SrI: SrImathE SatakOpAya nama: SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImadh varavaramunayE nama:
avathArikai (Introduction)
Thus, piLLai lOkAchAryar elaborated upon mangaLASAsanam (wishing well), anukUla sahavAsam (association with favourable persons) and prathikUla sahavAsa nivruththi (dissociation from unfavourable persons) which were highlighted in dhinacharyA (sUthram 243); subsequently, he is elaborating what is said there as in “sadhAchArya prasAdhaththAlE vardhikkumbadi paNNikkoNdu pOrakkadavan” (one should nurture these aspects by the grace of a true AchArya).
sUthram 274
ippadi ivai iththanaiyum sadhAchArya praSAdhaththAlE vardhikkum pOdhaikku vasthavyam AchArya sannidhiyum bhagavath sannidhiyum; vakthavyam AchArya vaibhavamum svanikarshamum; japthavyam guruparamparaiyum dhvayamum; parigrAhyam pUrvAchAryargaLudaiya vachanamum anushtAnamum; parithyAjyam avaishNava sahavAsamum abhimAnamum; karthavyam AchArya kainkaryamum bhagavath kainkaryamum.
Simple Explanation
While these aspects are nurtured by the grace of a true AchArya, one should reside in the abode of AchArya and bhagavAn; one should speak about AchArya’s greatness and self’s lowliness; one should constantly chant guruaparamparai and dhvaya mahA manthram; one should accept and follow the words and deeds of pUrvAchAryas; one should abandon the association of avaishNavas and their care; one should perform kainkaryam to AchArya and bhagavAn.
vyAkyAnam (Commentary)
ippadi …
ippadi ivai iththanaiyum sadhAchArya praSAdhaththAlE vardhikkum pOdhaikku
As explained previously, while these special qualities rise up brightly by the grace of a true AchArya.
vasthavyam AchAryan sannidhiyum bhagavath sannidhiyum
That is – the Sishya should reside in the abode of
- AchArya, who, being his well-wisher, caused these qualities through his instructions etc
- archAvathAra emperumAn, who shows his divine glance etc after accepting the sishya based on the recommendation of the AchArya.
Here, it is neither samuchchayam (both) nor samavikalpam (either or), but is an indication that AchArya’s abode is of primary importance and when such option is not available, one can pursue bhagavAn’s sannidhi. This is why, AchArya’s abode is highlighted first. bhagavAn also says in SrI pAncharAthram “madhbhakthais sahasam vAsasthatha sidhdhau mayApivA” (You live along with my devotees; if that is not possible, at least live along with me)
Now, starting with vakthavayam, everything is samuchchayam (both).
vakthavyam AchArya vaibhavamum svanikarshamum
That is – for a prapanna, he should constantly speak about
- the greatness of mercy, tranquility etc of AchArya who accepted him seeing his pitiful state, and
- the lowliness of self of being complete in bad qualities which makes even the most merciful persons to look down upon him.
SrI madhurakavi AzhwAr elaborately explained these in kaNNinuN chiRuth thAmbu 4 “nanmaiyAl“.
japthavyam guruparamparaiyum dhvayamum
That is – to pass the time and have enjoyment, that which is constantly and secretively chanted is
- guruparamparai which starts with self’s AchArya, paramAchArya (AchArya’s AchArya) and goes up to bhagavAn as said in SrI varadharAja sthavam 102 “rAmAnujAngri SaraNOsmi kulapradhIpa: thvAsIth sayAmuna munEs sacha nAthavamSya: | vamSya: parAnkuSa munEs sacha sOpi dhEvyA: dhAsathavEthi varadhAsmi thavEkshaNIya: ||” (Oh varadha! I am having rAmAnuja’s divine feet as my means. He is glorifying ALavandhAr’s clan. ALavandhAr is born in SrIman nAthamunigaL’s clan. SrIman nAthamunigaL is born in nammAzhwAr’s intellectual clan. nammAzhwAr is a divine servitor of periya pirAttiyAr who is your highness’ divine consort. Hence I am a target of your highness’ merciful glance) and in “sadhAchArya vamSO gyEya: | AchAryANAm asAvAsA vidhyAbhagavaththa: ||” (One should learn about the clan of one’s AchArya. In the AchArya paramparai, one should learn about each one of the AchAryas up to bhagavAn), and
- dhvayam which was given as the refuge by one’s AchArya which was revealed through the paramparai,
With this – it is explained that guruparamparai followed by dhvaya are to be secretively chanted upon by the prapanna. periya perumAL too said in SaraNAgathi gadhyam “dhvayam arthAnusandhAnEna saha sadhaivam vakthA ||” (You should live [in SrIrangam] constantly chanting the dhvayam and meditating upon its meanings).
parigrAhyam pUrvAchAryargaLudaiya vachanamum anushtAnamum
To intensify one’s knowledge and good conduct, wherever seen, one has to accept the divine words of pUrvAchAryas starting with SrIman nAthamunigaL, which reveal the principles which must to be known and the matching faultless conduct. It is said in lakshmI thanthram “suvyAhruthAni mahathAm sukruthAni thathasthatha: | sanchinvan dhIra AsItha chilahArI chilam yathA ||” (Just as one, who lives off paddy seeds which are seen on the ground, will carefully gather those seeds, similarly the intelligent man should absorb the faultless words of the great personalities and such good conduct and should remain there).
parithyAjyam avaishNava sahavAsamum abhimAnamum
That is – due to the fear of causing destruction to one’s knowledge and conduct, one has to give up along with the trace, the association with those who don’t have the vaishNava identity, and their affection towards the person (SrIvaishNava) thinking “he is ours”.
karthavyam AchArya kainkaryamum bhagavath kainkaryamum
That is – to be performed by a SrIvaishNava at all times, matching his true nature, is the loving service towards one’s AchArya, the loving service towards bhagavAn based on the orders of his AchArya.
Thus, the special qualities which are revealed in dhinacharyA [sUthram],
sadhAchArya praSAdhaththAlE vardhikkumbadi paNNikkoNdu pOrugai
Knowing about these vasthavya, vakthavya, japthavya, parigrAhya, parithyAjya and karthavya aspects and remaining fixed on these.
adiyen sarathy ramanuja dasan
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