MARANERI NAMBI DEVOTION TO HIS GURU SWAMY ALAVANDAR ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maraneri Nambi was ardent disciple of Swamy Yamunacharyar . Nambee appeared during Ani month in Ayilya Thirunkashatram was celebrated in all Srivaishnava temples on July 1st 2014. . One day, Swamy Yamunacharya was visiting the village where Maranerinambee was staying . Swamy found him working in a field. To quench his thirst, Nambee was drinking the mud water in the field by holding in his two hands. Yamunacharya was amazed to see this action of Nambi. He sent one of his disciples to enquire about why was he taking mud water instead pure water. Nambee replied philosophically that this body is an earth component among the Panchabhootas and after the death this body goes back to the very same earth, there is no difference whether the water is muddy OR clean. Having heard this, Yamunacharya doubted that whether Nambi was like Satakopar, who erased , the Sata vayu before it entered his body . He decides that It should be Nammazhvar only! and called him, Maran Err Nambi. Nambi said that he, being born in panchama caste; was not eligible to join his class . The revered guru Swamy Yamunacharya said that there is no caste-bar for Brahmajnani and he can join him without any inhibitions . Nambee was overjoyed and immediately accompanied Swamy to Srirangam. He managed to stay very near to his Swamy . As a Guru ,Yamunacharya was conducting kalakshepa . Being the disciple of Yamunacharya, Nambi’s joy knew know bounds. He made a small idol, the replica of his Acharya in clay and was worshipping regularly . Nambee regularly attended the discourses of his Acharya outside the place and was immersed in the discourses. To accommodate more devotees the Hall was renovated and an auspicious muhurtha was fixed to begin the discourse . Before the commencement of the punyavachanam for the hall, Nambi thought of visiting the new Hall with another disciple of Swami Yamunacharya. Nambee was amazed to see the newly built mandapam for Yamunacharya’s kalakshepam and returned. Having known about Nambee visit from his disciples, Yamunacharya cancelled the date of ceremony and informed that there is no opening ceremony, as Nambi’s foot sanctified the hall and he desired to start thekalakshepa on the same day at the same time itself. The great disciple Maran Err Nambi earned that much of affection from his Acharya. Once Alavandar was suffering from a painful disease called the carbuncle. Carbuncle, known as the King of Boils, Rajapilavai, in Tamil, is caused due to inflammation of tissues in the back and neck. The shooting pain emanating from the fast-spreading boil would be unbearable. Antibiotics and painkillers were unknown in those days and it is difficult for us even to imagine the kind of pain the disease inflicted on its victims. Alavandar was suffering silently. He did not even let his disciples know about the disease lest they should be worried. Perianambi and Thirukoshtiyur Nambi alone knew. One day Maraneri Nambi went to Alavandar’s house. He insisted that he should see his Guru. Alavandar was hesitant. But Maraneri was adamant. So he was let in. Alavandar tried to cover his pain and welcomed him with a smile. He thought that Maraneri had come there to clear his doubts in his lessons. The best way out was to dispose Maraneri as early as possible without letting him find out his disease. Maraneri came into the room and prostrated at his Acharya’s feet. “May you be blessed, Maraneri Nambi. Please get up. You see I have a lot of things to do today. Please tell me your doubts fast. We don’t have much time.” “ Acharya , I have been your disciple for decades. Have I asked anything from you?” “No.” “Today I have come to you with a desire. I have set my mind on that object. And I can’t live without that. You have that with you. Can you give that to me?” “It’s yours Maraneri. Whatever it is.” “Thanks, Gurudeva.” Maraneri ran out to fetch a silver vessel containing the holy water. Alavandar was puzzled. “Please Gurudeva show me your hands.” “What for, Maraneri?” “When you gift a piece of land you need to solemnize the gift with the holy water, right?” “Yes, you are right. You want the mutt’s land near the river kaveri .Well, it’s yours. Take it.” “No, Acharya.”“Then..’ “Please repeat whatever I am going to say.. “I, Yamunaithuraivar alias Alavandar, do hereby gift to my disciple Maraneri Nambi, the Rajapilavai disease which I have now, along with the pain, the suffering and all the after-effects.”“What the hell you are doing, you idiot? This is not a game. This water is holy. And if I repeat whatever you said, then you will have the disease, you moron. Don’t ever say the words again.”“You are one of the greatest Acharyas, the world has ever seen. You have promised to give whatever I want. How can you go back on your word, Gurudeva?”“But that’s ridiculous, Nambi.”“What is ridiculous, Acharya? You are our Guru. You have a hundred disciples. A thousand people come to you every day to listen to your words. Even the Lord who sleeps forever in the temple is looking forward to see you every day.“How can you afford to be confined to your bed? And by your kind, wise words you are removing our pains. Pains which have been following us for millions of births. How can you suffer in pain, Acharya? “I am a low-born worm, Gurudeva. By accepting me as your disciple you made a gift to me which is worth more than the whole universe. “Now, Gurudeva, please.. I beg of you.. please allow me to do my part. If you refuse to give your disease then I will have no option than to die at your feet. It’s your call.” Alavandar melted. He poured the water on his hand and chanted the appropriate mantra. “Please bear with me, Gurudeva. I have one more request.” Alavandar looked at his disciple through a screen of tears. “Let this transaction be not known to anybody else in the world.” Alavandar was happy and sad at the same time. Happy that he had such a loving disciple and sad because he was forced to give so much of pain and suffering to such a nice man. Maraneri Nambi went out as a happy man. Peria Nambi met him outside the room. “Why are you so happy, my friend?” “After many decades of discipleship it was only today that our Guru was kind enough to give me a precious prasadam. And that too only after I compelled him to do so.” Due to unstinted devotion to his Acharyar , Nambee was able to overcome the disease and become normal . Adiyen Ramanuja dasan Photos Courtesy ; Google Source Coutesy : U.Ve.Periya NambiSrinivasacharya Swami of Tirukkurungudi.
Posted on: Fri, 04 Jul 2014 08:21:29 +0000