"Shree Hayagriva-Stotram" by OM VishnuPad Vedanta Deshika, Mantra 004:
"MAY THE FORM OF VASUDEVA WITH THE FACE OF A HORSE, NAMED LORD OF SPEECH, WHICH CONSTITUTES THE UNIQUE EASTERN TWILIGHT FOR THE NIGHT OF DARKNESS IN OUR HEARTS, WHICH IS AN UNRIVALLED SACRED COLLYNUM FOR THE EYE OF KNOWLEDGE, AND WHICH RECITES THE VEDAS - MAY THAT FORM EVER SHINE WITHIN AND BEFORE ME"
Explanation by L. Shrinivasan: "After having prayed for true knowledge, Desika now prays for the gift of words through this sloka, so that, equipped with knowledge and power of speech, he can extol the Lord and His auspicious attributes.
This is the reason why he invokes Him as Vageesha or Lord of Speech.
Hayagriva's Grace not only does away with our ignorance, but it also serves as a collyrium to increase our knowledge.
Ordinary collyrium, a kind of black paste, serves to improve the sight of the material eye. A special type of the same is said to enable persons to locate hidden treasures. The collyrium in the form of the splenderous shape of Hayagriva helps us to uncover the undisclosed treasure of right knowledge.
It is also made clear to us that Hayavadana is none other than Para Vasudeva of Shri Vaikuntha, to dispel the possible doubt whether, like Gajanana, the elephant-headed god, Hayagriva is also a minor deity".
Cited from Saptagiri (August, 1994),
"Hayagriva Stotra of Vedanta Deshika" article by L. Shrinivasan
