Aazhi Mazhai Kannanum- Em Andavanum

[Guest guest]

Sri Ramajayam

> SrimathE GopAla DEsika MahA DEsikAya Namaha

>

> Dear Bhagavathaas,

> AdiyEn had the Parama Bhaagyam to attend the

81st TN Mahotsavam of asmad Acharyan, Sri Poundareekapuram Srimad Andavan

Asramam, Sri GopAla DEsika MahA DEsikan Swami(Sri ParavakkoEttai Andavan).

AdiyEn am writing below AdiyEn's Anubhavam for the pleasure of Bhagavathaas.

>

> AdiyEn arrived in Srirangam close to 4.30am on 24th March, accompanied by

Sri.Seshadri Swami("Orondhru ThanaE AmayadhoE" scheme

guardian/visionary/administrator), and we made the halt at U.Ve.Sri.Anantha

Narasimhachariar Swamis home(disciple of U.Ve.Sri Maduranthakam Swami). It was

pleasant to see Srirangam, bustling with activity in the early hours(contrary to

the Western cities which sleeps late and gets up late). Quickly cleaning

ourselves up and performing Sandhya, we left for Asramam, to take the blessings

of our Acharya.

>

> As AdiyEn was walking along with Sri.Seshadri Swami, Swami mentioned about the

Asramam and described it as "Kali Pugaatha Asramam", in view of the strict code

of conduct emphasized and practiced by the Acharyas started from the Divya

Dhampathis to Asmad Acharyan, and to a great extent cherished in the sishya

sampath of this Asramam. As we were walking along, Sri.Seshadri Swami also

talked about the vision and importance of popularizing Swamy Desikan's Sri

Sookthis to the masses. Just as we neared the Asramam, AdiyEn noticed a bus

shelter with a note "Donated by the Disciples of Sri Poundareekapuram Srimad

Andavan Asramam". Just as AdiyEn noticed this sign, AdiyEn was dwelving on the

inner meaning of this shelter. The sun is scorching the ground and the feet of

people who tread on it, and just as a shelter, AdiyEn had been fortunate to

realize Asmad Acharyan and find refuge in his shelter. Immediately AdiyEn

guessed which of the Sishyas would have donated it(which A!

diyEn confirmed my guess to be true, 2 days later). AdiyEn felt happy and

more indebted to the Divya Dhampathis for this great gesture of sympathy on

AdiyEn by showing this "Podiyan" with a great Acharya in the Avichinna Guru

Parampara initiated by him.

>

> AdiyEn entered the Asramam, with clean feet and feeling, just in time for

Satthumurai. Later our Acharya, expressed happiness to see AdiyEn,

Sri.Seshadri Swami and other Bhagavathaas who had the grace of the Divya

Dhampathis to witness this Mahotsavam and expressed his sentiment the whole TN

could have been a simpler affair(Swami countered his sentiment on the day of the

TN, in joyous tears).

>

> Sri.Seshadri Swamy made a Vignyaabanam to our Acharya that there be rains in

water starved Madras(Chennai). With immediate effect Swamy sanctioned "Aazhi

Mazhai Kanna" Paasuram rendered along with Paadhukaa Sahasram, by the ladies

group. The Veda Paarayanam every day pauses at about 11.30am, and the ladies

start Sri Paadhukaa Sahasram, lead by our Acharya. It is moving to see the

devotion and unison voice of "Sri Paadhukaa Sahasram" rendered by ladies from

West Mambalam, Sri Rangam, Nangainalloor & Perungalathur goshtis. True to their

conviction and our beliefs merciful KatAksham of the Divya Dhampathis lashed as

rains in Chennai for the past few days.

>

> Later during the day, a lot of Vedic Scholars started coming in( including

Vedic Veda vit, U.Ve.Sri.Navalpakkam Swami, U.Ve. Sri.Srivatsankachariar,

U.Ve.Sri.Thiruvaheendrapuram Swami, U.Ve.Sri Anantha Narasimhachariar), and the

Vedic Sadhas was started, presided over by our benovelent Acharyas, Srimad

Andavan Asramam Sri Mushnam Srimad Andavan Sri Rangaramanuja MahA DEsikan, Asmad

Acharyan Sri GopAla MahA DEsikan, and Sri Ahobila Mutt Jeer Srimad Naarayana

Yatheendra Maha DEsikan Swamis. For AdiyEn it was the first opportunity to

witness a Vedic Sathas, and it was good to see/hear in person outstanding Sri

Vaishnavas in one place. The Sadhas was timed appropriately to include

Madhyanikam, Ijyaa, Bhojanam followed by the Sadhas resumption at 3pm. >

>

> After the Vedic Sadhas AdiyEn chose to stay in Kizhakku Uttar Veedhi(Sri

Nrusimha Bhavanam). There Asrama Sishyas(who are descendants of VEnnatrankarai

Srimad Andavan Poorvasramam) were looking into the welfare/arrangements of

Bhagavathaas who arrive in Srirangam to participate in the TN MahoEtsavam. The

Atma Gunaas of these Sishyas(young and old) leaves an everlasting impression of

happiness and gratitude to the Divya Dhampathis for giving us such a good

association. These Bhagavathaas, even sacrificed witnessing the TN events to

make sure the arrangements go unhindered(just like wedding arrangements

undertaken by a bride's family makes them miss some of the photosessions), and

took turns in making short visits to the Asramam in between and later during the

night. It is also apt to mention that this Nrusimha Bhavanam is flanked by

Sri.Hayagrivan Sannidhi(Poundareekapuram Srimad Andavan Asramam, where Divya

Prabandha Paarayanam took place) and Sri Ahobila Mutt(where T!

hadhiyaaradhanam took place for Vaidhikas, in addition to the other 2 venues).

As Srimad Azhagia Singhar mentioned one time during the TN, no other Perumaal

can accept Thaligai so beautifully as Lakshmi Nrusimhan, with his large and

beautiful mouth. Naturally the quantities cooked at Sri Ahobila Mutt should be

befitting Sri Lakshmi Nrusimhan and catered to the large Sri Vaishnava

Bhagavathaa bastion.The total dedication displayed by Kainkarya Sri's of Srimad

Ahobila Mutt in meeting to the Prasadham preparation, distribution is worth a

big mention(For the whole week Sri Ahobila Mutt undertook the Thadiyaaradhana

activities towards the TN celebrations).

>

> It was a fine start as we concluded the first day of the 81st TN Mahotsavam of

Asmad Acharyan....Day2 and beyond to be concluded in the next posting.

>

> AdiyEn Sri Ramanuja Daasan,

>

> Sudarsana Dasosmi