Margazhi Ketai-Periya nambi Tirunakshatram - An interview with Periya nambi swamy at Srirangam

[Guest guest]

Importance of Margazhi Ketai:

Marghazhi Maasam, Ketai (Jyeshta) thirunakshatram is a very great occasion

for all of Srivaishnavism. It is the day on which three greats of our

Sampradayam, Tondaradippodi Azhwar, Periya Nambi & Kooranarayana Jeer

blessed us by taking birth in this world.

 

Tirumaligai of Periya Nambi swamy:

Today we will let our readers share in the experience of the Thirunakshatram

celebrations of Periya Nambi, at the Periya Nambi thirumaligai located on

East Chittrai street, right next to the Chittrai ther(car). When the

volunteers for this assignment reached the Thirumaligai, we were warmly

greeted by Sri U. Ve. Periyanambi.R Sunderajachari swamy and Sri U. Ve.

Periyanambi.R . Narasimhachari swamy, the 45th generation in the line direct

descendants of Periya Nambi. With a sharp twinkle in their eyes and an eager

enthusiasm in their voice they invited us in, and allowed us to have a

darshan of their Thiruvaradhanam Perumal. We could not believe that we were

inside this great Thirumaligai, standing on the ground where our Ramanujar

Himself has delivered several kalakshepams. The old-style structure of the

Thirumaligai, since the times of Swami Ramanujar, has not undergone many

changes. Apart from a fresh paint job, they were the same sturdy, slightly

rough surfaced pillars which stood strong and imposing, reminding us of our

evanescence, and at the same time, reminding us of the timeless glory of our

Sampradayam.

 

Tiruvaradana Perumal-Varadar:

The Periya Nambi Thirumaligai is a very unique one in Srirangam. The

Tiruvaradhana Perumal in this Thirumaligai is none other than

Varadarajaperumal of Kanchipuram. Usually one finds that the Tiruvaradhana

Perumal of most residences in Srirangam is Lord Ranganathar, Him being the

main deity of the Kovil here. However, as Sri Sunderajachari Swamy explained

to us, Varadaraja Perumal has a special link with the Periya Nambi

Thirumaligai. During Swami Ramanujar's times, Devaraja Perumal had spoken

six divine commandments to Thirukkachi Nambi, the sixth of which had to do

with a certain 'Mahapoornar'. Devaperumal tells Thirukkachi Nambi to tell

Ramanujar to get samashrayanam from 'Mahapoornar', upon which Nambi should

adopt Ramanujar as Sishya. Subsequently, 'Mahapoornar' performed Pancha

Samskaram for Swami Ramanujar at the Madhuranthakar Kovil near Kanchipuram.

'Mahapoornar' is none other than Periya Nambi. Since it was Varadaraja

Perumal who showed Ramanujar who to adopt as Acharyar, He has a special

significance to the Thirumaligai.

 

Unique greatness:

Periya Nambi has borne testimony to the greatness of Swamy Ramanujar by

doing something that is otherwise unheard of in our Sampradayam. When

Ramanujar was coming along in a ghoshti, His Acharyar Periya Nambi fell at

his feet. Has it ever been heard of in Sampradayam that an Acharyar falls at

his sishyan's feet? However, so much was the bhakthi of Periya Nambi towards

Ramanujar that he considered the latter not as his sishyan, but as

Alavandar, his own Acharyar. Seeing Ramanujar as his own Acaryar and

recognizing his greatness, Periya Nambi fell at his Lotus Feet. Such is the

unique greatness of Periya Nambi. Another incident which shows his Bhakthi

towards Ramanujar, was when he gave up his eyesight along with Koorathazhwan

after their encounter with the Shaivite king, Krimikanta-chola.

 

How does Lord Ranganathar honour the members of Periya Nambi Thirumaligai?

How did they celebrate his 1010 th Thirunakshatram? This will be presented

in the second installment of this article on Periya Nambi.

 

Herewith, we have the bhagyam of worshipping Periya nambi swamy

Tirumaligai Emberumangal (along with Periya Nambi swamy).

 

 

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ever-in-divine-service,

KAINKARYA SREE

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