Swami Deshikan's Move to Sathyagala

In approximately 1327, during the Muslim invasion of Shrīraṅgam by Malik Kafur, the General of Allauddin, Sultan of Delhi, a great commotion ensued. The Srivaishṇavas, who were Satvic by nature, were no match to the Muslim plunderers. Fear gripped everyone's minds as to what might happen to the temple and the Lord's Archa murthis. The Āchāryas deliberated under the guidance of the Centenarian Master, Sudarsana Bhattar.

It was decided that one group under Pillai Lokacharya ( who was equally advanced in age) was to take the Utsava Murthi and His consorts covered up in a palanquin to Tirupati. The party under Sudarshana Suri was to stay put at Shrīraṅgam, after erecting a stone wall in front of the Sannidhi of Moolavar to cover him from the sight of the marauders.

Swami Deshikan took Sudarshana Bhattar's two sons and the manuscripts of Sruta-Prakaasika (the elaborate commentary on Sri Bhashyam chronicled by Sudarsana Bhattar during the Kalakshepams of Nadadur Ammaal) to safety at Tirunārāyaṇapuram via Satya Mangalam. But, before he could do that, the Muslim army attacked them and massacred many of them. Swami hid with his wards in the midst of corpses and spent the night. In the morning, they moved towards Satyagala village in Karnataka en route to Tirunārāyaṇapuram.

It was at this time, during his stay at Satyagala, that Swami composed the famous Abheeti Sthavam seeking the Lord to restore the worship of the Lord at Shrīraṅgam. He lived there for nearly 12 years (reciting the Sthavam incessantly) until news of the restoration of the Lord in Shrīraṅgam reached his ears. The Aswatha tree under which Swami rested in Satyakaalam can still be seen in the village even today. The stone slab on which Swami sat is kept preserved in the temple of Lord Varadaraja in the village.

There is also the image of Swami, which is unique. Unlike in other places, the Swami is seen in a standing posture as if he was on his toes ever ready to move to Shrīraṅgam, awaiting the good news of reinstallation of the Lord there. At Tirunārāyaṇapuram, Swami Deshikan's son, Kumara Varadachariar, delivered discourses on Pillaans commentary of Tiruvoimozhi called 6000 Padi with the help of the notes of Swami Deshikan called "Nigama Parimalam."

One peculiarity which can be seen here is that one will see the idol of Swami Deshikan in a standing posture instead of his usual sitting posture, as seen everywhere else. This is because he was longing to return to Sri Rangam and worship Lord Ranganatha and Perundevi Tāyār.