Maasi Saradu /KaaradayAn nOnbhu Saradu

[Guest guest]

Dear BhakthAs :

 

March 13 is the auspicious day this year , when married ladies and KanyAs

desiring marriage (Vivaaha Praaapthi) adorn the Maasi Saradu.For the married

ladies , the Saradu is worn for protecting their soumaangalyam . For the KanyAs ,

it is prayer to be blessed with vivAham to a suitable Bhaagavathan .This nOnpu

started with KanyAs and got extended to Sumangalis .

 

On this Maasi Saradu( KaaradayAn nOnpu) day , the ladies should tie their

Saradu after 10 A.M and before sunset . Those who are near temples like

SrI RanganAtha temple should recieve it from the archakAs , consecrated

Saradus placed at the sacred fet of MahA Lakshmi. Those who belong to

the Ahobila Mata paramparai can recieve a saradu blessed by HH SrImath

Azhagiya Singar fromSrimathi Vimala Rajaji of Maryland at the above e-mail address.

Those who are not near temples can make their own saradus by dipping a suitable

plain thread in turmeric with MahA Lakshmi manthram or SrI Sthuthi dhyAna slOkam

( KalyANAnAm avikala nidhi:) .

 

ThiruppAvai nOnpu has profound religious significance , where as this Maasi Saradu

Nonpu has more social significance for the ladies . The links have been given to

the clever arguments with which a pathivrathai named Saavithri outwitted Dharma Raajan

to retain her SoumAngalyam ( auspicious wedded state) by pulling Her husband out of

the clutches of Yama dharman .

 

Ladies dip a Saradu ( twisted thread ) in turmeric with prayers to MahA Lakshmi

and their kuladhaivam . Then they tie it around their neck region . It is distinct from

ThirumAngalya Saradu , which has PurANic and Dhvivya Prabahndham significance .

It is to be observed however that there is no Veda manthram in Vedic weddings for

Maangalya dhAraNam . The traditional prayer is : "Maangalyam tantutAnEna mama

jeevana hEthunA---".

 

Swamy Desikan refers to the marriage between Veda Sthrees and the Lord of SrIrangam

assisted by Swamy NammAzhwAr ( SaThaari Soori) in SrI RanganAtha PadhukA Sahasram

slOkams (785 and 869) .

 

SubhapraNAdhA Bhavathee srutheenAm

KaNDEshu Vaikuntapathim varaaNAm

BhadhnAsi noonam MaNipAdharakshE

Mangalyasoothram maNirasmijALai :

 

---SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA Sahasram: sLOkam 869

 

(Meaning): Oh PadhukE ! Veda Sthree desire the Lord as their

husband . On the necks of these Sthrees , You help the Lord

tie the Mangala Soothram in your role as Bruhaspathy and

recite auspicious utterances .Oh PaadhukE ! You spread Your

auspicios rays from Your gems as Thaali Saradu to be used by

the Lord .

 

On this KaaradayAn Nonpu day , a special adai ( pancake ) is made

from ground flour and jaggery and offered to the Lord as PrasAdham .

They symbolize subhishti (plenty of days with happiness ) and sweetness .

 

With Best wishes for a most enjoyable KaradayAn Nonpu celebraton !

 

Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri Sadagopan