Sariraka Sara Bodhini, Sri Tirukudanthai Andavan (English translation by Sri U Ve Nadathur Tirukudanthai Narasimhan)

Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashramam’s HH Sri Vedanta Ramanuja Mahadesikan (acharyan from 1963-1989; popularly known as Tirukudanthai Andavan) with great compassion for beginners authored a Sanskrit work Sariraka Sara Bodhini, which is a condensation of Bhagavat Ramanuja’s magnum opus, Sri Bhashyam. As is well known Sri Bhashyam is Bhagavat Ramanuja’s commentary on the Vedanta Sutras of Sri Badarayana (or Veda Vyasa), containing 545 sutras in 156 Adhikaranas, grouped under 16 subchapters in 4 chapters. HH Tirukkkudanthai Andavan in his infinite mercy has given us the saaram of Sri Bhahyam in 2200 verses, so that anyone with basic knowledge of Sanskrit who’s interested can gain a basic understanding of Bhagavat Ramanuja’s philosophy as contained in the Sri Bhashyam.

This sanskrit work Sariraka Sara Bodhini has now been translated in English by Sri U Ve Nadathur Tirukudanthai Narasimhan, at the behest and with the blessings of HH Sri Rangaramanuja Mahadesikan (Srimushnam Andavan- the present pontiff of Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashramam).

The format of the book is such that the original Sanskrit verse of HH Tirukkudanthai Andavan is printed first and a short English commentary follows each shloka. The author has given an elaborate introduction, to help facilitate an easy understanding of Visishtadvaita in general and the work under discussion in particular. Also provided are several useful appendices, such as, Adhikara index, Vedanta Sutra Index, Adhikaranartha Sangraha of HH Srimad Andavan Sri Ranganatha Mahadesikan, Glossary, etc. in about 800 pages.

The author, Sri Narasimhan is a Sanskrit scholar (Vedanta Shiromani, Sahitya Vidya Bhushanam, M.A.) who’s presently pursuing a Ph. D. in Vedanta. Even while he was pursuing Engineering studies at Madurai, he learnt Bhagavat Vishayam at the feet of Late Sri U Ve Pudukkottai Srinivasaraghavacharya (a president awardee). He later learnt Sri Bhashyam with Sruta Prakasika, Srimad Rahasya Traya Saram and Gita Bhashyam under Vidvan U Ve Villivalam Krishnamacharya (as HH 45th pattam Azhagiyasingar was known in his poorvashramam). He also learnt Gita Bhashyam, Sri Ranganatha Paduka Sahasram – the feet of Vishnu Sahasranama Bhashyam, Bhagavat Vishayam and Srimad Rahasya Traya Saram under HH Srimad Srirangam Andavan Sri Rangaramanuja Mahadesikan. He has studied Swami Vedanta Desikan’s great polemical works, Tattva Mukta Kalapam and Paramata Bhangam under Sri U Ve Chetlur Srivatsankacharya (a president awardee and disciple of Late Sri U Ve Abhinava Desika Uthamur Veeraragahvacharya). He has learnt the Samanya Shastra Granthas and Kavyas under Brahmasri Vazhuttur Rajagopla Sarma, Sri U Ve Ozhappakkam Rajagopalacharya and Ozhappakkam Dr R Devanathacharya.

The first edition of the book was released in December 2010. The copyrights belong to Srirangam Srimad Andvan Ashramam. The book can be obtained from the Ashramam‘s
Chennai branch for Rs 400 (INR).

Address: Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashramam,
No. 31, Desikachari Road, Alwarpet, Mylapore, Chennai – 600004
Phone :+91-44-24993658

Courtesy: Sri Badrinarayanan Swami