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SrI:

Dear BhakthAs:

SrI Ramanuja Mission will be celebrating AchArya
Thirunakshathram at SrI RanganAtha Temple in a grand manner 
tomorrow from 8 A.M to 1.00 P.M with Multiple PaarAyaNams
and aarAdhanam for the dhivya PaadhukAs of Prakrutham 
AaNDavan . 

Here are some thoughts on this occasion on " Why do we celebrate
the Thirunakshathrams of our AchAryAs? ".

AchArya Vaibhavam & MahOpakAram to SishyAs
*************************************************************
Gurubhya: tadhgurubhya: cha namOvAkam adheemahE
vruNeemahE cha tathrAdhyou Dampathee jagathAm Pathee

Thus starts the thundering statement about the need for salutations to
our Guru ParamparA starting from our immediate AchAryAs 
all the way up to the dhivya Dampathi as UpAyam and Phalan. 

The key sections of the slokam are:

" Gurubhyasccha Tadh-gurubhyasccha namOvAkam adheemahE "

To our immediate AchAryAs and their AchAryAs , we extend
our reverential and grateful salutations for the immeasurable
upakArams extended to us out of their DayA Svaroopam 
and SvabhAvam . 

We invoke the Gurus as the means (uPayam ) as well as
UpEyam ( Phalan ).  

Why do we invoke them as Means and Fruit of Nama: sabdham ?
***************************************************************************
The skeptic may ask : " What did they do for us ? Why should 
we go out of our way to offer our reverential salutations at every
available opportunity in general and during their Thirunakshathrams
atleast in particular ?

The convincing answer is that Moksham is outside the reach of
those , who do not have AchArya sambhandham (AchArya
SamAsrayaNam). This way to Moksham shown by AchAryAs 
has been recognized as the " nall vazhi and thol Vazhi " 
by Madhura Kavi AzhwAr.   The "Nall Vazhi " is the path 
to Moksham ( Prapatthi and Bhakthi yogams) . "Thol Vazhi "
is the anAdhi vazhi or mArgam ( ancient , timeless path) 
established by anAdhi Vedams . 

The necessity of AchAryAs have been emphasized by the Upanishads:
" tath Vij~nArTam sa gurumEvAbhigacchEth " ( To know about the Supreme
Brahman , You must seek an AchAryan). " AchAryavAn PurushO Veda"
( Only the disciple , who has been blessed with a SadAcharyan
can know about Brahman). The RahasyAmnAya BrahmaNam 
refers to the whole Guru Paramparai that one should revere :
"sa cha AchAryavamsO jn~EyO: asou asou ithi Aabhagavattha: "
( This AchArya Paramparai should be clearly comprehended
in a hierarchical manner all the way up to BhagavAn).

The durable ( asanchala ) Bhakthi to one's AchAryan is therefore
a must for our upliftment .The manthra Sampath ( the spiritual
wealth acquired  from Manthra Japam ) and the Jn~Ana sampath 
will diminish , when one does not elevate and celebrate one's
AchAryan ( aprakAsa prakAsAbhyAm ksheeyathE sampadhAyushi).
That is why the AchAryans are revered as " Yennuyir tanthu aLitthavar"
( Those who blessed us with the Seshathva Jn~Anam and saved us from
downward descent in to Samsaric pit).

In the second slOkam of NyAsa Vimsathy , Swamy Desikan gives us
8 Reasons for us to celebrate our AchAryAs and consider them in status
to Bhagavan Himself : (1) AchAryan thru sadhupadEsams removes 
the false knowledge (a j~nAnam and Vipareetha Jn~Anam) of the Sishyan
(2) AchAryans correct the Sishyans from engagement in sins and cleanses
them of Paapams (Thirutthi PaNi koLvAn), (3) AchAryan labors to inculcate
Jn~Anam , GuNam and anushtAnam and lifts up the Sishyan to his level
(4) AchAryan blesses the sishyan with Tatthva Thraya Jn~Anam and
creates Jn~Anap-piRavi for the sishyn (5) AchAryans cast their dayA
dhrushti on the Sishyans and thru caring instructions prepare   them for
the Sadhgathi of Moksham (6) AchAryans' mercy extends to one and all
independent of their birth status or wealth (7) AchAryans stay as the nectar
to be enjoyed in this and the other world (8) AchArya-sishya relationship
is indivisible and can not be cast aside ( Ozhikka OzhiyAthu).

That is why we celebrate our AchAryans and their AchAryans .
AchArya LakshaNam and Bhagavath LakshaNam are almost inseperable.
That is why Madhurakavi claimed that he does not know of any other God 
than his AchAryan ( dhEvu maRraRiyEn) . His AchAryan was Swamy  NammAzhwAr 
( SrI RanganAtha PaadhukA ).

SrImath AakkUr Andavan's gist of AchArya Vandanam a la Chithra Paddhathi
********************************************************************************************
There are abundant insights in to the Vaibhavam of AchAryAs in chithra
Paddhathi ( A picture is worth thousand words) . We will highlight some of 
SrImath Andavan's  insights & UpadEsams to understand
why we celebrate AchArya Thirunakshathrams :

1. Through their Svaroopam ( inherent nature) , Roopam ( ThirumEni & tEjas) ,
GuNam ( auspicous attributes ) , VyApAram ( benovolent activities driven by 
DayA for those who seek their protection ) and their love for the Lord and 
their own Prapatthi , the SadAchAryAs have SarvEswaran under their control;
The influence thay have over the Lord enables them to chase away the arguments
of scholars with distorted views and establish the relations between 
Sareeram (body) , aathmA ( Jeevan) and Iswaran ( antharyAmi of the Jeevan) . 
Through the upadesam on the SarirAthma bhAva sambhandham , they enable 
those who seek their protection to gain Parama PurushArTam of Moksham. 
Such is the power and Vaibhavam of AchAryAs ! That is why we celebrate 
their Thirunakshathrams.

2.  SadAchAryAs are like MahA Lakshmi (MangaLa nidhi) and are PurushakAra
BhUtharhaL  like MahA Lakshmi with Her Divine consort . They succeed in 
interceding for us with the Lord and make us eligible for His anugraham .
That is why we celebrate AchArya Thirunakshathrams and AchArya Paadhukais.

3. We belong to the category of "ananya SaraNa:" ( with no one else to protect 
us)
and are " UpAyAnthara-rahitha: " ( with out any UpAyam to protect ourselves). 
For us of this description , there are no recourse except AchAryAs to get us 
across the SamsAra Saagaram. That is the reason for clinging on to AchAryA's
ThiuvadikaL and celebrating them partcicularly on their Thirunakshathrams.

4. As SamsAris , we are Aj~nAs , akinchanaas and AasrithAs . AchAryAs 
are very dear to BhagavAn and are adheenam to Him. They are objects of
endearment to Him. By clinging to the ThiruvadkaL of AchAryans , we 
gain Tatthva Jn~Anam and benefit from their PurushakAram with the Lord 
on behalf of us.That is why we celebrate AchArya Thirunakshathrams !

5. AchAryAs are incarnations of eternally liberated jeevans (nithya Sooris)
and as such are DhivyAmsams. They have therefore the power to remove our 
Aathma VyAthis and protect us . They incarnate on this earth during the Vibhava
and ArchA avathArams of the Lord and help their Lord in lOka rakshaNam .
That is why we celebrate their Thirunakshathrams !

6. SadAchAryAs must be meditated upon on UpAya and Phala 
dasais.It is through their anugraham , UpAyam is realized.PurushArTa
Kaashtai ( the boundary of Bhagavath UpAsanam)  is gained through 
the adoration of AchAryAs .That is why we celebrate the ThiruavathAra 
dinams of AchAryAs .

7.AchAryAs are deeply rooted in Para Brahmam ( SthiraPrathishtithAL).
They follow the command of the Lord and protect the world and its beings.
AarAdhanam of them is UpAya Kaashtai ( the end boundary of UpAyams
for PurushArTam) . Kaimkaryam to them is PurushArTa Kaashtai.With their 
powerful glances alone , they remove the sins of the world ( Tath dhrushti-
gOcharA: sarvE muchyanthE sarva kilBhishai:).Among all their auspicious
GuNams , the DayA GuNam towers over all guNams.That is why we celebrate
their Thirunakshathrams and perform the aarAdhanam of their PaadhukAs and
partake PaadhukA theertam .

8. AchAryAs generate Jn~Ana PrakAsam in SamsAris (aj~nAs). They 
have soulabhya guNam ( easy of access by one and all ). With very 
little kaimakryam form our part , they rush to our rescue and become
joyous in protecting us ( KaTamchith upakArENa kruthEnaikEna 
thushyathi ). Their svalpa KatAksham and our insignificant service
(Svalpa sisrooshai) to them blesses us with parama srEyas.That is why 
we celebrate the Thirunakshathram of such DayALus!

9. AchAryAs have the skills to conduct BhagavAn's missions
( Bhagavath Kaarya nirvAha SaamarTyam) , Travel across the land
to perform SamAsrayaNam , BharanyAsam with their AarAdhana 
Moorthys ( LokAnugrahArTa SanchAra seelathvam) , freedom from
malice ( asooyAdhi dhOsha-rahithathvam) and  deep freindship with
sishyAs ( Parama Maithrathvam). That is why we celebrate AchArya 
Thirunakshathrams and pray for the development of Parama Bhakthi 
towards them.

10. AchAryAs propagate Bhagavath Saasthrams . Through their
exemplary anushtAnams  , they establish the auspicious path
(SanmArgam) for their disciples.They seek Bhagavath BhakthAs ,
bless them and prepare them for samarpaNam of their AathmAs
( BhagavAn's property ) at the Lord's sacred feet . The AchAryAs are
NipuNars in this activity . That is why we celebrate their Thirunakshathrams !  

11. SadAchAryAs in their state as Nithya Sooris or during their incarnations
amidst us or during their presence as ArchA Moorthys ( consecrated images 
at AzhwAr Sannidhis) have blemishless mahimai . They remove all anishtams
( inauspiciousness) and bless us with sarva MangaLams that we desire.
They are in a sense Abheeshta Varadars. They are fit to be eulogized by
all with Keerthanam and vandhanams . That is why we celebrate their
Thirunakshathrams !

12. After enchanting the Lord with their Prapatthi ( KshaNikOpAyam)
and having Him in their control, they make it possible for all others to gain
Him and perform nithya kaimkaryam to Him . That is why we celebrate 
the AchArya Thirunakshathrams !

13. By mere meditation of the Taniyans of AchAryAs , they remove all
obstacles that we face . When a sishyan perfroms Naama Japam of
their AchAryans without let ( GurOrnAma SadhA JapEth) , they save 
him/her even if they are MahA Paapis. They remove all pApams
through Bhagavath Prapatthi .They show us the sacred feet of 
the Lord and make us attain His sThAnam (BhOga Saamyam) .
That is why we celebrate their Thirunakshathrams. 

14. The AchAryAs have immense mercy for those who follow
SishtAchAram ( the anushtAnam of our sacred predecessors). 
For those following SishtAchAram , the AchAryAs confer all
boons desired and remove all obstacles. One of the SishtAchAram
is the celebration of the Thirunakshathrams of SadAchAryans
starting from Prakrutham AchAryan. 

15. Through their SanchArams around the nation and their 
KaalakshEpams , the SadAchAryAs banish the fog of Ajn~Anam
through their Jn~Ana PrakAsam . They chase away the darkness 
in the minds of those who seek their protection . That is why we 
celebrate their Thirunakshathrams.

16. AchAryALs are "sarvathO Bhadra Moorthys"( all around auspicious 
MoorthykaL) . They protect the Mumukshus ( those who desire Moksham).
They remove the three kinds of Taapams (SamsAric afflictions). They
perform hithOpadEsam to protect the wealth blesed by BhagavAn and
to use it for Bhagavath-BhAgavatha-AchArya Kaimkaryams . Whether 
one is a Paapi or PuNyasaali, the AchAryAs come to their rescue in  
an unfailing manner . They travel to the side of the Lord during the times
of their MahOthsavams ( Kaanchi Garuda Sevai, Thirumalai BrhmOthsavam ,
Panguni Uttharam at SrIrangam et al) for the purpose of lOkAnugraham.
That is why we celebrate their Thirunakshathrams! 

17. AchAryAs are avathAra PurusharkaL. They are free of Sins by
their SvabhAvam. They sanctify those who help their ThiruvArAdhanam
with their SrI Paadha Theertham . That is why we celebrate the AchAryA's
Thirunakshathrams !

18. The AchAryAs are Sarva vidha BhandhukkaL for their sishyAs.
They consider the sukha-dukkhams of their SishyAs as their own
and through the Phala MantrAkshathai , they remove our sorows.
Their aasritha Vaathsalyam has no boundaries .There is nothing that 
they need in this world or from their sishyAs .That is why we celebrate 
their Thirunakshathrams !

19. For those sishyAs , who practise the doctrine of " AachAryAdhiha
DevathAm samadhikaamanyAm na manyAmahE " ( There is no one
who is equal to or superior to AchAryan/thEvu MaRRaRiyEn ), the AchAryAs
grant Parama PurushArTa paryantha sukhams ( upto MokshAnugraham). 
That is why we celebrate their Thirunakshathrams ! 

20. AchAryAs are filled with Bhagavath Bhakthi, Sarva BhUtha Dayaa ,
SadhanushtAnam  nas SrEshta Jn~Anam . They bless those who
perform AaarAdhanam to the Lord allowed by SaasthrAs ( SaashtrOktha
AarAdhanam ) and recieve the worship( aarAdhanam ) to them performed by
such PuNyasAlis . That is why we celebrate the Thirunakshathrams of
Such SadAchAryAs ! 

21. SadAchAryAs destroy the aathma chathrus of those , who seek
their protection and help in the perforformance of Aathma Yaagam,
which the jeevans missed to perform in poorva Janmams.Only Tatthva-
jn~Anis and avathAra PurushAl like SadAchAryAs can successfully 
conduct the Aathma Yaagam , where the havis of the AathmA
in the fire( Agni)  of BhagavAn can be  offered as homam.Saasvatha
(Lasting) KshEmam results from that Aathma SamarpaNam . Only
SadAchAryAs can facilitate this Aathma SamarpaNam and that is why
we celebrate their Thirunakshathrams ! 

22. We celebrate the Thirunakshathrams of SadAchAryAs because of
their many auspicious attributes: (a) Paavanathvam/Sacredness 
(b) AarAdhyathvam/being fit for worship (c) NigrahAnugraha SamarTathvam
( SaamarTyam in blessing the AasrithAs and destroying aathma chathrus
(d) tEjOvathvam ( having Brahma tEjas to attract us and hold us ) and 
(e) PurushakAra Vaibhavam ( power to intercede witht he Lord to forgive our
trespasses ) .

23.  AchAryAs are Lord's PaadhukAs. As such they share many 
auspicous attributes: 

(a) Sarva-kaalaanuguNa sarvAdhikAri yOgya sarva Phala pradha sukara 
srEshTopAya prakAsakthvam( They highlight the auspicious and unnatha 
upAyam of SaraNAgathy and demonstrate that people with all backgrounds 
and qualiifcations are eligible to recieve the fruits of SaraNAgathy 
at their Lord's sacred feet .

b) SarvalOka Maanyathvam: Vaibhavam to be glorified by all the world

c)( Uthkrushta-Janai: archaneeyathvam/ fit for worship by the evolved souls , 
dhanyathvam/Modesty, Uthkrushta SrEyas-Saadhanathvam/Ability to confer 
the highest status among men 

d)  Sarva MangaLAvahathvam/ granting of all MangaLams including 
the destruction of the cycles of births & deaths 

e) anantha klEsApahathvam/ power to remove all samsAric agitations

f) Sarva PrAyascchittha Roopathvam ( being the embodiment of all
PrAyscchitthams) 

g)  BhagavadhanuroopAvathArathvam ( ability to incarnate in a manner 
complimentary to the Lord's avathAram to help Him fulfil His avathAra Kaaryam) .

24. The AchArya Vaibhavam that propells us to celebrate them every
moment of our lives for their MahopakArams and special celebrations 
on their Thirunakshathram days is limitless . Here are some more reasons
why we become sanctified thru such celebrations :

a) Bhava-peeDitha sEvyathvam( Fitness to be worshipped by those 
afflicted by SamsAric illness).

b) Bhagavath Sahacharathvam , SruthiprathipAdhyathvam , 
aasritha Paalanathvam ,sanchAra SaamarTyathvam and Saadhu-
sangama seelathvam ( ability to move with the niyamanam of 
Their Lord , celebrants of VedAs , protectors of those who seek 
their refuge , Ability to travel around with their aarAdhan Moorthys
to bless the sishyAs with SamAsrayaNams and Bhara NyAsams and 
ease in mingling with saadhu janams ).

c) Saashtra Pravarthakathvam ( ability to intrepret and spread
Bhagavath Saasthrams ) and SanmArga nishtathvam ( power of
observance of the rigors of righteous ways prescribed by Bhagavath
Saasthrams).

d) Bhagavath Sadhrusa GuNathvam ( Having guNAs similar to their Lord).

e) UpAya VirOdhi Paapapahathvam ( power to destroy the obstacles 
standing in the way of observing Bhakthi & Prapathti yOgams).

Instead of going on further , adiyEn stops here to make the case for 
celebration of the Thirunakshathrams of AchAryAs and recital of
their Taniyans .

SrImath Azhagiya Singar ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam .
Daasan , Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri Sadagopan  

      
 s 
     







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




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