RAMANUJA AT TIRUPATI

THUMBIMAN KONDI --- After TIRUMALA, Bhagavad RANANUJA came down the hill and stayed at TIRUPATHI along with his uncle SRISAILA POORNA for one year. Srisaila Poorna gave full discourse on Ramayana to RAMANUJA. During his stay at TIRUPATHI, one milk maid THUMBIMANKONDI used to give Milk, curd and Ghee. When RAMANUJA was returning to Srirangam, he called her to give money. But she appeared like a matured devotee beyond MONEY. Instead she ASKED for bhagavad anugraham and MOKSHAM. Bhagavan was puzzled by her wish and asked her how to give? Thumbimaan was trusting Ramanuja, she asked him to give a slip to Lord Srinivas "mentioning about her credentials and give moksham". Any amount of explinations did not satisfy her, but she wanted this slip from RAMANUJA. BHAGAVAN gave a slip to SRINIVASA Perumal. THUMBIMAN went up the hills to sannidhi of Lord SRINIVASA and showed the slip. To every one's surprise a divine chariot appered and took her to Lord's Lotus feet.

ACTS OF GOVINDA BHATTAR --- Srisaila poorna is maternal uncle of Bhagavad Ramanuja. Earlier we noted Govinda Bhattar saved RAMANUJA from death trap while on journey to Varanassi. Later Govinda bhattar was initiated to SAIVITE phylosopy and subsequently Srisala Poorna has again brought him back to VAISHNAVA school. From those days Govinda Bhattar was the Shishyan of Srisaila Poorna and He was so much devoted to do any thing and every thing to his Acharya. This devotion went long way. When Govindan arranged bed for his master, he will sleep on it once to check the comfort. This surprised Srisala poorna and also Ramanuja. Ramanuja asked him for his intent, as it is high SIN to give a used bed to his GURU. Govindan replied, that he will risk

the sin because his guru will have good sleep, once he checks the comfort of bed arrangement. This stunned BHGAVAN and he was reminded of his act, when he removed a spine from a ailing snake's tounge to relieve its pain, even risking his life for the benefit of dangerous poisonous reptile.

At the end of one year stay with Srisaila Poorna and learning of RAMAYANA intricacies, Ramanuja was leaving back to SRIRANGAM. Srisala Poorna wanted to give a gift to Ramanuja in addition to his teaching, due to affection and asked him to make wish. It is a great pleasure to ask a boon from a beloved Acharya. RAMANUJA was aware of Govinda Bhattar's acharya bhakthi and devotion to Lord. He requested Srisaila poorna to give Govinda Bhattar as sishyan. Srilsaila Poorna gave Govinda Bhattar and also his son Pillan to Bhagavada Ramanuja.

However Govinda Bhattar could not leave his master. His seperation from his Guru made him desperate and he bacame sick. A few days later Govinda Bhattar asked permission of Ramanuja nad left back to Srisaila Poorna. All are happy except the Guru. He said I have given him to Ramanuja. Once we part it is not proper to back track. This whole thing is BHRANTHI. Srisaila Poorna asked Govinda to leave back to Ramanuja and only workship His Sripadam. He knew this is only for his great future under the leader ship of Ramanuja

Back with Ramanuja Govinda Bhattar is happy. They became ideal Guru Sishyans in course of time. After reaching Srirangam Govinda Bhattar used to give lectures to all devotees. Lord ranganatha and Thayar are pleased to see VAISHNAVISM flourish under RAMANUJA. All the persons used to praise Bhattar. Normally one will take the praises humbly. Instead Bhattar will take as pride and continued encouraging praise. He also used to go near a DEVADASI house to listen the praises for BHAGAVAD Ramanuja. Misunderstood by his acts, one day Ramanuja called him to discuss the issue. But Bhagavan could see only extreme sense of devotion in Govinda Bhattar, he always like to listen praiseRAMANUJA and about His glory and that is the reason why he was going to the devadasi's house also. THERES IS NO LIMITS TO ACHARYA BHAKTI and at time it exceeds BHAGAVAD BHAKTI.