PRAKRITAM AZHAGIYA SINGHAR (PART 16)

[Guest guest]

PRAKRITAM AZHAGIYA SINGHAR,

MY ACHARYA, FRIEND, PHILOSOPHER AND GUIDE (PART 16)

 

Dear Bhagavatas,

Presented below is Part 16 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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SANNYASDA SWEEKARANAM (CONTD)

 

· "ABISHINCHYA NARA VYAAGRAM":

Parvaakkottai Sri Gopala Desika Maha Desikan being the Seniormost of the

Yathis (next only to 44th Jeeyar) both in point of age as well as date of

assuming Sannyasa Asramam is hailed as "Vasishta" by all other Yathis of our

Satsampradayam. As such, he had the honor of presiding over the whole

function. He blessed our Swami with Vasishta Maharishi's Sri Rama

Pattabhisheka Slokam " Abishinchya Nara Vyaagram" and sprinkled holy waters

brought from many Punya Theerthams especially for the function.

 

· TRIDANDAM AND KAASHAAYA DHAARANAM

The most important appurtenance for a Sannyasi in our Sampradayam is the

holding of Tridandam and donning the ochre robe. Around 12 noon, the Tridandam

made of bamboo brought specially from Ahobilam (where Aadhi Vann Satakopar

received Tridandam from Lord Nrisimha himself) and Azhagiya Singhar presented

the robes to our Swami. Our Swami then proceeded to Kaveri (Kollidam) for

Avabruta Snaanam.

 

· ASSUMING AS CHINNA JEEYAR:

On return from the river, straight our Swami proceeded to where Azhagiya

Singhar was lodged and fell at his feet three times. The Azhagiya Singhar took

him to the Malolan Sannidhi and called him "Chinna Jeeyar" and presented him

to Malolan, like a mother would present her baby to her husband! Thus,

knighted as it were the two came to be recognized as "Periya Jeeyar"and

""Chinna Jeeyar". Periya Jeeyar also presented him the Prasadams received from

Tiruvallur, Ahobilam and other Divya Desams and told our Swami " From today

onwards, you take over the responsibilities of Tiruvaradana Kramams". Thus,

from day 1, our Swami assumed full charge of these Kainkaryams. Even Injimettu

Azhagiya Singhar had to wait for 12 years from 1929 to 1941 before he could

assume the Tiruvaradana Kainkaryam

 

· THE GRAND PROCESSION:

With Veda gosham reverberating, with Vaadhyams being played loud and clear,

our Swami was taken in procession atop the elephant belonging to the Asramam

to the special place allotted for him in the same premises. Thus, started the

grand regime of Chinna Azhagiya Singhar with a bang.

 

· SWAMI'S ONLY REGRET:

Our Swami confided in a private conversation that he did not mind giving up

all else. But, his only regret was that he would be missing the devoted

Srothas who were attending his Kalakshepams with such keen interest. He openly

expressed " Where will I get such Srothas like you? Even if there are a few,

my preoccupations with the affairs of the Matam will not let me take

Kalakshepam classes a I have been doing ". But. Today, millions of Sishyas

across the world are listening to his Pravachanams through Tele conferences

What was our private privilege so far has now become public property and

rightly so.

(To Continue)

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