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Experiencing Swami Desika - 2

From the Bhakti List Archives

Praveena • June 7, 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:

Our Swami Desikar's original name was Venkatanatha.
When Venkatanatha was just five years old, Sri Appullar
took him to Sri Bhashya Kalakshepam being rendered by
Shri Nadadur Ammal.

Swami was looking his best, as usual with his divine grace.
Swami was also sporting a Rakudi on his head. Swami's beauty
impressed Shri Nadadur Ammal who stopped the discourse to
bless the kid.

Shri Nadadur Ammal forgot the context of his discourse when
he wanted to resume. Our five year old Venkatanatha was
quick to remind Shri Nadadur Ammal the context of Sri Bashyam.

Shri Nadadur Ammal was impressed by this child prodigy
and hence blessed Venkatanatha thus:

Pratisthapita -Vedantah
Prati-kshipta-bahirmatha
bhuyas-trai-vidya-maanyas-tvam
buri kalyana-bhajanam.

Realising the divinity in our Swami, Shri Nadadur Ammal
directed Venkatanatha to establish Vedanta on a firm
basis and to refute the doctrines of opponents.

He also blessed Venkatanatha that he will be held in great
esteem by scholars well-versed in the three Vedas and further
ordained that our Swami be a recipient of all auspicious things.

Blessed in such a way, our Swami maintained these instructions
and worked to fulfill the directions of Shri Nadadur Ammal to
the greatest extent.

This sloka [the blessing of Nadadur Ammal] is seen
in Act II of Sankalpa Suryodaya of Swami Desikar.

Swami uses the same sloka as a blessing to an young
disciple when he sets out to establish the supremacy
of Visistadvaita over other schools of thought.

So, how did Venkatanatha become Swami Desika
and what does 'Desika' mean?

... Tomorrow.

Shri Ranganayaki Sametha Shri Ranganathan Parabrahmane Namaha:

dEsikan tiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

Praveena nAmni Ramanuja dasi
7th June 1999