Ramanujar says, “I know that I will end up in hell for this. But all these people will go to Vaikunta!”

Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji's Mass Prayer and Mahamantra Kirtan on Jan 1^st - Kalpatharu day at GK Shetty Vivekananda Vidyalaya, Ambattur, Chennai at 5 pm. All are welcome

Nama Article 31^st December 2014

ஆண்டாள் நாச்சியார் அருளிச்செய்த திருப்பாவை

நாயகனாய் நின்ற நந்த கோபனுடைய

     கோயில் காப்பானே! கொடித் தோன்றும் தோரண

வாயில் காப்பானே! மணிக்கதவம் தாள் திறவாய்

     ஆயர் சிறுமியரோமுக்கு, அறைபறை

மாயன் மணி வண்ணன் நென்னலே வாய் நேர்ந்தான்

     தூயோமாய் வந்தோம் துயில் எழப் பாடுவான்

வாயால் முன்னம் முன்னம் மாற்றாதே அம்மா நீ

     நேய நிலைக் கதவம் நீக்கு ஏல் ஓர் எம்பாவாய்

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji on ThiruppAvai

Ăndăl has sung the ten Ăzhwărs. Now, in the 11th păsuram She sings, 'Năyaganăi ninra' (held the center stage). Who is this Năyagan? 'Here, by the term Năyagan she means Ramanuja, Bhashyakkăra', explains the Swamy. A necklace ('hăram') may be made of ten gems on one side and another ten on the other side with a pendant in between. In the same manner great Ăchăryăs like Kacchiappa Nambi, Ălawandăr, Nădamuni might have been there in times earlier to Ramanuja and many other Ăchăryăs like Parăsarabhattar, Koorathăzhwăr might have come after Ramanuja. Ramanuja forever remains in the center ('nadu năyagamăi'), like the pendant, of this great lineage of Ăchărayăs (Great Masters)! Ăndăl, therefore, sings Ramanuja as 'Năyaganăi'!

Ramanuja stays for a month in Tirupati. He stays in a 'chatram' (rest house) with his disciples, doing dhyana. An 'idaichi' (milk vendor) provides him with milk, curd and butter everyday. On the day of departure Ramanuja tells his disciples, "Ask the 'idaichi' the money to be paid for the milk, curd and butter that she has been providing me with and settle her accounts". So, the disciples ask her, "What is the amount that you demand for the milk, curd and butter that you have been providing us with all these days?"

On hearing this she begins to cry loudly! She laments, "Did I provide him with milk, curd and butter expecting money from him?"

The astounded disciples ask, "What is it that you want?"

"I thought that he would give me Moksha. This is the reason that I provided him with all these. Instead he is offering me money!"

When Ramanuja learns this he comes out to see her. He was so surprised, "Though an asura, Vibhishana had knowledge, Prahlăda also had knowledge but this one is a mere shepherdess. Yet, she has understood my 'Prbahava' (glory)!"

Ramanuja asks her, "What do you want?"

She requests, "Please write me a chit and I will take it to Venkatamudaiyăn (Lord Venkateswara-Perumal)!"

At once Ramanuja writes on a piece of paper (chit), "Provide this shepherdess with Moksha ('inda idaipennirkku Veeduperu alliyum')!"and signs it.

She takes it to Perumal and offers it along with flowers.

The Lord accepts it. She immediately falls down and in 'Ărtapprapatti' mingles with the Lord!

Due to her 'sambandam' with Ramanuja this shepherdess attained Moksha, says the Swamy.

When his Guru initiated him into the Ashtăksharamantra, he warns him, "Do not tell this Mantra to anyone. If you do so, you will go to hell!"

At once Ramanuja goes to Tirukottiyur and climbs the temple tower from where he shouts out the Mantra. His Guru asks him, "Do you not believe my words?"

Ramanujar says, "I do. I know that I will end up in hell for this. But all these people will go to Vaikunta!"

The Swamy pours forth the glory of Ramanuja. Thus, through the term 'Năyaganăi', he describes Ramanuja.

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare