An erudite guide of Vaishnavism

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From The Hindu Online August 03,2001.

 

http://www.hinduonnet.com/stories/13031363.htm

 

An erudite guide of Vaishnavism

 

 

THE HOARY tradition of Vaishnavism boasts of innumerable scholars and

savants who had distinguished themselves through dedicated service to

the propagation of its tenets and through their benign role as

authentic spiritual guides (acharyas) to the seekers of liberation

through self-surrender (saranagati). To this class of illustrious men

of erudition belonged Vangipuram Navanitam Srirama Desikachariar of

Oppiliappan sannidhi (in Tamil Nadu), who was reverentially and

endearingly called `Navanitam Swami'.

 

Born in 1901, Srirama Desikachariar hailed from a family of great

scholars with a lineage traceable to Vangipuram Achan, a direct

disciple of Ramanuja. One of his ancestors, Venkatacharya, had

written a scholarly commentary on Chandogya Upanishad, titled

`Chandogya Navanitam' about 300 years ago,. From then on, `Navanitam'

has come to be used by the descendants as a prefix to their names.

 

A Madras University diploma holder in Sanskrit (Siromani) and in

Tamil (Vidwan), Srirama Desikachariar was a teacher by profession

and, even while in service, had his tutelage in the spiritual realm

under his father, Krishnamachariar, from whom he learnt the

Vaishnavite scriptural texts in the traditional manner. An

acknowledged authority on Vaishnavism and a spiritual Guru

(preceptor) for a large circle of disciples, Krishnamachariar had

published several sacred works, including the Mahabharata. Quite a

few of the works, such as a commentary on the Upanishads by

Rangaramanujamuni (17th century) and `Nayamayukhamalika' of Appayya

Diskhitar, which were available till then only in palm leaves, found

its way into print because of his efforts. For his part, Srirama

Desikachariar had done monumental service to the cause of Vaishnavism

by editing several of the works of Vedanta Desika, with lucid

commentaries, explanatory notes, annotations and so on. Among them

were: Desika Stotras, Desika Prabandha, Rahasyatrayasara,

Hamsasandesa and Sillarai-rahasyas. Remarkable indeed was his

contribution to the popularisation of Vedanta Desika and his works.

He was also a regular contributor to religious magazines like

`Nrisimha Priya' and `Ranganatha Paduka'.

 

The work Srirama Desikachariar cherished most was the Suprabhatam

(with) prapatti and mangalam he composed in Sanskrit on his favourite

deity at Oppiliappan Koil (near Kumbakonam), one of the 108 Divya

Desas and a popular prarthana sthala, and it is being recited in the

temple as part of the daily routine of rituals in the temple.

 

Recipient of numerous awards and titles - Vidya Visarada, Nyaya

Vendata Pravina Darsana Dhurandhara, to cite just a few -Srirama

Desikachariar got recognition for his erudition in Sanskrit from the

Government of India in 1975 when he was honoured with the President's

award. Apart from teaching the Vaishnavite scriptural works in the

traditional manner, he reached out to the masses by travelling to

remote villages and performed religious rites such as panchasamskara

to thousands of disciples who flocked to him. His disciples always

marvelled at the facile and exemplary manner in which he used to

clarify even abstruse metaphysical points.

 

To mark the birth centenary of Srirama Desikachariar (he passed away

at the age of 81), which was heralded with a function in Pondicherry

this time last year, celebrations were held every month throughout

the year by his disciples in different parts of Tamil Nadu.

 

As a grand finale, a two-day celebration will be held, quite

appropriately, at his native place, Oppiliappan Koil, on August 15

and 16. Eminent scholars like Srivatsankachariar and Yajnavaraha

Thathacariar, besides numerous disciples and admirers, will

participate in the function. A commemoration volume and a set of

three audio cassettes, titled ``Tiruppavai - a simple exposition'' by

Srirama Desikachariar's son and disciple, V. N. Gopala Desikachariar

-himself a scholar and spiritual Guru in the footsteps of his father

- are slated for release on the occasion.

 

M.B.N. VENKATESAN

 

 

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