Originally published by Desika Vidya Except a few pagan religions, all theological texts in the world speak about a kind and benevolent supreme Being who responds to human appeals and helps out people in distress. The Vedas are no exception. In fact, the Upanishads, supported by the Epics and Puranas, tell us that the supreme …
Whenever we refer to the supreme Lord Śrīman Nārāyana, we add the prefix ‘Śrī Bhūmi Nīlā Sameta’, showing that He is always with His three Consorts viz Śrīdevī, Bhūdevī and Nīlādevi. The Purusasūkta – Uttara-anuvāka contains the words ‘Hrīśca te Laksmīśca patnyau’ indicating that both Hrih (another name for Bhūdevī) and Laksmī are His Consorts. …
Originally published in Anjali While conversing on the battlefield before the commencement of war, Arjuna tells Krishna that ‘the mind is restless, turbulent, strong and obstinate’ (Gita VI-34: chanchalam hi manah krishna pramaathi balavad dridham). The world has witnessed many a time that once the mind gets an idea, it runs away on the strength …
Originally published in the Rangatha Paduka, January 2004 edition The Guruparamparā-prabhāva records that Śrī Vedāntadeśika showed his precocious genius in an assembly of scholars even at the early age of five. Under instructions from Śrī Nadādūr Ammāl, he was tutored by his maternal uncle Śrī Kidāmbi Appullār. He completed his entire study of both …
Originally published in Vedanta Desika Vidya, May 2010 edition Though surrender has been enjoined as a sure means to secure His grace by the supreme Lord Himself in His various incarnations as Sri Varaha, Sri Rama and Sri Krishna, it was only after preceptors like Sri Alavandar and Sri Ramanuja arrived on the scene, …
