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Thiruppavai - Acharya Param (NAyaganai Ninra)

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Pattangi • April 3, 2003 


sri: 
Humble Pranams to all devotees: 

We have all heard thiruppavai and some of its inner meanings (Swapadesam) . A unique hidden meaning
in Thiruppavai Points everyting to Acharya.  (In The Acharya Param interpretation) 
in Nayaganai Ninra it all points to Ramanuja.

This Sunday we have Sri VPS Varadan Swami continue his teaching to us, at 6PM CST. (in Simple Tamil)

This is also available on Tele-Bridge :  Ph:   512 225 3050 , Pass:  91544#   at 6Pm CST.

Notes on this week's pasuram so we may follow the meanings: (More details during the Tamil Discourse)
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SRIMATHE  RAMANUJAYA NAMAHA:
RAMANUJA IN THIRUPPAVAI – Sri V P S Varadan

The classic Tamizh poem ThiruppAvai of Sri Goda Devi, or AndAl as she is called in Tamizh, is the most well-known among the 4000 hymns of the AzhvArs.   It is recited in homes and temples by followers of Sri Ramanuja throughout the world, every day. And once a year, during the month of mArgazhi (dhanUrmAsa, mid-December through mid-January), it becomes the central focus for the month-long celebration leading up to pongal (sankrAnthi, the Festival of the Winter Harvest).  

Throughout the centuries, our AchAryas have provided us with several authentic interpretations on the inner meaning of these beautiful thirty verses. One unique interpretation is from the perspective of AchAryaparam (The Greatness of the Teacher), in which it understood that each of Sri AndAl's stanzas praised the glory and qualities of the AchArya and the benefits which will accrue to jIvas due to his grace. It is also clear that since all AchAryas of the SriVaishnava faith regard themselves only to be servants to the Lotus Feet of Sri Ramanuja, the noble word 'AchArya' can be taken to refer to Bhagavad Sri Ramanuja  himself.  

It should be noted that the although the time that AndAl  lived on earth was several centuries before Sri Ramanuja, her experience of the Divine was such that it not only conveyed her love and devotion to the Lord, but also the expectation that He would one day bless the earth with such a Great Soul.  

The renowned scholar and vidwAn (Maestro) of KanchIpuram, Sri PrativAdi BhAyankaram Annangarachariar Swamy, has interpreted the entire ThiruppAvai from this perspective of praising the glory of Bhagavad Sri Ramanuja. In this brief write up, only one stanza of Thiruppavai, Stanza No.16. 'Nayaganai Ninra', has been chosen as an example of how each and every word can be used to refer to Sri Ramanuja.  It is hoped that this small example will encourage readers to seek out  similar explanations of other stanzas, as well. 

For convenience the words or group of words from the 16th verse of ThiruppAvai are taken one be one.  The literal meaning is provided first, followed by the esoteric meaning.

NAyaganai Ninra:  
Literal Meaning:  Outstanding Leader

Exaplanation:
SwAmy EmperumAnAr (Sri Ramanuja) occupies the central position in the garland of our AchArya paramparai . The paramparai begins with Sriman Narayana and Sri Peria PirattiyAr (The Supreme Queen, Sri Mahalakshmi), and goes through a series of teachers that precede and follow Sri Ramanuja:

It is not merely his central position, but also his noble AchAryAtvam (nature of being a true teacher) that compelled Sri Ramanuja to surrender to Sriman Narayana through the intercession of Sri Mahalakshmi such that all souls could be redeemed.  It is this paradigamatic quality of Sri Ramanuja that inspired Sri Andal Devi to address him as ‘Nayaganai ninra’. By providing thirumudi sambandham (connection through his head, or connection through his service to them) to all earlier Acharyas and  thiruvadi sambandam (connection via his feet, or through their service to him) to all the later AchAryas, Sri Ramanuja served as the Connection to the Supreme Lord to all of the AchAryas of the Paramaparai.  And, it is in our connection to these AchAryas through our immediate AchArya that we become connected to Ramanuja, and  find our Redemption.  

Nandagopan; Sri Krishna's father, Nanda.

Just as Nandagopa had Lord Krishna as his son, Sri EmperumAnAr had  Sampathkumar (the Darling Son, the Lord in His iconographic form at the temple in Melkote, Karnataka) as his son and called him as ‘selvappillai’ (Cherished Son). 

Udaya; Possessor.

This directly refers to one of the noted names of Sri Emperumanar, Udayavar (Owner).  Our AchAryas teach us that Lord Ranganatha (The Lord of the Stage, the name of the Lord at the temple in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu) handed over the management of BhUlOkam (the material world) and Paramapadam (The Highest Abode) to Sri Ramanuja, endowing him with the title  Udayavar, meaning nirvAhakar (the conductor) of ubhaya vibhUthi (the two glories of the Lord, the earth and heaven).

Koyil KappAnE; Guardian of the Temple

The word ‘koyil’ simply means Sri Rangam, i.e. Sri Ranganatha’s Temple, referring to the most revered of the 108 divya dEsams. However, if the general meaning is taken, it then refers to all temples, divya dEsams and abhimAna sthalangal (places of reverence). Sri EmperumAnAr introduced the necessary reforms in the temple administration of Sri Rangam in particular and in all temples in general. 

Kodi thonrum thOrana vassal kAppAnE; Kodi: Flag; Thonrum: Appear; ThOrona: Festoon, decoration; VAsal: Entrance; KAppAnE: Guard (Gatekeeper)

Gatekeeper of the flag and festoon laden Entrance

'kodi’ and ‘thOranam’ are adorning the entrance gate to the Highest Abode, Paramapadam.  The Gate-keeper of the doors to Paramapadam is Swamy EmperumAnAr. Without the grace of Sri Ramanuja, salvation from samsAra and attaining Moksha is not possible.

Manik kadavam thAl thiravai; Mani: Gems; Kadavum: Doors; ThAl: Latch; Thiravai: Open.

Open the doors adorned with gems.

The followers of Vedic culture recognize that there are nine gems, known as the navarathnas in Sanskrit, that are more sacred and more precious than all the other treasures in this world.  Similarly, Sri Ramanuja provided all of us with nine precious works that lucidly bring the Eternal Truths of the Vedas to all of us.  These nine works are: Sri BhAshyam, VedAntha Deepam, VedAntha SAram, VedArtha Sangraham, Geetha Bhashyam, SaranAgathi Gadyam, Sri Ranga Gadyam, Sri Vaikunta Gadyam and Sri Nithya Grantham. We seek the blessings of Sri Ramanuja to opening our hearts and minds such that we can learn and understand the meanings of all these nine works.

Ayar sirumiyaromukku thal thiravai; Ayar Sirumiyar:  Cow Herd girls, the residents of Vrindavan, where Sri Krishna spent his childhood; ThAl Thiravai: Open the latches of the door.

The cowherd girls of VrindAvan are simple and innocent.  Those of us bound to this world are also just as innocent and ignorant when it comes to proper spiritual understanding. So, Sri RamanujaÂ’s help is sought to get enlightenment.

Mayan mani vannan nennelE vai neyarnthAn; Mayan: Person of astonishing acts;
Mani: Valuable gems; vannan: Similar to; nennelE: refers to nannela: Already (past tense); Vai neyarnthAn: narrated.

It has been already predicted by the Lord.

The valuable Gem who performs astonishing acts is none other than the Supreme Lord Himself.. NennelE refers to sAstras, Vedas, itihAsas, purAnas, etc., that are part of parcel of the Lord's Nature and are therefore, are already known to Him. Vai neyarthAn refers to how the sacred scriptures foretold of the  birth and glory of Sri Ramanuja. In the Puranas, the expected avatharam of Bhagavad Sri Ramanuja is mentioned as, ‘Kalou Ramanuja smratha ha:’ (in the age of kali (ignorance)  Sri Ramanuja will be born ), ‘Kalou kaschit bhavishyathi' (This will certainly happen sometime in the age of kali) Sri Andal points out the references about the prediction of Bhagwat Ramajuja’s birth in the ancient Puranas.

Thooyomai vandOm; Thooyamai:  With pure heart; VandOm: We came;

We have come here with a pure heart.

Our hearts become pure when we realize that the Acharya is the Means to realizing God, and as such, should be given a level of importance that is greater than event that given to God. That is our purity of mind. AndAl implies that with such purity, we are here. 

Thuyil ezha paduvan:   Thuyil:  Sleep;  Ezha:  to awaken;  pAduvAn:  sing;

We woke up from sleep by our own singing.

We wish to get rid of our sleep of ignorance or mAya. We sing our AchAryan's praises and get realization (we wake up).

VayAl munna munnam mathAthe yamma:

VayAl: By mouth; munna munnam: In the first place;  mathAthe  amma: Do not refuse;

Oh Acharya, you should not forsake us and you should accept us as your sishyas and bestow your grace upon us.

Nee nEsa nilai kadavam neeke:

Nee: You (Acharya);  nEsa: Dear;  nilai: Main;  kadavam :Doors; 
neeke: Open (Remove)

An entrance to a mansion or palace is generally made up two doors that are used to cover one entrance.  Similarly our rahasya mantras, the mantras that the AchArya graces upon us as part of the sacrament of panchasamskAram are all in two parts. The request is to teach the rahasyas which are twin in nature. 

Kadavam neekkudal:   Kadavam:  Doors;   neekkudal:  Open;

'Kadavam neekkudal' means unfold the meanings of the rahasya mantras which are in two parts. 

In summary, Sri AndAl directly address Bhagavad Sri Ramanuja on our behalf by praising him that he is the chieftain of all Acharyas, controller of both the worlds, reformer of temples, and recognizing that without his permission entering the gate of paramapadam is not possible.  She also reminds all of us and him that his glorious birth has been foretold in the purAnas.  

She then beseeches him on behalf of all of us too grant the opportunity to learn  his works which are nine in number, and to explain the inner meanings of all the three rahasya mantras. This plea is based on our understanding and our experience that the AchArya is regarded to be greater than the Lord Himself.   It is with this pure heart that we praise the Acharya and humbly request him. Therefore, AchArya should grant out prayers and should not reject us.
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Azhvar Emberumanar Jeeyar ThiruvadigalE sharanam
adiyEn rAmAnuja dAsan 
Mukundan Vangkipuram Pattangi 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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