Manavala Mamunigal

2021-12-29T13:20:19Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox Hindu leader
|name= Manavala Mamunigal
|image = Manavala mamunigal 02.jpg
|caption =
| religion = [[Hinduism]]
|birth_date= 1370 CE
|birth_place= [[Tamil Nadu, India]]
|birth_name=
|resting_place= Tamil Nadu, India
|guru=
|philosophy= [[Vishishtadvaita]]
|honors=
|literary_works =
|footnotes=
}}
{{Hinduism small}}

'''Manavala Mamunigal''' (1370–1450) was a [[Hinduism|Hindu]] Sri Vaishnava religious leader, who during the 15th century in [[Tamil Nadu]], with the help of his eight disciples helped spread [[Sri Vaishnavism]]. The disciples of Mamunigal established places of learning to teach Sri Vaishnavite [[Vishishtadvaita]] philosophy in Tamil Nadu.

Yatindra Pravana Prabhavam by Pillai Lokam Jeeyar is the earliest work on which scholars and historians rely for information on the biography of Manavala Mamunigal.

==Birth and early life==
Manavala Mamunigal was born in 1370 at [[Alwarthirunagiri]] in Tamil Nadu. His parents were Tigazhaakkidanthan Tirunaveerudaiya Piran Tadar Annar and Sriranga Nacchiyar. His father was the son-in-law and also a disciple of Kollikavala Dasar, a junior disciple of [[Pillai Lokacharya]]. His parents named him ''Azhagiya Manavala Perumal Nayanar'' (beautiful groom) after [[Ranganathan of Srirangam|Ranganathan]] of [[Srirangam]].

Mamunigal was schooled by father and maternal grandfather, who taught him the [[Vedas]], [[Vedanta]] and the [[Divya Prabandha|Divya Prabandam]]. He married at the age of 16 and moved from Sikkil Kidaaram to Azhvar Thirunagari to become the disciple of the [[acharya]] Thiruvaimozhipillai.

Thiruvaimozhipillai was not instrumental in reviving the archa thirumeni (idol) of [[Ramanuja]] at Azhvar Thirunagari and in building a temple for him. He put the young Mamunigal in charge of the temple and gave him to title of Yatheendra Pravana in recognition of his devotion to Ramanuja. It was around this time that Mamunigal wrote "Yathiraja Vimsati", which is considered to epitomise the very essence of the exalted "iramanusa nootrranthAdi".

==Journey towards Srirangam==
On his deathbed, Thiruvaimozhipillai instructed Mamunigal to learn and propagate the [[Sri Bhasya]] and to spend most of his time in propagating and preaching the ''arulicheyal'' (Divya Prabhandam) of the AzhvArs. He also asked Mamunigal to stay at [[Srirangam]] and perform service to Ranganatha as his predecessors had done.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}

Mamunigal was inconsolable on the death of his master. He immersed himself completely into studying and delivering discourses on Divya Prabhandham and rahasyas. Word of his abilities spread and he gained various disciples. Prominent among them was Sri Azhagiya Varadar who undertook ''sanyasashrama'' (asceticism) from Azhagiya Manavalan. The sanyasa name was given as "Ramanuja Jeeyar" (also known as Ponnadikkal Jeeyar). Thus began the most illustrious jeeyar mutt in the Sri Vaishnava sampradaya, the Vanamaamalai mutt, that continues the great unbroken lineage of acharyas to this day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vanamamalai.org/mutt/SriVanamamalaimutt.pdf|title=History of Vanamamalai Mutt|website=vanamamalai.org|access-date=26 August 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230094739/http://www.vanamamalai.org/mutt/SriVanamamalaimutt.pdf|archive-date=30 December 2008}}</ref>

Intending to fulfil the wishes of his acharya, Mamunigal and his disciples left for Srirangam, spending some time at [[Srivilliputhur]], the birthplace of [[Aandaal]], on their journey.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}

==Life at Srirangam and visit to Kanchipuram==
Srirangam at that point was facing the worst consequences of the Muslim invasion that took place in the early 14th century. It was structurally dilapidated, sacramentally bare, intellectually barren and spiritually, socially and morally corrupt. Misuse of rights, corruption and disorder were rampant. Nayanar had to exert tremendous effort and bring to force his divinely inspired organizational skills to restore the original pristine glory for daily sacramental and festival procedures at Sri Rangam, without antagonizing the people who were functioning in different capacities at that point in time. He realized the importance of bringing the focus back to the essential tenets of Sri VaishNavam and achieved this objective by bringing to fore scholarly works of Acharyas that had hitherto been pushed into the background. As a matter of natural consequence stemming from his commitment, devotion, erudition NayanAr was put in charge of everyday temple administration as well as anointed the leader for all Sri Vaishnavas of his time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.srivaishnava.org/focus/iss1.htm|title=Swami Manavala Mamunigal in a historical context|website=srivaishnava.org|access-date=26 August 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000418110504/http://srivaishnava.org/focus/iss1.htm|archive-date=18 April 2000}}</ref>

With normalcy returning to Srirangam, Nayanar set on a pilgrimage to [[Kanchipuram]], [[Thirumala]]i and [[Sriperumbudur]], after seeking permission from Lord Ranganatha. Nayanar paid his obeisance to Lord Srinivasa at Thirumala and reached Kanchipuram. At the request of his disciples to glorify the Lord of Kanchi, he composed " Devaraja Mangalam" which praises the glory of Lord Varadharaja in thirteen sweet verses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://antaryami.net/darpanam/2012/10/02/devaraja-mangalam/ |title=Devaraja Mangalam|date=2 October 2012|website=antaryami.net|access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref> At Sriperumbudur, Nayanar worshipped Swami Ramanuja and sought his blessings to formally study [[Sri Bhasya]] under an acharya. Ramanuja directed him to Kidambi Nayanar, a descendant of Kidambi Acchan. Nayanar exhibited his erudition and scholarship by grasping the intricacies of Sri Bhasya deftly and then simultaneously expounding it to other disciples. The discourse took place at Yathothkari temple at [[Tiruvekkaa]], where his idol is seen showing the ''vyakhyana mudra'' (Symbolizing spread of Knowledge) to commemorate this event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2002/11/08/stories/2002110801810900.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030102034122/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2002/11/08/stories/2002110801810900.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=2 January 2003 |title=The Hindu: A manifestation of Adisesha|website=hinduonnet.com|access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref>

After visiting several other holy places, Nayanar returned to Srirangam to fully manage the temple affairs. He undertook ''sanyasashrama'' (asceticism) from Sri Sadagopa Jeeyar of Azhwar Thirunagari (who was his classmate earlier) at Srirangam to fully involve himself in service to Sri Vaishnavism. It was during this time he received the beautiful appellation ''Azhagiya Manavala Mamuni'' from Lord Ranganatha.

Swami Mamunigal's divinely inspired brilliance, compassion and commitment endeared him to one and all. At this point of time, some of the prominent scholars namely Koil kanthaadai annan, Prathivaadhi bhayankaram annaa, Erumbi appaa from Erumbi, a Village near [[Sholinghur]], Appillai came and became his disciples.

==Philosophical works and commentaries==
Manavala Mamunigal continued to live in [[Srirangam]] and involved himself completely in writing commentaries for works of Pillai Lokacharya. He wrote elaborate commentaries for three of [[Pillai Lokacharya]]'s rahasya granthas namely Mumukshupadi, Sri Vachana Bhushanam and Thathvathrayam. He also wrote commentaries on the works of swami Arulaalap perumal emperumanar - Gnyaana Saaram and Prameya Saaram. He also blessed us with his commentaries on some decads of Periyazhwar Thirumozhi for which the original commentaries of Periyavaccan Pillai were supposed to be lost. In addition, he provided the gist of [[Nammalvar]]'s thiruvaimozhi in the form of poetic verses tuned in the andhaadhi metre in his magnum opus Thiruvaimozhi nootrandhaadhi. Mamunigal extolled the greatness of the [[Azhwars]] and the acharyas who wrote commentaries on Thiruvaimozhi in his Upadesa rathina malai or the gem-studded garland of instructions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://antaryami.net/darpanam/2012/10/10/upadesa-rathinamalai/ |title=Upadesa Rathinamalai|date=10 October 2012|website=antaryami.net|access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref> His swansong, Arthi Prabandham - a work composed out of utter despair at having to live in this material world, bears resemblance in part to his earlier Sanskrit work titled Yatiraja Vimsati.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://antaryami.net/darpanam/2012/10/10/aarthi-prabandham/ |title=Arthi Prabandham|date=10 October 2012|website=antaryami.net|access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref>

After some time he returned to Alvar Tirunagari and started to write commentaries for Acharya Hrudayam. This is a seminal work written by Azhagiya Manavalapperumal Nayanar (Pillai Lokacharya's brother), which lays bare the philosophy and basic tenets of Sri Vaishnavism with words chosen from [[Nammalvar]]'s thiruvaimozhi. The text was written completely in [[Manipravalam]] and when trying to teach Acharya hrudayam, Mamunigal encountered some difficulties. So he decided to consult with [[Ayee Jananyacharya]] Swami, who was a co-disciple of Tiruvaymozhi pillai. Ayee was on his way to Alvar tirunagari to meet Manavalamamuni. They both met at the outskirts of Alvar Tirunagari and returned to Manavala mamuni's residence, and the latter studied the secrets of the Acharya Hrudayam.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.srivaishnava.org/sva/mmmuni.htm|title=Commentaries and Works|website=srivaishnava.org|access-date=26 August 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010426150748/http://www.srivaishnava.org/sva/mmmuni.htm|archive-date=26 April 2001}}</ref>

==Classification of literary work==
Manavala Mamunigal wrote nineteen books known as ''grantha''. Three of these were in [[Sanskrit]] and the rest in [[Tamil language]] and [[Manipravalam]].

===Commentaries===
#Sri Vachana Bhushanam
#Mumukshuppadi
#Tathvathrayam
#Acharya Hrudhayam
#Gnana Saaram
#Prameya Saaram
#Periyazhwar Thirumozhi
#Ramanuja Nootranthadhi
#Bhavagad Gita (known as Gita Tatparyadipika) - Kanchi Sri Bhayankaram Annangaracharyar Swami lists this commentary in his Sri Manavala Mamunigal Vaibhavam book (1971) as a work of Swami Manavala Mamunigal but also says it is lost forever.

===Pramana Thirattu===
#Eedu
#Sri Vachana Bhushanam
#Tathvathrayam

===Independent works===
#Upadesa Rathna Maalai
#Thiruvaimozhi Nootranthadhi
#Iyal Satthu
#Thiruvaradhana Kramam (known as Jeeyar Padi or Nityam)
#Yathiraja Vimsathi
#Devaraja MangaLam
#Sri Kanchi Devapperumal Sthothram
#Aaarthi Prabhandham
#Independent quatrains on the Vishnu Temples of Kanchipuram, the various sanctums of the Kanchi Varadaraja Temple and the Vishnu Temples around the birthplace of Nammazhwar, Azhwar Tirunagari.

It is said that, while at a very old age, Manavala maamuni discovered that part of Periyavachchaan pillai's commentary on Periyalvar Tirumozhi was missing. So he duly restored the lost portion of the commentary. It is also noted that he composed the commentary on Acharya Hrdayam with great difficulty as his health was failing. When he became very ill, preventing him from worshiping at the temple, he dedicated one Tamil stanza a day, expressing to Ramanuja his anguish at staying in this world and his eagerness to reach Vaikuntham. These collected verses became known as Arti Prabhantham, his last work.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2000/11/03/stories/10030906.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125192043/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2000/11/03/stories/10030906.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=25 January 2013 |title=The Hindu: Outstanding works of Manavala Mamunigal|website=hinduonnet.com|access-date=26 August 2017}}</ref>

==Various names and titles of Sri Manavala Mamuni==
Sri Manavalamamuni is also known as Varavaramuni, Sowmyajamatrumuni,ramyajamatra muni, Sowmyopayanthrumuni, Sundarajamatrumuni, Periya Jeer, YatheendraPravanar etc. He is known as "Visadavak Shikhamani"- one endowed with striking precision and depth and clarity in utterances.

==Deep and permanent influence over day-to-day religious observances==
Sri Manavala Mamuni's devotional practices towards the Lord, especially the presiding deity of Srirangam, and the lineage of teachers like Ramanuja left an indelible influence on followers numbering several millions throughout India. His influence can be traced to everyday observances till this date. But he was so self-effacive that few recognise his deep influence.

==His disciples ==
His eight famous disciples are known as ''Ashtadiggajas'' (elephants of the eight directions). they were: [[Vanamaamalai Jeeyar]], [[Paravasthu Bhattar Piraan Jeeyar]], [[Tiruvengada Jeeyar]], [[Koil Kandhaadai Annan]], [[Prathivadhi Bhayankaram Annangaracharya|Prathivadhi Bhayankaram Annan]], [[Erumbi Appaa]], [[Appillai]] and [[Appillan]]. Prathivadhi Bhayankaram Annan's "Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatham" is widely known. In that work and in the connected prapatti and mangala stotras he says "sowmyopayanthrumunina mama darsithou the...", "Srimat Sundara Jamathru Munimanasa vasine", referring to the Lord of the seven hills as residing in the heart of Sri Manavala Mamuni. The teacher-disciple tradition has been followed for over six centuries and exists intact today amongst 74 simhasana adhipathis.

The traditional Srivaishnava Mutts at Srirangam, Thirumala, Kanchi, Melkote, Vanamamalai, Sriperumbudur, Azhwar Thirunagari, Srivilliputthur, and descendants of most of the Acharya Purushas follow and propagate Manavala Mamunigal's teachings. The Vijayanagara kings and Nayak kings patronized Srivaishnavism most probably inspired by the teachings of Manavala Mamunigal and his disciples.

The thaniyan or Vandana Slokam (hymn in the praise of someone) on Manavala Mamunigal "SrI SailESa dayApAtram.." is chanted across most of the Srivaishnava temples including Thirumala, Srirangam, Kanchi , Melkote, Yadadri (Telangana) and many more across India and abroad.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.manavalamamunigal.org/ Manavala mamunigal sabha]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091031180355/http://www.divyadesamonline.com/photo-feature/sri-manavala-maamunigal/srimath-manavala-maamunigal.shtml Photos of Sri Manavala Mamunigal - From Divyadesamonline.com]
* [http://www.acharya.org/acharya/smm/ Manavala Mamunigal Life History and Works - From acharya.org]
* [http://sriranganatha.tripod.com/id114.html Sri Manavala MamunigaL]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070721004145/http://www.srivaishnava.org/ Srivaishnava.org]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mamunigal, Manavala}}
[[Category:Sri Vaishnava religious leaders]]
[[Category:13th-century Indian philosophers]]
[[Category:Indian Hindu spiritual teachers]]
[[Category:Vaishnavism]]
[[Category:Sri Vaishnavism]]
[[Category:1370 births]]
[[Category:1450 deaths]]
[[Category:Medieval Hindu religious leaders]]
[[Category:14th-century Indian philosophers]]
[[Category:People from Thoothukudi district]]
[[Category:Scholars from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Tamil Hindu saints]]

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Manavala Mamunigal