Prathivadhi Bhayankaram Annangaracharya

The rendition of the hymns by the singer M S Subbulakshmi is played everyday in millions of households in India and abroad.

• Name — Prathivadhi Bhayankaram Anna • Religion — Hinduism • Birth Name — Hasthigirinathar Aṇṇā • Birthplace — Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India • Children — Annanappa, Ananthacharyar and Aḻagiya Manavala Perumal • Sect — Sri Vaishnavism • Teacher — Manavala Mamunigal • Philosophy — Vishishtadvaita • Notable Works — *Sri Venkatesa Suprabhatam, Stotram, Prapatti, Mangala Sasanam. • Short vyakhyas (commentaries) for Sri Bhashya, Sri Bhagavatam, Subalopanishad. • Vyakhya for Bhattar’s Ashta Sloki. • kumara Nayanacharya Sathakam,Kumara nayanacharya Mangalam, Kumara Nayanacharya suprabhatam. • Disciples — Annanappa, Anantacharyar, Aḻagiya Manavala Perumal Nayanar

Aṇṇā was born in Kanchipuram, and initiated into the Sri Vaishnava Sampradāyam by his father, who was the 10th generation descendant of Mudumbai Nambi, one of the 74 simhāsanādipathis appointed by Ramanuja. He later approached Vedanta Desika's son, Nayana-Varadāchārya, to learn Sri Bhashya. Nayana-Varadāchārya gave him the name "Prathivathi Bhayankaram Aṇṇan". Finding inconsistencies in the philosophy of Nayana-Varadāchārya, as propounded by his Father-Guru Vedānta Deśika, Aṇṇan gave up his association, went to the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, and rendered devotional service to Venkateswara. At the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Aṇṇan heard the glories of Manavala Mamuni and about his discourses on the works of the Alvars, and his crystal-clear explanation of the doctrines of the Sri Vaishnava Sampradayam. Following this, Aṇṇan became the disciple of Manavala Mamunigal, and learnt the entire commentaries of these works from him at Srirangam. Manavala Mamunigal gave him the dāsya nama "Sri Vaiṣnava Dāsan", seeing his humility towards the devotees of their deity. Further, Manavala Mamunigal, after seeing Annan's prowess in Sribhāṣyam, bestowed him the Sribhāṣya Simhāsanam, and the title 'Sribhāṣyāchārya'. Aṇṇan also served as one of the ashtadiggajas of Manavala Mamunigal. Aṇṇā was acknowledged as an authority on Sanskrit literature and spiritual discourses in his time. He is said to be the most prominent scholar in South India of his time, and was widely respected throughout India. • Illustration — Murti of the saint

• Sri Venkateṣa Suprabhātam, • Sri Venkateṣa Stotram, • Sri Venkateṣa Prapatti, • Sri Venkateṣa Mangaļa Sāsanam, authored as ordered by Māmunigaļ. • Short Commentary (Vyākhya) for Sri Bhaṣyam, • Short Commentary (Vyākhya) for Srimad Bhāgavatam, • Short Commentary (Vyākhya) for Subala Upaniṣada. • Commentary (Vyākhya) for Bhattar's Aṣta Shloki. • Varavara Muni Sathakam (100 ṣlokas in Sanskrit in glorification of Māmunigaļ), • Varavara Muni Mangalam, • Varavara Muni Suprabhātam, "Cheyya Thāmarai Thālinai Vāḻiye…" • Vāḻi Thirunamam Of Māmunigal (recited at the end of Arulicheyal Goṣti), • Other Sloka Granthams • Other Stotra Granthams