Only a handful of the present generation in India are aware of the versatility of Vedanta Desika, the Vaishnavite Saint who lived in the 13th century. Even among those who have heard about him, only a few know about the contributions of this multifaceted genius.

   Often he is overlooked—except as a religious saint who specialised in religious compositions. It is necessary that his contributions in different fields are again brought to light as an impetus to the young generation, not only in India but also abroad.

      Desika was born in the year 1268 AD to a pious couple named Ananta Suri and Totaramba, who named him ‘Venkatanatha’. When he was five, his maternal uncle, Kidambi Appullar took him to a spiritual discourse by Nadadhoor Ammal, a revered Sri Vaishnava scholar of that time. As soon as Ammal caught a glimpse of the divine radiance of the child, he stopped his discourse, and hugged Venkatanatha....