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Great preceptors

 

CHENNAI: Vaishnava Sampradaya venerates the sacred lineage of

preceptors (Acharya Paramparai) beginning with Lord Narayana as the

first preceptor followed by Goddess Lakshmi and Vishwaksena.

Nammazhwar and Nathamuni are the Acharyas next in line. This is

because, among the Azhwars, Nammazhwar occupies a unique status

because it was due to his grace that the Divya Prabandham (lost to

posterity) was revealed to Nathamuni who complied them in the

available form.

 

In this instance, the Acharya Sishya Bhava was established through

yogic greatness alone for there was no chronological proximity between

them, while among the line of Azhwars, Madhurakavi Azhwar was

Nammazhwar's immediate disciple, said Sri Natteri Rajagopalachariar in

a discourse.

 

It is believed that Nathamuni, a great scholar of the 10th century,

happened to hear the recital of 10 verses of Nammazhwar's Tiruvaimozhi

pertaining to the deity Aravamudhan in Kumbakonam. He was enthralled

by the beauty and philosophic import of the verses and was keen to

learn the 1000 verses composed by Nammazhwar as was indicated in them.

Nathamuni was advised to go to Azhwar Tirunagari and from there

advised to go to Tirukolur.

 

A descendant of Madhurakavi Azhwar suggested that if Madhurakavi

Azhwar's Kanninun Siruthambu songs were recited 12,000 times in front

of Nammazhwar's shrine in Kurugur, it could help in bringing about a

yogic vision of Nammazhwar. Being a yogi himself Nathamuni achieved

this feat and retrieved the Divya Prabandhams. Mankind owes a

tremendous debt of gratitude to Nammazhwar, Nathamuni and Madhurakavi

Azhwar for this service.

 

The Azhwars have explained the essence of the Vedas in simple Tamil

and showed the way leading to God through Bhakti. Their hymns extol

the awe inspiring omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence of the

Supreme Being as revealed in creation and His many incarnations. Each

of these Azhwars experienced the Lord's boundless compassion and

infinite charm in many unique ways.