SrI: SrImathE Gopaladesika mahadesikaya nama: Even if we spend whole of our lives to enjoy Bhagavad Ramanuja vaibhavam and his sreesookthis, we can not do justice at all. One life time is not enough to understand Swamy?s greatness as it is more than that of the Lord. Let us come back to Swami EmperumAnAr on some other series exclusively for Him. Let us continue on acharya paramparai. Our Guru parampara basically is categorized into three kinds: 1.SamAsrayaNa paramparai [initiation]- and the same one is for Rahasya granthams as well 2.SrI Bhashyam and GitA Bhashyam etc? 3.Bhagavad vishayam [commentary on Swami nammazhwaar Thiruvaymozhi] There are different acharyas sometime for a sishya [as in the case of Ramanujacharya]; In some cases, all are taught by one acharya [as in the case of Swami Desikan]. Thus Acharya paramparai: 1. PERIYA PERUMAL and 2. PIRAATTI 3. SRI VISHWAKSENAR [aippasi pooraadam] 4. SRI NAMMAZHWAR [SaTakOpar- Vaikaasi Visaakam] 5. SRI NATHA MUNIGAL [822 C.E ? 930 C.E] Aani anusham] 6. SRI UYYAKKONDAR [826 C.E.- 930 C.E.] PuNdareekakshar- Chithrai Kaarthikai] 7. SRI MANAKKAL NAMBHI [Ramamisrar- Maasi makham] 8. SRI YAMUNAMUNI [916 CE- 1036 CE] Alavandhaar ? Aadi UtthirAdam] 9. SRI PERIYA NAMBHI [997 CE- ] and Thiruvaranga PerumAL arayar for Thiruvaymozhi; other sthothras ThirukkOttiyoor Nambhi for RahasyArttham; Thirumalai ANdaan for Thiruvaymozhi vyAkhyAnam; Thirumalai Nambhi for Srimad RamayaNam] 10. SRI RAMANUJACHARYA [1017 CE- 1137 CE- Chitthirai Thiruvaadhirai] After Ramanuja, the paramparai splits off into various traditions. Ramanuja had appointed 74 simhaasanaadhipathis [principal disciples], each of whom were major teachers in their own right. However, there are acharyas, who deserve special mention. PERIOD BETWEEN BHAGAVAD RAMANUJA AND SWAMI DESIKA Let us look firstly at Category 1- Sri Bhashya and GitA Bhashyam [Note that 1 to 10 are from Sriman Narayanan upto Sri Ramanujacharya] 11. Thirukkurhai Piraan PiLLaan [KurukESar- 1033 CE- Aippasi pooraadam] 12. engaL AzhwAn [VishNu chitthar-1088CE- Vaikaasi Swathi ] 13. Nadaadhoor ammAL [Vaathsyavaradaguru ? Chithrai Chithrai] 14. Kidambi AppuLLAr [vaadhihamsaambuvaahar- Chithrai Thiruvaadhirai] Category 2- SamasrayaNa paramparai: [Rahasya granthams] 15. Kidambi Aachaan [PraNathaartthiharar ] 16. Kidambi RamanujapPillaan, [AthrEya Ramanuja- Chithrai ThiruvAdhirai] 17. Kidambi Rangarajar [AthrEya Rangarajar ? Panguni RohiNi] 14. Kidambi Appullaar [vaadhihamsaambuvaahar -Chithrai Thiruvaadhirai] 18. Swamy Desikan [Purattasi ThiruvONam- 1268 ? 1369 CE] Let us enjoy each one of them briefly: 11. KurukEsar- Thirukkurgai Piraan PiLLaan- Through his sishya Kurukesa (Tirukkurukai Piraan Pillaan) Swami Ramanuja arranged for the commentary written on Nammalvar's Tiruvaymoli. This commentary is remarkable in its usage of phrases from Ramanuja's own works. PiLLan is considered Ramanuja?s jnAna puthrar. 12. VISHNU CHITTHA ( ENGAL AAZHWAAN): He was born in the month Chitrai and in the constellation of Rohini. A Tiruvellarai Sozhiyar, he was delivering discourses (Pravachanam) on Sri Bhashyam and Bhagavad Vishayam. He wrote a wonderful and detailed commentary on Vishnu Puranam. He was born in the month Aani in the constellation of Swaathi. He wrote Vishnuchitteeyam, Saaraartha Chathushtayam and Sangathi maasam. He attained Paramapadam at a place called Kollakkonda near Srivilliputtur. 13. Nadaadhoor ammAL: VAATHSYA VARADHA GURU(NADAADHOOR AMMAL): He was born in the month Chitrai in Chitra Nakshatram in the year 1165 CE. He lived for 110 years and attained Paramapadham in 1275 CE. He was also known as Sudarsanar. He belonged to Srivathsa Gotram. He also assisted the master in documenting the Sri Bhashyam and acted as a scribe for Sri Bhashyam along with Kooratthaahwaan. His father was Devarajap Perumaal and his grandfather was Nadadoor Aazhwaan He was a Sribhashya Simhaasana Adhipathi. It is he who installed the Archa Vigraha of Emperumaanaar at Kaanchi. His own Archa Vigraham is at Tiruvellarai. He wrote 19 granthas which include: PRAPANNA PAARIJAATHAM, Sloka Dvayam, Paratvaadhi Panchaka Sthuthi, Tattva Nirnayam, Tattva Saaram, Saamaanya Adhikarana Vaadham, Yathilinga Samarthanam, Hethiraja Sthavam, Prameya maala, Sri bhashya Sangraham, and Aahnika Choodaamani (which is not extant) (Authority: Payyampadi Setlur Srivatsaankaachaaryars Preface to the Commentary on Prapanna Paarijatham by Abhinava Desika Uttamur Swami.) He was the master of Kidambi Appullaar who learned the Sastras at his feet while he was delivering Kalakshepam on the Eastern side of Perarulalan Sannidhi in Kanchipuram. Like a mother who feeds her child, he offered to Lord Varadaraja hot milk (neither too hot nor too cold) but just hot enough to drink .Therefore, the Lord was pleased to exclaim "en ammAvO? Oh ! Are you my mother? ". That is how he came to be known as Nadadoor Ammaal. 14. Kidaambi AppuLLAr: (Chitrai- Tiruvadirai) He was the maternal uncle of Swami Desika. He learned in all the Sastras and Siddhantam from his father Sri Rangarajar so well that elders wondered if he was the reincarnation of Periya Thiruvadi - the Vedaatma - and asked"Ivar Ap Pullaaro? ". "Pull" means bird especially Garuda. Hence, his name Appullaar which became very widely known in the entire Srivaishnava community. His sister was Totaramba who was married to one Anantasuri, Son of Pundarika Yajvaa. She was the mother of the great Swami Desika. Sudharsana Suri- another sishya of Nadaadhoor ammAL- Author of the most lucid commentary on Sribhasshyam, sruthaprakasika. His sons and this work were later saved by Swami Desikan during muslim invasion while Swami Pillailokachariar [working in tandem with Swami desikan] saved the vigraham of Num PerumAL. 15. KIDAAMBI AACHAAN It is this Kidaambi Aachaan otherwise known as Madappalli Aachaan, since he took over charge of culinary duties for Ramanuja after the incident in which Tirukkoshtiyur Nambi declared him as the one to take personal care of Ramanuja after the poisoning incident. He was nominated as one of the Simhasana Adhipathis of Rahasya Sampradaaya Parampara He studied Vedanta at least 12 times at the feet of Bhagavad Ramanuja. 16. KIDAAMBI RAMANUJAP PILLAAN (Son of Kidaambi Aachaan).He was born in the month Aippasi in the constellation Pooraadam.. Nothing more is available about this Acharya. 17. KIDAAMBI RANGARAJAR Was also known as Kidambi Padmanabhachar. He was the son of Ramanujap Pillaan and Grandson of Kidaambi Aachaan. He was born in the month Panguni and in the constellation of Rohini. This is exactly the same month and Nakshatram under which our Prakritam Paravaakottai Gopaala Desika Mahaa Desikan Swami of Poundarikapuram Ashramam was born. During this period from Ramanujacharya?s time to Swamy Desikan, there are also other greatest acharyas-namely: Embaar:- cousin of Ramanuja and a great teacher as well. Swami KooratthAzhwAn [Srivathsankhamisrar]- one is moved to tears enjoying his most wonderful divine life and Athma guNAs, scholarship and gets limitless jNAnam, vairAgya and bhakti learning from his pancha sthavams. Paraasara Bhattar: Parasara Bhattar was the son of Kurathalwan. His Acharya was Embar. He learned the Sastras so well that he came to be called a 'walking university'. His works include his commentary on Vishnu Sahasra Nama Bashya ( 1,000 names of Vishnu ) also known as 'Bhagavad Guna Darpanam', Rangaraja Stava, Ranganatha Ashtaka, Sri Guna Ratna Kosam, Kriyaa Deepam, Ashta Sloki, Satusloki, Dvisloki, Tanisloki While he was a kid, a haughty Advaita exponent by name 'Vidvad Jana Kolahala Panditha' was being carried on a palanquin to engage in a debate with Ramanuja. The boy stopped him on the way. Holding a handful of sand in his closed fist, he asked the Panditha how much of sand was there in his palm. The Panditha was nonplussed and asked how could anyone count the sands. Parasara retorted saying that if he could not answer that it was just a 'fistful' how did he propose to win an argument with the great Ramanuja. The Panditha praised the boy, his father Kuresa and his Acharya, Embar. The Panditha subsequently became the disciple of Parasara assuming the name of ' Per Arulala Perumal Emperumanar' Parasara and his brother helped the master in the documenting the Sribhashya. When the master bade Embar to bring the baby for naming, Embar brought the baby and by way of protection was muttering Dvaya Mantram. When the master enquired how the baby showed off an unusual brilliance, Embar narrated what he did on the way. The master exclaimed that he had prevented Koorathaalwaan from being the Guru for the baby since only the one who initiates in Dvaya would be the Acharya. Since he had done this, the master asked Embar to act as the Guru for the baby. Numjeeyer: Author of the 9000 [onpathinaayirapadi]- the second major commentary on Thiruvaaymozhi. He was an advaitin earlier, and was later transformed into a VisishtAdvaitin after being defeated by Sri Parasara Bhattar at Melkote. Num PiLLai: A Master expositor of Ubhaya Vedantha- especially on Thiruvaaymozhi. He is very fondly revered and remembered in our Sampradayam. His main sishyas were Swami Periyavaacchaan PiLLai and Sri vadakku Thiruveedhi Pillai. Periya Vacchaan PiLLai: [12th Century- sharing the same star of Krishnan- AvaNi RohiNi- hence considered as Lord KaNNan taking this Acharya amsam to enjoy the AzhwAr Dhivya sookthis. He is known as Vyaakhyaana Chakravartthi- Emperor of Commenetaries as he had written lucid and wonderful, divine commentaries on all the 4000 hymns of the AzhwArs, Ramaayana, Alavandhar sthothras, as well as on Ramanuja?s three prose poems, the Gadyathrayam. It is told he and Swami desikan had enjoyed each other?s granthams and had discussions. Vadakku Thiruveedhi PiLLai: Author of the wonderful commentary of Thiruvaaymozhi called eedu vyaakhyaanam, also called as 36000 padi. His sons Swami Pillailokachariar and Sri Azhagiya Manavala Nayanar were great acharyas and lived in Srirangam during the same period of Swamy Desikan in the 12th, 13th century CE. Swami Pillai lokacharyar- He was born in 1205 CE (Krodana) at Srirangam in Mudumbai Kulam, Srivatsa Gotram, in the month of Avani and in Rohini Nakshatram His other names were Ulaga Aasiriyar and lOkAchAriAr. In fact, the latter name was conferred on him by his AchAryA NampiLLai.. Though PiLLai lOkAchAryA was about 63 years older to our Swami, he perceived in his young friend ( our Swami) the potential to become a World Savior through his works. He was the foremost AchAryA of Thenkalai branch of Srivaishnavas. Swami Pillailokachariar, - was gifted with a great foresight, he was catholic in nature and was the author of many rahasya granthas like mukumshupadi. He also laid the emphasis on Saranagathi. Azhagiya MaNavALa perumAL nAyaNAr: Younger brother of PiLLai LOkAchAryA and another doyen of TennAchAryA sampradAyA, he was also a close associate and admirer of Swami Desika. He remained a bachelor throughout his life. His works include - AchArya Hridayam, vyAkhyAnams including 6,000 Padi of TiruppAvai, Amalan AadhiPiraan, Kanni nun SiruthAmbhu, PattOlai Rahasyam etc. Swami Pillai lokacharyar?s sishya was Thiruvaaymozhi Pillai [Srisailesar]. Another doyen of thennAchArya SampradAyam, he was born at Kundigai in PAndya kingdom. His other names were Thirumalai AzhwAr and SrisailEsar. He was a disciple of PiLLai LokAchArya who did him Pancha SamskAram and taught him ThiruvAymozhi. His other AchAryAs were:- AcchAn PiLLai for Bhagavad Vishayam Azhagiya ManavALap PerumAL NAyanAr for Sri BhAshyam and Sruta PrakAsika Koora Kulottama Daasar for AchArya Rahasya Granthas and AchArya Hridayam VilAn Cholaip PiLLai for other Rahasya Granthas. Staying at Thirunagari, he wrote the SvApadEsa VyAkhyAnam for PeriyazhwAr?s Thirumozhi. SrI Manavaala maamunigaL: His Sishyas include- ManavALa mA MunigaL known as Periya Jeeyar who was the immediate predecessor of Bhattar PirAn, the Prathama Yathipathi of VanamAmalai Mutt. NammAzhwAr koil EmperumAnAr Jeeyar EmperumanAr koil SatakOpa Jeeyar Tattvesa Jeeyar. His thanian reads as follows: Namas Sri Saila Naathaaya Kundee Nagara Janmane | PrasAdha Labda Parama prApya kainkarya sAline || A Recap: Acharya RaamAnujA : AD 1017-1137 (120 Years ) PiLLai LOkAcharyA : AD 1205-1311 ( 106 Years )PiLLai LokachAr (PL ) was 63 years old , when Vedantha Desikan was born and latter outlived PL by 68 years. By his 20th year ( 1288 CE ) , Vedantha Desikan completed his studies and began his career as a Sri VaishNavite AchArya. PiLLai LokAcharyA was 83 years old then and an established Venerable AchArya in Srirangam . Both Pillailokacharyar and Vedantha Desikan co-existed as AchaaryAs for 23 years. During this time, VedAntha Desikan spent many years at Thiruvahindrapuram and Kanchi and settled down at Srirangam . Swami Desikan had a great affection and reverence for Sri PiLLai LokAcharyar as the senior AchAryA . Vedantha Desikar : 1268-1369 (101 Years ); [Let us enjoy Vedantha Desika's greatness in subsequent posts] 5. MaNavALa Maamuni : AD 1370-1443 ( 73 Years ). Swami Manavala Maamunmi had great reverence for Swami Desikan and referred to him always as the Abhiyukthar or the revered one. Swami Manavala Maamuni as can be seen in next acharya paramparai chart after Desikan would have Swamy desikan as one of his prapraaacharya [Acharya?s Acharya?s acharya] for SriBhashyam. [References: Sri Anbil Ramaswamy Swami?s Acharya Vamsa vruksham Tthirukkudanthai Desikan 301st year malar] AchAryan ThiruvaDigaLE SaraNam Regards Namo Narayana dasan ____________________________________________________________________________________ Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/features_spam.html Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SriRangaSri/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SriRangaSri/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:SriRangaSri-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:SriRangaSri-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: SriRangaSri-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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