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SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anubadravam anudhinam samvardhaya/ 
SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anubadravam anudhinam samvardhaya//
KAvEri VardhathAm kAlE, kAlE varshathu vAsava:/ 
SrI RanganAthO jayathu SrI Ranga SrIs cha VardhathAm// 
===========================================================
SRI RANGA SRI VOL. 2 / 11 DATED 22nd July 2001 
SPECIAL ISSUE Containing:
1. ANSWERS TO QUERIES IN THE QUESTION BOX
2. QUERIES POSED BY US IN OUR "QUIZ PROGRAM"
============================================================
Dear Bhagavatas:
In this Issue-
1. ANSWERS TO QUERIES IN THE QUESTION BOX
We present Answers to some of the Questions received by us from 
readers. Due to my being in and out of station frequently, this could 
not be attended to. Also, due to the vagaries of my PC, some of the 
queries have disappeared from the "Inbox", where they were housed. 
Readers whose questions have not been answered in this issue are 
requested to kindly retransmit them again. Every effort will be made 
to provide answers for them as early as possible.
2. QUERIES POSED BY US IN OUR "QUIZ PROGRAM"
Queries posed by us in our "Quiz Program" vide Volume 1 Issue 21 are 
repeated for the benefit of those who had missed noticing them and 
also for the benefit of new members.
QUERIES FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TO BE ANSWERED IN A WEEK'S TIME 
CAUTION: SOME OF THEM MAY EVEN SEEM OUTRAGEOUS! 
TEST YOUR FAMILIARITY OF THESE TOPICS. 
====================================================================
A REQUEST:
We are glad to report that the membership of "Sri Ranga Sri" has 
reached almost 600.
IF you are satisfied with the form and content of the Journal, please 
spread the word among those interested and encourage them to join by 
sending an email to SriRangaSri-Subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

Alternatively, You may suggest us the email addresses of friends who 
may be really interested so that we can directly add them to our 
mailing list. 
Dasoham 
Anbil Ramaswamy 
Editor & Publisher "Sri Ranga Sri"
======================================================================
1. SRISTHAVAM TEXT REQUIRED
------------------------------------------------------------
ANSWER:
There are 5 Slokas in this Sthavam. They have been posted with 
transliterations, meanings and comments in the various Internet sites 
almost simultaneously. They have been archived, as follows for 
example, in Acharya@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
Slokam No.      Indexed at Date
Introduction    # 33    01/24/00
1.      # 34    01/26/00
2.      # 36    02/03/00
3.      # 37    02/09/00
4.      # 39    02/25/00
5.      # 43    03/15/00
====================================================================
2. WHO IS "KUBJA" MENTIONED IN THE POSTING ON "IMPORTANCE OF BHAKTI" 
WHICH APPEARED IN THE SAMPROKSHANAM SOUVENIR OF SRI RANGANATHA 
TEMPLE, POMONA AS ALSO IN MAY 2001 ISSUE OF "SRI RANGANATHA PADUKA" 
FROM INDIA?
--------------------------------------------
ANSWER: 
The story of Kubja appears in Chapter 42 of the Dasama Skandham of 
Srimad Bhaagavtam. There was a maid with three bends on her back 
called "Trivakra". She was patronized by King Kamsa for her skill in 
making fragrant pastes for applying on the body. On his way to 
Kamsa's palace, Krishna accosted her and she dared to offer him the 
precious Sandal paste meant for the King, saying that Krishna was the 
most eligible for using it. Pressing her feet with his and holding 
her chin by two fingers, he gave her face a lift. By Mukunda's touch, 
she was made whole, her bends straightened and she was transformed 
into a matchless beauty queen.
=====================================================================
3. PRAPANNA'S KARMA AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH . 
HOW CAN THEY BE TRANSFEREDTO FRIENDS AND FOES?
(Query by Sri Raji Sridhar)
----------------------------------------------
ANSWER: 
{The following is an excerpt from Chapter 20 of my book "Hinduism 
Rediscovered" archived at Saranagathi Journal Volume 2 Issue 23 dated 
23rd February 1997} vide www.Srivaishnava.org/sgatii

" In the case of a Prapanna , all his Sanchita karmas are destroyed 
on performing Prapatti, like the bales of cotton that are burnt by 
fire. 'Prarabda karma' alone remains (that which the Prapanna had 
agreed to go through during his lifetime). At the time of his death, 
the balance, if any, of his karmas are transferred to his friends and 
foes. This is done because, the Prapanna's karma account has to show 
a nil balance and also because Punya is like golden fetters and Papa 
is like iron fetters - thus making no difference to the soul which 
yearns for freedom from all shackles. 
The following questions have been raised and answered by Swami Desika
(1) If all karmas get extinguished, where is the question of 
distributing Punya and Papa among friends and foes? 
Answer: Those Papas are those spoken of as not tainting the Prapanna 
and those Punyas done after Prapatti that have not started to yield 
results by some stronger karma. It is these that get distributed.
(2) How can Punya or Papa of one be transferred to another especially 
Papa to one who has not done any evil? 
Answer: It is not that the Punya and Papa of the Prapanna are 
transferred "as it is". It only means that Punya of value equivalent 
to the service rendered to the Prapanna by those who were friendly to 
him and Papa of value equivalent to the offence flung at the Prapanna 
by those inimical to him. Thus, the Punya and Papa are earned by the 
friends and foes respectively due to their friendly or hostile 
attitudes towards the Prapanna.
(3) Why should God wait till the death of the Prapanna for this 
distribution? 
Answer: This is to give time to see whether a friend turns a foe or a 
foe turns a friend by the time of death of the Prapanna. Also, a 
friend or foe may himself be a Mumukshu - One desirous of Moksha and 
might be doing Prapatti in which case no karma could be transferred 
to him. Everything can be decided only at the time of death of the 
Prapanna"
=====================================================
4. "THEERTHAKARAS IN TEMPLES"
(Query from Sri Venkat Iyengar)
I have questions regarding the tradition of TheerthakArars in our
Temples.
1) Does this tradition date before Swami Ramanujar,or
did Swami Ramanujar introduce this during his Lifetime?
2) What are the basic functions / role of TherthakAras in Temples? 
Were they bestowed with the rights due to their kAimkaryam and 
contribution
to the Temples or due to their Lineage or otherwise?
3) Do they have any role / say in the Temple Management/Affairs?
--------------------------------------------------
ANSWER: 
As per enquiries made in India during my visit in connection with the 
Sathabishekam celebrations of Prakritam H.H. Poundarikapuram Andavan 
Swami, there is no evidence to show either of these. It would appear 
that the Kings who built temples utilized the services of greatly 
respected Mahans for their Jnaanam and Anushtaanam and temple 
procedures relating to rituals as per Aagamas. In return, they 
bestowed on them, the temple honors like receiving the 
first "Mariyadai" including receiving holy waters (mudal theertham), 
Chatari etc first before other devotees. Subsequently, the lineal 
descendents of such Mahans would seem to have inherited 
these "Rights", irrespective of their own qualifications. Thus, it 
would appear a "historic relic of a custom". 

Per se, they do not seem to have any role in the temple management 
but in individual cases, they may be consulted by the temple 
authorities.
======================================================================
5. DOUBTS ON KALAI DIFFERENCES
(Query from VedAntam SrinivAsarAghavan Ayyangar)
Sri:
a) ThAyAr an atomic JIvan? 'Not even' a Nitya Suri?
b) If so, why special treatment for HER over me, another JIvan? 
So 'Sri'man NArAyanA is partial and unjust. Should i treat this 
as 'another' KalyAna Guna of the Purusha?
c) Talking of partiality, from KshirAbdi to ArchA, HE seems to be 
partial and favorably disposed to this 'atomic JIvan' Sri: than us!
d) Any PramAnam for this partiality? Then in Vaikuntam how this JIvan 
alone is 'identified' separately vis-a-vis other JIvan when all the 
differences are dropped along with this body in this Prakrita Loka?
------------------------------------------
ANSWER TO (A) TO (D) 
Thayar is Vibhu like Lord according to Swami Desika Sampradayam. 
Therefore, the questions on (b) to (d) do not arise.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
e) Meaning of 'AgalukillEn'?
f) PerumAl feeling sorry for the soul due to DayA. Why should DayA be 
preceded by sorrow. Is there any pramAnam for sorrow being one of 
the 'Ananta KalyAna Guna' for Sriyafpathi Sriman NArAyana?
------------------------------------------
ANSWER (E) ANF (F): These have been already been explained in the 
postings on Vadakalai / Tenkalai differences.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
g) Is a JIvan utterly helpless only when it comes to doing Prapatti 
or always helpless? If only during Prapatti i am not sure why? If 
always then am i not responsible for any of my karma? That would mean 
this whole thing is a mAya (prachaNNa bowddan!!) and i can do 
whatever i want and it is the Lord's responsibility. Then why 'I' 
should suffer or be happy when HE is responsible for all these acts. 
And i also understand from AchArya and learned scholars that HE is 
not 'Karmavasya'. HE has NOTHING to DO. Looks like i am treading a 
very dangerous path here. Have more doubts but i am not sure i am 
proceeding in the right path.
-----------------------------------------
ANSWER TO (G): 
Please read Chapter 11 of "Hinduism Rediscovered" archived at 
www.Srivaishnava.org/sgati Saranagathi Journal Volume 2 Issue 04 and 
05 dated 15th January 1997 and Issue 06 dated 16th January y 1997, 
where this question has been discussed exhaustively. If you have any 
further doubts, please feel free to contact me by personal mail 
to "Ramanbil@xxxx"
======================================================================
6. WAS "SIRIYA THIRUVADI" A WITNESS TO HEARING BHAGAVAD GITA. IN THE 
SAME WAY AS "PERIYA THIRUVADI?
(Query from Sri T.C.A. Venkatesan)
"Since "SiRiya Thiruvadi" was present in the flag of the chariot in 
which Sri Krishna and Arjuna rode, wouldn't he also be considered a 
recipient of the Bhagavad Gita, in the same way as Sri Garuda.
---------------------------------------
ANSWER: 
This is a very insightful question. In a sense, "Siriya Thiruvadi" 
can be considered as a recipient of Bhagavad Gita much like "Periya 
Thiruvadi". 
But, the context in which Garuda was mentioned is that Periyaazhwar 
is considered as the incarnation of Garuda who acted as the Chariot 
of Arjuna during the Mahabharatha war. And,this was vouched by Andal 
when she said "Meymai Peruvaarthai Vittuchittar Kettiruppaar", which 
Poorvaacharyas are reported to refer to "Charama Slokam" as explained 
in the posting on Periyaazhwar. (This is what I have heard in 
Kalakshepams in India).
====================================================================
2. QUERIES POSED BY US IN OUR "QUIZ PROGRAM"
Queries posed by us in our "Quiz Program" vide Volume 1 Issue 21 are 
repeated for the benefit of those who had missed noticing them and 
for the benefit of the new members.
QUERIES FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TO BE ANSWERED IN A WEEK'S TIME. 

THE ANSWERS WHICH ARE FROM RAMAYANAM WILL BE PRESENTED SHORTLY.

CAUTION: SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS MAY EVEN SEEM OUTRAGEOUS! 
TEST YOUR FAMILIARITY OF THESE TOPICS. 
===================================================================== 
1. How did the Lord get the mole called "Srivatsam"? 
2. When and Why do Vaidheekas wind the sacred thread around their 
ears? 
3. Lord NarAyaNa has names such as "munjakEsan" and "KhaNDaparasu" 
What do these mean? 
4. What is meant by "KalpAntha RAmAyaNam"? 
5. There are some passages in Srimad VAlmiki RAmAyaNam itself which 
seem to lend internal evidence to conclude that Sri Rama had spouses 
other than Sri Sita? How is this reconciled with the description of 
Sri Rama as "Eka pathni vrathan"? 
6. Do you know that according to some reports, HanumAn had not only a 
wife but also a son? 
7. Do you know that Sri Sita performed SandhyAvandanam? 
8. Can ladies do "Pitru TharpaNam"? 
9. There is a SlOkam that refers to Sri Rama sitting in "VeerAsanam"> 
(veerAsanE susthitham) What does this 'Aasanam" mean? 
10. What is "Siva Gita"? 
======================================================================













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