Magnum opus of Desika
http://www.hindu.com/br/2004/03/16/stories/2004031600081800.htm
ESSENCE OF SRIMAD RAHASYATRAYA SARAM OF SRIMAN NIGAMANTA MAHA
DESIKAN: N. S. Anantha Rangacharya; 780, 5th Main Road, Vijayanagar,
Bangalore-560040.
Rs. 250.
THE RAHASYATRAYASARA the magnum opus of Vedanta Desika, the great
post-Ramanuja polymath, composed in the Manipravala style
(Sanskritised Tamil) explains a number of subtle doctrines of the
Vishistadvaita school in a very lucid and authoritative manner. It is
encyclopaedic in nature and is certainly a landmark in the history of
Srivaishnava philosophy.
Since the work is meant for lay people who have no access to Sanskrit
lore, the author has not quoted any Upanishadic text directly. A
number of important topics that were not explained by earlier writers
such as the nature and scope of Prapatti (whole-hearted surrender),
the difference between Prapatti and Bhakti (loving devotion), the
accessories of Prapatti, the eligibility to adopt it, the mode of
doing it and the conduct of a person who has surrendered to the Lord,
Arthapanchaka or five topics, which every seeker after liberation is
expected to know are explained by Desika here.
It is worth noting in this context that while Ramanuja speaks of
Bhakti (devotion) as the means to liberation in his Gitabhashya and
Sribhashya, he stresses the importance of Saranagati (surrender) in
his Gadyas. Only Desika explains the reason for this apparent
dichotomy. He says that the Bhashyas are meant for scholars at the
pan-Indian level, who may not care much about the concept of
surrender, which, from the viewpoint of tradition, is a "secret".
This is therefore dealt with in the Gadyas meant for the inner circle
of disciples.
The book under review is a brief exposition of this work in English
prepared by N. S. Anantha Rangacharya, one of the highly respected
authorities in Visishtadvaita philosophy. M. R. Rajagopala Iyengar
had already translated the Rahasyatrayasara into English.
But the present volume is a welcome one since it summarises the
original text for the benefit of the modern man who has neither the
time nor the scholarship to understand it in all its intricate
details.
The author has done a commendable job in condensing the original
without leaving any important detail. He deserves our respectful
congratulations.
In the valuable introduction he has very lucidly explained different
viewpoints held by Pillai Lokacharya, Vedanta Desika and Meghanadari
Suri on the doctrine of surrender (Prapatti). His summary is lucid,
sweet and simple.
The appendix on Nikshepa Raksha, another work of Desika, which deals
with Prapatti is quite useful. The work is an excellent addition to
the rich and vast literature on Srivaishnava religion and philosophy.
M. NARASIMHACHARY
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