The Kanchi temple

SRI VARADARAJA GUNAMRUTHA VAIBHAVAM: Tamil compilation and commentary by R. Srinivasa Varadan; Alamu Printing Works, 9, Ayya Mudali Street, Royapettah, Chennai-600014. Rs. 250.

KOIL (SRIRANGAM), Tirumalai (Tirupati) and Perumal Koil (Kancheepuram) are the foremost among the 108 Srivaishnavite Divyadesas. Those familiar with the history and evolution of the Visishtadvaita system will be aware that these three holy places form the cradles where this philosphy flourished in its early years. It was as if the presiding deities of these temples actively intervened to nurture, nurse and nourish the fledgling system and guided it through troubled times until it was ready to fly on its own.

The present book is dedicated to Kancheepuram, and the Divine Couple, Lord Varadaraja and Sri Perundevi Thayar. It is said that it was this Lord who gave Sri Ramanuja the six basic tenets which are the building blocks with which the grand edifice of the Visishtadvaita system was built. What perhaps started as a compilation has turned out to be a veritable compendium on the mythology, customs and traditions associated with the temple and a chronicle of the glory of the deities as seen through the eyes of the Azhwars, the Acharyas and other savants.

The book may be divided into three major parts, namely, the mythological history of the temple and its layout and topology, the divine and benign virtuous qualities of the Divine Couple as portrayed by the Azhwars and Acharyas and finally the annual and daily festivals and rituals. After the introduction about the main deities, we are presented with a picture of the layout and architectural infrastructure of the temple. The main shrine is enclosed within five major ramparts having circumambulatory paths in between with two smaller ramparts within the temple. The outermost rampart (one and a half miles in length) has two imposing ``Rajagopurams'' (towers) on the east and west. The author has listed two small towers, 32 shrines, 19 Vimanas (domes over the sanctum sanctorum), 389 Mandapams (pillared halls or pavilions) and six theerthas (holy tanks/rivers) associated with the temple, a few located outside. The 100-pillared Mandapam is a renowned archaeological monument and tourist attraction.

For describing the mythological history of the town and the temple, the author has used commentaries of Sri Vedanta Desika's Hastigiri Mahatmyam supplemented with the events described in the Brahmanda Puranam. The story goes that Lord Brahma, responding to an ``asariri'' (disembodied voice) performed the Aswamedha Yaga in Satyavrata Kshetra (Kanchi). Lord Varadaraja appeared in resplendent form in the Uttiravedi (Yaga pyre).

We are told that the Lord who was worshipped by Brahma in the Krutha Yuga, saved the devotee-elephant Gajendra, from its distress in the Tretha Yuga, was glorified by Acharya Brahaspathi in the Dwapara Yuga, and is served with devotion by Adisesha in this Kali Yuga. Insights into the Vedanta philosophy and the features of Bhakti Yoga can be had from the narration.

In the next section, the glory of the Lord of Kanchi and His Consort is described as seen through the devotional works of Azhwars and Acharyas. Out of the 4000 verses of the Azhwars, the author has identified more than a 100 wherein this Lord is glorified either directly or by inference.

Among the Acharyas, Sri Vedanta Desika's Sanskrit and Tamil hymns take the lion's share. These have been commentated on chastely and with intense devotion, strictly following the earlier authoritative commentaries.

Thirukkachi Nambigal's Devarajashtakam and Koorathazhwan's Varadarajasthavam and the works of several other revered Acharyas are also described similarly. Srimad Rahasyatraya Saram is the magnum opus of Desika and is the repository of the entire gamut of Vedantic thought based on Ramanuja's commentary on the Brahmasutras.

It extols the unique doctrine of Prapatti (surrender), which is the easiest means available for liberation. It is enjoined on the aspirants not to study it except under the tutelage of a competent Acharya. The author has explained how the essence of each of the 32 chapters of this work can be attributed to the Lord.

In the last section, the details of the customs, rituals and hoary traditions of the temple are dealt with. It is interesting how the continuity of management has been maintained in the temple for several centuries and how the rich and honoured traditions have been preserved. It is noteworthy that Ramanuja himself regularly performed ``Theertha Kainkaryam'' (bringing water for the daily rituals) in this temple.

The daily, weekly, monthly and annual rituals and festivals of the temple are given in exhaustive detail.

The bulky but elegant looking volume will be cherished by devotees of the Kanchi Divya Dampati and ardent adherents of the Desika Darsana.

R. G. GIRI

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