Experiencing Swami Desika - 34

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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:

 

 

Swami Desikan states one important fact that

Shri Ramanuja had no limitations - absolutely.

In Swami's YatirAja Saptati, out of sheer Acharya

pratipatti, Swami has done some excellent comparisons.

 

Let us see one such comparison:

 

"shita swabhAva subhagAnubhava: sikAvAn

dhOshAvamardha niya thOnnatirOshatIsha: !

tApAnubanta shamanas tapana: prajAnAm

rAmAnujO jayati samvalita tridAmA !!"

 

-- YatirAja saptati (27)

 

There are three major thejas in the world viz.,.

agni, chandran and sOriyan. The prime quality of

Agni is purity, Chandran is the capacity to make

one happy, and sOriyan is possessing brightness.

Swami Desika says that Shri yAtirAjA's thejas was

the synergy of agni, chandran and sOriyan. And

what more, Shri yatirAja had even the qualities

that they did not posses.

 

There are some limitations to agni, chandran

and sOriyan. Swami Desika says that Shri Ramanuja

shined because he did not have any such limitations.

 

Shri Yatirajar was extremely pure like agni. Agni

will not let anyone near it because of its heat but

Shri yatirAjar because of his capacity to bless with

calm mind is easily approachable and enjoyable.

 

Just as how we feel happy seeing Chandran, when we

prostrate to Swami's thirumeni we feel happy.

Chandran depends on the darkness of the night to

shine consistently. But Shri yatirAjar having removed

the dhOshas of devotees has obtained consistent

greatness. Here Swami Desika uses the word "dhOsham".

"dhOsham" may refer to 'fault' or 'night'. There is

pun intended in the word "dhOsham".

 

Shri EmberumAnar's thejas is even greater than that

of sOryan. sOryan brings about tApa, while

Shri Ramanuja through his upadesas and Sri Sookti's

clears samsara tApa.

 

"hatAvadhye hrudhye haricharaNapankeruhayuge

nibatnantyaikAntyam kimapi yatibObrutphanitaya: !

shunAshiraskandadruhiNaharaherambahutabhuk

prapechadi shutara pranati parihAra pratibuva: !!"

 

-- YatirAja saptati (53)

 

People who have the bAgyam of enjoying Shri Bhasyakar's

Sri Sookti's worship Bhagavan's lotus like feet, they

have no faults and are very happy. A strong conviction

is developed in them. This conviction makes every one

realise Paratvam and reach Sriya:Pathi's Lotus feet.

 

Therefore, they reach a great state where they resort

only to Lord's feet and to nothing else. Because of such

a state they do not worship demi gods like Indra, muruga,

Brahma, siva, Vinayaka, Agni, Sooryan who can grant only

temporary benefits.

 

Since we now know the importance of Shri Bhasyakarar's

Sri Sookthi's, here is a brief -

 

Shri Bhasyakarar has given us the nine Sanskrit

granthas/ Sri Sookthi's.

 

They are the navaratna's (nine gems) for us.

 

1. Sribhashya - a commentary on Brahmasutras

 

2. Vedantadipa - a detailed gloss on the

Brahmasutras

 

3. Vedantasara - a brief commentry on the essence

of Brahmasutras

 

4. Vedarthasangraha - a thesis on Visishtadvaita which

refutes other schools of thought.

 

5. Bhagavadgitabhasya - based mainly on the Gitartha

sangraha of Alavandar

 

6. saranagatigadya - explains the essence of the dvaya-mantra.

 

7. Srirangagadya - A summary of Saranagatigadya appealing

to Lord Ranganatha.

 

8. Sri Vaikunthagadya - a glorification of the supreme abode

 

9. Nityagrantha - the procedure to perform Ijya Aradhanam

to Lord.

 

 

Swami Desika says that Shri Bhasyakara's Sri Sookthi's

will make a person

 

1. Worship only the Divine feet

2. not to worship other deities

3. reach the state of a paramaikantin.

 

.......to be continued!

 

yatirAjar tiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

 

dEsikan tiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

 

Praveena nAmni Ramanuja dasi

18th Aug 1999