KrupaMathra Prassanacharyar -Ramanujar Vyasam 2

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SRI RAMANUJAN THIRUNAMA VAIBAVAM –Vyasam 2

 

 

We find great pleasure in thinking about the glory of Swami

Ramanujar may it be his qualities or his works ,everything about

him fills our heart with joy, let us now think about the greatness

of his name

 

In an attempt to know as why this name was given to this Acarya

references are made to the works of our Purvacharyas. It is thus

inferred that this name "Ramanujan" denotes Lakshmana ,brother of

Lord Rama. . Lakshmana is known for his sub-servience and

Kainkaryam.

 

It was foreseen by Periya Tirumalai nambi (maternal uncle of

Ramanujar) that this Udayavar shall possess the Kainkaryam as

greatest treasure , so he chose this name for this great Acarya.

 

When Lord Rama was directed by his mother Kaikai to leave the

kingdom,

Lakshmana expressed his willingness to join Lord Rama ,to perform

Kainkaryam to Lord at all times , " Aham Sarvam Karishyami

Jagruthah svapathsh cha te" this verse is often quoted by our

Purvacharyas from Sri Ramayanam while describing the greatness of

Kainkaryam. The Sub-servience is the essentinal nature of the soul,

and Lakshmana is the best example for Sub-Servience ,as he spent

whole of his life, to serve Lord Rama .

 

Ramanujar decended to this earth only for Kainkaryam , It was

he ,who reformed the Sri Ranga kshetram and till today the

Kainkaryam established by him is followed there. His service to the

SriVaishnava Sampradayam is un comparable and is beyond word and

thought . It was he, who brought into light the efforts &works of

all our Purvacharyas. It was Ramanujar who established the

Visistadvaita Philosophy. The exact meaning of the Vedas and

vedanthas was shown out clearly only by him, then he took all

efforts to create awarness on the greatness of Alvar's sri sukthis

viz. Thiruvaimozhi.

Thus in recognition to his remarkable services (Kainkaryam ) he is

called as Ramanujar, Lakshmana Muni ,Illayalvar.

 

Now, let us discuss as how this name Ramanujar suits to Lord

Krishna , Lord Krishna is the brother of Bala Rama ,so he can be

even called as Ramanuja (Brother of Bala Rama) This has its

reference in the Mukundamalai of Kulasekarar where in he calls the

different names of Lord, one among them is Ramanuja. The verse

reads as follows "HE RAMANUJ HE JAGATHRAYA GURO ; HE

PUNDARIKAKSHAMAM; HE GOPIJANNATHA BALAY". Thus it is clear that Lord

Krishna is also called as Ramanuja. Thus it is believed that

Emperumanar holds the name of Lord Krishna –Ramanujar.

The yatiraja Sapthathi of Nigamantha Maha Desikan is quoted here

which is in line with the above statement.

"SAMITHOTAYA SANKRATHIGARVAHA SVABALATH UTTARUTH YADAVAPRAKASAHA

AVAROPITHAVAN SRUTHER PARTHAN NANU RAMANUJAS SA ESHA BHUYAHA"

 

Swami Desikar in his Yatiraja Sapthathi has shown as how the works

of Swami Ramanujar resembled that of Lord Krishna, since it is in

the Sanskrit language and can be enjoyed only by the learned,

 

Let us now compare the Charitram of Swami Ramanujar with that of

Krishna Avataram to learn the similarities.:

 

 

1It is well known fact that Lord Krishna was born in Jail. Sri

Ramanujar's Avataram was also in jail, Let me explain this with

reference to Alvar's Sri sukthis " AMARARODU UYARVIR SENDRU

ARUVARTHAM PIRAVI ANCHIRAYE" (Tiruvaimozhi 1-3-11) as said by

Nammalvar this world (Samsara Mandalam) is itself a jail . This

World is filled with darkness of ignorance (Irul tharuma nyalam)

So, Swami Ramanujar was born in this world filled with darkness.

Tirumangai Alvar describes the birth of Lord Krishna as one born in

the night which is known for darkness – IRUL NAL PIRANTHAVAMMAN"

 

 

2. When Lord Krishna was born he had conch in one hand and disc

(Sudarshana chakram) on the other hand, "JATHOSI DEVADEVESHA

SANKACHAKRAGADADARA…" thus Emperuman showed his divine form to

Vasudevar. In the case of Acaryar Ramanujar, when he descended to

this earth unlike other babies he did not cry and the unique

brightness was noticed by the Sri Vaishnavas in his face.

 

Lord Krishna was born in one place – Mathura he was brought up in

Thiruvaipadi and he spent his old age in Dwaraka. Even our Acaryar

Ramanujar was born in Sri Perumbudhur, spent his youth in Kanchi and

later he lived in SriRangam, Tirunarayanapuram . The different

stages is also described in yet another way in our Sampradayam ie.,

 

"Tirumandirathile Pirandhu, Dvayathile Valarndhu" Just as per the

sayings of our Purvacharyas, The Thirvashtakashara Mantram gives us

the knowledge about the self (Swaroopa Gynanam) and the Sri

Vaishnavan is said to born when he gets the Swaroopa Gynanam and

then he learns the Dvaya mantran and practices to live accordingly.

Thus our Acaryan had spent his life in that manner.

 

Sri PBA Swami had written around sixteen resemblances that prevails

between Lord Krishna and Acarya Ramanujar , of which we have now

enjoyed only two.

 

To be continued….

 

Sri Vaishnava Dasi

 

Vasumathi Sampathkumar