www.svdd.

com presents

Chithra Desikeeyam
Pictorial Life History of Swami Desika
An adaptation of the original work by Sri Lakshminarasimhan
Sridhar

Sri:
Sriman Venkatanatharya:
Kavithaarkika-Kesaree !
Vedanthacharya-Varyo Me
Sannidhaththaam Sadha Hrudhi: !!

This presentation is a pictorial story of the life of our

great Acharya Swami Desika.
Desika is a Sanskrit word which means Acharya or
tutor. Though there are numerous acharyas in our
Srivaishnava Sampradaya, only Swami Desika is
addressed as Desika. This is like referring Lord
Ranganatha of Srirangam as Nam Perumal (in English
Our Perumal) and addressing Swami Satakopa as
Nam Azhwar (Our Azhwar).

Sri Desika's original name was Venkatanathan. He was

born in 1268 on a Sravanam day, which is the birth star
of Lord Srinivasa of Thirumala. So his parents named
him Venkatanatha.

Bhagavath
Ramanuja
appointed
74
Simhasanadhipathis to propagate Srivaishnava &
Visishtaadvaitha philosophy.
Among the 74 Simhasanadhipathis was Anantha
Somayaji of Viswamithra Gothram who lived in the
Perumal Koil (Sri Kancheepuram). He had a son named
Pundareeka Yajvaa whose son was Ananthasoori.
There was a great scholar named Appullaar (belonging
to the lineage of Athreya Ramanuja Kidambi Aachaan).
He had a sister named Thothaarammaal. One fine day,
Pundareeka Yajvaa approached Appullaar and proposed
the marriage of his son, Ananthasoori, to Appullaars
sister, Thothaarammaal.
4

That same night, Lord Devaraja appeared in the dream

of Appullaar and seconded the proposal saying that by
this alliance will be born one who would be the prime
torch-bearer of Bhagavath Ramanujas teachings.
Then
the
marriage
of
Ananthasoori
and
Thothaarammaal was celebrated with great joy and
they lived a happy and devout couple.
Ananthasoori and Thothaarammaal were childless for a
long time. One day Lord Srinivasa of the Seven Hills
(Sapthagiri or Thirumala)
arrived in the dream of
Ananthasoori and ordered them to go on a pilgrimage
to Thirumala.
5

Divine Dream and Command

Thirumala

Sri Kanchi
7

Those days there were no buses or trains to travel.

So Sri Ananthasoori and his wife, Thothaarammaal
walked from Kancheepuram to Thirumala.
8

Swamis parents on the way to Thiruvenkatam

Reaching Thiruvenkatam

10

They climbed the Hills and had the darshan of the

beautiful Lord. That night they were resting in a
Mantapam near the temple.

11

The Lord appeared in their dreams in the garb of a

Srivaishnava youth and handed over a small golden
bell which Thothaarammaal swallowed. Next morning,
they woke up and narrated their dreams to each other
and were astonished to find how both had the same
dream.

The Divine Dream

12

The next morning when the Bhattaacharyas opened

the doors of the Sanctum Sanctorum, they found the
Thiru Aaradhana bell missing.
An investigation was ordered into the loss of the bell.
The Lord appeared by Aavesa (spiritual trance)
through Thirumalai Nambi and told that He (the Lord)
had himself presented the bell to the Ananthasoori
couple and henceforth, the small hand-bell need not
be used during Thiru Aaradhana in the temple.
That is why, even today there is no bell used for Thiru
Aaradhana in the Perumal Sannidhi. Only the huge
bell suspended in the front hall is used.
13

Commotion in Temple and Aavesa (spiritual trance)

14

Following this incident, the Ghanta (bell) of the Lord

was born as Ghantaavathaara Azhwar. The avathaara
of Venkatanatha
was in the Kali Yuga year 4370
(1268) - Vibhava year, Purattasi month, on the Dasami
day of Sukla Paksha, a Wednesday, in the constellation
of Sravana Nakshatram (the same as that of the Lord
of Thirumala).

15

He was born in Thooppul, near Thiru-Thankaa adjacent

to the temple of Lord Deepa Prakasa in Kancheepuram.

Birth of Swami Desika

16

Gopuram of the Deepa Prakasa

Temple, Thiru-Thankaa or Thooppul

17

Maragathavalli, Sri Devi, Bhu Devi Sametha

Deepa Prakasa or Vilakkoli Perumal of Thooppul

18

Swami Desikas Avathaara Sthalam (birth place) as

seen now

19

A Mani Mantapam which was constructed recently

at Swamis Avathaara Sthalam

20

After Abdhapoorthi (the first birthday), the child was

taken to Lord Vararadarajas temple at the Hasthigiri,
by Appullaar.
The child Venkatanatha had his Chowlam (tuftlaunching ceremony) in his third year and
Aksharaabhyaasam (initiation into learning) in the
fifth.

21

The Lord blessed the

child to become the
"beacon of light" of
Srivaishnava
Darsanam

Swami Desika being taken to the Temple by his parents

22

Kidambi Appullaar, Venkatanathas maternal uncle, one

day, took him to the Kalakshepam (religious lecture)
of Guru Nadaathur Ammaal. On seeing Vekatanathas
Divya Thejas (brilliance), Nadaathur Ammaal stopped
the Kalakshepam and asked the boy to come on stage.
Recognising an Avathara Purusha (divine incarnation)
in the boy and overcome with emotion, he hugged the
boy to show his affection. Thereafter, while trying to
resume the Kalakshepam and not remembering where
he had paused previously, he asked his Sishyaas
(disciples) where he had left the lectures.

23

Much to the astonishment of the assembled audience,

young Venkatanatha recalled the exact point where the
Kalakshepam was stopped. Astounded by the boys
memory power, he blessed the boy with a sloka.

"Prathishtapita Vedanthah Prathi-Kshipta

Bahir Mathaa
Bhooyaah Thrividyaa Maanyas Thvam Bhoori
Kalyaana Bhaajanam!"

24

Meaning: You shall establish Vedanta on a firm footing,

demolishing the misrepresentation by individuals from
other faiths".
Even today, one can see the painting of AmmaaL
blessing the boy, on the ceiling in front of the Kachi
Vaithaan Mantapam in the temple of Lord Varadaraja.

25

Nadaathur Ammaal wanted to take the boy under his

tutelage, but taking into consideration his own old age,
he decided otherwise. He blessed him to become the
leading philosopher to preach and propagate the glory
of Sri Vaishnava Siddhanta in future. He asked
Appullaar to initiate the boy in all the Sastras and other
esoteric doctrines.

Venkatanatha learning under his uncle Appullaar

26

His parents performed the routine Brahminical rites of

passage viz., his Chowlam, Upanayanam (the
sacred thread ceremony) etc. Kidambi Appullaar took
Venkatanaatha under his care and coached him in the
fine arts of Kavya (poetry), Naataka (drama),
Sastra etc. He was surprised at the brilliance of the
boy and his instantaneous grasping and the ease with
which he uptook whatever taught to him.
The elders were wondering whether Sri Desika was the
combined reincarnation of
previous Acharyas like
Ramanuja, Nathamuni and Alavandar.

27

At the age of 20, Sri Desika had mastered all the

Sastras and become a scholar.

At the age of 21, Sri Desika was married to a beautiful

girl called Thirumangai or Kanakavalli. Sri Appullaar
taught Desika the sacred Garuda Manthra. Sri Desika
then started his family life as ordained in the Sastras.

28

Desikas
Marriage

29

He was strictly performing all the duties required by a

Srivaishnava and living on Uncha Vruththi. i.e. the
daily supply of rice and vegetables will be given by his
disciples. A Brahmana is supposed to do Veda
Adhyayana and pursue teaching. The needs of the
Brahmanas would be taken care of by their students
who would learn from them. They are not supposed to
go to work as is the case in the present day.

30

Desika undertaking Uncha Vruththi.

31

Hemabhjavalli Sametha
Lord Devanatha
Devanathan
(Moolavar) of
Thiruvaheendra
Puram
Swami Desikas dear uncle Appullaar passed away a
little later. Sri Desika then left Kancheepuram and
went to Thiruvaheendra Puram.
32

After reaching Thiruvaheendra Puram, Swami Desika

wanted to chant the Garuda Manthra taught to him by
his Guru Appullaar. Desika climbed the small hill named
Oushadha Giri in Thiruvaheendra Puram and began
reciting the manthra while meditating on the Lord.
For many days, without food or sleep, he chanted the
Garuda Manthra to receive the blessings of Garuda. It is
said in the scriptures that Garuda is Veda Swaroopi.

33

Desika praying to Garuda Azhwan

34

Garuda was pleased with the

devotion of Swami Desika and
appeared
before
him.
He
blessed
Desika
with
Sri
Hayagriva
Manthra
and
instructed him to meditate on
the Lord while chanting the
Hayagriva Manthra continuously
in order to receive the blessings
of Sri Hayagriva.

35

Sri Garuda giving darshan to Desika

36

Hayagriva
Manthra
upadesam

37

Desika reciting Hayagriva Manthra

38

Then Lord Hayagriva appeared before Desika and

blessed him with the nectar flowing from His own
mouth. Lord Hayagriva took a seat on Swami Desika's
tongue tip as prayed for by him. Lord Hayagriva also
gave an idol of Himself for Swami Desika's daily
worship.
This idol or Vigraham is still preserved in
Devanathas temple in Thiruvaheendra Puram.

39

Lord

Swami Desika then composed the famous Sri Hayagriva

Sthothra, Devanayaka Panchasath in Sanskrit and
Achyutha Sathakam in Praakruth language (colloquial
Sanskrit) and Mummani-Kovai and Nava Mani Maalai in
Tamil.

(Left)
Hayagriva
Saakshaathkaaram; (Right) Swami
holding the Hayagriva Vigraham
presented by the Lord Himself
40

Lord Sri Hayagriva

41

Lord Sri LakshmiHayagriva

It is a proven fact that those reciting Sri Hayagriva

Sthothra will be blessed with great memory and
academic excellence.
Jnaanaanandhamayam Devam
Nirmala Sphatikakruthim
Aadharam Sarva-Vidhyanaam
Hayagrivam Upaasmahe!
One more Hayagriva
Sthotha Slokam:

42

Visuddha Vigyaana Ghana-Svaroopam

Vigyaana Visraanana Bhaddha-Dheeksham
Dayaanidhim Deha-bhruthaam Saranyam
Devam Hayagrivam Aham Prapadhye!

Place: Thiruvaheendra Puram

43

Sri Desika praying to Lord

Devanatha

Moolavar Lord Devanatha

Devanayaka-PanchasathSthuthi-Sampanna
Sathyavaache Namaha!
Meaning:
Salutations to the Acharya,
who became a Sathyavaadhi
by creating the Devanayaka
Panchasath sthothra. !!!

44

Raja Alankaram of Lord

Hemambhjavalli Nayaki Devanatha and His Consort
Hemambhjavalli Nayaki
Thiruvaheendrapuram

45

Swami doing Mangalaasaasanam to Lord Devanatha.

46

A Masons Challenge to
Swami
Once a mason challenged
Swami Desika to construct a
well with the bricks supplied
by
him.
Swami
Desika
accepted the challenge.

47

Our Swami builds Well

The mason gave broken and
irregular-shaped bricks to
Swami Desika. Despite this
Swami arranged them nicely
and
finished
the
construction of the well
successfully. This well exists
even
today
in
Thiruvaheendra Puram.
48

Swami Desika doing Mangalaasaasanam to

Lord Varadaraja in Kanchipuram

49

Even today
our Acharya
does Mangalaasaasnam to
Lord Devaraja. During Swami
Desikas Thirunakshathram
celebration every year, he
gets the rare honour of
getting close to the Lord to
perform Mangalaasaasanam.

50

Swami doing Mangalaasaasanam to Lord

Varadaraja

51

Birth of Sudharsanaashtakam
Once upon a time, an epidemic named Vaisuri struck
the
inhabitants
of
Thirup
Putkuzhi,
near
Kancheepuram. A lot of people suffered as a result
and our Swami, who is a Karunaamoorthy,
immediately composed Sudharsanaashtakam and
people were relieved of their miseries.

52

Birth of Sudharsanaashtakam at Thirup Putkuzhi

53

Sudharshanaashtaka
m

54

Jaya Jaya Sri

Sudharsana
Jaya Jaya Sri
Sudharsana

According to another school of thought, Swami Desika

composed
Sudharsanaashtakam
when
he
was
challenged by a magician.

55

One magician confronted swami and then drank water

from a pond. With his magical powers, he made
swamis stomach bulge as he (the magician) drank
water from the pond. Swami was feeling extreme pain
and understood the reason quickly. At this point, Swami
Desika just scratched a pillar near by with his
fingernails and water flowed out of the pillar. The
magician was astonished with the super magic of our
Swami and begged his pardon. It is told that Swami
Desika composed the Sudharshanashtakam at this
instance.

Dhushta
Sanyasi
drinks water from the
pond

56

Swami
Desika
scratches the pillar
and water flows

57

Swamis Vairagya (Asceticism)

Some of the local people in Kancheepuram felt bad
that a great master like Sri Desika is doing Uncha
Vruththi i.e. begging for grains. They thought of mixing
gold coins along with rice and offering it to him since
Desika wont accept money or gold if given separately.
Our Swami did not notice this trick and came home and
gave the rice to his wife for making prasadham. She
was also a simple woman and had never seen gold
coins. She called Swami and asked him what the
glittering things are. Swami Desika was surprised at
this and told her that they are worms and separated
them by a dharbha grass, as he did not even want to
touch the gold coins. Such was the Vairaagya of Swami
Desika!

Gold coins in Uncha Vruththi offerings

58

Birth of Vairagya Panchakam

One of Swami Desika's friend (Vidyaranya) during
their school days became the minister of
Vijayanagara kingdom. He heard about the poverty
of Sri Desika and wanted to help him. So he sent a
message asking Swami Desika to come to the
kingdom and receive gifts from the king. Swami
Desika refused this request and in return sent him a
poem called Vairagya Panchakam.
59

Vidyaranya sending message to Swami

Desika

60

Place:
Empire

Vijayanagara

Naasthi Pithraarjitham
Kinchith
Na Mayaa Kinchithaarjitham
Asthi Me Hasthi-Sailagre
Meaning:Vasthu Paithaamaham
I have neither
Dhanam!
any accumulated

61

wealth left behind by my father nor

any wealth assembled from my own
efforts.
I have however one of the greatest
of wealths in the world, that has
been left behind by my grand seer
(Brahma Deva), who gained it
through the performance of the
Aswamedha Yaaga atthe Elephant
Hill (Hasthi Giri at Kancheepuram).
(When I have thisimperishable
wealth, where is the need for other
kinds of wealth for me?)

Vairagya
Panchakam

Place Kanchipuram

Swami renders justice

Swami was requested to preside over as the
moderator in a debate between the Advaitha
Vidhwan, Vidyaranya and Dvaita Vidwan, Akshobhya.
Although Vidyaranya was his boyhood friend, after
hearing the arguments of both the vidwans, Swami
gave a ruling impartially that Akshobhyas views
were in accordance with Pramanaas and settled the
dispute.

62

Debate between Vidyaranya and Akshobhya

63

Swami
Desika
judgement

64

gives

Blessing a poet

65

Swami at Thirupathi
Swami Desika then went to Thirupathi and here he
composed the beautiful sthothra called Daya
Sathakam.

66

Swami Doing Nithya Anushtanam in Sri Vari Swami

Pushkarini at Thiruvenkatam or Thirumala

Place: Thirupathi
67

Swami Desika doing Mangalaasaasanam to Lord

Srinivasa
Place:
Thirumala
The other names of
Lord Srinivasar are:
Thiruvenkatamudaiyaa
n,
Balaji,
Thimmappa,
Venkatesa,
Thirumalesa,
Sheshachala Vaasa.

68

Imaginary view of Swami Desika and Lord

Srinivasa

Place: Thirumala
69

Challenge to Our Ramanuja Darsanam

Once a band of Mayaa Vaadhis landed in Srirangam for

a
debate
condemning
Ramanuja
Darsanam.
Periyvaachaan Pillai, Pillai Lokaachaarya and others
approached the Grand old master Sudharsana Bhattar
for advice. Sudharsana Bhattar said that it was only
Swami Desika who could save the situation and sent a
letter to Kanchi inviting Thooppul Pillai, Swami Desika,
to face the opponents.

70

Mayaa Vaadhis challenge in a debate condemning

Ramanuja Darsanam

71

Place: Srirangam

People requesting our Acharya to accept

the challenge at Srirangam

72

Place:
Kanchipuram

Swami immediately set forth to Srirangam but on the

way he halted at Sri Perumputhur and prayed to
Yathiraja (Sri Ramanuja) and composed the famous
Yathiraja Sapthathi.

73

Swami Doing Mangalaasaasanam to Udaiyavar at Sri

Perumputhur en route to Srirangam

Lord Ramanujas
Thaan Ugandha
Thirumeni
74

Swami
Srirangam

near
Ranga
Ranga
Ranga
Ranga

Ranga
Ranga
Ranga

75

Lord Ranganatha

76

Swami wins the debate

77

Place: Srirangam

Swami getting Theertha

Prasadam at
Sri Ranganatha Sannidhi

78

Swami Desika
Sannidhi

79

at

Ranganayaki

Thayar

Swami defeats Sculptor

Once a sculptor offered to provide a base and asked our
Swami to make an image of himself. Desika made an
image of himself but when the sculptor tried to fix it on
the base, he could not do so. He tried to chisel out a
portion of the body of the image. Blood flowed from the
corresponding part of the body of Desika. The sculptor
admitted that the fault was in the base made by him.
Desika fixed it up in the base exactly as it should be,
like a professional sculptor.

80

Later, this image was installed by Desikas son Kumara

Varadacharya at Thiruvaheendra Puram. Those visiting
Thiruvaheendra Puram and offering prayers to the idol,
can never take their eyes off this marvelous Vigraham.

A sculptors challenge

81

Sculptor loses the challenge

82

Sri Ramanujas
Srirangam

83

Thaanaana Thirumeni at

Swami at Srivilliputhur:

84

Swami Desika went on a

pilgrimage to the South
and
visited
many
Divyadesams in Kerala and
Madurai and while he was
at
Srivilliputhur
he
composed
the
famous
Godha Sthuthi. Swami had
special devotion towards
Andal and this sthothra
glorifies Andal. She has
commanded
that
this
sthothra should be recited
during Her Utsavam along
with Divya Prabandhams.

Swami doing Mangalaasaasanam at

Naimisaranyam

Swami
then
toured
Northern
India
and
visited various places.

85

Swami doing Mangalaasaasanam at Thiru Aayarpadi

86

Swami doing
Mangalaasaasanam at
Devaprayag

87

Swami doing Mangalaasaasnam at Badhrikaasramam

88

Swami doing Mangalaasaasanam at Saligramam in Nepa

89

Swami doing
Mangalaasaasnam at
Dwaraka

90

Snake-charmer tamed by our Swami

Once, a snake-charmer challenged Sri Desika to control

his poisonous snakes. Swami drew a chalk line on the
ground and recited some manthra. None of the snakes
could cross over the line drawn by swami except one
ferocious snake which crossed over to harm swami. Our
Swami then recited the Garuda Manthra and instantly
Garuda came and took away all the snakes. The snakecharmer begged Swami Desika to give back his snakes
since it was his only livelihood. Swami again prayed to
Garuda who returned the snakes.

91

Snake-charmer taught a lesson

92

Swami praying to Vynatheya

93

Lord Hayagriva's Leelai

94

Once, when the Swami was visiting a Kshetram, he rested in

the thinnai of a house for the night. Since he could not get
anything as offering to the Lord, he just took some water to the
Lord with a heavy heart and went to bed on an empty stomach.
Suddenly, he was awakened by the landlord who reported that
a white horse was eating the grain in his stores. Swami
understood that it was the Leela of Sri Hayagriva and
comforted the house owner. He asked the landlord to bring
some milk and offered it to his upaasana moorthy. Thereupon,
the horse disappeared. Next morning, when the landlord went
to the shop he saw that all the sacks there were fully laden with
gold. He offered the gold to Swami, but true to his self Swami
refused.

Horse eating grains

95

Swami offering milk to the horse and

praying to Lord Hayagriva

96

Swami praying to Lord

Hayagriva

97

Lords descend and take the food offered by

Swami

98

Once Swami Desika was performing the annual rites to

his late parents and nobody came for eating on the
occasion of the observance, but Swami did not lose
heart. He put the plantain leaf and served all the items
and prayed to the Lord and his prayers were answered.
Lord Devaraja, Lord Hayagriva & Lord Srinivasa came in
person and partook the offering on the occasion, to the
astonishment of everyone there.

Annual ceremony at Swamis

house

99

100

Once some wicked people of the town wanted to insult

Swami. They hanged thoranam of slippers in front of
his house, Swami just came out holding the Lords
Padhuka on head and told that he was happy to have
the Lords Padhuka above his head. And the opponents
were ashamed of their act

Swami carrying Padhukas

101

Birth of Sri Sthuthi

Once a young boy wanted some money for his
marriage and approached wealthy people in
Kancheepuram. They were jealous of Sri Desika's
simplicity. Just to embarrass our Swami they had told
him that only Desika can give lots of money because
he is rich. The boy did not know the evil intention and
went to Swami Desika for financial help. Our Acharya
did not have any money but he took the boy to the
Thayar Sannidhi and started reciting Sri Sthuthi.

102

What a wonder! It started raining gold coins. Swami

Desika thanked Thayar for her mercy and told the boy
to take as much as he wants and he did not take any
coin for himself. The jealous people were shocked at
this incident and came running to seek the pardon of
Swami Desika.

Swami Desika at Perundevi Thayar Sannidhi

103

Swami reciting Sri Sthuthi even as it rains gold coins.

104

Swamis Travel to Sathyaakaalam

105

Towards the end of the 13th century and beginning of

14th century, the city of Srirangam was invaded by
Malik Kafur, the General of Alauddin Khilji, Sultan of
Delhi. People were forced to flee Srirangam. One of
those who could not escape was Sudharsana Bhattar,
author of the famous commentary on Sri Ramanujas
famous Sri Bhaashyam, known as Shrutha Prakaasika.
He however, wisely left this book as well as two young
children in the safe custody of Swami Desika. Swami,
taking it as Gods will, left Srirangam for a safe place.
He travelled along the course of river Cauvery and
reached Sathyaakaalam, where he lived for several
years.

Swamis Travel to Sathyaakaalam

Place en route
to
Sathyaakaalam

106

Swamis
Kalapshepam at
Sathyaakaalam.
Brahmathanthra
Parakala Jeer is
participating.

107

Brahmathanthra Parakala Jeer Founder and First Jeer of Parakal

Math.

108

Presiding Deities of Sathyaakaalam

Lord Kote Varadharaja & Goddess Perundevi Thayar

109

At Sathyaakaalam there is a rare vigraham. The feature

of this Swami Desikas idol is that He is in a standing
posture (Ninra Thirukkolam). Generally, we find him in
all the temples in a sitting posture.
It is said that Swami is standing and anxiously looking
towards Srirangam to see if peace has returned after
the chaos (his standing posture gives an impression
that he was literally on his toes, ready to head back to
Srirangam).
110

Idol of Swami Desika in a rare Standing Posture at

Sathyaakaalam

111

Jnaanaswatha

While in Sathyaakaalam, Swami Desikan had selected a

particular spot on the riverbed for his daily
anushtaanam and meditation under a peepul tree
(Aswatha Vruksham). This spot has been revered by
generations of people who acknowledge the tree as
Swami Desikas special seat where he authored
many literary compositions.
The entire setting with the peepul tree is known as
Jnaanaswatha. This spot was in a bad shape until
recently, before it underwent renovation and was
spruced up to make it fit for the visiting Holinesses and
others to observe their Anushtaanam.
112

Koormaasanam
Swami Desika once had a dream in which a pious person
requests that Swami allowed the person to do some form of
service (kainkaryam) to him. Swami did not read too much into
this dream. The very next day when Swami was returning from
the river after his Anushtaanam, a tortoise followed him all
through and raced fiercely. This happening also did not bother
him in anyway.

113

However, that night in his dream, Swami Desika had a vision of

God telling him to do Anugraham. The next morning when he
returned to his special seat (aasanam) under the
Jnaanaaswatha, he found a stone peetam in the form of a
tortoise (Koorma). Swami started using it during his
Anushtaanam. The unique Sri Koormasanam (naturally
formed in granite) on which our Swami performed his Nithya
Anushtaanam on the Banks of Cauvery has been preserved in
his Sannidhi.

Swami seated in Koormaasanam

114

Picture of the Koormasanam in Sathyaakaalam

115

Artistic view of Swami Desika seated in Koormaasanam under

Jnnaaswatha on the banks of River Cauvery in Sathyaakaalam

116

Picture of the
Koormaasanam and
Swami Desikas Idol at
Sathyaakaalam

117

Swami at Melkote

118

Swami doing
Mangalaasaasanam to Lord
Thirunarayana at Melkote

Swami at Melkote

119

Swami at Melkote

Bhagavath Ramanuja's
Tamarugandha
Thirumeni at
Thirunarayanapuram
(Melkote)

Swami Doing
Mangalaasaasana
m to Udaiyavar at
Melkote

120

Swami at Melkote

121

Imaginary view of Swami doing

Mangalaasaasanam to Udaiyavar at
Melkote

Present day Idols of Lord Ramanuja at Melkote.

122

Once peace returned, Swami returned to Srirangam.

When some of the orthodox people objected to the
recital of Divya Prabandham in the temple on the
grounds that they included the works of Non-Brahmin
Azhwars,
written
in
Dravida
Baasha
and
Thiruvoimozhi in particular dealt with Kaama that
according to them, was taboo (forbidden).
Swami argued with them and convinced them that the
holy collects were equal to the Vedas since they
contained all that was in the Vedas, that since they
were in praise of the Lord, the language did not matter
and that the Kaama spoken of was nothing but
absolute devotion to the Lord.
123

Thus he re-instituted the practice of Adhyayana

Birth of Padhuka Sahasram

Some vidwans challenged Swami Desika to compose 1,000

hymns in praise of Lord Ranganatha in one day. Swami accepted
the challenge and he prayed to Ranganatha to bless him. The
Lord commanded that Sri Desika should compose the sthothram
on the Divine Sandals (padhukas).
Swami was busy with various activities during the day like
teaching. He also
slept until the wee hours after midnight.
Then he started writing down the stotras and in less than 3
hours he composed the 1,008 slokas on the padhukas. Even a
fast recital of the entire Padhuka Sahasram would take us about
5 hours, while Swami Desika composed them in such a short
time. No wonder then that he is hailed as KaviTharkika
Title
conferred
onmeans
Swamilion
by Periya
Perumal
and Periya Piraatti
Simham
which
among
the poets.
It was at this time that Periya Perumal conferred the title of
"Vedanta Desikan" and Periya Piraatti conferred the title of
"Sarva Thanthra Swathanthra" on Swami Desikan.
124

Composition
Sahasram

125

of

Sri

Padhuka

Our Swami becomes a Nithyasoori (an eternally

liberated soul that sets off to serve the Lord at Sri
Vaikunta)
Swami Desika lived 100 years and he felt the time had
come for him to go the spiritual abode of Narayana. He
went to SrI Ranganatha and took his permission. His
disciples and his son felt the pain of his separation and
cried. Swami Desika consoled them and instructed
them to continue their divine works and follow Sri
Ramanuja darsanam.
126

In the year 1369, he kept his head in the lap of his son
Kumara Varadacharya and left his mortal coil while
listening to the chanting of Thiruvoymozhi and
Upanishads.

127

Later Sri Ranganayaki Thayar ordered that a Sannidhi

should be made for Swami Desika close to her own
Sannidhi inside the temple. Also, it is believed that she
ordered that no other Acharya Sannidhi will be made
hereafter inside the temple as a mark of respect to this
great Acharya, which is being followed to this day. One
can see Swami Desikas Sannidhi in front of the Thayar
Sannidhi in Srirangam.

Place: Srirangam temple

An imaginary picture of Swami taking permission from Lord

Ranganatha, Goddess Ranganayaki, to come to his spiritual
abode. Swami is seen with is son Kumara Varadacharya, H.H.
Brahmathanthra Parakala Jeer and other disciple.
128

Narayana

Narayana

Narayana

Narayana

Imaginary view of
Swami
Desikan
becoming
a
Nithyasoori
with
his head in Kumara
Varadhacharya's
lap and his feet is
on that of H.H.
Brahmatantra Jeer.
129

Artistic view of Swami Desika sitting in the lap of Sriman

Narayana

130

Artistic view of the Sannidhi at Thooppul where in Swami

Desika is doing mangalaasaasanam to Lord Deepa Prakasa
with Ubhanaachiyars, Maragathavalli Thayar and Andal.

131

Artistic view of
Swami Desika
doing
mangalaasaasana
m in Paramapadam

132

Artistic view of Swami

Desikan doing
mangalasasnam in
Thiruparkadal

133

Swami Desika at Thooppul with Lord Devanatha

adorning his Vakshatsthalam (chest)

134

Lord Lakshmi Hayagriva - Aradhana Moorthi of Swami

Desika

135

Dhanur Maasa Sevai Of Lord Deepa Prakasa with Sudarshana Azhwa

Sri Devi, Bhu Devi, Andal, and Navaneetha Nardhana Krishna.

136

Kavithaarkika-Simhaya
Kalyana Gunasaline !
Srimathe Venkatesaya
Vedantha Gurave Namaha !!