MaNakkaal nambhi Thirunakshathram- Maasi Makham- Feb 17th

[Guest guest]

SrI:

SrImathE Gopaladesika mahadesikaya namah:

Dearest Srivaishnavas,

 

Today, Maasi month, makham nakshatthiram (Feb 17th)- the janma nakshatthiram

of our AchArya, MaNakkaal nambhi, Sri Rama misrar, sishya of UyyakkoNdaar

(PuNdareekaakshar).

 

As amsam of Kumudan, one of the Nityasuris in Sri Vaikuntam, he was born in

Manakkaal , Trichy District. His devotion to his Guru UyyakoNdaar was great.

On one occasion UyyakoNdaar's two daughters were to cross the mud on their

way back home after bath in the river, he laid down on the ground- on the

muddy water and asked them to walk over on his back. Hence, the sands at the

feet of the Guru's daughters were on his body, and he came to be known as '

Manal Kaal Nambi' .

 

He rendered personal service to his Acharya, Uyyak Kondaar and it is

told that he took over also as the cook for his AchArya after the demise of

Uyyak Kondaar's wife.

 

Embar, sishya and the cousin of RamunjA later describes that NammAzhwAr

drank of the ocean of mercy of the Lord Narayana and rained it through

Natha muni and that Pundarikaksha was like the fountain spring that let

the stream reach Alavandar. Pundarikaksha learned the holy collects and

Yoga Rahasya from Natha Muni and passed them on to Alavandar.

 

Swami Desika in Sloka 7 of his Yatiraja Saptadhi praises Manakkaal Nambi as

follows:

 

Anujjitha Kshamaa Yogam Apunya Jana Bhaadakam |

Asprushta Madha Raagam Thum Raamam Turyam Upaasmahe ||

 

(meaning) The one who learned through Upadesam all the Sastaraarthas

from Uyyakkondaar was Manakkaal Nambi. There were only three Ramas

before. Here comes the fourth Rama. The defects noticeable in the other

3 Ramas were totally absent in this 4th Rama.

 

Parasurama had no patience. Out of jealousy, he fought with

'Chakravarthi Tirumagan'. With an uncontrollable rage, he embarked on

destroying the entire Kshatriya race. But, Manakkaal Nambi never lost

his composure and kept his senses under absolute control.

 

Dasaratha Rama destroyed the Rakshasas, otherwise known as 'Punya Jana'.

But, Manakkaal Nambi never harmed anyone but always did all the good he

could to Sadhus who are also known as 'Punya Jana'

 

Manakkaal Nambi never exhibited any pride or prejudice or any excessive

attachment to anything worldly. (like BalarAmA)

 

So, he is better than for RAMAs. (what a verse from DesikA!)

 

Let us prostrate before this blemish less 4th Rama, Sri Rama Misrar,

MaNakkal Nambhi.

 

It was maNakkaal nambhi who transformed Sri Alavandhar. Rama Misra

(maNakkaal nambhi) was trying to catch Yamunacharya's (who was a king that

period) attention to fulfil his promise to his Guru to install Alavandar as

the spiritual successor to Nathamuni.. But, he could not meet Alavandar,

being a king now to discuss the matter. He came out with an idea. He came to

know that the king relishes thoodhu vaLai keerai (kind of spinach). He

supplied that spinach to the royal kitchen daily. After few months, he

stopped. The king asked the cook as to why the spinach is not being served.

They replied saying "one brahmin used to supply. He does not come nowadys."

Alavandhar told them that he would like to meet him, if he comes next. Next

day, they met each other.

 

Rama misrar told Alavandhar that his grandfather Sri Nathamuni had passed on

the family wealth (kula dhanam) that needs to be handed over to Sri

Alavandhar. Alavandhar said, "in that case, give me that."

"No. It is not here. Come with me.". He took him all the way to Srirangam

Koil. (ArAdha aruLamudham podhintha kOil). He showed Alavandhar, the Divya

mangaLa vigraham of Sri Ranganathan. Looking at the Lord, in such divine

splendour, the divine beauty- and looking (with tears rolling down his

cheeks) at those "kariyavaagi, pudai parandhu, miLirndha, sevvariyOdiya,

neeNda, ap periya vaaya kaNgaL.." (those dark, well spread, shining, ruddy

lined, long, large eyes)-

 

He bursts out:

I have nothing to give you. None at all. I have no quailifications. I am

not religious. What a Great person my Grand Father was! What am I! I have no

one but You(the embodiment of mercy! Compassion!- dayA) as my refuge. He

performed Saranagathy at the Lotus Feet of Lord Ranganathan.

 

na dharma nishtOsmi na chaatma vEdi

na bhaktimaan tvaccharaNAravindE

akinchanOananyagatih saraNya!

tvat paadamoolam saranam prapadye. (Sthothra Rathnam- 22nd sloka)

 

Oh you worthy of being sought as refuge! I am not one established in

Dharma, nor am i a knower of the self. I have no fervent devotion to your

lotus-feet. Utterly destitute as I am, and having none else for resort, I

take refuge under your feet. (Translation by Swamy Adidevananda)

 

Rama Misra explained the purpose of his mission and requested Alavandar to

take over the reins of spiritual leadership bequeathed to him by his

illustrious grandfather, Nathamuni. Alavandar took to Sannyas and was then

known as YAMUNA MUNI.

 

Thus, Sri Manakkaal nambhi became an important link to Srivaishnavam.

[The above is based on sri Anbil Mama's write up]

Manakkaal nambhi ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam

Regards

namo narayana

dAsan

 

 

 

 

 

_______________

The new MSN 8: smart spam protection and 2 months FREE*

http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail