The Hymn to Rāmānuja
The Rāmānuja Nūṟṟantādi ("the antādi of hundred verses on Rāmānuja") was composed by Tiruvaraṅgattamudanār, a disciple of Rāmānuja. Though not among the original twelve Āzhvārs, his work was admitted into the Sri Vaishnava canon as a supplement — a testament to the extraordinary quality of his devotion to Rāmānuja.
Content and Style
The 108 verses are composed in the antādi format — each verse's ending leading to the next's beginning. The work:
- Celebrates Rāmānuja's birth, qualities, and mission
- Expounds the theological positions of Rāmānuja (Viśiṣṭādvaita, the primacy of prapatti)
- Expresses the author's own surrender to Rāmānuja
- Celebrates Rāmānuja's disciples and their devotion
Place in the Canon
The Nūṟṟantādi is recited in Sri Vaishnava homes and temples during Rāmānuja's tirunakṣatram, Cittirai Tiruvādirai and during annual observances. It is part of the Prabandha Pāṭham (recitation curriculum) of Sri Vaishnava students. Maṇavāḷa Māmunigaḷ is said to have recited this work before the Lord of Śrīraṅgam.