THIRUKOLUR PEN PILLAI RAGASIYAM-79

Vaayir kayyitteno Embarai poale

My dear little children,

Into the glorious world of Veda Patti, the statement that Thirukkolur Pen Pillai says is -  Vaayil kai vitteno Embarai pola.

We will meet Embar, who all along lived his life as the SHADOW (nizhal) of Ramanujar. Embar was born in the year 1026, as the 1st cousin (Chithi’s son) of Lakshmana Muni Ramanujar, in the Tamil month Thai and the Punarvasu star, as the embodiment of Garudazhvar, with the original name Govindan.

Thirumalai Nambigal is the maternal uncle of both Ramanujar and Govindan.  He only named Govindan.  Both Ramanujar and Govindan were the sishyas under an Adhwaithi guru, Yaadava Prakasar.  Once, when Ramanujar pointed out that his guru's explanation was wrong, Yadava Prakasar got angry with Ramanujar and became envious of Ramanujar. Yadava prakasar along with his disciples started on Kashi yathra. Also, Ramanujar and Govindan joined them.  Yadava Prakasar hatched a plan to kill Ramanujar by pushing him into the river Ganga. On the way itself, Govindan knew about Yadava Prakasar’s plot and cautioned Ramanujar, saving him from the attempt to kill.

Ramanujar lost his route as he had to take the jungle route. Both Lord Varadharajar and Perundevi Thayar came under the guise of hunters and accompanied him up to Kancheepuram.  Once, when Yadava Prakasar found that Ramanujar was missing, he concluded that Ramanujar might have got lost in the forest and might be killed by wild animals. But Ramanujar safely returned and, in due course, became an attractive jewel to the Vaishnava Peetam.

But Govindan converted himself into a Saivite and was worshipping Lord Shiva at Kaalahasthi.  At that time, Ramanujar had requested his Uncle Thirumalai Nambigal to bring Govindan back to our Vaishnava sampradayam. Nambigal, after making Govindan understand the fundamentals of Vaishnavism from one of his Guru Aalavandar's works, "Sthothra Rathna Malai," concluded that Sriman Narayana alone is the Para Deivam and that he alone is the source and support for attaining Moksham, and brought Govindan Bhattar back to Vaishnavam.

From Thirumalai Nambi, Govindan was learning Divya Prabandam, and at the same time, Ramanujar was learning Ramayana Parayanam from Nambigal. Now Ramanujar asked Bhattar to send Govindan along with him to Srirangam.   Thirumalai Nambigal also send Govindan to Srirangam.  

Govindan, though initially reluctant and delicate, after understanding the greatness of Ramanujar, proceeded to Srirangam and, over time, almost became his shadow. Having seen his dedicated services, Ramanujar felt extremely happy and gave him the title EMPERUMANAR (his name). But Govindan raised his objections, saying he is not qualified to suit that name. So Ramanujar shortened the name as EMBAAR.

We will see one wonderful incident.   Ramanujar had to go to Thirukkoshtiyur when some of Ramanujar’s associates visited Srirangam.

They came to Embar and told that they have got some doubts in Periyazhvar's pasurams. "Chayai pola pada vallar thamum anukkargale"-says Periyazhvar mèaning, those who are capable of composing like shadow-  why they have to sing like Chaayai? It does not suit to the context.  Embar told them that to clarity this we have to contact Ramanujar alone and I too never heard the meaning for this.   Now Ramanujar has gone to Thirukkoshtiyur hence it is not possible to ask him also. I don't feel like sending you back with a reply- I didn't know. He asked them to wait for a while and gone inside. He came back after a shot while saying that- those who are able to recite Periyazhvar's pasurams are CHAYAI for Perumal - that is they are like HIS shadow.

They were wondering at Embar, as only a little while ago, he had told them that they had to ask only Ramanujar for meaning. However, all were surprised by his explanation after he went out, requesting them to wait. What is the wonder, and from where did he get the meaning? Everyone asked. For that, Embar told, "Inside that room, I kept Ramanujar's Paadukai (footwear) on my head and offered my prayers to them, and I gained the meaning of those Pasurams with His grace. If we pray at his Thiruvadi, he will support us like a friend," said Embar. 

Now we'll see the Kindheartedness of Embar. In Thirumalai, one day, when both Govindan and Ramanujar were attending class, the thing that Ramanujar saw gave him a big shock. There, Govindan was holding a huge snake in his hand. He was trying something by putting his hand into the snake's mouth. 

Then he left the snake on the ground, and it ran into the bush and disappeared. Govindan had gone to the tank to take a bath, and Ramanujar was struck with wonder and asked Govindan what he was doing with the snake.

Govindan told me that he had seen a snake suffering with pain in the garden as a sharp and pointed needle-like stick got stuck in its mouth, and I took it out and set it free, and relieved its pain. Govindan told Ramanujar. For that, Ramanuja told Govindan that 'even a big army will be afraid of a Snake and no one will dare to go close to a snake. But you, with your conviction that even if you may have to risk your life, you have decided to help that dangerous snake.   You are blessed with the basic and essential Vaishnava trait of feeling for others and striving to minimise the pains of others. 

Now our Penpillai asked Ramanujar whether she has shown any kindness to others like Embar? No, what do I have to stay here in Thirukkolur? For that, Ramanuja answered that he had never seen his Acharya Aalavandar , never learnt anything from him, but by his deep Dhyanam about his Acharya Alavandar, he has learnt so many rare things.   Likewise, Govindan also, by keeping the Paadukais of Ramanujar on his head and by deep meditation, has conveyed the meaning of Periazhvar pasurams. 

In Ramayana, Rama's anujan (younger brother)is Lakshmana  who was like his shadow and strong support and likewise the anujan of this Ramanujar also was like his shadow . Thus Embar is none other than Ramanujar's shadow-said Ramanujar happily by looking at his sishyas.  Ramanujar looked at one in the sishyas and that sishya also acknowledges by lowering his head. 

Ramanujar, out of curiosity, asked Pen Pillai about whom she is going to tell next, she told "Thol kaatti vandeno Bhattarai pola". Next, we are going to see about PARASARA BHATTAR only. See you all next time.