Essay name: Sankalpa Suryodaya of Venkatanatha (Critical Study)
Author:
R. Laxmi
Affiliation: Karnatak University / Department of Sanskrit
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 Sanskrit literature.
Chapter 1 - Date, life and works of Venkatanatha
8 (of 26)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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8
stanzas embodying this work give reply to the royal invitation from the
Vijayanagara Court. Although lucid in expression, this poem is full of significance
for Śrīvaiṣṇavism. An exposition of these five verses in Tamil by Veer
Rāghavācārya is available.
4. Haridinatilaka�: This work of seventeen Sragdharā verses discusses
the performance of Ekādasi by Śrīvaiṣṇavas.
5. Yajnopavitapratiṣṭhā: This small work of nine verses in Sragdharā
metre explains the rituals of wearing the Yajñopavita and the esotericism of the
mantras accompanying it.
6. Vaiśvadevakārika: Its nine Sragdhara verses represent the observance
of the Vaisvadevayajña in the scheme of the Śrīvaiṣṇava ethics of the
ʲñ-ṛtⲹ.
7. Śrīvalṣṇavadinakārya : It is a work of ten verses written in Tamil. It
summarises the details regarding daily religious duties of Śrīvaiṣṇavas in the spirit
of the Pañcarātra Saṃhitās.
8. Arthapañcaka�: This is a popular Tamil work in eleven verses. The
author emphasizes here five spiritual disciplines of Śrīvaiṣṇava religion. Those
are :
i.
the nature of Supreme Brahman,
ii.
nature of jiva,
iii.
the means of spiritual attainment,
iv.
the results of spiritual attainment, and
V.
obstacles in the way of attaining the goal.
9. Pannirunāma� : Consisting of thirteen verses, it discusses the
significance of the twelve puṇḍras and the nāma on the body of a Śrīvaiṣṇavas.
10. Āhāraniyama�: As the very title indicates, in twenty one Tamil verses,
this work prescribes the types of food for a Śrivaiṣṇava, suitable for leading a life
of religious discipline.
