A Tribute to PouNDarikapuram ANDavan SwAmi

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A tribute to H.H. Srimad Andavan of Poundarikapuram Ashramam

 

Dear Bhagavatas:

The Tanian (dedicatory verse) of Prakritam Srimad ParavAkoTTai GOpAla

Desika MahAdEsikan of ANDavan of PounDarikapuram Ashramam, reads as

follows:

SrivAsa Ranga ParakAla MunitrayAbda LakshmAtma

RakshaNa Yathitva YugAga MAntham /

AachArya Bhakthi Pari bhootham Anargha Seelam

GOpAala Desika MUNIM GURUM AasrayAmah //

(meaning)

"We seek refuge at the sacred feet of our revered AchAryan,

Sri GOpAla MahA Desikan, who received the sacred rites of

SamAsrayaNam , Bhara SamarpaNam, ThurIyAsramam and the wealth of

Ubhaya VedAntham from the three great AchAryAs, Srinivasa MahA

Desikan, Sri RanganAtha MahA Desikan and ParakAla MaTam SwAmi. He

shines with illustrious sadAchAram and is resplendent with his

limitless AachArya Bhakthi"

 

You will find two very significant words in this Tanian.

Can you guess what?

They are the words "Munim" and "Gurum".

What is so special about this?

"MUNIM"

The word "Muni" means "a Saint, Sage, Seer, Ascetic, Monk, Devotee,

Hermit (especially one who has taken the vow of silence)" Vide Monier

Williams Sanskrit to English Dictionary (page 823). It is derived

from the root "Mouna" meaning "Silence, Holding one's tongue"(ibid

p837)

 

All the AchAryas of our RamAnuja - Desika SathsampradAyam are

indeed "munis" and "Gurus" in terms of the above definition. Srimad

ANDavan of PounDarikapuram Ashramam is verily a "MunisrEshTa"- a

living example for every definition of the word "muni" as mentioned

above.

 

He is known not only for his "JnAnam" (Knowledge), "AachAram"

(Cleanliness both physical and personal) and "anushTAnam" (strictest

adherence to the Code of conduct enjoined in the scriptures for the

ascetic order) but also for his conscientious adherence to this

characteristic of a true "muni"

 

"The acid test of real spiritual leaders is that they never project

themselves as 'somebody', never show off their powers of Siddhis,

never indulge in magic, never seek after disciples and never presume

to indoctrinate others. They withdraw into seclusion, practice their

Dharmic duties unostentatiously in humble dedication to God, shun

publicity and are content to be inconspicuous, selective in choosing

only deserving students who would follow their own code of conduct

before imparting to them the eternal truths. They have to

be 'searched for and sought after' than their 'searching, and

scanning'. They do not hanker after name or fame, are prepared to

pass into oblivion 'Un-sung. Un-honored, Un-wept' by the mere mortals

because their minds and vision are truly fixated on the

transcendental reality".

 

(Quote from the concluding paragraph of the series "Oh! My God!" now

being serialized in Religious journals in India like "Sri KAnchi

PeraruLALan" and " Nrisimhapriya" diglot edition, published in

Hyderabad from this YugAdhi day).

 

Our SwAmi answers precisely to the above description:

* To this day, in the matter of discipline, he is absolutely and

uncompromisingly strict on himself and those who approach him.

* To this day, he has lived almost always in Srirangam;

* To this day, he had never sought after name or fame.

* To this day, he never went out soliciting Sishyas;

* To this day, to genuine seekers who seek his advice

he has never failed to impart true knowledge

* To this day, he has lived in seclusion SILENTLY meditating on

the Lord.

* He is blind to others' faults; deaf to scandals; mute in the sense

of avoiding vain talk.

 

Living in the 21st century, he still upholds the old-world values.

Strict on himself, he is practical enough to understand the

predicament of common folk like us. He offers sensible and really

"sage" advice on the appropriate "modus operandi" to reconcile the

great time-divide and space-divide to prove how even in the so

called present circumstances and the much touted modern day

compulsions, one can and should practice Srivaishnavam.

 

He is the one who can advise exactly where "relaxation ends and

where repugnance starts" in observing "anushTAnams" for us (who seek

to excuse ourselves on grounds of being away from our mainland and away from

the values of yore).

 

Thus, the words "Muni" and "Guru" just fit him well.

 

He is the Senior most of all Prakritam yathivaras of Bhagavad

RamAnuja-Swami Desika SathsampradAyam both in point of age and

assumption of the ascetic order (Ashrama sweekaraNam), which latter

is the criterion for determining the seniority among them. He is not

only a fitting successor to the glorious lineage of the

PounDarikapuram Ashramam but also a role model for all other

yathivaras, in the matter of his superb "AtmaguNas".

 

No wonder, he is hailed verily as "VasishTa" among them and held

in very high esteem by all. The fact that all yathivaras of our

SathsampradAyam are congregating to celebrate his SathAbhishEkam

"speaks" volumes about this "silent" MunisrEshTa.

 

VADOOLA GOTRAM:

You will remember that a while ago, I had mentioned about the glory

of "Naitrava KAsyapa" GOtram and how the word "MADabhoosi", became a

variant form of "MAtrubhooshaNam" which the famed "Naitrava KAsyapa"

Rishi was. Every GOtram has its own unique glory.

 

I have heard in Kalakshepams that the uniqueness of `VAdoola GOtram"

is that those belonging to it are such `Viraktas" that they never ask

for any favors, much less any pecuniary favors from anyone, however

dire their circumstances may be. Their palm when outstretched is

always "down-facing" (signifying giving) and never "up-facing"

(signifying receiving).

 

I understand that this mahAn belongs to this "VAdoola GOtram".

 

He never asks for anything either for himself or even for any

kainkaryams he undertakes or even for running the Ashramam. If

Sishyas or AbhimAnis offer any genuine and voluntary help, he accepts

them regarding it as "Bhagavad anugraham". His rectitude can be seen

in how personally and scrupulously he monitors that assistance

received in this manner is spent precisely for the purpose for which

it is received from the donors.

 

PANGUNI- ROHINI

I remember to have read somewhere (but at this point of time, I do not

remember where). When the Lord decided to take His abode between the

two kAvEris (ubhaya kAverI), He did so on a "Panguni ROhiNi" day. Our

SwAmi's Tirunakshatram is also "Panguni ROhiNi". I believe that this

is not a mere coincidence but seems to have a special significance.

When we celebrate his "SathAbhishEkam", we are simultaneously

celebrating this sankalpam of the Lord of "BhoolOka VaikunTam".

 

In a fund raising appeal, MahAkavi BhArathiyAr said:

"nidhi migunthavar porkuvai thAreer

nidhi kuraindhavar kAsugaL thAreer"

Meaning:

"Those who have lots of money, donate pots of gold

Those who do not have enough, give whatever they can, even some coins"

 

While true to his nature, the AchAryan may not expect, it is our duty

to provide funds for the celebrations and make it a grand success.

May I humbly request you to contribute generously for the 81st

Jayanthi celebration slated for March 24-31, 2001?

 

Contributions from the USA are tax exempt. Please mail your checks

to: SMSA Inc, c/o Smt. Nagu Satyan, 7821 W Alder Drive Littleton, CO

80128 Please indicate on the memo of your check that your

contribution is for Srimad Poundarikapuram Ashramam.

 

For those in India, please draw the checks or drafts in favor of

"S.P.A.V Trust, 81st Jayanthi a/c and send to

SrikAryam, Srimad Poundarikapuram Andavan Ashramam,

43- A/13, Asramam Road, Srirangam, TRICHY. PIN 620006, India.

 

I would request everyone of you to donate whatever you can for this

once-in–a lifetime SathAbhishEkam celebrations of this AchAryan

hailed as "God walking on earth" (naDamADum deivam) The celebrations

will start in the next few days. Here is your golden opportunity to

be a part of these celebrations by contributing your mite and receive

the blessings of the Lords of Panguni-RohiNi, the Divyadhampathis of

Srirangam and the Sage of Panguni-ROhiNi, YathisrEshTa of Srirangam.

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

 

 

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