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{{Infobox Hindu leader | |||
| religion = [[Hinduism]] | |||
| name = Parasara Bhattar | |||
| father = [[Koorathalvar]] | |||
| mother = Andal | |||
| guru = Embar | |||
| region = [[Tamilakam]] | |||
| philosophy = [[Vishishtadvaita]] | |||
| influenced = [[Vedanta Desika]] | |||
| home_town = [[Srirangam]] | |||
| denomination = [[Sri Vaishnavism]] | |||
| era = 1062-1174 CE | |||
| works = Sri Ranganatha Stotram<br>Srirangarajastavam<br>Bhagavadgunadarpana<br>Ashtashloki<br>Sri Guna Rana Kosa<br>Tirumanjana Kattiyam | |||
| successor = [[Nanjiyar]] | |||
| influences = [[Ramanuja]] | |||
| honorific prefix = [[Sri]] | |||
| honorific suffix = [[Acharya]] | |||
}} | |||
{{Short description|Hindu theologian}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}} | ||
'''Parasara Bhattar''' was a follower of [[Ramanuja]], a 12th-century [[Vaishnava]] teacher | '''Parasara Bhattar''' ({{Langx|ta|பராசர பட்டர்|translit=Paraśara Bhattar}}), also called '''Periya Bhattar''' and '''Parashara Bhattarya''', was a follower of [[Ramanuja]], a 12th-century [[Sri Vaishnavism|Sri Vaishnava]] [[Acharya|teacher]] (1062-1174 CE). He was the son of [[Koorathazhwan|Koorathalvar]]. His works include the ''Srirangarajastavam''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Devotional hymn|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/br/2002/02/19/stories/2002021900080300.htm|newspaper=The Hindu|date=19 February 2002|location=India}}</ref> He wrote a commentary in [[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]] on [[Vishnu sahasranama|Vishnu Sahasranamam]] from a [[Sri Sampradaya|Sri Vaishnava]] viewpoint, titled Bhagavadguna Dharpanam,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/br/2002/02/19/stories/2002021900080300.htm|title = Archive News| website=[[The Hindu]] }}</ref> in contrast to the [[Advaita]] view of [[Adi Sankara|Adi Shankara]]. | ||
|url= | |||
| | According to the [[Tenkalai]] tradition (''Guru-parampara''), [[Ramanuja]]'s cousin, Embar, succeeded him as the leader of Sri Vaishnavas, followed by Parasara Bhattar. Parasara defeated an [[Advaita Vedanta]] philosopher named Madhava in a debate. He accepted Madhava as a disciple, gave him the name [[Nanjiyar]], and appointed him as his successor.<ref name="VR_1917">{{cite journal |author=V. Rangachari |title=The Successors of Ramanuja and the Growth of Sectarianism among the Sri-Vaiahnavas |journal=The Journal of the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society |volume=XXIV |year=1917 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.277244/page/n130/mode/1up?view=theater |pages=112–117 }}</ref> | ||
| | |||
| | == Legend == | ||
| | |||
| | === Birth === | ||
|url- | According to Sri Vaishnava tradition, once, Koorathalvar went to bed without dinner because he had not obtained any alms that night due to rain, nor was there any food in his house. When his wife, Andal, heard the wind instrument ''tiruchinnam'' being blown to ritually announce the ceremonial consumption of temple offerings ([[Prasada|prasadam]]) by the deity [[Ranganatha]], she is said to have wondered if it was proper for the deity to partake of lavish food when his devotee (Koorathalvar) had gone to bed hungry. Ranganatha heard her thoughts, and dispatched his devotee, Uttamanambi, to prepare some food and take it to Koorathalvar. The theologian shared the food with his wife, and due to having consumed blessed food, Andal shortly gave birth to two sons, Sreeramapillai and Bhattar. Bhattar was offered the additional name Parasara by [[Ramanuja]], after the great sage and the author of the [[Vishnu Purana]] ([[Parāśara]]).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rangarajan |first=Prof G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8cZyEAAAQBAJ&dq=Para%C5%9Bara+Bhattar&pg=PP41 |title=Footprints in the Sands of time |date=2022-06-17 |publisher=Notion Press |isbn=979-8-88641-659-6 |pages=41–42 |language=en}}</ref> | ||
}}</ref> | |||
=== Childhood and marriage === | |||
According to legend, Parasara Bhattar is regarded to have been raised in the [[Garbhagriha|sanctum sanctorum]] of the [[Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam|Ranganathaswamy Temple]], where he is said to have consumed the milk offered to the deity. He is stated to have once come across a highly learned man who held the title ''sarvajña'' (omniscient) while playing in the street. The infant is described to have scooped some soil in both of his hands and asked the man what it contained. When the man stood nonplussed, Parasara Bhattar laughed, and stated that they were fistfuls of soil, and suggested that the man relinquish his title. When the learned man learnt of the prankster's age and identity, he marvelled at his precociousness, and took him to the care of his foster-parents, who performed rituals to protect him from harm. In another legend, he is described to have flawlessly recited teachings from the Vedas upon his parents' prompting, and complained that he was not learning anything new in his classes. Following his education, when he was of age to get married, Ranganatha himself is described to have contracted his parents' desired alliance, with a girl from Periyanambi's family. After his wedding, in an episode, Parasara Bhattar is described to have once visited Ranganatha twice, having been driven away by the deity first and welcomed the second time. Parasara Bhattar proclaimed that he felt as though were being welcomed by his own parents the second time, a mindset that the deity encouraged him to maintain.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rangarajan |first=Prof G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8cZyEAAAQBAJ&dq=Para%C5%9Bara+Bhattar&pg=PP41 |title=Footprints in the Sands of time |date=2022-06-17 |publisher=Notion Press |isbn=979-8-88641-659-6 |pages=41 |language=en}}</ref> | |||
== Philosophy == | |||
Parasara Bhattar believed in the co-divinity of [[Lakshmi Narayana]], calling them 'Mother' and 'Father' and stating that their relationship was similar to that of the sun and sunlight.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Carman |first=John Braisted |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DyVfKEmEK2QC&dq=parasara+bhattar&pg=PA281 |title=Majesty and Meekness: A Comparative Study of Contrast and Harmony in the Concept of God |date=1994 |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing |isbn=978-0-8028-0693-2 |pages=281 |language=en}}</ref> In his Sri Guna Ratna Kosa, he stated that the goddess Sri (Lakshmi) maintains the unique role of pleading the cause of mortal beings to her consort Narayana (Vishnu), encouraging him to be gracious to his followers. This idea was adopted by [[Vedanta Desika]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sheveland |first=John N. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-tcGDAAAQBAJ&dq=parasara+bhattar&pg=PA120 |title=Piety and Responsibility: Patterns of Unity in Karl Rahner, Karl Barth, and Vedanta Desika |date=2016-04-22 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-08092-3 |pages=120 |language=en}}</ref> | |||
He believed that the recitation of the [[Vishnu Sahasranama|Vishnu Sahasranamam]] offers the absolution of sins and has no equal hymn.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Achuthananda |first=Swami |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F9FqDwAAQBAJ&dq=parasara+bhattar&pg=PA61 |title=The Ascent of Vishnu and the Fall of Brahma |date=2018-08-27 |publisher=Relianz Communications Pty Ltd |isbn=978-0-9757883-3-2 |pages=61 |language=en}}</ref> | |||
He is said to have offered ten precepts to his disciple, Nanjiyar.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Srivaishnava Articles |url=http://acharya.org/ar/tenwords/bhattar10.html |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=acharya.org}}</ref> | |||
== Works == | |||
The Ashtashloki of Parasara Bhattar contains eight Sanskrit verses that are regarded to essentialise the three Sri Vaishnava mantras used in the performance of [[Saranagati|prapatti]]: the Tirumantra, Dvaya, and Caramasloka.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mumme |first=Patricia Y. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IkkKAQAAMAAJ&q=parasara+bhattar |title=The Śrīvaiṣṇava Theological Dispute: Maṇavāḷamāmuni and Vedānta Deśika |date=1988 |publisher=South Asia Books |isbn=978-0-8364-2453-9 |pages=4 |language=en}}</ref> | |||
He is recorded to have written [[Sanskrit]] hymns ([[Stotra|stotram]]) that glorify the images of Vishnu that were extolled by the poet-saints called the [[Alvars]]. According to Professor [[Friedhelm Hardy]], he was among the [[Acharya|acharyas]] who attempted to reconcile the traditions of [[Brahmanical philosophy|Brahaman orthodoxy]], the [[Pancharatra]], and the devotional themes of the Alvars.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hopkins |first=Steven Paul |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N6teBA7bmFwC&dq=parasara+bhattar&pg=PA82 |title=Singing the Body of God: The Hymns of Vedantadesika in Their South Indian Tradition |date=2002-04-18 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-802930-4 |pages=82 |language=en}}</ref> | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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* {{Cite web | * {{Cite web | ||
|url=http://www.sundarasimham.org/ebooks/GRK.pdf | |url=http://www.sundarasimham.org/ebooks/GRK.pdf | ||
|title=Swamy ParAsara | |title=Swamy ParAsara Bhattar's Sri GuNa Ratna Kosam | ||
|publisher=sundarasimham.org | |publisher=sundarasimham.org | ||
|access-date=2009-04-04}} | |access-date=2009-04-04}} | ||
| Line 31: | Line 64: | ||
|publisher=Sri Vaishnava Home Page | |publisher=Sri Vaishnava Home Page | ||
|access-date=2009-04-04}} | |access-date=2009-04-04}} | ||
[[Category:Sri Vaishnava religious leaders]] | [[Category:Sri Vaishnava religious leaders]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Tamil Hindu saints]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Vaishnava saints]] | ||
[[Category:Medieval Hindu religious leaders]] | |||
Latest revision as of 21:38, 22 September 2025
Parasara Bhattar | |
|---|---|
| Personal | |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Home town | Srirangam |
| Parents |
|
| Era | 1062-1174 CE |
| Region | Tamilakam |
| Denomination | Sri Vaishnavism |
| Notable work(s) | Sri Ranganatha Stotram Srirangarajastavam Bhagavadgunadarpana Ashtashloki Sri Guna Rana Kosa Tirumanjana Kattiyam |
| Philosophy | Vishishtadvaita |
| Religious career | |
| Guru | Embar |
| Successor | Nanjiyar |
Influenced by
| |
Influenced
| |
Parasara Bhattar (Tamil: பராசர பட்டர், romanized: Paraśara Bhattar), also called Periya Bhattar and Parashara Bhattarya, was a follower of Ramanuja, a 12th-century Sri Vaishnava teacher (1062-1174 CE). He was the son of Koorathalvar. His works include the Srirangarajastavam.[1] He wrote a commentary in Sanskrit on Vishnu Sahasranamam from a Sri Vaishnava viewpoint, titled Bhagavadguna Dharpanam,[2] in contrast to the Advaita view of Adi Shankara.
According to the Tenkalai tradition (Guru-parampara), Ramanuja's cousin, Embar, succeeded him as the leader of Sri Vaishnavas, followed by Parasara Bhattar. Parasara defeated an Advaita Vedanta philosopher named Madhava in a debate. He accepted Madhava as a disciple, gave him the name Nanjiyar, and appointed him as his successor.[3]
Legend[edit | edit source]
Birth[edit | edit source]
According to Sri Vaishnava tradition, once, Koorathalvar went to bed without dinner because he had not obtained any alms that night due to rain, nor was there any food in his house. When his wife, Andal, heard the wind instrument tiruchinnam being blown to ritually announce the ceremonial consumption of temple offerings (prasadam) by the deity Ranganatha, she is said to have wondered if it was proper for the deity to partake of lavish food when his devotee (Koorathalvar) had gone to bed hungry. Ranganatha heard her thoughts, and dispatched his devotee, Uttamanambi, to prepare some food and take it to Koorathalvar. The theologian shared the food with his wife, and due to having consumed blessed food, Andal shortly gave birth to two sons, Sreeramapillai and Bhattar. Bhattar was offered the additional name Parasara by Ramanuja, after the great sage and the author of the Vishnu Purana (Parāśara).[4]
Childhood and marriage[edit | edit source]
According to legend, Parasara Bhattar is regarded to have been raised in the sanctum sanctorum of the Ranganathaswamy Temple, where he is said to have consumed the milk offered to the deity. He is stated to have once come across a highly learned man who held the title sarvajña (omniscient) while playing in the street. The infant is described to have scooped some soil in both of his hands and asked the man what it contained. When the man stood nonplussed, Parasara Bhattar laughed, and stated that they were fistfuls of soil, and suggested that the man relinquish his title. When the learned man learnt of the prankster's age and identity, he marvelled at his precociousness, and took him to the care of his foster-parents, who performed rituals to protect him from harm. In another legend, he is described to have flawlessly recited teachings from the Vedas upon his parents' prompting, and complained that he was not learning anything new in his classes. Following his education, when he was of age to get married, Ranganatha himself is described to have contracted his parents' desired alliance, with a girl from Periyanambi's family. After his wedding, in an episode, Parasara Bhattar is described to have once visited Ranganatha twice, having been driven away by the deity first and welcomed the second time. Parasara Bhattar proclaimed that he felt as though were being welcomed by his own parents the second time, a mindset that the deity encouraged him to maintain.[5]
Philosophy[edit | edit source]
Parasara Bhattar believed in the co-divinity of Lakshmi Narayana, calling them 'Mother' and 'Father' and stating that their relationship was similar to that of the sun and sunlight.[6] In his Sri Guna Ratna Kosa, he stated that the goddess Sri (Lakshmi) maintains the unique role of pleading the cause of mortal beings to her consort Narayana (Vishnu), encouraging him to be gracious to his followers. This idea was adopted by Vedanta Desika.[7]
He believed that the recitation of the Vishnu Sahasranamam offers the absolution of sins and has no equal hymn.[8]
He is said to have offered ten precepts to his disciple, Nanjiyar.[9]
Works[edit | edit source]
The Ashtashloki of Parasara Bhattar contains eight Sanskrit verses that are regarded to essentialise the three Sri Vaishnava mantras used in the performance of prapatti: the Tirumantra, Dvaya, and Caramasloka.[10]
He is recorded to have written Sanskrit hymns (stotram) that glorify the images of Vishnu that were extolled by the poet-saints called the Alvars. According to Professor Friedhelm Hardy, he was among the acharyas who attempted to reconcile the traditions of Brahaman orthodoxy, the Pancharatra, and the devotional themes of the Alvars.[11]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Devotional hymn". The Hindu. India. 19 February 2002.
- ↑ "Archive News". The Hindu.
- ↑ V. Rangachari (1917). "The Successors of Ramanuja and the Growth of Sectarianism among the Sri-Vaiahnavas". The Journal of the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. XXIV: 112–117.
- ↑ Rangarajan, Prof G. (17 June 2022). Footprints in the Sands of time. Notion Press. pp. 41–42. ISBN 979-8-88641-659-6.
- ↑ Rangarajan, Prof G. (17 June 2022). Footprints in the Sands of time. Notion Press. p. 41. ISBN 979-8-88641-659-6.
- ↑ Carman, John Braisted (1994). Majesty and Meekness: A Comparative Study of Contrast and Harmony in the Concept of God. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 281. ISBN 978-0-8028-0693-2.
- ↑ Sheveland, John N. (22 April 2016). Piety and Responsibility: Patterns of Unity in Karl Rahner, Karl Barth, and Vedanta Desika. Routledge. p. 120. ISBN 978-1-317-08092-3.
- ↑ Achuthananda, Swami (27 August 2018). The Ascent of Vishnu and the Fall of Brahma. Relianz Communications Pty Ltd. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-9757883-3-2.
- ↑ "Srivaishnava Articles". acharya.org. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- ↑ Mumme, Patricia Y. (1988). The Śrīvaiṣṇava Theological Dispute: Maṇavāḷamāmuni and Vedānta Deśika. South Asia Books. p. 4. ISBN 978-0-8364-2453-9.
- ↑ Hopkins, Steven Paul (18 April 2002). Singing the Body of God: The Hymns of Vedantadesika in Their South Indian Tradition. Oxford University Press. p. 82. ISBN 978-0-19-802930-4.
External links[edit | edit source]
- "Swamy ParAsara Bhattar's Sri GuNa Ratna Kosam" (PDF). sundarasimham.org. Retrieved 4 April 2009.
- "Ashtasloki by Sri Bhattar (with explanation in English)". yatirajadasa. Archived from the original on 24 July 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2009.
- "Thirunedumthandaakam& Parasara Bhattar". Sri Vaishnava Home Page. Retrieved 4 April 2009.