Srimathe Ramanujaya Namah:
Part (4) of Sri Nampillai's Life Sketch
By: U.Ve. Sri E.S. Bhuvarahachariar Swamy
This article is a direct translation - from Sri Guru Paramparai -
(translated by U.Ve. Sri E.S. Bhuvarahachariar Swamy into English)
Sri Parashara Bhattar said to Sri Namperumal when He granted him
Moksha, that he (Sri Bhattar) would go to sri vaikunta but if he did
not see the bright charming face with Kasturi Tilaka on the forehead
as that of Sri Namperumal he would cut asunder a corner of the sky
and would jump down to Srirangam. Perhaps our Jeeyar, remembering
Sri Parashara Bhattar's strong conviction, is not ready to go to
Paramapada where he is sure to miss the bright and charming face of
Sri Namperumal along with Kasturi Tilaka.
Sri Nampillai having heard all these explanations looked at the face
of Sri Pinbazhagaram Perumal Jeeyar and with a smiling face
questioned him ? "Do you agree with all these explanations?" The
disciple humbly submitted to the teacher- "No not certainly all
these are not in my heart."
Sri Nampillai observed, " I know your heart". Sri Jeeyar on hearing
this submitted humbly ? "oh! Revered Master! There is nothing that
is unknown to you as you are omniscient. However if you so desire
that I should give an explanation to my strange conduct, I will do
so at your behest". Permitted by the teacher, the pupil
continued. "Holy Swamin! Your revered self used to take your holy
bath every day according to the prescribed rites. After that your
good self used to wear very pure and immaculate clothes and then
wander about at your mansion. At that time beads of perspiration
used to appear on your very charming and illuminating face. I used
to go round your good self fanning you all that time. How I can
forego this rare service by going to the other world. Hence I
requested the Srivaishnavas to pray to Lord Almighty to elongate my
stay here in your company". Hearing this all Srivaishnavas exclaimed
with great astonishment. They remarked unanimously, "This body which
is made up of five elements is dead against all virtuous acts. Our
Jeeyar swamy has vanquished this enemy and is doing wonderful
service to our Acharya which is really the greatest wealth for a
disciple."
Note- this particular episode is recorded by Sri Swamy Manavala
Mamunigal in his "Upadesha Ratna Malai". Please read stanza no
66 "Pinbazhagaram Perumal Jeeyar" along with its super commentary by
Sri Pillai Lokam Jeeyar.
One day Sri Nampillai concluded his Bhagavad Vishaya Kalakshepam and
the assembly got dissolved. His earnest disciple, Sri Pinbazhagiya
Perumal Jeeyar requested him to clear this doubt.
"What is the Swarupa (Nature of the soul)? What is the best means of
salvation suited to the nature of the soul (Upaya)? What is the
fruit (Purushartha) that the soul is expected to derive from God,
suited to his Swarupa?" Thus being questioned Sri Pillai answered-
"Ichchai (the desire to serve God is the Swarupa of the soul),
Irakkam (the mercy of the Lord) is the sole means of salvation,
Inimai (the happiness that the Lord gets by the service of the sole
is the fruit) namely Purushartha.
Having heard this answer, Sri Jeeyar, the pupil said humbly. "The
answer is not acceptable to my mind". The teacher with a smile
said "If so you have some special definitions for these three
namely, Swarupa, upayaa Purushartha of the soul? If so please tell
me your different line of thinking". "My swarupa (Nature of soul) is
being servant of your devotees. The means of salvation (Upaya) is
their affection for me. By my service to them, if their lotus like
faces blossom, that done is the end or fruit that I achieve
(Purushartha)" ? Sri Jeeyar submitted humbly. On listening to this,
Sri Pillai's joy knew no bounds.
Note- The Acharya's idea of Swarupa, Upaya and Purushartha are in
relation to Sriman Narayana whereas Sri Jeeyar's conception of the
three is in relation to his Acharya's devotees or disciples. The
first one is called "Prathama Parva Nishtai" initial stage or first
stage as regards these three. The latter one is called "Charama
Parva Nishtai" final stage.
Every day Sri Nampillai's kalakshepam or discourse was conducted at
Srirangam Temple. On a certain day the discourse was over and the
huge assembly got dispersed. The Chola king who was a Srivaishnava
happened to visit the temple at that time on that day. He beheld the
huge crowd of Srivaishnavas and exclaimed with great amusement- "Are
these Srivaishnavas returning after listening to Sri Nampillai's
Kalakshepam or after attending the great festival of Sri
Namperumal?" From this we understand that this kalakshepam attracted
a huge crowd even as Sri Namperumal's fascinating appearance
attracted the people.
Thus Sri Nampillai was happily spending his days at SriRangam with
great wealth of Srivaishnava attendance. There lived at SriRangam at
the same time Sri MudaliAndan's (nephew of Sri Ramanuja) grandson
and the son of Sri Kandadai Andan by name Sri Kandadai Tholappar.
Unfortunately he was seized by jealousy on seeing the popularity and
greatness of Sri Nampillai, which were at their Zenith. One day
near the Sanctum Sanctorum of SriRanganatha as Sri Tholappar was
worshipping Him, Sri Pillai also arrived on the scene accompanied by
a huge host of Sri Vaishnavas. Sri Tolappar could not brook this
sight of grandeur and became crimson in his face. Possessed by
anger, he scolded Sri Pillai by using very harsh and bitter words
that were at his command. Sri Pillai heard this with a trembling
frame. After worshipping the Lord, he retraced his steps towards his
home silently.
This news reached the ears of Tolappar's wife who was gifted with
more wisdom than her husband. She became extremely sorry for her
husband's misconduct. She got disgusted with her husband and ceased
to attend to her domestic chores. Sri Tolappar returned to his
mansion duly after worshipping the Lord. The wife did not accord as
usual a warm welcome to him and also did not do any service to him
as she used to do every day. Sri Tolappar, struck with wonder
addressed his wife; "From the marriage day onwards you used to
revere me as your Acharya. Today you have disregarded me. Why this
strange behavior?" She replied, "Sri Nampillai is supposed to be
the very incarnation of Swamy Nammazhwar by the entire SriVaishnava
world. Further he is the very life of SriNamperumal. You have abused
him in His very presence unhesitatingly using very bitter and cruel
words. After that you are not even stricken with remorse for your
misconduct. Still you hope to achieve salvation. Therefore I have no
truck with you. If you are disgusted with me, you can do whatever
you like with my body. Only that was handed over to you after being
reared up by my parents. I am well off with my soul as my Acharya
already accepts it. You know very well the verdict of Sri Varaha
Perumal as expressed to his consort Sri Bhumi Devi. "My devotee may
belong to the family of a Chandala (outcaste). However if people
abuse him, I will not spare them for any length of time."(Madbhaktam
?.etc ? Sri Varaha Purana). Even though you know very well this
dictum of the Lord, you pretend to not be aware of this. Hence I
have no association with you. It is humanly impossible to stitch the
earth that got divided into two parts by the earthquake. So also it
is impossible to control the ebbing sea by the construction of a
huge and high wall. Similarly the tall mountain breaks in the middle
and falls down, the consequent devastation is unbearable. Similar to
all these is the sin of the Bhaagavatha apachara and that too
without repentance after its commitment. You cannot wash it
(Bhagavatha Apachara) by having recourse to any expiatory act or
ceremony. Therefore please permit me to live the life according to
my own sweet will and pleasure. Sri Tolappar was also taken aback by
the advice of his wife for a while and pondered over the whole
incident as he was an erudite scholar and was the scion of an
illustrious family. The confusion that was the result of his
jealousy vanished. With a clear mind he approached his wife and
said, "all that you have said is quite correct. I have committed a
great blunder. What shall I do now?" The wife also feeling sad for
his condition observed, "If one has lost his property while bathing
in a river, he cannot search for the same in a pond. So it is
commonsense that he has to search for it in the river only. So also
you have to beg the pardon of Swamy Nampillai who is the very
receptacle of mercy and thereby safeguard your interest". Sri
Nampillai in the presence of Sri Ranganatha and that too in the
midst of huge congregation of Srivaishnavas. Now how can I approach
him to seek his pardon without fear or shame? You please accompany
me and request him on my behalf to pardon me". She also agreed to
this and both of them quickly started to go to Sri Nampillai's
mansion.
Meanwhile, Sri Nampillai went to his mansion after this ugly and
unfortunate event in the temple. After bidding farewell to all
SriVaishnavas who accompanied him to the temple, Sri Nampillai
fasted the whole day and stayed within his mansion. When the evening
came, he performed all the due rites (like Sandhya vandana etc) and
covering his body from head to foot with a single cloth came to Sri
Tolappar's mansion and slept on the verandah of Sri Tolappar's house.
Sri Tolappar and his wife lighted a lamp and come out of their house
with the intention of going to Sri Nampillai's mansion. On coming
out of the house they saw some white object lying on the pial. Sri
Tolappar asked, "who is there lying?" Sri Pillai replied, " I am
Thirukkalikanri Dasar" Sri Tolappar suspected him and observed, "Oh!
You have come here to create a scene thinking that you are a highly
reputed person and is it proper on the part of Sri Tolappar to
insult me in the august assemble of Sri Ranganatha." Sri Nampillai
with a trembling tone told him, "Swamin! Certainly it is not so, I
have not come here as you imagine me to be". Sri Tolappar
retorted, "Then why should you come here and sleep?" Sri Pillai
replied, "I am a great sinner. I am totally responsible for the
mental confusion of your revered self, the grandson of Sri
Mudaliyandan and that too in the presence of Sri Namperumal. (Whose
presence will quell all mental disorders) For such a worst sinner,
(myself) there is no other place to which I can resort except your
noble self's mansion.
Sri Tolappar who came out of his house with a firm resolve to
apologize to Sri Nampillai was astonished to see the pathetic
condition of Sri Nampillai. He was also moved very much by his words
of humility. With overflowing affection he lifted up Sri Nampillai
from the ground having embraced him tightly exclaimed, " so far I
was under the impression that you are an Acharya to some
SriVaishnavas at Sri Rangam. Only today I understood that you have
every qualification to be the Acharya of the entire world. So saying
he named him "LOKACHARYAR". He took him with great awe and respect
inside his mansion and along with his wife he entreated him in
manifold ways and thus made him highly pleased. He put several
questions to Sri Nampillai and cleared his doubts as regards
Sampradaya Rahasya Arthas. (Secret messages hidden in the doctrines
of Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya) and became a devoted disciple to him.
Sri Nanjeeyar, the revered Acharya was immensely pleased to see the
ascending glory of Sri Nampillai, his dearest disciple. The Acharya
completed 100 years. Then towards the close of his life he was
afflicted with a disease and was bedridden. One of his disciples by
name Kutti Kuri Ilaiazhwar came to him. He beseeched him, "May I now
request you Swamin to chant "Dwaya Mantra"? Sri Jeeyar who was also
known as Periya Jeeyar "Why do you recommend the chanting to me? Do
you not want it?" Is it (Dwayam) to be chanted only by a bedridden
man and not by a wandering soul?" The disciple on hearing this
became dumb founded and felt ashamed of himself. From this episode
we understand that "Dwaya Mantra" is to be chanted by all times
irrespective of their condition.
Sri Terkalzhwan Bhattar, a disciple of Sri Nanjeeyar happened to
hear this (i.e. the dialogue between Sri Nanjeeyar and Sri kuttikuri
Ilaiazhwar) he thought that there was some secret desire lingering
in the mind of Sri Nanjeeyar. He approached him and asked
respectfully what his longing was? Sri Jeeyar replied, "I have a
strong desire to behold Sri Namperumal's Archavatara body. This is
what I think that He can give me and it is equal to the wealth of
the entire world. Sri Terkalzhwar Bhattar carried this news to Sri
Tirumalai Thandha Perumal and he in turn reported this humbly to
Namperumal. Namperumal accordingly set out of his Sanctorum with due
pomp and grandeur and arrived in front of Sri Mutt of Sri Nanjeeyar.
And He having cast off his garments exhibited his very exhilarating
divine Archa Vigraha to Sri Nanjeeyar that was "Sarvasvam"(the
wealth of entire world) for him. Sri Jeeyar too enjoyed with great
exuberance of Joy. The Archa Tirumeni with his un winking eyes. Then
he turned round and looking at his disciples Sri Nampillai etc and
addressed them. "Namperumal has fulfilled my wish by displaying His
Archa Tirumeni to me which is the world wealth for me. Now I am
prepared to do Sarvaswatana to you all. (Here Sarvaswatana means
whatever knowledge I came to possess by the blessing of my learned
Acharya Sri Bhattar, is my wealth that is sarvaswam). Those who have
thirst for knowledge can quench their thirst by questioning me. Sri
Nampillai requested him, "Oh! Swamin! Tell me something which I
should ever remember as the sole refuge". Sri Jeeyar said, "Your
question is just like using thorns while decorating the body of a
bride at the time of marriage with jewels. I have not kept any
message handed down to me by our ancestors. I have already disclosed
every thing to you and thereby decorated your soul with the ornament
like Sampradaya doctrines. (Therefore your question is distressing
to me) However reiterate the following ? Do not think that the Lord
is for the sake of the soul but think that the soul is for the sake
of the Lord.
But Sri Nampillai was not pleased by this exhortation and so kept
silent. The Guru understood the displeasure of his disciple from his
facial expression and silence and demanded his pupil to cough out
his expectation. Sri Pillai then posed this question, "What should
be the feeling and behavior of Srivaishnavas when they get separated
from the company a Srivaishnava by his departure to Sri Vaikunta
Loka from this mortal world?"
TO BE CONTINUED......
Azhvar EmberumAnAr JeeyAr ThiruvadigalE Saranam
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