Sri Vedanta Desika: Makers of Indian Literature

Book Details

• Publisher: Sahitya Akademi

• Author: M. Narasimhachary

• Language: English

• Pages: 94

• Edition: 2010

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 8.5 inches x 5.5 inches

• Weight: 150 gm

• ISBN: 9788126018901

About the Book

This monograph offers a concise yet profound study of Sri Venkatanatha, widely known as Vedanta Desika (1268–1369 A.D.), one of the greatest post-Ramanuja thinkers of the Visistadvaita school of Vedanta. A towering polymath, Vedanta Desika authored over a hundred works spanning philosophy, theology, poetics, logic, ritual studies, and devotional literature. Writing in Sanskrit, Manipravala (Sanskritized Tamil), Prakrit, and pure Tamil, he left an indelible mark on Indian intellectual and religious history.

The book highlights Desika’s role as a staunch defender and systematizer of Sri Ramanuja’s Visistadvaita philosophy, his mastery over diverse schools such as Nyaya and Mimamsa, and his poetic brilliance admired even by scholars of rival traditions. It also brings out his extraordinary personal qualities—humility, simplicity, renunciation, and unwavering devotion to Sriman Narayana—alongside his institutional contributions, including his association with major Srivaisnava mathas and his role in preserving crucial philosophical manuscripts during turbulent times.

Written with clarity and scholarly depth, the work presents a comprehensive picture of Vedanta Desika’s multifaceted achievements, making it valuable for students, researchers, and readers interested in Indian philosophy, Srivaisnavism, and medieval religious thought.

About the Author

Dr. M. Narasimhachary (b. 1939) is a distinguished scholar of Vedanta, specializing in Visistadvaita philosophy. Former Professor and Founder of the Department of Vaishnavism at the University of Madras, he has taught and lectured internationally, including in Malaysia, the USA, and the UK. An accomplished author of numerous books and research articles, he has also translated several works of Vedanta Desika into English. He currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the English religious monthly Nrisimhapriya, published by Sri Ahobila Matha.