SrI: SrImathE Gopaladesika mahadesikaya nama: Dearest all, Coming to the last post of this series: Acharya vaibhavam... adiyEn wants to share these with you for the Grand Finale post This is based on Swamy Desikan's RTS SvanishtAbignAna adhikAram... as to how and what one should behave and do after Saranagati... A MUST READ and FOLLOW for all of us Please forgive me for my free translations (though not error free). This article elaborated mainly on "naanEthaan ayiduga" is based on one of the pamphlets that are released regularly under "Project Popularization of Swamy Desika's works" by Sri U Ve. C Seshadri of Chennai. This particular one was released on the 80th Thirunakshathram of asmadhacharyan Srimad PaRavaakkOttai Andavan Sri Gopaladesika Mahadesikan (8.4.2000). This is from Srimad Rahasyathrayasaram of Swamy Desikan - SwanishTa abhignaana adhikaaram. (Chapter-14). (This is ONLY intended to remind ourselves of these Athma guNAs that we need to inculcate and cultivate- for us, Srivaishnavas, who have surrendered to the Lotus Feet of Sriya: Pathi Sriman Narayanan. This is srivaishnava lakshaNam to DEVELOP cultivating these guNAs. This post is more of my loud thinking to rectify myself.. Or at least attempt.- start attempting. It is NOT an overnight phenomenon. It requires us to have the "real" feeling of "jIvan's" true nature of belonging to Sriya: Pathi as His sEshan- His vasthu, His possession- His eternal servant Swarupa nishtai: 1. If we happen to listen to the statements (derogatory) about us, like "He is short; He is dark; He is of ugly face; He is lame; He is stupid- not intelligent; He is of low caste" and any other abusive statements, do not worry. These statements are all for our body (sarIram) and nothing of that sort relates to our AthmA, which is permanent, pure always. Hence, we do not need to scold back or howl at them for such statement; nor we need to sulk and feel remorseful. 2. Further, if someone really scolds or abuses us with such statements as above, or any other disparaging remarks against us, feel sorry for him that he unnecessarily incurs paapams (sins) by such statements and pray to Emperumaan to have krupai on him (remember Sri KooratthAzhwAn forgiving Nalooraan). 3. Sometime, we may not adhere to saaasthras (I always fall in this category) and due to laziness, or exertion, may skip some deed; if someone finds us with that defect and corrects us, we should not get angry for being caught red handed; instead, we need to feel thankful and be grateful to him for correcting us at the most appropriate time. (Once ThirukkOshtiyoor Swamy due to feeling tired, leaned on a pillar in Srirangam temple during VaikuNTa EkAdashi festival, another person (like me, waiting to find someone at fault), approached Swamy and pointed that Swamy should not do that being an AchArya. (One is not supposed to lean on and relax in Bhagawath Sannidhi). Immediately Swamy apologized and thanked him for correcting him. He felt indebted to him for preventing him do that apacharam which he had committed without even realizing that he was doing.) What a quality! - 4. Even when one finds us committing apacharams and tells us, we need to consider as if Emperumaan is speaking to us through him to correct us and consider it a Divine will. We should not think of any ill against such people. Even when it is false accusations, we should think that Emperumaan is only testing us for balanced mind to face insults. 5. When one accuses without proper analysis, and without any reason, only based on prejudices, we should feel delighted that our praarabhdha karma is getting dissolved by through his such false accusations and be thankful to Emperumaan for enabling us get dissolved of our praarabdha karma so easily. UpAya nishtai: 1. Except for SarvEshawaran, Sriya: Pathi Sriman Narayanan, we and our family (wife, children) are not servants or daasa bhUthars to anyone else. 2. Even when we are in the evening of our life, or suffering from deadly disease, and are going to die, since we have already surrendered to Emperumaan, we should feel happy that the time has come to unite with Him at SrivaikuNtam through archiraadhi maargam. (soozhuvisum panimugil thooriyam muzhakkina.- TVM 10.9) and gladly welcome death with smiling face. We should know fully well that we are going to be sitting on the soft lap of our Father Sri Parama padha nAthan looking and enjoying His red coral like lips and be along with His samastha parivaaram.- Nithyars and mukhthars. 3. Having surrendered to the Sriya: Pathi, we should not worry about our protection and not be scared of any event happening. He is there to protect us and whatever happens is His Divine will. (It need not be what we desire. It will be what He desires for us.) 4. Having surrendered to the Sriya: Pathi, we should not undertake any other means (like bhakti yOgam). We have surrendered to Him with an unflinching faith (mahAviswaasam). He has already taken a pledge to save us from all sins and has assured us Not to worry. (so why worry?) We should not do some yaagams /homams or any other karmas simply because it is going to give us some puNyam, but simply as Bhagawath preethyartham. 5. Having surrendered to the Sriya: Pathi, We should always think that it is all in Emperumaan's will to alleviate our sorrows and to grant us something good until our death. Whatever happens is for good. Purushaartha nishtai: 1. Having surrendered to the Sriya: Pathi, we should NEVER ever seek for material comforts, nor should we unduly be worried about some problems occurring at home with our family, - with a thinking that everything is happening only due to praarabhdha karma. 2. By worrying about anything, nothing gets resolved. It has to happen as per Bhagawath sankalpam. - With that jnAnam, we should not brood about the domestic problems occurring. 3. If there is some unexpected wealth or comfort comes our way also (of course through dharmic way), we should not shun them. We should consider them as Bhagawath sankalpam and think that that is way to get rid of (praarabdha karma phalam) puNyams as they will also be stumbling block for SrivaikuNTa prApthi. 4. We should view both happiness and sorrows equally with a balanced mind and have ruchi (taste) only for kaimkaryam to Emperumaan Sriya: Pathi Sriman Narayanan. 5. Having surrendered to the Sriya: Pathi, we should develop an intense desire (tvarai) for the Paramapadha prApthi and utter Dwayam, (contemplating its esoteric deep meaning) at all times. All above qualities are for us, Srivaishnavas, who have surrendered to Emperumaan Sriya: Pathi Sriman Narayanan. If we attempt to inculcate and cultivate these guNAs, Sri AndAL and AchAtya saarva bhouman Swamy Desikan will be pleased. Any mistake in the above writing is only mine; anything good is due to the great article written by the author. Indeed... this series is a great eye opener for adiyEn [mroe than anyone else]. asmadhAcharyan krupai alone has enabled me complete this. Swami's vailakshaNya kataaksham and daya is the power. Kali purusha has never ever entered into this ashramam of Srimad Poundarikapuram Ashramam. During Kaliyugam, where can one go and pay obeisance to the Lord? No need to worry. There is a Divya Desam (#1 Divya Desam), Srirangam, surrounded by the divine river Cauveri (purer than even the river Ganges- per ThoNdaradippodi AzhwAr) where Lord Sri Ranganthan reclines most mercifully on the bed of AdhisEshan. Groups and groups of devotees flock to the Lotus Feet of Lord Sri Ranganathan and SathsampradAya YathishrEshtars have established their Ashramams and mutts in the bank of Cauveri at Srirangam at the feet of the Lord. Among these Ashramams and mutts, the center kausthubha maNi like Ashramam is asmadhAchAryan Srimad Poundarikapuram Andavan Ashramam. This Ashramam was adorned by the seers and saints at the feet of the greatest seer Srimad ParamahamsEdhyAthi Sri Srinivasa Mahadesikan, (the jnAna, vairAgya, anushTAna sEvathi Srimad PeriyANdavan, the mukkOl muni).. Having the same name, Sri Srinivasa Mahadesikan (Srimad Poundarikapuram Andavan), considering him as the personification of eternal servitude at the feet of Srimad PeriyANdavan Himself, established this great Ashramam. The entire srivaishnava community and the whole world knows that AchAryas having crystal clear jnAnam, blemishless, faultless anushTAnam, and tremendous virakthi have occupied the pristinely pure seat as the beaconing light in this Ashramam. Let us try to contemplate and be blessed to enjoy few great truths about this Ashramam. 1 Kaliyum kedum kaNdu koNmin- Swamy NammAzhwAr had happily announced this. Even today, one can see the truth of this statement of Sri SaTakOpar in this Ashramam. 2.Srivaishnavan always considers YogakshEmam. He always wishes the well being of the entire humanity, nay, all beings, even. That too- YathishrEshtars always are selfless and think of others' welfare only at all times. Out of such YathishrEshtars, the eldest among them, the greatest among them in terms of anushtAnam, jnAnam, VairAgyam etc., is our AchAryan YathishrEshtar Sri ParavaakOttai Andavan Sri Gopaladesika Mahadesikan Swamy. He has understood clearly that only VaidhIka anushtanams are the protection and savours for this world and if one slips and does not adhere to his anushtanam, then it does not do any good to the entire world itself. 3. Commensurate with His jnAnam, this AchArya saarvabhouman shines with His anushtAnam also. Not only does He adhere and follow the vaidhIka anushTAanams and karmas; also does He instruct, order and command all His disciples (who (on their own) come to His Lotus feet with a desire to learn, get initiated and have AchArya sambhandham) to follow the karma anushtAnams in accordance with saasthrAs; - the manner in which He does this (making sure that the disciple commit to doing karma anushtAnams) is to be cherished in our minds. 4. AchinOthihi saashthrArtthAn AchArE sthApayathyapi/ swayam AchArathE yasmAth thasmAth AchArya uchyathE// .. ?Not only does He preach these saasthrArthams; He practices what he preaches. (The term AchArya implies: one who acquires jnAnam by the study of saasthrAs (sacred texts); AND who by way of imparting this jnAnam to others makes them adopt the religious life as laid down the saasthrA- says Sri SMS Chari in his book on Vaishnavism) 5. When we enter into this Ashramam, the first one that welcomes us is: the Board which advises us to wash our hands, feet before entering. Not only is there a board; also there is a water tap to do the same. Such facilities are so nicely provided by AchAryan. There is a saying in the saasthrAs that Kalipurushan enters through a dirty toe.. (or heel).. The most merciful asmadhAchAryan never ever allows that purushan to enter through anyone into this Ashramam. Thus, this is an Ashramam where Kali has NOT YET entered into. 6.All Vaishnavites are firm in their understanding of saasthrAs that they should never abstain from doing the most essential basic nithya karma i.e. sandhyAvandhanam. This MahAchAryan always advises those who come to the Ashramam not to leave this nithyakarmA. One who does not do sandhyAvandhanam and who has stopped doing the same, gets deprived of and disqualified from doing any vaidIka karma afterwards. He cannot even enter the temple. He has nithya theettu. He becomes karma chaNDALan. He becomes dirty forever. There is also a board that pierces our conscience and advises firmly, saying: I have performed sandhyAvandhanam. Only after performing sandhyAvandhanam, I am entering into this place This is an excellent strategy (which is currently being followed in most of first class Management Schools.. as Leadership covenants.. and Quality Policy etc.. AchAryan has done it by displaying this board what cannot be done even by saying hundred times, by letting their conscience speak to him. Kali had promised and assured to ParIkshit MaharAjan that he will never ever touch those Brahmins who follow their karmAnushtAnams. Thus, in this way too, Kali has not entered into this Ashramam.. 7.asmadhAchAryan does not expect any wealth, or money or fruits; nor does He expect them to be from high lineage, or of high education, etc. All that He wants from those who prostrate at His Lotus Feet to get His munificent blessings is: they should be doing trikAla sandhyAvandhanam without fail. If they say,, Yes. I am doing trikAla andhyAvandhanam, then He gets really happy and showers His vailakshaNya kataaksham with paripoorNa aseervAdhams (fullest Blessings). He also accepts what they offer be they fruits, money etc. Also He asks them as to what they want the money or materials to be done with. He spends for the same kaimkaryams, which they desire. He never enforces His thiruvuLLam on it. If someone does not do trikAla sandhyAvandhanam, He does not even ACCEPT their offerings. He does not even see their offerings and asks them to give to some sannidhi (He tells them without hurting them). 8.Also He addresses them saying ?If at all you are coming in future, you should do sandhyAvandhanam daily without fail. Then I can accept what is offered. He does not stop with that. He also gives with his Blessings, a very simple book which gives in great detail how to do sandhyAvandhanam. Achamanam and praaNAyAmams are repeated as many times as one needs to do in a sandhyAvandhanam. There is no need to refer back even. Those who have not been doing trikAlasandhyAvandhanams for years together will not even be able to pronounce those words. For these people, He has organized for teaching them from basics and with meanings - through study centers.There are many now who perform sandhyAvandhanam without fail after studying in these centers. With such an AchAryan, who does not look for wealth or money; but only for sishyAs performing nithyakarmAnushtAnams withot fail, there can be NO WAY that Kali purushan can enter into this Ashramam at all. Let us pay our obeisance at the Lotus feet of this AchArya saarvabhouman Srimad ParavaakkOttai Andavan Sri Gopaladesika Mahadesikan Swamy and greet Him to live for hundred more years. Youngsters need not worry as to where to go for salvation in these cruel days of Kali yugam. It is Srimad Poundarikapuram Andavan Ashramam. The above is a translation from Tamil article written by Sri U Ve Mannargudi Rajagopalacharyar Swamy. Anything good is due to his article. All errors of faults are mine. Before winding up: As Bhagyasaalis (fortunate ones) belonging to Sri Ramanuja dharsanam- our Srivaishnava Sampradayam, let us remind ourselves of and be proud of Tattvam: (1) Sentient soul- Jeevathman; (2) achith - Insentient matter (3) Iswaran- Emperumaan Sriya: Pathi Sriman Narayanan- sEshi (master- owner) for both Chit and Achit Hitham- (means- way) the Lotus Feet of Emperumaan Sriya: Pathi Sriman Narayanan, through Bhakti yOgam or Prapatti (saraNAgathy) AND Purushaartham- Eternal ceaseless service at the Lotus Feet of Sriya: pathi Sriman Narayana. [Like typical Acharya sthuthi- let us begin with the first one- similar to KaNNinunchiRuthaambu] Acharya vaibhavam- 1st post: asmadhAchAryan His Holiness Srimad PaRavakkOttai Andavan Sri Gopaladesika Mahadesikan swami will be completing his 25 years in sanyAsa Ashramam by March 2007. Swami is verily like the Sage Vaishta himself. He is YathirAjar- the king among ascetics. Erudite scholars, other acharyas have praised Swami on many occasions for His jnAna, bhakti vairAgya, anushtAnam and more on His unbounded mercy on the sishyas and abhimaanis. It is adiyEn?s rash and daring attempt again to lick the Ganges waters to get myself purified? to post a page everyday on Acharya vaibhavam..to commemorate this milestone of 25 years of sanyAsa ashramam. I pray with all sincerity to the Lotus Feet of Dhivya Dampathi to bless this kaimkaryam, and only with Their blessings, acharya anugraham and bhAgawathAs' wishes, they can be made palatable and all errors and mistaks are entirely due to adiyEn's lack of or no jnAnam. adiyEn mainly intends this more as an introductory series for beginners like me to get to know Srivaishnavam, the glories of our acharyas and the why and how of Srivaishnavam as far as possible. I am not doing or writing anything new. I will be basically reproducing the wonderful articles, write ups already made by erudite scholars. It will be more of a compilation. It is said in GitA: tad viddhi pranipatena pari prasnena sevyaya upadekshyanti tE jnAnam jnAninah tattva darshinah One should fall at the feet of the gurus, serve them, and ask questions at appropriate times again and again, to know spiritual knowledge; those seers of truth will teach you that divine spiritual knowledge. AchAryan ThiruvaDigaLE SaraNam Regards Namo narayana dAsan ____________________________________________________________________________________ It's here! Your new message! Get new email alerts with the free Yahoo! Toolbar. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/mail/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Oppiliappan/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Oppiliappan/join (Yahoo! 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