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Experiencing Swami Desika - 7

From the Bhakti List Archives

Praveena • June 12, 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:

In the previous post the Thiru Avathaaram
of PoigaiAzhwar and Swami Desika was mentioned.
This was done to emphasize the glory of SravaNam
(i.e.ThiruvONam Nakshathram).

ThiruvONam, being the Thirunakshatram of the Lord
has been glorified in many Pasurams.
For instance,

1. ThiruvOnatthiruvizhavil....

2. ThiNNaar veNsaghudiayaay ThiruvOnam inRezhu naaL...

3. nee piRatndha ThiruvONam..

4. atthaitthin patthaam naaL (Hastham's tenth day
is ThiruvONam)

And this Great Nakshathram is the same for PoigaiAzhwAr
and Swami Desikan.

Though our respect for all Sri Vaishnava AchAryas is
profound, it is this VishNu gaNTaavathaar who is
being enjoyed here!

Not that we like other AchAryas less, but then we adore
Swami Desikan, "Kavithaakkika Simham" more..

In fact, Yatheendra PravaNar Shri Manavala Maamuni,
had his Shri Bhashyam kallakshEpam from the sishya of
Swami Desikan, Shri Brahmathanthrar Swami and thus he
had high regards and respect for Swami Desikan..

Adiyal will highlight the guru-bhakti of Shri Vedantadesika
by taking a few slokas from the Yatiraja-saptati.

Swami Desika begins this hymn with salutations to the
chief propounders of the doctrine of Sri Vaishnavism from
Bhagavan, the first Aacharya up to Peria-nambi, the direct
Aacharya of Shri Ramanuja, in this Lord
Sriman Narayana,
Goddess Lakshmi,
Shri Vishvaksena,
Shri Nammalvar,
Shri Nathamuni,
Shri Uyyakkondar,
Shri Manakkal Nambi,
Shri Alavandar and
Shri Peria-nambi
are saluted as Aacharyas in independent Slokas.
>From the subsequent Sloka, Swami Desika explains
the greatness of Shri Bhasyakarar.

A study of the stotra will reveal the unparalleled
devotion of Swami Desika to the Acharyas in general
and to Shri Ramanuja (Ascetic-king) in particular.

Kamapi adyam gurum vande kamala - grhamedhinam !
Pravakta chandasam vakta pancaratrasya yah svayam !!

-- Yatirajasaptati

Our Lord Sriman Narayana is not separated from his
unexcelled consort Goddess Lakshmi even for a second.
He first created Brahma and taught him all the Vedas
and promulgated the Pancaratra Sastra.
There fore he is the first and foremost preceptor,
for every body.

Swami Desika bows to this unequalled and unexcelled
Lord Narayana!

Such is the greatness of our Lineage-Guruparampara
tracing back to Sriman Narayana itself!

...To be continued!


dEsikan tiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

Praveena nAmni Ramanuja dasi
12th Jun 1999