Manakkal Nambi, whose name was Rama Mishrar, was born at Manakkal near Srirangam. He became a disciple of Uyyakkondar and served him and his household with complete devotion for many years.
The tradition remembers one day in particular. Some women of Uyyakkondar's household, returning from their bath, came to a stretch of slushy mud. So that their feet would stay clean, Manakkal Nambi lay down in the mud and asked them to step across his back. When Uyyakkondar heard of it, he was deeply moved and blessed him.
Uyyakkondar had asked him to carry the teaching to Nathamunigal's grandson, Yamunacharya. But Yamunacharya had by then become a king and lived in a palace, out of reach of a poor Sri Vaishnava. So every day Manakkal Nambi quietly gave the palace cooks a green called thoothuvalai, which the king loved, and asked nothing in return. When at last he stopped, the king missed it and sent for the man who had been bringing it.
Manakkal Nambi told the king that his grandfather had left a great treasure for him. He taught him the Bhagavad Gita, and then took him to Srirangam to show him that treasure — Sri Ranganatha Himself. Seeing Periya Perumal, Yamunacharya gave up his kingdom and gave his life to the Lord. Manakkal Nambi is remembered for this patience and humility, not for books.