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