SRI RANGA SRI VOLUME I / ISSUE 6 DATED 20th NOVEMBER 2000

[Guest guest]

SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anubadravam anudhinam samvardhaya/

SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anubadravam anudhinam samvardhaya//

KAvEri VardhathAm kAlE, kAlE varshathu vAsava:/

SrI RanganAthO jayathu SrI Ranga SrIs cha VardhathAm//

====================================================================

SRI RANGA SRI VOLUME I / ISSUE 6 DATED 20th NOVEMBER 2000

====================================================================

Dear Bhagavatas:

 

In this issue, we are presenting a Srimukham From Sri D. Soundararajan

Swami, Chairman, “Hayagriva Vidya Peetam” Editor, “Sri Kanchi Perarulalan”

(just received by e-mail from India) and continue with our series on -

1. “Sriranga Vijayam – Part 4:

“The unique Glory of ArchAvatAra”

- Purisai Sri Krishnamachariar Swami.

2. “Sri BAshyAmrutham- Part 4”. : AdhikaraNams of 2nd pAdam.

- Sri T.S. Rajagopalan Swami and Tirupputkuzhi Sri Nrisimha Tatachariar

Swami, Founder, Hayagriva Vidya PeeTam.

3. “AchArya Vamsa Vriksham” – “Part 32 AhObila Mata paramparai”

(Based on “AchArya Vaibhavam” by Sri VisishTAdvaita Research Center)

– Anbil Ramaswamy.

4. “Learn our Sampradayam the easy way”

Grade I- Lesson 11:”Sacred Marks”

(Based on the original in Tamil “sampradAya pADa thiTTam” by Sri Seva

Swamigal, Founder, maNi manDapam and Editor, Sri Desika Seva. Translation by

Sri M.K>Srinivasan, President, Sri Vedanta Desika Research Center)

5. “Sri Vaishnava Sampradayam- Part 4” (continued)

– Sri D. Soundararajan Swami., Editor, “Sri kAnchi PEraruLALan”

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

Editor & Publisher, “”

=====================================================================

SRIMUKHAM FROM SRI D. SOUNDARARAJAN SWAMI,

CHAIRMAN, “HAYAGRIVA VIDYA PEETAM” & EDITOR, “SRI KANCHI PERARULALAN”

(just received by e-mail from India)

======================================================================

With the blessings of His Holiness Sri Andavan of Powndarikapuram (Sri

Paravakkottai Andavan), Sri Anbil Ramaswamy has started "SRI RANGA SRI" at

the USA. There is no one Sri Vaishnavite who does not know about Sri Anbil

Ramaswamy, not only in the US but also in India and other places wherever

Sri Vaishnavites have migrated.

 

Sri Ramanuja Dharsanam, Sri Desika Sampradayam, etc. are well known to the

Sri Vaishnavites of US than to the general Asthikas in India. But Western

culture's influence and domination are already amidst us and may pose a

threat to pollute the future generations too.

 

At this crucial juncture, the inauguration of SRI RANGA SRI is timely and

God sent. The Lord, as ever He does, has showered His Karunya. So glittering

like Aditya, Sri Ranga Sri is well poised to become an umbrella of

protection of our dharma and thus going to be a milestone in the religious

history of Sri Vaishnavites at US.

 

We may even say that suppose there is a Patent Forum in the US for the topic

concerned, Sri Anbil Ramaswamy's application for patent of 'Sri Vaishnava

Philosophy' at US will surely pass through emphatically.

 

The day is not far off when we may start eagerly and hopefully looking for

clarification of doubts in 'Sri Vaishnava Philosophy' from US - from Sri

Anbil Ramaswamy and SRI RANGA SRI.

 

I pray to Lord Devanathan, Thayar Hemambujavalli and Sri Swami Desikan for

the healthy and all round growth of SRI RANGA SRI ushering in all Happiness

and Shanti to the Universe.

sd/- D.Soundararajan,

Chairman, “Sri Hayagriva Vidya Peetam” and Editor, “Sri Kanchi Perarulalan”

======================================================================

1. “SRIRANGA VIJAYAM – PART 4:

“THE UNIQUE GLORY OF ARCHAVATARA”

- PURISAI SRI KRISHNAMACHARIAR SWAMI.

======================================================================

SrIranga sthala vEnkaTAdri karigiri Adhou satha AshTottara-

SthAnE grAma nikEthanEshu cha sadhA sAnnidhyam AsEdushE /

ArchA roopiNam archakAthy abhimathAn svee kurvathE vigrahAn

PoojAm cha akhila vAnchithAn vidadhathE sreesAya thasmai namah //

meaning

“I bow to the consort of SrI, who has taken His divine format such temples

known as Koil, Tirumalai and perumAL koil etc and in all villages, hearts

and homes of Bhagavatas as per their wishes and bestows all that they

desire”

As per the above slOkam of Sri NaDAdur ammAL, EmperumAn appearing in His

iconic form presents Himself in all Bhakta’s places and confers His

blessings on them.

PARAM: is SrivaikunTam, the abode of ParavAsudEva, as we already know. But,

is like water lying beyond the Cosmos completely sealed off from access to

human endeavor. (AvaraNa jalam).- ( enveloping waters)

VYUHAM: is the form of the Lord as VasudEva, Sankarshana,

Pradhyumna, and aniruddha. It is in the milky ocean which could only

be imagined but could not be obtained.

VIBAVAM: relates to the various descents of the Lord as Nrisimha,

Rama, Krishna etc. But, it is like the torrential and turbulent waters of

a huge river in full flood and cannot therefore be approached easily.

ANTARYAMI: represents the Lord as the indweller in everyone’s heart. But it

is like the underground water which cannot be either seen or reached without

effort

ARCHA is the form of the Lord as seen by us in temples and homes

as mentioned earlier. This is like the water stored in a water-pot

readily available to drink with which to quench one's thirst with

absolute ease.

The 'Archa Murthis' - the idols in the temples are as follows :

i. SWAYAM VYAKTHA: Those which emerged on their own (e.g.) Srirangam,

Srimushnam,Tiruvenkatam,sAligrAmam,Naimisaaranyam,ThOthAdri (Vaanamaamalai),

Pushkaram, and BadrikAsramam

ii . DIVYA : those in which the Lord appeared as per the wishes of DEVAS.

iii. SAITDHA: those installed by 'SIDDHAS'

iv . MANUSHA: those constructed by 'HUMANS'

Of these, the Swayam vyaktha kshEtras are considered the best

==================================================================

To Continue

======================================================================

2. SRIBASHYAMRUTHAM - PART 4. :

ADHIKARANAMS OF 2ND PADAM.

SRI T.S. RAJAGOPALAN SWAMI AND TIRUPPUTKUZHI SRI NRISIMHA TATACHARIAR SWAMI,

FOUNDER, HAYAGRIVA VIDYA PEETAM.

======================================================================

The Second Section of Part I contains 6 AdhikaraNas (12 through 17).

 

AdhikaraNam 12: Sarvatra prasiddhi AdhikaraNam: This reiterates that

BhagavAn who is the soul (antharAtma) of all is this Brahmam and clarifies

that He is the one to be attained (prApya) as distinct from the jeevas who

attain Him (prApta). As this Brahmam is to be meditated as the indweller in

the hearts of jeevas, He is described as residing in the heart in

microscopic form. The pleasure and pain experienced by the jeevas do not

affect Him.

 

AdhikaraNam 13: AtrAdhi karaNam: Though the Brahman is unaffected by

pleasure and pain of the jeevas, the Vedas declare Him as devouring

everything at the time of deluge. Is being so, how can it be said that He is

unaffected? The answer is that when He releases the jeevas in the next

emerging kalpa, He makes the jeevas experience the joys and sorrows as per

their prior karma and therefore He is characterized as “Brahmakshatra

bhOktha”- not that He is the one who experiences.

 

AdhikaraNam 14: Anthara AdhikaraNam: The one who has direct perception of

the Lord (SakshAtkAram), perceives BhagavAn’s auspicious qualities which

belong to ParamAtma only.

 

AdhikaraNam 15: AntharyAmi AdhikaraNam: Further explaining the above, this

re-emphasizes that this ParamAtma is the Indweller.

 

AdhikaraNam 16: Adrisyatva AdhikaraNam: This explains why in some contexts

BhagavAn is known as “Seen and Unseen” (AdhrishTO drishTA).

The quality of being not seen is also one of His qualities.

 

AdhikaraNam 17: VaiswAnara AdhikaraNam: Since the qualities of ParamAtma are

also seen in VaiswAnara both refer to the same ParamAtma.

====================================================================

To Continue AdhikaraNas of AdhyAyam I Padam 3

====================================================================

3. “ACHARYA VAMSA VRIKSHAM” –

“PART 32 AHOBILA MATA PARAMPARAI”

(Based on “Acharya Vaibhavam” by Sri Visishtadvaita Research Center)

– ANBIL RAMASWAMY

=====================================================================

As already stated, the book “AchArya Vaibhavam” in 2 volumes by Sri

VisishTAdvaita Research Center, Chennai gives (in Tamil)a very comprehensive

account of the AhObila Matam Parampara . May be the AhObila Matam Home page

may want to translate the contents for the benefit of those not knowing

Tamil.

 

We give below the names of the successive AchAryas of this lineage by way of

introduction (from the supplement in Volume 2 ibid).

1. Srimad Aadhi vaNN saTakOpa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

2. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrIman NarAyaNa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

3. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI ParAnkusa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

4. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrInivAsa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

5. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI Sarva tantra Swatantra Sri SaTakOpa yathIndra mahA

dEsikan

6. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI ShashTa parAnkusa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

7. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI SaTakOpa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

8. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI ParAnkusa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

9. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrImannArAyaNa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

10. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI SaTakOpa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

11. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI SrInivAsa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

12. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrImannArAyaNa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

13. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI vIrarAghava yathIndra mahA dEsikan

14. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrImannArAyaNa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

15. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa kalyANA SrI vIrarAghava yathIndra mahA dEsikan

16. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI SaTakOpa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

17. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI vIrarAghava vEdAntha yathIndra mahA dEsikan

18. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrImannArAyaNa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

19. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI SrInivAsa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

20. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI vIrarAghava yathIndra mahA dEsikan

21. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI ParAnkusa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

22. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrImannArAyaNa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

23. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI vIrarAghava yathIndra mahA dEsikan

24. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI ParAnkusa RamAnuja yathIndra mahA dEsikan

25. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI SrInivAsa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

26. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI RanganAtha yathIndra mahA dEsikan

27. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI vIrarAghava yathIndra mahA dEsikan

28. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI RanganAtha SaTakOpa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

29. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI ParAnkusa RamAnuja yathIndra mahA dEsikan

30. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI SrInivAsa vEdAntha yathIndra mahA dEsikan

31. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrImannArAyaNa vEdAntha yathIndra mahA dEsikan

32. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI vIrarAghava yathIndra mahA dEsikan

33. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI SaTakOpa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

34. Sri Lakshminrisimha divya pAdukA sEvaka SrIvaNN SatakOPa SrI SatakOpa

rAmAnuja yathIndra mahA dEsikan

35. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI RanganAtha yathIndra mahA dEsikan

36. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI SrInivAsa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

37. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI vIrarAghava SaTakOpa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

38. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI SrInivAsa SaTakOpa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

39. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI ParAnkusa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

40. SrIlakshmInrisimha divyapAdukA sEvaka SrIvaNN SaTakOpa

SrI RanganAtha SaTakOpa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

41. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa LakshmInrisimha SaTakOpa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

42. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI SrIRanga saTakOpa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

43. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI vIrarAghava SaTakOpa yathIndra mahA dEsikan

44. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI VedAnta dEsika yathIndra mahA dEsikan

45. SrIvaNN SaTakOpa SrI nArAyaNa yathIndra mahA dEsikan (Prakritam

Azhagiyasinghar)

It will be seen from the above that all the pontiffs have the honorific

“SrIvaNN saTakOpa’ either as prefix or in the middle before their SannyAsa

name and all have “yathIndra mahA dEsikan as suffix.

=====================================================================

Part 33 will follow

=====================================================================

4. “LEARN OUR SAMPRADAYAM THE EASY WAY”

GRADE I- LESSON 11:”SACRED MARKS”

(Based On The Original in Tamil “SampradAya pADa Thittam” By Sri Seva

Swamigal, Founder, Mani Mandapam and Editor, Sri Desika Seva. TRANSLATION BY

SRI M.K>SRINIVASAN,

PRESIDENT, SRI VEDANTA DESIKA RESEARCH CENTER)

======================================================================

Every Srivaishnava (i.e.) the devotees of Lord VishNu or Sriman NArAyaNa

should wear the sacred mark on his forehead. This consists of two white

upward lines on the forehead joined together by an arc just below the

eyebrows on the bridge of the nose. Between the two lines will be a single

upward line in yellow, equidistant from the white lines but not touching the

curved base of the white lines. Both the white lines and the yellow line are

a must and should not be worn in isolation. The white lines represent Lord

NArAyANa and the yellow line indicates Goddess Lakshmi. The shape of the

whole lines will resemble the outlines of the Lord’s foot. The white lines

are drawn with a special purified clay called “TiumaNN” in Tamil and the

yellow is made with “SrIchoorNam” (auspicious powder)

 

Such a mark offers protection to the person who wears it. This practice is

as old as the Vedas and the sages have enjoined so while worshipping Lord

VishNu. The Vedas declare such a one as mahAtma (great soul)

A face devoid of such a mark is devoid of luster, is described as a “barren

land” or even as a “cremation ground” by knowledgeable people. No religious

or spiritual ritual should be performed without wearing the sacred mark.

 

An orthodox SrivaishNava wears such a mark on 12 places on his body. While

wearing them at each spot, a special name of the Lord VishNu and another of

Goddess Lakshmi should be chanted. These are described in great detail along

with the benefits which accrue therefrom. (Details may be learned from

elders or AchAryas).

 

While all the 12 are important and should be marked, one should never omit

to mark at least the forehead (when kEsavAya nama:) is uttered and upper

back of the neck (when DamOdarAya nama:) is uttered.

 

We should be proud and brave in wearing the marks, for they are not mere

rituals but are sacred and offer protection to the wearer.

 

There are two subsects among SrIvaishNavas, the VaDakalais and the

Thenkalais. The manner of wearing the sacred mark explained in the first

Para applies to vaDakalais. Youngsters should consult the elders about the

mode adopted in their family traditions.

Questions

1. What is a “Sacred mark”?

2. Whom should we remember while wearing the Sacred marks?

3. What does the Sacred mark do to us?

4. How does the Vedas describe those who worship VishNU wearing the Sacred

mark?

=====================================================================

5. “SRI VAISHNAVA SAMPRADAYAM- PART 4” (CONTINUED)

– SRI D. SOUNDARARAJAN SWAMI,

– CHAIRMAN, SRI HAYAGRIVA VIDYA PEETAM and

– EDITOR, “SRI KANCHI PERARULALAN”

=====================================================================

8. PramAthAs (Continued from last Issue)

After Swami Desikan, the Paramparas like those of PeriyAsramam Srirangam

Srimad AaNDavan, Srimad AaNDavan of PouNdarikapuram Asramam,

Azhagiyasinghars of Sri AhObila Matam founded by AadhivaNN SatakOpar,

BrahmaTantra Swatantra ParakAla matam AchAryas, Abhinava Desika Sri Uttamur

VeerarAghavAchariar Swami, Sri MadhurAntakam Swami and the like who are

propagating our SiddhAntam are all PramAthas

 

9. What are PramANams (Sources of knowledge)?

These are three in number.

(1) “Prathyaksham” Those that which can be directly perceived by the sense

organs.

(2) “AnumAnam” Those that can be inferred though not perceptible to sense

organs.

(3) “Sabdam” Those that can be understood by the “sound” words of the Great

Rishis, since they are from the most reliable sources (AaptavAkhyas)

 

10. What are “PramEyams”? (Those that ought to be understood)

These are three in number

(1) Tattvam (realities)

(2) Hitham (the means to attain the goal)

(3) PurushArtham (the goal to be attained)

 

(1) Tattvam is threefold

(i) ChEthana (sentient beings)

(ii) A-chEthana (insentient things)

(iii) Iswara ( The All- Sentient God)

 

(i) Chethanas are of three categories

(a) Baddhars: Those who are bound by their “karma” are born again and again

to experience the effects (good and /or bad) in accordance with their

“karma”. These are also called Nitya SamsAris (Bound forever by their karma

and repeatedly take birth)

(b) Muktars: Those who adopt Bhakti or Prapatti and get rid of their karma

get released from the bondage and attain Paramapadam to do service to the

Lord at all times and in all manners.

© Nityars: Those who were never born and have no karma to their credit or

debit and so do service constantly to the Lord in Paramapadam (e.g.)

Ananthan, GaruDan, VishwaksEnar etc.

 

(ii) A-chEthanas are also of three categories:

(a) Prakriti: also called Moolaprakriti, TriguNam, avyaktham and PradhAnam.

This is governed by three GuNas called Satvam, Rajas and Tamas. When all

these three GuNas are in equilibrium, the great deluge (mahApraLayam)

occurs. In all other times the GuNas constantly keep changing. From this

emanates what is known as “mahat”; from “mahat” arises “ahamkAra” which

itself is of three kinds. From SAtvika ahamkAra arise “manas”, and the five

sense organs (JnAnEndriyas) and the five Motor organs (karmEndriyas)

totaling 11 entities. From TAmasa AhamkAram arise what are known as

“TanmAtras” and the five “buthas” known also as “Panchabhoothas” of air,

water, fire, ether and earth. Rajasa AhamkAram helps the other two in their

efforts.(More about these in a later posting)

(b) KAlam: Time: This is omnipresent Everything in this world is governed by

time factor (e.g.) kalpas, yugas, Varushas (years), ayanas (half years)

mAsas (months), Fortnights, days, and subdivisions like hours, minutes,

seconds, microseconds etc. They are also recognized as the Past, the Present

and the Future.

© Suddha Satvam: This is a substance made of pure Satva GuNa, SrivaikunTam

and all its appurtenances and the divine forms of the Lord (including iconic

that we worship) are all made of this substance.

 

(iii) Iswara: This is BhagavAn or ParamAtma.

The following are His abodes”

(a) Param: His permanent abode is in Paramapadam or SrivaikunTam.

(b) Vyuham: This is also known as the milky ocean (ksheerAbdi) where He

appears in the form of VasudEva, Sankarshana, Pradhyumna and Aniruddha.

© Vibhavam: These refer to the various incarnations the Lord took in

different yugas to protect the righteous, to destroy evil and to establish

the rule of Dharma.. Examples: NrisimhavatAram, Sri RamAvatAram, Sri

KrishNAvatAram etc.

(d) AntharyAmi: This refers to the subtle manner in which the Lord resides

in the hearts of all Chetanas.

(e) ArchA: This refers to the iconic form in which the Lord presents Himself

in temples and homes of devotees.

=====================================================================

(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.