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Stotras of Vedanta Desika
by Sri D. Ramaswamy Ayyangar
Page 2
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3. Devanayaka Panchasat
This is the first stotra sung by Vedanta Desika in praise of an
arca-murti (icon in a temple). Lord
Devanatha of Tiruvahindrapuram, by whose blessings and under
whose fostering care Venkatanatha emerged as an Acharya of the
first magnitude, appears to have commanded Desika to sing about
Him "on the pattern of the ancient Vedas". His having fulfilled
that command by singing in Sanskrit, Prakrit and Tamil is
mentioned at the end of Navamanimalai, one of his Tamil
poems. Devanayaka Panchasat is the first among them.
The great love and fascination of Desika towards Devanatha can be
seen reflected in almost every sloka here. Slokas 14 to 44
indulge in a close description and intimate enjoyment of the
Lord's Form (Body) from head to foot. At times the poet becomes
erotic and love-lorn (slokas 17 and 27). That perhaps explains
why this stotra is named "Devanayaka" Panchasat instead of
"Devanatha" Panchasat. Desika as a naayika (a lady in love) can
seek fulfilment only in a nayaka (lover). Moreover, the
Alvar who has sung about this Lord has called Him
Deivanayakan. Its Sanskrit form is Devanayaka. The Alvar has also
referred to this Perumal as adiyavarkku meyyan -- one who is
true to His devotees. Desika refers to the Lord by this name also
often. The first and last words of the stotra put together spell
out the same name -- praNatasatyavaadi.
More Details -
Devanagari Text
4. Achyuta Satakam
This is a stotra in Praakritam (a vernacular dialect derived from
Sanskrit). Ladies in ancient Sanskrit plays were invariably made
to talk only in this language. As Desika regarded himself as a
naayika (a lady in love) in regard to the
Lord of Tiruvahindrapuram, he must have sung this stotra in
what he himself calls "cintai-kavar-praakritam" (Praakritam that
attracts the mind). The poet himself has named the stotra as
Achyuta Satakam. The names Devanatha, and Dasa-satya also occur
very frequently in addition to the name Achyuta. Being a satakam
(100 slokas) several topics of philosophy and religion are dealt
with in detail. After the prefatory portion, the stotra can be
seen to deal with the Lord's svarupa up to Sloka 25. As in
Devanayaka Panchasat here also the several parts (angas) of the
Lord's Tirumeni (Body) are enjoyed in the order from head to foot
(34 to 43). Slokas 44 to 65 deal elaborately with several aspects
of the greatness of the Lord's Devotees. Slokas 72 onwards are
about the poet himself, his present afflicted state, his hopes,
fears and prayers, and appeals for help and succour. The stotra
winds up with a request to the Lord to receive him as a
bridegroom receives his bride at a wedding (100).
More Details -
Devanagari Text
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Last modified: Tue Apr 6 16:19:01 PDT
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