Upadesa Rathna Malai and Andal

Upadesa Rathna Malai and Andal

While Srivaishanva Nambi became sishya of Bhagavath Ramanuja, Lord Ranganatha not only became sishya of Varavara Muni and after listening to a year long discourses on Thiruvoimozhi presented him a Thanian as a small boy and disappeared in to the sanctum.

srIsailEsa dayaapaatram dhIbhakthyAdhi guNArNavam

YathIndhra pravaNam VandhE RamyajAmAtharam munim

Varavara Muni is also fondly known as Manvala Mamuni.

How fortunate and deserving Manavala Mamuni in getting a Thanian from the Lord himself. But Manavala Mamuni is an example of a guru who had immense faith in Purvacharyas, their works, Anushtanams. He took upon himself to write commentaries and give discourses on all Purvacharyas literary works. Lord Ranganatha had foregone all utsavams for  a year in order to listen to Manavala Mamuni Discourses. Such is greatness of Manavala Mamuni.

Manavala Mamuni though he got encomiums right from Bhuloka Vaikunda Ranaganthan, he never forgot his roots, His Acharyas and their works. He decides to recognize them and composed Upadesa Rathna Malai consisting of 74 Pasurams. In Updesa Rathna Malai, Manavala Mamunigal gives recognition to Azhwar, Acharya and Arulicheyal ( Works of Alwar and Acharya). 

Manavala Mamunigal has allotted more pasurams to Periazhwar's Thiru Pallandu, Andal, Ethirajar, Nam Pillai, Perai Vachan Pillai and Sri Vachana Bhushanam. 

As  Utsavam for Andal is going on in many temples as of now and Thiruvadipuram is approaching, let us enjoy  Upadesa Rathna Malai Psurams on Andal

Varavaramunigal brings out the significance of Thiruvadi pooram and the purpose of Sri Andal's birth in these pasurams. Varavaraminigal praises the  Pooram star in the moth of Aadi being the birth star of Andal, who came down from Vaikudam for the benefit of humanity and show them the the Kalyana Gunangal of Lord Sriman Narayana and show the  way to unite with Lord Sriman Narayana.  He says that there is no other auspicious day compared to Thiruvadi Pooram day and  there is no one is comparable to Andal. With her love, dedication, Bakthi and attachment to Lord Ranaganatha ( Whom she considered as none else than Lord Krishna) Andal surpassed the acts of other Azhwars. Since Andal developed her Bakthi since childhood, Varavara Munigal call her "Pinjil Pazhththaalaai"

Please note that Some Thiruppavai Pasurams have been added to slides to enjoy the contribution of Sri Andal.
Here is presentation of Upadesa Rathna Malai pasurams on Andal.