A Ray of Hope! From Srimaan Trust, Srirangam

[Guest guest]

Sri:

Srimate Ramanujaya Namaha

 

THE JOY OF TAKING LORD RAMA TO THE MASSES

 

Time to ponder….

 

What stands the test of time? Who is remembered and revered through the ages?  We’ve had political leaders who’ve altered history and the fundamental qualities of man.  Are these men remembered and worshiped by people?  There were brilliant scientists like Einstein and Edison whose respective theories and findings play  a pivotal role in the very functioning of the modern world.  Their thoughts begot admiration and awe.  In every endeavor of man, their findings assume a place.  Are these mammoth inventors venerated by people everyday?                                                                                                                                                                                      

The answer is self-evident. Outside our schools, we’ve never remembered these historical figures. Though we had committed their history to memory during school days and are incorporating their findings in day to day work, somewhere we don’t connect to them.

The reason is simple. When we get to the bosom of man’s definition, we find he is made up of spirituality. It is spirituality that clearly distinguishes man from other life forms. Being spiritual is natural to him.  Being otherwise is a mere self- imposition. It is like a sheep draping up in a wolf’s costume.  Nothing can alter its fundamental nature. Though man tries to re-define himself as a materialism-centric being, he cannot mask the truth.  Thus only spirituality remains eternal!

 We find only Lord Rama and his devotees ( Azhwars and Acharyas ) being worshipped day in and day out. They are worshipped alike by our great grandfathers, us and our  progeny. What contributions did they make to the material world? Nil.  Still, they occupy centre stage in our life.  Even while fidgeting with the gadgets invented by scientists we never think of them (scientists); because they contributed only to enhance the self-imposed materialism.  Is it not our duty then to get to our natural self?  

Does mere materialism not defy logic?

 A remedy….

 Srimaan Trust had been pondering over ways to get society back to its roots.   This meant it had to strike a chord with the  youth of our society i.e children. Thus was conceived the idea of ‘Sri Ramayana Contest’ three years back.  Is the scion of the Ishvaku vamsam not the ultimate of spirituality?  Then his tale should form the fodder of our soul’s upbringing.

Divided into 4 groups viz Namperumal(1st- 3rd std), Namazhwar(4th-6th), Nanjeeyar(7th-9th) and Nampillai(10th-12th),the children are provided with Lord Rama’s history and tested on two occasions; one as a written exam and then orally. Their involvement is rewarded with spiritual gifts i.e books, discourse cds and trip to some divya-desam of Lord Rama.  Thus, in confirmation with its ideals, the Trust starts and ends with spirituality and banishes materialism.

 An interesting day….

This year's contest held on 22nd November went well with the children. The Trust has been able to, with the grace of Periya Perumal, amass students from different regions and different strands of society. Special mention has to be made to the Muslim and Christian children showing deep interest in SriRamayana competition. The written exam was held at Srirangam, Trichy, four centers in Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Salem, Nagapattinam, Karur and Kumbhakonam.  Around 3000 children wrote the exam.  Many parents were moved seeing the devotion of Trust volunteers and offered to volunteer. One thing was very evident.  Participation of girls  is on the rise.  Women are the main architects of the family.  Their influence on their children defines the child’s life.  Hence, when these little girls show infectious enthusiasm in spirituality and our Sampradayam, we can sigh relief that our culture’s future is in safe hands.

 Evoking interest among Muslims….

Another notable point is the increasing involvement of Muslim and Christian children.  While Islam and Christianity is making heavy inroads into our society, Srimaan Trust has succeeded in offsetting the effect.  The Trust is getting calls from Convent schools to conduct the contest for their children.  A change is seen in the way society looks up at SriVaishnavam and Srimaan Trust is and will play a crucial role in fostering this change.

 Things that haven’t changed….a request

Volunteers were scarce this time like in prior years. It is true that the Trust has to toil hard to find volunteers.  But the contrast is apparent; though there are many SriVaishnavas, volunteers are few. The Trust expects an increase in its people strength.  Every reader of this mail can turn into a volunteer. If you reside in any of the above mentioned exam centers, please do make an effort to volunteer. Two more phases of the competition is pending and you can do wonders in Rama Kainaryam. What is more joyful than spreading Lord Rama’s name and fame…. ??!!  The Trust places another request. Please pass on the message of ‘ spreading  Rama naamam’ to others and make them volunteers.   Rama is ultimately our wealth and it is our collective duty to safeguard  and promote him!

    Kindly anxiously wait for photos and videos link in the next email.-- -- ever-in-divine-service,KAINKARYA SREESrimaan Trust (Srimaan Bhattar Kuzham)http://parasarabhattar8220.fotoblog.co.uk/

Postal address:231 South Uttara St, Srirangam, Trichy-620 006 Tamil Nadu, INDIA  Ph 0431-2431109 Email: India - srimaantrustUSA - srimaantrustusa

[Guest guest]

Respected Sir,

I migrated to USA recently from Chennai.I used to associate myself with Samskrutha Bharathi and teach Samskrutham freely to all. I even taught in Maharshi Vidyamandir Chennai free.Now destined to live in USA by my fate desirous of serving cause of sanscrit and Vaishnavisam .Please guide me if you have contacts here in Chicago USAMr.V.KrishnamacharyRetired Civil EngineerU 51 6th Main RoadAnnanagarCHENNAI-600 040Email: vedantham_krishnaMobile: 9444925605--- On Wed, 11/25/09, Srimaan Trust USA <srimaantrustusa wrote:

Srimaan Trust USA <srimaantrustusa[sri ramanuja] A Ray of Hope! From Srimaan Trust, SrirangamsrimaantrustusaDate: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 10:43 AM

 

Sri:

Srimate Ramanujaya Namaha

 

THE JOY OF TAKING LORD RAMA TO THE MASSES

 

Time to ponder….

 

What stands the test of time? Who is remembered and revered through the ages? We’ve had political leaders who’ve altered history and the fundamental qualities of man. Are these men remembered and worshiped by people? There were brilliant scientists like Einstein and Edison whose respective theories and findings play a pivotal role in the very functioning of the modern world. Their thoughts begot admiration and awe. In every endeavor of man, their findings assume a place. Are these mammoth inventors venerated by people

everyday? &nb

sp;

The answer is self-evident. Outside our schools, we’ve never remembered these historical figures. Though we had committed their history to memory during school days and are incorporating their findings in day to day work, somewhere we don’t connect to them.

The reason is simple. When we get to the bosom of man’s definition, we find he is made up of spirituality. It is spirituality that clearly distinguishes man from other life forms. Being spiritual is natural to him. Being otherwise is a mere self- imposition. It is like a sheep draping up in a wolf’s costume. Nothing can alter its fundamental nature. Though man tries to re-define himself as a materialism- centric being, he cannot mask the truth. Thus only spirituality remains eternal!

We find only Lord Rama and his devotees ( Azhwars and Acharyas ) being worshipped day in and day out. They are worshipped alike by our great grandfathers, us and our progeny. What contributions did they make to the material world? Nil. Still, they occupy centre stage in our life. Even while fidgeting with the gadgets invented by scientists we never think of them (scientists) ; because they contributed only to enhance the self-imposed materialism. Is it not our duty then to get to our natural self? Does mere materialism not defy logic?

A remedy….

Srimaan Trust had been pondering over ways to get society back to its roots. This meant it had to strike a chord with the youth of our society i.e children. Thus was conceived the idea of ‘Sri Ramayana Contest’ three years back. Is the scion of the Ishvaku vamsam not the ultimate of spirituality? Then his tale should form the fodder of our soul’s upbringing.

Divided into 4 groups viz Namperumal(1st- 3rd std), Namazhwar(4th-6th), Nanjeeyar(7th-9th) and Nampillai(10th-12th),the children are provided with Lord Rama’s history and tested on two occasions; one as a written exam and then orally. Their involvement is rewarded with spiritual gifts i.e books, discourse cds and trip to some divya-desam of Lord Rama. Thus, in confirmation with its ideals, the Trust starts and ends with spirituality and banishes materialism.

An interesting day….

This year's contest held on 22nd November went well with the children. The Trust has been able to, with the grace of Periya Perumal, amass students from different regions and different strands of society. Special mention has to be made to the Muslim and Christian children showing deep interest in SriRamayana competition. The written exam was held at Srirangam, Trichy, four centers in Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Salem, Nagapattinam, Karur and Kumbhakonam. Around 3000 children wrote the exam. Many parents were moved seeing the devotion of Trust volunteers and offered to volunteer. One thing was very

evident. Participation of girls is on the rise. Women are the main architects of the family. Their influence on their children defines the child’s life. Hence, when these little girls show infectious enthusiasm in spirituality and our Sampradayam, we can sigh relief that our culture’s future is in safe hands.

Evoking interest among Muslims….

Another notable point is the increasing involvement of Muslim and Christian children. While Islam and Christianity is making heavy inroads into our society, Srimaan Trust has succeeded in offsetting the effect. The Trust is getting calls from Convent schools to conduct the contest for their children. A change is seen in the way society looks up at SriVaishnavam and Srimaan Trust is and will play a crucial role in fostering this change.

Things that haven’t changed….a request

Volunteers were scarce this time like in prior years. It is true that the Trust has to toil hard to find volunteers. But the contrast is apparent; though there are many SriVaishnavas, volunteers are few. The Trust expects an increase in its people strength. Every reader of this mail can turn into a volunteer. If you reside in any of the above mentioned exam centers, please do make an effort to volunteer. Two more phases of the competition is pending and you can do wonders in Rama Kainaryam. What is more joyful than spreading Lord Rama’s name and fame…. ??!! The Trust places

another request. Please pass on the message of ‘ spreading Rama naamam’ to others and make them volunteers. Rama is ultimately our wealth and it is our collective duty to safeguard and promote him!

Kindly anxiously wait for photos and videos link in the next email.-- -- ever-in-divine- service,KAINKARYA SREESrimaan Trust (Srimaan Bhattar Kuzham)http://parasarabhat tar8220.fotoblog .co.uk/Postal address:231 South Uttara St, Srirangam, Trichy-620 006 Tamil Nadu, INDIA Ph 0431-2431109 Email: India - srimaantrust@ gmail.comUSA - srimaantrustusa@

gmail.com