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Re:74 simhasanAdhipathis of Sri Ramanujacharya (compiled by Sri Anbil Ramaswamy)

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Madhavakkannan V • November 3, 2000 


Sri:
Srimathe Gopaladesika Mahadesikaya Namah:
Dear Sri Bharat,

Given below is the list of 74 simhasanAdhipathis of YathirAjar, as appointed 
by Him.
This list is provided by Sri Anbil Ramaswamy and is available in 
Ramanujacharya Home page created by Sri Achutharaman. (under Acharya 
vamsavruksham)

http://members.tripod.com/~sriramanuar

I seek permission from Sri Anbil Ramaswamy to post this.
================================================
BHAGAVAD RAMANUJA'S SISHYAS WHOM HE NOMINATED AS SIMHASANA ADHIPATHIS:
Bhagavad Ramanuja installed 74 of his disciples as Simhasana Adhipathis. 
(Authorities mainly are: AVM, GLE and ATA):-

1. Chottai Nambi, son of Aalavandaar
2. Pundarika, son of Maha purna
3. Yaamuna, son of Goshti purna
4. Sundara bahu, son of Maalaa dhaara
5. Raamaanuja, son of Saila purna
6. PARAASARA BHATTAR (and his brother, sons of Aalvaan)

Parasara Bhattar was the son of Kurathalwan. His Acharya was Embar. He 
learned the Sastras so well that he came to be called a 'walking 
university'. His works include his commentary on Vishnu Sahasra Nama Bashya 
( 1,000 names of Vishnu ) also known as 'Bhagavad Guna Darpanam', Rangaraja 
Stava, Ranganatha Ashtaka, Sri Guna Ratna Kosam, Kriyaa Deepam, Ashta Sloki, 
Satusloki, Dvisloki, Tanisloki  While he was a kid, a haughty Advaita 
exponent by name 'Vidvad Jana Kolahala Panditha' was being carried on a 
palanquin to engage in a debate with Ramanuja. The boy stopped him on the 
way. Holding a handful of sand in his closed fist, he asked the Panditha how 
much of sand was there in his palm. The Panditha was nonplussed and asked 
how could anyone count the sands. Parasara retorted saying that if he could 
not answer that it was just a 'fistful' how did he propose to win an 
argument with the great Ramanuja. The Panditha praised the boy, his father 
Kuresa and his Acharya, Embar. The Panditha subsequently became the disciple 
of Parasara assuming the name of ' Per Arulala Perumal Emperumanar'  
Parasara and his brother helped the master in the documenting the 
Sribhashya. (p.315 of GLE). When the master bade Embar to bring the baby for 
naming, Embar brought the baby and by way of protection was muttering Dvaya 
Mantram. When the master enquired how the baby showed off an unusual 
brilliance, Embar narrated what he did on the way. The master exclaimed that 
he had prevented Koorathaalwaan from being the Guru for the baby since only 
the one who initiates in Dvaya would be the Acharya. Since he had done this, 
the master asked Embar to act as the Guru for the baby. (p.32-33 0f ATA). 
(p.33-34 of ATA) His TANIAN runs as follows:'(SAA p.199)


Sri Paraasara Bhattaaryas Sri Rangesa Purohitah |
   Sri Vatsaanga Suthas Srimaan Sreyase Mae Asthu Bhooyase ||
7. Raamaanuja, son of Aandaan
8. Madhyamaarya ( Naduvil Aazhwaan)
9. GOMATHAARYA ( GOMATATHU AAZHWAAN) bore the bowl and slippers of his 
master.(p. 315 of GLE)
10. Tiruk Kovalur Aazhwaan
11. Tiru Mohur Aazhwaan

12. PILLAI AAZHWAAN:  He was the disciple of Koorathaalwaan. The latter 
breathed hi last lying on the lap of Pillai Pillai Alwaan. (p.36 of ATA)

13. VARADA VISHNU AACHAARYA ( NADAADOOR):  He was born in the month Chitrai 
in Chitra Nakshatram in the year 1165 AD. He lived for 110 years and 
attained Paramapadam in 1275 AD (PPM). He was also known as Sudarsanar. He 
belonged to Srivatsa Gotram. He also assisted the master in documenting the 
Sri Bhashya (p.315 of GLE) and acted as a scribe for Sri Bhashyam along with 
Kooratha Azhwaan. His father was Devarajap Perumaal and his grandfather was 
Nadadoor Aazhwaan He was a Sribhashya Simhaasana Adhipathi. It is he who 
installed the Archa Vigraha of Emperumaanaar at Kaanchi. His own Archa 
Vigraham is at Tiruvellarai (p.28 of ATA). He wrote 19 granthas which 
include : PRAPANNA PAARIJAATHAM, Sloka Dvayam, Paratvaadhi Panchaka Sthuthi, 
Tattva Nirnayam, Tattva Saaram, Saamaanya Adhikarana Vaadham, Yathilinga 
Samarthanam, Hethiraja Sthavam, Prameya maala, Sri bhashya Sangraham, and 
Aahnika Choodaamani (which is not extant) (Authority: PPM and Payyampadi 
Setlur Srivatsaankaachaaryars Preface to the Commentary on Prapanna 
Paarijatham by Abhinava Desika Uttamur Swami.) He was the master of Kidambi 
Appullaar who learned the Sastras at his feet while he was delivering 
Kalakshepam on the Eastern side of Perarulalan Sannidhi in Kanchipuram. Like 
a mother who feeds her child, he offered to Lord Varadaraja hot milk ( 
neither too hot nor too cold) but just hot enough to drink .Therefore, the 
Lord was pleased to exclaim "Oh ! Are you my mother? ". That is how he came 
to be known as Nadadoor Ammaal.

14. VISHNU CHITTHA ( ENGAL AAZHWAAN):  He was born in the month Chitrai and 
in the constellation of Rohini (MSR). A Tiruvellarai Sozhiyar, he was 
delivering discourses (Pravachanam) on Sri Bhashyam and Bhagavad Vishayam. 
He wrote a commentary on Vishnu Puranam. He was born in the month Aani in 
the constellation of Swaathi. He wrote Vishnuchitteeyam, Saaraartha 
Chathushtayam and Sangathi maasam. (PPM) He attained Paramapadam at a place 
called Kollakkonda near Srivilliputtur (PPM)

15. Marichyaarya ( Milagaazhwaan)
16. Neyyundaazhwaan
17. Baalaarya - I ( Setlur Siriyaazhwaan)

18. ANANTHAARYA (ANANTHAAZHWAAN):  He was one of the direct disciples of 
Bhasyakarar. He spent most of his life in Tirumalai having been deputed 
there to do offer Pushpa Kaimkaryam. Once, he was stung by a poisonous snake 
while plucking flowers. He prayed to the Lord saying that if he got cured of 
snake bite, he would take bath in Tirukkoneri and if he were to die, he 
would still take bath in the Viraja and reach Paramapada Naathan. It is he 
who composed the Tanian for Tiruvoimozhi commencing with the words " Aeinda 
Perum Keerthi".

19. Vedaanthi Aazhwaan
20. Kovil Aazhwaan
21. UTKALAARYA ( UKKALAAZHWAAN) served out the meals for his master (P.315 
of GLE)
22. Haranaapuraarya (Arana Purathu Aazhwaan)

23. GOVINDA ( EMBAAR) He was born in the Month Thai in the constellation of 
Punarvasu (MSR). He was a cousin of Ramanuja. His earlier name was Govinda. 
He studied under Yadava prakasa along with Ramanuja. It is he who rescued 
Ramanuja from the plot , the Guru Yadava prakasa hatched to kill Ramanuja. 
Subsequently, as he was taking bath in a river once, a Sivalinga (an icon in 
the phallic form of Siva ) mysteriously landed on his palm. He became a 
Saivite for a while. Later, on the advice of his uncle, Tirumalai Nambi and 
Ramanuja he returned to Vaishnavism and closely followed Ramanuja in all his 
itineraries assuming the name of ' Embar'. .(vide p.15 and 16 of ATA). He 
made the Masters bed, shampooed him when tired, offered him his arm while 
walking, and took charge of his garments (p.315 of GLE) TKG narrates how he 
bade farewell to Parasara, son of Alwaan and attained Acharyas Tiruvadi 
(p.303 - 304 0f GLE) See also paragraph 1 in Part 1 of this series.) His 
Tanian reads as follows: (SAA p.199)


Ramanuja Padhas Chaayaa Govinda Aahvaanapaayinee |
Dhadhaadhyatha Svaroopaascha Jeeyaan Mad Visramas Thalee ||
24. PRANATHA AARTHI HARA ( KIDAAMBI AACHAAN) looked after the refectory 
along with Kidambi Perumal. (p.315 of GLE) It is he who took over the 
culinary duties for the master after the poisoning incident when 
Tirukkoshtiyur Nambi entrusted Ramanuja to his loving care. Therefore, he 
came to be known Madappalli Aachaan.

25. Baalaarya II (Kaniyanur Siriya Aazhwaan)
26. Ichchambaadi Aachaan
27. Kongil Aachaan
28. Ichchambaadi Jeeyar
29. Nallaan of Tirupathi ( Tirumalai Nallaan)
30. Sattaam Pillai Jeeyar
31. Tiru Vellarai Jeeyar
32. Aatkondavalli Jeeyar
33. Tirunagarip Pillai
34. Kaaraanji Somayaaji
35. Alamkaara Venkatavar
36. Nambi Karum Devar
37. Devaraaja Bhattar
38. Pillai Urandai Udaiyaar

39. PILLAAN ( TIRUK KURUGAI PIRAAN PILLAAN): He was born in Aippasi 
-Pooraadam (PPM & MSR). He was declared as the Gnaana Putran of the Master. 
(Vide p.23 and 24 of ATA and paragraph 20 in Part 12 of this series).

40. Vallalaar ( Periya Koil Vallalaar)
41. Aasoorip Perumaal
42. Aachchaan of Kannapura (Kannapurathu Aachchaan)
43. Munip Perumaal
44. Ammanghip Perumaal
45. MARUTHI, THE ELDER ( MARUTHI AANDAAN) : Served the master with water to 
wash his hands (p.315 of GLE)
46. MARUTHI, THE YOUNGER ( MARUTHI SIRIYA AANDAAN) : He looked after the 
supply of groceries for the mutt (p.315 of GLE)
47. Sri Rama Krathu nathaarya (Somayaji Aandaan)
48. Jeeyar Aandaan
49. Isvaraandaan
50. Iyunnip Pillai Aandaan
51. PERIYAANDAAN He assisted the master in composing Sri Bhashya. (p315 of 
GLE)
52. AANDAAN, THE YOUNGER ( SIRIYAANDAAN) He got ready the materials 
necessary for the masters sacred Badges and daily worship; and, brought to 
him his sandals.(p.315 0f GLE)
53. Aandaan, the younger of Kurinji Puram
54. Ammangi Aandaan
55. Aalavandaar Aandaan

56. DEVARAAJA MUNI (ARULAALAP PERUMAAL EMPERUMAANAAR) He was Sri Ramanujas 
former Advitic Guru, Yagnamurthi, who subsequently became his Sishya. He 
wrote Gnaana Saara and Prameya Saara. The master critically examined and 
approved these. He was entrusted with the daily Tiruvaradhana of the image 
of Lord Varada.(Vide p.315 0f GLE, p.8 ATA and paragraph 9 in Part 11 of 
this series)

57. Thondanoor Nambi
58. MARUDOOR NAMBI : When he did Aartha Prapatti to the Lord saying that he 
had committed more sins than Sisupala and therefore deserved greater mercy, 
Lord Nrisimha instantly took him unto his holy feet (p.302 of GLE)
59. Mazhuvoor Nambi
60. Tiruk Kurum Kudi Nambi
61. Kuruva Nambi
62. Mudumbai Nambi

63. AANDHRA PURNA ( VADUGA NAMBI ) attended upon the master during his bath 
and tended the masters cows. (p.315 of GLE). Please see paragraph 25 in Part 
13 in this series for other details about his Acharya bhakti (p.299-300 of 
GLE) He used to boil milk and offer it to the master. When the master 
breathed his last, he kept his feet on the lap of Vaduga Nambi and head on 
the lap of Embar. (p.42 of ATA)

64. Vanki purathu Nambi
65. PARAANKUSA NAMBI: He was named so by the master in honor of Nammalwar. 
He wrote a remarkable commentary on 6000 Padi (p.32 of ATA)
66. AMMANGI AMMAAL: Prepared the draught of milk for the master (p.315 of 
GLE)
67. Varadaarya ( Paruthik Kollai Ammaal)
68. UTKALA AMMAAL ( UKKALA AMMAAL), did fan service to the master (p.315 of 
GLE) 69. Chottai Ammaal
70. Mudumbai Ammaal
71. Komaandoor Pillai
72. Komaandoor Ilayavalli
73. KIDAAMBI PERUMAAL He looked after the refectory along with 
Pranathaarthihara (Sl. 24) (p.315 of GLE)
74. Pillaan of Arcot ( Aarkaattup Pillaan)

References are given below:
1) Acharya Vamsa Vriksha Chart" issued by Desika Darsana Sabha, New Delhi 
and released by Sri Uttamur Swami Centenary Celebration Committee (AVV)

(2) "Srirangam Srimad Andavan of Poundarikapuram Asramam Tanians" compiled 
by Kampavayal Vangipuram Sri J. Raghavachariar and released by Sri 
Paravakkottai Srimad Andavan, Sri Gopal Desika Maha Desikan (PPT)

(3) " Sri Vaishnava Acharya Parampara"- A special manuscript in the 
handwriting of Sri Paravakkotai Srimad Andavan, Sri Dopala Desika Maha 
Desikan- containing details from Prathama Acharya to Tirutturaippoondi 
Ramanuja Maha Desikan of Poundarika puram Asramam. (PPM)

(4) "Veda Malar"- Souvenir issued during the Centenary Celebration of 
Vennatrankarai Srimad Andavan, Sri Srinivasa Maha Desikan- containing 
details from Swami Vedanta Desikan to Paravakkottai Swami (VM)

(5) " Aniyarangan Tirumutrathu Adiyargal" published by Sri Visishtadvaita 
Research Center, Madras, 1993 (ATA)

(6) " Sri Ranganatha Paduka"- March 1993 issue containing details from 
Srimad Vazhuttur Andavan to Prakritam Srimushnam Swami of Periyasramam (SRP)

(7) " Guide to Srivaishnavas" by Srirangam Siromani M.S.Rajagopalachariar 
and published by Sri Visishtadvaita Pracharini Sabha, Madras. (MSR)

(8) " Peeps into Mysticism" by D. Ramaswamy Iyengar and published by Sri 
Visishtadvaita Pracharini Sabha, Madras,1986(DR)

(9) " Golden lives of the East" by Sri V.R.Srinivasa Iyengar published by P. 
Venkateswara & CO, Madras.(GLE)

(10) " Vaishnava Vinaa Vidai" by Karappankadu Venkatachariar Swami and 
published by Tamilnadu Deiveega Peravai, Madras18, 1970.(VVV)

(11) "Sri Vaishnavam" by Sri V.N.Gopala Desikan published by Tiruppavai 
Committee, Kumbakonam,1994 (SVG)

(12) "A dialogue on Hinduism" by Sri V.N.Gopala Desikan published by Sri 
Visihtadvaita Research Center, Madras,1990 (DH-G)

(13) " Vaishnavism- A Concise study" by Sri M.K.Srinivasan, President, 
Vedanta Desika Research Center, Madras and published by Hari Vilas 
Charities, Madras,1995 (MKS)

(14) "Acharya Vaibava Manjari" by Puttur Sri S. Krishnaswami Iyengar, 
Editor, Sri Vaishnava Sudarsanam, Trichy (AVM)

(15) " Vinodha Rasa Manjari"- monthly (VRM)

(16) " Tenkalai Guru Parampara"- 1880 Edition- (TKP)

(17) " Vadakalai Guru Parampara" - 1880 Edition -(VKP)

(18) " Prapannamritam"- An old Edition (PRA)

(19) " Visishtadvaita Catechism" - An old Edition (VAC)

(20) "Srivaishnavam" published by Anuragam Publishers, Madras (SAN)

(21) Srivaishnavam by R. Ramaswamy Ramanuja Dasar, published. by Alwargal 
Amuda Nilayam, Madras.1994 (S-AAA)

(22) " Visishtadvaitam"-do- (V-AAA)

(23) " Pirkaala Vaishnavam" by M. Radhakrishna Pillai. Published by Alliance 
& CO1987(PVA)

(24) Life of Alwars- An old Edition (LOA)

(25) Life of Ramanujaachaarya by Govindacharlu- An old Edition (LOR)

(26) Ramanujacharyas Divya Charitai- An old Edition (RDC)

(27) Palanadai Vilakkam- An old Edition (PLV)

(28) Periya Tirumudi Adaivu- An old Edition (PTA)

(29) Hari Samaya Deepam- An old Edition (HSD)

(30) Divya Suri Charitham- An old Edition (DSC)

(31) Vaarthaa Maalai- An old Edition (VAR)

(32) "Alwargal Kaala Aaraaichi"- by Dr. M.Rajamanickanaar(AKA)

AzhwAr Emperumaanar Desikan ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam

Regards
Narayana Narayana
adiyEn




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