A tinge of MadapaLLi Sampradayam's glory

[Guest guest]

Sri:

 

Dearest Sisters and Brothers,

 

Chitthirai Hastham- today is the Thirunakshathram of

Kidaambhi Aacchaan- Sri PraNathaarthiharar Swami, an

Ardent sishya of Sri Bhagavadh Ramanuja.

 

When Emperumaanaar was on his daily bikshai rounds, once, he was

offered poisonous food with a plot to kill him. The lady (who was

asked to carry out that act by the evil minded husband) fell at

Ramanuja's feet and had tears in her eyes that made Ramanuja

get suspicious. It was discovered later that poison was mixed.

 

Later, when ThirukkOttiyoor Nambhi came to know of this news,

he rushed to see Emperumaanaar. Hearing that his AchAryA is

on the way, Ramanuja, ran towards him and met him on the banks

of the Kaveri river.

 

He prostrated at his feet by falling flat on the ground. Mid summer-the

scorching sun could burn even the heels. Emperumaanaar fell on the

river sands. ThirukkOttoyoor Nambhi said nothing and looked

elsewhere. Kidaambhi Acchaan who was nearby standing, lost his

temper and said to Nambhi "this is more severe than the poison offered to

Emperumaanaar".

 

ThirukkOttiyoor Nambhi smiled and said "Get up! Emperumaanaare!

Now I have found the most apt person to take care of You! Acchaan is here,

And he will prepare food for you... He will take greater care of you..than

anyone else as he could not bear even a minute long suffering of yours

on this hot sand".

 

Kidaambhi Acchaan, thenceforth was called MadappaLLi Acchaan

and learnt all Ramanuja Siddhaantham along with the thaLigai

preparations for YathirAjar and his disciples. Kidaambhi

Acchaan who was preparing and serving food for Ramanuja had

close contact with him and used to get many of his queries

answered. What a kaimkaryam a from Acchaan! How nice!

What a great way to learn Srivaishnava sampradayam from YathirAjar

by offering him tasty palatable food! Kidaambhi Acchaan became

the preceptor in the hierarchy of AchAryAs in the line of Rahasyas

and taught all these Rahasyas learnt from Bhagawadh Ramanuja, to his

sishyas.. Kidaambhi, YengaL AzhwAn, Nadaadoor AmmAL, AppuLLAr,

thereby to Swami Desikan.

 

Swami Desikan thus had the best opportunity to imbibe all Rahasyarthas

and all Sampradaaya arthas, in this line of AchArya Paramparai.

The other line of AchAryas for Sri Bhasyam and Bhagawadh Vishayam

(Thiruvaaymozhi vyAkyanam by Thirukurugaipiraan PiLLaan) was next

to Ramanuja, PiLLaan, YengaLAzhwAn, Nadadur AmmAL, AppuLLAr

and Swami Desikan. Both paramparas thus converged on Swami Desikan.

 

There is another AchArya Parampara that descended from Ramanuja namely,

Embaar, Bhattar, Nanjeeyar, and NampiLLai, et al. In this Parampara, Sri

Nanjeeyer had the opportunity to learn the Sampradayarthas through Bhattar

and other AchAryas very close to Ramanuja. Swami Desikan,

acknowledges with gratitude in his Rahasyathrayasaram that Nanjeeyer

referred to as Periya Jeeyer has elaborated in his Sri Suktha Bhasyam the

essential Sampradaic tatvams.

 

Swami Desikan, hailing from this MadappaLLi Sampradayam himself states

In his concluding stanza of Rahasya thraya saram, "Ithi Yathiraja

mahanasa ParimaLa pari vahitha vaasanam pibhata, vibhudha parishan

nishEvyam vEdAnthOdayana sampradaya sudham".

 

"Inhale the fragrant smell of Sampradayaarthaas that have flowed

from the kitchen of Bhagawadh Ramanuja..."

 

Swami states "my life has been spent in tasting the nectar that

flowed from works of Ramanuja". Such was his devotion to YathirAja.

 

A tinge of madappaLLi sampradayam's glory for the enjoyment

of your olfactory nerves..

 

AchAryan ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam

 

Narayana Narayana

 

Narayana dAsan Madhavakkannan