OM NAMO BHAGAVATHE VISHVAK SENAYA NAMA :

SRIVAISHNAVISM

No.1. WEEKLY MAGAZINE FOR SRIVAISHNAVITES.

Estd : 07 – 05 -2004.

Issue dated 07-06-2009.

editor : poigaiadianswamigal. Sub editor : sridhara srinivasan.

Flower : 5 petal : 05.

srivaishnavism

Editor’s pagE. SRI:

In TAMIL BY : POIGAIADIAN SWAMIGAL. IN ENGLISH By : Sri. pADMAm.

What is Bhakthi ? Bhakthi is deep devotion to and faith in the God of his/her choice. This is practised in many ways. Let us have a look. Praying to God without expecting anything in return. Now we have Chinnaiyan, a cobbler who lived in a cheri near Thirupathi, an ardent devotee of Ezhumalayan.. ―I have been mending quite a lot of footwears and making fresh ones to suit many a feet. It is a pity that I have not made a pair for my Lord!‖ he thought with a feeling of guilt. A sacred thought, indeed, but he had his own limitations like visiting the temple as he belonged to backward class like THIRUPAN AZHWAR having been denied the privilege. How then he could take the measurement of the Lord's feet? WHAT HAPPENED

AFTERWARDS?

THERE IS NO END TO BHAKTHI

srivaishnavism

LETTERS FROM OUR READERS.

SrI:

Daer Sriman Parthasarathy : Thanks very much for your kind invitation to participate in this nicely growing Kaimkaryam of yours . Each issue is full of valuable information . Thanks you .

You are welcoem to use any of my posting as appropriate.

Can you please write an article on Sri Chakram/Mahaa Lakshmi Yantram and how Sri Chakram worship is different in our sampradhAyam compared to Saaktam ? Thanks . It will be welcomed . NamO SrI NrisimhAya,

V.Sadagopan

தங்கள் திருவானால் ாபாட்டு கிடைக்கச்செய்த எம்சருநானுக்கு ன்ி.

OM NAMO NARAYANA

Dear Swamin,

Thank you for forwarding the above attachment. I went thru it and it is simply great

to know the importance of this sacred thread. Sure if one comes to know of this, his

respect and approach to this 'YAGJOPAVEEDHAM' will be more scientific and will

certainly follow the rituals behind it

Thank you once agaiun for the mail.

Adeyen Dasan

Ravi

Dear Sir,

Namaskarams

I have received a copy of Narasimhapriya by post. My article on Women in

epics -Tara is published in that. I am very much thankful to you your nice

encouragement.

Glad to learn your efforts in bringing photos for all my articles. I just convey

my Kruthkgnai through this. Thanking you again

With kind regards

A.J.Rangarajan

தங்கள்திடநடன சவளிக் சகாணப அடியனட ெிறு துரும்ாக னன் டுத்திக் சகாண்ை எம்சருநானு-க்கு ன்ி.

Swamigalukku Saashtaanga Namaskarams, Swamin, Adiyen Lakshmi Narasimhan has been reading all your mails and articles for years and have found them very interesting, useful and knowledgeable. Your recent initiative of e-copy of SRIVAISHNAVISM is a divine task and I admit that I do not miss any issue.

My parents too are eager to read the articles in the magazine (particularly the ones in TAMIL as she can't read English). Swamin, I have also been tracking the matrimonial column of your magazine and wish to list my profile for the same. Adiyen requests you to kindly publish my profile in your next issue of SRIVAISHNAVISM and also seek your blessings. Dasan, K Lakshmi Narasimhan New Panvel, Navi Mumbai *******************************************************************************

This article gives true insight into the purpose of wearing "Yagjopaveedham" .

Secondly, in my experience, due to our daily official duties and having to touch

many peoples etc. it is always good if we change the sacret thread frequently or

during every amavasya or while you are venturing into any auspecious things

or journey. By doing so the new Yagjopaveedham will be more powerful and

protect you in everyway.

Adiyen

Ramakrishnan

Very useful. Youngsters these days do not know these things. Yes you are right that in ancient times, the consciousness levels were very high and our ancestors saw things with naked eye and percieved things far more easily. So what is written in the shastras today, was known as natural laws by them. Like today we know in physics every action has an equal and opposite reaction, everyone knows the laws of gravity. Like that people knew about these natural laws in the universe. So today when we try enforcing people 'it is written in the shastras, do this do that", they feel hesitant as they do not percieve these things. Anjana

DEAR READERS, PLEASE SEND YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT SRIVAISHNAVISM WEEKLY MAGAZINE , VAARAM ORU KAVITHAI , VIVAAHA MANTHIRANGAL , WOMEN IN EPICS AND ARUL MAARI TO: poigaiadian@hotmail.com.

Editor.

srivaishnavism

POIGAIADIAN’S esnips FODERS.

1. HIS THAMIZH KAVITHAIGAL AND ARTICLES :

http://www.esnips.com/web/POIGAIADIAN

2. SWAMI DESIKAN’S ARULICHEYALGAL :

http://www.esnips.com/web/SWAMIDESIKANSTHOTHRANGALINTAMIL

3. WHO IS NARAYANAN ? WHY WE HAVE TO

SURRENDER AT HIS FEET ? :

:

http://www.esnips.com/web/NARAYANATHATHTHUVAMUMSARANAGADHIYUM

READ, ENJOY AND POST YOUR COMMENTS TO :

poigaiadian@hotmail.com

SRIVAISHNAVISM

…. 777 DHURLABHAH: ONE WHO CAN BE ATTAIND BY BHAKTHI WHICH IS DIFFICULT FOR A PERSON TO BE ENDOWED WITH. 778 DHURGAMAH: ONE WHOM IT IS DIFFICULT TO ATTAIN. 779 DHURGAH: ONE THE ATTAINMENT OF WHOM IS RENDERED DIFFICULT BY THE VARIOUS OBSTRUCTIONS. 780 DHURAAVAASAH: HE WHOM THE YOGIS WITH VERY GREAT DIFFICULTY BRING TO RESIDE IN THEIR HEARTS IN SAMAADHI- UNABIDING EVEN IN SAINTLY CONTEMPLATION. 781 DHURAARIHAA: ONE WHO IS THE DESTROYER OF THE WICKED.

84

782 SUBHAANGAH: ONE WHOSE FORM IS VERY AUSPICIOUS TO MEDITATE UPON. 783 LOKASAARANGAH: SAARANGA MEANS HONEY-BEE. ONE WHO IS LIKE A HONEY BEE GRASPS THE ESSENCE OF THE WORLD. 784 SUTHANTHUH: AS THIS UNIVERSE OF INFINITE EXTENSION BELONGS TO HIM, THE LORD IS CALLED SUTHANITHU. 785 THANTHUVARDHANAH: ONE WHO CAN AUGMENT OR CONTRACT THE WEB OF THIS WORLD. 786 INDRAKKARMA: HIS ACTION IS LIKE THAT OF INDRA. 787 MAHAAKARMAA: ONE OF WHOM THE GREAT ELEMENTS LIKE AAKAASA ARE EFFECTS. 788 KRITHAKAAMAA: ONE WHO FULFILLED EVERYTHING AND HAS NOTHING MORE TO ACCOMPLISH OR ONE WHO HAS PERFORMED THE KARMA IN THE FORM OF DHARMA.

NAAMAAS WILL CONTINUE

PANJANGAM

FOR THE PERIOD FROM – VAIKAASI 25th To VAIKAASI 31st.

08-06-2009 MON VAIKAASI 25 PRADHAMAI S KETTAI / MOOLAM.

09-06-2009 TUE VAIKAASI 26 DHIDHIYAI A / S MOOLAM / POORAADAM 10-06-2009 WED VAIKAASI 27 THRIDHIYAI A

POORAADAM. 11-06-2009 THU VAIKAASI 28 CHATHURTHI S UTHRAADAM.

12-06-2009 FRI VAIKAASI 29 PANCHAMI M / S THIRUVONAM. 13-06-2009 SAT VAIKAASI 30 SASHTI S / A

AVITTAM. 14-06-2009 SUN VAIKAASI 31 SAPTHAMI S SADHAYAM.

09-06-2009 – TUE – MADHURAI KOODALAZHAGAR DASAVA KATTCHI.

10-06-2009 – WED – - DO - GARUDA VAAHANAM.VEEDHI PURAPPAADU.. 11-06-2009 – THU – - DO - VIDAAYATHTHI UTHSAVAM.

12-06-2009 – FRI – SRAVANA VRIDHAM.

SUBHA DINANGAL :

12-06-2009 – FRI – STAR/ UTHRADAM ; THITHI/ THRIDHIYAI ; TIME : 19.30 T0 11.30 A.M.( IST ) 14-06-2009 – SUN- STAR / SADHAYAM THITHI / SASHTI ; TIME

: 07.30 TO 08.30 A.M.

**************************************************************************** DASAN, POIGAIADIAN.

SRIVAISHNAVISM

SRIMADH BHAAGAVATHAM. THE ASAREER SAID LIKE THIS “ HEY KAMSAA ! YOU ARE A FOOL !

DEVAKI’S EIGHTH CHILD IS GOING TO KILL YOU . BUT WITHOUT

KNOWING THAT YOU ARE SHOWING YOUR LOVE ON HER.”

IMMEDIATELY KAMSA GOT ANGRY AND PULLED HIS SWORD TO

KILL DEVAKI.

BUT VASUDEVAR SAID, “ DEAR KAMSA, IT NOT FARE TO KILL A

LADY, THAT TOO SHE IS YOUR SISTER. THE ASAREER SAID THAT

DEVAKI’S EIGHTH CHILD ONLY IS GOING TO KILL. IF THAT IS THE

CASE WHAT IS THE USE OF KILLING YOUR SISTER. I WILL HAND

OVER HER EIGHTH CHILD TO YOU “.

BUT KAMSAN WAS NOT WILLING TO HEAR HIS WORDS.

VASUDEVAR WENT ONE STEP AHEAD AND SAID “ IF YOU WANT I

WILL HANDOVER ALL THE CHILDREN FROM HER . YOU DO WHAT

EVER YOU WANT.

NOW KAMSAN CONVINCED, AND TOLD HIM THAT HE SHOULD

HANDOVER EVERY CHILD TO HIM.

VASUDEVAR ALSO AGREED HIS WORD.

DEVAKI GAVE BIRTH THE FIRST CHILD. VASUDEVAR AS PER HIS

PROMISE HANDED OVER THE CHILD TO KAMSAN.

KAMSDAN WAS SO HAPPY AND SAID AS PER THE ASAREER ONLY

FROM THE EIGHTH CHILD MY DEATH GOING TO OCCUR. HENCE I

WILL NOT KILL THIS.

BUT HEARING THIS VASUDEVAR WAS NOT HAPPY.

AFTER THAT NARADHA CAME TO KAMSAN’S PALACE AND SAID, “

DANGER MAY COME IN ANY FASHION. YOUR DEATH IS BY

SRIMAN NARAYANAN ONLY SO BECAREFUL.”

KAMASAN THOUGHT A WHILE AND HE DECIDED TO PUT THEM

IN JAIL. HE KEPT HIS FATHER UGRASENA ALSO IN THE JAIL AND

STARTED RULING THE COUNTRY HIMSELF. AND STARTED

KILLING ALL THE CHILDREN OF DEVAKI ONE BY ONE.

WHAT HAPPENED AFTERWARDS, WE WILL WAIT AND SEE NEXT WEEK.

SRIVAISHNAVISM

PalsuvAi virundhu. Sreemathe Rangaramanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha Today Sri Srinivasa Perumal from Sri Vedantha Desikar Devasthanam ,Mylapore performed Annual Thottothsavam at Srimath Andavan Ashramam. Perumal with Ubhaya Naachimaars arrived in the morning and many Sevarthees had a good darshan . After that at 1 PM tirumanjanam was performed for the perumal. Theertha prasadam followed by ghoshti were followed after that.I have taken photo and video shots of the event for viewing by our group memebers. The first two pictures are of Srinivasa Perumal of our Andavan Ashramam followed by Mylapore perumal photos http://picasaweb. google.com/ rangaswamy. srinivasan/ MylaporeSrinivas aPerumalTirumanj anam?authkey= Gv1sRgCP7gtsaelI G_yAE Daasan,

R.Srinivasan

(andavan) Fw: SRIMAD ANDAVAN ANUGRAHA BASHANAM ON H H THIRUNAKSHTRAM ON 27 MAY 2009 [1 Attachment]

Attachment(s) from Srinivasan Rangaswamy

1 of 1 File(s)

090527_002.mp3

Sagala Nanmai Tharum Salagramam

Vishnu one of the body is Salagramam. God is in 3 types. There are Statue, Vikkragam and Salagramam, people

in south India and north India use this Salaramamin house and temple. In houses people keep their Salagramam

in koil alwar and in temples they keep the Salagramam at God's neck's as Maalai. In Nepal Salagramam is

available Salagramam is produce in the river of Kandaki river. Dr. S.L. Srinivasa Iyengar is the author of

Slalagramam history and pooja steps given in Tamil text. In this book there are several shapes of Salagramam,

Pooja steps, Sostram, Gayathri Moola Manthiram. So, every one who want to know about Salagramam can get

this book. This books are available at below address.

Sri Vaushnava Sri Chennai

New No & old.No.29.Ellai Amman Koil Street,

No.8/C 3rd Floor, C.Block

Mangadu Apartments,

West Mambalam,Chennai -33.

Ph No.044-24715120/ cell No.09941793151.

Sri vaishnava sambharathaya books detailed

Web:http//www. srivaishnavasric hennai.com

Email:info@srivaishnavasr ichennai. com

More message in Tamil information

http://www.srivaish navasrichennai. shutterfly. com/

http://srivaishnava srichennai. wordpress. com/

SRIVAISHNAVISM

DVIYA PRABHANDHA PAASURANGAL.

KULASEKARA AZHWAR’S PERUMAL

THIRUMOZHI.

THIRUMOZHI – III. PAASURAM – 6.

embaraththar allArOdum koodalan umbar vAzhvai ondrAgak karudhalan thambirAn amararkku aranganagar embirAnukku ezhumaiyum piththanE.

SRIVAISH NAVISM

DASAN,

POIGAIADIAN. THIS WEEK PUDHAYAL ( CROSS WORD ) IS ABOUT SOME NAMES CONNECTED WITH KRISHNA . THE CLUES CONNECTED WITH HIM ARE HIDDEN. YOU HAVE TO DIG THEM OUT FROM THE CLUES GIVEN IN THE NEXT PAGE:

S I S U P A A L A N

U N R X X D N X N A

B H A N K H A B A M

H S V A A E N R K A

A I E Y M V E I A A

D R D A S A S D V R

H V U J A K A H E A

R X S I N I R A H L

A X A V X X G I D A

I X V X X X U X X B

HERE SOME NAMES ARE HIDDEN INSIDE THE CROSS WORD . YOU HAVE TO FIND OUT THE ANSWERS FROM THE GIVEN CLUES. 1. ONE OF THE DVARAPALAKAS. 2. VRISHNIVAMSA KING. 3. KRISHNA’S ONE OF THE AUNT’S SON.

4. ONE OF THE YADHU VAMSA KING. 5. ELDEST SON OF UGRASENA. 6. ELDEST SON OF AGUHAN. 7. AGUHAN’S GRAND DAUGHTER. 8. KRISHN’S FATHER. 9. KRISHNA’S SISTER. 10. KRISHNA’S BROTHER. 11. KRISHNA’S AUNT’S ANOTHER NAME.

ANSWERS FOR LAST WEEK CROSS WORD:

SUMATHIRAI; SRUTAKIRTI; AKALYAA;

THRISADAI; SEETHADEVI; THARADEVI; ANJANADEVI; KOUSALYA; KAIKEYI; URMILAI; MAANDAVI. DASAN, POIGAIADIAN.

SRIVAISHNAVISM HERBAL USAGE.

CHUNDAKKAI. TAMIL NAME : CHUNDAKKAI.

A REGULAR INTAKE OF CHUNDAKKAI CURES STOMACH ACHE, ENLARGEMENT OF STOMECH – A TAMIL VERSE.

THE FRESH BERRIES OF CHUNDAKKAI ARE GREEN IN COLOUR. THEY ARE OFTEN SUN – DRIED AND PRESERVED SO THAT THEY ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. AFTER SUN – DRYING, THEY ARE SPRINKLED WITH A MIXTURE OF SALT AND BUTTER-MILK AND ONCE AGAIN RE-DRIED. CHUNDAKKAI IS USED IN HOME REMEDIES AS A RICH SOURCE OF IRON AND HENCE FORMS AN IDEAL REMEDY FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM ANEMIA. BESIDES IRON, THE BERRIES ARE ALSO RICH IN CALCIUM AND CAROTENE. THE BERRIES ARE ALSO PRESCRIBED FOR A HOST OF AILMENTS: ASTHMA,CHEST – CONGESTION, COLD, ENLARGEMENT OF LEVER AND SPLEEN, INFECTION OF TAPEWORMS, LOSS OF APPETITE, NIGHT BLINDNESS, PILES, PITTA AND VATTA AGGRAVATION, LACK OF TASTE, TUBERCULOSIS etc.

FEVER, MALARIA : GRIND EQUAL QUANTITIES OF THE ROOT,

SANDALWOOD AND ACHYRAMTHES ASPERA INTO A VERY FINE PASTE.

ROLL INTO SMALL PEPPER – SIZE PILLS AND DRY IN THE SUN. TAKE 2 OR 4

PILLS WITH WARM WATER, 2 TO 3 TIMES A DAY.

HEADACHE : POWDER THE DRIED BERRIES AND STORE. SNIFF A LITTLE.

DOG BITE : GRIND A HANDFUL OF LEAVES WITH 1 tsp SALT AND APPLY ON

THE BITE FOR 3 DAYS. ( NOTE : SOUR SUBSTANCES SUCH AS TAMARIND,

DRY MANGO POWDER etc. , SHOULD BE AVOIDED IN THE DIET.

COUGH & COLD : GRIND A FRUIT INTO A PASTE WITH A LITTLE MILK AND

TAKE.

ANAEMIA, CHEST CONGESTION, COUGH : FRY 1 TO 2 tsp DRIED BERRIES IN

A LITTLE GHEE AND POWDER. ADD THIS TO EVERY MEAL THREE TIMES A

DAY.

NIGHT BLINDNESS : FRY 2tsp DRIED BERRIES IN A LITTLE GHEE AND TAKE

WITH RAGI – PORRIDGE EVERY DAY FOR A FEW MONTHS REGULARLY.

NEXT WEEK : TOMATO.

WANTED BRIDE.

" Wanted suitable Bride for Thenkalai, Vadoola Gothram, Thiruvathirai

Nakshathram, age 25 years, Computer Engineer. Employed and also

have own business. Please contact:

Saranathan at srisara15@yahoo.com or on 876 458 5952. Jamaica. (W.I)"

Thank you very much

With best regards

Saranathan Srinivasan

Vadagalai, Kousiga Gothram, 38 year old Divorcee, Born 9-Oct-70, Uthiradam 2nd paadam, , Ht - 6 ft, fair, MBA, Ex-Defence, well settled in Navi Mumbai. Working in leading PSU Bank's ITDivision as Project

Leader. Contact - 0-9819001922, Res : 022-27483531. Seeking Educated Iyengar (Preferably) / Iyer bride. Widow / Divorcee without encumbarances preferred.

WANTED BRIDEGROOM.

WANTED BRIDEGROOM FOR VADAKALI, SRIVASTA GOTHRAM,

ANUSHA STAR,AGE 26 YRS,HT.5'7"., BE,

MBA.CONTACT: K.L.NARAYAN,CELL:99446-91022, RES:0431-

2435828.

adiyenMrs. Suchitra Rajan( from Muscat)

SRIMUSHNAM ANDAVAN THIRUVADEGALE CHARANAM

Please send the messages to this page to : poigaiadian@hotmail.com.

After questioning the credentials of the Lord Sri Kaliyan now casts aspersions

on the supreme powers of the Lord! Only Our Thirumangai Mannan alone has the

power to do so.

Sri PBA kanchi swAmy aptly summarises this as:

"kEzh pAttil em-perumAnudiaya sarvagjanthiRku kuRai

kURinAr; ippATTil avanudaiya sarva-sakthithvathiRku kuRai

kURuginRAr"

What is that ?

The primary quality of the relationship between the

Supreme and the Soul is subservience of the soul

manifesting as a service to the Lord. This service or

kainkaryam is not done voluntarily by the jEvAthmA -that is,

there is no swAthanthriyam for the jEvAthmA to select the

kainkaryam- rather the kainkaryam is commanded by the

Almighty.

"paNi koLLa VEANum; yEAvip paNi koLLA vEANum

was the lookout of sri iLaya-perumAL always. This

commanding the jEvAthma by the paraman is an invisible or

rather visible evidence of His powers.

This is what is questioned by Sri Thirumangai

mannan. His arguments are "I have come to thiru-indhaLUr to your doorsteps.You are

the Supreme Lord capable and having full right and powers and command at your

fingers. I am the jEVAthmA waiting for the service command from You. Despite all this

You have lost this opportunity. Does it not throw a blemish on your powers and

potent and cast aspersions of Your masterly position?"

"mATTer AnEr paNi nEr koLLa emmai paNi aRiyA vETTEr.." 4-9-7;

Vaazhi Aali Naadu

Vaazhi Aalinaadan.

Courtesy- Vanamamalai Padmanabhan Swamy.

Arul maari

Insult in Public

Fear of the Society

The Lord is the Supreme Being. Sri parakAla

nAyki is devoted to sri parimaLa rangan

unflinchingly. He is the proclaimed protector

of one and all. sri kaliyan has deeply

immersed himself in the ocean of Love and

Affection towards the Lord Almighty. The

Almighty, why talk of protecting, does not

even permit a peep into His divine thirumEni.

What a bad story of love and affection? The

primary quality of the Supreme Being is going

forward and protecting and despite the

devotee knocking at His door, He does not

even turn His eye towards AzhwAr. It relfects

on the quality of Love and affection. It

reflects the quality of Supreme Being.

The society will think and talk in these

terms.

Is it necessary? thEAvaiyA iDhu?

Sri peirya vAchAn piLLai has wonderfully

coined the words in the vyAkyAnam:

"azhagidhAga Asia pattAr; Asai pattavanukku

ahagidhAga mugam koDuthAr;idhuvEAdhAn silar

Asai pattAr palikkum paDi" enRu vummai pazhi

sollutginRAr. ayalArum yEAsuginRadhum

idhuvEa. nAn pEAsuginRadhum idhuvEa"

"Wondeful. The Devotee loves the Divine. The

Divine does not reciprocate. This is the fate

of love and affection towards the divine' The

society talks like this. I am also a votary

of this thought" thus spake AzhwAr in

" pEAsuginRAdhu iduvEa .. vaiyam EraDiyAl

aLandha....Asai ennum kadalil vEzhnhda ingu

ayarthOAm, ayalArum yEAsuginRadhu idhuvEA.."

4-9-3;

"..ayalArum yEAsuginRadhu idhuvEa"Sarcasm

at its height vAzhnDhEa pOm! nErEA

What do we do when on a visit to the temple

,the door is closed. The general practice is

to try to approach the bhaTTAchAr and

request him to open the sannidhi or wait till

the regular time of the opening of the

temple.

Our Thirumangai mannan becomes very

sensitive. He feels that the closure of the

temple is denial by the Lord to grant Him the

vision of the Lord Almighty. He takes it to

the heart. He chides the Lord and teases

Him.The sarcasm is typical of Thirumangai

mannan and the vUDal pAsuram is unique.

He says "aDiyEan is a jEvathmA always at your

service; always at your footsteps; You are

not an ordinary deity; You are the Supreme

Being; You are full of knowledge and power;

Despite this what has happened? I am denied

the vision of yours. I have not even had a

glimpse of YOu, Oh!Lord majestically doing

the Divine Walk. What a pity? You know

everything; You have got all the powers;

However, you have placed me one among the

ordinary devotees;

You do not know the subtle difference. Oh! the Lord of indhaLUr-- Let it Be so. Be

Blessed. Let you live and get on.

The thoughts of thirumangai mannan gets

excellently coined into the indhaLUr thiru-

mozhi "nummaith thozhudhOAm"

'vAsi vallEr indhaLUrEr, vAzhndhEa pOm nErEA"

What are the thoughts: " Is there an eligibility criteria to get the

divine vision of You. Do you consider me an

ordinary being and therefore deny this

vision? We were all along thinking that You

had indeed descended to thiru-indhaLUr to

give divine vision to souls like us. But what

actually happens? Here also You appear to be

restricting with criteria?

The divine thirumEni of yours is to be

enjoyed and cherished by aDiyArs.

Unfortunately, we are not getting this.

Therefore, oh! Dear indhaLUr Lord, You

Yourself be with Your divine thirumEni and

enjoy."

vAzhndhEA pOm nErEa

Vaazhi Parakaalan Vaazhi Kalikanrri Courtesy—Vanamamalai Padmanabhan Swamy.

Arul Maari

The Valour of NAngUrians

Once pAndiA kings advanced aggressively towards thiru-nAnguUr

and the brAhmins of this dhivya-dhEsam retaliated appropriately

and drove them off.

This was not a flash on the pan. When chOzha kings visited this

place with hostile intentions, they were all made to take a

hasty retreat by the same inmates, thus reflecting the valor

and bravery.

Sri thirumangai mannan who is himself a great brave AzhwAr

appreciates this in two pAsuram-s of thiru-nAngur. One in

thiru-dhEvanAr thogai thirumzohi and another in thiru-maNik

kUdam thiru-mozhi.

"mA varum thiN paDai mannai veNRi koLvAr mannu nAngUr" 4-1-2;

and in

"...oN thiRal thiNNan ODa vada arasu vOttam kaNDa.." 4-5-6;

The staple occupation of brAhmins are reciting and incucating

vEdham-s. That they are indeed displaying their valour and

bravery is a rare exception. This is highlighted in these

pAsuram-s.

"..venRi koLvAr mannu nAngai'

The Almighty, The prime force of of All jEvAthmAs and others.

The All pervasive Almighty is the soul of all souls, soul of

all things. -sarEra sarEri.

This fact is aptly put in capsule form in the words

"yAvarumAi yAvaiyumAi, ezhil vEdhap poruLgaLumAi, mUvarumAi mudhalAya mUrthi amarndhu vuRaiyum idam..." 4-1-2;

yAvarumAi -- indicating the vuyar thiNai represents all the

living beings --chith.

yAvaiyumAi-- indicates all the non-living things--achith.

The Lord is pervasive of the two thatvam-s chith and achith and

performs the three basic functions of creation, sustenance and

destroyer. srishti, sthithi and samhAram which are understood

from the words

"mUvarumAi mudhlAya mUrthy amarndhu vuRaiyumidam.."

The all pervasive Lord who is the prime soul of the living and

non living beings and who performs all the three functions is

in the divya-dhEsam

'thiruth-dhEvanAr thogai'

WOMEN IN EPICS.

Role in Ramayana.

Sabari is one of the woman saints in Ramayana period, She belonged to the hunters tribe and was attached to Mathangha ashram, right from her youth. She used to pick fresh tasty fruits and keep them on the way of Matangha and stay away from them. When sage asked about a person who does this painstaking service, she presented herself and joined in that ashram. Before Matangha attained Heavenly abode, he told Sabari that Lord Rama will come to ashram shortly and bless her. Thus it is believed that sweating of Mathangha's disciples transformed as flowers then. Sabari was then waiting for Rama's arrival in the same hermitage.

During search of Sita, Rama and Lakshmana killed Kabhandan who then changed as asura. He told Rama and Lakshmana about waiting of Sabari in Matangha's ashram. Then they visited ashram and saw sabari. She told about Mathangha and his disciple's Heavenly abode. She informed as Mathangha told her about the Rama and Lakshmana ,the Royal brother's visit to Ashram and then she will be able to do necessary services to them in the ashram. . Sabari offered fruits and showed the Yagna place to Royal brothers. Finally she sought liberation from the world and entered fire with deer skin in her body. Sabari transformed herself into Satwik devotee. Satwika joy according to Krishna’s definition in Gita is experience only when the mind gets purified trough constant practice of meditation on God. Man seeking redemption should constantly find enjoyment in satwika joy alone.

Rama then pleased with Acharya bhakthi, and Archana Bhakthi, and granted boons to join her Acharya in Paramapadam. As She emerged out of it, as a pretty woman wrapped in silk dress and in beautiful jewels, attained heavenly abode and rejoined Mathangha, with the blessings of Rama.

GLORIES

Rama redeemed and gave salvation to three characters in Ramayana. They are Jatayu, Guha and Sabari. Sabari was helpless and hapless old woman with no one to look after. Her preceptor told about Rama. She was yearning the arrival of Rama, whom she

considered to be her saviour. She was then deeply absorbed in the contemplation of Rama's name at all times and in all places.

Tara in kishkintha, Mandodari in Lanka, Sumitra in Ayodhya , and Sabari in Matangha's ashram are all having uniform understanding on Rama as the supreme phenomenon "Parathathvam " the main cause of the entire universe. Sri Vedanta Desika in Raghuveera Gadhyam narrates this episode as "sabari moksha sakshi bootha". The greatness of service, devotion and faith of common woman and the grace of Gurus and the Almighty even to a hunter

woman are excellent features in this episode. Sabari finds place in first sarga of Valmiki Ramayanam itself in In Samshepa Ramayanam sloka 55. This is stated as Rakshasa stood for sometime in the sky and advised Rama to contact Sabari who was knowledgeable of Dharma , who was following its percepts and who renounced the world, indicating Sabari's conduct.

Thyagaraja's Songs

Saint Thyagaraja in his compositions on Rama starting as ‘Entani ne’ sung in Mukhari, paid his homage to Sabari , the woman from the hunter clan” whose good fortune surpassed that of many wives of the sages of the forest. There is another hymn begin with Karuna jalathe dasarathe , kamaniyanana suguna nithe sung in Ragamalika ,depicting entire personality of Rama as exemplary man , attractive physical features, , admirable virtues, and intellectual attainments. Thyagaraja mentioned in his poem as Rama, the son of Dasaratha is possessor of all invaluable excellences -Sundaram, Sivam, Satyam, Dharmam,Karuna, Beauty, Truth, Righteousness, Grace and as Purushothama .All these praises were done by Sabari also when she first met Rama.

Rama Nama

Sabari whispered 'Rama' ' Rama' in reverence and thankfulness always.

Sabari's utterances to Rama were "Lord, I have no desire. I survived until now for darshan of Rama . I was just reciting Rama nama only. ". After relishing the fruits given by Sabari , Rama told her that fruits are as sweet as her own heart. Fruits are on the tree of life, on the branches of pure mind, in the sunshine of love. Sabari then told as she is of low caste, dull intellect, but with love for God getting His boundless grace. But Rama told that of the nine ways of earning and cultivating devotion, she followed all the nine ways. Also her mind does not blossom when good comes and does not wither when bad comes. She is thus blessed for ever. Chanting the name of the lord in steady meditation is an important part of worship. Each and every aspirant is eminently eligible for this spiritual practice, without any distinction of caste, sex, age and there are no restrictions regarding time or place for this exercise. Sabari was having required earnest orientation to lord, intense urge, to meditate on him. Firm faith, sincere application, and devotional fervor make this namajapa fruitful beyond calculation and brought Sabari ,such a peace and bliss.

Devotion Sabari's Devotion to God is supreme attachment to Rama through a Bhava predominant, and is out and out concerned with Him. One cannot develop true devotion to God if he is crooked in his heart, if he has got objects of love in this world, if he is tempted by charming worldly things. Perfect detachment from all objects is a preliminary to real devotion. Vairagya is the product of real love for God. One who has love for the world cannot have love for God. One has to be renounced for the attainment of the other. This renunciation can be acquired through thenineformsofBhakti. The nine forms of Bhakti . They are Sravana (hearing of God's stories) Kirtana (praying and singing of His glories) Smarana (remembrance of His name) Padasevana (service to His feet) Archana (worship of God) Vandana (prostration to Lord)Dasya (cultivating as a servant with God)Sakhya (cultivation of the friend-Bhava) and Atma nivedana (Total surrender of the self).The nine modes of Bhakti are the ways in which a devotee attains the Supreme Ideal of life. A devotee can take up any of these paths and reach the highest state. The path of Bhakti is the easiest of all and is not very much against the nature of human inclinations. It slowly and gradually takes the individual to the Supreme without frustrating his human instincts. It is not direct assertion of God, but a progressive realization.

Note

In woman in epics, we saw Kaikeyi with talent, Tara with love,

Mandodari with care, Manthara with gesture, Trijadai with goodness, and Ahalya with morals ,and now Sabari with devotion . This will be continued about Urmila in next.

Arumbuliyur Jagannathan Rangarajan

SRIVAISHN AVISM

Knowing the Self The crux of scriptural teachings rests on the individual’s realisation of the

Self which alone can lead to liberation. The Bhagavad Gita is Lord Krishna’s version of the scriptural teachings and He lays great emphasis on the Jivatma’s efforts to the gain knowledge of its own nature, said Sri N. Veezhinathan in a lecture.

These eternal truths have been realised by great sages in meditation and elaborately discussed. Much subtle reasoning and convincing arguments characterise their observations. All knowledge can be divided into two kinds, namely, that which pertains to the materialistic world (Apara Vidya)

and that which pertains to Self realisation (Para Vidya). The relationship between the body and the Self is the only worthwhile knowledge that one has to gain during one’s lifetime and this belongs to the latter category.

While explaining this relationship, Lord Krishna states that this body is

inanimate but is activated by the Self. The body is known as a Kshetra, a field, where the seed of Karma is sown and the rewards reaped. An individual who becomes aware of this crucial knowledge about the working and purpose of the body and of the independent and blissful nature of the

Self that is temporarily bound in the body is known as the Kshetrajna.

The cause of the universe is explained in the Upanishads as that from which all springs and that in which all enter finally and this is the Supreme Brahman who is embodiment of consciousness and is everlasting and

blissful (Sat-Chit-Ananda). Scriptures suggest meditation on this Brahman who is manifest in the entire universe and who is the sole cause of it as well.

The Self is the embodiment of consciousness and is not bound by time and place as is the body. But the Self enjoys the objects of the world through the senses.

When the Jivatma identifies with the body, it associates with Prakriti and

forgets its Self and becomes steeped in ignorance. But the Jivatma should make efforts to understand the true nature of its Self. The purpose of human life is to overcome this ignorance and gain the awareness of the Self that is within and witnesses the Jivatma’s actions.

Courtesy :

Chennai, Dt. JUNE 05, 2009.