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Experiencing Swamy Desika -- #52


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:

"SrimAn VenaktanAthArya: kavithArkika kEsarI!
VedAnthAchArya varyO mE sannidhatthAM sadhA hrudhi"!!

Our respect and awe grows more when we read Swami's
conclusion of VairAgya Panchakam, with that crisp,
last Sloka.

"NAsti pitrArjitam kinchinna mayA kinchidArjitam
asthi may hasti shailAgray vasthu pythAmaham dhanam !!

-- vairAgya Panchakam (5)

Swami says he neither has earned any material wealth
nor inherited any from his father. But, Swami adds,
that he has his treasure on the top of Hastigiri [at Kanchi,
Elephant Hill], earned by his "Grand Father" - "Pithamaha,
which refers to the four-faced Brahma].

As it is believed traditionally, Lord VaradarAja manifested
himself from the Aswameda Sacrificial fire, performed by
Brahma and the Lord was propitiated by the fore-fathers of
Swami Desika. The Hastigiri Mahatmya says that the Supreme
Being gave darshan to Brahma, having been pleased by the
Aswamedha yAgA performed by Brahma.

Swami mentions that since he has this great treasure
earned by Brahma he does not need any diminishable wealth.

Note: 'Kanchi' (Hasti-giri) means:

'Ka' = Brahman; anchitam = Worshipped i.e., the kshetra
is so called because Brahma worshipped here.

An analysis of the contents of vairAgya Panchakam would
reveal various facts and it could be clearly understood
as to what exactly VairAgya means. This word, in broad
sense, means, non-attachment.

Swami Desika could be understood as a virakta as he was
supremely devoted to Lord VaradarAja. Though VairAgya
would be observed from his other stotras and other dialectical
works, it would be said that Swami Desika gives the definition
of VairAgya in this stotra only.

Now we know the significance of our Swami being
referred as "Ramanuja Dayapatra" and "jnana VairAgya
Bhooshana".

Swami Desika despises the act and tendency of praising
humans and seeking refuge under humans for the sake of
food and money. Swami says that there is no way one can
think of 'seeking refuge' to a human and also explains
the uselessness of those material wealth earned by such
'refuge'. Our Swami is emphatic that Sriya:Pathi alone
is the wealth.

In this context, Adiyal enjoys Shri Tirumangai Alvar's
Peria thirumozhi [thAyE thandaiyennum....], in which
alvar says "...pirarkE uzhaithu YezhaiyAnen"

These anubhavams are very clear that time spent on
working for others will take away precious time that
needs to be spent on Bhagavad / bAgavata kaimkaryam.
Our Upaadana period is just too valuable.

"Kavi Taarkika Simhaaya Kalyaana guna SaalinE!
SrimatE VenkateshAya VedAnta Gurave nama !!"

...To be continued!

Tirumangai Alvar tiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

dEsikan tiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

Praveena nAmni Ramanuja dasi