Shri BAshyakArar's (Shri RAmAnujA)
Millenial ThiruNakshatram Celebrations
Grand Recitation of Sri SharanAgathi Gadhyam & Sri RAmAnuja NootrandhAdhi 1008 times from Sri KoorathAzhwAn's ThiruNakshatram in 2010 till Sri RAmAnujA's 1000th ThiruNakshatram in 2017.
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Sri RAmAnujA (Thirukkachi, India)
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Sri RAmAnujA (Sri Ahobila Muth, USA)
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Audio
containing 45th Pattam Srimad Azhagiyasingar's anugraha bashanam on Sri KoorathAzhwAn, Sri RAmAnujA and HH's blessings to complete this kainkaryam successfully.
Sri Ahobila Muth, USA will be celebrating Bhaghavadh RAmAnujA's Millenium ThiruNakshatram in a grand manner over the next seven years befitting the mahA upachArams that this mahadAchAryan has done - most importantly showing the way (prapatthi or sharanAgathi) for all the jeevAthmAs to attain mOksham. It is a wonderful once-in-a-multiple-life-time opportunity that the current generation(s) of people have to be a part of this grand event.
The archA murthy (vigraham) of Bhaghavadh RAmAnujA (or Sri BAshyakArar or YathirAjAr or Udayavar) that accompanies Sri Navaneetha Krishnar of Sri Ahobila Muth, USA is very unique. PrathishtApanai (consecration) for this murthy was done by the 45th Srimad Azhagiyasingar at the Ahobilam divya kshetram.
We are very happy to announce that the first step in the series of celebrations is to start reciting the following works 1008 times over the next 7 years culminating with the grand finale on the actual 1000th ThiruNakshatram day.
1. SharanAgathi Gadyam (composed by Sri RAmAnujA)
2. Sri RAmAnuja NootrandhAdhi (composed by Thiru Arangathu AmudhanAr on Bhaghavadh RAmAnujA)
To accomplish the above kainkaryam, we are planning to recite the above every week through the year (except for unadhyAyana kaalam) for the next 7 years. In addition, these will be recited during Dolais and Thirumanjanams if hosts prefer being a part of this celebration as well.
In addition to above works, we are also planning to recite the following additional works authored by or authored on Sri RamAnuja during special occasions:
1. Sri SriRanga Gadhyam (composed by Sri RAmAnujA)
2. Sri Vaikunta Gadhyam (composed by Sri RAmAnujA)
3. YathirAja Sapthadhi (composed by SwAmi DEsikan on Sri RAmAnujA)
For some of us, this will be a great opportunity to memorize these great master-pieces by-heart and recite it without seeing a book on the 1000th ThiruNakshatram day.
In addition to recitations, we are planning to arrange several live and tele upanyasams by well renowned scholars to talk about Bhaghavadh RAmAnujA and his works and spread his siddhAntham.
Timing and Telecon information is provided here, so that you can dial-in and recite along in your own homes.
Please participate in this unique and rare kainkaryam in-person or remotely and receive the blessings of Bhaghavadh RAmAnuja, our entire AchAryA lineage, and the Divya DhampathIs.
Life History of Sri Ramanuja (A Brief Version)
Sri Ramanuja is like the central pendant or stone in the garland of our Acharya lineage. He is one of the most famous acharyas who established Sri Visishtadvaita doctrine in a firm ground, according to the wishes of Sri Alavandar.
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He started his in-depth studies, as an advaita student under Sri YadavaPrakasar of Kanchipuram. Govindha Battar, his cousin, also joined Sri Ramanujar during his studies. Sri Ramanujar excelled as a student and even corrected Sri YadavaPrakasar's explanations of Upanishads. This brought about a tinge of unpleasantness in Sri YadavaPrakasar's attitude towards Sri Ramanujar. The famous incident, where Sri Ramanujar gave a superior explanation to Sri YadavaPrakasar's explanation of the word "Kapyasam" fueled this unpleasantness to the extent that the Guru plotted to kill his illustrious student. He invited both Sri Ramanujar and Sri GovindhaBattar to accompany him to Ganga Yatra and plotted to kill him there.
Sri GovindaBattar got to know about the plot and warned Sri Ramanujar, who ran away from the group and tried to go back to Kanchipuram. On his way back, Sri Varadaraja Perumal and Sri Perundevi Thayar, the Divine Dampathis themselves, came disguised as a hunter couple and helped him reach Kanchipuram.
In the meantime, Sri Alavandar visited Kanchipuram and felt very happy by Sri Ramanujar's radiance and prayed Sri Varadaraja Permual to make Sri Ramanuja come into the Sri Vaishnava fold.
At this time, the Divine Dampathis decided to bring to light, Sri Ramanujar's greatness. The king's daughter became possessed by a "Brahma Rakshasa", a formidable evil spirit. On king's request, Sri Yadava Prakasar and his main students (including Sri Ramanuja) visited the palace to cure the king's daughter. Sri Yadava Prakasar tried to cure the princess, but in vain. The evil spirit informed Sri YadavaPrakasa that it would move out, if Sri Ramanujar instructed him to do so. Sri Ramanujar instructed the evil spirit to leave and it left the princess' body. Sri Ramanujar became famous.
Sri Ramanujar started doing "Theertha Kainkaryam" (fetching water from a well for temple use) at Sri Varadaraja Perumal Koil, based on orders from Sri Varadaraja Permual himself. This was conveyed by Sri ThiruKacchiNambigal to Sri Ramanujar. At the instruction of Sri Alavandar, Sri Peria Nambigal (one of Sri Alavandar's sishyas) visited Kanchipuram and made Sri Ramanujar come with him to visit Sri Alavandar.
At that time, Sri Alavandar was in his deathbed and Sri Ramanujar made three promises ( to write vishnu Purana Bhasyam, Sri Bhasyam and explanations for Sri Nammalwar's works).
After returning to Kanchipuram, Sri Ramanujar asked Sri Thiru Kacchi Nambigal to find out answers from Sri Varadaraja Permual to clear his doubts. Sri Varadaraja Permual gave the famous "Six words" that formed the basis of Sri Visishtadvaita philosophy and Sri Ramanujar's magnum-opus work: Sri Bhasyam. One of the six words also instructed Sri Ramanuja to be a student under Sri Periya Nambigal. So, Sri Varadaraja Perumal himself gave the roots of our philosophy to Sri Ramanujar.
Sri Ramanujar underwent "Pancha Samskaram" by Sri Periya Nambigal in the Sri Kodanda Raman Temple at Madurantakam.
Sri Ramanujar's wife committed three "Bhaghavata Apacharams" (sins committed against Sriman Narayana's bhaktas) and due to that, Sri Ramanujar left her and undertook "Sanyasa Ashramam" in Kanchipuram. Sri Varadaraja Permul gave him the title of "YathiRajar".
Later Sri YadavaPrakasar himself became his Sishyar (student) and got the title of Sri "Govinda Jeeyar".
When Sri Ramanujar visited Sri Rangam, Peria Permual himself asked him to attend to SriRangam Koil Kainkaryam and called him "Udayavar". Later he visited Sri Thirukoshtiyur Nambi and requested him to bless him with explanations for the three important mantras of Sri Vaishnavism: Sri Moola Mantram, Dvyam and Charama Slokam. In order to let the world know about Udayavar's conviction, Sri Nambigal turned him down seventeen times before giving him the explanations. Sri Nambigal also got a promise from Ramanujar that the latter will not reveal the explanations to anyone. Sri Ramanujar, with lots of compassion for other Sri Vaishnavas, immediately called Sri Kooratalwan and others and gave out the "Mantraartam" (explanations for the Mantras).
After this, Sri Ramanuja went on to write the famous "Sri Bhasya" and many other Granthams. Due to this, he got the title "Sri Bhasyakarar".
He also traveled to Tirumalai-Tirupathi and proved that the main idol (Moolavar) of the temple is "Archa Moorthy" of Sri Vishnu himself and not that of Shiva or Parvathi Devi, as widely suspected at that time.
After performing many such miracles and establishing Sri Visishtadvaitam in a firm base, Sri Bhasyakarar established 74 Simmasanthipathis (heads of various Mutts) to propagate Sri Vaishnavism for ever. After giving all the responsibilities to Sri Pillan, Sri Ramanuja left this world and went to Sri Vaikuntam to serve the Divya Dampathis.
Sri Ramanujar and Sri Matam
Swami Sri Bhashyakara is by far the most significant acharya who adorns the stellar array of scholars and seers of the Sri Vaishnavite Acharya Parampara - so much so that the Sri Vaishnava Sampradayam is called the Ramanuja Darshanam, or the philosophical way shown by Sri Ramanuja. Swami Sri Bhashyakara has touched and continues touch every aspect of this Sampradayam and the acharya parampara of every sub-school of the Sampradayam branches off from Sri Ramanuja. Among these different sub-schools, Sri Ahobila Math has had the unique distinction of being associated with Sri Bhashyakara in a way that few other sub-schools have.
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Sri Ahobila Math's acharya parampara can broadly be thought of as having two branches that diverge after Swami Sri Bhashyakara and come together again with Sri Adivan Satakopa Swami. The first branch is the Samasrayana Parampara which consists of the list of acharyas who initiated the next into the holy fold of Sri Vaishnavism. The second branch is the Grantha Parampara which consist of acharyas who passed on the baton of philosophical instruction of Visishtadvaita to the acharyas who went after them. Needless to say, Swami Sri Bhashyakara adorns the Samasrayana Parampara as the last of the Oranvazhi Acharyas (or the acharyas who reigned over the Sampradayic seat single handedly before Sri Ramanuja appointed 74 simhasanadhipatis to propagate Visishtadvaita). However, Sri Ahobila Math has a unique position among all the different tributaries that emerged from Sri Bhashyakara, as it is said that over time several of the descendants of the simhasanadhipatis that Sri Ramanuja appointed sought refuge at the feet of Sri Adivan Satakopa Swami and appealed to him to carry their Sampradayic tasks forward. Thus, several of the tributaries that emerged from Sri Ramanuja - both those of the Samasrayana and Grantha paramparas - come together with the advent of Sri Ahobila Math.
The second and more significant link between Sri Ahobila Math and Swami Sri Ramanuja and perhaps a more direct one is that of the forebears of Sri Adivan Satakopa Swami. Sri Adivan Satakopa Swami in his poorvashrama belonged to the Kidambi family which can be traced back to Sri Kidambi Aachan who was chosen famously by Swami Sri Ramanuja's acharyas themselves to serve as what is often known as a Madhukara (or serve an acharya's personal kitchen and strive like a bee in their service). Sri Kidambi Aachan, it is said, learnt several intricate details of Visishtadvaitic philosophy from Sri Ramanuja whilst he served the great acharya in this capacity. This knowledge was passed down over the generations to Sri Kidambi Appullar who was Swami Sri Desika's maternal uncle and direct acharya. Swami Sri Desika proudly refers to this heritage in several of his works:
'Maanyam Yatishwara Mahanasa Sampradayam'
(Great is the Sampradayam that emerged Swami Sri Ramanuja's holy kitchen)
'Yativaranaan Madaippalli Vanda Manam Engal Varthayul Manniyade'
(The flavour and aroma of Sri Ramanuja's holy kitchen is engrained in our words in philosophy)
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It is this hoary tradition that was passed directly on to Sri Adivan Satakopa Swami who founded Sri Ahobila Math. This link between Sri Ramanuja and Sri Math is quite clear from its Grantha (or Kalakshepa) Parampara.
In addition to these historical links between Sri Ramanuja and Sri Ahobila Math, there is one reminder of the Math's inalienable relationship with Sri Ramanuja - the image of the Nartana Krishna who is in aradhanam by the holy hands of our acharyas to this date. It is said that this image of Krishna was found by Sri Adivan Satakopa Swami from the Thondanur Lake (close to Melkote in Karnataka) - and that this image was in aradhanam by the very hands of Swami Sri Ramanuja. The Guruparampara literature, which incidentally is the authoritative account of the lives of our acharyas, talks of several images of the Lord which were in aradhanam by Swami Sri Ramanuja at several different times and it includes mention of an image of Krishna. This particular image is unique due to its unparalleled beauty reflected in the eyes of the Lord and the entire tirumeni covered in Bijaksharas (or propitiatory mantras) of Sri Krishna. This image of Krishna in our Sri Ahobila Math and the image of Sri Lakshmi Hayagriva at Sri Brahmatarntra Swatantra Parakala Math in Mysore are only images directly in aradhanam by Swami Sri Ramanuja - and are still in daily worship by Matadhipatis of hoary sampradayas.
In summary, the link between Sri Ramanuja and our Sri Ahobila Math transcends several levels of history and tradition - all of which are constant reminders to us of our connection with our acharyas, their lives and their contribution to the Math and the Sri Vaishnavite Sampradayam at large.
Relevant eBooks
The following ebooks are authored by Oppiliappan Koil Sri Varadachari Sathakopan.
1. Bhaghavath Ramanuja - Sri Vaishnava Kainkaryams -
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2. Swamy Ramanuja's Sri Bashyam (chapters 1 and 2) -
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3. Swamy Ramanuja's Sri Bashyam (chapters 3 and 4) -
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4. Thiruvarangathu Iramanusa Nutranthathi -
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5. Swamy Desikan's Yathiraja Saptati -
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completed !!
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