THIRUKOLUR PEN PILLAI RAGASIYAM-71

“Shuluravu kondeno Thirukoshtiyurare polae”

"Did I develop a very strict relation with Ramanuja like Thirukoshti Nambi, who made Ramanuja take a vow that he would not teach what he learnt to others?"

We are going to learn about Ramanuja’s truth, perseverance, eagerness, kindness, generosity and how he attained the name “Emperumanar”.

Among the five teachers assigned to Swami Ramanuja, one was Thirukoshtiyur Nambi. He belonged to Thirukoshtiyur, 150 km away from Srirangam, and was named Thirukurigaipiran. 

He was born on  Rohini star in the month of Vaigasi (mid-April to mid-May)

Ramanuja was going to learn the ‘Thirumanthram’ and ‘Charama Slokam' from Thirukoshtiyur Nambi in Thirukoshtiyur. He inquired about his residence and began his journey to Thirukoshtiyur. However, instead of walking, Ramanuja performed Sashtanga Namaskaram (prostrating all eight body parts) continuously until he reached his destination.

Thirukoshtiyur Nambi was very particular about all his students being seekers. He always tested his students to determine whether they were worthy of receiving knowledge. He asked Ramanuja to come again. Ramanuja returned and knocked at Thirukoshtiyur Nambi’s house. Nambi asked him to come another day. Ramanuja went not once or twice, but 18 times on foot from Srirangam to Thirukoshtiyur, simply because he had not yet received the ‘Manthram Upadesam'.

One day, Thirukoshtiyur Nambi went to Srirangam to pray to Arangan. Upon seeing the delay in Mantra Upadesam for Ramanuja, Arangan, through Archagar (Pandit or Battacharya), instructed Thirukoshtiyur Nambi to perform ‘Mantra Upadesam’ for Ramanuja, as he was the right fit for it. He is ‘Sarva Guna Sampanna’, filled with all proper virtues, but Thirukoshtiyur replied, “Only the worthy will receive Mantra Upadesam" and left.

Each time Ramanuja received a few Upadesams, let’s see a few of them -

The one who wants Moksha should start life with an open mind; once you have an open mind, there will not be a place for Ego, physical beauty, which in turn leads to ‘Atmagyan’.

Once you attain knowledge about yourself, you will evolve from the hunger for wealth. Once this happens, your bhakti towards Perumal will increase, and other interests will automatically reduce, and once this happens, you attain Perumal.

Reaching Perumal removes all other desires, such as Artha, Kama, Raaga, and dvesha. Once these are gone, you will be a Sri Vaishnava and will have like-minded company. Like-minded people connect you to Bhagavan through Acharya, and this will make you become Perumal’s servant for life, and that person is eligible for ‘Thirumanthiram Upadesam’.

On the 17th trip, Thirukoshtiyur Nambi softened a bit on seeing Ramanuja’s sincerity and told him to come with ‘Dhandam and Pavithram, the staff and flag, next time so that he can give ‘Manthram Upadesam’ to him. On his 18th trip, Ramanuja accompanied Muthaliandan and Koorathazhvar.

Perplexed, Thirukoshtiyur Nambi asked why he had brought them instead of coming with his ‘Dhandam and Pavithram’. Ramanuja replied, “ Muthaliandan and Koorathazhvar are my ‘Dhandam and Pavithram’ as they are always with me.

When Nambi taught him the meaning, he told Ramanuja not to mention that a seeker could learn the meaning of this mantra from an acharya. He believed that only ardent seekers should take the initiative and work hard to discover such divine secrets.

Swami Ramanuja, on the other hand, wondered why this mantra and its meaning should be a secret if it could allow a jeevatma to reach Vaikunta and serve Vishnu forever. Anyone interested should have the opportunity to learn it. Ramanuja went to the top of the temple tower out of compassion and publicly announced the existence of a secret mantra that can only be initiated by a Guru. If a disciple learns these mantras and repeats them every day, they will achieve moksha.

Thirukoshtiyur Nambi was disappointed and furious with Ramanuja. Disobeying a Guru’s command would lead to Hell. Ramanuja humbly replied, ‘Let me go to hell, but I will allow others to reach Vaikunta.’

When Nambi heard about it, he realised that the true leader had arrived. He calmed down and declared, ‘You are truly our leader and greater than the God (Emperuman). I give you the title: Emperumanar. May our tradition of Vaishnavism flourish under your leadership.'

"I possess neither Thirukoshtiyur Nambi’s self-confidence nor the  Kindness of Ramanuja, “says Thirukolur pen. “Why should I stay here?”

Ramanuja replies,

“Ramanuja also saw the glory of this special mantra. Not only for knowledgeable scholars but also for seekers who have profound love and belief on Perumal can attain the ‘Manthram Upadesam.’ Now who are you going to talk about?”

“Uyiraya petreno umaiye polae”, said Pen Pillai. Let's learn in the next blog.