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Sri Parasara Bhattar
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Sri Parasara Bhattar was the eldest of the two sons of Sri Koorathazhvan
(also known as Kuresa) and Smt Andal. The exact date of his birth is not
recorded and is generally agreed to be at the end of 12th century. He is
said to be the next spiritual leader after Sri Ramanuja. There is also
another view that Thiru kurukaip piran pillan was the spiritual successor
of Ramanuja.
Sri Parasara Bhattar was well versed in Vedanta and Divya Prabhandhas at a
very young age. He is said to have defeated a famous Advaita teacher called
Madhavadasa of Tirunarayanapuram (present day Melkote) in a debaet, which
went on for
a weak. After the debate was over, Madhavadasa accepted defeat and became
Sri Parasara Bhattar's disciple under the name Ranganatha, also known as
Nanjiyar.
Sri Parasara Bhattar composed the following works
Astasloki.
This is a brief and clear explanation of the three rahasyas astaksara
(tirumantaram), dvayam and caramaslokam, in eight slokas.
Kriyadipa.
This work, though not very popular, outlines the daily religious rites
of Srivaishnavas in 72 slokas.
Bhagavad gunadarpana.
This is one of the masterly works of Sri Parasara Bhattar. This is commentary
on Vishnu sahasranama expounding the meanings of the 1000 words of the Lord
from a Visistadvaita standpoint.
Sri Gunaratnakosha.
This is a beautiful poem of 61 verses all dedicated to Goddess Sriranganayaki
of Srirangam.
Sri Ranganatha Stotra.
This is a beautiful poem of 8 verses all in praise of the Lord Sri Ranaganatha
of Srirangam. It is said that Parasara Bhattar composed this stotra while he
was forced to go away from Srirangam due to the displeasure he incurred of the
then Chola king.
Sri Rangarajastava.
This is the longest and most important works of Sri Parasara Bhattar. The entire
work is of 232 verses and is in two parts. The first part is composed of 127
verses and is known as Purvasataka. In this section sri Parasara Bhattar details the glories
of Sri Ranganatha. The second part of 105 verses is known as Uttarasataka. In
this part Sri Parasara Bhattar refutes the philosophies of advaita, buddhist
and jaina traditions.
Tirumanjana Kavi.
These verses are recited in Srirangam temple on occasions like Ekadasi, Amavasya, Ayana, telugu & tamil new years day and Brahmotsavams. Only 28 of the 50
verses are available in print.
Kaisikamahatmya: Commentary on Kaisikapurana.
This is one of Sri Parasara Bhattar's compositions in tamil. This works is
composed of 92 verses and explains the importance of singing the glory of
Lord Varaha. Kaisikapurana is a part of Varahapurana.
Maivannanarungunji.
This is an elaborate commentary in tamil on one stanza - Maivannanarungunji - forming
part of Tirumangai azhvar's Tiruneduntandakam.
There are many other works of Sri Parasara Bhattar that are lost or not
available in its entirety. Some of these are: Tattvaratnakara, Adhyatmakhanda
dvaya vivarana, Laksmikalyana, A commentary on Subalopanisad.
