Manavala Mamunigal as wished by
his Acharya Sri Sailesha (Sanskrit equivalent of His name Thirumalai
Azhvar alias Thiruvaimozhi Pillai, to dedicate his life in the
devotion of Ramanuja, composed his first work called "Yathiraja
Vimsati" in praise of Ramanuja. Arthi Prabhandam"
Mamunigal's last work is a unique
one wherein ,
1) his devotion at the Holy feet
of Ramanuja
2) his passionate desire to leave the material world to join
the Acharya in Eternity, facilitating his kainkaryam there
3) his humility owning responsibility for all sins and other
shortcomings and pleading for Ramanuja's merciful grace in condoning
all these lapses as Mamunigal considers Ramanuja as his Father,
Mother, Acharya etc and above all the only God.
4) And other such sentiments are
expressed passionately in great fervour. The most important Vaishnavite
trait called "Charama Parva Nishti wherein Acharya is the
most supreme taking precedence over Lord, the Almighty, is excellently
portrayed. To Mamunigal Dvayam gets altered from "Sriman
Narayana Charanau Charanam Prapadye; Srimate Naraayanaya Namaha"
as Ramanujasya Charaanav Charanam Prapadye; Srimate Ramanujaya
Namaha. As Mamunigal feels he has completed his mission in the
world, he is eager to leave it for the other world of Eternity.
He appeals very passionately to Ramanuja's grace for granting
the wish in this last Prabandham composed in his last days. This
passion is reflected in every stanza and hence it is named appropriately
as "Arti Prabandam"( Arthi denoting the passionate
desire ). Pillai Lokam Jeer in his preface ( avatharigai ) sums
up in one sentence as follows-This prabandam which reflects Mamunigal's
ardent devotion called Charama Parva Nishti is composed in his
Charama Dasai ( last days ) as his Charama Prabandam ( last holy
work ).
(In this text, MM refers
to Sri Manavala Mamunigal)
Thaniyangal
This stanza extols Manavala Mamunigal
for composing this Prabandam for the benefit of the mortals in
this world serving as food for the sustenance of their souls.
MM's extreme devotion
at the feet of Ramanuja wearing a garland of flowers full of
honey loving bees, resulted in the authorship of this Prabandham
reflecting his passionate devotion in fine Tamil stanzas serving
as food for soul to the mortals in this world.
This thaniyan gives expression
to the fine image of Ramanuja, MM's devotion at His holy feet,
expressing of his Parama Bhakthi otherwise known as his extreme
and exclusive devotion to the great Acharya, with passionate
appeal in fine Tamil stanzas. Just as food is essential for the
body, these stanzas serve as food for the soul.
A benevolent MM wearing a garland of flowers just sprouted is
eager to leave this world for Eternity. He realised that it can
be achieved only by the grace of Ramanuja. Hence he submits a
passionate appeal at the Holy feet of Ramanuja.
It looks as though MM taking pity
on people like ourselves equated himself to our level and appeals
passionately on our behalf to lift us from the travails of the
worldly miseries and attain Moksha. That is why MM is referred
to as benevolent in the Thaniyan.To sum up, Arthi Prabandham
is a marvelous literature of intense passion and everlasting
devotion of MM dedicated completely at the Holy feet of Ramanuja.
