Sri:

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha
Srimad Varavaramunaye Namaha

Swami Manavala Mamunikal Thiruvarasu

Sriman Narayana, out of his infinite causeless mercy blessed with divine and blemishless knowledge the one we now know as Prapanna Jana Kootasthar - Swami Nammazhwar. Azhwar often laments his inability to enjoy the nectarine actions of Lord Sri Rama and Lord Sri Krishna because of having been born in different times. The sorrow was much saddened for those who were born after Swami Ramanuja's times, since the pangs of separation were magnified severalfold. The incarnation of Parama Karunikar Swami Manavala Mamunikal did well to shower over the famines and blossom our barren lands after Swami Ramanuja's times.

A lot has been said and written about the times he spent on this earth. The "Yatindra Pravana Prabhavam" authored by Pillai Lokam Jeeyar chronicles his life and is a book that is alone sufficient to spend out entire lives reading and contemplating upon. Within the pages of this glorious book is detailed an important narrative, which goes as follows:

"In the year Rudrothkari, the month of Masi, on the twelfth day of the waxing phase associated with the Thiruvonam asterism which happened to be a Sunday (16.02.1444), the sun set on our glorious sampradayam, for that was the day on which, having been decreed by the Lord of the Two Worlds Swami Ranganatha of Srirangam, Swami Manavala Mamunikal proceeded to perform eternal service at His Lotus feet st Sri Vaikuntham Paramapadam and continue to carry out the orders of Swami Ramanuja."

No nobler figure ever stood in the forefront of our sampradayam. No known preceptors embodied the various qualities of both an Acharya or a Sishya in its pristine state as did Swami Manavala Mamunikal. His life is characterized by a lofty and serene sense of duty and never swerved from his task because of resentment, jealousy or lack of favourable circumstances, his tasks being the single minded focus on the goal of every prapanna - "Ramanujaarya Divjyagnya Vardhathaam, Abhi Vardhataam". He was known to impart instruction not through many words, but through a few deeds.

His mortal remains, as stated in his Arthi Prabandham pasuram "இந்த வரங்கத் தினிதிருநீ என்றரங்கர், எந்தை யெதிராசர்க் கீந்தவரம்" ("indha-arangath thinidhiru nee endru arangar yendhai Yathirasar kku eendha varam") were placed with the full honours of the residents of Srirangam Periya Kovil, led by Swami Jeeyar Nayanar at the lush banks of the Coleroon (kollidam), as was practiced by the Ascetics of our Sampradayam like Swami Alavandar and others.

An attempt at making some iconography, structure and presence felt is being undertaken by some very dedicated Srivaishnavas from Srirangam. Actively participating under the aegis of the "Divyadesa Parampariya Padhukappu Peravai", SriVaishnavaSri U. Ve. Krishnamachari leads the work in all areas pertaining to the upkeep and maintenance of the holy site. VEDICS Foundation brings to you a montage shot during the occasion of the inauguration of the premises and setting up a thirumeni commemorative of Swami Manavala Mamunikal's presence there. This includes a 20-min discourse delivered by Velukkudi Sri U. Ve. Krishnan Swami in the presence of several stalwarts of the sampradayam including Paramahamsethyadhi Sri Ranga Narayana Jeeyar, Sri U.Ve. Kabisthalam Swami, varthamana Periya Nambigal Swami and several others.

Some photos from the occasion can be viewed here.

Manavala Mamunikale, Innum Oru Nootrandirum!