During the last days of his illustrious sainthood , Swamy Nanjeeyar the great disciple of the legendary Swamy Parasara bhattar was bedridden.
Swamy Nanjeer was one of the foremost pillar of Sri Vaishnavism after the period of our JagathaAcharyar Swamy Ramanuja . Before our beloved Jagath Acharyar Swamy Ramanujar left for heavenly abode he expressed his wish to his disciple Parasar Bhattar about bringing this Vedanthi into srivaishnava fold.(Namjeeyars original name was Madhvachariyar ,and swamin was expert in veda shastra and hence was addressed as Vedanthi).
As instructed by Acharyar , Bhattar travelled to Melkote metthe Vedanthi ( Namjeeyar) and for almost nine consecutive days a debate took place on vedantam . On the tenth day Vedanthi understood the proficiency in Bhattars knowledge and surrendered to the True Knowledge and submitted himself at the feet of Swamy Parasara Bhattar. Bhattar out of utmost compassion performed Pancha Samaskaram to Vedantin and returned to Srirangam.
One new disciple came to him and pleaded Acharyar “May I now request you Swamin, to chant the “Dwaya Mantra”?
Nanjeeyar looked at him and said Child ! “Why do you recommend the chanting to me? Do you not want it?” Is the holy mantra be chanted only by a bedridden man and not by a wandering soul?” The disciple on hearing this became dumb founded and felt ashamed of himself. Nanjeeyar continued
“Dwayam Mantra” must be chanted by all times irrespective of any condition of the body . As body needs oxygen to survive , soul needs Dwayam to progress ..
Another disciple of Nanjeeyar was hearing the conversation .He thought that there was some unfulfilled wish of Acharyar . He humbly approached his Acharyar and asked respectfully Swamin ! Kindly give us the opportunity to fulfill your desire .. what was longing….
NanJeeyar replied, My Child I need the entire wealth of this world .. The disciple was confused … The Acharyar smiled and said …My dear ……“I have a strong desire to behold Sri Namperumal’s Archavatara body in my mind forever . This is what I think that He can give me and it is equal to the wealth of the entire world.
The disciple immediately rushed to the main temple and conveyed Acharyars wish to the chief priest . The priest reported this wish with utmost devotion to Lord Namperumal. All compassionate Lord Namperumal agreed through asuri voice . All arrangements were made . Lord accordingly set out of his Sanctorum with pomp and grandeur and arrived in front of his favourite disciple Sri Nanjeeyar’s Mutt .
The arrival of Lord to Nanjeeyars mutt was very special . Lord Namperumal had just come directly to see his devotee as per his request . Nanjeeyar was overexcited . With copulent tears he was looking at Lord who graced him with very exhilarating divine darshana that was “Sarvasvam”(the wealth of entire world) . It was a one to one seva . NanJeeyar was overjoyed and was having uncontrollable tears all through . He turned round and looking at Swamy Nampillai and other disciples addressed them.
My dear children .. …
Our “Namperumal has fulfilled my wish by his cool grace which is the world wealth for me.
Dear Children ……
Now I am prepared to do reveal whatever knowledge I came to possess by the blessing of my learned Acharya Sri Bhattar. Those who have thirst for knowledge can quench their thirst….
Swamy Nampillai submitted him, Acharya ! Tell us something which I should ever remember as the sole refuge”. NanJeeyar replied …..
Do not think that the Lord is for the sake of the soul but think that the soul is for the sake of the Lord…..
Further Swamy NamPillai submitted another question humbly ,Acharyaa “What should be the behavior of Srivaishnavas when they get separated from the company a Srivaishnava by his departure to Sri Vaikunta Loka from this mortal world?”
My dear Nampillai , answered the great Acharyar .. Adiyens Acharyar Sri Parasara Bhattar advised me with few essential esoteric truths relating to the welfare of my soul which I shall reveal exactly as said by adiyen Acharyar ,
Do listen carefully ….
“Do not be popped up with pride for the following reasons
I am by name Vedanti (one who has learnt vedantas to its core).
I have for my Acharya, Sri Parasara Bhattar
I have given by way of Guru Dakshina plenty of wealth to Acharyar .
The I ‘ness …. dissolution is a must for the souls progress …..
Therefore think always that Swamy Ramanuja’s lotus feet are the sole means of salvation and take refuge unto him. I tell you now in a similar fashion – you also take refuge under Swamy Ramanuja . Do not be elated that you got the fame of Lokacharya and you are capable of bringing out the esoteric meanings of 4000 hymns of Azhwars and the propagator of Sri Bhashya (Beware of these pitfalls)”.
He advised few more essential truths to all his disciples . Nanjeeyar humbly spoke Dear Children ….. I beg your pardon for any fault if committed unknowingly, as it is very difficult for a soul with this body to be free from any fault . Blessing all of them , having “Sri Pada Thirtha” (the holy water after washing their holy feet) of Srivaishnavashe hosted (Tadiyaradhana) dinner for all the disciples ..
Subsequently, He showered his blessings on all the disciples ..Keeping his head on the lap of Sri Senapathi Jeeyar and his holy feet on the lap of Sri Pinbazhagiya Jeeyar facing towards the temple inside his mutt meditating on his Acharyar lotus feet of Swamy Parashara Bhattar, he began his journey to Sri SriVaikuntam
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan.
Pics Credits : Google images
Reblogged this on kazhiyur varadan's web blog and commented:
Swamy Nampillai submitted him, Acharya ! Tell us something which I should ever remember as the sole refuge”. NanJeeyar replied …..
Do not think that the Lord is for the sake of the soul but think that the soul is for the sake of the Lord…..
Acharya Thiru Nanjaneeyar Thiruvadigale sharanam! Bhagavad Ramanuja Thiruvadigale Sharanam!
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan! Hare Krishna!
Hari Om! “Oxygen for the Body to survive
Dwayam for the SOUL to survive”
“I”ness Dissolution a must for the Soul to progress! Golden Epithets to be enshrined in one’s mind & soul.
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan – Jai Sriman Narayana!
_/\_ hare krsna. dasosmi
Excellent explanation. Sir.