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...
The characters of Vedanta-Siddhanta and Vada
[Full title: Minor characters of the play Sankalpa-Surodaya, in support of the main hero Viveka (2) Vedanta-Siddhanta and Vada]
Vedanta-Siddhanta and Vada are personified as Guru and Sisya respectively, and they appear in the second Act to hold a philosophical discussion.1 These two characters play their roles effectively in the discourse arranged by Viveka. Evidently, the discourse is on the futility of rival schools of thought and the utility of Visistadvaita Doctrine. They engage in philosophical discussions on the systems of Carvaka, Sankhya, Naiyayika, Bauddha, Jaina, Vaisesika and Advaita Vedanta. Finally it is declared that these rival schools of thought are defeated. Also, Guru shows the superiority of Visistadvaita Vedanta. Later the Sisya declares that Sri Ramanuja took his birth in order to refute the Advaita Vedanta an end in the Kali age, and to establish the superiority of Srivaisnava doctrine and of Pancaratra Agama doctrines as well. Sisya proclaims that they have succeeded in elevating the Yatindra doctrine, i.e. Visistadvaita Vedanta. At this point, Vyavasaya suggests to the king to distribute the prize, to the winner (Sisya) in the discourse. Sisya is so unassuming and proclaims that the reward is already given to him. The reason for this is evident from the following verse: 1. a) "The Guru here is Sri Ramanuja and the Sisya is Sri Vedanta Desika himself, separated though they were by several centuries in fact." Rajagopala Iyengar, M.R., Sankalpasuryodayam, Vedanta Desika Research Society, Madras, 1977, p.76. b) anena ca gurusisyavrttantaprasangena kavirayam bhagavadramanujam gurumatmanam ca sisyamanamollekham parikalpya cirat svahrdaye viparivartamanamatmano bhagavadraramanujasaksacchisyatvalabhajanitam khedam lghayitukama iva samdrsyate || Sankalpa-suryodaya, Ed. Krishnamacharya V (in Sanskrit), Adyar Library, Madras, 1948, Vpodghata, p.15
166 "I have already been honoured by the grace of my great guru by the kind glance of his majesty and so also by the delight which you have (expressed in what I have) done." 2 Both Viveka and Vyavasaya appraise Sisya for his scholarship, humility and Gurubhakti. The king declares that the Sisya has been able to establish the doctrines of Visistadvaita firmly. The king offers Sisya an anklet. Sisya receives it as he feels that he should not disobey king's words.