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Experiencing Swami Desika - 4

From the Bhakti List Archives

Praveena • June 9, 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:

Shri Pillai Lokaachaarya announced thus:

Seeronru Tooppul Tiruvenkata mudaiyan
Par onra chonna pazhamozhiyul !
OronRu thane Amaiyado Dharaniyil
Vazhvorkku Vanerap Pomalavum Vazhvu !!

A single statement of the great Acharya, Tooppul
Tiuvenkadamudaiyan (Our Swami), uttered for the
benefit of humanity, is enough for a person who
desires to ascend up to the Heavens and this will
itself lift him/her up to desired goals.

It is very clear that our Swami Desikar was an

abode of knowledge;
a person of Vairagya;
establisher of Vedanta on a firm basis;
master of all arts, crafts and artefacts;
establisher of Shri Bhagavad Ramanuja's philosophy;
Lion of both poets and logicians.

Swami, as Adiyal had mentioned in the first posting,
is the true "Vallal". Swami has given the humanity
enormous amount of works so that all Jivatmas can
realise the Paramatma and surrender to Sriya Pathi.

Our Swami has given us

Sthotra granthas
Kavya granthas
nataka granthas
vedantha granthas
vyakyana granthas
anushtana granthas
rahasya granthas and
tamil prabhandams

Swami used Sanskrit, Tamil & Prakritam to build
his works and he gave as much as 124 grantas.

Swami's works are extensive and exhaustive. Swami
has given us simple to complex renderings. Take,
Gopala Vimshati - for example. This looks simpler
when compared to Srimad Rahasyathraya Saaram or
Paadhuka Sahasram for that matter.

However, there is no doubt each one of them is a
rare gem that needs extreme care and devotion in
handling and understanding. Swami, has provided
us opportunity to go closer to our lord by including
Bheedakshara in his works.

A special mention needs to be made as to how our
Swami brought in the Paadukaa Sahasram. Swami wrote
Padukasahasram in just one yaama. However it is
interesting to note that each verse has abundance of
meanings, which may take us years and years to
comprehend and fully enjoy.

Swami Desika's works make us learn, understand and
enjoy Baghavad Anubhavam. Above all Swami's works
stress the importance of 'Nyasa' thereby help us
reach the abode of Sriya Pathi to perform eternal
Kaimkaryam.

Swami's works - while emphasising Parathvam - uses
the authority of the Vedas, Ithihasas, Puranas and
strong logic to support our Sampradaya.

Swami exposes the defects of the other schools of
thought and his establishment of Visistadvaita is complete.
Swami consolidated the philosophy of Visistadvaita based
on Bhagavad Ramanuja's teachings.

Swami Desika has furnished all the technical details
on our sampradaya with matchless insight and precision.

Our Swami was the greatest acharya yet he was a
humility personified.

Swami with all his unparalleled qualities was the
most devout disciple. His Acharya Bhakti too is
unparalleled. More on this tomorrow.....

Shri Ranganayaki Sametha Shri Ranganathan Parabrahmane Namaha:

dEsikan tiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

Praveena nAmni Ramanuja dasi
9th Jun 1999