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Sri Rãmãnuja lived on food procured through bhiksha. Once a person who hated Rãmãnuja poisoned the food offered as bhiksha. Rãmãnuja came to know about the poisoned bhiksha and was deeply hurt. So, he decided to fast thereafter. As a result of continuous fasting, Rãmãnuja’s health deteriorated. Knowing this, Rãmãnuja’s Guru, Thirukoshtiyur Nambi started for Srirangam in order to bless Rãmãnuja. Hearing about his Guru’s visit, Rãmãnuja went in person, to receive him. They met on the banks of the Cauvery and Rãmanuja prostrated to his Guru.

It was mid-summer and the sun was blazing. The river banks was scorching hot. As per the Vaishnavite tradition, one has to prostrate over and over until the Guru bids him to stop. Hence, Rãmãnuja kept prostrating again and again as his Guru did not stop him. Rãmãnuja was physically weak due to the continuous fasting. His continuous prostration on the hot sand worsened his physical condition. Even then, Rãmãnuja did not stop. Seeing this, Rãmãnuja’s disciple, Kidambiãchãn, who accompanied him, was infuriated and said, “What kind of a tradition is this? My Guru is prostrating before you on this hot sand and you are not asking him to stop!” Having said thus, Kidambiãchãn stopped Rãmãnuja from prostrating and embraced him.

Thirukoshtiyur Nambi cast a smile and spoke to his disciple Rãmãnuja, “This disciple of yours (Kidambiãchãn) is very concerned about your welfare. So have him as your cook and take bhiksha from his hands. Hereafter, avoid taking bhiksha from others.”

After this incident Kidambiãchãn became Rãmãnuja’s cook. From this incident, it can be seen that the Guru bhakti of some disciples excels even Bhagavat bhakti

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