Yamunacharya: From King to Acharya

Photo: Drorchidaceae / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Have you read the first part of this story yet? Yamunacharya: From Student to King

Manakkaal Nambi’s promise to Uyyakondar

The words of his guru, Uyyakondar, reverberated in Manakkaal Nambi’s mind. 

“My own guru, Nathamuni, has a grandson living in the Pandya kingdom,” Uyyakondar had said. “It is your duty to bring him back to our Srivaishnava fold when the time is right.”

Manakkaal Nambi knew that the grandson was old enough for that now. But fate had its own plans. The grandson had become a king! And how could a simple one like Nambi meet and persuade a great Pandya ruler?

But Nambi knew exactly what to do next. He had to first soften the king’s mind and make it more satvik, to have any chance of the king listening to his words.

Tooduvalai’s effect on the mind

As the cooks of the royal kitchens were preparing lunch for the royal family, they suddenly heard a knock on the back door. One of the junior cooks opened it and saw an effulgent Srivaishnava saint standing on the other side. 

“Please accept our salutations, noble one. Is there anything we can do for you?”

The Srivaishnava nodded, and pulled out a bunch of leaves. “This is tooduvalai, a type of spinach that is healthy for not only the body but also the mind. Do incorporate it into the king’s meal today.”

The cooks did as told, and the Srivaishnava continued coming in everyday to give a little bit of tooduvalai for nearly a month. King Yamuna grew to love the tooduvalai spinach. He began looking forward to his lunch simply so he could relish that one dish. 

One day, the Srivaishnava ascetic all of a sudden did not come to give tooduvalai. As usual, the king entered his grand dining hall and took his seat. As he looked at the exquisite dishes upon his plate, his face fell. The tooduvalai dish was missing. He immediately summoned the chefs. 

His mind having become satvik and gentle because of the tooduvalai he had been consuming, the king patiently asked his cooks why they hadn’t prepared the dish that day.

“For the past month, your Majesty,” they explained, “a kind Srivaishnava ascetic has been giving a little bit of tooduvalai each day. Just today he hasn’t come.”

“Oh? An ascetic? And Srivaishnava too?” the king asked, surprised. “If he comes tomorrow, please let me know. I must welcome him with due honor.”

So, the next day, when the ascetic came to the kitchens again, the cooks immediately called for the king. 

The king bowed down the ascetic. “Great one, what can I offer you?”

Manakkaal Nambi shook his head. “In fact, dear king, I have something to offer you. My guru is the disciple of your grandfather. Do you know who your grandfather is?” He paused for effect. “He is the great Nathamuni who revived all the four thousand Divya Prabandhams of the Azhvars. And he has left a great legacy for you that you must reclaim.”

King Yamuna’s eyes widened. There was an impending battle coming up, so this treasure would be incredibly useful. “Really? How fortunate I am. And you are so honorable, coming to give the treasure to me instead of easily taking it for yourself.”

Yamuna’s surrender to Ranganatha

Yamuna followed Nambi through the kingdom. As they ventured, Nambi began expounding Bhagavad Gita to Yamuna and accepted Yamuna as his disciple. With the divine company of Nambi, Yamuna became immersed in the glory of Sriman Narayana.

“We have almost reached your grandfather’s legacy,” Nambi said many days later. “Come on.”

“I have no more interest in this treasure,” Yamuna replied, his voice quivering. “Please let us not bother.”

Nambi became stern. “Yamuna, your grandfather has left it for you, and I must hand it over.”

Yamuna said no more and obediently followed his guru. Slowly, Nambi led him into the divine temple of Ranganatha in Srirangam, the foremost of the 108 divya desams revered by all Srivaishnavas. 

And because of the immense grace of his guru, Yamuna saw Ranganatha in his complete splendor, much beyond how the physical eyes may have seen without the grace of a guru. Immediately, Yamuna fell in love with Ranganatha. He became the next head acharya of the Srivaishnava guru parampara and stayed in the town of Srirangam.