Venkatanatha´s significance for the school of Ramanuja

Venkatanatha or Vedantadesika, traditionally dated 1270-1369, is one of the most impor-tant representatives of the South-Indian school of Ramanuja. He systematized the tradition`s teachings and layed down the doctrines which are authoritative for the Vatakalai, the tradition`s northern, Sanskrit orientated sub-sect, whose development he effected. He wrote more than a hundred works in the three languages Sanskrit, Tamil and Manipravala including theology, philosophy, dramas, and poetry. Despite Venkatanatha`s great significance, only a few of his works have been translated or examined. The project`s aim is to translate and investigate texts of Venkatanatha that deal with his theological teachings on the one hand, and with his view of the religious ritual on the other, and thus to contribute to the history of the school of Ramanuja. The research into Venkatanatha`s theology will start with the third chapter of the Nyaya-siddhanjana, which deals with the nature of God and discusses the relevant teachings in contrast to those of his opponents who belong to other Vedanta traditions. The expositions of the Nyaya-siddhanjana will be supplemented with the corresponding chapters of the Sarvarthasiddhi and the Satadusani, which also include teachings about the Absolute and its nature, and also with relevant statements from other texts, and thus Venkatanatha`s theological teachings will be illustrated and exemplified. With regard to the religious ritual of the followers of the school of Ramanuja, which is moulded by the tradition of Pancaratra, a translation and examination of the Pancaratraraksa is planned. This text deals first with the proof of the Pancaratra`s validity. Then it shows that the performance of the religious rites during the day`s five periods of time (pancakalavidhi), which consist of approaching [God] (abhigamana), appropriating [the materials used for worship] (upadana), worship (ijya), studying (svadhyaya), and yoga, and which structures the whole day, is obligatory for every follower of the Pancaratra. Finally, the performance of the religious rites during the day`s five periods of time is described by means of numerous qotations from Pancaratra and Smriti works. The translations of the texts mentioned, and the research on the teachings dealt with in them in the context of the history of the school of Ramanuja, are planned to be published in form of monographs.