Experiencing Swami Desika - 89

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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 " !!

 

We have been enjoying Swami Desika's kAvyams. Now in our

list is Sankalpa sooryOdayam.

 

Sankalpa sooryOdaya is a drama in ten acts explaining the

doctrines of our sampradayam in no ambiguous terms.

 

Sunrise gives relief to sleeping persons by waking them up.

It is also instrumental in making one perform their

respective duties. Lords sankalpa sooryOdaya " to grant Moksha "

gives relief to the Jivatma and makes it happy. This is in

short the meaning of the title of the drama.

 

This drama is based on the principles of Brahma sutras.

 

Different qualities which rage in the soul and create

conflict are represented as characters like Viveka, Darpa,

Asuya and others. Viveka ultimately wins the internal battle

and predominates the soul.

 

Devotion to our Lord is absolutely essential. We should pray

for his daya. Lord's will is a basic necessity in all our

endeavors and the only way out to acquire Lords daya is through

total surrender at our Lord's feet. Here sadAcharyas role is

crucial. Only a sadAcharya will be able to show us the correct

path. (II, 63).

 

The blessings of sadAcharyas make us perform Prapatti at the

Lord's feet. And ultimately by Lord's will we are granted

Moksha => ultimate everlasting enjoyment.

 

A glimpse into a phrase in Act II of sankalpa sooryOdayam -

 

" yatsatyam tadEva nityam bhavati,

yatpunarmithyA tatkAlEnAlIkam bhavati "

 

-- Act II Pravesika

 

" What is true will endure for ever;

what is false in the course of time will perish. "

 

Swami Desika, after extensive study of human nature has given us

inputs in each and every verse in Sankalpa sooryOdayam which

would immensely benefit us.

 

In the following verse, Swami emphasises the importance of

gratitude.

 

" prathitam pAtakivargam krutadna yEkOhi krutsnamatishetE!

tamimam kreyamANadnastamapi durAtmA karishyamANadna: !! "

 

-- ibid-Act III Verse 33

 

" The man who is ungrateful for a past act of kindness is worse

than all groups of sinners. The man who is ungrateful for a

present act of kindness is worst than the ingrate mentioned

earlier. But the man who is ungrateful for a future act of

kindness takes the cake, being the worst of all. "

 

Swami has also exposed the human weakness caused by greed,

hypocrisy and Pride.

 

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In addition to human affairs, Swami has given us clear inputs

with regards to food habits, spending ones time usefully etc.

 

In the Ahara niyamam Swami explains how food is instrumental

in changing human nature for better or worse. Swami has given

a list of food which can be consumed, which should be avoided

etc. We should take all measures to ensure that we consume only

sAtvik food!

 

Each day should be spent only on Bagavad kainkaryam. Swami

has given us instructions on who we should spend our time in his

" Sri Vaishnava Dinachari " . The day is divided into five parts:

the early hours are devoted to his ablutions and getting ready

for the day, the forenoon is earmarked for gathering materials

and getting ready for worship of God, the noon time is meant

for actual worship with Love and devotion, the afternoon

intended for study and discourses and finally the evening

is the time for review and contemplation, meditating on

the Archa form of the Lord.

 

Any work we do, should be Bagavad kainkaryam and should be

done with sAtvika tyAgam!!!

 

The source of this compilation is from an article by

Shri M.K. Srinivasan and from the book " Life and works of

Sri Nigamanta Maha Desikan " by Prof. A. Srinivasaraghavan.

 

" Kavi Taarkika Simhaaya Kalyaana guna SaalinE!

SrimatE VenkateshAya VedAnta Gurave nama !! "

 

....To be continued!

 

dEsikan tiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

 

Praveena nAmni Ramanuja dasi

2nd Sep 1999