T.T.D AUTHORITIES RUINING TRADITIONAL VALUES OF THE TEMPLE

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Priya Bhagavad Bandhus !

 

Our country Bharat is far advanced than any other country in this world. Alien

countries came here in the name of business , invaded our country, killed our

people in lakhs and robbed all our wealths, technologies and historic

monuments. Unfortunately, NOW our own people are doing that.... Realise and

Respond.

 

Once upon a time, alien rulers ruined our country by force, removing idols,

deities, temples, killing scholars and skilled, destroying traditional systems

and their marks, imposing their culture, their religion, their practices and

they started using the lineance of our respect towards them as our weakness,

thus.... they robbed us away totally from our invaluable wealths and also

destroyed all our wonderful moral-valued traditions and culture. Even today we

can see all those riches and valuables in the museums of those countries. After

fighting for about 500 years with different alien rulers, India got

ruling freedom, but, again caught-up in the groove of the alien system of

constitution and government system. Now this has become our country, without

our hold on its culture, traditions and heritage. It is so unfortunate that

political parties and government procedures are working on the motive of

gaining their command even at the cost of our own spiritual values and native

heritage constructs. It is more than stabbing 'own mother' having become

arrogant & blind in the intoxication of selfishness and false prestige. After

all we live for several years, but traditions live for millions of years ! We

should respect them and protect them for our good !!!

 

Authentic Temple traditions reflect our cultural richness, spirituality and

devotion that keep the society at the exalt of morality and Divinity. 'Society'

is all of us. If we break the rules, it is like showing our arrogance, ego and

also inviting troubles.

 

T.T.D used to be an authentic temple for our Spiritual heritage. Unfortunately,

sudden changes crept in due to entry of the unqualified persons in the most

revered positions. However, if they tried to learn the traditional systems and

follow, it would have been better. But, they started to think on their own,

standing in the shoes of the aliens, ignoring the time tested practices and

even neglecting the procedural scriptures published by the TTD itself through

great traditional scholars about 40 to 50 years ago. Earlier, scholars used to

represent the true facts as they are coming from the generations. In recent

years, in the guise of 'scholars' some people assumed positions and started to

put their ideas (ignoring practical historic evidences ) to achieve their own

ends and profits.

 

It is so unfortunate that the spiritual rich traditions are being wiped off by

the pseudo-scholars. Atleast now rise up and respond to this untoward

incidences. Raise your voice demanding the authorities to "restore the native

traditions as they are ". There are scriptures written by those who followed

those traditions, exactly as it was ordained by the great seer Bhagavad

Ramanuja who unveiled this Divine form on Tirumala (when it was just lying

unknown in the forest, available only to those who dwelled in the forests ) and

brought it into light, after Lord ordained him to do so, with great compassion,

for the sake of devotees !!!

 

Sasthra says, that people who violate the basic rules in the public places like

temples will reflect in the form of harm to the rulers, authorities and people

in general. Lack of water, lack of rains, excess of heat, earthquakes, floods,

cyclones, diseases etc...are the ways in which Nature responds to protect the

balance, in serving the Divine. When a child suffers, mother takes the child to

the doctor and doctor may apply injection or cut away the wound which may cause

pain and also he may proscribe certain regular food items to the child until he

becomes better. It is for the good of the child. So also Nature responds at

the level of Planet Earth. Let us Stop abusing independence given by God ! It

is for the welfare of the whole world.

 

Just to quote a few, here are some of the violations that authorities are

following.

 

1. Sacred Thousand pillared Mandapam that has more than 400 years of history

has been totally demolished and removed, few days back without proper

permissions and acceptance from relevant authorities. Earlier Sri Venkateswara

Kalyanam used to happen there regularly.

 

TTD authorities planned to construct ropeway and develop the place as a picnic

or as a resort in other words 'a better tourist centre'. Is that the place to

do so? As and when we enter the temple precincts we feel the sanctity and a

kind of divinity. If it is made a tourist centre or a park or a resort people

come there for enjoyment not with spiritual attitude which verily defeats the

purpose of the temple. Also, the authorities are unable to maintain the

devotees who are coming there to have Darsan of Lord, what happens if more and

more people without attitude of spirituality or devotion enter that place ?? ?

 

Does the thought of ' tourism ' befit the ancient holy place of spiritual

importance' and sanctity that has thousands of years of spiritual history and

importance from the view of the ancient heritage of our country Bharat ?? HH

questioned these things and raised voice against the decision of the TTD

authorities and the government. They have ignored it and started to do the

things. The consequences are very clear. God takes care of it. Somehow TTD

wanted to take some construction work and spend several tens or hundreds crores

so that ' many ' can get the benefit of it.

 

You may be blind, but not God ! Beware.... Things to punish severely need not

come from God, His single devotee's small wish can do it. Let no body become

victims of sin. Let everybody live well, do things well and be all blessed.

 

 

2. There is no (rest ) sleep time for God, not even for an hour. Darsan being

organised all the 24 hours. Sayanothsavam is not being performed, but for name

sake. Some Authorities and staff inside feel that it is just a stone and is

just a commercial product, not as the divine form of God. It is so ridiculuous

that, do devotees go there just for fun or for fancy? Why all the devotees go

there and offer their respects... if they don't feel the divinity ??

 

3. Ordinary chlorinated water is being used for rituals in the temple which is

totally against to any Agama. They should use only ground water freshly taken

every day.

 

4. Ananthalwan Garden, a special garden for God,which used to supply flowers to

Lord Venkateswara since hundreds of years has been recently ruined and is

being used to put garbage and drianage. They are getting flowers for God from

outside and storing them in the cold storage and using them. God having so much

of wealth, can't he have fresh flowers? See the fate of these so called

'priests' and 'authorities' and 'protectors'.

 

5. Every body in the name of staff are going into the sacred place of kitchen,

also tasting the items intermittently, doing many such things etc...

 

6. Cooked and prepared items like Laddus etc., are not being offered to GOD at

all, thus.. deceiting devotees.

 

7. People who haven't ever studied temple mahathmyam, who don't know the

sampradayam, tradition, who doesn't follow basic rules of conduct and dress

code as ordained and clearly explained by Bhagavad Ramanuja (by setting an

example for it in his practice), people who have several bad habits, those who

are not well qualified, are all trying to take their own advantage of the

temple insititution.

 

Administrative officers who are supposed to take care of the proper conduct of

the things, are trying to impose their ideas on the tradition and changing them

at their will and wish without consulting the elders of that tradition and not

even giving minimum formal regard to the higher authorities of Srivaishnava

tradition.

 

8. Aradhana is not being performed in any other sannidhis, except offering

prasadam... just formally, which is totally against any Agama. Deities are

consecrated (invoked with divinity) to do all rituals, not for show !! If you

have respect towards father because he earns and feeds and start to ignore

others in the family or have disrespect towards them or try to change others

with your power and influence... think .. how good it is ... Do you know.. that

is how people are managing in Tirumala ....ruining the wonderful traditions and

ignoring the past spiritual glory. HH asked to restore a:ra:dhana in different

Sannidhis according to the scriptures of this shrine. To know which is right

and which is wrong, what is the method and how, written and published books are

available with TTD. These days, authorities are concentrating more on income

and outward beauty, rather than on the sanctity and authenticity of methods and

procedures laid by initiated Acharyas.

 

9. How good it is, not to properly honour Bhagavad Ramanuja, who actually

brought Tirumala Venkateswara into Light by consecrating the deity and

arranged to construct Tirumala temple for the sake of allowing the Devotees to

have His darsan. It is the highly magnanimous Bhagavad Ramanuja during 11th

century who opened up the availability of worshipping Lord to all people

equally, irrespective of caste creed etc.

 

Note: Until Bhagavad Ramanuja (who learned the sasthras exhaustively and also

practiced them,) opened up and propagated that out of compassion, people

belonging to other castes are not allowed into temples even to worship. But,

in our Vedic tradition, you know... 'Muniva:hana' an A:lwa:r ( a person

belonging to Harijan Community ) is carried on the back by the temple priest

into the temple. Bhagavad Ramanuja opened up Manthra to all people. Thus,

Vedic people belonging to Srivaishnava tradition treated all equally

irrespective of caste, creed and race. You know in this tradition we even

worship a muslim girl as the incarnation of mother because of her great

devotion to just the deity of Lord. She never even know that, that deity is

of some God ! But, she loved it. For that.... we worship her, even today... Go

to Melkote and see. Bhagavad Ramanuja arranged it ! Bhagavad Ramanuja taught

Manthra and its secrets to people of all castes and sects alike, unlike some

others who doesn't do so... even today! That is Bhagavad Ramanuja's

magnanimity !.. His heart bleeded for the salvation of all seekers. Thus,

Bhagavad Ramanuja brought us more near to Lord Venkateswara. He never paid

any difference to a Brahmin, a Kshathriya, a Vaisya or a Sudra or a Panchama, a

male or a female in giving Manthra and in teaching Upasana or the secrets of

Vedas. However, in performing things in the public places like temple, Sasthras

lay certain rules for the good of all, which were followed strictly. Every one

can worship God and Sasthras gave a way for every one..... literally every one.

No exception. Only thing is that they should go to elders and learn which suits

them.

 

10. TTD has planned to do some constructions in the point of view of security

and also to accommodate more number of devotees to have the Darsan of Lord. This

idea is good, but not the later part !

 

In order to do this they wanted to demolish certain ancient structures. HH Sri

Swamiji opposed this strongly and suggested still better and more economical

ways to do the things. HH also warned not to ruin any of the structures and

they should be properly preserved in their own sanctity.

 

But, TTD authorities, in the name of some Agama committee... which is illegal,

took some 'favourable' "yes'er "s who even don't know or follow the Sri

Vaishnava tradition ( either in their external or internal conduct ), who don't

even know how ....in many other authentic Divya desas ie.,, big ancient temples

all the regular rituals are functioning, those who had no special regard

towards either A:lwa:rs and their teachings of equality of all people, or

Bhagavad Ramanuja's open system, those who speak against to Sri Vaishnava

tradition in general, those who wantedly ignored to respect great Purvaacharyas

in the temples they are working, closing down those sannidhis and ruining them

without A:ra:dhana etc. and sometimes destroying them, those who are trying to

create differences in Vaishnavas in the name of Vadagalai and Thengalai

etc...and those who are becoming puppets to " politically strong " people of

different non_vaishnavite Mutts. They should have been better if they followed

their own tradition in its purity and sanctity. But, unfortunately not !

 

Just for the sake of personal gains and undeserved fame and to focus themselves

as if they are doing everything there in Tirumala gave statements. Did they

ever read the history of the Tirumala temple. There is wonderful documentation

available on the procedures and methods to be followed and being followed in

Tirumala temple since hundreds of years. Without proper knowledge of why, what

and how, How can some key decisions be taken without proper approval. This is

more than self destruction / suisidal.

 

Awake dear devotees. Now it is the time. Respond ? Question ? Ascertain and

know what is truth and what not. Don't get carried away with half-knowledged

media reports. While Sri Swamiji is doing many social and spiritual programmes

to elevate the moral strength and human values in the society none of the media

ever focussed them, though HH Sri Swamiji did so much in more than 15,000

villages of Andhra Pradesh motivating more than 3 Crore people in those places

to follow the path of righteousness,also by providing various medical and

educational services to people. Now... when HH raised voice against some wrong

things in the highly revered temple itself, media is much interested, though the

reporters know little about the facts. Infact, media people are creating

unnecessary differences among Vaishnavites and others and also confusing people

instead of promoting the noble social service activities being conducted by HH

Sri Swamiji. HH Sri Swamiji has high regards to every Mutt and those Acharyas

and he never spoke even a single word against any one of them though they are

speaking a lot of non-sense against HH Sri Swamiji. Other people are taking

advantage of this to their favour and benefits. Come on now.... guard your

LordVenkateswara ! He is there observing your response... No body can do

anything to Him, but, it is the part of devotees who should protect His

Ordinance (Sasthras) and become dearer to Him.

 

Till now HH Sri Swamiji raised voice against " all ill " and dealt the matter

as a single man Army. He is an incarnation of God in an ordinary simple human

form one can ever imagine! Ofcourse, HH is more concerned about the seekers and

the devotees and HH is committed to the perennial traditions and noble values.

Others also should realise this one day or other. We are not to hate each

other but, to understand each other, respect each other and set the things

right and live together for the welfare of the society, in general.

 

 

There are many many violations of Sasthras and malpractices being carried out

due to the ignorance, negligence and incompetence of the authorities and the

also by the so called 'care takers'. If we really start writing...the list will

run to several books, But, O.K..... if they realise one day or the other and

correct them as soon as possible, it is good. If not they should face the

consequences. This Nature will not excuse any one when they exceed their

limits, because, it serves Lord perfectly, impartially.

 

Though there are Violations, they can't be seen boldly on the face at a

glance. But, if you carefully observe all the activities, you can see how the

violations are taking place.

 

Here are two more things, examples of violations for

your information...

 

1) Procession deity of Lord Sri Venkateswara should not be taken to

"Vardhanthi" (death day) celebration of any person and He may be taken for

"Thirunakshathram" or "Jayanthi" (Birth day) celebration. For death

anniversaries, Lord is not supposed to go. It is a wrong custom to do so. But,

recently TTD has arranged to take the procession deity to Annamacharya

Vardhanthi as well as to Jayanthi which was not at all in practice earlier.

Also, this is made customary. That is a wrong practice, a sheer violation of

the conduct.

 

2) Jeeyars are supposed to protect the Dharma. They are appointed by Bhagavad

Ramanuja to safeguard all the activities properly. Ahobilam Jeeyar is one

among such Jeeyars to look after the Ahobila Mutt. Though not directly

appointed by Ramanuja, but since recent two to three hundred years he is also

involved in some of the external activities of the temple. So, he is also

supposed to obey the Ramanuja Dharma, protect the customs laid by Bhagavad

Ramanuja and adhere to the customs arranged by Sri Ramanuja. Any one who is

supposed to take part in Tirumala Lords Kainkaryam should follow the mandatory

rules instituted by Bhagavad Ramanuja. But, it is so unfortunate to say that

while is lord is taken to Annamacharya Vardhanthi function, he himself arranged

Simhasanam and sat on it along with Lord, which is against to the custom. You

can refer to the photo that came in the "sapthagiri" magazine too !

 

In presence of God, no one should seat on any form of Simhasanam. Every one

should sit on the floor, before God... When that is the custom, the person who

is supposed to protect, he himself is violating the basic fundamental thing.

But, the Local Jeeyars are supposed to oppose this sort of things, but, they

are just keeping numb.

 

Why should I do this? why shouldn't I do this...are not the questions one can

ever pose in this religious institution, because every thing was established

perfectly by great seers for millions of years to come and there is a wonderful

reason behind every thing. All the details to face every type of situation are

available in documented form too. Every one can know them, but it is mandatory

for those who are in the temple institution to know them. Authorities should

only support the administration activity and see that how best they can

implement the tradition such that it is properly safeguarded in all its purity

and sanctity.

 

Usually, Srivaishnavas are soft in their disposition and approach. However,

this should not be taken as being weak !! They have Supreme Lord on their

side...They wish good for all beings and see that things go well. They are

ready to sacrifice everything to safeguard the ordinance of Lord. Let them

belong to any caste or creed it doesn't matter as long as they realise Supreme

Lord. They are all Vaishnavites. Veda called that Supreme Lord as "Narayana" and

all the three systems of Dwaitha, Adwaitha and Vishtadwaitha unquestionably

accept this truth. Sri Sankaracharya also clearly accepted this and wrote in

his original commentaries very directly. Infact, He worshipped Lord Lakshmi

narasimha and NOT Siva/Rudra as some modernists claim. Working knowledge of

basic sanskrit is enough to understand all his commentaries. He considered

Siva as a great Vaishnavite.

 

Realise ! dear friends.... Realise atleast now and know the greatness of

Bhagavad Ramanuja's tradition who accommodated the whole world into a small

corner of his wide heart !

 

Such a great saint Ramanujacharya established Tirumala worshipping methods and

procedures after exhaustively scrutinising the Sa:sthras, all in accordance with

that of the grand traditional Vedic lineage that is highly accepted and

revered by one and all. We belong to that great tradition ! Realise and

Respond to the many many untoward practices being forced in the name of

tradition. Know the real values, which are being still protected by great

Acharya HH Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, not just in words but in deeds. Let us

join together and see that the great Vedic tradition highlighted by Bhagavad

Ramanujacharya be available to all the seekers and make the society better and

peaceful under the divine guidance of HH Sri Tridandi Chinna Srimannarayana

Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamiji.

 

It is our duty to see that traditions be safeguarded in their pristine purity.

Because of such a noble act by our great compassionate Acharyas , today we are

able to enjoy the Divine Darsan of Lord Sri Venkateswara.

 

May we become alert in serving Lord, in protecting the traditions the way He

ordained on us through our Acharyas and also may we be blessed with the strength

and boldness to come out of cowardice, selfishness and respond powerfully to

prove to this world the greatness of our "Sanathana Dharma" that alone can

bring World peace and Universal Welfare. Come on... it is a matter of your

life.... if you are a real seeker.

 

Jai Srimannarayana !

 

 

 

 

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