Experiencing Swami Desika - 54

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SrI:

Shrimate Shri Lakshmi Nrusimha Parabrahmane Namaha:

Shrimate Shri Seetha Ramachandra Parabrahmane Namaha:

Shrimate Shri Ramanujaya Namaha:

Shrimate Nigamantha Maha Desikaya Namaha:

Shrimate Shrivan Satagopa Shri Narayana Yateendra Mahadesikaya Namaha:

 

" SrimAn VenaktanAthArya: kavithArkika kEsarI!

VedAnthAchArya varyO mE sannidhatthAM sadhA hrudhi " !!

 

The next KalyAna guna of our Lord as described by

Shri Alavandar is 'mrudu'.

 

There were many miraculous and mystical incidents

in Swami Desika's life - Sriya:pathi's leela;

Swami was the most revered AchArya of his time,

yet he was humility personified. Pomp and Anger were

unknown to Swami. Swami was easily approachable to

one and all.

 

Swami Desika was extremely simple and even when he

had authority, Swami refrained from using it.

In spite of his Great knowledge, Swami moved freely

with one and all and this exemplifies Swami's unique

character.

 

Various miracles in Swami's life are highlighted in

the Sapta Ratna Maalika, Desika Vaibhava Prakasika,

and in Guruparamparasaram.

 

Let us look into one such incident which will help

us enjoy Swami's soft-heartedness - 'mrudu'.

 

This miracle happened when Swami Desika was residing

in Kanchi. A SanyAsi with mystic Powers challenged

Swami to enter into a dispute with him.

 

Our Swami respects every devoted soul. Swami extended

his respects to this sAdhu and refused to enter into

any controversies.

 

This sAdhu, not knowing the greatness of our Swami

tried some taunts with him. He drank the water

from a nearby tank. He had some tantrik powers

through which he tried to make this water enter into

Swami Desika's thirumeni. This he thought would create

unbearable pain to our Swami.

 

Swami Desika visualised the problem and as a solution

scratched the wooden pillar near by. Alas! the water

started flowing out through it.

 

Later the sanyAsi, confident of the damage inflicted on

Swami Desika was happy to see the quantity of water

in the pond reduced.

 

To confirm his victory, he came to Swami Desika's gruham.

But he was baffled that no untoward incident had happened.

He saw the water flowing freely through the pillar.

 

He was ashamed and repented the apachAram committed

to Swami.

 

The reaction of our Swami to this incident, makes

us enjoy Swami's Kalyana Guna. Our Swami's quality

one among many is " pagaivanukku arul seivAi nan nejE " .

With this quality, Swami rightfully did not want the

sanyAsi to feel let down. So, before the sanyAsi could

think of apologising, our Swami thanked him for the

water as it was used to clean up the Lord's city.

 

This quality of Swami removed any embarrassment

on the sanyAsi. Our Swami stands out here too -

" InnA seithArai oruthal avar naana nannayam

seidhu vidal " fits our Swami's quality straightaway.

 

 

" Kavi Taarkika Simhaaya Kalyaana guna SaalinE!

SrimatE VenkateshAya VedAnta Gurave nama !! "

 

....To be continued!

 

dEsikan tiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

 

Praveena nAmni Ramanuja dasi

29th Jul 1999