Thirunakshatram of Kumara Varadanatha Nayanaracharya - On Srijayanti day

[Guest guest]

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.

 

Aug 27th, 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 Swamy Deshika to be sung during

kalakshepam of Sribhashyam.

 

This taniyan was -

nama: padamidaM bhUyAttasmai venkaTasUrayE yadvAgamRutasEkEna

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. Swamy Deshika treated this as

Perarulalan's anugraha vishesham and agreed to it and obeyed the order

of Sri 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, Swamy Deshika

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 Swamy Deshika. It was at this place, Varadacharya studied

Thiruvaimozhi with Aarayirappadi and Swamy Deshika's vyakhyanam to it

titled Nigama Parimalam (now extinct). When Swamy Deshika 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 Swamy 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

cheyginREn ... " 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

kataaksham. " . 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 Perumal

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. (This is followed even

to this day.)

 

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 reached

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. Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra 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 Sri Brahmatantra

Swatantra Parakala 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 Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Swamy 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 Swamy 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 Swamy 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 Swamy 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

Sri 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

(Sanskrit), 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. Sri Brahmatantra

Swatantra jeeyar was also his disciple as the former studied bhagavath

vishayam under him.

 

Shrimath TritIya Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala 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

 

Having enjoyed the Avatara vaibhavam of Srimath Nayanaracharya Maha

Deshikan, we shall now celebrate the greatness of Nayanaracharya,

eulogising his acharya bhakti all along.

 

Though Swamy Deshikan sung and extolled Emperumaans at many divya

deshams, he still held Varada as his favourite. Not surprisingly, a son

(Varadacharya) was born to him as the divine amsham of Lord Varadan

Himself. Swamy Deshika held Varada very close to his heart. He wrote

many works eulogising the grace of Varada. It is perhaps for this reason

that Devarajaperumal considered Deshika as his son. But perhaps the Lord

wanted to have the rare privilege of studying under Swamy Deshika and

so, He incarnated Swamy Varadacharya with His amsham.

 

They in fact complimented each other through their works. Swamy Deshika

wrote some of his finest works dedicating it to Lord Varada including

Nyasa Dashakam, wherein Swamy performs prapatti at the feet of

Devadhirajan. Out of the many works of Nayanaracharya, a good number are

written only eulogising the greatness of Swamy Deshika.

 

Swamy Deshikan sung Nyasa dashakam in favour of Varada. But

Nayanaracharya didn't have to go that far. He sung ten verses on his

acharya Swamy Deshikan known as " Deshika prapatti " which is in purport,

equivalent to any authentic work on Nyasam. Swamy Nayanaracharya's

acharya bhakti knew no bounds. He held Swamy Deshikan, his father, as

his acharya and God. He knew no world or God other than his acharya

Swamy Deshikan. It is evident from Varadacharya's works that he held

Swamy Deshika as the crown embellishment of vidwans. He is extolled as

the boatsman who has the capacity to ferry nomads across the ocean of

samsara. Varadacharya celebrates Deshika as his guru, matha, pitha,

daivam, praapya and praapakam.

 

Today, if we are able to perform Thiruvaradhanam to the archai of Swamy

Deshika at various divya deshams then it is only due to the untiring

efforts of Swamy Nayanaracharya, who was monumental in consecrating

sannidhis for Swamy Deshika in almost all of the divyadeshams.

 

Swamy Nayanaracharya was infact nominated directly by Ramanuja in a

spiritual epiphany as the " Sampradaya pravartakar " after Swamy Deshikan.

Amongst the kalakshepa paramparais, Sri Nayanaracharya beams as an

acharya in the Bhagavad Vishaya paramparai after Swamy Deshikan. The

paramparai then continues with Sri Brahmatantra Swatantrar, Hasti

Nayakar et al.

 

Sri Brahmatantra Swatantrar, a direct disciple of Swamy Deshikan chose

to study Bhagavad Vishayam at the feet of Sri Nayanaracharya, though he

was senior to the latter. During this time, Sri Brahmatantra Swatantrar

submitted a taniyan at the feet of Nayanaracharya that we know as -

" srImallakshmana ... varadAryamaham bhaje || "

 

The acharya bhakti of Swamy Nayanaracharya is one of his most

outstanding qualities. Swamy Nayanaracharya lived for 97 years in

vibhavam and wrote many works mostly euologising Swamy Deshikan and

providing rare and insightful commentaries to Swamy Deshikan's works.

Swamy Nayanaracharya along with Sri Brahmatantra Swatantrar and the

other direct disciples of Swamy Deshikan, rendered monumental service in

preserving and propagating the works of Swamy Deshikan. He is rightfully

glorified by his disciples as the victory flag of Ramanuja darshanam and

the beautiful full moon embellishing the ocean of the lineage of

Vishvamitra.

 

There is a sannidhi for Nayanaracharya in Thuppul. His archai also

adornes the asthanam of Parakala matham.

 

With folded hands this garland of words is concluded by singing the

taniyans of this acharya saarvabhouma. It is also a plea that this

acharya be included in all the sambhavanai kramams from now on.

 

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 || "

 

Srimath Sri VedAntha Deshika samyami sArvabhouma paripUrNa kRupA

kaTAksha labdha sArvajna, Srimath Sri kavikathaka kanteerava charaNa

naLina yugaLa vinyasta samastAtma bhara, Sri Kumara Varadanatha

Nayanaracharya Maha DeshikAya namaha