Thuppul PiLLai- 47- Saranagathi Deepika

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SrI:

SrImathE Nigamantha Mahadesikaya namah:

SrImAn venkatanAthAryaH kavitArkika kesarI |

vedAntAcArya-varyo me sannidhattAm sadA hRdi ||

 

May the glorious Venkatanatha, the greatest of teachers of Vedanta, and the

lion among poets and debaters, reside forever in my heart.

 

Dearest Srivaishnavas,

Let us continue to enjoy the sthOthra granthas of Swamy Desikan [in

alphabetical order]

Saranagati Deepika -The light of Self-surrender

 

Saranagati-Deepika is a Hymn in 59 verses in which the greatness of

Saranagati which has its basis on the Vedas and Upanishads, Paancaraatra,

Vaikaanasa Aagamas, Epics and Puraanas, the songs of the Alwars and the

writings of the Acharyas is described in a brief, but clear manner. Though

it is not in praise of any particular deity (arcaa) like Bhagavad dhyaana

Sopana on Sri Ranganatha, or Devanaayaka pancaasat on Devanatha, Sri Sruti

or Goda Stuti, it may be considered the magnum opus of all his stotras even

as Sri Desika’s Rahasyatrya-saara is considered the magnum opus of all his

works. Saranagati-Deepika (the Torch of self-surrender) is glowing with the

effulgence of the Lamp-like (Supreme Deity)-Deepaprakaasa-Saranaa-gati-saara

as the colophon says. Deepa-prakaasa (Villakoli) is the name of the Bhagavan

in the shrine Tiru-t-tangaa(Himavana-Sisira-upavana) which is almost in the

centre of a circle of holy shrines in and around Kanchi shrines which have

been sanctified by the Hymns of the Alwars. Though Sri Vedanta Desika was an

incarnation of the holy bell of Tirumala Lord Venkateswara, he had, like all

human beings an attachment to this shrine since it was closely adjacent to

Toopul, his place of birth. It is said that the Bhagavan had installed

themselves in the holy shrines around Kanchi to bless Sri Vedanta Desika who

was to be born there in the thirteenth century for the benefit of the world.

Swamy Sri Desika also expresses his gratitude to those gods by visiting the

shrines in pilgrimage one after the other and singing their glory. The

doctrine of Saranaagati described in Saranaagati- Deepika stotra can be

applied to any Bhagavan in any Temple or Shrine and hence its importance.

 

Sri Vedanta Desika begins the stotra with the declaration that he has

inherited the knowledge and practice of Saranagati though a hierarchy in

which Ramanuja, Vishnu-cittar of Tiruvellarai, Vatsya Varadaraja of Nadaadur

and Aatreya Ramanuja(Appullaar) are important Acharyas and disciples.

 

1. First mention is made to God Deepa-Prakaasa(Villakkoli Emberuman) the

Arcaa-form in Tiruttangaa(Himavana) near Vegavati River and then

 

2. to the manifestation and greatness of Lakshmi.

 

3. Bhagavan’s qualities six in Paratva and one Saulabhya (easy

accessibility) in all His incarnations.

 

4. Prapatti, its greatness and accessories,

 

5. life of a Prapanna in the post-prapatti period of his life

 

6. Departure of Prapanna from the final body, movement through the path of

Arciraadi and the attainment of Moksha and supreme bliss.

 

7. The seven defects in the enjoyment of possessions in worldly life.

 

8. The auto-biographical touch in the concluding section (Sloka 41 to 59)

expressing great devotion and praying for help.

 

Sloka 30(Dattaah prajaah etc.) contains the essential doctrines of Sri

Vaishnavism.

 

The Jiva is the essential bride;

 

Paramaatma is the eternal bridegroom.

 

The Acaarya offers the bride in wedding to the bridegroom (as King

janaka gives Sita to Rama). The bridegroom takes the bride by the hand

(paani-grahana ritual in marriage). Service to the Lord with love and

devotion is the Maangalyatantu the auspicious yellow thread tied around the

neck of the bride by the bridegroom which adores the wedded wife with a

living husband all her life and which she preserves with great care and

love. So this stotra, Saranaagati-Deepikaa is worthy of frequent recitation

and constant meditation.

[fromn the book - Life and works of Sri Nigamantha Mahadesikan- by Prof Sri

A Srinivasaraghavan]

Swamy Desikan ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam

Regards

Namo narayana

dAsan

kavi-tArkika-simhAya kalyANa-guNa-SAline |

Srimate venkateSAya vedAntagurave namaH ||

 

Salutations to Sri Venkatesa, in whom all perfections reside, who is the

teacher of Vedanta and the lion among poets and debaters

 

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