Swaami Koorathaazhwaan, who was always in the mood of serving Aachaaryar (Bhagavad Raamaanujar), once went to Periya Perumaal (Lord Sri Ranganaathaa) and prayed that he should leave his material body before his aachaaryar (spiritual master) could leave this planet earth, so that swaami Koorathaazhwaan could welcome his aachaaryar with Poorna Kumbham when Swaami Raamaanujar would decorate Thirunaadu (Attain Salvation, the word Thirunaadu Alangarithal is told only when Aachaaryaas attain salvation, and not for others).
When Swaami (In SriVaishnava Tradition, the name Swaami refers to only Bhagavat Ramanujar) got to know about Koorathaazhwaan’s act, he was shocked. Swaami called Koorathaazhwaan and enquired about his act. Koorathaazhwaan replied by quoting multiple verses from swaami’s Nammaazhwaar (one among 12 aazhwaars) Thiruvaaimozhi 10.9. soozh visumbu, which means when a mukthaatmaa (One who desires to attain salvation by surrendering unto his spiritual master) enters SriVaikuntam, he is welcomed by the inmates with due honors (explanation about mukthaatmaa, etc will be discussed in a separate post in brief). He also replied saying that he wished to be a continuous service to Aachaaryaa (Spiritual Master) and wanted to welcome him in Sri Vaikuntam.
Contemplating on Swaami Raamaanujaa, Koorathaazhwaan left his material body and attained Paramapadham.
SWAAMI KOORATHAAZHWAAN, SRIRANGAM
Swaami Koorathaazhwaan attained Paramapadham in the year 1132, by placing his head on his son Pillai Aazhwaan’s lap (Veda Vyaasa), Lotus feet on Andal’s lap (Koorathaazhwaan’s wife), in front of Swaami Raamaanujar, and gave a prayer (thaniyan) for all his fellow followers and devotees to chant on Bhagavad Raamaanujaa. This is the Thaniyan (Prayer/Mangala shloka).
YO NITHYAM ACHYUTHA PADHAAM BHUJA YUGMA RUKMA
VYAA MOHATHASTHA DHITHARAANI THRUNAAYA MENE|
ASMAD GUROR BHAGAVATHOSYA DHAYAIKA SINDHO
RAAMAANUJASYA CHARANAU SHARANAM PRAPADHYE||
MEANING: – The Holy Feet of my Aachaarya (Spiritual Master), Bhagavad Raamaanujar, are my sole refuge! For Swaami, is an Ocean of Mercy! And for Swaami Raamaanujaa all is dross other than the Supreme Wealth that is Lotus Feet of Sriman Naaraayana.
SRI RAAMAANUJAA
Thaniyan (mangala shloka) for Koorathaazhwaan–
SHRIVATSA CHINNHA MISHREBHYO NAMA UKTHEEM ADHEEMAHE|YADHYUKTHAYAS THRAYEE KANTE YAANTHI MANGALA SOOTHRATHAAM||
MEANING: – I salute the Great Scholar Srivatsa Chinha Misraa (Swaami Koorathaazhwaan), whose Sri Sukthi’s became a Thirumaangalya Sukthram of mother Vedaa, the 4 Vedaas (Rig, Yajur, Saama & Atharvana Veda) are also known as Thrayee, are mentioned here in the thaniyan.
JAI SRI SRIRANGA!
SRIMATHE RAAMAANUJAAYA NAMAHAA!