Year end Observations # 3

[Guest guest]

Hello, This fortnight has been very blessed indeed. My

sister, a Vidhushi and a disciple of Sangeetha

Kalanidhi K.V.Narayanaswamy as well as a devoted

student of Swami Desikan's works sent me a rare

manuscript known as Subhasita Neevi.Her name is

Mrs. Padma Veeraraghavan.

 

My sister has set many of Swami Desikan's work to musicbefore

and has taught them to many students. The Teacher and

the students sing at Devotee's houses and collect money

for one or other Kainkarya.

 

She has now humbly presented two Mutthu Kondais to

Srivilliputtur Aandal from such kainkaryam. .She is in the middle of

a project to completethe construction of a Rathnaangi for Sri Oppiliappan of

Thiruvinnagar, our birth place. A committee of people under her

leadership collected close to 6 Lakhs of Rupees for this Kainkaryam.

They hope to have it ready for presentation to the Lord during

the Sarva Ekadsi/Sravanam day (March 15 ?). My earlier reference to

March 18 was incorrect as Sravanam day.She is also planning to

place at the feet of Sri Bhooma Devi and Oppiliappan the monograph

on 72 Kritis on their glories set in 72 Melakartha Ragas on that sacred day.

 

Coming back to Subhasita Neevi, this is what is known as a Neethi

Nool or a Monograph on the rightful conduct in one's life. Swami Desikan

out of his compassion for the community created this work in response to

a request from a king known as Singa Bhoopaalan. The king wanted Sadupadesam

or Instructions on the right and wrong. Swami Desikan wrote this monograph

and sent it to him. This work has 146 Slokas and is split into 12 sections.

He devoted 5 of the 12 chapters to describe the state and behavior of the

unrighteous. He focusses on the behavior of the Righteous in the rest of

the 7 chapters.

 

One of the great Bhaktas of Swami Desika by the name Seva Swami of

Villivakkam has translated the Subhasita Neevi and has distributed 3,000

copies to Aasthikas at no cost.. He has his own printing press at Villivakkam.He

has

translated so many of Swami"s Kavyams, Stotrams before. He is a great Sanskrit

scholar and a poet. He is around 72 years in age and has built a temple for

Sri Lakshmi Hayagreeva in Villivakkam. Some of you might know him. If you

do not know him already, please plan to meet him. He is such an inspiration to

talk to.

His address is :

Desika Bhakta Ratnam Sri Seva Srinivasa Raghavaacchaar

Sri Vedantha Desikan Research Center

2. Lakshmi Puram , Second Street

Villivakkam, Madras 600 049

Telephone: 626 8481.

His mottos in life are:

1. Translation of Swami Desikan"s Works in many Indian languages

2.Introduction of graded self study courses in Sri Vaishnavite culture

and tradition

3.Establish a library of works on Alwars and Acharyas

4.Conduct/encourage research on Swami Desikan"s works

5.Conduct seminars, lectures to propagate the message of Swami Desikan.

 

He has accomplished many of these goals already.Here is a Mahan

of the old fashioned type, who is worth prostrating for his scholarship and

lofty

life with admirable principles.

 

Now coming back to Subhasita Neevi, the title of the chapters are:

 

A. Conduct of the Unrighteous

********************************

1.Anipuna Paddhati or the state of the Asamartha ( simpleton)

2.Trupta Paddati or the state of the egotist

3.Kala paddhati or the state of the wicked

4.Durvrutta Paddati or the conduct of the one , who has gone astray

5.Asevya Paddhati or the description of the one from whom one should

stay away

 

B.Conduct of the righteous

****************************

6.Maha Purusha Paddhati or the state of the Mahaans

7.Samachitta Paddhati or the conduct of the Even-minded(Equanimity)

8.Sadaasrita Paddhati or the conduct of those , who seek the righteous

9.Neetimat Paddhati or the conduct of one, who never

transgresses the codes of conduct established by the righteous

10.Vadhaanya Paddhati or the nature of the Generous(VaLLlgal )

11.Sukavi Paddhati or the grammar of the good poet

12.Parikshita Paddhati or the conduct of one , whose

mettle has been tested in the trials of life.

 

This brilliant work of Swami Desikan astutely sums up

the codes of conduct for leading a righteous life marked by

harmony and nonviolence in speech, thought or deed.

In many ways, this work reminds one of his Vairaghya Panchakam,

where he turned down the offer of his class mate

VidhyAranya, who wanted to save Swami Desiakn from poverty.

The irony of it is that Vidhyaranya took sanyasam later and became

one of the most celebrated Peetathipathi of Sringeri Mutt .

 

Great Acharyas like Sri Ramanuja and Swami Desikan not only

left scholarly works in defense of our Sampradhayam, but also

gave us the codes of conduct for a harmonious Saatvic life to

follow the rich traditions of Sri Vaishnava religion.

 

I will attempt to translate selected verses of Subhashita Neevi

from the Tamil work of Sri Seva Swamigal in the new Year. Here is

a sample from the Chapter on Maha Purusha Paddhati.

 

Slokam: MUKTAANUGUNA VRUTTAANAAM BHAJATHAAM PAVANEEM GATHIM I

NITYAM VISHNUPATHE SAKTHI: TARAKAANAAM SITATMANAAM II

 

Among the righteous , the true Vaishnavan occupies the top rank.

They have the conduct of the liberated (Muktas). As in Sri Vaikuntam,

here on earth also, they perform their duties for the pleasure of the Lord

and his Consort.They have practised Prapatti or Bhakthi and have gotten rid of

their

Samsaric bonds and shine thru their good conduct.Their minds are clean and

free of rancor.They protect those, who seek refuge.They recite Pranavam or they

do pranava Japam always.The minds of these Maha Purushas are always

rooted in thoughts about the Divya Dampathis.

 

Rest in the 1996!

 

V.Sadagopan