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Experiencing Swami Desika - 8

From the Bhakti List Archives

Praveena • June 13, 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 first sloka of Yatiraja saptati Swami Desika
bows to Lord Sriman Narayana.

Swami Desika's works in many instances reflect
the words of Alwar's. Our Alwar's words (Divya
Prabhandhams) in turn is the essence of vedas.

Swami says that he could not comprehend the greatness
of our Lord. Even the Vedas could not explain our
Lord in full.

The same is reflected in Tiruvaymoli as
'Thanakkum Tan Tanmai arivariyan' and
in the Periya Tirumadal of Tirumangai Mannan
We see 'Thannai pirar ariya thathuvatthai'.

Swami Desika mentions that Goddess Lakshmi and
Lord Sriman Narayana runs a household. But then
this household, comprises of the entire cosmos.
This is, but a sport for our Divya Dampati!

Swami Desika further says that our lord has revealed
the vedas to us. After the Maha Pralaya, Lord
imparted the vedas to Brahma.

Again, when the vedas were lost, our lord rescued
it from Madhu and Kaitapa.

Lord Vishnu took the form of Matsya, Hayagreeva and
Hamsa to restore the vedas to us.

Because our Lord bequeathed the vedas first he is
regarded as the 'AdiGuru'.

Perialwar echo's the same in 'Arumarai thanthane
accho vaccho'!

Though Lords qualities are incomprehensible, Swami
Desika wants to start the Yatiraja saptati with
salutations to our lord because he is our first
Aacharya.

The Vedas as mentioned above have been revealed to us
by the grace of our Lord. On the other hand, the
Pancaratra Agamas is reckoned to be the words of
Sriman Narayana Himself.

Pancharatra Agamacharyam
Vandey Vaikunta Bhoo-pathim!!

Pancharatrasya Krustanasya
Vakttha Narayanaha Swayam!!

Anantha Prathamo Ratrow
Garudastu dwiteeyakey
truteeya ratrow Senesaha
Chaturtam Vedhasa srutam
Rudraha Panchama-ratram tu
Pancharatram prasasyate!!

-- Ananta Samhita, first Adyaya

Pancharatra Sastra was taught by the lord on the
first day to Anantha, Second day to Garuda, Third
day to Vishwaksena, Fourth day to Brahma and the
fifth day to Rudra.

Shri Yamunacharya wrote an extensive work 'Agama
Pramanya', and to further emphasise the authority
of Pancharatra Swami Desika wrote several works.

The following sloka of Swami Desika clarifies to us
that both Vaikanasa and Pancharatra are equally
venerable to Sri Vaishnavas.

Tvam Pancharatrika nayena prutakvidena
Vaikanasenacha pada niyadatikaraa: !
Samjna visesha niyamena samarchayantaha
Preetya nayanti palavanti dinani dhanyaha!!

-- Saranagati Deepika - Sloka 32

The fortunate ones worship Thee according to the
various and different systems in vogue in Pancharatra
Agama and according to the mode laid down in Vaikanasa
Agamas, respectively in which they are trained strictly
adopting the names of Thine, out of Love and there by
spending their days profitably.

...To be continued!

dEsikan tiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

Praveena nAmni Ramanuja dasi
13th Jun 1999