Among the 100-odd works of Vedanta Desika, the hymns (Stotras) — numbering 28 — are the ones that appeal most to any spiritually inclined modern reader with an elementary knowledge of Sanskrit. They are ecstatic outpourings, with the verses reflecting lofty sentiments and devotional fervour.
Embedded in them are the cardinal tenets of Vaishnavism and Visishtadvaita Vedanta. They are also rich in allusions and puranic lore, demanding — as Azhvars’ Tamil hymns do — expert commentaries. In this mission of providing elucidatory and interpretative comments, few can excel the stalwart scholar, Srivatsankacharya, author of the two books under review.
Saranagati Deepika, also called Deepaprakasa stotram , is in praise of Vilakkoli Perumal , enshrined in Thooppul, a suburb of Little Kancheepuram that also happens to be the birthplace of Vedanta Desika. A hymn in praise of this deity afforded abundant scope for Desika to elaborate on all the important aspects of Sarangati or Prapatti (total surrender to God). Interestingly, Desika asserts that no type of Yogi (whether it is of the Jnana, Bhakti, Karma or any other variety) can hope to achieve even a minuscule fraction of the greatness of one who has chosen the path of Prapatti .
Of the two hymns in the other book, Vegasetu Stotram is on the Lord of ‘Vehkaa’, who is in an imposing reclining posture. When Brahma performed an ‘Aswamedha Yaga’ at Kanchee, his consort, Saraswati, had a misunderstanding which prompted her to try and disrupt the Yajna. This she sought to do by flooding the area through a swollen river, called Vegavati. Who else can help in a crisis of this type? Lord Narayana laid himself as a huge blockade, a solid dam or ‘Setu’. This is a shrine called ‘Vehkaa’, a modification of ‘Vegasetu’ or ‘Vehkanai’.
Incidentally, the deity here is also known as ‘Yathoktakaaree’ ( sonna vannam seida perumal , in Tamil), one who acts according to the dictates of a bhakta . The Lord acquired this name since, according to the legend, he did Tirumazhisai Azhvar’s bidding.
The other hymn, Vairagya Panchakam is on Varadaraja, the presiding deity of Kancheepuram temple. Of the many hymns of Desika on him, this has a historical significance in that it came as a response to the repeated requests of his long-time friend, Vidyaranya (who helped establish the Vijayanagar kingdom) to go over to his place and take up position in the royal court. Through this six-verse composition, Desika says, politely but firmly, ‘no’ to his well-meaning friend’s plea. The sweet-sounding hymn reveals his disinclination to leave Kancheepuram and his stoic indifference to material wealth — to him, Lord Varadaraja is ‘ancestral wealth’, so to say. These commentaries will of great help in understanding Desika’s works in the right perspective.
SARANAGATI DEEPIKA: Rs. 150; VEGASETU STOTRAM and VAIRAGYA PANCHAKAM: Rs.100. Both edited by V. Srivatsankacharya, with Tamil commentary. Copies can be had from S. Raghavan, D-200, Hindu Colony, No. 12, 26th Cross Street, Nanganallur, Chennai-600061.
