Thirunakshatram of Kumara Varadanatha Nayanaracharya - On Gokulas htami day

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Swamy Deshikan Thiruvadigale Sharanam !!!

Swamy Varadanatha Nayanaracharya Maha Deshikan Thiruvadigale Sharanam !!!

 

Dear Bhagavathas,

 

It is a well known fact that Avani Rohini marks the Thirunakshatram of

Geethacharyan - Kannan. But the day is twice special and twice auspicious as

it also marks the thirunakshatram of another Gopala. 'Go' in sanskrit also

stands for scriptures and 'pAla' is one who protects it and propagates the

true essence enshrined in them. Gopala in this way refers to a sadAcharyan.

We are talking about none other than the great acharya sarvabhouma Kumara

Varadanatha, popularly known as Nayanaracharya, the illustrious son of Swamy

Deshika.

 

Sept 6th/7th, Avani Rohini marks the thirunakshatram of this great acharya.

Very little is known about this colossus who strode the corridors of Sri

sampradayam vanquishing the adversaries belonging to other fallacious

systems. In view of this, we shall, in this posting enjoy and celebrate the

glories and the avataara vaibhavam of this acharya saarvabhouma. We pray at

his feet to bestow upon us the bliss of brahma jnanam and acharya bhakti.

 

Note - The avatara vaibhavam of Nayanaracharya is based purely on 3000 padi

guruparampara prabhavam of Srimath Triteeya Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala

Yatindra Maha Deshikan (III Jeeyar of Parakala Matham), who was a junior

contemporary of Nayanaracharya.

 

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

Avataara Vaibhavam

 

ShrAvaNe mAsi rohiNyAM jAtam venkaTa deshikAth

vishvAmitrAnvayAbdhIndum varadAryam-aham bhaje ||

 

" Bow we to the great Varadanatha, who was like the the full moon decorating

the ocean of Vishvamitra's lineage and who was born to the illustrious

Vedantha Deshika in the month of shrAvaNa and the asterism of rohiNi "

 

Swamy Deshika once had a beautiful dream in which appeared Lord Varada

telling him that a son will be born to him with His amsam and that he should

be named as Varada. As per the divine grace of Lord Varada, a son was born

to Swamy Venkatanatha (Vedantha Deshika) and Thirumathi Kanakavalli

Nachchiyaar in the year Kali 4418, month of Avani, Nalavarsham in the

asterism of Rohini.

 

Swamy Deshika, after having named the child as Varada, performed the

Jatakarma, Aksharabhyasam and other rituals. He later taught to the child,

Veda vedangam, Thirumanthrartham and all other shastras himself. Being the

divine amsham of Perarulalan, Varadanatha was very grasping, brilliant and

wise.

 

In the year 4430 vibhava varsham, month of chitrai, in the asterism of

punarvasu, Varadanatha began his Sribhashya kalakshepam at the feet of Swamy

Deshika. Earlier Sri Perarulalaiyya Jeeyar (I Parakala matam Jeeyar) had

submitted a taniyan on Deshika to be sung during kalakshepam of Sribhashyam.

 

This taniyan was -

namaH padamidaM bhUyAttasmai veNkaTasUraye yadvAgamRitasekena sanjIvitamidaM

jagat |

bhagavantamivAnantakalyANaguNasAgaram vedAntadeshikaM naumi

veNkaTeshagurUttamam ||

 

Sri Varadanatha recited another taniyan

" Sriman VenkatanAthAryaH kavitArkika kEsarI | vEdAntAchAryavaryOmE

sannidhattAm sadAhRdi "

along with the taniyan that was submitted by Perarulala Jeeyar earlier. Sri

Sudarshana Bhattar proposed that this taniyan be sung from now on before

beginning Sribhashya kalakshepam. Deshikar treated this as Perarulalan's

anugraha vishesham and agreed to it and obeyed the order of Sudarshana

Bhattar.

 

The disciples of Swamy Deshika had great love and devotion towards

Nayanaracharya similar to the bhakti that Ramanuja's disciples had towards

Pillan.

 

A few years later, during the muslim onslaught episode, Deshikar left

Srirangam and came to Satyakalam along with his family. He stayed here on

the banks of Kaveri close to the temple of Varada teaching Sribhashyam and

other works to his disciples. Nayanaracharya learnt most of the shastras

from Swamy Deshika during this period. They later proceeded to

Thirunarayanapuram.

 

It was here that Sri Bhashyakara in a spiritual epiphany through the Archaka

proclaimed Varadacharya to be the next sampradaya pravartaka after Deshika.

It was at this place, Varadacharya studied Thiruvaimozhi with Aarayirappadi

and Deshikar's vyakhyanam to it titled Nigama Parimalam. When Deshikar

enquired his other prime disciple Sri Perarulalayya Jeeyar as to why he did

not chose to study this along with Varadanatha, Sri Perarulalayya Jeeyar

replied that since Varadacharya had the special grace of Ramanuja, he has

chosen not to have sateerthyatva buddhi (colleague/peer relationship) with

Varadacharya anymore but wishes to accept him as his acharya. Saying so he

requested Swamy Deshika to allow him to study bhagavad vishayam under

Nayanaracharya.

 

In the Kali year 4440, Bahudhanya avani shukla dviteeyai, asterism of hasta,

Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra Jeeyar submitted a taniyan on Varadacharya and

started Bhagavad Vishaya kalakshepam under him. This taniyan is none other

than -

Srimallakshmana yogIndra siddhAnta vijayadhvajam

vishvAmitra kulodbhUtam varadAryam aham bhaje ||

 

During the last days of Swamy Deshika, it was again affirmed by Yatiraja at

Srirangam that Sri Nayanaracharya shall be the next sampradaya pravartakar

after Deshika. Sri Nayanaracharyar received a pair of shankham and chakram

used during samashrayanam and also the murthy of Sri Varadarajar from Swamy

Deshika. He later sung the last taniyan on his acharya and father - Swamy

Deshika, glorifying him as -

 

Kavitaarkika simhaya kalyANa guNashAline

shrImathe veNkaTeshAya vedAnthagurave namaha ||

 

After Swamy Deshika attained the lotus feet of his acharya, Swamy

Nayanaracharya along with the other prime disciples of Swamy Deshika

continued to stay at Thiruvarangam for almost a year, rendering kalakshepams

and propagating the siddhantham of Ramanuja. Swamy Nayanaracharya (Referred

to as Swamy from now on) later set out on a digvijaya yatra and reached

Thirupper. Here Swamy won over many opponents of anya mathams and was even

honoured by the king Sarvajna Shingappa Nayakan. Swamy continued his

digvijayam and reached the royal court of Gangaikonda Chozhapuram and won

over the anyamatha vadins there. From this place he proceeded towards

Thanjaimaamani koil. He won over the Mayavadins in that place and was

honoured by the royal family there. Swamy spent some time in this place,

writing commentaries and propagating the siddhantham of Ramanuja/Deshika.

 

Similar to how Kanninun Shiruththaambu was added at the end of Mudalaayiram

and Ramanuja Nutranthaadi was added at the end of Iyalpaavaayiram, the

prabandham Pillai Anthaadi of Swamy Nayanaracharya was added at the end of

Deshika prabandham for anusandhanam. The same was recited by Swamy and Sri

Brahmatantra Swatantra Jeeyar at the sannidhi of Neelamegha Perumal followed

by the consecration of archa murthys for Azwars, Emperumaanaar and Swamy

Deshika at this place.

 

Later Swamy continued his yatra covering Thirukkottiyur and

Thirumalirunjolai and came to Sri Madurai where the " paratattvanirnaya

utsavam " was being opposed by a few anya matha vadins. Our Swamy defeated

all these opponents and made arrangements for this utsavam to be conducted

without impediments. He later consecrated the archai of Swamy Deshika at

this place and also at Srivilliputtur and Azwar Thirunagari. Continuing from

there Swamy went to Kerala Divyadeshams. Here a few Kshudra mayavins were

troubling the kainkarya parals in the madappalli. Swamy with the power of

yoga siddhi broke their magical spells. The mayavins later sought

forgiveness from our Swamy.

 

Our Swamy continuing his journey, reached Thirunarayanapuram, the place

where he had received munificent katakshams of Yatiraja. Swamy later

arranged for the consecration of Swamy Deshikan's archai in this place. He

stayed in this divya desham for some time rendering kalakshepams.

 

On one Panguni Uttiram day at Thirunarayanapuram, during the sherthi of

Thirunaaranan and Yadugiri Nachchiyar, Swamy sung the pasuram " ennaduyAn

chaiginREn ... " while Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra Jeeyar sung the pasuram

" ninnaruLAM kadiyanRimaRRonRillEn ... " . Perumal through the archaka then

enquired " You have pleased us having sung the pasurams that reflect the

purports conveyed by Yatiraja in his Gadyatrayam on this auspicious Panguni

Uttiram day. Seek for a boon and it shall be yours " . To this Swamy replied

" On this day we would wish to recite in your presence the entire Deshika

prabandham that houses these gems of pasurams. We pray your audience for the

same " . This was gladly accepted by the Divya Dampati and the arayar thus

began singing Deshika prabandham starting with " tambaramenrirangi " and

continued for ten weeks. Divyadampatis through the archaka then proclaimed

that " Those who recite these prabandhams that are the essence of

Thirumanthram which is the essence of all veda and vedantha would be

recipients of our munificent grace and kataksham. " . At the same time an Ashu

Kavi composed a shatakam (100 verses) on Swamy Deshika and submitted it.

 

After sometime Nayanaracharya returned to Thiruvarangam. Here during one

Purattaasi Thiruvonam, Nayanaracharya sung the psalm

" vAdAshanavararivarenavarum .....nAL " . From here Swamy continued his yatra

and moved to Vada desham. He continued his sojourn winning over all

anyamatha vaadins everywhere and then came back to Thiruvahindrapuram. He

consecrated the archai of Swamy Deshika on top of the hill Aushadachala,

wherein Swamy Deshika had earlier received the grace of Garuda Bhagavan and

Sri Lakshmi Hayagriva and also inside the koil of Devanayakan. He then

proceeded towards Thirukkoiloor and Madhuranthakam and finally reached

Perumal Koil Kanchipuram. At Peumal Koil, Varadaraja exclaimed " The dream I

showed Deshika has been fruitful! " . Nayanaracharya later retired to his

maligai in Thiruththanka. He later built the temple of Swamy Deshika next to

Deepaprakashan Sannidhi and consecrated the archai of Swamy Deshikan there

and performed aradhanam to it everyday.

 

It was during this time a few kumatigaL opposed the reciting of prabandham

on the thiruveedhi of Perumal koil during Vaishakotsavam. Swamy trounced all

of them through shaastra vaadams and nyaya vadams and arranged for the

prabandham to be sung on Kachchi thiruveedhi. Pleased by his nirvaaham, the

Lord on the Garudavahanam ordered through his archaka that our Thuppul

Nayanar be honoured with Sri Shatari and maryaadai. But to this

Nayanaracharya says " My doings are miniscule in front of the glories of my

acharya Swamy Deshika " . The geratly pleased Lord ordered that the maryadai

and the parishaigaL be bestowed on my Deshika who is presiding in his archa

svaroopam.

 

Nayanaracharya later performed the consecration of Deshikan's archa murthy

inside Perumal Koil. He later proceeded towards Sriperumbudur and performed

the pratishtai of Swamy Deshikan's archai there. From there Swamy proceeded

towards Thirumalai.

 

The entourage of Swamy and Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra Jeeyar reaches

Thirumalai. At this time the Jeeyar of Thirumalai had attained paramapadam.

Lord Thiruvenkatamudaiyan appointed Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra Jeeyar to

take up the mantle of Srikaryadurandhara of Thirumalai shrine. Brahmatantra

Swamy came and submitted this information to his acharya Swamy

Nayanaracharya. An extremely pleased Nayanaracharya said " This is indeed an

anugraha vishesham that you are bestowed with the wealth of Kainkarya

nirvaaham along with Siddhantha pravachanam. " From that day onwards

Brahmatantra Swamy took over the mantle of Srikaryadurandhara of Thirumalai

shrine.

 

Swamy Nayanaracharya continued to stay at Thirumalai for some more time and

later on a Purattasi day he performed mangalashasanam to Alarmel Mangai

sametha Srinivasan and moved to Ahobilam. Here Swamy was honoured by the

king Sarvajna Shingappa Nayaka. At this place there was a magician by name

Shakalyamalla who had a brahmarakshasa in his control. This brahmarakshasa

had cast a spell by which the thiruppallakku on which Swamy was travelling

could not be moved at all. Our Swamy with his manthra siddhi broke the spell

and instead made the brahmarakshasa carry the pallakku. This broke the

garvam of Shakalyamalla who later apologised.

 

On the banks of Godavari, Swamy met a Brahmana by name Daasharaja. Swamy

converted this Brahmanan to a Srivaishnavan and named him as Dasharathiraja

and presented him with a vigraham of Nigamantha Maha Deshika and asked him

to perform Thiruvaradhanam to it everyday. At his request Swamy wrote a few

works like Saararthasangraham and others and taught it to his disciples.

After completing his Vada Desha yatrai, Swamy returned to Perumal Koil

Kanchipuram.

 

After his return to Kanchipuram Swamy performed an Agnishtoma Yagam. It may

of interest to note here that Swamy comes in a lineage of acharyas who have

been performers of sacred Yajnas. Mention need to be made of Anantha

Somayaji and Pundarikaksha Yajva who were very famous for the Yajnas they

performed.

 

A few years after this Brahmatantra Swatantrar granted sanyasam to his

disciple Perarulalaiyyar Appai who was named Dwiteeya Brahmatantra Swatantra

Parakala Maha Deshikan (II Jeeyar of Parakala Matham). On one auspicious

day, Brahmatantra Swatantra Jeeyar, contemplating on the thiruvadi of

Swamy Deshika, attained his acharya's lotus feet. Upon the instructions from

Nayanaracharya, Veeravalli pillai, performed all the charama kainkaryams of

the Jeeyar. Dviteeya Brahmatantra Swatantra Swamy took over as the Srikaryam

of Thiruvenkatamudaiyaan's shrine.

 

This was the time Nayanaracharya Swamy authored works like Adhikarana

Chintamani. Having been wrongly provoked by Shakalya malla, a maayi sanyasi

approached Swamy and said " You first win over me and then continue your

siddhantha pravachanam " . Swamy decided to break the garvam of this sanyaasi

by the anugraham of Perumal and Deshika. Swamy was greatly pleased with the

kainkaryams of one his disciples by name Annan. Swamy consecrated some water

with the sacred Hayagrivamanthram and gave this to Annan and sent him to win

over this sanyasi. Annan won over the sanyasi in a battle of Vedantha. The

sanyasi sumitted himself at the feet of Annan and later at the feet of

Nayanaracharya. An extremely pleased Swamy exclaimed " Prativaadi bhayankaram

AnnanE vArum... " . Prativaadi Bhayankaram Annan later composed the most

beautiful " Saptati ratna maalika " on Swamy Deshika. As per the wish of

Swamy, Annan went to Thiruvarangam and continued siddhantha pravachanam.

 

On one day when Swamy was having the darshanam of Perarulalan, he entered

into a spiritual epiphany wherein the Lord said " nam periyaveeDu

shErakkadavIr ... " - " You shall soon attain my holy abode in Paramapadam " .

As per the Lord's command, Swamy gave his last sermons to all his disciples

and took Deshika Sripadateertham and blessed his disciples with his own

Sripadateertham. He presented the vigraham of Varadarajar that was presented

to him by Swamy Deshika to his disciple Emperumaanaarappan. Amidst the

ghosham of Thiruvaimozhi and Upanishats, Swamy Nayanaracharya Maha Deshikan

attained the lotus feet of Swamy Deshika on a Panguni Krishna Saptami day of

Jayavarsham.

 

Upon the instructions of Thirumalaiappar who was the Srikaryakartha of

Perumal Koil and also the son of Thirumalai Srinivasacharya,

Emperumaanaarappan who was Swamy's disciple performed all the charama

kainkaryams of Swamy Nayanaracharya.

 

Swamy Varadanatha Nayanaracharya's works include -

 

On Swamy Deshika -

Deshika Mangalashasanam, Deshika Prarthanashtakam, Deshika Prapatti, Deshika

Dinacharya,

Deshika Vigrahadhyanam, Pillai AnthAdi - All these on Swamy Deshikan.

 

Other works on sampradayam include -

SArArtha sangraham, AbhayapradAna sAram, Virodhi bhanjani, Prabandha sAram,

Tattva traya chuLakam, Rahasya traya chuLakam, AhAra niyamam, Nyasa tilaka

vyAkhyAnam, SaguNa brahma samarthanam, shankAkathakam, Abheda khandanam,

AvidyA khandanam, tyAga shabdArtha nirnayam,

Tattva muktA kalApa shAnti, Adhikarana chintAmaNi, mImAmsA pAduka

paritrANam, HariNa sandesham,

Kokila sandesham.

 

He had disciples ranging from monarchs to ascetics similar to Swamy

Deshikan. His prime disciples include -

PrativAdi Bhayankaram Annan, KandADai Annan, KomAndUr AchchAn, PoLipAkkaM

nayinAr, Thirumalai appar, KidAmbi appar, NadAdUr Azhwan, Ananthappan,

KandAdai appan, EmperumAnArappan.

 

Let us sing his taniyan and pray at his feet to grant us the wealth of

jnanam and acharya bhakti -

" shrAvaNe mAsi rohiNyAm jAtam venkatadeshikAt |

vishvAmitrAnvayAbdhIndum varadAryamaham bhaje ||

 

shrImallakshmaNa yogIndra siddhAntha vijayadhvajam |

vishvAmitrAnvayAbdhIndum varadAryamaham bhaje || "

 

Shrimath TritIya Brahmatantra Swamy has sung a vAzhi thirunAmam on

Nayanaracharya -

 

iruvahaiyanika mAnthariyar tanayan vAzhiye

yatipatisiddhAnta jayavilangavanthOn vAzhiye

aruL varadar thirunAmamaNinduyarnthOn vAzhiye

AvaNiyurOhiNiyilavatarittAn vAzhiye

arumathi kANiyar chintAmaNiyaLittAn vAzhiye

avviyalA nUl palavumavaiththa nambi vAzhiye

oruthani ittarisha shattaiyuyarttepirAn vAzhiye

oNthUppul kulanayinAriNaiyaDihaL vAzhiye

 

Sri VedAntha Deshika samyami sArvabhouma kaTAksha labdha sArvajna,

Srimath Sri kavikathaka kanteerava charaNa naLina yugaLa vinyasta samastAtma

bhara,

Sri Kumara Varadanatha Nayanaracharya Maha DeshikAya namaha