Dhanur Masa Aradhanam at H.H. Sri Rangapriya Mahadesikan Swami's Ashramam

[Guest guest]

Sri:

 

SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,

 

Dear Bhaktas,

 

Adiyen would like to share a wonderful experience from his recent

trip to India. It was his good fortune to witness Dhanur Masa Aradhanam

at the Ashramam of H.H. Rangapriya Mahadesikan last Friday (day 2 of

Marghazhi Masam). H.H. most lovingly performed Tiruvaradhanam for

the Vasudeva Murthy Salagramam. Recitation of Vishnu Sahasranamam

followed and H.H. commanded Adiyen to recite Sudarshana Ashtakam.

Following

this, H.H. requested the rendition of songs to please the Lord. One

of the assembled Bhagavatas rendered a krithi in praise of Lord Krishna

at the

conclusion of which another Bhagavata requested Adiyen to sing a

krithi.

Adiyen sang a krithi of Sri Annamacharya in praise of Padmavathi Thayar-

the beloved consort of the Lord of Seven Hills.

 

H.H. commenced his daily Upanyasam after Sarrumurai and Teertham

by saluting Mahalakshmi Thayar (The

usual practice is to dwell on the significance of the Pasuram for the

day). However, H.H. was greatly enthused by the presence of several

Bhagavatas in strict observance of our Sampradayam. H.H. began by

dwelling on the Padam " Alarmel Mangai " and expounded on this point

with references from the Vedams, Alavandar's Chatushloki, and Swami

Desikan's Sri Stuthi and Daya Shatakam. H.H. gave an extremely

insightful

upanyasam touching upon important aspects of Yoga associated with

Mahalakshmi Thayar. First, H.H. pointed out that Lord Srinivasa and

Padmavathi Thayar were in unison in their innermost thought and deed.

H.H. referred to the Sama Vedam Rk " Yetath thava Hrudayam

Hrudayam Mama Yetath mama Hrudayam Hrudayam thava " which is a

benediction

rendered during weddings. In accordance with this salutation, H.H.

established that Thayar is fully aware of what is dear to the Lord and

the Lord is always yearning to please his consort by fulfilling her

inner most desire. Next, H.H. asked " what is this innermost desire? " and

proceeded to answer this as follows. " Among the limitless auspicious

qualities of Thayar, the foremost is Vatsalyam. What is Vatsalyam?

Let us remember that a cow that has just given birth to a calf is

called Dhenu. The love of a Dhenu for its newborn calf is called

Vatsalyam. This love for Her children is a constant feature Thayar.

This

Vatsalyam manifests itself in Thayar's appeal to the Lord to forgive

the sins of a supplicant and grant him refuge. " Adiyen was immediately

reminded of the Sri Stuthi salutations " grama Seemantha RekhAm " and

" PrArthana Kamadhenu: " H.H. continued " When a supplicant arrives

seeking

the Lord's grace, it is imperative that he receive the Kataksham of

Thayar.

Why? Thayar is saluted as Maya Jagan Mohini in the Chatushloki. There

exists a screen of maya between every individual and the Lord. Not only

is Thayar capable of making the screen transparent but She is also

capable of completely removing this screen. " H.H. then spoke of the

elevated role of Thayar in the process of granting Sharanagati to a

supplicant. H.H. said " The Lord turns to one side only to see Neela

Devi covering up the sins committed by a the supplicant. Furious with

Her act, he turns the other way only to see Bhumi Devi requesting that

the supplicant be forgiven. Sri Devi turns in her plea that although

the supplicant has sinned, these sins must be overlooked and that he

must be the beneficiary of the Lord's grace " . H.H. then instructed all

the assembled Bhagavatas on the correct procedure for visiting temples.

H.H. said " First one must receive the blessings of a Sadacharya. Then

one must go to Thayar Sannidhi and receive Her blessings. Finally one

must go to the Sannidhi of Perumal. Although other constraints may not

permit one to follow this procedure, try to do this atleast once. "

 

H.H. then moved on to the significance of the second Tiruppavai Pasuram.

(Adiyen cannot recall all the details of H.H.'s wonderful exposition

but will try to reproduce whatever he remembers). H.H. began with

" Yama means to give up and niyamam means that which must be followed.

What must be given up? Eating of ghee and butter before uttering the

Lord's name. " H.H. referred to Swami Desikan's Vaishnava Dinasari and

expounded on the daily practices to be followed by every Sri Vaishnava.

H.H. said " upon awakening from sleep in the morning, first utter the

Lord's name. This comes before activities like Snanam, Sandhyavandanam

and Tiruvaradhanam. In this context, it must be remembered that Andal,

the Mahayogini is delivering Her message of the Nombu of SharaNagati

to the Gopa Stris. To them, the most common thing is to eat butter and

ghee. However, Goda Piratti instructs them that these should be

partaken

only after uttering the Lord's name. " H.H. was in ecstasy as he

described

the message of Goda Piratti, i.e., the Lord who resides in the milky

ocean

must find a permanent place in one's heart. H.H. cited the salutation

" Anta SamudrE KavayO Vadanthi " from the Aranyaka of the Yajur Vedam to

illustrate this point with consummate effect. H.H. then dwelt at length

on the salutations " Ayyam " and " Picchai " Picchai is food which is given

away to Sanyasis, Brahmacharis. H.H. expounded on the importance of

Vaishvadevam in the preparation of food for Sanyasis, the Kramam to be

followed by Sanyasis, Brahmacharis and Gruhastas in partaking of food

and the Ahara niyamanam of Swami Desikan. H.H. also emphasized that

" 10% of each person's income (earned by rightful means) must be set

apart for Satpatra Danam. One must say that I shall make charitable

contributions after meeting my expenses. Instead this amount must first

be set apart from the income " H.H. then pointed out that when engaging

in charity it must be done with pleasure according to the Taittriya

Upanishad salutation " Shriya Dheyam " .

 

It was an extremely enriching Anubhavam for Adiyen. Other

experiences including a visit to Srirangam and Acharya Darshanam

at Srimad Poundarikapuram Ashramam and Vaikunta Ekadasi celebrations

will

be summarized later.

 

Namo Narayana,

 

Adiyen

 

SriMuralidhara Dasan