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Re: Rama Navami question (and unrelated answer)

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Rangarajan S R • March 29, 1999 


Srimate Sri Lakshminrisimha Parabrhmane Nama:
Srimate Ramanujaya Nama:
Srimate Nigamantha Mahadesikaya Nama:
Srimate Athivan Satakopa Yathindra Mahadesikaya Nama:
Srimathe Sri Lakshminrisimha Dhivya Padhukasevaka
Srivan Satakopa Sri Narayana Yathindra Mahadesikaya Nama:

> A few weeks ago, Sri Sudarshan asked:
> 
> > Who composed the Desikan "taniyan" 
> > 
> > "vAdidbhava-sirO-bhanga panchA~nana parakrama-ha I
> >  sriman venkata-natharya chiram vijayatAm bhuvi  II"
> 
> I believe this is by one Dindima Kavi, a great poet
> in his own right. I do not know the date of Dindima Kavi,
> nor his relation to Swami Desika.
> 

Here is what I understand of Dindima Kavi's relation of Swami Desikan(please
pardon me for any errors):

Dindima Kavi was a reputed scholar of the north who had heard of Swami Desika's
genius and sought an intellectual battle with him. In the ensuing debate Swami
Desika easily defeated his arguments. Dindima Kavi then offered his work
"Raghavapyudhaym" to Swami Desika as if challenging Swami to produce a work of
comparable merit. In response, Swami Desika is said to have composed the
"Yadhavapyudhayam" in an exceptionally short span of time. On reading this work
of Swami, Dindima Kavi accepting complete defeat, acknowledeged the greatness of
his victor by composing the thaniyan.

Daasan
Rangarajan