THIRUKOLUR PEN PILLAI RAGASIYAM-78

My dear cute darlings

In the wonderland of Vedha Patti, the message that our Pen Pillai says is -

Vaakinal vendreno  Pattari pola - Have I ever was victorious because of my eloquence and debating skill?!  It is something really fantastic.  We are going to see the one who is brilliant in his communication and effective speaking skill.

Bhagavad Ramanujar was identified by his contemporary society with his very many titles such as EmPerumanallur, Udayavar, EthiRajar, Bhashyakaarar and  Perumpudur Maa muni.  The hero of this episode was very much appreciated and praised by Ramanujar.  In a village called Kooram (near Kancheepuram) he was living with his beloved wife Andal like an emperor with all powers, wealth, luxury etc.  Oh hearing about Ramanujar, his greatness he has relinquished all his wealth luxury etc. and became Ramanuja’s sishya(disciple).

One rainy day he could not get out for Bhikshai.  That night Kurathazhvar went to sleep without taking anything. Having seen her husband who, once was leading a princely life with very many servants to attend to his call and taking rich and delicious food always- today going to bed without food.

Lord Sri Ranganatha could not tolerate one of his ardent Sishya suffer like this and he made some wonders. Arangan has ordered to send Prasadam to Kurattazhvar in Archa Rupam and as per Arangan’s instructions,one Shri Uththama Nambi brought Perumal Prasadam to Kurathazhvar’s residence.  At once Kurathazhvar asked his wife Andalusia whether she has expressed her unhappiness to Lord Ranganathar.  For that Andal replied that she had to appeal to Ranganathar as she could not see her husband suffering from hunger.

Out of the Prasadam, Kuraththazhvar took one third part and the remaining two third he gave to Andal and asked her to take it. Because of the holiness of the Prasadam and due to the grace of Lord Ranganatha Andal became pregnant and gave birth to two male children.  Kurathazhvar wanted to name his sons and took them to Ramanujar who named them as Vedha Vyasa Battar and Parasaran Pattar.  Out of the two, Lord Ranganatha and Thaayar have adopted the one in Vaikasi,Anusham - as their own child.

As the word Temple means Srirangam, that of Azhar refers to Nammazhvar-the name Pattar means only Parasaran Pattar.  Both lord Ranganatha and Thayer looked after Parasaran Pattar as their own child.  In the THIRUMANA THOON (pillar)at Perumal Sannidhi they hanged a cradle for baby Parasaran to sleep and play.  He was given Thirumanjana therrtham for his thirst and Perumal Prasadam as regular food and with these Parasaran Bhattar grew up.

Parasaran  Pattar was extraordinary having the rarest skill of understanding remembering and reproducing whatever that he sees, listens and reads - only once.  Ethirajar has assigned the duty of imparting Vedic knowledge and Sastras to Parasaran Bhattar to Koorathazhvar and Embar only.  Parasaran was outstanding in all subjects even when he was too young .Parasaran got Vedas, Azhar Pasurams by heart when they were taught only once to him. He was able to recite and reproduce all that was taught to him once.  He was a‘Eka Shantha grahi’ - one with photographic memory.

As told by an old adage,’vilayum payer mulayile’ which means the potency and quality of a plant could be estimated even when it is in its sapling stages. Even at the age of Five, he started asking doubts in Nammazhvar’s Thiruvaimozhi.

SIRU MAA MANITHAR - he asked SIRU means small Maa means gigantic and how both these contradictory traits could be there with the same one single person?  For that Kurathazhvar explained Parasaran Pattar that great intellectual giants like Mudali Andan, Arulala Perumal and Em Perumanallur, though they may not be looking big and muscular and looking only simple puny and small in stature, their Shasthra Gnana and knowledge level is immeasurable.  They will be small in Moorthy but great in Keerthi and fame.

One day when the cute child Parasaran battar was playing in the street in Srirangam, there came a palanquin with all orchestral accompaniment and Bhagavathagoshti with some people in the front row shouting Maha Pandithar (great scholar) Sarvagya Battar is on the way- Parak Parak.

The small kid Parasaran looked at them, raising his head up.  In this Srirangam which is like the main root for Sree Vaishnavam and where Brahma Gnanies such as Acharya Ramanujar,Koorathazhvar and Mudhali Anandan are available who is that one, who proclaims himself as Sarvagnyan and he followed the Pallakku, asking the bearers who is inside?.They told it is Sarvagnya Pattar who came down to Srirangam to demonstrate his Saravgnathvam by his debating talent.

Parasaran just removed the screen in that Pallakku and asked him- Oh  you only are the Sarvagnya Pattar? and will you answer my question?The all knowing Sarvagnya from inside the Pallakku told him sarcastically - Oh my boy you may ask any question you like to- and I will answer you.

Parasaran picked up from the ground his hand full of sand and asked him, ”how much sand I got in my hand “.  Vidhan got confused and amazed as to how it is possible to exactly count the sand dust in the kid’s hand. He became spellbound and felt reduced very much.

Parasaran told the Maha Vidvan with a laughter - you don’t even know to tell that it is ‘just a hand full’ - then why you make all these pomp and show?  Please stop all these -told Parasaran in baby dialogue.

Surprised at the intelligence of Parasaran the Maha Vidvan took him to his home in his Pallakku.  On knowing that the small boy is the son of Kurathazhvar, the kids brilliance is but natural.  The young one of a flying creature will never crawl.  From that day onwards Maha Vidvan has stopped using Pallakku and he told Parasaran bhattar’s mother Andal not to leave the child alone and unattended in the street as all will envy which may affect the child. Andal has taught Dwaya Manthram as a’rakshai’(protective shield)into the ears of Parasaran.

Now Pen Pillai asked Ramanujar-Have I ever won any erudite scholar in any debate? What rare skill I got as Parasaran who vanquished Sarvagnyan with his Vak Chathuryam even at a very young age?  I have no such rare traits and requisites to stay here at Thirukkolur?

Ramanujar was overwhelmed at the intelligence of the child who was named by him.

Ramanujar told Kurathazhvar that his son Parasaran bhattar, with his rare skills and vak chathuryam,will bring laurels to Sree Vaishnavam and will enjoy excellent reputation.

When asked about whom you are going to tell next. Pen Pillai told - Vaayil Kai vitteno Embaarai pola - we will discuss about EMBAAR in our next episode and before that the words of the great visionary Ramanujar came true.  Parasaran bhattar as age advances visited other countries also and conquered many scholars and brought fame to our Vaishnavism.

We will meet Embar next and will cherish his greatness.

Jai Sriram