Sri Erumbiyappa, a Wonderful Ashtadiggaja of Swami Manavala Mamunigal

Sri Erumbiyappa

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Sri Erumbiyappa Leaves for Srirangam


Sri Devaraja Guru, famously known as Sri Erumbiyappa, was born in Erumbi. Erumbi is a place near Sri Cholasimhapuram or Thirukkadigai [Sholinghur, near Chennai], which is one of the 108 Divyadesas eulogized by Azhwars.

Sri Erumbiyappa was a dear friend of Sri Koil Annan. After some time passed since Sri Koil Annan took refuge in the Golden Lotus Feet of Swami Manavala Mamunigal, a Sri Vaishnava from Srirangam reached Sri Cholasimhapuram. He happened to meet Sri Erumbiyappa and updated Him regarding the event of Sri Koil Annan becoming a Disciple of Swami Manavala Mamunigal.

After hearing this news, Sri Erumbiyappa was quite interested to know more about Swami Manavala Mamunigal. He took permission from His Father [Sri Aiyaigal Appa] and left for Srirangam, along with the Sri Vaishnava.

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Sri Erumbiyappa Meets Swami Manavala Mamunigal


Sri Erumbiyappa reached His dear friend Sri Koil Annan’s residence and received a very warm welcome. Sri Koil Annan and Sri Erumbiyappa then went to Swami Manavala Mamunigal’s Matam and prostrated in front of Him.

Swami Manavala Mamunigal was glad to have met Sri Erumbiyappa. Knowing that Sri Erumbiyappa is a Vidwaan, Swami Manavala Mamunigal gave a discourse on the meanings of “Uyarvara Uyarnalam” Pasuram of Sri Thiruvaimozhi, quoting from Vedas and several Shastras.

An amazed Sri Erumbiyappa said, “I have heard of Swami Manavala Mamunigal’s prowess in Dravida Veda revealed by the Azhwars. However, He is indeed a great exponent in both Vedas!”

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Sri Erumbiyappa Abruptly Returns to Erumbi


Swami Manavala Mamunigal asked Sri Erumbiyappa to partake the prasada of His Matam.

This did not gladden Sri Erumbiyappa as His mind was engrossed only in the normal Dharma [Saamaanya Dharma] that ordains that the Chandrayana Vratha has to be undertaken by the one who partakes the food offered by a Sanyasi. He did not realize the special Dharma [Vishesha Dharma], which ordains that one must certainly partake the prasada offered by a Sri Vaishnava, irrespective be the Varna or the Ashrama.

So, neither did He partake the prasada of the Matam nor did He eat anything at Sri Koil Annan’s residence. He returned to Erumbi.

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Sri Erumbiyappa's Dream


As Sri Erumbiyappa did not take refuge in the lotus Feet of Swami Manavala Mamunigal, Sri Koil Annan pleaded with Swami Manavala Mamunigal to shower His grace on Sri Erumbiyappa. Due to the grace of Swami Manavala Mamunigal, Lord Sri Ranganatha decided to correct Sri Erumbiyappa!

Once Sri Erumbiyappa reached His home and completed His ablutions, He attempted to open the doors of His Puja Mantapa [known as Thirukkoilaazhwaar]. Despite trying several times and in several ways, the doors would not open. Dejected, shocked and exhausted, Sri Erumbiyappa went to bed on an empty stomach.

He had a dream: the Deity of His home, Sri Chakravarthi Thirumagan [i.e. Sri Ramachandra], appeared and said:

“You have disrespected Swami Manavala Mamunigal, who is an Avathara of none other than Sri Adishesha, by refusing His prasada.

Don’t you know that only because of partaking the food of my Devotees [who were Sanyasis] did the son of a maidservant was reborn as Sri Narada Maharishi?

Unless you apologize to Swami Manavala Mamunigal and take refuge in His Feet, I shall not accept your services.”

Here's a shloka from Sri Varavaramuni Shathakam that reflects Sri Erumbiyappa eulogizing Swami Manavala Mamunigal as Sri Lakshmana, as He was identified as Sri Adhishesha by Sri Ramachandra:

May the glory of Sri Rama, the friend of Surya Puthra Sugreeva and the Vanaras, grow forever! May Sri Mythili [Seetha Devi], who always resides with Sri Rama, bestow all auspiciousness! Victory to Swami Manavala Mamunigal, who is the Sumithra Puthra Sri Lakshmana and is the recipient of the purna anugraha of Sri Mythili sametha Sri Rama!

Here's another shloka from Sri Varavaramuni Shathakam that reflects His joy of having been greatly benefited by His dream:

O Varavara Muni! One who performs the Anjali Mudra towards Thy lotus feet or even one who hears Thy Divine Nama once in his dream, burns all his karma bandha into ashes and reaches the most worthy place [i.e. lotus feet of Swami Manavala Mamunigal].

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Sri Erumbiyappa Becomes a Disciple of Swami Manavala Mamunigal


As Sri Erumbiyappa neared the entrance of Swami Manavala Mamunigal’s Matam, He saw Swami Manavala Mamunigal coming out of the Matam. Swami Manavala Mamunigal, along with His Disciples, was on His way to the Srirangam Temple to perform Mangalaashaasanam.

Overwhelmed, Sri Erumbiyappa prostrated in front of Swami Manavala Mamunigal. Swami Manavala Mamunigal smiled, asked Sri Erumbiyappa to arise and welcomed Him with gentle words! Everyone went inside the Matam.

Swami Manavala Mamunigal, who knew that offering a Jivathma to Sri Ranganatha is of paramount importance, instructed His Disciples to perform Mangalaashaasanam [on His behalf] at the Srirangam Temple. Sri Erumbiyappa was immersed in the joy of admiring the Divya Mangala Roopa of Swami Manavala Mamunigal.

Here's another shloka from Sri Varavaramuni Shathakam that can be enjoyed in this specific context:

O Varavaramuni! Your Esteemed Self serves Bhagawan in various ways. To gladden Bhagawan’s heart and to uplift people like me, who are engulfed by the flames of Samsara, Your Esteemed Self has left even Paramapadham [Sri Vaikuntam] and Thou are residing here amongst men, conferring all auspicousness on Sri Rangam.

When the Disciples returned from the Temple, Swami Manavala Mamunigal listed all jewels that adorned Sri Ranganatha and the food items that were offered to Sri Ranganatha. Everyone, including Sri Erumbiyappa, was astonished to note the omniscience of Swami Manavala Mamunigal!

The next day, Sri Erumbiyappa, with the help of Sri Koil Annan’s recommendation, requested Swami Manavala Mamunigal to accept Him as His Disciple

Swami Manavala Mamunigal performed the Pancha Samskara for Sri Erumbiyappa. Sri Erumbiyappa was also blessed with the prasada of His Acharya. After a few days, Swami Manavala Mamunigal ordered Sri Erumbiyappa to go back home [and serve His Father].

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The Beautiful Guru-Shishya Relationship between Swami Manavala Mamunigal & Sri Erumbiyappa


Thereafter, Sri Erumbiyappa often visited Srirangam & served His beloved Acharya. Whenever Sri Erumbiyappa was in Srirangam to serve His Acharya, His Father would have to write to Swami Manavala Mamunigal to send Him back as Sri Erumbiyappa would never ever feel like going back to Erumbi. Whenever His Acharya asked Him to leave for Erumbi, He'd sadly go back home.

Even when living in Erumbi, Sri Erumbiyappa's thoughts were always with His Acharya at Srirangam. Here's a shloka from Sri Varavaramuni Shathakam that reflects His bhaavam:

River Kaveri flows in the southern part [of Bharatha Desham] and supports the lives of all worlds. That Dakshina Dhik [Southern Direction] has indeed performed penances because Sri Ranganatha, the Purushotthama, has chosen Sri Rangam as His residence. Swami Manavala Mamunigal is residing in that Dakshina Dhik and serves that very Sri Ranganatha with great joy and gratitude. By doing this, He is protecting us all. Let us bow down to that praiseworthy Dakshina Dhik.

When in Erumbi, Sri Erumbiyappa always meditated on Swami Manavala Mamunigal's Divine Daily Routine. Thus He composed Purva Dhinacharya & Utthara Dhinacharya of Swami Manavala Mamunigal. He sent them for Swami Manavala Mamunigal’s approval [through a Sri Vaishnava who was travelling to Srirangam].

Swami Manavala Mamunigal was moved by the immeasurable devotion of Sri Erumbiyappa. “Indeed! This is how an Abhimana Nishta [i.e. one who is solely dependent on the affection of His Acharya] would be!” He exclaimed.

Sri Erumbiyappa also received affectionate letters [Srimukham] from Swami Manavala Mamunigal & He too wrote back respectful letters in reply!

Finally, Swami Manavala Mamunigal gifted Sri Erumbiyappa with His Archa Thirumeni [Vigraha], Sri Padhukas & His Utthareeyam so that His affectionate Disciple would be able to serve Him without having to frequently shuttle between Erumbi & Srirangam.

When Swami Manavala Mamunigal had undertaken a Yathra to perform Mangalaashaasanam to other Divyadesas, He had reached Sri Kanchipuram during the famous Garuda Seva of the Vaishaka Month. Much to His surprise, He also happened to meet Sri Erumbiyappa, who was thoroughly enthralled to see His beloved Acharya. After the Uthsavam at Sri Kanchipuram, Swami Manavala Mamunigal paid a visit to Erumbi, graced several people there and also, named the place as ‘Vada [i.e. Northern] Thiruvarangam!’

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Sri Erumbiyappa's Heartfelt Outpourings


Sri Erumbiyappa had composed an Ashtakam on the famous Srishailesha Dayapathram Thaniyan of Sri Manavala Mamunigal - in that, He says, “Sri Nammazhvaar lovingly sings praises of Sriman Narayana; Sri Madhurakavigal lovingly sings praises of Sri Nammazhvaar; Sri Thiruvarangatthu Amudhanar [Ranga Sudha Kavi] lovingly sings praises of Swami Ramanuja; likewise, this humble servant [Sri Erumbiyappa] shall lovingly sing praises of Sri Manavala Mamunigal!”

Here's a shloka from Sri Varavaramuni Shathakam that reflects His respect for the Srishailesha Dayapathram Thaniyan:

O Varavaramuni! Sri Ranganatha Perumal, who reclines on Sri Adhishesha, chose Your Majesty as His Acharya. He gladly listened to the esoteric meanings [Rahasya Arthas] of Swami Nammazhwar's Thiruvaimozhi as explained by Your Esteemed Self and He made even fools realize Your Majesty's indescribable greatness [by means of making one and all chant the Thaniyan]!

And true to His word, in addition to Sri Varavaramuni Shathakam, Sri Erumbiyappa also composed many other eulogies on His Acharya like Sri Varavaramuni Panchashath, Sri Varavaramuni Gadhyam, Sri Varavaramuni Mangalaashasanam, Sri Varavaramuni Sthavam, Sri Varavaramuni Champu, etc.!

When Sri Manavala Mamunigal returned to Paramapadham, an utterly shocked and dejected Sri Erumbiyappa did nothing till the end except meditating on His Acharya and chanting His Acharya's Thirunamam!

Here's a shloka from Sri Varavaramuni Shathakam that is quite a heartmelting one and it makes one wonder how this plea of Sri Erumbiyappa has indeed been answered by His beloved Acharya:

O Varavaramuni! Whatever my mind may think, may that turn out to be thoughts of Your Esteemed Self. Whatever my tongue may utter, may that turn out to be the Divine Names of Your Esteemed Self. Whatever acts my body may perform, may they turn out to be vandhanam to Your Esteemed Self. May everything be an aradhana to Your Esteemed Self.

Sri Erumbiyappa would lament thus:

“O Varavaramuni! Pray kindly relieve me from this sullied body that has neither served Your Esteemed Self nor Swami Ramanuja! Indeed, this lowly self of mine is akin to an animal and has lost Thy grace because of my misdeeds [paapa karmaa]. The rising and setting of the sun normally reduces the longevity by a day, whereas it seems to be exclusively cruel to me as it seems to be increasing my longevity!”

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Sri Erumbiyappa's Heart of Gratitude


Sri Erumbiyappa was also greatly devoted to Sri Koil Annan as it was He who had appealed to Sri Manavala Mamunigal to shower His grace on Sri Erumbiyappa and thereby, helped Sri Erumbiyappa win the great Acharya's grace.

Here's a shloka from Sri Varavaramuni Shathakam that reflects Sri Erumbiyappa's bhakthi towards Sri Koil Annan:

O Varavaramuni! O Deva! O ocean of divine traits! Pray kindly shower your nectar-like divine glance on me. Do not disregard this lowly being, O Sire. Pray grace me by recognizing that am a servant of Sri Varada Narayana Guru [i.e. Sri Koil Annan].

Here's a shloka from Sri Varavaramuni Shathakam that reflects Sri Erumbiyappa's bhakthi for Dasanudasas of Swami Manavala Mamunigal:

O Varavaramuni! May the servants of those servants of Your Esteemed Self, who serve Your Esteemed Self in every possible manner, cast their compassionate glances on this lowly self and mark me as their humble servant. That is the most beneficial gift one could be blessed with. This humble servant desires nothing else.

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Sri Erumbiyappa's Conclusion of Sri Varavaramuni Shathakam


Sri Erumbiyappa concludes Sri Varavaramuni Shathakam with a glorious Mangalaashaasanam and an energizing phala shruthi. Let us enjoy them as well.

The Concluding Mangalaashaasanam - A great and lovely prayer that every Sri Vaishnava must recite:

Victory to the most famous Sri Rangam Divyadesham that confers auspicousness to all three worlds! Victory to Sri Ranganatha Perumal, who has been residing at Sri Rangam for long and shines as an ornament of Bhu Devi and Sri Devi! May Acharyas Swami Ramanuja, Swami Manavala Mamunigal and Sri Varada Guru [Sri Koil Annan] live long and bestow all auspicious blessings there!

The Phala Shruthi:

One who has taken a good birth and thereby, recites these 100 shlokas every day, shall be blessed with all that he desires and the results of even his most heinous sins shall be vanquished. Eventually, he will cross the ocean of Samsara.

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