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SrimatE Raamaanujaaya Namaha //
SrimatE Nigamaanta Mahaa Desikaaya Namaha //
SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anupadravam anudhinam Samvardhaya/
SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anupadravam anudhinam Samvardhaya//
KAvEri VardhathAm kAlE, kAlE varshathu vAsava: /
SrI RanganAthO jayathu Sri Ranga Sri cha VardhathAm//
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SRI RANGA SRI VOL.04 / ISSUE # 33 dated 8th September 2003
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IMPORTANT POLICY STATEMENT:
Kind attention of contributors is invited to the guidelines in ?Sri Ranga Sri? Issues 04/24 dated 06/05/03 and 04/25dated 06/06/03 and the amendment in 04/28 dated 07/29/03
(archived at Yahoo group Messages 2678, 2691 and 2903).


NO DISCUSSIONS will be allowed in the JOURNAL even on matters featured in the Regular Issues of the JOURNAL. Any such discussions, appreciations, comments, criticisms or responses may be addressed to - Satsangam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

As only members can post, those desiring to post may enroll in the first place, by sending email to -
Satsangam-Subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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IN THIS ISSUE:
1. DESIKAMRUTHAM I
PART I OF MESSAGE FOR ACHAARYA VAIBHAVAM CONFERENCE:
AT WASHINGTON DC AREA ON 30th and 31st AUGUST 2003.
By Anbil Ramaswamy
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2. DESIKAMRUTHAM II
THE LORD REGRETS!
PART II OF MESSAGE FOR ACHAARYA VAIBHAVAM CONFERENCE
AT WASHINGTON DC AREA ON 30th and 31st AUGUST 2003.
By Anbil Ramaswamy
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3. DESIKAMRUTHAM III
SRIMAD RAHASYA TRAYA SARAM
The five Fundamentals- 2.
By SRI SADAGOPA IYENGAR SWAMIN (OF COIMBATORE)
?SRIKAARYAM? OF THE BOARD OF ADVISORS OF ?SRI RANGA SRI?
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4. IMPORTANTDAYS IN SUBANU PURATTASI (SEP 2003 ? OCT 2003)
We have been chronicling the important days (not exactly Panchaanga Sangraham) at the beginning of every month of the Indian Calendar. In this issue, we present the important days in PURATTASI (KANYA) for the general information of members.


IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
We do not guarantee the accuracy of the information because these are based on the available Panchaangams and the monthly religious Journals received from India that very often differ in details. Some dates are from Swami Desika?s 7th Centenary Commemoration Volume and Nityanu santaanam book of Lifco. Readers are requested to check and verify and bring to our notice any corrections quoting appropriate authority.


IMPORTANT REQUEST
We do not have the details of Tirunakshatram days of all the Achaaryas of Parakaala MaTam. We will be grateful for anyone who could provide this information about ALL the Achaaryas of this MaTam.
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5. GOTRAS AND PRAVARAS ? AN OVERVIEW ?PART 11 THE GLORY OF GOUTAMA GOTRAM ? 3(Anbil Ramaswamy)
and
6. FROM MAHABHARATA: YAKSHA PRASNAM? Part 28:
Prasnams 80 and 81
By Sri M.K. Ramaswamy Iyengar Swami,
Senior Officer of Govt. of India.
Could not be accommodated in this issue due to space constraints
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116 Regular issues have been released, so far (besides several Special
Issues) -
- 27 Issues of Vol. 1
- 15 Issues of Vol. 2
- 42 Issues of Vol. 3 &
- 32 Issues of Vol. 4
These issues have been archived for public view at -
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/srirangasri by Sri Diwakar Kannan.


We strongly urge you to kindly peruse the "Regular Issues" archived in the ?Files? Section and view the Contents at ?srsindex.html? (Not the individual postings allowed encouraging "Reader participation"). We are sure that you will be convinced of the quality of the contents.

IF you are satisfied with the quality and contents of ?Sri Ranga Sri?:
Tell your friends to join by sending an email to ?
"SriRangaSri-Subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"

IF not:
Tell us, as to how we may improve.
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IMPORTANT:
The ?Files? Section also contains
- The full text of ?Art of Living?? (a write up on the Life and works of Swami Desika) by Sri M.K.Sudarshan of Kuwait.
- Important days in the year Subhaanu, with text of Sankalpams for different occasions like Amavasya etc. by Sri K.P.Narasimhan Swami.


Kindly also peruse the following sites:

http://members.tripod.com/~sriramanujar
(Maintained by Sri Madhava Kannan from Singapore) ? for
-       Biography of Bhagavad Ramanuja ?
-       Biography of Swami Desika ?
-       Acharya Vamsa Vriksham ?
-       Srimad Rahasya Traya Saram
-       and other links.

http://www.srivaishnava.org/sgati/
(Maintained by Sri Venkatesh Elayavalli from California)
SDDS Volume 1 / Issues 1 to 33
SDDS Volume 2 / Issues 1 to 26
SDDS Volume 3 / Issue 1
SaraNAgati Vol. 1 / Issues 1 - 24
SaraNAgati Vol. 2 / Issues 1 - 04
For ?Hinduism Rediscovered?
and other links

http://www.srivaishnavam.com
(Maintained by Sri R.M. Venkat from Bahrain) for -
- Dasavatara Stotram meanings
-?Srimad Rahasya Traya Saaram? and other links
in the ?Philosophy? section
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1. DESIKAMRUTHAM I
PART I OF MESSAGE FOR ACHAARYA VAIBHAVAM CONFERENCE:
AT WASHINGTON DC AREA ON 30th and 31st AUGUST 2003
Anbil Ramaswamy
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Dear BhAgavatAs:
You have all assembled to pay obeisance to all our Achaaryas.
I wish I were able to be in your company on this auspicious occasion. Unfortunately, due to unavoidable circumstances, I could not make it this time. By the grace of Achaaryas, I am sure the function will be a grand success. I hereby convey my best wishes to you all.


?PERUMAAL AND PERIYA PERUMAAL?
Do you know why Lord Sri Ranganaatha of Srirangam is called ?Periya PerumaaL??
It is because He was the ?Kuladeivam? of Lord Sri Rama (who is Himself PerumaaL).


?ANOTHER ?PERYA PERUMAL??
There is another ?PerumaaL? who was propitiated by Lord Sri Rama, and so can also be called, for this reason, as ?Periya PerumaaL?
Who is this?


It is none other than our Lord ?Sri Laksmi Nrisimhar? for whom Lord Rama has done ?MangaLaasaasanam? in his ?Sri Nrisimha Panchaamruta Stotram?. This finds a place in the 47th Chapter of ?Sesha Dharmam? in ?Harivamsa PuraaNam?.

It will be interesting to note that there is another similarity between
Sri Ranganaatha and Sri Nrisimha.
What is this?

Lord Sri Ranganaatha is known as ?Krita Yuga PerumaaL?. Lord Nrisimha is also known to have appeared in the same ?Krita yuga? (along with Matsya, Koorma and Varaaha Avataaras). Thus, it would be proper to consider him also as ?Krita yuga PerumaaL? and ?Periya PerumaaL? along with ?Sri Ranganaatha?

?ADBUTAM AND ATI-ADBUTAM?
While Lord KrishNa?s birth is hailed as ?Adbutam? (wonderful), the appearance of Lord Nrisimha is described as ?Ati-adbutam? (wonder of wonders). We are celebrating the Vaibhavam of Acharyas who have been performing Tiruvaradanam of this Ati-adbuta Lord Nrisimha in anunbroken lineage of Achaaryas starting from Aadhi VaNN SatakOpar.


AND, WHAT OUR ACHARYAS DO?
Our Achaaryas are so compassionate that they do not wait for anyone to come up to the Lord for performing Prapatti but carry the Lord on His gestatorium (portable shrine) voluntarily seeking out the poor souls, from village to village and indeed to every home and hearth all over the country to implement His pledge of protection.


For example, Azhagiya Singhars right from Aaadhi VaNN SadakOpar are traveling with Sri MaalOla Nrisimhan all over the country, and other Achaaryas travel with the Poorvachaarya Paadukas or Sri Hayagrivar or Dolai KrishNar for this purpose.

Who can be luckier than us, to deserve this consideration despite our defects, deficiencies and disqualifications?

If at all, the only qualification is that we get to perform Prapatti through our Achaaryas.
How simple!
How incredible!
How compassionate!


OUTGOING
It is worth noting that in his anxiety to rush to help the suffering souls, MalOlan, for example, rushes post-haste with only one Sandal on one foot! He could not wait to wear the Sandals on both feet!


Can we, poor souls, imagine any greater compassion than this?

INCOMING
There is a reverse case of wearing Sandals on one foot, not for ?Going out? but for ?Coming in?.
Do you know what, when and where?


This happened in the case of our great Achaarya, Swami Nigamaanta Mahaa Desika. He was camping at Satyakaalm, during the ravage of Srirangam wrought by Muslims. One can see (even today) the Vigraham of Swami Desika, at Satyakaalam awaiting good news of the redemption of Srirangam, in a standing posture, wearing one Sandal only, in his hurry to rush to ?BhoolOka VaikuNTam?

This piece commenced with ?BhoolOKa VaikuNTam? and concludes with a return to BhoolOka VaikuNTam?, because it is the ?alpha? and Omega? of our very existence on this earth.

CONCLUSION
Let us pray to our Parama Achaaryas to accept our surrender and take us to ?Sri VaikuNTam?, the ?Nitya Vibhhoothi? of the Divya Dhampathis, at the end of our current life.


Till then, let us be granted the bliss of staying in the company of Bhaagavatas who mutually wish well of fellow Bhaagavtas and enjoy the KalyaaNa guNas of the Lord.
(Paraspara hitaishiNaam parisarEshu maam vartaya)
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2. DESIKAMRUTHAM II
THE LORD REGRETS!
PART II OF MESSAGE FOR ACHAARYA VAIBHAVAM CONFERENCE
AT WASHINGTON DC AREA ON 30th and 31st AUGUST 2003.
Anbil Ramaswamy
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Once I was discussing with Prakritam Azhagiya Singhar in his Poorvasramam, how ignorance seemed to be bliss and how reading his ?Sri VaishNava Sadachara NirNayam? book detailing the ?Do?s and Don?ts?, lay folks like us find it impossible to follow the stipulations to the very letter and spirit of every aspect of the injunctions and, therefore, could do no better than regret our inability. In reply, he said that the very feeling of regret (which he called as ?NirvEdam?) we experience was an extenuating factor (Parihaaram) for this helplessness. He also mentioned that this ?NirvEdam? was not our exclusive preserve but the Lord Himself had His own regrets on occasions!


We will examine some of these occasions:
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BHAGAVAN?S NIRVEDAM
a. IN VARAAHA CHARAMA SLOKAM
The Lord offered only to ?remember? a person who took efforts to remember Him sometime, anytime during one?s lifetime, while in good state of physical and mental health;


StithE manasi suswasthE sareeram sati yO nara: /
Dhaatu saamyE sthitE smartaa viswaroopam cha maam ajam //
Tathas thum mriyamaaNam tu kaaashTa paashaaNa sannibham /
Aham smaraami madh bhaktam nayaami paramaam gatim //

His leading to ?Paramaam gati? was dependent on satisfying this condition!

b. IN GAJENDRA EPISODE,
The Lord ignored the elephant during the 1000-dEvamaana years (not years in human reckoning!) of struggle with the crocodile and only when the pachyderm cried ?Aadhi-moolamE? was the Lord reminded of His duty to protect GajEndra!


For all that, this GajEndra was none other than Indradhyumna in his previous birth, a great Bhakta of Bhagavaan.

Though popularly known as ?GajEndra mOksham? did GajEndra get mOksham?
It was the Crocodile that got mOksham, not GajEndra!

c. IN RAMA CHARAMA SLOKAM
The Lord offered on the shores of the sea, protection to anyone taking efforts to beg Him (yaachatE), ?freedom from fear of all living beings? (abhayam Sarva bhootEbhyO) and no more. He did not offer to grant Moksham!


SakrudEva prapannaaya tava asmi iti yaachatE/
Abhayam sarva bhootEbhyO dadaami yEtad vratam mama //

When did the Lord say this?

When VibheeshaNa rushed to where Sri Rama was camping on the battlefront, and was literally hanging in mid air, virtually in a limbo. begging protection, we see Rama engaging Himself in a ?Conference call? with His cohorts to consider the ?pros and cons? in accepting or rejecting the surrender and in offering protection to VibheeshaNa!

And, finally, what did He offer?
Nothing more than ?Freedom from fear of all living beings?!
(abhayam sarva bhootEbhyO)
Not even a whisper about ?Moksham? yet!

The story goes that Rama later lamented the delay saying that if VibheeshaNa had surrendered while being at Lanka, He would have had to rush to his place with the speed of GaruDa and that VibheeshaNa had spared him this trouble! He compared Himself to a lame man on whose head waters of Ganga fell at his place without any efforts on his part!

?pankhOr upari gangaa-nipadana?
(vide Abhaya Pradaana saaram, Adhikaaram 5)

d. IN KRISHNA CHARAMA SLOKAM,
The Lord in His ?Song Celestial? on the battlefield went one step further to promise relief from all sins (sarva paapEbhyO mOkshayishyaami). And, this only to one who took efforts to surrender to Him at His feet (SaraNam vraja) and reassured us (through Arjuna) not to grieve (maa Sucha).


When?
Only when this act of surrender was done.

Sarva dharmaan parityajya maam Ekam SaraNam vraja/
Aham tvaa sarva paapEbhyO mokshayishyaami/ maa sucha //

Do you know why did the Lord make this solemn declaration?

This is because, he felt sorry that He had not rushed to Draupadi earlier when her modesty was about to be ravaged and sent drapes literally at the 11th hour! He ignored her pleadings when she called Him ?Dwaarakaa vaasa? and responded only when she called Him ?Hridaya kamala vaasa?.
And, remember that Draupadi was the wife of His dearest PaaNdavas.


The story goes that Lord KrishNa regretted this delay, saying that he felt indebted to Draupadi forever, with ever mounting interest on the debt to her that He could never ever be able to liquidate!

"Govindeti yat Akrandat KrishnA mAm doora vAsinam
RiNam pravriddham iva mE hridayAt na apasarpati" (1)

ChoorNIkai 16 of MumukshuppaDi also refers to this:
? Draupadikku aabathilE puDavai surandadu TirunaamamirE?? (2)

e. AND, AS KALIYUGA PERUMAL,
AS LORD SRINIVAASA, He stopped with pointing to His feet (indicated in KrishNa CharamaslOkam), to clarify where exactly the Bhakta should do SaraNaagati. (KaNNan aDiyiNai emakkuk KaaTTum verpu)


For this, one has to go, seek his "CharaNam" to perform ?SaraNam?

In all the above instances, the Lord offered grace
ONLY when someone took efforts and went up to Him to surrender,

In all the above instances, Moksham was NOT granted.
Why?
In the blame game, Can the Lord alone be faulted?

- GajEndra did not pray for mOksham
But wanted only relief from the Crocodile.
- VibheeshaNa did not pray for mOksham
But wanted only to get away from his cruel brother.
- Draupadi did not pray for mOksham
But wanted only to save her modesty from being outraged.
- Even Arjuna did not pray for mOksham
But only wanted to know his duties as a Kshatriya on the battlefield.

The Lord granted them whatever they asked for!
And, thereby hang a few lessons on our Siddhantam:

(1) It shows that Bhakti can confer mOksham
only when the soul is in its ultimate body ?Charama Sareeram?, whereas Prapatti can make our present Sareeram happen to be our ?Charama Sareeram? and ensure liberation at the end of current life itself.


Obviously, the above Bhaktas had not reached the stage of acquiring this ?Charama Sareeram?!

(2) It also shows that as Mumukshus,
We desire nothing other than mOksham and we seek it through our Achaaryas who advise us that for a Prapanna, the Lord grants not only mOksham but also whatever one wishes as ? bonus? (anushangikam) according to one?s deserts.


Obviously, the above Bhaktas got what they wanted, no more!

For us ? the lesson is -
Ask for mOksham and thou shalt be given mOksham!
Knock! The doors will open out for you!

(3) It also proves that while the already existing
?Causeless mercy? (nirhetuka kripa) of the Lord is always there as ?SiddhOpaaya?, He needs a pretext (Vyaajam) for granting mOksham, lest He should be seen as indiscreet in dispensing ?mOksham? to all and sundry (both Prapanna and Non-Prapanna). This ?pretext? is provided by the Jivan?s act of ?SaraNagathi?, otherwise known as ?SaadhyOpaaya?.


As the saying goes, even in the mundane world, success is achieved through both 100% inspiration and 100% perspiration. This is true in the case of ?mOksha-praapti? and both ?SiddhOPaaya? and ?SaadhyOpaaya? are needed, as clearly laid down in the statement-

?prapanaath anyEsham na disati mukundO nija padam?

Swami Desika gives a striking example about the interaction between the two: It is true that only the mother breastfeeds her baby out of maternal affection (vaatsalyam) but she can do so only if and when the baby puts its mouth on her nipples (sthanyam).

This act of ?Saranaagathi? is a pretext just like this!

Let us provide Him this pretext and in the process, ?Save our Souls? (SOS)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------(1) Our thanks to Sri Sadagopan Iyengar Swami for help in recollecting this quote.
(2) Our thanks to Sri M.A.VenkatakrishNan Swami and Sri K.Devanathan Swami for help in recollecting this ChoorNIkai.
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3. DESIKAMRUTHAM III
SRIMAD RAHASYA TRAYA SARAM
The five Fundamentals- 2.
By SRI SADAGOPA IYENGAR SWAMIN (OF COIMBATORE)
?SRIKAARYAM? OF THE BOARD OF ADVISORS OF ?SRI RANGA SRI?
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The Five Fundamentals-2


The texts quoted so far are in support of Piratti being the Lord's constant
companion, His inseparable distinguishing attribute, who never forsakes Him,
whatever be the form He assumes.

Swami Desikan clarifies incidentally the role of the Divine Consort vis-à-vis the Paramapurusha, by telling us that it is She who intercedes with Him on behalf of habitual and incorrigible sinners like us. Though the Lord, in His role as the Keeper of Universal Law, would be inclined to award commensurate
punishment for our infringements, once we pray to Piratti, She takes up our case with Her just Husband, arguing persuasively and convincingly on our behalf,
passionately pleading with Him to pardon us and to rid us of our mundane
shackles, however undeserving we may be therefor. Sri Nammazhwar puts this
succinctly with the words "VEri mArAda poo mEl iruppAL vinai teerkkumE".


The Lord's Lady Love has not only a recommendatory role, but is also capable of saving souls appealing for succour and solace, independently and in conjunction with the Lord. Hence, whenever Prapatti is performed, it is not merely to the Lord that we surrender, but to the Divine Duo. We seek sanctuary not merely at the Lord's doors, but at the lotus feet of the Divya Dampati. Sri Lakshmana's conduct while performing Prapatti is highlighted here as a model, when he surrenders not merely to Rama but the duo of Chakravartthi Tirumagan and Janakanandini-

"Sa bhrAtu: charaNou gADam nipeedya Raghunandana:
SitAm uvAcha atiyasA Raghavam cha mahAvratam"

This is evident from Sri Nammazhwar's sreesookti too, in his recalling the
inseparability of Piratti from Perumal at the time of the soul's surrender
("upAya dasai")-
"agalakillEn irayum endru alarmEl mangai urai mArba!".

It is at the altar of this Divine Dampati that Azhwar surrenders his soul-"un adikkeezh amarndu pugundEnE".

If we take the word "nama:" as the oral indication of surrender, Sri Bhashyakara too toes the Azhwar's path, by describing the venerable Godhead to be characterized by the constant company of SrI-

"SrimatE nirmala Ananda udanvatE VishNavE nama:".

Sri Nammazhwar pines away for the company of not merely the Lord,
but of His Consort too-
"kOla TirumAmagaLOdu unnai koodAdE
sAla pala nAL adiyen innam taLarvEnO!"

Not only the wise Lakshmana but also even the ignorant Rakshasis of Lanka are aware of Piratti's powers of protection ("Rakshavkatvam") and assert confidently that She is quite capable of saving them from the certain retribution Sri Rama might have reserved for them, once Lanka was conquered-

"alam EshA paritrAtum RaghavAt rakshasi gaNam
abhiyAchAma VaidEhIm Etat hi mama rOchatE"

If all this is not enough, Sri Piratti Herself declares Her intention to offer sanctuary to all the suffering humanity.

"tata: sA hrImatI bAlA bhartu: vijaya harshitA
avOchat yadi tat tatthyam bhavEyam sharaNam hi va:"

We must note that these words of Piratti, full of concern and comfort, are
spoken not to admiring devotees but to the cruel ogresses who kept Her
imprisoned in the asOka vanikA in Lanka, and who, as softening agents employed by Ravana, had nothing but the vilest of words and the most boorish of behavior to offer the Princess of MithilA, almost driving Her to suicide. These wonderfulwords of Valmiki focus on the most magnificent trait of the Divine Mother, that of infinite mercy even for those guilty of the gravest of offences. The sloka quoted above not only indicates Piratti's innate protectiveness towards Her errant progeny, but also implies the resolution to carry out Her mission of Saranagata Rakshanam even in the face of disinclination of the Lord, by persuasively bringing Him around to Her viewpoint somehow. Srimat injimEttu Azhagiasingar, in his erudite commentary, portrays the Divine Mother's compulsive and compelling protective trait in these priceless words-
"BhagavAnai balAtkaritthum rakshikkum tanmai tOndrum".


This apart, that the protective function too is exercised by the Lord in the
company of Sri, is brought out by PoigaiAzhwar thus-

"neeyum TirumagaLum nindrAyAl-kundru edutthu
pAyum pani maraittha paNbAlA!"

This commemorates the Lord's glorious act of holding up the mammoth Govardhana mountain with His little finger for seven days, to protect innocent cows and
cowherds, on whom an enraged Indra had let loose torrents of rain and sleet.
Even though Sri Krishna alone, Azhwar?s, apparently performed this act
wonderful wisdom enables him to discern Piratti's imperceptible role in the act of protection, as She is an essential component of any protective endeavor the Lord might engage in. It is noteworthy that Sri Ramanuja too, when he enthuses over Emperuman's Rakshakatvam ("vinata vividha bhoota vrAta rakshaika deekshE"), immediately remembers the inseparable Piratti by addressing the Lord as the abode of Sri-"BrahmaNi SrInivAsE?, implicitly recognizing Her role as a Saviour along with the Lord.


We saw that the inseparability of Piratti from the Lord extends to the moment of performance of Prapatti too. For us, She is as much the goal to be attained ("PrApyam") as is the Lord. She is there by the Lord's side, when we reach Paramapadam and claim our rightful share of service to the Paramapurusha, for, it is again to the Divine Duo that all kainkaryam is to be performed, whether here or at Sri Vaikuntam. When Sri Lakshmana pledges to perform comprehensive kainkaryam, it is to the Divine Couple, and not merely to Sri Rama-

"BhavAnstu saha VaidEhyA giri sAnushu ramsyatE
aham sarvam karishyAmi jAgrata: svapatascha tE"

Describing the splendid sight of the Lord in Sri Vaikuntam, who is the object of all our adulation and service, Sri Alavandar implies the inclusion of Piratti in all this, by emphasizing Her permanent presence with the Lord-"tayA saha Aseenam ananta bhOgini". Lest people accord lower credence to statements in a Stotra (where embellishment and hyperbole are permitted licenses), Sri Alavandar devotes the very first sloka of his philosophical work Atma Siddhi to confirm that all kainkaryam is to be performed to the Divine Duo-

"sva paricharaNa bhOgai: SrImati preeyamANE
bhavatu mama parasmin purushE bhakti bhoomA"

Even this ultimate goal of kainkaryam is the result of the infinite mercy of
both the Lord and His Consort, says Sri Nammazhwar-
"paNdai nALAlE nin tiruvaruLum PankayattAL tiruvaruLum kondu un kOyil seeytthu".


There is also a suggestion in some of the PramANa slOkAs quoted by Swami Desikan that it is indeed due to the constant association with Piratti that the Lord derives His innumerable auspicious attributes-as in Sri Bhashyakara's invocative verse for his "VedAnta Deepam":

"Sriya: kAnta: ananta varaguNaguNaika Aspada vapu:"

This idea is confirmed by the GitabhAshya sloka
"Sriya: Pati: nikhila hEya pratyanIka kalyANaikatAna ananta gnAna Ananda
svarUpa:".

Having dwelt at length on the incredibly sweet subject of the Piratti's
inseparability from the Lord, Swami Desikan reverts to the principal thread of the Lord's nature and attributes and moves on to the other defining auspicious characteristics like the Lord's infinite wisdom and boundless bliss. Pointing out Sri Nammazhwar's enthusiasm in showcasing these wonderful virtues in the very first few pasurams of his Tiruvaimozhi, Swami Desikan quotes-


"mananaga malam ara malar misai ezhu tarum
manan uNarvu aLavu ilan pori uNarva avai ilan
inan uNar muzhu nalam edir nigazh kazhivilum
inan ilan en nan uyir migunarai ilanE"

That the Lord's wisdom and bliss are indeed comprehensive and unlimited, is
indicated by the adjective "Muzhu" ("muzhu nalam, muzhu uNarvu"). Sri Ramanuja is extremely fond of the phrase "GnAnAndndaika svarUpa!" when alluding to Emperuman, attesting to the importance these two virtues enjoy. Whenever a count of His innumerable merits is attempted, it is GnAnam or wisdom that occupies the pride of place-"GnAna bala Ishvarya...? These two virtues have the privilege of mention by the Veda Purusha too-
"Satyam GnAnam anantam Brahma" "Anandam BrahmaNO vidvAn-na bibhEti kadAchana".


When meditating upon the Lord, we should picturize Him in our mind's eye as
accompanied in all forms and all states by His inseparable Consort SrI, and with the distinguishing characteristics of wonderful wisdom and boundless bliss, says Swami Desikan. This indivisibility of the Divine Duo extends to their thought processes, aver the distinguished commentators, pointing out that whenever the Lord wills Creation etc.; there is an equal and identical Sankalpam in Piratti too, making for a rare consensus among couples. Whenever He thinks of descending to the Earth for one of His avatArAs, She too agrees whole-heartedly, assuming roles in accordance with His ("nAnAkriti: nAyikA").
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To Continue
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========================================================================= 4. IMPORTANT DAYS IN SUBANU PURATTASI (SEP 2003 ? OCT 2003)
We have been chronicling the important days (not exactly Panchaanga Sangraham) at the beginning of every month of the Indian Calendar. In this issue, we present the important days in PURATTASI (KANYA) for the general information of members.


IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
We do not guarantee the accuracy of the information because these are based on the available Panchaangams and the monthly religious Journals received from India that very often differ in details. Some dates are from Swami Deika?s 7th Centenary Commemoration Volume and Nityanu santaanam book of Lifco. Readers are requested to check and verify and bring to our notice any corrections quoting appropriate authority.


IMPORTANT REQUEST
We do not have the details of Tirunakshatram days of all the Achaaryas of Parakaala MaTam. We will be grateful for anyone who could provide this information about ALL the Achaaryas of this MaTam.
=========================================================================(Abbreviations: 28#P: Paambu Panchangam, AM: Ahobila Matam,ATA: Aniyarangan Tirumutrathu Adiyaargal book published by Sri Visishtadvaita Research Center, AVA: Acharya Vaibhavam Anubandam of Ahobila Mutt, AVV: Acharya Vamsa Vriksham Series, BVP: Bhagavad Vishaya Guru Paramparai, KP: KethaanDipatti, KPA: Kaanchi Per AruLaaLan Journal, Lifco: Nityanusantanam book, MD: Maha Desikan, NP: Navalpakkam, p: Page number in the Swami Desika 7th Centenary Commemoration Volume, RP: Rangapriya Yathi Guru Papampara Taniyan book, PA: Periya Ashramam, PM: Parakaala Matam, PP: Poundarika puram Ashramam, SD: Sri Desika Darsana Diary of Sri Seva Swamy, SrgmP: Srirangam Koil Panchangam), YMD: Yatindra Maha Desikan)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------NAKSHATRAM/EVENTS/PANCHANGAM DATE /DAY/ENGLISH DATE
Aswini 24/Sat /10/11
- Misc:
MuthaNNa Srinivasa
Tata Desikan (p. 465)
BharaNi 25/ Sun /10/12
- Sriranga yogi (RP.9)


Tiruvadirai: 30/ Fri /10/17
-       VeLiyanalloor Narayana MD
(PP34 +RP.10)
(Lifco p.187) and
(AVV Part 38 in SRS Vol.01/12)
Punarpoosam: 04/Sun 09/21
-       First Vanamamalai Jeeyar
(28#P & SrgmP)
Ayilyam: 06//Tues /09/23
-       AM 18. Sadagopa Narayana
YMD (AVA p.246)
Magam   07/Wed/09/24
-       Ko.Ka, Vadoola Appan (SrgmP)
Pooram: 08/Thurs /09/25
-       AM 12 Narayana
YMD (AVA p.245)
Hastham 10/ Sat /09/27
-       KO.Ka.Vadoola
Bhaavanaachaar
(28#P & SrgmP)
Visakam: 12/ Mon /09/29
-       AM 33.Sadagopa
YMD (AVA p.250)
-       Tirumalai NambigaL (28#P)
Kettai: 14/ Wed /10/01
-       19.ADIVANN SATAGOPAN
(p.333& (AM1-AVA p.242&SrgmP)
Moolam: 15/ Thurs /10/02
-       AM 20. Viraragava
YMD (AVA p.247)
Pooradam: 16/ Fri /10/03
-       Tirukkudantai GopalaryaMD
(PP30+PA30+NP30)=(PA 12+ PP
+RP.11)
(AVV Part 35 in SRS Vol.01/09)
and NP: (Lifco p.192) (SrgmP)
Tiruvonam       18/ Sun /10/05
-       TIRUVENGADAMUDAIYAN
-       15.SRI VEDANTA DESIKA (p.329)
& (ATA p.42)
-       17.BRAHMA TANTRA
SWATANTRAR (p.333) &
(AVV Part 28 in Sgati Vol.02.04)
-       BVP29.Paduka Sevaka
Ramanuja Swami (p.344)
-       27.Ranganataswami (p.336)
Sadayam: 20/ Tues /10/07
-       AM17. Viraragava
Vedanta YMD (AVA p.246)
Poorattadi: 21/ Wed /10/08
-       32.Tirukkudantai Gopala Desika MD
(p.338) MT
-       KO.Ka.Vadoola ANNan
(28#P & SrgmP)
Uttrattadi: 22/ Thurs /10/09
-       Aakkoor Srinivasa
MD (EngaLaaNdavan0 (PA 5)
Revathi 23/ Fri /10/10
-       BVP26.Chandragiri
Venkatesan (p.344)

OTHER IMPORTANT EVENTS IN PURATTASI
Sanyasta Mahaalayam     05/ Mon /09/22
KrishNapaksha Ekadasi 05/ Mon /09/22
Sastrahata Mahaalayam, Gajachaayai      07/ Wed /09/24
Sarva Mahalaya Amavasya 08/ Thurs/ 09/25
Navaratri begins        09/ Fri /09/26
Saraswati Pooja 17/ Sat 10/04
SravaNa Vratam 18/ Sun /10/05
VIJAYA DASAMI   18/ Sun /10/05
Sukla Paksha Ekadasi 19/ Mon 10/06
PourNami        22/Thurs /10/09
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5. GOTRAS AND PRAVARAS ? AN OVERVIEW ?
PART 11 THE GLORY OF GOUTAMA GOTRAM ? 3
(Anbil Ramaswamy)
and
6.      FROM MAHABHARATA: YAKSHA PRASNAM? Part 28:
Prasnams 80 and 81
By Sri M.K. Ramaswamy Iyengar Swami,
Senior Officer of Govt. of India.
Could not be accommodated in this issue due to space constraints
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