Sri Vaishnava Philosophy - Part B

Perumal Pirati Thiruvadigale Saranam||

Azhwar Emperumanar Jeer Swamy Desikan Thiruvadigale Saranam||

In my earlier posting we saw some basic concepts of Visishtathvaidham and some key characteristics of Jeevathma & Paramathma.

Bagawad Ramanujar established this fact which is inscribed in Vedam by writing the correct interpretations through Sri Bhashyam. However to understand Sri Bhashyam one may need to spend more time and also should identify a scholar to learn it. Hence Bagavad Ramanujar or Bhasyakarar came up with some simple practices that one can follow in life to attain the moksham and avoid rebirth.  Therefore we can start our journey of understanding this great concepts by following the practices defined by Bagavad Ramanujar.  

First let's try to get some interesting details in Bagavad Ramanujar's life which will affirm our faith to follow the philosophy defined by him.

Bagavad Ramanujar who is also fondly called as Bhashyakar, Udayavar etc., was born in the year of 1017AD in a village called Sri Perumpudur near Kanchi. This place is still there as an Industrial town and suburb of Greater Chennai.

He was born to a Bhramin family.  His father's name is Kesava Somayaji and mother's name is  Kanthimathi. Ramnujar lost his father at his early age and came to Kanchipuram. He started learning Vedas under a guru by name Yadhva Prakasar, a teacher of Advaith philosophy. Over a period in time Ramanujar started getting into conflicts with his Guru as he was delivering  misinterpreted meaning of Vedas. His guru never liked him and even attempted to eliminate him. When Yadhava Prakasar gave a wrong interpretation for a Sanskrit sloka that was supposed to define beautiful eyes of Perumal.  Since Yadava Prakasar gave misinterpreted meaning and  comparison Ramanujar really got upset and left his learning from him. Then he continued his studies on his own but in search of new Guru. 

That's when Ramanujar comes across Thirukachi Nambigal who used to do the kainkaryam (service) of swinging fan (Alavattam or Visiri in Tamil) to Lord Varadaraja Perumal of Kanchipuram Temple. He is such a great devotee of Lord Varadaraja and a SriVaishnavite who had the blessings of Lord Varadaraja to such an extent that he could also have an ability to talk to Varadaraja Perumal and get his reply.  Ramanujar had great regards for Thirukachi Nambigal though he is not a Bhramin. Ramanujar requests Thirukachi Nambi to be his Guru but he refused saying that he is not qualified for the same and directs him to meet a scholar by name Periya Nambi.  Periya Nambi is also a Sri Vaishnavite who followed Yamunachariar or Alawandar as his Guru.

During this time of 10th century only Vaishnava tradition started growing and Yamunacharya was leading the mutt at Srirangam.  He visitis Kanchipuram and happen to see Ramanujar.  By his very first sight he decides Ramanujar is the right person to lead Vaishnava Concepts in future. There is a famous phrase called "Am Mudaval ivanenru".. 

After coming back to Srirangam Yamunachariar got to know more about Ramanujar through Periya Nambi.  As days passby, Yamunacharya became very sick and old. He realizes that he may not live for long and ask Periya Nambi to get Ramanujar from Kanchi. Unlike these days with no quick  transportation available, when  Periya Nambi comes back to Srirangam with Ramanujar he finds Yamunachariar was no longer in the word,ie he dies just then. Ramnujar notices the three fingers on Yamunachariar (Alawandar) was folded and they could not unfold them. Periya Nambi with his power finds the three unfulfilled wishes of Yamunacharya and asks others whether there are any unfulfilled wishes of Alawandar. They told the following are the three unfulfilled wishes.

a. Alawandar (yamnunachariyar) wanted a detailed text (commentaries) to be written for Bhrama Sutra in Vedam

b. He wanted a full detailed Viyagyarnam (commentary) written for Thiruvaimozhi which composed by Swamy Namazhwar. We will see more details at later when we take Nalaiyra Dhiva Prabandam. 

c. The names of great saints like Parasarar,Vyasar,Namazhwae who originally wrote about purana and grants to be remembered by the world. And hence identify people and name them after these great saints. Ramanujar later named two son's of his disciple Kurathazhwar after Parasarar and Vyasar. He also named Namazhwar for his Sweekara putran (adopted son) Thirukurgaipilllan. 

As soon as Ramanujar promises to fulfill these desires of  Alawandar automatically Alawandar's fingers got unfolded. Later they did the final rites for Yamunachariar and Bagavad Ramanujar takes incharge of the mutt at Srirangam to carry forward Yamanuchariyar's wishes to spread Vaishnava sidthandam for welfare of humankind.

Having taken the responsibility Ramanujar tries to find real meaning of Bhama Sutra and hence decides to get answers for his questions with Thirukachi Nambigal as Ramanujar felt he I only person who can understand. He poses six questions to him and Thirukachi Nambi in turn asked Lord Varadaraja. Lord Varadaraja himself gives answers for his six questions. They are

1. Who is the Supreme Power?

2. What is real thatvam or philosophy?

3. What are the means to achieve Moksha?

4. In old age how one should rememer Bhramam or Supreme Power?

5. When to get Moksham?

6. Whom should I consider as my Guru?

For these questions Lord Varadaraja gives answers as below..

1. Ahameva ParaTatvam

Myself (Sriman Narayana) is the "All" (Param porul)

2.  Darsinam Bedha Eva cha (or Bedha Eva cha Darsinam)

There are difference in veda shruthis (what is said).  There are beda and abetha shruthis in Veda. 

Bagavad Ramanujar later goes and write the commentaries for all Veda Bhrama Sutras and clearly bridges the difference two. For this we should in depth of Sri Bhashyam which we cam park to study later. 

3. Upayeshu Prabatisyath

The means to achieve Moksha is prapathi or Saransgathi. One who surrender Sriman Naryana will get Moksham. 

Btw, please note that just by Saranagathi through Samasrayanam alone one can't get Moksham but one should be truthful to Sriman Narayana and also should follow vedam, dharma and service to Sriman Narayana in life consistency.  

4. Anthima Smrithi varjanam

At the end of life one need not remember anything.  The moment a person surrender to ME, Moksham is guaranteed for that Jeevan.

5. Dehavasane Mukthi 

When Jeevathma leaves the sareeram or body if surrendered to me it will get Moksham or Paramapadam.

6. Purnacharya Samasraya 

Just praise or fall at the feet of purnacharya (Periya Nambi) and take him as your Guru. He will guide you. 

Based on this process of Pancha Samaskaram or Samasrayanam was practiced.  Acharyan will do the Upadesam of Mula Mantra, Dwayam and Charuma slokam. 

Thirukachi Nambigal passes on these words to Ramanujar and ask him to take it further with Periya Nambigal. Then Ramanujar with much delight to headed back to Srirangam.  At the same time Periya Nambi also travelled toward Kanchipuram. Both of them happen to meet at a place called Mathuranthagam (refer to the Temple Eri Katha Ramar)  and Periya Nambi did the Samasrayanam or Pancha Samaskaram. During the Pancha Samaskaram Acharyan reveals the Mula Mantram, Dwayam and Charma Slokam. Only then a normal human becomes a Sri Vaishnavite.

From this incident onwards Bagavad Ramanujar starts his journey in preaching Sri Vaishnava Concepts. He also establishes Vichistathvaidam philosophy by writing the full detailed meaning for Bhrama Sutra from Vedam. 

In the next blog we can further get to know the revolution Bagavad Ramanujar did for the humankind.  

Note: Adiyen tried to simplify the concepts and present it.  If you need more details kindly refer to other texts or from other upanyasams by great scholars.  

.....More to follow 

Ps: Adiyen open for any comments and corrections.