Mutual enrichment

Vaishnava Acharya Nanjeeyar wrote a taniyan (special sloka) in praise of Parasara Bhattar. Nanjeeyar’s special sloka says Bhattar is the son of Kooratazhvan. Obviously, this itself is reason enough for honouring Bhattar. Parasara Bhattar was blessed to serve the Lord. He was the learned purohita of Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam. Nanjeeyar prays for Parasara Bhattar’s blessings.

It was Ramanujacharya who gave Bhattar the name Parasara. This was to fulfil one of Alavandar’s wishes. Alavandar had wanted the son of an adherent of Visishtadvaita to be named after sage Parasara, the author of Vishnu Purana. Parasara Bhattar studied sacred texts under Embar, disciple of Ramanujacharya. Bhattar was very dear to Lord Ranganatha and Ranganayaki of Srirangam, said T.A.K. Srinivasacharya in a discourse. There was a cradle for him in the temple, when he was an infant, with the Lord and His Consort watching over him and bringing him up.

Bhattar wrote Sri Rangaraja Stava in praise of Lord Ranganatha, and Sri Guna Ratna Kosa in praise of Ranganayaki Thayar. The Lord is Supreme because of His association with the Goddess. She is enriched by Him, and He by Her. She is the Goddess of wealth, for She is Mahalakshmi incarnate. But He is Her wealth, just as She is His. Thirumangai Azhvar describes Lord Narayana thus: thiruvukkum thiruvaagiya selva (the One who is the wealth of the Goddess of wealth). Nammazhvar says in his Thiruvaimozhi: agalagillen iraiyum endru alarmelmangai urai maarba; nigaril pugazhaai… Alarmelmanga will never be separated from His chest even for a moment, says the first line. The next line says nigaril pugazhai — the One with unequalled fame. It becomes clear that the incomparable and unequalled fame of the Lord is due to His connection with Goddess Mahalakshmi.