Sri:

On the occasion of 1006th Ramanuja Jayanthi (Shobhakruth,

Chithirai Thiruvadhirai, 25th April 2023), my Kalakshepa guru, Sri
U Ve APN Swami gave a series of upanyasams on Gadya Trayam
Vilakkum Bhagavad Gunangal. Please do listen to the upanyasam.
The upanyasam is based on the commentary authored by Sri
LakshmiNrusimha divya padhuka sevaka Srivan Satakopa Sri
Narayana Yathindra Mahadesikan (HH 45th pontiff of Sri Ahobila
Mutt).
The ultimate objective of the atma is to attain moksha (liberation).
To attain moksha, one can choose the path of bhakti or
Saranagathi (surrender). In this fast paced world, where we expect
instant results (read as “Insta” results), to perform bhakti and
attain moksha is a difficult process. Morevoer, we expect
everything with “no strings attached”, all other means of attaining
moksha has some strings attached except Saranagathi.
The only way which is also the highest way or express highway is
the path of Saranagathi. It is truly with no strings attached, as you
don’t need to know anything for performing Saranagathi.
"Prappannath anyeshaam na dhishathi mukundho
nijapadham" (प्रपन्नात ् अन्येषां न �दश�त मुकुन्दो
�नजपदम ्) This sloka from Srimad Rahasya Traya Saram (SRTS)
that Swami Desikan clearly states that one cannot attain Mukunda
(Sriman Narayana) with any other means other than Saranagathi
(Prappati).
Any tool that we use comes with an user manual, similarly the
most important tool that we should use in our life is Saranagathi.
Swami Ramanuja showed us how to surrender to Thaayaar and
Perumal (Divine Couple). Bhagavad Ramanuja chose Panguni
Uttiram day when Ranganatha and Ranganayaki has a serthi seva
(celestial marriage) to perform Saranagathi.
But why did Ranganatha (Sri Rama) chose to speak to
Bhagavad Ramanuja but Varada didn't speak to
Ramanuja?
Ramanuja was getting into the folds of SriVaishnava
Sampradayam but he had few clarifications on the Supreme being,
etc. Ramanuja was an erstwhile disciple of Yadhavaprakashar who
came from a different school of thought (philosophy).
Swami Alavandar while visiting Kanchipuram felt the need of a
strong personality who would carry the baton of SriVaishnava
Sampradayam. Swami Alavandar had many shishyas (disciples)
including Swami Thirukkachi Nambi and Swami Periya Nambi.
During his visit, he performed Saranagathi to Varada to identify
a suitable person to continue the Guru Parampara lineage. Varada
gave indication to Alavandar about Illaiyaazhwar (original name
given to Ramanuja at his birth). Alavandar informed Thirukkachi
Nambi to guide the young Ramanuja so that he is ready to take
the baton when the opportunity ripens.
Ramanuja performed Saalai Kinaru (bringing water from the well)
service to Varada. Through that service, Ramanuja and
Thirukkachi Nambi had special bonding. It is known to everyone
that Varada and Thirukkachi Nambi used to converse with each
other when the latter does Thiruvalavatta (fan) service to
Perumal. Ramanuja thought to seek his clarifications to Nambi,
who can refer it with Varada directly. However, even before
Ramanuja asked the questions, Nambi replied to Ramanuja what
Varada told him. This is known as "Aaru Vaarthaigal (Six words)"
and Ramanuja was suprised that all his clarifications were
answered.
Based on the command received from Varada, Ramanuja then
proceeded to SriRangam and became the Jagadaacharya.
If I tell you that Perumal regularly speaks to me in person, then
everyone would think that I need visit to a doctor to affirm my
sanity. Similarly, if Varada had spoken to Ramanuja in private,
then it is easy to question the authenticity of the conversation.
Hence, Nambi was used a tool as well as an evidence to the world
for spreading SriVaishanava Sampradayam as we know that
Nambi and Varada converse regularly.
Similarly, the conversation of Krishna and Arjuna (Bhagavad
Gita) was witnessed by Sanjaya with the blessings of Sage Vyasa
(his acharya) to ensure that there was an evidence of what
transpired in the battlefield.
After becoming Jagadaacharya, Ranganatha chose to converse
with Ramanuja at the the right moment during Panguni Uttiram,
when there were seas of people in the temple enjoying the
festivities, to establish the authenticity of their conversation and
concept of Saranagathi.
To assure Ramanuja, Ranganatha (Rama), repeated the same verse
that he spoke in Ramayana at the sea shore and the verse that
Krishna spoke to Arjuna at the Kurukshetra battlefield.

sakṛdēva prapannāya tavāsmīti ca yācatē ।

abhayaṅsarvabhūtēbhyō dadāmyētad
vrataṅmama॥ Yuddha Kandam 18-32

(सकृद् एव प्रपन्नाय तव अिस्म इ�त च याचते ।

अभयम ् सवर् भूतेभ्यो ददा�म एतद् व्रतम ् मम ॥ युद्धकाण्डम ् 18-
32)
Kaikeyi told Rama that it was the order of Dasaratha that he has
to leave to the forest. Rama understood the inner meaning and
replied to Kaikeyi that even if it was her wish, he would have
happily respected as "rāmō dvirnābhibhāṣatē " (रामो
द्�वनार्�भभाषते).

sarvadharmānparityajya māmēkaṅ śaraṇaṅ vraja ।

ahaṅ tvā sarvapāpēbhyō mōkṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ॥

(सवर्धमार्न्प�रत्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज ।

अहं त्वा सवर्पापेभ्यो मो��यष्या�म मा शच

ु ः॥
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता 18-66)

Ramanuja composed 3 gadyams (Saranagathi Gadyam, Sriranga

Gadyam and Vaikunta Gadyam) on Panguni Uttiram day.
Saranagathi Gadyam explains the meaning of Dwaya mantram
that one would get as upadesam from their acharya.
After this conversation in public by Ranganatha, there were many
other occasions where Varada also conversed with Ramanuja. A
few instances are:
• Varada helped Ramanuja to defeat Yagnyamurthy in a
fierce debate, who later became Arulalar Perumal
Emperumanar.
 • When Kurathazhwan lost his eye sight, he and Ramanuja
didn't visit any temple other than Kanchi Varada who gave
the eye sight to Kurathazhwan.
We will dwell into more details in the near future.
In this world, it is not enough to do an activity, but it needs to be
documented and make sure that it is evidence based. The world
demands proof and hence these instances by Ranganatha towards
Ramanuja, acts a documentary evidence of how things happened
in those days. Let us spread to everyone, the Saranagathi path that
Ramanuja had demonstrated with proof rather than other
incidents of Ramanuja.
In order to enjoy the mango pickle (as this is the season for
mangoes), you need to mix all the ingredients and allow it to rest
for a few days so that the essence of the spices, salt and oil etc are
absorbed by the mangoes. Similarly, lets reflect on these teachings
by Ramanuja to get a better understanding of oneself.

If you மாத்தி ேயாசி, i.e. think differently then it becomes

as (சி ேயா), which translates as “see you”, meaning that you
can see your reflection much better.
"See you" in the next episode of maatiyosii!!!

Dhanyosmi
Mukundagiri Sri APN Swami’s Kalakshepa Shishya
Adiyen
(Maatiyosii) Krishna Varahan