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SrI:
SrImathE lakshmI hayagreeva parabrahmaNE nama:
SrImathE SaThakOpAya nama: SrIman nathamunayE nama:
SrImathE yAmuna munayE nama: SrImathE SrI bhAshyakArAya nama:
SrImathE nigamAnta mahA dESikAya nama: SrImathE vEdAnta rAmAnuja mahA dESikAya nama:
SrImathE gOpAlArya mahA dESikAya nama: SrImathE gOpAla dESika mahA dESikAya nama:
" In the modern times when everything has turned
topsy-turvy, it is our Sukritam that we have in our midst
Sri Paravakkottai Gopala Desika Maha Desikan who excels in
Gnaanam, Anushtaanam and Viraaghyam.
When the Swami was studying in the Vyaakarana Siromani class
in the Sanskrit College at Tirupati, I had occasion to study
at a junior level. Myself and 2 or 3 of my colleagues used
to learn from the Swami "Laghu Siddhanta Kaumudi". It is
hard to believe his masterly teaching capacities. He could
bring even the hardest of concepts well within the reach of
the dullest headed by simple but effective explanations.
I vividly remember how even at that time as a Brahmachari,
Paravakkottai Swami was upright to a fault and adopted a
very high standard of personal rectitude and Aachaaram.
There was never a moment when he was not reciting the
Bhagavan Namas and one or the other of the Stotras.
There was a long gap when we had not met. I had the
opportunity to pay my respects to this Yathivara. I am
proud to see the same simplicity, Satvik Qualities, absolute
detachment to Worldly enjoyments (Parama Virakti), an
aversion to name, fame, pomp and money, the majestic yet
mellowed delivery of Pravachanams that endear him to
everyone, - which he exhibited right from his student days.
If anything, the best in him got better than ever!"
" In 1938, when the Swami was studying in the Siromani class
in the Sanskrit College, Tirupati, we shared the same room
and stayed together in the Ahobila Mutt.
So, I am an Eyewitness to his fastidious and punctilious
adherence to Aachaaram and Anushtaanam, which were of a very
high order and do not come by easily for others.
I have never seen in this Mahaan from then on and till now,
any trace of Kaama, Krodha etc. It is indeed a marvel, how
he has mastered these and kept them under perfect control.
With a imposing majestic appearance matched only by his
inimitable majestic Swabhaava, a mellifluous voice matched
only by an impressive delivery- he proved himself an
incomparable "Poorvabaashi", a "Mithabaashi" and a
"Vairaaghya Seela". In thought, word and deed, he upholds
and what is more important actually practices, the high
standards of Aachaara and Anushtaana with a single pointed
devotion.
It is amazing to see how he conducts the Saturday Sadas
every week on Sri Baashya and other Granthas in a calm and
serene atmosphere. His discourses are as entertaining and
enlivening as his comments and elucidation are educative and
revealing his mastery of the nuances. They certainly
gladdened the hearts of the listeners and chastened their
minds by removing all doubts.
He delights in doing this purely as a Bhagavad Kainkaryam in
the true spirit of what Swami Desika says-
"Santhoshaartham Vimsruti Muhur Adhyaathma Vidyaam"
and he performs the "Uttara Kriya" in such a way that cannot
fail to steep an onlooker without wondering.
It is such Mahaans who should be our Aachaaryas. Never can
one find any blemish to detract him from his high code of
conduct he has laid down for himself and which he has been
observing with utmost diligence and care. In short, he is a
perfect Yathivara and sets the standard for other
Sannyaasis.
At the same time, his administrative capacities are none the
less impressive. With almost no wherewithal, he has
renovated and is maintaining Swami Desikar Sannidhi at East
Uttara Street, Srirangam: he has brought out admirable
publications of Srimad Rahasya Traya Saaram and Chillarai
Rahasyams of Swami Desikan which will be a valuable treasure
for posterity.
We pray to the Divya Dampathis that this great Mahaapurusha
, Sri Parama Hamsetyaadhi Paravaakkottai Srimad Aandavan Sri
Gopaala Desika Maha Desikan Swami should live long for
hundreds of years more in perfect health and guide us all".
Srinidhi Swami has composed and dedicated the above poetic
tribute to Prakritam Paravaakkottai Aandavan Swami. We
offer here a few flowers from the Maalikaa:
"Gopala who was born somewhere under the constellation of
Rohini grew up somewhere else and fed people with the milk
of Gnaana. Likewise, our Aachaarya was born somewhere under
the same constellation of Rohini. Leaving behind
Brahmacharyam and Grihasta Aasramams, he came elsewhere to
take over Sannyasam and stands as a great preceptor. And he
is also freely giving us, the milk of Gnaana.
Lord Krishna who left his place of birth and grew up
elsewhere solely for giving us the celestial song. So also,
this Swami also had left his near and dear ones and adopted
Sannyasa Aasrama solely for the purpose of lighting the lamp
of Gnaana in the minds of his Sishyas.
Even in his Poorva Aasramam, this Swami was well known for a
high level of Aachaaram, Anushtaanam and Paramaikaanthitvam
and righteous conduct. After assuming Sannyasa, he is
adhering strictly to the disciplines enjoined for Sannyasis
and stands a beacon light and a veritable "Vairaghya Nidhi"
"Baalyaath Prabrithi Susnigde"- I had the good fortune of
moving intimately with this Swami even from a very young age
when we were studying in Vyakarana Siromani class in the
Sanskrit College, Tirupati.
Since the Swami would not relish a garland of flowers ,
which would fade away, I am submitting at his holy feet a
garland of praise, the one that will remain fresh forever.
I pray to Maalolan that this great Mahaan should live long
(Pallandu, Pallandu) spreading the message of Granthas like
Sri Bashyam and nourish our Satsampradaya".
"Let us see whom Swmi Desika praises as our Lord (Yemmai
Aaludai Naathar):-
" Sri Swami hails from 'Paravaak kottai' - a fort that stands firm and does not fly away. He shines as a 'Paravum Kottai'- a fort that spreads our Siddhanta. Through sage advice, the Swami redeems numerous Sishyas; By publishing Granthas like Srimad Rahasya Traya Saram, he does real service to the growth of Srivaishnavam; By such silent but steady activities, he has become renowned throughout the Vaishnavite world true to Swami Desika's words- 'Disaasu Dasasu Khyaathih Subah'. He shines as a beacon light that sheds its floodlight far and wide so that everyone could see clearly and appreciate the greatness of the edifice that is Visishtaadvaitam. Indeed, 'Roopameva Asya Yetan Mahimaanam Vyachashte'
"Sri Parama Hamsetyadhi Sri Gopala Desika Maha Desikan Swami is blessed with the complete grace of Sri Lakshmi Hayagrivan; He is the very personification of Gnaana, Anushtaana and qualities of Sama, Dhama etc. May the Horse-face Lord Parimukhan and Sriranga Sayee grant him long life"
" It is well known that all the pontiffs of this
Ashramam have forever stayed in Srirangam itself attending
to their Nityakarma Anushtaana with meticulous care,
spending their time constantly meditating on the meanings of
Sri Bashyam and delivering Kalakshepams.
The Present pontiff is keeping aloft this tradition
with utmost sincerity, has been contributing to the
Satsampradayam following the commands of Sri Bashyakaarar
and is verily a treasure house of Gnaana and Vairaghya.
The weekly Vidwat Sadas on Sri Bashya and Srimad
Rahasya Traya Sara and discussions thereon, the efforts to
publish the granthas of Poorva Aachaaryas are all proof of
the depth of his involvement in spreading our Siddhantam.
May the Sriranga Divya Dampathi grant him long life
so that his glorious service to Visishtaadvaita Sampradayam
grows from strength to strength.
" This Srimad Aandavan has devised a novel method
for illuminating the knowledge of Vedanta; for the last
several years, he has been conducting classes for explaining
one Adhikaram of Sri Bashyam and similarly one Adhikaranam
of Srimad Rahasya Traya Saram every week. These sessions
are not only through discourses but a critical discussion
with audience participation of Vidwans attending the Sadas.
This has been a real boon to people like us- a shower of
milk and honey indeed.
Here is an "Aadarsha Aachaarya" (Preceptor Perfect) who
exemplifies 'Achaarya Lakshanam' in its entirety and truly
represents what Swami Desika says- 'Kaakkum Karuthudai
Desikar Kanru Yena Nammai Yenni Surakkum Suravigal Pol
Soriginranar Sollamudhe'- (meaning) Like the mother cow that
feeds her calves with abundant love, our Aachaarya in his
infinite grace deems us as his very calves and feed us with
his nectar- like words of wisdom.
If one needs to see what is the ideal and
blemishless Anushtaanam of a Sannyasi - Come, See it in its
pristine glory in our Swami, Srimad Paravakkottai Aandavan.
Swami.
Observing Ahimsa and avoiding jeevahimsa are among
his top priorities. Even while lifting water from the well,
one has to be careful in this regard. Such is his strict
emphasis on Ahimsa.
A Sannyasi is expected to beg alms (Biksha) from a
Grihasta and then only, he can perform the 'Antharyaami
Nivedanam'. The Grihasta should be equally an impeccable
Anushtaatha. At least a Grihasta can expiate sins of himsa
accruing during his routine chores by performing
Vaisvadevam. But, since a Sannyasi has no 'Agni Kaaryam',
he has to be doubly careful to ensure that the Grihasta who
offers him biksha scrupulously observes the Saastraic
injunctions in this regard. Otherwise, he would have to
starve!
Even if it is a poisonous snake or scorpion, he
would not allow anyone to even harm it , let alone kill it.
He would say-' Leave it alone; it would not harm anybody'.
Though on many occasions such poisonous creatures were
sighted in the Asramam premises, never have they hurt
anyone. This is an example of his compassion and adherence
to the principles prescribed for yathis in Yathi Dharma
Sastras.
The very presence of such Yathiswaras alone
contributes to the greatness of this Koil. That is why the
Koil becomes "Aaraatha Arul Amudham Podhindha Koil"
" Our elders would not respect even great Vidwans if they
are derelict in Aachaara. It is this predilection of our
elders that prompted Vyasa Bhagavan to conclude in the Phala
Sruthi of his Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam
" It is no exaggeration to say that there is nothing
on earth by paying which, we could free ourselves from our
indebtedness to a Guru. The benefaction bestowed by the
Guru is so great that we have to be ever grateful to him. A
number of teachers have taught us different things and have
given a shape to our life. We have to grateful to all of
them.
An Aachaarya is celebrated personage who is a
SROTRIYA and a BRAHMANISHTA. Without initiation by an
Aachaarya, it is not possible for one to gain the knowledge
of the ultimate reality.
Sri Vedanta Desika declares that there is no God
greater than the Aachaarya himself- 'Aachaaryaita Devatam
Samadhikam Anyam Na Manyaamahe'
The Guru shows the path of knowledge, fills one with
faith by his own example, initiates the procedure, plans for
his progress, gives him the necessary technique, corrects
him whenever he goes wrong and leads him to the ultimate
goal surely and safely.
The Mundaka Upanishad says that one who has
developed dispassion on seeing the hollowness of the earthly
gains should go to such a Guru alone who is a Srotriya and
Brahmanishta for gaining knowledge of the Supreme reality.
The Guru to be sought should be endowed with the following
qualities.
i) he must have gained realization; ii) he must be of a firm understanding, iii) sinless, iv) well versed in the scriptures, v) established in Brahman, vi) Satvic in nature, vii) truthful, viii) endowed with virtuous behavior, ix) free from jealousy, vanity and other vices, x) endowed conquest over his sense organs, xi) forgiving, xii) compassionate, xiii) corrective whenever there is a lapse and xiv) mindful of his and other' welfare.
" In the Post Vedanta Desika period, the task of propagation
of Vaishnavism became largely institutionalized. Thus, the
leading Mathas like the Ahobila Matam came into the
forefront and since then are holding aloft the flag of
Vaishnavism. The Munitraya line of Aachaaryas is one such
significant development in the 16th Century. Gopala Desika
Maha Desikan and the poet Venkatadwarin, author of Viswa
Guna Darsana, and who belonged to the family of Aatreya
Ramanuja, the maternal uncle and mentor of Vedanta Desika
sowed the seeds, which sprouted in the 16th Century. The
adherents of this Sampradaya believe that Munitrayam
embodies the whole body of Sri Vaishnava principles handed
over by Nathamuni, Yamuna Muni and Ramanuja Muni.
The Srimad Poundarikapuram Swami belongs to this
tradition and it is a matter for rejoicing that he helps
preserve the Vaishnavism in its original distinct and pure
form.
May the Aachaaryas protect us !
