Oh mind! Our fatherly
figure Ethiraja was asked by Lord Ranganatha to stay at Srirangam
permanently. We being his heir are entitled to this legacy (Hence
we will also stay here).
It will be appropriate to cite
Swamy Desikan's thoughts expressed in Nyasa Tilaka-
Citing charama slokas uttered to
Arjuna in Krishana Avatar and to Vibhishana in Rama Aavatar Swami,
Vedantha Desikan addresses, "Oh Ranganatha, Having heard
your boon granted to Ramanuja on Panguni Uththiram day, I am
gratified to inform you my association with Ramanuja so that
I my receive your grace.
Mamunigal concludes this prabandam
with an optimistic note that Rangaraja will grant his wish as
He is bound by Ramanujas influence. It is significant to note
that Ranganatha wished Mamunigal also to settle at Srirangam
permanentlyn vide His Srisukthi "sreerangESukam aaSva".
There is a misconception that Mamunigal
composed this prabandam in his last days when he fell ill. Mahavidwan
Sri U.Ve.P.B. Annangaraachariyaar Swamy, who was a great authority,
refutes this theory. No doubt it is his last work but it was
composed well in advance before Mamunigal fell ill. In support
of this theory, reference is made to the episode of stay at Srirangam
as a legacy in this Prabandam whereas Mamunigal was also wished
by Ranganatha to stay at Srirangam permanently. Hence it is proved
that Mamunigal composed this prabandam before he was asked to
stay permanently. However final decision can be left to the research
scholars.
Before concluding I submit the
following few lines before the readers. Arthi Prabandam is a
monumental work by Sri ManaalaMamunigal wherein his passionate
appeal is vividly described. It is very difficult to bring out
the full effect in an alien medium. In this work Mamunigal conveyed
the thoughts of Purvacharya fully and hence it is impossible
to quote the texts of the thoughts of all Purvachaaryas. However
I have given some by way of illustration It is a great task which
I realise that I am not well equipped. Readers will pardon me
for the deficiencies and take into account my sincerity. For
a fuller understanding readers are requested to refer to the
various general articles on Vaishnavism which I have contributed.
(60)
