The Renunciant Teacher
Jīyar (Tamil honorific for a male renunciant; from Sanskrit yati = one who has renounced) is the title given to a Śrī Vaiṣṇava Ācārya who has taken formal sannyāsa (monastic vows). Unlike a gṛhastha (householder) Ācārya, the jīyar lives in a maṭha, observes strict renunciant discipline, and is fully available for teaching and community service.
The Periya Jīyar
The most celebrated jīyar in the tradition is Maṇavāḷa Māmunigaḷ himself, who is called the Periya Jīyar ('The Great Jīyar') or Yatīndra Pravaṇar ('One deeply attached to Rāmānuja, the king of sannyāsis'). He reorganized the liturgy at Śrī Raṅgam and is venerated as the supreme Ācārya of the Teṅkalai tradition after Rāmānuja.
Sampradāya Meaning
Without qualification, jīyar in the Śrī Vaiṣṇava sampradāya most commonly refers to Maṇavāḷa Māmunigaḷ specifically. Jīyar lineages continue to this day at major temples, conducting daily worship and teaching.