FW: REVIEW OF PEARLS OF WISDOM BY SVDD, CHENNAI

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Forarded for informationDasohamModerator Wed, 8 Jul 2009 14:14:41 +0530REVIEW OF PEARLS OF WISDOMsriharihinduTo: ramanbilSri:Respected Swamin, Please find below the review of "Pearls Of Wisdom From Srimad Ramayanam". Kindly excuse me for the delay. I have given the references both in English and Tamil. You may use them appropriately.Kindly acknowledge.With Warm Regards,Srihari -------------Sri:The great epic Srimad Ramayanam brings out the very best of human values and Sri Rama at once epitomises both the 'Model Man' and 'Absolute God'. This has been corroborated by Azhwars as: "kaRpaar iraamapiraanaiyallaal maRRum kaRparO?" (Nammazhwar); and"silaiyinaal ilangai cheRRa dhEvanE dhEvan aavaan" (ThodaradipPodi Azhwar). "கறà¯à®ªà®¾à®°à¯ இராமபிரானையலà¯à®²à®¾à®²à¯ மறà¯à®±à¯à®®à¯ கறà¯à®ªà®°à¯‹?" (நமà¯à®®à®¾à®´à¯à®µà®¾à®°à¯) "சிலையினால௠இலஙà¯à®•à¯ˆ செறà¯à®± தேவனே தேவன௠ஆவானà¯" (தொணà¯à®Ÿà®°à®Ÿà®¿à®ªà¯à®ªà¯Šà®Ÿà®¿ ஆழà¯à®µà®¾à®°à¯) The name 'Rama' has been derived from the word 'Ramayati', which means 'fascinates' or 'charms'. (Ramayati iti Rama:). Interestingly, this could be the reason behind Sri Andal referring Him as 'Manaththukku Iniyaan' (மனதà¯à®¤à¯à®•à¯à®•à¯ இனியானà¯) in ThirupPaavai. This quality perfectly fits not only Rama but also this book “Pearls Of Wisdom From Srimad Ramayanam†authored by Sri Anbil Ramaswamy. The structuring of the study itself is as alluring as it is intriguing. It is an intoxicating amalgam of convention and novelty in concept, subtlety and grandeur in substance and lucidity and clarity in style. Purpose and meticulousness are writ large on the work through out. True to the name, it’s a veritable store house of wonderful and pristine pearls. The events in the epic have been chronologically dealt with with Valmiki Ramayanam as the basis, even while appropriately entwining the versions of Kamban (extensive references), Tulasi Dasa, Kali Dasa, Bhoja and Swami Desika. This pattern offers the reader scope for comparative study of events and their nuances, as handled by the masters. Illustrated morals and side stories add to the flow of narration. Also, anecdotes from various Acharyas’ discourses provide refreshing and valuable insight. The octogenarian author is a doyen among those who serve our Sri Samprdaya with distinction. Eminence and erudition are his forte. His service, spanning several decades, through discourses in the western world, his e-journal Sri Ranga Sri and a number of published books, has helped our tradition hold on to its own, especially overseas. Much thought has gone into the making of this edition as evidenced also by the exquisite cover design, nice lay-out, appropriate use of differential fonts, quality stationery and printing, error-free proof reading and so on -- ingredients that help in enhancing the reading experience. A 'must-read' enlightener for all Sri Vaishnavas. Natteri P. Srihari (a) Lakshmi Narasimhacharyar,Editor, svdd.com-------------SRIHARIMobile No. 0-94444-13746.