THIRUKOLUR PEN PILLAI RAGASIYAM-79

Vaayir kayyitteno Embarai poale

My dear little beauties 

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 in Punarvasu star - as the embodiment of Garudazhvar with the original name Govindan.

Thirumalai Nambigal is the maternal uncle for 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 is wrong, Yadava prakasar got angry with Ramanujar and became envious with Ramanujar. Yadava prakasar along with his disciples started on Kashi yathra.Also Ramanujar and Govindan joined them.  Yadava prakasar hatched out 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 and saved 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 accompanied him up to Kancheepuram.  Once when Yadava prakasar found that Ramanujar was missing, he concluded that Ramanujar might have got misruoted in the forest and might be killed by wild animals. But Ramanujar safely returned and in due course has became an attractive jewel to the Vaishnava Peetam.

But Govindan converted himself as a Saivite and was worshipping Lord Shiva at Kaalahasthi.  At that time Ramanujar has requested to his Uncle Thirumalai Nambigal to bring Govindan back to our Vaishnava sampradayam. Nabigal,after making Govindan understand the fundamentals of Vaishvism from one of the works of his  Guru Aalavandar , by name  "Sthothra Rathna Malai" concluding that Sriman Narayana alone is the Para Deivam and  he alone is source and support to attain  Moksham.,and brought Govindan pattar 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 he was initially reluctant and delicate, after understanding the greatness of Ramanujar, he proceeded to Srirangam and over a period almost became his shadow. Having seen his dedicated services Ramanujar felt extremely happy and cristined (named)  him as EM PERUMANAR (his  own name). But Govindan raised his objections saying he is so small and has not got any quality to suit that name. Because of that Ramanujar has shortened the name and made it short asEMBAAR.

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 they have got some doubts in Perriyazhvar's pasurams. "Chayai pola pada vallar thamum anukkargale"-says Periazhvar 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 Thiru kkoshtiyur 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 Periazhvar's pasurams are CHAYAI for Perumal - that is they are like HIS shadow.

They were wondering at Embar as, only just a little while ago he told that they have to ask only Ramanujar for meaning,but all were surprised by his explanation after he went out requesting them to wait. What is the wonder and from where he got the  meaning! everyone asked. For that Embar told, inside that room I kept Ramanujar's Paadukai(foot wear) on my head and offered my prayers to them and got the meaning of that Pasurams with His grace. If we pray at his Thiruvadi, he will support 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 has seen gave him a big shock. There Govindan was holding a huge snake in his hand. He was trying something by putting his hand in to 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 bath and Ramanujar was struck with wonder and asked Govindan what he was doing with the snake.

Govindan told that he has seen a snake suffering with pain in the garden as  a sharp and pointed needle like stick got struck in to it's mouth and I took it out and set it free - and relieved it's pain Govindan told Ramanujar. For that Ramanuja told Govindan that 'even a big army will be afraid of a Snake and no one will be 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 minimize the pains of others. 

Now our Penpillai asked Ramanujar whether she has shown any kindness to others like Embar?.No What stand I have  got to stay here in Thirukkolur? For that Ramanuja answered that he had never seen his Acharya Aalavandar , never learnt anything thing 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 for 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 in the next. 

RAM RAM JAI JAI RAM