Appeal from Srikaryam Swami of Srimad Poundarikapuram Ashramam

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Sri:

 

SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,

 

Dear Bhaktas,

 

Adiyen is forwarding an appeal by Srikaryam Swami, Srimad Poundarikapuram

Ashramam for the

publication of a book, the details of which are provided below. Smt. Nagu

Satyan has kindly agreed to

set up the vehicle through SVSS/SMSS for forwarding your tax exempt

contributions from the USA

Please contribute generously to this most worthy cause. Please mail your tax

exempt contributions to

Sri Malolan Seva Association (SMSA)

7821 West Alder Drive

Littleton, CO 80128-5522

 

Namo Narayana,

 

SriMuralidhara Dasan

 

***************************Appeal***********************************************

 

I am intending to bring out a book in Kannada entitled "Samskara Sourabha".

A synopsis of the book

is enclosed herewith. The cost of printing is expected to be around Rs. 1.30

lakhs for 1000 copies

of 1000 pages in 1/8 demmy size. So, I am requesting you Sir, to kindly

finance for the same and oblige.

I shall be ever grateful to you Sir, for the financial assistance for this

publication.

 

Thanking You,

 

Yours Faithfully,

 

Dr. A. Anantha Narasimhachar

 

****************************Synopsis********************************************\

*

 

The text Samskara Sourabha is a book of a critical study of the South Indian

Brahminical Samskaras. As

the book gives the hidden fragrance (sourabha) of the Samskaras to the

readers, the text has thus been

entitled Samskara Sourabha (the fragrance of Samskaras).

 

The Vedas are unique in expounding the relationship of man with universe.

This approach of Vedas is

gaining recognition in the present day scientific world. The effect of

cosmic radiation on humans is now

well known and is being extensively used all over the world for Holistic

method of healing ailments.

 

Samskara is a Sanskrit word which means purificatory rites. Our sages felt

that a birth as a human is unique and should be utilized fully. The

Samskaras are primarily a means to improve the qualities of

human beings. This can be illustrated as follows: A boulder is just a rock.

If a figure is carved out of it an

installed in a temple, it becomes an object of worship.

 

In this book, an attempt has been made to trace the Brahminical Samskaras

through their origin and

development. They have a long and varied past. Many of them go back to a

hoary antiquity and some

of them still survive. In course of time, they hav undergone many changes

and modifications because of

the influence of the economical, sociological, psychological, and

geographical conditions of the people.

The Samskaras are described in some hymns of the Vedas, a few Brahmanas, the

Grhyasutras, the

Dharmasutras, the Smrutis and the later treatises. So an endeavor has been

made here to link together

these scattered materials into a comprehensive whole and to supply a

historical perspective for their

proper understanding.

 

The book presents a comprehensive account of the rites, ceremonies, and

customs underlying the

Samskaras; an examination of these samskaras from the modern practical point

of view; the intrinsic

merits and practical utility and significance; the impact of sociological,

psychological, economical,

physiological, religious and philosophical influences in the practice of

these Samskaras; and finally

an intent to present the material in a manner that can be readily understood

by the present day younger

generation.

 

This work was originally written as a thesis for which Bangalore Univsersity

awarded the author a

Ph.D. degree in 1998. It represents work carried out by the author for more

than 25 years and

presents insights gained by the author's experience and training under his

father (who was

the Srikaryam Swami of Srimad Poundarikapuram Ashramam) and great Mahans,

who have

adorned the Peetam of Andavan Swami of Srimad Poundarikapuram Ashramam. As

many of the people

from Karnataka have requested the author to write the thesis in Kannada, the

author has written the

same in Kannada. The author intends to translate the thesis into Tamil,

English, and Hindi for the

benefit of other interested readers.

 

____

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