"RAJAHAMSAM ?BRUNGARAJAM ? YATHIRAJA MEDE"
Sri Manavala Mamunigal in his Yatiraja Vimsathi has described
Emperumanar as a swan and as bee.
"SRI RANGARAJA CHARANAM BUJA RAJAHAMSAM
SRIMATH PRANGUSA PADAM BUJA BRUNGARAJAM"
Which means Emperumanar remains in the lotus feet of Lord as Raja
hamsam (Swan) and in the pair of feet of Nammalvar he resides as a
sacred bee.
Although Emperumanar regarded Kanchi Deva Perumal as his
Tiruvaradhana deity ,yet he was specially adored by Lord Ranganatha,
and as per his wish he even ordered Emperumanar to stay in Sri
rangam until his death "YAVAT SARIRA PADAM ATHRAIVA SRI RANGE
SUKAMSVA", hence it is appropriate to call him as a King Swan in the
lotus feet of Lord Ranganatha.
As conveyed above , Emperumanar is described as Swan and bee, let us
now look upon how this description suits him aptly.
In the Alvar's sri sukthis we find that they had regarded Swan and
bee as their representative to express their devotion to Lord.
Since Emperumanar performs similar activity he may also be called as
Swan or Bee. It is Emperumanar who on our behalf pleads to Lord and
kindles his grace on us. We all know that Emperumanar performed
the Saranagathi on a Panguni Uttram day,when Periya Perumal and
Pirati were seated together. This Saranagathi he performed on
behalf of all of us and for our salvation.
Let us now see how the qualities of swan and bee are found in our
Acaryan
1. It is quality of swan to separate water from milk, `HAMSO YADA
KSHEERAMIVA AMBU MISHRAM" that is to say it can distinguish good
and bad. i.e Saram and Asaram.
Emperumanar also possess this quality. The Vedas is also like milk,
and just as water is invisible in it, so are the many verses in the
Vedas ,which paves way for mis interpretation.
The Sastras and Vedas had combination of many verses which gave
different meanings, Swami Ramanujar identified the unimportant
verses and gave a proper interpretation to it.
Just as swan,which could identify the milk from water, likewise
Emperumanar also established the inner meaning of Vedas which were
not found apparently.
For eg., now we will look into the unique view of Ramanujar with
regard to commentary on the first song of Tiruvaimozhi on the
verse "TUYAR ARU SUDARADI" which means the Pair of Feet of Lord
removes the sorrow. This meaning is universally conveyed and
accepted by all. Swami Ramanujar also agrees with it but gives a
better meaning to it, which really adds beauty to the commentary.
Emperumanar also agrees that the Pair of feet of Lord removes the
Sorrow , but who's sorrow ?, their lies a difference of opinion.
All the Acaryas prior to Ramanujar coveyed that the Pair of feet of
Lord removes the sorrow of his devotees, while Ramanujar viewed it
differently, according to him , this verse means ? the Pair of feet
of Lord is capable of removing his sorrows.
A question may arise whether Emperuman also undergoes sufferings
like the chetana ,for this Ramanujar gives a beautiful explanation,
Emperuman suffers when he finds his devotees suffering. This shows
his unique auspicious qualities. If Lord is described as one who
destroys or cuts off the sorrow ,usage of the term "destroy/ cut
off" is against his blemish less auspicious quality. The verse
should be understood clearly without affecting the auspicious
quality of Lord, that is to say, Emperuman is overwhelmed with grace
that he cannot withstand the sight of the chetana suffering and thus
removes all the sufferings, this sufferings he regards it as though
it is his worries and thus removes them off. "CHETANA LABAM
ISWARANUKKU"
Thus, Ramanujar's view is to show out the blemishless auspicious
qualities of Supreme Lord. In Ramayana Kavyam also there are
instances which conveys the same idea.
For instance , "ABHISHECHYA CHA LANKAYAN RAKSHASENDRAM VEEBISHANAM
KRUTA KRITYASYA TATA RAMO VIJVARAH PRAMUMODAHA"-
In the above verse the word'VIJVARAHA" is the life word which
depicts the auspicious quality of Lord. It means Lord Rama was
worried until Vibishana was crowned as king of Lanka, only after
Vibishana became king Emperuman was freed from worries and exhibited
himself as one who had performed his duty.
Thus it was Ramanujar who brought out the inner meanings of Alvar's
sri sukthis , which establishes the greatness of Supreme Lord.
2. In the Sandokya Upanishad there is a story of a King by
name JANA SRUTHI, he was virtuous king, but lacked knowledge about
Supreme Bramman, Two great saints by name BALLA & BALAKSHI wished
that he shall learn the truth. They assumed the form of a swan and
flew over his head, while doing so, one swan gave a loud comment to
the other that they shall not touch even his shadow as he is not a
scholor like Raikvar. This comment reached the ears of JANA SRUTHI,
he was depressed to hear it and made all efforts to approach the
RAIKVAR and gained the true knowledge. This instance shows that it
is swan which was instrumental for gaining true knowledge.
Emperumanar is also like that swan, as it was he who was
instrumental in providing the true knowledge (Knowledge about
Bramman and self) to all those desirous of knowing the
truth. "PARULAKIL ASAI UDAYORKELLAM ARIYARGAL KURUM ENDRU PESEI
VARAMBARTHUAR PIN". It was only because of Emperumanar that many
were the knowledge about the self. Until Emperumanar's period the
Rahasyas which tells about the Supreme Lord were preached in a
restricted manner. Emperumanar felt that if this method continues
only very few may be benefited so, he broke this restriction and
made it available to all those who were desirous in knowing it.
3. IT is well known fact that Emperuman assumed the form of
Swan when he gave out the Vedas and Sastras. This is conveyed in
Alvar's Pasurams viz. "ANNAMAI NOOL PAYANDAN , ANNAMADAI IRNDHU
ANGU ARANOOL URAITHU"
Swan is identified as Lord to express Vedas and Sastras.
Emperumanar can also be called as Swan ,as it was he who gave
correct meaning of Vedas. The preachers of other schools of
religion literally killed the Vedas by their wrong
interpretations. . All the verses of Vedas and vedantha were
regarded as important and its exact meaning was brought to light
only by Swami Emberumanar. The Vedas regained its greatness after
the birth of Swami Ramanujar,.
4. IT is nature of Swan , that it never keeps it's feet on
dirty mud "NA PADNATHI RADIM HAMAHA KADACHIT KARTAMAM PASI",
Like the Swan , Emperumanar also did not keep his feet in the dirty
mud of Samsaram. In Tiru Vrtham last song Alvar describes the
wordly cause as dirty mud ,"AZHUNDAR PIRAPPAM POLLA ARUVINAI MAYA
VAN SETTRUALLAL POINNICLATHE"
This worldly bondage which leads to worldly sufferings is described
as dirty mud, and it is our Acarya Ramanujar is leader among those
who's feet did not enter to this mud land .
5. Alvar's in their Sri Sukthis ,while describing Divya Desams
convey that Swan follow the foot steps of women "PEDAYODU
ANNAM PEIVALAYARTHAN PIN SENDRU NADAI YODIALL"
Emperumanar also follows the foot steps of Pirati who's walk is like
that of Swan. Here the foot steps refers to the behaviour of
Emperumanar which is similar to that of Priati. IT is the quality
of Pirati to recommend to Emperuman to shower his grace on the
Chetana. It is Pirati's Purshakaram which kindles the grace of
lord. Like pirati , Emberumanar also recommends to Lord to shower
his grace on us. The Saranagathi Gadyam is best example for it,
where in Emperumanar performed Prapathi on our behalf and pleaded to
Lord to shower his grace on all of us.
Sri Manavala Mamunigal in his Yatiraja Vimsathi conveys that it is
because of the grace of Ramanujar nay him his pair of feet , that
alone shall release the sins committed by jiva from beginning less
time.
"KALATRAYEPI KARANATRAYA NIRMITHA ATHI PAPAKRIYASYA SARANAM BAGAVAT
KSHAMEIVA, SA CHA TVAYAIVA KAMALA RAMANERTHITHAYATH, KSHEMSA EVA HI
YATINDRA BAVATCHITANAM"
Acaryan are regarded as pair of feet of Lord, Emperuman and even
Pirati may fail but his pair of feet shall lead to salvation -
"PIRATIUM AVANUM VIDILUM TIRUVADIGAL VIDATHU TINKAZHALAI IRUKKUM"
Thus, it is well known fact that it is only because of Acaryan's
Purushakaram that the individual attains the abode of Lord. In the
Nyasa Tilakam this fact is clearly described by the following
verse "DATHE RANGI NIJAMAPI PADAM DESIKADESKANGKSHI".
Till now we saw how the term Rajahamsam suits Emperumanar now let
us see how Emperumanar can be described as bee.
"SRIMATH PARANKUSA PADAMBUJA BRUNGARAJAM"
1. Bee is described as "Madhu Vrath", because it likes only honey.
Emperuman is described as honey in many pasurams of Alvar for
e.g. "ULANGANINDU IRRUKUM ADIYAVAR TANGAL ULLATHU ULL OORIYA TEN",
TENE NAN PALE KANNALAI AMUDAI, thus Emperuman is described as
honey. Emperumanar involves himself only in Bagavat Anubavam and
hence the term bee suits him .
2. "VANDINANGAL KAMARANGAL ISAI PADUM ? KULASEKAR
ALVAR ; "YALIN ISAI VANDINANGAL AALAM VAIKUM - PERIALVAR TIRUMOSHI.
"VARI VANDU DE DENVEN ISAI PADU ? Tirumangai Alvar's pasuram -
These Sri Sukthis of Alvar makes it clear that it is the nature of
the bee to sing a particular tune ?YaL Isai.. Tiruvaimozhi is
described as Yal Isai. ? "YALIN ISAI VEDATHIYAL" Emperumanar spent
his time in enjoying the Tiruvaimozhi ganam , hence it is apt to
call him as Bee . "TAMIL MARAIKAL AIRAMUM MOIMBAL VALARTHA IDATHAI
RAMANUSAN, PANDARUMARAN PASUN TAMIL ANANDAM PAI MADAMAI VINDIDA
ENGAL IRAMANUSAN MUNIVEZHAM".
3. In the Sanskrit language bee is called as "SANCHARIKA"
which means it never stays in one place and roams in search of
honey. Emperuman is honey, and Emperumanar as bee went in search of
this honey (Emperuman) to many places. Sri Parasara Battar gives a
list of places were Ramanujar went to worship the Emperuman (Honey).
SRI RANGAM KARI SAILAM ANJANA GIRIM, TAKSHADRI SIMHACHALOU, SRI
KOORMAM, PURUSHOTAMAM CHA
BADARI NARAYANAM NAIMISAM, SRIMATH DVARAVATHI PRAYAGA MATHURA
AYODYA GAYA PUSHKARAM SALAGRAMA GIRIM NISHEVYA RAMATHE RAMANUJOYAM
MUNIHI"
4. There is no impedance(obstrucles) to bee, it freely travels
where ever it likes, it is even free to enter the temeple, and even
reside in the Divya Mangal Vigraha of Lord. similarly Ramanujar did
not have any impedance in visiting the Divya Desams like Sri rangam,
Tirumali or Kanchi, he went very freely to these places and rendered
eternal service to Lord enshrined in these temples . His stay and
service in the Divya Desams reminds us of Nammalvar's
pasuram "OZHIVIL KALLAM ELLAM UDANAI MANDRI ADIMAI SEIA VENUM?"
5. Bee usually resides in the bushes and garden , All the Divya
desams are described as one filled with bushes and garden ,
Emperumanar spent his days in rendering services to Lord enshrined
in Archa form in the Divya Desams .
This is just a small comparison of Ramanujar's qualities with that
of a Swan and Bee to suit the Acaryan's stotram " SRI RANGARAJA
CHARANAM BUJA RAJAHAMSAM, SRIMATH PARANKUSA PADAM BUJA
BRUNGARAJAM". If we make a deep study we may even find many such
resemblances.
This article is based on Sri P.B.A Swami's Vyasam - Emperumanar
Perumai pattrina Vyasam ?3.
Adiyen Sri Vaishnava Dasi,
Vasumathi Sampath kumar.
azhwAr emberumAnAr jeeyAr thiruvadigalE saranam
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