| Vaduvur Veeravalli Srinivasa Desikachariar | |
| Religion: | Hinduism |
| Birth Date: | 1928 11, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Vaduvur, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Death Place: | Vaduvur, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Guru: | Srimad Andavan-6th & 7th Peetathipathis – Srimad Therazhundur Andavan performed Saranagathi & Srimad Akkur Andavan performed Samasrayanam |
| Philosophy: | Vedas |
| Honors: | Salakshana Ganapaadi (PhD in Veda Adhyayanam) & Veda Baashya Mani (D.Sc in Vedic Studies) |
| Literary Works: | Pithru Medah Saaram – a text book on Dharma Saastraa, Purva Apara Prayogam – a text book on Vedic Rituals |
Vaduvur Veeravalli Srinivasa Desikachariar (4 November 1928 — 9 September 2014) was an Indian scholar. He studied Sanskrit and published several books. In 2001, he received the Rashtrapathi Award from the President of India as a Sanskrit scholar, one of the highest awards awarded by the Indian state.[1]
Vaduvur (Vaduvoor) Veeravalli Sri Srinivasa Desikachariar Swami was born in Vaduvur, India on 4 November 1928 (Vibhava Varusham Aippasi Maasam Pushya Nakshatram), to Srimathi Kanakavalli and Sri Veeraraghavachariar. Five generations of his ancestors were trained in Veda Adhyayis and were rendering service to Srimad Andavan Ashramam without compensation His uncle (Chitappa), Ganapadi Sri Narasimhachariar, was one of the great Veda teachers of those days, teaching in the famous Veda Patasala in Mannargudi founded by Sri Anna Swami Iyengar (continued by his son, A. Srinivasa Iyengar Swami). In fact, he introduced the weekly tests in Veda Patasalas in Tamil Nadu modelled after the Kerala pattern. When his father died when he was 12, the young Desikachariar was enrolled by his uncle, in that Patasala and started training in Divya Prabandham from Kanthadai Ramanujachariar Swami and later Veda Adhyayanam from his uncle. He completed Veda Adhyayanam (up to Kramantham) in seven years and completed the Ganantham and then Salakshanam (equivalent to PhD) in just one more year. He was examined at the Sankara Mutt and cleared these in First Class.
As Yajamana Bhakti, when Sri Desikachariar was honoured with the President Award in 2001, he went straight to Mannargudi and sought the blessings of A Srinivasa Iyengar Swami, his well wisher and founder of Mannargudi Veda Pata Sala and then later visited his own house in Vaduvur.
Our Swami had his Prapatthi performed at a very tender age by Srimad Therazhundur Andavan Swami and Samasrayanam under Akkur Andavan Swami. Thus, he along with Sri Thenbirai Lakshmi Raghavachariar remains one of the few living sishyas with links to six Acharya Sreshtas of the Andavan Parampara.
While Sri Desikachariar was 13 years old and having training in Prabandha Adyayenam, Kanchi Paramacharya Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati Swami was visiting Mannargudi. The great Sage had tremendous respect for the Mannargudi family. Srinivasa Iyengar introduced the young scholar to Paramacharya, who asked the boy to recite the "Koondhal malar mangaikkum man madanthaikkum". Young Sri Desikachariar recited this Pasuram in a resounding manner and was blessed by the Paramacharya. Later, Sri Desikachariar's Ganantham Pariksha was conducted by none other than Late Kanchi Paramacharya himself.
Tremendously impressed by the then young Yajur Veda Ganapadi, Paramacharya appointed him as a Parikshaadhikari (examiner) for the Vedic Exams conducted by Sankara Mutt Patasalas and our swami performed this task for nearly 55 years before he gracefully let others do that job.
Kanchi Paramacharya Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati Swami continued to be his Guide and Philosopher for more than 50 years.
During the time, Sri Kanchi Paramacharya desired that Sri Desikachariar should publish some authoritative works on Dharma Saastra. Desikachariar located the Telugu edition of "Pithru Medha Saram" originally done by Vaideeka Sarvabhouma Thozhappar, and translated to Devanagari with all Pramanams and a Tamizh vyakyanam.
In 2001, Sri Desikachariar was honoured Rashtrapathi Award by the President of India as a Sanskrit Scholar, one of the highest awards given by the Indian State by President K.R. Narayanan.,[2] [3]
In addition, he was
Additionally,
He also officiated Brihaspathi when Five Acharyas took to Holy Orders (ThuriAsramam or Sanyasaasramam)
Chief priest for Aswameda Yajna Ratri Homa conducted in Hyderabad in 1985. Performed Homas as prescribed by scriptures
Salaksha Ganapadi in Krishna Yajur VedamPassed Veda Bashya conducted by Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, KanchipuramPassed Drhyaganam conducted by Sri Veda Dharma Sastra Paripalana Sabha, Kumbakonam
Passed
SpecializationSribashya of Srimad Ramanuja and Sri Vedanta Desikar's works under the holiness of Srimad Andavan of Srirangam Periyashramam
A Rare CombinationA rare combination of Salakshana Veda Ghana Pata along with the commentaries (Veda Bashya), the application of ritualistic rites that are laid down in the Srauta Sutras and Grhya Sutras, the mastery of Purva Mimansa Sastra and the command over the Vedanta Sastra
Languages- Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, HindiScripts/Lipis- Devanagiri, Granta, Tamil, Telugu
Have made detailed comparative study of different "Srauta" and "Grhya Sutras" such as
"GNANA DEEPAPRAKASHAHA" (in Tamil only) - A new 230+ page book on our Dharmaśāstra, based based on our swami's various articles and question & answers, in Sri Ranganatha Paduka magazine (Srimad Andavan ashram publications) and other publications for many many years
When such an idea for put forth to Srimad Andavan Sri Rangaramanuja Mahadesikan, the acharya not only blessed the initiative, but also provided his blessings on the contents of the book. Similarly 46th Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt, Srimad Paundaripuram Ashramam Sri Raghuveera Mahadesikan swami and Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam had given their blessings and introduction in the book.
The book was officially launched on Apr 3, 2016 in Mannurgudi during 71st Vidwat Sathas by Judge Ramasubramanyam, in the presence of
After teaching in Mannargudi Veda Pata Sala for over 50 years, Sri Desikachariar returned to Vaduvur in 1996 to start Vaduvur Veda Pata Sala and many batches of students have passed out of Pata Sala and currently in Vaidhigam and Vedic services all across India and abroad. Under Sri Desikachariar's guidance, many philanthropic work has been carried forward in the form of Village Improvement and Vaduvur Temple renovation and festival celebrations.
Disciples and well-wishers organised the Sathabishekam (80th Birthday celebration) at Vaduvur on 22 October 2008.
He had a tremendous love for Divya Prabandham. Hence during his 80th Birthday, Divya Prabandha Parayanam was included as an addition. His old friends from school days in Vaduvur School attended the event, including Munuswamy Pillai, Maniam (Vaduvur Mel pathi) and Murugesan (Retd PWD).
The whole village was in festival mood during this time amidst large gathering of local people across the region.Over 1000 disciples/shishyas across India, representatives from 5 different Mutts and prasadams from 60 different temples were offered in this occasion
Under Sri Desikachariar's guidance and support of his students including Ganapadi N.Govindarajan and others, many philanthropic work has been carried forward.
Swami, attained Acharyan Thiruvadi, on 9 September 2014.