Life of Sri Ramanuja Acharya !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

Srimathey Ramanujacharya  Nama: !! 

 

 

 

 

 

Yo Nityam Achyutha Padambuja Yugmarukma

Vyamohathasdhithardrani Thrunaya Mene

Asmad Guror Bhagavatosya Dayaika Sindhoho

Ramanujasya Charanau Sharanam Prapadye

 

 

Sri Ramanuja  was born to Sri Keshava Suri and Smt. Kanithimathi in the year 1017 AD, Shaka 839, on the day of Pingala Samvatsara in the month Mesha Panchami Gruvara, Karkataka Lagna with the birth star Arudra.  Sri Ramanujacharya was born in Bhoothapuri (Sri Perumbudur),  Kanchipuram district in Tamil Nadu.

 

Sri Ramanujacharya was honored the title 'Bhashyakar' for composing Sri Bhasyam from Goddess Saraswathi.   Goshtipurna, his Preceptor referred him as Emberumanar.  He was addressed by Koil Annan by Sreeshailapurnar.  In Srivilliputtur he was known as Godaraja (elder brother of Sri Goda).  He was also known as Maladhara by Lakshmana Muni.  The title Udaiyavar conferred by Lord Sri Ranganatha.  He also known as 'Yathirajar' (King among Yathis) conferred by Lord Varadaraja Perumal of Kanchi.  As he was mastered in Tiruppavai (Goda Nacchiyar's), the title 'Tiruppavai Jeeyar' provided him  by the Sriranga Prabandha Gosti.

 

Sri Ramanujacharya was the founder of Vishistadwaitha and he vanquished the opponents of the same.  He was eighth in the line of Acharyas after Vishwaksena, Satagopan, Nathamuni, Pundareekaksha, Ramamishra, Yamunacharya and Mahapurna.  He grew up in Kanchi and settled in Srirangam engaged himself in the selfless service to Lord Ranganatha.  His teachings were liberated the souls from the worldly bongades of 'Happiness, Sorrow and Sins'. Sri Ramanuja established supremacy in Shruthi, Smrithi, Purana, Itihasa, Agama, Prabhandham and  Acharya  Sukthi.  Sri RamAnuja  teachings were protected Arthapanchaka and led to Jnana Marga.

 

Sri Ramanujacharaya had his learning’s from his Guru Yadavaprakasha.  He had great love and respect for Kacchipurnar, an ardent devotee of Lord Varadaraja treated as Manasika Guru and shared his thoughts with him and acted as per his advice.  Later days, his learning’s were interrupted and devoted his time for  Theerthkainkarya (bringing water from the well for the sacred bath of Lord) of  Lord Varadaraja Perumal in Kanchipuram.   

 

Sri Ramanuja went on with barefooted through the streets of Thirukkottiyur, reciting Andal Thiruppavai with utmost reverence and passion. Soon he reached in front of his Acharya Thirukkottiyur Nambi's cottage reciting one of the most beautiful compositions 'Undhu Madhakalittan Odatha Tholvaliyan', he continued reciting the same authoritatively when he reached at the doorsteps with the recitation of 'Senthamarai Kaiyyal Seerar Valiolippa Vandhu Thiravai Makizhthelor Empavai', the doors were opened automatically with the tinkling noises of bangles.  This miraculous incident made Sri Ramanuja faint with his intense devotion to Lord.

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Sri Adi Sankara Bagavadpadal !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

विद्या ददाति विनयम् विनयाद्याति पात्रताम् ।

पात्रत्वा धनमाप्नोति धनात्धर्मम् ततः सुखम् ।।

 

Vidya Dhadhati Vinayam Vinaya DhaDhati Patratam

Patratva Dhanamapnoti, Dhanat Dharmam Tatatsukham

Shri Bharati Thirtha Mahaswamiji of Sringeri Mutt describes in his speech about the modesty of Sri Sankara the originator of Advaita Vedanta Philosophy.

 

Once, a Brahmin appeared in front of Sri Sankara Bhagavadpadal and asked to explain a small segment of the commentaries he had given on Upanishads.   Sri Sankara began his speech after paying obeisance to His Guru and the respected scholars who had previously given the commentaries of Upanishads about the prime entity & source of Vedas and Vedanta, sacred scriptures composed by Maharishi Veda Vyasa.  The Brahmin was overwhelmed to see the modesty of Sri Sankara and remarkable intelligence in him.  The Brahmin regained his original form as Maharishi Veda Vyasa and blessed Sri Sankara.

 

Mahaswamiji marvelously describes the ultimate fact that everyone should pray to Lord for a pure Intelligence without pride and ego. Knowledge is Brahma, understanding Brahma is possible only through the unadulterated Knowledge. The Knowledge of Brahma provides eternal Bliss. What we assume already known to us is only the teeny tiny proportion of ocean sized Brahma and it is nothing when compared to the vast ocean of knowledge. To preserve perpetual happiness in life, as much as you learn, earn and how famous you are does not matter, one should have modesty in life, respect to parents, Guru, Saint and elders, this is really matters.   Otherwise, it would be like a mother giving poison to her crying child.

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Sri Adi Sankara Jayanthi on 26th April, 2012 !! Sri Sankara's meeting with Guru Govinda Bhagavadpadal !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Sri Adi Sankara continued his search for a Guru and travelled through the northern parts of India.  On the river banks of Narmada, He met with his Guru Govinda Bhagavadpadal disciple of Gaudapada.  The Master of Gurus, The Master of  Acharyas - Sri Sankara  -  the human form of  Lord Shiva in the form a young boy on this Earth,  despite having mastered  in all  the Sastras he resolved to seek advice from a Guru and  to acquire much wider knowledge  with the help of a Spiritual Master.

Sri Sankara continued his journey through the woodlands, enjoyed the cool breeze and felt relieved of the fatigue caused by long walks and found the abode of  Sri Govinda Bhagavadpadal.  Sri Sankara praised the glory of the  Sri Govinda Bhagavadpadal  as:  'Oh ! Master who have attained the highest spiritual realization   from Sri Gaudapada -  disciple of Suka charya who was the  son of Maharishi Veda Vyasa. I prostrate before you,  the repository of all virtues I have come to learn the Knowledge and  truth of the Supreme Brahman.'

Sri Govinda Bhagavadpadal who was deeply immersed in meditation, instantly realized the presence of Sri Sankara and enquired 'Who are you?' . Sankara graciously answered to Sri Govinda Bhagavadpadal ' Aham Ithi Brahmasmi '.    Sri Govinda Bhagavadpadal deeply moved at the reply of Sri Sankara's spirit of non-dualistic consciousness.  Sri Govinda Bhagavadpadal envisioned the young Sankara as the human form of  Lord Shiva on the  Earth .

Sri Govinda Bhagavadpadal stretched out his legs and showed his feet to Sri Sankara.  Sankara worshipped his Guru’s  feet so  as to reveal the world about the  first and foremost duty of a disciple and humble service to Guru.   Govinda Bhagavadpadal imparted the knowledge to Sri Sankara Knowledge of Brahman through the four Mahavakyas and  Vedanta Sutras of  Maharishi Veda Vyasa - The Essence of Vedanta Philosophy . Within  a short period, Sankara  completed his studies from Sri Govinda Bhagavadpadal.  Finally, at the instruction of his  Guru, Sri Sankara moved towards Varanasi.  There Sri Sankara met with learned Scholars and with the blessings of them Sri Sankara wrote commentaries on the Brahma Sutras.

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

courtsey: Madhaviya Sankara Vijayam

108 Divya Desams !! Thiruvazhunthoor Sri Devadiraja Perumal Temple !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Thiruvazhunthoor/Thiru Azhunthoor/Thiru Azhunthai/Therazhunthoor Sri Devadhi Raja Perumal Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams – Pancha Krishnaranya Kshetram situated in a village called Therazhundur in Mayavaram,  Nagapattinam District.

Presiding deity – Utsavar – Amaruviappan, Sri Devadiraja Perumal with his consort Goddess Sri Senkamalavalli Thayar

Mangalasasanam – Thiru Mangaialwar, Sri Manavalamunikal,

Pushkarani – Cauvery River, Darshana Pushkarani

Vimanam – Garuda Vimanam was installed by Garuda at the holy instruction of Lord Indra

Prathyaksham to – River Cauvery, Lord Yama, Garuda, Sage Agastya, King Uparisaravasu. 

Worshipped by - Prahalada underwent penance in this sacred land praying Lord Vishnu to reveal his calm and composed appearance.  Rivery Cauvery followed strict austerities to get rid of her curse.

Festivals – Panguni Uthram, Vasanthostavam in Chithirai, Brahmostavam in Vaikasi, Sri Andal Utsavam in Adi, Sri Krishna Jayanti, Desika Jayanti, Pavithrostavam, Markazhi Utsavam, Panguni Uthiram, Masi Utsavam, Thai Utsavam,

Sannidhis – Lord Vasudeva, Lord Narasimha, Lord Rama with Lakshman and Sita along with Anjaneya, Sri Vishwaksenar, Sri Desikar, Sri Alwars, Sri Andal, Sri Kambar, Lord Anjaneya,

Thiruvazhunthoor is the birth place of renowned Tamil poet Kambar, who wrote the Tamil version of Srimad Ramayanam also known as Kamba Ramayanam,  Thirukurayaloor is a village close to Thiruvazhunthoor is the birth place of Thirumangaialwar.

There are quite interesting myths attached to this temple, amongst them were Lord Krishna trampled the egos of King Uparisaravasu.   Another legend has that Lord Brahma due his mounted ego vanished the entire cowherds of Lord Krishna while Lord Krishna was having pastimes with his cowherds on the river banks of Yamuna and  Lord Brahma kept the safe custody of the herds in this sacred land.  When Lord Krishna came to know about the trick played by Lord Brahma, he created a group of similar cowherds and sent them back to their homes safely.  Lord Brahma realized his unruliness and prayed to Lord Krishna for forgiveness.  Lord Brahma expressed his desire to remain Lord on this sacred land for worship as Sri Devadiraja Perumal.

Contact Person – Sri K.Srinivasa Battachariyar Swamin/Sri Venkatesa Bhattar – 04364237952/994403952

Sannidhi Street, Therazhundur – 609808

Nagapattinam District.

This temple remains open from 7.00AM to 12.00PM in the morning and 5.00PM to 8.30PM in the evenings.

 Jai Sriman Narayana !!

275 Thevara Shivasthalam !! Thiruvalithayam Sri Valleeswarar Temple !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Thiruvalithayam Sri Valleeswarar Temple is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva located in Padi, Chennai.  In this temple Lord Shiva worshipped in the form of a self-manifested Linga.  This temple is also known as Gurusthalam (Guru Pariharasthalam), Sage Brahaspathi worshipped Lord Valleeswarar in this sacred place. 

Presiding deity – Sri Valithayanthar/Valleeswarar/Thiruvalitham Udaya Nayanar with his consort Goddess Jagadambal/Thayammai

Theertham – Baradwaja Theertham

Sthalamvruksham - Kondrai

Mangalasasanam – Thiru Gnana Sambandhar sung praising the glories of Lord Valithayanathar.  Saint Arunagirithar sung praising the glories of Lord Subramanya in this temple.

Vimanam – Gajabrushta Vimanam

Worshipped by – Pamban Swamigal, Saint Ramalinga Adikalar, Sage Baradwaja worshipped as a Sparrow – a small brownish songbird, therefore this place has got its name ‘Thiruvalithayam’.  Guru – Brahaspathi had a curse on him, at the divine instruction of Sage Markandeya he arrived in this sacred land, consecrated a Linga and worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple.

Prathyaksham to – Sage Baradwaja 

Sannidhis – Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Ganesha, Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, Lord Dakshinamurthy, Bikshanateshwar, Guru – Brahaspathi, Lord Surya, Lord Balasubramanya, Goddess Durga, Somaskandhar, Lord Subramanya with Goddess Valli & Devayanai, Athma Lingam, Goddess Meenakshi Sundareshwarar, 63 Nayanmars, Chandikeshwara, Nagalingam

Festivals – Thai Krithikai, Chithirai Brahmostavam, Arudra Darisanam, Pournami

The legend has that Sage Baradwaja turned out a Brownish songbird due to a curse.  He arrived on this sacred land and created a pond.  He worshipped Lord Shiva and got cured his curse.  This is one of the oldest temples famous for its craftsmanship with stunning murals of Lord Nataraja, Lord Subramnya, Lord Rama and Matsya & Koorma Avathar of Lord Vishnu on the pillars of Mandapa. 

Another legned has that Lord Brahma’s daughters Sidhhi and Buddhi worshipped Lord Valleeswara in this sacred land.  Lord was pleased at the devotion of Siddhi and Buddhi, they were married to Lord Ganesh at the desire of Lord.  In this temple Lord Ganesha can be seen in his wedding attire.

Worship of Thiru Valleswarar and Lord Ganesha in this temple removes all kinds of illnesses, impediment in marriages and also provides blissful married life. 

This temple remains open from 6.30 AM to 12.00PM in the morning and 4.30 to 8.30 in the evenings.

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!