ACHARYA NISHTAI

Sreemathey Ramanujaya Namaha
Sreemadh Varvara Munaye Namaha
Sree Venkata Gurave Namaha

Respected Bhagavatha Bandhus,

The picture is a photo taken from Golu at our house which was based on a concept “ACHARYA NISHTAI”.

The concept picture shows Swamy Mudalidandan working as a servant maid in Atthuzhai’s house.

Periya Nambi acharyan to Jagat Acharyan Swami Ramanuja, had a daughter “Atthuzhai” who was married. In those days, it was a practice to send a maid servant along with the bride to her in-laws house as “seedhanam/stree dhanam” which meant a gift to the bride. This was not done, as Periya nimbi could not afford this.
Once Atthuzhai called her mother-in-law to accompany her to River Kaveri for taking bath, the lady became wild and said, “As you have brought a seedhana vellatti/maid servant along with you from your parent’s place, she can accompany you”


Atthuzhai was depressed and sad, she knew that her mother-in-law was making fun of her. Weepingly she went to her father’s place and requested him to arrange for a maid servant.
Periya Nambi directed her to Swamy Ramanuja who was seated with sishyas in the Mutt, very near to him was his disciple/sishya Sri Dasarathy/Mudaliandan.

Swamy Ramanuja always considered Atthuzhai as his sister, when she came weeping and narrated the incident and stood there, Swamy thought of a solution and merely looked at Dasarathy, from the looks of his acharya Sri Dasarathy could make out his acharya’s intention, without a single word or hesitation, Sri Dasarathy followed Atthuzhai to her in-laws house as a mere servant maid.

There Swamy Mudaliandan did all the household/domestic works like, cooking, cleaning the floor, washing the clothes & vessels, drawing water from well, very patiently & sincerely, keeping in mind, that he was doing kainkaryams to Guru’s daughter. Moreover as these services are pleasing (Thiru Ullatthukku Ugappu) to his acharyan.

How can we describe the charmopaya nishtai of Swamy Mudaliandan?

Charmopaya Nishtai or Acharya Nishtai, is revered with great respect in our Sath Sampradhaym, that is why "Kaninum Siruthambu" by Madhura Kavi Alwar, a work on his acharya Nammalwar not on any Emperumaan has taken a vital role in 4000 Divya Prabandham. This Nishtai was executed with decorum, by our Swami Mudaliandan who heeding to his acharya's Intentions accompanied Atthuzhai (daughter of Periya Nambi) to her in law's house as seedhana vellatti (servant maid) and worked at their house for nearly 6 months, Swamy Mudaliandan, a Parama Bhagavthar with Prapatthi Nishtai who was the doing the executive kainkaryams of Sri Rangam Temple worked as servant maid in a house, keeping his acharya's words as Veda Vakku, What a Acharya Nishtai?

Let us bow to Yathiraja Padhuka which is none other than Swamy Mudaliandan

Adiyen Ramanuja Dasan

Geetha Vasudevan