana] by his uncle Srisaila Purnar foreseeing his wisdom, infinity and eternity. 

His birth is associated with the temple tank ‘Kairavini’ at Thiruvallikkeni for his father Kesava Somayaji conducted yagna seeking birth of a son – and the great Ramanujar was born. He paid his first visit to Thiruvarangam in his 25th year but could only pay homage to Acharyar Alavanthar.  He lived and taught undisturbed in Srirangam for some more decades before had to leave the place proceeding to Melukote Thirunarayanapuram.

Our Srivaishnavism hails Ubhaya Vedanta – there are philosophies restricted to having their scriptures in either Sanskrit or Tamil ~ Sri Vaishnavism has Sanskrit and dravida vedantha in equal parlance. .. .. and we have the noblest of preceptors  - Swami Ramanujar – the King of all hermits guiding us the path.   Our darsana Sthapakar, Sri Ramanujar rightly reverred as ‘Yathi Rajar’ ~ the king among yathis [hermits and sages, the greatest reformer he was, Ramanuja gave us many vedantic treatises - toured the entire Country, making the Srivaishnavatie tradition flourish in all his path.  Of those who remained closest to Sri Ramanuja – Sri  Mudaliandan, Sri Koorathazhwan, Sri Embar,  Sri Ananthazhwan, Arulalaperumal Emperumanar, Kidambi Achaan, Thirukurugai Piraan Pillan, Thiruvarangathu Amuthanar and more.  Worshipping Sri Ramanujar will cure us of all sins and can there by a better time for doing it  than now. 

Swami Ramanuja @ thiruvallikkeni

At Thiruvallikkeni in East tank square overlooking the beautiful Kairavini pushkarini stands this Mutt (for sure you would have attended many functions at this kalyana mantap) ~ Yadugiri Yathiraja Mutt –  associated with our great Acaryar Swami Ramanujar who excelled in ensuring control of temples and reorientation of services (kainkaryams) to Emperuman at Thiruvarangam, Thirumala and Melukote.  This mutt  headquartered at  Melukote Thirunarayanapuram was  founded by our Yathi Rajar.

Sri Vaishnavaites study his granthas and hail Him daily – in educational texts, only He should have been the role model for perseverance and victory and not the invader who repeatedly invaded India and destroyed Somnath.  The fit model our Acaryar Sri Ramanuja went 18 times to convince   Acharya Goshthi Poorna (Thirukottiyur Nambi)  to impart him the Asthakshari - Tirumanthra  and Dwaya l) mantra and their inner meanings… .. .. and learning it after such ordeal, thought it fit to share to the World (ஆசை உடையார்க்கு எல்லாம் கூறுமின்)

This year Udayavar sarrumurai  falls on 28.4.2020 and we pray to our Acarya that by the sarrumurai date, lot of things would have got cleared and the World would be a much better place to live for humans .. ..

Our Acaryar ‘Yathirajar’ traversed long way and reached  Saligrama, then to Thondanoor where he ordained King Bittideva into Srivainava path ~ he inspired the locals to building an earthern dam ‘Thonnur aeri’ also known as ‘Moti talab’ – on which banks now we see a 32 ft Ramanujar installed by Sri Yadugiri Yathiraja Jeeyar (more on this in a different post).  Acarya came to Melukote @ Thirunarayanapuram – climbed the hill of Yadusaila, discovered the idol of Thirunarayana in an anthill in Thulasi garden adjoining the champaka forest.  He also found natural source of thiruman, which we happily wear on our forehead.  By some accounts, the renovation of the famous Cheluvanarayana Temple took place in punarvasu 1099. 

Swami Ramanuja @ Melukote Thirunarayanapuram

Celebrate the birth of Swami Ramanujar.  Falling at the feet of Udayavar is the only way, we cleanse and lift ourselves towards higher things – the kainkaryam to Lord.

adiyen Srinivasadhasan.  [Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar]

19.4.2020