Srimathe Ramanujaya Namah!
Sri Sriranga Narayana Jeeyar Swamigale Saranam!
Good question Swamy!
My understanding is that first Sri Ramanujacharya in Saranagathi Gadyam asked for his own moksham but later once that was granted he specifically requested for others as well.
A person who got into the whirlpool called “Samsaaram” can only save others if he is out of it. I remember this said by Velukkudi Swamigal.
Our Koorathalwar wanted to go-to Vaikuntam first as there also he didn’t want his Acharyar to serve him (as you know whenever a muktatma reaches Vaikuntam, all residents will welcome him by washing his feet)
However please refer to Enpani 979, where Swami explains asking for unconditional loving devotional service is the best of all even better than Saranagathi?
Adiyen
Badrinarayana Ramanuja Dasan