Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam – Nathamunigal
Shrine
Nathamuni was
a Vaishnava theologian who collected and compiled the Nalayira
Divya Prabandham. Considered the
first of Sri Vaishnava Acharyas, Nathamuni is also the author
of Yogarahasya, and Nyayatattva.
He is
considered to have lived during the lifetime of Madhura Kavi Alwar's Parampara. That
Nathamuni was in contact with Nammalvar is attested by Guru Parampara, Divyasuri
Charita & Prapannamrita. The Prapannamrita also attests that Nathamuni was born in the village
Viranarayana. Viranarayana is today generally identified as Kattumannarkoil.
Nathamuni
is said to have died at Gangaikonda Cholapuram. His father's name was Ishvara Bhattar and his son's name was
Isvaramuni. His grandson was Yamunacharya.
He came
to know about Nalayira Divya Prabandam, but he heard only 10 hymns. He wanted
the rest. He recited 12000 times, Kanninun Siruthambu, a poem in praise of
Nammazhwar. Nammazhwar appeared and gave the 4000 hymns (Nalayira Divya
Prabandam). He was the one who brought back the 4000 hymns. In addition to
teaching the hymns to his two nephews at Srirangam, he introduced them into the Srirangam Temple Service
at the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple,
Srirangam where he was the
Temple Administrator.
He is
thought to be the originator of the Araiyar
Sevai. The modern days
'Thathachariars' a sect of Tamilnadu Iyengars are the descendants of this Acharya, housing a lot
of great people in Sri
Vaishnavism ranging from Alavandar
(Yamunacharya), Thirumalai Nambikal, Emberumanar, Kurugesar,
Panchamatha bandhana Thatha Desikan, Kotikannikadhana Lakshmi Kumara Thathachariar. The disciples of this Acharya known as
'Melayagaththalwan' and 'Keelayagaththalwan' families propagated this Aarayar
Sampradhayam.
Kambar, the Tamil poet, released his composition, Rama
Kathai in the precincts of Srirangam Temple in the presence of Nathamuni. A
shrine is dedicated to Nathamunigal in Ranganathaswamy Temple for his services
to Vaishnavism.