PRAKRITAM AZHAGIYA SINGHAR (PART 9)

[Guest guest]

PRAKRITAM AZHAGIYA SINGHAR,

MY ACHARYA, FRIEND, PHILOSOPHER AND GUIDE (PART 9)

 

Dear Bhagavatas:

Presented below is Part 9 on the above subject being excerpts from my talk

during the 600th Anniversary Celebrations of Ahobila Matam held at New York

during the first week of September 1998.

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

 

SAPTADI MAHOTSAVAM OF POUNDARIKAPURAM ANDAVAN

 

· March 22, 1991, was a memorable day. That was the Saptadi day of Sri Gopala

Desika Maha Desikan, Prakritam Parvakkottai Andavan of Poundarikapuram Swami

Asramam.

 

· I had booked two berths by the Rockfort Express for Our Swami and myself for

attending the celebrations at Srirangam. Sri Lakshmi Narasimhan, who is an

Officer in the State Bank of India, Alwarpet Branch, Madras and the first son

of our Swami in his Poorvasramam (whom we call by his pet name Raghu) brought

our Swami to Egmore station where I was waiting to receive him as previously

arranged.

 

 

· When during one of his visits to my house (in the interval between two

Kalakshepam classes), I expressed my desire to take up some advertisement

space in the Saptadi Mahotsava Malar of PP Andavan as a token of dedication to

my Acharya. Our Swami suggested the passage occurring as the Prathama

Prasnah in Sikshavalli - Saamhineer Devata Upanishad - Santhi Paatam of

Taittriya Upanishad, which prays for the protection of both the Acharya and

Sishya

" Sanno Mitras Sam Varunah…Tanmaa Avatu, Tad Vaktaaram Avatu, Avatu Maam,

Avatu Vaktaaram…" as the appropriate wordings to appear. Accordingly, this has

appeared in the Saptadi Mahotsava Malar immediately after the conclusion of

the article by Sri Ranga Priya Yathi "Sriranga Srees Cha Vardhathaam." That PP

Andavan Swami was very pleased to see this needs no mention.

 

· As we arrived at Srirangam, we took an Autorikshaw to the Asramam. Since the

Veda Paaraayanam was going on there, Swami told me- "Take Prasadam of

Abigamanam at Ahobila Mutt itself; It will be too late for your lunch at the

Asramam" How thoughtful and how concerned he was that I should be fed on time!

 

· The Yathi and the Yathi - to - be were closeted for a while discussing some

personal matters. I was standing at a respectable distance, lest I should feel

an intruder in their conversations. I was thrilled and pleasantly shocked when

both of them beckoned me to come near and join them. I still wonder how both

the Acharyas deemed me worthy of being invited to the privy of their meeting!

And, I still wonder how I deserved this bhagyam! One thing I could understand

was that our Swami was seeking guidance on some sensitive issues from, his

mentor, the PP Andavan. As the discussions were too private, I am leaving them

out here.

 

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