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Teacher, composer and philosopher
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/09/24/stories/2004092402760600.htm


The Thirunakshatram of Sri Vedanta Desikar falls on
September 24. PREMA NANDAKUMAR writes...  
 
Sri Vedanta Mahadesikan. 

MASTER OF the twin harmonies of Tamil and Sanskrit,
Vedanta Desika was born in 1268 A.D. in the village of
Tuppul near Kanchipuram. Under the care of his uncle
Atreya Ramanuja, Desika received in-depth training in
Visishtadvaita as well as the scriptures. An exemplary
student, by the time Desika was 20 years old, he was
able to teach others the six systems of Indian thought
as well as Sanskrit and Tamil literature. Choosing a
life of voluntary poverty, he received abundant
cooperation from his wife. 

A born leader, he was a natural heir to the throne of
acharyahood after Atreya Ramanuja. He spent some years
in Tiruvaheendrapuram worshipping at the temples of
Hayagriva and Devanayaka. Even today, we are shown a
well in Tiruvaheendrapuram which is said to have been
constructed by Desika himself when he was challenged
by a stone-mason. He travelled to holy places and was
excited by the glory of Vaishnavite piety in many of
them. Mathura and Ayodhya, however, were a
disappointment as there was no trace of their ancient
greatness. When the Advaitins seemed to be getting the
upper hand in Srirangam, Desika was invited to the
throne of Acharyahood in this prime centre of
Srivaishnavism. There are innumerable legends about
his Srirangam days and all of them show him to be a
humble and pious devotee engaged in creative work. One
of his masterpieces, ``Paduka Sahasram," was written
as an extended hymn to the Holy Sandals of Sri
Ranganatha. In 1327 A.D., Srirangam was looted by the
Islamic army from Delhi Sultanate. As the invaders
were iconoclasts, the images were defaced, the temple
priests cut down and the residential homes plundered.
Vedanta Desika managed to save important scriptures
like Sudarsana Bhatta's ``Sruta Prakasika" and took
the sons of Bhatta also with him when he sought
temporary refuge in Satyamangalam. He is said to have
composed "Abhiti Stava" as a prayer to Ranganatha to
deliver the holy city from the aggressors: 


The Grace issued forth when Kempanna of Vijayanagar
defeated the Mohammedan Governor of Madura in 1358 and
restored worship in Srirangam. Vedanta Desika, now
grown aged, returned to Srirangam. He now engaged
himself in writing his magnum opus. `Rahasya Traya
Sara' is a masterly Manipravala commentary on the
three `secrets' of self-surrender in Srivaishnavism?
the Ashtakshara, the Dvaya and the Charama Sloka (The
Gita, xviii, 66). Vedanta Desika passed away in 1369
A.D. 

Philosophy 


Though a prolific writer, Desika never compromised
quality at the altar of quantity. During these days of
Desika Birthstar Festival, scholars delight in
discussing Desika's great philosophical works like
``Tattva Mukta Kalapa" and ``Sarvartha Siddhi." Thus,
``Daya Satakam" describes the compassion of Lord
Venkateswara and contains phrases that visualise
maternal love by their soft touch: `Anjanaa Girinadha
Ranjani, Mrudu Hridaye Daye.' They calm down all our
passions even as we recite the verses. The 84th stanza
has a striking concept that refers to the
fire-belching eyes of the terrible Narasimha which
are, however, tenanted by Karuna Devi when turned
towards Prahlada as if a mother were rushing forward
to feed her child with the milk of abhaya. 

Those who love narratives have in `Hamsa Sandesa' a
recreation of the married love of Rama and Sita and
the pangs of their separation. 

Desika's ``Yadavabhyudayam" which tells the story of
Krishna is full of descriptive epithets, epic similes
and unusual figures of speech that delight the
literary connoisseur. We have a priceless commentary
on the epic by the celebrated Advaitin scholar,
Appayya Dikshita. We do get lost in self-forgetful
ecstasy at some of the poetic ideas: 

"When the guardian Lord 
Became a cowherd, 
The Vedic Riks became cows 
And laved in joy, mooing at his feet. 
This sounded like the Saman chant 
Enacting the movement of Surrender." 

As for the lover of drama, there is `Sankalpa
Suryodaya,' a very helpful allegory for our times. The
plot is easily told. King Viveka (discrimination) and
Queen Sumati (wisdom) seek to free Purusha (soul) from
Karma (human bondage). They struggle against the evil
forces led by Mahamoha (dense ignorance) and succeed
when Purusha learns to surrender to Vishnu through
Bhakti. 

The play is frighteningly contemporaneous when
characters like Darpa (pride) and Dambha (vanity)
stalk the stage. And yet the drama was written more
than six centuries ago! 

"The sacraments like upanayana and marriage appear now
as voluptuous show. Performing sandhya has become no
more than an amusement. While repeating the Gayatri,
people easily interrupt it with worldly talk. Bodily
purity is now just a ritual. Kali has obviously
desecrated this world in tune with Mahamoha's desires
and all rituals are now in the hands of Alapakas
(pseudos)." 

Such criticism of the community by the renowned
teacher had its effect. Since his time, there has been
a continuous renewal of our faith and tradition in the
light of Desika's teachings that has enriched Sanatana
Dharma in every way. 

The Srivaishnava paramparas of Acharyas (householder
as well as monastic) have silently spread his message
of simplicity, high scholarship, poetic creativity and
unswerving devotion to the Lord. 

Every year, a grateful Tamil nation remembers this
superb teacher by offering special thirumanjanams and
festivals in hundreds of temples and homes on his
birthday (Tiruvonam star in Purattasi month) which
falls on September 24 this year. 




                
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