RAMANUJA & GOVINDA BHATTAR

Bhagavad Ramanuja settled down at SRIRANGAM. Lord Ranganatha asked him to look after the temple administration and bring reforms. To enable the authority, Ramanuja was given ownership of ubhaya vibhuthi. Lord Ranganatha Himself gave a name UDAYAVAR to bhagavad Ramanuja. Ramanuja brought in number of reforms towards reorganisation and smooth running of every sevai. Lord Rangantha is highly pleased with the propagation and acceptance of VISISTADVAITHAM in full swing under the leadership of Ramanuja. Kuresan is helping him with every issue. He argued with Yadava prakasa to convert him a true devotee to Visistadvaitham. Govindan, his cousin and co-student who rescued him from the consiracy, was leading DVAITHAM and services of Lord Siva at Kalahasthi, a famous shrine of Siva. Ramanuja felt he should be corrected to come to Visisstadvaitham

Ramnuja asked TIRUMALA NAMBI to take a mission to Kalahasti for correcting Govindan. Tirumala Nambi went there with few vaishnavite swamys and camped near Swarna mukhi river. Govindan was found taking water for daily ABHISHEKAM of Lord at temple. Nambi called him to exchange of few thoughts. But invain he just smiled and went away.

Later again Govindan was found carrying water for daily PUJA. This time Tirumala Nambi thought a put a paper on the path to attract Govindan. He placed a PAASURAM of Alavandar, that tells the difference SRIMANNRAYANA and other dieties the difference is enormous like a great ocean and small droplets of water. The paasuram was seen by Govindan and asked "who wrote this?" and left the venue. Tirumala Nambi could see the improvemnt, that a break through of silence happened. He waited for next oppurtunity to convince Govindan.

A third time Tirumala Nambi was explaing to his followers Thiruvaimoli. A paasuram "Devumepporulum badaikka". That means Lord Srimannarayana is the one who created Brahma from him naval Lotus, in order to create rest of the world. And Brahma inturn created other Gods for carrying various resposibilities in the process of UNIVERSE. Therefore if any one takes flowers it should be for Lord SRI MANNARAYANA and none else. These words are over heard by Govindan, while he was plucking Bilva leaves for Lord Siva. He immediately jumped from the tree and approached Tirumala Nambi for the true faith. Thus Govinadan became Govinda bhattar and joined as disciple along with Tirumala nambi.

This triggered envy in the saivate cap at Kalshasthi, who protested to Tirumala Nambi. Nambi offered they can take Govinda bhattar if he comes back, for he knows a learned man never chages his faith so easily. Also Lord Kalahasteeswara gave his consent and said "this change will be for better". This silenced any revolt and the mission continued.

Tirumala Nambi was serving Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala, with teetham for daily needs. He used to bring water from a well from forest. Lord was sympathetic to him. One day Lord, in the guise of a forest lad requested for water for His thirst, while Nambi was bringing water. But Nambi did not give, because it is meant for lord Venkateswara. But the forest lad using his bow and arrow made a punch to the water pot from behind and drank water. In turn forest Lad apologized and offered to show another well near by. But Nambi was highly desperate and worried that to bring again water again, for Lord's daily routine will be delayed and can not attend to other devotees. Lord Venkateswara was moved by this and called Nambi "Thandree" (Father). Thus Nambi became father of Lord, who is father of Brahma "Pithamaha Pithamaha (Lord Brahma)"