SRI RANGA SRI VOL. 2 / 13 dated 1st August 2001

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SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anubadravam anudhinamsamvardhaya/ SrIman!

SrI Ranga Sriyam anubadravam anudhinamsamvardhaya//

KAvEri VardhathAm kAlE, kAlE varshathu vAsava:/

SrI RanganAthO jayathu SrI Ranga SrIs cha

VardhathAm//

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SRI RANGA SRI VOL. 2 / 13 dated 1st August 2001

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EDITORIAL

Dear Bhagavatas:

We are glad to inform you that the membership of Sri Ranga Sri has

risen to 600 mark thanks to the numerous members who have encouraged

their friends to join and / or recommended to us to include them in

our mailing list.

IN THIS ISSUE

1. SRIMUKHAM BLESSINGS FROM SRIRANGAM SRIMAD ANDAVAN,

PERIYASRAMAM FOR "SRI RANGA SRI"

We are glad to present the long awaited Srimukham blessings for "Sri

Ranga Sri" Journal just received today from H.H. Srimushnam Andavan

Swami, Periyasramam from his New Delhi camp.

2. INVITATION FOR "ACHARYA VAIBHAVAM CONFERNCE" to celebrate the

Tirunakshatrams of Tiruvenkatamudaiyan and His Ghantavatara, Swami

Vedanta Desika scheduled for the

3. 29th September 2001 at Buffalo, New York.

4. SRIBHASYAMRUTHAM:

A BRIEF SUMMARY OF ADHIKARANAMS 83 to 95 OF ADHYAYAM 3 (PAADAM 3) OF

SRI BASHYAM

(Anbil Ramaswamy)

Based on

(i)"Sukha Bodhini" by Sri Purisai Nadadur Krishnamachariar Swami,

Editor & publisher, "Nrisimhapriya",

(ii) "Sri Bhashya Saaram" by Sri T.S. Rajagopalan Swami (and

published by Azhwargal Amudha Nilayam),

(iii) "Brahma Vidya" by Sri S. Jagannarayanan Swami, Retd. Secretary

to Govt. of India

(iv) "Sri Bhashya Saaraswaathinee" by Vaikuntavasi Vidwan

Tirupputkuzhi Narasimha Tatachariar Swami of Sri Hayagriva Vidya

Peetam, Chennai

(v) "Adhyatmika Saara" by Sokkanvur V Narasimhacharya, Aasthaana

Vidwan, Ahobila Matam published by G.K.Dixit, Dravida Desa Brahmana

Samskrita Sarvakalasalai, Trichy and

(vi) "Sri Bhashyartha Deepika" in Tamil by the above author with

commentaries on "Bhashyartha Manipravala Deepika" of 40th Pattam

Azhagiyasinghar and "Srisootrartha Padyamaalika" of 44th Pattam

Azhagiyasinghar.

5. GITAMRUTHAM: GLORY OF ADHYAYAM 2 (SANKHYA YOGAM) OF

BHAGAVADGITA Summarized in English (Anbil Ramaswamy) from the "Gita

Saaram" of Vaikuntavasi U. Ve. Vidwan Saarasaarjna Tirukkallam

Narasimha Raghava Chariar Swami.

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A REQUEST: IF you are satisfied with the form and content of the

Journal, please spread the word among those interested and encourage

them to join by sending an email to –

" Subscribe."

Alternatively, You may suggest us the email addresses of friends who

may be really interested so that we can directly add them to our

mailing list.

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy,

Editor & Publisher "Sri Ranga Sri"

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1.SRIMUKHAM BLESSINGS FROM SRIRANGAM SRIMAD ANDAVAN, PERIYASRAMAM

FOR "SRI RANGA SRI"

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SRIRANGAM SRIMAD ANDAVAN ASHRAMAM

NATIONAL EXCUTIVE COMMITTEE

NEW 31 (OLD 21) DESIKACHARI ROAD, MYLAPORE, CHENNAI – 600 004

CAMP: NEW DELHI

DATED 9TH JULY 2001.

 

His Holiness Srimath Andavan is much pleased to see the publications

brought out by Sri Anbil Ramaswamy Iyengar on Srivaishnava

Sampradaya, which will go a long way to help our children to know our

Sampradaya.

 

His Holiness prays the Sriranga Divya Dampathis and the Padukas of

our Poorvacharyas, to bless Sri Anbil Ramaswamy Iyengar Swamy with

success in his yeoman service and to bring out many more publications

to help our posterity.

 

By order of His Holiness

(Sd) S. NARASIMHA RAGHAVAN

SRIKARYAM

9.7.2001

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2. INVITATION FOR "ACHARYA VAIBHAVAM CONFERNCE" TO CELEBRATE THE

TIRUNAKSHATRAMS OF TIRUVENKATAM UDAIYAN AND HIS GHANTAVATARA, SWAMI

VEDANTA DESIKA

Dear friends:

 

Please see the enclosed announcement regarding the grand Celebration

of "Acharya Vaibhavam" jointly organized by "Swami Desika Darsana

Satsangam" (SDDS), " Sri Ramanuja Mission" and "The Hindu Cultural

Society of Western New York" on 29th July 2001 (Saturday) at Buffalo,

New York.

 

This is primarily for celebrating the Tirunakshatram of Swami

Desikan, Ghantavataram of Tiruvenkatamudaiyan, which is also that of

Tiruvenkatamudaiyan Himself. This also marks the 5th Anniversary of

Swami Desika Darsana Satsangam (SDDS) and the first Anniversary

of "Sri Ranga Sri" electronic journal.

 

This is a personal invitation to you and your family and friends to

come and receive the blessings of the Lord and our Acharyas. We

earnestly request you to please make a note of the event in your

Calendar and make it convenient for you to attend. All arrangements

will be made to pick up / drop off out-of station attendees, besides

comfortable stay, food etc.

 

Please confirm your RSVP by contacting anyone of the following:

Anbil Ramaswamy, Phone: (770) 434 - 9596

Email: Ramanbil (SDDS)

Poondi Vijayaraghavan, Phone (732) 287 - 9062

Email: gcl (Sri Ramanuja Mission)

Vijay Srinivasan, Phone:(716) 688 - 1635 Email:

Vijayaraghavan_s (Hindu Cultural Society)

 

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

President, Swami Desika Darsana Satsangam (SDDS) and

Editor & publisher, "Sri Ranga Sri"

(For & on behalf of the Organizers)

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Sri:

Srimathe Nigamantha Mahadesikaya Namaha

Srimathe Bhagavathe Bhashyakaraya Mahadesikaya Namaha

Sri Ranganatha Divyamani PadukabhyAm Namaha

 

Dear Bhagavathas,

 

Prathishtaapitha Vedantha: Prathishiptha bahirmatha: |

Bhooyaa: Thraividhyamaanya: Thvam Purikalyanabhajanam ||

Swami Sri Desikan was thus blessed by Sri Nadadur Ammal (Vatsya

Varada Guru) the nephew of Sri Ramanujar, when Swami Sri Desikan was

five years old.

A free translation of this is

"You will establish Vedanta on a firm basis and refute the doctrine

of its opponents. May scholars well versed in the Vedas hold you in

great esteem. May you be the recipient in a great measure of all that

is auspicious." (Note: A mural depicting this incident can be seen on

the ceilings of Sri Varadaraja Swami Temple in Kanchipuram even

today).

 

Swami fulfilled the blessings of his pracharya (acharya's acharya) and

went on to establish himself as KAVITARKIKASIMHAM (the lion among

poets and logicians); VEDANTHACHARYA (foremost in exponent of

Vedanthic teachings) and SARVA THANTRA SWATANTHRA (full independence

in all sciences) Swami Sri Desikan's greatness in the field of

Vedanthic literature has no parallel. Swami has composed over 127

works in various languages including Sanskrit (67), Tamil (24),

Manipravalam (35), and Prakrit, a simple form of Sanskrit (1).

 

Swami Sri Desikan was a devout follower and systematic exponent of

Sri Ramanuja Siddhantham. It is in the works of Swami Sri Desikan

that the system of Sri Ramanuja Siddhantham shines in its

philosophical glory and ethical excellence.

 

This year Purataasi Thiruvonum marks the 733rd thirunakshathram of

Swami Sri Nigamaantha Maha Desikan, one of the greatest acharya's of

Sri Vaishnava Sath Sampradhayam. To commemorate the Thirunakshathra

Celebrations, an "Acharya Vaibhavam Conference" is being planned on

SEPTEMBER 29, 2001AT BUFFALO, NEW YORK

Please scroll below for the tentative program. which includes -

* Sri Hayagriva and Swami Desika Suprabadham

* Sudarsana Homam

* Tirumanjanam, Alamkaram and Poolangi Seva

* Acharya Paduka Thiruvaaraadhanam

* Nivedanam and Prasadams

* Speeches by Bhagavad Ramanuja - Desika Sampradaya Scholars

* Childrens' plays

* Kalyana Utsavam

* Various group recitals from Desika Stotras and Azhwaar Prabhandams

* Kalakshepam of "Srimad Rahasya Traya Saram"

· A Question - Answer session etc.

----

The tentative program is as follows:

SWAMI SRI DESIKAN'S THIRUNAKSHATRAM

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th 2001.

 

7.30 am to 8.00 am: Suprabatham.

Playing Audio recordings of the rare Hayagriva Suprabatham and Swami

Desika Suprabatham composed by Thritheeya Parakala Swami

+ Group recitation of Sri Venkatesa Suprabhatham.

 

8.00 am to 9.30 am: Sudarsana Homam

A 10 minute talk on Sudarsana Homam by Sri Vijayaraghavan Srinivasan

+ Group recital of Sudarsana Ashtakam.

 

9.30 am to 11.30 am: Tirumanjanam, Alamkaram and Poolangi Seva

Group recital of Sikshavalli and Purusha Sooktham

+ * At Tirumanjanam: Periyazhwar Tirumozhi 2.4 "Neeraattal" containing

"Vennai Alaintha kunungum",

* At Alamkaram: Nammazhwar's Tiruvoimozhi 4.3 "Kovai Vaayaal"

containing "Poosum Santhu enn nenjame" and

* At Nivedanam: Andal's Nachiar Tirumozhi 9. "Sindoora Sempodi

containing "Naru Narum pozhil"

 

11.30 am to 12.30 pm: Paduka Aradhanam and Sattrumurai.

A 10-minute talk on the importance of Paduka Aradhanam by Sri

Muralidhar Rangaswamy

Group recital of Iyal sattrumurai, Vazhi Tirunamam, Acharya Thanians

and Acharya Sambhavanai.

 

12.30 pm to 2:00 pm: Prasadam

 

2.00 pm to 2.30 pm: Keynote address on Sri Bhagavad Ramanuja

by Sri Poondi Vijayaraghavan Swami

 

2.30 pm to 3.00 pm: Keynote address on Swami Desika (to be finalized)

 

3.00 pm t0 3.20 pm: Talk (to be finalized) + Desika Mangalam.

 

3.20 pm to 3.30 pm: Break

 

3.30 pm to 4.00 pm: Childrens' play arranged by "Hindu Cultural

Society of Western New York" (Host organization).

 

4.00 pm to 6.00 pm: Kalyana Utsavam: Group recital of "Varanamayiram"

 

6.00 pm to 7.00 pm: Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam - Group recital

 

7.00 pm to 8.00 pm: Prasadam

 

8.00 pm to 9.30 pm: Kalakshepam of "Srimad Rahasya Traya Saram"

by Sri Anbil Ramaswamy

+ A Question and Answer group discussion, if time permits.

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3. SRI BHASHYAMRUTHAM-

SUMMARY OF ADHIKARANAMS 83 to 95 OF ADHYAYAM 3 – PAADAM 3 OF

SRIBHASHYAM

(This Paadam contains 26 Adhikaranams from 83 to 108. The summary of

Adhikaranams 96 to 108 will be presented in the next posting)

(Anbil Ramaswamy)

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This Paadam is called "Guna Upasamhaara Paadam" because it deals with

the various Vidyas employed in meditating on the various qualities

(Gunas) of the Lord. As many as 32 Vidyas have been recognized.

Different branches of the Vedas called "Saakhaas" emphasize on one or

more of these qualities. (e.g.) Vaiswaanara Vidya, Dahara Vidya,

Akshara Brahma Vidya etc which describe the same Gunas with the same

names but emphasizing on different aspects of the Qualities.

 

ADHIKARANAM 83: SARVA VEDANTA PRATYAYA ADHIKARANAM

Since all these interpretations also refer not only to the same

names, but also "Vidhivaakhyas" (commands), "Phalan" (effects) and

the "Paramaatma" (The Supreme Soul) aspects mentioned in one but not

in the others must all be taken together for purposes of meditation.

 

ADHIKARANAM 84: ANYATHAATVA ADHIKARANAM

This deals with "Udgeetha Upaasanam" which has been described

differently in Chandokhya Upanishad and Brihadaaranyaka Upanishad.

Though they agree on the same name, command, fruit etc., the "form"

of the object of meditation is different. Both say that

the "Udgeetha" is required to meditate on "Mukhya Praana" (Vital

air). Since the form of the object of meditation is different the

Vidyas have to be taken as different. In other words, when the "form"

changes, it would result in a different Vidya.

 

ADHIKARANAM 85: SARVA BEDA ADHIKARANAM

It is stated in the Vedas that this "Mukhya Praana" is great; that it

has "speech" as its wealth (Vasishtam), that it is established

in "sight" (Prathishta); that it is bestowed in "hearing". Each of

the above views is expressed differently in Kaushitaki and Chandokhya

Upanishads. Since all have in common "Mukhya Praana" as

the "Abhimaana Devata", this Vidya should be deemed as incorporating

all these aspects.

 

ADHIKARANAM 86: ANANDAADYA ADHIKARANAM

The auspicious qualities of Bhagavan are infinite. It is not possible

to enumerate all of them in the Vidyas. Then, which quality is to be

meditated upon? Some qualities are "Swaroopa Nirupaka" (Naturally

inherent special qualities) while others are "Niroopitha Swarupa"

(Special Qualities that have become manifest and bear testimony to

His nature). e.g. Being blissful (Anandamaya), This is mentioned in

all Vidyas and is therefore important and should be meditated upon.

This quality of bliss is of 5 kinds: Being personification of bliss;

Being eternally so without any change; Being omniscient; Being

limitless and Being bereft of all defects.

 

ADHIKARANAM 87: KAARYAAKHYAANAA ADHIKARANAM

In "Praana Vidya", the waters sipped in "Achamanam" before and after

consuming food are required to be meditated upon as "Vastram" (dress)

of "Mukhya Praanan" The mantras recited in the Parishechanam before

and after eating should be deemed to be the "Vastram" of "Mukhya

Praanan"

 

ADHIKARANAM 88: SAMAANA ADHIKARANAM

In the above "Praana Vidya"and "Sandilya Vidya" dealing with "Vaja

saneeyam and in Brihada aranyakam qualities such as "Manomayam"

(mental cognition) are mentioned and all of them are equally valid.

 

ADHIKARANAM 89: SAMBANDA ADHIKARANAM

Brahadaranyakam mentions that Upasana of the Lord as

having "Pranavam" as His "Sareeram" and should be meditated in the

orb of the Sun and one's eyes. By virtue of positing meditation in

different locations, there is a slight difference in the two Vidyas.

 

ADHIKARANAM 90: SAMPRUTHYA ADHIKARANAM

Like the form, the qualities such as "Jyeshta" (causal) and "Veerya"

(capacity to create Akaasa etc ( i.e) omnipresence, these should be

meditated upon in all the Vidyas.

 

ADHIKARANAM 91: PURUSHA VIDYA ADHIKARANAM

"Purusha Vidya" is mentioned in Taittriyam and Chandokhyam but

because of the difference in the form explained in the respective

Upanishads, the "Purusha Vidya" in them should be deemed as different

(though they carry the same name). While in Taittriyam there is no

reference to "Phalam" (fruit of such meditation on "Purusha"),

Chandokhyam deals with long life (chirakaala jeevatvam).

Also, "Deeksha" (initiation) is prescribed in Chandokhya but not in

Taittriyam. Similarly, the result of "Purusha Vidya" is "Brahma

Praapti" (attaining Godhood) whereas in Chandokhya, it is only

longevity. So, Both are different.

 

ADHIKARANAM 92: VEDAATHYA ADHIKARANAM

This Adhikaranam states that mantras such as "SannOmitra:" found

in "Brahma Vidya" is useful for the study of Vedas (Veda Adhyayana)

only. Therefore, they do not constitute "angas" limbs or Parts) of

Brahma Vidya itself.

 

ADHIKARANAM 93: HAANYA ADHIKARANAM

This Adhikaranam advises that the Upasaka (practioner) leaves (haani)

the residual "Punyas" to his friends and residual "Papas" to his

enemies who inherit the same at the time of the death of the Upasaks.

 

ADHIKARANAM 94: SAMPRARAAYA ADHIKARANAM

This Adhikaranam addresses the question as to the point of time when

the Karmas of the Upasaka case and how the soul crosses the

legendary "Viraja" river. The question is "Do the karmas get

transferred at the time of death or during the journey through

the "Archiraadhi maarga"?. This Adhikaranam confirms that this

riddance of Karma takes place when the Jivan leaves the body (i.e).

at the time of death.

 

ADHIKARANAM 95: ANIYAMA ADHIKARANAM

This Adhikaranam avers that all Upasakas (practitioners) of all

Vidyas do go through the "Archiraadi maarga" because all Vidyas are

designed to lead the soul to the Lord.

 

Adhikaranams 96 to 108 of Paadam 3 of Adhyayam 3 will follow

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4. GITAMRUTHAM

GLORY OF ADHYAYAM 2 (SANKHYA YOGAM) OF BHAGAVADGITA Summarized in

English (Anbil Ramaswamy) from the "Gita Saaram" of Vaikuntavasi U.

Ve. Vidwan Saarasaarjna Tirukkallam Narasimha Raghava Chariar Swami.

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After describing the greatness of the 1st Adhyayam, Lord Siva

commenced narrating the glory of the 2nd Adhyayam exactly as narrated

by Bhagavan to Mahalakshmi.

 

Bhagavan said: " Oh! Mahalakshmi! There was a Brahmin called

DEVASARMA in the city of PUNDRAM. In spite of his great learning of

the Sastras and performing Yaaga, Yajna etc., he had no peace of

mind. He retired to the forest and served the Sages there. One day,

he chanced to meet a great Sage and prayed to him to expatiate on the

means to acquire peace of mind. The Sage directed him to approach a

shepherd by name "MITRAVAAN" in the city called "PUNYAM" on the banks

of River Godavari. Thereupon, Deva Sarma went to meet Mitravaan. who

was in deep meditation. When he opened his eyes and asked Deva Sarma

the purpose of his visit, Deva Sarma pleaded for advice on his

problem.

 

MITRAVAAN said:

"Oh! Deva Sarma! There is a town called PRATHISH TANAM on the banks

of this very Godavari. There lived a Brahmin called DURMATHAN, who

though born in the highest caste did not conduct himself as befitting

his birth. He eked out his living by serving a king called VIKRAMAN.

 

When Durmathan died, he was reborn again as a Brahmin. Due to

his "Karmavasanas", he married a prostitute who had a Chandala as her

clandestine illegitimate lover. She got a girl baby through this man.

Durmathan was heartbroken and died. The prostitute also died from a

deadly disease and became a ghost. The ghost feasted on the dead body

of a hunter.

 

In the next birth, the hunter was born as a tiger while the

prostitute was born as a lamb and lived in a herd of sheep reared by

me. Suddenly, the tiger pounced upon the lamb, ignoring me and the

other sheep in the herd. The lamb tried to run away but the tiger

would not let its prey escape so easily and started chasing the lamb.

I was curious to know why it chose that particular lamb and not

others. So, I also ran following them.

 

As the hunting tiger and the hunted lamb reached a temple. the lamb

turned to the tiger and said:

" Oh! Tiger! You can never destroy me because my soul as well as

yours are indestructible and are permanent. You may kill my body and

eat it up but you can do no harm to my soul. Now, I willingly submit

myself to you to butcher me and eat my corpse"

 

The tiger replied:

Oh! Lamb! Why would I kill you? I realize that both of us are living

beings and subject to Bhagavan. It is our bodies that suffer from

disease and death all due to our respective Karmas. When you were a

ghost, you tortured me and ate me up. But, I realize that you did not

do it on purpose or out of your own volition. It is Bhagavan who made

you an instrument to punish me for my wrongdoing. So, I will not kill

you"

 

The two were wondering how they did not get this realization earlier

to coming to the temple. As they saw me following, they turned to me

to ask for an explanation for this change of heart. But, I was as

confused as they were and could not figure out an answer.

 

At that time there appeared a monkey before us, laughed and said:

" I know the secret reason behind this metamorphosis. Look at the

temple that stands yonder. The Vigraham there was installed by Brahma

himself. A Brahmin priest was doing worship there. Though he was well

versed in the Vedas and Vedangas, he had no peace of mind - because

he had no clue as to the nature of the soul or as to the means of

liberation. One day, a Mahan came to the temple and enquired the

priest the reason for his melancholy. The priest narrated his

predicament and requested the Mahan to advise him. The Mahan

inscribed on a stone slab, the text of the 2nd Chapter of Bhagavad

Gita and asked him to recite the same daily and if he did that, he

would gain peace of mind".

 

The monkey continued:

"As directed by the Mahan, the priest recited the 2nd Chapter of Gita

daily and attained peace of mind. The remarkable thing is that not

only the priest but also all those who visited the temple derived the

same benefit and got rid of their "Kaama" and "Krodha". So, if you

also desire peace of mind, go, read the inscription and recite the

same daily. You will be blessed with all that you need."

 

The Shepherd said:

" As instructed, I have been faithfully reciting the 2nd Chapter with

the result that I am now free from "Kaama" and "Krodha" and am calm

and clear in my mind. So, if you want such a state, go, find an

Acharya, get Upadesa from him on the 2nd Chapter and recite the same

daily".

 

Deva Sarma accordingly approached a Mahan, got initiated into the 2nd

Chapter recited it daily and attained all the best in his life.

 

Bhagavan said:

Oh! Mahalakshmi! For those who recite the 2nd chapter with devotion

as did Deva Sarma, there is nothing in the world that they cannot get"

 

Lord Siva said:

Oh! Paarvati! I have narrated to you the glory of the 2nd Chapter

exactly as the Lord narrated it to Mahalakshmi. Even those who listen

to the glory of this Chapter will "Live happily thereafter"

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