2008

Darsanam

taic[mf
Series of article collected / published
by Sravana Samithi, Muscat about
Swami Desikan during the holy
month of Purattasi.
Sarvadari, Purattasi 8, 8th article
9/24/2008
Swami Vedanta Desikan, Taramani
Hamsa Pakshi is considered as an epitome of grace goodness and purity.
There is a popular saying in the Sanskrit literature known as Hamsa-Ksheera
nyAyam. If a jar of milk and water mixed together is given to a swan, the
bird has the knowledge to only imbibe the milk and
leave the water behind. This incredible quality of
the Hamsa Pakshi is always quoted in our
Poorvaacharyas works. In fact our Aazhwaars
while singing the paasurams describe
Perumal and Piratti as twin swans gliding
together.
The jnanam of the Hamsa Pakshi is
equated with our Aacharyas and that is the
reason why our Aacharyas are called
Paramahamsa. This sobriquet is used even to our
prakritam Aacharyas who adorn the different peetham. That is
because they have the ability to choose the essential and superlative leaving behind the
lesser ones behind. Thus like a Hamsa Pakshi they can separate the relevant and
essential from the Vedas. This immense task can be performed only by an Aacharyan.
Our Swamy out of his compassion descended on this bhoolokam as a
Paramaacharyan. Our Swamy too is a Parama Hamsam. He gleaned the Saratama
Arthangal from the Shastras and packed it in his works for us to make easy reading. His
Mahopakaaram cannot be described. He takes us by hand as it were and removes the
doubts and confusions that may arise in dull minds. In Our Swamy’s works the Beeja
Mantram of Vedas are embedded. His compassion towards mankind is seen in the fact
that he wanted all to benefit from his slokas so he created it in such a way that even
ladies and others who are not adhikaris for reading the Vedas can benefit.

Arana Desikan, Series of Article 8/30 Page 2 of 4

 Our Swamy’s Aacharyan and uncle Sri Appullar was popularly known as
Vadihamsabuvaahar. He got the title because his arguments and debates with his
opponents were like the dark rain bearing cloud to the swans. These swans unable to
bear the heavy downpour like refutations of Sri Appullar ran helter skelter for cover.
But Our Swamy
was different. He was a
different swan. The
teachings of Sri Appullar
were like nectar for him.
He imbibed his
Aacharyan’s message
very well. Sri Appullar
took Our Swamy to Sri
Nadaadur Ammal for the
latter to shower his
Swami Desikan learning Sastras from His Acharyan Sri Appullar
kataksham on the small
boy. Sri Appullar was the
Aacharyan who initiated Our Swamy to Sri Garuda Mantram. Our Param Saatvika
Swamy fully imibibed his master’s teachings. That is why he says in one of his works
that he is like a parrot who has been spiritually raised and cared by his Aacharyan.
Our Swamy in Amrutha svadhini says in the 33 rd paasuram that the
swans in the world felt weak and sad .Their beauty, gait and their ability to separate
milk from water was rendered useless after the arrival of Sri Bhaashyakaarar. He came
and defeated all the detractors and MayaVaadis .As a result the world was painted
white like the white conch. This made the swans who were thinking that they were
indispensible in separating the truth from the false matter, useless. Our Poorvaacharyas
always regarded the Hamsa Pakshi as a superior living being for its jnanam.But the
arrival of Sri Ramanuja the regal King of Swans made others look small and
meaningless.
May this royal Hamsam always show us unstinted devotion

Arana Desikan, Series of Article 8/30 Page 3 of 4

Vaazhi Parama Hamsa parivrAjaka Swamy Desikan .
Vaazhi Thoopul ParamaHamsam.

Ideas taken from

Courtesy:- Sri Ranga Sri Sri C.G Balaji

Nangainallur Venkatesan

Swami Desikan, Villiambakkam

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