SRIMATH RAHASYA THRAYA

SAARAM
OF
SWAMY DESIKAN

Annotated Commentary in English By:

Oppiliappan kOil
SrI Varadachari Sathakopan
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CONTENTS

Introduction 3

General Tribute to Swamy Desikan (NaamA 793) 7

Guru Parampara Saram 8

SrImath Rahasya Thraya sAram

I. ArTAnusAsana BhAgam: 13

1. UpOdhghAthadhikAram 13

2. Saara NishkarshAdhikAram 17

3. PradhAna PratitantrAdhikAram 18

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4. ArTa PanchakAdhikAram 21

5. Tatthva Thraya chintanAdhikAram 25

6. ParadEvathA PaaramarTyAdhikAram 35

7. MumukshuthvAdhikAram 45

8. AdhikAri VibhAghAdhikAram 48

9. UpAya VibhAgAdhikAram 50

10. Prapatthi yOgyAdhikAram 51

11. Parikara VibhAgAdhikAram 52

12. Saanga prapadhanAdhikAram 56

13. KruthakruthyAdhikaram 59

14. SvanishtAbhijn~AnadhikAram 60

15. Utthara KruthyAdhikAram 61

16. PurushArTa KaashtAdhikAram 62

17. SaasthrIya niyamanAdhikAram 64

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 18. AparAdha ParihArAdhikAram 66

19. SthAna-visEshAdhikAram 71

20. NiryANAdhikAram 72

21. Gathi-visEshAdhikAram 76

22. ParipoorNa BrahmAnubhavAdhikAram 78

II. SthreekaraNa BhAgam 85

23. SiddhOpAya sOdhanAdhikAram 85

24. SaadhyOpAya sOdhanAdhikAram 101

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25. PrabhAvavyavasTAdhikAram 114

26. PrabhAva RakshAdhikAram 119

III. Padha Vaakya yOjanA Bhaagam 121

27. Moola ManthrAdhikAram 121

28. DhvayAdhikAram 125

29. CharamaslokAdhikAram 132

IV. SampradhAya PrakriyA BhAgam 151

30. AchAryakruthyAdhikAram 151

31. SishyakruthyAdhikAram 152

32. NigamanAdhikAram 153

NaamAs for Swamy Desikan’s Chillarai Rahasyangals 154

Phalasruthi 155

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 . ïI>.

ïImte ingmaNt mhadeizkay nm>

ïImÌaepalyR mhadeizkE> Anug&hItm!

. ïImiÚgmaNtdeizk idVyshönamvil> .

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SRI THIRUKKUDANTHAI DESIKAN’S
SRI DESIKA SAHASRA NAAMAMS
RELATING TO SRIMATH RAHASYA THRAYA SAARAM

INTRODUCTION:
The three hundred year avathAra celebrations uthsavam of Thirukkudanthai Desikan, the
founder of the Munithraya SampradhAyam took place at Srirangam under the adhyaksham of
HH Sri Poundareekapuram Andavan, SriParamahamsEdhyAthi Sri Gopala Desika
YathIndhra Maha Desikan in 2002.

It was also the twentieth anniversary of this great AchAryan entering into

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 SanyAsAsramam (Aasrama Peeta AlankAram). As a part of these two celebrations, a
VykhyAna grantham on Sri Desika dhivya Sahasra Naamams was released by HH Sri
Poundareekapuram Andavan. The date of release of this monograph was March 8, 2002.
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“Srimad Poundareekapuram Andavan”

Srimath Poundareekapuram Andavan performed a Sahasra Naama pushpArchanai for

Swamy Desikan at His Sannidhi at East Utthira Veedhi of Srirangam on that day. It took two
hours to recite these grand Sahasra Naamams of Thirukkudanthai Desikan by HH
ParavAkottai Desikan of Poundareekapuram Aasramam. The VykhyAna grantham on the
Swamy Desika Dhivya Sahasra Naamams authored by U.Ve (Dr.) NaavalpAkkam
VedAdhyEtha V. VaasudEvAcchAr Swamy was released on this day. A title of
VipascchinmaNi was conferred on the scholarly author from an illustrious family of
NavalpAkkam by Srimath Andavan.

Dr. VasudEvAcchAr Swamy is a scion of a great kulam and is blessed with Veda-Saasthra
Jn~Anam and has the blessings of MahA VidwAns. This Swamy is the grandson of
Thirumalai Sathakrathu NaavalpAkkam NaarAyaNa TaatArya MahA Desikan and the son of
MahA VidwAn NaavalpAkkam U.Ve. VaradAchArya Swamy. Besides his illustrious Father,
great VidwAns like U.Ve. NavalpAkkam N.S. SaThakOpa RaamAnuja TatAchAr Swamy,
U.Ve. Sri PeyyampAdi SrivatsAnkAcchAr Swamy, U.Ve. NavalpAkkam ValayapEttai
RaamAnuja TaatAchAr Swamy, Vaikunta Vaasi U.Ve. GhOshtipuram RaamAnujAcchAr
Swamy have been consulted by Sri VaasudEvAcchAr Swamy in composing this great
VyAkhyAanam for Swamy Desika Dhivya Sahasra Naamams. adiyEn has the courage of a

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Mandha madhi to attempt to translate into English this great VyAkhyAana Grantham on
Swamy Desika Sahasrams and yet the hope is that the future readers of this e-book will enjoy
the great insights of Sri VaasudEvAcchAr Swamy. In this effort, adiyEn has been ably assisted
by Sriman Srinivasan NaarAyaNan Swamy of Bridgewater, NJ.

This is a great SampradhAya Kaimkaryam realized through the most merciful Srimath
Poundareekapuram Andavan has been saluted as “akhyAthi nirAsi, sarva
sampathpradham” (one which banishes ajn~Anam and confers the wealth of Jn~Anam).
Besides the coverage of the Vaibhavam of Swamy Desikan, these Sahasra Naamams are the
distilled essence of Swamy Desikan’s Sri Sookthis. In these Sahasra Naamams are housed the
many sampradhAyic vishayams that every Sri VaishNavan should know. Thirukkudanthai
Desikan has captured these gems of upadEsams from Swamy Desikan on Tatthva Thrayam,
Rahasya Thrayams, Prapatthi yOgam and the ways for its observance, Para Matha
dhOshams, the blemishlessness of Sri VaishNava Darsanam, nithyAnusandhAnams and
many other vishayams relating to our ancient sampradhAyam.

AdiyEn has relied primarily upon the scholarly monographs of Sri VaasudEvAcchAr
Swamy, Vaikunta Vaasi Sri Oppiliappan Sannidhi SrirAma DesikAcchAr Swamy and asmath

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AchAryan Paramahamsa ParivrAjakAchArya Prakrutham Srimath Azhagiya Singar, Sri
NaarAyaNa Yatheendhra Maha Desikan, who will be celebrating His SathAbhishEkam on
November 30, 2006 at Srirangam.

If this meager attempt to translate the VyAkhyAna Grantham on Swamy Desika Sahasra
Naamams in English helps a few Sri VaishNavAs to get closer to our hoary SampradhAyam,
adiyEn would consider himself as a Krutha Kruthyan.

THE FOUR BHAGAMS OF SRIMATH RAHASYA THRAYA SAARAM

The 214 Sahasra Naamams (793 to 1,006) cover the content of the 32 Chapters of Srimath
Rahasya Thraya Saaram (SRTS), the Magnum Opus of Swamy Desikan. There are four parts
to SRTS. These four parts are covered by the following ThirunAmams spanning from
Naamams 794 to 1006. The 793rd name is a general tribute to Swamy Desikan for His
anugraham in blessing the chEthana GhOshti. The remaining 213 NaamAs fall in to the
following four categories:

ArTAnusAsana BhAgam: This First division covers the doctrines that we should know.
115 Sahasra NaamAs from 794 to 908 cover this aspect of content.

SthreekaraNa BhAgam (909-955 Sahasra Naamams): These 47 Sahasra Naamams clarify

any doubts relating to the essential doctrines covered in the first division.

Padha Vaakya yOjanA Bhaagam (956-1003 Sahasra Naamams): These 48 Naamams cover
the esoteric meanings of the three rahasya manthrams revered by Sri VaishNavAs.

SampradhAya PrakriyA BhAgam (1004 to 1006 Sahasra Naamams): These three Desika
Sahasra Naamams cover the way in which our sampradhAyam is followed.

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 adiyEn will provide explanatory notes for these traditional names as we go along.
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SRI DESIKA SAHASRA NAAMAVALI

“ Thiruvallikeni Ahobila Mutt Swami Desikan”

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 GENERAL TRIBUTE TO SWAMI DESIKAN

(793) Aae— rhSyÇysarae¾Iivt cetnsÂyay nm>

Om Rahasya Thraya sArOjjeevitha chEtana sanjaya nama:
(All NamavaLis are preceded by praNavam “Om”)
(MEANING):
Salutations to the great AchArya, who provided salvation to the assembly of ChEtanams
through His Sri Sookthi of SrImath Rahasya Thraya Saaram (SRTS).

COMMENTS BY ADIYEN:
In the last few years of His life on this earth at Srirangam, Swamy Desikan created SRTS
for the upliftment and salvation of the entire assembly of the sentient (chEtana Samooham).
The two goals of this Sri Sookthi of Swamy Desikan are:

1. Establishment of the SaraNAgathy Saasthram of AchArya RaamAnujA on the

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soundest of footing
2. Elaboration of the inner meanings of the three rahasyams (AshtAkshari, Dhvayam
and Charama SlOkam).
Had Swamy Desikan not blessed us with SRTS out of His infinite compassion for us, the
SamsAris, the path of Moksham would be very much outside our reach. There will be
persisting doubts about the samsAris (Bound Jeevans /Bhaddha Jeevans) following this
UpAyam with conviction to gain Moksham. In view of Swamy Desikan's matchless
anugraham through SRTS, He is saluted with the unique Vaazhi ThirunAmam of “Tanja
Paragathyai tantharuLvOn VaazhiyE”. SRTS explains clearly the three essential doctrines of
Tatthvam, Hitham and PurushArTam. It is written in the MaNipravALam mode (mixture of
Sanskrit and Tamil) for the benefit of all. SRTS houses all matters that any one seeking
Moksham (Mumukshu) should be conversant with and as a result it uplifts the suffering
chEthana samooham and shows the unfailing way to liberation from the endless cycles of
births and deaths and to reach the Supreme Abode of Sriman NaarAyaNan to perform eternal
kaimkaryam and enjoy the incomparable bliss associated with that kaimkaryam to the Divine
Couple.

The next 8 Sahasra Naamams deal with Swamy Desikan's UpadEsam on the importance
of one's AchAryan housed in the Chapter with the title of Guru Paramparaa Saaram.

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 SRI GURU PARAMPARA SAARAM (NAAMAS 794 TO 801)
(794) Ôimfaepin;d! Ô:q& sUirb&Ndaepkarivde nm>
DhramidOpanishath dhrashtru SooribrundhOpakAra vidhe nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who was fully familiar with the assistances (upakArams)
given by the AzhwArs to us through their creation of the Tamil Vedams.

COMMENTS:
DhramidOpanishad refers to Tamizh MaRai (Vedams). The authors of these Tamizh
MaRais are the assembly of twelve AzhwArs (Soori Brundha:). Their upakAram in their role
as our AchAryAs is matchless. They are Veda Manthra dhrushtAs in their own right. They
were fully familiar with the ancient Sanskrit VedAs. Rishis were the ones, who, saw first these
Veda Manthrams in their mind and became manthra dhrashtAs. Tamizh Vedams also eternal
like the Sanskrit Vedams. AzhwArs “found” these Veda Manthrams that existed before,
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assembled their messages in Tamizh for the benefit of those, who could not access the
Sanskrit Vedams. That is why AzhwArs are saluted as “SamhithAmDhrushtavantham” (One
who saw the Sanskrit Veda Manthrams).

The meanings of the Sanskrit Veda Manthrams are difficult to understand. AzhwArs
performed a great help in making the meanings of these Sanskrit Vedams available to us in
clear terms through their Tamizh Paasurams for our enjoyment and benefit.

Sanskrit Vedams are like a vast ocean. They contain a mixture of things. AzhwArs are like
the clouds that absorb the pure water from the salty ocean and nourish us with clear, potable
water (Dhivya Prabhandha Paasurams). AzhwAr's Paasurams are like that life--sustaining
rainwater. That is why the special efforts taken by them to help us are incomparable. The
waters of the ocean are salty and can be useful only to fish and the like. AzhwAr's paasurams
arising from the ocean of Sanskrit Vedams are like rain water and is useful to every janthu.

(795) Maae]Eksaxn AacayRvÄa saxntTpray nm>

Mokshaika--sAdhanAchAryavatthA saadhana tathparaya nama:
(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who established the doctrine that AchArya Sambhandham
(AchArya link) is the central factor for any one to gain Moksha Siddhi.

COMMENTS:
Whether one is a great sinner or PuNyasAli, Moksha siddhi can be realized by him only

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through the links to a SadAchAryan. AchArya Sambhandham is thus indispensable for every
one to gain Moksham. The Greatest of sinners or the grandest among the PuNyasaalis cannot
gain moksham without that AchArya Sambhandham.

(796) SvacayaRid zr{yaNt Éi´³mivze;ivde nm>

SvAchAryAdhi SaraNyAntha Bhakthi krama visEsha Vidhe nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who clearly understood the sequence of steps in Bhakthi
yOgam starting from one's own AchAryan to BhagavAn (SaraNyan).
COMMENTS
It is not enough to have just AchArya Sambhandham. One has also to know the AchArya
Paramparai starting from one's own AchArya to all the way up to BhagavAn, the
PrathamAchAryan. That AchArya Vamsam has to be meditated upon every day. This

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anusandhAnam of AchArya Vamsam in the proper sequence (ascending order) has to be
infused with Bhakthi. That is the Bhakthi Krama VisEsham saluted in this Sahasra Naamam.

(797) ïImÑgvdacayRÉav baxkbaxkay nm>

Srimath BhagavathAchArya Bhava bAdhaka bAdhakaya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to the One (Swamy Desikan) who refuted those, who refuted Bhagavan
becoming an AchAryan. Salutations to the One (Swamy Desikan), who insisted on the
meditation on AchArya Paramparai all the way up from one's AchAryan to BhagavAn, the
ParamAchAryan.

COMMENTS
Some may question how we can view BhagavAn as AchAryan since Brhama dEvan,
Naaradar are only those who have received direct upadEsam from the Lord. We are not linked
to that Guru Paramparai of Brahma and Naaradhar. Therefore, it is not appropriate to call
BhagavAn as our AchAryan. The answer to this concern is:

One who blesses us with Jn~Anam is an AchAryan. Bhagavan blesses us with Jn~Anam
in so many ways. Hence He is in our AchArya paramparai.

Bhagavan helps us in so many ways. Our Lord instructed Brahma on Vedams and their
meanings. When the Madhu KaiDabhars stole the VedAs, our Lord retrieved them and
assured Saasthra prachAram thru Brahma. He facilitated hithOPpadEsam thru sage Sanaka

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 et al. Through Sage Naaradar, He made sure that the VedAntha SampradhAyam does not get
mutilated. He entered into Sage VyAsa and originated many important Sri Sookthis. He took
on the incarnations of Hamsam and HayagrIvan to instruct the world. He beacme AzhwArs
to bless us with Paasurams. He gave us PaancharAthra Aagamam for His aarAdhanam.
Therefore there is no basis to think that Bhagavaan is not in our AchArya Paramparai. He is
our ParamAchAryan and PrathamAchAryan. He does not however have any AchArya. He
stands to prove that AchAryAs are BhagavAn's incarnations.

(798) zQair nawyaegINÔ guéiz:yTvsaxkay nm>

SaThAri NaaTayOgIndhra Gurusishyathva Saadhakaya nama:
(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who explained the relationship of Swamy NaaTa Muni as
a sishyar to Swamy NammAzhwAr although former was born five hundred plus years later.
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“kaattumannaar Koil NaaTamunihal”

COMMENTS:
Swamy NammAzhwAr is the achAryan for Swamy NaaTa Muni although they were
separated in time by few centuries. The explanation of this apparent paradox is explained in

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the 518th Sahasra Naamam for Swamy Desikan. Madhura Kavi AzhwAr was the direct sishyar
of Swamy NammAzhwAr. ParAnkusa Daasar was a descendant of Madhura Kavi AzhwAr
and performed upadEsam of “KaNNinuNN SiRutthAmpu” paasurams to Naatha Muni;
latter recited them, while engaged in Yogam and Swamy NammAzhwAr presented himself
before Naatha Muni, served as his AchAryan at the command of the Lord and performed
upadEsam on VedAnthaarTams. This was how Swamy NammAzhwAr crossed the time span
to become Natha Muni's AchAryan.

It is also said that in the matters of dEva rahasyams, it is futile to seek reasons. In such
instances, one should behave like a deaf and blind one says MahA Bhaaratham. Swamy
Desikan understood that message of MahA BhAratham.

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“Sriperumbudur Nammazhwar”

(799) AprIúyrhSyaidàdan bhudae;ivde nm>

apareekshya rahasyAdhi--pradhAna bahudhOsha vidhe nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who knew very well the dhOshams in performing
upadEsam for unfit sishyans.

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 COMMENTS:
Saasthram says that Manthram has to be protected and must be kept away from all and
sundry. It should be reserved only for the devout sishyan, who earns it through respectful
service to one's AchAryan. SaaNDilya Smruthi states in this context that a sishyan's
qualifications should be tested by the AchAryan for at least three months before deciding on
the sishyan's fitness to receive ManthrOpadEsam. There are sins accrued by the AchAryan, if
he performs UpadEsam to an ill-qualified sishyan.

(800) Éi´àkaizt guév<ziz:y inbNxnay nm>

Bhakthi prakAsitha Guru vamsa sishya nibandhanaya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Him (Swamy Desikan), who held the view that it is the sishyan's bhakthi
that propels him to celebrate his AchArya vamsam.
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COMMENTS:
Few sishyAs glorify their AchArya vamsam. The reason for this is their Guru Bhakthi.
The others fail to celebrate their AchArya vamsam due to their deficiencies in Bhakthi for
their AchAryAs. The disparities in the Jn~Anam among the sishyans is directly linkable to
those disparities in AchArya Bhakthi. Thus it becomes the duty of a sishyan to celebrate his
AchAryan with Bhakthi.

(801) As<Éa:yaids<Éa;[in:k«it guéSm&tye nm>

asambhAshyAdhi sambhaashaNa nishkruthi guru-smruthayE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan who was convinced that the atonement (PrAyascchittham)
for speaking to those who are not fit to be spoken to, is AchArya DhyAnam.

COMMENTS:
A vaidhikA should not speak to adhaarmikAs. If that happens, Gouthama dharma
Soothram says that the atonement for such a lapse is dhyAnam on PuNyasAlees (AchAryAs).
Swamy Desikan believed in this ruling by the Dharma Saasthram.

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 I. ARTANUSASANA BHAGAM:
CHAPTER 1: UPODHGHATHADHIKARAM (NAAMAS 802 & 803)

(802) mae]awRzaôanar<É hetuixk!k«itdi][ay nm>

MokshArTa SaasthranArambha hEtu dhikkruthi dakshiNAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchArya (Swamy Desikan) who spurned the reasons given to stay away
from Saasthrams pointing the way to MOksham because of our own perceptions of our
unfitness.

COMMENTS:
This adhikAram is a foreword for Swamy Desikan’s upadEsam in the subsequent
chapters of Srimath Rahasya Thraya Saaram expounding the esoteric meanings of the three

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rahasyams.

In UpOthgAdhAdhikAram, Swamy Desikan answers number of the questions about our

own qualifications to gain Saasthra Jn~Anam to gain Moksham.

These questions are:

Why should we begin the study of Saasthrams dealing with Moksha Siddhi?

Is it not so that the eternally liberated souls alone are qualified to perform kaimkaryam for
the Lord? If we are qualified, how come we lost that opportunity until now? Why should we
who are unfit, commence the study of these SaasthrAs?

Swamy Desikan's answers to these questions are housed in the UpOdhgAdhAdhikAram.

The highlights of his comments are:

We are qualified to perform nithya kaimkaryam to the Lord just as the Nithya Sooris. Our
Lord has the Kowsthubha rathnam on His chest and is very fond of it. We the JeevAs should
be dear to Him like that gem. The Jeevans have special relationships to BhagavAn as His
children, disciples and servants. Therefore, we have full rights to perform kaimkaryam to the
Lord. Inspite of these reasons, we have not been performing kaimkaryam to the Lord for a
very long time. The avidhyai named Maayai has been standing in the way and has thwarted
our efforts. As a result, we are not even aware about our own bhAgyam that predisposes us to
such a kaimkaryam. The fortunate jeevans get the benefit of counsel from mahAns about our
status and our rights to gain moksham. After that, those jeevans understand their pitiable
status, gain AchArya sambhandham to learn about our svaroopam and Tatthva Thrayam and
realize mOksham to perform nithya kaimkaryam to our Lord at His Supreme Abode. Since
Saasthrams instruct us on the knowledge about the understanding of our svaroopam, the

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 efforts to start the studies of such SaasthrAs are very appropriate.

(803) AacayRinkqàaiÝ hetu;q!kinêpkay nm>

AchArya nikaDa prApthy hEthu shaDka niroopakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to the AchAryan (Swamy Desikan), who identified precisely the six reasons
through which a fortunate jeevan realizes AchArya Sambhandham.

COMMENTS:
The six reasons why AchArya Sambhandham happens are:

1. Iswaran's good will (His preoccupation with the well being of the Jeevans. His
svabhAvam is to consider even unintended good acts by the jeevans as vyAjam to
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mend their ways to reach out to Him).

2. YadrucchA Sukrutham (accidental happening of an auspicious act).

3. JaayamAna KadAksham (Falling of the glance of the Lord even at the time of one's
birth).

4. Capability of the Jeevan to be free of enmity and hatred towards the Lord.

5. Capacity of the Jeevan not to ignore the Lord and capacity to staying in a state of
longing for Him.

6. The companionship of Saathvikaas through conversations and service.

Jeevan gains AchArya Sambhandham through acquisition of the assembly of the above six
guNams (hEthu shaDka samudhAyam).

So far adiyEn covered the first two chapters of Srimath Rahasya Thraya Saaram (SRTS):
(1) Sri Guru ParamparA Saaram and (2) UpOdhghAthAdhikAram. The Swamy Desika
Sahasra Naamams linked to these two chapters are eleven in number (793- 803). Before
moving on to the 3rd Chapter (Saara NishkarshAdhikAram), adiyEn will summarize the
content of the first two chapters per Vaikunta Vaasi, Sri U.Ve. SrirAma DesikAchArya Swamy
in his monumental monograph on SRTS released by Poundareekapuram Aasramam.

SUMMARY OF SRI GURU PARAMPARA SAARAM

1) All Mumukshus (Those desiring Moksham) must have SadAchArya Sambhandham.

2) They must meditate upon our sacred AchArya Paramparai starting from our

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ParamAchAryan, Sriman NaarAyaNan and all the way down to one's current AchAryan for
their MahOpakAram to they perform for us.

3) Our ParamAchAryan takes many initiatives to help us directly and indirectly through
His son (Brahmaa), grandsons (NaarAdhar, SanathkumArar, Sanakar, SanAthanar, and
SanAndhar et al), Sages VyAsar and avathArams as the AzhwArs in DakshiNa BhUmi.

4) Every ChEthanan should eulogize his/her AchAryan and protect the Manthrams and
ManthrArthams that they have received from their AchAryAs. If they do not do so, they will
lose this wealth and acquire on top sins.

5) Whenever one reflects on these rahsyArtams of these three manthrams, the ChEthanan
should meditate on the AchArya Paramparai first.

6) AchArya Bhakthi is Nithyam, Naimithtikam and Kaamyam. Since abandoning that

observance is the cause of sins, AchArya Bhakthi is classified as nithya karma. It is also
classed as Naimitthika Karma, since atonements are prescribed for nonobservance. Since one
gains the Jn~Ana sampath from AchArya Bhakthi, such a practice is recognized among
Kaamya karmaas.

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Some consider Sri Guru ParamparA Saaram as a separate grantham. Others consider it as
integrally linked to SRTS. Whatever one’s view may be, Sri Guru Paramparaa Saaram has to
be studied first before one starts UpOdhgAthAdhikAram, the First Chapter of SRTS.

SUMMARY OF UPODHGHATHADHIKARAM
This chapter is an introduction for the content to be covered. It is therefore named as
“UpOdhgAtham”.

Every Jeevan has the indispensable rights to serve and enjoy Sriman NaarAyaNan in Sri
Vaikuntam like the Nithya Sooris (the eternally liberated Jeevans).

The samsAric Jeevan struggles in this world due to karma sambhandham and as a result
does not understand the Tatthvaas and Hitham. Due to some good deeds done in previous
janmam, that jeevan is blessed with Sath sangam of Mahaans (BhaagavathAs). After that
beneficial association, the Jeevan becomes blessed with the acquisition of a SadAchAryan.
This jeevan gains Tatthva Jn~Anam through AchArya UpadEsam and performs SaraNAgathy
for its ujjevanam.

There are six reasons (hEthu shaDkam) given for the soubhAgyam of being blessed with
a SadAchAryan:

(a) EmperumAn staying as the ananukoolan

(b) Accidental sukrutham done
(c) JaayamAna KaDAksham by EmperumAn at the time of birth
(d) Staying away from enmity to the Lord

15
 (e) Depending on His grace alone and,
(f) Association with His BhagavathAs.
adiyEn will cover the second and the third chapters (Saara nishkarshAdhikAram and the
PradhAna PrathitantrAdhikAram next.
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16
 CHAPTER 2: SAARA NISHKARSHADHIKARAM (NAAMA 804)
(804) sarin:k;Rk…zlay nm>
Saranishkarsha kusalAya nama:
(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who had the power to determine the most important
among the philosophical doctrines and their meanings.
COMMENTS:
This chapter is about the determination of the most important meaning of doctrines to be
known by one, who desires Moksham (Mumukshu).

Moksham and the means for attaining it have to be known through SaasthrAs alone.
SaasthrAs are like a vast ocean. One should churn out of this ocean, the most important
subject and cast aside all the other inessentials. Swamy Desikan discusses in this chapter
about the most important subjects to be known by us. The five categories to be evaluated to
determine which is the most important are:

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Those without any substance: Poisonous Saasthrams like Bhouddham and Jainism, which
are against the VedAs (Veda Virudhdam). They are called asArams.

Alpa Saaram: These are of low value. These are Veda BhAgams dealing with insignificant
phalans like children, perishable worldly wealth. These transients can be discarded.

Saaram: Vedic karmAs instructing us to gain Svargam and the other worlds. These may
be of substance to some. But they give dukkham ultimately since they are finite in the
duration of the enjoyment and cause sorrow, when one uses these up (KsheeNa
PuNyam).

Saarataram: These are little more substantial. Veda BhAgams instructing one on gaining
Kaivalyam or Aathma anubhavam. One has to cast them aside too based on the
knowledge that there are more substantial gains to be sought after.

Saaratamam: The most important vishayam is the section of the VedAs dealing with the
means to attain the ParamAthmA. Even here, the subsections covering Tatthvam, Hitham
and PurushArTam through the Rahasya Thrayam are the most important subjects to
know for a Mumukshu.

Thus the three rahasyams and their meanings are the absolute essentials for one to know.
Therefore, they are the Saaratamam. This determination is made in the second chapter of
SRTS known as SaaranishkarsahAdhikAram. Swamy Desikan had the kusalam (capabilities)
to determine what is Saaratamam (absolutely essential).

17
 CHAPTER 3: PRADHANA PRATITANTRADHIKARAM
(NAAMAS 805 TO 809)
(805) àxanàittNÇivde nm>
PradhAna PrathitantravidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who was fully conversant with PradhAna Prathitantram.

COMMENTS:
Prathitantram is the name given to the doctrines that are unique to a siddhAntham. There
are a number of tatthvams that are indeed unique to Bhagavath RaamAnuja siddhAntham.
The most important (PradhAnam) among the prathitantrams is the one, which establishes
that the world and its entities are the body (SarIram) to Sriman NaarAyaNan and that He is
the indweller (antharyAmi) in them all. This relationship between the chethana- achethanams
of the world and the Lord as their aathmA is the PradhAna Prathitantram for VaishNavAs.
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(806) $z Aaxarkta zei;Tv inyNt&Tv baexkay nm>

Isa-aadharakataa - sEshithva- niyantruthva- BhOdhakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to the great AchArya, who established the ParamAthmA's svaroopam as the
Foundation, Master and Commander of all the sentients and insentients of the world.

COMMENTS:
As the indweller of the ChEtanAchEtanams, He has DhArakathvam (Being the
underlying base for them), Seshithvam (Being their Supreme Master) and Niyanthruthvam
(Being their commander/controller).

Since all sentients and insentients have their svaroopam (inherent nature) and Sthithi
(existence) through ParamAthmA's svaroopam, He is therefore known as the DhArakan.

Similarly, all the entities are adheenam (under the control of) to ParamAthmA's
sankalpam. The Svaroopam, Sthithi and Pravrutthi (activities) of the ChEtanams and
achEtanams are subject to the will (Sankalpam) of the Lord. Therefore, He is known as
NiyanthA.

Similarly, the world and its entities have been created by the Lord for delighting Him and
function for that purpose. The One who derives prayOjanam (usefulness) from them is the
Lord, the Supreme Master (Seshi). Those which are used for His pleasure and purpose are

18
Seshans (ChEtanams and achEtanams). ParamAthma is therefore known as Seshi.

The Sareerithvam of the Lord (Him being the aathma for the world of ChEtanams and
achEtanams that serve as His body/Sareeram) arises from the three aspects of His
svaroopam (Adharathvam, Niyantruthvam and Seshithvam).

(807) jIv AaxeyTv ze;Tv inyaMyTv inêpkay nm>

Jeeva-aadhEyathva-sEshatva-niyAmyatva-niroopakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to the AchAryan, who proved that the Jeevans are supported, controlled and
used by the Lord are the sareeram (body) of the Lord.

COMMENTS:

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This is defining marks of Sareeram (Sareera lakshaNams). All siddhAnthams except ours
do not accept that the jeevans are the body (Sareeram) of the Lord. The eternal Jeevans,
which are atomic in size, is the sareeram for the Lord and that Jeevan has the perishable
physical body as its Sareeram. Once the physical body made up of panchabhUtham falls
down, then the jeevan moves on either to another body or starts its journey to the Supreme
abode of its Lord.

(808) s»LpaxIn inTyaOyvStuiSwit ivze;ivde nm>

SankalpAdheena - nithyAkhyavasthusthithi - visEshavidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who knew that the special existence (sthithi visEsham) of
what are known as eternal vasthus are also subject to the wish (Sankalpam) of the Lord.

The question may arise: why would the nithya vasthus that are always existent should
depend on the Lord's wish and will to exist.

The answer is that the Lord has two kinds of sankalpams. One is nithya sankalpam that
permit the existence of the nithya vasthus. The other is anithya sankalpam, which create
vasthus that do not stay forever. If Bhagavan has no nithya sankalpam, the nithya vasthus
won’t exist. Therefore, nithya vasthu is under the control of the Lord as well through His
nithya sankalpam.

19
 (809) ze;ze:yaids<bNd )iltawRivze;ivde nm>
sEshasEshyAdhi -sambandha-phalithArTa visEshavidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that great AchAryan, who understood clearly the meanings (implications) of
the three PradhAna Paritantra relationships such as aadhAra-aadhEya, sEsha-sEshi and
niyantru-niyAmya bhaavams. Among these relationships, the sEsha-sEshi bhAvam is the
most important (PradhAnam).

COMMENTS:
The three bhAvams give us the knowledge that

1. We have no foundation except BhagavAn for our existence and are ananyAdhararhaL

2. We have no purpose of existence except to be of use to PerumAl and therefore are

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ananyaprayOjanarhaL and

3. We have no recourse except PerumAl for our rakshaNam (ananyasaraNarhal). Our

true nature (Svaroopam) is defined by these three dictums. Among the three amsams
serving as lakshaNams for Sareeram, the Sesha-Seshi BhAvam is the most important
paritantram (PradhAnam).

20
 CHAPTER 4: ARTA PANCHAKADHIKARAM (NAAMA 810)
(810) AwRpÂktÅv}ay nm>
arTapanchaka tatvajn~yAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who understood clearly the meanings of the five tatthvams
that are important for one seeking Moksham.

COMMENTS:
This chapter of SRTS deals with the five important doctrines that one must understand.
All the VedAs, IthihAsams and PurANams speak principally about these five items for the
benefit of a Mumukshu. These are known as arTa Panchakam.

ArTa panchakam covers the meanings of five topics that a Mumukshu has to know:

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1) Praapyan: The ParamAthmaa, who is the object of attainment.
2) PrApthaa: JeevAthma, who seeks the ParamAthmaa, the PrApyan.
3) PrApthi UpAyam: The means for the Jeevan to gain ParamAthmaa.
4) Phalan: The fruit of attaining ParamAthmaa.
5) PrApthi VirOdhi: The obstacles for the Jeevan in attaining ParamAthmaa.
One who seeks Moksham has to reflect on the five meanings of the above five items
housed in the three rahasyams:

1. Svaroopam of ParamAthmaa: He is never without His DEvi. (pirAttiyai priyAthavan).

He has immeasurable Jn~Anam and Aanandham. He is free of any defects. He has
limitless auspicious attributes. He is the foundation (aadhAram) for all the world and
its beings. He has a divine and auspicious form (dhivya mangaLa vigraham), which is
not made up of panchabhUthams (aprAkrutham). That body is made entirely of
suddha satthvam. He has as His body both the LeelA VibhUthi and Nithya VibhUthi
(This earth and the other world). He has as His leelA, the acts of creation, protection
and destruction of the worlds and their beings. This ParamAthmA is enjoyed by the
Jeevans in the state of Moksham.

2. JeevAthmA: It is of atomic size. It is also of Jn~Ana-aanandha Svaroopam. It is an

unconditional servant of the Lord. It is under the Lord's control. It is destined to
attain ParamAthmaa. The Jeevans are of three kinds: Bound (Bhaddha), liberated
(Muktha) and eternally unbound (Nithya) Jeevans.

3. Upaayam: There are two Upaayams for securing Moksham: Bhakthi yOgam and
Prapatthi yOgam. For one, who does not have the power to practice Bhakthi yOgam,

21
 Prapatthi is the easy -to-practice upAyam.

4. Phalan: The fruit enjoyed in Moksham is to arrive at Sri Vaikuntam and enjoy
ParamAthmA there blissfully through uninterrupted kaimkaryam to Him there.

5. Phala VirOdhi: avidhyai (false & vipareetha knowledge), poorva janma karmaas and
their residual effects (vaasanais) are the three VirOdhis (enemies) for Moksham.

Bhagavan gets angry over our many trespasses to His Saasthram and is ready to punish us
in a number of ways:

Creation of Prakruthi sambhandham and dulling our Jn~Anam

Making one a slave of one's indhriyams
Birth in the wombs of birds and animals, which are not bound by Bhagavath
Saasthrams
Give viparItha buddhi to join in naasthika mathams even while being born in human
form
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Tilting the mind of even aasthikAs towards immersion in worldly pleasures, which
ultimately cause pain
Goading one to accumulate sins by chasing after transient pleasures
Making one go round and round in repeated cycles of births and deaths
Goad one to perform worship for insignificant devathAs, who themselves are under
the influence of their karmaas
Make them deluded by the alpa phalans granted by these insignificant devathAs
Interfere with the pursuit of yOgam that is not focused on BhagavAn
Grant kaivalya sukham, which ultimately brings the jeevan back to the samsAric
world.
Thus BhagavAn's anger can cause many kinds of obstacles to Moksham (Phala virOdhi).
The only way to overcome His nigraham (seeRRam) is to perform SaraNAgathy at His
sacred feet.

22
 CHAPTER 5: TATTHVA THRAYA CHINTANADHIKARAM
(NAAMAS 811 TO 827)
adiyEn will now start the coverage of the 17 Desika Sahasra Naamams dealing with the
fifth chapter of SRTS, Tatthva Thraya chintanaa adhikAram. This chapter is one of the
toughest to understand and traditional KaalakshEpam under the sacred feet of one's
AchAryan is absolutely essential to understand clearly the Tatthva Thrayam.

For understanding our sampradhAyam, a clear knowledge about the content of this
chapter alone is sufficient. One has to go over this chapter many times to understand and
retain the Jn~Anam on the cardinal doctrines covered here. Srimath NaarAyaNa YathIndhra
MahA Desikan's (Prakrutham Srimath Azhagiya Singar's) coverage of this chapter in the
many issues of Sri Nrusimha Priya (later assembled in the form of a monograph on SRTS:
Part I) is very comprehensive and vital for us to develop a clearer comprehension of these
three Tatthvams.

Why is this Chapter Named Tatthva Thraya Chintanaa adhikAram?

There are three distinctly different Tathtvams in our SiddhAntham: ChEtanam,

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achEtanam and Iswaran. They have unique svabhAvams and have unique attributes that
differentiate them (Paraspara vilakshaNam).

It is very important to think deeply about them to understand their true nature and
VyApAram. To remind us about this aspect of deep reflection on them for our comprehension
of their unique differences and relationships, Swamy Desikan deliberately named this chapter
as “Tatthva Thraya ChinthanAdhikAram” instead of “Tatthva Thraya adhikAram”.

These three tatthvams are already covered in the preceding ArTa Panchakam chapter:
PrApyam is Iswaran; PrApthA is the Jeevan/ChEtanam and PrApthi VirOdhi is the
achEtanam like Sareeram. Even if we understand the references to these three tatthvams in
ArTa Panchakam, we still have to know about the uniqueness of these three tatthvams and
how they differ from one another. Otherwise, one will be totally misled and will be subject to
one or more of the following dangers:

SareerAthma Brahmam: This is the conviction that this perishable body of ours
(Sareeram) is the same as the eternal AathmA. This will lead to the thinking that Aathma
perishes once the body falls down at death. There will be little respect for the teachings of
the Bhagavath- saasthrams about the karmaas to be practiced as well as the karmaas to be
abandoned. That will lead only to repeated miseries through many births in this world.
Therefore one has to know that the Jeevan, who has no death, is different than the
Sareeram, which has a finite life span.

SvantharAthma Bramam: This calamity is the second one, when one does not understand
the three tatthvams properly. This will make one think that one is independent and not
the eternal servant of the Iswaran, who is our Master and Commander in the execution of
our karmaas. When one thinks that he or she is independent of Iswaran, it will interfere

23
 with Upaaya anushtAnam like Bhakthi or Prapatthi yOgam and deflect them away from
attaining Moksha siddhi. They will be mired in SamsAric mud forever.

Nireeswara Vaadha Ruchi: For many jeevans, right from birth, there is a predilection to
argue that there is no Iswaran as a result of their anAdhi paapams. They will also be
subject to the nigraham (anger) of the Lord and will end up in being locked without hope
of release from the endless cycles of births and deaths. There is no ujjevanam for them.

To stay clear of the three terrible dangers mentioned above, one has to reflect on the true
meanings of the Tatthva Thrayam, observe Prapatthi or Bhakthi yOgam and enjoy the
Parama PurushArTam of nithya kaimkaryam to Iswaran in His supreme abode of Sri
Vaikuntam.
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“All under their control”

24
 THIRUKKUDANTHAI DESIKAN'S SUMMARY OF THE TATTHVA
THRAYA CHINTHANADHIKARAM
Sri Thirukkudanthai Desikan born 300 years ago is revered as Abhinava Desikan (amsam
of Swamy Desikan, Punar avathAram). Hence, it is no wonder, he was able to summarize the
upadEsams of this adhikAram in just 17 Sahasra Naamams.

These 17 Sahasra Naamams dealing with one of the most important chapters dealing with
Tatthva Thrayam are:

(811) tÅvÇyivze;ivde nm>

Tatthva-thraya visEsha-vidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who was fully conversant with the unique aspects
(VisEshams) of the three Tatthvams: Sentient/ChEtanam, insentient/achEtanam and
Iswaran.

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(812) SvaxIniÇivd Aict! ict!SvêpiSwitàv&iĆzI nm>
SvAdheena-thrividha achicth-chith svaroopa- sTithi-pravrutthi-dhrusee nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who comprehended the Lord (Sriman NaarAyaNan) as
having under His control the Svaroopam (Intrinsic nature of the Vasthu or dharmi), Stithi
(existence), and Pravrutthi (activities) of the three different kinds of the sentients and
insentients (ChEtanams and achEtanms).

COMMENTS:
The three kinds of ChEtanams are: Bhaddhar (bound Jeevans suffering in SamsAram),
Mukthar (jeevans which have gained freedom from SamsAric sufferings) and Nithya jeevans
(eternally liberated ones with no links to SamsAram ever).

The three kinds of insentients (achEtanam) are:

1. Prakruthi: It is constituted by the three guNams (Satthvam, Rajas and Tamas)

and it is a dhravyam that constantly experiences changes.
2. Kaalam: It is made up of divisions of second, minute, hour, year et al. It is closely
linked to the changes in Prakruthi.
3. Suddha Satthvam: This is pure Satthvam without any admixture of Rajas or
Tamas or Misra Sathvam. This dhravyam constitutes BhagavAn's ThirumEni and
all the vasthus in Parama Padham.

25
 Dharma BhUtha Jn~Anam is also includable as the 4th achEtanam.

In these three tatthvams that are distinct and different (vilakshaNam), The Iswara
tatthvam is the one that rules (Isan) and the other two (ChEtanam & achEtanam) are those
that are being ruled (Isithavyam). Brahman has under His control the Svaroopam, sTiti and
pravrutti of the three kinds of chEtanams and achEtanams.

(813) àma[gMy ximRSvêpêpkxmR ivde nm>

pramANagamya dharmi-svaroopa-roopaka dharma vidhE nama:
(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who knew very well that both the dharmi svaroopam and
its svaroopa nirUpaka dharmams are to be understood together through pramAnams.

COMMENTS:
sadagopan.org

PramAnam stands for evidence or means of valid knowledge. PramANams for us are
Prathyaksham (Perception), anumAnam (inference) and Sabdham (Vedam).

The svaroopam (inherent nature) of dharmi (object, a substrate or a object in which a

quality inheres) is supported by PramANams. Here the reference is to “pramAnagamya
dharmi savroopam”. Thus, this Dharmi svarUpam is comprehended by PramANams.

This Dharmi Svaroopam has SvarUpa nirUpaka dharmam (attributes that define the
essential nature of an object) as well. Swamy Desikan instructed us that the PramANams
reveal the dharmi (object) and its Svaroopa nirUpaka dharmams together. Devoid of Svaroopa
nirUpaka dharmams, the vasthu (dharmi) cannot exist. Therefore PramANams reveal dharmi
and Svaroopa nirUpaka dharmam in unison.

(814) jIvl][tÅv}ay nm>

Jeeva lakshaNa tatthvajn~aya Nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who had a clear understanding of the lakshaNams of the
Jeevan (ChEtanam) and how these lakshaNams differ from Iswaran although there are some
overlaps.

COMMENTS:
Jeevan has Jn~Athvam, Aanandhathvam, Amalathvam and aNuthvam. Iswaran has the
first three svaroopa nirUpaka dharmams like Jeevan but not aNuthvam. Iswaran on the other

26
hand has Vibhuthvam. Only by adding aNuthvam, we can hence define the Jeevan.
Seshathvam or being the servant of the Lord is another lakshaNam for the Jeevan. This
LakshaNam can come into play only when the LakshaNams of both Iswaran and Jeevan are
fully defined.

(815) bÏl][li]Çe nm>

Bhaddha lakshaNa lakshithrE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who knew clearly the lakshaNam of the bound jeevans
and their differences from the muktha and nithya jeevans.

COMMENTS:
There are three kinds of jeevans: Bhaddhar, Mukthar and Nithyar. The uniqueness

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(lakshaNam) of Bhaddha jeevan, which are roiled in SamsAram is their possession of five
dhOshams:

1. AvidhyA: The erroneous belief that the Sareeram is the Aathma.

2. Karmaa: accumulating PuNya and Paapa karmaas
3. Vaasanaa: residual impressions from the PuNya and Paapa karmaas
4. Ruchi: The power of Vaasanaas that make the jeevan engage in more paapa and
puNya karmaas, which gets the jeevan stuck further into SamsAram.
5. Prakruthi Sambhandham: As a result of the accumulation of Karmaas, the Jeevan
experiences multifold births in different bodies.

(816) bÏiSwitàv&iÄ}ay nm>

Bhaddha sTithi pravrutthijn~aya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who was knowledgeable about the jeevan's sTithi and
pravrutthi that are unique to them.

COMMENTS:
The differences in the sTithi (existence) of the three kinds of Jeevans: Bhaddha Jeevan
has the samsAric ties until moksham. For the mukthAs and the nithyAs, the SamsAric ties do

27
 not persist. Regarding differences in pravrutthi (actions/vyApArams), BhaddhAs engage in
acts of PuNyam and Paapam. They also have actions that belong neither to the class of
PuNyam or Paapam such as winking of the eye or sitting down. The Muktha and the Nithya
jeevans do not have puNya or Paapa acts although they share with the Bhaddha jeevan the
acts that are considered neither as puNyam or paapam.

(817) mu´l][li]Çe nm>

Muktha lakshaNa lakshithrE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who defined the lakshaNams (unique traits) of the muktha
(liberated) Jeevans.

COMMENTS:
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MukthAs differ from NithyAs and BhaddhAs in lakshaNams. Freed from paapams and
puNyams, the Muktha jeevans have the Svaroopa aavirbhAvam in an unfettered manner.
Their svaroopam is not hidden by avidhyA, karmaas, vaasanaa or ruchi. They are liberated
from these lakshaNams unique to Bhaddha jeevans. Their svaroopam does not undergo
tirOdhAnam (hidden) but comes out and is not eclipsed (Svaroopa aavirbhAvam).
AavirbhAvam means shining without any thing blocking it.

(818) mu´iSwitàv&iÄ}ay nm>

Muktha sTithi pravrutthijn~Aya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who knew very well the sTithi and pravrutthi of the
muktha jeevans.

COMMENTS:
For mukthAs, there is a time point at which their svaroopa aavirbhAvam happens/dawns.
After that, their svaroopa aavirbhAvam stays without being hidden ever. There is an
aarambham for the svaroopa aavirbhAvam for mukthAs. BhaddhAs have no svaroopa
aavirbhAvam since they are karma vasyaaLs. NithyAs on the otherhand are different from
BhaddhAs and MukthAs in the matter of Svaroopa aavirbhAvam. NithyAs have no beginning
time for svaroopa aavirbhAvam, since they are eternally liberated .

When it comes to pravrutthi vyApArams, Bhadhda jeevans have no opportunity for

28
ParipoorNa bhagavath anubhavam at Sri Vaikuntam arising from nithya kaimkaryam to the
Lord there. Muktha jeevans, who had lost that bliss as Bhaddha jeevans regain it after moksha
siddhi. Nithya jeevans have it forever. They never lost it or regained it. Losing the ParipoorNa
brahmAnandham in the Bhaddha state and regaining it in the mukthA state are their
(MukthA's) pravrutthi lakshaNam.

(819) inTyl][li]Çe nm>

Nithya LakshaNa lakshithrE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who instructed us on the lakshaNams of the nithya
jeevans and contrasted them with the Bhaddha and muktha jeevans.

COMMENTS:

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The lakshaNams of Nithya Jeevans are: Having svaroopa aavirbhAvam from time
immemorial (anAdhi kaalam) and being paratantrAs (adhinAs or obedient) to the Lord, their
Master. Like nithya jeevan, BhagavAn has also svaroopa aavirbhAvam eternally and is without
any time markers as in the case of Muktha jeevans. Bhaddha jeevans do not have any
svaroopa aavirbhAvam like muktha, nithya jeevans or Iswaran. While the nithya jeevan is
under the control of Iswaran, latter (Iswaran) is not under the control of any one. Thus,
Iswaran is not a Paratantran.

(820) inTyiSwitàv&iÄ}ay nm>

Nithya sTithi pravrutthijn~Aya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who had clear knowledge of the sTithi and pravrutthi of
the nithya jeevans.

COMMENTS:
Nithya jeevans differ in sThithi from the other two kinds of jeevans. NithyAs have
svaroopa aavirbhAvam from time immemorial and enjoy the dhivya dampathis eternally
without any start point. In contrast, muktha jevans are blessed with the enjoyment of
ParipoorNa brahmAnandham only after gaining mOksham. Bhaddha Jeevans' svaroopa
aavirbhAvam does not take place due to their anAdhi karmaas and therefore they do not have
the paripoorNa BrahmAnandham. Thus they differ in Seshi Tatthva anubhavam. BhagavAn

29
 has BrahmAnandham but not in the role of Him as a Swamy (Seshi) to Himself. The
pravrutthi of the nithyAs is that they have been performing kaimkaryams to the Lord from
time immemorial. There is no starting point for such kaimkaryams. It is anAdhi pravAham in
nature. Muktha jeevans in contrast engage in such kaimkaryams only after Moksha dasai.
BhagavAn /Iswaran performs the acts of creation, protection and destruction. These however
are not Kaimkaryams. Only those acts done by a servant to please his Master are defined as
Kaimkaryams. Iswaran has no Master and He performs His unique acts like creation as
leelAs due to His own sankalpam. Uninterrupted kaimkaryam to Iswaran (Seshi) from time
immemorial is the pravrutthi lakshaNam of the Nithya Jeevan.

(821) inTya*NyaeNyÉed†ze nm>

NithyAth anyOnya bhEdhadhrusE nama:

(MEANING):
sadagopan.org

Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who understood the differences between the three
categories of Jeevans ( Nithyars, Mukthars and Bhaddhaas).
COMMENTS:
So far, the focus has been on the differences in the Svaroopa, sTithi and Pravrutthi
between the three kinds of Jeevans. Through this nAmam, Thirukudanthai Desikan
elaborates on the differences revealed by Swamy Desikan on the particular categories of (the
three) Jeevans.

There are many Bhaddha JeevAs. Their Jn~Anam, Sukham, Dukkham are quite different
form one another. Humans do not have the Jn~Anam and Sukham like the DevAs; the
animals do not have the Jn~Anam and Sukham that the humans have. Thus there are
differences in each category. Thus each jeevan has different degrees of Jn~Anam & Sukham.

MukthAs on the other hand do not have these differences on Jn~Anam and Sukham. All
of them have Svaroopa aavirbhAvam and they are omniscient (Sarvajn~as) as well. They are
blessed to have ParipoorNa BrahmAnandham. They differ in the times at which they got
mukthi. Therefore, the Svaroopa aavirbhAvam for the individual muktha jeevans happens at
different times. This is the difference between various muktha jeevans.

Among nithyaas, we can not find the differences in the time of Svaroopa aavirbhAvam
since they are eternally liberated. There is no time variation here. They do not have any
differences between their svaroopam and sTithi. There is however differences in their
pravrutthi (activities/kaimkaryams). They have the same Bhagavath anubhavam but they
have different kaimkaryams: Garudan as Vaahanam and Adhi Seshan as the Lord's bed and
seat.

30
 (822) inTymu´aTmkE»yRsavRivXyinêpkay nm>
Nithya mukthAthma kaimkarya Saarvavidhya niroopakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan who proved that the kaimkaryams done by the nithya and
mukthAthmAs morph into every kind of kaimkaryam vicariously or otherwise.

COMMENTS:
Our AchAryaas prayed for all kinds of Kaimkaryams to BhagavAn in all states. This leads
to the conclusion that mukthAs and nithyAs can do every type of kaimkaryams. The question
arises: If the Nithya Sooris have well defined kaimkaryams (VishvaksEna being the general of
the Lord's army), how can MukthAs aspire for those kaimkaryams, which have been reserved
for the nithya sooris? The answer is: Muktha jeevan is interested in performing the
kaimkaryam that pleases the Lord, His Master. The Muktha jeevan knows well that the Lord

sadagopan.org
has assigned specific kaimkaryams to the nithya jeevans. Knowing the Lord’s will, the
muktha jeevan will not compete with the nithya jeevan for those kaimkaryams assigned by
their Lord. They see that the Lord is pleased with the specific kaimkaryam by the nithya
jeevans and the Lord’s pleasure makes them filled with bliss. That is how the fruit of all kinds
of kaimkaryams is enjoyed by the Muktha jeevans even if they do not get to do it directly.

(823) iÇgu[iSwitàv&iÄ}ay nm>

thriguNa sTithi pravrutthijn~yA nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who fully understood the sTithi and pravrutthi of
prakruthi made up of three different guNams.

COMMENTS:
Prakruthi is constituted by the three guNams: Satthvam, Rajas and Tamas. The other
achEtanams like Kaalam and Suddha satthvam are not made up of these three guNams.

The sTithi of prakruthi: Moola prakruthi is eternal. It is always there. The rest of
achEtana dhravyams like Mahath have sTithis, which are long and short. The Pravrutthi
(VyApaaram) of Prakruthi can be even or different. These pravrutthis cause bhOgam for
jeevan or sorrow.

31
sadagopan.org

“Jagath kaaraNathvam”

(824) $zl][li]Çe nm>

Isa LakshaNa lakshithrE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who instructed us on the lakshaNams of Iswaran .

COMMENTS:
Iswaran has the chEtanam and achEtanam under His control. His Svaroopam has five
lakshaNams: Jn~Anam, Sathyam, Anantham, Aanandham, and Amalam.

Sathyathvam: ParamAthmaa’s savroopam never varies

JnAathvam: Self-luminosity without any other agency’s help

Anantathvam: Unlimited by kaalam, dEsam or vasthu

Aanandhathvam: Blissful state

Amalathvam: free from any dhOsham or blemish

There are other lakshaNams for Iswaran as Jagath KaaraNathvam, Vibhuthvam et al as

well.

32
 (825) AvtarrhSy}ay nm>
avathAra rahasyajn~Aya Nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who understood the six truths behind the incarnations of
the Lord :

1. The avathArAms are real happenings and not some magical acts.
2. BhagavAn's intrinsic nature is not affected in these avathArams (no Jn~Ana
SankOsams).
3. BhagavAn’s sareeram during the avathAram is Suddha Sathva Mayam and is not
made of Moola Prakruthi like ours.
4. BhagavAn’s avathArams arise form His own will and not because of karmAs as in our
case.
5. AvathArams happen when the dharmam begins to wane in the earth and

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unrighteousness is on the ascent.
6. The purpose of the avathAram is to protect the righteous ones.
For a prapannan, the clear understanding of the six avathAra rahasyams firms up his
MahA ViswAsam in the Lord as SaraNAgatha Rakshakan.

(826) prVyUhaidÉed†ze nm>

Para-vyUhAdhi bhEdhadhrusE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who clearly understood the five states of existence of the
Lord (Param, VyUham, Vibhavam, archaa, and antharyAmi).

(827) ïIjgTkar[Tvaidsaxkanekyui´mte nm>

SrI Jagath kaaraNathvAdhi sAdhakAnEka yukthimathe nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who was skillful enough to advance the arguments that
PirAtti shares the attribute of Jagath kAraNathvam with Her Lord.

33
 COMMENTS:
Swamy Desikan has quoted many pramANams, Yukthis to handle the opposer's position
on the Jagath KaaraNathvam of PirAtti along with Her Lord. With Their joint divine glances,
They create the universe (“oNDadiyAL ThirumahaLum ThAnumAhi oru ninaivAl yeenRa
ulahu” is the statement of Swamy Desikan regarding this joint jagath kaaraNathvam).
sadagopan.org

34
 CHAPTER 6: PARADEVATHA PAARAMARTYADHIKARAM
(NAAMAS 828 TO 858)

This is the sixth chapter of SRTS and is another important chapter, which has 31 Desika
Sahasra NaamAs relating to it.

This chapter establishes the true stature of Sriman NaarAyaNa as the Supreme Deity.
PaaramArTyam means the true situation. Various mathams exist, which claim that other
gods can grant Moksham at the end of one's death. Swamy Desikan proves with Vedic
pramANams and AzhwAr Sri Sookthis that Sriya: Pathi, Sriman NaarAyaNan alone is our
UpAyam for Moksham, UpEyam (Goal) for Moksham and those who have awareness of this
fact that He is the Para DEvathai will not be misled to look at any other gods for Moksha
Siddhi.

(828) ïImÚaray[prdevtain[Ry]may nm>

sadagopan.org
Sriman NaarAyaNa ParadEvathA nirNaya-kshamAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who had the power to establish who is the Supreme
Devathai for the benefit of ParamaikAnthis so that they can gain Moksha Siddhi without fail.

(829) svRdevpräüaÉedo{fndi][ay nm>

Sarva dEva parabrahmAbhEdha khaNDana dakshiNAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who disproved the doctrines of other matham that
advocated the view that Parabrahmam is one and the same as other dEvathAs.

COMMENTS:
In this chapter of SRTS, Swamy Desikan sums up the essence of number of Mathams and
shows their inconsistencies with Vedam and Smruthi and instructs us that such para
Mathams are not to be followed for gaining Moksha siddhi. Swamy Desikan establishes as to
who is the true Supreme Deity, who can assure us Moksham at the end of our earthly
existence.

The various mathams reviewed regarding their unsuitability are:

35
 Aathmaikya Paksham of Yaadhava PrakAsa: The ParamAthma Tatthvam named Sath
Brahmam spreads and shines in the world as the triad: ChEtanam, achEtanam and
Iswaran. Sath Brahmam transforms itself into three tatthvams and yet it is one and the
same.
DEvathaikya Paksham: Even though there are many dEvathais, their AathmA is one
and the same.
Thrimoorthy Saamya Paksham: Brahma, VishNu and Sivan have different AathmAs
but they are equal in every way.
Thrimoorthy Eikya Paksham: Although they have different bodies, their Aathma is
one and the same.
Anyathra Iswarya Paksham: There is a ParamAthmA, who is over and above the
Thrimoorthys. He is the true Para dEvathai.
Ithara Para dEvathais: Among the Thrimoorthys, Sivan is the Supreme Deity or
Brahma is the Supreme deity.
The Lord, without His PirAtti, alone is Para Devathai.
Swamy Desikan has shown that all of these 7 Mathams or points of views are wrong and
sadagopan.org

are inconsistent with Veda and Smruthi PramANams. Swamy Desikan establishes in the
ParadEvathA PaaramArTyAdhikAram that both PerumAl and His PirAtti (Dhivya
Dampathis) are the Means and Goal for our Moksham and as Eka Seshis, they serve as the
Means and goal for Moksham.

In this adhikAram, Swamy Desikan emphasizes that a jeevan that is confused about the
true identity of Para Devathai as Sriman NaarAyaNan cannot become a ParamaikAnthi and
expect to gain moksham without delay. Swamy Desikan establishes in this chapter that
Sriman NaarAyaNan is the creator of Brahmaa and Sivan and that they are subject to the
influence of their karmaas. They receive Jn~Anam from Sriman NaarAyaNan and serve Him
as His DaasAs. They are incapable of granting Moksham directly to anyone. Sriman
NaarAyaNan is their AchAryan. They can confer the boon of Jn~Anam for a chEtanam to
gain Moksham through the performance of SaraNAgathy at the sacred feet of their own Lord.

Thirukkudanthai Desikan compresses in 31 Sahasra NaamAs the above doctrines on Para

dEvathA PaaramaarTyam established by Swamy Desikan in the sixth Chapter of SRTS.

(830) iÇmUitRsaMydmnay nm>

Thrimoorthy saamya damanAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who defeated the doctrine of the Para Matham that said
the thrimoorthys are equal to one another in Jn~Anam and Sakthi.

36
COMMENTS:
This view is against Veda PramANams, which aver that (a) Sriman NaarayaNan is
VishNu (b) There is no dEvathai that is equal or superior to Sriman NaarAyaNan (c) He is
the one who creates the world and its entities including Brahma and Sivan (d) Sriman
NaarAyaNan alone is nithyan (eternal) and is not influenced by the karmAs (akarma vasyan)
in contrast to the other two deities among the Thrimoorthys (Karma vasyALs) .

(831) iÇmUTyERKyivnazkay nm>

Thrimoorthy Eikya VinAsakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who rejected the view that the Thrimoorthys are one and
the same.

sadagopan.org
COMMENTS:
VishNu is the creator and the Brahma-RudraaLs are those created by Him. Hence it is
incorrect to say that all the three are identical in power or function. They have different
lakshaNams such as VaaNi Pathy, LakshmI Pathy and Umaa Pathy. Hence, they cannot be
one and the same.

(832) iÇmUTyuRÄI[Rprmdevta o{fn]may nm>

Thrimoorthy uttheerNa ParamadEvathA khaNDana kshamAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who rejected the UttheerNa Brahma Paksham, which
holds that there is a Parama dEvathai that is superior to the Thrimoorthys and is responsible
for the origin of the Universe and its beings. If we remember that VishNu and Sriman
NaarAyaNa are one and the same, there is no need to invoke a Parama dEvatha over the
Thrimoorthys.

(833) iÇmUTyRNtgRtäüéÔ parMyo{fnay nm>

Thrimoorthy anthargatha Brahma Rudra paaramya khaNDanAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who rejected the views that Brahma or Rudran is the

37
 Supreme Being among the thrimoorthys.

COMMENTS:
This is Vyakthyanthara Brahma Paksham. The views of this Matham is inconsistent with
the Sruthi PramANams:

Sriman NaarAyaNan created Brahma and Rudran. Hence, they cannot be superior to
VishNu NaarAyaNan

During the time of the PraLayam (Ultimate deluge), Sriman NaarAyaNan alone
remained. In the next 20 Sahasra Naamams, the Supremacy of Sriman NaarAyaNan
over the other two deities is established by Thirukkudanthai Desikan following the
teachings of Swamy Desikan in the 6th chapter of SRTS.

adiyEn will continue with the 834th to the 858th Sahasra Naamams, which will take us to
the end of the 6th chapter of Srimath Rahasya Thraya Saaram.
sadagopan.org

(834) äüéÔaidkayRTvkmRvZyTvsaxakay nm>

Brahma-RudhrAthi kAryathva karmavasyathva SaadhakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who instructed us that Brahmaa and Rudhran as the chief
among the dEvathAs are KaaryarhaL (Those who are created by Sriman NaarAyaNan) and
are Karma vasyarhaL (under the influence of their punya and paapa karmAs).

COMMENTS:
Brahma and Rudhra got their exalted positions through performance of special
AarAdhanams of Sriman NaarAyaNan (Example: major Yaagam of SarvamEdham by
Rudhran). Thus they enjoy their karma phalan and therefore are beneficiaries of their karmAs
(Karma vasyALs). They have obtained their karmAdhIna sareerams. It is very appropriate that
kaaryathvam and kaaraNathvam are mentioned together in the same name here.
Kaaryathvam (gaining a sareeram due to karma phalan) and Karma vasyathvam (being under
the influence of one's poorva karmAs) go together.

(835) äüéÔaidÉgvTpartNÈyivcarkay nm>

Brahma-RudhrAdhi Bhagavath paaratantrya VichArakAya nama:

38
(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who instructed us that BrahmA and Rudhran are under
the influence of VishNu Maayai (Prakruthi). They are paratantrAs to Sriman NaarAyaNan,
their Supreme Lord.

(836) äüaidÉgvNmayayÄ - xIÿasv&idžze nm>

BrahmAdhi BhagavanmAyAyattha dheehrAsa vrutthri dhrusE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who pointed out that Brahma and Rudhran have
decreased Jn~Anam (Jn~Ana sankOsam) due to their being under the influence of
BhagavAn's Maayaa.

COMMENTS:

sadagopan.org
Sruthi, Smruthi and PurANams attest to this. BrahmA's Jn~Ana sankOsam was at the
time of Madhu and KaiDapan stealing the VedAs and BrahmA losing his Jn~Anam during
that time of VedApahAram. Sri HayagrIva avathAram took place then to help Brahmaa.
Rudran's Brahmahatthi dhOsham arising from the plucking of one of the five heads of
BrahmA, his father.

(837) iv:[udizRtsgaeRpsgaRidivixz<Éu†ze nm>

VishNudarsitha sargOpasargAdividhisambhu dhrusE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who invited our attention to the fact that Brahma and
Rudhran have their powers of creation and destruction of naama roopa prapancham due to
the anugraham of Sriman NaarAyaNan, their Supreme Master. (MahA BhAratham mentions
this specifically: tathA darsitha PanthAnou / thus having been shown the way by their Lord,
Sriman NaarAyaNan).

(838) zuÉaïyTvriht äüéÔaidsaxkay nm>

SubhAsrayathva rahitha Brahma-RudhrAdhi SaadhakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who declared that Brahmaa and Rudhran do not have

39
 SubhAsraya ThirumEni, the meditation of which leads to Moksham. (SubhAsrayam is the
sacred & auspicious form of the Para dEvathai, which is firmly and easily retained by the
mind before dhyAnam for one’s saadhanaa and anushtAnam for gaining Moksha Phalan).
DhyAnam on other dEvathAs cannot lead to MOksham and will only return us to SamsAram.

(839) äüéÔaidiÇgu[parvZyinêpkay nm>

Brahma-RudhrAdhi thriguNa paaravasya niroopakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who revelaed that BrahmA and Rudhran are subject to the
influence of three guNams (Satthva-Rajas & Tamas).

COMMENT:
On the opposite scale, as the Supreme Being, Sriman NaarAyaNan is SubhAsrayan, Sarva
sadagopan.org

Sakthan, and Svatantran and is free from the influence of the three guNams unlike the other
dEvathAs.

(840) äüéÔaidÉgvdaiïtTvivxaykay nm>

Brahma-RudhrAdhi BhagavathAsrithatathva VidhAyakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who reminded us that Brahmaa and Rudhran are those,
who seek the refuge of Sriman NaarAyaNan, when they face calamities. As the Supreme
Being, Sriman NaarAyaNan is not dependent on anyone for His rakshaNam. He is
Omnipotent.

(841) äüéÔaidÉgviÖÉUitTvinêpkay nm>

Brahma-RudhrAdhi Bhagavath vibhoothithva niroopakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who reminded us that Brahmaa and Rudhran are
vibhUthis of the Para DEvathai, Sriman NaarAyaNan. (They are His subjects and as such
ruled by Him as His property).

40
 (842) äüéÔaidÉgvTàkarTvaiÉxaykay nm>
Brahma-RudhrAdhi Bhagavath- prakArathvaabhidhAyakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who reminded us that Brahmaa, Rudhran and all the other
dEvathAs are prakArams to Him (Brahmaa, Rudhran et al are part of the body of Sriman
NaarAyaNan and as such, they are prakAram to the Lord; they are never therefore separated
from their Lord; they are VisEshaNams to the Supreme Being).

(843) äüéÔaidÉgvCDrIrTvàkazkay nm>

Brahma-RudhrAdhi BhagavaccharIrathva prakAsakAya nama:

(MEANING):

sadagopan.org
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who illustrated that Brahmaa and Rudhran are the
SarIram for BhagavAn and that the Lord is their antharAthmA (indweller) as in case of all
jeevans.

41
 (844) äüéÔaidÉgvÎasTvSwapn]may nm>
Brahma-RudhrAdhi Bhagavath dhAsathva sTapana KshamAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who was capable of proving that Brahmaa and Rudhran
are the Daasa bhUthars of Sriman NaarAyaNan (Sarvajn~an, Rudhran declares his
Daasathvam to the Lord in his eulogy of the Lord in his Manthra Raaja Padha sthOthram-
“dasabhoothA: svatha: sarvE hi aathmAna: paramathmana: | athohamapi thE dasa ithi
matthva.namAmyaham”).

(845) saiÅvkTvaeTpiÄhetu mxusUdn†iò†ze nm>

SaathvikathvOpatthi hEthu Madhusoodhana dhrushti dhrusE nama:
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(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who understood that Saathvika GuNam grows in one due
to the glances of Madhusoodhanan falling on them at birth (PramANam: JaayamAnam hi
purusham yamm pasyEth Madhussodhana: | Saathvika: Sa thu vijn~yEya: sa vai mokshArTa
chinthaka: / Sage VyAsar).

(846) rjStmaegu[asi´hetuäüaid†iò†ze nm>

Rajas-tamO-guNaasakthi hEtu BrahmAdhi dhrushti dhrusE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who reminded us that the falling of the glances of Brahma
and Rudhran on a child at birth can only lead to the dominance of RajO and TamO guNams
respectively unlike Bhagavath KatAksham that makes them “karuvilE Thiru udayavarkaL”.

(847) äüéÔaid mae]aiwRjnaepaSyTvbaxkay nm>

Brahma-RudhrAdhi MokshArTijanOpAsyathva BhadhakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who instructed us that those who seek mOksham
(Mumukshus) should only meditate on Sriman NaarAyaNan. Even Brahmaa and Rudhran

42
seek the Lord, when they desire Moksham. Brahmaa, Rudhran and others are powerless to
grant Moksham by themselves.

(848) äüéÔaid %paSyTvvcae invaRhkarkay nm>

Brahma-RudhrAdhyupAsyathva vachO nirvAha kaarakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who reminded us that Rudhra Bhakthan cannot gain
Moksham directly unlike VishNu bhakthan ( PramANam: Brahmaa and Rudhran bless their
BhakthAs with Jn~Anam conducive to Moksham and therefore become the kaaraNams for
Moksham: The phalan of worshipping Sooryan in seven JanmAs make one a Rudhra
Bhakthan; continuation of worship of Rudhran in seven JanmAs will make one a VishNu
Bhakthan, who becomes eligible for moksham directly. Thus Rudhra Bhakthi is the reason
for becoming a VishNu Bhakthan).

sadagopan.org
(849) äüéÔaidparMy†k! kmaRnh›taid†ze nm>
Brahma- RudhrAdhi Paaramyadhruk karmAnarhathAdhi dhrusE nama:
(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who reminded us that those who believe that Brahmaa,
Rudhran, Indhraa are superior to Sriman NaarAyaNa among all the Devathais would be
ineligible for performing Vaidhika karmAs (Those who persist in thinking that Brahma-
RudhrAl are Para DEvathAs will develop Bhagavath dhvEsham and will become objects of
BhagavAn's nigraham. Varaaha PurANam classes them as PaashaNDis).

(850) äüaidÉgvTsaMy†k! pa;i{fTvsaxkay nm>

BrahmAdhi Bhagavath-saamya dhruk PaashaNdithva SaadhakAya Nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who reminded us that those who consider Brahmaa and
Rudhran or ithara dEvathAs as equal to Sriman NaarAyaNan are PaashaNdis (NaashtikAs
and those who adopt Vaidhika vEsham and engage in Vaidhika karmAs with the above
attitude are classed as PaashaNdis).

43
 (851) iv:[uin¢aýpaÇTv rihtetrdEv†ze nm>
VishNu-nigraahya pAthrathva rahithEtara dhaiva dhrusE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who reminded us that those who have angered Sriman
NaarAyaNan cannot be protected by any other DEvathAs (Examples: KaakAsura
VrutthAntham and Ambhareesha- DhurvAsar episode).

(852) i]àetr)làaiÝsaxnetrdev†ze nm>

KshiprEtara phala-prApthi saadhanEtara dhEva dhrusE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who understood very well that the ithara devathAs are
ideal for quick-yielding alpa samsAric phalans (PramANam: Geethai: 4.12- “kaangkshanthah
karmaNaah … karmajaa”- the Moksha Phalan will not be given instantaneously like alpa
sadagopan.org

phalan and is blessed only by Sriman NaarAyaNan. Even those alpa phalans are empowered
to the ithara dEvathais by the Lord Himself).

(853) kaMya*waRiït AnNtpué;awRdiv:[uixye nm>

kAmyAdhyaTAsritha- anantha-purushArTadha VishNudhiyE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who reminded us that SarvEswaran can grant SamsAric
Kaamya/alpa Phalans as well as the grand phalan of Moksham (When we ask for Kaamya
Phalans, our Lord grants them and develops gradually the path for Moksham for us. The
ithara dEvathAs stop at the point of granting SamsAric Phalans).

(854) A}aNydevyjn àItiv:[u àkazkay nm>

Ajn~a anyadeva yajana preetha VishNu- prakAsakAya Nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who reminded us that Lord alone is pleased by the
worship of ithara dEvathAs by those, who do not have the proper Jn~Anam (that the ithara
dEvathAs are BhagavAn's sareeram). The PramANam here is Bhagavath Geethai: 7.23, which
states that the worship done by these ajn~anis will not count as worship done according to
SaasthrAs.

44
 (855) A}aNydevyjn )lvEkLysaxkay nm>
Ajn~a anyadEva yajana phala vaikalya saadhakAya Nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who reminded us that the aarAdhanam done for ithara
dEvathAs by these Saasthra-- Jn~Anam deficient chEtanams would yield only less phalans.
Although the Lord is pleased with that aarAdhanam, He will only give less phalan.

(856) iv:[vaTmkaNy dev} kmRpaE:kLysaxkay nm>

VishNvAthmakAnya dEvajn~a karma poushkalya sAdhakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who instructed us that those who understood that ithara

sadagopan.org
dEvathAs have VishNu as their aathmA are the ones, whose vaidhika karmAs are fulfilled
( PoorNam). Direct worship of the Lord in recognition of His tatthvam as ParadEvathai will
yield the complete Phalan of that aarAdhanam.

(857) in:kamiv:[u seva Anu;¼aNy)lisiφze nm>

NishkAma VishNu sEvA anushangAnya Phala siddhi dhrusE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who instructed us that VishNu aarAdhanam without
desiring any phalans (nishkAmyam) will yield other auspicious phalans such as Iswaryam and
AarOgyam even with out asking (anushankam).

(858) pra»‚zaidïIsUi´ saixtaeTk«òmaxvay nm>

ParAnkusAdhi SrIsookthi SaadhithOthkrushta-MaadhavAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who performed upadEsam for us that Lakshmi Pathi,
Sriman NaarAyaNan is the Supreme DEvathai based on the SrI Sookthis of Swamy
NammAzhwAr and other AzhwArs (PramANams: Pey AzhwAr - “Saarvu namakku”
Moondram Thiruvanthadhi, paasuram-100; Swamy NammAzhwAr -“ONDadiyAL
ThirumahaLum NeeyumE nilaa niRppa” -ThiruvAimozhi Paasuram IV-9.10).

45
 CHAPTER 7: MUMUKSHUTHVADHIKARAM (NAAMA 859)

(859) mumu]ahetusar}ay nm>

Mumukshaa hEthu Saarajn~Aya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who knew the essence of how one develops a desire for
Moksham.

COMMENTS:
This chapter deals with the steps that one takes to gain Moksha ruchi. He goes through
six steps:
1. He gains the Jn~Anam that Sariram (physical body) is different from the aathmA. He
understands that aathmaa is eternal and even after the death of the physical body, the
sadagopan.org

aathmaa can go to other worlds like svargam, narakam, Vaikuntam et al. This
knowledge qualifies him to receive other worldly gains.

2. He understands next the svaroopam of the Lord as his Supreme Master and himself as
the Lord’s eternal servant, whose svaroopam is to perform Bhagavath Kaimkaryam.
He develops a taste for performing Bhagavath Kaimkaryam.

3. He learns next the comprehensive meanings of AshtAksharam. That removes his

ahankAram and mamakAram, which in turn kindles his interest in Moksham.

4. He recognizes that the earthly pleasures are transient and are mingled with sorrow.

5. He recognizes the defects (dhOshams) in the pleasures of svargam as well. He

understands that the pleasures of Bhagavath anubhavam in contrast are lasting
(nithyam) and limitless (anantham) as well as free from any blemishes. The ruchi for
MOksham grows further.

6. After arriving at this stage, he abandons the karmAs that give phalans in this world
and observes the UpAyam leading up to Moksham like Bhakthi or Prapatthi yOgam.
He now becomes a Mumukshu.

SUMMARY OF MUMUKSHUTHVA ADHIKARAM (7TH CHAPTER) REPRESENTED BY THE

859TH NAAMA
The chEthanan comprehends the differences between the AathmA, Indhriyam and
Sariram with the help of Bhagavath Saasthrams. He understands about his fitness to reach the
higher world and the sorrow of wallowing in SamsAram through birth in other wombs. He
fears the implications of accumulating sins and the consequent stay in Narakam and avoids

46
paapa karmAs. He understands the loftiness of the Lord and his own lowliness and becomes
qualified to seek Moksham. He understands through his AchAryaas the complete and correct
meanings of AshtAksharam and cleanses himself of the different kinds of ahankArams and
MamakArams that stand in the way of his progress to Moksham. Through many valid sources
of knowledge (PramANams), he understands the blemishes of SamsAric way of life and
Kaivalyam (Contemplation on one's self) and recognizes the superiority of Bhagavath
anubhavam. He intensifies his efforts on karmAs that will lead him to moksham and stays
away from those that will have phalans in this world. This chEthanam is the one revered as
Mumukshu or one who desires Moksham and engages in the efforts for gaining that Sukham.
SaasthrAs celebrate him.

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47
 CHAPTER 8: ADHIKARI VIBHAGHADHIKARAM
(NAAMAS 860 & 861)

(860) Aixkair (r) ivÉagivde nm>

adhikAri (ra) vibhAga VidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who knew the categories of adhikAris (Qualified ones) ,
who follow the upAyam (means ) for Moksham .

COMMENTS:
The ones qualified to observe MokshOpAyam are of two kinds: Bhakthi yOgins and
Prapatthi yOgins. Alternatively, they are known as (1) SadhwAraka Prapanna and (2)
adhvAraka Prapanna.
sadagopan.org

Those who follow Bhakthi yOgam perform prapatthi in between to ward off any
interferences to their Bhakthi yOgam. They fulfill Bhakthi yOgam through Prapatthi and gain
Moksham. This category of people is SadhvAraka Prapannas or SadhwAraka Prapatthi
nishtars.

Others who use Prapatthi as UpAyam for Moksham. They do not use any other means
and wish to gain Moksham solely through Prapatthi. They are called adhvAraka Prapatthi
nishtars or adhvAraka prapannAs. There is no difference in the ultimate Moksha Phalan in
the case of the two categories of Prapannas, who chose one or the other route based on their
status and fitness.

Every one is eligible for performing Prapatthi. It will remove all anishtams
(inauspiciousness). It needs to be done only once. It yields fruits very quickly (in a trice). It
will not tolerate any other upAyam to be done with it for Moksha Phalan. It destroys
PrArabdha karmAs and gives the fruits of Prapatthi, when one wishes. Therefore, Prapatthi
Yogam is easy to practice, quick yielding and therefore superior in many ways to Bhakthi
yogam practiced to gain Moksham.

(861) àpÅyvaNtr iÉdaveÇenm>

prapathyavaanthara bhidhA vEtthrE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who knew the nature of the four kinds of Prapatthi

48
(Svanishtai, AchArya Nishtai, Ukthi Nishtai and BhAgavatha Nishtai).
COMMENTS:
The Prapatthi performed directly by a qualified one is Sva Nishtai. AchArya Nishtai is the
one, when AchAryan performs the Prapatthi for the Sishyan. This adhikAri fits in to the
Prapatthi done by the AchAryan for himself and for those belonging to him. Ukthi Nishtai is
the one, where the adhikAri repeats the prapatthi vaakyams said by AchAryan and places the
burden of his protection at the sacred feet of the Lord. BhAgavatha nishtai is the one, when
the adhikAri stays covered by the prapatthi done by a Bhagavathan, who is not his AchAryan.

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49
 CHAPTER 9: UPAYA VIBHAGADHIKARAM (NAAMA 862)

(862) %payivÉagivde nm>

UpAya VibhAga vidhE nama:
(MEANING):
The UpAyam (means to be followed) for Moksham are two: Bhakthi and Prapatthi. One
who performs Prapatthi says: “Oh Lord! I am powerless to perform Bhakthi yOgam. You
must stay in its place and grant me the Phalan of Bhakthi yOgam (viz) Moksham”. Thus
Iswaran becomes the UpAyam or means in this instance.

One who performs Bhakthi yOgam performs prapatthi as often as he meets an obstacle
during the steps of Bhakthi yOgam. Bhagavan responds to that plea for help (Prapatthi) and
stands in the place of the difficult to accomplish task and completes the anushtAnam of
Bhakthi yogam.

In this chapter on UpAya VibhAgaadhikAram, Swamy Desikan also covers Karma yogam
sadagopan.org

and Jn~Ana yOgam, which are auxillaries to Bhakthi yOgam and discusses Para Jn~Anam
and Parama Bhakthi that follow karma and Jn~Ana yOgams.

50
 CHAPTER 10: PRAPATTHI YOGYADHIKARAM (NAAMA 863)

(863) àpÅyixi³ya pÂdzin[Ry xUvRhay nm>

PrapathyadhikriyA panchadasa nirNaya- dhUrvhAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who had the skills to determine the fifteen aspects of
fitness to perform Prapatthi.

COMMENTS:
How does one become eligible to observe Prapatthi without observance of Bhakthi
yOgam? That question is answered here. Bhakthi and Prapatthi have these in common:

1. Desire in the phalan of Moksham

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2. Gaining of knowledge of the meanings of Saasthram

3. Performance of rites prescribed by the SaasthrAs

4. Sticking to Jaathi and GuNam for the observance of specific means (e.g.)
Prapatthi can be performed by anyone. Bhakthi yOgam is limited to three
varNams only.

Limited only to those perform Prapatthi for Moksham are three other conditions:

1. Inability or powerlessness to undertake any other upAyam (aakinchanyam)

2. A state of mind, where no other fruit is desired
3. A resolute state of mind, where no other God is sought for phalans of any kind
(ananya gathithvam).
Inability to perform the arduous Bhakthi yOgam is called Aakinchanyam. One needs
clear Jn~Anam, endurance and an impatience to wait for the fruits (Moksham) of the slow
yielding Bhakthi yOgam. These three factors cause aakinchanyam in one and drives them
towards the upAyam of Prapatthi. Further, there is no limit to which of the four varNAs can
do Prapatthi unlike Bhakthi yOgam. Prapatthi has thus sarvAdhikAram. Hence, Prapatthi is
glorious and is superior to Bhakthi yOgam for a Mumukshu.

51
 CHAPTER 11: PARIKARA VIBHAGADHIKARAM
(NAAMAS 864 TO 866)

(864) Nyasiv*a¼pÂTvaepkar Vyak«it]may nm>

NyAsa VidhyAnga panchathvOpakAra vyAkruthi kshamAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who had the skills to describe the fruits of the five
accessories (angAs) of Prapatthi (Aanukoolya Sanklapam, PrAthikoolya Varjanam,
KaarPaNyam, MahA VisvAsam and gOpthruva VaraNam). Prapatthi is hence described as
“PanchAnga Samyuktha:” The “Shadvidha SaraNAgathy” referred to in Ahirbudhnya
SamhitA means it is the Main SaraNAgathy characterized by the five accessories.

COMMENTS:
sadagopan.org

One seeking Moksham has to perform the prapatthi (SaraNAgathy, aathma nikshEpam)
with the union of the above five angAs. He should surrender his Self, the burden of his
protection and the fruits arising from that protection to the Lord.

The definition of the five accessories are:

1. Aanukoolya Sankalpam: Vow to be anukoolan (agreeable) to the Lord

2. Praathikoolya varjanam: a vow to abandon all acts that will incur the displeasure of
the Lord
3. KaarpaNyam: Realization of one's utter helplessness to practice the austere Bhakthi
yOgam and to stay in a state of meekness before the Lord praying for His anugraham
4. Mahaa VisvAsam: Total faith in the Lord that He would come to his rescue
5. gOpthruva VaraNam: Prayer to the Lord and requesting Him to be his sole protector
Swamy Desikan instructed us that all the five angams are essential for prapatthi
(Upayukthams) and there should not be diminution in any one of them.

(865) ivñasaeTk;Rivhitkar[ Vyahit]may nm>

ViswAsOthkarsha vihathi kAraNa vyAhathy kshamAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who is capable of removing all obstacles to the recognition
of the supremacy of MahA ViswAsam as an angam of Prapatthi.

52
COMMENTS:
MahA ViswAsam is absolutely essential to Prapatthi anushtAnam. It is important to have
firm faith in the thought that the Lord will most certainly come to our rescue (protection).

There are five doubts that interfere with our cultivation of MahA ViswAsam. One should
comprehend the five attributes of the Lord in all its various forms to remove these doubts on
MahA ViswAsam.

Doubt 1: Bhagavan is omniscient (Sarvajn~an) and omnipotent (Sarva sakthan). Can we

approach such a lofty One as those who have accumulated limitless sins?

Answer: The remedy here is MahA Lakshmi, who pleads for us (Her Children) and asks Her
lord to forgive our trespasses. Our Lord cannot say no to Her. Hence, we can approach
Him without fear through MahA Lakshmi. The irrefutable PurushakAram of PirAtti is
central (VisEsha aakAram) here.

Doubt 2: Bhagavan grants phalans proportionate to our karmaas. We have committed

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immeasurable sins. How can He grant us then the loftiest of Phalans (Moksham)?

Answer: BhagavAn is our Lord (Seshi); As His servants (Seshans), we have an indissoluble
relationship with Him. Therefore, we have a right to receive His boons including Moksha
Phalan. Just as a Father gives His son his share of property, the Lord uses the pretext of
Prapatthi to grant us Moksha Siddhi. Indissoluble relationship is the visEsha aakAram
here.

Doubt 3: Bhagavaan is avAptha Samastha Kaaman. There is nothing that He needs. There is
nothing that He needs to get from us. How can He give us the loftiest of Phalans in
return for this “small” and easy-to-practice upAyam of Prapatthi?

Answer: He does not need to get any help (upakAram) from us. He is by nature most
merciful. Out of that most merciful nature, He accepts the small effort of Prapatthi and
recognizes it as a major effort by us and grants us the greatest of boons that He alone can
grant Moksham. His inherent attribute of unbounded KaaruNyam is the visEsha
aakAram here.

Doubt 4: Our Lord normally takes time to grant the Phalans unlike alpa dEvathais, which
grant whatever phalan they can give quickly (Ref: 852nd Naamaa). If that were to be so,
why would the Lord grant phalan to a prapannan at the time the Prapannan specifies?
How is it possible that He takes His own time to grant phalan for those, who perform
Bhakthi yOgam but responds quickly to the PrapannAs?

Answer: Our Lord has the power to grant the Phalans by his will alone. He does not need

53
 anyone’s assistance for that. When He looks at the helpless (without any other gathi), He
is overcome with His attribute of generosity (OudhAryam) and grants the Phalan
immediately. He does not hold back. The VisEsha aakAram is non-dependence on
anyone to help Him.

Doubt 5: Our Lord is the Supreme Being with no equal or superior. Will that
PurushOtthaman ignore our lowly status and grant us so readily, the phalan of being on a
par with the exalted Nithyasooris?

Answer: BhagavAn is totally independent (Svatantran) and grants the Phalan He wishes
according to His sankalpam. He feels fulfilled through granting us the boons that we
seek. He is like the great king, who delights in feeding the royal parrot and nourishing it
like he would do with affection for his own son. The VisEsha aakAram is considering as
PrayOjanam, the Iswaryam conferred on His prapanna janams as His own acquisition of
that Iswaryam.

(866) ivñasgaePt&vr[ zBdawRTvàkarivde nm>

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viswAsa gOpthruvaraNa sabdhArTathva prakAra vidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who instructed us on how MahA ViswAsam and
gOpthruva varaNam become meanings for the “SaraNam PrapadhyE” sabdham.

“Swamy Appullaar and Swamy Desikan”

54
COMMENTS:
MahA viswAsam is the belief in the Lord being chosen as the UpAyam in one’s prapatthi.
From there arises the UpAyathva PrArTanai (prayer to be the UpAyam or the means). Inside
that UpAyathva prArthanam (anthargatham) is Gopthruva VaraNam. Thus Maha ViswAsam
is the direct meaning of “SaraNam PrapadhyE” section of Dhvaya manthram. From that
direct meaning, the meaning of gOpthruva varaNam arises as anthargatham (positioned
inside it). ViswAsam is the direct meaning. The meaning of gOpthruva varaNam arises from
that direct meaning. When we perform the upAya PrarTanai to the Lord as “Please stay as my
upAyam”, it really means “Please be my protector, who does not desire any other upAyam,
which I am powerless to do”. “Be my protector” is the aspect that is Gopthruva varaNam.
This UpAya PrArTanai is arTa Siddham (meaning obtained from the direct meaning =
anthargatha meaning). Gothruva varaNam is hence implicit in that MahA ViswAsa angam.

Swamy AppuLLAr, the AchAryan of Swamy Desikan has observed in this context that a
chetanam that is afraid of the Supremacy (Parathvam) of the Lord and runs away from Him is
a lowly one. The ChEtanam that recognizes the Soulabhyam (ease of access) of the Lord and
comes near Him is a Parama Aasthikan.

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55
 CHAPTER 12: SAANGA PRAPADHANADHIKARAM
(NAAMAS 867 TO 871)

(867) àpiÄl][aiÉ}ay nm>

Prapatthi LakshaNaabhijn~ayA nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who knew very well the lakshaNams of Prapatthi.

COMMENTS:
This chapter explains the ways to perform Prapatthi with its five angams.

Swamy Desikan has instructed us on the way of performing Prapatthi (aathma

SamarpaNam) along with its five accessories:
sadagopan.org

1. Karthruthva ThyAgam: The person performing Prapatthi should reflect that he is not
the principal doer (KarthA), but it is ParamAthmA alone, who is the doer.

2. MamathA ThyAgam: The person performing Prapatthi should detach oneself from
the thought that he is the karthA and the karma belongs to him.

3. Phala ThyAgam: The performer of Prapatthi should detach himself from the fruits of
Prapatthi and place that at the sacred feet of the Lord as belonging to Him alone.

4. PhalOpayathva ThyAgam: Prapatthi that is being performed should be recognized

not as a direct means for attaining his object but it is only a vyAjam (pretext). One
should banish the thought that Prapatthi is the direct means for the phalan resulting
from the performance of Prapatthi. Abandoning the idea of the means to the phalan is
PhalOpAyathva ThyAgam.

Along with the FOUR ThyAgams (Karthruthva, MamathA, Phala, and PhalOpAya
ThyAgams), one should reflect upon the five accessories of Prapatthi (Aanukoolya Sankalpam
et al) at the time of the anushtAnam of Prapatthi.

These five accessories of Prapatthi have to be reflected upon once at the time of Prapatthi.
After performing Prapatthi and until the end of the earthly life, the Prapannan has to observe
still aanukoolya sankalpam, Prathikoolya varjanam and MahA ViswAsam. They become the
Phalans gained from the prayer made at the time of Prapatthi.

After making the four ThyAgams and reflecting on the five accessories, one should
prostrate before the AchArya Paramparai; thereafter, Dhvaya manthram is used as sadhanam
to surrender one’s aathma Svaroopam (Svaroopa SamarpaNam), the phalans arising from the
Prapatthi (Phala SamarpaNam) and the aathma rakshA bhara samarpaNam (the burden of

56
protection). Among the three kinds of SamarpaNams, the Aaathma RakshA Bhara
SamarpaNam is the most important.

One should ask for Moksham at the end of earthly life, when one performs Prapatthi and
in the post-prapatthi period engage in blemishless kaimkaryam to the Dhivya dampathis.

One of the four methods of Prapatthi as below has to be observed:

(1) Sva Nishtai (2) Ukthi Nishtai (3) AchArya Nishtai and (4) BhAgavatha Nishtai.

(868) Nyasiv*ai¼veidtay nm>

NyAsa VidhyAngi vEdithAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who was fully familiar with the angi svaroopam of NyAsa
Vidhyai.

sadagopan.org
COMMENTS:
In the 864th Sahasra Naamam, the angams of the NyAsa Vidhyai were covered. The angi
of Prapatthi is Aathma SamarpaNam (Surrender of athma at the sacred feet of the Lord).

(869) iÇvgRmae]jnk Nyasiv*aivze;ivde nm>

Thrivarga mOksha janaka nyAsa vidhyA visEsha vidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who knew the differences between the two kinds of
NyAsa Vidhyai:

(1) One that grants the phalan of thri vargams (Dharmam, arTam and Kaamam)
(2) One that grants Moksha Phalan.

COMMENTS:
Lord grants the Phalan that one seeks through Prapatthi. ParamaikAnthis perform
Prapatthi for Moksham. The thri varga Phalans are alpa phalans (insignificant and transitory)
compared to the grand phalan of Moksham. In the Prapatthi done for Moksham alone,
Svaroopa and Phala SamarpaNams will dominate. Bhara SamarpaNam is common for both
kinds of Prapatthis. There are also differences in a Bhakthi yogi performing prapatthi for the
fulfillment of Bhakti yOgam. Here, the Bhara SamarpaNam aspect will be dominant.

57
 (870) sa¼àpÅynuòan àyaegivixsaxkay nm>
Saanga PrapathyAnushtAna prayOga vidhi saadhakAya nama:
(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who revealed to us the PrayOga Vidhi of Prapatthi (The
united way of using the prapatthi vaakyams for angams with pradhana vidhi, which relates to
the angi of Prapatthi).

COMMENTS:
Angams for Prapatthi are five and there are vaakyams relating to them in Prapatthi
prayOgam. Angi is the combination of Aathma SamarpaNam, Phala SamarpaNam and Bhara
SamarpaNam. PradhAna vidhi for Prapatthi is the saanga pradhAna vidhi samyuktha
prapatthi (PradhAna vidhi conmbined with anga vidhis). Aathma samarpaNam and Phala
SamarpaNam should not be considered either as angams or separate angis. If we consider
Aathma SamarpaNam and Phala SamarpaNam as separate angis, then the effect would be the
multiple performance of Prapatthi, which is not allowed. Prapatthi has to be done only once.
sadagopan.org

(871) sa¼àpÅynuòan sk«Tv Swapn]may nm>

Saanga prapathyanushtAna sakruthva sTApana kshamAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who had the skills to establish that saanga Prapatthi
(Prapatthi done with the angAs) should be done only once.

COMMENTS:
The angams of Aanukoolya sankalpam, PrAthikoolya varjanam and MahA ViswAsam
reflected upon at the time of Prapatthi take on different dimensions after the prapatthi
anushtAnam. All the three are needed after prapatthi but their role is no longer that of
angams, but are considered as Phalans of Prapatthi. Thus, Prapatthi done once (Saanga
Prapatthi with PradhAna Vidhi) is all what is needed for Moksha Siddhi.

58
 CHAPTER 13: KRUTHAKRUTHYADHIKARAM (NAAMA 872)

(872) shetuk«tk«TyTv Anus<xanivzarday nm>

SahEthu krutha-kruthyathva anusandhaana visAradhAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who had the knowledge and capabilities to observe the
duties of krutha-kruthyan (One who has completed the anushtAnam of Prapatthi) along with
the reasons for such observances.

COMMENTS:
This nAmA is about the activities of one who has completed the Prapatthi anushtAnam
as prescribed by the SaasthrAs and how he conducts himself and the reasons for such course
of conduct.

sadagopan.org
He has completed now the once-to-be performed Prapatthi for Moksham. There is
nothing else he has to do from here on to gain Moksham. Bhagavaan will take care of his
anthima smruthi and Brahma Naadi pravEsam at the time of the falling of the body. Since
Bhagavaan Himself has said “Maa Sucha:” (do not have any sorrow or fear), he stays in a
state of freedom from fear.

He has no doubts about Moksham and he does not seek any thing else, since the Lord
has assured him “MokshayishyAmi”. He receives joy in contemplating over the anticipated
Moksham and stays free of fear and worry. He continues with nithya- naimitthika karmAs
since they are not UpAyams but PurushArTams. When performing these karmas, if he has to
invoke the names of ithara dEvathAs, which are subordinate to the Lord, he recognizes that
their names also refer to the Lord, who is their antharyAmi and empowerer. He does not
acquire therefore any dhOshams. He performs Bhagavath-BhAgavatha-AchArya
Kaimkaryams and stays like a Mukthan.

This krutha kruthyan is the one, who regretted his lowly state before performing Prapatthi
and has shifted his burden of protection to the Lord lives now without fear, sins or doubts.
AzhwAr (ThoNDaradippodi in Thirumaalai, paasuram 38) has described such krutha-
kruthyAs as “kaampuRaththalai siraitthu, unn kadaiththalai irunthu vaazhum sOmbhar”.

All these topics are covered in Krutha KruthyAdhikAram, the 13th chapter of SRTS of
Swamy Desikan summarized by this naamaa.

59
 CHAPTER 14: SVANISHTABHIJN~ANADHIKARAM (NAAMA 873)

(873) SvSvêpaepay )linóaÇyivvekvte nm>

Sva svarUpOpAya phala nishtaa-thraya vivEkavathE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who understood the differences between the three nishtais
(firmly understood state of Jn~Anams) and recognized the acquisition of each of the three
(Svaroopa, UpAya, and Phala nishtais) by him clearly.

COMMENTS:
This Naamaa deals with the realization by prapannan about the maturation of his nishtais
through the experience of the appearance of significant recognizable lakshaNams.
sadagopan.org

The Marks for Svaroopa Nishtai are:

not to be perturbed, when others insult him

having compassion for the one, who acquires his sins
showing gratitude to those, who point out the prapannan's mistakes
no change of heart at people who insult him
feeling happy over the diminution of his sins
The marks of UpAya nishtai:

thinking that SarvEswaran is the sole refuge

Meeting death as a welcome event
feeling consoled at times of crisis by believing that the Lord is the sole rakshakan
not seeking any other upAyam for Moksham after Bhara NyAsam.
Having the conviction that the good and the bad are Bhagavath sankalpam and
responsibility.
The marks of Phala or PurushArTa nishtai are:

Enjoy the BhOgams coming in one's path, if they are permitted by the SaasthrAs
developing the ruchi for Bhagavath kaimkaryam and
impatience to gain Bhagavath anubhavam .
All of these points are covered in the 14th chapter of SRTS (SvanishtAbhijn~AdhikAram)

60
 CHAPTER 15: UTTHARA KRUTHYADHIKARAM (NAAMA 874)

(874) àpÅyuÄrktRVy k«Tyin[Rykaeivday nm>

Prapatthyutthara karthavya kruthya nirNaya kOvidhAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who had the intellectual power to establish the duties of a
Prapannan in the post-prapatthi period.

COMMENTS:
This Naamaa pertains to the 15th chapter of SRTS named Utthara kruthyAdhikAram. A
Prapannan after Prapatthi cannot lead an erratic life. He has to lead a virtuous life that is a
model for others to follow. He has to spend his time on earth after prapatthi in a manner
consistent with his svaroopam as the Sesha BhUthan to the Lord at all times. The things to do

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are:

Gain clarity from AchArya UpadEsams to enhance the desire for Bhagavath
anubhavam

Get closer to ParamaikAnthis and emulate them to gain blemish less anushtAnams

Avoid Bhaagavatha apachAram at any cost; avoid insulting others or get giddy over
the thought that his anushtAnam or Jn~Anam is superior to others

Comfort oneself with gaining of knowledge about the Jn~Anam on the avathAra
rahasyams of the Lord and feel repentant over previous times (before Prapatthi)
for losing the wealth of Kaimkaryam to the Lord and His AchAryAs

Control one’s indhriyams and direct them in paths recommended by Bhagavath

Saasthrams

Enhance one’s AchArya Bhakthi and anubhavam of ArchA Moorthys at dhivya

dEsams and others

Through Manas, Speech and body avoid things to be avoided (free oneself from
thoughts on Vishaya sukhams, avoid boasting and stay away from BhAgavata
apachAram) and engage in permitted activities (reflecting on the upakArams done
by the AchAryan, repeatedly reciting dhvaya manhtram and engaging in
Kaimkaryams to AchAryAs and BhAgavathAs)

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 CHAPTER 16: PURUSHARTA KAASHTADHIKARAM
(NAAMAS 875 TO 877)

(875) ÉgvÎas kE»yRdaSyÖEivXy veidÇe nm>

Bhagavath Daasa kaimkarya dhAsya dvaividhya vEdithtrE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who understood the two different kinds of Daasathvam
that a Prapannan enjoys.

COMMENTS:
This and the next two NaamAs deal with the 16th Chapter of SRTS (PurushArTa
Kaashtai). BhAgavatha Kaimkaryam is the end limit of Bhagavath Daasa Kaimkaryam. It is
the duty of the Daasan to do what pleases his Lord. In the case of Bhagavaan, the Sarva
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Swamy, what pleases Him the most, is Kaimkaryam to His BhAgavathAs, who are very dear
to Him. Therefore the BhAgavatha Kaimkaryam is the end frontier of Bhagavath
Kaimkaryam. The very fact that he is a Bhagavath dAsan makes a prapannan, BhAgavatha
Daasan.

This BhAgavatha Daasathvam is of two kinds:

1. Since Bhagavaan desires all to be the daasAs of His BhAgavathAs, the Daasathvam
originating in this manner is one kind of BhAgavatha Daasyathvam
2. The Daasathvam arising from the adoration of the BhAgavathA's guNams and
becoming as a result his Daasan. Among the two categories of BhAgavatha
Daasathvam, the second category is superior to the First.
Similarly, Bhagavath Daasathvam can be classed into two categories:
1. The natural daasathvam of a Sesha BhUthan to his Sarva Swami
2. The GuNam-Based Daasathvam, where the prapannan is charmed by the delectable
guNams of the Lord and becomes His Daasan
Swamy Desikan has revealed to us these two divisions in Bhagavath and BhAgavatha
Daasathvams.

62
 (876) ÉgvÎas daSyàaÝanNyTv ivraex¹e nm>
Bhagavath Daasa Daasya-prApthaananyathva virOdhaghnE nama:
(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who refuted the concept that BhAgavatha Daasathvam
will interfere with being Daasan to anyone else including Bhagavaan.

COMMENTS:
Swamy Desikan states here that the vow by Prapannan not to be daasan to anyone except
Bhagavaan (ananyArha sEshathvam) will not clash with being a Daasan to the Lord's
BhAgavathAs.

Thirumanthiram requires that a Mumukshu should cultivate ananyArha sEshathvam

through Bhagavath sEshathva Jn~Anam. The very same Bhagavath sEshathva Jn~Anam
leads one onto BhAgavatha Seshathvam. A Bhagavath sEshan is one, who can be used by his
Swamy in any manner his Lord wishes to use him. If it is Bhagavaan’s cherished wish for His
Daasan to serve as a daasan to His dear BhAgavathAs, it is the duty of the Mumukshu to be

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the Daasan to BhAgavathAs as well. There is no conflict here in being Daasan to both
BhAgavan and His own BhAgavathAs. The deeper meaning of AshtAksharam is BhAgavatha
sEshathvam indeed!

(877) ïImÑagvtaNyaeNydaSy saxntTpray nm>

Srimath BhAgavathAnyOnya daasya sAdhana tathparAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who proved that the BhAgavatha Daasaas can be Swamy
to each other without conflict.

COMMENTS:
The question arises as to how the two BhAgavathAs have paraspara (mutual)
daasyathvam (servantship) and Swamithvam (Lordship). If one is a daasan, the other has to
be a Swamy and vice versa. There appears to be a conflict in mutual daasathvam.

Swamy Desikan states in PurushArTa Kaashtai chapter that there is no conflict. It is like
two out of respect to each other offer upachArams to each other. One who offers upachAram
is the daasan and the other who receives it (the Phalan) fits into the role of Swamy. These
roles can reverse without conflict during another upachAram. The fact that both can receive
the phalan permits both of them to be Swamis. Since both engage on different occasions to
perform kaimkaryam that yields phalan, both can also be daasars of each other.

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 CHAPTER 17: SAASTHRIYA NIYAMANADHIKARAM
(NAAMAS 878 TO 880)

(878) àpÚaNvhs<ÉaVy zaôIyinymiàyay nm>

PrapannAnvaha sambhAvya SaasthrIya - niyama priyAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who emphasized the importance of the prapannan
performing the karmAs ordained by the SaasthrAs.

COMMENTS:
This 17th chapter discusses the performance of required kaimkaryams according to the
directives of the SaasthrAs.
sadagopan.org

After Prapatthi, Prapannan is required to perform kaimkaryams that please his Lord. How
can he know what pleases his Lord and what does not? Only SaasthrAs can be of help in
determining what are desirable to the Lord, the Master of the Prapannan. One has to desist
from performing asAsthrIya karmAs (those not ordained by the SaasthrAs).

(879) Éa:ykarae´ zaôanumt kE»yRsarivde nm>

BhAshyakArOktha SaasthrAnumatha kaimkarya saara vidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who was conversant with the SaasthrOktha kaimkaryams
identified by EmperumAnAr.

COMMENTS:
At the time of leaving for Parama Padham, EmperumAnAr instructed his sishyAs on five
karmAs that one should do in the Post-prapatthi period:

To study Sri BhAshyam and teach it to others.

If one is not able to do that, one has to study Dhivya Prabhandhams, recite them and
teach them to the others.

If one is unable to do the above, he should perform kaimkaryams at dhivya dEsams

such as offering naivEdhyams, sandal paste, lamp and garland to the Lord.

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 If one is not able to perform kaimkaryams at the dhivya dEsams, one should meditate
on the inner meanings of Dhvayam frequently.

If one cannot even recite dhvayam, he should seek the shelter of a Sri VaishNavan and
stay in his shade and serve that noble soul.

(880) %‘'!i"t Aa}akr[ AvE:[vTvàsadkay nm>

ullangitha Aajn~AkaraNA avaishNavathva - prasAdhakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to Swamy Desikan, who ruled that one who transgresses the commands of the
Lord is not a VaishNavan (avaishNavan).

COMMENTS:

sadagopan.org
Performance of the karmAs that are dissonant (Viruddham) with Bhagavath Saasthrams
goes against the inherent nature (Svaroopam) of the Prapannan.

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 CHAPTER 18: APARADHA PARIHARADHIKARAM
(NAAMAS 881 TO 888)

(881) àpÚa}ait³maid àayiíÄivze;ivde nm>

PrapannAjn~AthikaramAdhi prAyascchittha visEsha vidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who had clear knowledge about the appropriate kinds of
PrAyascchittham for the different kinds of trespasses of the Lord's commands.

COMMENTS:
Even a Prapannan, who is dear to the Lord cannot trespass the Lord's commands. If he
does so willfully, he acquires sins and has to perform the appropriate PrAyascchittham for
parihAram (preventing those sins causing any harm). Due to imperfections in their Aathma
sadagopan.org

guNams, PrapannAs might end up committing apachArams and they should realize
immediately about their mistakes and perform the relevant acts of repentance prescribed by
the Saasthrams.

(882) @naein:k«TyudasIn àpÚl"ud{f†ze nm>

yEnOnishkruthyudhAseena prapanna laghu - dhaNDa dhrusE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who knew that there is a small punishment for the
prapannan, who does not pursue the prAyaschittham for the sins that he committed willingly.

COMMENTS:
The Lord metes out such small punishments to a Prapannan, who consciously committed
sins. This punishment ordered by the Lord tends to be small in scope even if the sins
committed may be major in nature. This is a result of the Lord's affection for one, who had
performed prapatthi at His sacred feet. Even such a small punishment by the Lord is for
protecting the prapannan.

66
 (883) Aa}aitl'!i"kiQnàpÚ nrkaiàyay nm>
Ajn~Athilanghi kaDina prapanna narakaapriyAya nama:
(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who rejected the notion that the prapannAs who make
major trespasses of the Lord's rules will end up in narakam.

COMMENTS:
There are two kinds of prapannAs, who transgress the Lord's commands:

1. Those who feel contrite, regret over their errors and perform the appropriate
prAyascchitthams quickly. They are known as Mrudhu (soft) Prakruthis among
the PrapannAs.

2. Then there are those, who do not repent over their apachArams and fail to perform
the prescribed prAyascchittham. This category of prapannAs is known as Katina

sadagopan.org
Prakruthis.

Even for Katina prakruthis, the Lord orders a small punishment and saves them from
major punishments like residence in narakam. As the protector of prapannAs, the most
merciful Lord makes sure that they do not land in narakam as a result of their apachArams.

(884) àpÚbuiÏpUvERn> àayiíÄivze;ivde nm>

Prapanna buddhi poorvaina: prAyascchittha - visEsha VidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who knew very well the visEsha PrAyascchittham
(PrAyascchittha Prapatthi) as a way to banish the paapams acquired by a prapannan as a
result of committing apachArams consciously.

COMMENTS:
A prapannan, who willingly committed apachArams, should perform the appropriate
prAyascchittham. Such a Prapannan may be powerless sometimes to perform such
prAyascchitthams. It is for those, SaasthrAs prescribe a VisEsha PrAyascchittham known as
PrAyascchittha Prapatthi. Through this PrAyascchittham, a sinned prapannan performs a
visEsha SaraNAgathy for the elimination of the sins that accrued. This visEsha
prAyascchittha prapatthi is not for mokshArTam but only for the banishment of the sins that
resulted from willful commitment of aparAdhams to BhagavAn and His BhAgavathAs. The
first prapatthi done for gaining Moksham (MokshArTa Prapatthi) can be done only once. The

67
 second special prapatthi is therefore allowed for the sole purpose of gaining freedom from the
sins acquired by the Katina Prapannan. Hence, there is no conflict between these two
prapatthis done for different purposes.

(885) mhapatàpÚ àisÏ in:k«itveidÇe nm>

Mahaapaata prapanna prasidhda nishkruthi VedithrE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to the AchAryan, who knew that even the noble ones known for their exalted
conduct (sishtAs) should perform the big praayascchitthams prescribed by the SAsthrAs for
the big sins that they might have acquired.

COMMENTS:
SishtAs are those, who follow strictly the Veda mArgam. These MahAns are exemplary
beings and the rest of the world follows their ways. Therefore, it is appropriate for them to
sadagopan.org

practise the prAyascchittham proportionate to the level of sin and set an example for the
others. Otherwise, the rest of the world will ignore the needed prAyschitthams (acts of
contrition) prescribed by Bhagavath Saasthrams citing the behavior of the sishtAs. These
major sins relate to Bhagavath and BhAgavatha apachArams. The sishtAs have to publicly
practise the prescribed prAyaschittham for the benefit of the world (for lOka sangraham)
instead of seeking private redress. If they are unable to do it, they should perform
PrAyascchittha Prapatthi. Swamy Desikan is saluted here for his knowledge of these subtle
codes of conduct for sishtAs.

(886) kiQn Ainytayu> àpÚ AayuvR&iÏsaxkay nm>

KaDina aniyatAyu: prapanna aayurvruddhi sAdhakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who was aware of the Lord granting additional years of life
to the Katina prapannAs so that they can gain mOksham at the end of their earthly existence.

COMMENTS:
Even for Katina prapannAs (who willfully trespassed and did not practice
prAyascchitthams), our Lord makes sure that they gain mOksham at the end of their lives.
These Katina prapannAs are of two categories:

those with niyatha aayus (destined to live here for a specific or set period of time) and

68
 anitha aayus (those, whose life span had not been settled).
For the niyatha aayus katina prapannAs, the Lord makes sure that they experience the
light punishments and gain the mOksham at the end of their lives. For the aniyatha katina
prapannAs, our Lord grants them additional years to exhaust their light punishments so that
they can also gain moksham at the end of their lives on earth as long as they had asked for
Moksham at the end of their earthly existence.

(887) mae]awRNyass<hayR xIpUvaeRÄrpap¹e nm>

mOkshArTa nyAsa samhArya dhee-poorvOtthara - pApagnE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who refuted the view that the performance of MokshArTa
Prapatthi (Prapatthi done for gaining Moksham) will destroy all the paapams acquired
knowingly.

sadagopan.org
COMMENTS:
There is a point of view that all paapams acquired willfully after Prapatthi are destroyed
for the Katina prapannAs. The supporters of this view cite the section of Charama slOkam
(Sarva PaapEbhyO MokshiyishyAmi) as their pramANam. They take the position that
prAyascchitthams for willful sins are not warranted. Swamy Desikan following AchArya
RaamAnujA’s stand in Sri BhAshyam refuted this view as erroneous interpretation of
GithAchAryan’s Charama slOkam message.

Swamy Desikan’s view is: One who willfully trespassed should perform the appropriate
prAyascchittham or visEsha prAyascchittham. If not, there will be delay in gaining Moksham
as explained in the previous sahasra naamAs. The SaasthrAs will be rendered meaningless if
one insists that the sins won't stick after prapatthi and that there is no need for performing the
appropriate prAyascchittham to get rid of them.

It is the reason why great AchAryAs like Sri RaamAnuja were very careful in their
anushtAnams after prapatthi that paapams do not result. They held the view that the Lord will
forgive only those sins, which were acquired without knowledge by MokshArTa PrapannAs.
In Sri BhAshyam, AchArya RaamAnujA interpreted the Upanishad (Sruthi) passages to
establish that for Bhakthi yOgis seeking Moksham, the sins accumulated knowingly will stick
and cause delays in Moksham. A similar situation exists for those observing Prapatthi
yOgam. Buddhi Poorvaka paapam will stick; refutation of this view that holds all kinds of
paapams acquired by a katina prapannan do not stick will result in a MahA DhOsham of “SrI
BhAshya VirOdham”. Prapatthi alone without prAyascchittham or VisEsha Prapatthi will not
destroy the willfully acquired paapams.

69
 (888) k«tpatknazawR zr[agitveidÇe nm>
krutha paathaka nAsArTa saraNAgathy vEdhithrE nama:
(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who knew that Prapatthi is done for the destruction of the
sins accumulated during pre-prapatthi stage of life.

COMMENTS:
There is some confusion in interpreting the Lord’s intent implied in His Charama slOka
Vaakyam: “Sarva PaapEyO mOkshayishyAmi”. AchArya RaamAnuja and Swamy Desikan
interpreted this passage correctly by instructing us that Laghu Sikshai (light punishment) and
performance of the appropriate PrAyscchittham will eliminate with Lord’s grace even the
willfully acquired sins of a (Katina) prapannan during the post-prapatthi period. There is no
pramANa vachanam for the elimination of willfully acquired sins during the post-prapatthi
period through the mere anushtAnam of Prapatthi.
sadagopan.org

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 CHAPTER 19: STHANA-VISESHADHIKARAM (NAAMA 889)

(889) àpÚaNvhvasahR SwanVyaOyankaeivday nm>

PrapannAnvaha vaasArha sThAna vyAkhana kOvidhAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who possessed the knowledge about the places fit for the
daily residence of a Prapannan during his post-prapatthi time of life.

COMMENTS:
This chapter (Sthaana VisEsha adhikAram) deals with the appropriate place for a
Prapannan to live until the end of his life. The place of residence chosen should be fit for a
ParamaikAnthi prapannan for doing Bhagavath-BhAgavatha Kaimkaryam until the end of his
life here. The station should be appropriate to carry out one’s varNAsrama dharmams. It

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should also be a place filled with BhaagavathAs of the Lord. Dhivya dEsams and particularly
kshEthrams like Srirangam are desirable for residence. The places not desired by
BhaagavathAs have to be rejected.

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 CHAPTER 20: NIRYANADHIKARAM (NAMMAS 890 TO 897)

(890) ivkla¼Nyasiv*a pU[RhetuTvsaxkay nm>

VikalAnganyAsavidhyA poorNa-hEthuthva saadhakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who firmly established that even an imperfect NyAsa
anushtAnam results in the fulfillment of SaraNAgathy performed as a result of our Lord’s
help.

COMMENTS:
This chapter deals with the exit of the muktha Jeevan from the physical body
(NiryANam). For some, there is delay due to the imperfect execution of Prapatthi at the time
of UpAya anushtAnam. For instance, some might have insufficient MahA ViswAsam. For
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such prapannAs, our Lord comes to the rescue; He enhances the MahA Viswaasam in Him
and makes the Prapatthi anushtAnam complete. PoorNa prapatthi results after a short delay
due to the imperfections that existed before. BhagavAn grants Moksham now and lets the
jeevan realize upAya Poorthy with His intervention in those cases.

(891) devtaNtr†Fas´ àpÚ nrkaei´mte nm>

DevathAnthara dhruDAsaktha prapanna narakOkthimathE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who instructed us that the prapannan, who holds on to
dEvathAs other than SarvEswaran, Sriman NaarAyaNan to the end will land in narakam and
that his prapatthi would not be fulfilled.

COMMENTS:
Prapannan has to be like a pathivrathai devoted solely to her husband. His Mahaa
VisvAsam to Bhagavaan should not be traded for beliefs in other gods as saviors. They cannot
grant Moksham. If anyone does not abandon their firm taste for ithara dEvathAs and holds
on to such a way of life until their day’s end, his prapatthi will be fruitless and he has the
chance to reside in narakam. If he mends his way before his last moments, Bhagavaan will
intervene, correct him and bless him (the one that strayed) with upAya poorthy.

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 (892) ivÖdekaNtaeT³m[ ³mdzRntaei;tay nm>
VidhvadhEkAnthOthkramaNa karma darsana thOshithAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who instructed us on the unique way in which the Jeevan of
the VidhvAn (one has performed the Brahma Vidhyai of Prapatthi or Bhakthi yOgam) exits
from the body at the end of life here.

COMMENTS:
All jeevans (PrapannAs or otherwise) have the following common experiences at the time
of their departure from this world: BhagavAn links the ten indhriyams to Manas; the manas is
next united with PraaNa Vaayu; that PrANa Vaayu is linked to the jeevan next. After that, our
Lord blends the jeevan with the subtle pancha bhUthams. Now, the jeevan is ready to leave
the physical body through one of the 101 naadis originating from the heart lotus. The muktha

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jeevan alone that has benefited from its prapatthi anushtAnam exits via the special
Moordhanya Naadi with the assistance of our Lord. Rest of the jeevans exit via any one of the
other 100 naadis to enjoy their karmaas and enter either svargam or narakam. Muktha
Jeevan's niryANam alone is via Moordhanya naadi.

(893) %payarMÉnòaiðò pUvaeRÄrpap†ze nm>

UpAyaarambha nashtAslishta poorvOtthara paapadhrusE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who knew that the elimination of the accumulated sins and
the nonattachment of future sins will result at the very second of uttering Prapatthi
manthrams. The jeevan’s Munn VinaikaL (previous paapams) naasam adayum (will be
destroyed) and pinn vinaikaL sEraa (the sins in the post prapatthi period will not stick).

COMMENTS:
For the jeevan, who is at the beginning stage of executing his prapatthi, our Lord blesses
the jeevan with few benefits. Vedam points this out: “His sins are burnt down like dry bale of
cotton thrown into a blazing fire. His future sins wont stick to him just like water does not
stick to the lotus leaf”. The 996th Sahasra naamam elaborates further on the meaning of this
naamam.

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 (894) #òavxUtaNy)l xIvEmuOyàpÚivde nm>
IshtAvadhUthAnyaphala dheevaimukhya prapanna vidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who knew that the Prapannan has no desire for insignificant
(alpa) and evanescent (asTira) phalans after upAya anushtAnam.

COMMENTS:
The sole fruit that he will seek would be Bhagavaan, who is the Moksha DhAyakan. He
will have ruchi only for MokshAnanadham. Bhagavaan turns the minds of those prapannAs
from other non lasting, insignificant phalans and protects him after upAya anushtAnam.

(895) ivnòaiðòpu{ya" suùd! iÖq! s'!³maei´ivde nm>

sadagopan.org

VinashtAslishta-puNyAga suhrudh dhviD sankramOkthi-vidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutation to that AchAryan, who was familiar with the doctrines relating to the destroyed
and non-sticking puNyams and paapams of the prapanna jeevan will be transferred
respectively to the friends and the foes of that exiting muktha jeevan at the time of departure
from the body cage.

COMMENTS:
Here, the reference is to aslEsha-vinaasa karmAs associated erstwhile with the Muktha
Jeevan and their destinations. At the time of performing prapatthi (upAya aarambham), all the
previous karmAs are destroyed and the karmaas thereafter do not stick to the jeevan. These
paapa karmAs resulting from the times before and after prapatthi are distributed to the foe of
the jeevan and the puNya karmAs to the friends of the jeevan.

(896) ivnòaiðòpu{ya" ivxUnnpdawRivde nm>

VinishtAshlishta-puNyAga vidhUnana padhArTavidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who knew the subtle meanings behind the transfer of the
puNya-pApams of muktha jeevans at the time of niryANam.

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COMMENTS:
Vedam states that the PuNyam and Paapam leave the Muktha Jeevan at the time of
ascent to Sri Vaikuntam by a jeevan, who has completed upAya anushtAnam. PuNyam is the
anugraha sankalpam of the Lord and Paapam is the nigraha sankalpam of the Lord. Both are
to be avoided. PuNyam is like golden chain that binds us to enjoy non-lasting pleasures and
paapam results in naraka avasthai. Hence, both have to be get rid off for a muktha jeevan
with the help of the Lord at the time of ascent from the body.

There are three stages to the severance of PuNya-Paapams for a Prapannan:

AslEsha-VinAsa dasai at the beginning stage of upAya anushtAnam: The moment, the
jeevan with the help of AchAryan utters the Prapatthi manthrams, the Lord resolves
(makes the sankalpam) to destroy all accumulated sins and vows to make future
paapams not stick through acceptance of Praayascchittham even for sins acquired
consciously.
At the stage of exit form the body, our Lord executes his earlier two vows and cleans the
slate as it were for the jeevan.
The shifting of the PuNYams and Paapams: At the time of exit, our Lord transfers the

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Paapams and puNyams to the foes/relatives and friends/BhandhUs of the muktha
jeevan so the jeevan can travel light towards Sri Vaikuntam, His Supreme Abode.

(897) buxpuya"imÇair s'!³aiNtVyajbaexkay nm>

Bhudha puNyAga mithrAri sankrAnthy vyAja BhOdhakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who knew clearly the reasons for the PuNya-Paapams of the
VidhvAn shifting to the friends and foes.

COMMENTS:
Questions may arise as to the appropriateness of such shifts, while the friends and foes
did not accumulate them by themselves. There are chathrus (foes showing dhvEsham/
hatred), mithrAs (friends who had good thoughts) and indifferent (UdhAcheenars) for the
One, who performed upAya anushtAnam. The dhvEsham and friendship shown by the foes
and friends of the Prapannan qualifies them for these “gifts”. The indifferent ones are left out
of the equation.

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 CHAPTER 21: GATHI-VISESHADHIKARAM (NAAMAS 898 TO 900)

(898) AicRraidgit}aÇe nm>

archirAdhi gathy Jn~AthrE nama:
(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who knew the road map for travel in the path of light
(archirAdhi Maargam).

COMMENTS:
Gathi visEsha adhikAram starts with this naamA. Here Swamy’s knowledge about the
path traveled by Muktha jeevan to Sri Vaikuntam is saluted. The muktha jeevan with the
Lord’s help enters the 101st Naadi and travels up to Brahma randhram (the hole in the top of
the skull and exits the body from there to continue its travel on the archirAdhi or DevayAna
Maargam to Parama padham. Swamy NammAzhwAr describes the visualization of His travel
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on ArchirAdhi Maargam and his reception by archirAdhi devAs at the end of ThiruvAimozhi
paasuram X.9.5 (“Madhavan tamar yenRu, vaasalil Vaanavar, pOthumin yemathidam
puhuha”).

(899) sUúmdehivsgRivde nm>

Sookshma dEha visargavidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who knew how the Muktha jeevan takes on a subtle
sareeram (Sookshma Sareeram) to travel on the ArchirAdhi Maargam.

COMMENTS:
The gross (SthUla) sareeram is for experincig the Karma Phalan. After getting rid of
karmAs, the power of the UpAya anushtAnam results in the retention of the Sookshma
sareeram for travel via archirAdhi mArgam. The jeevan holds on to this sookshma sareeram
and once it gets into Sri Vaikuntam, abandons this sookshma sareeram as well. Swamy
compares this act to one who uses a boat to cross the river leaving that boat after crossing the
river.

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 (900) idVydez (deh) àaiÝpUvR ³mdzRndi]pay nm>
Dhivya dEsa (dEha) prApthi poorva krama darsana dakshiNAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who had the power to explain the steps for reaching Parama
Padham. Alternatively, he had the power to explain how one attains the dhivya sareeram
during the travel via archirAdhi mArgam.

COMMENTS:
The kramams are: The jeevan that abandoned the sookshma sareeram is transported to
the other side of river VirajA. There, the jeevan recieves a Suddha Satthvamaya sareeram. He
continues his travel to the divine pond known as Irammam. Next he arrives at the asvattha
tree known as Somasavanam. There, 500 apsaras wait for him with garlands, jewelery and
collyrium and perform dhivyAlankArams. He attains there from dhivya gandham (fragrance),
dhivya rasam and dhivya tEjas. After that the nithyasooris greet him and take him to the

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entrance (gOpuram) of Sri Vaikunta RaajadhAni. There, the dhvAra paalakars greet the
jeevan with Suddha Sathva sareeram and let him enter the ThirumAmaNi ManTapam (gem
bedecked hall), where the Lord with His devis and parijanams is seated. This is the kramam
(Steps) in the journey of the Jeevan via archirAdhi maargam.

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 CHAPTER 22: PARIPOORNA BRAHMANUBHAVAADHIKARAM
(NAAMAS 901 TO 908)

(901) mu´àpÚsanNdivÉu}anxurNxray nm>

Muktha-Prapanna saanandha- vibhujn~Ana dhurandharAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who was able to comprehend that the Lord is the one who
has equal aanandham with Muktha jeevan or He (Swamy is that Utthama AchAryan, who
understood the Lord gains His aanandham through the Muktha Jeevan.

COMMENTS:
In Parama Padham, BhagavAn blesses the Muktha Jeevan with Kaimkarya rasam,
accepts the Kaimkaryams and becomes joyous over it. Parama Padha Naathan is Niradhisaya
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Bhogyan (AarA amudhu/ insatiable nectar) and Lord shows that aspect of His svaroopam to
the Muktha jeevan and blesses that jeevan to enjoy the bliss on an equal level with Him.
AzhwAr has described this “anthamil pErinbhatthu adiyOradi irutthuvAn”. The Lord will
bless the jeevan to perform all kaimkaryams to his heart's content and accept them with joy.
The Lord will become happy at seeing the Muktha jeevan becoming happy. Bhagavan is
intrinsically filled with niradhisaya aanandham. There is no inconsistency in Him getting
additional aanandham from the Mukthan’s kaimkaryams. It is like the AabharaNams
enhancing the beauty of a person, who is already beautiful.

(902) mxuiv*a*xIkair gTyNtrivze;ivde nm>

MadhuvidhyAdhyadhIkAri gathyanthara visEshavidhE nama:
(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who knew fully well the routes other than ArchirAdhi
maargam) prescribed for different SaadhakAs (adhikAris) such as those performing
upAsanais like Madhu VidhyA.

COMMENTS:
The Saadhakan practicing the Brahma VidhyA known as Madhu VidhyA wishes to attain
Brahma PrApthi (reaching Parama Padham) after earning the position (SthAnam) of Vasu.
He gains it. At the end of the rule as Aditya Vasu, he attains Parama Padham. He cannot
therefore travel via ArchirAdhi Maargam, since he has to welcome the Muktha Jeevans
traveling on ArchirAdhi maargam in his role as Adithya Vasu. Therefore, he has got a

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different route to Parama Padham than ArchirAdhi mArgam.

There are also others, who do not gain Brahma PrApthi via archirAdhi maargam:

There are those paramaikAnthis, who perform VyUha upAsanaa. They go from this
world to the SvEtha Dhveepam (the continent in the middle of the milky ocean,
where only Suddha yAjis live). After that they attain Aniruddhan, Pradhyumnan
and SankarshaNan in that order and finally reach VyUha Vaasudevan (Para
VaasudEvan in Sri Vaikuntam).

Lord Brahmaa in Sathya lOkam gain Moksham after PraLayam (Ultimate deluge) as a
result of their Bhagavath UpAsanai.

Thus there are different routes to Parama Padham besides ArchirAdhi maargam
prescribed for different adhikAris.

(903) mu´(vSwa AanNdtartMyvadivnazkay nm>

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MukthyavasTA aanandha taaratamya vaadha vinAsakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who defeated the notion that the Muktha Jeevans in their
state of Mukthi do not enjoy the same level of bliss amongst themselves.

COMMENTS:
Madhva Matham holds that there are gradations/variations in the level of bliss enjoyed by
the different Muktha Jeevans. VisishtAdhvaitha matham rejects that notion and holds that all
mukths jeevans enjoy the same level of bliss in Parama Padham and there are no
Taaratamyams amongst them. Madhva Matham holds that the bliss enjoyed by one who
gained Mukthi from the Deva sareeram has a higher level of enjoyment than one who got to
Parama Padham after leaving a human body. Madhvaas also believe that the Phalan of
enjoyment of Sriman NaarAyaNan in Parama Padham is proportionate to their level of
UpAsanA. Swamy Desikan rejected these views based on Veda PramANam: (Mukthan enjoys
parama saamyam with BhagavAn and enjoys sama bhOgams with the Lord). Therefore all
MukthAs are dear and equal to the Lord except in the powers to create, protect and destroy
the world. Those powers are reserved for the Lord alone. Therefore, there are no gradations in
the bliss enjoyed by the Muktha Jeevans, whether they had manushya Or Deva Sareeram
before gaining Mukthi.

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 (904) jgTöò&präü tuLyanNdivmui´†ze nm>
Jagathsrashtru parabrahma tulyAnandha vimukthi dhrusE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who knew that the Moksham is the enjoyment of aanandam
similar to the one enjoyed by the Lord, who creates the world.

COMMENTS:
Maharishis have stated that the Mukthan enjoys Bhogam at the same level of the Lord
except engaging in Jagath Srushti and other vyApArams reserved for the Lord. ParamAthmA’s
aanandham in creating the world is equally enjoyed by the MukthAs by looking at those
activities of the Lord without their direct involvement in the creative activities by the Lord.
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(905) pirpU[RpräüanuÉv ïuitveidÇe nm>

ParipoorNa ParabrahmAnubhava sruthi vEdhithrE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who was knowledgeable about the portion of the Veda
dealing with ParipoorNa ParabrahmAnubhavam.

COMMENTS:
Muktha Jeevan enjoys ParipoorNa BrahmAnubhavam. He enjoys the Para Brahmam with
GuNam, Vigraham (Form) and VibhUthi (Iswaryam). Swamy Desikan was conversant with
the Veda Bhaagams dealing with the enjoyment of the Muktha Jeevan in Parama Padham.
“sOsnuthE” of Taittireeya Sruthi states that the Muktha jeevan not only enjoys Brahmam but
also its guNams (i.e.) the Muktha Jeevan enjoys Brahmam with its auspicious attributes.
Based on Sruthi PramANams, BhUmAdhikaraNam of SrI BhAshyam also states that Muktha
Jevan enjoys Para Brahmam with its VibhUthis.

(906) suiniítawR präüanuÉvrIitkay nm>

SuniscchithArTa Parabrahmaanubhava reethikAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who clearly stated the well established meanings of

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ParipoorNa BrahmAnubhavam revealed by the Sruthis.

COMMENTS:
These well established meanings are: The Muktha Jeevan enjoys the Sacred body,
limitless auspicious attributes and His Iswaryams at all times, places and states as insatiable
bliss (Niradhisaya bhOgam).

(907) s<saràitkUlawR mu´(vSwanukULy†ze nm>

SamsAra PrathikoolArTa MukthyavasTAnukoolya-dhrusE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who comprehended the prathikoola vasthus in SamsAric
world become anukoola vasthus in the state of Mukthi.

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COMMENTS:
It has been stated that the LeelA VibhUthi (Praakrutha lOkams like ours and Nithya
vibhUthi - aprAkrutha lOkams) are Iswaryams of ParamAthmA, who is the object of bliss for
the Muktha Jeevan in the state of Mukthi.

There is a question. SaasthrAs instruct us to leave SamsAric prakrutha lOkam since it is

the source of grief. In that case, how can the PrAkrutha Vasthus cause joy to muktha jeevan?
The answer is: For one with bile disease, Milk is prathikoola vasthu (disagreeable and
grief-generating vasthu). Once the bile dhOsham (disease) is cured, milk becomes a most
enjoyable (anukoola) vasthu. When prathikoola vasthus arising as a result of our karmAs
caused sorrow, they become anukoola vasthus after getting rid of the karmAs and gaining
MOksham.

(908) ïIpitTvpräütuLyanNdivmui´†se nm>

Sripathithva Parabrahma tulyAnandha vimukthi dhrusE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who understood that the aanandham similar to the Sriya:
Pathi (Lord of MahA Lakshmi ) is indeed Moksham.

COMMENTS:
There are Veda Vaakyams, which say that the Muktha Jeevan becomes united (Iykyam)

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 with Para Brahmam. The correct meaning of these passages is that the Muktha Jeevan attains
Saamyam (Equality) with the Lord. Mukthan does not become Brahman. Mukthan is distinct
from Brahman, who has unique attributes like Being the Lord of MahA Lakshmi and unique
VyApArams (activities) like the creation of the Universe. Mukthan unlike the Lord is the
sareeram for the Lord and is atomic in size compared to the Lord, who is Vibhu (all
pervasive). In Jn~Anam and aanandham, both Mukthan and Para Brahmam have equality.
Mukthi is therefore understood as having Jn~Anam and bliss equal to the Lord.

Through the 28 Swamy Desika Sahasra NaamAs, Thirukkudanathai Andavan has

covered the following 5 chapters of Srimath Rahasya Thraya Saaram:

1) AparAdha ParihAra AdhikAram 18th AdhikAram

2) SthAna VisEsha AdhikAram 19th AdhikAram
3) NiryANa AdhikAram 20th AdhikAram
4) Gathi VisEsha AdhikAram 21st AdhikAram
5) ParipoorNa BrahmAnubhava AdhikAram 22nd AdhikAram
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Here are the Summaries of the FIVE chapters (NaamAs 881-908):

AparAdha ParihAra adikaram: This chapter deals with the ways in which a Prapannan in
the Post-Prapatthi period can destroy the sins accumulated in a conscious manner.

There are two kinds of sins that accumulate. One accumulates unconsciously and the
other is the one that is accumulated deliberately. For the Prapannan, who never forgets that
he is the Seshan (Servant) of the Lord and performs kaimkaryams for the Lord, the sins
acquired without consciousness won’t stick. If the Prapannan engages in acts deliberately
that result in sins, then he has to regret for it and perform the appropriate prAyschittham,
then those sins will also be destroyed. That PrAyascchittham is in the form of another
Prapatthi (not for Moksham but for removal of the sins).

When one who deliberately engages in accumulating sins and does not perform the
needed PrAyascchittham, he or she experiences sufferings in this life itself. He is however
saved from Naraka anubhavam by PerumAl’s fondness for the Prapannan driven by his
compassion. Thus Prapannan gets a light punishment and is saved from Narakam.

Prapannan in the post-Prapatthi period has to guard against the biggest of the
apachArams: BhAgavathApachAram or wilful offences to BhagavAn's dear ones. Lord will not
fulfill Prapatthi for those, who commit such BhAgavatha apachAram. PrAyascchittham is
essential in such cases to avoid the anger (nigraham) of the Lord.

The sins acquired deliberately after Prapatthi are destroyed in this way: The repentance
over committing such sinful deeds consciously destroys one fourth of the Paapams. Another
quarter is destroyed by not engaging in such sinful acts. The attempt to perform
PrAyascchittham takes care of another quarter of the sins and the completion of the
PrAyascchittham eliminates the remaining fourth measure of sins. Thus for a Prapannan,

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Narakam or rebirth does not happen thru the power of the Prapatthi anushtAnam.

SthAna VisEshAdhikAram: This chapter discusses the preferred places of residence for
the Prapannan during the post-prapatthi period (until the end of his earthly life).

The ParamaikAnthi Prapannan should seek and reside in a place during his post-
prapatthi period for performing the blemish less kaimkaryams to BhagavAn and His
BhAgavathAs. That should be a place, where his VarNAsrama dharmams can be practiced
with comfort. Among such places, the one populated by the BhagavathAs is the best. If it also
happens to be a place, where AzhwArs have performed MangaLAsAsanam that is even better.

NiryANa adhikAram: This chapter deals with the way in which the Muktha Jeevan leaves
the physical body at the time of death.

When the time comes for the Prapannan to cast his physical body aside, our merciful
Lord, who is pleased with the austere way in which the Prapannan has conducted himself
during the post-prapatthi period creates the occasion for the Jeevan to exit form the body.
Our Lord unites the ten indhriyams with the mind; He joins then the mind with the PrANa
Vaayu. That PrANa Vaayu is next united with the Jeevan. Thereafter, our Lord blends the

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Jeevan with the Pancha BhUthams and comforts the jeevan from the strain caused by the
previous efforts by embracing the jeevan to remove that fatigue. This procedure is common
to all Jeevans be it a Prapanna Jeevan or not. Now, the Lord steers the Prapanna Jeevan away
from the 100 naadis that will lead the other Jeevans to Svargam or Narakam. Our Lord steers
the Prapanna Jeevan in the 101st Naadi (the Special Moordhanya Naadi) and makes it leave
the body thereafter via Brahma Randhram to start its journey through the path of light
(ArchirAdhi Maargam) to Sri Vaikuntam.

There is no need for anthima smruthi (last minute reflection on the Lord) for a
Prapannan. Only those, who have practised Bhakthi Yogam to gain moksham, have this
requirement. Prapannan does not also need to choose his time of exit from this world such as
day, Sukla Paksham, UttharAyaNam et al to gain Moksham. The power of Prapatthi will
permit him to ascend to Moksham at any time or place.

Gathi VisEsha AdhikAram: This chapter explains the unique experiences of the Muktha
Jeevan on its way to Sri Vaikuntam via the ArchirAdhi mArgam.

The Muktha Jeevan that has entered the ArchirAdhi maargam is greeted by various
devathais (Agni Devathai, the Devathai for the Day, Sukla Paksha devathai, Sooryan,
Chandran, Lightning devathai, VaruNan, Indhran and PrajApathy successively). The Jeevan
now arrives at the end of Prakruthy MaNDalam (the bank of Viraja river that divides
Prakruthy Mandalam from Sri Vaikuntam) and leaves its Sookshma sareeram there. The Lord
now empowers the Muktha Jeevan to cross the Virajaa River and reach the other bank. Here,
the Jeevan gains Suddha Sathva Maya sareeram. The Jeevan travels next to the divine pond
(Irammadheeyam) prior to arriving at the shade of the asvattha tree known as Somasavanam.
There, 500 divine damsels are waiting to offer the Jeevan fragrant powders, lovely clothings
and jewelry to wear. After gaining dhivya gandham, dhivya rasam and dhivya tEjas, the

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 jeevan is welcomed by the Nithya Sooris (the eternally liberated Jeevans) and receives special
upachArams. Next the jeevan arrives at the gem-bedecked court of the Lord resting on
AadhisEshan. The Jevan is overwhelmed at the darsanam of the Lord and climbs the throne
of AadhisEshan to sit on the lap of the Lord and is embraced by Him. The Jeevan now gains
his natural svaroopam and descends down to join the assembly of Muktha Jeevans and
Nithya Sooris to perform blemish less kaimkaryam for the Lord. The Jeevan pleases the Lord
and the Lord in turn is delighted with the services of the Muktha Jeevan. After Prapatthi, the
Prapanna Jeevan should enjoy reflecting on this gathi visEsham to be experienced in Sri
Vaikuntam at the end of his earthly life.

ParipoorNa BrahmAnubhavAdhikAram: This chapter deals with the complete

(inexhaustible) way in which the Muktha Jeevan enjoys Sri Vaikunta Naathan in Parama
Padham.

The Muktha Jeevan arrives in Sri Vaikuntam and enjoys the Lord there in all states, times
and places. It enjoys His auspicious attributes, Iswaryam and ThirumEni and delights in the
performance of uninterrupted blemish less Kaimkaryams to the Lord. It never returns to the
Karma BhUmi since all its karmAs (PuNyams and Paapams) have been exhausted. Even if it
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comes for a purpose on the Lord’s command, it’s Jn~Anam does not diminish. Its
ParipoorNa Bhagavath anubhavam does not shrink either. In the enjoyment of the bliss,
there is no difference between BhagavAn, the Nithyars and the Muktha Jeevans. Among the
three, ONLY BhagavAn has the power to create and rule the world. He alone has the power
to be the meaning of all the words, being the object of revelation by the VedAs, being the
object of UpAsanai by the Jeevans, having the exclusive power to grant Moksham, being
every where in a pervasive state (Vibhu) and being always with MahA Lakshmi.

With ParipoorNa BrahmAnandhAdhikAram, the ArthAnusAsana section of Srimath

Rahasya Thraya Saaram (SRTS) is completed. We will now start the study of SthreekaraNa
Bhaagam of SRTS (Chapters 23 to 26).

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 II. STHREEKARANA BHAAGAM:
CHAPTER 23: SIDDHOPAYA SODHANADHIKARAM
(NAMMAS 909 TO 925)
SiddhOpAya sOdhanAdhikAram is one of the four chapters of Srimath Rahasyathraya
Saaram belonging to SthreekaraNa bhAgam. The other three chapters of this SthreekaraNa
bhAgam are: SaadhyOpAya sOdhanAdhikAram, PrabhAva-vyavasTAdhikAram and
PrabhAva RakshAdhikAram.

These four chapters of SthreekaraNa bhAgam answers the objections (AakshEpams)

raised in previous ArTAnusAsana bhAgam and establishes the loftiness of the MOksha
UpAyams (Bhakthi and Prapatthi) and the Dhivya Dampathis as UpEyam.

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“siddhOpAyam - Vaiththamanidhi Perumal”

SUMMARY OF THE SIDDHOPAYA SODHANADHIKARAM (23RD CHAPTER OF SRTS)

This chapter deals with the provision of answers for doubts raised against BhagavAn and
establishes the Supremacy of the Lord as MOksha DhAyakan. SiddhOpAyam is some thing,
which is not done by us. It is an ancient UpAyam that exists from time immemorial.
BhagavAn stands as Siddhan (Ready) and He becomes the quintessential means (UpAyam)
for granting MOksham for the Prapannan.

SaadhyOpAyam in contrast is some thing that has to be initiated by us (Saadhyam). The

SaadhyOpAyams are Bhakthi and Prapatthi yOgams. These SaadhyOpAyams (Bhakthi and

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 Prapatthi) serve to remove the anger (nigraham) of the Lord, the SiddhOpAyan, against us,
who trespass His commands constantly.

SiddhOpAya sOdhanAdhikAram focuses on the clarification of our doubts about three

cardinal doctrines; it rejects the views of kevala-yukthi vaadhis (unfit and inappropriate
persons steeped in their egos). The three confusions that arise from association (sahavaasam)
with these kevala-yukthi vaadhis ignorant of SaasthrArTams are:

Confusions about the two GuNams of Iswaran: His SvAtantryam

(independence) and Sahaja KaaruNyam (intrinsic compassion)

Confusion about the relation between the Jeevan and the Lord (Sesha-Seshi
Bhava Sambhandham): Servant-Master relationship

Confusion about the “Srimath” sabdham linked to MahA Lakshmi’s role as

the Divine Consort of the Lord and demonstrating yEka sEshithvam instead
of just displaying PurushakArathvam.

Elimination of these doubts through AchArya UpadEsam and anugraham neutralizes the
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nigraha Sankalpam of the Lord towards the offending Bhaddha Jeevan.

The misfortune of not developing a clear understanding of (1) SiddhOpAyam (2)

SaadhyOpAyam and (3) the glories of the upAyams for Moksham are direct results of the
Lord’s anger over the repeated trespasses of His commands by the Jeevan.

BhagavAn’s Nigraha Sankalpam is transformed into anugraha Sankalpam by three

anushtAnams as below:

1. Thirumuha Paasuram: During the time of performing first the PurushakAra Prapatthi
at the sacred feet of MahA Lakshmi, the prayer is for the fulfilment of his
SaraNAgathy at Her Lord’s lotus feet. The most compassionate PirAtti responds:
“May that come to fruition! May you gain correct Jn~Anam and spiritual wealth from
your SaraNAgathy to My Lord!”

2. Gaining the anugraham of a SadaAchAryan: The kaimkaryams and Susrooshais to a

SadAchAryan grants the visEsha Jn~Anam about the Tatthva Thrayam and arTa
panchakam.

3. Gaining of the boon of the Lofty Sri VaishNava SampradhAyam: The most merciful
SadAchAryan instructs the sishyan about the tatthvams, hithams and PurushArTams
that came down from the AchArya Paramparai starting with BhagavAn Himself and
make the sishyan become a ParamaikAnthi, who will not seek material gains or look
at other dhaivams for any gains. These ParamaikAnthis stay far away from the
kEvala-yukthi Vaadhis.

Let us now focus on the three kinds of confusions that arise from the Sahavaasa
dhOsham with Kevala-yuktha vaadhis.

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CONFUSIONS OVER THE LORD'S SVATANTRYAM AND SAHAJA KAARUNYAM
AakhshEpam: The chEthanan, who was ignored by the Lord, becomes the object of His
compassion is corrected and protected. Why is it so?

The answer is that the Lord is independent (Svatantran) and He can do what he wishes.

Therefore, the question arises: Why should a chEtanan follow the anushtAnam of
Prapatthi?

SamAdhAnam (Reconciliation): Yes, Iswaran is Svatantram. He will not come to the

rescue of a chEtanam unless that chEtanam completes one of the two UpAyams. If the Lord
chooses to respond as a Svatantram without responding to the upAyam from the chEtanan,
He will be exposed to two accusations:

(a) He demonstrates partiality (PakshapAtham) by chosing arbitrarily

(b) He exhibits cruelty through lack of compassion by harassing the chEtanams
Our Lord is not partial to some and indifferent to others; He is Dayaa Svaroopan and
cannot be accused of mercilessness. Hence, the chEthanan has to perform one or other

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upAyam. Even the undertaking of the upAyam by the Chetanan results from Iswara
Sankalpam.

The next question is: If Iswaran is the One behind creating the motivation for a
chEtanam to perform the UpAyam, why did He wait until a specific moment? Why could not
He have done it earlier and intervened? The answer is that the flood of karmAs of the
chEtanams reaches its high point at different times. The ChEtanan experiences the phalans
of his karmAs. The Lord therefore decides on the basis of the individual’s karmAs and goads
some to perform the UpAyam and stays away from the others. If it were not so, the
dhOshams of PakshapAdham and heartlessness will be associated with the Lord, which is
not tenable. Our Lord has both Svatantram and Mercy. If He had just svatantram without
mercy, then much harm will result; if He had no Svatantram but mercy, He can not be of
much use to others. If both Svatantram and Mercy coexist, then He can accomplish whatever
He wishes. He will be happy and remove the sufferings of others. That is why the Lord with
coexistence of Svatantram and Mercy, the chEtanam receives such anugraham.

THE BENEFITS RESULTING FROM BHAGAVAN’S KARUNAI:

KaruNai is the manifested sankalpam of the Lord to bless the chEtanams in many ways:
Gaining of their Svaroopams of Bhaddha -Muktha-Nithya Jeevans

Performance of Kaimkaryam to Him by them

The uninterrupted anubhavam of the Lord by the Nithya Jeevans

Non-return to SamsAram by the Muktha Jeevans.

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 Creation of the Tatthvams of Mahaan-ahankAram in this karma bhUmi

The incarnation of Himself from time to time

Release of His Saasthrams

Creation of Tatthva-Hitha Jn~Anam through His Saasthrams

Conferral of this Jn~Anam in response to the sukrutha visEsham of the chEtanams

Fulfillment of Bhakthi or Prapatthi yOgams for removing the Lord’s nigraha

sankalpam

Commanding the mind, the instrument of upAyam to assist at the time of the
performance of UpAyam

Helping with the performance of PrAyascchittham, when there are interruptions

during the Bhakthi yOga anushtAnam

Standing in the place of Bhakthi yOgam for a Prapannan, who is powerless to

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perform Bhakthi yOgam and conferring the phalans of that upAyam

Delighting from the performance of these upAyams, overlooking the earlier

aparAdhams of the chEtanams and immersing them in the ocean of bliss

Granting mOksham to one, who performs Arta Prapatthi

Granting mOksham at he end of his life for Dhruptha Prapannan and encouraging
them to perform prAyascchitthams for sins acquired after Prapatthi

For the Katina Prapannan, who does not perform PrAyascchittham for the
deliberately acquired sins after prapatthi, the same KaruNai of the Lord lets him
experience specific sufferings while the Prapannan is alive and grants him still
mOksham.

EmperumAn’s KaruNai alone acts as the essential ingredient for all these
MahOpakArams and the Lord stays as SiddhOpAyam. Bhakthi and Prapatthi UpAyams
remove the Lord’s nigraha sankalpam, earns His anugraham and thus stay as
SaadhyOpAyams.

(909) sdacayaeRpdezEkaixkair }apn]may nm>

SadAchAryOpadEsaikAdhikAri Jn~Apana kshamAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who can identify those, who are fit for SadAchArya
UpadEsams (adhikAris).

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COMMENTS:
A SadAchAryan is free from seeking Fame (KhyAthi), gain (laabham), and self-adoration
(Poojaa). He is overwhelmed by KaaruNyam for the sishyan and blesses the sishyan with
UpadEsams on Tatthva-Hitha-PurushArTams and lets the sishyan gain SathsampradhAya
siddhi. That SadAchAryan creates clear Jn~Anam in the sishyan and inculcates in him the
knowledge about the glories of the UpAyams like SaraNAgathy and, Bhakthi yOgam.

It is not easy to gain Saasthra Jn~Anam. It can be confusing if one does not have the
blessings of a SadAchAryan, who can explain to them at the right amount of elaboration
befitting their needs and capability to absorb these doctrines. This is one of the two
categories of sishyAs among those, who seek SathsampradhAya Siddhi. They are easily
confused by the incorrect but profound sounding debates of Kevala Vaadhis (NaasthikAs),
who deny the Existence of the Lord, who deny BhagavAn's vibhUthis (Iswaryams) as non-
existent (Maayaa, Soonyam) and unite Iswaran with Jeevan as one and the same).

(910) sÄkaeRpdezaixkair Vyak«itkaeivday nm>

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SattharkOpadEsAdhikAri vyAkruthi kOvidhAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who is capable of instructing those with a sharp knowledge
on tarkam about SathsampradhAya Siddhi with upadesams containing intricate tarka
pramANams (logic).

COMMENTS:
Those who may be confused easily with high power logic receive upadEsam from
SadAchAryan with Sameecheena Yukthis. On the other hand, those AasthikAs, who are
blessed with Tarka Saasthra Jn~Anam receive upadEsams at a more intellectual level since
they can handle it and are not confused by Kevala Vaadhis. Such sishyAs develop clear
knowledge and help others gain such traditional and correct Jn~Anam. This is the second
type of sishya vargam. Swamy Desikan was capable of blessing both the categories of SishyAs
with His versatile power of UpadEsam.

(911) Vyajanpe] ÉgvÔ]kTvaei´varkay nm>

vyAjAnapEksha BhagavathrakshakathvOkthi vaarakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, Swamy Desikan, who refuted the position that the Lord will

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 protect one that has not completed the upAyams such as Prapatthi or Bhakthi yOgam.

COMMENTS:
Our SampradhAyam opposes the view that holds BhagavAn, the SiddhOpAyan, granting
Moksham even if they do not seek it (avyAjam).
They hold the view that Bhagavaan grants Moksham without any effort or VyAjam like
Prapatthi initiative on our part. Swamy Desikan is opposed to this point of view. If
Bhagavaan grants Moksham to one and all without any reason due to His overflowing,
causeless compassion, then He runs the risk of possessing two dhOshams. That is why it is
held that He expects an apEksha (desire for seeking His protection): “RakshApEkshAm
apEkshathE”. The two dhOshams of Vaishamyam and of NairgruNyam are avoided by the
Lord by responding to an appeal for protection instead of responding to all kinds of Jeevans
irrespective of their interest or otherwise.

The accusations that the Lord is partial (PakshapAthi) and Heartless (NairgruNyam) are
removed, when the Lord responds to a legitimate appeal for RakshA by the erred Jeevan.
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Details on the doctrine are covered in the 916th NaamA.

(912) ïImTSvatNÈy kaé{yaepyaeg Vyak«it]may nm>

SrImath svAtantrya kAruNyOpayOga vyAkruthi kshamAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that ParamAchAryan, who was skilled at interpreting the independence
(Svatantram) and compassion/Dayaa (KaaruNyam) of the Lord and the benefits accruing to
the Jeevans from those two auspicious attributes.

COMMENTS:
SvAtantryam and KaaruNyam are two intrinsic, dominant guNams of the Lord and His
consort (SvAbhAvikam). Through His SvAtantryam, He grants SamsAram to Jeevans and
enjoys the Leelaa rasam. To avoid Vaishamya dhOsham (Happiness for few and dukkham
for others), He grants the Phalans based solely on our KarmAs.

He grants Moksham to some out of His KaaruNyam. To avoid Vaishmyam here

(Partiality and arbitrariness), He is guided by UpAya VisEshams (Performance of Prapatthi,
the observance of Bhakthi yOgam) and grants them Moksham to those select few.

SvAtantryam and KaaruNyam are the fundamental (PradhAna) reasons (KaaraNangaL).

Prapatthi and Bhakthi yOgam are just ruses (vyAjams) for gaining Moksha SaamrAjyam.

Both KaruNai and SvAtantryam have to be together in BhagavAn, for protecting the

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Jeevans. If He has no KaruNai, He can cause harm by being indifferent or heartless. If He
has no SvAtantryam, He will be incapable of coming to our rescue by Himself. When both
the GuNams are together, He can do what He wishes out of His SvAtantryam and remove
the sorrows of the Jeevans because of His KaaruNyam. The importance of KaruNai as the
Mistress of all GuNams (GuNa Saarvabhoumi) has been covered at length earlier in the
Summary section of SiddhOpAya sOdhanAdhikAram.

(913) àpÅyixi³yaviÖze;[Tv inraexkay nm>

Prapahyadhikriyavath visEshaNathva nirOdhakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that SadAchAryan, Swamy Desikan, who refuted the view that Prapatthi is
just adhikAri VisEshaNam and not an UpAyam for Moksham.

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COMMENTS:
Some say that Prapatthi is not an UpAyam but a mere adhikAri VisEshaNam. What is
this adhikAri visEshaNam? Adhikari is the one who is desirous/qualified to undertake some
thing. VisEshaNam means distinguished or defined by an attribute. Let us now examine
adhikAri visEshaNam in the context of Prapatthi and understand why Swamy Desikan rejects
the view that Prapatthi is not adhikAri VisEshaNam and supports the view that Prapatthi is
instead an UpAyam.

Vedam says that one who desires Svargam should perform a yaagam. Here, the
distinguishing feature of this adhikAri (adhikAri VisEshaNam/adaimozhi) is the desire for
Svargam (Svarga-kaamaAnAvAn) through the performance of an appropriate Yaagam. The
one who is going to perform the Yaagam is the adhikAri. Desire for gaining Svargam
becomes VisEshaNam for him. Whatever is siddham that existed before the act is, adhikAri
visEshaNam. Desire to gain svargam is what is present earlier that makes the adhikAri
perform the Yaagam. Prapatthi is not like that desire for svargam, which existed before to
encourage the performance of Yaagam. Prapatthi is done only after hearing the injunction
“MaamEkam SaraNam vraja” and it was not siddham like the desire for Svargam that
prompted the adhikAri to perform the Yagnam. BhagavAn is siddhan and the UpAyam to
reach him is Prapatthi. SaasthrAs thus teach that Iswaran was the upAyam for the one who
did Prapatthi.

Swamy Desikan arguments are based on the teachings of Swamy AlavanthAr (Aagama
PrAmANyam) and AchArya RaamAnujA's Sri BhAshyam's PhalAdhikaram; Swamy
concludes there from that Prapatthi cannot ever be AdhikAri VisEshaNam; it (Prapatthi) is
instead an UpAyam for Moksham.

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 (914) mae]anupayzr[ìJyavad ivnazkay nm>
MokshAnupAya SaraNa-vrajyA-vaadha vinAsakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who defeated the view of Para Mathams that Prapatthi is
not an UpAyam for Moksham. He proved that this point of view is athivAdham (outside the
Saasthrams).

COMMENTS:
Many SaasthrAs say: perform Prapatthi. If one insists that Prapatthi need not be done,
there is the danger of Saasthra VirOdham. Swamy NammAzhwAr has declared:
“Unnadikkeezh amarnthu puhunthEnE” to indicate that he has performed Prapatthi (UpAya
anushtAnam). If one does not do Prapatthi as practiced by the AzhwArs, then there will be
virOdham for PoorvaanushtAnam. If we interpret the AzhwAr’s Sri Sookthis differently, there
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will be contradictions between the past and present statements. There cannot be any
inconsistency in AzhwAr’s aruLiccheyalkaL. Therefore, one has to accept the past
explanation and be consistent to it.

Further, it has been said in Srivachana BhUshaNam: “AzhwArkaL Prapatthi

PaNNiRRum archAvathAratthilE” (AzhwArs performed Prapatthi to the archAvathAra
Moorthys). It has also been said in this Sri Sookthi: “Bhakthi paaravasyatthAlE
PrapannarkaL AzhwArkaL” (AzhwArkaL are PrapannAs as a result of the dominance of their
Bhakthi). Sri MaNavALa MaamunikaL has observed further: “Prapannar yenpathu
BharanyAsam paNNinavarkaL” (Prapannars are those, who have performed BharanyAsam).
Prapatthi is thus the PrAdhana UpAyam for Moksham.

(915) àitbNxinrasEkaepyu´ VyajveidÇe nm>

Prathibhandha nirAsaikOupayuktha vyAja vEdhithrE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who explained that Prapatthi is only a ruse (vyAjam) for
Prapatthi. It only removes the obstacles to MokshAnubhavam.

COMMENTS:
The performance of the Yaagams helps us to gain SvargAnubhavam. Prapatthi is not like
that. Prapatthi does not create MokshAnubhavam. We as jeevans have a natural right to that
anubhavam. Prapatthi removes the obstacles to that anubhavam (Paapams and the

92
consequent anger of BhagavAn). BhagavAn becomes pleased with the performance of the
UpAyam of Prapatthi and controls His anger over trespasses. When the obstacles are
removed, MokshAnubhavam results. It becomes a sahakAri (assistance) for removal of the
obstacles. The obstacles are just like the dirt on the gem. Once that is removed, the already
existing luster of the gem becomes immediately visible. The luster was there all the time and
the dirt was hiding it from being enjoyed fully. In a similar vein, Prapatthi does not create
MokshAnubhavam. Therefore, it is a vyAjam for removing the obstacles standing in the way
of Moksha anubhavam that we are entitled to. The very fact that the gem has the luster is due
to Bhagavath Sankalpam. Therefore, it is appropriate to recognize that BhagavAn is the
ultimate UpAyam and Prapatthi is a vyAjam.

(916) devSvatNÈy ké[amUlVyaj inras¹e nm>

Deva-svAtantrya karuNAmoola vyAja nirAsagnE nama:

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(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who refutes the view that the act of Prapatthi (VyAjam) is
not needed because the Lord is independent and merciful.

The AakshEpam for Prapatthi: Chethanan is is struggling in SamsAram for aeons. The
reason for the Lord to ignore that jeevan for ages and finally correct him and bless him is the
Lord’s independence. Is it not so that the Lord did not respond to Swamy NammAzhwAr’s
query: “inRennai poruLAkki thannai yennuL vaitthAn, anRu yennai puRam pOha
puNartthathu yenn seyvAn?” (Today, he made me meaningful and kept me inside Himself
and yet in the past, He ignored me, how can I explain this?).

The Lord did not answer this question. One can conclude from that silence of the Lord
that He was suggesting that He is independent and can choose to use His dayA guNam and
grant Moksham, whenever He pleases. Therefore, there is no need for us to perform specific
Prapatthi to gain Moksha Sukham.

SamAdhAnam for the above objection: One cannot conclude that upaaya anushtAnam is
not necessary because of the Lord’s independence. Although He is a Svatantran, He expects
the UpAyam of Prapatthi (VyAjam) to avoid the dhOsham of Vaishamyam being attached to
Him (Please see the comments relating to the 911th Sahasra Naamam. Swamy NammAzhwAr
said elsewhere: “ThirumAlirumsOlai Malai yenREn, yenna, ThirumAl vanthu yennenju
niRaya puhunthAn” (I just said ThirumAlirumsOlai malai, He used it as a VyAjam for my
Prapatthi and entered my mind and blessed me). Therefore, the performance of Prapatthi as
a vyAjam is supported.

After the Lord wills (making the sankalpam) to protect one, He will unfailingly protect
that jeevan. We do not need to seek or ask anyone else. No one can stop Him from protecting
that jeevan. His SvAtantryam is the reason for all that. He is not under the control of anyone.

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 He protects according to His sankalpam. It is to that extent His SvAtantryam comes into
play. It is not saying that you do not need to perform Prapatthi.

(917) ïImTs<bNxmUlVyaj inrasmt ANtkay nm>

Srimath-SambhaNdha-Moola-vyAja nirAsamatha anthakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that SadAchAryan, Swamy Desikan, who won over the opponents, who
rejected the upAyam of Prapatthi as the VyAjam based on our relationship with BhAgavAn.

COMMENTS:
Until now, Swamy Desikan refuted the objections about Prapatthi based on the GuNa
visEshams of the Lord. Now Swamy refutes the matham that rejects Prapatthi because of the
special relationship (Srimath Sambhandham) between the Jeevans and the Iswaran. He
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establishes that we cannot abandon the performance of Prapatthi because of that.

Their argument is that We are Seshaas for the Lord, Who is the Seshi. We are like
children to that Mother. We are entitled to the bhOgam of Her breast milk. The child will
claim its milk through the declaration of its rights. Therefore, there is no need for the visvAsa
Poorvaka prArtanA (the rite of SaraNAgathy) for protection. It does not fit our form as the
inherently rightful seshans.

Swamy Desikan's response: Our AchAryAs and Maharishis performed Saanga Prapatthi
with ViswAsam and PraarTanaa. They performed upadesams on the need for Prapatthi with
the support of Saasthra PramANams to their sishya paramparais.

The same Saasthrams say that the Lord is our Seshi and that He protects us thru the
UpAyam of Prapatthi and expects RakshApEksham. Hence we have to follow up on these
Bhagavath Saasthrams pronouncing Upaaya anushtAnam, if we believe in His SAsthrams.

If we adopt the yukti (outside the Sasthrams) that we will get our mission accomplished
by arguing that we are His athyantha sEshis and we do not need to gain Moksham by
specifically asking for it, there is a flaw in the reasoning.

It is the Saasthrams that state we are the Seshans. If we cast aside this saasthram and
accept only the yukthi vaadham, we cannot speak about our SEshathvam; we will end up in a
position of rejecting the existence of Iswaran.

There are others, who say the Sambhandha Jn~Anam alone (Sesha-Seshi Jn~Anam) is
enough and there is no need for Prapatthi. They learnt about the need for Sambhandha
Jn~Anam from SaasthrAs. Since the very same Saasthrams say that they should perform
Prapatthi, they cannot accept one doctrine of the Bhagavath Saasthram and reject the other.

94
 Finally, This Naama Has “Srimath” sabdham in the front. We are all SeshAs to
BhagavAn. The Divine Couple together are our Seshis due to yEkasEshithva Tattvam.
Therefore Prapatthi has to be done to both.

(918) AVyajÉgvTpaÇÉav manaeppiĹe nm>

avyAja-bhagavath-pAthrabhAva manOpapatthignE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who explained the real purport of other PramANams
(SomAsiyANDAn and MahA BhAratha SlOkam), which appear to suggest that the Lord will
protect without a vyAjam. (Swamy Desikan explained that this is not so by removing the
confusion about their meanings). The NyAsa Dasaka slOkam — swaamin svaSEsham
svavasam — carries the true meanings and proves the need for UpAyAnushtAnam.

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COMMENTS:
After one performs Prapatthi according to Saasthram, then he has no need to worry about
his rakshaNam. He becomes free of worries about his rakshaNam, since the Lord takes over.
He blessed us to perform the upAyam, becomes happy over completing it and protecting us.
Swamy NammAzhwAr describes this act of the Lord making us perform the UpAyam,
becoming delighted over it and then taking over the protection of the SaraNAgatha Jeevan.
We cannot ever think of performing an upAyam by ourselves and acting as our own
rakshakAs (protectors).

(919) ÖypUvR ïIpdaepl]kTv ivnazkay nm>

dhvaya - poorva SrIpadhOpa - lakshathva vinAsakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who rejected the notion that the First “Srimath” sabdham
(Sriman) of Dhvaya Manthram is UpalakshaNam. He established that the First Srimath
Sabdham stands for Sri Devi being UpAyam for Prapatthi and the second Srimath Sabdham
being connected to UpEyam (Phalan).

COMMENTS:
The first half of Dhvaya manthram teaches UpAyam; the sceond haf talks about the
Phalan. Both the portions house “Srimath” Sabdham. Both assign equal roles for Sri DEvi.
Those who object to Prapatthi as a vyAjam treat the first Srimath Sabdham as an

95
 UpalakshaNam and not as a VisEshaNam (i.e.) BhagavAn WITH Sri as a LakshaNam.

(920) ïIivze;[ ÉavaeTwaepayiÖTv ivÉÃkay nm>

SrivisEshaNa-bhAvOtthaOpAya dvithva vibanjakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who destroyed the view that attributing UpAyam role for
PirAtti is against the SaasthrAs linked to anyOnyOpAyathvam (There is Only one upAyam;
BhagavAn).

COMMENTS:
The objection is: If we use Sri as a VisEshaNam (adjective), then the seeking of UpAyam
is common for BhagavAn and His Divine Consort. That in the opinion of this group is
against the SaasthrAs asserting “ananyOpAyathvam” of the Lord, Him being the sole
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UpAyam for Prapatthi.

The answer or SamAdhAnam is: PirAtti and BhagavAn are both Seshis. The attribute of
becoming Seshi is the same for both according to PoorvAchAryAs. It is correct to link
VisEshaNam (Sri DEvi) with VisEshyam (Bhagavaan) just as Bhagavaan has the
visEshaNams of GuNams and Vigraham. Therefore there is only one UpAyam, One
UpEyam and One Seshi (yekasEshithvam).

(921) inVyURFzr[ìJya ivñasaÉed pUvRvace nm>

nirvyUDa SaraNavrajyA ViswaasaabhEdha poorvavAchE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who explained the subtle aspects of the tersely stated view
of earlier AchAryAs that “Viswaasam is Prapatthi” (example: AchArya RaamAnujA's
Mugdhaga Vaakyam / Isolated Utterance: “ViswAsa: Prapatthi”.

Swamy Desikan clarified the thought behind AchArya RaamAnujA’s abbreviated

statement and made sure that the sishyAs understood the intent of AchArya RaamAnujA’s
statement. BhEdham (difference) does exist between ViswAsam and Prapatthi and they are
not one and the same. One is an angam/part (Viswasam) and the other is the angi/whole
(Prapatthi). Hence they cannot be the same. ViswAsam is however the most important
angam of Prapatthi and as a result can be considered almost to be “the equivalent” of
Prapatthi. Swamy Desikan explained thus the true purport of AchArya RaamAnujA’s

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statement and drew our attention to the relationship between the two (angam and angi).

COMMENTS:
Swamy Desikan established that ViswAsam cannot be the same as Prapatthi and that
there is bhEdham (difference) among them. ViswAsam is an angam (part) of Prapatthi. It is
however a very important angam of Prapatthi. For being fit to perform Prapatthi, at the
beginning one has to have a small amount of ViswAsam that the Lord will come to the
supplicant’s rescue. Later that ViswAsam grows bigger and bigger and becomes “MahA
Viwasam” an important angam of Prapatthi. AchArya RaamAnuja has indeed commented
that “Viswasa: Prapatthi:” to highlight the importance (PrAdhAnyam) of ViswAsam among
the angams of Prapatthi. For those without Faith in the Lord (Viswasam), Prapatthi cannot
happen.

(922) àpiÄàawRnaÉed ba'!invaRhivc][ay nm>

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Prapatthi prArTanAbhEdha vaang-nirvAha vichAkshaNAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who was skillful in explaining “the unity” between
Prapatthi and PrArthanai for protection (gOpthruva VaraNam).

COMMENTS:
gOpthruva VaraNam is also an angam of Prapatthi like MahA Viswaasam. PrArtanaa has
to follow ViswAsam. That is why, AchArya RaamAnuja in Sriranga Gadhyam had Viswaasam
in the front and offered his prayerful request next. He ended with “namOsthu tE”. “Nama:”
refers to aathma samarpaNam (the angi of Prapatthi) aspect. Therefore PrArthanai is only an
angam. The angi of gOpthruva varaNam was equated to Prapatthi to show its importance as
well. Our Lord expects our prayer /request for support very much to rush to our rescue:
“RakshApEkshAm apEkshathE”. He does not protect unless asked. The thought behind
calling an angam of Prapatthi (MahA Viswasam or gOpthruva varaNam) as Prapatthi is
analogous to the statement “Garuda Sevai is indeed BrahmOthsavam”. The intent here is to
emphasize the importance of the angam of an angi.

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 (923) vaKyjNy}an mae]aepayTvmt ÉÃkay nm>
Vaakya-janya Jn~Ana mOkshOpAyathvamatha bhanjakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to the AchAryan, who refuted the matham that stresses the Jn~Anam arising
from Vaakyam is the cause for Moksham.

COMMENTS:
Adhvaithis believe that the Jn~Anam resulting from Vaakyam is sufficient cause for
Moksham. This has been proven incorrect before. Another matham holds a similar view. This
matham holds the view that the Seshathva anusandhAnam (repeated remembrance that we
are nirupAdhika Seshas / undisputed, intrinsic servants of the Lord, our Supreme Master) is
sufficient cause for Moksham and therefore, there is no need to perform Prapatthi. A repeated
thought about one’s sEshathvam is not an upAyam.
sadagopan.org

The seshathva Jn~Anam arising from the first hearing of the Saasthra Vaakyam (We are
the Seshans of the Lord, the Seshi) is the UpAyam and that leads to Kaimkarya ruchi befitting
that sEshathva Jn~Anam. This view has been proven wrong by Swamy Desikan. The one
who gained sEshathva Jn~Anam from Saasthra Vaakyam should perform Prapatthi with its
angams to gain the full phalan of MOksham. Prapatthi is NOT limited to sEshathva
Jn~Anam. The performance of aathma rakshA BharanyAsam along with Vaakya Jn~Anam
completes Prapatthi.

(924) Svr][awRVyapar inv&ÅyuÏUitxUvRhay nm>

SvarakshaNArTa-vyApAra nirvrutthyudhUthi - dhUrvahAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who defeated the argument that the abandonment of acts
for one’s protection (rakshaNam) is Prapatthi.

COMMENTS:
One Matham holds that there is no need for performing the upAyam of Prapatthi
separately. Jeevan is Paratantran (opposite of Svatantran) and he has to await the Lord's
sankalpam for gaining the Phalan. The jeevan should therefore not engage in undertaking
any acts for his own protection. This act of not taking any initative for one's protection is
indeed Prapatthi. Sarva dharma ThyAgam (abandonment of all dharmAs) is considered as
the meaning of the charama slOka vaakyam: “SaraNam vraja”. There is no need to perform

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separate Prapatthi for a Paratantran.

The response to the position of the above Matham: Many PramANams instruct us to
perform Prapatthi with its angams. A view (debate) in opposition to these instructions is
hence incorrect. Further, if we say, abandon all dharmams (perform Sarva dharma thyAgam),
that is tantamount of Kruthi saadhyam (act that is accomplished with one’s efforts). If that
were to be so, the act of Sarva dharma thyAgam is the act that we do for our rakshaNam.
That is in contradiction to the Vaakyam: “Prapatthi is that act of not doing anything for one’s
protection” . If we say, Sarva dharma thyAgam is not kruthi saadhyam, it is not possible to
ask it to be obeyed. Again, we run into many contradictions, if we do not perform Prapatthi
with its angams.

(925) àpiÄmae]aepayTv baxkìatnazkay nm>

Prapatthi MokshOpAyathva BhAdhaka-vrAtha nAsakAya nama:

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(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who destroyed the assembly of reasoning (yukthi
samUhams), which denied that Prapatthi is not an upAyam for Moksham.

COMMENTS:
Until now, the naamAs relating to SiddhOpAya sOdhaNAdhikAram focused on the
defects of Para Mathams. Now, Swamy Desikan turns against the incorrect positions of
others, who hold that Prapatthi cannot be an upAyam for Moksham.

There are those, who object that Prapatthi cannot be an upAyam for MOksham since
BhagavAn alone is our UpAyam. Swamy Desikan answered these critics earlier (vide: 914 and
915th Desika Sahasra Naamams). He gives additional reasons through this Sahasra Naamam.

Our Matham holds that Prapatthi is the SahakAri KaaraNam (indirect upAyam / VyAjam
that assists the Lord, when Iswaran becomes the upAyam). The opponents say: How can
you say that? If Iswaran expects this sahakAri KaaraNam to help Him to protect us, How can
you call Him “nirapEkshan” (One who does not need the help of anything else)? If He
cannot protect us without SahakAri KaaraNam (Prapatthi) and to grant us Moksham, How
can we call Him Omnipotent (Sarva Sakthan)? How can you say that He is KaruNAkaran
(one filled with compassion)? There are Yukthis (false reasoning / Kyukthis) like these to
support their view that Prapatthi is not SahakAri KaaraNam.

All of these arguments are against accepted PramANams. They are therefore incorrect
and have to be cast aside. The PramANams are: “YamEvaisha:” and “BhakthyA ParamayA”.
The first one (YamEvaisha:) says: “Only those whom Bhagavan elects (varaNam) with
affection reach Him”. The second PramANam (BhakthyA ParamayA) says: “There are no

99
 other ways to reach Bhagavan except through the anushtAnam of Bhakthi Yogam or the
performance of Prapatthi”. These pramAnams are Veda Manthrams and cannot become
false. Reasoning has to be done based on accepted PramANams. Reasoning cannot be used
to affect accepted PramANams. Therefore, these PramANa viruddha Yukthis (Tarka
Vaadhams) have to be banished.

These false reasoning (Kuyukthis) have additional weaknesses. First of all, these tarkams
have no vyApthi (extendibility). For instance, a pot maker (Kuyavan) needs water as sahakAri
to mold the clay into a pot. You cannot call him asakthan (powerless) in making a pot
because he needs water as a Sahakaari. Therefore, even if one expects a sahakAri (Prapatthi
as a sahakAri), you can recognize the Lord as the Sarva Saktha Rakshakan. Even if He
expects Prapatthi as a SahakAri KaaraNam, He does not depend on it as a PradhAna
KaaraNam. Therefore, it is perfectly alright to recognize Prapatthi as an UpAyam (VyAja
mAthram) for gaining the Lord’s RakshaNam.

With this Desika Sahasra Naamam, the coverage of the SiddhOpAya sOdhanAdhikAram
comes to conclusion. From NaamAs 926 to 942 (17 NaamAs), the 24th Chapter of Srimath
Rahasya Thraya Saaram (SaadhyOpAya sOdhanAdhikAram) is covered by Thirukkudanthai
sadagopan.org

Desikan.

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 CHAPTER 24: SAADHYOPAYA SODHANADHIKARAM
(NAAMAS 926 TO 942)
Before adiyEn covers these 27 Sahasra Naamams, adiyEn will translate first the summary
of SaadhyOpAya sOdhanAdhikAram in Tamil by VaikuntavAsi Sri U.Ve Oppiliappan Koil,
Sri Rama DesikAchAryar Swamy, to get a grip on the objections raised against Prapatthi and
the answers (SamAdhAnams) for those objections.

With the 926th Sahasra Naamam, Thirukkudanthai Desikan shifts His attention to
SaadhyOpAya sOdhanAdhikAram of Srimath Rahasya Thrayam of Swamy Desikan.

SiddhOpAyam is the eternal Sriman NaarAyaNan, who is ready to grant MOksham for
one who performs either the Bhakthi or Prapatthi Yogam. It is an UpAyam that exists before
we can engage in Bhakthi or Prapatthi yOgam. This SiddhOpAyam is a cardinal one among
the UpAyams.

SaadhyOpAyam is one, which can be pursued by us, the chEthanams for gaining
Moksham from the ever-merciful SiddhOpAyan, who is waiting for us to approach Him with
the request for rakshaNam. This upAyam is Saadhyam (doable) for us.

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The SaadhyOpAyams of Bhakthi and Prapatthi remove the anger of the Lord over our
trespasses and create anugraha sankalpam towards us.

Swamy DEsikan describes the SarvalOKa SaraNyan granting Moksha Sukham for those
who perform Bhakthi or Prapatthi yOgam (SaadhyOpAyam) this way:

ywaixkr[< àÉuyRjn dan haemacRna

ÉrNysn Éavna àÉ&itiÉ> smaraixt>

)l< idzit deihnaimit ih s<àdayiSwit>

ïuit Sm&it gêi´iÉnRyvtIiÉraÉait n> .

---SRTS chapter 24, slokam 53

YaTAdhikaraNam Prabhu: yajana dhAna hOmArchana

Bharanyasana bhAvanA prabhruthibhi: SamArAdhitha:
Phalam disathi dehinAmithi hi sampradhAya sTithi:
Sruthi-Smruthi-GurUkthibhi: nayavatheebhi: aabhAthi na:

(MEANING):
The Lord, who is powerful to grant us the Phalan of Moksham becomes pleased with the

101
 performance of karmaas prescribed for their own VarNAsramams such as Yaagam, DhAnam,
Homam, archanai, Prapatthi anushtAnam or Bhakthi yOgam and blesses the embodied ones
release from the cycles of births and deaths. This fundamental truth about the state of our
SampradhAyam becomes clear to us through the pramANams linked to Vedam, Smruthi and
AchArya Sri Sookthis. (Among these upAyams, all irrespective of VarnAsramam, gender and
age are eligible to perform the SaadhyOpAyam of Prapatthi to receive the Lord’s anugraham).

COMMENTS:
It is very important for us to gain a clear comprehension of the Svaroopam of Prapatthi as
one of the two SaadhyOpAyams for Moksha Siddhi. There are a lot of confusions about its
true nature. In this SaadhyOpAya AdhikaraNam, Swamy Desikan refers to the many
criticisms against Prapatthi and answers them all to our full satisfaction as the most
compassionate AchAryan. During this process, Swamy Desikan chases away all of our
confusions about Prapatthi and its power.

Swamy Desikan defines SaraNAgathy (Prapatthi, BharanyAsam) as the total belief

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(MahA ViswAsam) expressed through the utterance of Dhvaya manthram to gain the cool
shade of the sacred feet of Sriman NaarAyaNan accompanied by Sri Devi:

naray[< sl]mIk< àaPtu< tCcr[Öy! ,

%pay #it ivñasae ÖyawR> zr[agit> .

NaarAyaNam SalakshmIkam prApthum taccharaNadhvayam |
upAya ithi viswAsO dhvayArTa: SaraNaagathi: ||

The CharaNa Dhvayam (the pair of feet of the Lord) is reached by the performance of the
anushtAnam / upAyam of SaraNAgathy through the utterance of the dhvaya manthram.

Swamy Desikan quotes the Mugdhaka Vaakyam of AchArya RaamAnuja about the
definition of Prapatthi in this context of SaadhyOpAyam:

àpiÄivRñas>, sk«TàawRnamaÇe[ Apei]t<

daSytIit ivñaspUvRk< àawRnimit yavt!

“Prapatthir-ViswAsa:, sakruth prArTanA-mAthrENa apEshitham
dAsyatheethi ViswAsa-poorvakam prArTanAmithi yaavath”

(MEANING):
Prapatthi is ViwAsam (i.e.), SarvalOka SaraNyan will grant what we seek through the
prayer performed only once with MahA ViswAsam.

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 Swamy Desikan quotes in SaadhyOpAya sOdhanAdhikAram, the utterance of Bharatha
Muni on the nature of Prapatthi as a SaadhyOpAyam directed to the competent and powerful
SiddhOpAyan, SarvEswaran:

AnNysaXye SvaÉIòe mhaivñaspUvRkm! ,

Tdekaepayta yaC|a àpiÄ> zr[agit> .

ananyasAdhyE svAbheeshDE MahA-viswaasa poorvakam |
tadhEkOpAyathA yaancchA Prapatthi: Saranaagathy: ||

(MEANING):
When one recognizes that the desired phalan is unrealizable through approaching others
(incompetent ones), then one performs Prapatthi, which is nothing but prayer to One with
full faith and requesting that truly powerful One to serve as the UpAyam for protection. That
is the act of Prapatthi/SaraNAgathy.

sadagopan.org
Sri Thirukkudanthai Desikan summarizes in 27 Desika Sahasra NaamAs the central
messages of SaadhyOpAya SodhanAdhikaaram of Srimath Rahasya Thraya Saaram.

(926) crmðaekiniolxmRTyagprTv¹e nm>

CharamaslOka-nikhila-dharma-thyAga parathvagnE Nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who refuted the view that Charama SlOkam of
GithAchAryan suggests that we should abandon ALL dharmAs.

COMMENTS:
Para Mathams state that the words of Lord KrishNa (Charama SlOka Vaakyam), “Sarva
dharmAn Parithyajya” should be read as command from Him to cast aside ALL dharmAs as
Saadhanams for MOksham including Prapatthi. They state that Bhagavaan alone is UpAyam
and Prapatthi is neither UpAyam nor SahakAriNi.

Vaidhika Matham's response as stated by Swamy Desikan is: As per the pramANam
KrishNam dharmam SanAtanam, “Bhagavaan is SidhOpAyam and a dharmam”. Since the
Charama slOkam emphasizes “Sarva DharmAn”, Para Matham’s view will result in casting
out Bhagavaan Himself as an UpAyam and rejecting Him as well. That is not possible. This
is therefore an incorrect view.

The direct answer is: The dharmam referred to be abandoned in the Charama- slOkam is

103
 all dharmams other than Prapatthi UpAyam. Charama slOkam refers to BhagavAn as
UpAyam. We have to abandon therefore all other dharmams. The same charama slOkam
instructs us to perform the UpAyam of Prapatthi (MaamEkam SaraNam Vraja). Therefore
SaraNAgathy dharmam (upAyam) cannot be rejected either.

(927) ini;ÏvjRnaxmRÉavTvaeKT(pnaednay nm>

Nishiddha varjanAdharma bhAvathvOkthyapanOdhanAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who defeated the arguments that it is adharmic to abandon
nishiddhams (Sarva dharmAn Parithyajya).

The Position of the other Mathams: BhagavAn instructed Arjuna first about Bhakthi
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yOgam in GeethA Saasthram. Bhakthi yOgam is not a dharmam (UpAyam) really. The
passages associated with Bhakthi yOgam have quite different meanings. It is common
practice to tame a tough bull by loading its back with heavy sand bags. As the weight to be
carried increases, the bull's defiance will decrease and it would have become tamed to carry
the lighter paddy bags. It is in this context, BhagavAn instructs the egotistic Jeevans seeking
Moksham about the heavy, difficult to observe Bhakthi yOgam. The inability to observe that
tough yOgam humbles the Jeevan and makes it akinchanan (helpless). Now, the Lord
exposes the jeevan to the laghu upAyam of Prapatthi for Moksha PurushArTam. Other
Mathams state that Arjunan did not understand this subtlety and wrongly considered the
difficult to observe Bhakthi yOgam as a dharmam. When the Lord says, “Sarva dharmAn
parithyajya”, He asks Arjuna to abandon that, which he considered wrongly as a dharmam.
Swamy Desikan rejected this view.

Swamy DEsikan's correct answer is: Saasthrams classify Bhakthi yOgam into the
category of lofty, Nivrutthi dharmam. Further, it is fine to abandon the things forbidden by
the SaasthrAs (Nishiddha dharmams). If one argues nivrutthi dharmam as adharmam, all will
become adharmam. The Bhagavath Saasthrams identifying the proper dharmams and
separating them from adharmams will all be rendered useless. There will be no pramANams
and that Matham will become inconsistent with VedAs like the Bhauddha Matham. Inview of
all these complications/problems, it is only proper to stick with the methodology of
Saasthrams that separate dharmam from adhramam and follow what is nishiddham and
needs to be abandoned.

104
 (928) %pasnSvêp %paySvêpivraex¹e nm>
UpAsanasvarUpa upAya svarUpa virOdhagnE nama:
(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who did not accept the position that the UpAyam of
UpAsana (Bhakthi yOgam) is against our intrinsic nature (Svaroopam).

Para Matham’s position: Bhakthi yOgam is against the svaroopam of the Jeevan and
therefore it has to be abandoned. Swamy Desikan opposed this view-- there is no
inconsistency between aathma svarropam and Bhakthi yOgam-- and showed this view to be
incorrect.

Swamy Desikan’s position: He chose three arguments to disprove the view of the Para
Mathams that Bhakthi yOgam is Svaroopa Viruddham (against Svaroopam):

1. AathmA is a nithya (eternal) vasthu and cannot be destroyed by the practice of

Bhakthi yOgam. No harm can therefore result to the jeevan by the practice of Bhakthi
yOgam.

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2. Bhakthi yOgam is one of the two upAyams for Moksham and it does not yield the
vipareetha phalan of SamsAric sufferings. Hence the UpAyam that yields only
auspicious results cannot be unwelcome as an UpAyam.

3. Para Mathams argue that the jeevan has no independent power to act (Svatantra
Karthruthvam). Hence, the Jeevan cannot engage in performing the upAyam of
Bhakthi yOgam. If one extends this argument, the Jeevan cannot perform prapatthi
either. Kaimkaryams cannot be done either. They will also become Svaroopa
Virutthams. It must be remembered that the jeevan has no Svatantra Karthruthvam
(Independence to act), but it has Bhagavath adheena karthruthvam (ability to act
under the Lord’s guidance). This is accepted by the Saasthrams. Therefore, there is
no harm to aathma svaroopam by performing Bhakthi yOgam.

Another Objection by the Paramathams: Jeevan is the servant (Seshan) and the Lord is
the commanding Master (Seshi). Jeevan is neither independent to act (Svatantran) or has the
power to protect himself. In this context, it is not correct to expect the Jeevan (asvatantran
and Paaratantryan) to undertake the upAyam of Prapatthi (SaadhyOpAyam). Similarly,
Bhakthi Yogam is inconsistent with Jeevan's svaroopam as one under the total control of the
Master.

Swamy Desikan’s answers to the above objections: If BhagavAn gives Moksham without
any upAyam, He has to grant Moksham to every one. If we say that He is Svatantran and can
give Moksham as He pleases, then there arises the dhOsham of Vaishamyam. These points
were addressed in the 911th Sahasra Naamam. It was indicated then mere sambhandha
Jn~Anam and staying without performing an appropriate UpAyam wont gain the Jeevan any
Moksham. The approach consistent with Saasthram is to use the small measure of

105
 Svatantram granted to us by the Lord and learn from the Bhagavath SaasthrAs about the
upAyam that pleases Him and then perform it to receive the desired phalan. Then issues
about UpasanA becoming Svaroopa Viruddham wont arise.

(929) v[aRïmaidxmR Svêpraex ivnazkay nm>

VarNAsramAdhi-dharma svarUpa rhOdha vinAsakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who proved that VarNAsrama dharmams are not Svaroopa
Viruddham for practicing the UpAyams.

Objection: VarNaasrama dharmams are rooted in “Jaathi”. AathmA has no Jaathi.

Sareeram, which is different from Aathma is linked to Jaathi. When one understands that
Sareeram and AathmA are different, the argument goes that they do not need to observe
VarNAsrama dharmams. Bhakthi upAyam has VarNAsrama dharmam as angam. As a result,
sadagopan.org

the Poorva Pakshi comes to the conclusion that there is no need to practice Bhakthi upAyam
since that is svaroopa viruddham.

Swamy Desikan’ response to reject this view: Even if we have the Jn~Anam that Aathma
has no links to Jaathi, one has to accept that we have the body with Jaathi due to our
accumulated Karmaas. As long as that body is there, one finds way to satisfy the body needs
for quenching hunger, thirst etc. We do not stop eating, when we are hungry. We do not say
that hunger and thirst are linked to the Body and not to the AathmA and give up on eating as
long as we live. Similarly, we have to observe varNAsrama dharmams linked to Sareeram as
well as the upAyams ordained by Bhagavath Saasthrams.

(930) @ekaNtCDe*Nydev prv[aRidxmR¹e nm>

EikAntha cchEdhyanyadEva para varNAdhi dharmagnE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who refuted the argument that the practice of the
varNAsrama dharmams relating to ithara dEvathais will destroy the state of
ParamaikAnthithvam.

Objection: A chEtanan who considers himself as the servant (seshan) to the Lord alone
and stays away from ithara dhaivams is a ParamaikAnthi. It is not therefore appropriate for
them to perform VarNAsrama dharmams since these dharmams have a lot of eulogies and
prayers to anya devathAs. Hence, the practice of VarNAsrama dharmams and the bhakthi
yOgam resulting there from would destroy his exclusive adoration of the ParamAthmA as a

106
ParamaikAnthi. Hence it is fair to say the practice of VarNAsrama dharmam will end up in
Svaroopa Viruddham for an evolved ParamaikAnthi.

Swamy Desikan’s answer: When we call the name of ithara dEvathais during the course
of the observance of VarNAsrama dharmams that we cannot abandon, we are really
addressing the indwelling ParamAthmA inside the ithara dEvathA. Through the utterance of
the name of Agni to receive the Havis, we are referring to BhagavAn having Agni as His
sareeram. When one does Sva-dharmaanushtAnam in this manner, then there is no harm to
ParamaikAnthithvam.

sadagopan.org
“Great Bhakthi– Yogi Parasarar”

(931) Éi´iv*aisÏ hetuàraecnkrTv¹e nm>

BhakthividhyA siddha hEthu prarOchana karathvagnE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who refuted the view that Bhakthi yOgam is contrary to
gaining MOksham.

COMMENTS:
He did not agree with those, who stated that SaasthrAs recommended Bhakthi yOgam as

107
 UpAyam for a limited few, only to enhance their faith in Saasthrams. Swamy Desikan held
the view that Bhakthi yOgam is one of the two upAyams for Moksham, although it is not as
easy to practice as SaraNAgathy. SaasthrAs clearly state that Bhakthi yOgam is one of the
UpAyams for those who desire Moksham and Sriman NaarAyaNan is the Moksha phalam
granting SiddhOpAyam. There cannot therefore any objection to Bhakthi as an UpAyam.

(932) Éi´iv*aizòlaekapir¢hinvarkay nm>

BhakthividhyA sishtalOkaa parigraha nivArakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who refuted the view that PoorvAchAryAs (Sishta lOkam)
did not accept Bhakthi yOgam as a fitting saadhanai for Moksham.

Sage ParAsara practised Bhakthi Yogam. Swamy AlavanthAr, EmperumAnAr, KurEsar,

Swamy Desikan and our other AcharyAs had the highest reverence for Sage Paraasara, the
father of VyAsa Bhagavaan for blessing us with VishNu PurANam. To declare that Sage
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ParAsarA's anushtAnam is Svaroopa Viruddham (against our Svaroopam) is wrong.

(933) ÉrNyasaidsklkalxmRTvÉÃnay nm>

BharanyAsAdhi sakala-kAla dharmathva bhanjanAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who refuted the view that the anushtAnam of Bhakthi
yOgam for Moksha Siddhi is not relevant for Kali yugam.

COMMENTS:
There is a view that SaraNAgathy (Prapatthi yOgam) and Naama Sankeerthanam alone
are appropriate to observe for Moksham. Bhakthi yOgam is rejected as an upAyam in Kali
yugam. Swamy Desikan refuted this argument. He held the view that Bhakthi and Prapatthi
yOgams are valid routes for Moksham at all times. Even in this Kali yugam, there have been
qualified souls like Swamy NaaTa Muni, who practiced Bhakthi yOgam successfully. When
Naama Sankeerthanam is suggested by some as an UpAyam, it is intended to highlight the
importance of the glory of singing about the Lord’s names and NOT FOR de-emphasizing
Prapatthi and Bhakthi yOgam as the two accepted upAyams for gaining Moksham. Prapatthi
and Bhakthi yOgams are the Moksha Dharmam for all yugams. “BharanyAsAdhi Sakala
Kaala dharmathva SaadhakAya Nama:” is the homage to Swamy Desikan by the author of
DEsika Sahasra Naamams. The aadhi sabdham here refers to Bhakthi yOgam.

108
 (934) Nyasàz<skay nm>
NyAsa PrasamsakAya nama:
(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who sang about the glories of BharanyAsam, which makes
one Krutha Kruthyan (One who has completed all that he has to do in this earth).

Swamy Desikan saluted the one who has completed BharanyAsam as “Seytha
vELvian” (AzhwAr's Vaakyam: one who has been blessed to perform the Prapatthi Yaagam
successfully) and as one who has attained the stage of NairapEshyam (stage, where one does
not expect anything else in this world as a result of completing Prapatthi Yaagam).

(935) NyasÉ´yaixKyàdzRkay nm>

NyAsa BhakthyAdhikya pradarsakAya nama:

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(MEANING):
Salutations to the AchAryan, who showed that BharanyAsam is more laudable than
Bhakthi yOgam because of the ease of performing Prapatthi and the swiftness with which it
assures the Phalan of Moksha Siddhi. Prapatthi is powerful to protect one, who could not
hope to undertake the arduous and tardy-to-execute Bhakthi yOgam. That is why, Prapatthi
yOgam is hailed as being superior to Bhakthi yOgam.

(936) AnukUlTvs»Lpa*vZy<ÉavveidÇe nm>

anukoolathva sankalpaadhyavasyambhAva vEdithrE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who was knowledgeable about the importance of
Aanukoolya sankalpam as an angam of Prapatthi.

From here on Thirukkudanthai Desikan focuses on answering the doubts related to the
angams of Prapatthi.
Doubt: AchArya RaamAnujA said: “anAlOchitha visEshAsEsha LOka SaraNya” in his
SaraNAgathy Gadhyam. Acharya indicated here that the Lord is One, who does not take into
account the dhOshams of those, who have surrendered unto Him. In that case, why do we
need aanukoolya sankalpam and PrAthikoolya varjanam (doing things agreeable to the Lord
and avoiding the acts that displease the Lord) as the two prescribed angams of Prapatthi?

Answer: SaasthrAs instruct us on the five separate angams of Prapatthi and the angi of

109
 Aathma NikshEpam; they ask us to perform Prapatthi yOgam as UpAyam for Moksham.
Leaving out the two items recommended by the SaasthrAs will thus be against the injunctions
of the SaasthrAs of BhagavAn.

For one who has trusted what was his own to others for its protection and performs
BharanyAsam in this way, he has to be in sync with the rakshakan (anukoolam) and cannot
act against that protector (prAthikoolyam). Therefore, casting aside the angams of Prapatthi
such as aanukoolya sankalpam and PrAthikoolya Varjanam is not consistent with the way of
the world (lOka dharmam).

(937) ivñasa¼mhÅvaNtray ɼivc][ay nm>

viswAsAnga mahathvAntharAya bhanga vichakshaNAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who destroyed the views that went against the greatness of
sadagopan.org

MahA ViswAsam, the most important angam of Prapatthi. That way, Swamy Desikan
established the indispensability of MahA ViswAsam as an angam of Prapatthi.

Here, Swamy Desikan removes the doubts relating to the most important angam of
Prapatthi (viz): MahA ViswAsam.

Question: The two upAyams of Bhakthi and Prapatthi can grant wealth to those who seek
it and Moksham for those, who seek Moksham. How can one say that the observance of these
upAyams can yield both the opposite (Viruddha) phalans (Wealth and Moksham)?

Answer: One cannot reject tatthvams based on PramANams with mere logic (tarkam).
From Prathyaksha pramANam, we accept Agni as being hot. We cannot use logic (tarkam) to
deny this by arguing how Agni can be hot, while all the other vasthus are not hot .In a similar
manner we cannot reject doctrines with tarkam, which have to be understood only thru
Saasthrams.

As an example, if we want to sell an object to a king, the seller can get the price for it. If
we want to give that subject as a present to the king, then we can expect bigger presents from
the king. Similarly, the same upAyam can yield virudhda phalans based on the seekers’ desire.

(938) àpÚ ÉgvTàemtartMy ivxaykay nm>

Prapanna Bhagavath-prEma tAratamya vidhAyakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who pointed out that there are differences in the Bhakthi of
PrapannAs for BhagavAn.

110
 Question: Aartha Prapnnan wants moksham immediately after performing Prapattthi.
Dhruptha Prapannan wants Moksham at the end of his earthly life. For both kinds of
Prapannars, the upAyam of Prapatthi and the Phalan of Moksham are identical. When that is
so, how can one say that the same Prapatthi UpAyam can give quick Phalan to one and be
late in granting the same Phalan to the other?

Answer: Aartha Prapannan is eager to leave SamsAram behind as quickly as possible,

while seeking immediate MOksham. Dhruptha Prapannan on the other hand is patient and
puts up with the bonds of SamsAram and is prepared to wait for Moksham after performing
Prapatthi. Because of the differences in putting up with the sorrows of SamsAram by the two
kinds of PrapannAs, the same upAyam results in the Moksha Phalan in a quick or tardy
manner. The differences in the sankalpam of these two kinds of Prapannans results in quick
or delayed results. Hence, there is no conflict.

(939) guéÉi´ l"uNyas )lEKyaei´ ivc][ay nm>

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Gurubhakthi laghunyAsa phalaikyOkthi vichakshaNAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who could explain how the difficult to observe upAyam of
Bhakthi yOgam and the easy to observe yOgam of Prapatthi can yield the same phalan of
MOksham.

Question: Bhakthi yOgam has to be practiced to the end until it yields the MOksha
phalan. Prapatthi is quick yielding when it comes to results. How can these two widely
different upAyams yield the same phalan?

Answer: This is understandable based on the power of the adhikAri, who is performing
the UpAyam. For instance, the detailed VaaruNa SnAnam (immersion in the water with
the repetition of manthrams) and the easy to do manthra snAnam (sprinkling one’s head
with water accompanied by meditation on the Lord) yield the same result of Suddhi
(Purity). Based on their ability, these upAyams are adopted. AdhikAri's sakthi and
asakthi are the factors behind the choice of the upAyam.

(940) pUvRpUvaRk«ta<zawR pun> àpdnaei´mte nm>

Poorva poorvAkruthAmsArTa puna: prapadhanOkthimathE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who accepted the second Prapatthi done for a different
phalan.

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 COMMENTS:
Prapatthi is to be done only once for Moksham. For the one, who performed Prapatthi
seeking Moksham at the end of their earthly life, it is acceptable to perform another Prapatthi
for reasons other than the reasons for which the first Prapatthi was performed. For example, a
dhruptha Prapannan desiring Moksham at the end of their earthly life can develop a sense of
urgency to get rid of PrArabdha karmam and to gain Moksham right away. There is no
conflict of performing Prapatthi twice in this case. The phalans are different: in the first case,
it is moksham at the end of life on earth; in the second case, it is for the destruction of the
prArabdha KarmAs. Since the Phalans are different, there is no dhosham of repeating
Prapatthi once more. It is also permissible to ask for kaimkarya visEshams in the second
prapatthi that were not asked for in the first Prapatthi. PrAyascchittha Prapatthi is another
kind of second Prapatthi that is allowed without conflict with the First Prapatthi done seeking
Moksham.
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(941) @eihkawRNyasktR& hetuvEkLysaxkay nm>

EihikArTanyAsa karthru-hEthu vaikalya sAdhakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who showed that the desired Phalan sought thru Prapatthi
may not be realized some times due to one of the three reasons.

Question: Some who perform Prapatthi for the phalan of wealth (Iswaryam) do not realize
the sought after boon. If that were to be so, how can we believe that Prapatthi has the
power to grant boons like Moksham?

Answer: There are three reasons for a Prapannan not realizing the fruits of Prapatthi.

Karma VaiguNyam: deficiencies in karmam/UpAyam; there might be deficiencies in

important angams of Prapatthi such as MahA ViswAsam that affect the realization of the
desired phalan.

Karthru VaiguNyam: deficiencies in the adhikAri, who does Prapatthi can lead to lack of
success in gaining MOksha Siddhi (e.g): lack of aakinchanyam and ananya-gathithvam,
which are two important attitudes that the adhikAri must have.

Saadhana VaiguNyam (deficiency in KaaraNam): For MokshArTa Prapatthi (Prapatthi

done for gaining Moksham), AchArya UpadEsam is essential. When it is not there, the fruits
are not realized.

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 (942) AiÉyanaidpÂavsr k«Ty)laei´mte nm>
abhiyAnAdhi panjAvasara-kruthya phalOkthimathE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who instructed us on the fruits of the PanchakAla prakriyaa
(worship at the five divisions of the day):

abhigamanam: The time in early morning, when we approach the Lord and perform the
Prapatthi to Him for blessing us to perform kaimkaryams for Him during that day. The
blemish to be averted here is any Abhigamanam (defect of approaching Gods other than
Sriman NaarAyaNan).

UpAdhAnam: Assembly of ingredients for Bhagavadh AarAdhanam and getting mentally

prepared. The blemish to be avoided here is anyArTa Pravrutthi (engagement in acts
seeking other phalans such as making money for oneself).

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Ijyaa: Performance of AarAdhanam for Bhagavaan. The blemish to be avoided here is not
worshipping other gods instead of Sriman NarAyaNan alone.

SvAdhyAyam: Reflection after Ijyaa on anything related to BhagavAn such as Vedam,

Japam et al. The blemish to be avoided here is talking about other things (anya
keerthanam).

yOgam: Meditation on BhagavAn before going to sleep and in the early hours of the
Morning before getting up for daily anushtAnam. The blemish to be avoided here is anya
dEvathA chinthanam.

With this Sahasra Naamam, SaadhyOpAya sOdhanAdhikAram is concluded.

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 CHAPTER 25: PRABHAVAVYAVASTADHIKARAM
(NAAMAS 943 TO 951)
This chapter deals with the glories of Prapatthi and the boundaries in Jaathi and Kulam
among Bhagavath BhAgavathAs.

(943) iv:[uÉ´ctuwaRid äaü{y ivinvarkay nm>

VishNubhaktha ChathurTaadhi BrAhmaNya vinivArakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who held the view that BhagavathAs of the Lord, who
performed SaraNAgathy to their Lord attain the same Moksha siddhi although they as
members of the four varNams of BrahmaNAs, KshathriyAs, VaisyAs, and SoodhrAs have their
own distinct AchAra niyamams (dharmic observances during their lives here).
sadagopan.org

COMMENTS:
Observing these prescribed AchArams and anushtAnams distinct to each of the four
VarNams, they gain the same Moksham after Prapatthi. It is in this context, it is said that
there are no differences among the BhagavathAs linked to the four varNams. They are all
VishNu BhakthAs.

(944) ivÊraidSvjaTyu´ xmaRl'œ"n†iòmte nm>

VidhurAdhi svajAthyuktha dharmAlangana dhrushtimathE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who knew that Vidhurar did not transgress his Jaathi
dharmam although he was a Parama BhAgavathar dear to the Lord.

COMMENTS:
Vidhurar belonged to the fourth VarNam and did not try to practice the assigned
dharmams for the other VarNams. Similarly, the most evolved AzhwArs like Swamy
NammAzhwAr, ThiruppANar did not transgress their own VarNa dharmAs (Jaathi dharmAs
and vyavasthais/boundaries). One who is born in other varNams does not transform into
BrahmaNa jaathi even if he distinguishes himself with high anushtAnam.

114
 (945) inVyURF ivÊräümexs<Sk«it sUi´kay nm>
nirvyUDa vidhura BrahmamEdha samskruthi sookthikAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who settled the confusion relating to Dharma Puthrar (a
Kshathriyan by birth) performing BrahmamEdha SamskArams (last rites) uniquely used for
the cremation of Brahmins.

COMMENTS:
Dharmaputhrar heard an aakAsa VaaNi (asareeri vaak, which is equivalent to deva
Aajn~ai) commanding him to perform BrahmamEdha SamskAram for Vidhurar.
Dharmaputhrar did it silently without manthrams and this way did not disregard dEvAjn~ai
or did something not recommended for a Bhaagavathar of another Jaathi.

sadagopan.org
(946) yÖIzivÊraÚadnaei´ invahRdi][ay nm>
yadhveesa VidhuraannAdhanOkthi nirvAha dakshiNAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who was skilled at explaining why Lord Krishna partook
the food prepared by Vidhurar during His visit to HasthinApuram as PaaNDava DhUthan.

COMMENTS:
KrishnA’s answer to DuryOdhana’s question on why KrishNa did not eat at his house ,
but at the house of one from the fourth VarNa was: One can not eat the food served by one's
enemies. You are the enemy of PaaNDavAs, who are like my PrANan. Hence, you are my
enemy as well. Therefore I could not eat at your house. Vidhura is a Parama BhAgavathan,
who with the niyamams presented me food that I was happy to take. That is acceptable to
SaasthrAs.

(947) AitdezanhRkairsUnu v&Äàkazkay nm>

athidhEsAnarhakAri-soonu vruttha prakAsakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who reminded us that some of the acts of avathara

115
 Purushar (exemplary and evolved souls) like VidhurA should not be taken as examples for
emulation by one and all.

COMMENTS:
Vidhurar is a special person. He is a Parama BhAgavathar, who was adept at UpAsanAs.
He was the son of Dharma dEvathai. Citing that Dharma Puthra did Brahma Medha
Samskaram to Vidhurar belonging by birth to the fourth VarNam, one cannot recommend
similar treatment for all belonging to that Jaathi. One should not transgress Jaathi boundaries
by citing Vidhurar’s charithram. He was a visEsha purushar, for whom extraordinary events
happened due to Bhagavath Sankalpam.

(948) ÉgvÑ´zUÔaid xIdanaidk«itiàyay nm>

Bhagathbhaktha sudhrAdhi dheedhAnaadhi kruthi priyAya nama:
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(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who settled the boundaries of Jaathi.

Vidhurar was born in the fourth varNam although he was a highly evolved soul (Brahma
Jn~Ani). He confined himself to giving upadEsam on ways to gain JN~Anam through
upAsanaa and stayed away from initiating others like DhirutharAshtran into Brahma VidhyA
manthrams due to his respect for Jaathi dharmam restrictions. DhruthrAshtran belonged to
the second VarNam of Kshathrian, while Vidhurar belonged to the fourth varNam.

COMMENTS:
SaasthrAs say that Jn~ana UpadEsam can be obtained from one of lower varNam, when
those of higher or equal varNam are not available.

SaasthrAs also prohibit one of lower VarNam to perform Brahma VidhyA

manthrOpadEsam to one of higher varNam. Vidhurar observed this command of the
Bhagavath Saasthrams strictly.

(949) cEÄkaiykzUÔTvÉed VyaOyandi][ay nm>

Chaittha kaayika Soodhrathva bhEdha vyAkhyAna DakshiNAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who could explain clearly the differences between the
BrahmaNanathvam (status of being a Brahmin) or Soodhrathvam due to birth and due to

116
other things that happen in life after birth.

COMMENTS:
There are differences in the BrAhmaNathvam arising from the body and
BrAhmaNathvam arising from Manas (mind) for different people.

A. BRAHMANA JAATHI IS DUE TO SAREERAM (BIRTH):

This he attains as a result of being born in BrahmaNa kulam and this does not change
until death. The jeevan inside the body has however no distinction that it is BrahmaNan or
Kshathriyan, Vaisyan or Soodhran.

SaasthrAs define clear boundaries between different varNaas in terms of what they
should and should not do as members of one VarNam or other.

Even if one is born in a higher Jaathi, he reaches a lower state due to improper activities
and, he is therefore fit to be condemned.

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B. BRAHMANATHVAM ARISING FROM MANAS (MIND):
It arises from AchArya Sambhandham; for others like PrahlAdhan, it is Janma siddham
(although born in asura kulam, his exemplary conduct as a Parama Bhaagavathan confers on
Him BrAhmaNathvam right from birth); this is true for all Garbha BhAgavathAs
independent of the Jaathi they were born in. There are a lot of Vaibhavams associated with
Brahminhood. This again is valid for all due to their exemplary conduct as a Parama
BhAgavathAs of the Lord even if by birth, they belong to a lower Jaathi by birth.

Narakam will result for those, who insult a Parama BhAgavathan, who has attained
BrahmaNathvam by exemplary conduct even if he is by birth belongs to a lower Jaathi
(VarNam).

(950) naray[Ekinóeit vcnawRàdzRkay nm>

NaarAyNaika nishtEthi VachanArTa prakAsakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who revealed to us the true meaning of the vachanam:
“NaarAyaNaika nishta”, which is found in VihagEndhra Samhithai.

COMMENTS:
This vachanam talks about the glories of one, who is meditating always on Sriman

117
 NaarAyaNan. There are those who distort the saasthram-accepted meaning of this vachanam
and exaggerate the glories of the Prapannan (NaarAyaNaika nishtan). Swamy Desikan
interpreted these vachanams correctly without minimizing the glories of the NaarANaika
Nishtan.

(951) ini;ÏTyagxmaROmuOyawRTvivÉÃkay nm>

Nishiddha thyAga dharmAkhya mukhyArTathva vibhanjakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who rejected the position that the central meaning of the
word Dharmam is giving up the acts recommended by SaasthrAs (Nishiddha thyAgam).

COMMENTS:
During EkAdasi Vratham, eating is prohibited. Instead the Kaamya vratam of EkAdasi
sadagopan.org

seeking desired fruits through fasting is recommended. For Kaamya phalan, the EkAdasi
vratham is observed with special austerities (niyama visEsham). Food taking in EkAdasi
(nishiddham) is avoided (nivrutthi). The upAyam practised for Kaamya phalan with niyama
visEsham is the meaning of the dharma sabdham in the injunction “Sarva dharmAn
parithayjya”. The simple act of rejecting those observances recommended by SaasthrAs is not
the central meaning of Dharma sabdham.

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 CHAPTER 26: PRABHAVA RAKSHADHIKARAM
(NAAMAS 952 TO 955)

(952) ïImTàÉavsNÇaÇe nm>

Srimath PrabhAva santrAthrE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who defended very well the glories of Sriman NaarAyaNan
(the Lord along with SrI Devi).

COMMENTS:
Swamy Desikan states that no one can underestimate the glories of BhagavAn , the
SiddhOpAyan. In this adhikAram (PrabhAva RakshAdhikAram), Swamy Desikan eulogizes

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the athi-vichithra chEstithams of the Lord along the lines of AthimAnusha Sthavam of
Swamy KurEsar.

(953) %paymahaTMyr]kay nm>

UpAya MahAthmya rakshakAyA nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who defended the greatness of Prapatthi.

COMMENTS:
There are many unique glories associated with Prapatthi; it can even destroy PrArabdha
KarmAs. Prapatthi can also grant moksham at the desired time. Swamy defended the
greatness of Prapatthi as a superior and easy-to-perform upAyam for gaining Moksha
sukham compared to Bhakthi yOgam.

(954) ÉgvT]eÇmahaTMy†ze nm>

Bhagavath KshEthra MahAthmya dhrusE nama:

(MEANING ):
Salutations to that AchAryan , who was fully familiar with the glories of the dhivya
dEsams dear to the Lord.

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 (955) vE:[vmhÅvivde nm>
VaishNava Mahtthva-vidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who knew very well the glories of VaishNavAs and
instructed us not to commit any apachArams to them.

We will commence our study of the naamAs relating to Moola ManthrAdhikAram next
(27th Chapter of Srimath Rahasya Thraya Saaram ) . The naamAs from 956 to 959 cover the
essence of Moola Manthra adhikAram .
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 III. PADHA VAAKYA YOJANA BHAAGAM:
CHAPTER 27: MOOLA MANTHRADHIKARAM
(NAAMAS 956 TO 959)

The following four NaamAs cover the content of the 27th AdhikAram of Srimath Rahasya
Thraya Saaram, Moola ManthrAdhikAram, the first of the three chapters of Padha Vaakya
yOjanaa Bhaagam:

(956) saE—karmUlmNÇaòa]rTvÇa[dIi]tay nm>

SoumkAra Moola manthrAshtAksharathva thrANa dheekshithAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who was firm in defending the doctrine that Moola
Manthram is made up of eight (8) aksharams including PraNavam.

sadagopan.org
COMMENTS:
AshtAksharam is known also as Thirumanthiram and Moola Manthram. AzhwArs
celebrated the Moola Manthram in their Paasurams: “Naamam sollil NamO
NaarAyaNamE”, and “nanmAlai koNDu Namo NaarAyaNA”.

When we follow the way in which AzhwArs used the Moola Manthram, the aksharams do
not add up to a count of Eight. The question is: “how do you reconcile this with the name
AshtAkshari or the Eight lettered manthram?” The answer is: Vedam recites this manthram
with PraNavam to come upto the count of Eight.

BrAmaNAs qualified to recite Veda manthrams do recite the Moola Manthram with
PraNavam (Vaidhika mantram with eight letters that include the PraNavam).

For others, the adhikAram to recite vEdham is not there. Hence, they recite Moola
Manthram as a Taantrika Manthram without including PraNavam. For those, without
adhikAram to recite Vedam, there are restrictions such as not using PraNavam, Svaram and
anga nyAsam. Even if they are not permitted to use PraNavam, they are allowed to take the
akAra sabdham from “ayana” sabdham of AshtAksharam and add anusvaram and create the
replacement of PraNavam (amm), add and realize the eight aksharams (letters) to form the
AshtAkshari. Whether they include or replace it with “amm” in the front, the recitation of the
manthram in either way gives the same phalans for the others . For the ladies, “amm” is
included as well instead of PraNavam for the same reasons.

If one removes PraNavam and the fourth case (aaya), then the ashtAshari is shrunk to
“NamO NaarAyaNa”, which is ideal for Naama Sankeertanam by one and all. Naaradha
Kalpam explains these anushtAna vidhis by adhikAris and non-adhikAris.

121
 (957) ÖymUlmnuVyaOyaêpTvpirzaexkay nm>
Dhvaya Moolamanu vyAkhyA roopathva parisOdhakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that SrEshta AchAryan, who did comprehensive study of dhvaya manthram
and to instruct us that it is the meaning of Moola Manthram (its vyAkhyAna roopam/
elaborative commentary).

COMMENTS:
Dhvaya Manthram is the detailed commentary on Moola Manthram. Dhvyam elaborates
on the meanings of the three padhams of Moola Manthram dealing with Tatthvam, Hitham
and PurushArtham.

First Padham ( PraNavam): The first letter of PraNavam is about Para Tatthvam (AkAra
Vaachya Para Tatthvam). Dhvayam elaborates on it with the words: “Sriman NaarAyaNa”.
sadagopan.org

Second Padham nama: in Moola Manthram: This refers to the UpAyam (Means).
Dhvayam elaborates on the second padham dealing with upAyam as its Poorva Bhaagam
(Sriman NaarAyaNa charaNou - - -SaraNam prapadhyE).

The third and last Padham of Moola manthram (NaarAyaNAya) is about the Phalan .
Dhvaya manthram elaborates this phalan in its utthara BhAgam.

Thus dhavya manthram is an elaborate commentary on the succinct Moola Manthram.

Swamy Desikan concluded therefore that the order among the three rahasya manthrams is
Moola Manthram first and Dhvayam next.

(958) mUlmNÇaòa]rpd tÅvawRivze;ivde nm>

Moolamanthra ashtAkshara padha tatthvArTa visEsha-vidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who knew the specific and correct meanings of the eight
aksharams and padhams of Moola Manthram.

COMMENTS:
Swamy Desikan has dealt in detail about the meanings of the eight letters of AshtAkshari
as well as its Padhams in Srimath Rahasya Thraya Saaram. These details are to be acquired
through anugraham of a SadAchAryan. Here are the condensed meanings of the eight

122
aksharams and the three padhams:

“PraNavam”: This is single lettered (yEkAksharam) housing three aksharams inside it .

There are many meanings for PraNavam and for the three letters united inside it. The
main meaning is: “Jeevan is Seshan for BhagavAn alone”.

“Na” means “is not”

“Ma” means “for Me”. When we unite aksharams two and three to form “nama”, it refers
to aathma samarpaNam or surrender of the Self; when we keep it as “na ma” in the
combination of aksharams two and three, then it means, I am not the Seshan for me or I
do not have the qualifications to be a Seshi. In other words, it refers to the Jeevan being
the eternal servant (Seshan) of the Lord (Seshi).

Na(a): This means different from.

r(aa): This means perishable insentients (achEtanam). “ Nara” formed by uniting letters
four and five means the Jeevan that is different from the perishable achEtanam. “Naara”
sabdham refers to the jeeva samooham (assembly of Jeevans).

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and (a)yaNa(a): There are many meanings for this combination. Mainly, it is about
NaarAyaNan as the UpAyam for gaining Moksha siddhi by the Jeevans.

“(aa)ya” sabdham in the fourth case (4th Vibhakthi): There are again many meanings.
The chief one is “For the sake of NaaraayaNan alone”.

Thiru Manthiram has three padhams: PraNavam, Nama: and NaarAyaNAya .

PoorvAchAryAs have established that these three padhams represent Tathvam, Hitham and
PrayOjanam.

The first Padham refers to the Jeevan declaring that it is the servant of BhagavAn
alone. The Svaroopam (inherent nature) of the Jeevan is asserted here.

The second Paadham deals with the upAyam of SaraNAgathy. It refers to the
determination of the Jeevan in not seeking any other upAyam to gain MOksham.

The third Padham refers to the Goal (upEyam) of BhagavAn. This deals with the
determination of not seeking any other PurushArTam.

(959) mUlmNÇmhavaKyyaejnadzkadray nm>

Moola manthra-mahA-vAkya yOjanA- dasakAdharaya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who came up with the ten interpretations for the meanings
of the Mahan Vaakyams of Moola Mantram.

123
 COMMENTS:
After blessing us with the meanings of the three Padhams of Moola Manthram, Swamy
Desikan assembled the ten views on the meanings of the entire Moola Manthram looked at as
an integrated whole or as the permutations and combinations of the different padhams:

There are two meanings by looking at the Moola Manthram as an integrated unit of its
three padhams.

There are three meanings by looking at Moola Manthram as being made up of two
Vaakyams.

There are five meanings by looking at Moola Manthram as being made up of three
vaakyams.

These ten different meanings can only be obtained through SadAchArya UpadEsam
based on PoorvAchArya SampradhAyam.
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 CHAPTER 28: DHVAYADHIKARAM (NAAMAS 960 TO 970)
In this adhikAram, Swamy Desikan explains the detailed meanings of Dhvaya manthram.

(960) ÖyàÉaviv}aÇe nm>

Dhvaya Prabhava vijn~AthrE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who understood fully the glories of Dhvaya Manthram.

COMMENTS:
In the DhvayAdhikAram, Swamy Desikan salutes the glories of Dhvaya Manthram, which
is a Taanthrika Manthram that has roots in Vedam. It is present as two separate manthrams
in Kata Valli (KatOpanishad) and each of its 25 aksahrams (letters) are covered separately in

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Sri Prasna Samhithai.

SaasthrAs instruct us that an aasthikan, who understands the meaning of this manthram
and recites it even once, will gain him MOksham through upAya anushtAnam (performance
of SaraNAgathi).

It has more glories than the other manthrams as indicated by Bhagavaan in SaraNAgathy
Gadhyam: “yEna kEnApi prakArENa dhvya VakthA thvam” (You who recite dhvyam in
some manner or other). Sri RanganAtha suggested that AchArya RaamAnuja standing before
Him on that Panguni Uttharam day reciting Dhvayam in some manner or other (either
knowing the meaning of that Manthram fully or at a general level). This dhvaya manthram is
going to be the Manthram to be recited during one’s SaraNAgathy anushtAnam or helping
one later to perform SaraNAgathy (UpAya anushtAnam) and thus becomes useful to gain
Moksham (Moksha PrayOjanam).

The dhvaya Manthram revealing completely the doctrines of SaraNyan- SaraNAgathy-

Phalan through one manthram has more glory than many other manthrams that limit
themselves to reveal one or other guNams of the Lord.

(961) ÖyzBdinéi´ivde nm>

Dhvaya sabdha nirukthi-vidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who understood clearly the reason for its name as
“Dhvayam”.

125
 COMMENTS:
Dhvayam means a pair. That pair is UpAyam (Means) and upEyam (Phalan). Dhvayam
reveals this pair (UpAya-UpEyam) that one desiring Moksham (Mumukshu) should know.
This is the traditional meaning of the word Dhvayam as a Manthram.

(962) ÖyÇyImUltaNÇmNÇTv Swapn]may nm>

Dhvaya thrayee moola-tAntra manthrathva sTApankshamAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who had the skills to establish that dhvayam is a Taantrika
manthram that came to us via Vedams.

COMMENTS:
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In Vedam (Kata Valli), the AshtAkshara PrakaraNam houses the dhvaya Manthram in two
parts interspersed with other manthrams. These two parts that unite to form dhvaya
manthram are recited separately in Kata Valli. Later, Kata Valli points out that those two parts
have to be united and recited by one, who seeks Moksha PurushArTam. Sri Prasna Samhithai
analyzes the 25 aksharams (letters) of dhvaya manthram one by one and then unites them to
form the full manthram. Therefore Dhvaya manthram is a Taantrika manthram with its
foundations in the Vedam (Veda-Moola - Taantrika Manthram).

(963) lúmIpué;karTvman}ay nm>

Lakshmi PurushakArathva mAnajn~Aya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who developed the reasons for the unique
PurushakArathvam of Sri DEvi based on six PramANams.

COMMENTS:
The first letter of dhvayam is “SrI” with links to MahA Lakshmi / SrI Devi. The
investigation of the meaning of this letter points out the unique PurushakArathvam
(intercession and pleading aspect) of the Divine Mother.

Swamy Desikan uses six pramANams in his Sri Sookthi of NikshEpa Rakshai to explain
the PurushakAram of SrI DEvi.

1. Artha SvabhAvam: She is the Mother of the Universe. She does not display any

126
 anger unlike Her Lord towards Her children. She displays instead great affection
for us. If we approach the Lord through Her, Lord cannot refuse us because of
the powerful influence She has over Him. This is Her artha SvabhAvam.

2. AnushtAna PramANam (The way followed by our ancestors): After HiraNya

samhAram, Brahma and others were scared to approach the ferocious Lord; they
performed SarNaagathy to Sri Devi and approached the Lord with Her in the
front to eulogize Him. During RaamAvathAram, LakshmaNa Swamy had SitA
Piratti in front to perform his saraNAgathy to the Lord, His brother.

3. Loka dhrushti (the way of the world): It is seen that the King does not punish the
servants of the inner chambers heavily even if they have committed serious
offenses. The King gives them a light sentence and forgives them after they
perform NamaskaraNam and other small acts. This is what we see in the world
(lOka dhrushti).

4. Guru Ukthi (AchAryA’s words): Swamy NammAzhwAr has revealed Sri Devi
becoming PurushakAra BhUthai in his famous Paasuram on

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ThiruvengadamudayAn - “AhalahillEn”.

5. Sruthi PramANam (Veda PramANam): Sri Sooktha vaakyams like “ChandhrAm

HiraNmayeem….” relate to the performance of SaraNAgathy with Her staying in
the role of PurushakAra BhUthai.

6. Smruthi: Maharishis in their Smruthis clearly state like Sounakar that “one who
wishes to gain MOksham should perform Prapatthi first to Sri Devi”.

(964) ïIpdawRivde nm>

SripadhArTa-vidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who knew the six meanings associated with SrI Sabdham.

COMMENTS:
In the dhvaya manthram, Srimath Sabdham is met. This Srimath sabdham points out that
Bhagavan together with Sri Devi serve as upAyam, when Bhagavaan is to be approached as
UpAyam.

The six meanings of “SrI” sabdham are:

1. SreeyathE (One who is approached for ujjeevanam): The desperate jeevans intent on
being rescued form SamsAric sufferings approach Her (aasrayaNam) for help.

127
 2. SreeyathE (One who approaches the angry Lord to reduce His anger over the erring
jeevan): When the Lord decides to punish the Jeevans for their trespasses of His
Saasthrams, She intercedes with Her Lord and reduces His anger and facilitates the
sahaja karuNai of the Lord to become dominant to save the Jeevans from His wrath.
Both the above interpretations underline Her PurushakArathvam.

3. SruNOthi (Listens): She listens intently to the heart rending cries of the suffering
Jeevans appealing that She show them Her Lord’s sacred feet for their protection.

4. SrAvayathi (Makes Her Lord Listen): She relays to the Lord the appeals by the
chEthanams that have committed aparAdhams and makes Her Lord listen.

These two acts are also linked to PurushakArathvam.

5. SruNAthi (Destroys): She destroys those karmAs, which stand in the way of
performing upAyam (UpAya VirOdhi karmAs) and PrApthi VirOdhi KarmAs (that
which stand in the way of gaining the Phalan of Moksham).

6. SreeNAthi (Makes us reach the stage of guNa Pakkuvam or ripening): She prepares
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the Jeevan to attain the proper maturation state to receive the Lord’s grace.

(965) ÖymNÇpdìat àTyekVyak«itiàyay nm>

Dhvaya manthra padhavrAtha pratyEka vyAkruthi priyAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to the AchAryan, who blessed us with the meanings of each padham of dhvaya
manthram and the aspects of understanding their sambhandhams (anusandhAna amsams).

COMMENTS:
“Sriman NaarAyaNa charaNou” means for the sacred feet of NaarAyaNan alone. The
meaning if SrI Sabdham has been covered earlier. The “Madhubh” (maann) sabdhham
means being united always (i.e.), He is united with PirAtti always.

“NaarAyaNa” sabdham: It has many meanings.

(1) He is the support (aadhAram) for the Jeevans;
(2) He is the UpAyam (means) for the Jeevans;
(3) He is the Phalan for the jeevans;
(4) He is the one who entered (anupravEsam) the Jeevans as indweller;
(5) He is the abode of Jeevans et al.

128
 “CharaNou”: This is also taken as “Sriman NaarAyaNa charaNou” in an expanded
sense. Here it means, “Srimann/Lakshmi Sahitha NaarAyaNa! Your sacred feet alone are
SaraNam. I utterly trust those sacred feet (MahA Viswaasam) and I have no other support
(aakinchanyam) and perform SaraNAgathy ( PrapadhyE)”.

Until now, the Poorva BhAgam of Dhvayam (the UpAya BhAgam ) is covered. The
second BhAgam deals with the Phalan.

“SrimathE”: For the Lord of SrI Devi; among the Divine couple, who are the object of
Kaimkaryam, focus on the auspicious attributes of Piraatti alone is referred to.

“NaarAyaNAya”: For the Lord of Sri Devi alone; among the divine couple, who are the
object of Kaimkaryam, the Swamithva guNams of the Lord is referred to. The “aaya”
sabdham refers to “for Him alone” and links to Kaimkaryam.

“Namah”: It means that the kaimkaryam performed is not for me and to avoid such
thoughts.
This is the condensed meaning. The detailed meanings have to be learnt from AchAryAs.

sadagopan.org
(966) ïIzaepayaNtr SwanapiÄ sarawRzaexkay nm>
SrIsOpAyAnthara STAnapatthi sArArTa sOdhakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to the AchAryan, who examined the essence of the meaning of Prapatthi that
positions Sriman NaarAyaNan in the UpaayAnthara position/SthAnam (in place of Bhakthi
yOgam).

COMMENTS:
During Prapatthi anushtAnam, we pray to the Lord this way in the context of positioning
Him in UpaayAnthara SthAnam: “Oh Lord! Please do not place on my head the unbearable
burden of UpaayAntharam (Bhakthi yOgam). Please bear that burden Yourself and at the
same time bless us with the fruits of bearing that burden. Your limitless sakthi and KaruNai
enable You to grant us the Phalan of difficult to practice Bhakthi yOgam through the practice
of Prapatthi itself. You stand in the place of the UpaayAntharam and thus enable us to gain
the PurushArTam”.

129
 (967) kapR{ygaeÝ&vr[ sawaeRpayTv yacnay nm>
KaarpaNya-gOpthruvaraNa saarTOpAyathva yAchanAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who accepted the point of view that KaarpaNyam and
Gopthruva VarNam together are essential to be successful in UpAyathva PrArthanai.

COMMENTS:
UpAyathva PrArthanai becomes meaningful through KaarpaNyam and gopthruva
VaraNam. During Prapatthi observance, the important aspect is the prayer to the Lord:
“Bhagavan! You alone should become the UpAyam (means) for Moksham”. This is
UpAyathva PrArtanai. It has another part (angam) - KaarpaNyam. The mood of
KaarpaNyam assumes: “I am powerless to practise the difficult Bhakthi yOgam. I place that
burden on You. Please save me from it and accept that burden to be borne by Yourself”.
Gopthruva VaraNam is the prayer to ask the Lord alone to be one’s protector. This prayer
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says: “Oh Lord! Please do not place the burden of bearing upAyAntharam on me. If it is to be
borne, please accept as Your burden the granting of the Phalan from such an effort”. If one
does not include either of these prayers, then the goals of Prapatthi will not be fulfilled.

(968) %payvr[a*aTmin]epai¼Tvsaxkay nm>

UpAyavaraNAdhyAthma-nikshEpAngithva sAdhakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to the AchAryan, who established that the UpAyathva prArtanai with Bhara
SamarpaNam is the key (angi/PradhAnam) in Prapatthi observance and that aanukoolya
sankalpam et al are the parts of the above angi.

COMMENTS:
We seek as Phalan for Prapatthi the staying of the Lord in the place of Bhakti yOgam and
granting us the phalan of Moksham. The direct reason for the Phalan is Upaayathava
prArthanai combined with Bhara SamarpaNam. Therefore we call the latter as angi. Rest are
angams.

130
 (969) ÖyaeÄrawRgMyawR (g*awR) pué;awRinêpkay nm>
dhvyaOttharArTa gamyArTa (gadhyarTa) purushArTa niroopakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who had the skills to instruct us on the PurushArTam
( Phalan) revealed by the second part of the Dhvaya mantram.
COMMENTS:
So far the meaning of the first portion of Dhvayam (Sriman NaarAyaNa charaNou
SaraNam prapadhyE) was discussed. Now the meaning of the second part is covered. This
part deals with the special phalan that befits our Svaroopam as Seshan (Servant of the Lord)
and the Lord's role as Seshi (Master) and the lofty dharmam of Prapatthi. This special Phalan
that we gain from the observance of successful prapatthi is the engagement in Bhagavath
Kaimkaryam with Bhagavath anubhavam. That Phalan is for the Lord alone (SrImathE
NaarAyaNAya). “Namah” means engagement in Bhagavath Kaimkaryams with out
ahankAra-MamakArams.

sadagopan.org
(970) ÖymNÇmhavaKy yaejnaÇysaxkay nm>
Dhvaya manthra mahAvAkya yOjanA-thraya saadhakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who gave the meanings of Dhvaya manthram as the three
MahA Vaakya yOjanais.

COMMENTS:
Dhvaya Manthram is considered as being made up of these combinations: the Poorva
KaNDam is made up of one Vaakyam (sentence) SrimathE NaarAyaNAya and nama: are the
two other vaakyams. If all the three vaakyams are united into one MahA Vaakyam, that yields
the UpAyam of Prapatthi as a dominant theme for our reflection . The “nama:” sabdham is
for destruction of the enemies for Bhagavath Kaimkaryam. “SrImathE NaarAyaNAya” is for
the purpose of ParipoorNa Kaimkaryam to the Lord associated with His PirAtti. The
integrated meaning of Dhvayam is hence: adiyEn is an akinchanan. adiyEn performs
prapatthi with its five angams at the sacred feet of SrIman NaarAyaNan (aathmaRakshA-
Bhara SamarpaNam) to disassociate myself from the burden of protecting myself.

131
 CHAPTER 29: CHARAMASLOKADHIKARAM (NAAMAS 971 TO 1003)

THIS ADHIKARAM DEALS WITH THE DETAILED EXPLANATION OF SRI KRISHNA’S

CHARAMA SLOKAM

(971) ïIk«:[crmðaekavtar Vyak«it]may nm>

SrI KrishNa charama slOkaavathAra vyAkruthikshamAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who could competently describe the conditions under
which the Charama slOkam of SrI KrishNa ParamAthmA came into being.

COMMENTS:
The circumstances of the avathAram of Sri KrishNa Charama slOkam are referred to here.
sadagopan.org

On the battlefield of KurushEthram, Sri KrishNa served as the charioteer for Arjuna. At the
commencement of the battle, ArjunA was overcome with inappropriate compassion about the
destruction of the lives of his relatives, AchAryAs and elders in the battle to come. He threw
his bow and arrows down and was terror stricken over the mighty sins that would accrue from
the destruction of his kith and kin assembled on the opposite side of the battlefield. He
questioned the value of gaining the kingdom through such a victory in the battlefield by
destroying his relatives and AchAryAs. Lord ParthasArathy removed this asTAna confusion
and sorrow of Arjuna through the UpadEsam of GithOpanishad.

Our compassionate Lord instructed Arjuna on Karma, Jn~Ana and Bhakthi yOgams as
upAyams for gaining the supreme PurushArtham for a Jeevan. Arjuna grieved over his lack of
qualifications to follow these difficult routes and became even more despondent. Now, the
most merciful Lord decided to perform UpadEsam on the most secret and easy-to-practice
upAyam of Prapatthi yOgam through His instruction contained in the Charama slOkam. This
Charama slOkam commands the Jeevan to perform Prapatthi in the first half and discusses
the Phalans of Prapatthi in the second half.

(972) crmðaekxmaeRi´ ve*in[Rykaeivday nm>

CharamaslOka dharmOkthi vEdhya nirNaya kOvidhAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who had the intellectual power to establish what needs to be
known by us from the sabdham, “DharmAn” in the Charama slOkam.

132
COMMENTS:
The Charama slOkam begins with “Sarva DharmAn Parithyajya”. Here, our Lord asks us
to abandon all dharmAs and to seek Him as the sole refuge for protection. Generally,
"Dharma" sabdham has to be understood with the help of Saasthrams and deals with that
which is the cause for Phalan. For instance, Yaagams can be called dharmams since they are
causes for phalans like Svargam and can be understood only thru Bhagavath Saasthrams.
Although such general meanings can be given for Dharma sabdham, here the contextual
meaning has to be given. Here, Dharmam refers to the various UpAsanAs for MOksham
(Sadh VidhyA, Dhahara VidhyA and Bhakthi yOgam). Our Lord is asking us to cast aside
such difficult dharmams and perform Prapatthi in their place for gaining MOksham.

(973) pué;aeÄmxImae]hetuTvmtÉÃkay nm>

PurushOtthama dhee mOksha-hEthuthva matha bhanjakAya nama:

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(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who discarded the matham that held PurushOtthama
Jn~Anam is a direct Moksha KaaraNam.

COMMENTS:
Bhagavath Gita’s 15th Chapter is known as PurushOtthama VidhyA. Here, the Lord
instructs us that He is the PurushOtthaman. There is a matham that believes that the
development of PurushOtthama Jn~Anam is the direct cause for Moksham. Swamy Desikan
did not accept that view . He established that PurushOtthama Jn~Anam is only Tatthva
Jn~Anam essential for the many vidhyAs serving as Moksha kaaraNam. Therefore,
PurushOtthama Jn~Anam is not a direct MokshOpaayam.

(974) AvtarrhSy}anaid mae]krTv¹e nm>

avathAra rahasya jn~Adhi mOkshakarathvagnE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who rejected the view that AvathAra Rahasya Jn~Anam is a
direct UpAyam (means) for Moksham.

COMMENTS:
Like PurushOtthama Jn~Anam, the avathAra rahasya Jn~Anam is considered by some as
a direct UpAyam for Moksham. For one who is performing Prapatthi, avathAra rahasya

133
 chinthanai helps to appreciate the visEsha guNams of the Lord and through that Jn~Anam
firms up the important angam of MahA ViswAsam of Prapatthi; this in turn permits one to
gain the Phalan of Prapatthi (Moksham) in the same life itself. Therefore, avathAra rahasya
chinthanai is only an indirect cause for Moksham.

(975) crmðaekxmRTyag Anuvadmtiàyay nm>

Charama slOka dharma-thyAga anuvAdha mathapriyAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who accepted the view that “dharma
thyAgam” (abandonment of other dharmams like Bhakthi yOgam) is of anuvAdha roopam
and not of Vidhi roopam.

COMMENTS:
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AnuvAdham refers to some thing that has taken place already. Vidhi is commanding to do
some thing that has not been done yet. “Sarva dharmAn Parithyajya” is “dharma thyAgam”.
Some consider this Dharma thyAgam as anuvAdham and others as Vidhi. Swamy Desikan
preferred the anuvAdha Paksham by taking Parithyajya (Dharma ThyAgam) to mean: You,
who have abandoned all dharmAs, perform SaraNAgathy to Me. It indicates that an
akinchanan (One without any resource and sakthi to pursue other MokshOpAyams) is fit to
perform Prapatthi. Through that anuvAdham, the fitness of thisvisEsha adhikAri is pointed
out. AnuvAdha Paksham includes only Prapatthi, whereas the Vidhi Paksham includes both
dharma thyAgam and Prapatthi.

(976) àpiÄsvRxmRTyga¼aei´ivixÉÃkay nm>

Prapatthi Sarva dharma- thyAgAngOkthi vidhi bhanjakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who disagreed with the view that the abandonment of the
dharmAs like Bhakthi yOgam is an angam of Prapatthi. Hence, Sarva dharma thyAgam is not
an angam of Prapatthi according to Swamy Desikan.

COMMENTS:
Swamy Desikan pointed out the contradictions of such a view with other angams of
Prapatthi like KaarpaNyam and Aakinchanyam. KarpaNyam is the anusandhAnam
(reflection) that one is powerless to undertake Bhakthi yogam. Aakinchanyam is also the

134
recognition of the powerlessness to engage in the anushtAanam of Bhakthi yOgam. If we
accept the injunction (Vidhi) that Sarva dharma thyAgam is an angam of Prapatthi like
KaarpaNyam, then we concede that Prapatthi is eligible only for those who have the power to
perform Bhakthi yOgam. This is totally against the doctrine of Prapatthi, which makes every
one eligible to practice Prapatthi with its five angams.

(977) ]eÇ}aepasnaepay inTyazKtTvÉÃkay nm>

KshEthrajn~OpaasanOpAya nithyaasakthathva bhanjakaaya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who disagreed with the view that Jeevan is forever
incapable of performing the upAyam of UpAsanam (Bhakthi yOgam).

sadagopan.org
COMMENTS:
Other mathams hold the view that Jeevan is powerless to perform UpAsanam at all times
Jeevan is paratanthran to the Lord and therefore the Jeevan has no svatantram (Freedom) to
engage in Upaasana. Therefore, it is all right to command Jeevan to abandon Sarva
dharmam. There is no conflict between aakinchanyam and Sarva dharma ThyAgam
according to this view. Swamy Desikan refutes this view and points out the many
inconsistencies that arise from accepting this view. The key among Swamy Desikan’s
objection is: If the jeevan is powerless and is Paaratantryan, then how is he expected to follow
the Lord’s command “MaamEkam SaraNam vraja”. The concepts of Sarva dharma
ThyAgam and asakthathvam of the Jeevan clash. This view also lands the Para Matha Vaadhi
in the land of anuvAdham that they do not accept to begin with.

(978) @kvaKyivixTv AnuvadTvanuppiÄivde nm>

yEkavAkya vidhithva anuvAdhathvaanupapatthi vidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who pointed out the inappropriateness of the same
vaakyam becoming Vidhi and anuvAdham at the same time.

COMMENTS:
Vidhi means the command to do some thing new; anuvAdham is the statement about
something that has already happened. There are two mutually opposing points of view

135
 regarding the meaning for “Sarva dharama ThyAgam” (Parithyajya Sabdham). Some believe
that “Sarva dharma thyAgam” is Vidhi and others believe that it is anuvAdham. MeemAmsa
Saasthrams point out that the same Vaakyam cannot stand for Vidhi and anuvAdham as well.
It becomes paraspara Viruddham (mutually contradictory) in that case. It has to be one or the
other. It cannot be both.

(979) guêpayl"Upay gI>àraecktaiàyay nm>

GurUpAya laghUpAya-ghee: prOchakathApriyAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutation to the AchAryan, who did not accept the statement that the purpose of
mentioning hard-to-perform (Katina) upAyam is to motivate one towards the easy-to-practice
(laghu) upAyam.
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(980) Éi´iv*amNdxIkaixkairTv mtaNtkay nm>

Bhakthi vidhyA mandhadheekArithva mathAnthakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to the AchAryan, who rejected the Matham that believes Bhakthi Vidhyai is
recommended for use only by the dull-witted ones (mandha Buddhi).

COMMENTS:
One matham believes that Bhakthi yOgam has to be practiced by those having deficiency
in Jn~Anam or ViswAsam. In contrast, Prapatthi in their opinion has to be practiced by those
with PoorNa Jn~Anam and ViswAsam (narasya Buddhi dourbalyAth
upAyAntharamishyathE). Swamy Desikan rejects this view. If an asaktha purushan engages
in UpAsana (Bhakthi yOgam / Katina UpAyam), due to his mandha buddhi, then great
Jn~Anis with PoorNa viswAsam like Sage VyAsa, who gave us the Charama slOkam through
MahA BhAratham / Githai are ineligible to perform this UpAsana (Bhakthi yOgam for
Moksham). That is absurd.

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 (981) %pasnamNdivñasaixkairTv nazkay nm>
upAsanA-mandhaviswAsaadhikArithva nAsakAyaa nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to the AchAryan, who defeated the Matham that held the view that the
adhikAris (qualified ones) for UpAsanaa are those who have incomplete ViswAsam.

COMMENTS:
If we say that Sage VyAsa, who blessed us with Brahma Soothram, MahA BhAratham/
Bhagavath GithA has to be disqualified from practicing Bhakthi yOgam (UpAsanaa), then
we are driven to the position that the above Sri Sookthis were created to deceive us. Sage
VyAsa and others like him are PoorNa adhikAris (Sri Desika Sahasra Naamaa 863); they can
wait for delayed Phalan of Bhakthi yOgam (UpAsanam). Therefore, they did not perform
Prapathi yOgam; instead, they practiced Bhakthi yOgam, even if they were not deficient in

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Jn~Anam or ViswAsam.

(982) %pasnalaeks'!¢hawRTv mtmarkay nm>

UpAsanAlOka-sangrahArTathva matha-mArakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to the AchAryan, who rejected the view that Sage VyAsaa and others
performed Bhakthi Yogam to demonstrate to the world about the loftiness of that UpAsanaa,
while they themselves did prapatthi.

COMMENTS:
If some one like Sage VyAsa qualified to perform Prapatthi did instead Bhakthi yOgam to
raise the belief in Bhakthi yOgam by residents of the world, they would have acquired sins for
following some thing that is contrary to their adhikAram (Qualifications) and preaching it to
the world as the way to follow. This is not acceptable. Further, if there are two upAyams for
lOka sangraham, it is required to practice the UpAyam that is hitham and easy to practice
(sakyam). This is Saasthram. Sages like VyAsaa will not practice some thing as model, which
the Saasthrams do not permit. Any such act done in the spirit of AdhikAra Viruddham will
not then be for lOka sangraham.

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 (983) àv&iÄêpsklxmRTyagmtaNtkay nm>
pravrutthiroopa sakala dharma thyAga-mathAnthakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to the AchAryan, who won over the view that “Sarva DharmAn parithyajya”
means the abandonment of all dharmAs, which are Pravrutthi roopam.

COMMENTS:
There are Pravrutthi dharmams and Nivrutthi dharmams in this world. To say that “Sarva
DharmAn parithyajya” instructs us to abandon both kinds of dharmams is sampradhAya
viruddham (against our SampradhAyam based on Saasthram). Even today, our AchAryAs
enter into Pravrutthi dharmams (Performance of Kaimkaryams) and discarding Nivrutthi
dharmams through apachAra parihArams.
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(984) àpÅynuóankal svRxmRivmui´¹e nm>

prapathyAnushtAna-kaala sarvadharma-vimukthignE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to the AchAryan, who refuted the view that one should perform “Sarva dharma
ThyAgam” during the time of Prapatthi.

COMMENTS:
This does not mean that one has to abandon all dharmAs during the entire life (even
during the post Prapatthi period). In that case, there will be conflict with AchArya
anushtAnams.

(985) àdi][à[amaid Anu}akE»yRhetu†ze nm>

pradhakshiNa praNAmAdhi anujn~A kaimkarya hEthudhrusE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to the AchAryan, who knew the inner meanings of anujn~a kaimkaryams such
as PradakshiNam and PraNAmams.

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COMMENTS:
One should not abandon VarNAsrama dharmams even after performing one’s Prapatthi.
They are not angams for Prapatthi. In spite of that, these are Ajn~a kaimkaryams ordered by
Bhagavath Saasthrams and as such cannot be discarded. Abandonment will result in trespass
of BhagavAn’s commands and will lead to BhagavAn’s anger at us. The karmAs like
PradakshiNam, PraNAmam are not ajn~a kaimkaryam; they are anujn~a kaimkaryams.
There is no dhOsham if we do not do it. BhagavAn wont be angry, if we do not do them. One
does them (anujn~a Kaimkaryams) for Bhagavath Preethi as a Prapannan. The primary
Phalan is Bhagavath Preethi for a Prapannan although they do give Kaamya Phalans, which
are not of interest to a ParamaikAnthi Prapannan.

(986) Av}ak«t É´aidjNmicNtaiddae;†ze nm>

avajn~Akrutha bhakthaadhi janmachinthAdhi dhOsha dhrusE nama:

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(MEANING):
Salutations to the AchAryan, who knew that Paapams would result in inquiring about the
birth and kulam of Bhagavath BhakthAs for the purposes of insulting them.

COMMENTS:
When Prapannan is engaged in performing kaimkaryams for Bhagavath Preethi, he has
to stay within the confines of Jaathi, Niyamam (Aasrama, VarNa niyamam). If one looks into
Jaathi etc. of BhakthAs for determining Saasthra Vyavasthai (boundaries), it is permissible. If
one looks into Jaathi etc. from the point of finding fault with them, then naraka vaasam will
result.

(987) zaôVyvSwaisÏ(wR É´jNmaidicNtkay nm>

Saasthra vyavasTA siddhyarTa bhakthajanmAdhi ChinthakAya nama:

(MEANING):
(This Naamaa is an elaboration of the meaning of the previous naamaa). Salutations to
the AchAryan, who accepted the reference to the Jaathi and birth of BhakthAs only for the
sake of understanding the demarcation by SaasthrAs (Saasthra Vyavasthai).

139
 (988) sarkLkSvêp ïImTkE»yRivÉag†ze nm>
Saara-kalka-svaroopa SrImath Kaimkarya vibhAga dhrusE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who understood the two categories of Bhagavath
Kaimkaryam, what is the essence and what is superficial and ineffective (Saaram and Sakkai)
among Kaimkaryams.

COMMENTS:
Saara Kaimkaryam: The Kaimkaryam done by the Prapannan without expecting anything
in return and done solely for Bhagavath Preethi or for protection of his/her AchAryan is Saara
Kaimkaryam.

Kalka Kaimkaryam (the unfruitful, superficial Kaimkaryam leading one no where): These
are the ones done for self-glorification or for hurting others or done to stop others from
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performing Saara Kaimkaryams or done with some prayOjanam in mind. Therefore,

BhagavAn is pleased with Saara Kaimkaryams done by ParamaikAnthis and does not pay
much attention to the Kalka kaimkaryams done with ahankAra-mamakArams.

(989) s<bNxxImuoanek mae]hetumtaNtkay nm>

Sambhandha dhee mukAnEka mOksha hEthu mathAnthakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to the AchAryan, who rejected the Mathams that preach Sambhandha
Jn~Anam and other similar pseudo Moksha KaaraNams.

COMMENTS:
These mathams consider Sambhandha Jn~Anam itself as Prapatthi instead of
understanding the Jn~Anam arising from Sambhandha Jn~Anam is the UpAyam; the
svaroopam of that Jn~Anam is Prapatthi. There are others, who hold the erroneous view that
the mere Jn~Anam about SiddhOpAyan (BhagavAn) is Prapatthi. That Jn~Anam alone is not
a direct cause for Moksham. One has to have that Jn~Anam and then perform Bhara NyAsam
to gain the Phalan. Similarly, anivAraNa Maathram is not prapatthi. AnivAraNam means not
doing anything towards one’s rakshaNam. Anumathi alone is not Prapatthi. Anumathi means
the state of permissiveness, when Bhagavaan begins to protect. In a similar vein, achith
vyAvrutthi, chaithanya Kruthyam and Chittha SamAdhAnam by themselves cannot be
equated to Prapatthi. Bhakthi yOgam has many of these overlapping features. Hence to

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define Prapatthi and its svaroopam (aakAram) uniquely, one has to develop a clear Jn~Anam
about what is Prapatthi and what it is not and where it differs from Bhakthi Yogam.

(990) crmðaekiniolxmR Tyag ;fwRivde nm>

Charama slOka nikhila-dharma thyAga shaDarTavidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who knew the six meanings of the Sarva dharma thyAgam
(Sarva dharmAn parithyajya) referred to in the Charama SlOkam.

COMMENTS:
The six meanings of “Sarva dharmAn Parithyajya” are:

1. This is based on the anuvAdha Paksham. It means: “You, who has abandoned the

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desire in Bhakthi yOgam and other difficult upAyams”. It is indicated that one’s
inability to perform Bhakthi yOgam is indicated as the qualifications for choosing
Prapatthi as the UpAyam for MOksha Siddhi (Reference: 975th NaamA).

2. The second meaning relates to Aakinchanyam and KaarpaNyam: Since one has
abandoned all UpAyams like Bhakthi yOgam, aakinchanyam is invoked. The angam
of Prapatthi, namely KaarpaNyam comes into the front as a result.

3. The third meaning is: rejecting all dharmAs as angam of Prapatthi. For instance,
Yajn~am is an angam of Bhakthi yOgam and that needs to be practiced there. There
are no such dharmAs to be practiced as angam of Prapatthi.

4. This meaning is for the ones, who wish to engage in Bhakthi yOgam. The prayOgam
of “Pari” before “Thyajya” means to abandon them without fear or fervour.

5. This means to abandon the feeble effort to engage in an extremely difficult upAyam
of Bhakthi yOgam.

6. This sixth meaning refers to the mixing up of Bhakthi yOgam with Prapatthi yOgam.
It points to the need for clear understanding that Prapatthi yOgam should not be
admixed with Bhakthi yOgam during UpAya anushtAnam because of doubts on the
inefficacy of Prapatthi to grant Moksha Siddhi as the fruit of such an effort.

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 (991) crmðaekEkzBd ;fwaeRi´ivc][ay nm>
Charama slOkaika sabdha ShaDarTOkthi vichakshaNAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to the AchAryan, who was competent in explaining the six meanings of
“yEka” sabdham in Charama slOkam (Maam yEkam SaraNam vraja).

COMMENTS:
Charama slOkam instructs: “Maam yEkam SaraNam vraja” (perform SaraNAgathy only
to Me). Maam and yEkam both mean the same. The question arises as to why the two words
meaning the same is used by the Lord. Therefore one has to provide the special meaning for
the word, “yEkam” and the purpose of using it after “Maam”. There are six meanings for
“yEkam” in this context.

1. “Tannai tantha KaRpakam” (Thiruvaimozhi 2-7-1): The Lord is both UpAyam and
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UpEyam (Means and the goal). That is why, the word “yEkam” is used.

2. Iswaran alone is UpAyam and not Jeevan. Jeevan is not the PradhAna UpAyam but it
is Iswaran and His anugraham that is the chief upAyam. “yEka” sabdham here refers
to that tatthvam.

3. Iswaran alone is the UpAyam and not even Prapatthi, which is just a vyAjam.
BhagavAn’s intrinsic KaruNA guNam (Bhagavath Sankalpam) alone is the UpAyam.
Tath yEkamEva UpAyam. Reference is to the 915th Naamaa.

4. For the Prapannan, Iswaran alone is UpAyam and other UpAyams like Bhakthi
should not be admixed while performing Prapatthi. “aaRenakku ninn paadhamE
saraNAhat-tanthozhinthAi” (Thiruvaimozhi 5-7-10) says AzhwAr in this context. He
stands in the place of difficult to perform Bhakthi yOgam for us who are asakthAs.

5. yEka sabdham here refers to the non-performance of other angams along with
Prapatthi angams. For instance Bhakthi yOgam requires the performance of
Yajn~am, dhAnam etc. along with Yama-niyama angams.

6. The Lord alone (yEkam) will give all the desired fruits realized through other
upAyams. Therefore, there is no need for upAyams other than Iswaran. The combined
phalans given by individual upAyams like Karma, Jn~Ana and Bhakthi yOgams are
given together by the Lord alone and therefore, there is no need to seek other
UpAyams.

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 (992) prtNÇSvÉavaTm ivXynhRTvÉÃkay nm>
Paratantra svabhAvAthma Vidhyanarhathva bhanjakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutation to the AchAryan, who rejected the notion that the Jeevan with the svabhAvam
of Paaratantryam is unfit to be commanded to follow the vidhi (instruction) to perform
SaraNAgathy.

COMMENTS:
Some (Saankya-Saankara) mathams believe that only those who are Svatantras
(independent) can be expected to follow commands like “SaraNam vraja”. According to the
Para Matha Vaadhis, if one (Jeevan) is Paratantran (Slave) to the others, then that Jeevan
cannot be a Kartthaa. The answer according to our Matham is that the fact of Jeevan
becoming kartthaa is under the control of the Lord. Even if the jeevan is utterly dependent on

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the Lord (paratantran), it becomes also a karthaa. Bhagavaan alone gives it the independence
(svatantram) to engage in kaimkaryams, while staying as a Paratantran to the Lord. It is
therefore not against the svabhAvam of the Jeevan to be a kartthaa and to accept the granted
SvAtantryam. The jeevan accepts the independence given by the Lord and engages in acts
commanded by Him. Hence, the Jeevan becomes Paratantran to the Lord by doing what
pleases Him. This state of being is the end limit of Paaratantryam.

(993) prtNÇaTmkt&RTv Svêpivzdaei´mte nm>

ParatantrAthma karthruthva savroopa visadhOkthimathE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to the AchAryan, who could explain lucidly the karthruthva SvabhAvam of the
JeevAthma and of what nature it is.

COMMENTS:
Jeevan has Jn~Anam, Icchai and Prayathnam (aRivu, Aasai and MuyaRcchi in Tamil) as
the three dharmams. Of these three, Icchai and Prayathnam are manifestations (avasthA
visEshams) of Jn~Anam. Icchai and Prayathnam are not separate guNams. Prayathnam is
that state of Jn~Anam, which stimulates the Sareeram to engage in an act and initiates
karthruthvam. This karthruthvam is valid only for chEthanams and not for achEthanams.

Some Para Matha Vaadhis believe that the karthruthvam is exclusively for Kaimkaryam
and therefore the performance of UpAyam like SaraNAgathy (Karthruthvam) is in conflict

143
 with the svaroopam of the Jeevan (Svaroopa Virudhdam). This is not correct . Even the
performance of Kaimkaryam is the upAyam for gaining the fruit of Bhagavath Preethi.
Therefore, if UpAya Karthruthvam is Svaroopa Viruddham, then we are driven to the
conclusion that the Kaimkarya Karthruthvam is also is Svaroopa Viruddham. We would then
have to abandon all Kaimkaryams as well.

BhagavAn has given cognitive powers (aRiyum sakthi) and the power to engage in
activities (pravrutthi sakthi) as well as Sareeram and Indhriyams and stays as DhArakan and
stimulator (ThooNDubhavan). It is only because of these reasons, Jeevan can initiate action
(prayathnam). Thus karthruthvam of the Jeevan in a general sense is under the command of
the Lord (Bhagavath adheenam). In a particular sense, Bhagavan commands the Jeevan to
engage in karmAs as guided by poorva janma karmaas. While karthruthvam has arisen as a
result of Bhagavath adheenam, SamsAra bhandham continues, when one thinks that they are
engaged in karmAs as Svatantran.

This type of Karthruthvam (Bhagavath adheena Karthruthvam) is present during the time
of performing upAyam. It continues in Moksha dasai, when one enjoys the fruits of
Moksham. During the Moksha dasai, Kaimkarya Karthruthvam is realized through the
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muktha jeevan’s wish (icchaa) in conformity with Bhagavaan’s many wishes. During the
SamsAra dasai, karthruthvam arises from the Jeevan’s own poorva karmaas (admixtures of
Sathva-Rajas and Tamas) as steered by the Lord. The Rajas and Tamas-driven karmAs will
lead to the continuation of SamsAra bhandham and the Sathvam driven karmAs will become
the reasons for Moksham. The Karthruthvam experienced in Moksha dasai is free from any
one of the three guNams.

(994) ïImTkt&R àerkanumNt&kariyt&Tvivde nm>

SrImath karthru prErakAnumanthru kaarayithruthva vidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who has clear knowledge about Bhagavaan’s Karthruthvam,
PrErakathvam, Anumanthruthvam and Kaarayithruthvam.

COMMENTS:
Our Lord is saluted as KarthA, Kaaryithaa, upEkshakan and anumantha by the
Saasthrams. A superficial look at these doctrines may give us the impression that they are
contradictory to reach other. Swamy Desikan removes what looks like contradictions thru
explanations based on vishaya vyavasthais.

This SahasranAmam starts with Srimath Sabdham to indicate that the Lord plays these
roles always accompanied by His divine consort, MahA Lakshmi. This is sampradhAya
rahasyam. AdhikaraNa SaarAvaLi and Thaathparya Chandrikai and other Sri Sookthis of

144
Swamy Desikan elaborate on the above doctrines (BhagavAn's Karthruthvam et al).

Now for some definitions:

Kaarayithaa: When the Lord commands one to perform a karma, He becomes the
Kaarayitha. This happens for some jeevans. The name “PrErakan” is the same as
Kaarayithaa.

Kartha: This means one who does perform the Karma. Since He engages in the act of
creation and blesses the BhaagavathA’s with the Phalans, He is Karthaa.

UpEkshakan (One who ignores): When a Jeevan starts to engage in a karma, the
Lord becomes UpEkshakan, if he ignores the initiation of the karma by the jeevan.
He looks away.

AnumanthA: If the Lord permits the Jeevan to initiate the Karma, then He is known
as the AnumanthA.

Sahakaari: The Lord is Sahakaari, when He does the major portion of the Karma with
the Jeevan and helps the Jeevan in this manner.

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(995) i³yma[a"ivXv<is àpiÄàitpadkay nm>
kriyamANaagha vidhvamsi prapatthi prathipAdhakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to the AchAryan, who held the view that Prapatthi has the power to remove
paapams acquired even while doing Prapatthi.

COMMENTS:
This naamaa is connected with the “Sarva PaapEpyO” section of the Charama SlOkam.
The paapams of the past, present and future are included here. One may commit paapams at
the time of performance of Prapatthi knowingly or unknowingly. That kind of paapam can
also be destroyed by Prapatthi.

(996) äüiv*arMÉ nòaiðòkmR Svêpivde nm>

BrahmavidhyArambha nashDAslishDa karma svaroopa vidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who had a clear understanding of the Svaroopam of the
KarmAs that were destroyed during the beginning of Brahma VidhyA (Prapatthi) as well as

145
 those, which do not stick to one after Prapatthi.

COMMENTS:
Bhagavaan has assured us : “Sarva PaapEpyO MokshayishyAmi”. He has said that He
will release us from all kinds of Sins. All sins and PuNyams except PrArabdham accumulated
before Prapatthi are destroyed at the time of Prapatthi. PrArabdham is the karmaa, which has
already started to yield fruits. This won’t be destroyed by Brahma Vidhyaa (Prapatthi). One
has to experience them. Those PuNya Paapams acquired after Prapatthi unknowingly and
those acquired under unavoidable circumstances will not stick. Those done deliberately after
Prapatthi can be destroyed only through Praayascchittham or Bhagavath daNDani of the
light sort. Prapatthi has the unique glory of destroying even PrArabdha Karmams.
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“Salutations to the Great Acharya”

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 (997) iàyaiàyaeps'!³aNt ivÖTpu{ya"veidÇe nm>
priyA-priyOpa-samkrAntha vidhvath puNyAgha vEdhithrE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to the AchAryan, who knew that the Prapannan’s Paapa-PuNyams go
respectively to the virOdhis (apriyaas) and suhruths (Priyaas) of the Jeevan at the time of
ascent to Sri Vaikuntam via ArchirAdhi maargam.

(998) àaÞyNtrayivde nm>

PraapthyantharAya vidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who was immensely knowledgeable about the obstacles to

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attain Moksha Phalan.

(999) saXyaepayraeix ivze;ivde nm>

SaadhyOpAya rOdhi visEshavidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who had insightful knowledge about the VirOdhis (Paapa
visEshams) for SaadhyOpAyam (UpAya VirOdhis for Bhakthi and Prapatthi yOgams).

(1000) àitkUlanuÉUTyaidhetu papSvêpivde nm>

prathikoolAnubhUthyAdhi hEthu pApasvaroopa vidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who knew intimately about the svaroopams of the Sins from
Prathikoola anubhavam (transgression of Bhagavath Saasthrams) and the ways to overcome
them through PrAyascchittha Prapatthi.

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 (1001) gu[aòkaivÉaRvaei´ ve*awRpirzaexkay nm>
guNAshDakAvirbhAvOkthi vEdhyArTa parisOdhakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who has looked deeply into the meaning of the Veda
manthram that says the Muktha jeevan released from SamsAric afflictions exhibits once again
its intrinsic, eight guNams .

COMMENTS:
The eight guNmas are: Beyond the power of Karmaas, agelessness, deathlessness,
freedom from sorrows, freedom from hunger, freedom from thirst, possession of auspicious
attributes and ability to fulfill the desired wishes). Under the influence of KarmAs, these eight
guNams were hidden in SamsAris (Bhaddha Jeevans). These eight guNams (aphatha
paapmathvam) become patent once the state of Mukthi is attained. They come to the fore on
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their own (aavirbhAvam), when the karmic obstacles are removed.

(1002) kEvLyaOy pumwRSvêp inTyTvbaxkay nm>

KaivAlyAkhya pumarTasvaroopa nithyathva bhAdhakAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who refuted the view that the Svaroopam (Intrinsic nature)
of the PurushArTam known as Kaivalyam is eternal (nithyam).

COMMENTS:
Kaivalyam is the enjoyment of its svaroopam by the Jeevan and being immersed in that
state of aanandham. It is thus devoid of Bhagavath anubhavam. ParipoorNa Bhagavath
anubhavam is the end destiny of Moksham. Kaivalyam is bereft of that ParipoorNa
BrhmAnandham. Even if the eight guNams like apahatha Paapmathvam are enjoyed by the
Jeevan, there are still residual karmAs, which stand in the way of gaining ParipoorNa
BrahmAnandham and result in the jeevan being limited to Kaivalya aanandham alone.
Bhagavath anubhavam is everlasting (Nithyam). Kaivalyam is not nithyam. After it is
exhausted, one may revert and end up in Vishaya bhOgams (Svarga Vaasam). Some may
practice mOkshOpAyam and gain ParipoorNa BrahmAnubhavam and Nithya Kaimkarya
siddhi. That is why AchAryAs and AzhwArs have looked down on the anithya Kaivalya
“Moksham”. It is only niravadhi Sukham (limited in duration: aLavil inbham as oposed to
aLavillaa Inbham of Moksham). Kaivalyam in the final analysis is inferior to Bhagavath
anubhavam and is not nithyam. Sri BhAshyam instructs us that those who perfrom

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aathmOpAsanam for Kaivalya siddhi do not travel by ArchirAdhi Maargam to join the Nithya
Sooris in SrI Vaikuntam. Kaivalyam is neither nithyam nor Moksham and hence is not
desirable as an ultimate goal.

(1003) mazucZzBdin[RuÚ zaekanekivxTvivde nm>

MaasuchassaBdha nirNunna sOkaanEka vidhathva vidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that SrEshta AchAryan, who was fully familiar with the many sorrows that
would be banished by the Lord through His assurance “Maa Sucha:” (Grieve not).

COMMENTS:
Jeevan has many sorrows, doubts and fears. Lord instructs it about the UpAyam of

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Prapatthi in the first half of His Charama slOkam and the Phalan of Prapatthi in the second
half. Finally, the Lord consoles the Jeevan and asks it not to grieve after performing
Prapatthi. Since all Sokams are removed through the performance of Prapatthi,
GithAchAryan assures the Jeevan that there is no reason for Sokam anymore and therefore it
should not grieve.

We are unfit for practicing Prapatthi (anadhikAri) and developing sorrow over that.
BhagavAn assures the Jeevans that Prapatthi unlike Bhakthi yogam can be practiced by one
and all. Bhakthi Yogam is hard to practice for gaining MOksham. It takes too long to yield
the MOksha Phalan. Such thoughts generate sorrow and despair. Bhagavaan says to that
jeevan: “Practice easy to perform Prapatthi yOgam; it can be done in a trice and will yield
phalan in the time you desire”.

A partial list of these sorrows that the Lord assures freedom from for the jeevans is:

1. Sorrow and fear over the though that arises from doubts about the Lord
(SiddhOpAyan) accepting the Prapatthi and granting the Moksha Phalan: Lord
assures the Prapanna Jeevan that He never lets anyone who performed Prapatthi
down based on His Achyutha Tatthvam. He is aasritha sulabhan. He considers that
he gains the Phalan from His act of protection that the Jeevan sought. He has
untrammeled independence and cannot be stopped once He has promised to protect
the Jeevan.

2. Sorrows and fear that there might be blemishes in anushtAnams after Prapatthi that
may interfere with the Phalan. Lord assures the Jeevan not to sorrow over that
because the nithya karmAnushtAnams done after Prapatthi are not angams of
Prapatthi unlike Bhakthi Yogam.

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 3. Paapams arising after Prapatthi from willfully accumulated sins: Lord assures the
Jeevan not to grieve over this. Proper Praayascchitthams including PrAyascchittha
Prapatthi will eliminate those kinds of paapAms. He never abandons the Prapannan.
He gives occasionally light punishments during the post-Prapatthi period and
cleanses them of these Paapams.

4. Aartha Prapannan, who wishes to have Moksham without delay and sorrows over
continued existence on this earth instead of enjoying ParipoorNa BrahmAnandham
and nithya Kaimkaryam in Srivaikuntam: Lord assures that sorrowing Jeevan not to
grieve and grants that Jeevan immediate Moksham.

5. The Jeevan may worry over rebirths due to lapses in Prapatthi. Lord assures this
Jeevan that Dhruptha Prapatthi made with the specific request for MOksham
(freedom from cycles of births and deaths) at the end of this life is firm and
PrArabdha Karma VisEshams will not interfere with that goal of non-return to this
universe ever.

6. Some Jeevan may sorrow over ending up with Kaivalyam and other lower levels of
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Moksham. BhagavAn assures this jeevan that Prapatthi done without seeking any
other Phalan will result only in ParipoorNa BrahmAnandha, Nithya Kaimkarya
PrApthi Moksham alone.

BhagavAn assures the Prapanna Jeevan: “Na thyajEyam Kadhanjana” (I will never
abandon You). Only Bhaagavatha apachAram and anya dEvathA worship will interfere with
Prapatthi phalan. Thus Bhagavaan assures the Jeevan through every manner that He will
remove all sorrows of the Prapanna Jeevan and for it not to grieve (Maa Sucha:).

Here ends the NaamAs relating to Charama SlOkAdhikAram.

Next, adiyEn will summarize the highlights of Charama SlOkAdhikAram and then cover
the remaining five NaamAs related to the remaining three chapters of SrImath Rahasya
Thraya Saaram (AchArya KruthyAdhikAram, Sishya KruthyAdhuikAram and
NigamanAdhikAram).

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 IV. SAMPRADHAYA PRAKRIYAA BHAGAM
CHAPTER 30: ACHARYAKRUTHYADHIKARAM (NAAMA 1004)

(1004) AacayRk«Tyivde nm>

AchArya kruthyavidhE nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who was fully conversant with the duties of an AchAryan
towards His sishyAs.

COMMENTS:
Now begins the fourth part of SrImath Rahasya Thraya Saaram: SampradhAya Prakriyaa
BhAgam. The highlights of this first naamam of the fourth part are:

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The SadAchArya will practice first what they have learnt through their AchAryAs.

Next, they will test the sishyAs regarding their fitness for receiving UpadEsams in
number of ways before they instruct them; they will not initiate unfit people and
accept them as SishyAs .

They will protect the wealth of Jn~Anam received from their AchAryAs with great
zeal.

For the benefit of those, who may not have VisEsha Jn~Anam, they will bless that
group of sishyAs with abbreviated upadEsams on Tatthva-Hitha -PurushArTams.
They will follow the niyamanam of BhagavAn that qualified sishyAs alone should
receive the saasthra-based upadEsams and not the unfit ones. This way, they protect
not only the sishya Vargam but protect themselves as well.

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 CHAPTER 31: SISHYAKRUTHYADHIKARAM (NAAMA 1005)

(1005) iz:yk«TyvedndIi]tay nm>

Sishya-kruthya vEdhana dhIkshithAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to the AchAryan, who knew very well the duties of the Sishyan (This is the
subject matter of SishyakruthyAdhi adhikAram) .

COMMENTS:
The duties of the sishyan, who has received upadEsam are:

He/she should not engage in viparItha anushtAnam, which will result in the
nullification of AchArya UpadEsam; Jn~Anam alone is not enough.
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Must have VairAgyam and humility; otherwise all upadEsams are useless.
Must not perform upadEsams for others for money; it is equivalent to a woman selling
her body to a stranger for money.
Must protect the UpadEsams from indifferent crowd and unfit ones. The Vidhyai has
to be zealously protected from the hands of unqualified.
Must have unfailing gratefulness to the AchAryan, who opened the spiritual eyes.
Must lay at the feet of AchAryan all that one owns: sareeram, soul and wealth. The
Bhakthi for the AchAryan must be at the same par as that for Bhagavaan Himself.
Must always remember the MahOpakAram rendered by the AchAryan.
When performing upadEsam to others, one must follow the rigors of the
sampradhAyam and seek to glorify one’s AchAryan.

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 CHAPTER 32: NIGAMANADHIKARAM (NAAMA 1006)

(1006) ytINÔmahanisks<àdaysuxaàday nm>

Yatheendhra-maahaanasika sampradhAya sudhApradhAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who distributed the nectar of ThirumadaipaLLi AacchAn
born out of Bhagavath RaamAnuja’s UpadEsams.

COMMENTS:
Thiru MaDaipaLLi AcchAn is KidAmbi AcchAn (Sri PraNathArthiharar), was in charge
of the kitchen for AchArya RaamAnujA. He also performed antharanga Kaimkaryam for
YathirAjar and received the special anugraham of YathirAjar. With his proximity to
YathirAjar, Thiru MadapaLLi AacchAn was able to grasp and retain the precise views of

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AchArya RaamAnujA and through his puthra-PouthrAs (Sons and grandsons) was able to
propagate in tact the sampradhAyic upadEsams of Bhagavath RaamAnujA. Swamy Desikan
was the sishyar of the KoLLU pEran (great gand son) of KidAmbi AacchAn (KidAmbi
ApuLLAr). Hence Swamy Desikan pays tribute here to His AchArya Paramparai
(“MaDaippaLLI vantha MaNam YengaL VaarthayuL manniyathE” is the tribute of Swamy
Desikan elsewhere).

With this 1006th Naamam, NaamAs pertaining to Srimath Rahasyatraya saram is

concluded.

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 THE LAST TWO NAAMAS ARE ON SWAMY DESIKAN’S CHILLARAI
RAHASYANGAL.

(1007) ivraexpirhar ïIsarsar Ai]yuGmday nm>

VirOdha parihAra SrIsArasAra akshiyugmadhAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who blessed us with the two eyes of VirOdha ParihAram
and Saara Saaram after completing the magnum opus of Srimath Rahasya Thraya Saaram
(Reference: Naamaas 70 and 758).

(They were created as SamAdhAnams to answer any protests about items discussed in
Srimath Rahasya Thraya Saaram).
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(1008) saEMy kaitRk raka ïIpyR»araeh[iàyay nm>

Soumya Kaarthika raakaa SriparyangaarOhaNa priyAya nama:

(MEANING):
Salutations to that AchAryan, who ascended the divine bed of Sriman NaarAyaNan at Sri
Vaikuntam on a Soumya Samvathsara Kaarthikaa PourNami day.

(The Divine bed of AdhisEsha has SrI Devi as well as Her Lord and hence, it is saluted as
“SrI Paryangam” here. This auspicious Sri Paryangam is the bed of the Divine Couple, who
are our UpAyam and UpEyam).

COMMENTS:
Swamy Desikan lived for more than 100 years on this earth and nourished Bhagavath
RaamAnuja Darsanam and protected it from attacks by Paramatha Vaadhins and suggested
parihArams for internal confusions among the Sri VaishNavAs. After fulfilling the goals of His
avathAram, Swamy Desikan decided to ascend to Sri Vaikuntam. He was born on a SravaNa
nakshathram day (Mudhal AzhwAr Thirunakshathram) and ascended to Parama Padham on
the Thirunakshathram of the Last AzhwAr (Thirumangai). Hence, Swamy Desikan is
considered as the integrated avathAram of all the twelve AzhwArs.

With this NaamAm, the Sahasra Naamam for Swamy Desikan is over. There are a few
slOkams that serve as Phala Sruthi and Phala sruthi section starts.

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 PHALA SRUTHI

AÇacRya jgTsv¡ palyn! jyit ýsaE

athrArcchayA Jagath Sarvam pAlayan jayathi hyasou

(MEANING):
Thus shines Swamy Desikan now as ArchAvathAra Moorthy and protects all and will
protect the worlds for tens and tens of thousands of years.

#d< gurae idRVyshönamStaeÇ< mhaw¡ srsawRbaexm! ,

pQiNt ye svRsmIihtawRisiÏ< lÉNte=Ç prÇ caip .

idham GurOr-dhivya sahasranAma sthOthram mahArTam sarasArTaBOdham

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paDanthy yE SameehithArTasiddhim labanthE athra parathra chApi

(MEANING):
This divine Sahasra Naama SthOthram of Swamy Desikan has deep and esoteric
meanings about our SiddhAntham. It blesses us with the most enjoyable meanings that
please the heart. Those who recite it will be blessed with all what they desire in this and the
other world.

)lanpe]ae=ip gurae> àsadat! isiÏ< smaßaeTynu;¼ isÏam! ,

ïmapnaednay k«tavgah< g¼a pivÇIk…éte ih jNtum! .

phalAn-apEshA api GurO: prasAdhAth siddhim samApnOthyanushanga siddhAm
SramaapanOdhanAya kruthAvagaaham GangA pavithree kuruthE hi janthum

(MEANING):
Even those, who do not seek any phalan gains aanushankika (unsought) phala siddhi
from reciting this Sahasra Naamam due to Swamy Desikan’s grace. It is the same as River
GangA removes all the sins of a person taking bath in Her waters even if that person was only
taking a bath for relief from his bodily aches and pains.

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 gaepaldasSy guêÄma'!iº Éi´övNtI ùdyaBjkaezat! ,

ingRTy tÚamshöêpa tÏ(aiyn> svRjnam! punait .

GopAladhAsasya gurUthtamAngri bhakthi sravanthi hrudhayABja kOsAth
nirgathya tannAma SahasraroopA taddhAyina: sarvajanAm punAthi

(MEANING):
The flood of Bhakthi for AchAryOtthaman, Swamy Desikan flowing from the heart bud of
GopAla Daasan (Thirukkudanthai Desikan) has taken the form of this “Sahasra Naamam”
and sanctifies every one, who reflect on them.

na[ilMnfta[f vaz na[fmAbkqf tamfvaz

mankai[f mab[fmAb vaz-wa[iyafkqf
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ec[f[iy]iEcaf T\pfp<lf EvtanftEtcikE[!

;[f{emaR N\bfba]fFRmf.

vaziy]i T\pfp<lf vR nikmanftaciaiy[f

vaziyv[f patarvinftmlaf-vaziyv[f
Ekatilatfta]fmlArkf eka]fdaFkf eka]fFRkfKmf
tItila nlfElaaf tirqf.

Swamy Desikan ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam,

Sri MalOla PAdhukA Sevaka Sri VaNN saThakOpa NArAyaNa YathIndhra MahA DesikAya
Nama:

Daasan, Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri Sadagopan

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