Sri Ragoothma swamigala aaraadhana at Allentown

[Guest guest]

Dear SriKrishna bakhthas:

 

With blessings from SriHari, Vayu, gurugalu, the aaraadhana function of

Sri Ragoothma theertharu was well celebrated at Allentown. Our core group

from New Jersey, Connecticut, Eastern Pennsylvania (Philadelphia and

Allentown) attended the function. Our people came inspite of harsh

weather (snow and cold), heavy traffic, and after attending work with full

day of fasting! There were about 15 people for the jAgarane.

 

We started the jagarane on Friday night around 10 pm. We started with

HarikathAmrutha sAra (1st and 2nd sandhi), pAlayAmchutha, and sang the

rest as per tAratamya order. There was never a dull moment. We kept the

tempo until the last song. We actually ran out of time and wanted to sing

more. We finished the jAgarane around 4:30 am on Saturday morning with

harivAna seva.

 

Then we all took bath and started devara pooja around 5 am and offered

hastodaka to sri Ragoothma gurugalu and broke our fast at 8 am with

theertha prasAda. After some rest, we began the lecture session in the

afternoon. Some more people came in the afternoon (about 40). Sri

Sriprasad spoke spontaneously with full of emotions on Sri

RagoothmaswAmigala charithra and his contributions. Everyone was very

much moved to hear the glories of this great saint from Sriprasad.

 

After that Sri Kesavarao gave us a glimpse from bhAva bodha. He gave an

in-depth talk on Sri Ragoothma theertha's commentary on one of the sUthra

and the corresponding bhAsyam from srimadAchAryaru. The commentary was

for the sUthra " Ohm atha eva prAnaha Ohm " . Here Sri Kesavarao showed us

how Sri Ragoothma theertha analyzed various poorvapaksha views and upheld

srimadAchArya's conclusion that the prAna as mentioned in the sUthra

refers only to SriHari and nothing else. He also covered the significance

of the phrase " atha eva " from Sri Ragoothma theertha's commentary. We in

the Northeastern USA are very fortunate to have an eminent scholar, a true

devotee of the Lord, and a role model like Sri Kesavarao Tadipatri among

us.

 

After then we had our regular pAta from Sri Kesavarao on upAdhi kandanam.

We performed thottilu pooja in the evening for SriKrsihna with stothras

and haridAsara padhyagalu. People left for their respective places very

late after dinner on Saturday.

 

We had spiritually fulfilling couple of days. All these were possible due

to His grace and Sri Puthige swamiji's efforts in forming madhva centers

here. We pray Sri Vittala devaru to bless us that we should continue in

such satsangha and attain vairAgya, jnAna, and bakthi.

 

with namaskarams

 

ranga ninna kondAduva mangalAthmara, sangha sukava biddu kAyo karunAsAgara

 

GV Srinivasan