Today October 15, 2013; Vijaya Vijaya Purattasi Sadayam, was Day 9 of the ongoing 746th Thirunakshatra Mahotsavam at Ul Desikan Sannidhi Srirangam. Today Swami Desikan’s Prabhandha Anushtanam was done from 7 am and concluded at 10 am with Satrumurai, Theertham, Sri Sathari and Arisi upma viniyogam.
Swami Desikan was residing in Kanchipuram serving Perundevi Thayar, Devaperumal, living by uncchavritthi and rendering continuous kalakshepams. Seeing Swami’s pecuniery condition Swami’s childhood friend Vidyaranyar invited him to be part of the Vijayanagara court where he was serving. Swami Desikan declined the offer with five verses in reply – The Vairagya Panchakam. When gold coins were mixed with the rice given as bhikshai he asked Devigal to remove them with a stick and dispose them off. Yet when a brahmachari came seeking wealth from swami in order to give Kanya shulkam Swami brought forth a rain of gold coins by chanting Sri Sthuthi. Swami Desikan was called to Srirangam to defend Ramanuja Darshanam. Swami’s arguement of seven days were recorded by Viravalli Perumal Ayyan and is known as Shatha Dushani. Periya Perumal conferred the title of “Vedanthacharyan” and Periya Pirrati called Swami “Sarvatantra Swathanthran”. It was in Srirangam that Swami composed Sri Bhaghavadh Dhyana Sopanam, Bhu Sthuthi, Dasavathara Stotram, Yathiraja Sapthathi and several Rahasyagranthams. Among the pandits who challenged Swami Krishna Misrar and Dindima kavi whom swami won over.
After taking permission from Periya Perumal Swami returned to Kanchi. There a snake-charmer challenged Swami and let loose several poisonous snakes. Swami prayed to Periya Tiruvadi and sang Garuda Dandakam. The snakes were powerless and the snake charmer sought forgiveness. From Kanchi Swami went to Tiruvehndipuram. On the way Swami stopped to rest on the thinnai of a wealthy man. That day Swami managed to offer only water to Hayagriva, Swami’s aradhya murthi. The wealthy man woke up Swami and reported that a white horse was ransacking his granary. Swami asked for some milk to be offered to Perumal and the horse vanished. Next day the rich man offered all dravyams for Swami’s Hayagriva Aradhanam. Swami proceeded to Tiruvehndipuram and did upadesham of Vedantha granthams to several shishyas. Sarvathanthra Swathantra title was challenged by a mason who never expected a Vedic scholar to know masonry. Accepting the challenge Swami constructed a beautiful well for Hayagriva Perumal. Inorder to reach people with average intelligence Swami created several granthams like Sampradhaya Parishuddhi, Anjali Vaibhavam and Upakara Sangraham to name a few. Pleased with Swami’s innumerable services for Ramanuja Darshanam Swami’s shishya Sri Pillai Lokachariar offered the Shironru Thoopul Thaniya which is recited before starting Desika Prabhandhams. The glory of Swami Desikan will be continued in the following postings.
The following are some of the photographs taken earlier today…
Courtesy: Vyjayanthi and Sundararajan
