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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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