Upadesa Ratthinamalai Post 2: About Mamunikal.

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Srimathe Ramanujaya Nama:

Srimath VaraVara Munaye Nama:

 

Upadesa Ratthinamalai- By Swami Manavalamamunikal.

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Post 2:

 

Before we take indulgence in this work of Swami Manavala Mamunigal (MM),

it is necessary

to get the anubhavam about this illustrious author. In the words of Pillailokam

Jeeyar, who has

written a commentary on the URM, "Swami MM is introduced as a person like one

from Paramapadam,

the nityasuri, who had come down to earth for the benefit of all the posterity

to worship him."

 

After taking birth in this world he took refuge in the lotus feet of

Thiruvoimozhi Pillai and remained devoted

to him in the path set by Madhurakavi Azhvar. He received the knowledge of our

Visishtatdwaitha Sampradayam commencing from Thiruvoimozi of Swami Nammazhvar

and

ending with all the Rahasyangal from this Acharyan.

 

The speciality of Thiruvoimozi Pillai is that he introduced Swami Ramanuja,

who is the central prominent gem of our Acharya Parampara to Swami MM and

instructed

Swami MM to consider himself as a disciple of Ramanuja all throughout his life.

Accordingly Swami MM cherished his devotion to Swami Ramanuja and as a mark of

his devotion and respect, he composed “Yathiraja Vimsathi” and later earned the

title

“Yatheendra pravanar”. Swami MM held the works of Azhvars and Acharyas as his

own

and adopted the ‘bhavanai’ of all of them put together. On account of this

special nature he

could give us the inner and detailed meanings of all rahasyas through his

monumental works

in the form of commentaries.

 

He spent the major part of his life at Sri Rangam rendering service to Lord

Ranganatha.

Because of his contributions to the temple administration and bringing back the

temple and its functions to pristine glory, he became famous as Koil Manavala

Mamunigal.

 

He has two very unique positions in the Acharya Parampara:

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1: That of being the Lord's Acharya.

2: Being the last of the Purvacharyas.

 

In the next post Mamunikal's unique place in Acharya parampara.

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Azhvar Emberumanar Jeeyar Thiruvadigale Saranam

VP Srinivasa Varadan