SRI RANGA SRI -E-JOURNAL - VOL.09 / ISSUE # 24 dated 20th April 2008

[Guest guest]

SrI:

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.09 / ISSUE # 24 dated 20th April 2008

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

IN THIS ISSUE:

 

1. MAASA PANCHANGAM – CHITHRAI MONTH (by MADHAVAKKANNAN)

2. YUDDHA KHAANDAM PART - 15 (SRIMAD RAMAYANAM DISCOURSES IN THE

HINDU TEMPLE OF ATLANTA by SRI ANBIL RAMASWAMY SWAMI)

3. TAATPARYA RATNAVALI - SUBMISSION 54- SLOKAM 20- Part 4

(SRI N. KRISHNAMACHARAIAR SWAMI OF CHICAGO)

 

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

ISSUES RELEASED

With this issue, about 287 Regular issues of SRS have been released

so far, apart from numerous " Special Issues " as indicated below:

27 Issues of Vol. 1

15 Issues of Vol. 2

42 Issues of Vol. 3

35 Issues of Vol. 4

28 Issues of Vol. 5

30 Issues of Vol. 6

50 Issues of Vol. 7 and

36 Issues of Vol. 8

24 Issues of Vol. 9 (including this)

---

You may view the archives at http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia

maintained By Sri Srinivasan Sriram

 

We strongly urge you to kindly peruse the " Regular Issues " archived

in the Files Section and view the Contents at srsindex.html

(Not the individual postings allowed for encouraging " Reader

participation " ).

 

We are sure that you will be convinced of the quality of the

contents.

 

IF you are satisfied with the quality and contents of

" Sri Ranga Sri " -

Tell your friends to join by sending an email to

Srirangasri-

 

IF NOT:

Tell us, as to how we may improve.

Ever at your service

Moderator

" Sri Ranga Sri "

 

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

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxx

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

1. Sarvajit varsha maasi maasa Panchangam:

 

April 13, 2008 – Sunday – Chithrai month begins

April 14, 2008 – Monday – Sri Rama Navami

April 16, 2008 - Wednesday – Ekadasi

April 17, 2008 – Thursday - Dwadasi – Mahapradhosham

April 20, 2008 - Sunday - Chithrai Star – Madhurakavi AzhwAr

Thirunakshathram

April 20, 2008 - Sunday – Chithra pourNami

April 28, 2008 - Monday – SravaNam

May 01, 2008 - Thursday – Ekadasi

May 02, 2008 - Friday – Dwadasi

May 03, 2008 – Saturday – Mahapradhosham

May 05, 2008 - Monday – Amavasyai

May 08, 2008 - Thursday – Akshaya thrithiyai

May 09, 2008 - Friday - Sri Bhashyakarar Thirunakshathram

 

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

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxx

 

2. " YUDDHA KHAANDAM " PART - 14 OF SRIMAD RAMAYANAM

(ANBIL RAMASWAMY)

--

 

71. SRI RAMA PATTABHISHEKA MAHOTSAVAM (131)

Tatah sa prayatO vriddhO vasishTO braahmaNai: saha/

Raamam ratnamayE peeTE saha seetam nyavEsayat//

vasishTO vaamadEvas cha jaabaalir atha kaasyapa:/

kaatyaayana: suygjnas cha goutamO vijayas tathaa//

abhyashinchan nara vyaaghram prasannEna sugandhinaa/

salilEna sahasra-aksham vasavO vaasavam yathaa//

ritvik-bhi: braahmaNai: poorvam kanyyaa-bhir mantiri-bhis tathaa/

yOdhais chaiva abhishinchyam tE samprahrishTaa: sanaigamai: // (131-

59-62)

Meaning:

" Then VasishTa of the ancient days, the priest of Ikshvaaku race

with his mind and senses serene, having obtained the assent of the

BrahmaNas, installed Raaghava and Sita on the throne bedecked with

gems, as the Vasus enthroned Indra, even so did VasiashTa, VaamdEva,

Jaabaali, Kaasyapa, Kaatyaayana, Suyagjna, Goutama and Vijaya – the

eight Mahaatmas- enthroned Sri Ramachandra, bathing him with pure

and fragrant waters to the beatified chanting of the Vedas, the

Sacrificial priests, the BrahmaNas, the virgins, the officials, the

Kshatriyas and the Vaisyas, sprinkled on Raghuveera holy waters

mixed with the juices of celestial herbs " . (Tr. CRS Iyengar)

 

Satrughna held the white royal parasol; LakshmaNa and VibheeshaNa

waved white fans made of Yak tails (Saamarams) on either side. In

the sky, the celestials assembled to witness the gala function.

 

Rama presented valuable gifts like cows and precious jewels to one

and all. Rama gave a pearl necklace to Sita and asked her to present

it to whomsoever she wished as deserving based on extraordinary

valor, strength, intelligence and other qualities. Sita presented it

to Hanumaan.

 

72. YUVA RAAJA PATTABHISHEKAM

Rama asked LakshmaNa to assume charge as " Yuvaraaja " but, he

declined it politely. Rama then made Bharata the " Yuvaraaja "

 

73. RAMA RAJYAM

 

During his reign, only the word Rama was on the lips of everyone;

the stories of his exploits were the only thing that could be heard

everywhere. The whole world became " Raama mayam " .

raamO raamO raama iti prajaanaam abhavan kathaa:/

raamabhootam jagad abhoot raamE raajyam prasaasati// (131-101)

 

Rama ruled over the kingdom for 11000 years.

Dasa varsha sahasraaNI dasa varsha Sataani cha/

bhraatrubhi: sahita: sreemaan RaamO raajyam akaarayat// (131-106)

 

Rama performed innumerable Yaagas and Yagjnas. No woman got widowed;

no wild animals dared to encroach human habitations; None suffered

from any ailments; there were no thieves; none had to undergo any

hardships in life; there was no untimely death; all the subjects

followed the virtuous life that Rama exemplified; the trees put

forth foliage, flowers and fruits in abundance irrespective of the

seasons; the march of the seasons was orderly; none of the subjects

was greedy; all followed the duties of their respective VarNa and

Ashrama; all were intent on performing Dharma, in being always

truthful and were happy and prosperous.

 

74. PHALA-SRUTI

Aadi kaavyam idam tu aarsham puraa vaalmeekinaa kritam//

Ya: paTEt sruNuyaat lOkE nara: paapaad vimuchyatE/

Putra kaamastu putraan vai dhana kaamO dhanaani cha//

labhatE manujO lOkE srutvaa raamaabhishEchanam/

maheem vijayatE raajaa ripooms cha api adhitishTati// (131-107 to109)

srutvaa raamaaYaNam idam dheergham aayush cha vindati// (131- 111)

praartitaan cha varaan sarvaan praapnuyaad iha raaghavaat/

sravaNEna suraa; sarvE preeyantE samprasruNvataam//(131-113)

striyO rajasvalaa srutvaa putraan ssoyur anuttamaat/

aiswaryam putralaabhas cha bhavishyanti na samsaya://(131-117, 118)

kuDuma vriddhim dhana dhhanya vriddhim

striyas cha mukhyaa: sukham uttamam cha/

srutvaa subham kaavyam idam mahaartham

praapnOti sarvaam bhuvi cha artha sasiddhim//

aayushyam aarOghyakaram yasasyam

soubraatrukam buddhikaram subham cha/

srOtavyam Etad niyamEna sadbhi:

aakhyaanam Ojaskarriddhi kaamai://( 131- 120, 121)

Meaning:

One who reads or hears this first and grand epic especially Sri Rama

PaTTaabhishEkam composed by Valmiki is cleansed of all sins; whether

one wants offspring or wealth or health, triumph over enemies, one

is sure to get, all desires fulfilled; will be rid of all passions

like lust and anger; the celestials as well as manes will be

pleased. Sri Ramachandra is ever pleased with such a one. May every

thing good and gracious go with you; speak it without a shadow of

shyness or a glint of misgiving; speak it with a heart unclouded

with doubt or uncertainty. When the Ramayana is read or heard with

devotion, all the gods are filled with perennial delight and shower

all that is best like long life, fame, happiness, wealth, loving

siblings, intelligence etc.

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

75. PravamEtat puraavrittam …Samapana Slokams

 

dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

(To be continued)

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

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxx

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

3.TAATPARYA RATNAVALI - SUBMISSION 54 - SLOKAM 20 -PART 4

(SRI N. KRISHNAMACHARAIAR SWAMI OF CHICAGO)

---

---------

SrImate ra'nga rAmAnuja mahA deSikAya namaH.

tAtparya ratnAvaLi Submission 54, Slokam 20 Part 4,

tiruvAimozhi 1.9, pASurams 1.9.9, 1.9.10.

pASuram 1.9.9:

 

kamalak kaNNan en kaNNiNuLLAn kANban avan kaNgaLAlE

amala'ngaLAga vizhikkum aim-pulanum avan mUrti

kamalattu ayan nambi tannait kaNNudalAnODum tORRi

amalat daivattODu ulagamAkki en neRRiyuLAnE.

 

en neRRiyuLAnE - BhagavAn has now reached my forehead - He who

created Sivan and brahmA and all the other deva-s entered into my

eyes, and I see Him. By His divine sight on me, I have become

completely pure, and all my indriya-s - the five senses - are now

subservient to Him. And now He has taken residence in my forehead.

 

svAmi deSikan describes the union of bhagavAn with AzhvAr described

in this pASuram as 'sthitam alika taTe' - (alikam - the forehead) -

He who has taken residence in the forehead. Though in this pASuram,

bhagavAn occupying AzhvAr's forehead is the union of bhagavAn with

AzhvAr that is sung, there is mention again about bhagavAn entering

AzhvAr's eyes (kamalak kaNNan en kaNNiNuLLAn - the subject of the

previous pASuram), His giving AzhvAr the ability to see Him in

person (kANban), and bhagavAn blessing AzhvAr with His kaTAksham

(amala'ngaLAga vizhikkum). There is discussion about whether AzhvAr

is having a yogic experience of seeing bhagavAn's tirumEni here, or

whether he is actually seeing bhahavAn's tirumEni. The veda-s

declare that He is beyond perception by human eyes - 'na mAmsa

cakshubhir vIkshate tam', 'na cakshushA paSyati', etc. SrImad

tirunkkuDandai ANDavan comments that the veda-s just took an

exception here - similar to bhagavAn giving the divine vision to

arjuna that enabled him to see bhagavAn's viSva rUpam. Another

interpretation given is that AzhvAr is relating his yogic experience

once bhagavAn has entered his eyes.

 

pASuram 1.9.10:

 

neRRiyuL ninRu ennai ALum nirai malarp pAda'ngaL SUDi

kaRRait tuzhAi muDik kOlak kaNNa pirAnait tozhuvAr

oRRaip piRai aNindAnum nAnmuganum indiranum

maRRai amararum ellAm vandu enadu ucci uLAnE.

 

oRRaip piRai aNindAnum, nAnmuganum, indiranum, maRRai amararum

ellAm, kaRRait tuzhAi muDi kOlam kaNNa pirAnai, neRRiyuL ninRu ennai

ALum nirai malarp pAda'ngaL SUDit tozhuvAr; vandu enadu ucci uLAnE.

BhagavAn has now taken a seat on top of my head - the same emperumAn

who wears on His crown the tulasI garlands that have been offered

with respect by rudran, brahmA, indra, and all the other deities,

and who are worshipping His lotus feet resting on my forehead with

great devotion, has now moved to my head and has taken His seat

there - to stay there forever (In the next and concluding pASuram of

this tiruvAimozhi, AzhvAr declares: ucci uLLE niRkum kaNNapirArkku -

KaNNa pirAn who stays put on top of my head.)

 

svAmi deSikan describes AzhvAr's experience in this pASuram through

the words 'mastake tasthivAmsam' (mastaka - head, the top of the

head; tasthu - immovable, stable; amsam - a part, portion).

 

In conclusion of this tiruvAimozhi, it is noted that just as bhakti

yogi-s take a stepwise approach in adopting the steps of bhakti

yoga, and this gradually grows their level of bhakti, so also,

bhagavAn has bestowed His union with AzhvAr in gradual steps to

AzhvAr, such that each step and its full enjoyment are digested

completely by AzhvAr. This is referred to as 'pratyAhAra kramam' -

'withholding, approaching in gradual steps' in bhakti yoga. Thus,

AzhvAr has described the steps through which bhagavAn bestowed His

samSlesham - mei kalanda vagai - physical union, with AzhvAr in

gradual steps. This is supported by the following thoughts in the

ten pASuram-s of this tiruvAimozhi:

 

- BhagavAn approaches AzhvAr, along with pirATTi, with all His

Glory expressly revealed to AzhvAr, by appearing in the region

around AzhvAr, as if looking for the best point to approach AzhvAr

and present Himself to him (1.9.1)

- Having thus taken many incarnations etc., in which He performs

great acts beyond comprehension just to attract AzhvAr to Him, and

after attracting AzhvAr to Him through His infinite kalyANa guNa-s,

bhagavAn gets even closer to AzhvAr now (1.9.2).

- Though He has garuDan and pirATTi close to Him, He prefers to

be with AzhvAr rather than mingling with garuDan, pirATTi, the nitya

sUri-s, etc., and instead, is looking for the best way to climb on

to AzhvAr's waist like Child KRshNa trying to get on to yaSodA's

waist (1.9.3).

- BhagavAn in the form of KaNNan has now climbed on to AzhvAr's

waist, and is giving AzhvAr the experience of Mother YaSodA (1.9.4)

- BhagavAn has now moved to AzhvAr's chest, even as pirATTi

resides eternally in bhagavAn's vaksha sthalam - agalakillEn iRaiyum

enRu alarmEl ma'ngai uRai mArbhA!(1.9.5)

- Next, bhagavAn climbs on to AzhvAr's shoulders, just as He is

seated on nitya sUri garuDAzhvAr (1.9.6)

- Next He takes His seat on AzhvAr's tongue, a place from which

no one can take Him away (1.9.7)

- BhagavAn next occupies the center of AzhvAr's eyes, with His

delicate form (1.9.8)

- BhagavAn moves over to AzhvAr's forehead next (1.9.9)

- From there, He moves over and takes permanent residence on

AzhvAr's head, with His divine feet worshipped by all the deva-s

(1.9.10)

 

Regards

dAsan kRshNamAcAryan

(To be continued)

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

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxx