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Experiencing Swamy Desika -- #18


SrI:
Shrimate Shri Lakshmi Nrusimha Parabrahmane Namaha:
Shrimate Shri Seetha Ramachandra Parabrahmane Namaha:
Shrimate Shri Ramanujaya Namaha:
Shrimate Nigamantha Maha Desikaya Namaha:
Shrimate Shrivan Satagopa Shri Narayana Yateendra Mahadesikaya Namaha:

Shri Nammalvar gave us splendid paasurams to follow
and cherish. In my opinion besides giving us his
works Shri Nammalvar gave us Nathamunigal.

When we speak of Nammalvar, Shri Madhurakavi Alvar's
Kanninun-Siruthambu needs special mention. As all of
us know, Shri Madhurakavi Alvar established Bhaagavata
bhakti through his verses. Swami Desika states that
Shri Madhurakavi Alvar's verses portray the ten virtues
of Nammalvar, as similar to the qualities of our Lord
- in the context of protecting and liberating the Jiva.

Shri Nammalvar pleased with Nathamunigal's bhakthi and
perseverance blessed him with the Divya Prabandam.
Besides blessing Nathamunigal with the Prabandam,
Shri Nammalvar initiated the Rahasya thraya.

But for Nathamunigal, we Jivas could have well missed
the Prabandams.  Shri Nathamuni wrote two works -
Nyaya tattva and the Yogarahasya.

Today [23rd June 99] is Shri Sudharsana Alvar's
Thirunakshatram. I hereby share some of my views on
parallels between Shri Nathamuni and Shri Sudharsana Alvar

1. Shri Nathamuni retrieved the complete Divyaprabandham
   for us. And hence he is the first Acharya of every
   Sri Vaishnavan. Swami Desikan emphatically states that
   without 'Natha' we would become 'Anatha'!

   Well, we become Vaishnavas, only if Shri Sudharsana Alvar
   is placed on us first!

2. Shri Nathamuni worked relentlessly to received
   Divya prabandham from Nammalvar.

   Shri Sudharsana Alvar pursued Dhurvasar until Ambarisha
   requested to pardon.

   Both these efforts are to save the Jiva / Bhaktaa.

3. Shri Nathamuni recited Kanninun-siruttambu for our welfare.
   While reciting sodasaayudhastotra will ensure our benefit
   and protection, says Swami Desika.

4. Nadhamunigal saw the beaming Nammalvar after reciting
   Kanninun Siruthambu 12,000 times. This act is referred
   as the vision of seeing million Suns at the same time.

   Shri Sudharsana is always referred as "Koti Soorya Samapraba!"

Swami Desikan in his Subhasita Nivi states

Bearing the mark of Shri Sudarsana helps the Jiva
to choose the right path by helping the Jiva to
ignore non-righteous teachings / messages that may
come across.

Swami Desika has sung in praise of Lord Sudharsana
in two hymns - Sudarsanashtakam and sodasaayudhastotram.

Swami Desika details the protective nature of
Shri Sudharshana in his Sodasaayaudhastotra.
In this work, Swami explains various weapons
Shri Sudharshana carries in his 16 hands.

Swami goes on to highlight the immense power of
Shri Sudharshana in the Sudhasanashtaka.
Shri Sudharshana protects all devotees of
Sriya Pathi.

It is to the glory and mercy of our Swami,
we should note that Swami has hidden the
Sudharshana Mantra in the Seventh Sloka.

The 9th Sloka - Phalasruti says thus:

Even if our mind-chariot runs riot
over an uneven terrain.
The Lord Sudarsana will protect us,
if we earnestly recite this hymn.


...To be continued!

Sudharshanalvar tiruvaDigale SaraNam

dEsikan tiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

Praveena nAmni Ramanuja dasi