upadhEsa raththina mAlai – Simple Explanation

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SrI: SrImathE SatakOpAya nama: SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImath varavaramunayE nama:

Other prabandhams

piLLai lOkAchAryar and maNavALa mAmunigaL (SrIperumbUthUr)

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upadhEsa  raththinamAlai is a wonderful thamizh prabandham (divine composition) mercifully composed by our maNavALa mAmunigaL, who is a viSadhavAk SikhAmaNi (one with a radiant speech and who is like a jewel in the crown). This is a wonderful creation which explains in a nutshell, the essence of piLLai lOkAchAryar’s (one of our preceptors) divine work SrI vachana bhUshaNam. The essence of SrI vachana bhUshaNam is  AchArya abimAnamE uththArakam (affection shown by one’s AchArya (teacher) is the one which will uplift the disciple). When a disciple goes to an AchArya, he shows mercy on the disciple and uplifts him. This is celebrated as the greatest and simplest means by our preceptors. The world jIvanam refers to nourishing and protecting one’s physical form (body). ujjIvanam refers to the path which is apt for the AthmA (soul). The ultimate benefit which is apt for the AthmA’s svarUpam (nature) is to attain emperumAn (supreme entity) in paramapadham (SrIvaikuNtam), be amidst the group of his followers and carry out servitude to him.

When the inner meanings of a grantham (composition) are explained, it is normal to explain the meanings of matters related to it. In the same way, mAmunigaL  (1) offers salutations to his AchArya [thiruvAimozhippiLLai]; (2) gives the chronological incarnations of AzhwArs and the divine places where they incarnated; (3) gives an introduction to the AchAryas (preceptors) who came in the path shown by AzhwArs; (4) explains the greatness of rAmAnuja, who is considered as the torchbearer among the AchAryas, in uplifting the entire world; (5) explains  the glory of namperumAL (the uthsava idol at SrIrangam) in naming this sampradhAyam (system of traditional beliefs) as emperumAnAr dhariSanam (the philosophy of emperumAnAr, rAmAnuja) since namperumAL wanted to extol rAmAnuja; (6) lists out the commentaries for thiruvAimozhi [a divine composition mercifully given by nammAzhwAr] which is the root for our philosophy; (7) explains the glory of nampiLLai (one of our preceptors); (8) explains the greatness of SrI vachana bhUshaNam which was mercifully composed by piLLai lOkAchAryar, the divine son of vadakkuth thiruvIdhip piLLai, its inner meanings, the glories of those who followed this divine work and (9) finally explains that we should keep in mind every day, the wisdom of our preceptors as well as their anushtAnams (activities in line with vEdhas) and completes the prabandham  saying that those who live this way will be worthy of the divine mercy of emperumAnAr, the great sage, who incarnated for uplifting all the people.

At the end of the prabandham a single pAsuram (hymn) composed by eRumbiyappA [mAmunigaL’s disciple] is also recited with the rest. In this, eRumbiyappA says that those who have a connection with the divine feet of mAmunigaL will surely be accepted by emperumAn.

This is an attempt to provide a simple explanation to this great prabandham. This is being carried out with the commentary given by piLLai lOkam jIyar.

Source: http://divyaprabandham.koyil.org/index.php/2019/09/upadhesa-raththina-malai-tamil/

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