Bhagavad Ramanuja Vaibhavam- 1.7- Satakopa- Interesting life of his...

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SrI:

SrImathE Gopaladesika mahadesikaya nama:

 

Dearest all,

 

Let us continue to enjoy the acharya’s glories. More on our Kulapathi… Let

us enjoy his life history.

 

Nammalwar, is an incarnation of Vishvaksena ( the Chief of staff of Lord Vishnu

) Date of birth: Several theories have been expounded regarding the dates of

Alwars and Acharyas. for example, Nammalwar is reported to have been born on the

43rd day of commencement of the present Kaliyuga in 3102 BC and the first three

Alwars at a much earlier period according to Katapayadhi Samkhya.

 

The findings of modern research scholars like Dr. M. Rajamanickanar's " Alwargal

Kaala Aaraaichi " ( Research on the period of Alwars) place the date in the 8th

and 9th century AD and even mention the exact date as 4th May 798 AD.

Irrespective of when they were born, the fact remains that their births and

lives have shaped the destinies of their contemporaries and successive

generations is unquestionable.

All are, however, agreed that he was born in the month of Vaikasi, in

Suklapaksha, on Pournami day, a Friday in the constellation of Visaka in

Karkataka Lagna.(

 

He was the son of Kaari, a Vellala agriculturist of Tirukkurugur on the banks of

Tamraparni river and his mother was Udayanangai of Tiruvanparicharam in Kerala.

The familial genealogy of Satakopa is as follows: Vibhutinatha - Dharmadhara -

Chakrapani - Achyuta - Paataalalochana - Porkaari - Kaari ( who married

Naathanayika aka Udaiya nangai - Satakopa.

 

Since the child did not open its eyes to see or mouth to eat, never cried like

other children, the parents named it as 'Maaran " -' one different.' He controlled

the wind called 'Satam ' which afflicts the just born.

 

According to Garbhopanishad, the foetus in the womb develops consciousness of

its past births, present existence and the future destiny and resolves never

again to go through the cycle. But, even as the child is born, this wind enters

the newborn and makes it oblivious of all the consciousness and becomes worldly-

conscious. He banished it with indignation even as he was born and established

himself in yoga. Therefore, he was called ' Sata kopa'.

 

His parents prayed to Lord Adhinatha and put the child in a cradle and left it

under the tamarind tree that stood beside the temple. It is believed that the

tree is an incarnation of Aadhi Sesha, the serpent couch of Lord Narayana. The

child grew up in the same state of trance for 16 years. People wondered at this

marvel of a boy and everyone called him Nam Alwar- Our Alwar. Incidentally, this

is the way he was called by the Lord himself. It is said that even Christians,

Muslims, Bouddhas, Jains and Saivites marvelled at this phenomenon and claimed

him to be one of their own.( Vide Introduction to 4000 Divya Prabandham

published by Lifco Associates, Madras )

 

Just like the word " Rama " denotes, Sitaraman, the word Alwar denotes unerringly

Nammalwar. There was and is none like Satakopa since he regarded Kannan as "

Unnum Sorum, Parugu Neerum Thinnum Vetrilayum " . Lord Krishna lamented in

Bhagavad Gita " Vaasudevah Sarvam Ithi Sa Mahaathmaa Su Durlabhah " perhaps

having in mind his having to ascend to His Nitya Vibhuti before the birth of

Satakopa. Similarly, Satakopa lamented on his not having been born a few days

before since he narrowly missed seeing Kannan who by then had ascended to his

Parama Padam. His involvement with the wonderful experiences of Krishna Avatar

was such that Bhattar in his Rangaraja Stavam observed that it is the thirst of

the love of Krishna that had personified itself and came down to earth as Para

Ankusa.

 

Rishim Jushaamahe Krishnaa Trishnaa Tatvam Iva Uditham |

Sahasra Saakhaam Yo Dadraksheeth Dramida Veda Samhithaam ||

 

The Alwar experienced Parama Purusha and out of the ecstasy generated by such

experience proceeds to give expression to the same. Swami Desika says that since

his works convey all that Sruti, Smriti, Itihasa, Puraana all combined were only

trying to convey, it stands far superior to them all.

 

Yat Krityam Sruteenaam Munigana Vihitai Sethihaasai Puraanai |

TathraasouTattva Seemnaha Satamaya Muneh Sarva Bhoumee || (

 

Kamban Says " One who is devoted to Satakopa is verily the real ascetic entitled

to rule over us " " Satakopanai Senru Irainjum Dhanyar Yevar Avarae Yemmai Aalum

Tapodhanarae "

 

JagadhAchAryan ThiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

Regards

Namo narayana

dAsan