A Day in the Life of our Acharyas - 14

[Guest guest]

Sri:

Srimathe Ramanujaya Nama:

 

Veera Sundara Brahmarayan, who was Kooratthazhvan's

disciple decided to build a wall for the Srirangam

temple. In the process, he decided to break down the

house of Pillai Pilliyazhvan which was in the way.

 

Bhattar asked him not to do that stating "Your wall

is not the protection for Namperumal. It is Pillai

Pillaiyazhvan's praises to the Lord that are His

protection. Therefore, just as Thirumangai Azhvar

avoided Thondaradippodi Azhvar's garden and built a

wall around it, so too should you build a wall

around Pillai Pillaiyazhvan's house."

 

Veera Sundaran ignored Bhattar's advice and built

the wall after destructing the house. Further, he

also began to cause problems for Bhattar. So,

Bhattar left Srirangam and moved to Thirukkottiyur.

 

After a while, Veera Sundara Brahmarayan died and

Bhattar's disciples, excited by the news, went to

Bhattar's mother Andal and told her "Bhattar's

enemy has passed away and our acharya can return to

Srirangam now". They then began celebrating.

 

Upon hearing the news, Andal went inside her house

and started crying in a high voice. The disciples

asked Andal "Whay are you crying? Should you not be

happy that Bhattar's enemy is dead and that he and

his close disciples can come back?"

 

Andal replied "You do not understand. Veera Sundaran

was Kooratthazhvan's disciple and yet caused

suffering to his acharya's son Bhattar. And he died

neither after seeking Bhattar's pardon nor after

feeling sorrowful for doing this deed. Therefore,

he has guaranteed himself that he would not attain

moksha. But, at least till now he was living in

Srirangam and able to see Namperumal. Now he has

lost that enjoyment also. How could someone who is

Kooratthazhvan's disciple suffer like this? This is

why I am crying".

 

That is, it is left only to Kooratthazvan and his

family to feel compassion and look for the

upliftment of even those who cause them harm.

 

Azhvar Emberumanar Jeeyar Thiruvadigale Sharanam

 

A Day in the Life of Our Acharyas Series:

http://www.acharya.org/articles/aditlooa/index.html