Desikan Aradhanam At Srirangam Swami Desikan Thirumaligai

Today November 17, 2013; Vijaya Varusha Karthigai Bharani, being the Karthigai Pournami, is the day Swami Desikan ascended to Paramapadam. Some devotees assembled at Swami Desikan Thirumaligai on Utthira Veedhi Srirangam and remembered the Acharya in a small way. It was in Sowmya Varusham Karthiga month Pournami day that Swami ascended to Paramapadam. Guru Parampara states that after handing over Sudarshana Panchajanyam to Swami’s thirukumaran and handing over His aradhya Hayagriva Murthi to Brahmatantra Swatantra Jeeyar,  Swami ascended to Paramapadam with His head on the lap of Kumara Varadachariar and feet (Thiruvadi) on the lap of Brahmatantra Swatantra Jeeyar.

Little children from the patasala assembled to chant Vedams headed by Pazhaveri Sadagopachariar’s son-in-law. Chanting of Thirupalliezhuchi, Thiruppavai, Poochutal etc from Divya Prabhandham were done. This was followed by chanting of the following Desika Prabhandhams: Thiruchinnamalai and Prabhandha Saaram. The following stotrams were chanted: Sri Hayagreeva Stotram, Sri Stuthi, Sri Abhithisthavam, Sri Sudarsanashtakam, Sri Shodasayudha stotram, Sri Varadaraja Panchasath and was concluded with Swami Desika Mangalam. Vedic chanting done by the kids, collected their sambavanai-a blanket each along with money and went back to their Patasala. A Desika bhakthan swami in his eighties (Koothapakkam Vidwan Sri U. Ve. Desikachariar) talked beautifully about Swami Desikan. It was not the usual talk in front of a mike. Swami traced Swami Desikan’s greatness with reference to select slokams. Hayagriva Stotram 32nd slokam- Vyakhya Mudra talks about how one’s speech is guided by the Supreme lord of speech with Amlanasri (Lakshmi) holding a book, a conch and discus showing Vyakhya Mudra. The chanting of Gopala Vimsati ensures sath-santhanam or good progeny. Swami cited instances of couples who were thus blessed.The 48th slokam of Varadaraja Panchasath “Turaga Vihagaraja” was quoted to describe Kanchi Varadan on  various vahanams like horse, garuda, chariot, palanquin and swing who mesmerises devotees by His sheer Beauty and Grandeur. In Nyasa Vimsathi the qualities of a spiritual teacher are listed: He has to be a Shrothriya-well versed in the Vedas, a Brahmanishta-follow anushtanams correctly, free from jealousies, a lifelong friend and full of compassion.

Swami concluded his inspirational talk with reference to Desika Mangalam in which the 5th slokam Sri Bashyakara Panthanam acknowledges Swami Desikan’s Ramanuja Sambandham and following of Ramanuja Darsanam. Slokams 5 and 6 talk of Swami Desikan’s acharyas Varadharya and Appular.  Slokam-8 Shrutha Prakashika Bhumo refers to the saving of Shrutha Prakashiska and the two sons of Sudarsana Suri during Muslim invasions in Sri Rangam. No one has the capacity to reveal Swami Desikan’s greatness said Swami. The parayana swami’s were blessed with Veshti and kannikai. Everyone were served sumptuous prasadam-Kesari, Pulihore and Thayir sadam prepared by Desika Bhakthar Seshadri Swami,  who organised the function.

The following are some of the photographs taken earlier today (including the Thirumapalli which was used by Desikan as also – the well, the grinding stone, the pestle and Koormasan used by Desikan)….

Courtesy: Vyjayanthi and Sundararajan