Experiencing Swami Desika - 95

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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 saw the definition of an ideal Acharya. In the third Sloka

of nyAsa vimsati " sadbhuddhi: sAdhu: sevee samucita

caritastattva bhOdhAbhilAshI.. " Swami Desika defines an

ideal sishya or disciple .

 

The following are the qualifications which a true sishya (we)

should possess. They are 15 in number.

 

A disciple =>

 

(1) sadbuddhi - must possess right intellect and should

properly imbibe Acharya's teachings,

 

(2) Sadhu sevee - must be intent on worshiping and revering

Sadhus (right minded ones),

 

(3) Samucita carita: - must be of good conduct consistent

with his status and the environment he lives in. This includes

due performance of duties prescribed for his varna and ashrama,

 

(4) TattvabOdhAbhilAshI - must have a keen desire to learn

about the true nature of men and things, one's actual goal and

the means to achieve the goal viz., Tattva, Hita and Purushartha,

 

(5) Shushrooshu: - must be willing to render service to his

Acharya,

 

(6) TyaktamAna: - must not have false prestige and must have

given up notions of self importance,

 

(7) PraNipatanapara: - must be willing to bend and prostrate

before the Acharya,

 

(8) PrasnakAlapratIksha: - must await for the proper time and

opportunity to put questions to the Acharya for clarification

and learning,

 

(9) and (10) ShAnta: and DAnta: - must keep his indriyas and

mind under control,

 

(11) Anasooyu: - must never be jealous,

 

(12) SaraNam upagata: - must have sought refuge at the Acharya's

feet by way of saranagathy,

 

(13) Shastra visvAsa shAlee - must have implicit faith in the

Sastras,

 

(14) PareekshAm prApta: - must have been tested by the Acharya

and found fit,

 

(15) Kritavit - must be ever grateful to the Acharya for all

what the Acharya has done.

 

Swami Desika in adikAra Sangraha states

 

" yEtri manattezhil gjnana vilakkai yirulanaittum

mArrinavarkku voru kaimAru mAyanum kANakillAn

pOtri yugappadum pandhiyil kolvadhum pongupugazh

sAtri valarpadum satrallavO munnam petradarkE. "

 

-- adikAra Sangraha(38)

 

Our Acharya drives out the darkness in our minds by lighting

the bright lamp of knowledge. Swami Desika states that even

our Lord who is capable of working wonders cannot find any

means of adequately compensating the Acharyas.

 

So, all that a disciple can do to an Acharya is to Praise him,

be constantly thinking of him and keep singing the glory of his

Acharya. But all what we do, can only be a trifle when compared

to the benefits we have obtained from the Acharya.

 

We are always a runavAn in front of our Acharyas. We are ever

indebted to them !!!

 

A disciple with the above qualifications alone will be entitled to be

taught what he truly and sincerely desires to learn.

 

The above write up is based on Shri R.Ramaswamy Aiyangar's commentary

on Swami Desika's Nyasa Vimsati.

 

" Kavi Taarkika Simhaaya Kalyaana guna SaalinE!

SrimatE VenkateshAya VedAnta Gurave nama !! "

 

....To be continued!

 

dEsikan tiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

 

Praveena nAmni Ramanuja dasi

8th Sep 1999