Prathivadhi Bhayankaram Aá¹Âá¹Âàwas a Sri Vaishnava acharya, Tamil and Sanskrit scholar, and the composer of the popular Venkateswara Suprabhatam. Born Hasthigirinathar Aá¹Âá¹Âàin the year 1361, he was one of the prominent disciples of Manavala Mamunigal, belonged to a distinguished line of "Acharya Puruá¹£as", amassing followers. Aá¹Âá¹Âàcomposed many hymns, of which the popular Venkateshwara Suprabhatham, Venkateá¹£a Stotram, Venkateá¹£a Prapatti and Venkateá¹£a MangaüÃÂá¹£ÃÂsanam are recited daily at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at the wee-hours of the day to ritually rouse Venkateshvara. The rendition of the hymns by the singer M S Subbulakshmi is played everyday in millions of households in India and abroad.
Aá¹Âá¹Âàwas born in Kanchipuram, and initiated into the Sri Vaishnava SampradÃÂyam by his father, who was the 10th generation descendant of Mudumbai Nambi, one of the 74 simhÃÂsanÃÂdipathis appointed by Ramanuja. He later approached Vedanta Desika's son, Nayana-VaradÃÂchÃÂrya, to learn Sri Bhashya. Nayana-VaradÃÂchÃÂrya gave him the name "Prathivathi Bhayankaram Aá¹Âá¹Âan". Finding inconsistencies in the philosophy of Nayana-VaradÃÂchÃÂrya, as propounded by his Father-Guru VedÃÂnta Deà Âika, Aá¹Âá¹Âan gave up his association, went to the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, and rendered devotional service to Venkateswara.
At the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Aá¹Âá¹Âan 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, Aá¹Âá¹Âan became the disciple of Manavala Mamunigal, and learnt the entire commentaries of these works from him at Srirangam. Manavala Mamunigal gave him the dÃÂsya nama "Sri Vaiá¹£nava DÃÂsan", seeing his humility towards the devotees of their deity. Further, Manavala Mamunigal, after seeing Annan's prowess in SribhÃÂá¹£yam, bestowed him the SribhÃÂá¹£ya SimhÃÂsanam, and the title 'SribhÃÂá¹£yÃÂchÃÂrya'. Aá¹Âá¹Âan also served as one of the ashtadiggajas of Manavala Mamunigal. Aá¹Âá¹Âàwas 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.