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safvtaai, maci 2009
Sarvadhari, Masi 2009
A few weeks ago we were in T Nagar in one of the many jewellary shops that abound in
Usmaan road, to have a look at the Silver articles as the prices were “somewhat” in the
reasonable range. After checking the prices we were looking for the stamp of quality
“ISI” to ensure that we have some assurance as to the purity etc. When the shop
keeper could not show the stamp which is usually hidden illegibly at some corner which
only a trained eye can spot, we walked away from the shop. The cost of the article is
unimportant for this article, but the principle is as I will elaborate later. Human nature is
to get value for what we spend and we look for some independent assurance “Stamp or
Muddirai” to give us this comfort.
When it comes to our sampradayam and our grand lineage, it is adeyen’s humble view
that our Acharyan Swami Desikan’s Vaakku is
Deiva Vaakku and there is no need for any
separate assurance as to Its authensity. As Seva
Swami has told me on many occasions, Swami
Desikan has written what deserves to be learnt.
If there is anything that He has not written, it is
not worth the paper it is written. Readers would
recollect the words of the Achaarya when He
invokes Nara Hari and says that Thvayi
Rakshathi Rakshakai kim anya: ….. This is in
the same vein. Swami Desikan is regarded as
the bimbam (reflection without blemish) of Thiru
Venkatamudiyan, as Varadan, as Nrisimhan, as
Hayagreevan and therefore no doubt in the
minds of the followers of our sampradayam,
who regard His Paasurams and Strotramalaas,
Kavyams and Naatakams as equal to Draavida Samskrita Vedas. It is as though Swami
Desikan had to use all the forms of communication to expound the greatness of our
sampradayam and the essence of this aathma attaining moksha.
But Swami Desikan chose in His Apaara Karunai to add the stamp of Lord Hayagreevan
to provide assurance to us on the Saraanagathi Thaththuvam. Otherwise He would not
have mentioned that the great AdhikAra Sangraham was not His composition but
Introduction :
Seven hundred and thirty-four years ago, in the year 1268 CE, on this day, Swami
Desikan was born as Venkatanathan to his parents, Anantha Suri and TotAmba, in a
small village called Thuppul on the outskirts of the famous town of Kanchi.
Today we in Kuwait are gathered here this evening to celebrate the memory of
Swami Vedanta Desikan on his 'tirunakshtram' and to offer him our obeisance. We may
ask ourselves, "Why are we doing this?", and the answer is: If only we knew enough
about this great soul, his life, personality and his works, we would realize it is important
to commemorate him not only once every year on his 'tirunakshatram' but every day of
our lives.
How should we know him?
One of the easiest ways to get to know about
the life and work of SvAmi Venkatanathan is
through the prefatory verse, called 'tanian',
with which you are all familiar. We recite it at
the beginning of all his works. And also
through the colophon recited at the end viz.:
srimAn venkata nAThArya kavitArkika kEsari
vEdAntAchArya varyOmE sannidhatAm
sadAhrudi