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Experiencing Swami Desika - 34

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Praveena • August 18, 1999 


SrI:
Shrimate Shri Lakshmi Nrusimha Parabrahmane Namaha:
Shrimate Shri Seetha Ramachandra Parabrahmane Namaha:
Shrimate Shri Ramanujaya Namaha:
Shrimate Nigamantha Maha Desikaya Namaha:
Shrimate Shrivan Satagopa Shri Narayana Yateendra Mahadesikaya Namaha:


Swami Desikan states one important fact that
Shri Ramanuja had no limitations - absolutely.
In Swami's YatirAja Saptati, out of sheer Acharya
pratipatti, Swami has done some excellent comparisons.

Let us see one such comparison:

"shita swabhAva subhagAnubhava: sikAvAn
dhOshAvamardha niya thOnnatirOshatIsha: !
tApAnubanta shamanas tapana: prajAnAm
rAmAnujO jayati samvalita tridAmA !!"

-- YatirAja saptati (27)

There are three major thejas in the world viz.,.
agni, chandran and sOriyan. The prime quality of
Agni is purity, Chandran is the capacity to make
one happy, and sOriyan is possessing brightness.
Swami Desika says that Shri yAtirAjA's thejas was
the synergy of agni, chandran and sOriyan. And
what more, Shri yatirAja had even the qualities
that they did not posses.

There are some limitations to agni, chandran
and sOriyan. Swami Desika says that Shri Ramanuja
shined because he did not have any such limitations.

Shri Yatirajar was extremely pure like agni. Agni
will not let anyone near it because of its heat but
Shri yatirAjar because of his capacity to bless with
calm mind is easily approachable and enjoyable.

Just as how we feel happy seeing Chandran, when we
prostrate to Swami's thirumeni we feel happy.
Chandran depends on the darkness of the night to
shine consistently. But Shri yatirAjar having removed
the dhOshas of devotees has obtained consistent
greatness. Here Swami Desika uses the word "dhOsham".
"dhOsham" may refer to 'fault' or 'night'. There is
pun intended in the word "dhOsham".

Shri EmberumAnar's thejas is even greater than that
of sOryan. sOryan brings about tApa, while
Shri Ramanuja through his upadesas and Sri Sookti's
clears samsara tApa.

"hatAvadhye hrudhye haricharaNapankeruhayuge
nibatnantyaikAntyam kimapi yatibObrutphanitaya: !
shunAshiraskandadruhiNaharaherambahutabhuk
prapechadi shutara pranati parihAra pratibuva: !!"

-- YatirAja saptati (53)

People who have the bAgyam of enjoying Shri Bhasyakar's
Sri Sookti's worship Bhagavan's lotus like feet, they
have no faults and are very happy. A strong conviction
is developed in them. This conviction makes every one
realise Paratvam and reach Sriya:Pathi's Lotus feet.

Therefore, they reach a great state where they resort
only to Lord's feet and to nothing else. Because of such
a state they do not worship demi gods like Indra, muruga,
Brahma, siva, Vinayaka, Agni, Sooryan who can grant only
temporary benefits.

Since we now know the importance of Shri Bhasyakarar's
Sri Sookthi's, here is a brief -

Shri Bhasyakarar has given us the nine Sanskrit
granthas/ Sri Sookthi's.

They are the navaratna's (nine gems) for us.

1. Sribhashya   - a commentary on Brahmasutras

2. Vedantadipa   - a detailed gloss on the
     Brahmasutras

3. Vedantasara   - a brief commentry on the essence
     of Brahmasutras

4. Vedarthasangraha  - a thesis on Visishtadvaita which
     refutes other schools of thought.

5. Bhagavadgitabhasya  - based mainly on the Gitartha
     sangraha of Alavandar

6. saranagatigadya  - explains the essence of the dvaya-mantra.

7. Srirangagadya  - A summary of Saranagatigadya appealing
     to Lord Ranganatha.

8. Sri Vaikunthagadya  - a glorification of the supreme abode

9. Nityagrantha  - the procedure to perform Ijya Aradhanam
     to Lord.


Swami Desika says that Shri Bhasyakara's Sri Sookthi's
will make a person

 1. Worship only the Divine feet
 2.  not to worship other deities
 3. reach the state of a paramaikantin.

......to be continued!

yatirAjar tiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

dEsikan tiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

Praveena nAmni Ramanuja dasi
18th Aug 1999