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Mr. Candadai Ananth writes:

> My name is Candadai Ananth, and I hail from Madras. Our native is

> Kangeyanellore, a small hamlet in Vellore, South India. The name

> "Candadai" is drawn from the name of a small village in southern

> Andhra Pradesh (near Chitoor), I'm told, although the name is not

> in existence anymore ! (I've always been intrigued by this name -

> does it have any semblance to the Tamil word "Kandal Aadai", and

> hence "Candadai" ?).

 

I welcome Mr. Ananth to the group. If I am pronouncing your name correctly,

it can also be spelled in its more common way as Kandadai. In Andhra, the

name has been changed slightly to Kandala. As this happens to be my wife's

maiden name, Mrs. Nagu Satyan told us a very interesting story about the

origin of this. The following is a re-telling of what Nagu told us, with

additions based upon conversations with Sri Tridandi Ramanuja Jeear:

 

Emperumaanaar had two very close disciples, Daasarathi and Kurratalvan.

Kurrutalvan is quite well known for both being Sri Ramanuja's scribe and a

noted scholar in his own right. But, Daasarathy was contented by simply

offering kainkarya to Ramanuja and the Lord.

 

Daasarathi and his wife, it seems, were blessed with all of the joys that

come from being part of Sri Ramanuja's Community, but for one, a child. So,

they approached this compassionate Acharya and seeked his mangalasasanas.

During their conversation, a devotee arrived with prasadam for Ramanuja from

Lord Ranganatha's Temple. The pot of prasadam was covered with a torn piece

of cloth that was once part of the Lord's own clothing. Seeing this

cherished piece of cloth, Ramanuja immediately bestowed it upon the couple.

In due time, Daasarathy and his wife were blessed with a son, whom at birth,

was placed in the very same torn piece of cloth, "Kandadai," which had

served as a sign of the Lord's Benediction. This boy soon became known as

Koil Kandadai Annan. His descendants, who belong to the lineage of the 74

Simhasanadhipatis, now proudly proclaim Koil Kandadai, Kandadai, or Kandala

as their family name.

 

Jeear Swami has told us that the Kandadai families have the renown of being

one of only three families that receive Acharya Sripada Teertham three

times, rather than twice.

 

It is interesting to note that Daasarathi is considered as being an Avathara

of the Lord Himself. It seems that the Lord was so pleased with

Adiseshan's service to Him as Lakshmana that He wanted to serve him in

future Avatharas. As a result, He bestowed the Avathara of Balarama to

Adiseshan; and, in Adiseshan's incarnation as Sri Ramanuja, became his

Daasan, Daasarathi.

 

I request Nagu to make any necessary corrections to this story.

 

I would also be interested in hearing more from Mr. Ananth about the

connection to the town near Chittoor.

 

Daasanu Daasan,

 

Mohan