Commentaries on Desika's hymn http://www.hindu.com/br/2006/05/02/stories/2006050200121400.htm by PREMA NANDAKUMAR SRI DEVANAYAKA PANCHASAT ? Sanskrit commentaries by Sri Raghava Patrachariar and Anbil Gopalachariar; Tamil commentary by Kidambi Rajagopalachariar; English translation and explanation by V.N. Vedanta Desikan; pub. by Srimath Andavan Sri Poundarikapuram Swami Ashramam, 43-A/13, Ashramam Road, Srirangam-620006. Rs. 50. Among the earliest of the hymns (Stotras) indited by Vedanta Desika, Sri Devanayaka Panchasat is in praise of the presiding deity of the Tiruvaheendrapuram temple. It was in Tiruvaheendrapuram that Desika performed penance and gained a vision of Lord Hayagriva that led to a lifetime of scholarship dedicated to the Supreme as Narayana. Vedanta Desika has been hailed as a lion of logic and poesy (kavi-tarkika-simha) because of his distinguished commentarial and polemical works as also epic creations. These works are for the select few. However, his Stotras are easily memorised and recited by all devotees. Since they also contain deep layers of significances, it is good to learn them along with the commentaries that have been written by erudite scholars in the past. As the important works are not available at present, the present pontiff of Sri Poundarikapuram Ashramam has decided to give a new life to them. This Stotra comes to us as a brilliant production thanks to the tireless strivings of V.N. Vedanta Desikan. This hymn in 53 verses covers almost all the important theories and intentions of Srivaishnavism. Vedanta Desika prays to the Divine Mother in the third verse to speak on his behalf to the Lord. Anbil Gopalachariar's Sanskrit commentary neatly correlates the phrase `kinchit etad vijnapayate' with the near-identical phrase in Rukmini's letter to Krishna in the Bhagavata to bring home to us the anxiety of Desika. Linkages Such linkages are present throughout the commentaries making the volume a shoreless joy for the sahridaya. >From these writings we learn the elegances in the poet's approach, as when he speaks of the 25 tattvas propounded by Srivaishnavism as the ornaments-armaments of Vishnu. Getting absorbed in the explanations, the lover of the Lord's image form will adore the descriptions and photographs; the enthusiast of Sanskrit language will be proud of its plasticity; the aficionado of Tamil will be drawn to the charms of apt phraseology; and everyone will be pleased that the English language has been used assiduously to give a global spread to Desika's prayer. A perfectly produced volume, Sri Devanayaka Panchasat is indeed a jewel for one's personal library. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Join modern day disciples reach the disfigured and poor with hope and healing http://us.click.yahoo.com/lMct6A/Vp3LAA/i1hLAA/VkWolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SriRangaSri/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: SriRangaSri-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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