Author’s Note: The quotation discussed here in this essay below appears in Vedanta Desikan’s Rahasya Traya Saram, where a Mahabharata episode is re-read within a later Sri Vaishnava interpretive framework. The essay is merely an observation — neutral , non-judgmental and wholly academic. The writer’s purpose in penning the essay is solely to invite religiousContinue reading “Vidura, Birth, and Bhakti: A Tension in Reading and interpreting the Mahabharata”
Tag Archives: Vedanta Desika
Amaruvi Devanathan’s Book Review: “A Tale of Two Cities: the decline and fall of the ‘Ubaya-vedantins” – The History of the Sri Vaishnavas of Tamil Nadu that was never told”
Amaruvi Devanathan is an Indian author, public speaker, and professional banking technologist. He frequently describes himself with the catchphrase “a banker by day and blogger by night,” balancing a corporate career in data architecture with a prominent role in the Tamil and English literary circuits. Professional Background Literary & Public Work Published Books He has written several notable worksContinue reading “Amaruvi Devanathan’s Book Review: “A Tale of Two Cities: the decline and fall of the ‘Ubaya-vedantins” – The History of the Sri Vaishnavas of Tamil Nadu that was never told””
Sri Viśvaksēna, a divine puzzle in the Śrī‑Vaishnava Guru‑Paramparā: Revelation, Historicity, and Theological Function
At the outset, let me state that as a Sri Vaishnava, I deeply revere Sri Viśvaksēna as a nitya‑sūri and an Ācārya‑figure in the Śrī‑vaishnava paramparā. Let there be no doubt. It is only philosophical‑hermeneutical curiosity that leads me to ask a few questions on this celestial Acharya in this brief essay: — Why hasContinue reading “Sri Viśvaksēna, a divine puzzle in the Śrī‑Vaishnava Guru‑Paramparā: Revelation, Historicity, and Theological Function”
Is a special mental attitude needed to study the “Sri Rahasya Traya Saram” of Sri Vedanta Desika (1268-1368 CE)?
Swami Sri Vedanta Desika’s monumental treatise on Sri Vaishnava Siddhanthic soteriology, the Srimad Rahasyatraya Sāram is a uniquely layered work that is, at once, (a) a philosophical treatise, (b) a theological manual, and (c) a catechetical‑homiletic guide. A disciple undergoing a program of serious study of this text even under the guidance and tutoring ofContinue reading “Is a special mental attitude needed to study the “Sri Rahasya Traya Saram” of Sri Vedanta Desika (1268-1368 CE)?”
Dushyant Sridhar’s jingoistic FB comment only proves the point made in my 2024 book: “The Decline and Fall of the “ubhaya vedantins”
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1818EjnJ4E/?mibextid=wwXIfr https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17puU48Ue2/ The above URL of Sri. Dushyant Sridhar short-video clip of course will be music indeed to the ears and hearts of Vadakalais . I’m sure Dushyant’s fan following might increase by a few hundreds. It will most certainly be red rag waved in the raging faces of the Tenkalais . But the questionContinue reading “Dushyant Sridhar’s jingoistic FB comment only proves the point made in my 2024 book: “The Decline and Fall of the “ubhaya vedantins””
How the mantric “ma” syllable (“म”or “ம”) inspired Andal’s “Tiruppavai” and Vedanta Desikan’s “Paduka Sahasram”
Today’s Tiruppavai “paasuram” is Verse 9 which reads as follows : தூமணி மாடத்து சுற்றும் விளக்கெரியத்* தூமம் கமழத் துயிலணைமேல் கண்வளரும்* மாமான் மகளே மணிக்கதவம் தாழ்திறவாய்* மாமீர் அவளை எழுப்பீரோ உன்மகள்தான்* ஊமையோ அன்றி செவிடோ அனந்தலோ* ஏமப் பெருந்துயில் மந்திரப் பட்டாளோ* மாமாயன் மாதவன் வைகுந்தன் என்றென்று* நாமன் பலவும் நவின்றேலோர் என்பாவாய்! ஆண்டாள் நாச்சியார் In this verse , it is intriguing to see theContinue reading “How the mantric “ma” syllable (“म”or “ம”) inspired Andal’s “Tiruppavai” and Vedanta Desikan’s “Paduka Sahasram””
The SWOT-grid and “ARTHA-PANCHAKA”: (Part 2 of 2 – CONCLUDED)
It is only very late in my life today, and I regret to say it, that I have received the Grace of Bhagavan to embark finally upon a serious study of the Rahasyatrayasaram in the traditional learning mode of “grantha kaalakshepam” under an erudite Sri Vaishnava scholar-Acharya. Because of ageing factor and also the lackContinue reading “The SWOT-grid and “ARTHA-PANCHAKA”: (Part 2 of 2 – CONCLUDED)”
The SWOT-grid and “ARTHA-PANCHAKA” (Part 1 of 2)
What does the Greek derived Biblical word Soteriology mean? It is the branch of theology that studies “salvation”: i.e. what the human problem is, what it means to be saved or liberated, and by what means and conditions that liberation is effected. Generally, in religious studies across the board, soteriology covers doctrines about (a) deliveranceContinue reading “The SWOT-grid and “ARTHA-PANCHAKA” (Part 1 of 2)”
An “Unusual” speculation on the “U” and “Y” symbolism of Sri Vaishnavism
The verdict of the Madras High Court dated November 28, 2025 in the long-standing dispute over which Sri Vaishnava sect has the right to press for and exercise its “mirasi rights” to chant its own sectarian litanies and hymns in the sanctum has ruled wholly in favour of the Tenkalais. The judgement has now leftContinue reading “An “Unusual” speculation on the “U” and “Y” symbolism of Sri Vaishnavism”
The morning after Madras High Court verdict on the Kanchipuram Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple: “Vadakalai” cause finally lost?
Yesterday, November 28, 2025 will go down as a sad, black day of mourning for the Vadakalai Sri Vaishnava sectarian community in India and abroad. The Madras High Court has legally affirmed that the Kanchipuram Vadakalai temple must be treated as a Thenkalai/Thennacharya Sampradaya temple, with corresponding denominational rights flowing primarily to the Thennacharya groupContinue reading “The morning after Madras High Court verdict on the Kanchipuram Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple: “Vadakalai” cause finally lost?”