- 01
Disciples from the south, hearing that Ramanuja had entrusted Ananthalvan with service on the Hill, undertook a pilgrimage. On the way they were guests of a Brahmin chieftain, Valarttāṉ Mangalamuḍaiyāṉ, of a village of the same name — pious, charitable, and endowed with material prosperity. After feeding them he followed, asking to be taken as one among them. They did not respond. All went up and prostrated before Ananthalvan.
- 02
Ananthalvan enquired of the man’s antecedents. Upadeśa, he said, is given only to those who have conquered the five senses and controlled the mind. The pilgrims pleaded: there was none else fit to be his ācārya. Ananthalvan relented and took the chieftain aside. If he wanted discipleship he must forego his wealth in favour of the servants of God. Then he would win the grace Ananthalvan himself had received from the Lord. The chieftain bathed, received pañca-saṃskāra, and came to be known as Srivaishnavadāsa.
- 03
He spent whatever money he had brought. Not satisfied, he took leave, went home, divided his wealth into three parts — one to his mother, one to his father — and returned after a year with the rest, surrendering it at Ananthalvan’s feet. Then he reminded the Acharya that his part of the bargain alone had been completed. Ananthalvan took him into the sanctum, laid the gold and silver at Srinivasa’s lotus feet, and recited the Carama śloka: Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṃ śaraṇaṃ vraja. He prayed that the Lord keep the promise mā śucaḥ.
- 04
The Lord honoured them with tīrtha and Śaṭhakopa and promised that after shedding the mortal coil Srivaishnavadāsa would reach paramapada. Ananthalvan taught him the rahasyārthas. A few days later, at a festival, the Lord was in procession along the mada streets. From his abode Ananthalvan came out with his disciple. The man heard the Lord’s voice that the time had come. He prostrated, saying he desired to be the sole of His sacred feet, and heard Nayāmi paramāṃ gatim. Ananthalvan performed the caramakainkarya, wondering at the audāryam of the Lord.
Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṃ śaraṇaṃ vraja Ahaṃ tvā sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ
Abandoning all dharmas, take refuge in Me alone. I will release you from all sin. Do not grieve.
Bhagavad Gītā 18.66 — as Ananthalvan recited it before Srinivasa