Swamy Embaar appeared during the year 1026 in the month of Makara ( Tamil Month of Thai under the the constellation of Punarvasu.
Embaars maternal uncle Thirumalai nambhi named him as Govinda Bhattar.
Govinda was the first cousin of JagathAcharyar Swami Ramanuja .
Both of them attended the Academy of Yadhava Prakasha ( Yadhava Prakasha a Advaitin ) at Thiruputkuzzi near Kancheepuram for vedic studies .
Yadhava Prakasha noticed Ramanujar missing and asked all the disciples to search for him.
Govinda pretended to search for Ramanuja so that he should not be doubted.
All concluded that Ramanuja must have lost his way in the wild jungle and have been devoured by wild animals.
Yadavaprakasha continued the sojourn to Kashi along with his disciples .
Then on reaching Kashi , Govinda took dip and rose his palms , he saw a Shiva Lingam in his hand surprised , he showed it to his master .
His Guru commanded that as Paramasivan is pleased with Govinda and it is his direct blessings , he must worship him.
Govinda worshipped the Lingam in Madhuramangalam ( even to this day you can see this Lingam) .
Later ,he dreamt Paramasivan of Kalahasthi beckoned him so he went to Kalahasthi and continued to worship in the temple .
Years rolled on .
Swami Ramanuja became the disciple of Thirukachi Nambhigal , Periya Nambhi, Thirukoshtiyur nambhi and had taken sanyasa .
Ramanuja needed some trusted lieutenant to assist him . He then remembered Govinda , whose timely advice saved his life.
Now the real problem was how to bring Govinda back into Vaishnava fold .
He requested his Maternal uncle Thirumalai Nambhi to explore the possibilities of bringing Govinda back to vaishnava fold .
Thirumalai Nambhi went to Kalahasthi and met Govinda and quoted few verses of His Acharyar Alawandar’s Shostra Ratna Mala .
He impressed upon Govinda that worshipping Lord Sriman Narayana is the only way for path to salvation .
Govinda got convinced took permission from Paramasivan and proceeded along with his uncle to Thirumalai to learn Divyaprabhandam under him.
Meanwhile Swamy Ramanuja for learning the inner secrets of Srimad Ramayana from his uncle Thirumalai Nambhi proceeded to Tirumala.
Once he finished his Srimad Ramayana studies under Thirumalai Nambhi , Acharyar and his own uncle wanted to gift something to his student and lamented he did not have anything to give.
Seizing the wonderful opportunity Swamy Ramanuja requested Govinda to be allowed to join him, which Acharyar Nambhigal readily agreed .
Swami Ramanuja and Govinda returned back to Srirangam via Kanchi.
He gifted him with a necklace as per elders version which is seen in the temple
Though he joined Swamy Ramanuja , Govinda was always sad that he was missing his Acharyar and Uncle .
Seeing the sad plight Swamy Ramanuja immediately asked Govindar to go back to Acharyar Thirumalai Nambhigals place.
Overjoyed Govindar returns to Tirumala .
Though Govinda was married, he never lived a householders life, and remained like a Brahmachari . He wanted to take Sanyasa like his master Ramanuja. But his Mother was unhappy about this and she wanted the linage to grow. She approached Ramanuja and expressed her deep desire . Ramanuja asked Govinda to spend some time with his wife in privacy .
Govinda respected his master’s word and spent time with his wife, but whole night he explained his wife about Lord’s divya leelai and experiences becoming transcendental by absorbing the esoteric truths .
The next day his wife narrated to her mother in law how advanced devotee his son was and she was blessed to be in his company hearing the Lord’s divine pastimes .
Mother was shocked ..
She summoned her son and asked was there anything he had to say about his loneliness last night …
Govinda replied …Mother .!!!
When SUPREME LORD is in my heart and present everywhere , ever watching me , how can i feel lonely enough to be able to do any other work other than that of contemplating on HIM ..
Swamy Ramanuja tested Govindas Celibacy in different ways and found latter was firm like a mountain and his aim was to become an ascetic.
He presents Govinda a Arch robe of an ascetic and gives his initiated name as “Emperumanar”
Govindar informs his master whether he did deserve this honor at all
Swamy Ramanuja joins the first and last syllables of his name and gives the name “EMBAR”and thus Govinda got his name “EMBAR” our most revered Acharyar
As commanded by Ramanuja , Embar taught Parasara Bhatta all that he learnt from his Acharyar .
He succeeded in making the Parasara Bhatta the worthy successor of Swamy Ramanuja to carry on the Ramanuja Sidhantha to the future generation.
During the year 1137 when our beloved Swamy Ramanujar shed his mortal coil and proceeded to Srivaikuntam , Swamy rested himself keeping his head in Embars lap .
Embar composed the work called “VIJNAASTHUTHI”.
rAmanuja padhachchAya gOvindAhvAna pAyini |
thadAyattha svarUpAssA jeeyAnmadviSramasthali: ||
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Pics : Credits Google images
Videos : Credits several advance devotees who shared it in social media
Reblogged this on kazhiyur varadan's blog and commented:
During the year 1137 when our beloved Swamy Ramanujar shed his mortal coil and proceeded to Srivaikuntam , Swamy rested himself keeping his head in Embars lap .
beautifully narrated…as always