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.

 

Jai Sriman Narayana!