Acharya Hridayam
Acharya Hridayam
Acharya Hridayam
Oppiliappan Koil Sri V. Sadagopan Swamy for hosting this title under his
sadagopan.org website portal
www.sadagopan.org
Table of Content
Section 1:
Original Tamil Article “Acharya Hridayam” in Sri Nrusimha Priya by
Sri. U.Ve. Isaiyanur Sridhara Satakopachariar Swamy
Section 2:
Translation of the above Tamil Article into English by
Dr. S. Sundar Rajan, MS Ortho, Trichy
www.sadagopan.org
This eBook is our humble samarpaNam
in celebration of
the completion of 10 years of
Ashrama SweekAram by
HH the 46th Pattam (Prakrutam)
SrImad Azhagiyasingar
SrImathe SrIvaNSaThakopa
SrI RanganAtha Yatheendra
MahAdesikan
April 20, 2019
(Chithirai Swathi, VikAri Varusham)
www.sadagopan.org
Section 1
www.sadagopan.org Page 1 of 25
SrI:
Picture above:
Left: HH 45th Pattam Srimad Azhagiyasingar
Right: HH 46th Pattam Srimad Azhagiyasingar
www.sadagopan.org Page 2 of 25
www.sadagopan.org Page 3 of 25
www.sadagopan.org Page 4 of 25
www.sadagopan.org Page 5 of 25
www.sadagopan.org Page 6 of 25
www.sadagopan.org Page 7 of 25
www.sadagopan.org Page 8 of 25
www.sadagopan.org Page 9 of 25
www.sadagopan.org Page 10 of 25
Section 2
www.sadagopan.org Page 11 of 25
HH 46th Pattam Srimad Azhagiyasingar
with Prahlatha Varadan at Sri Ahobilam during Bramhotsavam
www.sadagopan.org Page 12 of 25
Acharya Hridayam
Sri. U.Ve. Isaiyanur Sridhara Satakopachariar Swamy
Nammazhwar presented the imports of the three esoterica in his blessed works
Thus, Sri Swami Desika became grateful after analyzing his mindset and status. It means that by
this statement he makes us also realize so. Just by paying obeisance to the lineage of our
preceptors, Acharya Paramparai, the special imports of rahasyatraya, three esoterica, which is
the essence of the four great scriptures, will get established in our minds and in our prescribed
acts. Hence, this worship must be done by us throughout our life. This should be done in the
manner shown to us by our acharyas. We should also dutifully do this, by including the progeny
and / or intellectual successor of our acharya who follow him in continuity. All this is shown by –
Aabhagvattha: Thus, Swami declared that he worships the continuously flowing lineage of
preceptors, beginning from Bhagavan Himself.
Beginning with Sridhara, who is Indira sahacharam NArAyaNam, in this exalted tradition,
Satakopa who was graciously presented to us by Narayana, was the teacher in Kali Yuga and the
prapanna jana santhana kutasthar, the original source of the emancipated people. The songs of
Azhwar, who was given unfailing exalted intellect by Emperuman are celebrated as - unmaimigu
mAran marai AayiratthoDu iru nUtru thonnUrum Aarum - the truthful scriptures of Maran which
are one thousand two hundred and ninety-six in number. Amongst those the one that causes
great wonder is - en uLLathuLLe uraiginrAn athuvum avanathu innaruLe. For Azhwar to attain
Him, Emperuman graciously showed some of His effulgent iconic forms, that are worshiped by
those who came later. It will be most appropriate to study the distinctions of the pasurams which
Azhwar sang on Them.
The essence of the writer’s statements, Acharya Hridayam, which Mal, Emperuman, likes, should
be studied after recitation of acharya paramparai in the mind. Verbally these pasurams must be
sung in music admixed with special ragas (graciously heard by Sri Devaperumal) and writing with
a pen in their hands. I request those who have sought refuge under exalted Acharya (sadacharya
samashrayana) to graciously read this in Sri Nrisimhapriya.
In the first prabandha work, Emperumans of three divya desas, Thirumalai, Perumal Koil and Koil;
and in the final work, Emperumans of 31 other divya desas graced Azhwar by showing him Their
forms. Azhwar sang hymns in Their praise. Thus, Azhwar, in these worshipful pasurams,
graciously presented the most essential imports of the three esoterica, rahasya thraya, for us to
understand and attain.
www.sadagopan.org Page 13 of 25
1) Thiruvenkatam:- This indicates Sri GuruparamparAsAram.
Thiruviruttam 26. In - nAnilam...viNNOr tozhum kaNNan - Devaperumal came as the fruit of the
Aswamedha yagna conducted by Brahma. VeHkavudhu - VeHkaLai – vEga aNai - In this place, for
the yagna to be successful and for preventing it being hindered by Vegavati river, Emperuman
became a check dam and stopped it. By this, as per upAya phala bhAvena svayam vyaktham
parammah: - to attain Emperuman who is the goal, He Himself appeared as the check dam, sethu,
the means, upAyam. - ampUm tEniLancOlai appAladu - for those who live in this desert like
world, there is a cool woodland called Thiruttanka near VEgavati. - eppAlaikkum SEmattadE -
which, like the light of a lamp that illuminates the meanings mentioned above and like an
emerald, as per, tasya vasikaraNam thathsaraNAgathireva, this place makes one properly
eligible to do saranagathi and bestows goodness on even great sinners. By this, as a prologue -
upothgatham, Azhwar states that, by saranagathi we can repossess the experiences similar to
that of Nityasuris, which is the bliss of the company of Bhagavan, that we had lost from beginning
less time. Here, siddhopAya vasikarNArtham, for attracting the ever-present means that is
Bhagavan, the ideal method is sadhyopAyam, our efforts to get the means, saraNAgathi. Hence,
Azhwar directly highlights ThiruveHka as an example.
Thiru Viruttham 28. – taNNam thuzhAi vaLai koLvadu yAmizhappOm - karumatthinAl seivan
sOrvinriyE - by this, we will remain slaves of Emperuman. -naDuvE vaNNanthuzhAvi OrvADai
ulAvum - tiruvarangA! aruLAi - this means we will not be slaves of any other. For showing tattva
www.sadagopan.org Page 14 of 25
(realities) and svarupa (inherent disposition) by the differences (we will be slaves of Emperuman
only) between ayoga (for one) and anayoga (not for another). Thus, 1. for explaining the import
of Thirumantra – vaLvAi alahAl pull nandu uzhAmE porunIr - The river Kaveri flows with waves
that protect the conch shells in the river from being picked at by birds. This shows that the quality
of protecting those who seek refuge is present even in insentient objects due to their association
with EmperumAn. The means for this is performance of saranagathi. The mantra to do it by 2.
the meaning of Dvaya is stated. - eNNaM tuzhAvumiDatthu uLavO paNDum innannanavE - was
the mind unsteady before? No, not even for one moment, is the answer. As per - mokshaishyAmi
mA suchaH. By showing the purushartha, individual purpose, 3. meaning of Charamasloka is
stated. We were made to realize that the most essential thing we should know is the three
esoterica, rahasyatraya. Thus, the inference was shown.
ThiruvAimozhi 2-10-1. - kiLaroLi iLamai - with progressive intellectual effulgence, the inherently
intellectual, (prathyagAtma) nature of the jiva. - keduvadhan munnam - before it declines
(virodhi svarUpa) - vaLaroLi mAyOn - the One with never diminishing effulgence (parasvarUpa) -
sArvadhu - (upAya svarUpa - nature of the means) - sadhir - getting fulfilled in accordance with
the nature (phalasvarupa). Here artha panchakam, the five principles, is being elaborated.
Tattva thraya chintana - regular study of the three realities must be done.
ThiruvAimozhi 4-10-1. - onRum thEvum ulagum uyirum maRRum yAdhum illA anRu -going near
and merging into the Cause (during pralaya dasai - state of total dissolution) - nAnmugan
thannODu thEvar ulagODu uyir paDaitthAn - He created this world 1. chetana - bhokta, enjoyer
and 2. achetana - bhogyam, that which is the enjoyed. - ninRa Adhip pirAn niRka - Eswara who
www.sadagopan.org Page 15 of 25
has both these, comprising of the three types of sentient and insentient entities, with differences
in characteristic: form - svarUpa, status - sthithi and behavior - pravruthi. By means of repeatedly
stating these, tattva thraya chintana - study of the three realities, is being decreed.
ThiruvAimozhi 5-3-6. - munnai amarar mudhalvan vaN thuvarApathi mannan maNi vaNNan
vAsudEvan valaiyuLE akappaTTEn - I was able to attain Kannan alone. - annai en seyyilEn? Ur en
sollil en? ennai ini umakkAsai illai - It means, it would be unfair to have love for others. By this,
we have been made to realize - paradevatha paramArthyam - definition of the Supreme deity.
ThiruvAimozhi 5-7-1, 2. - nORRa nOnbilEn - I have not practised karma yoga. – nuNNaRivilEn -
aRivilEn - I am without gnana yoga - nuNNaRivilEn - I have not done bhakti yoga as service to
Bhagavan. - Aagilum ini unnai viTTonRum ARRakiRkinRilEn - Thus I got this disposition. - sERRuth
thAmarai sennelUDu malar - with stalks full of well-nourished paddy bowing their heads down,
and with ponds that are full of nascent lotuses, this wonderful place has the prosperity of service
given to it by Perumal who Himself is the boon and the most auspicious Piratti. Thus, by this -
angkuRREn allEn ingkuRREn allEn unnaik kANum avAvil vIzhndu - mumukshatva (the yearning
for moksha) is shown.
ThiruvAimozhi 5-8-1. - sIrAr cennel kavari vIsum sezhunIrth thirukkuDanthai - this is a very
prosperous country with well grown paddy stalks waving like whisks, chamara. By this the one
who practices bhakti as means, the independent yearner for prapatti is indicated. Waterbodies,
tIrtha, are the Acharyas who make one do saranagathi. By this adhikari vibhaga - different eligible
persons, is shown.
ThiruvAimozhi 5-9-1. - vAnAr vaN kamugu - sky high areca trees. This verse indicates about
bhakti yoga where one meditates on the effulgent Emperuman for a long time. – madhu
mallikaiyum kamazhum - prapatti, like the nectar filled fragrant Jasmine flowers, that always
attracts Emperuman and makes one receive His grace. This type of powerful progress is said to
www.sadagopan.org Page 16 of 25
be typical of ThiruvallavAzh. This is the specialty of the place. This demonstrates upAyavibhAga -
types of means.
ThiruvAimozhi 6-1-1. - seykoL sennel uyar thiruvaNvaNDUr uRaiyum kaigaL kUppich sollIr
vinaiyATTiyEn kAdanmaiyE - inspite of having sins that are the cause of separation, also has the
yearning to attain Emperuman. AnjaliH paramAmudra kshipram devaH prasAdini - it means pray
with your hands together. The reason for this - seykoL sennel uyar - Because it is such a place
that doesn’t have even one rule that has been broken and the thriving waterbodies have erect
trees on their banks that have flourished and climbed high into the sky. In this way, it is a place
with plentiful shatpadas, acharyas who uplift. By this prapattiyogyatha, eligibility for doing
prapatti has been shown.
ThiruvAimozhi 6-3-1. - selvam malku kuDi - all joyous experiences are obtained through difficult
efforts etc., the basis of which is karmas. All acts done easily most probably lead to experiences
that cause pain. Unlike the aforementioned, here it is shown that, like seeing an oasis in the
desert, in this place, akin to the blooming lotuses, service with parts that are comfortably done
is obtained by doing the shadvida saraNAgatiH, which is the yoga with six components,
saranagathi. This place unambiguously shows that, when saranagathi is done with all its parts,
the experience of the higher worlds, vinnin, is obtained here, as per lakshmaNo
lakshmIsampannaH. That is the specialty of this locale. By this parikara vibhAga - components of
prapatti, is shown.
ThiruvAimozhi 6-5-1. - thuvaLil mAmaNi mAdam Ongu - huge mansions filled with flawless gems.
The place is filled with people who are - MathrakshaNabaraH mathrakshaNaphalam thathaH na
mama SrIpathereva. Else, thuvaLil - flawless. In a like manner, bejeweled mansions of pure sattva,
not mixed with tamas and rajas. Containing such buildings and pavilions, the effulgent Tholaivilli
- that is, eyebrows that defeat the bow. He has eyes that make those proud of their eyes to get
defeated, also defeating those who think that they are lords and making them fall at His sacred
feet and say namaste. By these eyes – kariyavAkip puDaiparanthu miLirnthu sevvariyODi nINDa
apperiyavAya kaNgaL - (Amalanathipiran - 9 ) - mangalam - the most Supreme and because of
that benevolent, - thozhum ivaL - she pays obeisance to Him. It means she who bows down to
www.sadagopan.org Page 17 of 25
Him without expecting anything else, ananyaprayojana. By this sAngaprapadana - performing
prapatti with all it’s parts, has been elucidated.
Kritha krithya, one who has done what needs to be done (saraNAgathi)
ThiruvAimozhi 6-7-1 - avan sIr vaLam mikka avanUr - uNNum sORu parugu nIr thinnum
vetRilaiyum ellAm kaNNan emperumAn enRe - the food one eats, the water one drinks and the
betel leaves one chews, all this is Kannan, our Lord. This place is full of people who sing
Emperuman’s auspicious qualities thus. So, it is filled with prosperity. This place is filled with
performers of yagnas, who are human gems commended by Emperuman. Landlords who are like
stars reside in - thirukkOLUr - this shows the distinction of the place. Moreover, is this not the
place where Madhurakavi Azhwar incarnated, he who grasped the blessed feet of him, who
converted the hoary scriptures, Vedas, into Tamil marai (Nammazhwar), and became free of
worries. By this kritha krithya, one who has done what needs to be done (saranagathi ), is shown.
ThiruvAimozhi 7-5-1 kaRpAr. - naRpAl ayOtthiyil vAzhum charAcharam - a place that has good
behaviour. Just by living there, RAma bhakti is engendered. It means a place that gives good life.
By this, as prayed by us, for the period we continue to live in this body, we will be able to get
desired services from which we do not seek fruits, and which is self-satisfying and appropriate
for our status as supplicants. It also means that one should not find fault with self-satisfying
service. By this utthara krithya - actions post saranagathi, is shown.
www.sadagopan.org Page 18 of 25
ThiruvAimozhi 7-10-1 Inbam payakka. - inbam payakka ezhil malar mAdarum thAnum
ivvEzhulakai inbam payakka iniduDan vIRRirundu ALkinRa - ruling along with ThirumakaL and
giving joy to the worlds and sweetness for Themselves. Our very life, EngaLpirAn,who blessed us
to sing ThiruvAimozhi - the great Benefactor, Who, out of His affection regarded that this is a
good place to listen to ThiruvAimozhi, They stationed themselves in Thiru ARan viLai, a place
surrounded by beautiful greenery. The divine Couple not only made Azhwar sing for the joy of
the worlds, but They heard it Themselves and gave great joy to Azhwar. By this
makArasthuthayordAsaH -Their over-lordship is shown along with the prayed for highest
boundary of aspiration, goal - purushArtha kAshThai.
www.sadagopan.org Page 19 of 25
20. ThirupuLinkuDi:- Atha SthAnaviseshAdhikAra is indicated.
www.sadagopan.org Page 20 of 25
23. ThirukaDitthAnam:- This demonstrates ParipUrNa brahmnAnubhavAdhikAra.
ThiruvAimozhi 8-6-1, Elliyum - selvargaL vAzhum - as per lakshmi sampannah the place where
those with prosperity of service live. - elliyum kAlaiyum - those who think of it as only day, and
not night and day. - thannai ninaindhezha nalla aruLgaL - limitless and totally full kainkarya sri -
the wealth of service. Will be graciously presented to us, by Him - namakkE thanthu aruL seyvAn
-we who have done saranagathi. By this paripUrNa brahmAnubhava - complete experience of
Brahmam, is shown.
www.sadagopan.org Page 21 of 25
mind which was clear, from wandering off, and made me His vassal. Moreover, with supreme
compassion for me, He opened His effulgent mouth, blessed me with glances from eyes like
lotuses and placed His sacred feet on my head. Along with Pirattis He graciously stationed
Himself, thus fulfilling Azhwar’s expectations. By this, as per, adhyAtma sruti sampradAya
gathkaiH atthaa visuddhasayaH siddhopAya vasikriyAm iti naH sAdyAm, for the purpose of
captivating the siddhopAya, what has to be done as shown by the Vedanta sampradaya, that
sAdhyopAya, was done - this has been elaborated.
More from Thiruvaraiyarapadi. By this - on seeing these auspicious qualities, the whole world
stood astounded and we danced in glee, etc. - samathyApayath - analysis, and receiving grace
has been shown. Here, it is shown that in SriVaikuntam, Emperuman is the siddhopAya,
Emperuman is the groom, Piratti is the bride, She by Herself is the mediatrix who is full of
auspicious qualities, and both of them bring sAdhyopAya to fruition as told in Varagunamangai.
By this sAdhyopAya sodhanam - analysis of the means that requires self-effort, has been shown.
ThiruvAimozhi 9-7-1. - engkAnal - em shows that in matters of Bhagavan, one attains like
mindedness with the benefactor. This happens when one is made another’s own or due to
unerasble memory of the benevolence. On the day one was made acceptable to matters of
www.sadagopan.org Page 22 of 25
Bhagavan and made a vassal at His blessed feet, this very memory of grace makes one talk like
this. This is indeed the step to surrender of the soul (Eedu). Even if there is difference in the status
of prapannas here, their greatness cannot be measured, say our preceptors who do not have
partiality. By this prabhAva rakshai - the vindication of the potency, has been shown.
ThiruvAimozhi 9-8-1 - aRukkum vinai Ayina - aRukkum vinaiyAna - the remover of obstacles to
svarupa - inherent form, upaya - means and prapya - goal. Thus - 1. Agatthavanai niRutthum
manatthu onRiya chinthaiyinArkku - to remain as shown in pranava, makArasthu dayordasaH,
as shown in “m” of “aum”, Your servant. 2. - veRiththaN malarch chOlaigaL sUzh thirunAvAy -
Narayanaya as per the third pada. Like the surrounding woods, fragrant, relaxing and akin to the
spring season, this points only to Kannan, who makes Himself attainable for one’s own self. 3. -
kuRukkum - as shown in namaH, he who surrenders, kuRukkum - briefly, the longstanding
responsibility of protecting oneself to Emperuman. By this the import of Thirumantra is shown.
ThiruvAimozhi 9-10-1. - mAlai naNNi - after removal of the obstacles the thinking turned towards
attaining Him - (Eedu). This means contemplating on svarupa -inherent form, upaya - means and
purushartha - goal, shown in Thirumantra. Moreover, Sarveswara, the Lord of all, consecrated
Himself as the one to whom all must surrender, at Thirukannapuram. Everybody seek refuge at
His feet equally. Practice devotion at His sacred feet, where you seek refuge. Just by that alone,
He will not let go off you. Hence, all should equally seek His refuge, thus Azhwar declares in the
mood of advising to others- (introduction in Eedu). By this enakenApi prakAreNa dvaya
vaktAtvam - in whatever form, recite the Dvaya. By this the meaning of Dvaya, the karaNa mantra
- the mantra that has to be acted upon, is shown. - mAlai naNNi thozhudhezhuminO - the
meaning of the first part, I seek refuge at the sacred feet of Sriman Narayana. This is obtained in
the second person, as advice to others. - kAlai mAlai kamala malar iTTu nIr - at all times,
submitting the faultless, to get uninterrupted servitorship. - vElai mOthum mathiL sUzh etc. -
these are the imports of the word Narayana.
Imports of Charamasloka
ThiruvAimozhi 10-1-1. - thALa thAmarai - the foe of the great fear of death. He seeks refuge of
Kalamegham as there is no other option other than a water loaded dark cloud (Eedu). This is the
meaning of the second part of Charamasloka - aham tva sarvapApebhyo moksha ishyAmi mA
suchaH. - thALa thAmarai - the reddish hued sacred feet that measured the worlds, like the well-
www.sadagopan.org Page 23 of 25
nourished fully bloomed lotus flowers. - thaDa maNi vayal - the well grown red paddy stalk that
is bent and bows its heavy head, - thirumOgr. By this the meaning of the first part is shown. Here
an insentient example is given, like an insentient object sarvadharmAn parithyAga sthitaH tvam
- abandoning all protocols you stand. The import of Charamasloka is shown.
ThiruvAimozhi 10-2-1 - kedum idarAyavellAm - 1. With a physical frame that will engender liking
2. after kindling desire this physical form, itself becomes the means 3. This figure increases gnana
and bhakti, neutralizes foes and is most apt to do service to. Because of all these, Azhwar declares
that Thiruvananthapuram is the supreme goal and exhorts us all to go there with like-minded
relatives and crowd the place (Eedu). By this, our preceptors who are without confusion, desire
to attain the sacred feet of Him who is above this world and who removes the darkness of it.
Thus, they become enlightened and increase their wealth of supreme service and by constant
meditation on the great ones, light up eternally burning lamps. In this manner, Azhwar, because
he is the very foundation of all those who do prapatti, graciously elaborates on AchArya kruthyam
- duties of a preceptor, himself. The question arises whether this meaning can be given in the
present context. The answer is ... does this not apply in a like manner to all divya desas? Because,
says the Eedu, even though all these places possess every essential thing, there is one important
aspect in each that has to be studied and can be obtained in the context of Azhwar’s particular
song.
ThiruvAimozhi 10-6-1. - aruL peRuvAr aDiyAr tham aDiyanERku AzhiyAn aruL tharuvAn -
Emperuman stands as a servitor for servitors, who seek His grace and who serve as servitors of
others. He, the wielder of the Disc, stood as such for me and gave unconditional prosperity and I
stand blessed (Thiruvarayirapadi). By this, asithala gurubhakti tatparasamsAdi sIlaH prachura
bahumatiH:- Azhwar himself analyses and demonstrates the duties of a disciple, sishya kruthya
:- 1. the one with undiminished devotion towards the preceptor 2. the one who keeps extolling
the acharya and other such activities 3. the one who feels very honored to have such a preceptor.
The Conclusion
www.sadagopan.org Page 24 of 25
my side. I told all these words truthfully as the reason (Thiruvarayairapadi). The excuse for taking
this as the reason - kurumAmaNi undhu punal ponnith thenpAl thirumAl senRu sErviDam then
thiruppErE - Azhwar, who is the most accessible and gem like acharya makes devotees to attain
Sri Ranganatha, who lies on the banks of the Kaveri, which flows past Him (Emperuman of
Thirupper), so He too showers grace on those devotees who are followers of Azhwar and have
sought refuge at Namperumal's sacred feet (this is a mere excuse, pEr). This is demonstrated by
the name of the place (ThiruppEr) where ThirumAl stands. By this, as per, kaschith
AchAryadrishTyA mushithanikhila mohaH...suribrindApinandhyaH, Azhwar concludes that this
fortunate person, because of the grace of an acharya's glances, is hailed by a group of Nityasuris.
In this manner, our Lord - our very Life, who wears yellow silk, came down as the supreme
preceptor and highlighted the arcavataras - iconic forms. Nammazhwar, who attained the sacred
feet of Namperumal, analysed and graciously presented the rahasyathrayasara which highlights
saranagathi, which is the essence of the esoteric scriptures. Sri Ramanuja, who established our
school of philosophy and who is celebrated as the “ bhavishyat achArya ”, highly renowned in
city and country, demonstrated how saranagathi must be done, at the sacred feet of Sri Peria
Piratti and Sri Namperumal, when They were together, and also presented the “ Gadyatraya ”.
Vedantacharya, who was extolled as “ sarvatantra svatantra” by the Supreme Divine Couple of
Srirangam, that Sri Swami Desika graciously presented the 32 chaptered Srimad
Rahasyatrayasara along with Sri Guruparampara prabhava, and firmly established the act of
saranagathi. In this way after analysing, demonstrating and firmly establishing this act of
saranagathi, and to enable all people of the world to perform this act as per enakenapi prakarena
dvayamvakthatvam, Vaikuntan, who is none other than Sri Lakshmi Nrisimha, Himself appointed
Sri Satakopa Mahadesika. Nammazhwar who is the pravartaka - founder preceptor, of our
philosophy, himself graciously presented to Sri Adivan Satakopa Yatindra Mahadesika, the
definitions of Emperuman’s sacred names, along with his own. He also presented the “Hamsa
mudra” - the insignia of the Swan, to him, and blessed him to be the guiding light of our clan.
Srimathe Sri LakshmiNrisimha Divya Paduka Sevaka Sri Van Satakopa Sri Narayana Yatindra Maha
Desikaya namaH
www.sadagopan.org Page 25 of 25