Sri Vedanta Desikar a veritable lion among the poets and Logicians A colossus in philosophy and a prolific author of Sri Vaishnavism. His 28 very well known Stotras are recited by Sri Vaishnavas all over the world. He has authored plays dramas moral stories and rahasya granthas besides he is an author who has written works in Pali Sanskrit and Tamil.
1.Sri Hayagriva Stotra in 33 verses here Sri Desika prays for all round proficiency in sastras and art of poesy. all of his stotras ends with a phala stuthi a reward promised on rendering the stotras with faith and devotion.
Traditionally it is known that he was initiated into the Hyagriva mantra by Pakshi raja Garudar himself the vahanam of Vishnu. after mastering siddhi (acquiring perfection) he had the direct vision of Lord Hayagriva at Tiruvahindrapuram at the age of 20 years.
Lord Hayagriva is worshiped by all who are keen on acquiring proficiency in knowledge both spiritual and secular.
Lord Hayagriva is known to be the benefactor of Dakshinamurthy, Brihaspati and Vyasa all known for their profound knowledge.
A fleeting reference is made of the Lord's Consort Lakshmi in verse 32 refering to her as Amalanasrih. thus Lakshmi Hayagrivar is prayed.
2.The Sri Dasavatara Stotra in 13 verses composed after worshiping at the Dasavatara Sannidhi in Srirangam. He praises Lord Ranganatha as the Supreme Brahman and of having taken 10 avataras or manifestation to bless us.
Here the opening verse there is a pun in the word Ranga meaning Srirangam and the stage. The Lord and his consorts appear as Nayaka and Nayaki in ten different roles to enamor and delight the audience bringing auspiciousness to the one who recites this Stotra.
3. Sri Bhagavaddhyanasopanam. in 12 verses Vedanta Desikar describes the Lord from Foot to Crown leading a devotee step by step (sopanam) to ultimately create the Form of Ranganatha mulavar image before our eyes. verse 11 describes the utsava form also of the lord of Sri Rangam. It is said that the author was inspired by Tiruppanalwar's Amalanadipiran.
Is it the beauty of Sanskrit language or the Authorship of Vedanta Desikar who gives the verses such sweet sounding flow that one can memorise the verses for repetition and to visulize the Lord before us to attain steadfast devotion.
4. Abhitistava in 29 verses this hymn written at Melkote by Sri Vedanta Desikar has a ardent appeal to the Lord of Sri Rangam to make use of his Astram to deal with the vadalist muslim invassion in the south in the year 1327 by mallik Kafur and Alauddin Khillji.
this stotra is uttered to overcome fear. He appeals to the lord to keep him in Srirangam where people desire the welfare of each other. it is said Sri Vedanta desikar was nearly 60 years when he composed this stotra.
5. Sri Dayasatakam in 108 verses here the Lord is personified as Daya devi the foremost quality (compassion)of god . it abounds with poetic excellences and is divided into 10 sets of ten verses each set to different meter. Prapatti whole hearted surrender is the theme of this stotra. For Vedanta desikar there was no difference between Sri Ranganatha and Sri Venkateswara. So it should be for us too. there is only one Lord of the entire Universe.
6. Sri Varadaraja Panchasat. in 51 verses Sri Vedanta desikar describes the glory of Lord Varadaraja of kanchipuram. This hillock on which the temple is situated is said to be the very same place where Brahma performed the Horse sacrifice desiring to have a direct vision of the Lord. The rare feature of this stotra is the verse 46 where the Lord's divine body, of the colour of emerald rendered darker by the application of Kasturi is described where no ornaments or armour is present.In verse 49 he says As I continuously enjoy your incomprehensible and indescribable beauty i have no desire to reside in vaikunta also .
7. Vairagya Panchakam. in five verses here Sri Vedanta Desikar expresses his utter contempt for worldly riches, those who seek them. It is said that the boyhood friend of Vedanta Desikar who was employed by the Vijayanagar emperors met Vedanta Desikar who was living a simpleton's life in Kanchi and sent him an invitation to come to adorn the court of the Vijayanagar emperors as court poet and live a life of comfort. Here he makes it absolutely clear that he was not interested and that he had inherited the Paitamaham dhanam Lord Varadaraja who was brought by Brahma. he also says Lord Krishna turned his friend Kuchela into Kubera overnight.and that he had the ultimate wealth of all in the Lord of Hastigiri.
8. Saranagati Dipika this stotra in 59 verses brings forth the greatness of saranagathi or Prapatti as the means of salvation representing the tradition of ramanuja's Kitchen because One Pranatarthihara (Madaippalliyaccan) who was the cook of Ramanujacharya is said to have learnt the entire Srivaishnava sampradaya from Sri Ramanujacharya, this was inherited by Kidambi ramanujacharya and there after by Kidambi Appullar who was the maternal uncle of Vedanta Desikar.
The deity to whom this stotra is addressed is Dipaprakasa (Vilakkoil enberuman) this temple is situated in tirruttanka where Sri Vedanta Desikar was born close to the river Vegavathy a tributary of the great river Cauvery.
the significane of this hymn is that it sums up the whole teaching about Saranagathi its supremacy, its accessories, the post prapatti life of a prapanna, the Pancharata and the Vaikhanasa ways of worshipping the Lord, the path of light (Archiradi Marga) by which the liberated soul reaches Vaikunta, then his blissful state of loving service to the Lord there etc. the ignorance dispeller ultimately.
9. Sri Vegasetu Stotra. a hymn of 10 verses addresses the Lord Vegasetu literal meaning is one who becomes a dam across the river Vega. The sthalapurana narrates a story that the four faced Brahma wanted to perform a sacrifice and his wife being angry with him wanted to disrupt the sacrifice, she had assumed the form of a swift river vega began to innundate the sacrificial place. As Brahma prayed Lord Vishnu became a dam setu across the vega and helped Brahma complete his sacrifice. This place is refered by the Alwars as Thiruvehka which is situated about a mile from Varadaraja Temple and is known as little conjeevaram. it is also known as Yathoktakari one who does as commanded. the incident traced to the life of Thirumalisai Alwar and the King Kani Kannan. Vedanta Desikar calls the Lord Kanchi Bhagyam the good fortune of Kanchi.
10. Sri Astabhujashtakam.
This stotra is in 10 verses. addressed to Adikesava Perumal who assumed 8 hands and punished demons who wanted to disrupt the sacrifice being performed by the four faced Brahma at Kanchi. The Lord carries in his hands the usual five weapons and an arrow, spear and a lotus. the alwars name this place Attabuyakaram. Vedanta desika says that the Lord who originally had only four arms assumed 8 arms in his anxiety to come to the succour of those who surrender to him. The mulavar has eight hands but the Utsavar murthy has four arms.
Vedanta desikar in the 9th verse says. the eight verses on Lord Astabuja are the food for the traveller meaning for those who have surrendered to the Lord and are on their journey to moksha; its a tonic to those who desire to surrender. and these verses ensure the welfare of the world.
11. Sri Kamasikashtakam
This stotra in 9 verses is addressed to Lord Narasimha at a place called Velukkai located to the south of the vegavathi at Kanchi. The sanskrit equivalent of this name is Kamasika (Kama + asika) the lord motivated by his own will. he graces here to fulfill the desire of his devotees.
12. Sri Paramarthastuti.
The word Paramartha means the ultimate purpose or goal of human life. This work in 10 verses describes Lord Rama at thirupputkuzhi which is situated 7 miles west of kanchi. IT is said that Sri rama Performed the last rites of the vulture King Jatayu here. words such as Poreru, Ranapungava, Aahavapungava and Samarapungava all meaning the supreme hero in the battle field. Sri desika says Lord Rama offers Abhaya fearlessness to those who do saranagathi to him even once.
13. Sri Devanayakapanchasat.
This hymn in 53 verses describes Lord Devanayaka. He is the presiding deity at the sacred shrine at Thiruvahindrapuram near Cuddalore. Swami desika lived here and was greatly attached to this deity. The house where he lived and the well dug up by him can be seen here. Here Desika has described the lord from Head/ crown to foot (Kesadipadantam) verses 16 to 45.
14. Sri Achyutasatakam
This beautiful poem in Prakrit with 101 verses is addressed to Lord Nata Satya the same Devanayaka.
Prakrit is one of the dialects spoken in North India in olden days. Many of the Sanskrit Dramas employ different types of Prakritis such as Maharashtri, Sauraseni and Ardhamagadhi for women of lower characters like servants and the court jesters (Vidushaka) Vedanta Desika's intention in composing this poem in prakrit is to suggest his mood of Nayika (Bride or beloved) in relation to the Lord the Nayaka. This is an important dimension of the Madhura Bhakti which assumed greater proportions in the works of Nammalvar and Thirumangai alwar. The North Indians today follow this system of relation to the lord extensively. Available in prakrit too besides sanskrit.
15. Sri Mahaviravaibhavam
This is a beautiful poetic prose in praise of Sri Rama, the Great Hero composed by Desika, recalling the activities as described by Valmiki in his immortal epic The Ramayana in several kandas including the Uttara kanda. Swami Desika exhibits his skill in composing prose, ranging from simple chiselled short sentences to long and majestic compounds, achieving a rare sound effect of alliteration and rhythm. It is sometimes simple and sometimes difficult as stated by Desika himself at the end of the stotra by the expression "kathora-sukumara-gumbhagambhiram" This stotra is also known as Raghuvira Gadya. Swami Desika wrote this prose piece in honour of Sri Rama as found in a shrine located in the main temple at Thivahindrapuram.
16. Sri Gopalavimsati.
This stotra in 21 verses describes Lord Sri Krishna as a cowherd and supreme deity, found in the shrine at Thiruvahindrapuram. The second verse is said to describe the Lord as situated in a Yantra motif drawn according to the Gopalamantra. Swami Desika's superb artistry in presenting beautiful pen pictures of SriKrishna as a child and a youth is highly absorbing for its poetic charm fancy and devotional fervour. In the last verse, Desika asserts that those who read this hymn with one pointed love will have the direct vision of Lord Krishna himself.
17. Sri Dehalisastuti.
This hymn in 28 verses is addressed to Lord Trivikrama / Aayanar in Tamil the presiding deity of Tirukkovalur Gopapura in Sanskrit situated on the banks of the river Pennar. The temple is three miles south of Thirukkoilur railway station located between Katpadi and Villipuram junctions. This is the place where the first three alwars Poygai, Pey and Bhootam met and sang the earliest of the Divya Prabandham called the first three Tiruvandadis.
Dehali is the front portion of a house called Idaikazhi in Tamil leading to the main house. It is usually small in villages. According to tradition the first three alwars took shelter in the Dehali of a house at Tirukkovalur on a rainy night one after another. The place was so small and congested that one could lie down or two could sit or three just stand. suddenly the three mystic saints felt the presence of a fourth person trying to squeeze into that place pressing them very closely. The saints realised that the person was none other than the Supreme Person Himself, they were overjoyed and burst into rapturous songs describing the glory of the Lord.
Sthala Purana ascribes that The Lord appeared before Sage Mrikandu and as per his request, manifested Himself there bearing the Conch and Discus in his right and left hand respectively contarary to the usual practice. another unusual aspect is that the Lord here raises his right foot to the sky instead of the left one.
Sri Desika also points out that those who bear the Chakra and Shanka emblems of Vishnu on their shoulders forming part of pancha samskara rite will have all their desires fulfilled.
18. Sristuti.9(favourite)
Comprising 25 verses, the Sristuti is a very popular stotra composed by Desika. Addressed to Sri, the chief consort of Lord Vishnu who is inseparably associated with Him. this hymn highlights Her position according to the Vadagalai school represented by our author. According to this , Sri and Vishnu, although represented as two deities notionally, are functionally unitary. They both constitute the Godhead together. Sri is equal to Vishnu in all aspects, including perversion and lordship (verse 5, 6, and 19.) In verse 9 Desika describes the attempts of some who speak of Sri and Vishnu separately. in verse 12 he says that Goddesses like Saraswathi, Parvathi and Sachi are but small portions of Lakshmi's unbounded glory and prowess.
19. Bhustuti.
The Hymn in 33 verses is addressed to Mother Earth glorified in the scriptures as Vishnupatni, second only in importance to Sri (Lakshmi). Lord Vishnu took the form of Yajna-Varaha, killed Hiranyaksha and rescued Earth from the nether world where she was arrested by the demon, according to the Puranic episodes. She is said to pacify the Lord when he is angry with the erring souls, a role which is usually attributed to Sri. rather it is the motherly affection of all the consorts of the Lord that makes them speak on behalf of the souls. In verse 23 the poet describes the Earth in two forms as a Goddess and as a planet earth. in verse 24 he states that even yogins contemplate on this Deity. She bound by loving devotion can grant all the four human ends. Verse 32 describes Bhudevi for purpose of devout meditation.
20.Sri Godastuti.
The hymn comprising 29 verses glorifies "Goda" popularly known as Andal and Chudi-kodutha-nachiyar, who occupies a unique place in the galaxy of Srivaishnava mystic saints called Alwars. Her foster father Sri Vishnuchitta, known as Perialvar was rendering mala kainkarya to the Lord Vatapatrasayin in Srivilliputhur. He knew that his daughter was set on marrying Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam. It is said that she ultimately went to Srirangam and entered the sanctum sanctorum, she merged in the image of Lord Ranganatha.
Goda's tamil compositions, the Tiruppavai in 30 stanzas and Nachiyar Tirumozhi in 143 verses are known for their devotional fevour and lyrical beauty. Unlike Nammalvar and Tirumangai alwar whose bridal mysticism imagining oneself as the bride of the Lord was unnatural, being men,(although it is said god is the only purusha all else are women so true no body can be a perfect man its no wonder). Andals experience of and the stages of viraha in a natural way are impressive. The tiruppavai is chanted in all the temples and srivaishnava homes daily during the dhanur masam culminating in the wedding kalyanam between Andal and Sri Ranganatha.
tradition believes that Goda devi was an aspect of mother earth. verse 24 points out her role to save the erring humanity from the Lord's wrath by her mere presence besides him.
21. Nyasa Dasakam
The hymn in 10 verses summarizes the things to be done by one who surrenders himself to God. Nyasa is synonymous with Prapatti, Saranagathy,Nikshepa, Tyaga, Bharasamarpana, whole hearted surrender at the feet of the Lord is said to be more efficacious than bhakti loving devotion. One has to entrust his entire responsibility with the Lord through one's preceptor. this act is also figuratively described as the marriage between the individual soul and the God, effected by the preceptor. Vedanta Desika composed this hymn as his surrender to the lord Vardaraja at Kanchi.
22. Nyasa Vimsati.
This work in 22 verses just like Nyasadasaka and Nyasatilaka is concerned with Prapatti. The unfailing means of liberation according to the Sri Vaishnava school. Vedanta Desika himself wrote a commentary on this which goes to show the importance he attached to this work. The doctrine of surrender has been clearly established dispelling any doubt about its practicability and efficacy. He also says Nyasa is one of the brahma vidyas recommended in the scriptures. He has also given several references such as the charma sloka of the Bhagvad gita chapter 18 verse 66. Sarva dharman. he has also given the post prapatti conduct of a person and how he should live the remainder of his life and the duties to be performed.
23. Nyasatilaka.
This work in 32 verses forms an excellent treatise on the concept of Nyasa. This is an address by Vedanta Desika to Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam. In accordance to the Vadagalai Sect of which Vedanta Desika is the leader, he states that the Divine Couple Sri and Narayana constitute the Godhead.(verse 1-7) The relation between them is like the one between an attribute and its substantive. Although they are notionally different from each other functionally they are a single personality. They both are the rulers of the universe. In his other works like the commentary on Yamunacharya's Catussloki Sri desika points out that although they are both rulers of the world, there is no fear of dvairajya (there being two rulers at a time) since one of them willfully and voluntarily subordinates oneself to the other. There is no difficulty in this as being a husband and wife couple between whom such a willful subordination of one to the other is quiet common.
In verse 9 Vedanta Desika states that the tradition of Sharanagathi was inherited by him from his uncle Kidambi Appullar (Atreya Ramanuja) his maternal uncle, who was the great grandson of Pranatarthihara popularly known as Madaippalliyaccan or Mahanasika (pautraja) who was the personal cook of Sri Ramanuja.
Swami Desika also refers to the work Faith in the spiritual teacher called Acharyanishtha, which is effacious in bringing us within the reach of Gods Grace (verse 21) he also refers to the dialogue supposed to have taken place between the Lord and Sri Ramanuja towards the end of Saranagathy gadya where the Lord confirms that Prapatti would certainly procure liberation.
24. Sudarsanastakam.
This hymn in 8 verses composed by Sri Desika in praise of Sudarshana (The discus of Lord Vishnu) is very popular, being chanted by Srivaishnavas in the course of their daily worship. Sudarshana conceived as the foremost and most powerful and important weapon of all the weapons of Lord Vishnu. It receives special worship in separate shrines in the most leading Vaishnava temples. The Ahirbudhnya samhita, one of the early Pancharatra agamas, has several chapters devoted to the glorification of Sudarshana.
Sri Desika is said to have composed this beautiful stotra known for its lyrical beauty and powerful expression, to relieve the inhabitants of Tirupputkuzhi near Kanchi from the grip of a terrible fever they were suffering from. another view is that Sri Desika composed it before he entered into a fierce debate with advocates of other schools whom he vanquished in the end.
25. Sodasayudha Stotra.
This stotra in 19 verses was composed by Swami desika to cure the fever the inhabitants of Tirupputkuzhi were suffering. The Ayudhesha hetisa Lord of the weapons the Sudarshana is said to be in control of the 16 weapons mentioned in the hymn. The first eight weapons are in the right hand and the next eight weapons in the left hand. The Sudarshana itself being the foremost weapon held by Sudharshana. He goes on to say the Sudharshana protects the world.
26. Sri Garuda Dandaka.
Written in what is called the dandaka meter the poem rather poetic prose highlights the glory of Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. Know as one of the Nitya suris eternally waiting upon him in Vaikunta. this hymn opens with one verse and has two verses in the end.
Garuda is hailed in the Vedas. He is said to have two wives, Rudra and Sukirthi. He is believed to be an aspect of Sankarshana, one of the vyuha forms of the Lord.
According to traditional accounts once a snake charmer challenged Sri Desika to control the serpent he was going to let loose, so as to prove his title "Sarvatantra Svatantra". Sri Desika chanted the Garuda mantra and invoked the grace of Garuda. It is said that Garuda at once swooped and took away the cobra. The startled and repentant snake charmer requested Sri Desika to pardon him and secure his cobra back to him, since it was his only means of livelihood. Our Compassionate Desika is said to have composed the present dandaka, whereupon Garuda came back,dropped the cobra down alive and flew away.
Sri Desika in the penultimate verse of this hymn points out that the Dandaka has four padas (quarters) of 36 ganas each. Normally gana is a group of three letters. Here the first two Ganas are na consisting of three short syllables represented as l l l and ra consisting of one long one short and another long represented as the U l U. it is melodious to listen to. Five types of breath are mentioned here prana, apana,samana, udana, and vyana. he also prays for steadfast knowledge of the truth and the desire yielding cow of bhakti for Mukunda who is the main source of the universe, which Bhakti milks great bliss, is unique and free from base desires. in the end he says This dandaka on Garuda consists of 36 ganas in each quarter which open with two na-ganas and a series of ra-ganas is a novel composition full of merits. May it break the arrangements of arrays of the enemy. This garuda dandaka bestower of wonderful powers is sung by the erudite Venkatesa for the delight of the Lord (Vishnu )who has Garuda as His banner.
27. Sri Garuda Panchasat.
This stotra has 52 verses and it is devoted to the description of Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. Vedanta Desikar after meditation on Garuda had a direct vision and was given the Hayagriva mantra by Garuda.
This beautiful hymn is know for its powerful style excellent imagery and grand construction has five sections called Varnakas in keeping with the five syllables of the Garuda Mantra. The first section is called Para vyuha varnaka, the second the Amirtaharana varnaka the third the Nagadamana Varnaka the fourth the Parishkara Varnaka and the fifth Adbhuta Varnaka. These sections deal with the Glory of Garuda in the Para and Vyuha aspects. His fetching nectar from the heavens, his crushing the serpants, his being decorated with serpants, and the wonderful exploits of his respectively. In verse four and seven Swami Desika equals Garuda to the Lord itself in several aspects. this can be taken as reference that the liberated soul attains with the Lord in the highest abode. In verse 27 Lord Vishnu requests Garuda not to harm his own bed Adi Sesha.
Daily chanting of this stotra is said to ward off problems caused by poisonous creatures and terrible diseases.
28 Sri Yathiraja Saptati.
This hymn in 74 verses is in praise of Sri Ramanuja. This is set in a variety of meters. In the first 9 versesSwami Desika refers to all the teachers . celestial and divine who form the Guruparampara of the Srivaishnavas. It opens with Lord Vishnu and ends with Mahapurna the perceptor of Sri Ramanuja. He brings out the greatness of Ramanuja as the unique systematizer of the Upanishadic Pilosophy closely following the ancient philosophers like Bodayana, Tanaka, Dramida and Guhadeva. Ramanujas work though limited are unmatched in value and significance. (43) he also refers to the greatness of Sri Bhashya and calls it an upanyaso on saririka which is in tune with the Bodayana Vritti. He refers to Ramanuja as the incarnation of the five weapons of Vishnu, finally he refers to his own amazing all round proficiency in several systems of thought and that of Ramanuja's system in particular.
These stotras are treasured by the Sri Vaishnava's all over the world. Knowing even one of them by rote is considered as learned gifted blessed person.
1.Sri Hayagriva Stotra in 33 verses here Sri Desika prays for all round proficiency in sastras and art of poesy. all of his stotras ends with a phala stuthi a reward promised on rendering the stotras with faith and devotion.
Traditionally it is known that he was initiated into the Hyagriva mantra by Pakshi raja Garudar himself the vahanam of Vishnu. after mastering siddhi (acquiring perfection) he had the direct vision of Lord Hayagriva at Tiruvahindrapuram at the age of 20 years.
Lord Hayagriva is worshiped by all who are keen on acquiring proficiency in knowledge both spiritual and secular.
Lord Hayagriva is known to be the benefactor of Dakshinamurthy, Brihaspati and Vyasa all known for their profound knowledge.
A fleeting reference is made of the Lord's Consort Lakshmi in verse 32 refering to her as Amalanasrih. thus Lakshmi Hayagrivar is prayed.
2.The Sri Dasavatara Stotra in 13 verses composed after worshiping at the Dasavatara Sannidhi in Srirangam. He praises Lord Ranganatha as the Supreme Brahman and of having taken 10 avataras or manifestation to bless us.
Here the opening verse there is a pun in the word Ranga meaning Srirangam and the stage. The Lord and his consorts appear as Nayaka and Nayaki in ten different roles to enamor and delight the audience bringing auspiciousness to the one who recites this Stotra.
3. Sri Bhagavaddhyanasopanam. in 12 verses Vedanta Desikar describes the Lord from Foot to Crown leading a devotee step by step (sopanam) to ultimately create the Form of Ranganatha mulavar image before our eyes. verse 11 describes the utsava form also of the lord of Sri Rangam. It is said that the author was inspired by Tiruppanalwar's Amalanadipiran.
Is it the beauty of Sanskrit language or the Authorship of Vedanta Desikar who gives the verses such sweet sounding flow that one can memorise the verses for repetition and to visulize the Lord before us to attain steadfast devotion.
4. Abhitistava in 29 verses this hymn written at Melkote by Sri Vedanta Desikar has a ardent appeal to the Lord of Sri Rangam to make use of his Astram to deal with the vadalist muslim invassion in the south in the year 1327 by mallik Kafur and Alauddin Khillji.
this stotra is uttered to overcome fear. He appeals to the lord to keep him in Srirangam where people desire the welfare of each other. it is said Sri Vedanta desikar was nearly 60 years when he composed this stotra.
5. Sri Dayasatakam in 108 verses here the Lord is personified as Daya devi the foremost quality (compassion)of god . it abounds with poetic excellences and is divided into 10 sets of ten verses each set to different meter. Prapatti whole hearted surrender is the theme of this stotra. For Vedanta desikar there was no difference between Sri Ranganatha and Sri Venkateswara. So it should be for us too. there is only one Lord of the entire Universe.
6. Sri Varadaraja Panchasat. in 51 verses Sri Vedanta desikar describes the glory of Lord Varadaraja of kanchipuram. This hillock on which the temple is situated is said to be the very same place where Brahma performed the Horse sacrifice desiring to have a direct vision of the Lord. The rare feature of this stotra is the verse 46 where the Lord's divine body, of the colour of emerald rendered darker by the application of Kasturi is described where no ornaments or armour is present.In verse 49 he says As I continuously enjoy your incomprehensible and indescribable beauty i have no desire to reside in vaikunta also .
7. Vairagya Panchakam. in five verses here Sri Vedanta Desikar expresses his utter contempt for worldly riches, those who seek them. It is said that the boyhood friend of Vedanta Desikar who was employed by the Vijayanagar emperors met Vedanta Desikar who was living a simpleton's life in Kanchi and sent him an invitation to come to adorn the court of the Vijayanagar emperors as court poet and live a life of comfort. Here he makes it absolutely clear that he was not interested and that he had inherited the Paitamaham dhanam Lord Varadaraja who was brought by Brahma. he also says Lord Krishna turned his friend Kuchela into Kubera overnight.and that he had the ultimate wealth of all in the Lord of Hastigiri.
8. Saranagati Dipika this stotra in 59 verses brings forth the greatness of saranagathi or Prapatti as the means of salvation representing the tradition of ramanuja's Kitchen because One Pranatarthihara (Madaippalliyaccan) who was the cook of Ramanujacharya is said to have learnt the entire Srivaishnava sampradaya from Sri Ramanujacharya, this was inherited by Kidambi ramanujacharya and there after by Kidambi Appullar who was the maternal uncle of Vedanta Desikar.
The deity to whom this stotra is addressed is Dipaprakasa (Vilakkoil enberuman) this temple is situated in tirruttanka where Sri Vedanta Desikar was born close to the river Vegavathy a tributary of the great river Cauvery.
the significane of this hymn is that it sums up the whole teaching about Saranagathi its supremacy, its accessories, the post prapatti life of a prapanna, the Pancharata and the Vaikhanasa ways of worshipping the Lord, the path of light (Archiradi Marga) by which the liberated soul reaches Vaikunta, then his blissful state of loving service to the Lord there etc. the ignorance dispeller ultimately.
9. Sri Vegasetu Stotra. a hymn of 10 verses addresses the Lord Vegasetu literal meaning is one who becomes a dam across the river Vega. The sthalapurana narrates a story that the four faced Brahma wanted to perform a sacrifice and his wife being angry with him wanted to disrupt the sacrifice, she had assumed the form of a swift river vega began to innundate the sacrificial place. As Brahma prayed Lord Vishnu became a dam setu across the vega and helped Brahma complete his sacrifice. This place is refered by the Alwars as Thiruvehka which is situated about a mile from Varadaraja Temple and is known as little conjeevaram. it is also known as Yathoktakari one who does as commanded. the incident traced to the life of Thirumalisai Alwar and the King Kani Kannan. Vedanta Desikar calls the Lord Kanchi Bhagyam the good fortune of Kanchi.
10. Sri Astabhujashtakam.
This stotra is in 10 verses. addressed to Adikesava Perumal who assumed 8 hands and punished demons who wanted to disrupt the sacrifice being performed by the four faced Brahma at Kanchi. The Lord carries in his hands the usual five weapons and an arrow, spear and a lotus. the alwars name this place Attabuyakaram. Vedanta desika says that the Lord who originally had only four arms assumed 8 arms in his anxiety to come to the succour of those who surrender to him. The mulavar has eight hands but the Utsavar murthy has four arms.
Vedanta desikar in the 9th verse says. the eight verses on Lord Astabuja are the food for the traveller meaning for those who have surrendered to the Lord and are on their journey to moksha; its a tonic to those who desire to surrender. and these verses ensure the welfare of the world.
11. Sri Kamasikashtakam
This stotra in 9 verses is addressed to Lord Narasimha at a place called Velukkai located to the south of the vegavathi at Kanchi. The sanskrit equivalent of this name is Kamasika (Kama + asika) the lord motivated by his own will. he graces here to fulfill the desire of his devotees.
12. Sri Paramarthastuti.
The word Paramartha means the ultimate purpose or goal of human life. This work in 10 verses describes Lord Rama at thirupputkuzhi which is situated 7 miles west of kanchi. IT is said that Sri rama Performed the last rites of the vulture King Jatayu here. words such as Poreru, Ranapungava, Aahavapungava and Samarapungava all meaning the supreme hero in the battle field. Sri desika says Lord Rama offers Abhaya fearlessness to those who do saranagathi to him even once.
13. Sri Devanayakapanchasat.
This hymn in 53 verses describes Lord Devanayaka. He is the presiding deity at the sacred shrine at Thiruvahindrapuram near Cuddalore. Swami desika lived here and was greatly attached to this deity. The house where he lived and the well dug up by him can be seen here. Here Desika has described the lord from Head/ crown to foot (Kesadipadantam) verses 16 to 45.
14. Sri Achyutasatakam
This beautiful poem in Prakrit with 101 verses is addressed to Lord Nata Satya the same Devanayaka.
Prakrit is one of the dialects spoken in North India in olden days. Many of the Sanskrit Dramas employ different types of Prakritis such as Maharashtri, Sauraseni and Ardhamagadhi for women of lower characters like servants and the court jesters (Vidushaka) Vedanta Desika's intention in composing this poem in prakrit is to suggest his mood of Nayika (Bride or beloved) in relation to the Lord the Nayaka. This is an important dimension of the Madhura Bhakti which assumed greater proportions in the works of Nammalvar and Thirumangai alwar. The North Indians today follow this system of relation to the lord extensively. Available in prakrit too besides sanskrit.
15. Sri Mahaviravaibhavam
This is a beautiful poetic prose in praise of Sri Rama, the Great Hero composed by Desika, recalling the activities as described by Valmiki in his immortal epic The Ramayana in several kandas including the Uttara kanda. Swami Desika exhibits his skill in composing prose, ranging from simple chiselled short sentences to long and majestic compounds, achieving a rare sound effect of alliteration and rhythm. It is sometimes simple and sometimes difficult as stated by Desika himself at the end of the stotra by the expression "kathora-sukumara-gumbhagambhiram" This stotra is also known as Raghuvira Gadya. Swami Desika wrote this prose piece in honour of Sri Rama as found in a shrine located in the main temple at Thivahindrapuram.
16. Sri Gopalavimsati.
This stotra in 21 verses describes Lord Sri Krishna as a cowherd and supreme deity, found in the shrine at Thiruvahindrapuram. The second verse is said to describe the Lord as situated in a Yantra motif drawn according to the Gopalamantra. Swami Desika's superb artistry in presenting beautiful pen pictures of SriKrishna as a child and a youth is highly absorbing for its poetic charm fancy and devotional fervour. In the last verse, Desika asserts that those who read this hymn with one pointed love will have the direct vision of Lord Krishna himself.
17. Sri Dehalisastuti.
This hymn in 28 verses is addressed to Lord Trivikrama / Aayanar in Tamil the presiding deity of Tirukkovalur Gopapura in Sanskrit situated on the banks of the river Pennar. The temple is three miles south of Thirukkoilur railway station located between Katpadi and Villipuram junctions. This is the place where the first three alwars Poygai, Pey and Bhootam met and sang the earliest of the Divya Prabandham called the first three Tiruvandadis.
Dehali is the front portion of a house called Idaikazhi in Tamil leading to the main house. It is usually small in villages. According to tradition the first three alwars took shelter in the Dehali of a house at Tirukkovalur on a rainy night one after another. The place was so small and congested that one could lie down or two could sit or three just stand. suddenly the three mystic saints felt the presence of a fourth person trying to squeeze into that place pressing them very closely. The saints realised that the person was none other than the Supreme Person Himself, they were overjoyed and burst into rapturous songs describing the glory of the Lord.
Sthala Purana ascribes that The Lord appeared before Sage Mrikandu and as per his request, manifested Himself there bearing the Conch and Discus in his right and left hand respectively contarary to the usual practice. another unusual aspect is that the Lord here raises his right foot to the sky instead of the left one.
Sri Desika also points out that those who bear the Chakra and Shanka emblems of Vishnu on their shoulders forming part of pancha samskara rite will have all their desires fulfilled.
18. Sristuti.9(favourite)
Comprising 25 verses, the Sristuti is a very popular stotra composed by Desika. Addressed to Sri, the chief consort of Lord Vishnu who is inseparably associated with Him. this hymn highlights Her position according to the Vadagalai school represented by our author. According to this , Sri and Vishnu, although represented as two deities notionally, are functionally unitary. They both constitute the Godhead together. Sri is equal to Vishnu in all aspects, including perversion and lordship (verse 5, 6, and 19.) In verse 9 Desika describes the attempts of some who speak of Sri and Vishnu separately. in verse 12 he says that Goddesses like Saraswathi, Parvathi and Sachi are but small portions of Lakshmi's unbounded glory and prowess.
19. Bhustuti.
The Hymn in 33 verses is addressed to Mother Earth glorified in the scriptures as Vishnupatni, second only in importance to Sri (Lakshmi). Lord Vishnu took the form of Yajna-Varaha, killed Hiranyaksha and rescued Earth from the nether world where she was arrested by the demon, according to the Puranic episodes. She is said to pacify the Lord when he is angry with the erring souls, a role which is usually attributed to Sri. rather it is the motherly affection of all the consorts of the Lord that makes them speak on behalf of the souls. In verse 23 the poet describes the Earth in two forms as a Goddess and as a planet earth. in verse 24 he states that even yogins contemplate on this Deity. She bound by loving devotion can grant all the four human ends. Verse 32 describes Bhudevi for purpose of devout meditation.
20.Sri Godastuti.
The hymn comprising 29 verses glorifies "Goda" popularly known as Andal and Chudi-kodutha-nachiyar, who occupies a unique place in the galaxy of Srivaishnava mystic saints called Alwars. Her foster father Sri Vishnuchitta, known as Perialvar was rendering mala kainkarya to the Lord Vatapatrasayin in Srivilliputhur. He knew that his daughter was set on marrying Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam. It is said that she ultimately went to Srirangam and entered the sanctum sanctorum, she merged in the image of Lord Ranganatha.
Goda's tamil compositions, the Tiruppavai in 30 stanzas and Nachiyar Tirumozhi in 143 verses are known for their devotional fevour and lyrical beauty. Unlike Nammalvar and Tirumangai alwar whose bridal mysticism imagining oneself as the bride of the Lord was unnatural, being men,(although it is said god is the only purusha all else are women so true no body can be a perfect man its no wonder). Andals experience of and the stages of viraha in a natural way are impressive. The tiruppavai is chanted in all the temples and srivaishnava homes daily during the dhanur masam culminating in the wedding kalyanam between Andal and Sri Ranganatha.
tradition believes that Goda devi was an aspect of mother earth. verse 24 points out her role to save the erring humanity from the Lord's wrath by her mere presence besides him.
21. Nyasa Dasakam
The hymn in 10 verses summarizes the things to be done by one who surrenders himself to God. Nyasa is synonymous with Prapatti, Saranagathy,Nikshepa, Tyaga, Bharasamarpana, whole hearted surrender at the feet of the Lord is said to be more efficacious than bhakti loving devotion. One has to entrust his entire responsibility with the Lord through one's preceptor. this act is also figuratively described as the marriage between the individual soul and the God, effected by the preceptor. Vedanta Desika composed this hymn as his surrender to the lord Vardaraja at Kanchi.
22. Nyasa Vimsati.
This work in 22 verses just like Nyasadasaka and Nyasatilaka is concerned with Prapatti. The unfailing means of liberation according to the Sri Vaishnava school. Vedanta Desika himself wrote a commentary on this which goes to show the importance he attached to this work. The doctrine of surrender has been clearly established dispelling any doubt about its practicability and efficacy. He also says Nyasa is one of the brahma vidyas recommended in the scriptures. He has also given several references such as the charma sloka of the Bhagvad gita chapter 18 verse 66. Sarva dharman. he has also given the post prapatti conduct of a person and how he should live the remainder of his life and the duties to be performed.
23. Nyasatilaka.
This work in 32 verses forms an excellent treatise on the concept of Nyasa. This is an address by Vedanta Desika to Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam. In accordance to the Vadagalai Sect of which Vedanta Desika is the leader, he states that the Divine Couple Sri and Narayana constitute the Godhead.(verse 1-7) The relation between them is like the one between an attribute and its substantive. Although they are notionally different from each other functionally they are a single personality. They both are the rulers of the universe. In his other works like the commentary on Yamunacharya's Catussloki Sri desika points out that although they are both rulers of the world, there is no fear of dvairajya (there being two rulers at a time) since one of them willfully and voluntarily subordinates oneself to the other. There is no difficulty in this as being a husband and wife couple between whom such a willful subordination of one to the other is quiet common.
In verse 9 Vedanta Desika states that the tradition of Sharanagathi was inherited by him from his uncle Kidambi Appullar (Atreya Ramanuja) his maternal uncle, who was the great grandson of Pranatarthihara popularly known as Madaippalliyaccan or Mahanasika (pautraja) who was the personal cook of Sri Ramanuja.
Swami Desika also refers to the work Faith in the spiritual teacher called Acharyanishtha, which is effacious in bringing us within the reach of Gods Grace (verse 21) he also refers to the dialogue supposed to have taken place between the Lord and Sri Ramanuja towards the end of Saranagathy gadya where the Lord confirms that Prapatti would certainly procure liberation.
24. Sudarsanastakam.
This hymn in 8 verses composed by Sri Desika in praise of Sudarshana (The discus of Lord Vishnu) is very popular, being chanted by Srivaishnavas in the course of their daily worship. Sudarshana conceived as the foremost and most powerful and important weapon of all the weapons of Lord Vishnu. It receives special worship in separate shrines in the most leading Vaishnava temples. The Ahirbudhnya samhita, one of the early Pancharatra agamas, has several chapters devoted to the glorification of Sudarshana.
Sri Desika is said to have composed this beautiful stotra known for its lyrical beauty and powerful expression, to relieve the inhabitants of Tirupputkuzhi near Kanchi from the grip of a terrible fever they were suffering from. another view is that Sri Desika composed it before he entered into a fierce debate with advocates of other schools whom he vanquished in the end.
25. Sodasayudha Stotra.
This stotra in 19 verses was composed by Swami desika to cure the fever the inhabitants of Tirupputkuzhi were suffering. The Ayudhesha hetisa Lord of the weapons the Sudarshana is said to be in control of the 16 weapons mentioned in the hymn. The first eight weapons are in the right hand and the next eight weapons in the left hand. The Sudarshana itself being the foremost weapon held by Sudharshana. He goes on to say the Sudharshana protects the world.
26. Sri Garuda Dandaka.
Written in what is called the dandaka meter the poem rather poetic prose highlights the glory of Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. Know as one of the Nitya suris eternally waiting upon him in Vaikunta. this hymn opens with one verse and has two verses in the end.
Garuda is hailed in the Vedas. He is said to have two wives, Rudra and Sukirthi. He is believed to be an aspect of Sankarshana, one of the vyuha forms of the Lord.
According to traditional accounts once a snake charmer challenged Sri Desika to control the serpent he was going to let loose, so as to prove his title "Sarvatantra Svatantra". Sri Desika chanted the Garuda mantra and invoked the grace of Garuda. It is said that Garuda at once swooped and took away the cobra. The startled and repentant snake charmer requested Sri Desika to pardon him and secure his cobra back to him, since it was his only means of livelihood. Our Compassionate Desika is said to have composed the present dandaka, whereupon Garuda came back,dropped the cobra down alive and flew away.
Sri Desika in the penultimate verse of this hymn points out that the Dandaka has four padas (quarters) of 36 ganas each. Normally gana is a group of three letters. Here the first two Ganas are na consisting of three short syllables represented as l l l and ra consisting of one long one short and another long represented as the U l U. it is melodious to listen to. Five types of breath are mentioned here prana, apana,samana, udana, and vyana. he also prays for steadfast knowledge of the truth and the desire yielding cow of bhakti for Mukunda who is the main source of the universe, which Bhakti milks great bliss, is unique and free from base desires. in the end he says This dandaka on Garuda consists of 36 ganas in each quarter which open with two na-ganas and a series of ra-ganas is a novel composition full of merits. May it break the arrangements of arrays of the enemy. This garuda dandaka bestower of wonderful powers is sung by the erudite Venkatesa for the delight of the Lord (Vishnu )who has Garuda as His banner.
27. Sri Garuda Panchasat.
This stotra has 52 verses and it is devoted to the description of Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. Vedanta Desikar after meditation on Garuda had a direct vision and was given the Hayagriva mantra by Garuda.
This beautiful hymn is know for its powerful style excellent imagery and grand construction has five sections called Varnakas in keeping with the five syllables of the Garuda Mantra. The first section is called Para vyuha varnaka, the second the Amirtaharana varnaka the third the Nagadamana Varnaka the fourth the Parishkara Varnaka and the fifth Adbhuta Varnaka. These sections deal with the Glory of Garuda in the Para and Vyuha aspects. His fetching nectar from the heavens, his crushing the serpants, his being decorated with serpants, and the wonderful exploits of his respectively. In verse four and seven Swami Desika equals Garuda to the Lord itself in several aspects. this can be taken as reference that the liberated soul attains with the Lord in the highest abode. In verse 27 Lord Vishnu requests Garuda not to harm his own bed Adi Sesha.
Daily chanting of this stotra is said to ward off problems caused by poisonous creatures and terrible diseases.
28 Sri Yathiraja Saptati.
This hymn in 74 verses is in praise of Sri Ramanuja. This is set in a variety of meters. In the first 9 versesSwami Desika refers to all the teachers . celestial and divine who form the Guruparampara of the Srivaishnavas. It opens with Lord Vishnu and ends with Mahapurna the perceptor of Sri Ramanuja. He brings out the greatness of Ramanuja as the unique systematizer of the Upanishadic Pilosophy closely following the ancient philosophers like Bodayana, Tanaka, Dramida and Guhadeva. Ramanujas work though limited are unmatched in value and significance. (43) he also refers to the greatness of Sri Bhashya and calls it an upanyaso on saririka which is in tune with the Bodayana Vritti. He refers to Ramanuja as the incarnation of the five weapons of Vishnu, finally he refers to his own amazing all round proficiency in several systems of thought and that of Ramanuja's system in particular.
These stotras are treasured by the Sri Vaishnava's all over the world. Knowing even one of them by rote is considered as learned gifted blessed person.
1 comment:
Useful compilation, swami desikar thiruvadigale sharanam 🙏
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