Desika Vaibhavam - 09 - Swami Desikan's return to Sri Rangam

After the threat of the Muslim invaders receded, Swami Desikan returned to Sri Rangam. After returning to Sri Rangam, Swami Desikan reinstated the procedure of performing Adyayana Utsavam and composed the magnum opus known as Paaduka Sahasram. Today we shall see both the stories. Reestablishing the practice of Adyayana Utsavam: When some of the orthodox people objected to the recital of Divya Prabandam in the temple because they included the works of Non -Brahmin Alwars, written in Dravida Baasha (Tamizh) and Tiruvoimozhi in particular dealt with Kaama that was taboo for them. Swami Desikan argued with them and convinced them that the holy collects were equal to the Vedas since they contained all that was in the Vedas, that since they were in praise of the Lord, the language did not matter and that the Kaama spoken of was nothing but absolute devotion to the Lord. He re-instituted the practice of 'Adhyayana Utsavam'- the ceremonial honoring of the Alwars. Composition of Paaduka Sahasram: Azhagiya Manavaala Naayanaar, brother of Pillai Lokachaarya and our Swami Desikan, went to worship Lord Ranganatha. The Naayanaar was captivated by the Lord's feet and wanted to compose a Stotra praising the same. Our Swami felt that the Divya Mani Paadukaas of the Lord were equally captivating and offered to compose a Stotram on the Sandals of the Lord before daybreak the next day. But, he had slept almost till the wee hours of the morning of the appointed day. When there was hardly a couple of hours to go before sunrise, the agitated disciples woke him up to remind him of his promise. Instantly, he commenced pouring out with bewildering rapidity an epic 'Paaduka Sahasram' and completed it well before daybreak. The 1,000 verses of this epic are examples of literary excellence and lofty thoughts- a wonderful masterpiece of how a single subject like the Divya-Paadukai of the Lord could be expressed in so many different ways and yet hold up the audience's imagination and interest of the audience!