Sri Vedanta Desika, in his work “Yathiraja Sapthathi,” venerates and commends the nobility of Acharya Sri Ramanuja, the founder of Vishishtadvaita philosophy. Thirukkudandhai Dr. Venkatesh said in a discourse that Swamy Desika dedicated the first 10 slokas to invoking the blessings of various acharyas (Guru Parampara). He begins with Lord Narayana, who revealed the Vedas to the world and formulated Agama Sastras to be followed to worship Him. That Lord is the first Guru. For any good work like the performance of homas and yagnas, a person must do the same with his spouse, and then only the ritual will be complete. Lord has taken a resolve to protect us, and in that yagna of dharma, His divine consort, Goddess Lakshmi, remains always with Him. She comes next to the Lord. Then comes the chieftain of the celestials Vishwaksena. The Vedas have tried to reveal the qualities of God. The apostle Nammazhwar has given the essence of the Vedas through his work “Thiruvaimozhi” in Tamil, which is easily understandable. Swamy Desika pays his obeisance to Nammazhwar. Then, the acharyas Nathamuni, Uyyakkondar, and Manakkal Nambi are revered. After Peria Nambi, Swamy Desika starts praising the great acharya Sri Ramanuja..
Sri Ramanuja used to keep “thridandam“ (a staff with three sticks). This symbolises the worship of Narayana through mind, word, and deed. He is the king of ascetics (Yathi Raja). He is the manifestation of the five divine weapons (panchayudha) of Lord Vishnu.
Swamy Desika praises Ramanuja as the central gem of the preceptor lineage, a priceless pendant. To the Upanishadic lore, the crown of the Vedas, the divine works of Sri Ramanuja serve as an added bejewelling.
Singing and studying the laudatory lyrics of our acharyas will give us bliss and spiritual upliftment.
Published - January 27, 2025 05:17 am IST
