Myths etc book and Anbil DivyadEsa kainkaryam - A Report

[Guest guest]

SrimatE Raamaanujaaya Namaha //

SrimatE Nigamaanta Mahaa Desikaaya Namaha //

SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anupadravam anudhinam Samvardhaya/

SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anupadravam anudhinam Samvardhaya//

KAvEri VardhathAm kAlE, kAlE varshathu vAsava: /

SrI RanganAthO jayathu Sri Ranga Sri cha VardhathAm//

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SRI RANGA SRI VOL.06 / ISSUE # 24 dated 07/13/05

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IN THIS ISSUE:

Dear Bhagavatas:

 

The mercury was touching around 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) when I landed at

Chennai in the third week of May 2005, though officially (as per

Panchaangam) Aginakshatram was coming to a close. In fact, it was only after

this that the heat wave became progressively unbearable, venturing out in

the hot Sun rendered almost impossible.

 

In spite of the sweltering heat, life had become suddenly hectic with works

connected with -

- The printing and proof reading etc. of my book “Myths, Miracles and

Mysticism in Hinduism – What do they signify?” being Volume 1 under the

series “Explaining the Unexplained”

- Organizing its release through the divine hands of Srirangam Srimad

Andavan during his Sapatadhi celebrations on 8th June 2005 at Srirangam.

- Visit to Anbil for inspecting Dwajasthambam there that had become

completely worn out and is in dire need of copper plating.

- Arranging for the revival of BrahmOtsavam that had been discontinued for

over 2 decades involving as it does the making of new Vaahanams etc.

- Abhayahastam and KireeTam for the PerumaaL have to be made.

Estimates have been called for and details will be furnished in due course.

 

ABOUT ANBIL DIVYA DESAM

 

A brief reference to the specialties of the Anbil Divya dEsam may not be out

of place in this connection. As already explained in earlier postings:

· This is the birthplace of Sage Vaalmiki, before he moved north and this

fact is supported by stone inscriptions on the surrounding walls.

· Though Swami Nammaazhwar did his SaraNaagati at TiruvEnkaTam (Vide:

“agalakillEn” paasuram), he is said to have attained “mOksham: at this

Divyadesam which Tirumazhisai Azhwar had long before described as “pEranbil”

(Vide: “NaagathiNai” paasuram), a kind of twin cities comprising of

TiruppERnagar and Tiru Anbil (like Hyderabad-Secunderabad and Delhi- New

Delhi etc.)

This is substantiated by the fact that of the four works of Nammaazhwar,

Tiruvoimozhi is the last one and the last Divyadesam that finds mention (in

the last Patthu) is this “pEranbil”where he questions the Lord why he had

been indifferent to him all the while and why chose to grant mOksham to him

at this DivyadEsam. (Vide: “Inru ennai oru poruLaakki” paasuram). After

this, no other DivyadEsam figures and the Azhwar proceeds to describe the

“Archiraadi maargam” through which the Jeevaatma travels to reach

Paramaatma.

· This is one of the Vyuha moorthi kshEtrams dedicated to “Aniruddhan”, the

others being “Para VaasudEvan” of Srirangam, “Samkarshanan”of Tiru Uraiyur,

“Pradhyumnan” of TiruveLLarai and “PurushOttaman” of Uttamar koil.

· Kalki, the illustrious Tamil writer in his “Ponniyin Selvan”, speaks

highly of the generations of “Aniruddha Brahma Raayar family” whose “Raayar

Samasthaanam” was reputed for its munificence in feeding “Desaantris” at all

times. I am told, that even today, the “Raayar Samasthaanam” extends a

cordial welcome to all those who arrive at bus terminus, “Parisal Thurai”

and Railway Station and provide sumptuous food to one and all and the

tradition is carried on unabatedly. (I have not had an occasion to see this

personally in the recent past. However, as a school kid (some 70 years ago)

I used to witness this!)

· The KshEtram is also known as Brahmapuri as the Lord gave Pratyaksham to

Brahma. It is also known as “PrEmapuri”- the word translates in Tamil into

“anbu+ill” “Abode of Love”.

· Another rare feature in this temple is that the Utsavar of Andal is in a

sitting posture, whereas you will find Andal only in a standing posture

elsewhere.

· The Moolavar is “Sundararaaja PerumaaL” and the Utsavar is “VaDIvazhagiya

Nambi”. Of all the Utsava moorthis in the 106 DivyadEsams in BhoolOKam, this

Utsavar is renowned as the most beautiful true to his name. This fact is

attested by the write up in the Journal “Bhakti”

· But, the DivyadEsam consecrated by Azhwar is today in a shambles and needs

to be rejuvenated.

· With the niyamanam of asmad Achaaryan, Srimad Andavan of Poundarikapuram

Swami Asramam, Srirangam, the entire excess of Receipts over expenses

through the sale of my earlier book “Hinduism Rediscovered” (released by the

him during his 84th Tirunakshatram celebrations in 2004) was earmarked for

these Kainkaryams.

· The funds assembled as aforesaid are not enough to meet the above

expenses. It is therefore, proposed to donate also the entire Sale proceeds

of the new book “Myths, Miracles and Mysticism” for the purpose.

 

NOW, ABOUT THE NEW BOOK:

“Myths, Miracles and Mysticism in Hinduism – What do they signify?”

being Volume 1 under the series “Explaining the Unexplained”

 

This contains 3 Parts:

 

Part 1 “Myths”: seeks to prove how the anecdotes from Vedas, Upanishads,

Itihasas and PuraaNas that are dismissed by some as false (mithyaa) are not

figments of imagination but truly happened (SathyamEva) and the morals they

convey are as valid in the present day contexts as they were when they

happened.

 

Part 2 “Miracles”: Modern minds that reject Myths as fiction tend to accept

only when some miracles happen. Anecdotes from scriptures and instances of

contemporaneous miracles are cited to show that such miracles do occur even

to this day.

 

Part 3 “ Mysticism” lists several phenomena like “Kall GaruDan” of

Nachiyaarkoil, “Taanaana TirumEni” of Bhagavad Ramanuja being preserved

without any fanfare and without any of the preservatives employed in the

Egyptian and Goan models, all within the Praakaaram of BhoolOka VaikunTam,

Srirangam temple, “Attigiri Varadan” of Kanchipuram lying submerged under

waters of the temple tank for millions of years without any damage or

depreciation and many more that defy Science and rational analysis but are

nevertheless true and within our experience.

 

Independent readers commissioned to review the drafts by reputed Publishers

in USA have reported that the narratives are as interesting as the comments

are convincing.

 

Some of these Anecdotes were featured in “Sri Ranganatha Paaduka” the

monthly Journal of Srirangam Srimad Andavan Asramam, Srirangam. This book is

being published by Sri Ramanuja Mission Inc. U.S.A. (Unit of the above

Asramam, who had kindly bestowed on the author the title of “Kaimkarya

Rathnam” as a “Lifetime Achievement Recognition award” on the eve of my

present visit o India.

 

While placing on record my sincere appreciation of your encouragement for

“Hinduism Rediscovered” book, I seek your continued patronage for this book

also especially because the entire proceeds will be donated to DivyadEsams

consecrated by Azhwars but are today languishing for funds even for Deepam,

Vastram and NaivEdhyam.

 

(Actually, I have identified 5 such DivyadEsams in around Kanchipuram that

need immediate attention. I will be posting about these shortly, for your

kind information and possibly your help in rejuvenating them)

 

This is a smaller book compared to “Hinduism Rediscovered”. The book with

elegant “get up” is moderately priced at Rs.75/= in India and USD 14.75

(ex-India).Those in India may draw Check / Demand draft for Rs.75/= per copy

in favor of

“Ramaswamy Anbil”

and send it to the following address:

Ramaswamy Anbil, c/o Mrs. Mythili,

25 (Old 22) 2nd East Park Street,

Prithvipakkam,

Ambattur,

Chennai – 600 053

(Phone # 044-2657 3246).

They are advised to send an email to "Ramanbil"

for linking the orders and expediting dispatch.

 

For those in U.S.A. and other countries ex-India, a further communication

will follow.

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

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

[Guest guest]

Sri:

 

Adiyen would request devarir to arrange for the book for those interested

 

in Bangalore also if possible as devarir had done in the case of

 

'Hinduism rediscovered' through Sri Lokanatham (devarir's sambandhi).

 

Best Regards

Ramanujadasan

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Wed, 13 Jul 2005, Ram Anbil wrote:

 

> SrimatE Raamaanujaaya Namaha //

> SrimatE Nigamaanta Mahaa Desikaaya Namaha //

> SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anupadravam anudhinam Samvardhaya/

> SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anupadravam anudhinam Samvardhaya//

> KAvEri VardhathAm kAlE, kAlE varshathu vAsava: /

> SrI RanganAthO jayathu Sri Ranga Sri cha VardhathAm//

> =============================================================

> SRI RANGA SRI VOL.06 / ISSUE # 24 dated 07/13/05

> =============================================================

> IN THIS ISSUE:

> Dear Bhagavatas:

>

> NOW, ABOUT THE NEW BOOK:

> “Myths, Miracles and Mysticism in Hinduism – What do they signify?”

> being Volume 1 under the series “Explaining the Unexplained”

>

> This contains 3 Parts:

>

> Part 1 “Myths”: seeks to prove how the anecdotes from Vedas, Upanishads,

> Itihasas and PuraaNas that are dismissed by some as false (mithyaa) are not

> figments of imagination but truly happened (SathyamEva) and the morals they

> convey are as valid in the present day contexts as they were when they

> happened.

>

> Part 2 “Miracles”: Modern minds that reject Myths as fiction tend to accept

> only when some miracles happen. Anecdotes from scriptures and instances of

> contemporaneous miracles are cited to show that such miracles do occur even

> to this day.

>

> Part 3 “ Mysticism” lists several phenomena like “Kall GaruDan” of

> Nachiyaarkoil, “Taanaana TirumEni” of Bhagavad Ramanuja being preserved

> without any fanfare and without any of the preservatives employed in the

> Egyptian and Goan models, all within the Praakaaram of BhoolOka VaikunTam,

> Srirangam temple, “Attigiri Varadan” of Kanchipuram lying submerged under

> waters of the temple tank for millions of years without any damage or

> depreciation and many more that defy Science and rational analysis but are

> nevertheless true and within our experience.

>

> Independent readers commissioned to review the drafts by reputed Publishers

> in USA have reported that the narratives are as interesting as the comments

> are convincing.

>

> Some of these Anecdotes were featured in “Sri Ranganatha Paaduka” the

> monthly Journal of Srirangam Srimad Andavan Asramam, Srirangam. This book is

> being published by Sri Ramanuja Mission Inc. U.S.A. (Unit of the above

> Asramam, who had kindly bestowed on the author the title of “Kaimkarya

> Rathnam” as a “Lifetime Achievement Recognition award” on the eve of my

> present visit o India.

>

> While placing on record my sincere appreciation of your encouragement for

> “Hinduism Rediscovered” book, I seek your continued patronage for this book

> also especially because the entire proceeds will be donated to DivyadEsams

> consecrated by Azhwars but are today languishing for funds even for Deepam,

> Vastram and NaivEdhyam.

>

> (Actually, I have identified 5 such DivyadEsams in around Kanchipuram that

> need immediate attention. I will be posting about these shortly, for your

> kind information and possibly your help in rejuvenating them)

>

> This is a smaller book compared to “Hinduism Rediscovered”. The book with

> elegant “get up” is moderately priced at Rs.75/= in India and USD 14.75

> (ex-India).Those in India may draw Check / Demand draft for Rs.75/= per copy

> in favor of

> “Ramaswamy Anbil”

> and send it to the following address:

> Ramaswamy Anbil, c/o Mrs. Mythili,

> 25 (Old 22) 2nd East Park Street,

> Prithvipakkam,

> Ambattur,

> Chennai – 600 053

> (Phone # 044-2657 3246).

> They are advised to send an email to "Ramanbil"

> for linking the orders and expediting dispatch.

>

> For those in U.S.A. and other countries ex-India, a further communication

> will follow.

> Dasoham

> Anbil Ramaswamy

> ====================================================

>