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Stotras of Vedanta Desika
by Sri D. Ramaswamy Ayyangar
Page 17
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24. Nyaasa Tilakam
This and the following two stotras deal with nyaasa or saranagati
and are supplementary and complementary to Saranagati Dipika
ante. Nyasa Tilakam, the name given by the author to it
shows the importance that he himself attached to this
work. (Tilakam -- prominent jewel or other article beautifying a
person.) It consists of 32 slokas couched in various metres from
anushtup with eight syllables in a quarter to sragdhara
(twenty-one to a quarter).
The Deity in whose praise this Stotra has been sung is Lord Ranganatha
of Srirangam at whose feet Acharya Ramanuja performed
prapatti in Saranagati Gadyam. Slokas 3 and 4 refer to
Sri-prapatti which comes first. Sloka 22 makes pointed reference
to the special assurances given by Lord Ranganatha to Ramanuja
about the certainty of protection to saranagata-s. For these and
other reasons this stotra has been taken to be an elucidation of
that Gadya in addition to its being an embellishment thereof in
padya (poetry).
Several doubts that are likely to assail us about the efficacy
and potency of Prapatti are mentioned, and at once dispelled by
cogent and irrefutable data. Sloka 19 deals with the obstacles
to Mahavisvasa and how to remove them. In 14 a very intricate
problem is very successfully tackled, viz., hopes of a glorious
life in future held out to one wallowing in misery here. Slokas
20 and 21 stress the value of the blessing of an acharya as the
only panacea for wavering minds, and how an acharya can procure
to us benefits beyond us.
Towards the end, this stotra contains more than the usual
measure of personal touches and introspective exclaims. The poet
addresses his fickle and vacillating mind in sloka 24 and in
sloka 26 informs his speech, body and mind that Venkatesa
Kavi is now a prapanna at the lovely feet of Lord Ranganatha and
asks them not to play their old pranks with him any longer. The
stotra winds up with a prayer to be made the recipient of the
highly coveted title of "Servant of the Lord and His Sri."
The importance of Nyaasa Tilakam can also be gathered
from another fact. This is the only stotra for which Swami
Desika's son and disciple, Kumara Varadacharya, has furnished a
commentary in Sanskrit.
More Details -
Devanagari Text
25. Nyaasa Vimsati
This Stotra of 22 Slokas all in sragdhara metre, stresses several
aspects of nyaasa or prapatti not covered by Saranagati Dipika
and Nyaasa Tilaka. To start with, the qualifications an acharya
should possess are set out in the first sloka. Such a one should be
worshipped as if he were God Himself (2). Then the traits
the sishya must possess are mentioned in sloka 3. The unflinching and
unshakable faith in the efficacy of prapatti which is a vital
part in the pursuit of that path is stressed in 7. Slokas 15
and 16 refute some wrong meanings attributed to certain words in
the Charama Sloka. Siddhopaya and Saadhyopaya are clearly defined
in 17. The stotra concludes with expressing a feeling of a sense
of security and fearlessness after a proper performance of
prapatti.
Lord Varadaraja of Kanchipuram is the Deity to whom this stotra
and the next are dedicated.
More Details -
Devanagari Text
25a. Nyaasa Vimsati Vyaakhyaa
"At the desire of good and godly men" Swami Desika has himself
written a commentary on Nyaasa Vimsati by way of "dingmaatra",
indicating the way or method. ... Tattva Muktaa Kalaapa is the
only other work of Desika in Sanskrit for which he himself has
furnished a commentary. That is for tattva, this is for upaaya.
26. Nyaasa Dasakam
The anushthaana or observance of prapatti may be
sakRt, once only. But a reading or recitation of this
stotram will help a prapanna to remind himself of what has been
done and what he has got to do for the rest of his life. Every
devout Vaishnava recites this stotra at the beginning of
tiruvaaradhana (daily wor ship) of the Lord. The Stotra deals
with the atma-nikshepa (saranagati), with its angas, and prays
for flawless service to the Lord in the post-prapatti period. It
is a complete code in itself -- a very short and sweet one. Sloka
2 refers to all the angas one word for each. Prapatti is
performed by us only by His grace and only for His benefit, not
ours; this is pointed out in slokas 3 and 10. The stotra winds up
with referring to the sense of relief obtained after casting off
all burden. The last sloka of Nyaasa Vimsati is invariably
recited along with Nyasa Dasakam at its conclusion.
More Details -
Devanagari Text
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