(1) The Vaishnava philosophy has 32 constituent parts or priniciples: It is made up of 23 Tattvas from Prithvi to Mahat, 3 principles such as Avyaktam, Aksharam and Tamas, three more such as Kalam, Nitya Vibhoothi and Dharma Bhuta Gynam, and the latter are crowned at the crest with the triad: Jeevan, Periya Piratti and Perummal.Together the 23+ 3+ 3+ 3 make up thus the total of 32.
(2) Scriptures: A total of 32 from the combination of 18 chapters of Bhagavad Gita, 4 Adhyayas of Brahma Sutra and the 10 decads of Nammazhwar"s Thiruvaimozhi.
(3) 32 Moksha Vidyas described by the Upanishads
(4) 32 Apachaaras during the Aaraadhanaa of Sriman Naryana: These 32 are to be avoided
(5) 32 Chapters of Srimad Rahasya Traya Saara as pointed out to me by Sri Krishna Kalale during the most recent celebration of the Birth day of Sri Vedantha Desikan at the Ranganatha Temple at Pomona , NY
(6) 32 Chapters of Paadhuka Sahasram, symbolizing the 32 steps the Lord of Srirangam takes to walk towards HIS disciples as visulaized by Swami Desikan in the 32 chapters of his incomparable kavyam.The Sri Ranganatha Paaduka symbolizes for us the Sri Satari that we wear on our head to get the blessings of Nammazhwar, the Prapanna janakootastha. Acharya Ramanuja is said to be the satari (foot rest ) of Nammazhwar and the tradition continues all the way down to our Acharyas at the Andavan Asramam or Ahobila Matam or Parakala Matam.
Among the thirty two chapters of the Paadhka Sahasram, the 14th chapter known as the Nada Paddhati has the largest number of verses (VIZ); 100 slokas. Rest of the chapters have 10 to 80 verses . It seems that Swami Desikan heard the Divine Nada raised by the Paadukas as the Lord took his proverbial 32 steps toward the Devotees. Hence, Swami Desikan's Kavyam can be considered to have been born out of his Nadhopaasana on the night that he composed the 1000+ verses of praise to the Lord"s holy Paadukas.