SRI RANGA SRI E_JOURNAL_ VOL.11 / ISSUE # 04 dated 8th December 2009

[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.11 / ISSUE # 04 dated 8th December 2009

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

IN THIS ISSUE:

 

1. VEDIC RITES- Part 12 by Sri U Ve Anbil Ramaswamy Swami, USA

2. AZHWARS AND SWAMI DESIKAN – KULASEKARAZHWAR 5.1

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

ISSUES RELEASED

 

With this issue, about 312 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

36 Issues of Vol. 8

27 Issues of Vol. 9 and

18 Issues of Vol. 10

04 issues of Vol. 11

---

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 "

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

1. VEDIC RITES – Part 12

by Sri Anbil Ramaswamy, USA.

CHAPTER 13

POST WEDDING SAMSKARAS OF 40 SAMSKARAS

• PANCHA MAHAA YAGJNA 1: DEVA YAGJNA

• PANCHA MAHAA YAGJNA 2: PITRU YAGJA

• PANCHA MAHAA YAGJNA 3: MANUSHYA YAGJNA

• PANCHA MAHAA YAGJNA 4: BHUTA YAGJNA

• PANCHA MAHAA YAGJNA 5: BRAHMA YAGJNA

-----

Taittriya AraNyaka (2.10) prescribes that In addition to the normal activities

associated with one's profession (VarNa Dharma) and stage in life (Ashrama

Dharma), the daily routine of a devout Hindu is to perform Pancha maha yagjnas

(five daily duties). These are the minimal practices which guide a person in

everyday life and ensure peace and spiritual prosperity.

i. DEVA YAGNA: (Deity worship) - The daily puja to the Ishta devata, (favorite

deity) by pouring of ghee in the sacred fire. (Sacred fire offerings) This

practice helps one to become " aastika " in all daily activities besides arousing

a sense of togetherness in the family, because the family members worship

together and participate in the rituals, chants, singing, and study of

scriptures. Tradition says that " a family that prays together stays together. "

ii. BRAHMA YAGNA: (Seer worship) Each day the householder expresses his debt to

the ancient sages by studying, teaching, repeating and meditating upon at least

some portions of the Vedic scriptures. This practice refreshes one's mind with

sacred knowledge and also helps to preserve and enrich such knowledge.

iii. PITRU YAGNA: (Ancestor Worship) Libations of water or setting aside of

rice balls (piNDas) constitute a remembrance of ancestors - back to the 7th

generation (at least during new moon days and beginning of months, and at the

time of Annual Shraddas). This practice serves to remind the family to preserve,

enrich and continue one's cultural heritage and family values.

iv. BHUTA YAGNA: (Worship of living beings) by scattering grains, offering foods

at the threshold for animals, birds, insects etc. This practice inculcates the

spirit of camaraderie with all living creatures.

v. NARA YAGNA OR PURUSHA YAGNA OR MANUSHYA YAGNA: (Guest worship) Obligation to

honor ties of fellowship with humanity by showing hospitality to guests, friends

or even strangers and beggars.

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

CHAPTER 14

PAKA/ HAVIR / SOMA YAGJNAS OF 40 SAMSKARAS

PAKA YAGJNAS OF GRIHYA SUTRAS

20. PAKA YAGJNAM 1: ASHTAKA – ANVASHTAKA

This hOma is performed on the 8th day after the full moon. AshtakA is praying

that we be lords of riches, with good children and good people around us. The

hymn is a prayer for a happy New Year. The first Ashtaka in the New Year is the

occasion for this hOma

(Vide Page 93 of " The hymns of the Atharvaveda " & #8206; - Page 93 by Ralph Thomas

Hotchkin Griffith – 1895

This is done during Maaga month. A kind of cake is prepared and offered in hOma

one to the Ashtaka deity and another to Svishtakrit deity. Alternately, instead

of the cake, handfuls of curds called Dadhy-anjali can be offered. The left over

of the cake is offered on the next day to 8 Brahmins representing 2 Visvedevas,

3 Pitru vargams and 3 Maatru vargams. The procedure is repeated on the next day

in AnvashTaka. (Vide page 170 of " 40 Samskarangal "

by Srivatsa Somadeva Sarma, Published by Bhavani Book Centre, Chennai- 1992)

21. PAKA YAGJNAM 2: PARVANAM

This is also called " Maasi Sraddham " which is deemed to be " PoorNam " meaning

" Completion " . This Sraddha is performed on the new moon day in honor of

progenitors in general, and at which three funeral cakes are offered to 3

paternal ancestors, and 3 to maternal ancestors, and two to ViswedEvas or

assembled Gods.

(Vide Page 94 of " The principles of the Hindu law of inheritance " By Rajkumar

Sarvadhikari, Published by Thacker, Spink, 1882).

22. PAKA YAGJNAM 3: STHAALIBAGAM or SRADDHAM

This is done on the Prathamai following both PourNami day and the Amaavaasya day

every month. The offering (Saru) is made to Oupaasana Agni to the fire god and

SvishTakrit deity.

23. PAKA YAGJNAM 4: SRAVANEE

This is also known as " Sarppa Bali " . This is done every day till PourNami (full

moon day) of Maargazhi month. At night on the PourNami of AvaNi month when it is

started, the flowers of " Palaasa " are offered near the anthill with appropriate

sarppa mantras

24. PAKA YAGJNAM 5: AAGRAHAAYANI

Like Sarppa Bali, this is done from the day of AvaNi AviTTam and completed on

the full moon day of Thai (makaram) month. These two are believed to remove any

" Sarppa dOshams " arising out of killing of snakes and result in acquiring

progenies for the issueless couples.

25. PAKA YAGJNAM 6: CHAITREE

This is also known as " Isaana Bali " . This is done at the junction of 4 streets

to please the deity called " Isaana " supposed to reside there.

26. PAKA YAGJNAM 7: AASVAYUJI

This is also known as " AagraayaNa Sthaalibaagam " . This is done on the PourNami

day of Kaartikai (vrischika) month. The offering to the fire consists of a grain

called " Syaamakam "

These 7 Paaka Yagjnas can be done easily unlike the 7 Havir Yagjnas and the 7

Soma Yagjnas which are a little more complicated.

--\

----------------------------

27 to 33: HAVIR YAGJNAS OF GRIHYA SUTRAS

27. HAVIR YAGJNAM 1: AGNI AADAANAM/AHAVAANEEYAM

This is the act by which the three Agnis of Aahavaneeyam, DakshiNaagni and

Gaarhaapatyam are ignited.

28. HAVIR YAGJNAM 2: AGNI HOTRAM

Offering homams on a daily basis in the above Agnis both in the morning and in

the evening is called Agni hOtram. It is considered to be the starting point of

all Sacrifices.This is called the Fire-sacrifice: The offering is milk both

times (i.e.) morning and evening.

(Vide " The daily evening and morning offering (Agnihotra) according to the

Br & #257;hmaNas " & #8206; - Page 4 by H. W. Bodewitz - - 1976

29. HAVIR YAGJNAM 3: DARSAPOORNA MAASAM

Darsa PoorNa Maasam is done on the Prathamai days following Full moon day and

the New moon day every month.

30. HAVIR YAGJNAM 4: AAGRAYANAM

This consists of 3 Yaagas, namely to Indra, VisvEdEvas and sOman

(Vide Annexure 1- item 6 of " Sroutham " published by Periyaasramam – 2004)

31. HAVIR YAGJNAM 5: CHATURMAASYAM

This is mentioned mainly in the " Raajasuya PrakaraNam " but this can be practiced

by all varNas and especially by Sannyasis who are supposed to stay in one place

during the rainy season. Chaturmaasyam comprises the following 4 steps, namely

(1) VaisvadEvam (which itself consists of 8 different Yaagas),

(2) Parva VaruNa ghraasam (which consists of 4 Yaagas),

(3) Saakamedam (which is done on 2 consecutive days) and

(4) Sunaaseeriyam (which consists of 5 different Yaagas).

(Vide paras 154 to 158 of " Sroutam published by Periyasramam)

32. HAVIR YAGJNAM 6: NIROODA PASU BANDHAM

This is done once in a year.

33. HAVIR YAGJNAM 7: SOUTHRAAMANI

This Sacrifice is also done once in a year. This is said to restore lost kingdom

(Vide " Book of Rituals " By Krishnamacharya, Published by READ BOOKS, 2008)

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

In today's context, all these 7 Havir Yagjnas are usually done only by those

Vaideekas who meticulously perform major sacrifices.

34 to 40: SOMA YAGJNAS OF GRIHYA SUTRAS

34. SOMA YAGJNAM 1: AGNISHTOMAM

Sacrifice to please Agni, the fire god and considered to be the opening

sacrifice indispensable for every Agnihotri to gain the object wished.

 

(Vide " Essays on the sacred language, writings, and religion of the

Parsees & #8206; " - Page 281 by Martin Haug, Edward William West, E. P. Evans –

1878)

 

AgnishTOmam is performed in 5 days each day known by a distinct name:

- Deekshaa Ahas,

- PraayaNeeya Ahas,

- Pravarghya Ahas,

- AgneeshOmeeya Ahas and

- Sootya Ahas.

This AgnishTOMam is the basis of all the 7 Soma yagjnas.

(Vide Page 60 of Srimad Ramayanam uttara khaandm notes by Sri C.R.Srinivasa

Iyengar)

35. SOMA YAGJNAM 2: ATYAGNISHTOMAM

One of the 3 Homas Sacrifice to please Agni, the fire God, the others being

AgnishTOma and shODasee.

(Vide Bhavan's Journal Published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan., 1979)

36. SOMA YAGJNAM 3:UKTYAM

In this, sacrifice is offered to Indra and Agni together chanting three Uktya

stOtras and three Uktya Sustras in addition to AgnishTOma stOtras and Sustras in

the third Savanam. (Vide Page 55 of Srimad Ramayanam uttara khaandm notes by Sri

C.R.Srinivasa Iyengar)

37. SOMA YAGJNAM 4: SHODASEE

In this, a separate sacrifice is offered exclusively to Indra chanting extra

StOtram, Sustram and Soma graham in addition to the 15 StOtra Sustras mentioned

in the earlier Soma Yagjnas. (Vide Page 55 of Srimad Ramayanam uttara khaandm

notes by Sri C.R.Srinivasa Iyengar)

38. SOMA YAGJNAM 5: VAAJAPEYAM

Food Sacrifice for wealth performed over 17 days

(Vide Para 169 of " Sroutam " published by Periyasramam 2004)

 

In this, in addition to ShODasee StOtra Sustras, chanting of VaajapEya Saamam

and VaajapEya Sustram are also required to be recited.

(Vide Page 55 of Srimad Ramayanam uttara khaandam notes by Sri C.R.Srinivasa

Iyengar)

39. SOMA YAGJNAM 6: ATIRAATRAM

For copious rains " -

(Vide Page 133 of Sages through Ages: India's Heritage " & #8206; by K. K. Nair –

2007)

In this, a special sacrifice is offered to Saraswati.

(Vide Page 55 of Srimad Ramayanam uttara khaandm notes by Sri C.R.Srinivasa

Iyengar)

40. SOMA YAGJNAM 7: AAPTORYAAMAM

In this, in addition to the chantings prescribed for Atiraatram, four more

stOtras and Sustras are required to be chanted.

(Vide Page 55 of Srimad Ramayanam uttara khaandm notes by Sri C.R.Srinivasa

Iyengar)

IMPORTANT NOTE: Though all the above Yaagams are prescribed as indispensible for

investing Brahminhood on Brahmins, they are ignored completely. No wonder, in

the modern world, Brahmins have lost their rightful place in society as leaders

guiding the others and are rightly treated like doormats in the country of their

origin and are required to move overseas to eke out their livelihood

To be continued

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

2. DESIKAN AND AZHWAARS – 5.1 - Kulasekara AzhwAr

SrI:

SrImathE Gopaladesika mahadesikaya nama:

 

Dearest all,

 

Continuing on AzhwArs and Swamy Desikan- we will now enjoy Kulasekara perumAL

and Swami Desikan.

 

[This is based on the article written by Sri U Ve Asoori V Raman,

Tirunarayanapuram]

 

KulasEkarAzhwar was born as a prince to ChEra king Dhidavradhan and

nAdhanAyagi during 8 th century(?) in the month of mAsi and the nakshatram of

punarpoosam(same as that of Lord Rama). The child looked divine and made

everyone who saw it happier and cheerful. The entire kingdom was in a

jubilant mood. The kid was named kulasEkaran and when he grew he was taught all

sAstrAs, epics, arts, Tamil and Sanskrit and was also given training on

fighting, Horse riding, Elephant riding, etc. In each endeavour, he excelled and

came out in flying colours. When Dhidavradhan became old, kulasEkaran ascended

the throne and since then he was ruling like Lord Sri Rama and brought in

RamaRajyam to his kingdom. People were very happy and there was rich harvest

throughout the year; there were regular rains and there was only subheeksham.

Hence the citizens had great amiount of love and respect for their king

kulasEkarA.

 

Once without knowing kulasEkarA's strengths, the neighbouring kings (Chola and

pAndyA) came to fight and during the battle kulasEkaran won with no difficulty.

Impressed PandyA king gave his daughter to kulasEkarA for marrying her.

kulasEkarA was blessed with a son (whom he named dhidavradhan) and a daughter

ILai.

 

One night, The Lord wished to divert kulasEkarA's attention to Him and he

appeared as Lord Tirupati Venkatachalapathi in the king's dream and blessed him.

The king was overwhelmed with the Lord's love and became silent and was only

thinking of the Lord at all times. He became totally like water in Lotus leaf

(Water never wets the Lotus leaf) and was ruling the kingdom without any

attachment; He was spending his time more and more on ThiruvArAdhnam and Bhajans

and listening to stories of Rama and KrishNa. He even started disliking the

battles since he did not like to see more loss of lives in the battle. He

started singing in Tamil and sanskrit with full of love and Bhakti in praise of

the Lord. He spent his most of the time only on religious activities and

attending discourses. Once when the UpanyAsakar was narrating Rama RavaNa

yuddham where the battle was giong on for a long time and RavaNa was giving a

tough fight, kulasEkara was so much attached to the story and it the discourse

he ordered his Army General to

immediately organise to send the soldiers, elephants and horses and the king was

also making himself ready for the battle to give a helping hand to Sri Rama. The

upanyAsakar and all others were totally perplexed and could not say anything.

The upanyAsaker at last came to the king and said " O, mighty king, We need not

go. The Lord Rama has already killed ravaNa and is on his way back to AyOdhyA

for his pattAbhishEkam " .

 

That made the king silent and he came to normal; Such was kulasEkarA's bhakti

for Rama. It is told Lord Rama appeared in his dream that night and said "

kulasEkarA, I am deeply moved by your readiness to offer me help in the battle.

I Sice you are having blind affection and live for me , you did not realise my

Strength and parAkramam. We can win asurAs with no effort; You are acting just

like LakshmaNA, who is also attached to me deeply. From today you will be called

kulasEkara perumAL like ILayaperumAL LakshmaNA. Even today he is reverred as

kulasEkara perumAL. The pAsurams he sang were compiled under " perumAL

thirumozhi " . One can see his feeling of deep regret for not being born during

RamA's time in his pAsurams.

As he was getting more and more involved in Bhagavadh Bhakti and Bhagavadha

Bhakti and was spending all his time in such activities, the ministers were not

clear as to how to bring the king back to his administration. The king had even

consecrated a Golden statute of Sri Rama in the palace where he was spending

most of the time with other pundits and upanyAsakALs.

 

Once during a Ramanavami day (the birthday of Sri Rama), the king was

astonished to see a big nice Navaratna mAlai which had adorned Sri Rama missing.

He was confused as to how somoen can come inside the palace with so much

security and so many people around. The ministers were asked;

 

One of them (may be the chief minister) hesitantly stammered to say " May be ..Oh

..king........one of upanyAsakALs, or

pundits...could..........have.....take.... " He did not even finish his statment.

The king was shivering and was literally shocked to hear that statement as if he

has stepped on a Red hot burnt iron; He could not believe his ears as to how

these minister can even think of these GREAT BHAKTAAS as ones who could have

flicked; " What are you saying? Are you talking about these adiyArs of Sriman

NARAYANA. Are you not ashamed to say that? Is your tongue still active? How dare

you think them as thieves when their love is only for the Lord and they consider

the Gold and dust the same; Those BhagawatOtthamas - Do you think they have

stolen the MAALAI? . He did not stop with that. He called someone to bring a pot

wherein he had arranged to place a poisonous snake; Bewildered ministers obeyed.

He showed them the pot with the snake inside. He said and prayed to the Lord " If

the mAla (necklace) has been taken by one of the BhaktALs, let the snake bite

me; If not, I will come out unscathed. " . He put his hand inside the pot. The

snake NEVER TOUCHED his hand. The minister came out openly saying " we are

extremely sorry and we beg your pardon. We are the ones who removed the MALA and

put

the blame on BhaktA so that you would start disliking them and would refocus on

administrative matters.

 

Please forgive us for this irresponsible act. " KulasEkarA thought silently after

listening to all this and understood the underlining concern of his ministers

for the kingdom and the rule. He immediately decided to bring his son into the

scene and trained him for some time before he started off his kshEtrAdanam

throughout India singing Lord's Glories and GuNAs.

 

He visited almost all the temples and he lost his heart for Sri Rama. He has

sung lullabies for Sri Rama as " RaghavanE ThAlElO! " . He has even sung pAsurams

on Devaki's misfortune of not able to enjoy kaNNan's leelA's and " thollai

inbam " which yasOdhA was blessed with. One can greatly be moved by his pAsurams

where in he longs for being born as a step in Tirupathi Lord's temple or a fish

in the Holy pushkaraNi or a seNbhaga tree in Tirupathi(standing in front of the

temple) or a Big stone which can not be removed so easily; He even wished to be

born as a servant holding the Golden Bowl in front of Sriman nArAyaNan to spit

the water after washing, gargling and cleaning His mouth in the morning. Such

was his desire to serve the Lord ceaslessly and that too from a king!.( One can

imagine our plight with so little(or no) material possessions and for that we

walk with so much pride with even a very little achievement(which too is

possible only with His grace)).

 

He lived till 67 years and then reached His abode and it is also told that his

daughter ILai followed her father kulasEkara perumAn and was also blessed with

the Lord's ThiruvaruL.

 

A sample pAsuram to taste the sweetness and longing deaire of AzhwAr before

we conclude this post.

AznAtha selvatthu arambaiyargaL thaRsoozha/

vAnALum selvamum; maNNarasum yAn vENdEn/

thEnAr poonchOlai thiruvEngadatthu chunaiyil/

meenAi piRakkum vidhiyudaiyOnAvEnE/

 

Such a wonderful verse. He says " I do not want to be a king even if

it is to rule this earth and the " vAn lOkam " where there is great wealth, and

where there are beautiful damsels dancing around; I do not wish that; All that I

want is to be born as a fish in the pond (PushkaraNi) in Tirumala (as mentioned

earlier, or a tree standing in front of Tirumala or a big rock in that mountain.

 

This AzhwAr also has composed Mukunda maala verses in Sanskrit. Only AzhwAr who

has composed in Sanskrit.

 

Let us continue with the azhwAr.

AzhwAr ThiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

Swamy Desikan ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam

Regards

Namo Narayana

dAsan

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx