You are here: SriPedia - Oppiliappan - Archives - May 2004

Oppiliappan List Archive: Message 00043 May 2004

 
May 2004 Indexes ( Date | Thread | Author )
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]


 Dear Devotees of Lord Oppiliappan:

 Oppiliappan is eulogized by Thirumangai AzhwAr
 as " Pothalar Nedumudi PuNNiyan " or the One who
 has the garland constructed from just blossomed
 flowers on His nedumudi (long crowned head).
 From the Nedumudi , the garland strteches all the way
 to His sacred feet  and is known as Nila Maalai .
 SrIman Sampath RengarAjan ,  a devout bhaktha of
 SrI Oppiliappan refers in his essay below about his
 family's Nila Maalai Kaimkaryam on SravaNam days ,
 which takes us to Oppiliappan Koil on the SravaNam
 days.

 SravaNa dheepam is symbolic of the Svayam JyOthi/
 Param JyOthi tatthvam of ThiruviNNagarappan , the Lord
 of Oppiliappan Koil. This JyOthi Tatthvam of Brahman
 celebrated in Upanishads is the Supreme Personal God
 at ThiruviNNagaram , SrI Oppiliappan. Of Him , the Mundaka
 Upanishad states " Him the shining One , everything shines
 after, by this light all this is lighted " .The SravaNa dheepam is
 symbolic of the cosmic tatthvam recognized by the name JyOthi
 ( " VarENyam BhargO Devasya " included in the meditation of
 the sacred manthram of Gaayathri ). BruhadhAraNya Upanishad
 salutes this Param JyOthi as " the JyOthishAm JyOthi: ".

 When SravaNa dheepam Swamy and Vaal dheepam swamy carry this
 JyOthirmaya Brahmam close to their heart , they remind us of the passage
 in ChAndhOgya Upanishad referring to the cosmic principle recognized as
 Svayam JyOthi/Param JyOthi : " Now the light which shines above this
heaven,
 above all , above every thing , in the highest worlds beyond which there
are
 no
 higher worlds ; verily that is the same as the light which is here within
 the person".
 The external dheepam  carried by SravaNa dheepam Swamy is a manifestation
 of   this antharyAmi Brahman , who in ArchA form is standing majestically
 adorning Nila Maalai on the SravaNam day.

 The SravaNa dheepam is also symbolic of one of six main guNams of
 The Supreme Being : tEjas which is same as JyOthi . Tejas is one of
 the six guNams of SrIman NaarAyaNan : " Jn~Anam (Omniscience) ,
 Sakthi ( Omnipotence) , Bala (Strength ) , Aisvarya ( Lordship) ,
 Veerya ( Energy) and Tejas ( Splendour). AzhwArs have referred to
 this Jyothirmaya tatthvam as " Sudar oLi Moorthy" , when they perform
 eulogies ( MangaLAsAsanams) to Dhivya Desa ArchA Moorthys .
 When Thirumangai addresses the tejas aspect of Para Brahman ,
 he addresses the Lord as "NandhA ViLakku ". This is the Nandha
 ViLakku inside the Garbha Graham used to light the SravaNa dheepam ,
 which the Swamy carries around the PrAkArams of Oppiliappan.

 May we have the blessings of purifying our lives on this earth by
 the darsana soubhAgyam of this SravaNa dheepam carried
 around by the PuNyasAlis and take part in the TadhiyArAdhanam
 performed by them in the spirit of Bhagavath Kaimkaryam !

 The SravaNa dheepam Swamy's  anna dhAnam on the SravaNam day
 is quite distinct from the daily anna dhAnam scheme set up by
the Government  of  TamilnAdu . This Swamy has been conducting this
special anna dhAnam  for many years and it is the first time , we are able
to join in this  Kaimkaryam . Let us join in this kaimkaryam and recieve
the blessings of  SrI Bhumi DEvi SamEtha ThiruviNNagarappan !

 Daasan , Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri Sadagopan

P.S: The autobiographical essay from SrIman Thirukkudanthai
Sampath Rengarajan folloes below:


Reflections on  Sravanam Days in Oppiliappan Koil
 ***************************************
 By Thirukkudanthai Sampath Rengarajan
********************************

  It is the most wonderful day to begin with.
  Nothing can go wrong on this day. Whatever happens
  on this day, such is happening for the good only.
  The huge "nilai maalais" or long garlands arrives the previous
  night from swami malai at our house . The garland maker has been
 doing this  routinely for the last 15 years now. He will receive a post
  card from my dad about the sravanam date. Thats all.
  He will be there the previous evening with all the maalais.
  He had not seen our Lord Sri Oppiliappan even once so far.
  But he had been making the "nilai maalai" all the time that
  fits HIM very well. He brings "maalais" for thaayaar and uthsavars
  as well. At 5:40 AM , we leave the house by our usual auto or taxi
  and arrive at 6:00AM at the sannithi. The viswa roopam is just about
  to begin sometime or it is over. Couple of brisk Ushers whisk us
  through the special entrance whispering " PerumAL is waiting for your
  maalai!". Looking at the PerumaaL, it looks as though PerumaaL could not
  hide HIS happiness and rushes in sporting a broad smile seeing the "nila
  maalai". The bhattars are obviously elated and immediately get to
  work and adorn the "nila maalai". The "gambeeram" of the PerumaaL
  takes the centre stage now with the adorning of the "nilai maalai".
  Not that our PerumaaL is not posing gambeeram without the "maalai", but
  the sight of Sravana Oppiliappan with the "nilai maalai" brings
  joy and tears in everyone's eyes. Several years ago during one sravanam it
 was seen  that Sri Oppiliappan did not have this "nilai maalai" and we felt
 very very
  bad to see him like that. At the same time the sravana Oppliappan deepam
  swAmin garlanded my parents with His own maalai during deepam and
  many sEvaarthis began falling at the feet of adiyEn's parents for
  blessing on this occassion. Ever since adiyEn took the vow to
  garland HIM with "nilai maalai" every sravanam rain or shine and
  adiyEn's parents are executing it for several years now.

  Several people do "anga pradhakshinam" and the Sravanam goes on.
  The Ursava moorthis move to the kalyaana mandapam so that archanaas
  can be facilitated there. Now the moolavar and thaayaar Sri MarkandEyar
  are all seen in full view. On important Sravanam days (like
  Panguni, Aipasi, Maargazhi, Thai etc) several such nilai maalais are
  garlanded subsequently. But for all the other Sravanams He is sported
  with only one "nilai maalai". Around 11:00 AM Our Deepam swamins, Sri
  Srinivasa  Gopalan (Ney deepam of Sri Oppiliappan) from Kodai vaasal
 (now in Srirangam)  and City Union bank Sri Ravi from Kumbakonam
 (his father used to do the  "vaal deepam" that he now does) goes into
 the garba gruham. At this time  no public is allowed inside. After prayers
 and lighting of the deepam  they come out fully charged. There are lots of
 people gathered near the  entrance at the "UL praahaaram" and they
 throng to these deepam swAmins and  seek their guidance and blessings.
 They shout "Oppilaippaa, Oppiliappaa" on seeing them and tries to go
 near them.  First the traditional Naadaswaram  and mElam  leads them
 in procession as similar to PerumaaL purappaadu. We always pray
  to  them that these Perumaals bless as many people as possible and that
  everyone's  reasonable dreams come true through Sri Oppiliappan.
 The swamins go around  once  in the "uL praakaaram" and then on
 to the outer praakaaram. It is notable that  the "ney deepam"
 (Sri Oppiliapan Deepam) swamin walks merely on his two
 toes  only sometime. It is like a Raaja nadai. No science can explain this.
  One has to see this and expereince themselves. The "thEjas" in their
  face as reflected by the rays of the deepam are remarkably great.

  adiyEn was asked by Sri Oppiliappan deepam Swamin when adiyEn met him
  during Srimadh Poudnrika puram Vinnaarrangari Andavan and Sri Andal
  sannithi prathista at Srirangam last year that adiyEn be present during
  Sravana deepam. adiyEn and our family usually goes back home after
  our morning darshan and nila maalai samarppaNam. This time, adiyEn
  came back again for deepam. Swamin spotted adiyen
  and asked adiyEn to come along. adiyEn went with Him in the inner
  circle. At the end of the inner circle , adiyEn moved away so that
  so many persons who were thronging to have his dharshan and
  "aruL vaaku" to get a chanceto approach him  When Swamin came
 near the perfect  completion of inner suRRu, just oppsite to Sri
Oppiliappan
  between Sri Ramar aand Sri Hanumaan sannithis, called for
  adiyEn by using signs. Since adiyEN was far way , adiyEn struggled
  to reach. Swamin asked everyone to give way so that adiyEN
  can go near. Swamin grabbed adiyEn's hand firm with the
  thulasi from his maalai soaked in ghee and said "dEvareer
  kanikaryangalai naam vERRi karamaaga nadatthik koduppOm".
  adiyEn was moved. adiyEn had in mind atlaest 1 major kainkaryam
  for Sri Oppiliappan that time. Usually Swamin never "talks"
  in His aruL vaakku. He only conveys by "signs". adiyEn was
  thrilled that swAmin talked real words to adiyEn this time
  during his "aruL vaakku". This swAmin had predicted about
  very important happenings in the past. This swAmin later mentioned
  to adiyEn that it was predicted during one of the sravanams
  earlier about acharyaas adorning the peetam etc as well.

  There are totally three deepams. The "vaal deepam" burns
  so tall (to 3 feet !!) and Sri Ravi hold it up on His
  shoulders. With this deepam on his hands and shoulders
  He also gives "aruL vaakku" to many. The third deepam is
  the "satti deepam" where the fire is in the solid form ("thaNal").

  Both these swAmins are the living examples of vairaagyam
  that swami desikan had explained in VairAgya Panchakam.
 adiyEN does not know much  about the other deepam swamin).
 They never asked for  any help ! Only the officials in the temple
 and well  wishers asked adiyEn to help them. But even before
  they asked, adiyEn already had in mind to help them
  on this anna dhaanam scheme.

  They have been doing anna dhaanam for decades on Sravanam
  dates!!! In addition they both have their own ubhayams
  in the temple in a very large scale (pushpa yaagam,
  mega thirumanchanam etc). adiyEn talked to Sri Ravi
  swAmin first and requested him to give an estimate of the
  cost. adiyEN also requested the temple authorities that
  the ParichArakAs who cook and take prasaadhams to the Lord
  must have shikaas. They said they will issue a notice to that
  effect. Both these swamins are equally sharing the costs
  of anna dhaanam so far. So, whatever one wants to give towards
  sravana anna dhaaanam must be shared between them. Once aidyEn
  had the estimate , adiyEn offered to pay them the same as long
  as aidyEn could either personally or through friends.

  adiyEn wants to make a few notes here about anna dhaanam.
  The anna dhaanam is "Sravana anna dhaanam" done by the
  two deepam swamins. No matter who gives money , adiyEn still
  wants this to be in the two swAmin's name only for two strong
  reasons. We are simply helping them in their offerings and we
  thank the Lord for providing an oppurtunity for the same. No
  individual shall seek recognition for this effort. They have
  been doing this for a very long time like their own ubhayam and
  they will continue to do it in their name ONLY. There were times
  when they took personal and bank loans to facilitate
  this. We can not act like usurpers . adiyEN is playing
  a role only now. No matter, anyone wants to accept these terms or
  not adiyEn shall always support them as long as adiyEn could,
  in these terms.

  Second thing is that, the State Govt in Tamil Nadu under
  the CM Chi. Jayalalitha's scheme, are offering anna dhaanam
  in various select temples and Sri Oppiliappan kOil is
  one of them. These temples have a hundi for anna dhaanam
  as well (including Sri Oppiliappan kOil). To the best of adiyEn's
  understanding, adiyEn believes that no one can solicit donations
  for anna dhaanam for any of these temples including Sri Oppiliappan temple
  when Government is doing such a scheme. Such action may land
  everyone in legal trouble. So adiyEN does not
  want anyone to get confused over the two different schemes.
  No one reading these appeals in the net or web,
  should be confused with the "Sravana dina anna
  dhaanam" that these two swamins had been doing for several
  years even before the Govt sponsored anna dhnaanam scheme
  came into existence. We very much thank the Govt., the CM
  and the temple authorities for doing that scheme very well.
  But the sravana anna dhaanam is a very massive private project that
  is organised by these two deepam swamins only. adiyEn
  does not want to involve them or adiyEn in any competing
  efforts of anna dhanam with the temple and Govt. by making this
  appeal as a very general appeal. This anna dhaanam is very
  specific. adiyEn had been holding it tight and asking only
  a very few so far. Sri Sadagopan swAmin felt that members of
  Sri Oppiliappan list may be given a chance to participate in
  this kainkaryam and hence his appeal.

  adiyEn began chipping from aippasi sravanam. adiyEn already
  have undertaken to do it (for three full months) from adiYen's
  own for aippasi (Sri Oppiliappan thiru kalayaanam) and thai
  (Sri Oppiliappan's leela vibhuthi i.e thoppam incidentally adiyEn's birth
  day) and Panguni Sravanams (Sri Oppiliappan's vivAham and
  thEr festival). In addition adiyEn will also cover up for any shortage
  anytime so that they are supported for all the Sravanams as long as
  adiyEn could. We have so far helped them continuously
  in the last 8 sravanams. 6 sEvarrthis from USA have helped for
  5 sravanams and adiyEn has filled in the remaining. None of them
  have ever asked for any recognition of any kind so far. adiYen is also
  sure that none of those who had currently come forward to contribute
  seek any recognition of any sort so far. On the floor, the anna dhaanam
  will be done by the two swAmins only and all the recogntion goes
  to these two swAmins only all the time. adiyEn will
  continue to do the same as long as adiyEn can. They do not have
  a tax deductible account so far. adiyEn is releasing money
  from adiyEn's own account in India so far. Sri Sadagopan
  had agreed to spilt one sponsorship  for maasi and purattaasi
  sravanams .

  Finally when Sri Krishna bhattar asked adiyEn
  during sankalpam in front of the Lord, he was replied that
  "loka shEmatthukkaaga nallaa mazhai peyyanum". Swamin
  replied "kodiyilai oru prArtthanai ithu athanaala swAmiyOda
  viNNappatthai Oppiliappan kattaayam niRai vERRuvaar".





------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~-->
Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar.
Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free!
http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/XUWolB/TM
---------------------------------------------------------------------~->

 
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
     http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Oppiliappan/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
     Oppiliappan-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
     http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
 


[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next] [Date Index ] [Thread Index ] [Author Index ]
Home Page
http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia
oppiliappan-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to the list