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XVIII "Father's acquisition, have I none. I made no acquisition myself. But there is on the top of the Hastisaila at Kanchi my grand-father's (Brahma's) treasure (the idol. of Varada).” He lived by ‘Unolicha Vritti' (going about the streets and receiving alıns from those who voluntarily offered it). His life was extremely simple and pure. Both at Kanchi and at Srirangam, he lived in the midst of teachers of rival sects. He commanded the respect and admiration of all the learned and spiritual men of the day. Pillailokacharya, an important Vaishnava teacher, who was very much his senior in age, loved him and sang a verse in Tamil in praise of him. Vedanta Desika had a supreme contempt for worldly greatness. In answer to % cordial invitation of Vidyaranya a sincere friend in the height of worldly power and a profound scholar, he wrote क्षोणीकोणशतांशपालनकलादुर्वारगर्वानल. क्षुभ्यत्क्षुद्रनरेन्द्रचाटुरचनाधन्यान मन्यामहे । देवं सेवितुमेव निश्चिनुमहे योऽसौ दयालुः पुरा धानामुष्टिमुचे कुचेलमुनये दत्तस्म वित्तेशताम् ॥ सिलं किमनलं भवेदनलमौदरं बाधितुं . पयः प्रसूतिपूरकं किमु न धारकं सारसम् । अयनमलमल्लकं पथि पटवरं कचरं भजन्ति विबुधा मुधा बहह कुक्षितः कुक्षितः ॥ "We do not consider it a blessing to eke out a livelihood by flattering petty kings who are puffed up with pride
