Sixty Tamil verses addressed to Sri Ramanuja, composed in Srirangam in the last part of Mamunigal's life and remembered as his last work. In them he pours out his longing and holds Ramanuja's feet as his only refuge.
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Meaning
Mamunigal begins by blessing Sri Ramanuja three times: long live Ethirasar! He then blesses those who sing these blessings, and the people who bless them in turn. Anyone who bows at the feet of such devotees stands at the head of the eternal residents of Sri Vaikuntham.
Meaning
Some people never once think 'Ramanujaya namah'. Some devotees will not spend even a moment in the company of such people. Those who hold on to the feet of these devotees, and those who bow to the feet of those who hold on, are the treasure of the eternal residents of Sri Vaikuntham.
Meaning
Ethirasa, you alone are my father, my loving mother, my wife, my children and my great wealth. This body does not belong in that relationship with you. Tell me, why have you not cut it away today?
Meaning
When will I leave the prison of this body, travel on, and enter the endless joy of Paramapadam? Alas, Ethirasa, have pity on me. Think it over: saving me is your responsibility.
Meaning
Can a father enjoy his comforts while his own son is kept away from him? Tell me, Ethirasa, am I not your son? How can your joy in Paramapadam be complete on any day that I am left out?
Meaning
Neem grows more bitter as it ripens, and in the same way my wrongs pile up as this body grows older. So, Ethirasa, think ahead, before I fall further, and arrange a way to end this body.
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When a nursing baby falls ill, its mother takes the medicine and the diet herself so that the child is cured. Ethirasa, you love me like that mother. If you do everything needed on my behalf, would it lower you in any way? Tell me.
Meaning
A mother who watches her baby crawl near a deep well and does not stop it is blamed for what follows. Ethirasa, even if my own wrongs have brought ruin on me, look carefully at the bond between us and protect me.
Meaning
A mother jumps into the well along with her falling child to save it. In the same way, even if my sins drag me into more births, my father Ethirasar will be born again himself to rescue me.
Meaning
Nammalwar is the sandal at the lotus feet of Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam, the consort of Lakshmi. Sri Ramanuja in turn is the sandal at Nammalwar's honey-sweet feet. O my heart, hold on to my father Sri Ramanuja and live.
Meaning
Vaduga Nambi knew no god other than Sri Ramanuja. Ethirasa, grant me that same state, and keep me happily as your own servant forever.
Meaning
Thiruvaymozhi Pillai (Thirumalai Alwar), the spotless acharya whose fame shines everywhere, lovingly thought about how I could be saved and placed me at your feet. Ethirasa, do for me exactly what he intended.
Meaning
Some devotees praise Sri Ramanuja again and again, saying 'long live Ethirasar', and live wisely. Whoever lives at the feet of these devotees receives the full grace of the Alwars.
Meaning
If I had the qualification of knowledge and right practice, would Lord Ranganatha not show mercy himself? Ethirasa, your mercy is meant for those who have no such qualification. If you also favour only the qualified, what will people like us do?
Meaning
My tongue keeps repeating 'Emperumanar thiruvadigale saranam' (the feet of Sri Ramanuja are my refuge). Yet up to this moment I find no real love for him in myself. When will that love ever come?
Meaning
I know well what must not be done, and I even teach it to others, yet I keep doing exactly that. Ethirasa, do not reject me as someone blinded by delusion. When will I reach your feet?
Meaning
I have gathered every kind of wrong and have no good deed at all. Even so, Ethirasa, you promised to give me Paramapadam, the land that the good reach. Why then do you stay so calm and unhurried?
Meaning
Ethirasa, my father, when will the dawn come for me? I cannot tell, so please tell me. This cycle of births is a long night that keeps the soul in darkness without end.
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Day and night I chase after what this body wants. Ethirasa, my father, does that not stain your good name? Would noble parents allow their sons to serve lowly masters? Tell me.
Meaning
Mamunigal pictures the journey Sri Ramanuja will grant. We will enjoy every delight of the path to Paramapadam, bathe in the nectar-like Viraja river, shed every impurity and reach the clear sky of Sri Vaikuntham. There we receive a radiant new form. The eternal residents come to welcome, adorn and honour us, and lead us to the great jewelled hall, where Lakshmi's Lord lifts us onto his lap with joy.
Meaning
O mind, remain firm, by the wisdom that Thirumalai Alwar (Thiruvaymozhi Pillai) gives through his grace, that he is the one who saves us. For his sake Ethirasar will soon lift us to Paramapadam. What is there for us to fear?
Meaning
By the grace of the flawless Thiruvaymozhi Pillai, I will board the ship of Ethirasar's loving care, which removes all our faults. On it I will cross the ocean of births and reach the shore: the feet of the faultless Lord, Lakshmi's consort.
Meaning
In the blissful jewelled hall of Sri Vaikuntham, surrounded by assemblies of devotees, the Lord reclines on Adisesha, whose hood-gems glow all around. Lakshmi is on his right, and Bhumi Devi and Neela Devi are on his left. Ethirasa, my master, grant that I may soon enjoy Narayana seated there among them.
Meaning
Mamunigal describes the soul's last journey. It leaves this body, passes through the sun, crosses this universe and its seven coverings, bathes in the Viraja river and receives a shining form. The eternal residents welcome it, adorn it, praise it and lead it into Sri Vaikuntham's jewelled hall to join the Lord's devotees. Ethirasa, my master, bring that day near for me.
Meaning
Ethirasa, with no reason on my side you claimed me as your own, made me understand it, and made me live for you alone. Ever since, I have kept doing wrong, then regretting it and promising never to repeat it. You saw all this and still kept me in your service day and night, and now you mean to give me Paramapadam. Please do it quickly.
Meaning
Who could put up with my faults? Lord Ranganatha, his divine consorts, Senai Mudaliar and the eternal ones, Nammalwar, or the other acharyas? Ethirasa, I belong to no one but you. By your grace create in me a longing for the goal, and send me swiftly to the radiant Paramapadam.
Meaning
O heart, think of nothing more in this world. Day and night, think only of what Ethirasar will grant: the realm above, Lakshmi's Lord seated there, the assemblies of devotees, and their joy, which our soul was born for but has missed. Think too of the moment this karma-made body falls away, and the bliss that follows.
Meaning
Our elder acharyas wrote many works out of compassion so that the world might be saved. I wrote down all of them, learned them, and taught them to others with love, and so I spent my time. Yet I lived content in this world without one thought of going to the realm of Lakshmi's Lord. Now, by the grace of Ethirasar, whom all eight directions praise, my mind thinks of nothing but Paramapadam.
Meaning
Mamunigal celebrates Sri Ramanuja as a hero who defeated wrong teachings in debate. He burned up the materialist school, set fire to the Jain thicket, dried up the Buddhist ocean and broke the mountain of Sankhya. He silenced the followers of Kanada and scattered the Pashupatas. He shot his arrows of reasoning at Kumarila's school, defeated the Mayavadis, cut down Bhaskara's creeper and finished off Yadava's view. May this great hero live and flourish forever.
Meaning
Here Mamunigal blesses Sri Ramanuja's divine form, part by part. He blesses his holy feet, the saffron robe at his waist, his beautiful form, the sacred thread across his chest and his two shoulders. He blesses the radiance of his face, his gentle smile, his lotus eyes and the twelve sacred marks he wears. Last, he blesses his serene seated posture and the hand that shows the sign of knowledge.
Meaning
Long live Sri Ramanuja, who cut down the six false faiths at the root and drove out those who twist the Vedas. Long live him who ended the hold of Kali, set right all the wealth of the Lord of Srirangam, explained the full meaning of the Vedas, and nurtured Nammalwar's Tamil Veda. Long live him who was born in Sriperumbudur, and long live his beautiful feet.
Meaning
Mamunigal praises Thiruvadhirai, the star day of Sri Ramanuja's birth. On that day the Vedas rose up as the rival schools fell, the age of Kali lost heart and the earth's burden lifted. The tradition of Thirumangai Alwar, Nammalwar and the acharyas sprouted again, and Srirangam, Thirumala and other holy places rejoiced. It is the day Ilaiyalwar (Sri Ramanuja) appeared in Sriperumbudur.
Meaning
How long must I stay in this body? At what moment, in what way and in what place will it fall? Ethirasa, you know all of this, and I know none of it. You removed my ignorance and made me your servant. If you mean to free me and lift me to Sri Vaikuntham, why do you wait as though you had forgotten? Tell me.
Meaning
Lord Ranganatha has declared that he himself removes all three kinds of karma for those who take refuge in him: past karma, later karma, and the karma already bearing fruit. Ethirasa, is that not a promise he made at your word? I know no one but you, so must I still suffer my karma in this body? Wipe away my deeds in a moment and lift me to Sri Vaikuntham.
Meaning
Ethirasa, you have graciously accepted me and want to keep me in your service forever, yet my confused mind keeps running after the pleasures of the senses. Change my strong karma and turn my mind towards you. Kurathalwan and his son Parasara Bhattar, in their humility, listed many faults in themselves; all of those faults truly live in me. Find the way to correct me and save me.
Meaning
Ethirasa, I cannot tell whether it is old habit or stubborn karma. Whatever the cause, the desire for the pleasures of the five senses forcibly overwhelms my mind.
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Ethirasa, I have never had the qualification up to today, so when will I ever gain it? Tell me. Why do you not cut the chain of my karma and lift me quickly to Sri Vaikuntham?
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There is a saying: 'whoever does not learn at five will not learn at fifty.' Ethirasa, was it said about me? Even now my heart enjoys everything except your feet, and it feels no regret.
Meaning
Those who love neem as a dish eat it without spitting it out for its bitterness. In the same way, Ethirasar knew I was a wrongdoer when he accepted me, so he will never despise or reject me.
Meaning
Is it right that I waste my days and stay on in this world of births? Glorious Ethirasa, grant me the way to reach Paramapadam. Enough of this now; end this body.
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Is there anyone in this world who does wrong as I do? Is there anyone who forgives as you do? O great sage Ethirasa, born so that all the worlds may live, have mercy on this poor one now.
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When the five senses rise up and attack me, I think of your feet and cry out to you. Ethirasa, after that, let them never overpower me again. Whom do I have except you?
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I feel no disgust at all for this world, and no longing to go to the other world. How then will my father Ethirasar gladly give me the matchless Paramapadam?
Meaning
Those who know that Narayana, Lakshmi's consort, dwells everywhere never think a place is lonely or dark enough to hide in. The deluded think 'no one is here, it is dark', and go on sinning without fear.
Meaning
O heart, look closely: the bond between Narayana as the owner and us souls as his belongings has no beginning. Yet it is through the acharya that we were actually saved. Say so always, without any hesitation.
Meaning
O heart, Thiruvaymozhi Pillai came as our guru, accepted us sinners, saved us, and gave us matchless knowledge. Is it not through that good fortune that we became servants of Ethirasar?
Meaning
This verse plays on the name Ramanuja, since 'irA mAnusar' can also mean 'people who do not stay'. Some people never think 'Ramanujaya namah' day and night. Some devotees will not stay even a moment where such people live. How can anyone count as human those who never resolve to serve those devotees in every way?
Meaning
My heart will not think of them, my tongue will not praise them, my head will not bow to them, and my eyes will not look at them: those who have not reached the feet of Ethirasar, who saved the world from the harm of Kali. This is the good that Lord Ranganatha has done for us.
Meaning
People of the earth, if you do not want to sink into the endless hell of births, take refuge in Ethirasar, my father. Always recite the antadi sung about him (Ramanusa Nurrandadi), and live among his devotees so that your worries end. Liberation will surely follow.
Meaning
You wretched ones, who waste precious time and keep wandering in births through ignorance! Just think 'Ethirasar'. He will place you in that heaven which even those who do penance for ages cannot reach.
Meaning
The soul has existed for as long as the Lord has. All that time, up to today, has been wasted through good and bad karma. My heart never felt that loss before. Ethirasa, ever since you showed me your grace, it has grieved over it day and night.
Meaning
Like a dark rain cloud resting on a golden mountain, Lord Ranganatha riding on Garuda, Vinatha's son, will come at the hour my body falls. For Ethirasar's sake, he will come where I am and stand before me with joy.
Meaning
I know that Lord Ranganatha does everything for my good. Even so, the weight of present pain makes me cry out 'aa, oh' in this sinful body. Can I stay in this world, suffering so many ills? Ethirasa, you are the loving mother and father who made me your servant while I wandered wherever my karma drove me. Lift me out of this world quickly.
Meaning
How many more days must I suffer in this body? Alas! When will you free me and take me up to Sri Vaikuntham? You became my mother, my father and every other relation, and you protect me. Generous Ethirasa, you think of my good alone, day and night.
Meaning
Mamunigal gives thanks for what Sri Ramanuja's grace has given him. We have become the object of Lord Ranganatha's grace, and Srirangam is our home. Nammalwar's words are our food, and like Madhurakavi Alwar we hold our acharya as everything. The words of our elder acharyas fill our minds and our time. Our heart wanders nowhere else, and we feel no envy at the greatness of others.
Meaning
You have made my mind clear that your loving acceptance alone saves this soul. Alas, Ethirasa, do not let illnesses torment me. In your wisdom, grant me your holy feet.
Meaning
I have taken refuge at the fragrant feet of Thiruvaymozhi Pillai, whom all acharyas praise. Out of love for that bond, you overlook my faults. Ethirasa, listen patiently to my poor words as well.
Meaning
My father Thiruvaymozhi Pillai, by his grace, showed me my bond with you. After that, Ethirasa, can my heart ever waver from knowing that you are every relation to this soul?
Meaning
My Lord Ranganatha will come on the lovely Garuda, show me his face and lead me on the path to Paramapadam. When will he decide to end this wretched body? Ethirasa, consider it and tell me.
Meaning
Lord Ranganatha gave my father Ethirasar a boon: 'live happily here in Srirangam.' O heart, when you think about it, that boon is ours too. A good father's own wealth comes to his son by right of inheritance.
The text is checked verse by verse against koyil.org, acharya.org, K. Sridharan (archive.org). The meanings are simple ones to help the reader; learn the recitation from an adhyapaka.
These are short introductions to help the reader; the works themselves are best studied under one's acharya.
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