81st Tirunakshatram Celebrations of H.H. Srimad Poundarikapuram Andavan Swami

[Guest guest]

Sri:

 

SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,

 

Dear Bhaktas,

 

Adiyen is delighted to see the recent appeal of Sriman Madhavakkannan

Swamin for the 81st TN celebrations of Asmadacharyan, H.H. Sri

Paravakottai Andavan Swami of Srimad Poundarikapuram Ashramam. H.H. is

known for his uncompromising attitude reagrding anushtanam. The

compassion and Vatsalyam of H.H. are limitless. Their welfare is

foremost in his mind. H.H. Sri Gopaladesika Mahadesikan Swami tends to

the yogakshemam of shishyas and abhimanis in the same spirit as

Krishna (Gopala-the Supreme Protector of the cows) guarded the cows of

Brindavan. This in turn motivates him to unremittingly remind all

shishyas and abhimanis the anushtanam required of them. In this post

adiyen will focus on the uncompromising attitude of H.H. with

regard to Trikala Sandhyavandanam.

 

At the outset, adiyen wishes to point out that H.H. is the foremost

practitioner of what he preaches and is widely regarded as a Vashishta

for his anushtanam. Throughout, he has led a life in strict accordance

with the Shastraic prescriptions.

 

Adiyen is most grateful to H.H. for constantly reminding him of the

importance of trikala Sandhyavandanam. During adiyen's visit to India

for Bharanyasam, H.H. gave a wonderful upadesham focussing on this

subject. Another person (AP) belonging to a pre-eminent

Swayamacharya lineage, also wished to have his Bharanyasam performed

at the same time as adiyen. H.H. gently enquired of this person

" Do you perform TrikAla Sandhya ? "

AP (remorsefully): " No. I somehow gave it up "

H.H. " How did this happen? "

AP " Work pressure left no time for this "

H.H. " Did you give up your meals due to work pressure? "

AP " No "

H.H. " Partaking of daily meals is a Vedic rite. Consequently,

traivarnikas cannot perform this rite without performing

Sandyavandanam. The Smritis declare Sandhya hIna: nithya ashuchi

(He who does not perform regular Sandhyavandanam is forever impure.

Therefore, he is unfit to perform any ritual. Therefore, one who is

impure forfeits his right to daily meals! Furthermore, a Chandala is

one who is exempt from performing Sandyavandanam. This is due to

his profession. Therefore, he is called a janma chandala. However, a

Brahmin who gives up performance of Trikala Sandhya becomes a Karma

Chandala (He who becomes a chandala by failing to perform the rites

enjoined for a Brahmin). This is a miserable state for him, as a

result of which he becomes undeserving of the title BrahmaNa. A true

friend is one who is very much concerned about his comrade's welfare.

He need not provide his comrade with expensive gifts to show display

affection/concern. However, the greatest service he can render for his

comrade is the performance of Sandya of the latter's behalf, when the

latter is in a state that does not permit him to do his daily duties

(BrahmaNatvattai kApAthi kudukarradu).

 

Lord Narayana has declared in that the Shastras (Shruti and Smriti)

are verily His commands. Those who violate these commands are

verily traitors and even if they are His Bhaktas, they do not endear

themselves to Him. In this respect the Lord acts very much in the

manner of a father concerned about the welfare of his children. There

is no doubt that the Lord has utmost affection for his children. Will

a father tolerate it if his children do not go to school and study

well? Absolutely not. The Lord's statement with respect to anushtanam

is similar. The foremost Mantrams of Vedic origin are Gayathri and

Ashtaksharam. The former is necessarily a prelude to the latter in

terms of recitation. Thus Gayathri Mantram plays a pivotal role in

realizing Lord Narayana.

 

You come from a lineage that is known for its scholarship and

anushtanam. You enjoy special previleges (Mudal teertham) at

(unspecified on purpose) Divyadesham. Should you not have the

anushtanam to go with these previleges? When gruhastas come to me, I

instruct their wives do not give your husband coffee in the morning.

First insist that he take his bath and wait for him with

Sandhyavandana Shombu filled with water. Similarly, when he returns

from work in the evening do not give him coffee. Wait for him with

Sandhyavandana Shombu filled with water. Also tell him that food will

not be served unless Sandyavandanam is completed. Therefore,

there is no excuse for not performing Trikala Sandhyavandanam. Do you

read fluently in Tamizh or Sanskrit? "

 

AP: " Tamizh "

H.H. " Take this book on Sandhyavandanam along with you, read them well

and master them. Come back after ten days, and I shall ask you to

recite these Mantrams. We can then discuss the performance of

Bharanyasam. "

 

Throughout this upadesham, there was not a trace of anger on

the face of H.H. Instead, his demeanor was most gentle but firm and

uncompromising. Adiyen was deeply touched by the concern displayed

by H.H.

 

H.H. then enquired of adiyen " Nee Trikala Sandhya PaNNaraya "

Adiyen " Avashyam PaNNarEn "

(It was well into the evening hours and adiyen had just then arrived

by car from Bangalore)

H.H. " Inniki sayam Sandhya yenga paNNai "

Adiyen " mAnasikamA paNNEn "

H.H. " uLLai poyi shombu vayndu Sayam Sandhya Pannittu vA prasadam

sapadarthukku. Whenever you are in a situation where you cannot peform

Sandhyavandanam by the proper method, at the first available

opportunity you must offer prayaschitta arghyam and perform the

Sandyavandanam before partaking of meals "

 

Recently, adiyen was informed that H.H. wrote a series of articles on

Sandyavandanam and its importance at various times in the Kanchi

PeraruLalan periodical. Currently efforts are underway to compile

these articles in the form of a book. The book release is planned for

the near future (next 1-2 months). In addition, H.H. has appointed

great scholars in places like Chennai, Bangalore, and Delhi to teach

the principles and practice of Trikala Sandyavandanam.

 

Such a great Mahan, Anushtana Chakravarthi! His compassion towards

aparadha chakravarthi, adiyen, is most touching. He continues to

reform and redeem several suffering jivans like adiyen. Is it not our

duty to support Him, and nourish the roots of this institution for

maintaining such high Sampradayic standards? Please donate generously

to the cause of the 81st Tirunakshatram celebrations planned for March

24-31, 2001. Contributions from the USA are tax exempt. Please mail

your checks to

 

SMSA Inc,

c/o Smt. Nagu Satyan,

7821 W Alder Drive

Littleton, CO 80128

 

Please indicate on the memo of your check that your contribution is

for Srimad Poundarikapuram Ashramam. H.H. will be delighted if all

asthikas, shishyas, and abhimanis attend the function in 2001. Please

mark this event on your calendar.

 

Namo Narayana,

 

SriMuralidhara Dasan