Experiencing Swami Desika - 7

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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:

 

In the previous post the Thiru Avathaaram

of PoigaiAzhwar and Swami Desika was mentioned.

This was done to emphasize the glory of SravaNam

(i.e.ThiruvONam Nakshathram).

 

ThiruvONam, being the Thirunakshatram of the Lord

has been glorified in many Pasurams.

For instance,

 

1. ThiruvOnatthiruvizhavil....

 

2. ThiNNaar veNsaghudiayaay ThiruvOnam inRezhu naaL...

 

3. nee piRatndha ThiruvONam..

 

4. atthaitthin patthaam naaL (Hastham's tenth day

is ThiruvONam)

 

And this Great Nakshathram is the same for PoigaiAzhwAr

and Swami Desikan.

 

Though our respect for all Sri Vaishnava AchAryas is

profound, it is this VishNu gaNTaavathaar who is

being enjoyed here!

 

Not that we like other AchAryas less, but then we adore

Swami Desikan, "Kavithaakkika Simham" more..

 

In fact, Yatheendra PravaNar Shri Manavala Maamuni,

had his Shri Bhashyam kallakshEpam from the sishya of

Swami Desikan, Shri Brahmathanthrar Swami and thus he

had high regards and respect for Swami Desikan..

 

Adiyal will highlight the guru-bhakti of Shri Vedantadesika

by taking a few slokas from the Yatiraja-saptati.

 

Swami Desika begins this hymn with salutations to the

chief propounders of the doctrine of Sri Vaishnavism from

Bhagavan, the first Aacharya up to Peria-nambi, the direct

Aacharya of Shri Ramanuja, in this Lord

Sriman Narayana,

Goddess Lakshmi,

Shri Vishvaksena,

Shri Nammalvar,

Shri Nathamuni,

Shri Uyyakkondar,

Shri Manakkal Nambi,

Shri Alavandar and

Shri Peria-nambi

are saluted as Aacharyas in independent Slokas.

>From the subsequent Sloka, Swami Desika explains

the greatness of Shri Bhasyakarar.

 

A study of the stotra will reveal the unparalleled

devotion of Swami Desika to the Acharyas in general

and to Shri Ramanuja (Ascetic-king) in particular.

 

Kamapi adyam gurum vande kamala - grhamedhinam !

Pravakta chandasam vakta pancaratrasya yah svayam !!

 

-- Yatirajasaptati

 

Our Lord Sriman Narayana is not separated from his

unexcelled consort Goddess Lakshmi even for a second.

He first created Brahma and taught him all the Vedas

and promulgated the Pancaratra Sastra.

There fore he is the first and foremost preceptor,

for every body.

 

Swami Desika bows to this unequalled and unexcelled

Lord Narayana!

 

Such is the greatness of our Lineage-Guruparampara

tracing back to Sriman Narayana itself!

 

....To be continued!

 

 

dEsikan tiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

 

Praveena nAmni Ramanuja dasi

12th Jun 1999