SRI VAISHNAVA SAMPRADAYA SAARA NIDHI- (in Tamil)
By Sri P.B.Annangarachariar Swamy
(The quintessence of of VaishNaVa Tradition
Translation–by Vengrai Parthasarathy)
English
Many are the ‘Living Creatures’ created by Brahma, the Lord of Creation (who is himself a creation of Sri Narayana). To be born a Human is a special privilege. And, to be born as a Hindu, that too a Sri VaishNaVa is a matchless blessing, because it is the cumulative effect or fruit of generational virtuous deeds (Karma). At the same time this privileged position carries with it many an obligation. To enhance its value, a true VaishNaVa has to know what the tradition is about and follow certain daily duties (dinacharya) or guide-lines.
Lord Maha Vishnu, (known also as Narayana and Vasudeva among a thousand other names) manifested Himself in many AvatArs on earth to animate house-holders who may have lost their spiritual moorings and to crush evil doers and protect the virtuous (ParitharANAya SadhunAm, vinAashAya dushskruthAm). Archa-s are consecrated idols in the Divya Desam-s (108) the most prominent of which are Tirumalai, Srirangam, KAnchipuram, and TirunArayanapuram (Melkote) shrines. To bring home these truths the Lord has deputed Azhvar-s and Acharyas in human form. VaishNaVas are expected to follow sincerely the daily observances’ (anushtAnam-s). We shall now follow through the highlights, by citing important things that Sri VaishnavA-s should know and do..
The Bhakthi cult was propagated by the Azhvar-s and the shrines cited by them are known as DIVYA DESAMs. The word ‘Divya’ has been employed by our ancestors very elegantly.Of all the religious literature on the Supreme Being, Sriman Narayana, the most important are the Sastra-s (in Sanskrit ) and –of equal importance–the Tamil Veda known as DIVYA PRABHANDHAM. The divinities who sang them are called DIVYA SURI-s. And the holy places that have been sung about by the Azhvar-s are known as DIVYA DESAMS. What an exquisite set up of appellations!
The Azhvar-s known as Divya suris are ten in mumber. They are:
Poigai Azhvar, Bhoodath Azhvar, Pey Azhvar (the premier three), followed by Thirumazhisai Azhvar, NammAzhvar, Kulasekhara Azhvar, Periya Azhvar,Thondaradipodi Azhvar, ThirupaNN Azhvar, and Thirumangai Azhvar.
NammAzhvar’s disciple Mathura Kavi Azhvar and PeriyaAzhvar’s daughter Sri Andal have been added to the list of Divya suri-s making a total of twelve. Mathurakavi Azhvar sang about his guru NammAzhvar and only obliquely about the Supreme being. Sri Andal is considered an incarnation of Sri Lakshmi (Bhoo Devi). Though a woman saint, (the only woman among the Azhvars) she has also been added because of the Ayonija birth and divine attributes attached to her. Here is the list of 12 Azhvar-s, their birth place, star and number of Pasurams ( stanza-s) composed by them.
AZHVAR THANIAN
(Thanian–laudatory verse of dedication )
Bhootham Sarascha Mahadāhvaya Bhaṭṭ anātha
Sri Bhakthisāra Kulasékhara Yogi vāhān
Bhakthāngri rēnu Parakāla Yathidra miṣrān
Srimad Parānkusa munim PraNathōsmi nithyam
Bhootham Bhoodath Alvar
Sarascha Poikai Alvar
Mahath Ahvyaya Pey Alvar
BhattanAtha Periya Alvar
Sri Bhakthi sAra Thirumazhisai Alvar
Kulasekhara Kulasekhara Alvar
YogiVAhAn ThiruppaN Alvar
BhakthAangri Renu Thondar adi podi Alvar
ParakAla Thiru mangai Alvar
Yathindra MishrAn Sri RamAnuja (Acharya)
Srimath ParAnkusa Munim NammAlvar
PranathOsmi nithyam I worship every day
The Order of birth of the AzhvArs
Poikai yAr,Bhoothathar, PaeyAr, pugazh mazhisai
Aiyan AruLMAran,shaeralarkOan—thuyyabhatta-
nAthan anbar thAL thooLi narpANan nankaliyan
Eedhivar thOatra thadaivamingu
Poikai yAr Poikai AzhvAr, first
BhothathAr BhoothathAr, second
PaeyAr PaeyAzhvar. Third
Pugazhmazhisai Ayyan Reputed Thirumazhisai, fourth
AruL Maran Blessed NammAzhvar, fifth
ChOaLar kOan Kulasekhara perumAl, sixth
Thuiya BhattanAthar Immaculate PeiyaZhvAr, seventh
Anbar thAL thuLi ThondaradipodiAzhvar. eighth
NalPANan Great saint ThirupANAzhvAr,ninth
Nankaliyan Enchanting Thirumangai AzhvAr, tenth
(This list is according to the sequence of the births of these ten AzhvArs ))
THE AZHVARS
NAME BIRTH PLACE ASTERISM PASURAMS
Poigai Azhvar Thiruvehka ThiruvoNam star 100
(YathothkAri Sannidhi in Kanchipuram) Bhoodath Azhvar Thirukadanmallai Avittam 100
PeyAzhvar Mylai Sathayam 100
(The three premier Azhvars composed the three Thiruvandthathi-s)
Thirumazhisai Thirumazhisai Thai-Makham 216
NammAzhvar Thirukurugoor Visakaha 1296
Mathurakavi Azhvar ThirukoLoor Chitra 11
Kulasekhara Azhvar Thiruvanji kala Punarpoosam 105
Periya Azhvar Srivilliputhur Swathi 473
Andal (Soodi kodutha) Srivilliputhoor Adi-Pooram 173
Thondaradipodi Mandangudi Kettai 58
ThirupaNN Azhvar Uraiyur Rohini 10
ThirumangaiAzhvar Thirukuriyur Karthikai 1253
NammAzhvar is traditionally given the exalted position as the Premier Azhvar, all other Azhvar-being deemed as aspects of NammAzhvar; like his Eyes, his Hair etc.,
Udayavar/Sri RAmanuja was an Acharya and he was revered as the ‘holy feet’ of NammAzhvar — the reason why NammalavAr’s holy sandals are referred to as iRAmanujan.
The RAmanuja Nootrandhathi of Thiruvarangath AmudhanAr has been treated as on par with the Divya Prabhandham pasurams of the Azhvars and added to the Divya Prabhandha collection–NAlAyiram – Prapanna Gayathri. It is considered essential for Sri VaishNaVas to learn and recite it every day.
THE ACHARYAS
We shall now talk about the next level—The Acharya-s: Sri Nathamunigal,Sri AlavandhAr and Sri RAmanujar are treated as the Acharya-mentors of Sri.Vaishnavism.
Nathamunigal was born in KattumannAr kovil under Anusha asterism and is regarded as having had training in the Divya Prabhandham under Nammalvar whom he had seen while in Yoga dasai. In the Acharya hierarchy he is held to have the position next only to NammAzhvar. None of his grantha-s are however available,
Uyyakondar Chief of the disciples of Nathamunigal was born in Karthigai asterism.He was taught the nuanced meanings of all the texts by Nathamuigal in the hope that he will in turn instruct his grandson but he passed away much early.
MaNakkAl Nambi The leading disciples of Uyyakondar. He learned all the meanings from his guru and instructed Alavandhar (Yamunacharya) in turn.
Alavandhar: He was the grandson of Nathamunigal and RAmanuja’s preceptor’s preceptor—Born under Utharadam star in Kattu mannAr Koil, he had composed many works of which the most important are Agamapramanyam, Siddhithrayam,Gitartha sangraham, and Chathussloki. He was a great learned preceptor and teacher.
It was due to his blessings that RAmanujar became the “Sidhartha Pravarthakar” (Preceptor of the VaishNava Siddhantha). His other names are Yamunai thuraivar,
and Yamunacharya
Periya Nambi: He was one of the disciples of AlavandhAr. As Acharya he had performed the Samashrayanam of RAmanujar and he was the one who named Sri RAmanuja to become Darshana Pravarthakar. In the Guru ParamparA he is referred to as Parankusa Dasar and Mahapurna. Many who belong to his dynasty hold important positions as sthala Acharyas in many Divya Desam-s.
RAmanuja: Hailed as JagadAchAriyar, he is known by other names such as Udayavar, EmperumanAnar,BhAshyakArar, Yathindrar and is revered as a re-incarnation of Adiseshan, the multi-tasking snake- couch of Sri Narayana. He was born in Sriperumbudoor In Chithrai asterism. His Acharya-s were the disciples of AlavandhAr, viz., Periya Nambi, Thirumalai Nambi, Thirukoshtiyur Nambi. Thirumalai AndAn and Thiruvaranga perumAl arayar, in different stages of his life. He was closely associated with Thirukachi Nambi. RAmanuja was himself Acharya to Mudaliandan, Embar, KoorathAlzhvAr, AruLalaperumal, AnanthAzhvar and others. His noteworthy disciples were known as 74 Simahanadhipaathis who were shining lights, spreading his message. RAmanuja composed the granthas known as SribhAshyam,VedAntha Deepam, VedAntha saram, Gita bhAshyam, VedAntha sangraham, Nithyam, Gadhyathrayam
The disciples of Sri RAmanuja have spread into many branches. The PoorvAcharya
Paramparai are featured as two divisions.
UDAYAVAR
EmbAr Thirukurugaipiran PiLLan
Bhattar KidAmbiAchAn
Nanjiyar EngaLAzhvan
Nambillai NadAdoorammaL
Vadakku Thiruveedhi Pillai KidAmbiya PuLLar
Pillai Lokacharyar VedAntha Desikar
ThiruvAimozhi PiLlai NayanAchariyar
ManavAla MA MunigaL
Here are a few brief details about them:
EmbAr
Born in Mazhalai MangaLam—Udayavar’s aunt’s son-RAmanuja PadhachAya;–Punarvasu star
Bhattar : Full name ParAsara Bhattar. Son of KoorathAzhvan . He had listened to special meanings of the texts from his father and Sri EmbAar He is said to have been adopted as son by Sri RanganAtha and His NAchiyAr; expert in every art (SakalakalA) he had thoroughly understood and interpreted the Divya Prabhandham-s and had authored many granthas including Sahasra nAma BhAshyam, Ashta sloki. Sri Ranganatha sthavam, Sri guna rathna Kosam.etc.,Born in VaikAsi, Anusham. His disciple was Pillai PerumAl aiyengar, great Tamil vidwan. He was born under Anusha asterism.
Nanjeeyar- he was an Advaitin who got converted by Bhattar; was earlier reputed as VedAnthigaL and MAdhavAchariar. After seeking Bhattar’s feet he became Uthamashrami and got the name of Nanjeeyar. He had written the OnbhidhAyirapadi and other essays on on Divya Prabhandham.He had also authored SriSuktha bhAshyam
(not the one published recently)–Born under Panguni Utharam asterism.
NampiLLai- He was the head of the disciples of Nanjeeyar . His name was Varadarajachariar and was honored later with the name of LokAchariar. His expertise in all sastras was a by-word. The special meanings of Divya Prabhandha-s were popularized through him only. Born in Karthikai under Karthikai asterism.
Vadakku veedhi Pillai – He was a disciple under Nampillai and had absorbed the meanings of texts along with PeriyavAchan Pillai. Commentary on ThiruvAimozhi he had authored the MuppathAyirapadi. His name was SriKrishnaPAdhar.
PillailokAchariar – Son of Vadakku Veedhi pillai- He was the elder brother of Azhagiya Manavala Perumal who had composed AchArya Hrudayam. Both were Naishtika Brahmachari-s . He is revered as re-incarnation of Perarulala perumAl of KAnchipuram.
He was the author of Sri Vachana-bhooshaNam, Mumukshupadi and other works like
Ashta dasa RahasyAdhipathi. He was honored with the name UlagaAsiriyar, same as
Nampillai. If his Divya sookthi-s had not been written this world would have been a dark
world indeed. His avatar is as reputable as the Ten AvatArs of Vishnu. He was born in the month of Aippasi under ThiruvONam asterism.
ThiruvAimozhi Pillai Chief adherent at PillailokAchariar’s feet. Born in Kuntinagar in Vaikasi VisaAkham
Manavala Ma Muni
He was the chief disciple of ThiruvAimozhi PiLLai— born in Alvar Thirunagari in the month of aippasi under Moola asterism, and considered as re-birth of Sri Ramanuja. He had crystal clear wisdom in all the Sastra-s. His Divya Sookthi-s are peerless. He was learned in all the Sastra-s and had deep knowledge of them.He was Acharya to Sri Ranganatha in the Srirangam shrine. His adherents and proteges know that he is self-taught and peerless in the Divya sukthi-s. The Acharya parampara (dynasty) ends with him. He was the Achaarya who established the AshtaDikGaja-s to propagate Vaishnavism in continuation of Sri Ramanja’s mission.
( He has a special place of honour in Thenkalai worship and rituals)
SRI MANAVALA’S THANIAN (tHENKALAI)
Srisailesa dayāpāthram dhee bhkthyāgi guṇārṇavanA
Yatindra pravaṇam vandē ramya Jamatru munim
I offer my salutations to the captivating Manavāla MāMuni,
Recepient of the compassionate blessings of Srisailesa,*
An ocean of attributes (like wisdom, devotion, piety)
And who reveres Sri Ramanuja.
(*Thiruvaimozhii Pillai…ManavAla MA Muni’s Acharya,)
ANOTHER BRANCH OF RAMANUJA’S DISCIPLES
Thirukurugai piran Nambigal:
He did intensive research into TiruvAimozhi as instructed by Sri RAmanuja and wrote
His thesis on ArAyirapadi.
KidAmbi Achan:
He was engaged in the sacred kitchen (Thiru madaipalli) of RAmanuja.He was well-versed in the Sastra-s and has been extollled by Sri Vedanta Desikar for his services to Sri RAmanuja.
EngaL AzhvAn
Named Vishnu chithArya, he has written commentary on Sri Vishnu PurANa. He was the principal player in a well-known litigation.
NadAdhoorAmmAL
He was the principal disciple under Engal Azhvan; Original name was Varada guru.
He was an un-matched Vidwan/preceptor of RAmanuja’s Sri Bhashya.
IRAmanuja piLLAn
Chief disciple of AmmAl. KidAmbiyapuLLAr is another name of his. Related to Swamy Desikar and is said to have written some grantha-s.
Sri Nigamantha Desikar:
Born in the month of Purattasi under the asterism of ThiruvOnam. He is revered
as representing the Sacred Bell of Sri Thiruvenkatamudayan ruling deity of Thirumalai-Tirupathi. Born in Thuppur, he was honored with titles such as Sarva-thanthra Swatanthrar, KavithArkika Simham and VedAnthachariar for his erudition.He has composed many grantha-s in Sanskrit and Tamil.
(He has a special place among the Vadakalai worshippers).
Desikar’s Thanian:
“RAmAnuja-dayA-pAtraM j~nAna-vairAgya-bhUShaNaM |
shrImad-venkaTa-nAthAryaM vande vedAntadeshikaM ||”
“I salute the great Venkata Natha, recipient of Sri Ramanua’s benign blessings, blessed ornament and exemplar of Vedantha wisdom and sacrifice. I revere Sri Vedantha Desikar, a lion among Acharya-s.”
NayanAchAriyAr
He was the son of Sri Desikar. Kumara VedaAnthachAriar is another name of his.
“DeepAth uthpanna Pradeepam”– “Brighter Lamp than the Lamp that lighted it”
Is how he was compared with his renowned father. He had authored some grantha-s.
EPILOGUE
Sri AnnangarAchariar concludes by saying :
Due to birth of these Azhvar-s and AcharyA-s this land of ours has been edified. Their names and divine deeds are worthy of being remembered every day. and brings good fortune to the VaishNaVa -s.
Glory unto the sacred feet of the Azhvars
Glory unto the feet of EmperumAnAr
Glory unto the feet of revered Jeeyar
———ooooo——–
Annexure (1)
FIVE FORMS OF LORD VISHNU
According to Sri VaishNaVa Agamas, Lord Vishnu has five forms (aspects or modes).They are Para, Vyuha, Vibhava, Archavatara and Antaryami. The deity absolute, Parabrahman, manifests in five possible aspects
1) PARA:
ParA is the highest form of Vishnu found only in Sri Vaikuntha also called Nityavibhuti or Moksha. The Lord (ParamAthma) is seen along with his consorts Sri, Bhumi and Nila and surrounded by Nityasuri-s. He is hence called Vaikunta Natha. The Para form is the first immanent manifestation of the Supreme Being He has chosen to be unlimited by anything and is endowed with the fullness of the six qualities – jnAna, bala, aisvarya, vIrya, sakti, teja (knowledge/wisdom,strength,wealth,courage, power/energy and lustre).
2) VYUHA:
The Vyuhas are emanations from the above mentioned Para Vasudeva form, He is in lying posture on the multi-tasking aid Snake, Anantha, who acts as the Lord’s couch, umbrella, sandals and sentinel.
3) VIBHAVA:
Apart from the Vyuhas, the Lord is said to assume various manifestations, from time to time, to protect the virtuous, punish the evil-doers(wicked) and re-establish Dharma. (Dushta Nigraha, Sishta Paripaalana) These manifestations are called Vibhavas, more popularly as Avatara-s or descents into the world. The Bhagavad Gita is the classical source for the theory of Avatara where Lord Krishna Himself says :Dharma samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge” (For establishing Dharma I shall Manifest myself in Yuga after yuga)
Among the many manifestations of the Lord, the well-known avataras are Ten in number, viz.,Mathsya, Kurma, Varaha, Nrisimha, Vamana, (fish, tortoise, boar, man-lion and Dwarf) Rama,Balarama, Krishna,and Parasurama and Kalki.
4) ARCHA:
“The fourth form of the Lord , Archavatara or Image manifestation, is very easily accessible and visible to all on earth. “The other forms can be only imagined or meditated upon and since they are beyond our reach, In Arcavatara alone the Lord as idols/deities in temples receives prayers from devotees and grants their prayers and blesses them; Saranagati or Prapatti or surrender is done to the Lord in the Archa form only.” Though installed and made by human beings the Image form of the supreme deity gets imbued with divinity the moment it is consecrated and installed / worshipped..
An inanimate object (i.e. image or likeness of Vishnu), if duly consecrated according to the Pancharatra rites, acquires a miraculous power, and the Shakti of Vishnu descends into it. It is meant for the purpose of daily worship.
5) ANTARYAMI:
Antaryami or “Sukshma Vasudeva” is the fifth form in which the ultimate reality Lord Vishnu exists in a very subtle from, in the hearts of all living beings.Invisible and full of bliss, the Antaryami ” literally means one who controls from inside. It is stated that Narayana resides in that infinitesimal small place below the heart of every being’. Smaller than the smallest and bigger than the biggest , the Lord resides both inside and outside of every individual or thing in the universe.As Antaryami, the Lord accepts manasika puja of the devotees, such as meditation, mental offering of sacred water, fruits, food etc. and mental salutations (Mangalsasanam). Such worship to the Antaryami form can be done by anyone at any place and at any time. At the time of the death of a person, Antaryami escorts the soul to the Lord’s a
000OOO000
ASHTA SIDDHI-S
Siddhi can be translated as perfection or accomplishment. All religions accept the phenomenon of supernatural powers.
8 main powers acquired by a spiritual person as listed in the Indian scriptures are Aṇimā, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prāpti, Prākāmya, Iṣiṭva, Vaśitva.
There are other lists of such powers too, however these are the most discussed yogic powers.
Ashta Siddhis are:
1. Aṇimā:
Ability to reduce the size of the body, sometimes even to the size of the atoms. (‘Becoming smaller than the smallest’ as described in Srimad Bhagavatam by Lord Krishna)
Example: Hanuman had reduced the size of his body while he was searching for Sita in Lanka.
2. Mahima:
Ability to assume a gigantic form (‘Becoming larger than the largest’ as described in Srimad Bhagavatam by Lord Krishna)
Example:
Hanuman assumed a huge form to burn Lanka, he also assumed big form to fight Kumbha Karna
In Vaamana avatar Lord Vishnu increased his form which was so gigantic that it only took him three steps to cover all three worlds
3. Garima
Ability to become very heavy in weight by will
Example: Lord Hanuman made his tail very heavy that even Bhima couldn’t life it (Bhima who was climbing the GandhaMadana mountains to get Saugandhika flowers for Draupadi was stopped by a monkey whose tail was on the way, Bhima orders the monkey to take the tail off the road, monkey being old tells him to move it himself, but Bhima couldn’t even lift the monkey’s tail)
4. Laghima
Laghima comes from the word laghu, which means small or light. Laghima is the ability to make the body very light (‘Becoming lighter than the lightest’). Levitation and flying in the air are its subsidiary powers
5. Prāpti
Word praapti means ‘to obtain’, ‘having obtained’, ‘to have got’. Thus praapti is the ability to acquire anything anywhere.
6. Prākāmya
The ability to obtain anything desired, ability to have realized the dreams
7. Iṣiṭva
Iṣa=lord; isitva=lordship; The power of absolute lordship over entire creation
8. Vaśitva
The ability to have everything under control, especially the physical manifestation made up of 5 elements