9/27/2008

DARSANAM

Arana Desikan is the series of articles

on Swami Vedanta Desikan collected / published
by Sravana Samithi, Muscat
during Sarvadhari, Purattasi 2008

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 Bhagavat-bhaagavatha-acharya anugrahams have inspired Adiyen to embark
on a likhitha kainkaryam towards assembling support for Swamy Desikan's
Nityaradhana kainkaryam at Thuppul.
As part of this kainkaryam, adiyen
would like to share “Sriman
Nigamantha Maha Deshika Dva-
trimshat" inspired by the
magnificent work "Ghanta-guru-
stava:" composed by the
legendary Swamy Kotikanyaka
danam Sri Krishna Thathacharya
Maha Deshikan.
All technical and
translation errors in this English
rendering are solely adiyen's. Let
Swami Desikan and Koti kannika danam us begin our journey cruising
Thathayarya Mahadesikan, Vahana
mandapam, Varadar Temple, Kanchi through the infinite ocean of Our
Swamy's glories.
Beseech we the resplendent bell extolled by the regal lore
Devoid of whose resounding, the Lord of Sri is not adored - 1
The rites of consecration are stipulated in the texts of Agamas that have been
ordained by none other than Sriman Narayana. Reference may be given to Swamy
Desika's Yatiraja Saptati wherein Swami quotes in the first verse - "pravaktA
chChandasAM vaktA pancharAtrasya yaHsvayam". These texts of Agamas stipulate
elaborate guidelines as to the mode of worship of the Supreme Sriman Narayana. As

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per the stipulations of the Agama texts, all the sacristies used for Thiruvaradhanam
need to be consecrated with Vedic mantras. These texts of
consecration unequivocally and clearly
quote that the “Ghanta shall be
essentially consecrated and used for
the thiruvaradhanam of Sriman
Narayana”.
The usage of the word
"resplendent" is significant as it
conveys a double metaphor. The first
usage conveys the state of being
bright and glittering. A Ghanta used in
the Thiruvaradhanam of Emperumaan
portrays this feature. The same may be
enjoyed about Swamy Desika also. This is
in line with Swamy Nayanaracharya's
anubhavam of Swamy Desika in his 'Desika
Ganta Mani Desikan, Chengalpattu
vigraha dhyana stotram' wherein Swamy
Nayanaracharya by saying "AdityavarNam viShadaM mamAkShNO:" - compares the
colour of Swamy Desika to the golden yellow hue of the rising Sun.
The second meaning of the word "resplendent" signifies the virtue of Swam y
Desika being pregnant with Supreme knowledge that has the capacity to satiate thirsty
seekers by conferring on them the bliss of beatitude. It glorifies the "Acharya tanmai"
or the virtue of Swamy Desika being the universal preceptor.

Glory to the crown of preceptors, the unconquered and blemishless

Shines he resplendent in scriptures with adjuncts none to name ! - 2
Swamy Desika is indeed the crown of preceptors or 'vidvan matangaja
shikhAbharaNam'. He is indeed the divine incarnation of the holy bell of the Lord. It is
the siddhantham of Srimath Bhagavath Ramanuja alone that is concordant to the

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sanaatana sampradayam of Vedas. Thus the true knowledge of the Supreme shines
forth with luster in the works of Ramanuja. Swamy Desika who imbibed this luster is
definitely the manifestation of brahma-jnAnam. Beaming with this jnAnam, Swamy has
indeed remained steadfast and blemishless. Having crowned the Supreme Lord of
knowledge on his tongue, Swamy remains unknown to debacles and defeats.
It is a natural coincidence that one gets to see the archa svaroopams of
Swamy Desika, with the fingers on his
right hand adorning the
imparting posture or the
jnanamudrai, while his left
hand enshrines the Srikosham
or the 'imperial scriptures'.
He is indeed the faithful
companion of the imperial
lore.
Perumal is
extolled as the
nirupAdhika Swamy to
one and all. Perumal
along with Sri is indeed
our universal supreme
master with no limiting
Swami Desikan, Tiruppullani
adjuncts. This means
that there is no binding relation for Perumal to be our
master (Sheshi) and we to be his sub-servients (shesha). He is sarva sheshi to
everyone at all times.
Swamy Desika is indeed the acharya who is distinguished to be addressed with
the nirupAdhika Desika shabdam. He is indeed the universal preceptor for the entire
human community. The parama vaidika Srivaishnava Srisampradaya darshanam that
was re-established by Ramanuja was fortified, strengthened and made into an

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impregnable citadel by none other than Swamy Desika. He is hence addressed with the
word 'Desika' that means an acharya in general. It is a nirupadhika shabdam - one that
has no limiting adjuncts or binding reasons.
In this aspect Swamy Desika is held at par with the Lord of Sri Himself.
This verse by allegory might also be referred to Paraman. Paraman is indeed
the unconquered and blemishless. He is the first Acharya in the Paramparai and is
hence the crown of preceptors. The imperial Vedas in its entirety speak about none but
Paraman alone. The Lord in His Geetha says "vedaishcha sarvai: ahameva vedya:"
attesting to this fact. He is again the nirupAdhika Swamy to one and all as he is the
universal master with no binding reasons or limiting adjuncts.

Vaazhi Arul Tharum Aarana Desikan

Vaazhi Enggal Thoopul Deve
Courtesy:- Sri Ranga Sri Sri C.G Balaji Swamy
Nangainallur Venkatesan

Swami Desikan, Tiruvallur

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