Thuppul PiLLai-2- Greatness of Swamy Desikan

[Guest guest]

SrI:

SrImathE Nigamantha Mahadesikaya namah:

SrImAn venkatanAthAryaH kavitArkika kesarI |

vedAntAcArya-varyo me sannidhattAm sadA hRdi ||

 

May the glorious Venkatanatha, the greatest of teachers of Vedanta, and the

lion among poets and debaters, reside forever in my heart.

 

Dearest Srivaishnavas,

 

Swamy Vedantha Desikan’s contribution to the VisishtAdvaita Srivaishnava

philosophy [bhagawath Ramanuja Darsanam] in the proper evaluation of the

theories and concepts of all schools of thought and rejection of those which

are opposed to those of his system i.e. Vedanthic and Vedic religions. All

his works both bog, small, breathes this trend.

 

There is no name in the world of Sanksrit literature and philosophy combined

like the name of Vedantha Desika.

 

It is aDiyEn’s intent to enjoy with you the glories of Swamy Desikan-

Thuppul Kula maNi by remembering his life, by immersing ourselves in his

works, and by enjoying the greatness and mastery of the same. Though we can

not [i can not] enjoy the granthas to the fullest extent for lack of jnAnam

[in me], even great scholars have declared their failure in attempting to

know the depths of Swamy’s works. So, we are not alone.. both in failing and

in enjoying as well.

 

[i refer mostly to Sri A Srinivasargahvan’s book on the life and works of

Vedantha Desika, the malar released by Sri Seva Swamy, the souvenir released

by Thirbaheendrauram devotees and Sri Anbil Ramaswamy Swamin’s articles]

 

He is the one who makes all those who surrender to His feet- as

Mahaadesikan. He is simply phenomenal. Scholars who lived during Swamy

Desikan’s period also mentioned that Swamy is an adhubutha avtar. He is a

vidwAn- few said. He is a great intellect- few said. He is the greatest

poet; some praised. He is our fortune to establish firmly the

VisishtAdvaita- some said. Every one said, based on the extent they

understood our Swamy.

 

Before reading his great mystical life history, let us read the breathtaking

huge list of his works: [to read the list itself takes time.. Swamy wrote

all of them in one life time.. It is told by scholars, that one can not even

read all of his works fully in one life time.. Such was the greatness of

Swamy’s works. It is not that he wrote just ordinary works

[engaatthukkaararum kacchErikku pOraar type.. ]; He wrote gems after

gems…Every one grantha out beats the other. –Many of you may know all this.

But there are few who do not know; and it is my intent to reach those few.

Also for those of us who know, - this is just rejoicing and relishing

Swamy’s glories again… [kasakkumA?]

 

Swamy Vedantha Desikan – we can boldly say- was the greatest intellect India

has ever produced. He appreciated Vedic philosophy. He was philosophical;

and religious; His thoughts were moulded by the writings and teaching of his

Poorvacharyas – the galaxy of them- right from Sri SaTakOpa muni

(NammAzhwAr) – Nathamuni- Yamunacharya- Ramanujacharya- and others. He was a

very faithful follower of his master- Sri Ramanuja. He built a fortress

around the philosophy of Ramanuja so well; that none can dare enter. He had

fullest conviction in the teachings and followings of Ramanuja. He was a

lion among poets and logicians. [We will enjoy all of his works in detail

later]. He was a poetic genius. He had the mastery over languages and could

use them very effectively to communicate anything he had visualised. But he

never went astray with his poetic skills and license and adhered to nothing

but the philosophy of VisishtAdvaita Sri vaishnavam. He was the greatest

logician – developed logic to argue – vidhaNdAvaadhis – he entered into

hair-splitting discussions and dialogues in his works when he had to explain

the various Vedic Upanishadic and other purAnic works.

 

His works are about 120 in number. [look at the list below- ].. The subjects

are varied. But the soul of these works is the same.. i.e. Ramanuja

darsanam. He wrote original works in Sanskrit; also commented on the works

of his Acharyas- namely Yamunacharya and Ramanujacharya. He wrote sthothras,

kaavyas, drama, prose etc..

 

His style is inimitable for its depth of ideas, sweetness, simplicity and

ease; it is majestic, sometimes tough. He was a great admirer of Adhikavi

Vaalmeeki and Kalidasa. His poetic work Hamsa sandhEsam, though similar to

Kalidasa’s mEgasandhEsam, is original in many respects. Daya sathakam is a

unique composition wherein he personifies grace (Divine grace- daya),

without which Lord’s other qualities are of little value and help to

suffering mankind- Swamy says. AbhIthi sthavam is an invocation for the

Lord’s protection from evil forces from both within and without. His GodhA

sthuthi is a piece of place of great lyric beauty and merit and talks of Sri

GodhA’s influence with the Lord through love and Desikan’s surrender to Her

compassion.

 

Let us look at the amazing list [wait until morrow]

Swamy Desikan ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam

Regards

Namo narayana

dAsan

kavi-tArkika-simhAya kalyANa-guNa-SAline |

Srimate venkateSAya vedAntagurave namaH ||

 

Salutations to Sri Venkatesa, in whom all perfections reside, who is the

teacher of Vedanta and the lion among poets and debaters

 

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