Teacher, composer and philosopher - from the Hindu

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Teacher, composer and philosopher

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/09/24/stories/2004092402760600.htm

 

 

The Thirunakshatram of Sri Vedanta Desikar falls on

September 24. PREMA NANDAKUMAR writes...

 

Sri Vedanta Mahadesikan.

 

MASTER OF the twin harmonies of Tamil and Sanskrit,

Vedanta Desika was born in 1268 A.D. in the village of

Tuppul near Kanchipuram. Under the care of his uncle

Atreya Ramanuja, Desika received in-depth training in

Visishtadvaita as well as the scriptures. An exemplary

student, by the time Desika was 20 years old, he was

able to teach others the six systems of Indian thought

as well as Sanskrit and Tamil literature. Choosing a

life of voluntary poverty, he received abundant

cooperation from his wife.

 

A born leader, he was a natural heir to the throne of

achard after Atreya Ramanuja. He spent some years

in Tiruvaheendrapuram worshipping at the temples of

Hayagriva and Devanayaka. Even today, we are shown a

well in Tiruvaheendrapuram which is said to have been

constructed by Desika himself when he was challenged

by a stone-mason. He travelled to holy places and was

excited by the glory of Vaishnavite piety in many of

them. Mathura and Ayodhya, however, were a

disappointment as there was no trace of their ancient

greatness. When the Advaitins seemed to be getting the

upper hand in Srirangam, Desika was invited to the

throne of Achard in this prime centre of

Srivaishnavism. There are innumerable legends about

his Srirangam days and all of them show him to be a

humble and pious devotee engaged in creative work. One

of his masterpieces, ``Paduka Sahasram," was written

as an extended hymn to the Holy Sandals of Sri

Ranganatha. In 1327 A.D., Srirangam was looted by the

Islamic army from Delhi Sultanate. As the invaders

were iconoclasts, the images were defaced, the temple

priests cut down and the residential homes plundered.

Vedanta Desika managed to save important scriptures

like Sudarsana Bhatta's ``Sruta Prakasika" and took

the sons of Bhatta also with him when he sought

temporary refuge in Satyamangalam. He is said to have

composed "Abhiti Stava" as a prayer to Ranganatha to

deliver the holy city from the aggressors:

 

 

The Grace issued forth when Kempanna of Vijayanagar

defeated the Mohammedan Governor of Madura in 1358 and

restored worship in Srirangam. Vedanta Desika, now

grown aged, returned to Srirangam. He now engaged

himself in writing his magnum opus. `Rahasya Traya

Sara' is a masterly Manipravala commentary on the

three `secrets' of self-surrender in Srivaishnavism—

the Ashtakshara, the Dvaya and the Charama Sloka (The

Gita, xviii, 66). Vedanta Desika passed away in 1369

A.D.

 

Philosophy

 

 

Though a prolific writer, Desika never compromised

quality at the altar of quantity. During these days of

Desika Birthstar Festival, scholars delight in

discussing Desika's great philosophical works like

``Tattva Mukta Kalapa" and ``Sarvartha Siddhi." Thus,

``Daya Satakam" describes the compassion of Lord

Venkateswara and contains phrases that visualise

maternal love by their soft touch: `Anjanaa Girinadha

Ranjani, Mrudu Hridaye Daye.' They calm down all our

passions even as we recite the verses. The 84th stanza

has a striking concept that refers to the

fire-belching eyes of the terrible Narasimha which

are, however, tenanted by Karuna Devi when turned

towards Prahlada as if a mother were rushing forward

to feed her child with the milk of abhaya.

 

Those who love narratives have in `Hamsa Sandesa' a

recreation of the married love of Rama and Sita and

the pangs of their separation.

 

Desika's ``Yadavabhyudayam" which tells the story of

Krishna is full of descriptive epithets, epic similes

and unusual figures of speech that delight the

literary connoisseur. We have a priceless commentary

on the epic by the celebrated Advaitin scholar,

Appayya Dikshita. We do get lost in self-forgetful

ecstasy at some of the poetic ideas:

 

"When the guardian Lord

Became a cowherd,

The Vedic Riks became cows

And laved in joy, mooing at his feet.

This sounded like the Saman chant

Enacting the movement of Surrender."

 

As for the lover of drama, there is `Sankalpa

Suryodaya,' a very helpful allegory for our times. The

plot is easily told. King Viveka (discrimination) and

Queen Sumati (wisdom) seek to free Purusha (soul) from

Karma (human bondage). They struggle against the evil

forces led by Mahamoha (dense ignorance) and succeed

when Purusha learns to surrender to Vishnu through

Bhakti.

 

The play is frighteningly contemporaneous when

characters like Darpa (pride) and Dambha (vanity)

stalk the stage. And yet the drama was written more

than six centuries ago!

 

"The sacraments like upanayana and marriage appear now

as voluptuous show. Performing sandhya has become no

more than an amusement. While repeating the Gayatri,

people easily interrupt it with worldly talk. Bodily

purity is now just a ritual. Kali has obviously

desecrated this world in tune with Mahamoha's desires

and all rituals are now in the hands of Alapakas

(pseudos)."

 

Such criticism of the community by the renowned

teacher had its effect. Since his time, there has been

a continuous renewal of our faith and tradition in the

light of Desika's teachings that has enriched Sanatana

Dharma in every way.

 

The Srivaishnava paramparas of Acharyas (householder

as well as monastic) have silently spread his message

of simplicity, high scholarship, poetic creativity and

unswerving devotion to the Lord.

 

Every year, a grateful Tamil nation remembers this

superb teacher by offering special thirumanjanams and

festivals in hundreds of temples and homes on his

birthday (Tiruvonam star in Purattasi month) which

falls on September 24 this year.

 

 

 

 

 

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