PRAKRITAM AZHAGIYA SINGHAR (PART 14)

[Guest guest]

PRAKRITAM AZHAGIYA SINGHAR,

MY ACHARYA, FRIEND, PHILOSOPHER AND GUIDE (PART 14)

 

Dear Bhagavatas,

Presented below is Part 14 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

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SWAMI'S QUIZ SESSIONS

 

Now and then, our Swami would pose some questions in the course of his

Kalakshepams. Maybe to ensure how alert the listeners is; Maybe to ensure a

more active listeners' participation; Maybe to illustrate some esoteric

underlying the context. Of course, he would finally provide the answers in his

own unique style. Like a born teacher, he would use this technique with

telling effect.

 

I will mention a few by way of example. I will also give the answers as stated

by our Swami in a subsequent posting. Meanwhile, you may try to figure out the

answers. Let me assure you that it is not too difficult to find the answers,

though.

 

· Quiz # 1: You are proceeding alone in a dense forest area. It is so dark and

there is not a single soul anywhere around who could guide. You do not know

the way to your destination. Suddenly you bump on a crossing of four roads.

You notice a pole indicating the directions lying on the ground at a distance.

How would you determine how to proceed to your destination?

 

· Quiz # 2: A similar one. In the above circumstances, it is time for you to

do your Sandya Vandanam. Even stars are not seen on the sky. You do not have

any instrument like mariner's compass. You do not see any water anywhere

nearby. How will you determine which is east and which is west and what will

you do to perform the Nityanushtana, when there is no water?

 

· Quiz # 3: Which is greater of the two? Lord's hands or his feet and why?

 

· Quiz # 4: You have read in Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam that Lakshmana promised

"Aham Sarvam Karishyaami". But, did he really act as promised?

 

You have also read that when Sri Sita accused Ilayalwar of inappropriate

behavior on hearing Maricha's wail aloud in the voice of Rama "Hey! Lakshmana!

Hey Sita! He left Sita alone against the orders of Rama to guard her.

 

Now, the question is what do you think Nammalwar would have done in similar

circumstances instead of Ilayalwar, to ensure obedience to the orders of both

Rama and Sita?

 

NOTE 1. There are indeed many more such queries but for want of space, I am

leaving them out here.

 

NOTE 2. We propose to open up a feature of "Quiz Program" in Saranagathi

Journal shortly. You may await a volley of queries there and try to find

appropriate answers. Of course, we will publish the best answer in the next

issue and if no correct answer is received, we will provide them as per our

Acharyas.

 

NOTE 3. We also propose to open a "Question Box" to accommodate queries and

doubts from our readers. We will try to answer them to the best of our

knowledge and ability. If, however, a query needs reference to source

materials or to our Acharyas back home, we will consult them in order to to

provide an authoritative reply. This will naturally be time-consuming and we

seek the indulgence of the readers.

 

(To Continue)