DARSANAM taic[mf

The eMagazine for learning Sri Ramanuja darsanam following the teachings

of Swami Vedanta Desikan.

Masi

Sarvajith Tamil Year

Feb

2008

Tamil month

2008

SARVAJITH MASI MONTH

2/13/2008

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The Srivaishnavaite gathering in Oman has grown in numbers since the early eighties

which started as a small group which got together on the occasion of every Sravanam, (it was known as “Sravana Goshti” in those days) to recite Swami Desikan’s strotramala and Desika Prabandam. It was a family affair with the whole family participating

conducted in one of the residences and lasting about 2 hours which concluded with a short discourse or a personal experience of some one in the gathering as to his

anubhavam of the pasuram or a strotramala. With the passage of time the awakening of our Sampradayam is much more than when we started and there is a real interest among the Srivaishnavites to learn more about our Acharayan which is really

heartening. For someone like me who has been in this wonderful country for over 3 decades nothing is more satisfying than seeing people like Shri Govindarajan and P.V. Ananathan, Srikanath, Sriram, Venkatesan, Ravindran, Vijayanarayan and others taking

interest in spreading this fervor by organizing various functions to mark the Thiru Nakshatarams of our Acharayas and Azhwars, in conducting the utsavams and thirumanajam etc to mention a few of the activities that they have been involved.

Swami Desikan is a treasure that has been given to us through our penance over countless births. Let us not waste this opportunity. Kaliyugam despite being relegated to a lowly place is actually blessed more than other Yugas with the path to Moksha

being made easier. Emberuman has made this even easier by giving us an Acharayan like Swami Desikan. The first step make this a reality is to realize that Swami Desikan is indeed a treasure. Kaanpanavum Uraiopanavum Matror Andri Desikanaye

Kandu Uratha Kadiya Kaadal is the what we should strive in this life like Paan Perumaal practiced in His illustrious avatharam in Srirangam. Anyone who is reading

this article is presumed to have crossed this stage. The next stage is to learn all His works by heart and keep repeating the same at all times whenever one is free in mind. This I think will come by practice. Why sing a film song when we can recite the

Thriuchinna maalai which is more melodious. The next stage is to understand the meaning and discuss with others who have similar bent of mind. My first advise is for each of you to start with your spouse as there is no better way of having the

anubhavam of Swami Desikan. The final stage of anubhavam is when you discuss with Dhurandars and seek their views. I must confess however that Swami Desikan is like a Saagaram (ocean) and any anubhvam that one may have is only the tip off the iceberg

as one may out it. But the sheer joy of sharing anubahavam is difficult to describe.

I hope the magazine will be used as a forum to exchange our anubhavams, inform each

other of important utsavams in each of our native places, conduct joint pilgrimage for important utsavams like Purattasi Sravanam, Udayavar Thirunakshatram, Kaliayan thiru Nakshathram, Vaikasi Visakam, aazwaar, Nammazhwar thiruvadi thozhugai etc.

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I pray to Swami Desikan (in Thoopul, Thiru Ahendipuram and in each of our Hridaya Kamalam) Swami Bhashyakar, Perundevi Thaayar sametha Kanchi Varadan, Alarmel

Mangai sametha Thiruvenkata Mudaiyan, Nanganallur Laskhmi Hayagreevan and Lakshmi Nrisimhan to bless this venture of ours .

I also seek the blessings of HH 45th Jeer of Sri Ahobila Mutt, HH 44th Jeer Mukkur Swami to whom I was personally attached, HH Srimad Andavan, HH Srimad Poundripuram Swami and HH Srimad Parakala Mutt Jeer. (The order is not intentional;

to me all the matAdhipathis are equal)

I also seek the blessings of Desika Rathnam Seva swami of Villivakkam, Srirama

Desikachariar of Uppiliappan Sannadhi, Purasai Swami, Abhinava Desikar Swami and Dasarathi Swami of Kanchi who were all breathing swami Desikan all through their

great lives in this Bhoo Lokam. Adiyen is deeply indebted to each of them . I may have missed many more scholars, because of my ignorance. I seek their forgiveness for my ignorance

Vazga Pallandu Thoopul Pillai Vazaga Pallandu nam Desikan

Nangainallur Venkatesa Dasan

As Sri. Nangainallur Swami said Swami Desikan is indeed a treasure to

Ramanuja Darsanam. Swami was praised by all the scholars in our Sampradayam.

Many books were written in praising the qualities and greatness of Swami Desikan.

Some of them are :

1) Sri. Kumaravaradachariar – a) Swami Desika Mangalam b) Vedanta Desika

Prarthanaashtakam c) Vedanta Desika Prapatti d) Vedanta Desika Dinacharya

e) Vedanta Desika Vigraha DyAnam f) PillayandAdi (Tamil).

2) Sri. PrativAdi Bhayankaram Annan – Saptati-Ratna-mAlika – 73 slokas in

Sanskrit.

3) Vayalur Sri. KandAdai MannappangAr – Desikar andAdi - 100 poems in

Tamil.

4) Solingar Sri. Doddachariar – Srimad Vedanta Desika Vaibhava PrakAsikA

stotram – in 168 slokas in Sanskrit.

5) Sri. Periyappangar – prime disciple of Sri.Doddachariar swami – Srimad

Vedanta Desika Vaibhava PrakAsikA – in prose – in manipravAlam.

6) Sri. VenkatAdwari – Acharya PanchAsat – 55 slokas in Sanskrit. Download

with English notes. link : http://www.ahobilavalli.org/acharya_panchasat.pdf

7) Sri.SrinivasAchariar – Acharya Champu – in 6 chapters – complete story in

Sanskrit.

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PANCHANGAM Name of the month : MASI (SARVAJITH)

Date Day Item Festival Spl

13-02-08 Wednesday Masa Pirappu Ratha Sapthami One day Brahmotsavam

in Tirumala

16-02-08 Saturday Mrgaseersham Tirukkachi Nambi Tiru Nanakshatram

17-02-08 Sunday Ekadasi Tiruvadirai Bhashyakarar Monthly TN

18-02-08 Monday Dwadasi, Punarvasu

Kulasekhara Alwar

Tirunakshatram

Muscat Srinivasan

Vaarshika Utsavam, Acharya Paduka

Aradhanam

20-02-08 Wednesday Poornima Samudra Snanam

21-02-08 Thursday Masi Magam Tirumalai Andan, Manakkal Nambi Tiru Nanakshatram

Samudra Snaanam

03-03-08 Monday Ekadasi

04-03-08 Tuesday Dwadasi Paduka Aradhanam Sravana Vratham

05-03-08 Wednesday Sravanam Swami Desikan monthly Tirunakshatram

06-03-08 Thursday Avittam

Srimad Manavala Maamunigal

Tiruvadyayana

Utsavam

Maha Sivarathri

07-03-08 Friday Amavasya Pitru Tarpanam

14-03-08 Friday Panguni Masa

pirappu Kaaradayar

Nonbu

Nonbu time 7.30 to 8.30

am (Change of Tirumangalya Saradu)

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Ashtabhuyakaram by Setlur Singappiran Venkatesan

One of the 108 Temples & Celestial Abodes of Vishnu revered by the Tamil hymns of

the Alwars of the 1st millennium CE

Location: Kanchipuram (Tondai Naadu)

Moolavar : Adikesava Perumal (Ashtabhuja Perumaal)

Taayaar: Alarmelmangai (Padmasini)

Theertham :Gajendra Pushkarini

Paasuram :Tirumangaialwar, Peyalwar

Vimaanam : Gaganaakriti, Chakrakriti

Travel Base:Chennai, Kanchipuram

Description: This Divyadesam is located in the temple town of

Kanchipuram, 1.5 km west of the Varadaraja Perumal temple.

The Divya Desams revered by the Alwars in Vishnu Kanchi are Attigiri (the vast

Varadaraja Perumal temple), Ashtabuyakaram, Tiruttankaa, Tiruvelukkai and

Tiruvegkaa, while those in Shiva Kanchi are Tiru Oorakam (Ulagalanda Perumaal Koyil),

Tiru Neeragam, Tiruppaatakam, Nilaattingal Tundam, Tirukkaaragam, Tirukkaarvaanam,

Tirukkalvanur, Tiruppavalavannam and Parameswara Vinnagaram. The vast

Ekambreswarar temple(Prithvi Stalam) revered by the Tevaram hymns, is located in

Periya (Shiva) Kanchi, as are the Kamakshiamman and the Kumara Kottam temples.

Deities: The Moolavar here is Adikesava Perumal

also known as Gajendravaradan or Chakradharar,

in a standing posture facing west. Thayaar here is

Alarmelmangai or Padmasini. The image of

Adikesava Perumal has 8 arms, with 8 weapons

(the discus, sword, a flower, an arrow, the conch,

a bow, a shield and a mace). The Utsavar has 4

arms bearing a mace and a spear.

The temple: This temple with a single prakaram covering an area of about an acre has

a 3 tiered rajagopuram in its northern entrance and the temple tank Gajendra

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Pushkarini across from it. There are shrines to Bhusvaraahar, Aandaal, Peyalwar and

Hanuman.

Legends: This temple is associated with the legend of

Gajendra Moksham (as in the Varadaraja Perumaal Koyil and

Kapistalam), where it is believed that a devout elephant

Gajendran, who was in the habit of making an offering of

lotus flowers from the Ashtabhuja temple tank, to Vishnu

was caught by the grip of a crocodile. The pleas of the

elephant were answered by Vishnu who vanquished the

elephant with his disc. Legend has it that Peyalwar was

blessed with a vision of Gajendramoksham at this shrine.

Legend also has it that a vast army of titans sought to upset

a ritual being conducted by Bhrahma and upon his request,

Vishnu armed with eight different weapons warded off the intruders. Ashtabhuja

Perumaal is Vishnu conceived and worshipped thus.

Festivals: Bhramotsavam is celebrated in the month of Chittirai and Gajendramoksham

in Aadi.

Mangalaasaasanam : Peyalwar 1 pasuram

and Tirumangai Alwar 11 pasurams (periya

Tirumadal 128th pasuram)

Swami Desikan has composed a stotra on

this deity called “Ashta-bhuja-ashtakam” in

which Swami Desikan praises Adi Kesava

Perumal @ Ashtabhujam perumal in 10

slokas in which last two slokas are

palasruthi. The 9th sloka of this stotra

p`pnnajanapaqaoyaM pip%saUnaaM rsaayanama\ .

Eaoyasao jagatama\ ett\ EaImadYTBaujaaYTkma\ ..

This stotra is food for the Srivaishnavas who has performed Prapatti and medicine for

those who want to perform Prapatti. This stotra removes all sins of the soul and create

mahaviswasam and leads towards prapatti. Chanting of this stotra carries the blessings

of Goddess Mahalakshmi and Ashta-bhujam emperuman (Lord Narayana with 8 hands)

to the world.

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(by Kumari Ritika Rajan)

Chetanar (Jeevatma) are of 3 types. Who are they?

Whom did Sri Alavandar send to Kanchipuram to fetch

Sri Ramanujar from Yadava Prakasar’s hold?

Yamunachariar is also known as …………………..?

As soon as we get out of the bed, keeping our right

toe down on the floor, which holy name we should

recite? How many times?

Why the author of Sri Ramayanam is called as

“Valmiki”?

Who is Srimath Ananthasuri?

On the banks of which river “Panchavati” is located?

In our Ithihasas (Ramayana & Mahabharath) there are 5

women, who are considered to be Ratnams as “Pancha

Kannigai”. Who are they?

There are two birds, who helped Sri Rama in searching

Sitadevi. One is “Jatayu” and who is the other is……..?

What are the three modes of Gunas (qualities) of material

nature?

Find the 10 Avathars of Lord Sriman Narayana (by Sri.Rahul Rajan)

P A R A S U R A M A F

I Q K M Z B O U V P M

K Y U R L A Y J Q A A

L U R U S L B A T M N

A X M F B A U S P U A

K L A L C R Y K Y A M

V A R A H A K P D M A

P O M N B M D A A P V

U T A N H S I R K Z B

A H M I S A R A N T H

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(by Smt. Suchitra Rajan)

We all know that Krishna married to eight Kanyakaas. They are Rukmini, Satyabhama,

Jambavati, Kalindi, Mitravrinda, Nagnajiti, Bhadra and Lakshana. In this series of article

we are going to read the short details of all these wives of Krishna.

Rukmani’s kalyanam

The king of Vidarbha, Maharaja Bhismaka was a very qualified and devoted

prince. He had five sons and one daughter. They are

Rukmi, Rukmanatha, Rukmabaahu, Rukmakesaa,

Rukmamaali and daughter Rukmini. She was beautiful,

chaste, intelligent, with auspicious physical features,

liberal-mindedness, righteous behavior with all

transcendental qualities i.e above the modes or gunas

like satva, rajas and tamsas. She had the desire to

marry only Lord SriKrishna and SriKrishna also had

heard about her. The king Bhismaka decided to give

Rukmini in marriage to Sri Krishna, while Rukmi had

Sishupaala, the enemy of krishna, in mind. Rukmini

keeping Krishna in her mind and heart with

determination sent her message of love to Sri

Krishna through a qualified Braahmana, who was

always truthful and is a devotee of Vishnu to Dwarka.

Sri krishna, heard about the message sent through the learned Braahmana and

welcomed him with all humility and with Vedic etiquette. Sri Krishna Himself says, “I

offer MY respectful obeisances to Braahmanas and Vaishnavas for the Braahmanas are

always self-satisfied and the Vaishnavas are

always engaged in actual welfare activities for

human society. They are free from egoism

and are always in a peaceful condition in

mind”. The Braahmana satisfied by the

transcendental welcome of the Lord, gave the

written message of Rukmini to Lord Sri

Krishna. Rukmini said the following words,

“My dear Krishna, O infallible and most

beautiful one, any human being who happens to hear about Your transcendental form

and pastimes (leelas) immediately absorbs through his ears. Your name, fame and

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qualities; thus all his material pangs and sufferings subside, and he fix your form in his

heart and by this process all his desires are fulfilled. Similarly, I have

heard of Your transcendental qualities. I may be shameless in

expressing myself directly, but You have captivated me and

taken my heart. You may doubt my steadiness of

character, since how could an unmarried young girl like

me approach You without any shame? But my dear

Mukunda, You are the Supreme lion among human

beings, the supreme person among persons. I know

that You are the husband of goddess Lakshmi and very

kind towards Your devotees; therefore I have decided to

become Your eternal maid servant. My dear Lord, I

dedicate my life and soul unto Your Lotus Feet and

therefore I request You to accept me as your wife. O

lotus-eyed one, now I belong to You. If that which is

enjoyable for the lion to eat is taken away by the jackal, it

will be a ludicrous affair; therefore I request You to immediately take

care of me before I am taken away by Shisupaala and other princes like him. My dear

Lord, in my previous life I may have done public welfare work like digging wells and

planting trees, or pious activities such as performing ritualistic ceremonies and sacrifices

and serving superiors like the spiritual masters, Acharyas, Braahmanas and Vaishnavas.

By these activities, perhaps I have pleased the Supreme Lord Sriman Narayanan. If this

be so, then I wish that You, Lord Krishna and the brother of Lord Balaraama, please

come here and catch hold of my hand, so that I shall not be touched by Shisupaala and

his company”.

On reading this Sri Krishna immediately ordered to bring four

special horses. The names and descriptions are mentioned in

Padma Purana as Saiba (green colour), Sugriiva (grey colour

like ice), Meghapushpa)colour of new cloud), Balaahaka (ash

colour). They left Dwarka to the kingdom of Vidarbha and

reached with one night (1000 miles) to a town called Kundina.

In the meantime, after Rukmini knew that her Krishna is

coming for her, she dressed up happily and beautifully and went

toward the temple (as a custom to go to temple before

marriage). Lord Krishna came a like a wild wind and kidnapped

Rukmini as easily as a lion takes away a lamb from the flock. All the

devataas, great heroes and kings of the world offered their respects and prayers at the

lotus feet of Lord Krishna. Link : http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/45238

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(Tirunakshatram on Masi-Mrgaseersham – 16th February 2008)

Courtesy : Srirangasri. Article by : Sri.Madhavakkanan, Singapore

Maasi rOhiNi is Thirunakshathram of Tirukkachi NambigaL, who had the greatest special

blessed privilege of conversing with Sri Varadaraja PerumAL Himself. He was blessed

with this extraordinary privilege for performing the Thiruvaalavatta (fanning)

kaimkaryam to PerumAL with utmost bhakti and

involvement. In fact, NambhigaL (KaanchipoorNar) was

born to Sri vaishnava Vaisiya (Chettiar) kula Sri

Veeraraghava Chettiar and Kamalai at Poovirundhavalli.

Though his parents were quite wealthy and were

successful businessmen, NambhigaL had his mind only

on Bhagawath, BhAgawatha aimkaryam.

He became a sishya of Sri YamunAcharyar (Sri

Alavandhar) along with other sishyas namely, Periya

Nambhi (Sri mahApoorNar), ThirukkOttiyoor Nambhi, and

others. Sri Alavandhar named NambhigaL as pEraruLaaLa

dAsar, while Sri Varadaraja PerumAL (PeraruLALan)

Himself named him as GajEndra

dAsar. NambhigaL is the one who

showed Ramaujar to Alavandhar

from afar at Kanchipuram Sri VaradarajaperumAL temple.

Ramanuja, after breaking up from Yadavaprakasar, (when he

was doing theertha kaimkaryam at Varadaraja PerumAL Koil)

approached Thirukkaccchi nambhigaL and learnt tatvaartham

from him. Thirukkacchinambhi is the one who asked (on request

from RamanujA) Sri Varadaraja PerumAL and obtained from

Lord Varadaraja the famous ' Six Words ' and passed them on to

RamanujA. The six words given by Bhagawaan are: (as told by Lord Varadarja Himself

to NambhigaL)

1) ahamEva Parathvam. I- "Lord Narayana" is the Paramatma.

2) dharsnam bhEda Eva cha. :Individual souls are different from Paramatma.

3) upAyEshu prapatthisyAth- Prapatti (SaranAgathy- Complete Surrender) is

the means to attain mOksham.

4) antima smruthi varjanam- Last remembrance of the Lord on the death bed

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is NOT necessary.

5) DhEhaavasaanE mukthisyAth- mOksham can be obtained the moment

one (prapannan) lays off the present mortal body.

6) PoorNaachaarya smaashrayam- MahApoorNar (Periya Nambhi) is the

AchAryan for RamanujA, under whom RamanujA should take refuge.

Thus, Thirukkacchi became most important Sri

Vaishnava link for ALL OF us. Though he was born in

Vaisya kulam, he was greatly revered by YathirAjar.

I have read that PerumAL (Varadan) gave

Thirukkacchi NambhigaL some words upon Nambhi's

request for tatvaartham from Him. They are:

1) Only by AchAryan's kattaksham, the disease

of births and deaths will get cured.

2) BhAgawtha sEshathvam is more enjoyed by

the Lord than Bhagawath sEshathvam. Serving

Srivaishnavas and devotees of Sriman

Narayanan is more pleasing to the Lord than

serving Him. PeriyAzhwAr has mentioned that Srivaishnavas of ThirukkOttiyoor

can even sell AzhwAr for their use. (Lord Rama was quite fond of Shathrugnan

out of three brothers.

3) The Lord can NOT forgive and tolerate apacharam to BhAgawathAs, and

treating His devotees based on their caste, colour, welath, Gothram etc.

Also it is Thirukkacchi Nambhi who showed Ramanuja (from afar) to Sri Alavandhaar

[when Ramanuja was walking with his then teacher- Yadavaprakasa in the temple

premises] who blessed him with his merciful glances on him and gave the Acharya

kataaksham- saying "Am mudhalvan ivan" [quoted from Thiruvaaymozhi]

Last day, PerumAl Himself offered NambhigAl Theertham and SadagOpam and took him

to Paramapadham. NambhigaL lived for 55 years and remained a bachelor (?).

NambhigaL composed Devaraja ashtakam, on Devaraja PerumAl (pEraruLALan). Sri V.

Sadagopan has written a lovely post on Devaraja ashtakam in Feb 96. Please read here

and be blessed by Thirukkacchi NambhigaL, by paying obeisance to him. (please correct

for any mistakes)

AzhwAr EmperumAnAr Desikan ThiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

namo narayana, dAsan Madhavakkannan, Singapore

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The concluding

part of

Tirumazhisai

Alwar

Vaibhavam in

the next issue…

DoshA:

KshantavyA:

Swami Desika Vandanam

jayait EauitcaUDaya-:

EaImaanad\Bautcand`maa: .

saklaa ya~ ih klaa: inama-laa:

ina%yapuYklaa:..

Gist: Srimad Vedanta Desika is shining like the moon of Chaitra

month. The arts of Swami Desikan are free from faults and filled

everywhere.

(by Villiambakkam Govindarajan)

Kulasekhara Alwar was born in Tiruvanjikkalam in Chera nadu. Alwar was born on Masi

Punarvasu in ParAbhava year, in Kolli Nagar nagar in 8th Century AD. Alwas was born as

the amsam of Lord Sriman Narayana’s Kausthubham. Kulasekhara was well learned

right from his young age and expert in

warfare. When Kulasekhara became king,

Pandya and Chola kings jointly invaded

Chera Kingdom. But, both the kings were

defeated by Kulasekhara and became the

emperor of all 3 ancient states.

Kulasekhara married to Pandya princess.

In course of time Alwar being blessed by

Emberuman learnt all the tatvArthA hita

purushArthAs. Slowly Kulasekhara

turned to spiritual life and merged in

enjoying the divya-avathAras of Sriman

Narayana. Kulasekhara spent his life

by reading and listening to Ramayana.

Once during the discourse Ramayana, the scholar was describing the

battle between Rama and Kara, DUshana and 14,000 rAkshasAs. Kulasekhara who

immersed in the anubhavam ordered his ministers to go with his army and support Ram

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in defeating the RakshasAs. The minister understood the feeling of the King and

signaled the scholar to complete the episode quickly.

Sri. P. Dileepan Swami writes about Alwar’s Anubhavam on RamAvatharAm “Kulasekaraazhvaar was a legendary Rama

bhakthaa. He devoted almost a third of his verses to Lord Rama. While other Azhvaars celebrated

Rama's victory over evil Ravana, Kulasekaraazhvaar chose to sing lullaby to Rama, with ``RaaghavanE thaalElO.'' In another part of his poem, he pours

out his heart and wails ``emm iraamaavO'' expressing Dasarathaa's sorrow upon Rama's departure. Azhvaar's Rama bhakthi was so intense

that one day, during a discourse of Srimad Ramayana, he became distraught and ordered his generals to get his armed forces ready so that he can rush to the aid of Lord Rama!”.

The ministers noticed the change of their beloved King Kulasekhara and influence of Srivaishnavas in the palace. They decided to separate King and the Srivaishnavas and

made a plot. During the festival King Kulasekhara noticed that his deity Rama’s navarathna necklace was missing and when checked with ministers, one among them told, as per their plan, “May be one of the Srivaishnava who serves in this sannidhi

might have taken with him”. King Kulasekhara was shocked with this news and the statement, with shivering body he replied the minister “Do

you think the AdiyArs of Lord Narayana will steal the ornaments of Lord? Don’t you shy to blame innocent Bhaktas?” Further he vowed that the Srivaishnavas are

innocent and asked to bring a pot with poisonous snake in it. When the ministers did so, he set his hand inside the pot and telling “if all of you (the council of Ministers) feel that the

innocent AdiyArs have stolen the necklace of the Lord, let this snake bite me”. But the truthful snake did not touch Kulasekhara and kept silent. The guilty ministers told their

intention, but the King decided to leave the kingdom crowning his elder son as the king.

King Kulasekhara tuned Kulasekhara Alwar and visited the abodes of Lord Narayana such as Srirangam, Tirumala and others. Alwars work is called “Perumal Tirumozhi”. The Mukundamalai a stotram is also

considered as composed by Sri Kulasekhara Alwar.

Alwar sung prabandams on Srirangam, Tirukkannapuram, Chitrakootam

(Chidambaram), Viththuvakkodu, Tiruvenkadam (Tirumala), Ayodhya and TiruppArkadal.

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(by Purisai Ananthan)

On 14th Jan., 2008, The Srivaishnavas in Muscat had celebrated BOGI festival with

ANDAL thirukalayana utsavam, evening at 8.00pm in the shiva temple hall, on a very

traditional way. As per our sampradayam, the Kalyana-utsavam was celebrated with

exchange of garland, flower ball throwing, Oonjal sevai and ended with Aakshata

AsivAtham and Swasthi VAchanam. Ladies enjoyed with traditional dance of “gummi”,

and Kalyana pattu and one senior lady from Madurantakam sung Perumal Odam which

was exciting. Almost all our sampradya disciples were present and witnessed this grand

function. Continuing this Kalyana Utsavam, Perumal and thayar had enjoyed the

PONGAL festival. On the Kannu pidi day, the traditional “pidi sadam” was arranged for

Thayars’ to keep kannu pidi and followed by Thirumanjan and other Special

TiruvArAdhanam.

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Bagvad Ardhana Kramam- A Recent initiative to all Darsanam members (by KandAdai Srikanth)

Adeyan would like to immensely thank Govindarajan Swamin for all the pains and efforts he had taken for the last three Fridays to train about 10 of our Darsanam members at his house on how to perform Bagvad Aradhana Kramam.

As a recap for all the 10 of us and as information sharing with the other members with the group, Adeyan would like to highlight our experience on our learning...

A typical lazy Friday and all of us were ready at 8 A.M with 12 Thirumans and Kacham...

The first Friday was declared a Divya Desam since there were 14 + Salagramams and the sight of having all the Peumals together in one place was remarkable...

We formed two batches to learn the theoretical and practical session which even covered basics of making a Pavitram and Koorcham... Now I can proudly make one myself in any Vaidigha Kariyams before my Vadiyar Swamy does one for me.

Some of the highlights on our learning…

A Detailed way of how to perform Aradhanam

Practical sessions included in we all performing for all our own Aathu Perumals

A Detailed written document was published by VCG Swamin as a ready reckoner

All Mantras like Kurma Deen, Mantra Puspam, Nayasa Dasakam along with the

entire Aradhanam seesion ( Audio) was recorded and will be burnt in a CD for

distribution.

Thanks to the contribution from the better halves like Ms.Chitra Venkatesh,

Ms.Suchitra Rajan, Ms.Suja Sriram and Ms.Vidya Govindarajan who made Divya

Prasadms for all the three weeks.

Overall I would say that the knowledge we have gained is invaluable and many thanks

for Govondarajan Swamins time and dedication.

Adeyan Dasan

Kandadai Thittai Srikanth Rengarajan

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Swamin Desikan Mangalam

(concluding part)

Courtesy : Srirangasri

Napasyamaasi srOnaayaam…… mangaLam

MangaLam to Swamy Desikan born in VisawamithragOthram on Purattaasi ThiruvONam.

PithaayasyaananthasUri…thasya mangaLam MangaLam to Swamy Desikan, son of AnanthasUri and ThOtharambai, and grand son of undareekaaksha sOmayaaji.

VEnkatEsaavatharOyam… vidharkyaayaasthu mangaLam

MangaLam to Swamy Desikan, who is praised by elders

and scholars; who is the amsam of YathirAjan; who is the amsam of the Divine Bell of Sri Venkatesa; who is also considered as an avtaar of Sri Venkatesa Himself.

Sri Bhashyakaara… mangaLam MangaLam to Swamy Desikan who is called as the

very Sri Bhashyakaarar Himself in order to expound the Sri VisishtAdvaitha philosophy (propounded by Sri

Bhshyakaarar earlier)

YO baalyE.. mangaLam AND prathishtabidhvEdantha

poori kalyANa bhAjanam MangaLam to Swamy Desikan -who was brought to that highest level by Sri AppuLLaar; - who had been blessed by Sri Nadadhur AmmAL, (Vaatsya Varadhacharyar) his praacharyar,

“All mangaLam to you to propagate the Vedic religion (Sri Ramanuja siddhaantham) and conquer the non vedic other religions, uproot them, and be praised by Vedic scholars”, when Swamy Desikan was a young Boy.

Raamanujaayaath AthrEyaath maathulaath sakalata kala: … mangaLam MangaLam to Swamy Desikan the greatest scholar, who had learnt all saasthras before

he attained 20 years of age, from his uncle Kidaambi appuLLaar. sruthaprakaasikaabhUmOth.. srEshtAya mangaLam

When there was disturbance due to Thurushkars (Muslims) Swamy Desikan not only protected the Sruthaprakaasika – the commentary on Sri Bhashyam, written by Sri

Sudharsana bhattar, Swamy Desikan also propagated the same through learned scholars (by teaching them). MangaLam to Swamy.

Saamskrudheepi: sEvyaaya mangaLam MangaLam to Swamy Desikan, fit to be worshipped, due to his parama upakaram of writing very many granthas (works) in Tamil and Sanskrit, thereby saving the humanity.

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Yakyaadhi laabha.. mangaLam

Fame, benefit, name, - these were not sought after by Swamy Desikan, who serves Srivaishnava Bhagawathas saying “these Bhagawathas (who call Kesavaa, PurushOtthamaa) can even sell my body” (in the words of PeriyAzhwAr). MangaLam to

Swamy Desikan. YasmaadhEva.. mama nAthAya mangaLam

MangaLam to Swamy Desikan, -VenkatanAthan- my Nathan (master), from whom adiyEn had learnt all

saasthraas. PithrE brahmO.. vEmkatEsaaya mangaLam

MangaLam to Swamy Desikan, whose name is VenktEsan, my father; one who initiated Gayatri (BrahmOpadEsar) to adiyEn; who is my spiritual

teacher; who is My God; who is the means, my refuge as well as the Goal Himself.

Ya: krutham.. bhavEth mangaLa bhaajanam. Those who recite this Swamy Vedanta Desika mangaLam

composed by Kumara varadaachaaryar, daily, (or read

these translations) will also attain all mangaLam. [Dearest Srivaishnavas, Thanks to each one of you for your patience in bearing up with aDiyEn's posts on Thuppul PiLLai and encouraging adIyen's efforts through personal emails as well. Please forgive me for eroors and omissions. If at all there is any good, it is due to the Great book of Prof Srinivasa raghavan's and the glories of Acharya saarvabhouman Swamy Nigamantha Mahadesikan. ] Swamy Desikan ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam AchAryan ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam Madhavakkanan, Singapore

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Photo gallery of this month :

The First issue of eMagazine “Darsanam” was released by Serankulam

Setlur Sri. Venkatesan Swami and received by Alwar Tirunagari Sri.Ravindran swami

during Bogi Utsavam.