Greetings from Bangalore

[Guest guest]

Sri:

 

SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,

 

Dear Sadagopan Swamin,

 

Adiyen is having a productive visit in India from a Sampradayic as well as

official standpoint. Upon reaching Bangalore, adiyen's professional engagements

required travel to Chennai. After completing this, adiyen proceeded to Tirupati

from Chennai. Adiyen was able to take in a marvellous tirumanjanam for Thayar on

the first day of the Utsavam at lower Tirupati to accompaniment of the

recitation of Udaka Shanti mantrams and Taittriya Upanishad. Adiyen had to rest

content with Thayar anugraham this time due to a Shuba viruddhi news that

reached him at this time. Upon completion of the vruddhi adiyen and family made

another visit to Tirumalai. Due to bad roads and closure of a bridge near

Tiruvallur, we had to take a longer route from Chennai. Nevertheless, an early

morning 6.00 am start ensured that we reached the Sannadhi of Malayappa Swami in

time for the Arjitha BrahmOtsava Sevai. During the ride up the Seven Hills,

adiyen was engaged in recitation of the Daya Shatakam. As a result, it seemed

that the bad roads caused by landslides were inconsequential and we reached the

Venkatachalam hill swiftly. Adiyen and family were blessed with a beautiful

Darshanam of Lord Srinivasa. Adiyen also had the Darshana Bhagyam of Varaha

Swami. On the way back, another beautiful Darshanam of Thayar awaited us. Adiyen

was speechless at this anukampa of Thayar and could only engage in respectful

contemplation of Thayar through the Chatushloki verses-in particular rUpam

yathathyadhBhutham.

 

On the way back to Chennai, our driver learnt through his colleague that the

Tiruvallur route had just opened up. Thus adiyen and family were graced by a

beautiful Darshanam of Lord Veeraraghavar, Thayar and Ramar at Tiruvallur. Due

to the threat of bad weather poor road conditions, and possible floods, adiyen

in consultation with asmadhAcharyan advanced the program to visit Srirangam. As

it turned out this was a most auspicious day. We reached Srirangam on December

10 and right away proceeded to the Ashramam to receive the blessings of H.H. The

next day was Kaishika Ekadasi and Revati nakshatram. Adiyen was fortunate to

make two trips to Ranganatha Temple on this blessed day. Early in the morning

adiyen had the Bhagyam of Vishwaroopa Darshanam. Adiyen could only admire the

Dhivya Tirumeni of Lord Ranganatha through the AmalanAdhipirAn Pasurams. While

waiting in line for the Darshanam, adiyen was engaged in recitation of the

Sriranga Gadyam. As adiyen beheld the glorious form of Lord Ranganatha, adiyen

cold not help recalling the Kondal VaNNanai salutation due to the smell of

navaneetam permeating the place. Even while awaiting Darshanam of Lord

Ranganatha, a Swami who visited three Dhivya Desams the previous day blessed

adiyen and family with the manja kappu from these Dhivya Desams. This Swami also

helped adiyen to get excellent sevais at Thayar Sannadhi and 15 other Sannadhis

at the Temple in record quick time.

 

Adiyen then proceeded with family to Srimad Poundarikapuram Ashramam and

performed Sankalpam for Kaveri Snanam. Upon returning from Kaveri Snanam, adiyen

and family took part in the Sarrumurai Sevai. Adiyen's daughter was then blessed

with BharasamarpaNam by H.H.-this was the crowning moment of adiyen's trip to

Srirangam. In the afternoon adiyen and family visited Ranganatha Temple once

more to get Darshanam of the Lord in all his glory before proceeding on Utsavam.

On this day, Ranganatha received Maryadai from Tirumala-a wonderful sight

indeed! Thayar's Shubha tanu again defies description. Adiyen then had the

Darshana Bhagyam of Yoga Hayagrivar, Lakshminarayana, and Swami Desikan at the

Desikar Sannadhi of the Ashramam and participated in the evening Sarrumurai

sevai there. Phalaharam too was completed at this Sannadhi after which adiyen

proceeded once again to the Ashramam. Adiyen had uniterrupted ekanta audience

with H.H. this time and received a number of books published by the Ashramam.

With the anugraham of H.H. adiyen left for Chennai early next morning and

returned to Bangalore the same afternoon to attend to official engagements. With

all major sampradayic objectives accomplished, adiyen took satisfaction in the

" nirBharO nirBhayOsmi " salutation of Swami Desikan.

 

Namo Narayana,

 

SriMuralidhara Dasan