Sri Vageesha Priyah eSouvenir May 2014 | Page 283

Took he to the fourth order to strengthen the ways of the lion Of the great Deshika comes he as the spiritual scion Adores he the preceptoral seat of the royal mansion Pray we at his feet to free us from every derision - 2 Our Swamy took initiation into the fourth order of asceticism from HH Paramahamsetyadi Srimath Abhinava Ramanuja Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Yatindra Maha Deshika, on 3rd March 1992, as the 36th pattam acharya. His goal was to strengthen the Sampradayam of Ramanuja followed by Deshika, who is referred to here as the Lion. He indeed comes as the spiritual scion of Swamy Deshika, as the paramparai of Parakala Matham traces its roots directly to the lotus feet of Swamy Deshika. Our Swamy decorates the seat of 'rajaguru' of the royal dynasty. We pray at his feet to free ourselves from the shroud of derision and the cycle of earthly transmigration or the cycle of births and deaths. Beams he like Ramanuja on the pontifical high seat Heads he the lineage that streams from His lotus feet Glorious indeed are these streams, at the lion's feet that do meet May his feet be our refuge till our last retreat - 3 Our Swamy beams like Ramanuja himself on the pontifical high seat or the 'acharya peetam'. He indeed heads the lineage that directly streams from the Lord's feet who is our primordial acharya. In this context the meaning could be made more charming if the pronoun 'His' is referred to Ramanuja. Amudanaar and Swamy Deshikan alike in their stotrams on Ramanuja refer to Ramanuja's thiruvadi as the 'Lotus feet'. From Ramanuja's lotus feet did stream the paramparais of Sribhashya, Rahasyatraya, and Bhagavadvishaya. All these paramparais meet at the lotus feet of Swamy Deshika who is the first acharya of this matham. Sri Parakala matham also enjoys the distinction of having all its paramparais like Samashrayana-Bharanyasam, Kalakshepam and Sanyasam passing directly through Swamy Deshika. We prostrate at the feet of this great an Acharya heading such a glorious paramparai and pray that his lotus feet be our refuge till our last moments. His mind meditates on the Horse almighty Words he sermons loyal to the scriptures mighty Quenches he the yearnings of seekers thirsty Manifestation he is, of knowledge and piety - 4 The Horse here refers to Sri Lakshmi Hayagriva the presiding deity at Parakala matham. Our Swamy always meditates on this 'vellaipparimuga Deshikan' that has come down the spiritual lineage from Goddess Sarasvathi, Ramanuja, Thirukkurugaippiraan Pillaan, Pundarikaksha Deshika, Shathakopa Deshika, Pundarikaksha Deshika - II, Swamy Deshika, Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra Jeeyar and all the acharyas of Parakala matham who have embellished this sacred peetam till today. His words of wisdom are always loyal to the scriptures and to the sayings of purvacharyas. He administers the sacraments of Samashrayanam and Bharanyasam to seekers (mumukshus) who come seeking for the same. He is indeed the manifestation of jnana, anushtana and vairagya. E-24