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Sri Seva Swami

Sri Vedanta Desika Research Centre

Sri Paduka Vihara Bhavanam

1.  50 YEARS OF SERVICE TO DESIKA SAMPRADAYA

(Sri Desika Bhakta Rathna  Nallur Srinivasa Raghavachariar)

The concept of the Absolute as the saririn (all-Self) of all beings, who is also immanent in His creation, thereby spiritualising them, is the most inspiring and enduring element of Visishtadvaita philosophy which finds application in the spirit of service (Kainkarya). With its innate genius in seeing God in all beings indcluding the sub-human species, spiritual kinship according to vaishnavam encompasses all. It is indeed remarkablethat Sri N Srinivasa Raghavachariar imbibed the very essence of this tradition in which he hails, from even in his youth and made it the guiding principles of his life, which earned him the sobriquet "Seva Swami".

Born in April 1923, at Nallur (Tiruvannamalai District) in hte lineage of Appullar, the maternal uncle of Vedanta Desika, he had his formal education in Sri Venkateswara College Tirupathi, and traditional scriptural training under scholars like Uttamur Viraraghavachariar, D.T. Thathachariar and Navalpakkam Narasimha Thathayarya Mahadesikan. By virtue of their orthodoxy
and performance of the yajnas, Seva Swami's immediate predecessors earned the prefix "Asthogadhwari" to their names.

He started his career as a Sanskrit teacher in 1946 but his heart was set on what eventually became his life's mission - selfless service to the cause of Srivaishnava Sampradhaya especially that of Vedanta Desika's. The same year with the encouragement given by a scholar, he founded the Vadihamsambuda Maha Desika Sabha and launched the monthly religious journal "Sri Desika Seva" in 1948, devoted to popularising Srivaishnava philosophy and religion, of which he continues to be the editor.

Seva Swami's sting in the literary field started around the same time and proficient as he is in five languages, - Tamil, Sanskrit, English, Telugu and Hindi - he took to writing seriously and has several works to his credit, both original kavyas, stotras, and commentaries on Desika's compositions. Another important work he undertook was the translation of the Sampradaya literature into other languages. Notable among his original works, which happen to be his masterpieces, are his Sanskrit works, "Venkata natheeyam" on Lord Venkateswara and "Varadabidana Sahasram" on Lord Varadaraja in 1008 and 1000 verses respectively. Among his commentaries, that on Desika's "Yadavabhyudhanam" is a marathon project running into several
volumes.

His social committment expressed itself in several activities of which the more important are his publication of the yearly alamanac "Sri Desika Darsana diary" personal maintenance of the temple Mani Mantapam at Villivakkam, Chennai, the nerve centre of his various social and religious activities which had been blessed by the visit of many jeeyars and eminent people, and the founding of Sri Vendanta Desika Research centre for fostering spiritual values in the younger generation. Besides, he has been conducting classes in Smapradaya texts and stotras and also giving traditional discourses for the past 50 years under the auspices of several institutions.

Honours and awards have come to him over the years and many institutions all over the country notable among them being the conferment of the titles Sahita Ratna, Vidya Vinotha, Desika Rakshamani, Daya sevaka, Desika Bhaktha Ratnam, Samskrutha Prachara chatura, Tiruppavai Thoomani etc., and the President's award for contribution to Sanskrit literature in 1992.

Mention must be made about his singular contribution of publishing a different stotra of Desika with meaning everyday during Desika's seventh Centenary celebrations and the commemoration volume brought out on that occasion remains a testimony to his erudition and versatility.

Age has not withered Seva Swami's indomitable spirit to accomplish as much as possible to further his cherished goal. He is now engaged in translating Nammazhvar's "Thiruvaimozhi" in Sanskrit in 1000 verses and has promoted a unique campaign "Tirmaligai Thorum Desikan" to enable devotees to have the privilege of hosting the idol of Desika in their residences to offer cermonial worship, during the course of this year. His admirers have planned to celebrate his 76th Thirunakshathram which falls on April 12. This happens to coincide with the completion of 50 years of his service to Desika Sampradaya. As reported by Sudhakshina Rangaswami .

2. Sri Vedanta Desika Research Centre

The centre is located at No. 2, Lakshmipuram II street, Villivakkam, Chennai 600 049 (Phone: 626-8481).

This centre is founded by Sri N. Srinivasa Raghavachariar, popularly known as Seva Swami. He administers the Mani Mandapam at Villivakkam, which is dedicated to Sri Lakshmi Hayagreeva and Swami Desikan. He, being a great Sanskrit scholar was honored by the President of India with a gold medal a few years ago. He is doing a great service to spread Swami Desikan's philosophy since 1948. He has written several books of which his commentary on Yadavabyudayam in praise of Lord Krishna stands the foremost.

Aims and objectives of the research centre

1. Translate and publish Sri Desika's works in all Indian languages and distribute the same free to the public.
2. Conduct a (graded) self-study course in Visishtadvaita philosophy and religion.
3. Establish a library consisting of works of all Alwars, Acharyas and eminent scholars.
4. Create a corpus fund for the maintenance of all ancient and important centres of Visishtadvaita philosophy in India.
5. Encourage and assist research activity on Sri Desika's works and those of other acharyas. Already, the following works of Swami Desikan has been published with Sanskrit original text and commentaries in various languages: Sri Sthuthi Subhashita nivi Paramartha Sthuthi Gopala Vimsathi The next publication on Godha Sthuthi will be completed in June '97. The cost of all these publications are met by contributions from various philanthropists. Each publication costs about Rs. 2 lakhs. All the publications are distributed free of cost. The readers of this message can also participate to support the noble cause by their monetary contribution. The objective of this research centre is to complete the publication of all Swami Desikan's works in all Indian languages.

Those interested in obtaining copies of the above works may contact the centre's address given above or send email to Sri R Srinivasan  r_sv@yahoo.com

3. Sri Paduka Vihara Bhavanam (Upanyasa Centre)

Anna Nagar Centre of Srirangam Srimath Andavan Ashramam

Organiser : Sri R Srinivasan Plot No 1557, 17th Main Road Anna Nagar West ,Chennai 600 040 Phone: (044 )626-8079 Email: r_sv@yahoo.com

This is a centre exclusively devoted to upanyasams and kalakshepams related to Sri Ramanuja Sampradayam.  This centre was started 7 years ago with the blessings of His Holiness Srimad Andavan Swamigal.  Right through the year the upanyasams are being conducted.  Notable among them are Srimad Ramayanam coinciding with Sri Rama Navami, Srimad Bhagavatham coinciding with Sri Jayanthi and Thiruppavai in the month of Margazhi.

Since the commencement, more than 400 days of upanyasams have been held.  Well known vedic scholars have rendered upanyasams.  They are Sri Sridhara Thathachariar, Sri Chetalur Srivathsangachariar, Sri Seva N. Srinivasaraghavachariar, Sri Veerapuram Krishnamachariar, Sri Adur Aasuri Madhavachariar, Sri Srimad Rangam Iyengar, Sri Vaduvur Veeraraghavachariar, Sri Naateri Rajagopalachariar, Sri Naagai Veeraraghavachariar, Sri Kalyanapuram Aravamudachariar and Srikaryam of Andavan ashramam Sri. Narashima Raghavachariar.  All the dicourses are conducted under the guidance of His Holiness Srimad Andavan Swamigal.

In the 1998-99 Margazhi month Thiruppavai upanyasam was  delivered by Sri Kalyanapuram Aravamudachariar.  He is a famous harikatha vidwan. During 1999-2000 this was delivered by Sri. Naateri Rajagopalachariar. This year's Srimath Ramayanam was delivered by Sri. Narashima Raghavachariar in April 2000.

Srimad Andavan Swamigal has visited the above address many times.  Perumal and Padhuka Aradhanams were performed.  Thirumanjanams and Dolotsavams for Sri Venugopalaswami were also conducted many times.  Srimad Andavan takes personal interest in developing this centre. 

During the month of May 1999, His Holiness Srimad Andavan Swamigal camped in this centre for a week and performed Perumal and Paduka aradhanams.Devotees in large numbers attended, several had their Samasrayanam and Bharanyasam and obtained the blessings of His Holiness. In the evenings discourse on Swami Desikan's Dayaa Satakam was made by His Holiness. During May 2000, His Holiness Srimad Andavan Swamigal again performed Perumal and Paduka aradhanams for two days and also in the evenings discourse series on Dayaa Satakam continued and concluded on 18th May, after 11 days of discourses between 1999 and 2000.

To celebrate SriJayanti festival, as in the previous years,a discourse series on Srimath Bhagavatham  for 7 days was arranged between 24th Aug. and 30 th aug. 2000 and this was delivered by the famous Ubhya vedanta vidwan Sri Paiyambadi Chetalur Srivathsankacharya Swamy. It was well attended and the on the last day Rukmini Kalyanam was performed.

This centre also conducts regular classes on Swami Desikan's sthothrams, prabandams and Naalayira Divya Prabandam. As per the advice of His Holiness, group recitation of Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam is being held everyday evening.