Experiencing Swami Desika - 2

[Guest guest]

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:

 

Our Swami Desikar's original name was Venkatanatha.

When Venkatanatha was just five years old, Sri Appullar

took him to Sri Bhashya Kalakshepam being rendered by

Shri Nadadur Ammal.

 

Swami was looking his best, as usual with his divine grace.

Swami was also sporting a Rakudi on his head. Swami's beauty

impressed Shri Nadadur Ammal who stopped the discourse to

bless the kid.

 

Shri Nadadur Ammal forgot the context of his discourse when

he wanted to resume. Our five year old Venkatanatha was

quick to remind Shri Nadadur Ammal the context of Sri Bashyam.

 

Shri Nadadur Ammal was impressed by this child prodigy

and hence blessed Venkatanatha thus:

 

Pratisthapita -Vedantah

Prati-kshipta-bahirmatha

bhuyas-trai-vidya-maanyas-tvam

buri kalyana-bhajanam.

 

Realising the divinity in our Swami, Shri Nadadur Ammal

directed Venkatanatha to establish Vedanta on a firm

basis and to refute the doctrines of opponents.

 

He also blessed Venkatanatha that he will be held in great

esteem by scholars well-versed in the three Vedas and further

ordained that our Swami be a recipient of all auspicious things.

 

Blessed in such a way, our Swami maintained these instructions

and worked to fulfill the directions of Shri Nadadur Ammal to

the greatest extent.

 

This sloka [the blessing of Nadadur Ammal] is seen

in Act II of Sankalpa Suryodaya of Swami Desikar.

 

Swami uses the same sloka as a blessing to an young

disciple when he sets out to establish the supremacy

of Visistadvaita over other schools of thought.

 

So, how did Venkatanatha become Swami Desika

and what does 'Desika' mean?

 

.... Tomorrow.

 

Shri Ranganayaki Sametha Shri Ranganathan Parabrahmane Namaha:

 

dEsikan tiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

 

Praveena nAmni Ramanuja dasi

7th June 1999