Manavala Mamunigal
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Manavala Mamunigal (born 1370, death 1443) was a Hindu religious leader, who during the 15th century in Tamil Nadu, with the help of his eight disciples helped spread Vaishnavism. The disciples of Mamunigal established places of learning to teach Vaishnavite philosophy in Tamil Nadu.
Swami Manavala Mamuni the most venerated saint
Srirangam in southern India is a celebrated pilgrimage centre. It is the only dhivyakshetram sung by all ten azhwars and Andal. It is called Bhuloka Vaikunta. It is the root of all 108 dhivya kshetras. But over these and several other distinctions, the most outstanding is that the Lord showed here the ideal Acharya in the person of Swamy Manavala Mamuni. Manavala Mamunigal is one of the most well known and significant acharyas of Ramanuja's Sri Vaishnava Tradition-southern sect. Followers of the Thenkalai sect of Sri Vaishnavism believe that Manavala Mamuni was the final acharya of a lineage that begins with the Supreme Being Sriman Narayana, passes through Acharyas such as Yamunacharya, Ramanuja, Embar, Pillai Lokacharya and ends with Manavala Mamuni. It is believed that Manavala Mamuni was accepted by the Lord of Srirangam, Sri Ranganatha, as His own acharya at Srirangam.
Birth details
- Birth Place Alwar Thirunagari (Near Thirunelveli)
- Date of Birth (Avatharam)
- Day Thursday
- Star Moolam
- Thithi Chathurthi
- Yoga Sukarma
- Month Thula
- Date Thula 26
- Year Saadarana Naama Samavatsaram 1370 AD
Birth and early life
Swami Manavala Mamunigal was born in 1370, under the asterism of moolam, in the month of aippasi at Azhwar Thirunagari in Tamil Nadu, to ‘Tigazhaakkidanthan Tirunaveerudaiya piran dasar annar’ and ‘Sriranga Nacchiyar’. Swami MamunigaL’s father was the son-in-law and also a disciple of Kollikavala dasar, a junior disciple of Swami Pillai Lokacharya. His parents named him Azhagiya Manavala Perumal Nayanar (beautiful groom) after Lord Ranganathan of Srirangam.
The young manavalan had his basic education under his father and maternal grandfather. He learnt the Vedas, Vedanta and the Divya Prabandam from his father. He entered grihasthashrama (married life) at the age of 16 years and soon after, his father reached the lotus feet of Lord Narayana. He shifted his residence from Sikkil Kidaaram to Azhvar Thirunagari to become the disciple of the illustrious acharya Thiruvaimozhipillai. In a very short while, the young, brilliant manavalan mastered everything that could be known of shastras and Divya Prabhandham. He also developed, expectedly, a very deep devotion towards his Acharya ThiruvaimOzhipillai and Swami Ramanuja.
Swami Thiruvaimozhipillai was instrumental in reviving the archa thirumeni (Idol) of Swami Ramanuja at Azhvar thirunagari and in building a temple for Emperumanar (Swami Ramanuja). Appropriately, he put the young Azhagiya Manavalan in charge of the temple. Manavalan’s earnest devotion towards Swami Ramanuja made him write a beautiful composition called “Yathiraja Vimsati”, considered to epitomize the very essence of the exalted ‘iramanusa nootrranthAdi’. The sincerity, commitment and devotion displayed by young Azhagiya Manavalan so pleased, his acharya ThiruvaimozhipiLLai, that he gave the title “Yatheendra PravaNa” to the young Manavalan.
Journey towards Srirangam
Very soon, the aged and venerable Thiruvaimozhipillai died, not before placing some wishes to be fulfilled before young manavalan. Thiruvaimozhipillai at his deathbed, instructed Azhagiya Manavalan to learn and propagate the Sri Bhasya once and spend most of his time in propagating and preaching the arulicheyal (Divya Prabhandam) of the AzhvArs that is so dear to Swami Ramanuja and other acharyas. Further he asked Manavalan to stay at Srirangam and perform service to Lord Ranganatha just as his predecessors did.
Azhagiya Manavalan's grief was immense and he was inconsolable. He immersed himself completely into studying and delivering discourses on Divya Prabhandham and rahasyas, dear to his acharya ThiruvaimozhippiLLai.Young manavalan’s knowledge, erudition and brilliance spread the flames of his fame far and wide and he gathered an impressive set of disciples. Prominent among them was Sri Azhagiya Varadar who undertook sanyasashrama (asceticism) from Azhagiya Manavalan. The sanyasa name was given as "Ramanuja Jeeyar" (Also Known as Ponnadikkal Jeeyar). Thus began the most illustrious jeeyar mutt in the Sri Vaishnava sampradaya, the Vanamaamalai mutt, that continues the great unbroken lineage of acharyas to this day.[1] [2]
With a desirous intent to fulfill the wishes of his acharya, Sri Azhagiya Manavala Perumal Nayanar took the permission of Swami Nammalvar and along with his disciples left for Srirangam. Enroute to Srirangam he also spent some time at Srivilliputhur (birthplace of Aandaal) and Thirumalirun cholai.
Life at Srirangam and visit to Kanchipuram
Srirangam at that point was facing the worst consequences of the Muslim invasion that took place in the early 14th century. It was structurally dilapidated, sacramentally bare, intellectually barren and spiritually, socially and morally corrupt. Misuse of rights, corruption and disorder were rampant. Nayanar had to exert tremendous effort and bring to force his divinely inspired organizational skills to restore the original pristine glory for daily sacramental and festival procedures at Sri Rangam, without antagonizing the people who were functioning in different capacities at that point in time. He realized the importance of bringing the focus back to the essential tenets of Sri VaishNavam and achieved this objective by bringing to fore scholarly works of Acharyas that had hitherto been pushed into the background. As a matter of natural consequence stemming from his commitment, devotion, erudition NayanAr was put in charge of everyday temple administration as well as anointed the leader for all Sri Vaishnavas of his time.[3]
With normalcy returning to Srirangam, Nayanar set on a pilgrimage to kanchipuram, Thirumalai and Sriperumbudur, after seeking permission from Lord Ranganatha. Nayanar paid his obeisance to Lord Srinivasa at Thirumala and reached Kanchipuram where he composed " Devaraja Mangalam" singing the glory of Lord Varadharaja. At Sriperumbadur, Nayanar worshipped Swami Ramanuja and sought his blessings to formally study Sri Bhasya under an acharya. Ramanuja directed him to Kidambi Nayanar, a descendant of kidambi Acchan. Nayanar exhibited his erudition and scholarship by grasping the intricacies of Sri Bhasya deftly and then simultaneously expounding it to other disciples. The discourse took place at Yathothkari temple at Tiruvekkaa, where his idol is seen showing the vyakhyana mudra (Symbolizing spread of Knowledge) to commemorate this event. [4]
After visiting several other holy places, Nayanar returned to Srirangam to fully manage the temple affairs. He undertook sanyasashrama (asceticism) from Sri Sadagopa Jeeyar (who was his classmate earlier) at Srirangam to fully involve himself in service to Sri Vaishanvism. It was during this time he received the beautiful appellation Azhagiya Manavala Mamuni from lord Ranganatha.
Swami Mamunigal’s divinely inspired brilliance, compassion and commitment endeared him to one and all. At this point of time, some of the prominent scholars namely Koil kanthaadai annan, Prathivaadhi bhayankaram annaa, Erumbi appaa from Erumbi, a Village near Sholinghur, Appillai came and became his disciples.
Philosophical works and commentaries
Manavala Mamunigal continued to live in Srirangam and involved himself completely in writing commentaries for works of Pillai Lokacharya. He wrote elaborate and detailed commentaries for three of Pillai Lokacharya's 18 granthas namely Mumukshupadi, Sri Vachana Bhushanam and Thathvathrayam. He also wrote commentaries on the works of swami arulaalap perumal emperumanar - gnyaana saaram and prameya saram. Further, he provided a summary of thiruvaimozhi in the form of Thiruvaimozhi nootrandhaadhi and also Upadesa rathina malai, a work delineating the life history of Alvars and Acharyas.
After some time he returned to Alvar Tirunagari and started to write commentaries for Acharya hrudayam. This is a seminal work written by Azhagiya Manavalapperumal Nayanar (Pillai Lokacharya's brother), which lays bare the philosophy and basic tenets of Sri Vaishnavism with words chosen from Nammalvar's thiruvaimozhi. The text was written completely in Manipravalam and when trying to teach Acharya hrudayam, Mamunigal encountered some difficulties. So he decided to consult with Ayee Jananyacharya Swami, who was a co-disciple of Tiruvaymozhip pillai. Ayee was on his way to Alvar tirunagari to meet Manavalamamuni. They both met at the outskirts of Alvar Tirunagari and returned to Manavala mamuni's residence, and the latter studied the secrets of the Acharya Hrudayam.[5]
Discourse on Thiruvaimozhi
In 1430, Swami Mamunigal was summoned by Lord Ranganatha to Srirangam and was asked to give a discourse on thiruvaimozhi based on Swami Nampillai's Eedu Muppatharayairam, the celebrated commentary on Nammalvar's Thiruvaimozhi. The discourse was done over a period of one year, over which all the festivities of the temple was put oh hold as ordered by Lord Ranganatha. On the last day of discourse, Lord Ranganatha impressed by Swami Mamunigal's exposition, took the form of a priest child and presented himself in front of the gathering and rendered a benedictory verse or thaniyan, honoring Swami Mamunigal and disappeared into the sanctum sanctorum.
The benedictory verse given below, is recited in almost all the divyakshetrams, before the commencement of Divya prabhandham as ordered by lord Ranganatha.
Srisailesa dhaya pathram dheebhakthyadhi gunarnavam Yatheendra pravanam vandhe Ramyajamataram munim
Meaning: I offer my respects to Sri Manavalamamuni, the receptacle of Srisailesa’s (Tiruvaimozhipillai’s) grace. He is the abode of jnana, bhakti and all other good qualities, and is forever lost in meditation on Sri Ramanuja
This is an instance of Lord showing his respect and devotion to his acharya. This event concludes a beautiful circular symmetry in the history of Srivaisnavism, for with this thanniyen the first acharya (Sriranganatha) becomes shishya to the last (Manavalamamunigal). [6]
At homes and temples, the divya prabhandam chanting concludes with
Srimathe Ramyajamathru muneendhraya Mahathmane Sriranga vasine bhooyath nithyasri nithya mangalam
This is an auspicious verse showing special love towards Srirangam and Mamuni.
Classification of literary work
Manavala Mamunigal wrote nineteen books known as grantha. Three of these were in Sanskrit and the rest in Tamil language and Manipravalam.
Commentaries
- Sri Vachana Bhushanam
- Mumukshuppadi
- Tathvathrayam
- Acharya Hrudhayam
- Gnana Saaram
- Prameya Saaram
- Periyazhwar Thirumozhi
- Ramanuja Nootranthadhi
Pramana Thirattu
- Eedu
- Sri Vachana Bhushanam
- Tathvathrayam
Independent works
- Upadesa Rathna Maalai
- Thiruvaimozhi Nootranthadhi
- Iyalc Chaarru
- Thiruvaradhana Kramam
- Yathiraja Vimsathi
- Devaraja MangaLam
- Sri Kanchi Devapperumal Sthothram
- Aaarthi Prabhandham
It is said that, while at a very old age, Manavala maamuni discovered that part of Periyavachchaan pillai's commentary on Periyalvar Tirumozhi was missing. So he duly restored the lost portion of the commentary. It is also noted that he composed the commentary on Acharya Hrdayam with great difficulty as his health was failing. When he became very ill, preventing him from worshiping at the temple, he dedicated one Tamil stanza a day, expressing to Ramanuja his anguish at staying in this world and his eagerness to reach Vaikuntham. These collected verses became known as Arti Prabhantham, his last work. [7]
Various names and titles of Sri Manavala Mamuni
Sri Manavalamamuni is also known as Varavaramuni, Sowmyajamatrumuni, Sowmyopayanthrumuni, Sundarajamatrumuni, Periya Jeer, etc. He is known as "Vichatavak Shikhamani"- one endowed with striking precision and depth and clarity in utterances.
Deep and permanent influence over day-to-day religious observances
Sri Manaval Mamuni's devotional practices towards the Lord, especially the presiding deity of Srirangam, and the lineage of teachers like Ramanuja left an indelible influence on followers numbering several millions throughout India. His influence can be traced to everyday observances till this date. But he was so self-effacive that few recognise his deep influence.
His disciples
His eight famous disciples are known as Ashtadiggajas (elephants of the eight directions). they were: Vanamaamalai Jeeyar, Paravasthu Bhattar Piraan jeeyar, Tiruvengada jeeyar, Koil kanthaadai annan, Prathivaadhi bhayankaram annaa, Erumbi appaa, Appillai and Appillan. Prativati Bhayankaram Anna's "Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatham" is widely known. In that work and in the connected prapatti and mangala stotras he says "sowmyopayanthrumunina mama darsithou the...", "Srimat Sundara Jamathru Munimanasa vasine", referring to the Lord of the seven hills as residing in the heart of Sri Manavala Mamuni. The teacher-disciple tradition has been followed for over six centuries and exists intact today amongst 74 simhasana adhipathis.
Other names
Sri ManavALa Maamunigal revered also under the names of Sri Vara Vara Munni, YathIndhra pravaNar is one of the greatest Sri ViashNavite AchAryAs. He was born in the village of Kidaram in 1370 and ascended paramapadham in 1443. He has blessed us with 19 granthams. Three of them are in Sanskrit. The rest are in Tamil and ManipravALam. The three works in Sanskrit are: YathirAja Vimsathi, Sri DevarAja mangalam and Sri Kaanchi DevapperumAL SthOthram. His 19 granthams can be classified under three major categories:
(A) VyAkhyAna Granthams or commentaries on the works of earlier AchAryAs like Sri PiLLai Lokaachaar, PeriyavaacchAN PiLLai and Thiruvarangatthu Amudanaar. These eight VyAkhyAna granthams are:
1. Sri Vachana BhUshaNam 2. Mumukshuppadi 3. Tattvathrayam 4. AchArya Hrudhayam 5. Jn~Ana Saaram 6. PramEya Saaram 7. PeriyAzhwAr Thirumozhi 8. RaamAnuja NooRRanthAdhi
(B) Three granthams known as PramANa Thirattu are:
1. Eedu 2. Sri Vachana BhUshaNam 3. Tattvathrayam
(C) His own granthams in Sanskrit (3) and Tamil (5) add up to the remaining eight :
1. UpadEsa Rathna Maalai 2. ThiruvAimozhi NooRRanthAdhi 3. Iyalc ChaaRRu 4. ThiruvArAdhana Kramam 5. YathirAja Vimsathi 6. DevarAja MangaLam 7. Sri Kanchi DevapperumAL SthOthram 8. Aaarthi Prabhandham, his last grantham.
He lived for 73 years performing many Kaimkaryams and undertook many pilgrimages to many Sri VishNavite Dhivya dEsams. Most of his life was spent however at Srirangam. The work known as "YathIndhra pravaNa PrabhAvam" records the life and accomplishments of this important AchAryA.
His devotion to AchArya RaamAnujA, Swami NammAzhwAr and NammperumAL was extraordinary. He spent a significant portion of his life at Srirangam worshipping Sri Ranganaathan and performing KaalakshEpams on AzhwAr-AchAryAL aruLiccheyalkaL.
When he was 60, Sri RanganAthA wanted to honor Sri ManavALa Maamunigal for all his kaimkaryams in spreading the message of NaalAyira Dhivya prabhandham. He commanded Sri MM to conduct a year long lecture series on SatAri Soori's ThiruvAimozhi at Srirangam in His presence. All the regular uthsavams for the Lord of Srirangam was cancelled that year, while He heard the pravachanams on ThiruvAimozhi based on all the five commentaries starting from aRAyirappadi. At the conclusion of these pravachanams, a small boy with dhivys tEjas came from the back of the sadas and sang a verse that has come to be known as the Taniyan for Sri MaNavALa MaamunigaL:
- srIsailEsa dayaapaatram dhIbhakthyAdhi guNArNavam
- YathIndhra pravaNam VandhE RamyajAmAtharam munim
The audience and Sri MM were wonderstruck after the small boy disappeared as fast as he came on the scene. Later, through His archakAs, Sri RanganAthA revealed that it was He who appeared as a boy to pronounce the famous Taniyan for Sri ManavALa Maamunigal, who is considered as a reincarnation of AchArya RaamAnujA. Earlier at Thirukkurungudi, the Lord had appeared before RaamAnujA and requested for UpadEsams on rahasyArhtams and took on the name of Sri VaishNava Nambi as a result of these upadEsams.
Vaazhi Thirunaamam Chantings
The Vaazhi thirunaamam are chantings sung in the praise of Lord Vishnu (Perumal), Thayar and Acharyas at the conclusion of the Daily Prayers or Divya Prabhandam recitals, wishing for the long and prosperous perpetuation of Sri Vaishnava tradition.
Vaazhi thirunaamam for Manavala Mamunigal
As in Acharyarkal Vaazhtu
ippuviyil arangkEsarkku IdaLiththAn vAzhiyE
ezhil thiruvAymozhip piLLai iNai adiyOn vAzhiyE
aippasiyil thirumUlaththu avathariththAn vAzhiyE
aravarasap perunjsOdhi ananthan enRum vAzhiyE
eppuviyum srIsailam Eththa vandhOn vAzhiyE
ErArum ethirAsar ena udhiththAn vAzhiyE
muppuri nUl maNivadamum mukkOl thariththAn vAzhiyE
mUdhariya maNavALa mAmunivan vAzhiyE
As in Everyday Sattru Murai.
seyya thAmaraith thALiNai vAzhiyE *
sElai vAzhi thirunAbi vAzhiyE *
thuyya mArbum purinUlum vAzhiyE *
sundharath thiruththOLiNai vAzhiyE *
kaiyum Endhiya mukkOlum vAzhiyE *
karuNai pongkiya kaNNiNai vAzhiyE *
poy ilAdha maNavALa mAmuni *
pundhi vAzhi pugazh vAzhi vAzhiyE *
adiyArgaL vAzha arangka nagar vAzha *
sadakOpan thaNdamizh nUl vAzha * - kadal sUzhndha
mannulagam vAzha * maNavALa mAmuniyE *
innum oru nURRANdirum *
The last four lines extols his contributions to continued existence and prosperity of Sri Vaishnavaism, the followers, their holy temples, scriptures, traditions, and the well being of the whole world, and concludes with the prayer, that the great Manavalamaamuni live for another hundred years for that purpose.
The apparent conflict between 100 years and perpetuity is resolved, when one understands the key link of devoted Sri Vaishnava devotees, their ongoing practice of the prayer and traditions as a "Vaazhaydi Vaazhai", for the perpetuation of the faith. So 100 years down the line there will be faithfuls chanting the same for the future.