SF Bay Area: November 28th Celebrations Report

[Guest guest]

Sri Raamajayam

Srimathe Gopaala Desika Mahaa Desikaya Namaha

 

Dear Bhagavathaas,

 

On Nov 28th November 1999, Bhagavathaas from

the Bay Area had gathered at Adiyen's residence to celebrate

Thirumangai, Thirupaanazhvaar and Nampillai Thirunakshathiram.

 

The event was blessed with very nice pictures of Thirumangai

Azhvaar, who was seated next to our Acharyas (Sri Raamanuja, Sri

Desikar and Sri Manavaala Maamunigal) all facing the Divya

Dhampathis.

 

The event started with rendering of Thaniyans to our Guru

Parampara. Respecting our tradition, Thirupalliezhuchi,

Thiruppaavai and other Azhvaar Paasurams were skipped this month.

 

Subsequently Alavandaar's Chathusloki was recited followed by

Sri.Mani's explanation of the Divya Gunaas of Thayaar, Sri Mahaa

Lakshmi who is inseperably united to Perumaal, from the

Chathusloki.

 

Followed by this Adiyen gave a short introduction on the Azhvaars

and Nampillai Avataaram and Vaibhavam.

 

Then Sri.Srinivasan Iyengar (Fremont) made an excellent

presentation on Sri Valmiki Raamayana, presenting the Kalyaana

Gunaas of Sri Raama in Sri.Valmiki's words. The main gist was

how the Divinity of Raama as the Supreme emerges in the Raamayana

even though Sri.Raama does his best to suppress his divinity

(Amanushyathvam) (on a comparitive note all other Raamayanas

visualize Raama as God and then the text was written).

Interesting incidents from the Bala/Ayodhya/Sundara/Yuddha Kandam

and Uttara Kandam were talked about in great detail, so much so

that we had to break before the next Upanyaasam.

 

During the break Bhagavad Prasaadam was distributed and

Bhagavathaas introduced themselves.

 

Soon Sri.Mani (San Francisco) talked briefly on our Azhvaars and

started talking in greater length on our Kaliyan (Thirumangai

Azhvaar) and his great works. The way he rendered the Siriya

Thiru Madal brought everyone into joy. Sri.Mani also spoke on

interesting incidents from the Azhvaars life, including his

marriage to Kumudhavalli Thayaar, his transformation from a

chieftain to a Srivaishnavite and then to a thief (who stole

Ashtaakshara for us?) and finally his Divya Anubhavam with

Perumaal (threating to write a Madal if the Maa Mayan does not

take him to be his consort). With that we were able to take the

sweetest medicine for sins.

 

Even though we have no Thirupaanazhvaar Paasurams outside

Amalanaathipiraan, Sri.Mani made a beautiful explanation how the

Azhvaar packed the gist of the Vedas in such a short work, and how

great a Parama Bhagavathaa the Azhvaar was. Recollection of

Sri.Desikar on "Our Paananathan" was mentioned very nicely.

 

Sri.Mani spoke on our Nampillai, and how indispensable he is in

our Sri Vaishnava Parampara. Interesting incidents from this

Acharyas life were brought to light by Sri.Mani.

 

Finally the group recited Sri Vishnu Sahasranaama and performed

Mangalam to the Azhvaars and Acharyas to bring the event to a

close for the day.

 

The event was very fulfilling that we extended the schedule by

atleast 2 hours. All of us were able to feel the Paripoorna

Anugraham of our Acharyas & Divya Dhampatis. This should serve

as a great start for our Sri Vaishnava Sathsangam in the Bay Area

and I am sure it will continue to grow and prosper in the coming

months and years.

 

Adiyen Sri Raamanuja Daasan,

 

Sudarsana Dasosmi