Proceedings of 3rd Bay Area NAMA Sri Vaishnava Sathsangham

[Guest guest]

Sri Raamajayam

 

SrimathE GopAla DEsika MahADEsikAya Namaha

 

Dear Bhagavathaas,

 

On Sunday the 23rd Jan 2000, we had gathered at the residence of

Smt.Malathi and Sri.Parthasarathy, to celebrate the Thiru

Nakshathiram(Birthday) of our beloved Thirumazhisai Azhvaar(23rd

Jan, Thai Makam) and Koorathazhvaan(26th Thai Hastham). A lot of

Bhagavathaas showed up unmindful of the rains. The event started

with a brief rendering of Guru Parampara/Acharya Thaniyan,

followed by Thirupaavai, Nyaasa Dasaksam and Sri.Sudarsanashtakam

all the serene and richly decorated Perumaal Sannidhi of

Smt/Sri.Parthasarathy.

 

Sri Vijay Triplicane, was the star of the day, speaking on

Thirumazhisai Azhvaar. The Upanyaasam of Sri.Vijay needs a

definite mention, since it stressed on the Azvhaars Avathaaram,

Vaibhavam as well as a beautiful rendering with explanation on

Thiruchanthaviruttham. Sri.Vijay brought rich inferences, where

we are and who he is(Perumaal), comparing notes of Nammazhvaar,

Thirumangai Azhvaar and Andaal(we are 'Arivonrum illaatha Aai

Kulathu' and he is 'Kurai Onrum illatha Govindhan') and his grace

is like a waterfall gushing into the great holes of our

weaknesses, filling it with his compassion. The very first verse

of Thiruchanthaviruttham, was explained so well, that Adiyen and

many others could think of nothing but our Azhvaar and Perumaal.

 

"Poonilaya ainthumaai punarkkan ninra naangumaai

Theenilaya Moonrumaai Siranthakaalirandhumaai

Meenilaya Onrumaagi Veru Veru Thanmaiyai

Neenilaaya Vannam Ninnai Yaar Ninaikka Vallarae?"

 

The gist for other Bhagavathaas is, that the Azhvaar says the

Bhoomi has five properties, Water Four, Fire three, Wind two and

the Sky one and all of these Panchbootham is encompassed in your

mightiness, and who can get a complete picture and think of you

in total?

 

Sri Vijay continued with, Azhvaar assuming responsibility of

Perumaal as his son, and continues with the Paasuram "Nadantha

Kaalgal Nonthavoe......Ezhunthu Pesu Kesava". The Perumaal has

wandered through forests(as in Sri.Rama, Kanagamellam thirinthu

Un Kariya Thirumaeni Vaada, Periyaazhvaar Paasuram) and has

measured the world with his feet(Ulagalantha Perumaal). The

Azhvaar is concerned that his little boy, Chella Kannan, feet

should be paining. The Azhvaar is so much pained that he demands

the lord to answer him. Of course our Lord is Adiyaarku Adiyaar,

how can he not answer his father, he consoled our Azhvaar that

indeed he is fine..... Then there was this famous incident of

the Queen who in her Poorva-rajabhogam, was a old woman doing

kaimkaryam to Azhvaar, who got transformed to a Yuvathi, by

Azhvaar and got married to the King. The King in his greed to

regain his youth, demands this service from Kanikannan(brother

from Azhvaars adopted parents), who refuses the King and the King

banishes him. Azhvaar was pained and demands his near and

dear(including Perumaal) to pack and leave the kingdom. Of

course our 'Sonna Vanna Seitha Perumaal' of Thiruvekkha

(Yathokthakaari), folds his Pambanai(Adisesha), and walks behind

Azhvaar like a obedient son. The King realizes his folly and

seeks pardon at the feet of the Azhvaar. Sri.Vijay narrated

several other incidents in the Azhvaars life(like indicating the

Vedas to brahmins who stopped reciting when they saw the Azhvaar

and forgot where they left) and Azhvaar displaying Sriman

Naarayana in him.

 

At the end of the Upanyaasam we realized that our schedule was

delayed by 1.5 hrs, since everyone including Sri.Vijay were

engrossed in Thirumazhisai Azhvaar. We continued with Thaligai

Samarpanam(it was like Maya Bazaar, Smt/Sri.Parthasarathy along

with their near and dear made a grand feast for Perumaal, that

Adiyen have to harden the stand that we should partake less of

food in future to make more time for Azhvaar and Perumaal

Anubhavam. Anyway it was Adiyen's fault for n> ot making it

clear upfront and have to be the guy complaining about such a

grand meal. Bhagavathaas please pardon me for this Apachaaram).

 

Having feasted well, we continued with Adiyen's Siru Upanyaasam

on Koorathazhvaan. Adiyen presented a brief charithram of

Azhvaar and his greatness in our Sampradayam. Adiyen chose to

speak more on Azhvaan's works(Panchasthavam) which speak for

itself, taking a sloka from each of the Sthavam. Adiyen

emphasized the importance of an Acharya and his words as

Pramaana, taking the lead shown by Koorathazhvaan. In this

context, Adiyen tried to substantiate how Koorathazhvaan words

were like "Thirumangalyam" if Vedas were a richly decorated

lady, thus justifying Parasara Bhattar's words on Azhvaan. In

conclusion we recited Koorathazhvaan Vazhi Thirunaamam together.

 

Then we had a feast for our eyes and ears in the presentation of

Acharya Ramanuja Multimedia CD ROM, and it took everyone in

amazement by this monumental efforts put into realizing this

masterpiece. Adiyen has set up a table under 'database' at

nama_bay , where Bhagavathaas can reserve a CD for

them and their near and dear.

 

It was already 3pm(we were supposed to close by 12.15pm), but we

were still not content. So Sri.Krishna Parthasarathy, continued

to please Azhvaar and us, with "Brova Bhaarama" and

Naeyar(Sangeetha Abhimaani) Viruppam. It is delightful to see

such talented Sri Vaishnavites emerging in the Bay Area. We

continued with a Mangala Aarathi for Azhvaar and Perumaal, and

we brought the function to Sampoornam.

 

Then most of us proceeded towards the Thirupaavai concert at the

residence of Smt.Rama Narasimha and Sri.M.J.Narasimha...Adiyen

will mail a seperate posting on this function, as it was equally

delightful towards Perumaal, Acharyas and us.

 

Adiyen Sri Raamanuja Daasan,

 

Sudarsana Dasosmi

[Guest guest]

Dear Sudarsan,

Ur note regarding the recent NAMA satsangham in the Bay area was excellent.

There are a couple of things that i would like to put forth:

i) The only word that i can think of is "ENVY", for the wonderful time and

experiences

the Bay area folks get to enjoy.

ii) Is there some way Sri.Vijay Triplicane and others such as Urself, Mani (and

others) be coaxed in to moving to Denver Colorado???

 

Always enjoy ur write-up.

 

adiyen, Ramanuja dasan

(srinivasan)