abhinava dESika SrI UttamUr swamy Divya Charitham- 26 (Emperumaan Tattvam:-)

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SrI:

Sri Padmavathi Sametha Srinivasa Parabrahmane Namaha.

Sri Perundhevi Sametha Devadhiraja Parabrahmane Namaha.

SrimathE Bhagavad Ramanujaya Namaha:

SrimathE Nigamantha Mahadesikaya namaha:

Srimate Rangaramanuja Maha Desikaya Namaha.

Srimate Abhinava Desika Vatsya Satchakravarti Uttamur SRI

VIRARAGHAVARYA MAHA DESIKAYA NAMAHA

 

SrImAn venkatanAthAryaH kavitArkika kesarI |

vedAntAcArya-varyome sannidhattAm sadA hRdi ||

 

Thanian (Invocatory verse on Sri UttamUr swamy written by

Swamy's AchAryan Sri Kozhiyalam Swamy himself)

 

adbhutam yasya vikrAntam vEda vIthI ViSOdhanE |

aparam nigamAntAryam prapadyE vIrarAghavam ||

 

[Article in Tamil by SrI PayyampADi VEnkatavaradAchArya SwAmi; English write

up (based on Tamil) by SrI R.VenkatAchAri (SohattUr- Vankipuram –Oppiliappan

Sannidhi), a disciple of SrI UtthamUr SwAmi. Appeared in the souvenir

released during the SatAbhishEkam (80th birth anniversary) of SrI UtthamUr

swAmi on 10th Feb, 1977]

 

PARAMATA BHANGA AND SRIMAD RAHASYA TRAYA SARA:

 

The printing is going on for these books. Pulavanur, Sri.U.Ve.Chakrapani

Iyengar Swami and his brother, Sri.U.Ve.Parthasarathy Iyengar Swami

respectively had agreed to bear the entire cost and had already paid the

first installment. These would contain a commentary of Our Swami.

 

OTHER GRANTHAS:

 

Sri Alavandar’s SIDHITRAYA was published at the request of Sri V.T.R.Swami.

He paid the full cost of the book and he obtained a partial grant from the

Govt. of India. This also contains a commentary of Our Swami in Sanskrit.

 

PERIAZHWAR TIRUMOZHI was published again with the full financial aid from

Sri V.T.Rangaswamy Iyengar Swami in commemoration of his SATABHISHEKAM

(1975).

 

BHAGAVAD GITA with a Tamil Commentary called GITARTHAM and a word by word

meaning in Tamil by Our Swami was published. The entire cost of

Rs.5001/- was paid by Vavasi Kottai Madabhushi, Dharmika Ratna R.Srinivasan

(Partner, Bharat Skin Corporation). This book contains the essence of

Bhashya and Tatparya Chandrika and easily understandably even by a person

without Sanskrit knowledge.

 

UPANISHADS (TWO VOLUMES) were published again with the financial aid of THE

SUNDARAM CHARITIES.

 

In addition to the above, financial help for the publications was received

from many Astikas. To mention a few:-

Sri V.T.R.Swami, was paying Rs.50/- per month for a long time to engage a

proof reader to give a little relief to Our Swami who was doing all the

correction work.

 

Sri.K.C.Varadachariar of Lloyd’s Road, hereditary trustee of Lakshmipuram

Temple, was paying Rs.300/- every year for replacement of

types for two years.

 

Sri N.R.Srinivasan (engineer) and Sri K.Soundara Rajan was paying Rs.25 each

to meet the overhead charges, every month.

 

Sri.R.Dorairajan of “The Hindu”. (now no more) made a lump sum donation of

Rs.1000/- for the publications.

 

Apart from financial help, many others helped the publication in so many

other ways and to mention a few:-

 

Paiyambadi Srivatsangachar Swami, Paiyambadi Venkatavaradachariar Swami,

Pulikunnam Sri Stalasayanachar and Sri Chakravarti of Reliance Motors, were

helping in proof correction and transliteration in Nagar

Script from Grantha script etc. The two sons of Our Swami, Sri

Srinivasa Raghava, and Sri Rajagopal had been doing the proof correction

after the office hours.

 

DREAM COME TRUE:

 

During Our Swami’s trip to North India to establish the superiority of

Our Sri Bhashyakara Sidhanta (at Sholapur) he made a Sankalpa to publish all

the books in Our Sidhanta in DEVANAGARI SCRIPT, to enable the North Indian

Scholars to study them the lack of which was felt and expressed to Our Swami

by them. As usual the Sankalpa was done with “SATVIKATYAGA”. At the time

of inaugurating Ubhaya Vedanta Granthamala”, Revered Acharya, Srimad

Rangaramanuja Maha Desikan, blessed Our Swami that the organization would

grow from strength to strength and he was very confident that all the

important Sri Suktis would be printed.

 

Today, on the happy occasion of celebrating the SATABHISHEKA, we find that

most of the granthas of Sri Desika and other books like Srutaprakasika,

Upanishads, 4000 Prabhandams, etc. had been completed. We all could easily

guess that such a mammoth task, was achieved only to prove the efficacy of

the Satvika Tyaga Sankalpa and the greatness of the Acharya Parampara and

the blessings of Lord Tiruvengadamudaiyan who was staying in the mind of Our

Swami all the 24 hours of the day.

 

WHAT NEXT:

 

There are many more books of Sri Desika and the Abhinava Desika, to be

published and many more to be reprinted as the copies are sold out.

 

From the above narration, one could easily find out that the

publications were made possible only from out of munificent donations

from a few well-to-do Astikas and they were completely voluntary. Now

the difficulty is to safeguard the printed copies as there is no space

in “Sidhasrama” of Our Swami and the problem of getting more finance for

further publications as the entire donations are locked up in unsold books.

Astikas should come forward to purchase one set of Sri Desika granthas,

which is offered at Rs.200/- for which they would get

all the `Desika Sri Suktis’ already printed and to be printed in future.

Every Astika in Sri Desika Sampradaya should become a member by paying

Rs.200 and possess one set of Sri Desika’s works and keep them in his house

as they keep a Koyilalwar in his house. One Thousand “Hayagriva Idols” are

made by Abhinava Desika, (in the form of books) and waiting to be enshrined

in your house and they are cent percent fit for worship according to Our

Sampradaya. Come forward and do not miss his opportunity to possess a

“Hayagriva Idol”. (Sri Desika’s works).

 

In one of the meetings at Sri Desika Vidya Bhavanam, Mylapore quite

recently, Our Swami said that he is purposely postponing the printing

of DRAMIDOPANISHAD TATPARYA RATNAVALI, as the same needs elaborate scrutiny.

He requested the pandits and scholars in Sri Desika Sampradaya to

undertake the scrutiny of the available version of the grantha, as different

commentators had adopted different versions of the Slokas and some portions

of the grantha do not resemble the usual masterly poetic style and “Saili”

of Sri Desika Vidya Bhavanam, being an organization interested in Sri Desika

Sampradaya Vidya, could arrange and organize a Seminar on the above grantha

with the avowed purpose of discussing Sloka by Sloka and decide on the

correct and probable version of the Slokas which would fit into the context

and match the Style of Sri Desika; and that Our Swami would always be

available for consultations. However, as the above grantha in the list of

Sri Desika’s works to be published by Our Swami according to his Sankalpa,

he will take up the scrutiny and publication at proper time when he is a

little free, whether the Seminar is conducted or not.

 

As for the other works of Sri Desika, like Stotras and Tamil Prabandams,

many editions had already been published and repetition may be unnecessary.

However, many Astikas are requesting Our Swami to

provide his own commentary for them also. Ultimately he would undertake

them at proper times.

 

The idea of publishing a book called “LAGHU RAHASYATRAYA SARA”, a condensed

version of Srimad Rahasyatraya Sara, by using Sri Desika’s own words and

sentences, avoiding repetitions and arguments, is in Our

Swami’s mind for quite some time. This condensed book will be useful to

many Astikas who could not find time to do the Kalakshepa of the main

grantha. At the same time the Mukhyadhikaris will only study the

original version as part of the grantha Chatushtaya Kalakshepa. If time and

health permits, the Astika world would get one more “Grantha Gem” from Our

Swami’s pen, as “LAGHVAHNIKAM” came from his Revered Acharya.

 

VEDANTA PUSHPANJALI, a grantha of Poems was written by Our Swami at

the time of starting the commentary of Upanishads (called PARISHKARA)

and intended to be an offering of prayer to Lord Tiruvengadamudaiyan for the

successful finish of his Grantha Nirmana work under the banner

of Ubhaya Vedanta Grantha Mala. The various Upasana Margas in the

Upanishads are treated as flowers and offered as Pushpanjali. The book was

not published so long, as Our Swami was busy with publication

of other granthas and Sri Desika’s works. This book will now be released

soon. The cost of this book os borne by the famous Lady Doctor

Dr.E.V.Kalyani and her brothers and will be dedicated to the memory of

(Late) Dr.E.V.Srinivasan, Eye Surgeon, and Srimati Kannammal, parents of the

donors. Dr.E.V.Srinivasan was a devout Sishya of (Srimad Koliyalam Swami)

Sri Rangaramanuja Maha Desikan and had Bharanyasa under him. He was an

admirer of Our Swami’s Sampradaya

Kainkarya.

 

The book TATVA SARA by Nadadur Ammal will be released on the Satabhisheka

day, by the Satabhisheka Mahotsava Committee.

 

The book “UPANISHADARTHA KARIKAS” of Our Swami will also be released on the

same day. The cost of this book was donated by Sr.R.Venkatachari of

Oppiliappan Sannidhi, who will also be the publisher, and the book will be

dedicated to his Revered Acharya Deva, Abhinava Desika Sri Viraraghavarya

Maha Desikan, in Reverential Homage.

 

As we had already mentioned, Our Swami’s habit was to go on composing Poems

on Lord Tiruvengadamudaiyan and other Deities he worships, whenever a little

leisure is available. A book, containing all these Slokas are under print

in the name of “SRI HARI GURU STAVA MALA” and if any Astika could come

forward to bear the cost, it will be released

soon, as another Treasure from Our Swami’s pen.

 

For the time being, the above books and the completion of the commentary

called “Sara Vistara” on Srimad Rahasyatraya Sara and the commentary called

`Anapaya Prabha’ on Paramata Bhanga, in addition to the regular Kalakshepa

Goshti should be enough to occupy Our Swami’s daily routine. As it is, we

should be more than satisfied that the purpose of the Abhinava Avatara of

Sri Desika, is completely fulfilled

and it is absolutely necessary that Our Swami should have enough rest in

between to gain health and strength, so that he could continue to bless us

all.

 

SRI BHASHYAKARA AND SRI DESIKA – (THEIR MUTUAL REGRETS).

 

Pandits say that Sri Bhashyakara actually predicted the birth of Sri Desika,

to continue his work of propagating his Sidhanta, and at the same time

regretted that he could not have Sri Desika as his direct Sishya. Sri

Desika also, it seems regretted that he could not study directly under the

feet of Sri Bhashyakara. To remedy this mutual regrets, it is evident,

that Sri Bhashyakara took an Abhinava Avatara and with the intention of

combining the sacred name of Srirangam with his name, took the name of

“Rangaramanua” and born as Srimad Rangaramanua Maha Desikan, (Sri Koliyalam

Swami). It is well known to

everybody and accepted even by the scholars in other Sampradayas that,

 

Sri Koliyalam Swami was only an Avatara of Sri Bhashyakara and so, called

him, “Abhinava Bhashyakara:. Sri Desika also took an Abhinava Avatara as

Sri Viraraghava Maha Desikan (as we all see now) and fulfilled their mutual

desires of Teaching and Studying, respectively,

(Vedanta Shastras), as Acharya and Sishya. It is worth nothing that the

Vedanta Kalakshepa of Our Swami was started by his Acharya while he was in

his Grihastasrama. Soon after the starting, the Acharya rushed to Srirangam

to become a Sanyasi, and came back as a Sanyasi and continued his Kalakshepa

for his Sishya, Our Swami, as Sri Bhashyakara was a Sanyasi and Sri Desika

was a Grihasta. Finally, the

Abhinava Bhashyakara blessed Our Swami as “APARAM NIGAMANTARYAM”.

 

SARVA TANTRA SWATANTRA:

 

Some may ask that though everybody had accepted Our Swami as Abhinava

Desika, how the title of “Sarva Tantra Swatantra”, which Sri Desika got,

would fit Our Swami. [sri Desika got the title after he did the Nirmana of

a bronze idol of his own fiture.] The answer would be very

simple. Sri Abhinava Desika knew that it would be very difficult to

maintain Sanctity and Sannidhyam in a metal Idol, as missing even one

day’s pooja would call for a Samprokshanam and other rituals to restore the

Sanctity. To avoid all these troubles, Sri Abhinava Desika created NOT ONE

but ONE THOUSAND Idols, which would retain the Sancitity and Sannidhyam even

if you did not do pooja for days and months together, They are absolutely

fit for worship by all people at all times. We can do Archanas and offer

Upacharas like Doopa, Deepa, Naivedya and do Aradhana as we do for Srimad

Ramayana Srikosa. They are the “SRI SUKTIS OF SRI DESIKA” and other

Srivaishnava Acharyas. Our Swami is printing 1,000 copies in all the

granthas, which means, he is creating

1000 idols, which contain cent percent Sannidhyam of Lord Hayagriva. In

addition, the knowledge, Our Swami possesses about the Printing and

Publishing Trade would match that of any leading Printing House Manager.

Further, some people may doubt whether Our Swami knew any English. If one

goes through the English Translation of Vedanta Deepa, Vishnu Sahasra

Namavali etc. which was left unfinished by Sri K.Bhashyam and finished by

Our Swami, they would immediately withdraw the doubt. Sri K.Bhashyam should

be alive to day to answer the doubt and the undersigned know from personal

experience that Our Swami has no equal in selecting the correct and

appropriate word in English at the required context. So, the Title of SARVA

TANTRA SWATANTRA suits the Abhinava Avatara much more than the original

Avatara of Sri Desika.

 

ASTIKAS:

 

Each Hayagriva Idol (Sri Desika’s works) is ready at the Sidhasramam of Our

Swami, waiting to be installed and enshrined in your homes, without any need

for Pratista for Sanctity, the very presence of which

will bring you the blessings of Lord Hayagriva.

 

CONCLUDING PRAYER:

 

The various incidents in Our Swami’s life as narrated above, give the

history of a period showing the growth of Sanskrit literature and Vedanta

Granthas for more than 60 years, which can be easily called “ABINAVA DESIKA

SAKABDA”. When my Revered Acharya Deva gave me the command to do this

narration in English, (facts taken from the Tamil narration printed in the

same book and approved as correct by Our

Swami) I hesitated first and then immediately accepted to write this

ABHINAVA DESIKA VAIBHAVAM as I did not want to miss the one and only

opportunity provided for wiping out my sins by narrating the life history of

my Revered Acharya Deva. After accepting, however much I thought about it,

I could not find any qualification in me for this offer except that I knew a

few words in English. I can only consider that the extreme `KARUNYA’ of may

Revered Acharya Deva in giving me this chance to wipe out my sins, for fore

thought of my illustrious father, in entrusting me to the feet of Srimad

Abhinava Bhashyakara, Rangaramanuja Maha Desikan to undergo Pancha Samaskara

which ultimately brought me to the feet of my Grantha Chathushtaya

Kalakshepa and Bharanyasa and (the third) the blessings of Lord

TIRUVINNAGARAPPAN whom I worship all the 24 hours, day in and day out.

 

By way of gratitude, I can only pray to Lord OPPILIAPPAN to give my Revered

Acharya Deva, Abhinava Desika, Viraraghavarya Maha Desikan, long life, heath

and strength to continue the Grantha Nirmana work and

to continue to bless of us.

 

SRIMATE VIRARAGHAVARYA MAHA DESIKAYA NAMAHA

SRIMATE RANGARAMANUJA MAHA DESIKAYA NAMAHA

SRI BHOOMI DEVI SAMETA SRINIVASA PRARABRAHMANE NAMAHA

 

ABHINAVA DESIKA DASA

R.VENKATACHARI

(Sohattur-Vangipuram-Oppiliappan Sannidhi)

 

[This article was written during Sri UttamUr Swamy’s sathAbhishekam. Today,

the books of Sri UttamUr Swamy need to be reprinted again for our benefits

and for future generations and also scholars should have them translated

into English- this is adiyEn seelamillA siRiyOn – siRiya jnAnantthan-

adiyaarkku adiyan madhavakkannan’s desire. That will only enable everyone to

know our richest sampradayam and its glories. Let us pay our obeisance to

this great AchArya of our sampradayam on his Thirukanshathram today- Thai

Swathi]

AchAryan ThiruvadigaLE saraNam

Regards

Namo narayana

aDiyEn Narayana dAsan madhavakkannan

 

 

 

 

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