Swamy Nampillai was the disciple of Sri Nanjeeyar and the acharya of Sri Vadakku Thiruveethipillai and Sri Periyavaccan Pillai. Once , Swamy Nampillai went to Thiruvellarai for Lord Pundarikakshan darshanam .
Swamy along with his disciples were returning to Srirangam .
It was raining heavily past few days . Once they reached river Kaveri , they were shocked to see the flow of the river. The uprooted trees and the fury of the floods created confusion in the disciples mind .
To cross the river they had to board into a strong boat but were worried about the dangerous water flow . It was getting darker and the disciples were perplexed . They managed to get a small boat quickly for crossing the small stretch of the river .
Swamy Nampillai also joined the disciples and was contemplating on Lord’s kalyana gunas mentally . They boarded the small boat and the moment they came at the middle of the river ,the scene changed . Suddenly there were dark clouds all of all over .They were confused which direction the boat should be navigated.
. The small boat due to the torrent breeze was shaking terribly .Due to the excess weight of the crew the boat was about to sink. The boat man with the sudden turn of events , screamed loudly , holy sires !! the boat would sink due to its weight.
…..Please .. can some of you jump out from the boat so that our revered seer Swami Nampillai can be safely taken to srirangam .
No one took a chance to speak due to the fear of drowning . A religious old woman also a disciple of Swamy Nampillai got up and submitted ,
my dear son… …………………………………
Please ensure our Acharyar Swami nampillai our very life of humanity reaches srirangam safely ,saying this she jumps into the river ..
.Due to this act the boats weight reduces and manages to reach the shore .
Swamy Nampillai became very distressed for the sudden happenings . The sacrifice of the old woman touched him deeply and he was at loss of words for her . He was lamenting and moaning internally about her loss . All of a sudden he heard the old woman’s voice..
Oh ! My respected Acharyaa , I am alive and safe very near to the bank .Please do not lament about my act .
Swamy Nampillai immediately advised the boatman to go and fetch his disciple who was waiting on a sandy mold very near to the shore .She returned back in the boat and prostrated at the lotus feet of Swamy Nampillai . As she was not aware of any other protector except her Acharyar Swamy Nampillai , she submitted …………..
Oh swamy…. I suppose that you have appeared there in the river bed as a huge sandy mound in order to save me from the grave danger .
Swamy Nampillai replied ,If that is your strong faith I have nothing to say .
.Let it be so ….
If a man wishes sincerely to save his Acharyar by sacrificing his body , wealth and life , he will be saved by LORD SRIMANNARAYANA himself ……………………..
Acharya Devo Bhava ………….
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Pics courtesy : Google images
Danyosmi ! Where can I get the vaishnava paribhashai in tamil? Or can you give me a link ? Thank you.
Dasosmi. Repeata!! Jai HO
Hari Om! Acharya Devo Bhava! Oh! What a Faith! Even Science reveals such a Belief produces Endorpines which protects us. Here Nampillai served as Endorphines or whatever we may call… Faith… Belief in Acharya saves us to reach the other shore of Samsara!
Adiyen -Ramanuja Dasan- Jai Sriman Narayana!
Thanks for sharing the story of Acharya Devo. How close we are to God Narayanan in same manner he will also very close to us.. God will test our love, he will never leaves ourselves in distress since we are always his children.
Reblogged this on kazhiyur varadan's web blog and commented:
If a man wishes sincerely to save his Acharyar by sacrificing his body , wealth and life , he will be saved by LORD SRIMANNARAYANA himself
Acharya Devo Bhava ………….
Acharyan thiruvadigale charanam
Namaskarangal Prabhu. this is wonderful!! Jai Vaishnava acarya Sri Nampillai!! Jai Sri Narayana!!
very informative, interesting.