You are here: SriPedia - SriRangaSri - Archives - May 2007

SriRangaSri List Archive: Message 00069 May 2007

 
May 2007 Indexes ( Date | Thread | Author )
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]


SrI:
SrimatE Raamaanujaaya Namaha //
SrimatE Nigamaanta Mahaa Desikaaya Namaha //
SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anupadravam anudhinam Samvardhaya/
SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anupadravam anudhinam Samvardhaya//
KAvEri VardhathAm kAlE, kAlE varshathu vAsava: /
SrI RanganAthO jayathu Sri Ranga Sri cha VardhathAm//
=====================================================================
SRI RANGA SRI VOL.08 / ISSUE # 25 dated 18th May 2007
=====================================================================
IN THIS ISSUE:

1. PANCHAANGAM DETAILS FOR CHITTHIRAI? (SRI MADHAVAKKANNAN)
2. "AYODHYA KHAANDAM" PART -1 OF SRIMAD RAMAYANAM DISCOURSES IN THE
HINDU TEMPLE OF ATLANTA.
(SRI ANBIL RAMASWAMY SWAMI)
3.TAATPARYA RATNAVALI - SUBMISSION 21 - SLOKAM 13 -PART 2
(SRI N. KRISHNAMACHARAIAR SWAMI OF CHICAGO)
=====================================================================
ISSUES RELEASED
With this issue, about 252 Regular issues of SRS have been released
so far, apart from numerous "Special Issues" as indicated below:
27 Issues of Vol. 1
15 Issues of Vol. 2
42 Issues of Vol. 3
35 Issues of Vol. 4
28 Issues of Vol. 5
30 Issues of Vol. 6
50 Issues of Vol. 7 and
25 Issues of Vol. 8 (including this)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
You may view the archives at http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia
maintained By Sri Srinivasan Sriram

We strongly urge you to kindly peruse the "Regular Issues" archived
in the Files Section and view the Contents at srsindex.html 
(Not the individual postings allowed for encouraging "Reader
participation").

We are sure that you will be convinced of the quality of the
contents.

IF you are satisfied with the quality and contents of
"Sri Ranga Sri" -
Tell your friends to join by sending an email to
Srirangasri-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

IF NOT:
Tell us, as to how we may improve.
Ever at your service
Moderator
"Sri Ranga Sri"
=====================================================================
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxx
=====================================================================
1. Sarvajit varsha Vaikaasi Maasa Panchangam:

May 15 2007-  Tuesday  ? Vaikaasi month begins 
May 16, 2007- Wednesday ? Amaavasyai 
May 27, 2007 ? Sunday- Ekadasai Vratham
May 30, 2007- Wednesday ? Swami Nammaazhwaar Thirunakshathram 
(Visakam)
June 1, 2007- Friday ? Thiruvaranga perumAL Ariayar Thirunakshathram 
June 5, 2007- Tuesday ? SravaNam
June 6, 2007- Wednesday - PradhOsham
June 11, 2007- Monday- Villiputthur Andal Uthsavam
=====================================================================
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxx
=====================================================================
2. "AYODHYA KHAANDAM" PART -1 OF SRIMAD RAMAYANAM DISCOURSES IN THE
HINDU TEMPLE OF ATLANTA.
(ANBIL RAMASWAMY)
---------------------------------------------------------------------

1. INTRODUCTION
In previous khaaNDam, Sage Valmiki emphasized the "Paratvam" of 
Rama. In this, he brings out his "Soulabhyam", his observance 
of "SaadaaraNa Dharmas" like "Pitruvaakhya paripaalanam", and 
the "VisEsha Dharmas" like "Bhagavat Seshatvam" and "Bhaagavata 
Seshatvam" as represented by LakshmaNa and Satrughna respectively. 
While the word "Bharata" denotes "One who is destined to bear the 
burden (of ruling a Kingdom, albeit by proxy), Valmiki calls 
Satrughna as "Nitya Satru-ghna" indicating that he had conquered the 
6 eternal foes of the soul namely, Kaama, KrOda, LObha, MOha, Mada 
and Maatsartya.

2. BHARATA GOES TO HIS UNCLE'S PLACE
In the opening stanza of AyOdhya khaaNDam itself, Valmiki brings out 
this by saying that when Bharata was leaving for his uncle's house 
on invitation, he took Satrughna with him as if the latter was just 
his personal effects like bedding etc. This shows that Satrughna 
never had any "Swatantram" for himself but was solely dependent on 
Bharata (Bhaagavata Paaratantryam), even as LakshmaNa was totally 
subservient to Rama (Bhagavat Paaratantryam)
Gachataa maatula kulam BharatEna mahaatmanaa/
SatrugnO nitya SatrugnO NEETA: preeti puraskara: // (1-1)

3. THE MESSAGE OF THE WHITE HAIRS
One day when Dasaratha was looking at a mirror, he discovered a 
streak of hair near his ears turning white and realized that he was 
really getting old (and, this after 60000 years he had ruled!). 
(Blond children!) Valmiki says that it looked as if all the sins of 
Ravana took the form of the white hair to whisper into his ears that 
it was high time that he quit as the ruler, in favor of Rama. Many 
would not give up attachment to worldly objects even after becoming 
too old even to stand with all faculties withering away like hearing 
being greatly impaired. 

4. THE DEAF MAN AND THE DYING MAN (SIDE STORY) 
H.H. describes in this connection a funny episode in which a deaf 
person went to his old friend who was terminally ill to inquire 
about the latter's health but did not like to expose his own 
deficiency in hearing. A conversation ensued in which the deaf 
person thinking that he was consoling the friend asked him several 
questions and repeatedly agreed with whatever disagreeable answers 
the patient provided! 

5. BRINGING HAPPINESS ? WHO AND WHEN? - MIXED FEELINGS!
Dasaratha immediately called for a conference of his ministers and 
subjects to deliberate on the procedural details of "Transfer of 
power". When the people heard straight from the king about Rama 
being crowned as the prince to succeed him, they were overjoyed. 
But, this was not without a mixed feeling of sorrow on the prospect 
of their good king stepping down.  The King was happy that the 
subjects loved to see Rama being crowned but felt a little 
embarrassed because this meant that they wanted him to quit! Indeed, 
some people bring happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they 
go!

An example of "mixed feelings" of joy and sorrow all at once! (SIDE 
STORY)**

A son-in-law is watching his mother-in-law driving his expensive 
brand new car reaching up to the top of a cliff with a sure 
prognosis of a free fall in the deep ravine on the other side. The 
guy feels "happy" because he can be sure of an end to the old lady 
but "sorry" at the same time because of the impending grim prospect 
of wrecking his beloved car in an inevitable crash!

6. WHEN TO DO PROSTRATION AND ABHIVAADANAM? 
Dasaratha asked VasishTa to make necessary arrangements. Rama was 
summoned to the Royal court. On arrival, Rama prostrated before the 
King and did "Abhivaadanam" as he knew the rules in this regard. 
What are the rules?

1.      Prostration and Abhivaadanam should be done to father, 
preceptor, and elders.
2.      Prostration should not be done to those wearing footwear, 
upper cloth wound around their heads, holding water pots, holding 
alms bowl, undergoing pollution (theeTTu), doing Japam, lying down, 
eating food, being bedridden, taking oil bath etc.
3.      Prostration should not be done at Sannidis in temples (even 
to elders) but should be done only near the Dwaja Sthambam because 
Sannidis of GaruDan, Anjaneyar and other Bhaagavatas are stationed 
in between. This is to avoid Bhaagavata apachaaram. It would be 
enough if an "anjali" is offered.
4.      Abhivaadanam should not be offered to such and also to 
Sannyasis, gatherings (gOshTi) 
5.      The person receiving the "Abhivadanam" is required to repeat 
the name of the person offering and bless him with the 
words "Aayushmaan bhava?Sarman". Manu says that if the recipient who 
does not do this "Prathi-Abhivaadanam" falls into several hells and 
acquires the sins of the one that offers and is not fit to be 
offered Abhivaadanam.
abhivaadE kritE yastu na karOti pratya abhivaadanam/ 
aasisham vaa guru srEShTa: sa yaati narakaan bahoon/
tat dush kritam bhavEt  sa tasya agam prapadhyatE// Manu 125
Rama conveyed the good news to his mother, Kousalya and got her 
blessings and got ready to observe the Upavaasam as a prelude to the 
crowning function the next day.

7. THE EXPECTED AND THE UNEXPECTED!
As the arrangements were going in full speed and strength and 
everyone was expecting the coronation, there was an unexpected 
development. `Accidentally" says Valmiki that Mantarai climbed the 
steps of Kaikeyi's mansion. The poet uses the word "yadruchayaa" 
(accidentally) whenever there is a significant twist in the course 
of events. Mantarai's appearance at the crucial moment is one such. 

8. WHO IS THIS MANTARAI? 
It is not known where she came from and who her parents were. All 
that is known is that she was a servant maid in the household of 
KeKaya raja and that she came to Dasaratha's place as a personal 
attendant of KaikEyi who subsequently got into the good books of the 
queen. When she saw the gala arrangements, an evil thought arose in 
her mind that if Rama became the crown prince, KaikEyi and her son 
Bharata would be virtual slaves of Rama. When she conveyed this 
thought to the unsuspecting KaikEyi, the latter did not like it 
because she loved Rama more than Bharata himself. She even offered 
Mantarai an auspicious ornament as gift for the good news of Rama's 
coronation! Mantarai promptly threw and broke it. This indicated 
some impending. undesirable turn of events. 

When Mantarai tried to persuade her further, KaikEyi rebuked her. 
Enakku nallaiyum allai nee/ en magan bharatan
Tanakku nallaiyum allay/ ath dharamamE nOkkin
Unakku nallaiyum allay/ vandu oozh vinai tooNDa
Manakku nallana sollinai/ madhi ilaa manathOi (Soozhchi- 156)

9. MANTARAI CONTROLS KAIKEYI'S MIND
Ultimately, however, by her gift of the gab, Mantarai succeeded in 
convincing KaikEyi to agree to get Bharata crowned and Rama banished 
for 14 years in exile.  Mantarai reminded her of the two promises 
Dasaratha made at the time of the war with Sampara asura in return 
for her saving his life on two occasions. KaikEyi offered to ask for 
them at an appropriate time later. She retired to her `kOpaa-griham" 
(Chamber for venting anger) and with disheveled hairs and haggard 
appearance was lying down on the floor waiting for the arrival of 
the king.

{Even today, if you go to AyOdhya, the guide will guide you to 
this "kOpaa-griham" To believe or not to believe is left to your 
choice!}

10. DASARATHA'S PREDICAMENT
Not knowing what he was about to face, poor Dasaratha walked into 
her chamber like an insect entering the spider's web. He wished to 
convey the good news to her. He was taken aback on seeing her 
condition and tried as hard as he could to console her. She reminded 
him of the two boons that he had promised her earlier and insisted 
that she should have these promises fulfilled here and now. 
Unthinkingly, if only to gladden her heart, he offered to carry out 
unconditionally whatever she wanted. Making sure that he will not go 
back on his plighted word, she threw a bombshell exactly as tutored 
by Mantarai. Dasaratha could not yield to it since he had declared 
earlier in the open assembly that Rama was to be crowned the next 
day. And, he could not renege from his promise to KaikEyi. It was 
the greatest dilemma (Dharma SankaTam) that a virtuous soul could 
ever face. He tried to put forth several arguments to dissuade 
KaikEyi from compelling him to do something much against his will 
like:

-       I will not be able to live without Rama.
-       I have already promised in the presence of kings from 
various countries.
-       No one knows about my promises to you. If you relent, none 
would blame you.
-       Will not people think that I have lost my sense in denying 
Rama his right?
-       If as desired by you, I give the kingdom to you, you may 
yourself give it to Rama
-       Let Bharata be crowned, but please do not send Rama to 
forest.
-       If you do not relent, it will be like my having kept the 
hangman's rope in safe custody. 
-       If Rama should go to forest, let not Bharata do my final 
funereal rites.
KaikEyi was not the one to be moved by his entreaties in spite of 
Dasaratha's falling at her feet and pleading pathetically. She 
quoted instances as to how some of Dasaratha's predecessors like 
Sibhi, Alarkkan and others and the Ocean king stood by their word 
even in trying circumstances and that he should likewise keep up his 
promise to her. And, if he would not, she would commit suicide.

10A. KAIKEYI'S MESSAGE TO RAMA
Caught between the devil and deep sea, Dasaratha bade Sumantra, his 
charioteer to fetch Rama who was then conversing with Sita. When the 
call came that the King in KaikEyi's place summoned him, he told 
Sita that perhaps KaikEyi was hastening his coronation! As he 
reached the chambers, KaikEyi addressed Rama saying that it was the 
wish of the king that he should go to the forest for 14 years, 
leaving the kingdom to be ruled by Bharata.
Aazhi soozh ulagam ellaam BharatanE aaLa nee pOi
taazhirum saDaigaL taangi taanga arum tavanm mErkoNDu 
Ooozhi vem kaanam naNNi puNNiya thuraigaL aaDi 
yEzuh iraNDu aaNDin vaa enru iyambinan arasan enraaL(KR-Soozhvinai-
288)
taazhirum saDaigaL taangi taangarum tavanmErkoNDu: Rama had always 
been interested in leading the life of a Tapasvi and she seems to 
say that here was a golden opportunity to do what he longed for long
puNNiya thuraigaL aaDi: KaikEyi cleverly places a bait before Rama 
that he can have his longstanding desire to bathe in the holy 
rivers, if he goes to the forest!

yEezhu iraNDu aaNDil vaa: Lest Rama should get scared on hearing 
that his banishment would be for 14 long years, she says that it is 
just 2 x 7 years!

Cf: Daughter-in-law`s oil bath "DeewaLikku DeewaLi"; 
daughter's "SaniyODu Sani"!

enru Iyambinan arasan enraaL: Lest Rama should brush aside, if he 
were to be ordered by his father, she says it was the order of the 
King that he cannot disobey!
On hearing this Rama's face blossomed like a freshly blossomed red 
lotus flower! 

"av vaachakam uNarak kETTa appozhudu alarnda sentaamaraiyai venradu 
ammaa" (289)

Rama replies: "Even if it were not the King's order, will I not 
obey, if it is your order?

Mannavan paNi anra aagil num paNi maruppanO (ibid-291)

11. CONSPIRACY SUCCEEDS

Thus the conspiracy hatched by Mantarai succeeded. What is the 
significance of 14 years in exile? H.H. says that it would appear 
that Ravana had only 14 more years to live! 
Also, it is an accepted fact in jurisprudence that a person 
abdicating one's rights for 14 years at a stretch forfeits one's 
rights forever!

(To Continue with Ayodya kaaNdam)
=====================================================================
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxx
=====================================================================
2.TAATPARYA RATNAVALI - SUBMISSION 21 - SLOKAM 13 -PART 2
(SRI N. KRISHNAMACHARAIAR SWAMI OF CHICAGO)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
-
SrImate SrI ra'nga rAmAnuja mahA deSikAya namaH. 
tAtparya ratnAvaLi - Submssion 21, Slokam 13 Part 2, tiruvAimozhi 
1.3 contd. 

pASuram 1.3.3: 

amaivuDai aRa neRi muzhuvadum uyarvaRa uyarnda 
amaivuDai mudal keDal oDiviDai aRa nilam aduvAm 
amaivuDai amararum yAvaiyum yAvarum tAnAm 
amaivuDai nAraNan mAyaiyai aRibavar yArE? (tiruvAi. 1.3.3) 

amaivuDai muzhuvadum aRam neRi uyarvaRa uyarnda amivuDai mudal keDal 
iDai oDivu aRa nilam aduvAm amaivuDai amararum yAvaiyum yAvarum 
tAnAm amaivuDai nAraNan mAyaiyai yAr aribavar? - Lord SrIman 
nArAyaNan is the antaryAmi (Inner Controller) of all the cetana-s 
(sentients) and acetana-s (insentients) in all the worlds; This 
includes all the deva-s including brahmA and rudra, who have 
attained their superior postions of creation and destruction 
respectively through their superior dharma-s, to the point that one 
sometimes wonders whether they themselves are the supreme beings. 
BhagavAn has all of them as His body. Who will ever be able to 
comprehend the avatAra rahasyam of Lord nArAyaNan? 
SrI UV points to two versions for svAmi deSikan's description of the 
primary guNa to be enjoyed in pASuram 1.3.3 ? "sarveshu 
AsattimatvAt" and "sarveshu AsaktimatvAt", and prefers the first 
version. SrI ve'nkaTeSAcArya has used the second pATham. Asatti 
means "intimate union, close contact"; and "Asakti" 
means "attachment, devotion, fondness". 

The first version ? sarveshu AsattimatvAt, is interpreted in terms 
of His being the AtmA of everything starting from brahmA and rudra, 
extending all the way to all the cetana-s and acetana-s. The second 
version is interpreted in terms of His being attached with fondness 
to all the souls starting from brahmA and rudra, all the way to all 
the other cetana-s and acetana-s. 

The phrase in the pASuram tht corresponds to either of these 
interpretations is "amaivuDai amararum yAvaiyum yAvarum tAnAm" ? 
tAnAm ? He Who is all these things Himself, in the sense that they 
are all His body. If we interpret the phrase as "tAn amararum 
yAvaiyum yAvarum Am", then it can mean that He is the antaryAmi of 
everything ? Asatti. 

Given that the guNa at the daSakam level is bhagavAn's ananta-
saulabhyam, His being attached with fondness and with the same 
affection to all, no matter whether it is the deva-s or the lowliest 
of acetana-s, is more appealing than His being the AtmA and guiding 
force of all the deva-s as well as all the other cetana-s and 
acetana-s. SrImad tirukkuDanthai ANDavan summarizes the essence of 
the pASuram 1.3.3 and says that it the nature of nArAyaNan to 
consider that everything starting from brahmA, rudra etc., all the 
way down to all the other cetana-s and acetana-s, are part of His 
body, and He is their AtmA. They are all very dear to Him, and He 
loves all equally. 

amaivuDai amararum yAvaiyum yAvarum tAnAm amaivuDai nAraNan - 

He is ananta-sulabhan because He is the AtmA or the Guiding Soul for 
everything from the more accomplished souls such as the deva-s, to 
the less evolved souls including the acetana-s etc., without 
distinction, and they are all part of His body. It is significant 
that nammAzhvAr uses the nAma `nArAyaNan' in the pASuram to describe 
this guNa. SrI UV points out that the meaning for the nArAyaNa 
Sabdam that is brought out here is that He is One who is the Cause 
for all sentient and insentient objects, and One who is worshipped 
by all including the likes of bramA, rudra etc. ? "nArAj-jAtAni 
tattvAni nArANIti vidur budhAh | nArANAm ayanam yena tena nARAyaNah 
Srutah". 
? pASuram 1.3.4: 
yArum Or nilaimaiyan ena aRivariya emperumAn 
yArum Or nilaimaiyan ena aRiveLiya emperumAn 
pErum Or Ayiram piRa pala uDaiya emperumAn 
pErum Or uruvamum uLadillai iladillai piNakkE (1.3.4) 

"He is One whose greatness is beyond realization by those who are 
opposed to Him, and He is also One whose greatness is easily 
realized by His devotees; for those devoid of devotion to Him, it is 
a matter of constant argument whether our emperumAn has in fact 
infinite guNa-s and nAma-s to be praised, or He is One who is devoid 
of forms and names". 

svAmi deSikan captures the main guNa from this pASuram through the 
phrase "nata su-gamatayA - He who is easily accessed by those who 
prostrate to Him ? yArum Or nilaimaiyan ena aRiveLiya emperumAn. "Or 
nilaimaiyan" emphasizes that He is of the unique ease of 
accessibility to all His devotees without any distinction. His 
svarUpam and nature could be easily understood by a monkey 
(hanumAn), a cowherd woman (yaSodA), a huntress ( SabarI), etc. 

This same idea is coneyed by AlavandAr - "namo namo vA'ng-
manasAtiIbhUmaye namo namo vA'ngmanasaika bhUmaye"- 

You are not accessible either through words or through thought to 
those who try to comprehend You by their own efforts, while You are 
easily accessible through words and through thought to those to whom 
You wish to reveal Yourself". What is it that the devotee easily 
realizes? It is the realization that He is One who is endowed with 
infinite kalyANa guNa-s, and who takes countless incarnations each 
with its own divine form. 
-dAsan kRshNamAcAryan 
(To be continued)
=====================================================================
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxx
===================================================================




 
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SriRangaSri/

<*> Your email settings:
    Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SriRangaSri/join
    (Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
    mailto:SriRangaSri-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
    mailto:SriRangaSri-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    SriRangaSri-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
 


[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next] [Date Index ] [Thread Index ] [Author Index ]
Home Page
http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia
srirangasri-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to the list