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Oppiliappan List Archive: Message 00068 Nov 2003

 
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SrI:
SrImathE Nigamantha Mahadesikaya namah:
SrImAn venkatanAthAryaH kavitArkika kesarI |
vedAntAcArya-varyo me sannidhattAm sadA hRdi ||

May the glorious Venkatanatha, the greatest of teachers of Vedanta, and the 
lion among poets and debaters, reside forever in my heart.

Dearest Srivaishnavas,
Let us continue to enjoy the sthOthra granthas of Swamy Desikan [in 
alphabetical order]
Saranagati Deepika -The light of Self-surrender

   Saranagati-Deepika is a Hymn in 59 verses in which the greatness of 
Saranagati which has its basis on the Vedas and Upanishads, Paancaraatra, 
Vaikaanasa Aagamas, Epics and Puraanas, the songs of the Alwars and the 
writings of the Acharyas is described in a brief, but clear manner. Though 
it is not in praise of any particular deity (arcaa) like Bhagavad dhyaana 
Sopana on Sri Ranganatha, or Devanaayaka pancaasat on Devanatha, Sri Sruti 
or Goda Stuti, it may be considered the magnum opus of all his stotras even 
as Sri Desika?s Rahasyatrya-saara is considered the magnum opus of all his 
works. Saranagati-Deepika (the Torch of self-surrender) is glowing with the 
effulgence of the Lamp-like (Supreme Deity)-Deepaprakaasa-Saranaa-gati-saara 
as the colophon says. Deepa-prakaasa (Villakoli) is the name of the Bhagavan 
in the shrine Tiru-t-tangaa(Himavana-Sisira-upavana) which is almost in the 
centre of a circle of holy shrines in and around Kanchi  shrines which have 
been sanctified by the Hymns of the Alwars. Though Sri Vedanta Desika was an 
incarnation of the holy bell of Tirumala Lord Venkateswara, he had, like all 
human beings an attachment to this shrine since it was closely adjacent to 
Toopul, his place of birth. It is said that the Bhagavan had installed 
themselves in the holy shrines around Kanchi to bless Sri Vedanta Desika who 
was to be born there in the thirteenth century for the benefit of the world. 
Swamy Sri Desika also expresses his gratitude to those gods by visiting the 
shrines in pilgrimage one after the other and singing their glory. The 
doctrine of Saranaagati described in Saranaagati- Deepika stotra can be 
applied to any Bhagavan in any Temple or Shrine and hence its importance.

    Sri Vedanta Desika begins the stotra with the declaration that he has 
inherited the knowledge and practice of Saranagati though a hierarchy in 
which Ramanuja, Vishnu-cittar of Tiruvellarai, Vatsya Varadaraja of Nadaadur 
and Aatreya Ramanuja(Appullaar) are important Acharyas and disciples.

1. First mention is made to God Deepa-Prakaasa(Villakkoli Emberuman) the 
Arcaa-form in Tiruttangaa(Himavana) near Vegavati River and then

2. to the manifestation and greatness of Lakshmi.

3. Bhagavan?s qualities six in Paratva and one Saulabhya (easy 
accessibility) in all His incarnations.

4. Prapatti, its greatness and accessories,

5. life of a Prapanna in the post-prapatti period of his life

6. Departure of Prapanna from the final body, movement through the path of 
Arciraadi and the attainment of Moksha and supreme bliss.

7. The seven defects in the enjoyment of possessions in worldly life.

8. The auto-biographical touch in the concluding section (Sloka 41 to 59) 
expressing great devotion and praying for help.

  Sloka 30(Dattaah prajaah etc.) contains the essential doctrines of Sri 
Vaishnavism.

    The Jiva is the essential bride;

Paramaatma is the eternal bridegroom.

    The Acaarya offers the bride in wedding to the bridegroom (as King 
janaka gives  Sita to Rama). The bridegroom takes the bride by the hand 
(paani-grahana ritual in marriage). Service to the Lord with love and 
devotion is the Maangalyatantu the auspicious yellow thread tied around the 
neck of the bride by the bridegroom which adores the wedded wife with a 
living husband all her life and which she preserves with great care and 
love. So this stotra, Saranaagati-Deepikaa is worthy of frequent recitation 
and constant meditation.
[fromn the book - Life and works of Sri Nigamantha Mahadesikan- by Prof Sri 
A Srinivasaraghavan]
Swamy Desikan ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam
Regards
Namo narayana
dAsan
kavi-tArkika-simhAya kalyANa-guNa-SAline |
Srimate venkateSAya vedAntagurave namaH ||

Salutations to Sri Venkatesa, in whom all perfections reside, who is the 
teacher of Vedanta and the lion among poets and debaters

_________________________________________________________________
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