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SRI RANGADESIKA SWAMIJI, 

SRI VAISHNAVA SAMPRADAYA,  

GOVERDHANA PEETH

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According to the Hindu calendar, Sri Rangadesika Swamiji was born on the Karthik Krishna 7 in Punarvasu nakshatra in the year 1809 AD to Sri Srinivasacharyaji and his wife Ranganayaki devi at "Agram" village of Tamil Nadu near present day Sriperumbudoor. At the age of 8, his Upanayana (sacred thread ceremony) was performed and he was introduced to study of Vedic scriptures under the guidance of learned scholars. In a short period of time he had mastered all that was taught to him and wanted to learn further. One night in a dream he was chased by a mad bull and wherever he went the bull kept chasing, when he turned towards North the bull stopped. Interpreting this to be a divine indication asking him to move northwards, he went to Kanchipuram. There he met Sri P.B. Anantacharya Swamiji, once a great scholar came for a verbal duel with Swamiji and the young Rangadeshik defeated him. Sri Anantacharya Swami was highly impressed and brought him to North India when he went there for pilgrimage. When they reached Sri Goverdhanji, he met

Sri Rangadesika Swamiji

Swami Srinivasacharyaji, the head of Goverdhan Peeth of Sri Vaishnav sect, who was a very learned scholar. Sri Rangadeshik Swamiji became his disciple and very soon established suitable to carry forward the torch of Sri Vaishanvavism, Swami Srinivasacharyaji  asked Sri Rangadeshik Swamiji to take over there in reins of Sri Goverdhan Peeth.  Since then it has been five generations of Sri Randeshik Swamiji's who have served the Lord. The present head of the Sri Goverdhan Peeth, Sri Goverdhan Rangacharya is the fifth generation of Sri Rangadeshik Swamiji.  

In a very short time Swamiji established himself as a scholar of great repute and continued propagation of SriVaishanavism doctrine. The In In 1851 AD, the construction of Sri GodaRangamannar Temple was completed by Rangadesikan Swamiji with the financial assistance from his disciple SriRadhaKrishnaji and his younger brother SriGovinddasji who were followers of Jainism earliier and embraced SriVaishnavism. In the year 1867 A.D Swamiji formed Sri Rangji Trust to take care of the functioning of the temple.

By now Swamiji's reputation had spread all over India and he was often invited to clarify philosophical doubts and settle religious debates. Once a great debate happened in the court of Maharaja of Bundi in south Rajasthan, where Swamiji defeated all others and establisehd the greatness of SriVaishanvism doctrine. The Maharaja was very impressed by Swamiji's erudition, he felicitated Swamiji by presenting a highly valuable jewel studded sword and also asked to be made his disciple. He was followed by several other kings and noblemen.Once Swamiji went to Kanchipuram and there also he was engaged in a debate for 18 days, after which one of his chief disciples SriSudarshanachari Shastriji came out victorious. From there where ever Swamiji went, he established the supremacy of the path shown SriRamanujacharya and other great acharyas of SriVaishnavism. Swamiji travelled across all over Northern India and was chiefly responsible for the revival of SriVaishanavism in north India.

 

All his life Sri Rangadeshik Swamiji remained devoted to the worship of Lord Sri VenuGopalji. Everyday he would personally fetch water from SriYamunaji for worship of Sri VenuGopalji. Later as his time to leave for Sri Vaikunth approached, he gave up all his worldly attachments, survived only on fruits and completely devoted himself to the worship of Sri VenuGopalji. Swamiji left for Sri Vaikunth on 10th day of Chaitra Shukla paksha in the year 1873 A.D.

Sri Rangadeshik Swamiji translated many works of previous acharyas from Manipraval language into Sanskrit and also wrote commentaries on them. This great work allowed people in North India to enjoy the bhakti of Azhwars and previous acharyas. Some of his main contributions are the following:

  1. Translation of Tiruvaimozhi

  2. Translation and commentory on Tiruppavai

  3. Commentary on SriVachanabushan

  4. Translation of  Tirupallandu

  5. Commentary on PrameyaShekhar

  6. Commentary on PrapannaParitran

  7. Commentary on NigamannaPadi

  8. Commentary on MummukshuPadi

  9. Commentary on Parandapadi

  10. Commentary on ArthaPanchak

  11. Commentary on Archaradimarg

  12. Commentary on TattvaTraya

  13. Commentary on TatvaShekhar

  14. Commentary on Vaartamaala

  15. Commentary on Sri Bhagwatvishaya

  16. Commentary on SriBhashya

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