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Experiencing Swamy Desika -- #95


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"!!


We saw the definition of an ideal Acharya. In the third Sloka
of nyAsa vimsati "sadbhuddhi: sAdhu: sevee samucita
caritastattva bhOdhAbhilAshI.." Swami Desika defines an
ideal sishya or disciple .

The following are the qualifications which a true sishya (we)
should possess. They are 15 in number.

A disciple =>

(1)  sadbuddhi - must possess right intellect and should
properly imbibe Acharya's teachings,

(2) Sadhu sevee - must be intent on worshiping and revering
Sadhus (right minded ones),

(3) Samucita carita: - must be of good conduct consistent
with his status and the environment he lives in. This includes
due performance of duties prescribed for his varna and ashrama,

(4) TattvabOdhAbhilAshI - must have a keen desire to learn
about the true nature of men and things, one's actual goal and
the means to achieve the goal viz., Tattva, Hita and Purushartha,

(5) Shushrooshu: - must be willing to render service to his
Acharya,

(6) TyaktamAna: - must not have false prestige and must have
given up notions of self importance,

(7) PraNipatanapara: - must be willing to bend and prostrate
before the Acharya,

(8) PrasnakAlapratIksha: - must await for the proper time and
opportunity to put questions to the Acharya for clarification
and learning,

(9) and (10) ShAnta: and DAnta: - must keep his indriyas and
mind under control,

(11) Anasooyu: - must never be jealous,

(12) SaraNam upagata: - must have sought refuge at the Acharya's
feet by way of saranagathy,

(13) Shastra visvAsa shAlee - must have implicit faith in the
Sastras,

(14) PareekshAm prApta: - must have been tested by the Acharya
and found fit,

(15) Kritavit - must be ever grateful to the Acharya for all
what the Acharya has done.

Swami Desika in adikAra Sangraha states

"yEtri manattezhil gjnana vilakkai yirulanaittum
mArrinavarkku voru kaimAru mAyanum kANakillAn
pOtri yugappadum pandhiyil kolvadhum pongupugazh
sAtri valarpadum satrallavO munnam petradarkE."

-- adikAra Sangraha(38)

Our Acharya drives out the darkness in our minds by lighting
the bright lamp of knowledge. Swami Desika states that even
our Lord who is capable of working wonders cannot find any
means of adequately compensating the Acharyas.

So, all that a disciple can do to an Acharya is to Praise him,
be constantly thinking of him and keep singing the glory of his
Acharya. But all what we do, can only be a trifle when compared
to the benefits we have obtained from the Acharya.

We are always a runavAn in front of our Acharyas. We are ever
indebted to them !!!

A disciple with the above qualifications alone will be entitled to be
taught what he truly and sincerely desires to learn.

The above write up is based on Shri R.Ramaswamy Aiyangar's commentary
on Swami Desika's Nyasa Vimsati.

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

...To be continued!

dEsikan tiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

Praveena nAmni Ramanuja dasi