RAJAHAMSAM BRUNGARAJAM - YATHIRAJA MEDE -VYSAM 3 gREATNESS OF EMPERUMANAR

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"RAJAHAMSAM –BRUNGARAJAM – YATHIRAJA MEDE"

 

Sri Manavala Mamunigal in his Yatiraja Vimsathi has described

Emperumanar as a swan and as bee.

 

"SRI RANGARAJA CHARANAM BUJA RAJAHAMSAM

SRIMATH PRANGUSA PADAM BUJA BRUNGARAJAM"

 

Which means Emperumanar remains in the lotus feet of Lord as Raja

hamsam (Swan) and in the pair of feet of Nammalvar he resides as a

sacred bee.

 

Although Emperumanar regarded Kanchi Deva Perumal as his

Tiruvaradhana deity ,yet he was specially adored by Lord Ranganatha,

and as per his wish he even ordered Emperumanar to stay in Sri

rangam until his death "YAVAT SARIRA PADAM ATHRAIVA SRI RANGE

SUKAMSVA", hence it is appropriate to call him as a King Swan in the

lotus feet of Lord Ranganatha.

 

As conveyed above , Emperumanar is described as Swan and bee, let us

now look upon how this description suits him aptly.

 

 

In the Alvar's sri sukthis we find that they had regarded Swan and

bee as their representative to express their devotion to Lord.

Since Emperumanar performs similar activity he may also be called as

Swan or Bee. It is Emperumanar who on our behalf pleads to Lord and

kindles his grace on us. We all know that Emperumanar performed

the Saranagathi on a Panguni Uttram day,when Periya Perumal and

Pirati were seated together. This Saranagathi he performed on

behalf of all of us and for our salvation.

 

 

Let us now see how the qualities of swan and bee are found in our

Acaryan

 

1. It is quality of swan to separate water from milk, `HAMSO YADA

KSHEERAMIVA AMBU MISHRAM" that is to say it can distinguish good

and bad. i.e Saram and Asaram.

 

Emperumanar also possess this quality. The Vedas is also like milk,

and just as water is invisible in it, so are the many verses in the

Vedas ,which paves way for mis interpretation.

 

The Sastras and Vedas had combination of many verses which gave

different meanings, Swami Ramanujar identified the unimportant

verses and gave a proper interpretation to it.

 

Just as swan,which could identify the milk from water, likewise

Emperumanar also established the inner meaning of Vedas which were

not found apparently.

 

For eg., now we will look into the unique view of Ramanujar with

regard to commentary on the first song of Tiruvaimozhi on the

verse "TUYAR ARU SUDARADI" which means the Pair of Feet of Lord

removes the sorrow. This meaning is universally conveyed and

accepted by all. Swami Ramanujar also agrees with it but gives a

better meaning to it, which really adds beauty to the commentary.

 

Emperumanar also agrees that the Pair of feet of Lord removes the

Sorrow , but who's sorrow ?, their lies a difference of opinion.

All the Acaryas prior to Ramanujar coveyed that the Pair of feet of

Lord removes the sorrow of his devotees, while Ramanujar viewed it

differently, according to him , this verse means – the Pair of feet

of Lord is capable of removing his sorrows.

 

A question may arise whether Emperuman also undergoes sufferings

like the chetana ,for this Ramanujar gives a beautiful explanation,

Emperuman suffers when he finds his devotees suffering. This shows

his unique auspicious qualities. If Lord is described as one who

destroys or cuts off the sorrow ,usage of the term "destroy/ cut

off" is against his blemish less auspicious quality. The verse

should be understood clearly without affecting the auspicious

quality of Lord, that is to say, Emperuman is overwhelmed with grace

that he cannot withstand the sight of the chetana suffering and thus

removes all the sufferings, this sufferings he regards it as though

it is his worries and thus removes them off. "CHETANA LABAM

ISWARANUKKU"

 

Thus, Ramanujar's view is to show out the blemishless auspicious

qualities of Supreme Lord. In Ramayana Kavyam also there are

instances which conveys the same idea.

 

For instance , "ABHISHECHYA CHA LANKAYAN RAKSHASENDRAM VEEBISHANAM

KRUTA KRITYASYA TATA RAMO VIJVARAH PRAMUMODAHA"-

 

In the above verse the word'VIJVARAHA" is the life word which

depicts the auspicious quality of Lord. It means Lord Rama was

worried until Vibishana was crowned as king of Lanka, only after

Vibishana became king Emperuman was freed from worries and exhibited

himself as one who had performed his duty.

 

Thus it was Ramanujar who brought out the inner meanings of Alvar's

sri sukthis , which establishes the greatness of Supreme Lord.

 

 

2. In the Sandokya Upanishad there is a story of a King by

name JANA SRUTHI, he was virtuous king, but lacked knowledge about

Supreme Bramman, Two great saints by name BALLA & BALAKSHI wished

that he shall learn the truth. They assumed the form of a swan and

flew over his head, while doing so, one swan gave a loud comment to

the other that they shall not touch even his shadow as he is not a

scholor like Raikvar. This comment reached the ears of JANA SRUTHI,

he was depressed to hear it and made all efforts to approach the

RAIKVAR and gained the true knowledge. This instance shows that it

is swan which was instrumental for gaining true knowledge.

 

Emperumanar is also like that swan, as it was he who was

instrumental in providing the true knowledge (Knowledge about

Bramman and self) to all those desirous of knowing the

truth. "PARULAKIL ASAI UDAYORKELLAM ARIYARGAL KURUM ENDRU PESEI

VARAMBARTHUAR PIN". It was only because of Emperumanar that many

were the knowledge about the self. Until Emperumanar's period the

Rahasyas which tells about the Supreme Lord were preached in a

restricted manner. Emperumanar felt that if this method continues

only very few may be benefited so, he broke this restriction and

made it available to all those who were desirous in knowing it.

 

3. IT is well known fact that Emperuman assumed the form of

Swan when he gave out the Vedas and Sastras. This is conveyed in

Alvar's Pasurams viz. "ANNAMAI NOOL PAYANDAN , ANNAMADAI IRNDHU

ANGU ARANOOL URAITHU"

 

Swan is identified as Lord to express Vedas and Sastras.

Emperumanar can also be called as Swan ,as it was he who gave

correct meaning of Vedas. The preachers of other schools of

religion literally killed the Vedas by their wrong

interpretations. . All the verses of Vedas and vedantha were

regarded as important and its exact meaning was brought to light

only by Swami Emberumanar. The Vedas regained its greatness after

the birth of Swami Ramanujar,.

 

 

4. IT is nature of Swan , that it never keeps it's feet on

dirty mud "NA PADNATHI RADIM HAMAHA KADACHIT KARTAMAM PASI",

 

Like the Swan , Emperumanar also did not keep his feet in the dirty

mud of Samsaram. In Tiru Vrtham last song Alvar describes the

wordly cause as dirty mud ,"AZHUNDAR PIRAPPAM POLLA ARUVINAI MAYA

VAN SETTRUALLAL POINNICLATHE"

 

This worldly bondage which leads to worldly sufferings is described

as dirty mud, and it is our Acarya Ramanujar is leader among those

who's feet did not enter to this mud land .

 

5. Alvar's in their Sri Sukthis ,while describing Divya Desams

convey that Swan follow the foot steps of women "PEDAYODU

 

ANNAM PEIVALAYARTHAN PIN SENDRU NADAI YODIALL"

 

Emperumanar also follows the foot steps of Pirati who's walk is like

that of Swan. Here the foot steps refers to the behaviour of

Emperumanar which is similar to that of Priati. IT is the quality

of Pirati to recommend to Emperuman to shower his grace on the

Chetana. It is Pirati's Purshakaram which kindles the grace of

lord. Like pirati , Emberumanar also recommends to Lord to shower

his grace on us. The Saranagathi Gadyam is best example for it,

where in Emperumanar performed Prapathi on our behalf and pleaded to

Lord to shower his grace on all of us.

 

Sri Manavala Mamunigal in his Yatiraja Vimsathi conveys that it is

because of the grace of Ramanujar nay him his pair of feet , that

alone shall release the sins committed by jiva from beginning less

time.

"KALATRAYEPI KARANATRAYA NIRMITHA ATHI PAPAKRIYASYA SARANAM BAGAVAT

KSHAMEIVA, SA CHA TVAYAIVA KAMALA RAMANERTHITHAYATH, KSHEMSA EVA HI

YATINDRA BAVATCHITANAM"

 

Acaryan are regarded as pair of feet of Lord, Emperuman and even

Pirati may fail but his pair of feet shall lead to salvation -

"PIRATIUM AVANUM VIDILUM TIRUVADIGAL VIDATHU TINKAZHALAI IRUKKUM"

 

Thus, it is well known fact that it is only because of Acaryan's

Purushakaram that the individual attains the abode of Lord. In the

Nyasa Tilakam this fact is clearly described by the following

verse "DATHE RANGI NIJAMAPI PADAM DESIKADESKANGKSHI".

 

Till now we saw how the term Rajahamsam suits Emperumanar now let

us see how Emperumanar can be described as bee.

 

"SRIMATH PARANKUSA PADAMBUJA BRUNGARAJAM"

 

1. Bee is described as "Madhu Vrath", because it likes only honey.

Emperuman is described as honey in many pasurams of Alvar for

e.g. "ULANGANINDU IRRUKUM ADIYAVAR TANGAL ULLATHU ULL OORIYA TEN",

TENE NAN PALE KANNALAI AMUDAI, thus Emperuman is described as

honey. Emperumanar involves himself only in Bagavat Anubavam and

hence the term bee suits him .

 

2. "VANDINANGAL KAMARANGAL ISAI PADUM – KULASEKAR

ALVAR ; "YALIN ISAI VANDINANGAL AALAM VAIKUM - PERIALVAR TIRUMOSHI.

 

"VARI VANDU DE DENVEN ISAI PADU – Tirumangai Alvar's pasuram -

These Sri Sukthis of Alvar makes it clear that it is the nature of

the bee to sing a particular tune –YaL Isai.. Tiruvaimozhi is

described as Yal Isai. – "YALIN ISAI VEDATHIYAL" Emperumanar spent

his time in enjoying the Tiruvaimozhi ganam , hence it is apt to

call him as Bee . "TAMIL MARAIKAL AIRAMUM MOIMBAL VALARTHA IDATHAI

RAMANUSAN, PANDARUMARAN PASUN TAMIL ANANDAM PAI MADAMAI VINDIDA

ENGAL IRAMANUSAN MUNIVEZHAM".

 

3. In the Sanskrit language bee is called as "SANCHARIKA"

which means it never stays in one place and roams in search of

honey. Emperuman is honey, and Emperumanar as bee went in search of

this honey (Emperuman) to many places. Sri Parasara Battar gives a

list of places were Ramanujar went to worship the Emperuman (Honey).

 

SRI RANGAM KARI SAILAM ANJANA GIRIM, TAKSHADRI SIMHACHALOU, SRI

KOORMAM, PURUSHOTAMAM CHA

BADARI NARAYANAM NAIMISAM, SRIMATH DVARAVATHI PRAYAGA MATHURA

AYODYA GAYA PUSHKARAM SALAGRAMA GIRIM NISHEVYA RAMATHE RAMANUJOYAM

MUNIHI"

 

4. There is no impedance(obstrucles) to bee, it freely travels

where ever it likes, it is even free to enter the temeple, and even

reside in the Divya Mangal Vigraha of Lord. similarly Ramanujar did

not have any impedance in visiting the Divya Desams like Sri rangam,

Tirumali or Kanchi, he went very freely to these places and rendered

eternal service to Lord enshrined in these temples . His stay and

service in the Divya Desams reminds us of Nammalvar's

pasuram "OZHIVIL KALLAM ELLAM UDANAI MANDRI ADIMAI SEIA VENUM…"

 

5. Bee usually resides in the bushes and garden , All the Divya

desams are described as one filled with bushes and garden ,

Emperumanar spent his days in rendering services to Lord enshrined

in Archa form in the Divya Desams .

 

 

This is just a small comparison of Ramanujar's qualities with that

of a Swan and Bee to suit the Acaryan's stotram " SRI RANGARAJA

CHARANAM BUJA RAJAHAMSAM, SRIMATH PARANKUSA PADAM BUJA

BRUNGARAJAM". If we make a deep study we may even find many such

resemblances.

 

This article is based on Sri P.B.A Swami's Vyasam - Emperumanar

Perumai pattrina Vyasam –3.

 

 

Adiyen Sri Vaishnava Dasi,

 

Vasumathi Sampath kumar.