Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha!!!
Sri Dhayabala munayE namaha!!!
Sri Thathacharya GuravE namaha!!!
Who was Yagyamurthy?: During the period of Swami Ramanujar, there lived a great "Advaitha" proponent named 'Yagyamurthy' near a place called "Vinjimoor" in the plains of Tirumala hills in the present Andhra Pradesh state of India. He was an extremely erudite scholar who won over many battles over his peers in "Tarkha Vaadham" or "Tarkham". Tarkham refers to the art of debating, making counter points to disprove an already established theory or practice. A lot of analytical skills are needed to do tarkha vaadam. Yagyamurthy, the great intellect, was highly successful in tarkha vaadam as a result of which he made his oppoents embrace "Advaitha" philosophy. In those days, when an opponent accepts defeat in an argument, he should and he would embrace the philosophy of the winner at once.
Yagyamurthy becomes popular: As days progressed, his victories grew by leaps and bounds. Yagyamurthy started to go to different places near and far to win over his contemporaries and bolster the roots of "Advaitha". But how far could he go and how could he? Just because he went on converting loads of folks to Advaitha, would it mean that "advaitha" is the right way of interpreting Vedas? The answer is definitely a "NO". Universal and eternal truth is one and that is the one which stands the test of time. Advaitha came into this world to counter the soonyavaadhis mainly who advocated the concept of "nothing". It was successful in that aspect and just that; it was not comprehensive in any way but was good enough to attack on Vedas by some miscreants to Sanathana dharmam (Hinduism). So we do recognize that Yagyamurthy should be and will be corrected at some point of time. But during those times, who could have dared to face Yagyamurthy in tarkha vaadam? Who can put an end to this invincible scholar? The simplest answer to the toughest task was obviously our great Jagadaacharyan, Sri Ramanujar who did the task deftly.
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| Swami Ramanujar |
Tarkham between Yagyamurthy and Swami Ramanujar: Lord Sriman Narayanan planned for their meet at Srirangam as a part of his leela. As usual, the rules of the debate were laid clearly before it began. Swami Ramanujar was certainly very confident about our Sri Vaishnava Sampradhayam, but is now going to undergo a stern test in the form of Yagyammurthy. The debate started and both these great philosphers started to argue in their stand. Attacks, counter attacks and defenses ensued from both parties. At one point it looked that the battle would never end. Yagyamuthy challenged Swami Ramanuja on a key point for which Swami could not retaliate immediately. The day's battle was regarded as "Over" and was set to continue the following morning. Swami was very worried about how to win and establish Vishitadvaita. He closed his eyes and prayed to his "Aaradhana Perumal –Varadarajan" (AruLaLa perumal at Thirukachi also known as Kaanchipuram). He pleaded to Him, "If the great Vishitadvaita sampradhayam which was nurtured and propelled by the likes of Swami Nammazhwar, Naadhamunigal and Sri Aalavandhar would have to come to an end because of an ignorant person like him (Swami Raamanuja), then what a disgrace he had caused to Vishitadvaita philosophy". He felt very bad for himself and believed that his "PerAruLaLan" would always come to his rescue. And sure HE did. The same night, AruLaLa perumal came in Swami Ramanujar's dream and pointed out some of the arguments he could use for winning over Yagyamurthy. Specifically, HE suggested to take excerpts from "Maayavaandha Kandanam" chapter from Swami Alavandar's Sidhithrayam.
Battle continues the next day: Next day Swami Ramanujar looked gleeful right from the beginning. As usual, he finished his bath and had 12 urdhva pundrams. He was resplendent with "Tejas"and proceeded to the debate with so much confidence that upon just seeing him, Yagya murthy realized that Ramanujar has got some solid arguments prepared to win. So, he prostrated before Swami just on seeing Swami's roopam. To everyone's delight, Ramanujar won the debate and was happy that Vishitadvaita sampradhayam will flourish no matter what the size and nature of obstacles that come in its way. Yagyamurthy accepted defeat and became an ardent disciple of Ramanujar from then on.
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| Swami Arulala Perumal Emberumanar |
Swami Ramanujar gives daasya naamam to Yagyamurthy: When Peyazhwar conquered Thirumazhisai azhwar who wandered across various philosophies, the latter puts it,
"Sakhiyam katrom samanam katrom sangaranaar aaki vaitha aagama nool aaraaindhom paakiyathaaal sengat kariyaanai cherndhom". Translated loosely it means that Thirumazhisai azhwar was into various religions and philosophies like Jainism, shaivisim, etc but all those did not answer the one basic question. The basic question is "What is the One Thing that if we catch hold of will get the answers to everything?. Is there a one Supreme being that is the causeless cause by Itself and IT is the cause for all other things? Thirumazhisai azhwar was given the answer in Sriman Naarayanan by Peyazhwar. Yagyamuthy felt exactly like how Thirumazhisai azhwar felt when he was corrected. Since Swami Ramanujar had won this debate with the help of Arulala Perumal, he gave Yagya murthy the name 'Arulala Perumal Emberumanar', (by combining Perumal's and his own name). From that day on, Yagya murthy was known by 'Arulala Perumal Emberumanar'.
Confusion in names between Emberumanar and Arulala Perumal Emberumanar: Ramanujar also established a separate mutt for Arulala Perumal Emberumanar. Once there were some strangers in Srirangam who wanted to visit Swami Ramanujar's madam. Since they were new to the place, they asked one of the locals "Where is Emberunar's mutt?". Immediately, the local person replied them, "which Emberumanar mutt are you guys talking about? Is it the one of Swami Ramanujar who is also known as Emberumanar/Ethirajar/Udayavar/Godhagrajan OR Swami "Arulala Perumal Emberumanar's mutt"? While this conversation was going along, Swami Arulala Perumal Emberumanar accidentally happened to listen to it. He wept terribly hearing that his mutt had caused confusion in the minds of people to an extent that they may believe there is another Swami. In Srivaishanvic parlance, when we say "Swami", it can refer to only one person. He is none other than Swami Ramaujar himself. Just like when we say "kovil" it refers to Srirangam, when we say "Swami", it is our Ramanujar only. But Swami Arulala Perumal Emberumanar now was very upset that he went ahead and tore down his mutt and came to live in Swami Ramanujar's mutt itself from then. This is why they say "thesu poli matan thannai sidhaithittan vaazhiye" in his vaazhi thirunamam. Such was his devotion.
Arulala Perumal Emberumanar's Kainkaryam: Swami Ramanujar gave various kainkaryams to his disciples. Swami Mudaliandan and Swami Koorathazhwan's main duties were to take care of the literary works like SriBashyam by disseminating its substance to the masses. Another task was for them to go and take care of "vaadham" with scholars from other philosophies. Likewise, Kidambi Achan was given the task of "thaligai kainkaryam". A small story why he was given this task.
Kidambi Achan gets the kainkaryam of making food for Swami Ramanujar: Thirukotiyoor Nambi, was one of the five acharyas of Swami Ramanujar He lived in Thirukoshtiyur divyadesam and he was the one who gave Swami Ramanujar the Thirumanthraartham. Once, a group of people had decided to kill Swami Ramanujar, by poisoning his food. Hearing this, Thirukotiyoor Nambi immediately rushed to Srirangam to protect Swami Ramanujar. Swami Ramanujar along with his sishyas, met his acharayan Thirukotiyoor Nambi on the banks of River Cauvery, on a hot afternoon. On seeing his Acharyan, Swami Ramanujar immediately prostrated before him right on the burning hot banks of the river. Thirukotiyoor Nambi wanted to test something there. He did not ask Swami Ramanujar to get up. He was keeping mum and this continued for sometime. Due to heat, Swami Ramanujar's body turned red in color. Swami Ramanuja being an emodiment of Acharya anushtaanam, did not get up and lay there till Thirukotiyoor Nambi asked him to get up. But Thirukotiyoor Nambi continued staying silent. Along with Swami Ramanuja, there were a few sishyas. One sishya by name "Swami Kidambi Achaan" was mad at Thirukotiyoor Nambi and went lifted up Swamy Ramanuja and question Tirukkotiyoor Nambi saying “What is it you are doing? Don’t you see that our acharyan's thirumeni has turned red!!? What do you gain from making my guru like this? Thirukotiyoor Nambi was all smiles now and he said "I am happy now. I was searching for a person like you who could take care of Swami Ramanujar. Since you were the sishya who could not tolerate any wrong happening to your acharyan's body, I want you to take care of Swami Ramanujar's "thaligai". So from that day on, Swami Kidambi achan was given the kainkaryam of doing "thaligai" to Swami.
Kainkaryams of few other sishyas: Anandhaazwan was given the kainkaryam of making Thiruvengadam a nice place to worship by cleansing the area near temple. We all know about "Pillai Urangaa Villi Daasar" story. Swami Ramanuja made Lord Ranganathar to show "Pillai Urangaa Villi Daasar" HIS divine eyes. Earlier, Pillai Urangaa Villi Daasar" was very much fond of his wife's eyes. But from that point when he saw Lord Rangantha through Swami Ramanujar, he denounced everything and became a ramanuja dasan. For him, the kainkaryam that was given was to take care of the procession whenever Namperumal goes for Veedhi purappadu. Likewise, there was a task assigned to each of his sishya. For Arulala Perumal Emberumanar the kainkaryam given was special. We saw that he had a debate with Swami Ramanujar and at the end of it Swami was victorious. Arulala Perumal Emberumanar became a Srivaishnava. Initially, he was living in his mutt, but later he destroyed and joined Swami Ramanujar's. Swami Ramanujar gave him a very special kainkaryam of doing 'Thiruvaaraadhana" to his pEraRuLaalan. Arulala Perumal Emberumanar was very delighted and followed his acharyan’s orders to his utmost satisfaction.
Arulala Perumal Emberumnar serves as acharyan: When Anandhaazwhan and some other persons caught the lotus feet of SriRamanujar for the first time, the latter asked him to go to Swami Arulala Perumal Emberumanar and seek refuge under him. Swami Arulala Perumal Emberumanar could not say no since it was his acharyan's order again. But he told them that "I am doing this because my Swami had asked to do so. Even though you surrender to me, there will be only one acharyan to you, to me and to the whole world. He is Swami Ramanujar. So, He will take care of you just like he takes care of me".
Literary Works and its purport: Arulala Perumal Emberumanar has written two wonderful Tamil granthams called "Gnyana Saaram" and "Prameya Saaram". He is the first acharya to write in Tamil. Sri Manavala Mamunigal has written vyakhyanam for these granthams. From his granthams it is clear that he was a strong believer that Perumal and thayar is fond of us like how a cow would be towards its calf; that Perumal and thayar would love us even with our many apachaarams like how a cow would clean its new-born calf with its tongue without anything else in mind. These granthams are so great, that great acharyas like Nampillai and Periyavachan Pillai also followed these principles. The great Arulala Perumal Emberumanar's thirunakshathiram is Karthigai Bharani, that is on Dec 08 2011.
Thaniyan: This is the thaniyan about Arulala Perumal Emberumanar:
Ramanuja padhamboja samsaridham gunavarithim!!!
Dhayabaalamunim vandhe vedantha parinishtithim!!!
Dhaybalana devaya gyana sara pradheyine!!!
Prameyasaaramthu thathe namosthu premasaaline!!!
Yathiraja dhayapathram ethipankthi vibukshanam!!!
Dhyabala munim vandhe desikaakrecharam sadha!!!
Ramanujaarya sathchsihyam veda saasthraartha sampadham!!!
Chathurthaasrama sampannam devarajam munim bhaje!!!
Kaarthige Barani Jaatham Yathindraashramaashraye!!!
Gyana Premeya saaraapihi Vakthaaram Varadham Munim!!!
Swami Arulala Perumal Emberumanar's descendants: Swami Arulala Perumal Emberumanar was one among the 74 Simhaasanaadhipadhis. established by Sri Ramanujar. He had a son by name "Alankaara Venkatavar" who also caught hold of the lotus feet of Sri Ramanujar who appointed him as one of 74 Simhaasanaadhipadhis. Alankaara Venkatavar's son was "Swami Thaathacharya" who was born in the month of chithra, under the star of "Thiruvonam" – the very same star of Thiruvenkatamudayaan. Swami Thaathacharya's maternal grandfather was "Periya Thirumalai Nambigal" who was one of the acharyas of Swami Ramanujar himself. Swami Periya Thirumalai Nambi lived in Thiruvenkatam doing kainkaryam to Thiruvenkatamudayan. He used to finish his daily kainkarya duties for Thiruvenkatamudayaan and rush downhill near Thiruchaanoor where Swami Ramaujar stayed and conducted discourses on Sri Ramayanam. We may wonder why would an acharyan would ever do this to a sishyan? The reasons is that Swami Alavadhar, before he left this materialistic world had ordered his sishya "Swami Periya Thirumalai Nambi" to be one of acharyas for Swami Ramanujar and impart the deep meanings impregnated in Sri Ramayanam. Inorder to fulfill his acharyan's order and to get the sambandham of Swami Ramanujar and with the magnanimous thought that all the people in this world should be liberated by Swami Ramanujar's grace, he happily imparted all the knowledge that he had accrued about Ramayanam to Swami Ramanujar. That is the greatness of Swami Ramanujar. Even, his achayan had yearned for his sambandham. Periya Thirumalai Nambi would boast of his connection with Swami Ramanujar. All that we should want is his sambandham (connection) and there is no thought about if it is his acharya or sishya. As a side point, all the great acharyas before the time of Swami Ramanuja are regarded as his "Thirumudi" sambandham and all others after him are his "thiruvadi" sambandham. As years passed by, ""Periya Thirumalai Nambi" grew old but he did not stop his service to his Thiruvenkatamudayan for a single day. Swami Thaathachaaryar (paternal grandson of Aruulala Perumal Emberumaanar) learnt all shastras from his father "Swami Alankaara Venkatavar" and also from his maternal grandfather "Periya Thirumalai Nambi". One fine day, when Periya Thirumalai Nambi was doing kainkaryam, he had filled his vessel with water to offer the same for Perumal. While he was doing pooja, Thiruvenkatamudayan disguised himself in the form of a small boy. He looked at the vessel from Thirumalai Nambi's behind and drank it fully without any trace. Periya Thirumalai Nambi was astonished to see the vessel empty. When he turned himself, he saw that little boy was running rounds by calling "thaatha, thaatha" and finally went inside the sanctum sanctorum and merged with Perumal. Periya Thirumalai Nambi realized then that his grandson is none other than an avathaaram of Thiruvenkatamudayaan Himself. Since He had called "thaatha, thaatha" (thatha means grandfather in thamizh), he gave the name of "Thaathaacharyan" as the thirunamaam to his grandson and thus the latter was quite famous in the later days . All the descendants came to be known as "Arulaala Perumal Emberumaanar Vamsam: or "Thirumalai Vinjimoor Vamsam" or "Swami Thaathacharyaar paramparai".
Vaazhi Thirunamam:
Arulaala Maamunivan adiyinaigal vaazhi!!!
Arai amar sendhuvarudayodu ani yundhi vaazhi!!!
Arulaarum angayodu mukkOlum vaazhi!!!
Ani vadangal purinoolodu aagamadhu vaazhi!!!
Therulaazhi sangamodu thirutholgal vaazhi!!!
Thirukananinnai naamamadhu sernudhalum vaazhi!!!
Porulaaru narkalaigal pugal naavum vaazhi!!!
Pongezhil thoomaalaipunai porkunji vaazhi!!!
Thiruvaazhun thennarangam sirakavandhom vaazhiye!!!
Thenarulaalar anbaal thirundhinan vaazhiye!!!
Tharuvaazhum yathiraasan thaazh adaindhon vaazhiye!!!
Thamizh gyana premaya saaram thamarkuraipon vaazhiye!!!
Therulaaru madhurakavi nilai thelindhon vaazhiye!!!
Thesu poli madandhannai sidhai thitaan vaazhiye!!!
Arulaaala maamuniyaam aariyan thaazh vaazhiye!!!
Arul kaarthigai baraniyon anaithoozhi vaazhiye!!!
Important Points that should be remembered about Swami Arulala Perumal Emberumanar:
- Arulala Perumal Emberumanar belongs to the cream of the cream, elite league of bhagavathas who have revered their acharyan as everything. This state of mind is popularly known as "Charama Parva Nishtai" that includes the likes of Andal, Madhurakavi azhwar, Shathrugnanan and Vaduga Nambi. This point can be seen in one of the "Vaazhi Thirunamam" lines above namely, "Therulaaru madhurakavi nilai thelindhon vaazhiye".
- Arulala Perumal Emberumanar, who regarded Swami Ramanujar as everything, restated and bolstered this point of "Acharyabimanam" as the crux of his works namely "Gyana Saram" and "Prameya Saram",
- Arulala Perumal Emberumanar was Advaithi in his poorvaashramam, lost the verbal intellectual duel against Swami Ramanujar, became his one of his important sishya and performed thiruvaradhana kainkaryam
Arulala Perumal Emberumanar has sannidhis in Srivilliputtur and Pandavadoodhan shrine(near Kanchipuram). For more information on the sannidhi at Srivilliputtur, you can visit the site:
http://arulalaperumal.tripod.com/srivilliputtur/
Adiyen feels very honored to be a part of this glorious paramparai, by having him as our acharyan and to get the samashryanam done by Sri. U.Ve. Vinjimoor Venkatachariar Swami in Kuppaniyengar mandapam in Srivilliputhur.
Azhwar Emberumnar Jeeyar Thiruvadigale Saranam!!!