Vedanta Desika Commemorative Stamp

I got this great opportunity to attend the stamp releasing event to mark the 750^th birth anniversary of Shri Vedanta Desika, organized by Sri Vedanta Desika Manipaduka Indraprastha Trust on 2^nd May, 2019, whose chief guest was our Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri Venkaiah Naidu.

About Vedanta Desika

Vedanta Desika Stamp

Vedanta Desika, is one great philosopher of Vaishnava Sampradayam. He was born in 1268 C.E to Anantasuri and Totaramma in Toppul, a remote village in Kanchipuram. Vedanta Desika’s actual name was Venkatanatha. At the age of 21, he was married to Kanakavalli. In 1316 AD, they had a son named Kumara Varada. They migrated to Srirangam. During his stay in Srirangam, he witnessed the sacred town being attacked by Muslim invaders and many innocents were slaughtered. Cauvery River turned into red with the innocents’ blood.
 

All the guests releasing stamps

Vedanta Desika had great command in Sanskrit, poems and learnt all scriptures. He composed many poems throughout his lifetime. His principles and artworks were so magnificent. 

Somehow because of western influence in the Indian Education system, we failed to learn about such great personalities during our school times. Not only Vedanta Desika, but many other prominent philosophers, poets and leaders were ignored and failed to mark their place in our school textbooks.

After attaining mukti at the age of 101, Vedanta Desika’s legacy was carried by his son and his disciples who followed his path.

For a brief history about ShriVedanta Desika you can refer the elaborate article in the Swarajya Magazine orits webpage.

Hon'ble Vice President

Our Hon’ble Vice President, shared his thoughts about Vedanta Desika, initially spoke about the Aahara Niyama, one of the finest works of Vedanta Desika. He told that how westernization and modernization have changed and influenced our young generation’s food habits. Instead of having our healthy foods which has high medicinal qualities, they are very much liking the junk foods. He also mentioned that ‘Instant Food’ means ‘Constant Disease’. 

While talking about the problems going on today, he spoke about terrorism and mentioned that “Terrorism has no religion. It’s against humanity.”

Talking about the progress of the country our Vice President said that “Peace is a pre-requisite for progress.” He said, “If we have tension, we can’t have attention”.
 

Releasing the souvenir

Mentioning about the two important principles for a happy and progressive life, he said:

1. Arogyamay mahabhagyamu – Health is the great boon.
2. Manava Seva Madhava Seva – Serving the mankind is service to God.

A memento from the event

He also mentioned that our school textbooks should carry such great personality’s life story. The important thing is to teach humanity through spiritualism. For attaining universal peace, mere prosperity can’t bring happiness. Happiness requires something more, he said.  

A photo opportunity with Vice President of India

Attended such important event for the first time and it was enthralling to learn a bit from such events. Looking forward to attend more and write more about such events.

Yours East Gaterr