Article courtesy, http://www.ramanuja.org

The title “Prativadi Bhayankaram” is given by Manavala Mamunigal to a great Srivaishnava scholar of Srivatsa gotram, who became his disciple. Since then, he is known PB Annan or vadibhikara mahaguna muni in sanskrit. This title was given when Sri PB Anna defeated an advaitic scholar called Nrusimha Misra. It is believed that his Thiruvaradhana Perumal Rukmini Satyabhama sameta Balagopalan was also gifted by Periya Jeeyar at the same time.

Once Manavala Mamnuigal asks Sri PB Anna, when the latter enters the former’s goshti, “Oh Prativadibhayankarar has come?!”. Then Anna replies, “I am Bhayankaran only for Prativadis (opponents). In a Srivaishnava Sabha, I am their servants’ servant”. Sri Jeeyar was very happy with this reply and gives another title to Annan “Srivaishnava dasan”. Since then, all his followers are known as “Srivaishnava dasans just like Thirumalai Anandanpillai descendants are known as “Madhurakavi Dasans”.