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SriRangaSri List Archive: Message 00110 Aug 2005

 
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Swamy Deshikan Thiruvadigale Sharanam !!!
Swamy Varadanatha Nayanaracharya Maha Deshikan Thiruvadigale Sharanam
!!!

Dear Bhagavathas,

It is a well known fact that Avani Rohini marks the Thirunakshatram of
Geethacharyan - Kannan. But the day is twice special and twice
auspicious as it also marks the thirunakshatram of another Gopala. 'Go'
in sanskrit also stands for scriptures and 'pAla' is one who protects it
and propagates the true essence enshrined in them. Gopala in this way
refers to a sadAcharyan. We are talking about none other than the great
acharya sarvabhouma Kumara Varadanatha, popularly known as
Nayanaracharya, the illustrious son of Swamy Deshika.

Aug 27th, Avani Rohini marks the thirunakshatram of this great acharya.
Very little is known about this colossus who strode the corridors of Sri
sampradayam vanquishing the adversaries belonging to other fallacious
systems. In view of this, we shall, in this posting, enjoy and celebrate
the glories and the avataara vaibhavam of this acharya saarvabhouma. We
pray at his feet to bestow upon us the bliss of brahma jnanam and
acharya bhakti.

Note - The avatara vaibhavam of Nayanaracharya is based purely on 3000
padi guruparampara prabhavam of Srimath Triteeya Brahmatantra Swatantra
Parakala Yatindra Maha Deshikan (III Jeeyar of Parakala Matham), who was
a junior contemporary of Nayanaracharya.

==================
Avataara Vaibhavam

ShrAvaNe mAsi rohiNyAM jAtam venkaTa deshikAth
vishvAmitrAnvayAbdhIndum varadAryam-aham bhaje ||

"Bow we to the great Varadanatha, who was like the the full moon
decorating the ocean of Vishvamitra's lineage and who was born to the
illustrious Vedantha Deshika in the month of shrAvaNa and the asterism
of rohiNi"

Swamy Deshika once had a beautiful dream in which appeared Lord Varada
telling him that a son will be born to him with His amsam and that he
should be named as Varada. As per the divine grace of Lord Varada, a son
was born to Swamy Venkatanatha (Vedantha Deshika) and Thirumathi
Kanakavalli Nachchiyaar in the year Kali 4418, month of Avani,
Nalavarsham in the asterism of Rohini.

Swamy Deshika, after having named the child as Varada, performed the
Jatakarma, Aksharabhyasam and other rituals. He later taught to the
child, Veda vedangam, Thirumanthrartham and all other shastras himself.
Being the divine amsham of Perarulalan, Varadanatha was very grasping,
brilliant and wise.

In the year 4430 vibhava varsham, month of chitrai, in the asterism of
punarvasu, Varadanatha began his Sribhashya kalakshepam at the feet of
Swamy Deshika. Earlier Sri Perarulalaiyya Jeeyar (I Parakala matam
Jeeyar) had submitted a taniyan on Swamy Deshika to be sung during
kalakshepam of Sribhashyam.

This taniyan was -
nama: padamidaM bhUyAttasmai venkaTasUrayE yadvAgamRutasEkEna
sanjIvitamidaM jagat |
bhagavantamivAnantakalyANaguNasAgaram vedAntadeshikaM naumi
veNkaTeshagurUttamam ||

Sri Varadanatha recited another taniyan 
"Sriman VenkatanAthAryaH kavitArkika kEsarI | vEdAntAchAryavaryOmE
sannidhattAm sadAhRdi" 
along with the taniyan that was submitted by Perarulala Jeeyar earlier.
Sri Sudarshana Bhattar proposed that this taniyan be sung from now on
before beginning Sribhashya kalakshepam. Swamy Deshika treated this as
Perarulalan's anugraha vishesham and agreed to it and obeyed the order
of Sri Sudarshana Bhattar. 

The disciples of Swamy Deshika had great love and devotion towards
Nayanaracharya similar to the bhakti that Ramanuja's disciples had
towards Pillan.

A few years later, during the muslim onslaught episode, Swamy Deshika
left Srirangam and came to Satyakalam along with his family. He stayed
here on the banks of Kaveri close to the temple of Varada teaching
Sribhashyam and other works to his disciples. Nayanaracharya learnt most
of the shastras from Swamy Deshika during this period. They later
proceeded to Thirunarayanapuram. 

It was here that Sri Bhashyakara in a spiritual epiphany through the
Archaka proclaimed Varadacharya to be the next sampradaya pravartaka
after Swamy Deshika. It was at this place, Varadacharya studied
Thiruvaimozhi with Aarayirappadi and Swamy Deshika's vyakhyanam to it
titled Nigama Parimalam (now extinct). When Swamy Deshika enquired his
other prime disciple Sri Perarulalayya Jeeyar as to why he did not chose
to study this along with Varadanatha, Sri Perarulalayya Jeeyar replied
that since Varadacharya had the special grace of Ramanuja, he has chosen
not to have sateerthyatva buddhi (colleague/peer relationship) with
Varadacharya anymore but wishes to accept him as his acharya. Saying so
he requested Swamy Deshika to allow him to study bhagavad vishayam under
Nayanaracharya.

In the Kali year 4440, Bahudhanya avani shukla dviteeyai, asterism of
hasta, Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra Jeeyar submitted a taniyan on
Varadacharya and started Bhagavad Vishaya kalakshepam under him. This
taniyan is none other than - 
Srimallakshmana yogIndra siddhAnta vijayadhvajam
vishvAmitra kulodbhUtam varadAryam aham bhaje ||

During the last days of Swamy Deshika, it was again affirmed by Yatiraja
at Srirangam that Sri Nayanaracharya shall be the next sampradaya
pravartakar after Swamy Deshika. Sri Nayanaracharyar received a pair of
shankham and chakram used during samashrayanam and also the murthy of
Sri Varadarajar from Swamy Deshika. He later sung the last taniyan on
his acharya and father, Swamy Deshika, glorifying him as -

Kavitaarkika simhaya kalyANa guNashAline |
shrImathe veNkaTeshAya vedAnthagurave namaha ||

After Swamy Deshika attained the lotus feet of his acharya, Swamy
Nayanaracharya along with the other prime disciples of Swamy Deshika
continued to stay at Thiruvarangam for almost a year, rendering
kalakshepams and propagating the siddhantham of Ramanuja. Swamy
Nayanaracharya (Referred to as Swamy from now on) later set out on a
digvijaya yatra and reached Thirupper. Here Swamy won over many
opponents of anya mathams and was even honoured by the king Sarvajna
Shingappa Nayakan. Swamy continued his digvijayam and reached the royal
court of Gangaikonda Chozhapuram and won over the anyamatha vadins
there. From this place he proceeded towards Thanjaimaamani koil. He won
over the Mayavadins in that place and was honoured by the royal family
there. Swamy spent some time in this place, writing commentaries and
propagating the siddhantham of Ramanuja/Deshika.

Similar to how Kanninun Shiruththaambu was added at the end of
Mudalaayiram and Ramanuja Nutranthaadi was added at the end of
Iyalpaavaayiram, the prabandham Pillai Anthaadi of Swamy Nayanaracharya
was added at the end of Deshika prabandham for anusandhanam. The same
was recited by Swamy and Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra Jeeyar at the
sannidhi of Neelamegha Perumal followed
by the consecration of archa murthys for Azwars, Emperumaanaar and Swamy
Deshika at this place.

Later Swamy continued his yatra covering Thirukkottiyur and
Thirumalirunjolai and came to Sri Madurai where the "paratattvanirnaya
utsavam" was being opposed by a few anya matha vadins. Our Swamy
defeated all these opponents and made arrangements for this utsavam to
be conducted without impediments. He later consecrated the archai of
Swamy Deshika at this place and also at Srivilliputtur and Azwar
Thirunagari. Continuing from there Swamy went to Kerala Divyadeshams.
Here a few Kshudra mayavins were troubling the kainkarya parals in the
madappalli. Swamy with the power of yoga siddhi broke their magical
spells. The mayavins later sought forgiveness from our Swamy.

Our Swamy continuing his journey, reached Thirunarayanapuram, the place
where he had received munificent katakshams of Yatiraja. Swamy later
arranged for the consecration of Swamy Deshikan's archai in this place.
He stayed in this divya desham for some time rendering kalakshepams. 

On one Panguni Uttiram day at Thirunarayanapuram, during the sherthi of
Thirunaaranan and Yadugiri Nachchiyar, Swamy sung the pasuram "ennaduyAn
cheyginREn ..." while Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra Jeeyar sung the pasuram
"ninnaruLAM kadiyanRimaRRonRillEn ...". Perumal through the archaka then
enquired "You have pleased us having sung the pasurams that reflect the
purports conveyed by Yatiraja in his Gadyatrayam on this auspicious
Panguni Uttiram day. Seek for a boon and it shall be yours". To this
Swamy replied "On this day we would wish to recite in your presence the
entire Deshika prabandham that houses these gems of pasurams. We pray
your audience for the same". This was gladly accepted by the Divya
Dampati and the arayar thus began singing Deshika prabandham starting
with "tambaramenRirangi" and continued for ten weeks. Divyadampatis
through the archaka then proclaimed that "Those who recite these
prabandhams that are the essence of Thirumanthram which is the essence
of all veda and vedantha would be recipients of our munificent grace and
kataaksham.". At the same time an Ashu Kavi composed a shatakam (100
verses) on Swamy Deshika and submitted it.

After sometime Nayanaracharya returned to Thiruvarangam. Here during one
Purattaasi Thiruvonam, Nayanaracharya sung the psalm
"vAdAshanavararivarenavarum ... nAL". From here Swamy continued his
yatra and moved to Vada desham. He continued his sojourn winning over
all anyamatha vaadins everywhere and then came back to
Thiruvahindrapuram. He consecrated the archai of Swamy Deshika on top of
the hill Aushadachala, wherein Swamy Deshika had earlier received the
grace of Garuda Bhagavan and Sri Lakshmi Hayagriva and also inside the
koil of Devanayakan. He then proceeded towards Thirukkoiloor and
Madhuranthakam and finally reached Perumal Koil Kanchipuram. At Perumal
Koil, Varadaraja exclaimed "The dream I showed Deshika has been
fruitful!". Nayanaracharya later retired to his maligai in
Thiruththanka. He later built the temple of Swamy Deshika next to
Deepaprakashan Sannidhi and consecrated the archai of Swamy Deshikan
there and performed aradhanam to it everyday.

It was during this time a few kumatigaL opposed the reciting of
prabandham on the thiruveedhi of Perumal koil during Vaishakotsavam.
Swamy trounced all of them through shaastra vaadams and nyaya vadams and
arranged for the prabandham to be sung on Kachchi thiruveedhi. Pleased
by his nirvaaham, the Lord on the Garudavahanam ordered through his
archaka that our Thuppul Nayanar be honoured with Sri Shatari and
maryaadai. But to this Nayanaracharya says "My doings are miniscule in
front of the glories of my acharya Swamy Deshika". The geratly pleased
Lord ordered that the maryadai and the parishaigaL be bestowed on my
Deshika who is presiding in his archa svaroopam. (This is followed even
to this day.)

Nayanaracharya later performed the consecration of Deshikan's archa
murthy inside Perumal Koil. He later proceeded towards Sriperumbudur and
performed the pratishtai of Swamy Deshikan's archai there. From there
Swamy proceeded towards Thirumalai.

The entourage of Swamy and Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra Jeeyar reached
Thirumalai. At this time the Jeeyar of Thirumalai had attained
paramapadam. Lord Thiruvenkatamudaiyan appointed Sri Brahmatantra
Swatantra Jeeyar to take up the mantle of Srikaryadurandhara of
Thirumalai shrine. Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra Swamy came and submitted
this information to his acharya Swamy Nayanaracharya. An extremely
pleased Nayanaracharya said "This is indeed an anugraha vishesham that
you are bestowed with the wealth of Kainkarya nirvaaham along with
Siddhantha pravachanam." From that day onwards Sri Brahmatantra
Swatantra Parakala Swamy took over the mantle of Srikaryadurandhara of
Thirumalai shrine.

Swamy Nayanaracharya continued to stay at Thirumalai for some more time
and later on a Purattasi day he performed mangalashasanam to Alarmel
Mangai sametha Srinivasan and moved to Ahobilam. Here Swamy was honoured
by the king Sarvajna Shingappa Nayaka. At this place there was a
magician by name Shakalyamalla who had a brahmarakshasa in his control.
This brahmarakshasa had cast a spell by which the thiruppallakku on
which Swamy was travelling could not be moved at all. Our Swamy with his
manthra siddhi broke the spell and instead made the brahmarakshasa carry
the pallakku. This broke the garvam of Shakalyamalla who later
apologised.

On the banks of Godavari, Swamy met a Brahmana by name Daasharaja. Swamy
converted this Brahmanan to a Srivaishnavan and named him as
Dasharathiraja and presented him with a vigraham of Nigamantha Maha
Deshika and asked him to perform Thiruvaradhanam to it everyday. At his
request Swamy wrote a few works like Saararthasangraham and others and
taught it to his disciples. After completing his Vada Desha yatrai,
Swamy returned to Perumal Koil Kanchipuram.

After his return to Kanchipuram Swamy performed an Agnishtoma Yagam. It
may of interest to note here that Swamy comes in a lineage of acharyas
who have been performers of sacred Yajnas. Mention need to be made of
Anantha Somayaji and Pundarikaksha Yajva who were very famous for the
Yajnas they performed. 

A few years after this Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Swamy granted
sanyasam to his disciple Perarulalaiyyar Appai who was named Dwiteeya
Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Deshikan (II Jeeyar of Parakala
Matham). On one auspicious day, Brahmatantra Swatantra Jeeyar,
contemplating on the thiruvadi of Swamy Deshika, attained his acharya's
lotus feet. Upon the instructions from Nayanaracharya, Veeravalli
pillai, performed all the charama kainkaryams of the Jeeyar. Dviteeya
Brahmatantra Swatantra Swamy took over as the Srikaryam of
Thiruvenkatamudaiyaan's shrine.

This was the time Nayanaracharya Swamy authored works like Adhikarana
Chintamani. Having been wrongly provoked by Shakalya malla, a maayi
sanyasi approached Swamy and said "You first win over me and then
continue your siddhantha pravachanam". Swamy decided to break the garvam
of this sanyaasi by the anugraham of Perumal and Swamy Deshika. Swamy
was greatly pleased with the kainkaryams of one his disciples by name
Annan. Swamy consecrated some water with the sacred Hayagrivamanthram
and gave this to Annan and sent him to win over this sanyasi. Annan won
over the sanyasi in a battle of Vedantha. The sanyasi sumitted himself
at the feet of Annan and later at the feet of Swamy Nayanaracharya. An
extremely pleased Swamy exclaimed "Prativaadi bhayankaram AnnanE
vArum...". Prativaadi Bhayankaram Annan later composed the most
beautiful "Saptati ratna maalika" on Swamy Deshika. As per the wish of
Swamy, Annan went to Thiruvarangam and continued siddhantha pravachanam.

On one day when Swamy was having the darshanam of Perarulalan, he
entered into a spiritual epiphany wherein the Lord said "nam periyaveeDu
shErakkadavIr ..." - "You shall soon attain my holy abode in
Paramapadam". As per the Lord's command, Swamy gave his last sermons to
all his disciples and took Swamy Deshika Sripadateertham and blessed his
disciples with his own Sripadateertham. He presented the vigraham of
Varadarajar that was presented to him by Swamy Deshika to his disciple
Sri Emperumaanaarappan. Amidst the ghosham of Thiruvaimozhi and
Upanishats, Swamy Nayanaracharya Maha Deshikan attained the lotus feet
of Swamy Deshika on a Panguni Krishna Saptami day of Jayavarsham.

Upon the instructions of Thirumalaiappar who was the Srikaryakartha of
Perumal Koil and also the son of Thirumalai Srinivasacharya,
Emperumaanaarappan who was Swamy's disciple performed all the charama
kainkaryams of Swamy Nayanaracharya.

Swamy Varadanatha Nayanaracharya's works include -

On Swamy Deshika -
Deshika Mangalashasanam, Deshika Prarthanashtakam, Deshika Prapatti,
Deshika Dinacharya, 
Deshika Vigrahadhyanam, Pillai AnthAdi - All these on Swamy Deshikan.

Other works on sampradayam include -
SArArtha sangraham, AbhayapradAna sAram, Virodhi bhanjani, Prabandha
sAram, Tattva traya chuLakam, Rahasya traya chuLakam, AhAra niyamam
(Sanskrit), Nyasa tilaka vyAkhyAnam, SaguNa brahma samarthanam,
shankAkathakam, Abheda khandanam, AvidyA khandanam, tyAga shabdArtha
nirnayam, Tattva muktA kalApa shAnti, Adhikarana chintAmaNi, mImAmsA
pAduka paritrANam, HariNa sandesham, Kokila sandesham.

He had disciples ranging from monarchs to ascetics similar to Swamy
Deshikan. His prime disciples include -
PrativAdi Bhayankaram Annan, KandADai Annan, KomAndUr AchchAn,
PoLipAkkaM nayinAr, Thirumalai appar, KidAmbi appar, NadAdUr Azhwan,
Ananthappan, KandAdai appan, EmperumAnArappan. Sri Brahmatantra
Swatantra jeeyar was also his disciple as the former studied bhagavath
vishayam under him.

Shrimath TritIya Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Swamy has sung a vAzhi
thirunAmam on Nayanaracharya -

iruvahaiyanika mAnthariyar tanayan vAzhiye
yatipatisiddhAnta jayavilangavanthOn vAzhiye 
aruL varadar thirunAmamaNinduyarnthOn vAzhiye
AvaNiyurOhiNiyilavatarittAn vAzhiye
arumathi kANiyar chintAmaNiyaLittAn vAzhiye
avviyalA nUl palavumavaiththa nambi vAzhiye
oruthani ittarisha shattaiyuyarttepirAn vAzhiye
oNthUppul kulanayinAriNaiyaDihaL vAzhiye

Having enjoyed the Avatara vaibhavam of Srimath Nayanaracharya Maha
Deshikan, we shall now celebrate the greatness of Nayanaracharya,
eulogising his acharya bhakti all along.

Though Swamy Deshikan sung and extolled Emperumaans at many divya
deshams, he still held Varada as his favourite. Not surprisingly, a son
(Varadacharya) was born to him as the divine amsham of Lord Varadan
Himself. Swamy Deshika held Varada very close to his heart. He wrote
many works eulogising the grace of Varada. It is perhaps for this reason
that Devarajaperumal considered Deshika as his son. But perhaps the Lord
wanted to have the rare privilege of studying under Swamy Deshika and
so, He incarnated Swamy Varadacharya with His amsham.

They in fact complimented each other through their works. Swamy Deshika
wrote some of his finest works dedicating it to Lord Varada including
Nyasa Dashakam, wherein Swamy performs prapatti at the feet of
Devadhirajan. Out of the many works of Nayanaracharya, a good number are
written only eulogising the greatness of Swamy Deshika. 

Swamy Deshikan sung Nyasa dashakam in favour of Varada. But
Nayanaracharya didn't have to go that far. He sung ten verses on his
acharya Swamy Deshikan known as "Deshika prapatti" which is in purport,
equivalent to any authentic work on Nyasam. Swamy Nayanaracharya's
acharya bhakti knew no bounds. He held Swamy Deshikan, his father, as
his acharya and God. He knew no world or God other than his acharya
Swamy Deshikan. It is evident from Varadacharya's works that he held
Swamy Deshika as the crown embellishment of vidwans. He is extolled as
the boatsman who has the capacity to ferry nomads across the ocean of
samsara. Varadacharya celebrates Deshika as his guru, matha, pitha,
daivam, praapya and praapakam. 

Today, if we are able to perform Thiruvaradhanam to the archai of Swamy
Deshika at various divya deshams then it is only due to the untiring
efforts of Swamy Nayanaracharya, who was monumental in consecrating
sannidhis for Swamy Deshika in almost all of the divyadeshams.

Swamy Nayanaracharya was infact nominated directly by Ramanuja in a
spiritual epiphany as the "Sampradaya pravartakar" after Swamy Deshikan.
Amongst the kalakshepa paramparais, Sri Nayanaracharya beams as an
acharya in the Bhagavad Vishaya paramparai after Swamy Deshikan. The
paramparai then continues with Sri Brahmatantra Swatantrar, Hasti
Nayakar et al.

Sri Brahmatantra Swatantrar, a direct disciple of Swamy Deshikan chose
to study Bhagavad Vishayam at the feet of Sri Nayanaracharya, though he
was senior to the latter. During this time, Sri Brahmatantra Swatantrar
submitted a taniyan at the feet of Nayanaracharya that we know as -
"srImallakshmana ... varadAryamaham bhaje || "

The acharya bhakti of Swamy Nayanaracharya is one of his most
outstanding qualities. Swamy Nayanaracharya lived for 97 years in
vibhavam and wrote many works mostly euologising Swamy Deshikan and
providing rare and insightful commentaries to Swamy Deshikan's works.
Swamy Nayanaracharya along with Sri Brahmatantra Swatantrar and the
other direct disciples of Swamy Deshikan, rendered monumental service in
preserving and propagating the works of Swamy Deshikan. He is rightfully
glorified by his disciples as the victory flag of Ramanuja darshanam and
the beautiful full moon embellishing the ocean of the lineage of
Vishvamitra.

There is a sannidhi for Nayanaracharya in Thuppul. His archai also
adornes the asthanam of Parakala matham.

With folded hands this garland of words is concluded by singing the
taniyans of this acharya saarvabhouma. It is also a plea that this
acharya be included in all the sambhavanai kramams from now on.

Let us sing his taniyan and pray at his feet to grant us the wealth of
jnanam and acharya bhakti -
"shrAvaNe mAsi rohiNyAm jAtam venkatadeshikAt |
vishvAmitrAnvayAbdhIndum varadAryamaham bhaje || 

shrImallakshmaNa yogIndra siddhAntha vijayadhvajam |
vishvAmitrAnvayAbdhIndum varadAryamaham bhaje || "

Srimath Sri VedAntha Deshika samyami sArvabhouma paripUrNa kRupA
kaTAksha labdha sArvajna, Srimath Sri kavikathaka kanteerava charaNa
naLina yugaLa vinyasta samastAtma bhara, Sri Kumara Varadanatha
Nayanaracharya Maha DeshikAya namaha




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