Unsung heros

[Guest guest]

Almost 600 years ago Sri Malolan jumped into the hands of HH Sri Athivan

Satakopan, the founding Jeeyar of Sri Ahobila Mutt, and took up nithya

sancharam to visit Bhakthas in their towns and homes. Ever since that time

the Lord has been more or less in constant journey over the length and

breadth of India. Travel in general is filled with uncertainty and

anxiety. But to travel with Sri Malolan, the mandapam, utensils, and a

retinue of Kainganryaparars, not to mention preparing prasadam twice a day

is almost impossible. It is His grace that make all this happen.

 

What is a typical day at the Sri Mutt like while Sri Malolan is on

sancaharam? In honor of Sri Satakopa Jeeyar's thirunakshathram next

Tuesday I would like to share some "sancharam" news. What follows is a

rough translation of selected parts of travel news from July 5th through

the 8thpublished in the current issue of Sri Nrisimha Priya. During this

period Sri Malolan was traveling from Nagpore to Orchcha in M.P, via

Bhopal. The final destination was Hrishikesh where the Jeeyar observed

Chathurmasyam. At the present time Sri Malolan is in Naimisaranyam en

route to Delhi. I hope my translation brings out the difficulties the

Kainkaryaparars gladly endure in the service of Sri Malolan and Azhagiya

Singar. They are the unsung heros of Sri Vaishnavam. They deserve our

utmost respect and support. So, whatever your affiliation may be,

contribute to your Mutt or Ashramam. That is the least we can do. It is

these institutions that keep the Sri Vaishnava tradition alive. We worry

that our money may not be spent properly. But from the following it must

be evident that they are not rolling in luxury. IMHO, many of us can't

stand the inconveniences for a day at the Mutt, even when they are not

traveling, let alone while on Sancharam. Our contributions go in one way or

another to support these unsung heros.

 

 

— adiyEn

 

 

====Sancharam News============

July 5, 1997 (Betul)

--------------------

It was past 7:00 p.m. by the time we reached Betul. Due to wrong

directions given at Nagpur we ended up traveling 420 KM in stead a mere

280. We could not find a suitable house with a well in Betul. Therefore

we had to camp outside town in a farm house. It was constantly drizzling.

The house was dimly lit. Paddy bags were stacked everywhere. More than

half the main hall was filled with paddy bags. The free area was swept

clean and Sri Malolan was ensconced in this area. There was only one other

room. It was prepared for Srimad Azhgiya Singar.

 

There was no place in the house for preparing prasadam for Thiruvaradhani.

There was a cowshed outside. It had granite flooring. But it was open

around three sides. The cows were taken outside. Screens were placed

around the open sides of the shed. Now we had a make shift kitchen.

ThaLigai began in all earnest. By 11 p.m. Panaka Aradhnai was completed.

 

Due to incessant rain the floor was wet. There were about 55 shishyas,

men, women, and children, traveling with Malolan. They managed somehow.

They are forced suffer such inconveniences routinely while traveling. But

they endure with a smile.

 

July 6, 1997 (Off to Bhopal)

----------------------------

The morning was quite benign. Men completed their anushtanam at the well.

The women went to a Chathram in town and completed their morning ablutions.

Visvaroopa, Abigamana, Ijjya Aradhanai were completed as usual. At

Haraththi time the owner of the farm, Prakash Agarwal, arrived. He

offered to bear all the expenses for the day. He requested Azhagiya Singar

to make a visit to his house, which HH did later in the day. Due to

constant rain Kainkaryaparars could not sit and take prasadam. Therefore,

"kalandha prasadam" was distributed.

 

We left by 11 a.m. and reached Bhopal by 6 p.m. We stayed at Kuha Mandhir.

The stay was comfortable. Students and teachers from a nearby Sanskrit

school came to have darsan. They conversed fluently in Sanskrit. Srimad

Azhagiya Singar expressed happiness about this.

 

July 7, 1997 (Orchcha)

----------------------

After Visvaroopa, Abigamana, Ijjy, and Thadhiyaradhanai, we left Bhopal for

Orchcha. Orchcha is about 13 KM out of Jansi. The roads were extremely

rough and narrow. It was raining incessantly. It was past 10:30 p.m. by

the time we reached our destination. Sri Malalon stayed in an old

building. Azhgiya Singar had to stay in a building about 1 KM away. The

entire area was completely deserted. Due to heavy rain and wind there

was no electricity. It was pitch black. We could not even locate the

front of the building. With the help of flash light and candles, bushes

were cleared to make way for Sri Malolan to be taken inside. It was 12:00

midnight when all this was completed. Somehow well water was brought.

Tonight only milk and fruits for Sri Malolan and kainkaryaparars. On

occasions like this evening Thiruvaradhanai had to be skipped. This

happens very rarely.

 

Kainkaryaparars had to sleep on the ground surrounded by bushes and the

constant annoyance of small insects. (Comment added: These are not just

youngsters, some are in their sixties.) Srimad Azhagiya Singar felt bad

for the difficulties endured by the Kaikaryaparars. It was past 1:00 a.m.

by the time the bus with women and children arrived. They had lost their

way. They slept in the vehicle itself. Dear readers, just imagine whether

you would put up with such difficulties even for a day.

 

July 8, 1997 (To Brindavan)

---------------------------

The next morning was wonderful. There was a big river nearby called

Bedhvaa. Everyone had a wonderful dip in the river. Srimad Azhagiya

Singar observed anushatanam in the river. A Sanskrit professor from nearby

came in. He shared with us many wonderful stories about this place.

Visvaroopam, Abigamanam, and Ijjya were completed in a splendid manner.

Everyone was happy. The difficulties of the previous night seemed a

distant memory. Challenge and delight come in cycles during travel. We

were ready for another day's journey. Our next stop was Brindavan, about

280 KM away.

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