asmadhAchArya paryanthAm vandhE GuruparamparAm- 15-(GRAND FINALE).

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SrI:

SrImathe Gopaladesika Mahadesikaya namah:

 

Dearest Srivaishnavas,

 

Let us complete this series with our enjoyment on the greatness of

asmadhAcharyan His Holiness Srimad ParavaakkOttai Andavan Sri Gopaladesika

Mahadesikan Swamy.

 

First is the article written by Dr. Sri U Ve NS Anantharangachar, Bangalore.

 

THE ROLE OF GURU IN SPIRITUAL SADHANA "

 

" It is no exaggeration to say that there is nothing on earth by paying

which, we could free ourselves from our indebtedness to a Guru. The

benefaction bestowed by the Guru is so great that we have to be ever

grateful to him. A number of teachers have taught us different things and

have given a shape to our life. We have to grateful to all of them.

 

An Aachaarya is celebrated personage who is a SROTRIYA and a BRAHMANISHTA.

Without initiation by an Aachaarya, it is not possible for one to gain the

knowledge of the ultimate reality.

 

Sri Vedanta Desika declares that there is no God greater than the Aachaarya

himself- 'Aachaaryaita Devatam Samadhikam Anyam Na Manyaamahe'

 

The Guru shows the path of knowledge, fills one with faith by his own

example, initiates the procedure, plans for his progress, gives him the

necessary technique, corrects him whenever he goes wrong and leads him to

the ultimate goal surely and safely.

 

The Mundaka Upanishad says that one who has developed dispassion on seeing

the hollowness of the earthly gains should go to such a Guru alone who is a

Srotriya and Brahmanishta for gaining knowledge of the Supreme reality.

 

The Guru to be sought should be endowed with the following qualities.

 

i) he must have gained realization;

ii) he must be of a firm understanding,

iii) sinless,

iv) well versed in the scriptures,

v) established in Brahman,

vi) Satvic in nature,

vii) truthful,

viii) endowed with virtuous behavior,

ix) free from jealousy, vanity and other vices,

x) endowed conquest over his sense organs,

xi) forgiving,

xii) compassionate,

xiii) corrective whenever there is a lapse and

xiv) mindful of his and other' welfare.

 

 

The Prakritam Aachaarya ,Sri Paravaakkottai Aandavan Swami fulfills everyone

of these parameters admirably well and is truly a Srotriya and Brahmanishta

fit to be worshipped as God himself as ordained by Taittriya Upanishad-'

Aachaarya Devo Bhava' and as voiced by Apasthamaba-'Devamiva Aachaaryam

Upaaseetha "

 

===========================

 

Life of Srimad Andavan- Sri Gopaladesika Mahadesikan:

(by Sri Anbil Ramaswamy mama)

 

Born in the year Roudri on the 2nd day of Panguni under the star of

Rohini, corresponding to 17th March 1921 in the Mazhaiyur village as the

son of Sri Venkatachar Swami and Janaki Ammaal, the daughter of Puraanam

Vidwan Sri Kuppuswami Iyengar Swami. (*The village was gifted to the

forefathers of this family about 6 generations earlier. From that

time onwards the further generations of the family had been living

there*)

 

Srimad Andavan was named Rajagopalan after the presiding deity of

Mannargudi temple which at the time of his birth was celebrating the

Tiru Ther (car) festival. Paravakkottai Sri Venkatachariar Swami was a

pious scholar belonging to Vadhula Gotram Kandaadaiyar family who fashioned

his life strictly according to the prescribed rules for a Sri

Vaishnava. He had received instruction in Rahasya Traya Sara at the feet

of Poundarika Puram Srimad Andavan. His elder brother, (*Sri Chakravarthi

Aachariar*), also had been performing Biksha services to Srimad Andavan.

 

When child Rajagopalan was 2 years old, his mother died and two aunts

from Thillaiambur came to look after the child. After the Upanayana

Samskara, Sri Rajagopalan was placed under Mannargudi Sri Srinivasa

Gopalachariar for Vedic instruction

 

Later, he joined K.R.M. Estate Paatasaala and studied Sanskrit poetry

under a distinguished Vidwan Peruga Vaazhndaan Sri Krishnamachariar Swami.

Owing to the hard discipline of the teacher, the pupil was able to

acquire proficiency in Sanskrit.

 

Later, the boy was admitted into the Sanskrit college at Sholinga Puram by

Sri A.R.Krishnamachariar Swami who also instructed him in Champu literature.

Because of the boy's proficiency in Sanskrit,(* in 1936*), he was admitted

into the 3rd Year class in the Sanskrit College, Tirupathi, in which he

studied hard for 6 years. When he returned to Thillaiambur, during the

summer holidays, he did not waste a single moment; he used the occasion to

study Granthas under Vidwan

Sri Venkatachariar Swami.

 

During his stay at the Sanskrit college, he had as class mates or College

mates some of the distinguished scholars of the present time, such

as PURISAI KRISHNAMA CHARIAR Swami, the Editor of Nrisimhapriya,

VILLIVALAM SRI NARAYANA CHARIAR SWAMI a great scholar and brother of the

present 45th Pontiff of Ahobila Mutt and Mylapore Sri Srinivasachariar

who later set up a Publishing house _*Sarasa Kala Nilayam_*) solely for

the purpose of printing and publishing

the works of our great Acharyas like (*Melpakkam Narasimhachariar,

Marudur A.R.Krish nama chariar*). Sri Rajagopalan moved with these persons

intimately, true to the saying _ Birds of the same feather flock together.

 

(*When he was just 12 years old, he had his Samasrayanam and Bharanyasam

done by the Great Poundarikapuram Andavan himself*).

 

Having lost the mother at a tender age, child Rajagopalan had to perform

the mother's annual Sraddha. He lived such a pure and disciplined life

in strict conformity with Sri Vaishnava tradition as to win the awe and

regard of the learned Srivaishnavas of Thillaiambur. They regarded him as

another VASISHTA and

would not do or say anything unorthodox during the Sraddha.

 

(*.He would never take Paraannam(food outside) even from his childhood*)

 

Two days before Rajagopalan_s father attained the lotus feet of the Lord, he

had advised his son to do Vedaanta Kalakshepam under the feet of the

Jeeyar of Parakaala Mutt. An obedient son that he was, Sri Rajagopalan went

to Mysore and studied under Srimad Abhinava Ranganatha Parakaala Swami

such branches of knowledge as Grantha Chatushtayam.

 

Later, he learnt under Deekshachar Swami, Nyaya Siddhanjanam, Tattva

Muktaa Kalaapam and Nyaaya Parisuddhi and returned to Thillaiambur in 1947.

 

The Swami Participated in six examinations in Vedantha Sastras

conducted by _Vedaanta Desika Vichaara Sadas_ under the direction of the

Jeeyar of Parakaala Mutt. He also passed the Purva and Uttara parts

of our Vedanta in the examination conducted by _Mysore Maharaja Vidwat

Pariksha_.

 

Later, he entered Grihastaasramam marrying Lakshmi, the eldest daughter of

TirukKudanthai Aarupaathi Setlur Sri Srinivasachariar Swami, who was

a strict follower of Vaishnava Aachaaram and had done Vedantha

Kalakshepam. The couple was blessed with five sons and a daughter.

 

After getting employed as a Sanskrit Pandit at Musiri, Sri

Rajagopalachariar Swami used to visit Srirangam in connection with the

affairs of the Asramam, which was always uppermost in his mind.. On such

occasions he would call on Sri Madurantakam Vira Ragahavachariar Swami and

cultivate his acquaintance. (* Whenever he prostrated at the feet of

Madurantakam Swami, the latter would do _ Prathivandanam_. Our Swami felt

embarrassed and hit up on a plan to stop the

_Prathivandanam_. So, he submitted that that he had not been initiated

into Vaisvadevam and requested Madurantakam Swami to initiate him. This

done, the Madurantakam Swami had become his Acharyan also and there was no

way for him to do _Prathivandanam_ anymore !)

From the distinguished scholar and Vidwan, he received Vaisva deva Upadesam,

for which he fell prostrate at the feet of the Madurantakam scholar. The

latter did not relish such respect offered to him and felt extremely

uncomfortable.

 

At the age 59, Sri Rajagopalachariar Swami accompanied by his family

proceeded to Kshetraadanam bathing in the Narmada, Ganga, Triveni

Confluence and afterwards offered worship at Gaya, Haridwar and

Bhadarikasramam. Then he went to Ahobilam where he participated in the 10

days Utsavam of Lord Nrisimha and returned to Musiri.

 

TAKING HOLY ORDER

 

Srimad Vennatrankarai Andavan was keen and anxious to nominate a

successor so that the Muni Traya Munirupa tradition could be continued

without break in the Acharya line. He used to sound the Srikaryam Sri

Rajagopala Iyengar about this and persuaded him to assume the Sannyasa

Asrama. One day, on the spur of the moment, he called the Srikaryam and

administered Presha Mantram, Prapatti Yogam, Sannyasa Anushtaana Kramam

and Ashrama Sweekaara-Kramam. The day before he

merged with Jyoti, he called Sri Rajagopala Swami and gave him the

ochre robes,(* Avakundanam, Jala Pavitram, Sikhyam, Kavacha Vastrams

etc.*) and staff as well as the keys of the Asramam and commanded that he

should assume the role of the Acharya in a year or two. And, for more than

a year and a half the Ashramam remained without an Acharya.

 

Owing to the appeal and entreaties of many eminent persons such as the

late lamented 44th Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt, Ubhaya Vedaanta NAVANEETHAM

RAMA DESIKA CHARIAR SWAMI, MADURANTAKAM SRI VEERA RAGHAVACHARIAR

SWAMI,(*Mannargudi M.S. Rangachariar Swami, Vennatrankarai Velaamur

Sowriraja Iyengar *) and a host of others, the Srikaryam Sri Rajagopala

Swami occupied the Peetam of the Acharya

in a picturesque ceremony held at Vennar Bank, Thanjavur. The place

appropriately chosen for this solemn purpose is twice-blessed. Three of the

108 Divya Desas lie here close to each other; it is the native place of

VennatranKarai Srimad Andavan and the resting place of Veliyanallur

Srimad Andavan; it is further sanctified by its association with three of

our Purvaacharyas- Sri Nainar Acharya, Brahma Tantra Swatantra Swami and

Saakshaat Swami. The Asrama

Sweekaranam took place on 20th February 1982, Dwadasi day of Masi month in

the cyclic year Dunmathi, when he assumed the new name _ SRIMAD GOPALA

DESIKA MAHA DESIKAN_.

 

(*On the previous day , on Ekaadasi day, he performed JEEVA SRAADDHA as

ANNA SRAADDHA. As many as 16 scholars participated in the Nimantrana

like U.V. Madurantakam Vidwan Veeraraghavachariar Swami, Vidwan Villupuram

Madhavachariar Swami, AHOBILA MATAM SRIKARYAM SWAMI, PERIYAASRAMAM U.V

PADUKAA SWAMI, Vaduvoor Salakshana Ganapaadigal who acted as

Brihaspathi, Bangalore Veda Vidwan

Swachannam Anantachariar who acted as Brahma*) (*Throughout the night, he

kept awake along with others when Madurantakam Swami delivered discourses on

Satkatha and Vedantas. NEVER BEFORE IN THE ANNALS OF ANY

MATAM OR ASRAMAM WAS SUCH A JEEVASRAADDHAM HAD BEEN PERFORMED.*)

(*The Parakaala Mutt Swami presented as Hayagriva Prasadam a Kamandalu

and Kaashaayam*)

 

SRIMAD ANDAVAN_S MANY-SIDED SERVICES TO RELIGION

 

Shortly after taking charge of the Asramam, Srimad Andavan who had spent

long and laborious years in _collecting_ Vedantic knowledge, was now

called upon by the 44th Jeeyer of Ahobila Mutt, to collect big sum

of money to meet the expenses for the construction of the 12th tier of the

Raja gopuram of Srirangam temple. Undaunted, Srimad Andavan through the

active help and cooperation of his disciples(* like Tirumalaikattam

Villankuppam P.A.Ranganatha Tatachariar Swami

of Shenoynagar Amuda Mukunda Kalyana Mandapam*SMM) was able to collect a

sum of Rs.3,43,000/- which was presented to Srimad Azhagiya Singhar.

 

Srimad Andavan's devotion to his and our Purvaacharyas is too apparent to

need any special mention. He renovated the Brindavanam of Velianallur Sriman

Narayana Maha Desikan at Vennar Bank, erecting of four pillared Mantapam

and installing the idol of the Acharya. (*He also raised a compound wall

and an iron fence all around the Mandapam*)

 

(*In 1989, the Swami visited Vennatrankarai, where the local host, Sri

Sowriraja Iyengar honored him with Poornakumbham and a heavy garland

that adorned Neelameghap Perumal. It was a sight for Gods to see !)

 

Under Srimad Andavan's direction, Swami Desikar_s shrine in East Uttara

Street was completely renovated. The Utsava idol of Lord Hayagriva,

previously worshipped by one Amma Sathram Seshachariar Swami was handed over

to the Asramam by his grandsons on June 13,1990. This idol as well as

idols of Ashtabujan and Vaikuntanathan were installed in the shrine. (*The

Asramam building as well as the Pushkarani were renovated at a cost of Rs.

1.5 lakhs.*)

 

Under the patronage and Presidentship of the Acharya, the _ Sat

Sampradaaya Samrakshana Sabha_- registered as a Society was founded in

1986 to foster FREE Sanskrit education and offer FREE instruction in the

Vedas, Prabhandas and other Grantha Chatushtayams..

 

The Nitya Aradhana plan to provide uninterrupted Aradhana in the Asramam

was created with a deposit of Rs.1,000 collected from each disciple.

The amount donated under the head has been deposited in the Bank and the

accruing interest is being utilized for the administration of the Asramam.

 

A revised edition of Rahasya Traya Sara was published in 1990.

Chillarai Rahasyangals of Swami Desika have also been published by the

Swami - in three parts. Srimad Andavan has been imparting instruction

to the disciples through Kalakshepams and tele upansyasams. On such

occasions, the disciples have highly benefited by Srimad Andavan's

approach, his mastery of the subject, the clarity of thought and the ease

with which he reduces any complicated concept in philosophy or theology

into simple and clear terms._

 

His Tanian reads as follows:-

 

Srivaasa Ranga Parakaala Munitrayaapta Lakshmaatma

Rakshana Yathitva Yugaagamaantham /

Achaarya Bhakthi Pari pootham Anargha Seelam

Gopaala Desika Munim Gurum Aasrayaamaha //

 

(meaning)

 

We seek refuge at the sacred feet of our revered AchAryan, Sri Gopala MahA

Desikan, who received the sacred rites of SamAsrayaNam , Bhara SamarpaNam

from the great AchAryA, Sri Srinivasa MahA Desikan (Srimad Poundarikapuram

Andavan); ThurIyAsramam from Sri Srinivasa MahA Desikan (Srimad

VeNNaaRRankarai Andavan) and the wealth of Ubhaya VedAntham from Srimad

Abhinava Ranganatha Brahmatantra Swantantra Parakaala Yatindra Maha

Deshikan. He shines with illustrious sadAchAram and is resplendent with his

limitless AchArya Bhakthi.

 

AchAryan ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam

Regards

Narayana Narayana

adiyEn Acharyan Thiruvadi Narayana dAsan madhavakkannan

_______________________

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