Articles on Visishtadvaita

SATABHISHEKA RATNAMALA: Pub. by Srimad Andavan Sri Poundarikapuram Swami Asramam, 43-A/13, Asram Road, Srirangam- 620006.

Rs.100.THE BOOK under review was published as a souvenir on the occasion of the Satabhishekam (80th birthday) of Sri Gopala Maha Desikan, also known as Sri Paravakottai Swami, of Sri Poundarigapuram Ashram.

He belongs to the Acharyas of the Munithraya sect of the Srivaishnava tradition, which is an offshoot of the Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashram.

The book is a treasure house of Visishtadvaita philosophy comprising essays contributed by acknowledged authorities in the field.

The book begins with the benediction and pearls of wisdom of the pontiff. Photographs and rare portraits enhance the book.

The articles of Srimad Azhagiya Singar of Ahobila Math and Srimad Rangapriya Swami contain profound and rare thoughts.

Sri N.S.Ramanuja Thathacharya Swami's essay explains the Brahmasutras of Vyasa with simplicity.

The life of sages and the similarity between the philosophies of the Tamil and the Sanskrit traditions have been pithily explained by Sri U.V.Purisai Swami and Dr. Ananthanarasimhachariar respectively.

An informative article on Thirukudanthai Desikan, meaning of "Tattvamasi" by Sri Navalpakkam Varadachariar and the glory of Sakkarathazhwar by Sri Koshtipuram Swami add to the wealth of information in this volume.

The significance of customs and rituals has been clearly spelt out by Sri Yagnavaraha Thathachariar.

Sri Kothimangalam Gopalachakravarthiar has expounded on "Archavatharavaibhavam". Sri V.S.Karunakaran has given the quintessence of the Sri Bhashya. Other scholars have dealt with more than 40 subjects lucidly.

The gist of many of the important essays has been given in English and a comprehensive essay in Kannada included for the benefit of those who do not know Tamil.

The poems written by Sri Paravakottai Swami and the accounts of the experience of those who have closely moved with him overwhelm the reader.

The inclusion of Sri Thirukudanthai Desikan's monumental work, "Srivathihamsambudacharya Stotra", which has not been printed so far adds to the value of the book.

The research article on the Taittiriya Upanishad by Dr. Anatharangachariar in English will be useful. Sri Narayana Hiruthayam and Sri Lakshmi Hiruthayam from the Uttara Kanda of Atharvanarahasya, included here must be learnt from preceptors to benefit from them.

A supplement is also given along with the book containing few articles.

The compiler of this volume Sri D.Rajagopalachariar and Sri V.N. Vedantadesikachariar who saw it through the press deserve all praise and gratitude for the neat get-up.

V. SRIVATSANKACHARIAR

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