You are here: SriPedia - Oppiliappan - Archives - Oct 2008

Oppiliappan List Archive: Message 00057 Oct 2008

 
Oct 2008 Indexes ( Date | Thread | Author )
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]


SRI:
SrImathE Gopaladesika Mahadesikaya nama:
Dearest all,

Today (7th Oct 2008) is Thirukkudanthai Desikan TN. One of the greatest 
acharyans of our lineage. 

Let us read his wonderful life history of the unparalleled acharya. 

SRI GOPAALAARYA MAHA DESIKAN ( TIRU KUDANTHAI DESIKAN) 

(Purattasi / Pooraadam) (1701 - 1783 CE) He was born in Atreya Gotram. He was 
the 14th generation of Vaadi Hamsambu vaahar, the uncle and Acharya of Swami 
Vedanta Desikan. Sri Krishna Suri, his father had 3 sons. Our Swami was the 
middle one. He was born in Royampettai Agraharam near Tiruk Kandiyur on the 
northern banks of Kaveri. He was born in Kaliyuga year 4801, about 294 years 
ago at the beginning of the 18th century CE. He was born in 1701 CE (Vikrama 
year) Purattasi month Sukla Paksha Navami, a Monday under the star 
Pooraadam(PPM) 

Once when Sri Krishna Suri couple had been to the Sravanotsavam at Oppiliappan 
Koil, the Lord appeared in their dream and gave them some milk to drink saying 
that Swami Vedanta Desika himself will be born as their son in the 
constellation of Vishwaksenar. When they returned to Royampettai, the lady 
became pregnant. On the 12th month, she gave birth to a son who was the very 
Gantaavataara Desika. Swami Desika himself indicates about this reincarnation 
when he says in his Rahasya Traya Saram- 


_Bhavati Devat Kaschit Kaschid Vivasritaamaha / 
Sad Vartaneem Anuvidaasyati Saaswatham Naha // 


As Sri Krishna Suri_s Aradhya Devata was Gopalan and as the child was born as 
Desika Avatara (as per the dream), he named the child as _Gopala Desikan_. 

He had his Upanayanam while very young. As desired by his father, Gopalarya 
became the disciple of Srirangam Swami (considered to be an Avatara of Sri 
Bhashyakarar). He had his Bhara Samarpanam at the hands of Saakshaat Swami 
through Acharya Nishta. Saakshaat Swami blessed him saying _Prathiseshitha 
Vedaantah_ One year thereafter, Saakshaat Swami breathed his last (with his 
feet on the lap of Gopala Maha Desikan). Lord Amudan ordered him to give 
Pravachanams- _Nam Thooppul Pillai Pol Sampradaaya Pravachanam Pannak Kadaveer_ 
So, he retired to Tiruk Kudanthai. But, he also visited several Kshetras 
consecrated by Alwars, the _Pallisthalam_ of Tirumazhisai Alwar, Keezh 
Tiruvarangam and other places. He gave his daughter in marriage to one 
Elayavalli Srinivasachari, who was doing Alavatta Kaimkaryam to Amudan. He took 
as his Sishya, his Douhitran ( Daughter_s son) Vedantacharya and performed 
Bharanyaasam for him. 

Through the Archaka, the Lord declared _Oh ! We are pleased to confer on you 
the title of _Tiruk Kudanthai Desikan- Go and defeat the arguments of other 
faiths and establish our Matham_- _Para Matha Nirasanam Poorvamamaavaha, 
Swamatha Sthaapanam Kuru_ 

As ordered by Swami Desika, while at Tiruk Kudanthai, he meditated on Lord 
Hayagriva for 45 days in the Sannidhi of Amudan under the Vaideeka Vimaana and 
installed the idol of Lord Hayagriva there. _Sthaapayas Cha_. Saanidhyam Kuru 
Te_. 

There were 3 great men at that time: One Srinivasa Maha Desikan (as the Amsam 
of Sri Nathamuni) at Seyyanam; Another was Sri Ranganatha Maha Desikan (as the 
Amsam of Sri Aalavandaar) at Vathirayiruppu village near Tirumaalirum Solai; In 
Vazhuthur, was born Sri Vedanta Ramanuja Maha Desikan (as the Amsam of Sri 
Bhashyakarar). The Lord appeared in the dreams of these three and asked them to 
take Sannyas and do Kalakshepams at the feet of Tiruk Kudanthai Swami in whose 
dream also the Lord appeared and asked him to accept them as his Sishyas. Like 
the 3 Mudal Alwars who met at Tirukkovilur, the 3 Yathis met at the Asramam of 
Tiruk Kudanthai Desikan and spent their time in Kalakshepams. Our Swami had his 
Bharanyasam in the shrine of Amudan and came to be hailed as _Muni Traya 
Sampradaaya Pravartakar_ 

With the three Yathis, our Swami visited Saakshaat Swami_s Asramam and 
performing Japa, Kalakshepa, Bhagavad Aradhana etc. He lived on Uncha Vritti. 
With whatever Sambavanais were received, he spent in adorning the Lord with a 
precious Mahalakshmi pendent which the Lord wears to this day, repaired the 
Gopuram and doors of Desikar Sannidhi. 

When a Samprokshnam was to take place , the devotees pleaded with our Swami to 
install the Vigraha and Amudan also ordered him in a dream, to do so. 
Accordingly, he embraced the Vigraham infusing in it a new mystic power now 
than ever before. 

It was the great Brahmotsavam of Amudan. The huge chariot on which the Lord was 
coming on his round suddenly stopped halfway and would not move even an inch in 
spite of the best efforts. Three days it stood still. For three days our Swami 
did not take any food nor water. Many fasted with him since as per the 
tradition one should not eat until the Lord returned to his Sannidhi. The 
public came to our Swami for a solution to the stalemate. Our Swami offered 
prayers to the Lord and asked them to go and try again. Instantly, the chariot 
started moving and soon the Lord entered the Sanctum Sanctorum to the joy of 
everyone around. 

Once, he became so distressed with intolerable Apachaarams which his son was 
committing . He prayed for _Aartha Prapatti_ for his son lest the Apachaara 
Parampara should continue. The Lord instantly took the Acharyaputra to his 
feet. It is really astonishing that in maintaining _Aastikya_, even _Putra 
Vaatsalyam_ was not allowed to be an impediment. 

Venkataadwari Swami, author of Viswa Gunaadarsa Champu was one of his 
Pitamahas. As the son of Venkatadwari had predeceased his father, our Swami 
performed the Uthara Kritya ceremonies. 

He asked his disciple, Paduka Sevaka Ramanuja Swami to give discourses on 
Bhagavad Vishayam. As he felt that his _Avatara Karyam_ was over, he bade his 
disciples _Come and see me in my great home_-_Nam Periya Veedu Vandhu Kaanum_. 
He himself took Sannyas just before his death. The next day, it was a Thursday 
with Ayilya Nakshatram, Simha Lagnam. He took the Sripada Theertham of 
Saakshaat Swami and distributed some to his Sishyas and breathed his last. It 
was a sight to see his soul rending through his Brahma Randram in the presence 
of all. His physical frame was laid to rest in the Sakkarap Padi Thurai of 
Kaveri. That was Kali year 4882 corresponding to 1781 CE Pilava, Kartigai, 
Krishna Paksha Shashti, a Thursday. His Douhitra Sri Vedantachariar performed 
his Uttara Kriyas. 

Like Kumara Varada composed Stotras in praise of Swami Desika, his nephew 
(Bhagineya) Sri Venkatachariar composed several Stotras on Tiruk Kudanthai 
Desikan.(PPM) 

VED: _ As mentioned above, Sri Gopalarya Maha Desikan was the chief disciple of 
Sri Saakshaat Swami. He is hailed as the progenitor of the Munitraya 
Sampradayam. Born in the Royampettai village close to Tiruvaiyaru, as the son 
of Sri Krishna Suri, he received his Pancha Samskaram and early Vedantic 
instructions from his father and later he sought the feet of Sri Saakshaat 
Swami, and received instructions in all our religious lore. Paduka Sevaka Sri 
Ramanuja Swami, another celebrated scholar of the day instructed him in 
Bhagavad Vishayam. He completed the unfinished work of his Acharya, Sri 
Saakshaat Swami_s Poorva Saara Swaadhini with his own _ Uttara Saaraswatham_ 
that the Acharya was greatly pleased with him and conferred on him the title 
_Tiruk Kudanthai Desikan_. His scholastic distinction drew to himself a wide 
circle of Sishyas of whom special mention may be made of three Sannyasis- Sri 
Ranganatha Swami of Vatharayiruppu,, Sri Vedanta Ramanuja
 Swami of Vazhuthur and Chey! anam Sri Srinivasa Swami. 

Sri Tiruk Kudanthai Desikan has authored several works of which _The Aahnika_ 
which lays down the daily routine of a Srivaishnava in minute detail is very 
useful composition (regarded as a Reference manual by succeeding Acharyas). 

He also wrote commentaries on Tirup Pallandu and Kanninun Siruthaambhu . His 
other works include- 
Aparyaapta Amruta 
Bhagavad Dhyaana Sopaanam 
Srimad Aahnikam 
Nigamaantha Desika Sahasranamam 
Nikshepa Chintamani 
Saaraswaadhini. (Saakshaat Swami had done only about 12 chapters of his Our 
Swami completed the rest as ordered by his Acharya) 
Uttara Saaraswtham 
Jayanthee Nirnayam etc.(PPM) 


His Tanian reads as follows: 


Sri Krishna Desika Padaambhuja Bringaraajam Vedaanta Lakshmana Muneendra 
Krupaatha Bodham / 
Trayyantha Desika Yatindra Sataari Moorthim Gopaala Desika Sikhaamanim 
Aasrayaamaha // 


Meaning: _Let us take refuge at the feet of Gopala Desika , the crown jewel, 
the Acharya for the three great Sannyasis, who was like the bee surrounding the 
lotus feet of Sri Krishna Desika and who was the recipient of the grace of 
Vedanta Lakshmana Muni_ 

The above means that Tirukkutanthai Desikan Swami combined in his persona;ity 
those of all the three AchAryas viz Sri Vedanta Desika, Sri Bhashyakara and Sri 
Satakopa. It is interesting to note that those who resorted to him were also 
three yathivaras. 

Sri Gopalarya Maha Desikan embraced Sannyasam just before he neared his end. He 
was hailed as a Maha Bhaagavata in his own time in recognition whereof the 
special and rare privilege of embracing the idol of Aravamudhan so as to render 
it more efficacious, was accorded to him. He was succeeded in the Peetam by Sri 
Vedaanta Ramanuja Swami who came to be known as _Vazhutur Andavan_. 

[From Sri Anbil Ramaswamy Swami's acharya vamsa vriksham series]

Regards
Acharyan ThiruvadigalE SaraNam
Namo narayana
dAsan 



      

------------------------------------

Oppiliappan Koil Varadachari Sadagopan
http://www.sadagopan.org Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Oppiliappan/

<*> Your email settings:
    Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Oppiliappan/join
    (Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
    mailto:Oppiliappan-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
    mailto:Oppiliappan-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    Oppiliappan-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/


[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next] [Date Index ] [Thread Index ] [Author Index ]
Home Page
http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia
oppiliappan-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to the list