Saturday, September 8, 2012

The Sri Ahobila Mutt-Preceptor Lineage/Guru Parampara

by Gopalan Suresh Raj

श्रीः ॥

Sri Ahobila Matam is a Sri Vaishnava religious institution established in 1398 CE in a place called Ahobilam. Its first pontiff was Srimad Athivan Satakopan. He was originally known as Sri Kidambi Srinivasachar. He was a student under Sri Gadikasadam Ammal in Kanchipuram. One day, the Lord of Ahobilam, Sri Lakshminrisimha, appeared in Sri Kidambi Srinivasachar's dream and instructed him to come to the temple town of Ahobilam. After consulting with his Acharya, he proceeded to Ahobilam. At Ahobilam, the Lord himself initiated Sri Kidambi Srinivasachar into Sanyasam (monasticism) and gave him the title, "Satakopa Jeeyar". (Later, Lord Athippiran of Azhvar Thirunagari added the title Van and Nammazhvar added the title Adi. Thus the Jeeyar came be be known as "Adivan Satakopan"). Then, one of the nine Nrisimhas of Ahobilam called Sri Malolan jumped into the hands of Sri Adivan Satakopan and ordered him to travel the length and breadth of the country. Thus began the institution called Sri Ahobila Matam and the travels of Lord Sri Malolan from village to village so that devotees get a chance to undertake Pancha Samskaram and perform Bhara Nyasam at the lotus feet of the Lord. The travels thus started more than 600 years ago continues to this very day. A succession of forty-five ascetics known as Azhagiya Singar have headed Sri Ahobila Matam. They have all taken Lord Sri Malolan to the people. The unique tradition of the Lord traveling to the houses of His devotees continues. The present Jeeyars, the 45th and 46th in succession, have traveled the length and breadth of the country several times.

There are three categories of an unbroken-lineage of Preceptors/Acharyas for Sri Ahobila Mutt disciples. They are broadly classified into:

Pancha Samskara/Samashrayana/Acharya Guru Parampara/Acharya Preceptor Lineage - Initiation, Rahasya granthams, and Rahasyarthams tutelage
Bhagavad Vishaya/Kalakshepa Guru Parampara/Discourse Preceptor Lineage - Commentary on Swami Nammazhwar's Thiruvaimozhi, SriBhashyam, Gita Bhashyam, etc. tutelage, and
Sanyasasrama Guru Parampara/Ascetic Preceptor Lineage

The below lists each of them in detail.

Pancha Samskara/Samashrayana/Acharya Guru Parampara/Acharya Preceptor Lineage

Sri Vadakku Thiruveedhi Pillai's sishya was Sri Sriranga Chari. Sri Sriranga Chari's sishya was Sri Kidambi Kesava Chari. Sri Kidambi Kesava Chari is from the Sri Kidambi Achchan lineage-one of Sri Ramanuja's foremost disciples and on whom Sri Ramanuja placed His -Sri Ramanuja’s feet- during the last moments of His life. (Sri Kidambi Achchan, was also the personal cook of Sri Ramanuja, who was, due to His service to Sri Ramanuja, called Madapalli Achchan). Sri Kidambi Kesava Chari was both the father and the Pancha Samskara Acharya for Sri Kidambi Srinivasacharya (1379 CE – 1458 CE) who later in life became H.H.Srimath Adhivan Satakopa Yatheendra Mahadesika Jeeyar (श्रिमदादिवण्शठकोप यतीन्द्र महादेशिका - the 1st Jeeyar of The Sri Ahobila Mutt.

Sriman Narayana
Sri Mahalakshmi
Sri Vishwaksena
Swami Nammazhvar/Shatakopa/Parankusa
Sriman Nathamuni [822 C.E – 930 C.E]
Srimath Uyyakkondar/Pundarikaksha [826 C.E.- 930 C.E.]
Srimath Manakkal Nambi/Rama Mishra
Srimath Alavandhar/Yamunacharya [916 CE- 1036 CE]
Srimath Periya Nambi/Maha Purna [997 CE- ]
Bhagavad Ramanujacharya/Bhashyakara/Udayavar [1017 CE- 1137 CE]
Srimath Embar/Govinda Dasa
Srimath Parasara Bhattar
Srimath Nanjeeyar/Vedanti
Srimath Nampillai/Lokacharya
Srimath Vadakku Thiruveedi Pillai - Sri Pillailokacharya's father and Acharya
Srimath Srirangacharya
Srimath Kesavacharya
Srimath Kamalavasa
Srimath Kidambi Kesavacharya - Sri Kidambi Srinivasacharya's father, Pancha-Samskara and Rahasyartha Acharya
Srimath Kidambi Srinivasacharya/H.H.Srimath Adhivan Satakopa Yatheendra Mahadesika Azhagiya Singa Jeeyar (श्रिमदादिवण्शठकोप यतीन्द्र महादेशिका) [1379 CE – 1458 CE]- 1st Jeeyar/Pontiff of The Sri Ahobila Mutt
H.H.Srimath Yatheendra Mahadesika Azhagiya Singa Jeeyars 2 through 41 Pontiffs
H.H.Srimath Sriranga Shatakopa Yatheendra Mahadesika Azhagiya Singa Jeeyar (श्री श्रिरङ्ग शठकोप) the 42nd Pontiff
H.H.Srimath Veeraraghava Shatakopa Yatheendra Mahadesika Azhagiya Singa Jeeyar (श्री वीरराघाव शठकोप) the 43rd Pontiff
H.H.Srimath Vedanta Desika Yatheendra Mahadesika Azhagiya Singa Jeeyar (श्री वेदान्त देशिक) the 44th Pontiff
H.H.Srimath Narayana Yatheendra Mahadesika Azhagiya Singa Jeeyar (श्री नारायण) the 45th Pontiff (Asmad Acharya-अस्मद् आचार्य/My Pancha Samskara and Bharanyasa Acharya)
H.H.Srimath Ranganatha Yatheendra Mahadesika Azhagiya Singa Jeeyar (श्री रङ्गनाद) the 46th Pontiff.

Bhagavad Vishaya/Kalakshepa Guru Parampara/Discourse Preceptor Lineage

H.H.Srimath Adhivan Satakopa Jeeyar (श्रिमदादिवण्शठकोप यतीन्द्र महादेशिका) also comes in the Acharya parampara of every one in the Munitraya Sampradaya as well, as He had attended discourses (Kalakshepams), studied SriBhashyam, and Bhagavad Vishayam from Sri Gadikasatam Ammal (also in The Munitraya Acharya parampara), but had been initiated into SriVaishnavam by His father Swami Kidambi Kesavacharya (Pancha-Samskara Acharya) from whom He learnt Rahasyaarthams.

Sriman Narayana
Sri Mahalakshmi
Sri Vishwaksena Swami
Swami Nammazhvar/Shatakopa/Parankusa
Sriman Nathamuni
Srimath Uyyakkondar/Pundarikaksha
Srimath Manakkal Nambi/Rama Mishra
Srimath Alavandhar/Yamunacharya
Srimath Periya Nambi/Maha Purna
Bhagavad Ramanujacharya/Bhashyakara/Udayavar
Thiru Kurugaipiran Pillan/Kurukesa [1033 CE-]
Srimath Engalazhvan [1088CE-]
Srimath Nadadur Ammal/Vaatsya Varada Guru
Srimath Kidambi Appullar/Vaadhiham Saambu Vaahar [1221 CE – 1290 CE]
Swami Sri Vedanta Desika (श्री निगमान्त महादेशिका) [1268 CE – 1369 CE]- Founder (स्थापक) of Sri Parakala Mutt
Sri Nainaaraachaaryar/Sri Kumara Varadachar
Sri Brahma Thanthra Swathanthra Jeeyar - 1st Jeeyar of The Sri Parakala Mutt
Sri Gadikasatam Ammal
Srimath Kidambi Srinivasacharya/H.H.Srimath Adhivan Satakopa Yatheendra Mahadesika Azhagiya Singa Jeeyar (श्रिमदादिवण्शठकोप यतीन्द्र महादेशिका) [1379 CE – 1458 CE]- 1st Jeeyar/Pontiff of The Sri Ahobila Mutt
H.H.Srimath Yatheendra Mahadesika Azhagiya Singa Jeeyars 2 through 41 Pontiffs
H.H.Srimath Sriranga Shatakopa Yatheendra Mahadesika Azhagiya Singa Jeeyar (श्री श्रिरङ्ग शठकोप) the 42nd Pontiff
H.H.Srimath Veeraraghava Shatakopa Yatheendra Mahadesika Azhagiya Singa Jeeyar (श्री वीरराघाव शठकोप) the 43rd Pontiff
H.H.Srimath Vedanta Desika Yatheendra Mahadesika Azhagiya Singa Jeeyar (श्री वेदान्त देशिक) the 44th Pontiff
H.H.Srimath Narayana Yatheendra Mahadesika Azhagiya Singa Jeeyar (श्री नारायण) the 45th Pontiff (Asmad Acharya-अस्मद् आचार्य/My Pancha Samskara and Bharanyasa Acharya)
H.H.Srimath Ranganatha Yatheendra Mahadesika Azhagiya Singa Jeeyar (श्री रङ्गनाद) the 46th Pontiff.



Sanyasasrama Guru Parampara/Ascetic Preceptor Lineage

The founder of Sri Ahobila Mutt, Srimad Azhagiya Singar/Sri Malolan/The Lord of Sri Ahobilam Himself initiated Sri Kidambi Srinivasacharya into the Holy order of Paramahamsa (Ascetic order) by administering the Presha Manthra to Him. Sri Kidambi Srinivasacharya thus came to be known as H.H.Srimath Adhivan Satakopa Yatheendra Mahadesika Jeeyar - श्रिमदादिवण्शठकोप यतीन्द्र महादेसिक जीयर (Adi [first] vann[powerful] Shatakopa [Nammazhwar] Yatheendra [Emperor of Monks] Mahadesika [Prime Spiritual Teacher] Jeeyar [Pontiff]). He was the first Pontiff of The Sri Ahobila Mutt. Azhagiya Singar means Beautiful Lion, and this is an appellation for each and every Pontiff of Sri Ahobila Mutt.

Sri Malola Azhagiya Singar - Founder (स्थापक) of The Sri Ahobila Mutt in 1398 A.D
H.H.Srimath Adhivan Satakopa Yatheendra Mahadesika Azhagiya Singa Jeeyar (श्रिमदादिवण्शठकोप यतीन्द्र महादेशिका) [1379 CE – 1458 CE]- 1st Jeeyar/Pontiff of The Sri Ahobila Mutt
H.H.Srimath Yatheendra Mahadesika Azhagiya Singa Jeeyars 2 through 41 Pontiffs
H.H.Srimath Sriranga Shatakopa Yatheendra Mahadesika Azhagiya Singa Jeeyar (श्री श्रिरङ्ग शठकोप) the 42nd Pontiff
H.H.Srimath Veeraraghava Shatakopa Yatheendra Mahadesika Azhagiya Singa Jeeyar (श्री वीरराघाव शठकोप) the 43rd Pontiff
H.H.Srimath Vedanta Desika Yatheendra Mahadesika Azhagiya Singa Jeeyar (श्री वेदान्त देशिक) the 44th Pontiff
H.H.Srimath Narayana Yatheendra Mahadesika Azhagiya Singa Jeeyar (श्री नारायण) the 45th Pontiff (Asmad Acharya-अस्मद् आचार्य/My Pancha Samskara and Bharanyasa Acharya)
H.H.Srimath Ranganatha Yatheendra Mahadesika Azhagiya Singa Jeeyar (श्री रङ्गनाद) the 46th Pontiff.



Sri Ahobila Mutt Preceptor Lineage/Acharya Guru Parampara
लक्ष्मी नाथ समारंभां नाद यामुन मध्यमां
अस्मद आचार्य पर्यन्तां वन्दे गुरु परम्परां ॥

Beginning with Sri Mahalakshmi's husband Sriman Narayana; with Sri Naathamuni and Sri Yamunacharya in the middle; Up until my present Acharya, I salute my entire Guru Lineage.

- Thaniyan or The eulogistic devotional verse of salutation to all my Acharyas.

श्रीमद् रङ्गशठारी संयमिवराठ् लभ्द आगमान्त द्वयम्
श्रीमद् वीररघूद्व हाद्यशठजित पादार विन्दाश्रयं
श्रीमद् वेद वतंश देषिकयतेः कारुण्य वीक्षास्पदं
सेवे रङ्ग दुरीण शासन वशं नारायणं योगिणं ॥
श्रीमते श्री लक्ष्मीनृसिंह दिव्य पादुका सेवक श्रिवण्शठकोप श्री नारायण यतीन्द्र महादेशिकाय नमः ॥

Learnt Ubhaya Vedanta- the Sanskrit Vedas and Tamil Divya Prabhandams (आगमान्त द्वयम्) from Shrimad Rangashatari (42nd Pontiff)

Took Refuge at the Lotus Feet of Shrimad Veera Raghudhva (43rd Pontiff)

Recipient of the Merciful Glances of Shrimad Vedha Vathaamsa Deshika (44th Pontiff)

He who serves Sri Ranganada's commands, to Sri Narayana Yogi, my Salutations.

- Thaniyan or The eulogistic devotional verse of salutation to My Pancha Samskara and Bharanyasa Acharya (अस्मद् आचार्य) - The 45th Pontiff of Sri Ahobila Mutt.

श्रीमते श्री लक्ष्मीनृसिंह परब्रह्मणे नमः ॥
श्रीमते श्री नवनीथ कृष्ण परब्रह्मणे नमः ॥ श्रिमथ्यै घोदायै नमः ॥
श्रीमते श्री लक्ष्मीहयवदन लक्ष्मीनारायणाभ्यां नमः ॥
श्रीमते श्री सीता नायिका लक्ष्मण हनूमन्त समेत श्री रघुनन्दन परब्रह्मणे नमः ॥
श्रीमते श्री रुक्मिणी सत्यभामा समेत श्री वेणुगोपल परब्रह्मणे नमः ॥

श्रीमते श्री रङ्गनाद दिव्य मणि पादुकाभ्यां नमः ॥
श्रीमते श्री रङ्गनायकी समेत श्री रङ्गनाद परब्रह्मणे नमः ॥
श्रीमते श्री अलर्मेल्मङ्गा नायिका समेत श्री श्रीनिवास परब्रह्मणे नमः ॥
श्रीमते श्री पेरुन्देवि नायिका समेत श्री प्रणतार्त्ति हर वरद परब्रह्मणे नमः ॥
श्रीमते श्री कनकवल्ली नायिका समेत श्री वीरराघाव परब्रह्मणे नमः ॥
श्रीमते श्री हेमांबुजवल्ली नायिका समेत श्री देवनाद परब्रह्मणे नमः ॥
श्रीमते श्री पुण्डरिकवल्ली नायिका समेत श्री गोविन्दराज परब्रह्मणे नमः ॥
श्रीमते श्री कोमळवल्ली नायिका समेत श्री अपर्याप्त अम्रुद परब्रह्मणे नमः ॥
श्रीमते श्री अरविन्दवल्ली नायिका समेत श्री भद्रि नारायण परब्रह्मणे नमः ॥
श्रीमते श्री अम्बुजवल्ली नायिका समेत श्री भूवराह परब्रह्मणे नमः ॥
श्रीमते श्री भूमा देवी नायिका समेत श्री आकाशनगरीश परब्रह्मणे नमः ॥

श्रीमते वकुळ भूषण महा गुरवे नमः ॥ श्रीमते भगवद् रामानुजाय नमः ॥
श्रीमते निगमान्त महादेशिकाय नमः ॥ श्रिमदादिवण्शठकोप यतीन्द्र महादेशिकाय नमः ॥
श्रीमते श्री लक्ष्मीनृसिंह दिव्य पादुका सेवक श्रिवण्शठकोप श्री श्रिरङ्ग शठकोप यतीन्द्र महादेशिकाय नमः ॥
श्रीमते श्रिवण्शठकोप श्री वीरराघाव शठकोप यतीन्द्र महादेशिकाय नमः ॥
श्रीमते श्रिवण्शठकोप श्री वेदान्त देशिक यतीन्द्र महादेशिकाय नमः ॥
श्रीमते श्री लक्ष्मीनृसिंह दिव्य पादुका सेवक श्रिवण्शठकोप श्री नारायण यतीन्द्र महादेशिकाय नमः ॥
श्रीमते श्रिवण्शठकोप श्री रङ्गनाद यतीन्द्र महादेशिकाय नमः ॥

My Acharya:

௵ அஹோபிள மடத்து 45-வது பீடாதிபதி ௵மதே ௵ லக்ஷ்மி நரசிம்ஹ திவ்ய பாதுகா சேவக ௵வன் ஷடகோப ௵ நாராயண யதீந்த்ர மகாதேசிக அழகிய சிங்க ஜீயர்.

Please Note:

Parakala Mutt Acharya, Bhagavad Vishaya, Sanyasa Ashrama Guru Parampara

It is easy to trace the Parakala Mutt Guru Parampara from the Sri Ahobila Mutt Preceptor Lineage.

As you can see on the right-hand side of the chart, on the Bhagavat Vishaya/Kalakshepa Guru Parampara of Sri Adivann Shatakopa Azhagiya Singa Jeeyar, there is Sri Brahma Trantra Swathantra Jeeyar Swamy who was the first Pontiff of the Sri Parakala Mutt. Since the year 1378 C.E. when it was founded, there have been an unbroken lineage of 38 Jeeyars of the Sri Parakala Mutt, and the present Pontiff is the 39th in the lineage and is Srimad Abhinava Vaagheesa Brahma Thanthra Parakaala Swami (The Prakritam Swami- The present Pontiff of the Sri Parakala Mutt).

Thenkalai Acharya, Bhagavad Vishaya, Sanyasa Ashrama Guru Parampara

It is easy to trace the Thenkalai Acharya Guru Parampara from the Sri Ahobila Mutt Preceptor Lineage too.

The Thenkalai Acharya/Preceptor lineage just takes 3 more to complete from the chart of Sri Ahobila Mutt. Locate Sri Vadakku Thiruveedhi Pillai (Sri Pillai Lokacharya's father) on the left-hand-side of the chart. Sri Pillai Lokacharya and Sri Vedanta Desika were contemporaries.

Thenkalai Acharya Parampara:

Sri Vadakku Thirveedhi Pillai->Sri Pillai Lokacharya->Sri Thiruvai Mozhi Pillai (Srisaila)->Sri Manavala Mamuni

Tenkalai Sanyasa Ashrama Parampara:

Sri Adivann Shatakopa Azhagiya Singar initiated Sri Manavala Mamuni in Sanyasa. So,

Sri Adivann Shatakopa Azhagiya Singar -> Sri Manavala Mamuni.

Sri Manavala Mamuni then created the Ashta Diggajas which came to be the collection of eight Thenkalai Mutts, and shishyas.

So as you can see, both Vadakalai and Thenkalais almost have the same acharyas.

Sri Desika was Sri Manavala Mamuni's acharya in the sense that Sri Adivann Shatakopa Azhagiya Singar's Bhagavad Vishaya/Kalakshepa Parampara had Sri Vedanta Desika in the lineage.

Ahobila Mutt sishyas had both Sri Vadakku Thiruveedhi Pillai (Acharya parampara), and Sri Vedanta Desika (Bhagavad Vishaya/Kalakshepa Parampara) in their lineage as you can see from the chart above.

Cheers

அடியேன் ராமானுஜ தாசன் (Ramanuja's humble servant)

श्रीनिवास वरद शर्मा a.k.a. Suresh Raj Gopalan.

अभिवादये ।
काश्यप आपत्सार नैद्र्व त्रयाक्षय प्रवरान्वितः नैद्र्व काश्यप गोथ्रः आपस्तम्भ सूत्रः यजुष शाकाध्यायि श्रीनिवास वरद शर्मा नाम अहं अस्मि भोः ॥
I am Srinivasa Varadha Sharma, of the Naidruva Kaashyapa gotra, a student of the Apastamba dharma sutras, from the Taittiriya shakha of the Krishna Yajur Veda, and of the three preceptors named Kaashyapa, Aapathsaara, and Naidruva.

About me:

Yajur Veda, Aapastambha Sootra, Naidhruvakaashyapa Gotra, Vadakalai Iyengar Brahmin from Tamil Nadu adiyEn (srIman) Srinivasa Varadhan a.k.a. Suresh Raj Gopalan has been blessed with many good fortunes such as being born in a dhivya dEsam like Tirupathi, having loving parents and siblings. The best of all these blessings is the SoubhAgayam of initiation into The SrIvaishNava assembly with Pancha Samskaaram and being blessed with the supreme soubhAgyam of BharanyAsam from His Holiness The 45th Jeeyar of The Sri AhObila Matam, SrI NaarAyaNa YathIndhra MahA Desikan. Links to the Periya Periya PerumAL, SrI MalOla LakshmiNrisimha Azhagiya Singar of Sri Ahobilam through AchArya sambhandham is the greatest of all gifts.

3 comments:

  1. How do you prove that krishna is paripurna in vishistaadvaita?.....
    because krishna only said that he is paripurna in bhagavath geetha...

    but ,according to vishistaadvaita...we are brahman,at the same time ,we are not paripurna...similar case applies to krishna...so,how is krishna paripurna in vishistaadvaita?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great information. thank u so much

    ReplyDelete