Swami in Srirangam

Swamiji in Srirangam


Srirangam is always associated with Sri Vaishnava and the Temple is the first of 108- Divya desams. Here everything is big- Perumal is big, Garuda is big, Temple is big-sprawling on 700 acres, 7- Praharas. Apart from the bigness the sacredness of the temple is unique. All Alwars have sung in praise of Arangan.

For long time Swami Desikan wanted to visit this temple but Perarulalan wanted Desikan to wait for an appropriate time. That time came when Swami got invitation from Sudharsana Bhattar- who was heading the Ramanuja mission at Srirangam.. Through out the history-there were fights between Advaida and Dwaidha and Dwaidha and Rationalists.

Great Scholars of Vaishnava Siddhantha fought these obstacles successfully and it goes to the credit of Ramanuja who did yeoman services to protect and brought order to the Vishistadwaitha Siddantha and laid out rules and regulations to conduct the Temple Poojas, emancipation of all souls irrespective of caste or creed.

Being jealous of the popularity of Ramanuja Siddhantha some Atheists and Advaida followers gathered at Srirangam and raised several questions and wanted immediate replies failing which they wanted to obstruct the rituals at Srirangam Temple.

Sudharsana Battar and other Scholars felt that they being very old - they decided that Swami Desikan is the right person to conquer these people and invited him to visit Srirangam.

Swami got the blessings of Vardhan reached Srirangam .

Swami was received with great honours. Swami had the dharshan of Arangan and Nachiyar and obtained the blessings of Thayar and Azagiya Manavalan and sat for the debate. The debate went on for 7-days and finally Swami conqured the Advaidins. His disciples- Veeravalli Perumaliyan wrote at the end of each day the full details of the debate and later it was released as Sadha Dhushani.

The greatest and the master piece of Swami work is the Paduka Sahasram at Srirangam. Facing the Challenge of his opponents Swami composed Padukasahasram in one night- 1008 Poems on Sri Ranganatha Paduka. Swami at the outset says that this Padhuka and Nammalwar are one. Nammalwar composed-Thiruvai Mozhi in 1000 verses with 10 cantos. Swamiji composed 1008 verses in 32 steps ( Padhatis ).

In his various discourses Swami revealed that Thiruvai Mozhi and Upanishads are at par-the inner meaning of Thiruvai Mozhi is the essence of Upanishads.


In Thirumandira Churuku-Swami expands the meaning of Ashtakhara Mantira- Om Namo Narayana-word by word. Swami explains the significance of each word and the sanctity of the Mantra should be preserved as Rahasya thryam-this being the first one.

In the second one Narayana is always associated with His Consort-Sri- It is Godess Laxmi requested the Lord to provide easy way to achieve salvation for Her people-the Lord gave-Sriman Narayan Charanau Charanam Prapthyae, Srimathae Narayanaya Namaha-called Dwayam.

The mantra is called-Dwayam- it has got 2-parts- first part-gives the mode of worship and the second part-if done the fruits resulting from first part. The meaning of Dwaya is -1. Sri- the sound.2. The predicate-Madhup-that lie over it 3. Narayana-the sound of. 4. – Charanau-the sound. 5. Sharanam-the sound. 6. Pra- the verbal path in the sound Pra. 7. Its character as part of the word. 8. Narayana- the sound 9. the forth prop[osition that lie over it. 10. Namaha-the sound..

Lord gives us the third part of the Rahasra Thraya- from Geetha:

Sarva Dharaman Prithiyajya Mam Ekam Saranam Vrajha
Aham Thwa Sarva Papeyaha Mokshaishyami Maschchaha

Renounce all the Dharamams ( religions ) and surrender unto me- I will remove all your sins and take you to Eternal Bliss.

Apart from various works on Divine-Swami come down to our level and advices us as to how to keep our body pure-since pure body is essential to cultivate Bakthi Yoga-
Ahara Niyamam:

In Geetha Lord Krishna explained the significance of human characterstics. The three Gunas that encircle humans are Satwa, Rajo and Thamasa. Among the three Satva is the higest one should adhere and the other two should be discarded if he wants to get pure mind for spiritual concentration. The food plays very important part in developing the Satva Guna.

Swamiji undertook research on Ahara Niyamam Satvika food is essential to develop Bhakti and he wrote-Ahara Niyamam- in which he clearly analysed the food that are prohibited and the food that are essential to cultivate pure mind- I will deal this subject separately for the benefit of folloers in my next Blog.

Swami’s fame spread all over the country.. Swami rendered Bhoostuti prasing Yagna Varaha Mahishi-the Bhoomi Piratti, Dasavathara Stotram-praising the Ten incarnations of Lord Narayana. Swami was praised as Kavitharkika Simham, Sarvatantra Swantrar etc

( To be cont )
R.Jagannathan