Thirukkudanthai Desikan Thirunakshathram Purattaasi Pooraadam

[Guest guest]

SRI:

SrImathE Gopaladesika Mahadesikaya nama:

Dearest all,

 

Today (7th Oct 2008) is Thirukkudanthai Desikan TN. One of the greatest

acharyans of our lineage.

 

Let us read his wonderful life history of the unparalleled acharya.

 

SRI GOPAALAARYA MAHA DESIKAN ( TIRU KUDANTHAI DESIKAN)

 

(Purattasi / Pooraadam) (1701 - 1783 CE) He was born in Atreya Gotram. He was

the 14th generation of Vaadi Hamsambu vaahar, the uncle and Acharya of Swami

Vedanta Desikan. Sri Krishna Suri, his father had 3 sons. Our Swami was the

middle one. He was born in Royampettai Agraharam near Tiruk Kandiyur on the

northern banks of Kaveri. He was born in Kaliyuga year 4801, about 294 years ago

at the beginning of the 18th century CE. He was born in 1701 CE (Vikrama year)

Purattasi month Sukla Paksha Navami, a Monday under the star Pooraadam(PPM)

 

Once when Sri Krishna Suri couple had been to the Sravanotsavam at Oppiliappan

Koil, the Lord appeared in their dream and gave them some milk to drink saying

that Swami Vedanta Desika himself will be born as their son in the constellation

of Vishwaksenar. When they returned to Royampettai, the lady became pregnant. On

the 12th month, she gave birth to a son who was the very Gantaavataara Desika.

Swami Desika himself indicates about this reincarnation when he says in his

Rahasya Traya Saram-

 

 

_Bhavati Devat Kaschit Kaschid Vivasritaamaha /

Sad Vartaneem Anuvidaasyati Saaswatham Naha //

 

 

As Sri Krishna Suri_s Aradhya Devata was Gopalan and as the child was born as

Desika Avatara (as per the dream), he named the child as _Gopala Desikan_.

 

He had his Upanayanam while very young. As desired by his father, Gopalarya

became the disciple of Srirangam Swami (considered to be an Avatara of Sri

Bhashyakarar). He had his Bhara Samarpanam at the hands of Saakshaat Swami

through Acharya Nishta. Saakshaat Swami blessed him saying _Prathiseshitha

Vedaantah_ One year thereafter, Saakshaat Swami breathed his last (with his feet

on the lap of Gopala Maha Desikan). Lord Amudan ordered him to give

Pravachanams- _Nam Thooppul Pillai Pol Sampradaaya Pravachanam Pannak Kadaveer_

So, he retired to Tiruk Kudanthai. But, he also visited several Kshetras

consecrated by Alwars, the _Pallisthalam_ of Tirumazhisai Alwar, Keezh

Tiruvarangam and other places. He gave his daughter in marriage to one

Elayavalli Srinivasachari, who was doing Alavatta Kaimkaryam to Amudan. He took

as his Sishya, his Douhitran ( Daughter_s son) Vedantacharya and performed

Bharanyaasam for him.

 

Through the Archaka, the Lord declared _Oh ! We are pleased to confer on you the

title of _Tiruk Kudanthai Desikan- Go and defeat the arguments of other faiths

and establish our Matham_- _Para Matha Nirasanam Poorvamamaavaha, Swamatha

Sthaapanam Kuru_

 

As ordered by Swami Desika, while at Tiruk Kudanthai, he meditated on Lord

Hayagriva for 45 days in the Sannidhi of Amudan under the Vaideeka Vimaana and

installed the idol of Lord Hayagriva there. _Sthaapayas Cha_. Saanidhyam Kuru

Te_.

 

There were 3 great men at that time: One Srinivasa Maha Desikan (as the Amsam of

Sri Nathamuni) at Seyyanam; Another was Sri Ranganatha Maha Desikan (as the

Amsam of Sri Aalavandaar) at Vathirayiruppu village near Tirumaalirum Solai; In

Vazhuthur, was born Sri Vedanta Ramanuja Maha Desikan (as the Amsam of Sri

Bhashyakarar). The Lord appeared in the dreams of these three and asked them to

take Sannyas and do Kalakshepams at the feet of Tiruk Kudanthai Swami in whose

dream also the Lord appeared and asked him to accept them as his Sishyas. Like

the 3 Mudal Alwars who met at Tirukkovilur, the 3 Yathis met at the Asramam of

Tiruk Kudanthai Desikan and spent their time in Kalakshepams. Our Swami had his

Bharanyasam in the shrine of Amudan and came to be hailed as _Muni Traya

Sampradaaya Pravartakar_

 

With the three Yathis, our Swami visited Saakshaat Swami_s Asramam and

performing Japa, Kalakshepa, Bhagavad Aradhana etc. He lived on Uncha Vritti.

With whatever Sambavanais were received, he spent in adorning the Lord with a

precious Mahalakshmi pendent which the Lord wears to this day, repaired the

Gopuram and doors of Desikar Sannidhi.

 

When a Samprokshnam was to take place , the devotees pleaded with our Swami to

install the Vigraha and Amudan also ordered him in a dream, to do so.

Accordingly, he embraced the Vigraham infusing in it a new mystic power now than

ever before.

 

It was the great Brahmotsavam of Amudan. The huge chariot on which the Lord was

coming on his round suddenly stopped halfway and would not move even an inch in

spite of the best efforts. Three days it stood still. For three days our Swami

did not take any food nor water. Many fasted with him since as per the tradition

one should not eat until the Lord returned to his Sannidhi. The public came to

our Swami for a solution to the stalemate. Our Swami offered prayers to the Lord

and asked them to go and try again. Instantly, the chariot started moving and

soon the Lord entered the Sanctum Sanctorum to the joy of everyone around.

 

Once, he became so distressed with intolerable Apachaarams which his son was

committing . He prayed for _Aartha Prapatti_ for his son lest the Apachaara

Parampara should continue. The Lord instantly took the Acharyaputra to his feet.

It is really astonishing that in maintaining _Aastikya_, even _Putra Vaatsalyam_

was not allowed to be an impediment.

 

Venkataadwari Swami, author of Viswa Gunaadarsa Champu was one of his Pitamahas.

As the son of Venkatadwari had predeceased his father, our Swami performed the

Uthara Kritya ceremonies.

 

He asked his disciple, Paduka Sevaka Ramanuja Swami to give discourses on

Bhagavad Vishayam. As he felt that his _Avatara Karyam_ was over, he bade his

disciples _Come and see me in my great home_-_Nam Periya Veedu Vandhu Kaanum_.

He himself took Sannyas just before his death. The next day, it was a Thursday

with Ayilya Nakshatram, Simha Lagnam. He took the Sripada Theertham of Saakshaat

Swami and distributed some to his Sishyas and breathed his last. It was a sight

to see his soul rending through his Brahma Randram in the presence of all. His

physical frame was laid to rest in the Sakkarap Padi Thurai of Kaveri. That was

Kali year 4882 corresponding to 1781 CE Pilava, Kartigai, Krishna Paksha

Shashti, a Thursday. His Douhitra Sri Vedantachariar performed his Uttara

Kriyas.

 

Like Kumara Varada composed Stotras in praise of Swami Desika, his nephew

(Bhagineya) Sri Venkatachariar composed several Stotras on Tiruk Kudanthai

Desikan.(PPM)

 

VED: _ As mentioned above, Sri Gopalarya Maha Desikan was the chief disciple of

Sri Saakshaat Swami. He is hailed as the progenitor of the Munitraya

Sampradayam. Born in the Royampettai village close to Tiruvaiyaru, as the son of

Sri Krishna Suri, he received his Pancha Samskaram and early Vedantic

instructions from his father and later he sought the feet of Sri Saakshaat

Swami, and received instructions in all our religious lore. Paduka Sevaka Sri

Ramanuja Swami, another celebrated scholar of the day instructed him in Bhagavad

Vishayam. He completed the unfinished work of his Acharya, Sri Saakshaat Swami_s

Poorva Saara Swaadhini with his own _ Uttara Saaraswatham_ that the Acharya was

greatly pleased with him and conferred on him the title _Tiruk Kudanthai

Desikan_. His scholastic distinction drew to himself a wide circle of Sishyas of

whom special mention may be made of three Sannyasis- Sri Ranganatha Swami of

Vatharayiruppu,, Sri Vedanta Ramanuja

Swami of Vazhuthur and Chey! anam Sri Srinivasa Swami.

 

Sri Tiruk Kudanthai Desikan has authored several works of which _The Aahnika_

which lays down the daily routine of a Srivaishnava in minute detail is very

useful composition (regarded as a Reference manual by succeeding Acharyas).

 

He also wrote commentaries on Tirup Pallandu and Kanninun Siruthaambhu . His

other works include-

Aparyaapta Amruta

Bhagavad Dhyaana Sopaanam

Srimad Aahnikam

Nigamaantha Desika Sahasranamam

Nikshepa Chintamani

Saaraswaadhini. (Saakshaat Swami had done only about 12 chapters of his Our

Swami completed the rest as ordered by his Acharya)

Uttara Saaraswtham

Jayanthee Nirnayam etc.(PPM)

 

 

His Tanian reads as follows:

 

 

Sri Krishna Desika Padaambhuja Bringaraajam Vedaanta Lakshmana Muneendra

Krupaatha Bodham /

Trayyantha Desika Yatindra Sataari Moorthim Gopaala Desika Sikhaamanim

Aasrayaamaha //

 

 

Meaning: _Let us take refuge at the feet of Gopala Desika , the crown jewel, the

Acharya for the three great Sannyasis, who was like the bee surrounding the

lotus feet of Sri Krishna Desika and who was the recipient of the grace of

Vedanta Lakshmana Muni_

 

The above means that Tirukkutanthai Desikan Swami combined in his persona;ity

those of all the three AchAryas viz Sri Vedanta Desika, Sri Bhashyakara and Sri

Satakopa. It is interesting to note that those who resorted to him were also

three yathivaras.

 

Sri Gopalarya Maha Desikan embraced Sannyasam just before he neared his end. He

was hailed as a Maha Bhaagavata in his own time in recognition whereof the

special and rare privilege of embracing the idol of Aravamudhan so as to render

it more efficacious, was accorded to him. He was succeeded in the Peetam by Sri

Vedaanta Ramanuja Swami who came to be known as _Vazhutur Andavan_.

 

[From Sri Anbil Ramaswamy Swami's acharya vamsa vriksham series]

 

Regards

Acharyan ThiruvadigalE SaraNam

Namo narayana

dAsan