THIRUKOLUR PEN PILLAI RAGASIYAM-75

"Yaan siriyan endreno thirumalai Nambiyai polae"

Thirumalai Nambi set an example of humility and respect. Among the five Acharyas who were assigned to Ramanujam by Alavanthar, Thirumalai Nambi was one of them. He was Swami Alavanthar's disciple and also Ramanuja’s uncle. Nambi’s sister, Bhudevi, was Ramanuja's mother.

Thirumalai Nambi introduced the Ramayana to Ramanuja and also named him 'Ilaya Azhwar'. He even had the honour to do 'Theertha Kainkaryam to Perumal, and how did he get this chance? Let's see that.

One day, Alavanthar was explaining  'Nammazhwar’s pasuram. While talking about Perumal, he felt like performing a 'Thirumanjanam-applying fragrant oil on the main deity' as soon as his Acharyan thought about it. Thirumalai Nambi immediately began performing 'Theertham' seva after obtaining permission from his Acharya, Alavanthar.

Every day, he will get up early in the morning, complete his morning duties, and fetch water from the Paapavinasha pond for Thirumanjanam. This pond was very far. So one fine day, while returning from the pond, a small hunter boy asked Thirumalai Nambi, "May I have some water?” Thirumalai Nambi said, “This water is for Perumal Thirumanjanam, and I am already very late. There is a pond nearby. You can drink water from there," but the boy didn’t leave him alone.

He kept asking for water by getting in his way. Thirumalai Nambi kept rejecting and headed towards the temple. The boy poked a hole in the pot with his arrow and continued sipping behind Nambi. Nambi noticed, turned around, and realised what was happening. He felt sad. The boy reassured Nambi not to worry and that he would show him another spot where he could find water.

He spiked his arrow on the ground, and the water began to gush like a fountain.

The child explained, "Now you don’t have to trek so far to collect water from Papavinasha pond. You can get it from here since I like this water very much." Nambi was perplexed by the boy’s speech and stared deep into him, but Perumal made it clear to him that he was present, as were his Shankha and Chakra.

The water fountain is known as 'Akasha Ganga’. Perumal attained the form of a small hunter boy and helped his bhakta so that he wouldn’t have to walk far. Thirumalai Nambi has the honour of being called 'Thatha' by Perumal himself, which is why he goes by the name 'Dadachariyar'.

In Srirangam, Ramanujar established a mutt and successfully ran it, following the Vaishnava sampradaya. One day, he felt like going to Thirumala to pray to Srinivasa Perumal, so he started on the journey along with his sishyas.

As soon as Ramanuja entered, Ananthazhwan, who was doing flower seva, came running to Him to welcome Him. He requested Ramanujam to come up the hill and pray to Perumal. Ramanuja gave it a thought, 'Adisheshan is transformed as a hill bearing Perumal, how can I keep my feet on him?'

Ananthazhwan says, “If you don’t go, no one will, and Perumal will feel alone without seeing His bhaktas. Isn’t Perumal’s happiness our main goal?"

Ramanuja accepted and started climbing, but not with his feet. He used his knee as he didn't feel like using his feet. His knee started bleeding. Ananthazhwan said, "If you climb like this, then everyone will do the same, and everyone will begin bleeding in pain. Then devotees will be scared to climb because of the pain it is causing, and again people will reduce coming to see Perumal, and again Perumal will not be able to see his devotees ". Then Ramanuja started climbing with his feet. Thirumalai Nambi was delighted upon hearing of Ramanuja's arrival. He rushed to welcome Him along with prasadham and garlands. On seeing Thirumalai Nambi Ramanuja was also filled with joy.

Ramanuja says, “Swami, isn’t it enough to send a disciple for welcoming a small one like me? Why did you have to come all the way?” Thirumalai Nambi says, “I searched everywhere and couldn’t find a smaller person than me”. 

Thirukolur Pen says "The one who met Lord Srinivasa and had honour of becoming Swami Ramanuja's Acharya and teach him Ramayana was filled with humility and kindness. Just like Thirumalai Nambi, I don't have such quality."

Ramanuja replied, "In the Ramayana, Hanuman encourages Sita and explains the glory of Sri Rama's monkey army. He claims that there are the best warriors in the army. Small monkeys like him are sent for simple tasks like look for Seeta, He reassures Mother Seeta and builds her trust in him and the monkey army. Ravana will be defeated and Rama will save Seeta. Likewise, Thirumalai nambi describes himself as having less bhakti than others. He is humble, despite being such a brilliant scholar. This is the greatest virtue. I am overjoyed to hear this; what are we going to talk about now?

"Neerill kuthitheno kanapurathalai pola"