INTRODUCTION :
Sri Vedanta Desikan (1268–1369) was a great Vaishnava saint and philosopher who cultivated the Vishnu bhakti among the people, by performing various miracles and conducting spiritual teachings. He was the disciple of Sri Kidambi Appullar. Swami Vedanta Desika is considered as the incarnation of the divine bell of Lord Venkateswara. He had done various Pujas for Lord Vishnu with pure devotion at his younger age itself, and got great spiritual powers.
LIFE :
Desika was born in the year 1268 AD, with the birth name as ‘Venkatanatha’. At his younger age itself, he became the disciple of Sri Kidambi Appullar and taught him basic education and hindu scriptures. He studied well and became a great scholar. He lived a simple life and his family ate only simple food by accepting grains and vegetables donated by his followers and by the people. Desika travelled throughout india to spread the vaishnavism bhakti spirit among the people, and also to give lectures about the importance of Lord Vishnu.
DEVOTIONAL WORKS :
1. Hayagriva Stotram
2. Abheethistavam
3. Achyutha Satakam
4. Bhagavat Dhyana Sopanam
5. Dasavatara Stotram
6. Daya Satakam
7. Garuda Dandakam
8. Sri Suti
9. Sudarshanasthaka
He received honourable titles such as ‘Kavitarkika-kesari’ and ‘Kavitarkika-simham’. It is believed that due to his bhakti on Lord Vishnu, he got the darshan and blessings of Lord Garuda and Lord Hayagriva. Swami Desikan established the rituals and ceremonies for worship in the Srirangam temple, which are still in practice. He donated all the riches given to him by the wealthy people to the poor, and lived a simple life by taking alms. He attained ACHARYAN THIRUVADI at the age of 101 years, during the year 1369 AD. IMPORTANCE He was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, and worshiped him even at his childhood.
He also developed the habit of chanting the Vishnu Mantra “OM NAMO NARAYANA” among the people, and told them about the importance of chanting it. People were very much interested in reading his spiritual works and listening to his spiritual discourses on Lord Vishnu. He was a pious, noble and a lovable person, who never enjoyed any comforts and luxuries in his life, and considered that chanting Vishnu Mantra and thinking about Lord Vishnu is the best comfort in life. He also worried about the sufferings of the common people, and frequently insisted them to keep bhakti on Lord Vishnu and to chant his names, in order to reduce their bad karmic deeds. According to him, only by surrendering to the lotus feet of the god, one can attain all the prosperity in the life and finally can attain SALVATION. He insisted his followers to pray to the Lord with full of devotion in their mind, and to perform various pujas to him, in order to satisfy him. He also relieved the people from various dreaded diseases and cleared their sins by praying to the god. Let us worship the great saint and be blessed.
“OM SREE VEDANTA DESIKANE NAMAHA”
“OM NAMO NARAYANAYA NAMAHA”
SENT BY
R.HARISHANKAR
