Sri Vedanta Desikan | |
|---|---|
 Swamy Sri Vedanta Desikan as in Kanchipuram with lions on two sides | |
| Personal | |
| Born | Gopalan 1933 CE CE |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Organization | |
| Philosophy | Ramanuja's Vishistadvaita |
| Religious career | |
| Guru | Sri U.Ve Rama Desikachariar |
| Honors | Vidhya Bhushan, Vaishnava Simham, Desika Kainkarya Sri |
V N GOPALA DESIKACHARIAR
The tradition of Vaishnava Sampradaya boasts of innumerable Acharyas who had distinguished themselves through dedicated service to the propagation of its principles and through their role as spiritual teachers or acharyas. Swami V. N. Gopala Desikachariar (Vangipuram Navanitam Gopala Desikachariar) belong to this class of illustrious men of erudition.
Swami was born on 15th December 1933 to U.Ve Rama Desikachariar at Oppilliappan temple, village near Kumbakonam, Tamilnadu on Anuradha Nakshatra. His father was also a great acharya by himself and torch bearer of Oppilliappan Swamy acharya paramapara. Rama Desiikachariar was born in 1901 and completed Sanskrit Siromani from Madras University , Srirama Desikachariar was a teacher by profession and, even while in service, had his tutelage in the spiritual realm under his father, Krishnamachariar, from whom he learnt the Vaishnavite scriptural texts in the traditional manner. An acknowledged authority on Vaishnavism and a spiritual Guru (preceptor) for a large circle of disciples, Krishnamachariar had published several sacred works, including the Mahabharata. Quite a few of the works, such as a commentary on the Upanishads by Rangaramanujamuni (17th century) and `Nayamayukhamalika' of Appayya Diskhitar, which were available till then only in palm leaves, found its way into print because of his efforts. For his part, Srirama Desikachariar had done monumental service to the cause of Vaishnavism by editing several of the works of Vedanta Desika, with lucid commentaries, explanatory notes, annotations and so on. Among them were: Desika Stotras, Desika Prabandha, Rahasyatrayasara, Hamsasandesa and Sillarai-rahasyas. Remarkable indeed was his contribution to the popularisation of Vedanta Desika and his works.
Background and Qualification in Shastras – Nyaya, Mimamsa, Vyakarana and Dharma Shastras
Hailing from a traditionally learned family of scholars, Swami studied Samanya shastras under his father, in the traditional manner and Vyakarana Shastra in college. He also completed grantha chatustaya kalakshepam under his father itself.
Acharya Parampara
- Kethandipatti Swami
- Thiruvahindrapuram Swami
- Thiruvinnagar Srimad Swami - U.Ve. Krishnamachariar
- Thiruvinnagar Rama Desikachariar
- Swami V.N Gopala Desikachariar
Significant works being done
Shastra Pravachanas / Teachings
The Swamiji is now teaching Shastras for over 20 years including Vedanta to several sishyas, regularly in batches. Swamiji has delivered classes / kalakshepams to more than 800 sishyas for several thousands of hours, in the past 20 years.
Philosophical Teacher
Visiting several remote and interior villages frequently, interacting with people from all sections of society and giving them lectures on spiritual matters and clarifying their doubts
Vaishnava Acharya
Swamiji has performed the holy ceremonies of Vaishnavism – Samashrayanam and Baranyasam to thousands of Sishyas preaching interalia the philosophy of Uttara Mimamsa as reflected in Visishtadvaita All the above things, the Swamiji has been doing as a self-less service for the benefit of humanity without accepting anything in return. Swamiji does not accept any sambhavana in cash or kind – from the thousands of Sishyas and others as well
Scholastic contribution
- Presiding over religious / spiritual conferences at various places
- Helping Ph.D. students in their research in subjects of philosophy and religion
- Contributing spiritual articles in religious magazines. Souvenirs regular
Particulars of Literary works:
Have so far written and published 41 books (English and Tamil, #20 and #26 in the list are multiple books - totalling to 41), running to nearly 12,000 pages, with the main intent of spreading the teachings of Vedas, Upanishads and Spiritual works to the mass
Books written and Published
- Nyaya/Tarka Based
- Dialogue on Hinduism – Scholarly exposition of Sanatana Dharma in simple dialogue form based on Swamy Vedanta Desika’s works on Nyaya - Nyaya Parisuddhi & Nyaya Siddhanjana
- Upanishad Based
- Upanishad Based
- Upanishadic Tales – 240 pages - Tales from all 10 major Upanishads explaining philosophies in lucid language
- Brahma sutra aka Vedanta Sutra of Sage Vyasa – 230 pages - Simple commentary on Brahma sutra bringing out all key philosophical concepts in a simple language
- Sankalpa Suryodaya – 2 Volumes ; 750 pages - Book written by Swamy Vedanta Desikan in refute of Krishna Misra’s advaitic work Prabodha Chandrodaya. Swamiji’s scholastic knowledge brings out the subtle differences in shastras through the tamil explanation of this Sanskrit work
- Vainavam – Oor Uraiyadal – Based on the Sanskrit works of Sri Bhashya and Vedartha Sangraha of Bhagavad Ramanuja. All key concepts of Visishtadvaitha philosophies explained in dialogue form
- Miscellaneous stories in Mahabaratha – 450 pages - A collection of miscellaneous stories in Mahabaratha, highlighting Vedic and philosophical concepts. Moral and ethical values
- Miscellaneous tales from Ramayanam – 220 pages
- Commentary of Bhagavad Gita – 2 Volumes – 700 pages - Based on the following Sanskrit works – Gita Bhashya by Swamy Ramanuja and Tatparya Chandrika by Swamy Vedanta Desika
- Commentary on Vishnu SahasraNama of Veda Vyasa – 2 Volumes 1160 Pages - Based on the Sanskrit works – Ramayana, Mahabharatha, Bhagavatha, Vishnu Purana and the Sanskrit Commentaries of Adi Sankara and Sri Parasara Battar
- Subhashita Nivi – Sanskrit work of Vedanta Desika similar to Bhartrhari’s Niti Sataka (Translated in tamil)
- Maraimurthi Kanna (Vedic God Krishna) – 300 pages - Miscellaneous essays on spiritual topics, based on the teachings of Vedas, Upanishads etc.
- Tirumal Thiruvarul (God Vishnu’s Grace) – 310 pages - Miscellaneous essays on spiritual topics, based on the teachings of Ramayana, Mahabharata etc.
- Commentary on Satakobar Andhadhi of the great Tamil poet Kamban – 400 pages - Contains appropriate reference to Sanskrit holy works like Upanishads, Ramayana and Mahabharata
- Commentary on Desika Nootrandhadhi – 350 pages - Contains appropriate reference to allied Sanskrit works
- Dinam oru Divya Prabandha Pasuram – commentary 380 pages - Contains appropriate reference to Sanskrit holy works like Upanishads, Ramayana and Mahabharatha
- Maale Mani Vanna – 270 pages - Compendium of miscellaneous articles, based on Bhagavata, Azhvar’s works
- Tirukkolur Rahasyangal – 510 pages - Miscellaneous articles highlighting the principles and anecdotes in Ramayana Mahabharata and Bhagavatha
- Kodhaiyin kaadhal – 400 pages - An exposition on Andal’s Nachiar Tirumozhi, a poetic treaty, drawing appropriate references from Ramayana Mahabharata and Bhagavatha
- Enippadigal – 260 pages - Description of the soul’s efforts to attain salvation and its attainment, drawing references from the Upanishads, Sanskrit works of Ramanuja and Swamy Vedanta Desika
- Thiruvaimozhi Amudham – Parts 1 to 10 (10 volumes) – 2500 pages - Commentary on Satakoban’s Tiruvaimozhi. Contains appropriate references to Sanskrit holy works like Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Vishnu Purana and Bhagavatam
- Ramanuja Nootrandhadhi – commentary – 230 pages
- Gita Govindam – Commentary on the Sanskrit work of Jeyadevar. – 220 pages
- Krishna Karnamrutha Thuligal
- Uddhava Gita – from Bhagavatham – 192 pages
- Prapatti Arivom Thelivom – Philosophy of Prapatti – 224 pages
- Sthala Puranam of Oppiliappan temple – in English and Tamil
- Sri Vaishnava
- Life history of Azhwars
- Tiruppavai – commentary
- Oppiliappan Sahasra Nama
- Navanita Parampara
Titles conferred
Conferred the title of “Vidya Bhushan” by the Chief Minister of Pondichery in 2010
Conferred the title of “Vaishnava Simham” by Nammalwar Foundation in Chennai in 2011
Conferred the title “Desika Kainkarya Sri” by Thiruvaheendrapuram Sri Adhyapaga Sabha Category:Sri Vaishnava religious leaders Category:Acharyas Category:Thiruvinnagar Swamy Parampara