The Hindu : Eminent spiritual savant

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2003

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Eminent spiritual savant

CHENNAI NOV.18. The various religious traditions within the fold of Hinduism have been nurtured by a lineage of preceptors who have by their precept and practice steered the spiritual destiny of their followers. Besides these religious leaders, there were savants who contributed in no less way to the cause of religion by dissemination of the philosophical systems through their writings, fostering temples and religious centres by their administrative acumen and by codification of social mores for the well being of society. Hagiological literature and oral tradition are replete with anecdotes in the lives of such great men whose contribution have been acknowledged by their contemporaneous religious leaders.

In his benedictory address on the occasion of the 181st birth anniversary of Tirupputkuzhi Sri Krishna Thathayarya Mahadesikan, the Jeeyar of Ahobila Math said the devout fraternity was indebted to this Swami for restoring worship at the shrine in Thooppul, the birthplace of Vedanta Desika, an important preceptor in the lineage of Ramanuja. His spiritual stature can be gauged from the fact that the litigation regarding worship in that shrine was settled in his favour by the British magistrate, who was convinced of his eminence after witnessing the reverence accorded to him by his disciples and devotees.

He was held in esteem by the then pontiff of Ahobila Math, Pillaipakkam Azhagiya Singar (37th Jeeyar), for his erudition and for being an exemplar of Srivaishnava tradition. His prodigious scholarship was instrumental in preserving Desika's legacy through the commentaries and independent works, numbering nearly 40, he has bequeathed to posterity. Even the titles of these works give insight into his intellect. He has, for example, named his commentary on Desika's Nyaya Siddhanjanam as "Rathnapetika" meaning "a treasure chest" to highlight its importance. Celebration of the birth of such spiritual stalwarts is thus incumbent on the followers to express their gratitude for paving the spiritual path for them.

Tirupputkuzhi Swami (1823-89), as he was popularly known, was an eminent scholar in Sanskrit, Veda, Vedanta and skilled in dialectics. His life centred round the temples of Kanchi and he is remembered for the skillful administration of Varadarajaswami temple where he laid down procedures for rituals on special occasions. He was a direct descendant of Nathamuni belonging to the 27th generation and disciple of Srimad Periyandavan of Srirangam.

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Eminent spiritual savant

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