Sri Raamaanujar and aazhvaar paasurams

[Guest guest]

Badri recently asked how Sri Ramanuja was influenced

by the aazhvaars. Pi. Sri. in the extraordinary

book "Sri Raamaanujar" published by SudhEsamitthiran (1964)

describes sri raamanujar learning thiruvaaymozhi

in the chapter "kaRRathum kRpitthathum." Upon the urging

of thiruk kOshtiyUr nambi, thirumalai ANdAn of thiru

maaliruNYsOlai, also known as maalaatharar, started

thiruvaay mozhi lessons for sri ramaanujar. However,

during the lessons sri ramaanuja was able to see many

hidden meanings in the pasurams that were not aparent to

thirumalai ANdAn. This annoyed AndAn and he abruptly

stopped the lessons. Later, thirukkOshtiyUr nambi

persuaded AndAn to resume the lessons.

 

thiruvaay mozhi is full of references to visishtaadvaitam

that surely influenced sri raamaanuja.

 

 

Here are just a few from mudhal patthu:

 

udalmisai uyirenak karanthengum paranthuLan (1.1.7)

the Lord permeates the universe like our lives permeate our

bodies.

 

paRRilan Isanum, muRRavum ninRanan (1.2.6)

Isan muRRavum ninRanan => The Lord is inside everyone.

 

ninaintha ellaap poruLkatkum vitthaay (1.5.2)

Our Lord is the 'upaathanNa kaaraNam' for everything.

 

Unotti ninRen uyiril kalandhu (1.7.7)

The Lord is merged into my life that is attached to my

body.

 

en mey kalandhaanE (1.8.5)

He is merged into my life.

 

 

 

Regards,

 

P. Dileepan