Acharya vaibhavam - 48- maNakkaal Nambhi- Sri Ramamisrar- the most important link in our Sampradayam

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SrI:

SrImathE Gopaladesika mahadesikaya nama:

 

Dearest all,

 

Let us continue to enjoy the acharya paramparai.

After Sriman Nathamuni, Sri Pundareekakshar [also

called as Uyyakkondaar], Sri Raamamisrar also called

as maNakkaal nambhi].

 

As amsam of Kumudan, one of the Nityasuris in Sri

Vaikuntam, he was born in Manakkaal , Trichy District.

His devotion to his Guru UyyakoNdaar was immense and

great. His Acharya bhakti was so intense that on one

occasion when Swami UyyakoNdaar's two daughters were

to cross the mud on their way back home after bath in

the river, he laid down on the ground- on the muddy

water and asked them to walk over on his back. Hence,

the sands at the feet of the Guru's daughters were on

his body, and he came to be known as maNal Kaal Nambi.

 

 

He rendered personal service to his Acharya, Uyyak

Kondaar and it is told that he took over also as the

cook for his AchArya after the demise of Uyyak

Kondaar's wife.

 

Swami Desika in Sloka 7 of his Yatiraja Saptadhi

praises Manakkaal Nambi as follows:

 

anujjitha Kshamaa Yogam Apunya Jana Bhaadakam |

asprushta Madha Raagam Thum Raamam Turyam Upaasmahe ||

 

We meditate on Raamamisrar (MaNakkaal Nambhi), who is

forbearing, who is dangerous to unholy persons, who

had forsaken taste for lust and anger, - who thus was

the fourth Rama (i.e.- unlike: (1) Parasuraama- who

was not forbearing, (2) Ramabhadra -who was dangerous

to PuNyajanas (euphemism for Raakshasaas), and (3)

Balaraama, - who was used to drinking liquor)

 

The one who learned through Upadesam all the

Sastaraarthas from Uyyakkondaar was Manakkaal Nambi.

There were only three Ramas before. Here comes the

fourth Rama. The defects noticeable in the other

3 Ramas were totally absent in this 4th Rama.

 

Parasurama had no patience. Out of jealousy, he fought

with 'Chakravarthi Tirumagan'. With an uncontrollable

rage, he embarked on destroying the entire Kshatriya

race. But, Manakkaal Nambi never lost his composure

and kept his senses under absolute control.

 

Dasaratha Rama destroyed the Rakshasas, otherwise

known as 'Punya Jana'. But, Manakkaal Nambi never

harmed anyone but always did all the good he

could to Sadhus who are also known as 'Punya Jana'

 

Manakkaal Nambi never exhibited any pride or prejudice

or any excessive attachment to anything worldly. (like

BalarAmA)

 

So, he is better than for RAMAs. (what a verse from

DesikA!)

 

Let us prostrate before this blemish less 4th Rama,

Sri Rama Misrar, MaNakkal Nambhi.

 

It is this great Acharya purusha Sri Raamamisrar

[MaNakkaal Nambhi] who transformed Sri YamunAcharya

[swami Alavandhaar -grandson of Sriman Nathamuni] into

a Srivaishnava acharya purusha.

 

Rama Misra (maNakkaal nambhi) was trying to catch

Yamunacharya's attention to fulfill his promise to his

Guru to install Alavandar as the spiritual successor

to Nathamuni.. But, he could not meet Alavandar, being

a king now to discuss the matter. He came out with an

idea. He came to know that the king relishes thoodhu

vaLai keerai (kind of spinach). He supplied that

spinach to the royal kitchen daily. After few months,

he stopped. The king asked the cook as to why the

spinach is not being served. They replied saying " one

brahmin used to supply. He does not come nowadays. "

Alavandhar told them that he would like to meet him,

if he comes next. Next day, they met each other.

 

Rama misrar told Alavandhar that his grandfather Sri

Nathamuni had passed on the family wealth (kula

dhanam) that needs to be handed over to Sri

Alavandhar. Alavandhar said, " in that case, give me

that. "

 

" No. It is not here. Come with me. " . He took him all

the way to Srirangam Koil. (ArAdha aruLamudham

podhintha kOil). He showed Alavandhar, the Divya

mangaLa vigraham of Sri Ranganathan. Looking at the

Lord, in such divine splendour, the divine beauty- and

looking (with tears rolling down his cheeks) at those

" kariyavaagi, pudai parandhu, miLirndha,

sevvariyOdiya, neeNda, ap periya vaaya kaNgaL.. "

(those dark, well spread, shining, ruddy lined, long,

large eyes)-

 

He bursts out:

 

I have nothing to give you. None at all. I have no

quailifications. I am not religious. What a Great

person my Grand Father was! What am I! I have no one

but You(the embodiment of mercy! Compassion!- dayA) as

my refuge. He performed Saranagati at the Lotus Feet

of Lord Ranganathan.

 

na dharma nishtOsmi na chaatma vEdi

na bhaktimaan tvaccharaNAravindE

akinchanOananyagatih saraNya!

tvat paadamoolam saranam prapadye.

(Sthothra Rathnam- 22nd sloka)

 

Oh you worthy of being sought as refuge! I am not one

established in Dharma, nor am i a knower of the self.

I have no fervent devotion to your lotus-feet. Utterly

destitute as I am, and having none else for resort, I

take refuge under your feet.

 

Rama Misra explained the purpose of his mission and

requested Alavandar to take over the reins of

spiritual leadership bequeathed to him by his

illustrious grandfather, Nathamuni. Alavandar took to

Sannyas and was then known as YAMUNA MUNI.

 

Thus Sri Ramamisrar [MaNakkaal Nambhi] is one of the

greatest links of our Sampradayam.

 

Acharyan ThiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

asmadhAchArya paryanthAm vandhE Guru paramparAm

Regards

Namo narayana

dAsan

 

 

 

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