Swami Sri Desikan's 733th Thirunakshatram

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Sri:

Srimathe Rangaramanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha

Srimathe Nigamantha Mahadesikaya Namaha

Srimathe Bhagavathe Bhashyakaraya Mahadesikaya Namaha

Sri Ranganatha Divyamani PadukabhyAm Namaha

 

 

Dear Bhagavathas,

 

Prathishtaapitha Vedantha: Prathishipthabahirmatha: |

Bhooyaa: Thraividhyamaanya: Thvam Purikalyanabhajanam ||

 

Swami Sri Desikan was thus blessed by Sri Nadadur Ammal (Vatsya Varada

Guru) the nephew of Sri Ramanujar, when Swami Sri Desikan was five years old.

A free translation of this is "You will establish Vedanta on a firm basis and

refute the doctrine of its opponents. May scholars well versed in the

Vedas hold you in great esteem. May you be the recipient in a great

measure of all that is auspicious." (Note: A mural depicting this incident can

be seen on the ceilings of Sri Varadaraja Swami Temple in Kanchipuram even

today).

 

Swami fulfilled the blessings of his pracharya (acharya's acharya) and

went on to establish himself as KAVITARKIKASIMHAM (the lion among poets

and logicians); VEDANTHACHARYA (foremost in exponent of Vedanthic

teachings) and SARVATHANTRASWATANTHRA (full independence in all

sciences). Swami Sri Desikan's greatness in the field of Vedanthic

literature has no parallel. Swami has composed over 127 works in

various languages including Sanskrit (67), Tamil (24), Manipravalam

(35), and Prakrit, a simple form of Sanskrit(1). Swami Sri Desikan was a devout

follower and systematic exponent of Sri Ramanuja Siddhantham. It is in the

works of Swami Sri Desikan that the system of Sri Ramanuja Siddhantham shines in

its philosophical glory and ethical excellence.

 

This year Purataasi Thiruvonum marks the 733rd thirunakshathram of Swami Sri

Nigamaantha Maha Desikan, one of the greatest acharya's of Sri Vaishnava Sath

Sampradhayam. This Thirunakshathram falls on Friday, September 28, 2001. To

commemorate the Thirunakshathra Celebrations, an "Acharya Vaibhavam Conference"

is being planned on September 29, 2001. Along with The Hindu Cultural Society

of Western New York and Swami Desika Darsana Satsangam (SDDS), Sri Ramanuja

Mission is pleased to invite all Bhagavathas to seek the blessings of the Lord

and our Acharyas during the Thirunakshathram celebrations to be held at Buffalo,

New York on Saturday September 29th. The program includes Bhagavad Bhashyakara

and Paduka Thiruvaaraadhanam, speeches, plays, and various group recitals. The

tentative program is as follows:

 

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SWAMI SRI DESIKAN'S THIRUNAKSHATRAM

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH 2001.

 

7.30 am to 8.00 am: Suprabatham.

Playing Audio recordings of the rare Hayagrivar Suprabatham and Swami

Desika Suprabatham composed by Thritheeya Parakala Swami

+ Group recitation of Sri Venkatesa Suprabhatham.

 

8.00 am to 9.30 am: Sudarsana Homam

A 10 minute talk on Sudarsana Homam by Sri Vijayaraghavan Srinivasan + Group

recital of Sudarsana Ashtakam.

 

9.30 am to 11.30 am: Tirumanjanam, Alamkaram and Poolangi Seva

Group recital of Sikshavalli and Purusha Sooktham

+ * At Tirumanjanam: Periyazhwar Tirumozhi 2.4 "Neeraattal" containing

"Vennai Alaintha kunungum",

* At Alamkaram: Nammazhwar's Tiruvoimozhi 4.3 "Kovai Vaayaal"

containing "Poosum Santhu enn nenjame" and

* At Nivedanam: Andal's Nachiar Tirumozhi 9. "Sinddora Sempodi containing

"Naru Narum pozhil"

 

11.30 am to 12.30 pm: Paduka Aradhanam and Sattrumurai. A 10 minute talk on

the importance of Paduka Aradhanam by Sri Muralidhar Rangaswamy

Group recital of Iyal sattrumurai, Vazhi Tirunamam, Acharya Thanians and

Acharya Sambhavanai.

 

12.30 pm to 2:00 pm: Prasadham

 

2.00 pm to 2.30 pm: Keynote address on Sri Bhagavad Ramanuja

by Sri Poondi Vijayaraghavan Swami

 

2.30 pm to 3.00 pm: Keynote address on Swami Desika (to be finalized)

 

3.00 pm t0 3.20 pm: Talk (to be finalized) + Desika Mangalam.

 

3.20 pm to 3.30 pm: Break

 

3.30 pm to 4.00 pm: Childrens' play arranged by "Hindu Cultural Society of

Western New York" (Host organization).

 

4.00 pm to 6.00 pm: Kalyana Utsavam: Group recital of "Varanamayiram"

 

6.00 pm to 7.00 pm: Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam - Group recital

 

7.00 pm to 8.00 pm: Prasadham

 

8.00 pm to 9.30 pm: Kalakshepam of "Srimad Rahasya Traya Saram" by Sri Anbil

Ramaswamy + a Question and Answer group discussion, if time permits.

 

Nadadur Madhavadasan

Secretary, Sri Ramanuja Mission,

Srirangam Srimad Andavan Periashramam