HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavatas:

 

WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

 

A REQUEST TO CONTRIBUTORS IN THE NEW YEAR:

We wish to invite your kind attention to the Guidelines of “Sri Ranga Sri”.

(Repeatedly being announced on the 1st of every month) that seem to be honored

more in their breach than in observance, calling for a strict enforcement of

the guidelines and rejection of postings in contravention thereof.

 

Your attention is also invited to Editorial # 2 of SRI RANGA SRI VOL.07 /

ISSUE # 04 dated 1st December 2005, in which we have detailed the problems in

moderating and called for volunteers to act as "Co-Moderator"

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We wish to reiterate the description of “Sri Ranga Sri” group:

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"This is a group of "Swami Desika Darsana Satsangam" (SDDS) for studying

Srivaishnava - Visishtadvaita philosophy and practices as laid down by

Azhwars and as clarified by Achaaryas of Bhagavad Ramanuja - Swami Desika

SatSampradayam"

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It will be clear from the above descriptions that quotes from and news and

views of sources such as Naastikas and Maayavaadins, Amritanada Maayis and

KaruNaananda Mayis, Aurobindos and Chaitanyas, this, that and the other

Daasas, Chinmayanandas, Dayaanandas and Sivaanandas, Gaudiyas, Gaurangas and

GOswamis, Ramaanandas and Rajneeshs, Iskcons, Mahesh Yogis and Babas of

different hues and such others outside the Bhagavad Ramanuja - Swami Desika

Satsampradaayam cannot find a place in Our Site.

 

BEFORE POSTING ANY MESSAGE TO “SRI RANGA SRI”, PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR

POSTING SATISFIES THE ABOVE CRITERION AS WELL AS THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC

POINTS INCLUDED IN THE GUIDELINES.

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1. COPYCAT VERSIONS

We welcome postings EXCLUSIVELY, we repeat, EXCLUSIVELY for featuring in our

site.

However, as a mark of respect to the moderators of fraternal lists, they may

choose to post their articles to “Sri Ranga Sri” in addition to their own

lists, provided such articles are not marked to multiple other lists.

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2. PRAMANAMS

Often, it is seen that personal opinions and speculations are projected on

many issues, leading to never ending arguments and counter arguments that

divert the focus. Appropriate authority (PramaaNams) preferably with *actual

quotes* from *Saatvic* scriptures should be provided in support of any

viewpoints presented.

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4. "ORIGINAL MESSAGES"

While replying to points of another contributer, please take care to delete

the "Original message" in your reply, IF the original message had appeared

already in our message boards.

If necessary,

(i) The "Subject" of the original message may be "cited" or

(ii) The Name of the archive and the Message number therein provided or

(iii) The excerpts from original to which the reply is directly related, may

be quoted to make sure that the reply is to the point raised.

Please do not allow the entire message to appear again in your reply. A

repetition of a string of correspondence on the same subject will consume

the bandwidth unnecessarily.

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5. BE PRECISE AND TO THE POINT WHILE REPLYING:

It is noticed that sometimes, Scholars who offer to answer questions do not

take care to meet the precise point at issue but skirt around waxing on

irrelevant data, leaving the questioner no wiser after reading their

explanations, than where they found themselves before posing their queries.

It is requested that those who seek to educate should stick to the exact

points raised when they venture to explain.

Let us remember:

”WISE MEN TALK BECAUSE THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY.

OTHERS TALK BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING!”

 

6. EXHORTATIONS:

Similarly, simply exhorting readers to do this or not do that in

AnushTaanams and observances, without providing adequate PramaaNam from

authoritative scriptures underlying such instructions MIGHT BE VIEWED AS

INANE PLATITUDES OR MERE RIGMAROLE OR JUST BLAH-BLAH AND ARE LIABLE TO BE

DISMISSED OUTRIGHT BY THE READERS.

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7. LENGTH OF ARTICLES:

It is our experience that readers tend to skip long articles. It would be

desirable to limit articles to a maximum of say, 2 pages, so that we can

accommodate more contributors. If necessary, a series of articles on the

same subject may be submitted in more than one posting. PLEASE BE ADVISED

THAT POSTINGS OF MORE THAN THIS LENGTH WILL NOT BE APPROVED.

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8. SPELLING / GRAMMAR CHECKING AND LENGTH OF LINES:

The responsibility for spelling and grammar checking in your posting rests

with you. Please ensure these checks before posting. Also, please make sure

that the right margin is set to accommodate not more than 60 – 65 characters

per line. This is because, due perhaps to technical reasons, some providers

truncate the lines making it difficult to read.

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10. APPEALS FOR FUNDS:

Would anyone venture to appeal for funds for an avowedly unworthy cause? No

appeal for funds is normally made except under the cloak of some “worthy”

cause or other.

 

The money spinning technique of con artists to beguile the gullible and

credulous folks by playing upon their humanitarian emotions and sympathy

have been so perfected that the pretext of “helping a worthy cause” is

routinely touted as a useful ploy. (For example, a recent appeal was for a

medical treatment that was found to be false).

We should not fall for these.

 

The same holds good for the some of the much too numerous appeals for funds

for this, that or the other “kainkaryams” flashed on the Internet day in and

day out impacting on the sentimental susceptibilities of Bhaagavatas.

 

Complaints have surfaced, of late, regarding misuse of funds collected in

the name of so called “worthy projects”.

 

This is not to say that all appeals are of this kind.

 

IMPORTANT:

 

In fact, appeals BEARING THE SPECIFIC OFFICIAL/ PERSONAL SPONSORING BY THE

YATIVARAS THEMSELVES OF MATAMS AND ASHRAMAMS (like Ahobila matam, Paraklaala

matam, Poundarikapuram ashramam, Periyashramam, Vanamamalai matam etc.) may

be posted RESPONSIBLY.

FREQUENT AND REPEATED APPEALS FOR THE SAME CAUSE MAY KINDLY BE AVOIDED.

 

All other appeals solicited by individuals for funds for whatever

“kainkaryam” will be allowed only with the express undertaking that the

solicitor ensures the following:

(i) Officially acknowledging the receipt of contributions submitted

(ii) Utilization of the funds fully and precisely for the purposes for which

they are proposed to be mobilized through their appeal

(iii) Adequate audit and accounting are in place to the entire satisfaction

of the donors

(iv) Responsibility to personally indemnify the donors against any

inconvenience or loss due to any irregularity that might come to light at

any time, with regard to their solicitation.

 

In the absence of such undertaking, we may be seen as encouraging

indiscriminate fund-raising appeals and also become liable for any potential

legal action later on, given the conduct of numerous trusts that have

mushroomed and disappeared with the collections

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12. EXCEPTIONS:

- Special announcements of Tele-Upanyaasams, -

- Talks on SrivaishNava principles and practices,

- Tele-Stotram classes.

- Availability of books, Cassettes, CDs etc.,

- Virus warnings and

- Such other "time-sensitive" matters are welcome for the information of

members.

- Reports on Celebration of festivals, PratishTai of PerumaaL, Thaayaar etc.

in SrivaishNava temples, Mutts and Ashramams, life histories and works of

and on Azhwaars and Achaaryas of Bhagavad Ramanuja - Swami Desika Sat

Sampradaayam on the occasion of their Tirunakshatrams etc. are most welcome

in “Sri Ranga Sri” (in addition to any other sites).

- The Moderator reserves the right to allow postings of exceptional quality,

appearing elsewhere with the permission of the authors. Moderators of other

lists may, likewise, feel free to repeat in their lists any messages

appearing in our list, if they are found fit to be published in their sites.

- Further exceptions will be announced based on experience and as needed.

 

Thank you for your patience, understanding and co-operation.

 

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

Moderator

“Sri Ranga Sri”

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