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From: Madhavakkannan V (srivaishnavan_at_hotmail.com)
Date: Tue Mar 20 2001 - 06:31:45 PST
SrI:
SrImathe Gopaladesika Mahadesikaya namah:
Dearest Srivaishnavas,
Let us complete this series with our enjoyment on the greatness of
asmadhAcharyan His Holiness Srimad ParavaakkOttai Andavan Sri Gopaladesika
Mahadesikan Swamy.
First is the article written by Dr. Sri U Ve NS Anantharangachar, Bangalore.
THE ROLE OF GURU IN SPIRITUAL SADHANA"
" 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.
The Prakritam Aachaarya ,Sri Paravaakkottai Aandavan Swami fulfills everyone
of these parameters admirably well and is truly a Srotriya and Brahmanishta
fit to be worshipped as God himself as ordained by Taittriya Upanishad-'
Aachaarya Devo Bhava' and as voiced by Apasthamaba-'Devamiva Aachaaryam
Upaaseetha"
===========================
Life of Srimad Andavan- Sri Gopaladesika Mahadesikan:
(by Sri Anbil Ramaswamy mama)
Born in the year Roudri on the 2nd day of Panguni under the star of
Rohini, corresponding to 17th March 1921 in the Mazhaiyur village as the
son of Sri Venkatachar Swami and Janaki Ammaal, the daughter of Puraanam
Vidwan Sri Kuppuswami Iyengar Swami. (*The village was gifted to the
forefathers of this family about 6 generations earlier. From that
time onwards the further generations of the family had been living
there*)
Srimad Andavan was named Rajagopalan after the presiding deity of
Mannargudi temple which at the time of his birth was celebrating the
Tiru Ther (car) festival. Paravakkottai Sri Venkatachariar Swami was a
pious scholar belonging to Vadhula Gotram Kandaadaiyar family who fashioned
his life strictly according to the prescribed rules for a Sri
Vaishnava. He had received instruction in Rahasya Traya Sara at the feet
of Poundarika Puram Srimad Andavan. His elder brother, (*Sri Chakravarthi
Aachariar*), also had been performing Biksha services to Srimad Andavan.
When child Rajagopalan was 2 years old, his mother died and two aunts
from Thillaiambur came to look after the child. After the Upanayana
Samskara, Sri Rajagopalan was placed under Mannargudi Sri Srinivasa
Gopalachariar for Vedic instruction
Later, he joined K.R.M. Estate Paatasaala and studied Sanskrit poetry
under a distinguished Vidwan Peruga Vaazhndaan Sri Krishnamachariar Swami.
Owing to the hard discipline of the teacher, the pupil was able to
acquire proficiency in Sanskrit.
Later, the boy was admitted into the Sanskrit college at Sholinga Puram by
Sri A.R.Krishnamachariar Swami who also instructed him in Champu literature.
Because of the boy's proficiency in Sanskrit,(* in 1936*), he was admitted
into the 3rd Year class in the Sanskrit College, Tirupathi, in which he
studied hard for 6 years. When he returned to Thillaiambur, during the
summer holidays, he did not waste a single moment; he used the occasion to
study Granthas under Vidwan
Sri Venkatachariar Swami.
During his stay at the Sanskrit college, he had as class mates or College
mates some of the distinguished scholars of the present time, such
as PURISAI KRISHNAMA CHARIAR Swami, the Editor of Nrisimhapriya,
VILLIVALAM SRI NARAYANA CHARIAR SWAMI a great scholar and brother of the
present 45th Pontiff of Ahobila Mutt and Mylapore Sri Srinivasachariar
who later set up a Publishing house _*Sarasa Kala Nilayam_*) solely for
the purpose of printing and publishing
the works of our great Acharyas like (*Melpakkam Narasimhachariar,
Marudur A.R.Krish nama chariar*). Sri Rajagopalan moved with these persons
intimately, true to the saying _ Birds of the same feather flock together.
(*When he was just 12 years old, he had his Samasrayanam and Bharanyasam
done by the Great Poundarikapuram Andavan himself*).
Having lost the mother at a tender age, child Rajagopalan had to perform
the mother's annual Sraddha. He lived such a pure and disciplined life
in strict conformity with Sri Vaishnava tradition as to win the awe and
regard of the learned Srivaishnavas of Thillaiambur. They regarded him as
another VASISHTA and
would not do or say anything unorthodox during the Sraddha.
(*.He would never take Paraannam(food outside) even from his childhood*)
Two days before Rajagopalan_s father attained the lotus feet of the Lord, he
had advised his son to do Vedaanta Kalakshepam under the feet of the
Jeeyar of Parakaala Mutt. An obedient son that he was, Sri Rajagopalan went
to Mysore and studied under Srimad Abhinava Ranganatha Parakaala Swami
such branches of knowledge as Grantha Chatushtayam.
Later, he learnt under Deekshachar Swami, Nyaya Siddhanjanam, Tattva
Muktaa Kalaapam and Nyaaya Parisuddhi and returned to Thillaiambur in 1947.
The Swami Participated in six examinations in Vedantha Sastras
conducted by _Vedaanta Desika Vichaara Sadas_ under the direction of the
Jeeyar of Parakaala Mutt. He also passed the Purva and Uttara parts
of our Vedanta in the examination conducted by _Mysore Maharaja Vidwat
Pariksha_.
Later, he entered Grihastaasramam marrying Lakshmi, the eldest daughter of
TirukKudanthai Aarupaathi Setlur Sri Srinivasachariar Swami, who was
a strict follower of Vaishnava Aachaaram and had done Vedantha
Kalakshepam. The couple was blessed with five sons and a daughter.
After getting employed as a Sanskrit Pandit at Musiri, Sri
Rajagopalachariar Swami used to visit Srirangam in connection with the
affairs of the Asramam, which was always uppermost in his mind.. On such
occasions he would call on Sri Madurantakam Vira Ragahavachariar Swami and
cultivate his acquaintance. (* Whenever he prostrated at the feet of
Madurantakam Swami, the latter would do _ Prathivandanam_. Our Swami felt
embarrassed and hit up on a plan to stop the
_Prathivandanam_. So, he submitted that that he had not been initiated
into Vaisvadevam and requested Madurantakam Swami to initiate him. This
done, the Madurantakam Swami had become his Acharyan also and there was no
way for him to do _Prathivandanam_ anymore !)
>From the distinguished scholar and Vidwan, he received Vaisva deva Upadesam,
for which he fell prostrate at the feet of the Madurantakam scholar. The
latter did not relish such respect offered to him and felt extremely
uncomfortable.
At the age 59, Sri Rajagopalachariar Swami accompanied by his family
proceeded to Kshetraadanam bathing in the Narmada, Ganga, Triveni
Confluence and afterwards offered worship at Gaya, Haridwar and
Bhadarikasramam. Then he went to Ahobilam where he participated in the 10
days Utsavam of Lord Nrisimha and returned to Musiri.
TAKING HOLY ORDER
Srimad Vennatrankarai Andavan was keen and anxious to nominate a
successor so that the Muni Traya Munirupa tradition could be continued
without break in the Acharya line. He used to sound the Srikaryam Sri
Rajagopala Iyengar about this and persuaded him to assume the Sannyasa
Asrama. One day, on the spur of the moment, he called the Srikaryam and
administered Presha Mantram, Prapatti Yogam, Sannyasa Anushtaana Kramam
and Ashrama Sweekaara-Kramam. The day before he
merged with Jyoti, he called Sri Rajagopala Swami and gave him the
ochre robes,(* Avakundanam, Jala Pavitram, Sikhyam, Kavacha Vastrams
etc.*) and staff as well as the keys of the Asramam and commanded that he
should assume the role of the Acharya in a year or two. And, for more than
a year and a half the Ashramam remained without an Acharya.
Owing to the appeal and entreaties of many eminent persons such as the
late lamented 44th Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt, Ubhaya Vedaanta NAVANEETHAM
RAMA DESIKA CHARIAR SWAMI, MADURANTAKAM SRI VEERA RAGHAVACHARIAR
SWAMI,(*Mannargudi M.S. Rangachariar Swami, Vennatrankarai Velaamur
Sowriraja Iyengar *) and a host of others, the Srikaryam Sri Rajagopala
Swami occupied the Peetam of the Acharya
in a picturesque ceremony held at Vennar Bank, Thanjavur. The place
appropriately chosen for this solemn purpose is twice-blessed. Three of the
108 Divya Desas lie here close to each other; it is the native place of
VennatranKarai Srimad Andavan and the resting place of Veliyanallur
Srimad Andavan; it is further sanctified by its association with three of
our Purvaacharyas- Sri Nainar Acharya, Brahma Tantra Swatantra Swami and
Saakshaat Swami. The Asrama
Sweekaranam took place on 20th February 1982, Dwadasi day of Masi month in
the cyclic year Dunmathi, when he assumed the new name _ SRIMAD GOPALA
DESIKA MAHA DESIKAN_.
(*On the previous day , on Ekaadasi day, he performed JEEVA SRAADDHA as
ANNA SRAADDHA. As many as 16 scholars participated in the Nimantrana
like U.V. Madurantakam Vidwan Veeraraghavachariar Swami, Vidwan Villupuram
Madhavachariar Swami, AHOBILA MATAM SRIKARYAM SWAMI, PERIYAASRAMAM U.V
PADUKAA SWAMI, Vaduvoor Salakshana Ganapaadigal who acted as
Brihaspathi, Bangalore Veda Vidwan
Swachannam Anantachariar who acted as Brahma*) (*Throughout the night, he
kept awake along with others when Madurantakam Swami delivered discourses on
Satkatha and Vedantas. NEVER BEFORE IN THE ANNALS OF ANY
MATAM OR ASRAMAM WAS SUCH A JEEVASRAADDHAM HAD BEEN PERFORMED.*)
(*The Parakaala Mutt Swami presented as Hayagriva Prasadam a Kamandalu
and Kaashaayam*)
SRIMAD ANDAVAN_S MANY-SIDED SERVICES TO RELIGION
Shortly after taking charge of the Asramam, Srimad Andavan who had spent
long and laborious years in _collecting_ Vedantic knowledge, was now
called upon by the 44th Jeeyer of Ahobila Mutt, to collect big sum
of money to meet the expenses for the construction of the 12th tier of the
Raja gopuram of Srirangam temple. Undaunted, Srimad Andavan through the
active help and cooperation of his disciples(* like Tirumalaikattam
Villankuppam P.A.Ranganatha Tatachariar Swami
of Shenoynagar Amuda Mukunda Kalyana Mandapam*SMM) was able to collect a
sum of Rs.3,43,000/- which was presented to Srimad Azhagiya Singhar.
Srimad Andavan's devotion to his and our Purvaacharyas is too apparent to
need any special mention. He renovated the Brindavanam of Velianallur Sriman
Narayana Maha Desikan at Vennar Bank, erecting of four pillared Mantapam
and installing the idol of the Acharya. (*He also raised a compound wall
and an iron fence all around the Mandapam*)
(*In 1989, the Swami visited Vennatrankarai, where the local host, Sri
Sowriraja Iyengar honored him with Poornakumbham and a heavy garland
that adorned Neelameghap Perumal. It was a sight for Gods to see !)
Under Srimad Andavan's direction, Swami Desikar_s shrine in East Uttara
Street was completely renovated. The Utsava idol of Lord Hayagriva,
previously worshipped by one Amma Sathram Seshachariar Swami was handed over
to the Asramam by his grandsons on June 13,1990. This idol as well as
idols of Ashtabujan and Vaikuntanathan were installed in the shrine. (*The
Asramam building as well as the Pushkarani were renovated at a cost of Rs.
1.5 lakhs.*)
Under the patronage and Presidentship of the Acharya, the _ Sat
Sampradaaya Samrakshana Sabha_- registered as a Society was founded in
1986 to foster FREE Sanskrit education and offer FREE instruction in the
Vedas, Prabhandas and other Grantha Chatushtayams..
The Nitya Aradhana plan to provide uninterrupted Aradhana in the Asramam
was created with a deposit of Rs.1,000 collected from each disciple.
The amount donated under the head has been deposited in the Bank and the
accruing interest is being utilized for the administration of the Asramam.
A revised edition of Rahasya Traya Sara was published in 1990.
Chillarai Rahasyangals of Swami Desika have also been published by the
Swami - in three parts. Srimad Andavan has been imparting instruction
to the disciples through Kalakshepams and tele upansyasams. On such
occasions, the disciples have highly benefited by Srimad Andavan's
approach, his mastery of the subject, the clarity of thought and the ease
with which he reduces any complicated concept in philosophy or theology
into simple and clear terms._
His Tanian reads as follows:-
Srivaasa Ranga Parakaala Munitrayaapta Lakshmaatma
Rakshana Yathitva Yugaagamaantham /
Achaarya Bhakthi Pari pootham Anargha Seelam
Gopaala Desika Munim Gurum Aasrayaamaha //
(meaning)
We seek refuge at the sacred feet of our revered AchAryan, Sri Gopala MahA
Desikan, who received the sacred rites of SamAsrayaNam , Bhara SamarpaNam
from the great AchAryA, Sri Srinivasa MahA Desikan (Srimad Poundarikapuram
Andavan); ThurIyAsramam from Sri Srinivasa MahA Desikan (Srimad
VeNNaaRRankarai Andavan) and the wealth of Ubhaya VedAntham from Srimad
Abhinava Ranganatha Brahmatantra Swantantra Parakaala Yatindra Maha
Deshikan. He shines with illustrious sadAchAram and is resplendent with his
limitless AchArya Bhakthi.
AchAryan ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam
Regards
Narayana Narayana
adiyEn Acharyan Thiruvadi Narayana dAsan madhavakkannan
_________________________________________________________________________
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