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“kavi-tArkika-simhAya kalyANa-guNa-SAline |
Srimate venkateSAya vedAntagurave namaH ||”
Vishistadvaita, is a school of Hindu philosophy belonging to tradition of Vedanta. It is precisely means, ‘non-duality with certain qualities’. This philosophy was proposed by Swami Ramanuja, belonging to 11th to 12th century.
Vedanta Deshika is another philosopher of the same school and he expanded the thought of Vishistadvaita, proposed by Ramanuja.
Sri Vedanta Desika was born in 1268 at Thooppul, a village near Kanchipuram, to Totaramba and Ananta Suri. He born on purattaasi SravaNam, the tirunakshatram of Lord Srinivasa, hence his parents gave him the name ‘Venkatanatha’. Later, due to his mastery over Vedanta, he is called as Vedantacharya or Vedanta Desika.
He under-went all the shastras and Vedas under the guidance of his metarnal uncle, a scholar Kidambi Appullaar, also known as Atreya Ramanuja. Desika learnt all branches of learning in those days before the age of twenty years.
He can compose poetry instantaneously (Aasukavithvam) in Sanskrit and Tamil and earned a title “kavi tarkika simha”, (lion among poets).
He is an ardent devotee of Hayagriva Perumaal and said to have had a profound darshan of Him. His works include Hayagriva Stotram is famous, also he wrote Raghu Vira Gadyam, Gopala Vimsati, all in Sanskrit. He also wrote various stotras in Prakrit and Tamil languages.
During the end of 13th century, Desika had to accept the challenge by Advaitha scholars at Srirangam, for a debate, and it is said that he defeated his opponents. Later he settle down in Srirangam, which turned as a center of Vaishnava culture. Desika wrote ‘Bhagavad Dhyana Sopanam, a meditative poem on Lord Ranganatha.
In a way, he strengthen the Vishistadvaita philosophy, constantly explained the teachings of his predecessors. He gave clarifications to the SriVaishnava rituals and practices. Most of his works are the product of long discussions and interactions of various Acharyas and Devotees like Pillai Lokacharya, Alagiya Manavaala Perumaal Naayanaar, etc. He always desire to discuss all possible meanings and takes experiences (anubhavam) as well as argument before he make a logical comment on anything.
During his stay in Srirangam, Desika complosed Paduka Sahasram, these 1008 verses were composed in a one night, accepting the challenge from another scholar.
In 1327, the established Sri Vaishnava Centre, Srirangam was invaded by Muslim ruler Malik Kafur, the Commander of Alauddin Khilji’s Army. (The period of invasion is showing differently as 1311 or 11th and 12th century). However, it is accepted that the Ranganatha’s idol was missing for about 60 years and later it was brought back. The idol is called ‘Namperumaal’ the utsava-murti of Ranganatha. Due to invasion, few hundreds of Sri Vaishnavaits including acharyas lost their life in order to protect the mulavar. Desikha engaged in protecting the Ranganayaki mula-vigraham which was buried in the courtyard in front of Her sannidhi and Ranganatha’s sannidhi was hide by building a wall. And some could save their life by moving out of Srirangam including Deshika and his family.
Desikha moved to Satyamangalam, later to Melkote and from there he proceeded to Trirumalai and went on a tour to divya desams in north India. This long exile from Srirangam resulted in devastating destruction to the holiest temples including Srirangam. This prompted Desikha to compose Abhiti Stava, a poetic reverence requesting the Godly forces to protect.
In 1360, Gopanna Udaiyar defeated the Muslims, and Sri Vaishnavas could once again return to Srirangam. Namperumaal was brought back from Tirupati. The temple servants who had survived were invited back. Sri Desika, the senior surviving Acharya, was also returned and the Perumaal Koyil was reopened. That is how the Sri Vaishnava sampradaya was protected and the tradition records he composed ‘Sri Rahasya Traya Saaram’ explaining Sri Vaishnava philosophy, lifestyle and meaning of mantras. He lived full 100 years in the service of Lord and promoting and protecting of Sri Ramanuja philosophy to next generations.
(The years may have to be reconciled and it is still a matter of research and debate)
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Vedanta Deshika appears to be a multi talented scholar in Ramanuja school of thought.
Yes. He wrote lot about vedanta and visishtadvaitam in sanskrit, Tamil, prakruthi lipi.