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Sankalpa Suryodaya of Venkatanatha (Critical Study)

by R. Laxmi | 1998 | 94,004 words

This is an English study of the Sankalpa Suryodaya—an allegorical Sanskrit drama by Venkatanatha, a distinguished philosopher-poet and dramatist of the Vishishtadvaita Vedanta tradition. This work of Venkata-natha (or, Vedanta Deshika). stands out for integrating allegory to convey moral and philosophical truths. The thesis examines its place in Sa...

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1. Tattva-tika: It is an exposition of the Sribhasya of Ramanuja, and it presents the outlines of the Visistadvaitic metaphysics in all its details. It is the outcome of the twenty eight terms or sessions of the teachings on the Sribhasya undertaken by Vedanta Desika for the cause of the propagation and the preservation of the Ramanuja Philosophy. It bares testimony on the vast scholarship and the versatile genius of the author. This commentary is decidedly the best of all commentaries on the Sribhasya. 2. Tatparya-candrika: It is a super commentary on the Gita-bhasya of Ramanuja. He has presented the view point of Ramanuja on the highest philosophy of human life i.e. Prapatti. It is as much constructive as critical. The Caramasloka : sarvadharman parityajya mamekam saranam vraja | aham tva sarvapapebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah || (XVIII. 66 ) is analysed to contain the quintessence of the Gita which means deep, selfless love and devotion to God. 3. Gitartha-sangraha-raksa : It is a commentary on the 'Gitarthasangraha' of Yamunacarya. It has eighteen chapters of the Gita. It has made the Gita, Prapatti-sastra for the Srivaisnavas. Vedanta Desika has attempted a convincing synthesis of action and knowledge with love plus devotion. It is the momenclature for the eighteen chapters of the Gita. For example, the first chapter is named as Sravanadhikarin, the second as Sravanadhikari-mohasamanam, etc. 5. Gitartha-sangraha-pattu: It is a Tamil treatise on the philosophy of the Gita as explained by Yamunacarya in his Gitartha-sangraha. 6. Catussloki-bhasya : It is a commentary on the 'Catussloki' of Yamunacarya. Here Vedanta Desika presents his views on the significance of 'Sri'

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26 in the concept of 'Sri Visnu'. Five view-points of 'Sri' are mentioned and discussed: 'Sri' as Divine Nature, i. ii. 'Sri' as Divine Essence or Energy, iii. 'Sri' as Divine Bliss, iv. 'Sri' as the 'Maya' and V. 'Sri' as the Supreme sense of Visistadvaita. 7. Stotra-ratna-bhasya: It is an exhaustive exposition of the 'Stotra-ratna' of Yamunacarya, which has sixty five stanzas and is replete with the philosophy of Visistadvaita. The Stotra-ratna-bhasya is similarly replete with the tenets of Visistadvaita as taught by Yamunacarya. 8. Rahasya-raksa or the Gadya-traya-bhasya: It is a fine commentary on the three Gadyas viz., the Saranagati-gadya, the Sriranga-gadya and the Vaikuntha-gadya of Ramanuja. It was written by Vedanta Desika because the Tengalai teacher used to put their own interpretations on the Gadyas. Vedanta Desika believes that the Gadyas of Ramanuja contain the real essence of Visistadvaita and Srivaisnavism as the philoscphy and religion of man. According to Vedanta Desika, the Gadyas are the text of the prapatti-vidya, while the Sribhasya is the text of the Brahma-vidya. 9. Isopanisad-bhasya : The isopanisad has been interpreted in accordance to the tenets of Visistadvaita school of Thought. This Upanisad is considered to be in support of Saranagati doctrine of Ramanuja. Besides these works, there are other works too; but their authenticity is disputable. However, Vedanta Desika's store-house of significant works speaks of his deep sense of duty to the Ramanuja Philosophy, his great sense of satisfaction at the accomplishment of the duty and finally his God-intoxicated mind and heart.

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