[Jeeyar Educational Trust] Digest Number 704

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavatas,

 

Sri Seshadri Swamy has written as below:

"In Kanchipuram at Varadan Temple, Desika Stothras are allowed to say only 5

times in a year."

 

As a native of Kancheepuram, I want to clarify that Stotrs of Sri Vedanta Desika

are recited several times in a year. The recitation is in two ways:

 

1.On the fifth day of Brahmotsavam, two Goshtis recite Stotras. The first Goshti

recite Sri Varadaraja Stavam of Sri Kurathazhwan.The second Goshti recites

Stotras of Sri Vedanta Desika.

 

2.On all Thirunakshtrams of Azhwars and Acharyas and on Narasimha Jayanti,

usually falling on Garudotsavam,the Veda Parayana Goshti concludes Veda recital

with Stotras, which include Stotras of Sri Desika.

 

These arrangements are perfectly in order, as there are only two Goshtis in

Vishnu temples, one reciting Divya Prabandham and the other reciting Veda.

Recitation of any other work can be only on restricted and special occasions.

So, not only the Stotras of Sri Desika, but other Stotras like Stotraratnam of

Sri Yamunacharya[on which Sri Desika has written a commentary],Pancha Stavam of

Sri Kurathazhwan, and Stotras of Sri Parasara Bhattar, Sri Manavala Mamunigal

and other Achryas are also not recited in temples except on special occasions.

 

Regards, TCASrinivasaramanujan