Acharya vaibhavam - 66- asmadhAchAryan His Holiness Srimad Andavan- ParaVakkOttai Swami Sri Gopaladesika Mahadesikan Swami..

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SrI:

SrImathE Goapladesika mahadesikaya namah:

SrImathE Srinivasadesika Mahadesikaya namah:

SrImathE Ranganathadesika Mahadesikaya namah:

SrImathE Srinivasadesika Mahadesikaya namah:

SrImathE Gopalarya Mahadesikaya Namah:

 

Dearest all,

 

On February the 14th, asmadhAchAryan His Holiness

Srimad PaRavakkOTTai Andavan Swami has completed 25

years of SanyAsa Ashramam and the sishyas and

abhimaanais have taken this glorious opportunity to

celebrate this divine event of Swami's ascent to

Acharya Peetam as a grand function in Srirangam at the

ashramam premises.

 

adiyEn had already sent the invitation and is attached

under files section in groups. This whole

series on Acharya vaibhavam is being sent everyday to

commemorate this divine celebration as a token of our

gratitude to Swami. adiyEn would continue till 74th

post [to align with Yathiraja Saptathi] and send my

rambling as usual as a part of this series.

 

adiyEn requests all bhAgwathas and their families to

attend this function and receive the benign blessings

of His Holiness

 

Let us enjoy asmadhAchAryan life history here in this

post. [extract from Sri Anbil Ramaswamy Swami's

Acharya vamsa vruksham write up]

 

SRIMAD ANDAVAN - PRAKRITAM ACHARYA (THE PRESENT

PONTIFF) (PARAVAKKOTTAI SRI GOPALA DESIKA MAHA

DESIKAN) (Panguni- Rohini)

 

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.Krishnama 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 Tiruk Kudanthai 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

Vennatran Karai 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* ) 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. 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.

 

Swami’s Tanian reads as follows:-

Srivaasa Ranga Parakaala Munitrayaabda Lakshmaatma

Rakshana Yathitva Yugaaga Maantham /

Achaarya Bhakthi Pari bhootham Anargha Seelam

Gopaala Desika Munim Aasrayaamah //

 

We seek refuge at the sacred feet of our revered

AchAryan ,Sri Gopala MahA Desikan , who received the

sacred rites of SamAsrayaNam , Bhara SamarpaNam ,

ThurIyAsramam and the wealth of Ubhaya VedAntham from

the three great AchAryAs , Srinivasa MahA Desikan ,

Sri Ranganatha MahA Deikan and ParakAla Matam Swami .

He shines with illustrious sadAchAram and is

resplendent with his limitless AchArya Bhakthi.

 

Acharyan ThiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

Regards

Namo narayana

dAsan

 

 

 

 

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