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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



 
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