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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.



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