Vedanta Desika
Encyclopedia
Vedanta Desika (1269–1370) was a Sri Vaishnava Guru. He was a poet
, devotee
, philosopher and master-teacher. He was the disciple of Swamy Sri Kidambi Appullar alias Sri Aathreya Ramanujachariar who comes in the lineage starting from Sri Ramanuja
with Sri Thirukurugai Piran Pillan alias Sri Kurugesar,Sri Kidambi Aachan, Sri Aathreya Ramanujar,Sri Aathreya Rangarajachariar and many in the order. He is considered as an AVATAR (incarnation) of Lord Venkateswara of Tirumalai by Sri Vaishavites.
The Birth of Vedanta Desika was in the Kali
yuga
year 4370, which corresponds to 1268 AD in the Tamil Year Vibhava, month Purattaasi, on the Dasami day of Sukla Paksha, a Wednesday, in the constellation of Sravana
m ( the same as that of Lord of Tirumalai).He was born in Thooppul, near Tiruttangaa (Himavanam) adjacent to the temple of Deepa Prakaasar in Kanchipuram, the birthplace of Poigai Alwar.
, near Kanchipuram
, (according to legend, on the order of Lord Srinivasa and Padmavathi Thayaar, the God and Goddess of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
the divine bell of Narayana took the incarnation as Swamy), as the son of Ananta Suri and Totaramma. Swamy is also considered to be the incarnation of the 'Lord of Seven hills' knon as Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Himself. It is widely revered as Swamy is the incarnation of Baghavath Ramanuja
to once again reform the Vaishnavism
and to give the world about its elaborated Treatises.He was named "Venkatanatha" and belonged to the Vishwamithra gothra (lineage). He was educated and trained by a scholarly maternal uncle of his, Kidambi Appullalar who was a direct disciple of Nadadoor Ammal (Grand Nephew of Ramanuja
). Appullalar also initiated Venkatanatha into Brahmacharya Upanayanam
(sacred thread ceremony) at the age of seven and then to the SriVaishnavaite school of philosophy through Panchasamskara and made him master the Vedas
, Divyaprabandam, Puranas and Sastras. By the age of twenty he was a great scholar without peer in the history of Vaishnavism
. He got married at the age of 21 to Tirumangai (also known as "Kanakavalli"). Vedanta Desikan rose to the status of an "Acharya
" by the age of 27. Swami Desikan was conferred the title of Sarva Tantra Swatantra (one with the capacity for independent thinking and originality in any field), by Ranganayaki
thaayar Herself, and Swamy was adorned with the title Vedantachariar by the Lord of Sri Rangam Sri Ranganatha
, Himself.
After becoming the "Acharya
" in the Ramanuja
tradition, Swami Desikan left for Thiruvahindhipuram (near Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu), as per the orders of his guru
swamy Kidambi Appullar and spent some years there meditating on Garuda
and had the darshan of Lord Hayagriva
, from then on, Sri Lakshmi
Hayagriva
became his personal deity. Swamy composed numerous works of Literature in the languages of Sanskrit
, Prakrit
, Tamil
and Manipravala.These works of Swamy Desikan live throughout the ages speaking about his mastery of language and excellence in the Traditional Knowledge known as Gyana. With the Divine Mercy upon him, he made pilgrimage to Kanchipuram, Tirupati, Brindavan, Ayodya and Badrinath preaching Ramanuja's philosophy through discourses and literary works. After many years of wandering from place to place ( the list of which include Melkote and Satyamangalam), Swami Desikan returned to Srirangam and settled there. Swami Desikan left this material world in the year 1370 after living for 101 years. Before leaving this world, he arranged for the continuance of the "Guru Parampara" by initiating his primary disciple, Brahmatantraswatantra swami, and his son, Kumara Varada Desikan into the Acharya tradition, the many disciples of whom still continue the Ramanuja tradition through various ashrams and mutts.
Swami propagated the Vishistadvaita of Sri Ramanuja
and guided people all along the length and Breadth of the nation. Even though he was a very great scholar, he remained humble. With Modesty he marks in one of his works as "Vedaanta Desika Padhe Vinivesya Baalam" which gives a meaning "Oh ! How the Lord had elevated me a mere boy into a competent Acharya "
, commentary on the Bhagavad Gita
, secret doctrines of Vaishnavism
, original Tamil
poems, epic poems and allegorical dramas in Sanskrit
, dialectical works such as Satadushani
directed against rival religious schools , treatises on daily life and several other miscellaneous treatises. His gloss on the meanings of the Vedas
, reconciling the teachings of the Alvars
and the Prasthanatrayi
created history because it exposed the Divya Prabhandham of the Alvars to a much wider audience and elevated it to a status equivalent to that of the Vedas
in the eyes of the Tamil Vaishnava people.
As a critic, he was as searchingly critical as he was sympathetically tolerant. He ennobled his poetry through philosophy and embellished his philosophy through his poetry. He preached only what he practised and practised what he preached. He was a saint par excellence though he remained a Grihasta throughout. It is difficult to find such a harmonious blend - of Precept and Practice, of Exalted thinking and Simple living. He synthesised in himself an inimitable moral fervour and an inspired spiritual insight. His works could be broadly classified into the following groups (in ITRANS
transliteration):
), Swami composed 15 Vedanta Granthas like as following :
sESwara mImAmsa, SatadhUshaNi, adhikaraNa sArAvaLi, tattva tIka, nyAya pariSuddhi, nyAya sidhdAnjanam, tattva muktA kalApam, nikshEpa raksha, saccharitra raksha, vaditraya khaNDanam, dramidOpanishath tAtparya ratnAvaLi, dramidOpanishath sAram
sarvArtha sidhdi, adhikaraNa darpaNam
rahasya ratnAvaLi hrudayam, tattva traya chulakam, rahasya traya chulakam, abhaya pradAna sAram, rahasya SikhAmaNi, anjali vaibhavam,
pradAna Satakam, upahAra sangraham, sAra sangraham, muni vAhana bhOgam, madhura kavi hrudayam, paramapada sOpAnam, paramatha bhangam
hastigiri mAhAtmyam, SrImath rahasya traya sAram, sAra sAram, virOdha parihAram, nigama parimaLam, tirumudi adaivu
charama SlOka churukku, gItArtha sangraham, mumkaNi kOvai, nava maNi mAlai, pantu kazhal ammAnai Uusal Eesal prabanda sAram, AahAra niyamam
SrI hayagrIva stOtram, daSavatAra stOtram, bhagavath dyAna sOpAnam, gOpAla vimSati, SrI stuti, bhU stuti, gOdA stuti, nyAsa daSakam, dayA Satakam, abhIti stavam, dEva nAyaka panchASath, varadarAja panchASath, yatOktakAri stOtram, ashTabhujAshTakam, kAmASikAshTakam, paramArtha stuti, SaraNAgati dIpikA, acchyuta Satakam, dEhaLISa stuti, nyAsa tilakam, mahAvIra vaibhavam, sudarSanAshTakam, shOdasAyuda stOtram, garuda dandakam, garuda panchASath, yatirAja saptati, vairAgyapanchakam, nyAsa vimSati
Legend says that when in Srivilliputtur, he composed "Godha Sthuthi", the presiding Deity of the town Sri Andal
was so pleased that she ordained that the Stotra should be recited during her Utsavam days along with Divya Prabhandams. To this day, this recitation is being followed in Srivilliputtur.The said "Godha Sthuthi" remains as a Suprabatham for Sri Andal
. In glorifying this Aacharya there is a very big shrine dedicated for Vedanta Desika in Srivilliputtur and a separate festival for 10 days is being celebrated till today in the name of "Sri Gotha Sthuthi Uthsavam" in Srivilliputtur
(IAST ) or "The Message of the Swan" is a medieval love poem set in southern India. Lovesick Rama
, the epic hero, petitions a swan to carry a message to his beloved Sita
, who has been abducted by the demon king, Ravana
. As the swan's route winds through South India, it honours the land which Rama and Sita made sacred, whose beautiful landscape and peoples it describes in full. The Swan shoots like an arrow across the ocean to the island of Lanka and there he sustains the pining and near-suicidal Sita with his message. But more than this, the poet also pays deep homage to Kālidāsa
's "Cloud Messenger". This work is four things: a fine poem in its own right; a suggestive retelling of the Ramayana
; a pilgrim's guide to the holy sites of South India; and a work that develops the poetics of Kālidāsa's "Meghadūta
" and gives them a devotional and heroic twist.
Paduka Sahasram has 32 "Padhadhi"s. Reading each padhadhi everyday, thereby completing in 32 days. Many believed to have achieved their wishes by completing this exercise. Doing parayana of paduka sahasram helps to attain moksha. Wonderful language, chitra-padams were used in these slokas. Mainly sung on the padukas of Lord Rama, Lord Renganatha and Lord Krishna, praying for attaining Moksha.
Paduka Sahara Parayanam yields miraculous benefits and self-realization.
The Sloka for Moksha :
Prathibhayaha Param Thathvam Bribrathi Padmalochanam
Pachimayam Avasthayam Paduke Muhyatho Mama
There are many stunning slokas like full sloka is constructed with word "ya". Likewise one sloka has been construncted with a word "padapa".
Practicing / Reciting Paduka Sahasram takes one to Bhakthi Marga
No writer among the followers of Ramanuja fought for the rightful place for Divya Prabandhams as did Swami Desika. His prolific compositions in pure Tamil , pure Sanskrit, Praakrit and Manipravala bear ample testimony to the fact of his genius. Even while young, he used to attend the Kalakshepam discourses of Nadaadur Ammal along with his maternal uncle, Appullaar (Kidambhi AppuLLaar- descendent of Kidambi Aacchaan- AchArya Ramanuja's direct disciple) who was also his Acharya. Before the age of 20, he excelled in all that a person ought to learn. His exposure to Vedas, Divya Prabandhas and Sastras at a very early age provided him with an encyclopaedic knowledge and this treasure house of knowledge was matched only by his exemplary modesty and humility- which rarely go together among scholars.
The Archa murthi of Hayagriva which was originally worshipped by Goddess Saraswati and handed over by her to Bhagavad Ramanuja was being subsequently worshipped by Pillaan and Pundarikaaksha. This Pundarikaaksha was the son-in-law of Appullaar, and was working as the Rajaguru of the Rayar Samasthaanam in the north. As ordered by the Lord, Pundarikaaksha handed over the murthi to Swami Desika with royal honors.
In about 1312 A.D, during the Muslim invasion of Srirangam by Malik Kafur, the General of Allauddin, Sultan of Delhi and in 1323 A.D during the invasion of Ulugh Khan there was a great commotion. The Srivaishnavas who were Satvic by nature were no match to the Muslim plunderers. Fear gripped the minds of everyone as to what might happen to the temple and the Lords Archa murthis. The Acharyas deliberated under the guidance of the Centenarian Master, Sudarsana Bhattar. It was decided that one group under Pillai Lokacharya (who was equally advanced in age) was to take the Utsava Murthi and His consorts covered up in a palanquin to Tirupati.. The party under Sudarsana Suri was to stay put at Srirangam, after erecting a stone wall in front of the Sannidhi of Moolavar to cover him from the sight of the marauders. Swami took Sudarsana Bhattars two sons and the manuscripts of Sruta Prakaasika (the elaborate commentary on Sri Bhashyam chronicled by Sudarsana Bhattar during the Kalakshepams of Nadadur Ammaal) to safety at Tiru narayana puram via Satya mangalam. But, before he could do that, the Muslim army attacked them and massacred many of them. Swami hid himself with his wards in the midst of corpses and spent the night. In the morning, they moved towards Satyakalam village in Karnataka en route to Tirunarayana puram.
)
This taniyan was composed by Sri Periya Parakala Jeeyar swamy of Sri Parakala Mutt
on the day of star of Hastham, the star of Sri Varadharaja Perumal of Kanchipuram in the Tamil month of Avani. This taniyan is recited before starting Divya Prabandham — the works of Alwars by Vadakalayars. The meaning of this taniyan is "I salute the great Venkata Natha also called Vedanta Acharya and Lion among poets and logicians and who was well adorned by both Knowledge and discretion and who well deserved the grace of Srimad Ramanuja/ Kidambi Appullar who also had the same name."
His son Kumara Varadacharya has composed a thaniyan on Swami Desika. This thaniyan is recited before reading Sri Bhasya
of Sri Ramanuja
and any Sanskrit stotra of swami desikan. In ITRANS
, it is:
The meaning of this verse is "the great lion of poets and the great preceptor of Vedanta (that Swami Venkatanatha was) should reside in his heart always." It is good to note that, Sri Kumara Varadhacharya was a great scholar and has also composed "Pillai Anthathi" in Tamil and "Sri Desika Managalam" in Sanskrit, on Swamy Vedanta Desika. These two works are chanted in most of the Vadakalai Divya Desam till today. This has a recorded history of past 650 years.
The meaning of this verse composed by Aacharya Sri Pillai Lokacharya
is "For a person who desires to ascend up to the Heavens, even a single statement of the great Acharya, Tooppul Tiuvenkadamudaiyan (Vedanta Desika) uttered by him for the benefit of humanity would be sufficient to lift him up to his desired goal".
would be followed for ever. Swamy Desikan's Vazhi Thirunamam is being chanted in most of the Vadakalai Divya Desam all over India.
The Vazhi thirunamam with the Engilsh Transliteration is as following :
"Vanja Para Samayam Mattra Vandhon Vazhiye
Mannu Pughaz Bhoothooran Manamuhappon Vazhiye
Kanja Thirumangai Ughakka Vandhon Vazhiye
Kaliyanurai Kudi Konda Karuththudayon Vazhiye
Senjol Tamil Maraigal Thelindhu Uraippon Vazhiye
Thirumalai Mal Thirumaniyay Sirakka Vandhon Vazhiye
Thanja Parakadhiyay Thantharulvon Vazhiye
Than Tamil Thoopul Thiruvenkadavan Vazhiye!!!
Nanilamum Than Vaala; Naan maraigal Thaam Vaala
Maanagaril Maaran Marai Vaazha
Gyaniyargal Senniani Ser Thoopul Vedantha Desikane
Innum Oru Nootrandirum!!!
Vazhiyani Thoopul varum Vedathasiriyan
Vazhiyavan Paadhara Vindha Malargal
Vazhiyavan Kodhila Thal Malarai Kondadi Kondirukkum
Theethilla Nallor Thiral!"
The meaning of the Tamil Verses are as following
"May Your grace live long; for you have changed many unrighteous paths to the righteous path
May Your grace live long; for you have lived a life as pleasing to Sri Ramanujacharya
May Your grace live long; for you have given joy for great men with your service
May Your grace live long; for you have been an embodiment of the words of Thirumangai Alwar
May Your grace live long; for you have presented the Tamil Vedas the Divya Prabandams very clearly
May Your grace live long; for you have proved your incarnation of being the Divine bell of the Lord of Seven Hills
May Your grace live long; for you are blessing us with the path of Salvation
May Your grace live long; for you are the Lord of Seven Hills whom came to elaborate the Tamil Verses"
"May our Swami Desikan live for one more century, for the well-being of the Worlds ( The Earth, the worlds above Earth,
the worlds below Earth and the Eternal world), for the well-being of Vedas, for the sacred text of Nammalvar's
Thiruvaimozhi to present glorious in sacred Sri Rangam; Oh Swami Vedanta Desika, the dusts from your holy feet
are being worn by the great Gyanis to get betterment in their Spritual life; May You live one more century for our sake!"
"May Your grace live long; the grace of Swami Desikan who was born in Thoopul, who has no equivalent in knowledge; who is our
greatest Philosopher; Long live His Lotus Feet! Long live the sacred men who are divine and pious always meditating and
celebrating the grace of this Aacharya and who are staying away from all sorts of evil deeds and who are always surronded with
the good and sacred deeds!"
It is praiseworthy to note that, even though the 'Vazhi Thirunamam' is being sung for various Aacharyas of Sri Vaishnava tradition. But it is for only Swamy Ramanuja
and Swamy Vedata Desika, this Thirunamam is apt, as only these two great personalities lived in this material world for one full century and continuously practised and preached the Vishishtadvaita
and have set the ideal models for a highly elevated living for the human beings.
during his stay in Sri Rangam. Sri Ranganatha
of Sri Rangam was very happy with the service that Swamy Desikan had done for Ramanuja
's Vishistadvaita by working with it thorough out his lifetime. Swami Desika consoled everybody and instructed all to continue their divine works and follow the Ramanuja
dharshanam. By then, because of the grace and tireless service this philosophy of Sri Ramanuja
this philosophy of Sri Ramanuja got the name "Desika Sampradhayam". Having lived a full and rich life for 101 years and being satisfied with his work on earth, Swami Desika cast his tabernacle of flesh, praying to Udaiyavar ( Sri Ramanujacharya) and Kidambi Appullaar by placing their Paadukas on his head. With Swamy's Head kept on the laps of Nainarachar (Sri Kumara Varadhachariar) and his Lotus feet on the lap of Brahma Tantra Svatantrarar (Sri Periya Parakala Jeeyar of Sri Parakala Mutt
, while his Sishyas chanted Tiruvoimozhi and Upanishads, He left for the Divine Abode of God-Head Sriman Narayana
. He attained Paramapadam in Tamil
Sowmya year in the Tamil
month Kartigai in the star of Kartikai. In the Kali yuga year 4471 which corresponds to 1369 AD in Sri Rangam.
Later Sri Ranganayaki
thayar of Sri Rangam ordered that a sannidhi should be made for Swami desika close to her sannidhi inside the temple. Also it is believed that she ordered that no other acharya sannidhi will be made hereafter inside the temple as a mark of respect to this great acharya, which is being followed to this day.One can see the desikan sannidhi in front of the thaayaar sannidhi in Srirangam.
The meaning of "Tatvamasi" shruthi was the topic of the debate. Akshobhya muni rejected Vidyaranya's interpretation of the shruthivakhya as per yukthi, with the help of nigama agama pramanas and established sarvajna sidhanta. It was a critical, specific, clear and a suited explosion of pramana vakyas. The judge shrI Vedanta Desika wrote his decision in the form of shloka and sent it. "asinā tattvamasinā parajīvaprabhedinā | vidyāraṇyaṃ mahāraṇyaṃ akṣobhyamuniraccinat ||" with the help of the sword "tatvamasi" which actually means difference between jeeva and Brahma, Akshobya yathi felled the dense forest called Vidyaranya. To commemorate this event a victory post was erected on that mountain top. The public debate between Akshobhya theertha and Vidyaranya that took place and Vedanta Desika's judgment shloka were inscribed for record on a pillar post and it was called as jayasthamba.
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, devotee
Bhakti
In Hinduism Bhakti is religious devotion in the form of active involvement of a devotee in worship of the divine.Within monotheistic Hinduism, it is the love felt by the worshipper towards the personal God, a concept expressed in Hindu theology as Svayam Bhagavan.Bhakti can be used of either...
, philosopher and master-teacher. He was the disciple of Swamy Sri Kidambi Appullar alias Sri Aathreya Ramanujachariar who comes in the lineage starting from Sri Ramanuja
Ramanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
with Sri Thirukurugai Piran Pillan alias Sri Kurugesar,Sri Kidambi Aachan, Sri Aathreya Ramanujar,Sri Aathreya Rangarajachariar and many in the order. He is considered as an AVATAR (incarnation) of Lord Venkateswara of Tirumalai by Sri Vaishavites.
Birth
In the case Swami Vedanta Desika, certain oblique biographical references are available internally in his works, for example in the Prologue to his Sankalpa Suryodayam . Prathivadi Bhayankaram Annan (1300–1400), a junior contemporary of Swami Desika and a disciple of Kumara Varadhacharya (son of Swamy Vedanta Desika) gives some details about Vedanta Desika's parentage, education etc. in his " Sapta Ratna Maalika".The Birth of Vedanta Desika was in the Kali
Kali
' , also known as ' , is the Hindu goddess associated with power, shakti. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means "the black one". Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means "Time" or "Death" . Hence, Kāli is...
yuga
Yuga
Yuga in Hindu philosophy is the name of an 'epoch' or 'era' within a cycle of four ages. These are the Satya Yuga, the Treta Yuga, the Dvapara Yuga, and finally the Kali Yuga. According to Hindu cosmology, life in the universe is created, destroyed once every 4.1 to 8.2 billion years, which is...
year 4370, which corresponds to 1268 AD in the Tamil Year Vibhava, month Purattaasi, on the Dasami day of Sukla Paksha, a Wednesday, in the constellation of Sravana
Sravana
Sravana may refer to:* Shravana, a Hindu nakshatra* Shraavana, a month...
m ( the same as that of Lord of Tirumalai).He was born in Thooppul, near Tiruttangaa (Himavanam) adjacent to the temple of Deepa Prakaasar in Kanchipuram, the birthplace of Poigai Alwar.
Early life
Swamy Desikan (the proper transliteration should be "Deshikan") was born in ThoopulTiruththanka
-The temple:There are shrines for Lakshmi Hayagriva, Andal, Vedanta Desika and Alwars. It is the birth place of Vedanta Desika. There is a separate shrine for Lord Hayagreeva along with Vedanta Desika.-References:* * *...
, near Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, or Kanchi, is a temple city and a municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district...
, (according to legend, on the order of Lord Srinivasa and Padmavathi Thayaar, the God and Goddess of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple ), is a Hindu temple in the hill town of Tirumala, near Tirupati in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, South India. It is around from Chennai, from Hyderabad, and from Bangalore....
the divine bell of Narayana took the incarnation as Swamy), as the son of Ananta Suri and Totaramma. Swamy is also considered to be the incarnation of the 'Lord of Seven hills' knon as Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Himself. It is widely revered as Swamy is the incarnation of Baghavath Ramanuja
Ramanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
to once again reform the Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is a tradition of Hinduism, distinguished from other schools by its worship of Vishnu, or his associated Avatars such as Rama and Krishna, as the original and supreme God....
and to give the world about its elaborated Treatises.He was named "Venkatanatha" and belonged to the Vishwamithra gothra (lineage). He was educated and trained by a scholarly maternal uncle of his, Kidambi Appullalar who was a direct disciple of Nadadoor Ammal (Grand Nephew of Ramanuja
Ramanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
). Appullalar also initiated Venkatanatha into Brahmacharya Upanayanam
Upanayanam
Upanayana is the initiation ritual by which initiates are invested with a sacred thread, to symbolize the transference of spiritual knowledge .- Significance of the sacred thread :...
(sacred thread ceremony) at the age of seven and then to the SriVaishnavaite school of philosophy through Panchasamskara and made him master the Vedas
Vedas
The Vedas are a large body of texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism....
, Divyaprabandam, Puranas and Sastras. By the age of twenty he was a great scholar without peer in the history of Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is a tradition of Hinduism, distinguished from other schools by its worship of Vishnu, or his associated Avatars such as Rama and Krishna, as the original and supreme God....
. He got married at the age of 21 to Tirumangai (also known as "Kanakavalli"). Vedanta Desikan rose to the status of an "Acharya
Acharya
In Indian religions and society, an acharya is a guide or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; or a highly learned man or a title affixed to the names of learned men...
" by the age of 27. Swami Desikan was conferred the title of Sarva Tantra Swatantra (one with the capacity for independent thinking and originality in any field), by Ranganayaki
Ranganayaki
Ranganayaki, is the presiding Goddess of Ranganatha Swamy temple at Srirangam. Affectionately called ThAyAr , she is the consort of Lord Ranganatha, the male deity of Srirangam. She is regarded as the manifestation of Lakshmi. She is also called Ranga NAchiAr.Ranganayaki is held in high reverence...
thaayar Herself, and Swamy was adorned with the title Vedantachariar by the Lord of Sri Rangam Sri Ranganatha
Ranganatha
Ranganātha , also known as Sri Ranganatha, Ranganathar, or Ranga, is a Hindu deity, more well known in South India. The deity is a resting form of Lord Vishnu, one of the foremost of Hindu Gods. His consort is Goddess Lakshmi, also known as Ranganayaki, Thayar...
, Himself.
After becoming the "Acharya
Acharya
In Indian religions and society, an acharya is a guide or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; or a highly learned man or a title affixed to the names of learned men...
" in the Ramanuja
Ramanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
tradition, Swami Desikan left for Thiruvahindhipuram (near Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu), as per the orders of his guru
Guru
A guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . Other forms of manifestation of this principle can include parents, school teachers, non-human objects and even one's own intellectual discipline, if the...
swamy Kidambi Appullar and spent some years there meditating on Garuda
Garuda
The Garuda is a large mythical bird or bird-like creature that appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology.From an Indian perspective, Garuda is the Hindu name for the constellation Aquila and...
and had the darshan of Lord Hayagriva
Hayagriva
Hayagriva is a horse-headed deity that appears in both Hinduism and Buddhism.-Hinduism:...
, from then on, Sri Lakshmi
Lakshmi
Lakshmi or Lakumi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity , light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Representations of Lakshmi are also found in Jain monuments...
Hayagriva
Hayagriva
Hayagriva is a horse-headed deity that appears in both Hinduism and Buddhism.-Hinduism:...
became his personal deity. Swamy composed numerous works of Literature in the languages of Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
, Prakrit
Prakrit
Prakrit is the name for a group of Middle Indic, Indo-Aryan languages, derived from Old Indic dialects. The word itself has a flexible definition, being defined sometimes as, "original, natural, artless, normal, ordinary, usual", or "vernacular", in contrast to the literary and religious...
, Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
and Manipravala.These works of Swamy Desikan live throughout the ages speaking about his mastery of language and excellence in the Traditional Knowledge known as Gyana. With the Divine Mercy upon him, he made pilgrimage to Kanchipuram, Tirupati, Brindavan, Ayodya and Badrinath preaching Ramanuja's philosophy through discourses and literary works. After many years of wandering from place to place ( the list of which include Melkote and Satyamangalam), Swami Desikan returned to Srirangam and settled there. Swami Desikan left this material world in the year 1370 after living for 101 years. Before leaving this world, he arranged for the continuance of the "Guru Parampara" by initiating his primary disciple, Brahmatantraswatantra swami, and his son, Kumara Varada Desikan into the Acharya tradition, the many disciples of whom still continue the Ramanuja tradition through various ashrams and mutts.
Touring India
Swami went on a pilgrimage to several Kshetras like Tiruk Kadigai, Tiru Ayodhya, Kaasi, Mathura, Avanti, Badarikasramam, Puri, Brindavan, Dwaraka, Triveni, Gaya , Salagramam, Purushothamam, Srikoormam etc., (as can be seen from his description of these places in Act VI of Sankalpa Suryodayam) Before returning to Kanchi, he also visited Tiruvallikkeni,Tiruvallur,Sri Rangam and allied chola Desam, Thirumalirumcholai, Srivilliputtur, Thiruppulani and allied Pandya Desam, Thiruvananthapuram and allied Malayala Desam.Swami propagated the Vishistadvaita of Sri Ramanuja
Ramanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
and guided people all along the length and Breadth of the nation. Even though he was a very great scholar, he remained humble. With Modesty he marks in one of his works as "Vedaanta Desika Padhe Vinivesya Baalam" which gives a meaning "Oh ! How the Lord had elevated me a mere boy into a competent Acharya "
Works
His writings include devotional works on deities and Acharyas, treatises on VishishtadvaitaVishishtadvaita
Vishishtadvaita Vedanta is a sub-school of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy, the other major sub-schools of Vedānta being Advaita, Dvaita, and Achintya-Bheda-Abheda. VishishtAdvaita is a non-dualistic school of Vedanta philosophy...
, commentary on the Bhagavad Gita
Bhagavad Gita
The ' , also more simply known as Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the ancient Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata, but is frequently treated as a freestanding text, and in particular, as an Upanishad in its own right, one of the several books that constitute general Vedic tradition...
, secret doctrines of Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is a tradition of Hinduism, distinguished from other schools by its worship of Vishnu, or his associated Avatars such as Rama and Krishna, as the original and supreme God....
, original Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
poems, epic poems and allegorical dramas in Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
, dialectical works such as Satadushani
Satadushani
Satadushani is a work written by Vedanta Desika who lived in the 12th century. He is considered as one among the most illustrious Acharya of the Vaishnavite tradition and is the leader of the Vadagalai sect of the Vaishnavas. Though the title of the work suggests hundred refutations, only 66 of...
directed against rival religious schools , treatises on daily life and several other miscellaneous treatises. His gloss on the meanings of the Vedas
Vedas
The Vedas are a large body of texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism....
, reconciling the teachings of the Alvars
Alvars
The alwar or azhwars were Tamil poet saints of south India who lived between the sixth and ninth centuries A.D. and espoused ‘emotional devotion’ or bhakti to Visnu-Krishna in their songs of longing, ecstasy and service. Sri Vaishnava orthodoxy posits the number of alvars as ten, though there are...
and the Prasthanatrayi
Prasthanatrayi
Prasthanatrayi , literally, three points of departure, refers to the three canonical texts of Hindu philosophy, especially of the Vedanta schools...
created history because it exposed the Divya Prabhandham of the Alvars to a much wider audience and elevated it to a status equivalent to that of the Vedas
Vedas
The Vedas are a large body of texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism....
in the eyes of the Tamil Vaishnava people.
As a critic, he was as searchingly critical as he was sympathetically tolerant. He ennobled his poetry through philosophy and embellished his philosophy through his poetry. He preached only what he practised and practised what he preached. He was a saint par excellence though he remained a Grihasta throughout. It is difficult to find such a harmonious blend - of Precept and Practice, of Exalted thinking and Simple living. He synthesised in himself an inimitable moral fervour and an inspired spiritual insight. His works could be broadly classified into the following groups (in ITRANS
ITRANS
The "Indian languages TRANSliteration" is an ASCII transliteration scheme for Indic scripts, particularly for Devanagari script. It was developed by Avinash Chopde. The latest version of ITRANS is version 5.30 released in July, 2001...
transliteration):
vEdAnta granthas (philosophical works)
As ordered by Udaiyavar ( Sri RamanujaRamanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
), Swami composed 15 Vedanta Granthas like as following :
sESwara mImAmsa, SatadhUshaNi, adhikaraNa sArAvaLi, tattva tIka, nyAya pariSuddhi, nyAya sidhdAnjanam, tattva muktA kalApam, nikshEpa raksha, saccharitra raksha, vaditraya khaNDanam, dramidOpanishath tAtparya ratnAvaLi, dramidOpanishath sAram
vyAkhyA granthas (treatises)
chatuSSlOki bhAshyam, stOtra (ratna) bhAshyam, rahasya raksha, gItArtha sangraha raksha, tAtparya chandrikA, ISAvAsya-upanishad bhAshyamsarvArtha sidhdi, adhikaraNa darpaNam
anuShThAna granthas (religious regular practicals)
bhagavath AarAdhana vidhi, yagnyOpavIta pratishTArahasya granthas (works on eternal secrets)
sampradAya pariSudhdi, tattva padavI, rahasya padavI, tattva navanItam, rahasya navanItam, tattva mAtrukA, rahasya mAtrukA, tattva sandESam, rahasya sandESam, rahasya sandESa vivaraNam, tattva ratnAvaLi, tattva ratnAvaLi pratipAdya sangraham, rahasya ratnAvaLi,rahasya ratnAvaLi hrudayam, tattva traya chulakam, rahasya traya chulakam, abhaya pradAna sAram, rahasya SikhAmaNi, anjali vaibhavam,
pradAna Satakam, upahAra sangraham, sAra sangraham, muni vAhana bhOgam, madhura kavi hrudayam, paramapada sOpAnam, paramatha bhangam
hastigiri mAhAtmyam, SrImath rahasya traya sAram, sAra sAram, virOdha parihAram, nigama parimaLam, tirumudi adaivu
Tamizh prabandams (works in Tamil language)
amruta ranjani, adhikAra sangraham, amrutAswAdini, parama pada sOpAnam, para matha bhangam, mei-virata mAnmiyam, adaikalappattu, aruttapanchakam, SrI vaishNava dinachari, tirucchinnamAlai, panniru nAmam, tiru-mantra churukku, dwaya churukku,charama SlOka churukku, gItArtha sangraham, mumkaNi kOvai, nava maNi mAlai, pantu kazhal ammAnai Uusal Eesal prabanda sAram, AahAra niyamam
StOtra grantams (works of divine hymns of praise)
During his stay in Kanchipuram, Swami took the opportunity to visit several shrines in and near Kanchi and composed lyrics of incomparable beauty on the Lords in the various shrines. Swamy personally involves himself in enjoying the divine beauty of the Lord of Kanchipuram known by name Sri Varadharaja Perumal in most of his works. Many of the following hyms are composed by Swamy in Kanchipuram and in ThiruvahindrapuramSrI hayagrIva stOtram, daSavatAra stOtram, bhagavath dyAna sOpAnam, gOpAla vimSati, SrI stuti, bhU stuti, gOdA stuti, nyAsa daSakam, dayA Satakam, abhIti stavam, dEva nAyaka panchASath, varadarAja panchASath, yatOktakAri stOtram, ashTabhujAshTakam, kAmASikAshTakam, paramArtha stuti, SaraNAgati dIpikA, acchyuta Satakam, dEhaLISa stuti, nyAsa tilakam, mahAvIra vaibhavam, sudarSanAshTakam, shOdasAyuda stOtram, garuda dandakam, garuda panchASath, yatirAja saptati, vairAgyapanchakam, nyAsa vimSati
Legend says that when in Srivilliputtur, he composed "Godha Sthuthi", the presiding Deity of the town Sri Andal
Andal
Andal is the the only female Alvar of the 12 Alvar saints of South India, who are known for their affiliation to Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. She is credited with the great Tamil works of Thirupavai and Nachiar Tirumozhi that are still recited by devotees during the Winter festival season of...
was so pleased that she ordained that the Stotra should be recited during her Utsavam days along with Divya Prabhandams. To this day, this recitation is being followed in Srivilliputtur.The said "Godha Sthuthi" remains as a Suprabatham for Sri Andal
Andal
Andal is the the only female Alvar of the 12 Alvar saints of South India, who are known for their affiliation to Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. She is credited with the great Tamil works of Thirupavai and Nachiar Tirumozhi that are still recited by devotees during the Winter festival season of...
. In glorifying this Aacharya there is a very big shrine dedicated for Vedanta Desika in Srivilliputtur and a separate festival for 10 days is being celebrated till today in the name of "Sri Gotha Sthuthi Uthsavam" in Srivilliputtur
The Hamsa-Sandesha
Hamsa-SandeshaHamsa-Sandesha
Hamsa-Sandesha or "The message of the Swan" is a Sanskrit love poem written by Vedanta Desika in the 13th century AD. A short lyric poem of 110 verses, it describes how Rama, hero of the Ramayana epic, sends a message via a swan to his beloved wife, Sita, who has been abducted by the demon king...
(IAST ) or "The Message of the Swan" is a medieval love poem set in southern India. Lovesick Rama
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
, the epic hero, petitions a swan to carry a message to his beloved Sita
SITA
SITA is a multinational information technology company specialising in providing IT and telecommunication services to the air transport industry...
, who has been abducted by the demon king, Ravana
Ravana
' is the primary antagonist character of the Hindu legend, the Ramayana; who is the great king of Lanka. In the classic text, he is mainly depicted negatively, kidnapping Rama's wife Sita, to claim vengeance on Rama and his brother Lakshmana for having cut off the nose of his sister...
. As the swan's route winds through South India, it honours the land which Rama and Sita made sacred, whose beautiful landscape and peoples it describes in full. The Swan shoots like an arrow across the ocean to the island of Lanka and there he sustains the pining and near-suicidal Sita with his message. But more than this, the poet also pays deep homage to Kālidāsa
Kalidasa
Kālidāsa was a renowned Classical Sanskrit writer, widely regarded as the greatest poet and dramatist in the Sanskrit language...
's "Cloud Messenger". This work is four things: a fine poem in its own right; a suggestive retelling of the Ramayana
Ramayana
The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic. It is ascribed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and forms an important part of the Hindu canon , considered to be itihāsa. The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and Nepal, the other being the Mahabharata...
; a pilgrim's guide to the holy sites of South India; and a work that develops the poetics of Kālidāsa's "Meghadūta
Meghadūta
Meghadūta is a lyric poem written by Kālidāsa, considered to be one of the greatest Sanskrit poets.A short poem of 111 stanzas, it is one of Kālidāsa's most famous works...
" and gives them a devotional and heroic twist.
Paaduka Sahasram
Paaduka Sahasram or "1008 Verses on the Sandals of the Lord" is considered to be Desikan's Magnum Opus. The whole work is a monument for supreme devotion and superb poetry, all in one night’s intuition, - an overnight miracle of one thousand verses! It was done by him just as a fulfillment of a competition committed to as a challenge by his disciples. All this was composed by Desika (as he puts it, by the Grace of the paduka of the Divine) in just one quarter of the night, actually the third quarter. The earlier two quarters were devoted by him, as soon as he accepted the commitment, to yoga and yoga-nidra (=sleep induced by yoga and resulting in intuition).Paduka Sahasram has 32 "Padhadhi"s. Reading each padhadhi everyday, thereby completing in 32 days. Many believed to have achieved their wishes by completing this exercise. Doing parayana of paduka sahasram helps to attain moksha. Wonderful language, chitra-padams were used in these slokas. Mainly sung on the padukas of Lord Rama, Lord Renganatha and Lord Krishna, praying for attaining Moksha.
Paduka Sahara Parayanam yields miraculous benefits and self-realization.
The Sloka for Moksha :
Prathibhayaha Param Thathvam Bribrathi Padmalochanam
Pachimayam Avasthayam Paduke Muhyatho Mama
There are many stunning slokas like full sloka is constructed with word "ya". Likewise one sloka has been construncted with a word "padapa".
Practicing / Reciting Paduka Sahasram takes one to Bhakthi Marga
Greatness
A poet, philosopher, logician, and a scrupulous Anushtatha he took upon himself the task of upholding the concepts preached by Bhagavad Ramanuja. It is because of him that 'Ramanuja Darsanam' came to be recognized by the world.. Swami Vedanta Desika was the brightest star in the firmament of Visishtadvaita next only to Bhagavad Ramanuja.No writer among the followers of Ramanuja fought for the rightful place for Divya Prabandhams as did Swami Desika. His prolific compositions in pure Tamil , pure Sanskrit, Praakrit and Manipravala bear ample testimony to the fact of his genius. Even while young, he used to attend the Kalakshepam discourses of Nadaadur Ammal along with his maternal uncle, Appullaar (Kidambhi AppuLLaar- descendent of Kidambi Aacchaan- AchArya Ramanuja's direct disciple) who was also his Acharya. Before the age of 20, he excelled in all that a person ought to learn. His exposure to Vedas, Divya Prabandhas and Sastras at a very early age provided him with an encyclopaedic knowledge and this treasure house of knowledge was matched only by his exemplary modesty and humility- which rarely go together among scholars.
The Archa murthi of Hayagriva which was originally worshipped by Goddess Saraswati and handed over by her to Bhagavad Ramanuja was being subsequently worshipped by Pillaan and Pundarikaaksha. This Pundarikaaksha was the son-in-law of Appullaar, and was working as the Rajaguru of the Rayar Samasthaanam in the north. As ordered by the Lord, Pundarikaaksha handed over the murthi to Swami Desika with royal honors.
In about 1312 A.D, during the Muslim invasion of Srirangam by Malik Kafur, the General of Allauddin, Sultan of Delhi and in 1323 A.D during the invasion of Ulugh Khan there was a great commotion. The Srivaishnavas who were Satvic by nature were no match to the Muslim plunderers. Fear gripped the minds of everyone as to what might happen to the temple and the Lords Archa murthis. The Acharyas deliberated under the guidance of the Centenarian Master, Sudarsana Bhattar. It was decided that one group under Pillai Lokacharya (who was equally advanced in age) was to take the Utsava Murthi and His consorts covered up in a palanquin to Tirupati.. The party under Sudarsana Suri was to stay put at Srirangam, after erecting a stone wall in front of the Sannidhi of Moolavar to cover him from the sight of the marauders. Swami took Sudarsana Bhattars two sons and the manuscripts of Sruta Prakaasika (the elaborate commentary on Sri Bhashyam chronicled by Sudarsana Bhattar during the Kalakshepams of Nadadur Ammaal) to safety at Tiru narayana puram via Satya mangalam. But, before he could do that, the Muslim army attacked them and massacred many of them. Swami hid himself with his wards in the midst of corpses and spent the night. In the morning, they moved towards Satyakalam village in Karnataka en route to Tirunarayana puram.
Salutation
A 'Thanian' is a 'laudatory dedication verses' composed on a 'Aacharya' (in simple terms [Guru]) in Sri Vaishnavism by one more great Aacharya who either being the pupil of the former or by a person who was greatly admired by the former. The 'Thanian' of Swamy Desikan are (in ITRANSITRANS
The "Indian languages TRANSliteration" is an ASCII transliteration scheme for Indic scripts, particularly for Devanagari script. It was developed by Avinash Chopde. The latest version of ITRANS is version 5.30 released in July, 2001...
)
"rAmAnuja-dayA-pAtraM j~nAna-vairAgya-bhUShaNaM |
shrImad-venkaTa-nAthAryaM vande vedAntadeshikaM ||"
This taniyan was composed by Sri Periya Parakala Jeeyar swamy of Sri Parakala Mutt
Parakala Mutt
The Bramhatantra Parakala Mutt is an ancient Hindu Monastic order established in South India. It was the first monastery of the Sri Vaishnava sect of Brahmin Hindu society....
on the day of star of Hastham, the star of Sri Varadharaja Perumal of Kanchipuram in the Tamil month of Avani. This taniyan is recited before starting Divya Prabandham — the works of Alwars by Vadakalayars. The meaning of this taniyan is "I salute the great Venkata Natha also called Vedanta Acharya and Lion among poets and logicians and who was well adorned by both Knowledge and discretion and who well deserved the grace of Srimad Ramanuja/ Kidambi Appullar who also had the same name."
His son Kumara Varadacharya has composed a thaniyan on Swami Desika. This thaniyan is recited before reading Sri Bhasya
Sri Bhasya
The Sri Bhasya is the most famous work of Sri Ramanuja, . It is his commentary on Sri Badarayana's Vedanta Sutra. It was completed when he was around a hundred years old...
of Sri Ramanuja
Ramanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
and any Sanskrit stotra of swami desikan. In ITRANS
ITRANS
The "Indian languages TRANSliteration" is an ASCII transliteration scheme for Indic scripts, particularly for Devanagari script. It was developed by Avinash Chopde. The latest version of ITRANS is version 5.30 released in July, 2001...
, it is:
"shrImAn venkaTa-nAthAryaH kavitArkika-kesari |
vedAntAcharya-varyo me sannidhattAm sadA hridi ||"
The meaning of this verse is "the great lion of poets and the great preceptor of Vedanta (that Swami Venkatanatha was) should reside in his heart always." It is good to note that, Sri Kumara Varadhacharya was a great scholar and has also composed "Pillai Anthathi" in Tamil and "Sri Desika Managalam" in Sanskrit, on Swamy Vedanta Desika. These two works are chanted in most of the Vadakalai Divya Desam till today. This has a recorded history of past 650 years.
"Seeronru Tooppul Thiruvenkata mudaiyan
par onra chonna pazhamozhiyul- OronRu
thane amaiyadhO Dharaniyil Vazhvorkku
Vanerap PomaLavum Vazhvu ||"
The meaning of this verse composed by Aacharya Sri Pillai Lokacharya
Pillai Lokacharya
Pillai Lokacharya was a prominent Sri Vaishnavite leader and philosopher who authored several works important to Vishishtadvaita philosophy.-A Biographical sketch:...
is "For a person who desires to ascend up to the Heavens, even a single statement of the great Acharya, Tooppul Tiuvenkadamudaiyan (Vedanta Desika) uttered by him for the benefit of humanity would be sufficient to lift him up to his desired goal".
Vazhi Thirunamam
Vazhi Thirunamam is a set of "Salutary Verses" that will be chanted in the Temples at the end, marking the closure of the day's Divya Prabandha Chanting. The Salutary Verses are sung in the Temples to ensure that these temples and the practises as established by the Aacharyas and Sri RamanujaRamanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
would be followed for ever. Swamy Desikan's Vazhi Thirunamam is being chanted in most of the Vadakalai Divya Desam all over India.
The Vazhi thirunamam with the Engilsh Transliteration is as following :
"Vanja Para Samayam Mattra Vandhon Vazhiye
Mannu Pughaz Bhoothooran Manamuhappon Vazhiye
Kanja Thirumangai Ughakka Vandhon Vazhiye
Kaliyanurai Kudi Konda Karuththudayon Vazhiye
Senjol Tamil Maraigal Thelindhu Uraippon Vazhiye
Thirumalai Mal Thirumaniyay Sirakka Vandhon Vazhiye
Thanja Parakadhiyay Thantharulvon Vazhiye
Than Tamil Thoopul Thiruvenkadavan Vazhiye!!!
Nanilamum Than Vaala; Naan maraigal Thaam Vaala
Maanagaril Maaran Marai Vaazha
Gyaniyargal Senniani Ser Thoopul Vedantha Desikane
Innum Oru Nootrandirum!!!
Vazhiyani Thoopul varum Vedathasiriyan
Vazhiyavan Paadhara Vindha Malargal
Vazhiyavan Kodhila Thal Malarai Kondadi Kondirukkum
Theethilla Nallor Thiral!"
The meaning of the Tamil Verses are as following
"May Your grace live long; for you have changed many unrighteous paths to the righteous path
May Your grace live long; for you have lived a life as pleasing to Sri Ramanujacharya
May Your grace live long; for you have given joy for great men with your service
May Your grace live long; for you have been an embodiment of the words of Thirumangai Alwar
May Your grace live long; for you have presented the Tamil Vedas the Divya Prabandams very clearly
May Your grace live long; for you have proved your incarnation of being the Divine bell of the Lord of Seven Hills
May Your grace live long; for you are blessing us with the path of Salvation
May Your grace live long; for you are the Lord of Seven Hills whom came to elaborate the Tamil Verses"
"May our Swami Desikan live for one more century, for the well-being of the Worlds ( The Earth, the worlds above Earth,
the worlds below Earth and the Eternal world), for the well-being of Vedas, for the sacred text of Nammalvar's
Thiruvaimozhi to present glorious in sacred Sri Rangam; Oh Swami Vedanta Desika, the dusts from your holy feet
are being worn by the great Gyanis to get betterment in their Spritual life; May You live one more century for our sake!"
"May Your grace live long; the grace of Swami Desikan who was born in Thoopul, who has no equivalent in knowledge; who is our
greatest Philosopher; Long live His Lotus Feet! Long live the sacred men who are divine and pious always meditating and
celebrating the grace of this Aacharya and who are staying away from all sorts of evil deeds and who are always surronded with
the good and sacred deeds!"
It is praiseworthy to note that, even though the 'Vazhi Thirunamam' is being sung for various Aacharyas of Sri Vaishnava tradition. But it is for only Swamy Ramanuja
Ramanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
and Swamy Vedata Desika, this Thirunamam is apt, as only these two great personalities lived in this material world for one full century and continuously practised and preached the Vishishtadvaita
Vishishtadvaita
Vishishtadvaita Vedanta is a sub-school of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy, the other major sub-schools of Vedānta being Advaita, Dvaita, and Achintya-Bheda-Abheda. VishishtAdvaita is a non-dualistic school of Vedanta philosophy...
and have set the ideal models for a highly elevated living for the human beings.
Ascending the divine abode
Swami Vedanta Desika lived for 101 years and he realized that the time had come for him to reach the divine abode of Sriman NarayanaNarayana
Narayana or Narayan or Naraina is an important Sanskrit name for Vishnu, and in many contemporary vernaculars a common Indian name. Narayana is also identified as the original man, Purusha. The Puranas present divergent views on Narayana...
during his stay in Sri Rangam. Sri Ranganatha
Ranganatha
Ranganātha , also known as Sri Ranganatha, Ranganathar, or Ranga, is a Hindu deity, more well known in South India. The deity is a resting form of Lord Vishnu, one of the foremost of Hindu Gods. His consort is Goddess Lakshmi, also known as Ranganayaki, Thayar...
of Sri Rangam was very happy with the service that Swamy Desikan had done for Ramanuja
Ramanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
's Vishistadvaita by working with it thorough out his lifetime. Swami Desika consoled everybody and instructed all to continue their divine works and follow the Ramanuja
Ramanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
dharshanam. By then, because of the grace and tireless service this philosophy of Sri Ramanuja
Ramanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
this philosophy of Sri Ramanuja got the name "Desika Sampradhayam". Having lived a full and rich life for 101 years and being satisfied with his work on earth, Swami Desika cast his tabernacle of flesh, praying to Udaiyavar ( Sri Ramanujacharya) and Kidambi Appullaar by placing their Paadukas on his head. With Swamy's Head kept on the laps of Nainarachar (Sri Kumara Varadhachariar) and his Lotus feet on the lap of Brahma Tantra Svatantrarar (Sri Periya Parakala Jeeyar of Sri Parakala Mutt
Parakala Mutt
The Bramhatantra Parakala Mutt is an ancient Hindu Monastic order established in South India. It was the first monastery of the Sri Vaishnava sect of Brahmin Hindu society....
, while his Sishyas chanted Tiruvoimozhi and Upanishads, He left for the Divine Abode of God-Head Sriman Narayana
Narayana
Narayana or Narayan or Naraina is an important Sanskrit name for Vishnu, and in many contemporary vernaculars a common Indian name. Narayana is also identified as the original man, Purusha. The Puranas present divergent views on Narayana...
. He attained Paramapadam in Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
Sowmya year in the Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
month Kartigai in the star of Kartikai. In the Kali yuga year 4471 which corresponds to 1369 AD in Sri Rangam.
Later Sri Ranganayaki
Ranganayaki
Ranganayaki, is the presiding Goddess of Ranganatha Swamy temple at Srirangam. Affectionately called ThAyAr , she is the consort of Lord Ranganatha, the male deity of Srirangam. She is regarded as the manifestation of Lakshmi. She is also called Ranga NAchiAr.Ranganayaki is held in high reverence...
thayar of Sri Rangam ordered that a sannidhi should be made for Swami desika close to her sannidhi inside the temple. Also it is believed that she ordered that no other acharya sannidhi will be made hereafter inside the temple as a mark of respect to this great acharya, which is being followed to this day.One can see the desikan sannidhi in front of the thaayaar sannidhi in Srirangam.
Sri Vedanta Desika's judgment on Tatvamasi
Sri Akshobhya theertha of madhva school had camped in the cave in front of the shiva temple on Hanchukallu betta in Mulubagilu and advaitin guru sri Vidyaranya in a cave even now called Vidyaranya guha. .The meaning of "Tatvamasi" shruthi was the topic of the debate. Akshobhya muni rejected Vidyaranya's interpretation of the shruthivakhya as per yukthi, with the help of nigama agama pramanas and established sarvajna sidhanta. It was a critical, specific, clear and a suited explosion of pramana vakyas. The judge shrI Vedanta Desika wrote his decision in the form of shloka and sent it. "asinā tattvamasinā parajīvaprabhedinā | vidyāraṇyaṃ mahāraṇyaṃ akṣobhyamuniraccinat ||" with the help of the sword "tatvamasi" which actually means difference between jeeva and Brahma, Akshobya yathi felled the dense forest called Vidyaranya. To commemorate this event a victory post was erected on that mountain top. The public debate between Akshobhya theertha and Vidyaranya that took place and Vedanta Desika's judgment shloka were inscribed for record on a pillar post and it was called as jayasthamba.
Additional reading
- Sri Vedanta Desika: Makers of Indian Literature by M.Narasimhachary, Sahitya Academy, 2004.
Works online
External links
- http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/mirrors/swamydesika.tripod.com/life.html Biography of Swami Desikan.
- Photos of Swami Vedanta Desikar - From Divyadesamonline.com
- Prapatti Online - Hindu Sri Vaishnava Community - Hosting Stotras, photo galleries, Audio MP3s, Slokas by Vedanta Desika, Ramanuja, Alavandaar, and more.
- - Sri Vedanta Desika temple