The event
We had a fantastic event celebrating Swami Desikan Thirunatchatram at Sri. Srikanth Swami and Smt. Archana’s Thirumaligai.
The bhagavathas recited Prabandhams and stothrams composed by Swami Desikan. The bhagavathas and rockers sang melodiously. Dhanyosmi to Sau. Sarasija, Chi. Krishna, Sau. Sneha, Sau. Sri Shreya, Sau. Sri Akshara, their music teacher, and Sri. Sunil swami for their enjoyable singing. Andal goshti sang Desikan Killikini as well.
Sri. Raman swami gave a talk on Desika Dayalu – about the kaarunyam and daya of Acharyans towards us. Sri Srikanth swami talked about Swami Desikan’s works and his daya in composing these for us.
The bhagavathas relished divine and sumptuous prasadam. Dhanyosmi to Sri. Srikanth swami, Smt. Archana, Sau. Sri Akshara and Sau. Sri Shreya for organising this memorable event, and to all the bhagavathas who participated.
About Swami Desikan
Srimad Vedanta Desikan is one of the most brilliant stalwarts of Sri Vaishnavism post Ramanujacharyar’s period.
Born Venkatanatha, he was born to Anantasuri and Totaramba in 1268 CE. He was believed to be the incarnation of the bell of Lord Venkateshwara of Tirumala. When he was five, his maternal uncle, Kidambi Apullur, took him to attend a spiritual discourse by Nadathoor Ammal, a revered scholar. Upon seeing the divinity in the child, Ammal hugged Venkatanatha, thereby forgetting where he stopped during the discourse. Upon the remainder from Venkatanatha, Ammal envisioned that the child would be a profound torch-bearer of Sri Vaishnavism.
At the age of seven, Kidambi Apullur took Venkatanatha as a disciple, training him in everything Sri Vaishnavism and by the age of 20, he was a master of poetry, logic, linguistics, science, Vedanta, allied arts and education. Despite being multifaceted and famous, he lived a humble life where he took a ucha-vriti vow, where he would wholly depend on the Supreme Lord for his household needs by accepting donations of grains and vegetables from disciples instead of actively seeking them.
Swami Desika travelled to many places throughout his life, such as Thiruvaheendrapuram, Kanchipuram, Srirangam, Sathyagala and Melkote. At each of these places, he composed many works in different languages, such as Tamil, Sanskrit, Prakrit and Manipravalaa, which revealed him to be a polymath. Some of the works are as follows:
- Paduka-sahasram: His magnum opus, 1,008 verses glorifying Rama’s sandals, showcases his poetic genius.
- Srimad Rahasya-traya-saram: The most authoritative text on the doctrine of prapatti (surrender).
- Tattva-mukta-kalapam: A philosophical masterpiece defending Vishishtadvaita against rival schools.
- Vedanta Desika Stotramala: A collection of slokas glorifying the Supreme Lord in Sanskrit.
- Yadavabhyudaya: An epic poem narrating Krishna’s life, rivalling Kalidasa’s classical style.
- Sankalpa-suryodayam: An allegorical drama portraying the triumph of divine will over ignorance.
Good reads
Click here to view the Archive of Swami Vedanta Desikan’s works
Click here to view Desika Rahasyamala in Tamil
Click here to view Vedanta Desika, His Life, Works, Philosophy By Satyavrata Singh
No responses yet