Lakshmi Kumara Thathachariar
Encyclopedia
Sri Lakshmi Kumara Thatha Desikan (Sanskrit
: श्री लक्ष्मी कुमार ताता देसिकन, Tamil
: ஸ்ரீ லக்ஷ்மி குமார தாத தேசிகன் ) (1572–1632) was a prominent Vaishnava saint and Guru
in the Hindu
tradition in Vaishnavism
, India
. Sri Lakshmi Kumara Thatha Desikan was a devotee of Lord Narayana
specially Lord Rama
and the Vaishnava Guru
Swamy Vedanta Desika
. His birth name was Sri Abharyapthamrudhan. He has the title Kottikannikadhana Thirumalai Edur Immadi Sri Lakshmi Kumara Thatha Desikan. He was the Royal Preceptor "Raja Guru" and Chief Minister of Vijayanagar Empire. He was the "Manager-General" of the Divya Desam Temples including Sri Rangam, Kanchipuram
, Tirumala, Melkote
, Srivilliputtur, He is recorded as one of the greatest Aacharyas in the lineage of Sri Ramanuja
's Vaishnavism
.
Sri Thatha Desika was the adopted son of the famous Sri Pancha Madha Bandhana Thatha Desikan (his paternal uncle), a learned scholar and most revered aacharya of the Indian Philosophy and Sri Ramanujacharya's "Visishtadvaita".
, the first among the yugas, Sri Thatha Desikan hails from a very glorious aacharya lineage with the hereditary relations from various Aacharyas of Sri Vaishnava Philosophy like Sriman Natha Munigal (Nathamuni
), Sri Alavandhar, Sri Thirumalai Nambigal ( Who is believed to be called by the Lord of Seven Hills, Tirumala Tirupati
Sri Balaji as "Thathah:" the Sanskrit
equivalent of the English Term "Holy Father"). Sri Thirumalai Nambigal being the maternal uncle of Sri Ramanujacharya (Ramanuja
) and the one who corrected Sri Govinda Bhattar alias 'Embar' the brother of Sri Ramanuja
and a venerated saint of Sri Vaishnava Sampradhaya. Sri Thirukurugai Piran Pillan being the son of Sri Thirumalai Nambigal was appointed as the 'Sri Ubhaya Vedhanta Sri Bhashya Simhasanathipathi' - literally meaning the 'Divine Incharge' of the 'Sri Bhashya' (Sri Bhasya
) the treatise to Sri Veda Vyasa's "Brahma Sutras
" written by Sri Ramanujacharya and the "Nalayira Dhivya Prabandham" (especially 'Thiruvaimozhi' of Sri Nammalvar
) the collection of 4000 songs sung by Tamil
Saints known as Alwars.
) of Thoopul. Sri Thatha Desikan comes in the chronology of 22nd Generation of Sriman Nathamunigal (Nathamuni
). He is believed to have got all the divine knowledge fed to him by the Divine Mother Goddess Sri Lakshmi Devi known as Sri Komalavalli, the consort of the presiding deity of Sri Sarangapani Temple in Kumbakonam
in Tamil Nadu (India). Sri Thatha Desikan was the Raja Guru of the Venkatapathi Rayas (I and II (known as Sriranga Raya) and was the chief minister of Sri Vijayanagar Empire. Prior to Thatha Desikan, His father Sri Sundara Thatha Desikan and Paternal Uncle Sri Pancha Madha Bandhana Thatha Desikan were adorning the courts of the Vijayanagar Kingdom as Raja Gurus or Divine Preceptors.
He guided the Kings of Vijayanagar Empire in following the righteous path known as Dharma
. He is the only person to hold the twin positions of Raja Guru and Chief Minister
of the state. The contribution of Sri Thatha Desikan in protecting the cultural values of South India and Sri Vaishnavism
could be traced from a lot of references available in the forts of the Kingdom like Chandragiri
. During his life time Sri Thatha Desikan travelled all around ancient Bharath
for the purpose of educating people from various cadres of the society to follow the codes of Righteousness. He is been referred by lot of philosophers and saints owing to various sampradhayas or walks of Hindu
religion. The great contemporary writer and philosopher Sri Appaya Dikshitar of Adayapalam has referred and praised Thatha Desikan in many of his works. He considered Thatha Desikan to be the Divine Incarnation.
with a temple tank measuring more than 150 acres known as "Thatha Samudhram" literally meaning "Sri Thatha Ocean". The presiding deity of Sri Varadharaja Perumal visits this temple once in a year during the festival named "Natabhavi Uthsavam".
Legends say that, Sri Thatha Desikan was a very pious devotee of Lord Sri Rama
. Once Sri Thatha Desikan was travelling with all the wealth he got as a reward for his knowledge and as a tribute from various kings .He was intended to offer them to the Lord of Kanchipuram Sri Varadharaja Perumal. On reaching the out skirts of Kanchi, it was late night. So Thatha Desikan decided to stay with his disciples at the place for a while and decided to continue the travel once the sun rises. So all the treasure was kept near a tree and Thatha Desikan along with his disciples fell asleep. On knowing the wealth assimilated there, a group of thieves came there to loot them. So without any one's knowledge they came there and started bundling all the resources available there without any one's notice. By then, immediately a crew of monkeys led by a senior monkey came there and started beating the thieves very badly and drove them away from the treasures. The monkeys started guarding the treasure. Thus the treasure, which was meant to be offered to the GOD, got saved from getting plundered. As a miracle, Thatha Desikan had a dream in which he was shown the entire happenings and was blessed with the Darshan of Sri Hanuman
. Thatha Desikan realised that it was none other than lord Hanuman
a sincere servant of Lord Rama
came there in his rescue. So Thatha Desikan was very much moved in Joy and tears started flowing down from his eyes. He immediately woke up and saw the thieves who have fallen unconscious being beaten heavily and the treasure being guarded by a crew of monkeys. Thatha Desikan also found his treasures saved. He was overwhelmed in devotion and decided to spend a part of the saved sum in building a magnificiant temple for Lord Hanuman
along with Sri Rama
, Sri Sita
, Sri Lakshmana
. He also built a very big lake near the constructed temple and named it as 'Sri Lakshmi
saras' , that means the 'Pond of Goddess Lakshmi' who happened to be his mother of Divine Origin as the presiding Goddess of Kumbakonam by name Sri Komalavalli of Sri Sarangapani Temple fed him the Mother's milk and the presiding Goddess of Kanchipuram Sri Perundevi saved him throughout his life and was Herself a teacher of various Arts and Philosophies to him.
But later this lake was fondly called as "Sri Thatha Samudhram" in remembrance of this great Aacharya , as the Lake was appearing majestically like an ocean running for about 150 acres in area. Even during the present days, this Temple stands to be the Biggest Temple dedicated to this form of Lord Hanuman
known as "Sri Sanjeeviraya" built during the ancient times of India
. Sri Thatha Desikan also composed a famous literary work called "Srimath Hanumath Vimsathi" in praise of this Lord Hanuman
, which are inscribed on stone tablets and are kept in the prakarams (the circle enclosure surrounding the main temple) by the then King of Vijayanagar Empire. Later the entire surroundings of this Temple came to be known as "Sri Thathayyangar Kulam" in the remembrance of Sri Thatha Desikan. This small hamlet of village with a very great historic importance is situated near to the present day Kanchipuram
.
Sri Thatha Desikan has also composed various literary works to substantiate various philosophical truths of Sri Vaishnavism
. His devoutness towards Sri Ramanujacharya and Swamy Vedanta Desikan could be very much traced from his works. He was a master of Sanskrit, Tamil, Prakrut Languages. The "Sri Desika Prabandha Eedu" serves as a testimony for his mastering the Tamil Literary skills. This work stands as a guide to the Tamil
works of Swamy Vedanta Desikan.
Sri Ramanujacharya's 'Veda artha Sangraha', works of Swamy Vedanta Desika
are capsuled in the works of Sri Thatha Desikan.The Key concepts of Sri Ramanujacharya's Vishistadvaita like : Tattva, Hita and Purushartha; The Upaya and Upeya; Chit, Achit, Eswara; the truth behind the concept of Karya,Karana; are well explained in most of the works of Sri Thatha Desikan like "Nikama Parimalam,Lakshmi Niyudam,Panchagranthi Nipaharam, Sapthagranthi Nipaharam,Satvika Brahmana Vidya Vilasa" and many. It is praise worthy to note that, Sri Thatha Desikan wrote the explanatory text of "Sri Desika Prabandha Eedu" which falls under the title of "Eedu" works, that holds as a guide to the works of Swamy Vedanta Desika. Similar Eedu work is "Thiru Aarayira Padi" (The holy 6000 verses) written by an Aacharya 'Swamy Thirukurugai Piran Pillan' as a guide for the work of Nammalvar
known as 'Thiruvaimozhi' in Nalayira Divya Prabandham. It is praise worthy to note that Sri Thatha Desikan comes in the paternal family lineage of 'Swamy Thirukurugai Piran Pillan' who is again considered to be the 'Abhimana Puthran' (equivalent term for adopted son) of Sri Ramanujacharya
Sri Thatha Desikan is revered as,
Thasmai Dharma Swaroopaya, Nirmalodhara Keerthaye |
Sri Lakshmi kumara Thathayarya Desikaya Namon Namah: ||
This literally means, we salute the great Aacharya "Sri Thatha Desikan", who is the embodiment of - the Righteousness Dharma
and innumerable valor!
. Also Swamy Thatha Desikan inherited the office of "Sri Karyam" ( known colloquially as "Dharmakartha-ship") of Kanchipuram
, Sriperumbudur
and Kumbakonam
temples from his ancestors also he governed various other temples Vishu Temples of India along with his heir apparents and the other aacharyas belonging to this clan of "Thathacharya".
Also the family of "Thirumalai Nambi" (maternal uncle of Sri Ramanujacharya) of Tirumala possessing the title of "Thathachariars" are the adherent followers of Sri Ramanuja
and Swamy Vedanta Desika
and served as the Raja Gurus (Divine Preceptors) of various Dynasties which ruled India during various periods. Sri Thatha Desikan's Paternal lineage were the Raja Gurus for the rulers of Vijayanagar
Empire including the dyansties of Saluva, Tuluva
and Sangama. Even the empires of Hoysala and Chalukya shows references to these great men with the title of "Thathacharya" being the important aacharya clan of their respective empires, who belong to the gothra of Sadamarshana Maharishi. After the fall of Vijayanagar Empire the descendants of Swamy Thatha Desikan continued to be the Royal Preceptors for the Nayaka rulers who were appointed as the Governors of various Vijayanagar Empire territories including Vilankuppam, Kanchipuram
, Trichy, Madurai
, Chandragiri
and parts of modern days TamilNadu, Karnataka
and Andhra Pradesh
The Thathacharyas are the custodians of the Kanchipuram Perarulalan Kovil popularly known as Varadaraja Perumal temple. They are the Pradhana Acharya Purushas in the protocol to receive and deliver the temple honours. In retrospection Tirumalai Nambi's son Tirukkurukai Piran Pillan was ordained by Ramanuja himself as the first and foremost among the 74 Peetadhipathis to propagate Visishtadwaita philosophy after him. Pillan was also chosen by Ramanuja as the competent person to write the commentary on ``Tiruvaimozhi. The annotation of Tiruvaimozhi thus brought out by Pillan under the behest of Ramanuja is called the famous `Araiyarpadi' the first gloss in Manipravala, an elegant mixture of Tamil and Sanskrit words, on the Divya Prabhandam. After Pillan, Tirumalai Srinivasacharya Thathachariar in the fifth generation of Thathacharyas was installed by Vedanta Desika
as the Sri Kariyam of the Devaraja Swamy Kovil ( Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple
of Kanchipuram
). Since then the office of Sri Kariyam is institutionalised in the diligence and devotion of the Thathacharyas to the Varadaraja Perumal temple in Kanchipuram. Lakshmi Kumara Thatha Desikan inherited this mantle from his ancestors and made epoch making contributions to the temple annals. He was the Sri Kariya Durandhara - a phrase connoting absolute dedication and authority - of the temple affairs. Simultaneously he was also the Raja Guru of the Vijayanagar king Venkatapathi Deva Maharaj. In Ayengarkulam, a village named after him near Kanchipuram, he built a tank and temple to Sri Rama and Hanuman
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
: श्री लक्ष्मी कुमार ताता देसिकन, Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
: ஸ்ரீ லக்ஷ்மி குமார தாத தேசிகன் ) (1572–1632) was a prominent Vaishnava saint and Guru
Guru
A guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . Other forms of manifestation of this principle can include parents, school teachers, non-human objects and even one's own intellectual discipline, if the...
in the Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
tradition in Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is a tradition of Hinduism, distinguished from other schools by its worship of Vishnu, or his associated Avatars such as Rama and Krishna, as the original and supreme God....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Sri Lakshmi Kumara Thatha Desikan was a devotee of Lord Narayana
Narayana
Narayana or Narayan or Naraina is an important Sanskrit name for Vishnu, and in many contemporary vernaculars a common Indian name. Narayana is also identified as the original man, Purusha. The Puranas present divergent views on Narayana...
specially Lord Rama
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
and the Vaishnava Guru
Guru
A guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . Other forms of manifestation of this principle can include parents, school teachers, non-human objects and even one's own intellectual discipline, if the...
Swamy Vedanta Desika
Vedanta Desika
Vedanta Desika was a Sri Vaishnava Guru. He was a poet, devotee, philosopher and master-teacher...
. His birth name was Sri Abharyapthamrudhan. He has the title Kottikannikadhana Thirumalai Edur Immadi Sri Lakshmi Kumara Thatha Desikan. He was the Royal Preceptor "Raja Guru" and Chief Minister of Vijayanagar Empire. He was the "Manager-General" of the Divya Desam Temples including Sri Rangam, Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, or Kanchi, is a temple city and a municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district...
, Tirumala, Melkote
Melkote
Melukote in Pandavapura taluk of Mandya district, Karnataka, in southern India, is one of the sacred places in Karnataka. The place is also known as Thirunarayanapuram. It is built on rocky hills, known as Yadavagiri or Yadugiri, overlooking the Cauvery valley. Melukote is about 51 km from...
, Srivilliputtur, He is recorded as one of the greatest Aacharyas in the lineage of Sri Ramanuja
Ramanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
's Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is a tradition of Hinduism, distinguished from other schools by its worship of Vishnu, or his associated Avatars such as Rama and Krishna, as the original and supreme God....
.
Sri Thatha Desika was the adopted son of the famous Sri Pancha Madha Bandhana Thatha Desikan (his paternal uncle), a learned scholar and most revered aacharya of the Indian Philosophy and Sri Ramanujacharya's "Visishtadvaita".
Sri Thatha Desikan
Taking the roots from Sri Satamarshana maharishi in Krutha Yuga Satya YugaSatya Yuga
The Satya Yuga , also called Sat Yuga, Krta Yuga and Krita Yuga in Hinduism, is the "Yuga of Truth", when mankind is governed by gods, and every manifestation or work is close to the purest ideal and mankind will allow intrinsic goodness to rule supreme...
, the first among the yugas, Sri Thatha Desikan hails from a very glorious aacharya lineage with the hereditary relations from various Aacharyas of Sri Vaishnava Philosophy like Sriman Natha Munigal (Nathamuni
Nathamuni
Nathamuni was a Tamil Vaishnava scholar who founded the Sri Vaishnava tradition.According to Sri Vaishnava history, Acharya Shriman Nathamunigal was born at Veera Narayana Puram near Kattumannarkoil...
), Sri Alavandhar, Sri Thirumalai Nambigal ( Who is believed to be called by the Lord of Seven Hills, Tirumala Tirupati
Tirupati
Tirupati may refer to:* Tirupati Temple - Temple of Lord Venkateshwara* Tirupati - a pilgrimage city located in the vicinity of the Tirupati Temple* Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams - Trust of Tirupati Temple* Thirupathi - a 2006 Tamil film...
Sri Balaji as "Thathah:" the Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
equivalent of the English Term "Holy Father"). Sri Thirumalai Nambigal being the maternal uncle of Sri Ramanujacharya (Ramanuja
Ramanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
) and the one who corrected Sri Govinda Bhattar alias 'Embar' the brother of Sri Ramanuja
Ramanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
and a venerated saint of Sri Vaishnava Sampradhaya. Sri Thirukurugai Piran Pillan being the son of Sri Thirumalai Nambigal was appointed as the 'Sri Ubhaya Vedhanta Sri Bhashya Simhasanathipathi' - literally meaning the 'Divine Incharge' of the 'Sri Bhashya' (Sri Bhasya
Sri Bhasya
The Sri Bhasya is the most famous work of Sri Ramanuja, . It is his commentary on Sri Badarayana's Vedanta Sutra. It was completed when he was around a hundred years old...
) the treatise to Sri Veda Vyasa's "Brahma Sutras
Brahma Sutras
The Brahma sūtras , also known as Vedānta Sūtras , are one of the three canonical texts of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy. A thorough study of Vedānta requires a close examination of these three texts, known in Sanskrit as the Prasthanatrayi, or the three starting points...
" written by Sri Ramanujacharya and the "Nalayira Dhivya Prabandham" (especially 'Thiruvaimozhi' of Sri Nammalvar
Nammalvar
Nammalvar also Nammazhwar,Nammaazhvaar, Nammazhvar, Nammaalvaar, Nammalwar;Tamil: நம்மாழ்வார்) was one of the twelve Alvars, well known for his many hymns on devotion to Vishnu. Legend gives him the date 3102 B.C....
) the collection of 4000 songs sung by Tamil
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
Saints known as Alwars.
Greatness
Sri Thatha Desikan traces his origin from the most celebrated aacharya purusha Swamy Nikamantha Maha Desikan (Vedanta DesikaVedanta Desika
Vedanta Desika was a Sri Vaishnava Guru. He was a poet, devotee, philosopher and master-teacher...
) of Thoopul. Sri Thatha Desikan comes in the chronology of 22nd Generation of Sriman Nathamunigal (Nathamuni
Nathamuni
Nathamuni was a Tamil Vaishnava scholar who founded the Sri Vaishnava tradition.According to Sri Vaishnava history, Acharya Shriman Nathamunigal was born at Veera Narayana Puram near Kattumannarkoil...
). He is believed to have got all the divine knowledge fed to him by the Divine Mother Goddess Sri Lakshmi Devi known as Sri Komalavalli, the consort of the presiding deity of Sri Sarangapani Temple in Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam , also spelt as Coombaconum in the records of British India , is a town and a special grade municipality in the Thanjavur district in the southeast Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located 40 kilometres from Thanjavur and 272 kilometres from Chennai, it is the headquarters of the Kumbakonam...
in Tamil Nadu (India). Sri Thatha Desikan was the Raja Guru of the Venkatapathi Rayas (I and II (known as Sriranga Raya) and was the chief minister of Sri Vijayanagar Empire. Prior to Thatha Desikan, His father Sri Sundara Thatha Desikan and Paternal Uncle Sri Pancha Madha Bandhana Thatha Desikan were adorning the courts of the Vijayanagar Kingdom as Raja Gurus or Divine Preceptors.
History
Sri Thatha Desikan during his regime brought a large army from Vijayanagar and drove away the unrighteous people from the Divya Desams of Sri Rangam, Kanchipuram, Srivilliputtur, Thirumalirum Cholai. Kumbakonam and many other places and restored the worships and conducts as directed by the greatest philosopher Sri Ramanujacharya and Swamy Sri Nikamantha Maha Desikan of Thoopul. Sri Thatha Deiskan appointed His Heirs in these places and gave a lot of grants to these Temple, to take special care on the Temple Proceedings. Sri Thatha Desikan gold plated the 'Moolavar Vimanam' (the pyramidal structure over the sanctum sanctorum) of Tirumala Tirupati, Kanchipuram and renovated the parts of Srirangam Temple Constructions. He constructed the 100 pillared mandapa in Kanchipuram Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple. He also renovated various Shrines of the said temple. Around 15 stone Tablets with inscriptions stating the same is available in the Alavandhar Thirumuttram ( The Circum circle pathway around the Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple Enclosure). A lot of Hisotrical evidences and Archaeological proofs are available in various temples like Kanchipuram Temples, Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Temple, Sri Rangam, Srivilliputtur, and in many other places.He guided the Kings of Vijayanagar Empire in following the righteous path known as Dharma
Dharma
Dharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender...
. He is the only person to hold the twin positions of Raja Guru and Chief Minister
Chief Minister
A Chief Minister is the elected head of government of a sub-national state, provinces of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, notably a state of India, a territory of Australia or a British Overseas Territory that has attained self-government...
of the state. The contribution of Sri Thatha Desikan in protecting the cultural values of South India and Sri Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is a tradition of Hinduism, distinguished from other schools by its worship of Vishnu, or his associated Avatars such as Rama and Krishna, as the original and supreme God....
could be traced from a lot of references available in the forts of the Kingdom like Chandragiri
Chandragiri
Chandragiri , is a suburb of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, India. Recently it is included under Municipal Corporation limits of Tirupati...
. During his life time Sri Thatha Desikan travelled all around ancient Bharath
Bharath
Bharath is an Indian actor, who appears in Tamil films. He is probably best known for his critically acclaimed performances in Kaadhal, Pattiyal, Veyil and Kanden Kadhalai.-Early life:...
for the purpose of educating people from various cadres of the society to follow the codes of Righteousness. He is been referred by lot of philosophers and saints owing to various sampradhayas or walks of Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
religion. The great contemporary writer and philosopher Sri Appaya Dikshitar of Adayapalam has referred and praised Thatha Desikan in many of his works. He considered Thatha Desikan to be the Divine Incarnation.
Thatha Samudhram
Sri Thatha Desikan constructed a temple in 'Ayyankar Kulam', a small village near Kanchipuram known to be as "Thatha Samuthram – Sri Lakshmi Saras Sri Maruthi /Sri Sanjeevirayar Temple" for Sri HanumanHanuman
Hanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
with a temple tank measuring more than 150 acres known as "Thatha Samudhram" literally meaning "Sri Thatha Ocean". The presiding deity of Sri Varadharaja Perumal visits this temple once in a year during the festival named "Natabhavi Uthsavam".
Legends say that, Sri Thatha Desikan was a very pious devotee of Lord Sri Rama
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
. Once Sri Thatha Desikan was travelling with all the wealth he got as a reward for his knowledge and as a tribute from various kings .He was intended to offer them to the Lord of Kanchipuram Sri Varadharaja Perumal. On reaching the out skirts of Kanchi, it was late night. So Thatha Desikan decided to stay with his disciples at the place for a while and decided to continue the travel once the sun rises. So all the treasure was kept near a tree and Thatha Desikan along with his disciples fell asleep. On knowing the wealth assimilated there, a group of thieves came there to loot them. So without any one's knowledge they came there and started bundling all the resources available there without any one's notice. By then, immediately a crew of monkeys led by a senior monkey came there and started beating the thieves very badly and drove them away from the treasures. The monkeys started guarding the treasure. Thus the treasure, which was meant to be offered to the GOD, got saved from getting plundered. As a miracle, Thatha Desikan had a dream in which he was shown the entire happenings and was blessed with the Darshan of Sri Hanuman
Hanuman
Hanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
. Thatha Desikan realised that it was none other than lord Hanuman
Hanuman
Hanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
a sincere servant of Lord Rama
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
came there in his rescue. So Thatha Desikan was very much moved in Joy and tears started flowing down from his eyes. He immediately woke up and saw the thieves who have fallen unconscious being beaten heavily and the treasure being guarded by a crew of monkeys. Thatha Desikan also found his treasures saved. He was overwhelmed in devotion and decided to spend a part of the saved sum in building a magnificiant temple for Lord Hanuman
Hanuman
Hanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
along with Sri Rama
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
, Sri Sita
SITA
SITA is a multinational information technology company specialising in providing IT and telecommunication services to the air transport industry...
, Sri Lakshmana
Lakshmana
Lakshmana was the brother and close companion of Rama, and himself a hero in the famous epic Ramayana...
. He also built a very big lake near the constructed temple and named it as 'Sri Lakshmi
Lakshmi
Lakshmi or Lakumi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity , light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Representations of Lakshmi are also found in Jain monuments...
saras' , that means the 'Pond of Goddess Lakshmi' who happened to be his mother of Divine Origin as the presiding Goddess of Kumbakonam by name Sri Komalavalli of Sri Sarangapani Temple fed him the Mother's milk and the presiding Goddess of Kanchipuram Sri Perundevi saved him throughout his life and was Herself a teacher of various Arts and Philosophies to him.
But later this lake was fondly called as "Sri Thatha Samudhram" in remembrance of this great Aacharya , as the Lake was appearing majestically like an ocean running for about 150 acres in area. Even during the present days, this Temple stands to be the Biggest Temple dedicated to this form of Lord Hanuman
Hanuman
Hanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
known as "Sri Sanjeeviraya" built during the ancient times of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Sri Thatha Desikan also composed a famous literary work called "Srimath Hanumath Vimsathi" in praise of this Lord Hanuman
Hanuman
Hanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
, which are inscribed on stone tablets and are kept in the prakarams (the circle enclosure surrounding the main temple) by the then King of Vijayanagar Empire. Later the entire surroundings of this Temple came to be known as "Sri Thathayyangar Kulam" in the remembrance of Sri Thatha Desikan. This small hamlet of village with a very great historic importance is situated near to the present day Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, or Kanchi, is a temple city and a municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district...
.
Contribution to literature
Sri Thatha Desikan has composed a lot of literary works including "Sri Hanumath Vimsadhi", "Nikama Parimalam", "Sri Panduranga Mahathmiyam", "Sri Desika Prabandha Eedu" and many more in the languages of Sanskrit and Tamil. These works are preserved in the libraries of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. The work "Sri Thatha Vimsathi" composed on the greatness of Sri Thatha Desikan clearly records various acts and deeds of this great Scholar.Sri Thatha Desikan has also composed various literary works to substantiate various philosophical truths of Sri Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is a tradition of Hinduism, distinguished from other schools by its worship of Vishnu, or his associated Avatars such as Rama and Krishna, as the original and supreme God....
. His devoutness towards Sri Ramanujacharya and Swamy Vedanta Desikan could be very much traced from his works. He was a master of Sanskrit, Tamil, Prakrut Languages. The "Sri Desika Prabandha Eedu" serves as a testimony for his mastering the Tamil Literary skills. This work stands as a guide to the Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
works of Swamy Vedanta Desikan.
Philosophy
Sri Thatha Desikan followed the Vadakalai sect of modern Vaishnavism and his thoughts were deeply rooted his works. He was a sincere follower of Swamy Sri Nikamantha Maha Desikan of Thoopul (Vedanta Desika) and followed his foot steps. He had Sri Rama with Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata, Satrugana and Hanuman as his personal deity and carried them in a golden box to all the places where ever he travelled. Sri Thatha Desikan was considered as an embodiment of Truth, Devotion, Supreme Knowledge and Literature. He was revered as an "Aacharya Mahanubhava" which is the "Greatest Teacher and Philosopher". Sri Thatha Desikan abided to the codes of Vaishnavism and its philosophical values as drafted by the Lineage of Teachers starting from Nammalvar to Swamy Vedanta Desika. Even though Sri Vaishnavism has a broader perspective of having existence from time immemorial, the accountability in this Kali yuga as marked by the Hindu calendar starts with the teachings of Alwars who are the saint-people who are believed to be sent by Sriman Narayana the Supreme God-Head, to relieve the people of this materialistic world from the glitches of Maya, an equivalent term of 'illusion'. Sri Thatha Desikan was praised and celebrated not only for the great knowledge level of him, but also for being so simple and entirely proud-less, as a person who has done a variety of contributions to the religion of Hinduism -Sri Vaishnavism and to the Sampradhaya (the way) shown by Vedanta DesikaSri Ramanujacharya's 'Veda artha Sangraha', works of Swamy Vedanta Desika
Vedanta Desika
Vedanta Desika was a Sri Vaishnava Guru. He was a poet, devotee, philosopher and master-teacher...
are capsuled in the works of Sri Thatha Desikan.The Key concepts of Sri Ramanujacharya's Vishistadvaita like : Tattva, Hita and Purushartha; The Upaya and Upeya; Chit, Achit, Eswara; the truth behind the concept of Karya,Karana; are well explained in most of the works of Sri Thatha Desikan like "Nikama Parimalam,Lakshmi Niyudam,Panchagranthi Nipaharam, Sapthagranthi Nipaharam,Satvika Brahmana Vidya Vilasa" and many. It is praise worthy to note that, Sri Thatha Desikan wrote the explanatory text of "Sri Desika Prabandha Eedu" which falls under the title of "Eedu" works, that holds as a guide to the works of Swamy Vedanta Desika. Similar Eedu work is "Thiru Aarayira Padi" (The holy 6000 verses) written by an Aacharya 'Swamy Thirukurugai Piran Pillan' as a guide for the work of Nammalvar
Nammalvar
Nammalvar also Nammazhwar,Nammaazhvaar, Nammazhvar, Nammaalvaar, Nammalwar;Tamil: நம்மாழ்வார்) was one of the twelve Alvars, well known for his many hymns on devotion to Vishnu. Legend gives him the date 3102 B.C....
known as 'Thiruvaimozhi' in Nalayira Divya Prabandham. It is praise worthy to note that Sri Thatha Desikan comes in the paternal family lineage of 'Swamy Thirukurugai Piran Pillan' who is again considered to be the 'Abhimana Puthran' (equivalent term for adopted son) of Sri Ramanujacharya
Sri Thatha Desikan is revered as,
Thasmai Dharma Swaroopaya, Nirmalodhara Keerthaye |
Sri Lakshmi kumara Thathayarya Desikaya Namon Namah: ||
This literally means, we salute the great Aacharya "Sri Thatha Desikan", who is the embodiment of - the Righteousness Dharma
Dharma
Dharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender...
and innumerable valor!
Royal Patronage
Sri Thatha Desika was the royal preceptor of the Vijayanagar Empire and was revered with high respects and fame. He was the 'Raja Guru' – 'The Royal Teacher' and the 'Chief Minister' of Venkatapathi Raya I and Venkatapathy Raya II known as Sri Ranga Raya. The Kings patronised the contributions of this legend and made Him the "Manager-General" known as "Sri Karya Thurantharar" of all the Divya Desam Temples existing in their Empire, which are the 108 temples offered to Hindu God-Head Vishnu in India, with the aacharya having the base at KanchipuramKanchipuram
Kanchipuram, or Kanchi, is a temple city and a municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district...
. Also Swamy Thatha Desikan inherited the office of "Sri Karyam" ( known colloquially as "Dharmakartha-ship") of Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, or Kanchi, is a temple city and a municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district...
, Sriperumbudur
Sriperumbudur
Sriperumbudur is an industrial city in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located in proximity to Chennai. It is famous for being the birth place of Sri Ramanuja, one of the most prominent Hindu Vaishnava saints as well as the town where former Indian Prime Minister...
and Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam , also spelt as Coombaconum in the records of British India , is a town and a special grade municipality in the Thanjavur district in the southeast Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located 40 kilometres from Thanjavur and 272 kilometres from Chennai, it is the headquarters of the Kumbakonam...
temples from his ancestors also he governed various other temples Vishu Temples of India along with his heir apparents and the other aacharyas belonging to this clan of "Thathacharya".
Also the family of "Thirumalai Nambi" (maternal uncle of Sri Ramanujacharya) of Tirumala possessing the title of "Thathachariars" are the adherent followers of Sri Ramanuja
Ramanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
and Swamy Vedanta Desika
Vedanta Desika
Vedanta Desika was a Sri Vaishnava Guru. He was a poet, devotee, philosopher and master-teacher...
and served as the Raja Gurus (Divine Preceptors) of various Dynasties which ruled India during various periods. Sri Thatha Desikan's Paternal lineage were the Raja Gurus for the rulers of Vijayanagar
Vijayanagara Empire
The Vijayanagara Empire , referred as the Kingdom of Bisnaga by the Portuguese, was an empire based in South Indian in the Deccan Plateau region. It was established in 1336 by Harihara I and his brother Bukka Raya I of the Yadava lineage. The empire rose to prominence as a culmination of attempts...
Empire including the dyansties of Saluva, Tuluva
Tuluva
The Tuluva -Geographic Distribution :Though most of the Tuluva population is found in the Tulu Nadu region, migrant poplulations are found the world over. In recent times, the first period of migration started at the beginning of the 20th century to places such as Mumbai and Chennai and other...
and Sangama. Even the empires of Hoysala and Chalukya shows references to these great men with the title of "Thathacharya" being the important aacharya clan of their respective empires, who belong to the gothra of Sadamarshana Maharishi. After the fall of Vijayanagar Empire the descendants of Swamy Thatha Desikan continued to be the Royal Preceptors for the Nayaka rulers who were appointed as the Governors of various Vijayanagar Empire territories including Vilankuppam, Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, or Kanchi, is a temple city and a municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district...
, Trichy, Madurai
Madurai
Madurai is the third largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It served as the capital city of the Pandyan Kingdom. It is the administrative headquarters of Madurai District and is famous for its temples built by Pandyan and...
, Chandragiri
Chandragiri
Chandragiri , is a suburb of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, India. Recently it is included under Municipal Corporation limits of Tirupati...
and parts of modern days TamilNadu, Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
and Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
Humanitarianism
The Love of this great Aacharya for the poor and suffering was well-known by the excellent generous contributions that He made to bring them up in their lives. He established a lot of "Anna Chatrams" – "Feeding Halls" and established the so called "Desanthri Kattalai" the "Order to serve Travellers" in various Temples to feed the Devotees visiting those temples daily. He sponsored the wedding of a lot of needy couples and hence adorned with the Honorary Title "Koti Kannikadhana" that reveres Him to have helped almost ten million couples or literally couples in a large crowd known as "Koshti"! He was praised as "Ubhaya Vedantha Chariyar", meaning "The master of both Sanskrit Sacred Texts – Vedas and Upanishads and Tamil works of Alwars known as Prabandhas"Descendants
Even today the Descendants of Sri Koti Kannikadhana Sri Lakshmi Kumara Thatha Desikan are living in various Divya Desams as the teachers of the Philosophical values and rich Indian Culture and are continuing many righteous deeds that are bound for them.The Thathacharyas are the custodians of the Kanchipuram Perarulalan Kovil popularly known as Varadaraja Perumal temple. They are the Pradhana Acharya Purushas in the protocol to receive and deliver the temple honours. In retrospection Tirumalai Nambi's son Tirukkurukai Piran Pillan was ordained by Ramanuja himself as the first and foremost among the 74 Peetadhipathis to propagate Visishtadwaita philosophy after him. Pillan was also chosen by Ramanuja as the competent person to write the commentary on ``Tiruvaimozhi. The annotation of Tiruvaimozhi thus brought out by Pillan under the behest of Ramanuja is called the famous `Araiyarpadi' the first gloss in Manipravala, an elegant mixture of Tamil and Sanskrit words, on the Divya Prabhandam. After Pillan, Tirumalai Srinivasacharya Thathachariar in the fifth generation of Thathacharyas was installed by Vedanta Desika
Vedanta Desika
Vedanta Desika was a Sri Vaishnava Guru. He was a poet, devotee, philosopher and master-teacher...
as the Sri Kariyam of the Devaraja Swamy Kovil ( Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple
Varadharaja Perumal Temple
Varadharaja Perumal Temple or Hastagiri or Attiyuran is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in the holy city of Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu, India...
of Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, or Kanchi, is a temple city and a municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district...
). Since then the office of Sri Kariyam is institutionalised in the diligence and devotion of the Thathacharyas to the Varadaraja Perumal temple in Kanchipuram. Lakshmi Kumara Thatha Desikan inherited this mantle from his ancestors and made epoch making contributions to the temple annals. He was the Sri Kariya Durandhara - a phrase connoting absolute dedication and authority - of the temple affairs. Simultaneously he was also the Raja Guru of the Vijayanagar king Venkatapathi Deva Maharaj. In Ayengarkulam, a village named after him near Kanchipuram, he built a tank and temple to Sri Rama and Hanuman
During Modern Days
In the city of modern Kanchipuram , the Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple's Sri Vedantha Desikan Sannidhi houses a sixfeet idol of Sri Lakshmikumara Thatha Desikan along with His consort Sri Kamala Ammangar paying their homage to their aacharya Sri Swamy Nikamantha Maha Desikan. Whenever the presiding deity of Sri Varadharaja Perumal starts for procession, the respect to these Aacharyas – Swamy Sri Nikamantha Maha Desikan and Swamy Sri Lakshmi Kumara Thatha Desikan are offered the "Satari" – The religious crown shaped structure with the imprints of the Lotus Feet of the Lord Vishnu in it, with the "Theertham" – sacred water and the Garland "Malai" "Mariyadhai" – "Respect". Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple also houses the processional deity of Sri Lakshmi Kumara Thathadesikan.Sources
- "Sri Thatha Vimsadhi" by Sri Venkata Varadha Kavi - TTD library
- "Guru paramparai prabhavam 6000 padi - Part 2 Aacharyargal Vaibhavam" Sri Parakala Mutt
- "Sri Lakshmi Kumarodhayam" a fifteenth century work of Vijayanagar Kingdom
- "Sadamarshana Gothra Prabhavam" by Seva Srinivasa Raghavan
- The inscriptions found in various Temples of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh
External links
- http://www.hinduonnet.com/2000/11/24/stories/13240901.htm
- http://www.genealogy.com/users/j/a/i/Tirumala-B-Jairam/FILE/0004text.txt
- http://www.thehindu.com/arts/magazine/article1072944.ece
- http://www.ibiblio.org/sadagopan/acharyans/sd13.htm
- http://www.genealogy.com/users/j/a/i/Tirumala-B-Jairam/FILE/0003text.txt
- http://www.munitrayam.org/andavanashram/avv5.html
- http://wn.com/Vijayanagara_Empire
- http://www.indiadivine.org/audarya/sri-vaishnava-forum/167749-fw-ramanujamission-fw-brahmotsavam-navalpakkam-temple-desika-stothram-mp3-cd.html
- http://www.lakshmihayagriva.org/
- http://www.wherewasitshot.com/2010/11/18/sri-sanjeevi-rayar-temple-ayyangar-kulam-kanchipuram/