About
Swami Ramanujar
Swami Ramanujar, fondly called Emperumanar/ Udayavar in Srivaishnava sampradhayam ,was the avatharam of AadhiSeshan. Swami Ramanujar was born in Sriperumbudhur to the couple Sri Asuri Keshava Somayaji and Kanthimathiammal. Periya Thirumalai Nambi, Ramanujar’s maternal uncle, named him Ilayaazhwar. At Kanchipuram, Ilayaazhwar was doing theertha kainkaryam to Deva Perumal. His Acharyas were Periya Nambi, Periya Thirumalai Nambi, Thirukoshtiyur Nambi, Thirumaalai Aandaan, Azhwar Thiruvaranga Perumal Araiyar.
Aalavandaar, through his disciple Periya Nambi, brought Swami Ramanujar to Srirangam. Unfortunately, by the time Swami Ramanujar reached Srirangam, Aalavandaar attained Acharyan thiruvadi. Swami Ramanujar then vowed that with the blessings of Alavandaar, he would fulfill his wishes. Swami Ramanujar gave various granthams to our SriVaishnava Sampradhayam. One of his notable works was “Sri Bhashyam” which is a commentary for the Brahma Sutra based on Vishistadvaitha principles.
Swami Ramanujar went to Thirukkoshtiyur Nambi’s Thirumaalaigai eighteen times to get the Rahasya artham. Then Swami Ramanujar established 74 Simhaasanathipathigal,
who as Acharyas, teach the principles of Srivaishnava Sampradhayam and establish a link to Swami Ramanujar.
One of Swami Ramanujar’s disciples and cousin of Swami Ramanujar was Baladanvi who was fondly called “Elayavilli” by Swami himself . Like how Lakshmana did kainkaryam to Lord Rama, Baladanvi did kainkaryam to Swami Ramanujar and hence he was fondly named “Elayavilli”, later known as “Elayavilli Aachaan”. Coincidentally, both Lakshmana and Baladanvi swami were born on Chithtirai month Ayilyam nakshathiram. Since Baladanvi swami was born in a place called Komandur, he was also known as “Komandur Elayavilli Aachan”. He was the 72nd simhaasanathipathi appointed by Swami Ramanujar and Elayavilli Swami of Alwar Tirunagari belong to this lineage.