Guest guest Posted June 21, 1998 Report Share Posted June 21, 1998 Friends - Here is a list of books available through Sri Ahobila Muth. Please contact Sri Jaganath Bharadwaj for your copy. Also stay tuned to Sri Ahobila Muth home page for a updated version from time to time. adiyEn Ramesh Sarangapani ----------------------------- 1) Parasara Bhatta: His Contribution to Visistadvaita Author : Dr. S. Padmanabhan Publisher : Sri Vishishtadvaita Research Center, 1995 Version : English (pp. 252) Parasara Bhattar is one of the key figures in the evolution of the Visistadvaita schools of thought and one of the most distinguished preceptor in the guruparampara of this school. He was a distinguished writer and preceptor of the post-Ramanuja and pre-Vedanta Desika period of Visistadvaita Philosophy. He was the son of the celebrated Sri Kurattalvan, a close associate of Sri Ramanuja. In this book, Dr. S. Padmanabhan, has made a through study of Bhattar's available works - both original and expository. 2) Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Bhasyam Authors : Sri (Dr.) V. N. Vedantha Desikan Publisher : Sri Visishtadvita Research Center, 1997 Version : English/Tamil (pp.375) Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram, that is found in Sri Mahabharatam, was composed by Sri Bhismacharya in reply to a query by Dharmaputran. It contains 1008 sacred names of the Lord that are pregnant with deep inner meaning and are a delight to recite. Sri Parasara Bhattar has explained the meaning of each one of these divine names in his Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Bhasyam called "Bhagavat Guna Darpanam". Mahamahopadhyaya Sri M. V. Ramanujacharya in his 1928 publication explained Bhattar's interpretation of the thousand names succinctly in Tamil. In this book Sri (Dr.) V. N. Vedantha Desikan has done an excellent job of providing a free English translation of the same. 3) A Dialogue on Hinduism Author : Sri V. N. Gopala Desikan Publisher : Sri Visishtadvaita Research Center, 1990 Version : English (pp. 208) This book covers only the basic essentials of Sri Vaishnava Siddhantam and is intended for the beginners. This books informs the uninitiated as to what Hinduism is, and in particular, what Ramanuja's school of philosophy is. It covers topics such as Vedas & Sastras, Jivatma & Paramatma, Mattar & Creation, the doctrine of Visihtadvaita, Karma-Jnana-Bhakti Yogas, Prapatti, Alwars & Acharyas etc. This book is by Sri V. N. Gopala Desikan, the illustrious son of Navanitam Srirama Desikacharya Swami. 4) Srivaishnavism Author : Sri Thillasthanam Swamy Kainkarya Sabha Publisher : Sri Visistadvaita Research Centre Version : English (pp. 60) This booklet brings out in a simple language the elements of Sri Vaishnavism for a layman. Srivaishnavism aims at God- realization within the framework of our normal worldly activities. This booklet highlights the minimum daily routine all Srivaishnavas need to perform. This will enable a beginner to make a beginning in right earnest and gradually improve. Material covered in this booklet are vedic tenets, Srivaishnava Acharyas, vedic concept of man and universe, principles of Srivaishnavism, procedure for meditation through Rahasya thraya mantras, and procedure for Bagavat Aradhanam. 5) Sandyavandanam Author : Prof. A. Ananta Narasimhachar Publisher : Sri Visistadviata Research Center Version : Englsih/Tamil/Kanada (pp. 100) Sandyavandanam is performed by an individual after Upanayanam. Upanayanam is a vedic ritual prescribed for Brahmanas, Khastrias, and Vaishyas. Sandyavandanam is an all-important form of worshipping the all-pervading and in-dwelling Lord. He who does not perform this, is deemed unfit for performing any major religious duty or rite. This book gives the significance, the Mantras, and the procedure to do Sandyavandanam (with explanatory notes and pictures). Mantras of all major vedic branches (Rig, Yajur, and Sama shakas) are covered and in multiple scripts (Sanskrit, Tamil, and Kanada). This is thus a indispensable handbook for youngsters and elders alike. 6) Azhvar Tiruvullam (2 Vols.) Author : Sri. V. N. Vedanta Desikan Publisher : Sri Vishishtadvaita Research Center, 1994 Version : Tamil/English (pp. 1144) Alvars realized the existence of Para-Brahman by directly experiencing Him. They poured out their anubhavam in necterean Tamil pasurams called the Divya Prabandam. Nammalvar is the chief among these mystics and his principal work is Tiruvaimozhi, rightly acknowledged as the Tamil Veda. Tiruvaimozhi is extolled by Swami Vedanta Desikan as the Dramidopanisad and is unsurpassed in mystic literature for its spiritual depth and fervor. Azhvar Tiruvullam, which may be considered as a commentary, gives the meaning of each verse in simple Tamil and also English. The book also has numerous beautiful and clear photos of the Divya-Dampathi's in the various Divya-Desams. A must buy for those who want to learn about "Bhagavat-Visayam". 7) Sri Vishnu Puranam (2 Vols) Author : Srimad Azhagiya Singer (45th Jeer of Sri Ahobila Mutt) Publisher : Sri Nrisimha Priya Trust, 1996 Version : Tamil (pp. 1000) Vedas hide a number of truths within them and are often difficult to comprehend. These hidden meanings can be easily understood by analyzing the Itihasas and Puranas, under the able guidence of ones Acharya. Puranas are classified as Satvic, Rajasic, and Thamasic. Satvic puranas guide us toward Perumal. Sri Vishnu Puranam, by Parasara Maharishi, is foremost among satvic puranas and elaborates succinctly on tatva-trayam (Chit-Achit- Iswara). Sri Alavandar has called Sri Vishnu Puranam as "Purana-Ratnam" (the jewel among the Puranas). Srimad Azhagiyasinger (the 45th pontiff of Sri Ahobila Mutt) while providing a lucid account of the various stories narrated by Parasara Maharishi in Vishnu Puranam brings out the essence of Sri Vaishnava Siddhantam. 8) Acharya Vaibhavam - Vol. 1 Acharya Vaibhavam (Anubandhan) - Vol. 2 Author : Sri Krishnamachariar Swami Publisher : Sri Vishistadvaitha Research Center, 1992 Version : Tamil (pp. 376 + 254) It is important for all of us to know our history, our roots. More importantly, we need to know the life-history of our Acharyas. In this samsara-sagaram, our Acharyas stand out as beacon lights, guiding us toward the Lord. If we ever hope to cross this ocean of samsara, it is imperative that we get to know our Acharya-Parampara. The first and foremost among our Acharyas is Perumal Himself. He taught the tenets of Vishistadvaiths Siddhantam to PerAti (Sri), who in turn taught this to Visvaksenar (Senaimudaliar) and then to Nammalvar. Sriman Nathamuni, after arduous penance, got this Upadesam from Nammalvar in Alvartirunagari and taught this to his disciples, who in turn taught Alavandar, and subsequently Bagavat Bhasyakarar. From then on these Parama-Rahasyas have been safeguarded, nurtured and propagated to us by our respective Acharyas. These two books by Sri Krishnamacharias Swami (Asthana Vidvan of Sri Ahobila Mutt) covers the life-history of our Acharyas starting from Sri Nathamuni all the way to the current Jeer of Sri Ahobila Mutt. This book is an elaborate version of serialized articles that appeared in Sri Nrisimha Priya. 9) Sri Sannidhi Nityanusandhana Kramam Author : Sri Ahobila Mutt Publisher : Sri Ahobila Mutt, 1998 Version : Sanskrit / Tamil (pp. 431) Sri Ahobila Mutt was founded 600 years ago by Sri Adivan Satagopa Yatindra Mahadesikan, by the direct command of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha - the presiding Lord of Ahobila divya-desam (now in AP). Since then His nitya-aradhanam has been going on both morning and evening in the mutt uninterrupted. During the aradhanam Sri Sannidhi sisyas recite portions of the Vedas, Divya-Prabandam and a number of srisukthi of our pOrvacharyas. This book gives a comprehensive list of all the slokas recited in the mutt. This book can be used by all mutt sisyas as a ready reference-book while performing Perumal aradhanam at home. 10) Srimad Bhagavat Gita (2 Vols) Author : V. N. Gopala Desikan Publisher : Sri Visishtadvaita Research Centre Version : English (pp. 950) Bhagavad Gita is one of the most sacred books available to us and forms part of the holy triad, called Prasthana Traya (the other two being Upanishads and Brahma Sutra). The Gita has been translated in most of the languages in the world and commentaries have been written by 100s of scholars in India and abroad. There has been an earnest and sincere demand from the old and the young alike, that there should be a translation of the Gita in simple English, along with a summary of Ramanuja's and Desika's commentaries, which can be easily understood by the average reader. Sri Gopala Desikan of Oppiliyappan Sannidhi, has Sannidhi has fulfilled this need by providing a simple commentary in English Sri Ramanuja's interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita. 11) The Life of Ramanujacharya Author : Alkondaville Govindacharya Publisher : Sri Visishtadvaita Research Center Version : English (pp. 220) The glorious tradition of India in the religious and philosophical realms is resplendent with saints and philosophers. Ramanuja, the most revered Vaishnava saint has been verily the crest-jewel among them. For close to a millineam he has been the spiritual guide for millions of Vaishnavas, who have looked upon him as their path finder, here and hereafter. Even today the worship of dieties at home and temples, the festivities, religious rites and daily conduct of worship are carried out according to his writ. India rediscovered her vedic spiritual self after the advent of Ramanuja whose poigonant expositions had quitened other schools of Vedanta. Most importantly, he showed us the easier path of complete and absolute surrender to the Lord that will guarantee salvation. This biography of Sri Ramanuja was originally published by Alkondaville Govindacharya in 1906 and still remains a highly authantic version of the biography of the great saint Sri Ramanuja. 12) The Life and Works of Sri Nigamanta Maha Desikan Author : Prof. A. Srinivasaraghavan Publisher : Visishtadvaita Pracharani Sabha Version : English (pp. 98) Among the renowned Acharyas who have been born in this Bharatha Varsha, the unquestioned and unquiestionable pre-eminent place belongs to Swami Nigamantha Maha Desikan. He was a poet, philosopher, ardent devotee, and an efficient practitioner of religion. His encyclopaedic knowledge earned for him the coveted titles 'Kavitarkika Simham', 'Sarva Tantra Svatantra' and 'Vedanthacharya'. The last mentioned title has alos become changed to Vedanta Desika by which he is better known than by his name Venkatanatha. This book by Prof. A. Srinivasa Raghavan is an introduction to the life and works of this great Acharya and to show that there was a colossus who lived in our midst seven centuries ago, who lived for more than a century, and who in his life time authored more than 100 books. 13) Peeps into Mysticism Author : D. Ramaswamy Ayyangar Publisher : Visishtadvaita Pracharini Sabha Version : English (pp. 126) Alwars were Sri Vaishnava saints who were great devotees of the Lord Vishnu. They practised and preached devotion to Him and surrender to His will, as the sole means of attaining salvation. They condensed the philosophy of the Upanishads in mellifluous and flowing verses. They all sang in Tamil and the anthology of these songs, totaling four thousand, is known as Divya-Prabandam. Their knowledge of God was not a mere intellectual perception. To them God was a living presence. They worshipped Him as their master, friend, fahter, and beloved. As the title suggest, this book gives us peeps into the blissful experience of these mystics. 14) Gleanings from the Sribhasya Author : Dr. P. Narasimhan Publisher : Sri Visistadvaita Research Centre, 1996 Version : English (pp. 267) Sri Ramanuja laid down six great commandments. Of them, the first commandment is that every Sri Vaishnava shall read and propagate the "Sribhasya". On the face of it, it may look rather odd for someone to direct his disciples to read the works of his predecessors and preceptors. But it is not for nothing that Sri Ramanuja issued such a commandment. First, it is not of his volition that Ramanuja composed the Sribhasya. He wrote it only to fulfil the wish of Yamunacharya, who desired that the Brahmasutra of Veda-Vyasa be commented upon and projected in their proper light so that people could know the true inner spirit of the Upanisads and adopt the proper means for mukti. Hence Sri Ramanuja recommended the study of Sribhasya, not because it is his work, but because it is the true guiding light to the aspirant, for liberation. This book, Gleanings from the Sribhasya, is a cogent, consise, and consummate presentation of the philosophy of Sri Ramanuja, based on a study of Sribhasya. 15) Sarvartha Siddhi of Sri Vedanthadesika Author : Dr. V. N. Seshadri Acharya Publisher : Sri Visishtadvaita Research Center, 1993 Version : English (pp. 349) The philosophy of the Vedanta has been variously interpreted, and of the divergent modes of interpretation, Advaita, Visistadvaita, and Dvaita are the important systems. Every one of these schools calims to provide a faithful representation of the Upanisadic thought, and mighty intellects like Vacaspati Misra, Venkatanatha, Jayatirtha and others have sought to justify these claims of their respective schools. The polymath, poet-logician, Venkatanatha, otherwise known as Vedanta Desikan (1268-1369 AD) on his part wrote numerous works to establish the Visistadvaitha system. His work, Tattva Muktakalapa and its commentory Sarvartha Siddhi, serve as an armour to defend this darshna against other schools of thought. This book by Dr. V.N. Seshadri Acharya is a a critical examination of the material contained in the above mentioned source-books. adiyEn Ramesh Sarangapani secretary Sri Ahobila Muth, Inc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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