Guest guest Posted October 21, 2000 Report Share Posted October 21, 2000 Sriman! Sri Ranga Sriyam anubadravam anudinam samvardhaya/ Sriman! Sri Ranga Sriyam anubadravam anudinam samvardhaya/ Kaveri VardhathAm KalE, kAlE varshathu vAsava:/ Sri RanganAthO jayathu Sri Ranga Sris cha VardhathAm// ============================================================= SRI RANGA SRI Volume I / Issue 3 dated 21stth October 2000 ============================================================= In this Issue: Deepavali Greetings from Sri Ranga Sri and Editorial 1. "Sriranga Vijayam" Purisai Sri Krishnamachariar Swami. 2. "Sri BAshyAmrutham"- Part I : An Introduction 3. "AchArya Vamsa Vriksham" - Part 31 A - Anbil Ramaswamy. 4. "Learn our Sampradayam the easy way" -Lesson 8 " Dharma" 5. "Sri Vaishnava Sampradayam" - Sri D. Soundararajan Swami. ============================================================= Deepavali Greetings from Sri Ranga Sri : Dear Bhagavatas: We wish you a very Happy Deepavali. Thava JyOthir Jwalathu! Let your light shine. Let the festival of lights light and delight our live ============================================================= Editorial : Hope you have gone through the first 2 issues of "" inaugurated on 8th October 2000 on the Tirunakshatram day of Swami Desikan, with the Srimukhams blessings of almost all YathisrEshtas and AchAryas. Membership : Within a week, the number of rs to the journal has hit the century mark and many more requests are being received everyday. If You are satisfied. tellyour friends, who may be interested, to join by sending a message to Srirangasri- If not, please tell us ! Materials received: We have been blessed with not only the Srimukhams but also with a plethora of articles of quality on the various aspects of our Sampradayam - running to several hundreds of pages besides several recordings on audio cassettes exclusively for publishimg in "" (e. g) HH. ParakAla Matam Jeeyar, SarvaSri Purisai Krishnamachar Swami, V.S, Karunakaran Swami, Seva Swami, M.K.Srinivasan Swami, Srivatsankachar Swami, Uruppattur Soundararajan Swami and many others. We have to stagger the releases and the articles with minimal editing to suit the electronic journal format. In this Issue, we feature the following: 1. SRIRANGA VIJAYAM: Since the journal is named "Sri Ranga Sri", Sri Purisai Swami commanded that we commence with his series "Sriranga Vijayam" on the glory of Srirangam and the Divya Dhampathis there. 2. "SRI BASHYAMRUTAM" - An introduction by HH Srimad Andavan of Poundarikapuram Asramam and a short synopsis of the contents of Bhagavad Sri Ramanyjacharya's "Sri Bashyam" by Late Tirupputkuzhi Narasimha Tatachariar Swami of Sri Hayagriva Vidya Peetam. (Due to space constraints, other topics relating to "GitAmrutam", "PrabandhAmrutam" and "DesikAmrutam" will be taken up subsequently) 3. "ACHARYA VAMSA VRIKSHAM": This series was commenced as commanded by HH Srimad Andavan of Poundarikapuram Asramam and was being serialized in "SaraNAgathi" journal earlier, upto Part 30. The Parampara of Ahobila Matam has been exhaustively dealt with in "AchArya Vaibhavam" by Sri VisishTadvaita Pracharini Sabha. As for TennAchArya lineage, Sri A. Krishnamachari Swami of "Sri Vaishnava Sri" informed that they have already provided information through their Home page. As per HH's direction and the demand from many readers, we continue the series now from Part 31. featuring the details of Munitraya lineage of Poundarikapuram Asramam and Srirangam Srimad Andavan of Periyasramam. For the latter, Sri R. Srinivasan of Brakes, India Ltd, and Sri Natteri Rajagopalan Swami, Editor of Sri Ranganatha Paduka have made available relevant materials. After this, we propose to cover the AchArya Parampara of other Munitraya lineages (for which we have secured materials from concerned Sishyas) as well as Sri ParakAla mutt, for which HH Abhinava Vageesa Brahma Tantra Swatantra Swami has provided a couple of books (1 in English and 1 in Kannada) besides 2 other articles in Kannada. We hereby convey our heartfelt thanks to them. 4. "SAMPRADAYA LESSONS": Sri Seva Swami had asked that his Tamil lessons be translated into English and published in the Internet journal. 7 out of 20 lessons for Grade I were published in "SaraNAgathi" journal. While some felt that the series was "kidstuff", we have received encouragement from many readers who demanded continuing the same, as being most useful for the younger generation, especially on this side of the globe. In fact, it was meant to be "kidstuff" and written with the specific purpose of educating the kids (being raised here) on the basics of our tradition. Sri M.K.Srinivasan Swami has also translated both the parts in English and has kindly provided the same to us. We will serialize his translation for Part II after completing the lessons of Part I. He has observed- " I shall be writing in the form of letters to children. It will be really "KIDSTUFF". As long as there are kids and kids continue to come into this world, we cannot stop kidstuff! Does anyone stop manufacturing toys? In fact, they make newer and newer toys each time. "Arichuvadi" continues to be published with glossier pictures. Let me be known as a 'Kidman' rather as anything else" 5."SRI VAISHNAVA SAMPRADAYAM- A FEW IMPORTANT POINTS". Tiruvheendrapuram Uruppattur Chakravarthi Soundararaja Iyengar, Chairman of Hayagriva Vidya PeeTam and of the Board of Editors of "Sri Kanchi Perarulalan" has provided us with his booklet entitled as above. This will be useful for those who have outgrown their "kid stage". The author provides in a capsule form the salient points relating to our Sampradayam so lucidly that it will be a kind of "refresher" for the "learned ones" also. Dasoham. Anbil Ramaswamy. Editor and Publisher "Sri Ranga Sri" ============================================================= 1. "SRI RANGA VIJAYAM" - (Sri Bashya Saramruthavarshi Sri Bashaya Simhasanam, Sri U.Ve. Purisai Nadadur Krishnamachariar Swami, Editor & Publisher, Sri Nrisimhapriya) ============================================================= The word "Koil" may apply to all holy places where the Lord appears in His iconic (archa) form but Srirangam is known as "Periya Koil" to signify its unparalleled importance. The Lord Himself is known as "Periya PerumAL" BhagavAn whose permanent abode is in Paramapadam, in His Archa form descended to Satyalokam where He was worshipped by Brahma and other Devas. When the same Bhagavan, descended down to earth, He was worshipped by Sri Rama in His Vibhavam. Since Sri Rama Himself is an emanation of PerumAl, the Lord worshipped by him came to be known as "Periya PerumAL". When Sri Rama presented his IshTadevata to his Companion, VibheeshaNa, (thuNaiyAna VeedaNarkku thunaiyAm) and the latter carried Him towards his capital in Lanka, the Lord, attracted by the beauty and the holiness of Srirangam, the island that lay between the two branches of the river Kaveri, (ubhaya KAvEri madhyE) decided to take His abode on earth there and promised Vibheeshana that He would forever bless Lanka with His benign glance. No wonder, Srirangam is known as the "BhoolOka VaikunTam". All the AzhwArs and all the Poorva and Prakritam Acharyas (including Sankara, RamAnuja, Anandatheertha and other streams) have enjoyed and praised our Periya PerumAL. We publish below this series "SriRanga Vijayam" to familiarize the glory of Srirangam and the divine couple to everyone especially the younger generations. (foreword by Sri Narasimharaghavachariar Swami) ============================================================= KAvEri Viraja sOyam VaikunTam Ranga mandiram/ Sa VasudEvO RangEsa: prathyaksham paramam padam// VimAnam praNavAkAram vEda srungam mahAdbutham/ SriRangasAyee BhagavAn praNavArtha prakAsa:// Meaning: This Kaveri river which is holier than even Ganga, is verily the Viraja that flows on the outskirts of SrivaikunTam, where the Lord reclines on the five headed serpent as "ParavAsudEva". Therefore, this Srirangam is verily Paramapada but one that can be seen with mortal eyes by SamsAris. The turret over the sanctum (VimAnam) is the very embodiment of "PraNavam"; the golden domes atop are the "Vedasrungam"- (i.e.) the Upanishads.. This Lord who is reclining under this VimAnam is proclaiming the meaning and significance of PraNavam for our emancipation. (To Continue: The Lord's five forms and the greatness of ArchA) ============================================================= 2. SRI BASHYAMRUTAM VidwAn Tirupputkuzhi Sri Narasimha Tatachariar Swami, (with a foreword by HH. Srimad Andavan of Poundarikapuram Asramam, Srirangam) Foreword from Srimad Andavan: "After the great Sri NammAzhwAr, our VisishTAdvaita SiddhAntam came to be redeemed by Sri Natha Muni through his yOgic powers; nourished by Sri YAmuna Muni , but finally systemized by Sri RamAnuja Muni - this came to be known as "RamAnuja Darsanam". Subsequently, however, due to the some malign influences, doubts arose in the minds of people. Swami Vedanta Desika, effectively and efficiently cleared all doubts through his numerous works firmly re established it once again. So, our Siddhantam came to be called also as "Desika Darsanam". What is Siddhantam? That which is based on the Vedas. Therefore, it is also known as "Vaideeka Matham". "Dvaitam" means "two". Dvaita philosophy holds that the two entities of ParamAtma and JeevAtma are true but also truly different from each other. "Advaitam" means " not two". Advaita philosophy holds that only Brahman is true and all else is false. Jeeva is himself Brahman but suffers under an illusion that it is different from Brahman. Once this illusion is dispelled by knowledge, the Jeeva will shine in its true colors as Brahman. "VisishTadvaitam" holds that the world with the sentient beings and insentient objects and Brahman are true and constitute the body of Brahman and in this sense may be deemed to be one. Together (VisishTa), they are One (Advaita). This is the view of Srivaishnavas. ParAsara Muni in Vishnu PurANam and VyAsa in MahA BhAratham and especially in Brhama Sutram have confirmed this view." (Other portions of Foreword relate purely to the author. Hence, not reproduced here) Sri Narasimha Tatachariar Swami: "All beings in the world seek happiness and take efforts to obtain this. But, what they need seems to elude them but sometimes, they seem to get what they want, unexpectedly. What does this show? That we are dependent (parAdeenam) on some other force. What is this force? On whom are we so dependent? This is answered unambiguously by our Vaideeka Siddhantam, as no other philosophy has been able to . Upanishad declares: "bhOktA bhOghyam prEritAram cha matvA yajushTa: tatha: thEna amrutatvamEthi". This means that EmperumAn is the one on whom everyone and everything depends. He accepts our total surrender to Him and relieves us from all sins and grants Moksham where one can get whatever one desires without let or hindrance. Vedam is true; ParamAtma who is known through Vedam is true; this Universe created by ParamAtma is true; So also, the Vaideeka matham that declares these is true. This has been established by great AchAryas like BhOdAyana. BodhAyana wrote a "vritti" for the Brahma Sutram of Sage VyAsa. Natha Muni and YAmuna Muni wrote several "prakaraNa granthas" like NyAya Tattvam, Siddhitrayam etc. Based on all these, Sri RamAnuja Muni wrote a commentary. This clearly brings out the inner meanings of Vaideeka Siddhantam and was, therefore, praised by Goddess Saraswati who named it "Sri Bashyam" and named its author "Sri BashayakArar". This contains 4 Chapters (Adhyayas), 16 Sections (Padas), 156 Headings (AdhikaraNas) and 545 Aphorisms (Sutrams). (To Continue) ============================================================= 3. "AchArya Vamsa Vriksham" - AVV Part 31-A: Period - K : Between the branching off of Parakaala Mutt and that of Ahobila Mutt - (Anbil Ramaswamy) ============================================================= The Guru-Sishya Parampara from the time of branching off of Parakaala Mutt and that of Ahobila Mutt may be understood as follows: (Authority: AVV Chart, VED and PPM). After Swami Vedanta Desika - Branch I 1. Nainarachariar* 2. Vatsya Varada Guru 3. Varada Vishnuvarya 4. Mahadayadeesar 5. Ahobilachariar 6. Shashta Parankusa Swami Branch II 1. PB Annan* 2. Kidambi Nayanar Branch III 1. Srinivasacharya* 2. Narasimha Desikar 3. Lakshmanacharya 4. Narasimhacharya 5. Tatasuri Branch IV 1. Vadakku Tiruveedhi Pillai* 2. Srirangachar 3. Kesavachariar 4. Srinivasachariar 5. Kesavachariar 6. Adi Vann Satakopar (Numbering given for identification of details below. Available details given. Bhagavats may add further inputs.) ============================================================= 3. "Learn our Sampradayam the easy way" - (Course for kids & beginners) 7 out of 20 lessons of Grade I have so far appeared in "SaraNAgathi Journal and archived at www.Srivaishnava.org/sgati We continue with Lesson # 8 ============================================================= Learn our Sampradayam the easy way (Course for Kids) Grade 1 for Beginners Lesson 8: Dharma (That which sustains) (translated from the original in Tamil by Sri Seva Swami) (Anbil Ramaswamy) The word "Dharma" means "That which sustains". Because it is the basis of honor and harmony, which sustain all life in this world, it is called "Dharma". Without honor and harmony that stem from principled conduct, there can be no peace in the world. It is Dharma that ensures the well being of one's own self and at the same time of those of others with whom one is cast. Dharma is considered the foremost among the four "Purusharthas" (Objectives of life). The practices governing duty, respectability, obedience to law are all founded on scientific principles as much as on Vedanta philosophy. These were handed down to us by our foresighted forefathers as the correct way of life in tune with this Dharma. Dharma should blossom forth in action. All virtuous deeds are called Dharma. Our forebears assure us that these good deeds have the innate capacity to protect our spiritual well being and promote harmony. Dharmic deeds result in "Punya" (Spiritual merit)."Punya" alone can elevate one's soul. People used to bless the King who ruled with Dharma (Righteousness). In the olden days, the great Maharishis (Sages) spelled out for our benefit what Dharma meant. They classified Dharma into two categories - "SAmAnya Dharma" also called "SanaAtana Dharma" (General / Eternal Dharma) and Special Dharma called "Varnaasrama Dharma" based on Caste and stage of life of the individual. "SAmAnya Dharma" is common to all like Truth, Ahimsa etc. These include such acts as building temples, digging wells and tanks, laying roads, erecting stone platforms on roadsides to rest head loads (Sumaithaankis), performing Yaagas and Yagnas, raising groves, gardens and shade yielding trees, providing water supply in kiosks (Thanneer Pandals) to the weary wayfarers, giving succor to the needy and rendering community or social service etc. Special Dharmas differ for those belonging to different Varnas and Asramas. Dharma also varies according to the constraints of Space- divide and Time-divide. Dharma differs as between the husband and wife, the parents and their children, the brother and the sister, the preceptor and disciple, the ruler and the ruled and in short, every relation that could be conceived as between different individuals. In any case, those who strictly follow the individual Dharmas incumbent on them are called "Dhaarmikaas" Lord Rama and Lord Krishna were recognized as the very personification of Dharma. Those who act contrary to these Dharmas (laid down for us humans) are deemed to be bestial. When the disciple leaves the Gurukula (Preceptor's home) after completing his studies, the preceptor used to instruct him some basic codes of conduct. Some of them are - · "Satyam Vadha" (Always tell the truth) · Dharmam Chara" (Act that which is right according to your Dharmas), · Never swerve from what you have learned · Go, get married and beget virtuous children by following the Grihstaasrama Dharmas · Never live off truth and righteousness, even for the sake of dirty lucre · Studying and teaching the Vedas and other scriptures are your duties · Take great care about performing rites towards God (Deva Kaaryam) like Nitya and Naimittika Karmas (Obligatory and occasional duties) and towards forefathers (Pitru Kaaryam) · Respect mother as God (Matru Devo Bhava) · Respect father as God (Pitru Devo Bhava) · Respect your preceptor as God (Aachaarya Devo Bhava) · Respect your guest as God (Athithi Devo Bhava) · You should follow the good conduct advised to us by our elders · You should take care not to be misled by the practices (of others) that are repugnant to Dharma, however attractive they may appear · When you give, give wholeheartedly to those who deserve, and according to your capacity · When in doubt, consult our elders who are well versed, who are selfless, who are devoid of avarice and who have "Vairaghyam" (detachment from worldly attractions) · These are not empty platitudes · Take them as commands as to how you should conduct yourself in day to day life · This is because "Dharma" is the only power that stands by you throughout your life" Though we have not gone through Gurukula Vaasam to get the benefit of these advises directly from our Gurus, they are, nevertheless, equally applicable to us and we can make our lives meaningful by following these tenets. ============================================================= QUESTIONS 1. What is the meaning of the word "Dharma"? 2. Describe the various categories of Dharma? 3. Detail a few of the advises an Acharya imparts to his Sishya at the conclusion of studies? 4. Mention a few "SAmAnya Dharmas"? ============================================================= 5. "Sri Vaishnava Sampradayam- Some Salient points to ponder" (Tiruvaeendrapuram Uruppattur Chakravarthi U.Ve. D. Soundararajan Swami, Chairman, Hayagriva Vidya Peetam & Editor, Kanchi Perarulalan) ================= We have seen generations of Srivaishnavas who staying in such holy places like Kanchi, Srirangam etc., scrupulously observed the religious practices (anushTAnam) doing incessant Bhagavad Kainkaryam so that that the very mention of their names evoked respect and reverence. We have also seen how the generations that followed slowly forgot these practices, took to other occupations abandoning their own, due to economic and other compulsions. We also see how the next generation is heading towards further degeneration and will become rudderless, losing their moorings, worse still, decrying our matham and Sampradayams and running after false gods, Samiyars and ParivAra devatas hoping to seek instant relief for their immediate but petty problems. What a fall for the glorious tradition so laboriously built up by our spiritual masters like NammAzhwAr, Nathamuni, Yamunamuni, Ramanujamuni and Swami Desikan! Today, we have come to a stage when instead of aspirants seeking enlightenment, the preceptors are compelled to carry the message to their doorsteps, only to be cold shouldered! To stop the rot, we have to educate ourselves or refresh ourselves first before proceeding to teach the younger generation. It is in this context, that I have been asked and encouraged by revered Seva Swami to write some of the salient points in the form of short hints, so that those who desire but are too busy may yet have a chance to refresh their memory on the essentials of our Sampradayam. Since, some may be put off on hearing the very mention of "Tattvam", I have attempted to present it in a capsule form in as simple a manner as possible. ==================== There is an old saying that it is rare to get human life and that too without any disabling physical and mental defects. Rarer still is to be born into the Srivaishnava - Sri Desika tradition. Unfortunately, we are not aware of the treasures bequeathed to us by our forefathers. We toil hard all the 24/7/365 running after the mammon without realizing that the wealth so built is but impermanent. We see so many investing in dubious financial schemes lured by high returns promised, only to lose the hard earned money!. This is not to say that money is not needed, For running a family, it is absolutely necessary. It is not how much one earns that is important but how it is earned - whether on dharmic lines or not. Again, it is not how much one spends that is important but how it is spent - whether on dharmic lines or not. This is possible only for those with character and good conduct. What can we do to acquire and nourish these? It is by refreshing ourselves with what our Sampradayam lays down because they are meant to elevate us spiritually. We should first familiarize ourselves with the basics before attempting to know deeper. With this in view, let us begin our study. 1. What is Religion (Matham)? To put it simply, it is a code of conduct for regulating life on earth that has been laid down and followed from time immemorial. 2. What is Vedic Religion (Vaideeka Matham)? Religion which accept the authority of the Vedas and are based strictly on the injunctions laid down therein. By this is precluded all those like Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, Christianity and many others which are outside the ambit of the Vedas (VedabAhyam). 3. What are Vedic Religions (i.e) those which accept the authority of the Vedas? There are 3 branches of Vedic Religion viz., Advaita, Dvaita and VisishtAdvaita. Advaita: is based on the views of Aadhi Sankara. Those who follow this are called 'Advaitins" This is also known as "smArtha Sampradayam" Dvaitam: This is based on the interpretations of Sri Aanandatheertha, the founder of Madhva matham. Followers of this are called " Dvaitins" VisishTAdvaita: Though this has been in existence from time immemorial, it was Bhagavad RamAnuja who codified the views of earlier preceptors like NammAzhwAr. Natha muni and others. Hence, it is also known as "RamAnuja Darsanam". The followers of this are called "visishTAdvaitins. It would appear that before the period of Sri Aadhi Sankara, this Vaideeka matham functioned without different interpretations. 4. What Religions are "Avaideekam"? Those who either do not accept the authority of the Vedas or misrepresent the Vedic thoughts, started their own faiths which they claimed to be religions like ChArvAkam, Bouddham, Jainam etc. These are "Avaideekam" 5. What are Vedas? Vedas also called "Sruti", consist of Rik, Yajus, Sama and Atharva recensions.Each is divided into two parts called "KhANDam" and 'SAkhai" There are 7 KhANDas which prescribe the rituals (IshTis) like "Putra KamEshTi" which can yield material benefits. These are also known as "karmakhANdam". It is to explain these that Sage Jaimini wrote what is known as "Poorva mimAmsai in 16 Chapters. The 'Sakhai" part contains the "Upanishads". Also called "Uttara MimAmsai" and "Sareeraka MimAmsai", it was written by Sage VyAsa himself. This is "Brahma Sutram" for which commentaries were written by Sankara, RamAnuja and others. (To Continue) ============================================================= _______________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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