Mumukshuppadi - 006

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Sri:

Srimathe Ramanujaya Nama:

 

lOkAchArya gurave krishna pAdasya soonavE

samsAra bhOgi sandaShta jeeva jeevAtavE nama:

 

Sri Pillai Lokacharya's

Mumukshuppadi

 

Original Sutra:

6. SishyanAy ninRathu - sishyanirukkumiruppu nAttAr aRiyAmaiyAlE

aththai aRivikkaikAka.

 

Meaning:

Why did Sriman Narayana who is the first among acharyas take the

role of a sishya?

The souls in this world were not aware of the true nature of a

disciple. Therefore, He donned the role of one.

 

Sri PBA Swami's Sarartha Deepikai:

Why should He simply not have released the Thirumanthra as an

acharya; why did He also have to take on the role of a sishya?

The souls in this world did not know the nature of a sishya, So,

He took the role of a sishya and made known the nature of one.

 

Did He have to actually become a sishya; could He not have simply

advised the nature of a sishya to everyone?

Had He done that, it is possible that souls might think that He

is announcing the Thirumanthra just to gather fame for Himself.

By His becoming a sishya the souls would begin to wish that they

too become sishyas to acharyas.

 

What is the nature of a sishya?

One who is faithful to Sastras, one whose mind wishes to follow

the dharmas detailed in them, one who has the mental strength to

follow them, one who practices Bhakti to Sriman Narayana, one who

does not have pride in him for having the above, one whose love

for his acharya cannot be measured by others, one who has no

equal in his faith to his acharya, one who is restless in his

service to his acharya. Also, one who considers himself and

everything he has, as belonging to his acharya is a sishya.

 

Nyasa Vimsathi explains the nature of a sishya thus: a sishya

is one who has the knowledge of what to give up and what to keep

as a means to his higher goal, one who based on this knowledge

surrenders to his elders, one whose every day acts are based on

this knowledge, one who seeks to understand the higher truth,

one who is in the service of his acharya, one without ego, one

who bows with his entire body, one who looks forward to listen

and learn, one who has control of his mind and body, one who

has no hatred toward anyone or anything, one who stays in his

acharya's abode, one who has faith in the Sastras, one who has

gratitude, such a person should be accepted and taught as a

disciple.

 

Sriman Narayana became a sishya to show the above nature of a

sishya.

 

I seek refuge at the lotus feet of Pillai Lokacharya

I seek refuge at the lotus feet of Naamzhvar, Ramanuja

and Manavala Mamuni

 

adiyEn madhurakavi dAsan

TCA Venkatesan