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Swathi Vasanth

THIRUKOLUR PEN PILLAI RAGASIYAM - 66

Penpillai began her next tale, "Andhādhi sonneno Amudhanāraip pola?"

"Have I ever composed any andhādhi like Thiruvarangatthu Amudhanār did?"


In Bhooloka Vaikuntham (Srirangam), Bhagavath Rāmānujar had established his Mutt and was propagating Srivaishnava Sampradāyam. A Srirangam devotee named Periya Koyil Nambi was looking after the management of Periya Koyil. He was extremely well-versed with the temple Sampradāyam and an expert in shāstras. When Sri Rāmānujar brought about certain changes in the temple maintenance, Periya Koyil Nambi protested against Rāmānujar's interference. Rāmānujar decided that the temple management could be streamlined only if Nambi was removed from his position at the temple. But Udayavar's views were not acceptable to Lord Ranganātha, who made it very clear that Nambi had been rendering all his kaikaryams and should not be removed from the temple management. Rāmānuja was angry as well as unhappy with the Lord's will. He felt that Srirangam attracted all sorts of devotees, and if proper procedures were not followed, it may affect the devotees' faith in God. But Lord Ranganātha had not agreed to Rāmānujar's decisions. Feeling frustrated, Rāmānuja decided to proceed to Kanchi. He discussed this with Koorathāzhvān. Koorathāzhvān promised Udayavar that he would find a way to convince Nambi. He made Nambi realize the benefits and the future prospects that Srirangam (Periya kovil) would gain if the temple management was handed over to Sri Rāmānuja. Nambi also slowly started realizing the truth behind it and became an ardent sishya of Rāmānuja, but somehow or the other, the temple management and keys were not given to Udayavar.


Meanwhile, Nambi lost his mother. As per Srivaishnava tradition, on the eleventh day from the date of death, a Vaishnava has to be served prasādam in the home of the family where the death occurred. As there were a lot of specifications for the one designated for the dining, very few would be willing to participate. Nambi hence sought help from Rāmānuja for which he sent Koorathāzhwan. But he conveyed certain important things to Koorathāzhwan before sending him to Nambi 's house. After Āzhwān completed his bhojanam at Nambi 's house on the eleventh day as scheduled, Nambi asked Āzhwān whether he was completely satisfied. Koorathāzhwan maintained silence without speaking out anything. Nambi didn't know what to do as it is construed that the ceremony has been completed only if the invitee expresses complete satisfaction. Then Periya Koil Nambi apologetically asked Koorathāzhwān whether he needs any other thing and also assured that he will offer whatever he wishes to have. Koorathāzhwān replied that if both the temple key and the management is given to make him happy. Immediately, Nambi handed over both the keys. Koorathāzhwan triumphantly returned to Udayavar and handed over the temple keys and management. Rāmānuja was pleased.



He implemented a lot of wonderful changes in temple management and also gave some important portfolios to Nambi. Nambi thus had the opportunity to observe the greatness of Rāmānuja and began composing verses in praise of Rāmānuja. Upon going through the andhādhi verses Rāmānuja told Nambi, “Nambi, your verses should be in praise of the Lord, Āzhwārs and Āchāryas only and not about ordinary mortals like me. Hence this is not acceptable to me.” He instructed Nambi to only sing verses in praise of the Lord, Divyadesam, Āzhwārs and Āchāryas. Nambi became very sad and asked Koorathāzhwān to advise him on this. Āzhwān advised that if he constructed his verses with the main focus on the Lord, Āzhwār- Āchārya and with minor references to Rāmānuja, he would relish it. Nambi, by quoting the divine qualities of thirumagal kelvan, the kainkaryas of Āzhwārs, and the pristine traits of dedication and Āchārya bhakti of Rāmānuja - has composed Rāmānuja Nootrandadhi with 108 verses as a token of his Āchārya Bhakthi and submitted it to Rāmānuja.


Rāmānujar was amazed after going through his work and appreciated Nambi with the new title Amudhanār. From that day onwards, Periya Koil Nambi became known as Thiruvarangathu Amudhanār.


After listening to Amudhanār 's poems, Lord Ranganātha felt extremely happy and stated that it should be included in the divya prabhandam and hence it is revered as Prapanna Gāyathri.

The Prabhandam count became 4000 only after Rāmānuja Nootrandadhi’s 108 poems were added to Āzhwārs’ pasurams.


Thirukolur Penpillai observes that she has not got the heartwarming Bhakthi of Amudhanār who initially antagonized Rāmānuja, then became an ardent shishya and authored this. On hearing this, Rāmānuja told her that as he wrote andādhi poetry in praise of Āchārya, predecessors are there for Amudhanār. Madurakavi Āzhwār who began his verse, Kanninun siruthambu, in praise of Lord Krishna, concluded with his Bhakthi to Nammāzhwār. Then Rāmānuja commented that Penpillai had explained Āchārya Bhakthi very well and asked what story she was going to tell next. She replied, “Anukoolam sonneno Mālyavānaip pola?” Let us find out what happened in the next episode, from Ramayana. Jai sriram!


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