sign in sign up
<<
Home , Japa, Muktinath, Nathamuni, Pillai Lokacharya, Ramanuja, Samanadhikaranya

Table of Contents Darshanam

Editor: Editorial 1 Sri Mohan Sagar

Ramanuja’s doctrine of Service 2 5 Associate Editor: Smt Harini Raghavan RAMANUJA DARSHANAM In Focus – Thiru Narayanapuram 8

Great Saints and Teachers 11 (Philosophy of Ramanuja) Advisory Board: MadhuraKavi Azhvar 19 Sri Mukundan Pattangi of 21 Sri TA Varadhan Divine Places – Tirumala 26 Sri TCA Venkatesan Q&A: Caste System 29 Moral story 32 Subscription: The Great Conversation 34 Each Issue: $2 Annual: $8 Website in focus 40

Calendar (Apr – Jul 03) 41 Address Vedics Quiz 42 1239 S Boston Street, Answers to Last Quiz 44 Denver, CO 80231. Glossary 45 Email [email protected]

About the Cover image

The cover of this issue presents the image of Sri Ramanuja, as he is present in thiru--puram, also known as (the western fort). This place is in present day , near . It was here that Sri Ramanuja fled to escape harassment from the Chola kings of his time. He lived here for 20 years. He discovered an ancient image of the Lord, and built a temple for Him. The most beautiful Lord present in that temple is called “Thiru Narayanan”, and the procession of the Lord is called “chella-p-piLLai” (The most loved son). Our elders teach us that

this procession deity of the Lord came to Sri Ramanuja when he called Sri Ramanuja in Thirunarayanapuram out “vArAy chella-p-iLLaai” (Please come! My dear son!). It is in

mElukOte that we can find an unbroken administrative and religious A VEDICS JOURNAL system exactly as set up by Sri Ramanuja. The idol of Sri Ramanuja is Volume 1 Issue 2: Apr - Jul 2003 called “thamar ugandha thirumEni” – “The holy idol that is most dear to devotees”. Indeed, the beauty of Sri Ramanuja here is incomparable. Vedics Foundation (http://www.vedics.net)

Sri Sri Vedas Mohan Sagar Sagar Mohan . But, there is there is . But, Azhvars beneficial for all of us to learn, learn, of us to all for beneficial love and receive love in return. return. love in love and receive nd that as human beings, we all we all beings, as human that nd As always, am indebted to HH HH to indebted am I always, As as well as the forgiveness of all of all forgiveness as the well as d or co-workers. For those of us For those of d or co-workers. this world. To his followers, the the followers, his To world. this we are concerned only with these, the with concerned only are we eep us separated from one another. one another. from us separated eep heritage, we are born into a particular family family particular a born into are we heritage, Vedic intointegrated the message on the nature an of , , Sri Ramanuja is seen as a beacon light in a long lineage of of lineage long in a beacon light a as is seen Ramanuja , Sri RAMANUJA’S DOCTRINE OF SERVICE has been recognized for his monumental philosophical ideals, philosophical monumental for his been recognized has one other great message that would be nature of the , andnature the naturesouls, of of the in us to Vaishnavas revealed were that truths same of these proved how the Eternal Truths very irrefutably teachers, who the are revelations mystical the lucidheartfelt and devotionalrenderings of the life of service remarkable and be Sri Ramanuja’s this can drawn from which can lead us only further into understanding and humanitarianism, and devotees. his disciples all for mind in had Soul Great this what our Whatabout to share I am is the message that I was inspired to try and call we teachers. mentors and learn from my those with his for Svami Jeeyar Ramanuja Narayana Sriman Sri Tridandi life share forgiveness, seek his and inspiration, and this article. other or in for any errors devotees, misinterpretations parents, our call we certain to time; a certain at place, a certain at born us is Each one of that people an spouses, our friends, siblings, our from who hail fi deeper though, we Going one step West, here in those particularly scholars, and Among thinkers Ramanuja of the the summarize accurately and which completely and has obligations us one of each and caste, a particular to belonging a specific followed us has of one Each this. with associated limitations on based salaries suitable earning and is a specific career, to leading path and hobbies, interests, dreams, and has hopes this path. Each one of us make from God, only be gifts which can things, of these all And talents. But, if as individuals. us unique k also unique us things that make know to need all We emotions. We all need to share similar These thoughts. own lives. our in be other's to each when we need to all have times support. We and friendship We all need in and rejoice, to world sing, this to in cry, difference a make we that we us to a place where and take in nature are universal human values with each other. can begin to connect and 2

1 Mohan Sagar Sagar Mohan

Vision please visit our web site at visit our web Vision please feedback regarding the first issue the first issue regarding feedback second issue of the magazine is is issue of the magazine second this magazineandusefulto be a ascetics. Why is it so? Please think 03. In and along with our regular our regular with In and along 03. [email protected]. Also, to Also, to [email protected]. contributions, and the sacred temple the sacred temple and contributions, EDITORIAL ival for Sri Ramanuja’s birth anniversary at at anniversary birth Ramanuja’s Sri for ival SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT SOMETHING TO THINK Our thanks to all of you who provided to all of you Our thanks of RamanujaDarshanam. Your positive wordsand helpful suggestions magazine improve on this to incentive the us with of all are providing we release. issue that with every with improvements beginning to include make some We are intending made being is effort every while that notice will You issue. quarter's this to use simple Englishin our presentations, words thatEnglish are not in a translating than And, rather forward. issue this from italicized be will every in used is it the first time word or commonly used Tamizh article, the word will be locateda in growing glossary of will terms that will We hope that these changes issue. the end of each at be located readability or in terms easier Darshanam Ramanuja in articles make the and content. that this are blessed to announce We on the renowned going to be precedent-setting, as it is focused whose Ramanuja, Sri Bhagavad issue, each and every who inspires thirunakshattiram falls on May 6, 20 Ramanuja’s on Sri more details with you provide will issue this features, social visionary life, his remarkable also It his heart. to dear he held especially that Narayanapuram Thiru at deep who had and Azhvars of the on some articles includes and Alavandar noted the including teachings, and his life on influence who is mystics among the 10 Tamizh Sri Nammazhvar, the only one Paramparai. Acharya in the included we hope that you find Once again, of Ramanuja the wisdom about for learning resource practical SampradAyam. We continue to welcome your comments, questions, at our e-mail address: and feedback and his Ramanuja Sri learn more about www.vedics.net. During the annual fest During the issue. next the in explanation an provide will We this. about

robe, a white adorns Ramanuja Sri days, on one of , robe for instead of the usual saffron had , who for all that for all that Acharya , purushas, Acharya or Sriman Narayana Sriman was the very embodiment of was the very embodiment Bhagavad Sri Ramanuja Bhagavad

ed of him by his caste and position caste and position of him by his ed Vedas, their homes, and in the festivals and in the festivals and their homes, and to thisitwe are blessed at to know that has been so well-summed that up by simhAsanadhipathis has placed us such that we can best serve His His can best serve we such that us has placed DO YOU KNOW? which up until that time had required aloofness and aloofness required had time that until up which Sriman Narayana Sriman life that that life Research Sanskrit has a renowned (Melkote) That Thiru Narayanapuram in its has Research) of Sanskrit Academy (called institute This Institute? in Sanskrit manuscripts leaf palm priceless numerous possession philosophy. pertainingevery field of to 4 Good. of a means becomes it as reward, own its become itself service In time, to gratitude of expressing way ever-constant He has blessed us with. blessed He has of by all be achieved to yet is that ideal be an to seems of this all While being Ramanuja, Sri Bhagavad that fact the of aware be should us, we one who understood the truths of the of example the greatest to be was that he Recognizing these principles. of bonds the traditional free of broke Ramanuja to share, what he wished , sanyAsa lifeto adetachment, of being the "Supreme Servant". Long before the souls great even such before and centuries allowed, society of conditions brought Ramanuja even envisioned the idea, had Gandhi Mahatma like even those from the lowest all castes and backgrounds, people from message the under strata of society, to Service as Beings Living All as, "Serve Svami Jeeyar Chinna HH Sri that community each person and that each ensured Sri Ramanuja God". opportunity the provided with was way Sri Vaishnava the live to sought in to serve the Lord in His Temples, for Him. Despite our love towards expressing geared that were requir austerities and the his erudition th this of because is imbibed in their fellowship and servitude of universal message this it And, hearts. live in aspire to is to path begin on this us to for requires it All that day. wayVery Great that reveres that Soul, of his all with about moved freely Ramanuja Sri a , of leader as fairly was treated each sure that making for their welfare, people, caring and was provided with the opportunity to utilize his/her talentsfor the community. Vaishnava good of the Sri selected he had that disciples 74 of the all that certain made Ramanuja Sri to promote His Vision, the all of us. message to brought this . For . 3 as it is svarUpam svarUpam , we can begin to begin , we can Sriman Narayana , servitude, is not only only not is servitude, , Love and Grace, our life, life, our and Grace, Love is expressed in Sanskrit as as Sanskrit in expressed is , sEshatvam gifts to be appreciated and struments to His Good. It only only struments to His Good. It Sriman Narayana Sriman and caring for each other such that other such for each caring and from a spirit of appreciation for our appreciation of from a spirit d talents when seen outside of their their when seen outside of d talents the world as a means of expressing a means of expressing the world as this level of human connection goes one connection this level of human Sriman Narayana's Sriman Narayana's , servants to (The four-headed god who is responsible for god who is responsible four-headed (The Acharya, (the concept of dynamic dependents), and is revealed of dynamic dependents), and (the concept to be the mechanism behind how this Universe works. this behind how the mechanism to be adimai sAstra interdependence centered on centered interdependence from such a place, operate If one can instrument to His Good. This nature of of a humble and Lord's Grace, the to receptacle a simple known in Sanskrit, nature This Good. His to instrument limited to the soul, but is indeed the nature of matter, as well. Universe, with all to the Soul of likened the Lord is Consequently, the myriad of souls, the bodies which in and they reside, the matter that likened to His Body, dependent possessions, being are their material In as upon Him and serving wholly must we God, serve and love to seek we when that then reason to stands Universe. Body, this His namely His, is what serve to able and be willing When we go beyond the thingswhen we know that that separateus, Sriman of because of the Grace solely exists us one of and every each True in their are beings living all know that when we and Narayana, Nature this mood of serving operate from nurturing Him, to love and servitude working beings of individual This ideal Him better. we can serve Good together a Higher in a mood of serving samAnAdhikAranya samAnAdhikAranya in nurtured, as they have been provided to us by Him solely out of His His of out as purpose, on a more refined existence, begins to take our very indeed, solely Him with others providing and improving ourselves on becomes centered it by us to Him serve the opportunitywe can to improve themselves, such that provided obligations the people in our lives, the with Our relationships together. been have an ambitions, dreams, of our job, they as become significance, mundane usual nurtured, moment and every each gift, and every each Love. And Unconditional Him serve to an opportunity as serves it that such provided is life, in our His. is That All and will service to dedication this life, Vedic live a to us seeking of For those but rather a post in of high or low, as not being a state make us see caste we come to learn that each and every soul, from the one that occupies occupies one that from the soul, every and each learn that we come to the body of the smallest ant to the one that is now known as Chathurmukha its nature, is in essential its Universe) the creating connection to Sri But, for those of us who have been blessed to an through Ramanuja to connection our of awareness into an step deeper - " dyAnam (repetitive (repetitive dyAnam dyAnam drowning one in one drowning in jIvAtma paRamatma paRamatma jIvAtma japa mantra samsAra, samsAra, dyAna arcana pranAmadibhi: dyAna arcana (common well wisher). Prayer is (common well wisher). Prayer which to transforms answerable questions. We need to We need questions. answerable t. But But t. how do we living serve all the best way to serve. We can can We serve. to way best the (offering prayer to the Deity) etc. prayer (offering lve from pray today to together for says " oach to often one makes . But, as the Lord is the Inner Spirit as the Inner Spirit the Lord is But, .

her than Sriman Narayana. Whether Whether Narayana. her than Sriman calls upon us to collectively pray to to pray collectively upon us to calls someone who is close to all of them. to someone who is close ; I have prayed for Him, I have prayed for for prayed have I Him, for prayed have I ; PaRamatma PaRamatma Sri Vaishnavas , vigraha on on Koorathazhvan Koorathazhvan sEshatva . ). Sri Ramanuja ). Sri says that the first step to is says that the first step to sEsha jnAnam snEham (knowledge about (knowledge self and the Lord). But mere knowledge Ramanuja perfect their in nature,add to their we canby selflessly glory serving to our fellow beings becomes a means Service them. Therefore, True our with accordance in be would and God, glorifying and serving as His Nature 6 (concentration and meditation). Svami to be limited should service that misconception held a popularly There is other devotees, ourselves limit not and should we cannot beings, living all of and Master serving everyone on only to them. Let us pack up these ideas and focus a whole. as world the to serve seek us Let in need. who is Now, this leads to the question of we can of need. However, in times help those or physically monetarily oftenroad encounter so manywhile blocks implementing this. Each of of times in help can we whom we that people few a only to access has us your migh and do ahead need. Go help of the Seek at large? beings none ot personality is That unique let So servanthood. agree to their or not, we to His Lordship others agree can one who is the He everyone. help to Narayana Sriman upon us look and who should give a helping hand. Svami why This is nothing but a call, a representation, and a plea - not only for me but for well being of the would mean being His well well being. Him, for His us reso let So bhaktas, Universe. this in one many fruits This fetches and humanity. of our Lord well being the throw. I retain my a form of " itself becomes this prayer And everyone. Him as He is the "sarva bhUta suhrt" He is the "sarva bhUta as Him rigid and egotistical. One needs to refine mediation with love and and with love mediation needs to refine One egotistical. rigid and ( affection However, this kind of codified appr codified of kind this However, often times painful and seemingly un seemingly and painful times often this focus meditation. Meditation is often seen to be only the form in of ) chanting of jnAnam of in the darkness one grope make would

5 Sriman Sriman . (quality of of (quality (the Hymn (the the Supreme sEsha , who is the well sEshatva sEshatva paragata atisaya AdAna AdAna atisaya paragata bhaktas . All the residents. of this as Sri U.Ve. Velukkudi Krishnan - King of the , gods, the of King - PerundEvi thayar - thayar PerundEvi Sri Varadaraja stavam stavam Sri Varadaraja d be impossible; how can we bring d way to wriggle out ofway to wriggle this problem sEshatvam arthithArtha paridAna dIkshitam dIkshitam paridAna arthithArtha DevarAja and all the vedas accept that the whole the that accept vedas the all and verse of verse of Sriman Narayana Sriman PRAYER o is a Treasure of Mercy). o is a Treasure of defines defines . Because, He is the very soul of all the sentient all the of is the very soul He Because, . - absolute - unconditional servitude to our Lord. This Ramanuja Sri unparalleled wealth is sEshatvam first and foremost identification is this " (one whose inherent nature, attributes and divine body is and divine body attributes inherent nature, " (one whose whose sEshatva We Can Pray; We Should Pray; Will Pray? - KurattazhvAn’s invocatory KurattazhvAn’s (a servant who always wants to add glory to his Master. So let us avikArAya suddhAya nityAya paRamatmanE, sadaika rUpa rUpaya vishnavE vishnavE rUpaya rUpa sadaika paRamatmanE, nityAya suddhAya avikArAya us the showed have Our preceptors our and retain servitude). Svami Svami servitude). and non-sentient beings in this Universe. Since these beings are not in this Universe. Since these and non-sentient beings unchanged). Consequently, we failin our attemptany we Consequently, to add glory to unchanged). it. with full Him as He is already can no service is Perfect, He problem. While a paradoxical to This leads and to serve him we do not seek if However, His Glory. to ever add glorifyagainstit would be Him, His our True Nature to be iccha try to add glory to the Lord). But, alas! Adding glory to Him woul Glory to the One Who is the Ultimate Glory? He is proclaimed as " sarva jishnavE wisher of one and all and wh all and and wisher of one Svami jIvatma's (soul) and Mother, who HimselfisMother, who and the wealth allsouls, ofGoddess the wanting of His all the needs to grant who has resolved caste, sex, community, language, across countries, cutting earth, one to belong fauna, or or flora are humans they whether all above and to that is common attribute Supreme Lord. One to the - Servants group us is all of nidhimSri nidhim apAram arthinAm AsrayE adhirAjam dEvarAjam dayAnidhim suhrdam sarva bhUta salutations(Let my be to Lord Narayana to convey us. It is a lot has of Boons) to the Lord Who is Bestower together to pray need unrest. We of days important in these all the more citizens our fellow all and well being of safety for the and individually on Mother Earth. of body divine is the universe

It , Sri , Sri Vedic Vedic as the as the was the and and Melukote. Melukote. –Tamar uganda uganda –Tamar Anand Srinivasan () , and (Chelva Pillai-the Pillai-the (Chelva Sri Ramanuja (Sampath KuMAran) KuMAran) (Sampath Acharya Purushas Acharya Yadushaila ,

ant relationship of this Great Soul was particularly dear to his heart; his heart; to dear was particularly those who love him, to Great and phers, the King the Vedas awaited, awaited, the Vedas the King phers, Universe that is Truly Independent, Truly Independent, that is Universe Sampath KumAran Sampath Yadavadri (Sri Ramanujacharya (Sri Sri VaishnavaSri abhimAna sthalam Yatiraja (hill top), Sri ThiruNarayana top), (hill

(Divine Consort), Chelva Pillai (Divine Consort), is a place where people glorify people glorify a place where is

is also called Svami Ramanuja’s favorite Place ThiruNarayanapuram

tradition with Sri Ramanuja as its central focus and most most and focus central as its Sri Ramanuja with tradition (The image that is dear to the devotees). is dear to the devotees). image that (The IN FOCUS – THIRUNARAYANAPURAM

Yadugiri Naachiyaar Yadugiri Tirumeni Temple: and Place of the Aspects Salient Presiding Deity: Presiding Sri Deity) and (Processional 8 so much so, that he stated that he would place his very spirit in the in the spirit very his place that he would that he stated so, so much all instructed and exact likeness to him, an bears image that processional here. effort to reside an to make of his disciples ThiruNarayanapuram of Philoso the King Ascetics, King of child Fatherdivine and of the the as it bounds of , by the limited is not Will and His Actions His i.e., and is Love Nature His Very But, since other soul. is with every sway of under the He is , SoulsSri Ramanuja, like He becomes like their own child,in much the and Nandagopa's become to Himself allowed He which in same way Chelva to father is the Ramanuja Sri Son, . Beloved Yashoda's on the Him as instructing well as Him, for Him, nurturing caring Pillai, by all when He is approached maintain He should attitude merciful souls. place where Ramanuja resided after he and his disciples were exiled were exiled and his disciples after he resided Ramanuja place where places of the Of all chieftains. local fanatical by the from where he resided, the town, little a sleepy as appearance its Despite child). dear darling temple and town is home for many learned Pandits. Sri Vaishnava import the explains acharya, important Sriman that understood is It Pillai. Chelva Sri child, his beloved with in this Only Being the is Narayana is located in the present Mysore/Karnatakaislocatedthe present district. in town’s This small This temple. its is activity hub of ThiruNarayanapuram , 7 satsang mangalasanam / / mangalasanam pleaded for the for pleaded May good tidings come to :" (meditation with love is PeriyAzhvar .”(first centum tenth decade of of tenth decade .”(first centum Svami Nammazhvar starts the the starts Nammazhvar Svami the importance of dyAnam. Is it it Is dyAnam. of importance the

tion “Why do we not feel about the erRRavargaL” (those who were blessed were (those who erRRavargaL” ish an undisturbed stream of focused focused of stream an undisturbed ish d you start feeling the synergy. the synergy. feeling start you d . Pray to Him. Do not plead any for mean " (the Lord is pleased with meditation, pUja meditation, is pleased with " (the Lord eNNilum varum says "

). SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT SOMETHING TO THINK Sriman Narayana snEha pUrvam anu dyAnam anu dyAnam snEha pUrvam bhakti Nammazhwar Nammazhwar known as Svami atyartha priya: tat prApti phala: prApti tat priya: atyartha He also defines is the means to salvation). His pleasure and surrender; " as bhakti the ques In the last issue, we raised asAzhvars way did?”Lord the same the The reasonfor that is their total Lord’s uninitiated of the a result as about Lord, which came love for the with blemish less them. The Lord blessed them grace towards as are known and who they are, That is why they are knowledge. aruLa-p-p madhinalam aRa “mayarvu knowledge). unforgettable with blemishless, thiruvaymozhi with the statementmind! “Ohand Go surrender knowledge”. the blemishless granted to the One who fruit. Request for the well being of everyone. All the other wealth would would other wealth the All being of everyone. for the well fruit. Request a in jointly make this Once in a while, be granted. automatically our rescue, come to to aisle the in is waiting The Lord ThiruvAymozhi). has the to simply thought Him.thinkexpecting about A humble us to Him. power to invoke appreciate would all now I am sure you to do We need and thinking about our Lord. not just closing our eyes during actions Divine His recollect Qualities, His enjoy must more. We ( Being Well His for plead being, well our for incarnations - tirukkappu sevvi un sevadi pallandu pallandu and be Blessed) Feet Sacred ever may your and Lord/Forever you, Oh, the well being of everyone. in turn ensure all devotees. of soul very as the serves lotus feet, which His safety of itdaily aSo make practice to establ thoughts on an gets multiplied then the energy Will we pray? pray. We should pray. We can santu. mangalAni san Samasta bhavantu. janA: sukhinO SarvE to the come May good tidings to all living beings. come good (May whole Universe)

star. are Both these TiruvAdirai , during the , during Svami Ramanuja at Melkote Melkote at Svami Ramanuja Chittirai is held The latter crown. diamond-studded resplendent sparkling, the of the month during 10 the town seesfestivals where tens of thousands devotees 10-day-long Father, and His Lord ThiruNarayana of the Form enjoy the Divine to Ramanuja. Yatiraja Sri

9 , more where Vairamudi Kannada Pushyam on the star communities are some of the the 4000 Divine outpourings of outpourings the 4000 Divine ms sung in direct reference to direct reference ms sung in of King . The of King Vishnuvardhana. fferent surrendered to Sri ilt and the worshipped by Lord the Panguni MelnAttar (the Makara month) when Sri Ramanuja Ramanuja when Sri Makara month) (the to ThiruNarayana. ThiruNarayana. to

nuja’s Appearance Day) festival. The former Day) festival. The former Appearance nuja’s , and , and Dravida Vedas, Vedas, Dravida

, Sri Ramanuja dedicated the 4.1.1 verse of Sri of Sri verse 4.1.1 the dedicated Ramanuja , Sri , Thai Punarvasu Thai Thiruvaimozhi Thiruvaimozhi than to the Sanskrit Vedas.Sanskrit to the than tradition. As Sri Ramanuja was in search for a processional for a processional search was in Ramanuja Sri As tradition. HebbAr ,

Azhvars, Azhvars, Establishment of the Temple: is the Acharya tradition where with the Sri Vaishnava In accordance of this bhagavathas Lord, the the than importance or more equal given and Ramanuja Sri to importance extraordinary give place divine special of Sri shrine the at first is done worship daily Child. The His Darling . presiding main the to subsequently and Ramanuja are no azhvar pasura Although there Thirunarayanapuram Nammazhvar’s importance is given to the the given to is importance the from di and people Many scholars Ramanuja under the Hoysala reign Ramanuja Mandyam here. from originated that have groups Sri Vaishnava many Althoughlanguage is the Sanskrit their spoken based The auspicious with is celebrated in Yadavadri Hills the from His TiruNarayana found out are carried date this to festivities temple All the much enthusiasm. established Ramanuja as Sri same manner in the Mahans local by the at town this reached Ramanuja Sri In 1098-99 ago. years 900 than more the age of82 and uncovered TiruNarayana who was hidden, buried in bu was A temple Hills. Yadavadri the north go to Lord the by instructed was He festivities, temple for the deity Sri Bibi. daughter Sultan’s Delhi the from Him back bring and (Delhi) and establishing 12 years, for in Melkote resided Ramanuja Sri Vaishnava the to according worship method temple administering tradition. People: is held in the Tamil/Solar month month Tamil/Solar in the is held festival (The Festival of the Diamond Crown) and Sri Ramanuja Ramanuja Sri and Crown) Diamond the of Festival (The festival (Sri Tirunakshattiram adorns majestically KuMAran Sampath Yatiraja also called Pillai Chelva are the famous place at this sacred The two main festivals held Festivals: and Tradition

sEnai thottil mARan , in South , in South ” – the ones the ones ” – ”. The child ”. The child TamizhnAdu birthday, another great great another birthday, , which is the bed for the the bed for is the , which parents took him to the th hnava Nambi! hnava The parents SaTakOpan ng, eat anything, or even move owledge tirethey can that never , cry or do the thingschild that a ild received the Lord’s . ild received the Lord’s blessings. g conversation, it became apparent apparent it became conversation, g belonging of the whole society. It is whole of the belonging nantAzhvAn Lord, and serve ALL of his devotees. of his devotees. ALL serve and Lord, ” and “ ” and ” – the emperor of all the devotees of devotees all the the emperor of ” – – literally meaning the “source of “source the meaning literally – (the Azhvar who sings sweet songs!), (the Azhvar who sings sweet (where one can worship the beautiful, the beautiful, worship one can (where ), and performed of the child – by of the child – initiation performed ), and parAnkuSan AdinAthan day after his birth, in deep South of the state of the state of South of deep in th , whose name is Sri Vais Sri VisvaksEna mayarvu aRa madhi nalam aruLa-p-peRRavargaL aRa mayarvu ( Azhvar thirunagari Azhvar madhura-kavi-Azhvar prapanna jana kUtasthAr jana prapanna ThirunelvEli thiru-k-kuRungudi was very unique. He did not drink not did He unique. was very the 12 does. So, on named child as “ their mudhanmaiyAr Azhvar – – Azhvar ensuin came to mARan, in their and Svami Nammazhvar: Nammazhvar: Svami Nammazhvar if Svami that one said if be an exaggeration will not It Azhvar for us. This for salvation were not there, there would be no way “ is called He is Lord’s grace. the Lord. He is one who makes us understand the revealed welfare, provided for our the one who, out of his concern Sriman to prabhandham divya Nalayira the are that scriptures faith – essence of our us the is the one who shows And, He . sing about the great qualities of the This is thiru-k-kurugUr. called was born in a place This Azhvar presently called Azhvar thirunagari, is and about 20 kilometers the from town of 12 . He was born to a family of devout devotees of the Lord. It is said said is It Lord. the of devotees devout of family a to born was He India. that he was born under the blessings of the beautiful Lord at the temple of of, or forget. forget. of, or anythi did not speak The child mARan 16 his On holy tree. the from the place under said this that, at time, the Lord sent His of chief staff – kn unblemished who were blessed with temple at wonderful Lord – a on child in tamizh), where the ch everything” the placed also They who is (one ‘mARan” as child the word). calling started also The parents tamizh others, to opposite none(the tree was in the temple tree tamarind the sacred under (pram) a – snake other than the Great Holy sits, the umbrella Lord when He for the the throne sleeps, Lord when He for the Lord when He walks, footwear stands, for the the Lord goes, sacred robes the light on way wherever the child as dedicated and the Lord needs), that and everything Lord, cherished as the and all, of property This is a for a soul. necessary knowledge most supreme providing the Azhvars is why the This grace. uninitiated Lord’s of the prime example are known as “ 11 TA Varadhan TA Varadhan is that mountain. The mountain. is that the leader of all devotees, to theall devotees, of the leader the source of life – water. Such a the source of life – ter (justas water is essential for all streams so that the water can reach reach the water can so that streams r us is our dear Ramanuja. And the And Ramanuja. dear us is our r . The small streams join together and and join together streams small . The nambi Svami nAthamuni

. The river flows, and the water may not be and the flows, . The river maNakkAl ALavandar GREAT SAINTS AND TEACHERS GREAT SAINTS AND TEACHERS and Svami thiru-aranga-p-perumAL arayar and ANdAn. thirumAlai Svami Svami periya nambi periya Svami nambi thirumalai periya Svami Svami thiru-k-kOshtiyUr nambi

(v) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) The lake that holds all this water fo gates that allow the water to reach everyone in the area are the 74 great purpose. for that appointed Ramanuja Svami that leaders pages The next few us. for auspicious very are months The next three Svami and Nammazhvar Svami about summary brief a very provide timeframe. april-june the in fall days whose appearance Nathamuni, we and timeframe, in this falls also day appearance Ramanuja’s Svami issuehavematerial to provide this jumbo more about Him. streamsare of water the two teacherswho followed Nathamuni Svami – uyya-k-koNdAr with river abundant form a boundless big river is Svami useful if all the water flows to the ocean. So, we make channelsfrom the water the can have where we lake a to divert the water and river who succeeded the five teachers channels are need it. Such whenever we arising channeled the teachings and blessings AlavandhAr. They Svami from of the grace the Lord, given to them by the clouds thatSvami are and Uyyakondar Svami are that streams into accumulated Nammazhvar, joined Nathamuni, Svami is that mountain by the Nambi Manakkal Alavandar, Svami is that river flowing an abundant into together are that Alavandar Svami following teachers five the by channelized To tell the great concern that us about the Lord has for all of us, our to wa grace uninitiated his liken elders asandlife,the body, Lord’s just water comfort coolness brings and to to the brings comfort and coolness everything, and for grace is essential soul). They compareNammazhvar, Sri lands on the pour it to waiting water, absorb the that clouds rain bearing the rains produced The mountains gather all need water. where people by the clouds and accumulateinto it they are. people wherever . , in , in bhattAzhvar ” (tamizh –

” (tamizh – and enquired. and enquired. Isvara kAttu-mannAr-kOvil (, present day in thiru-k-kurukUr atha. In due course of time, Sri Sri time, of course due In atha. kurukUr saTakOpan ing. He listened to the last song listened to the last song ing. He ed them about the remaining 990 , they went back to veera , The songs started with the word with the started songs The veera Narayanapuram. After taking taking After Narayanapuram. veera ” (present day ” (present sALagRama Or AyiraththuL ip-p-paththum , the Lord of of the banks yamuna)., the One night, the yamunai-th-thuraivan (present day gOvardhana, in the state of , of Uttar Pradesh, in the state gOvardhana, (present day ” (tamizh – Oh! the one who is the limitless sweet nectar!), sweet Oh! the one who is limitless – ” (tamizh veera Narayana puram veera Narayana ArAvamudhE yamunai-th-thuraivan His parents named him as Sri Rangan Sri called a place in of yamuna banks on the live to and started ), gOvardhanapura the temple Lord of service to the There, they performed in North India). ( Nathamuni became accomplished in yOga, and became to be known as be known as and became to in yOga, accomplished became Nathamuni Nathamuni. or Ranganathamuni, Sri his father (Isvara he, along with When he became a middle aged man, India, North to to a pilgrimage went and son (Isvaramuni) bhattAzhvar) , , and visited tamizhnAdu in South India). There is a great temple at this place, and his and his place, this at temple great There is a India). in South tamizhnAdu father did service at the temple. His father’s name was (This is the same town that we saw in the previous pages – Azhvar – pages (Thisinsamesaw the previous town that is the we A born). Nammazhvar was where or thiru-k-kurukUr, thirunagari, madhura-kavi-Azhvar, of Svami descendant devotee who was the Sri NathamunidAsa, told divine1o Sri parAnkusanamedthat these other and That, thiruvAimozhi. the called from something poems were Sri give he could All that ago. many years lost were divine poems as known a collection formed that poems 11 was Nathamuni Lord of their hometown, kAttumannAr, appearedLord of their hometown, kAttumannAr,Nathamuni’s in dream, and called them back to leave from Narayanapuram, and resumed their services at the temple. a temple, the at service performing was Nathamuni Sri while One day, the sweetest came to the temple. They were singing group of devotees he had ever heard. songs that “ Nathamuni meanings. delectable most the contained songs and the were sing they what people the asked which contained the words “ Svami Nathamuni: Svami Nathamuni: place a in devotees devout of family a to born was Nathamuni Svami “ known as 14 saTakOpan from kurukUr). So, he went to went he So, kurukUr). from saTakOpan songs. The devotees replied that they knew these 10 songs that were songs that 10 replied that they knew these devotees songs. The knew. In the lasttaughtallforefathers, that to them by their and is they song, there were also the words “ enquir the 1000), and among these 10 , ” , rg , rg 13 , in the star , in nam Azhvar nam sAma vEda thiru-viruththam vaikAsi ” – represents Nammazhvar. represents Nammazhvar. ” – . These four scriptures given to given four scriptures . These , who adorn the great lineage of of the great lineage , who adorn today,worship, after the priest ere are 106 on this earth) as His e world will be saved, and the sins the sins and saved, be world will e ble in the name of Lord ble the good sense of mind so that we the mself in all the glory and splendour and splendour glory the in all mself and His qualities. Many devotees devotees Many and His qualities. was a blessed soul, blessed for the for blessed a blessed soul, was issue). Nammazhvar is the ONLY issue). Nammazhvar is the this time, the Lord, who has out of His . The Azhvar spent all his living days on . The Azhvar spent all his living nampiLLai this year. th Sri SaTakOpan our dear Ramanuja. dear our and ” or “ ” or periya thiruvandhAdhi periya SatAri nam jIyar and and . It falls12 on June visAgam thiru-Asiriyam Azhvarofare commonly theus by the understood to be the essence namely – four Vedas the – revelations form of the Sanskrit (The Lord’s special “OUR” is visi “OUR” special (The Lord’s name the He gave Then our perumAL. – perumAL” “nam – Srirangam two to honour “OUR” the gave also He Nammazhvar. to Azhvar “OUR” other teachers – 2003 Jan in the teachers described places. the holy from forms his in ALL came the Lord person to whom been that He had then took knowledge the revealed Nammazhvar four ofblessed great the form us in with, provided it and to Thiruvaimozhi, – in tamil) forms (poem prabhandhaas vEda atharva and vEda yajur vEda, earth in the thought of the Lord qualities of great the together they celebrated and him, around gathered in a verse in revealed Nammazhvar the devotees, the Lord. To Thiruvaymozhi,fact that the the whol This teacher. great of a birth by the will be demolished, world of the other than is none teacher generally People head. on the devotee’s object a conical places normally accept this with great . That is for due reason. This “ called object – temple Vaishnava a to When we go to everyone that the child mARan to everyone that the child Lord’s that the scriptures revealed world the all the giving purpose of At him. to revealed staff of chief holy this earth (the places on made many own concern for His people cities the divya – of desams, which th Hi abode in different forms, revealed and beauty in *Each* one of those forms to MARanunder the holy tree. “ – Azhvar “OUR” as him ordained Srirangam of The Lord of the feet every moment of his existence under spent Just as Nammazhvar of the Lord, thinking about His qualities and serving Him, the SatAri moment of its time under the feet Lord of thealso spends every temple. The SatAri of is the representation none other than Svami headNammazhvar. comes into contact When our with the SatAri, it is believedwe get blessed thatby this greatest of devotees of the Lord, and is basically he gives us the blessing of the Lord. devotees can become pure of month tamizh in the born was Nammazhvar Svami country (the present day ), the meanings of), the meanings the (the devotee who lives on the who lives (the devotee chEra dance. To this day, this practice get back to his hometown! {The deeds. He won other kingdoms in in other kingdoms deeds. He won to method of preaching the divine divine to method of preaching the front of the image of Nammazhvar, image of front of the (the devotee who lives on the west the west on lives (the devotee who ” (the one who will be the gem one who will be the of the ” (the rahasya traya , another great teacher that adorns our adorns that teacher great another , r commanded them to teachr commandedto his them to these kulasEkara : keezhai agaththu Azhvar

Sri mElai agaththu Azhvar agaththu mElai ”. On seeing the immense beauty and radiance of the child, child, the of radiance and beauty immense the On seeing ”. kolli nagar lineage of teachers. Sri Nathamuni lived till the age of 93 on this earth, earth, on this of 93 age the till lived Nathamuni Sri teachers. of lineage the abode of Lord. and went on anushAm. of star in the of Ani, month tamizh is the day appearance His It fallsJuly 10, on 2003. Azhvar Kulasekara Thiswas Azhvar born to the king of the called a place in India), in South tamizhnAdu to adjacent of , state “ his father named him “ lineage). In due time, the young prince learned all methods of war, the of war, the methods all learned young prince the time, In due lineage). other good a king and duties of being east street house!), and taught them house!), and east street 4000 with the use of song, music and also Nathamuni Sri in TamizhnAdu. temples many great in continues ashtAngataught the yOga rahasyaa devotee called thiru-k-kurugai- to called a teacher to meanings its and 4000 divine and the kAvalappan, furthe Uyyakondar. He – grandson revelations that form the divine 4000 and the ashtAnga yOga teachings. teachings. yOga ashtAnga the and 4000 divine the form that revelations at service doing thirunagari, Azhvar at years few a spent Nathamuni Sri the temple of Lord AdinAtha, and practicing the teachingsSvami that had taught him. Nammazhvar in appeared mannAr) (kAttu Narayanapuram of veera Again, the Lord his dreams and commanded him to with devotion to Nammazhvar, person would that be blessed by Nammazhvar. and him, before appeared Nammazhvar and so, did duly Nathamuni Sri his expressed Nathamuni Sri he wanted? that it was what enquired Svami poems. divine and other thiruvAymozhi know about to desire NammazhvarSri blessed Nathamuni not only with the thiruvAymozhi, but also with the other divine poems thatup the divine make 4000, the three great secret teachings ( cannot After bear to be separatedit seems, from His devotees!}. Lord, great two took Nathamuni Sriman Narayanapuram, veera reaching – disciples that heard had also dAsa parAnkusa Sri “kaNNi-nun-siRu-th-thAmbu”. in times 12,000 it repeated if one and street house!), 16

15 Svami Nammazhvar at Kanchipuram at Nammazhvar Svami

The beautiful in in stOtra beautiful The ry valuable necklace on the idol idol on the necklace ry valuable ”. s serpent. The king declared that that s serpent. The king declared the way of serve the his desire to prove that, he had his ministers the appearance day of Rama (Sri (Sri Rama day of appearance the rted that there wasthat no way the went, he became overcome by the the ministers confessed to the king, them who had stolen the necklace. stolen the necklace. who had them step just outside the sanctum rst

d brought the necklace to the king. (pearl of poems on Lord Mukunda) is also also is Mukunda) Lord on poems of (pearl perumAL thirumozhi perumAL ” (the step of Kulasekara). ” (the mukunda mAla Kulasekara-p-padi a devotee is to serve other devotees of the Lord, and naturally he had had he naturally a devotee is to serve other devotees of the Lord, and years. and for years continued practice This devotees). other for affection any from could go reign. They had free all the devotees At his palace, for such free reign On seeing everywhere. be present room, and could a plot to and hatched jealous, became ministers some of his the devotees, make the king hate the devotees. On a ve the ministers stole Navami), Rama and saw the necklace at the idol, king looked When the of Lord Rama. and The feigned ignorance, was. it where ministers asked his he missing, the all over access free who have devotees the it is only that suggested one of be should it that and palace, in coming his that felt generally and incident, this with disgusted became The king were king a being of duties as the emperor, and left his son devotees. So, he coronated and His Lord being destination his final with places, of holy on a pilgrimage place he every holy At Srirangam. poem a divine he composed and holy place, that at Lord the of beauty “ called compilation 18 On hearing this, king Kulasekara asse Kulasekara king this, On hearing bring him a pot containing poisonou an mistake, their for apologized and is called in thirumalai in the temple of sanctorum Lord SrinivAsa “ a thing. To devotees would do such he willinto put his hand the pot, and that if had stolen the devotees the necklace, the serpent would bit him. Miraculously, the serpent did not not that the devotees had was convinced everyone and bite the king, this, stolen the necklace. On seeing fi The passage). corridor the He built temple. the service at he performed Srirangam, At Kulasekara thiru-suRRu” “kulasEkaran called is day this to that temple the around (the – Sanskrit Azhvar. attributed to this staris in the tamizhappearance of day month of mAsi, the His punarpUsam. It fell on March2003 13, 17 ra visited many ra visited ired about the realired truth. Slowly, to get his army. He was going to to was going army. He get his to the most appropriate manner. It is the most appropriate manner. d done). The pandit was narrating pandit was narrating d done). The that people compared it to the rule The king Kulaseka did king Kulasekara become calm. calm. become did king Kulasekara the special place that the holy town special place the s who were narrating the story of the who were narrating s s ministers, and prominent people in prominent people in and s ministers, ssed Kulasekara with the knowledge with the knowledge Kulasekara ssed course, the king Kulasekara brought brought Kulasekara the king course, (in present day Kerala). thiru-viththuva-k-kOdu a great by lecture on a he was listening to One day, when normal his was it usual; (as involved very became very king the pandit, habit to be so moved by the Lord, as to worry about His well-being, just ha PeriyAzhvar – Azhvar another like the command of demoness of demons, on the part where army harm to was trying she as cut had Lakshmana nose (whose Surpanaka to fightassembled ) Rama.Ramaand There were 14000 of demons and Rama just on this side, there was and variety, the biggest and up, got immediately Kulasekara king On hearing this, Lakshmana. in chiefs his commander commanded go with his army to help Ramafight these 14000 On seeing this, demons! single-handedly Rama, great “the said immediately pandit, smart the safelyand 14000demon army retired defeated to the cottage the strong Only then present”. where sIta was all pandit onwards, From that day Ramayana to king Kulasekara made a it habit to narratethings some to help army his with start would Kulasekara that king so very fast Rama! and concepts, holy scriptures and listening to these learning As he was king Kulasekaraunderstand came to and live there, to go there, yearned He devotees. holds for of SriRangam It is said that – Lord . perform service the Lord of Srirangam every morning, Kulasekara willfor SriRangam, start abandoning his seeing this, hi king. On as the duties histo the pathwill kingdom insome devotees which bring the king was starting the king to go. On seeing would this, the devotees to his invite palace,and serve them all (as he had day learnt duty of the greatest that he learned that the Lord Sriman Narayana is the root cause of of cause root the is Narayana Sriman andwar, became a great prince. His father, coronated him as the Lord to pursue . went to the forests emperor and the in King Kulasekara ruled his kingdom that and just, god so was said that his rule Ayodhya. In due in Rama of Lord and enqu over, all from people learned learned he Him to service perform to is life in purpose highest the and everything, also ble The Lord devotees. and His andof mindset being a true devotee. holy places, and spent his timeto the great listening qualities of the Lord and Srimad Mahabharatha Ramayana, epics great the by as told and the Sri Krishna, Rama, Sri to liking special He took bhAgavatham. Lord of Sri . found found Sriman AchArya AchArya to be the to be , the twin , the twin ). Sri Sathrugna Sathrugna set aside the fact the fact set aside , Sathrugna ", "the Short-Knotted It is this relationship relationship is this It Madhurakavi Madhurakavi Sri Rama . So, while all of the other other the of all So, while . Madhurakavi Madhurakavi ctar of reciting the holy name ctar of reciting the holy AchArya. digm for the egalitarian nature . For while Lakshmana became became Lakshmana For while . is seen by brother and regent, regent, and brother used to capture her playful son, son, playful to capture her used short-knotted thread of devotion will Bharata youngest brother, brother, youngest Teacher, and a true devotee of devotee and a true Teacher, knew at that moment that he had found he had that moment that at knew kanninun siruthAmbu Sri Nammazhvar Nammazhvar's ThiruvAymozhi Nammazhvar's Yashoda Nammazhvar Nammazhvar Sri Rama's Sri Rama's community, and simply and wholeheartedly uses the example of this thread thatuses the example to describe Sri Rama's Madhurakavi's , shared , shared with "nAvinAl naviRRu inbam yEIthinEn, mEvinnEn, avan avan mEvinnEn, yEIthinEn, inbam naviRRu "nAvinAl Sudra Madhurakavi Madhurakavi experience of seeing a devotee of God as being his as being God a devotee of seeing of experience ", reverence and service to the reverence and ", Lakshmana (My mouth isfilled (My ne with the Madhurakavi Madhurakavi mystical experiences have the Supreme Lord as the center of as the center Supreme Lord have the experiences mystical . As what would serve as a para . As what would . while it is used by Nammazhvar in much the same way to hold Sri Sri hold way to same much the in by Nammazhvar used is it while his heart, in Krishna mother, father, friend, teacher, and even God. In one and verse, teacher, friend, mother, father, says, Madhurakavi ponnadi meymmaiyE, devumaRRariyEn kurugUr nambi, pAvin innisai padith padith innisai pAvin nambi, kurugUr devumaRRariyEn meymmaiyE, ponnadi thirivanE" Narayana that Sri Ramanuja would later propagate, propagate, later would Sri Ramanuja that while Nammazhvar community into a born he was that belonged to the was So much him. from and serving himself to learning dedicated 10 of a set he composed that Nammazhvar, to devotion Madhurakavi's of Collection Sacred among the be included came to which pAsurams, feelings. his describe 4000, to " verses is called of 10 This set for a metaphor as is seen (which to the short string String, in reference Love) which Pure Divine Krishna holding towards be used only Azhvars' as alone Teacher his places experience divine Madhurakavi's devotion, the center of everything. abhimAnam of my kurugUr nambi (the leader of ThirukurugUr). I know refuge only only refuge know I ThirukurugUr). of leader (the nambi kurugUr my of singing my days spend of no other God. I will Feet; I know at His Divine ( sings that he the sweet songs Madhurakavi's to likened has been God Himself above and being over even everything, the relationship that brother of the in serving his purpose of " for the concept as the precedent also serves This experience a virtual shadow and servant to God incarnate incarnate God to servant and shadow a virtual Overwhelmed by this simple, succinct response to what had a many- a had what to response fivethe same basic elements (earth,air, water, fire,ether) and the that soul the life, of its duration the in. For lives it world that make up the succinct partakesand lives ofthe body, the materials within of this world of simple, that". and eats this there "it lives Consequently, made. is body which its by Overwhelmed question, layered his AchArya, True Spiritual 20

19 came to , the most , he saw a saw , he Nalayira divya divya Nalayira Ayodhya at at Nammazhvar Madhurakavi Madhurakavi , spent a good deal of his deal spent a good who is included among the . There Madhurakavi saw a saw Madhurakavi . There Rama Priya Ramanuja Dasyai Dasyai Ramanuja Priya Rama respectfully with a complex and His wondrous qualities, wondrous qualities, and His Acharya Sri Rama ple as MARan, but he would soon soon would he but MARan, as ple ion of the Divine. He never ate, He never ate, ion of the Divine. sethathin vayaril siriAdhu pirandhAl, pirandhAl, siriAdhu vayaril sethathin would appear as if he were there there he were as if appear would live)?” Hearing this deeply estoteric estoteric deeply this Hearing live)?” Madhurakavi in the month that is also known as also known month that is in the Nammazhvar. Nammazhvar. ThirukurugUr or (if a living being is born into a dead body, body, a dead into being is born a living (if Nammazhvar Nammazhvar Chittirai Chittirai Sriman Narayana Sriman Narayana composed just 10 pAsurams, and all of them were and all of them composed 10 pAsurams, just Sri Madhurakavi Azhvar, Azhvar, Sri Madhurakavi SatakOpan SatakOpan MADHURAKAVI AZHVAR MADHURAKAVI of . However, unlike the others, who composed dozens of . (which falls between mid-April and mid-May) is the the is mid-May) and mid-April between falls (which The Saint Who worshipped only His Teacher and not the Lord and Teacher His only worshipped The Saint Who "10+2" Tamizh mystics whose works are contained in the mystics whose works are "10+2" Tamizh prabhandam mystical hymns on Madhurakavi Azhvar Madhurakavi Azhvar directed not towards God, but to his The ascent of the star the star of The ascent Azhvars. 10 the of all among greatest perhaps but enigmatic the South, hailing from Although one On of India. parts Northern in the dEsams divya the touring life worshipping he was occasion, while to be seemed just above the southern horizon that brilliant light light the followed MadhUrakavi India. Southern the to beckoning back to the smalltemple town of Chittarai thirunakshatram saintly young man sitting in deep meditation under the shadea large of containedtree that was within the courtyard of the temple. This young local townspeo by the man was called as be later known this that understand young man had been under the shadetree all of this contemplat mystical deep in life, his or slept, even spoke. It walked, aptitude qualifications, right the have would who for someone waiting and attitude to awaken him from his trance such that he could begin to " mystical experience. of his the secrets share asked, He approached Madhurakavi trance. his questionto awaken right the great he hoped wouldone that be just the from soul valurum yenge thinru, yethai does it where it eat, and what does angE thinru, "athai and replied, eyes his opened Nammazhvar question, eats that)". (it lives there, and valarum This simple yet perplexing conversation refers to the nature of the soul, made of which is body, the thing, in a lifeless itself finds birth which at local residents, with From conversations

such , and pApam prakriti Saivite Saivite to be a a be to embrace pApa Tamizh pApa Tamizh and and Acharyas ” in , for body, when , 10.7.8: , the soul, does not not does , the soul, uyir and Atma kAyam” which is also a synonym is also which . Indeed, it is interesting interesting is . Indeed, it (good deeds) and and deeds) (good puNya "mei", prakriti ThiruvAymozhi

puNyam says in ThiruvAymozhi 9.3.8: 9.3.8: in ThiruvAymozhi says is contained in Vedic thought, do in Vedic thought, do is contained It cannotit be wetted and It cannot be us lives. The Azhvars go one step lives. The Azhvars us onRi Akkai pugAmai uyya-k-koLvAN” the body. An example of where this this where of An example body. the (This body is impermanent), sinceis (This body says in Sri mad (2-24): (2-24): Gita Bhagavad mad Sri in says , of which the body is made, as real. They as real. the body is made, , of which e of this, Thirumoolar,a iruvalvinayAr kumaikkum muRai muRai Akkai muRai Akkai kumaikkum iruvalvinayAr Nammazhvar Nammazhvar's prakriti word for body is body for word expands upon thisin thiruvAymozhiexpands 5.1.6: consider both the consider body and the soul of an individual to ” (Truth is impermanent) would be an oxymoron. an oxymoron. be would impermanent) is (Truth ” Tamizh considered considered kAyamE idhu poyyada” idhu kAyamE Sri Krishna Sri Krishna BhagavAn Azhvars , whose revelations have been verified by our verified by our have been , whose revelations in Sankrit, is just as real. What differentiated AtmA from from AtmA differentiated What real. as just is Sankrit, in Nammazhvar Nammazhvar Azhvars Atma” meyyidu poyyada

that the soul does not enter a body again). thatdoes not enter a body the soul Thus, the in the further step one is taken point This Lord. by the be maintained thatactuality,Azhvars' inisintimately hymns to show God connected to to is as the soulboth of these, just concept isis brought out (The Lord, who destroys the two types of(The Lord, who destroys the two types - (sins) that it has accrued in previo has accrued it that (sins) the Lord willfurtherin that suggesting cut this cycle of births thorugh Svami as own efforts, His keduththu, “inRi-p-pOga iruvinayum “puRam aRa katti-k-koNdu “puRam aRa pugal” which body material in the decays and again and again enters {The soul is the place in which the two things, completely} each a new body in with is provided soul the that learn we From this, array of on the complex birth, based cha | Eva ashOshya aklEdhyO adAhyOyam “achchEdhyOyam ||” sanAthana: achalOyam sthANu: sarvagatha: nithya: {Itcleft; cannot be It cannot be burnt; primeval.} and immovable stable, all-pervading, eternal, is It dried. Svami perish, as is that whilethe body iswears with time, the he said “ he said “ Azhvars 22 to note that the not at all convey the idea of an illusory of an illusory the idea not at all convey had to borrow aphilosopher, Sanskrit word: “ “ The also adhered to the theory that the soul, called “ pure and complete reflection of what reflection and complete pure Becausfor the word truth. ), and 21 Atma Ramanuja Dr M Rangachari Dr M Rangachari s/her interaction I am the Supreme practice, as it is only is only as it practice, Paramatma (Supreme Soul or Paramatma (Supreme es, areas as illusory, to be takenes, ing that the emotions, joy, sorrow, emotions, ing thatjoy, the e things that he/she experiences, personal discipline that is required is required that discipline personal the philosophy advocated by the advocated philosophy the dividual during hi during dividual brahmAsmi' ( permanency of these entities. These these entities. These of permanency

Sri Vaishnava in Sanskrit; as well as the people in in people as the as well Sanskrit; in prakriti (Thatart). thou should be seen as being the same one that be seen should THE NATURE OF SOUL . So, while it may be difficult to experience God God experience to be difficult may it while . So, Atma tat tvam asi' As taught by Nammazhvar, Alavandar and Ramanuja Ramanuja and Alavandar Nammazhvar, by As taught Allthis on the system with is forced literallyrequirement a to , and ' ) Sriman Narayana directly as we are unable to fully know Him, the AchArya is in and of of and in is AchArya the Him, know fully to unable are as we directly and Compassion, Mercy of the Lord's personification himself the very So and guidance. solace, care, his us with provide to available always importantservice than to the AchArya becomes more the Lord serving God-realization. to means only our becomes a sense, in and Himself, to through our teacher alone that we share the connection to alone through our teacher that is of utmost importance in is of utmost that

which he/she can neither see nor experience, as the only true entity, and only true entity, and experience, as the see nor can neither which he/she that this same of philosophy which center on the notion that an There are systems body, all th his/her treat individual strucures, trees, rivers, seas, mountains, like things material including etc., which is known as a Such mirage. mere a false, of myriad the of all - indeed co-workers relatives, friends, - life his/her being as with, interacts he/she that people view is intended to show the lack of suggest in further step go one systems fear, hope, that are created for the in his/her sens through these with all of discomfort to all of great gives an approach such to say, well. Needless be able to to effort emotional and psychological great requires as it us, cherish. and come to know that we have all disregard these in the notion compounded by further is This discomfort ( to see that his/her soul strive that the individual philosophies to maintain it would be contradistinctive to our very nature, and indeed, and nature, very our to contradistinctive be would it maintain to be futile. prove to would application, in practical however, approach, Contrary to this Needless to say, this position and the Soul encompasses all other living beings as the the as beings living all other encompasses ) interpret two vedic only aphorisms: '

, , Sri . to the Alavandar wanted the their notion their yAmunAchArya was blessed to was blessed stOtraratna from the Azhvar Azhvar the from Sri Ramanuja Sri kUrattAzhvAn (thiruvAymozhi 5-8-7; Oh Oh 5-8-7; (thiruvAymozhi seems to be reserved for an an for be reserved seems to sEshatvam sEshatvam (his grandfather) who was was who grandfather) (his ! (This! is the truth!), his body Nammazhvar's thiruvAymozhi Nammazhvar's works, because of KUrattAzhvAn t contradict the AchAryas that contradict the AchAryas t ism rests on the fact that every ul as being separate from the body body the from separate being as ul asEshAbhilashitam, na cha AtmAnam na cha asEshAbhilashitam, ). tat satyam , a direct disciple of Svami Svami of disciple a direct , Tamizh stOtraratna stOtraratna These 10 pAsurams provide virtually provide virtually pAsurams 10 These : "adiyEn uLLan udal uLLAn"(see above). above). uLLAn"(see uLLan udal "adiyEn and later AchAryAs. One of the pAsurams of the pAsurams One AchAryAs. later and would leave thisa short time world before , his Sriman Nathamuni slOka the Hymn Jewel, which is regarded as the primary primary the as regarded is which Jewel, Hymn the SiddhitrAya "ArAvamudhE". "piriyA adimai ennai koNdAi" asEsha abhilashithamasEsha before bringing them out directly in his works. Sadly, Sadly, works. his in directly out them bringing before would ever have the opportunity to meet him. However, it it have the opportunity to meet him. However, would ever yAmunAchArya yAmunAchArya , for the benefit of those were not exposed to these beautiful thiru-k-kOshtiyUr nambi thiru-k-kOshtiyUr Sri Yamunacharya Sri Yamunacharya yAmunAchArya asserts asserts yAmunAchArya would have easily drawn these concepts from these concepts from easily drawn have would stOtraratna, For example, in the For example, . receive only one phrase receive only KUrattAzhvAn realized that this one quote summed up the notion that whom Sri Ramanuja knew would provide the confirmation that he that the confirmation would provide knew Ramanuja whom Sri serving this great soul, needed. After renowned work of study and recitation for followers of Ramanuja. While he he While Ramanuja. followers of for work of study and recitation so upon the nature of elaborated work, the in and mind of concepts the of translation direct almost prabhandham in the found ideas and practical Ramanuja Sri however, sEshatvam, of concept the confirm to effort an In friend, and disciple closest scribe, sent his 24 Sri Ramanuja Sri Ramanuja erudition, of level given his that be safe to presume also would Ramanuja entire philosophy of Sri Vaishnavam in a nutshell, which was later later which was nutshell, in a Vaishnavam Sri of philosophy entire preached by that Sanskritwas the language validate that could be used to scriptural text cha sukham na praNAN na dEham "na desired if he ever of pieces into hundreds shatter soul will and and mind ( non-servitude disciplesthrough the of with beginning nAnyat kimapi tava sEshatva vibhavAt| bahirbUtham nAtha kshaNam api api kshaNam nAtha bahirbUtham vibhavAt| sEshatva tava kimapi nAnyat vignyApanam madhana madhu tat satyam vinAsam tu sathadhA, yA sahE ||” to communicated was of the Azhvars The message attracted by the tenof specific verses has the phrase, that assume to safe be would it him, preceded by be confirmed to of the soul quality as the essential seshatvam yAmunAchArya however, the Lord who took me in complete, uninterrupted, unseparated servitude). Sri Vaishnav of Since the greatness did no AchArya throughout history

in in udal 23 , servitude , servitude Alavandar Sri vaikuNTam ); He does not does not ); He Tamizh applies to the soul soul applies to the to the Lord. This is . Consequently, the . provide an added added an provide in his great Sanskrit in his great Sanskrit , known as , known Azhvars sEshatva Azhvars But the other schools fail But the other schools to adiyEn uLLAn udal uLLAn” udal uLLAn adiyEn sEshatvam sEshatvam thiru-p-pARkadal adiyEn uLLAn adiyEn ties, astheirties, well connection to as ical experience, drew from and experience, drew from and ical as it is known in known in is it as d why there is anAndam associated there is anAndam associated d why the natureand of the soulbody, and and and and non-contradictory understanding and non-contradictory understanding (Anandam). he does not separate from adimai Sri YAmunAchArya m or , ernal relationship as relationship ernal and bliss and bliss thirumAlirun sOlai sEshatva AchAryas ); He does not separate from my AtmA (which is now now is (which AtmA from my separate not does ); He (jnAnam) in the above phrase shows that Thirumalai and joined with the prakriti that is so difficultnor my mind, nor my to cross), actions) my any one of speech, nor apartWhat sets the Azhvars hymns from other philosophies is the andand soul to the Lord, the body belong that both the understanding enti independent as hence their reality illusory. temporal or as being cannot be regarded each other with begin systems philosophical most itself, soul the of nature As to the true of having qualities its and immortality, of its recognition the knowledge separate from my body (just asseparatefrom my body (just (thiruvAymozhi 8-8-2, He is present inside adiyEn (the soul that serves); serves); soul that (the adiyEn inside is present He 8-8-2, (thiruvAymozhi second word the of body). The presence the inside He is present uLLAn of being capable of quality its and indicates and from knowledge its applies for which it soul, of the nature essential an as is provided body the for which and bliss, derives which it Lord, ready to the servant in being a humble is use, its for instrument His Pleasure. for bidding to do His and willing having immersed tradition, Ramanuja the of of teachers The lineage themselves in the Azhvars’ myst upon this lucid view on elaborated a synthesized created a result, as concepts. profound of these One of these towards the Lord. Since He never leaves the soul, the soul’s knowledge He never leaves the soul, soul’s knowledge towards the Lord. Since in its et and bliss rest words as “ through such made clear clearly describe what jnAnam is, an is, jnAnam what describe clearly The with ain its the soul true nature. microsecond from my head (as He does not separate Himself from the the from “thirumAlirun sOlai malaiyE thiru-p-pARkadalE en thalaiyE Himself udalE enadhu thiruvEngadamE thaN vaikundhamE thirumAL separate not karumamE vAkkE uyirE manamE enadhu arumAmAyaththu does He (as oruvanE” oozhi piriyAn en oru mA nodiyum head my from for a even separate of everything, does not is the source (The Lord, who microsecond at holy temples as its soul has the these capabilities, to in addition that explanation inherent nature Tamizh, revealed the histhe connection to

, .

on , to Varaha to pray and the kaTi hasta kaTi MalAyappar Napinnai NC NC Napinnai tIrthams Sri Padmavati and Nathamunigal Ramanuja Ramanuja Adi Varaha Svami , Lord of Seven Hills Hills Seven Lord of , celebrated a nine-day a nine-day celebrated Bhagavad Gita Balaji and the seven peaks being being peaks seven and the , in his in his Brahma ) with the permission of Venkateshwara (The Pervader of the Universe, Universe, the of Pervader (The discovered by by discovered the bliss of our true nature as the bliss of our true nature as it is also known, are found in are found known, also is as it whose water is used for various various for is used whose water . There are several are several . There AdisEsha AdisEsha

posture facing East. The lower right right lower East. The facing posture The ), on the auspicious on the The Temple Tank), from the bondage of our own false false own the bondage of our from pose, pointinglotusHis feet as to the d the lower left hand is ind the lower left hand is Vishnu on His right chest and Venkateshwara kalyANa tiruvONam pasurams pasurams hasta Sri Ramanuja (

was originally the place of of the place was originally AkASa , to puShkariNi (

Venakatachalam, Venakatachalam, abhaya Svami Tirumala ) came down to earth in search of His Eternal Consort, Eternal His to earth in search of down ) came . To mark this occasion, this occasion, . To mark Sri Mahalakshmi . DIVINE PLACES – TIRUMALA DIVINE PLACES , to the ten ) is only knee deep for those who have sought His feet. who have sought His feet. deep for those knee ) is only

. (the name of the tower above the presiding deity’s sanctum): tower above the (the name of , also known by names known by names also , Azhvars (the name of the holy tank name of (the References to References . samsArasAgara (seven hills represent the body of (seven hills represent his seven hoods) - is - is standing in his seven the hoods) in the idol is hand of only refuge to the devotees, anonly refuge to the devotees, that the ocean of(resting deathHis birth and and showing thigh), on ( and to the present day. It behooves us as devotees of us as devotees behooves It day. the present and to be blessed to freed that we will egos, such that we too can revel in can revel that we too egos, such ThirumAl adimai, loving servants to the Supreme Lord. Lord. Supreme the to servants loving adimai, ThirumAl of the 26 purposes in the temple): purposes in the Presiding Deity: Deity: Presiding Srinivasa known as be to came later festival hence the and year every festival brahmOtsavam Salient Aspects: vimAnam nilayam vimAna Ananda tIrtham several The procession deity is called The procession deity is called the star day under Svami Alavandar's stOtraratnam Alavandar's The Lord bears (the fourth of the ten major incarnationsofand the Lord settled the Lord) on the situated tree, tamarind under the hill ant an here by entering of southern bank leftseparatethe Divine chest. There is no for shrine Consort on the hills. Temple Legend: Lord to the legend,According Sriman Narayana Sri Mahalakshmi in in "en- 25 bhagavat bhagavat as he is he is as immediate immediate Azhvars , which was , which ashtaslOki emperumAnar emperumAnar Sri Ramanuja's In his commentary on the In his commentary ove categories,for the category of one who has realized that only the taste has realized that only the one who raising them to His abode. abode. His to them raising gIta bhAshya. gIta in his paradigmatic in his (He is inside this one who serves Him) instead of Him) instead who serves this one is inside (He Sri parAsara bhattar bhattar parAsara Sri (He is inside me) further clarified(He the aspect. My Master Who goes to earth, gets servitude of those whom He whom He of those gets servitude goes to earth, Who Master My "adiyEn uLLAn" "adiyEn seshatva of the soul to the Lord is indicated as an extension to use The nature. soul's essential as part of the and enjoyment knowledge of successor, this aspect of the soul in his uLLAn" his in soul the or Ramanuja, Sri allowed This confirmation of for the common man, to bring out his concern reveredly called in view of aspect this slOka: | sukruthinOrjunA janA: mAm BhajanthE “chaturvidha ||” bharatharShabha arthArthI jnAni ArthO jignAsu: are the These . O, worship Me, deeds good men of types of {Four the men and the wealth-seekers knowledge, after distressed, the seekers of knowledge}. of the ab of each In his explanation uses the following Ramanuja states, men " of knowledge(jnAni), vit” ( Atma svarUpa sEshataikarasa of servitude (sEshataikarasa) to the Lord is his nature) by further This aspect was elaborated the first work in Sanskrit to expose the ideas of the desires and goes along with them along with and goes desires of traces even of bereft be to interpreting the three sacredAcharyAs to him mantrAs. later such as Sri strive out brought have Sri and Sri NampiLLai NanjIyar, forcefully. and explicitly more soul the of seshatva of aspect this should is Enjoyment deliverance. for the need realize is required to Knowledge after it achieves the state which soul attains when realized by individual BoundlessHisisLord out of andgrantedmoksha Unconditional by the An all the soul for the is relevant or seshatva servitude, Complete Grace. time. Azhvars which the (possesiveness), mamakAra and the (ego) Lord. the experience truly from the soul insist impede 2.1-2 thirumozhi in periya beautifully this states Azhvar Thirumangai vaikkum pOi visumbEra AdkoNdu tammai mEvi maNmisai “ugandavai endhai”- ofThrough the years the development of Sri Vaishnava, the nature of the to instrument and Grace Lord's the to receptace a humble being as soul expressions the earliest thread, from a constant remained has His Good,

, Sri Sri paccai as , was , was temple Railway Railway district of . The daily . The daily in the 13th 13th in the . went into the (first pontiff of of pontiff (first (assisted by his Tirumala Tirumala did not like any did not like any are very frequent frequent are very ) sojourned here ) sojourned Chitoor Renigunta Tirumala Sri Ramanuja rathOtsavam is well connected by by well connected is (awakening the (awakening seva seva (puttingseva the Lord to Tirumala Tirumala and and ) from Srirangam to with annual income crossing income annual with d. The Lord observed that his that his observed d. The Lord , situated in Tirupati of all over the world. The most The most the world. all over om Sri AnantAzhvAn EkAnta Suprabhata was a great devotee of the Lord a great was Sri AnantAzhvAn Sri AnantAzhvAn Sri AnantAzhvAn Kalahasti Tirupati to do flower service to the Lord. As a , a disciple of a disciple , Tirupati is 10 kilometers from from is 10 kilometers garudOtsavam garudOtsavam and many others. Also Kings of Pallava, of Pallava, many others. Also Kings and Ranganatha Tondaiman Tondaiman is celebrated for on scale in is nine days a grand celebrated AchArya AchArya Tirupati Tirupati was the back bone to retain (Lord . ) is the heaviest of all His costumes, weighing about about weighing costumes, of all His heaviest is the ) gopurams , ) and the Lord ever sports it in remembrance of of it in remembrance ever sports and the Lord ) temple. brahmOtsavam hills (roughly2800 above ft the sea level, 100 sq miles in area) pItAmbaram Thisisrichest the world’s temple over 300 crores. On ordinary days, the Lord wears gold crown crown gold wears Lord the days, ordinary On crores. 300 over and on special occasions diamond crown. The golden dhoti ( Nam Perumal Nam Perumal sleep). sleep). 40kg. worship starts at 3.am with with 3.am at starts worship with Lord) and at 1.am closes when MalikattackedKafur Srirangam temple. Sri Ramanuja Ahobila mutt) constructed the first steps to century. The are festivals significant Sri Adivan Satakopa Yatindra MahadEsika Jeeyar Jeeyar MahadEsika Yatindra Sri Adivan Satakopa attractingSeptember, fr pilgrims Vaishnava the ordained by and it is recorded in inscriptions that he built the the he built that in inscriptions recorded is it and mandapams maintenance, part of garden pregnant wife) was digging a fiel was pregnant wife) wife was getting very tired, so He came in the form of a young young a of form the in came He so tired, very getting was wife to help her. man, offering kaRpUram AnantAzhvAn Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagar made rich offerings (gold, (gold, rich made offerings and Vijayanagar Pandya Chola, diamond, gems) to the temple. Thirumalai AnantAzhvAn intrusion and so he hit the chinLord on His withspade. his The when Later, disappeared. lad temple, he found that His chin was bleeding. He asked for asked He bleeding. was chin His that found he temple, balming ( applied and Lord’s forgiveness

Other Important Facts: Facts: Important Other (i) 28 (vi) How to get there: Tirumala of northwest 18 kilometers are (ii) Andra Pradesh. Bus services from services Bus Andra Pradesh. affordable. and minutes) two (every railways, road and air. road and air. railways, about 150station and (via kilometres (v) (iv) (iii) Sri Sri . ) and , has , has 27 Azhvars Azhvars Madhurakavi Madhurakavi prakArams and ) and other flower ) and other flower ) as it houses Indian Indian houses it as ) . one. There are several are There one. extols this Lord in the in the Lord this extols ), Alexandrian Laurel Laurel ), Alexandrian . Sri Prativadi Bhayankaram Sri Prativadi Bhayankaram Sri Purandara Vittala Sri Purandara Srimanavala Mamunigal Srimanavala services to the Lord and was the Lord to services maNdapa patala Srinivasa shenbagam - Jaya and Vijaya) Vijaya) and - Jaya / e that has been sung by 9 sung by that has been e Visistadvaita. Sri Ramanuja visited visited Sri Ramanuja Visistadvaita. rine many times. Some important important Some rine many times. mandapams , where people immerse themselves , where . The glorious and magnificent . The glorious Sri Ramanuja taught Sri Ramanuja, Ramayana and Ramayana and taught Sri Ramanuja, pose) ) house ( Thondaradipodi Azhvar Azhvar Thondaradipodi champakah pose with his wings spread ready to fly) to fly) ready spread wings his pose with dwArapAlakAs varada ) is in) the outermost is ), Bignonia ( ), Bignonia ) praising Lord Lord ) praising puShpa and many anjali was composed by & Sri bhAShya Sri krti Svami puShkariNi (maternal uncle and one of the five of Sri and Acharyas uncle (maternal magizham / ), Champak ( ), Champak prakArams dwajastambha vyAkhyAna (the exceptions are (the , senior and contemporary of punnai bakulah is called flower ( is flower called Hills is the second holy plac second is the Hills / ) with a total202 of verses. , one of the eight disciples of disciples of the eight , one (i) (ii) Sri Varadaraja Svami (iii) Sri varaha Svami (iv) Sri yoga narasimhaSvami (v) Sri Ranganatha ( Sri (x) (x) (xi) devaraya Krishna ( door-keepers (vi) (vi) (vii) Svami Anchaneya Sri (viii) Sri Vakuladevi Sri (ix) in left hand (right & Sri Ramanuja punnaga Lord: on the Divine Outpourings Tirumala ( and most sacred one is most sacred ( the flag pole before entering the temple. Tirumala Nedler ( ( three enclosures has shrine trees. The fragrant bearing these in shrines form of a prayer for the successful completion of the commentary on of the commentary on for the successful completion form of a prayer in his Azhvar Annamayya songs ( composed many Saints: and Teachers Great Thirumalai Nambi performing lived here by Ramanuja) the first resident of Tirumala.He from the perspective of Manavala Sri worship. temple the and systematized shrine this this sh also visited had Mamunigal - below listed are and statues shrines

Venkatesha Suprabhatam Venkatesha Anna

Varna Sriman pUrvacharyas ) of many who were not born of many Tamasa Gunas Tamasa the duties of their specific calling. calling. their specific the duties of and completelyaway from the equating other for special rights, and each for special rights, and other ey may see each other as being two other as being each may see ey urAnas ', which means birth. It might have means birth. It might ', which jan is ' is ? parents jAti jAti Sattvic, Rajasic Sattvic, and their interests. However, over time, fathers Brahmin , they literally meant two things: karmas parents actually teaching and . For For and Kshatriyas. Brahmins teaching actually parents refused to acknowledge one as being greater than than greater being as Varna one acknowledge to refused Andis what Varna The root for The : Are there any examples of great scholars who were not born scholars great there any examples of : Are We have instances from p have instances We . One's attitude ( The duties the individual held in the society. society. in the held individual the The duties Brahmin Brahmin

1. 2. referred to referred Question families? in Brahmin Answer: aless rightAt first, more or people to choose over their had the based on their know we and jAti with confused became Varna Answer: years, happened that due to a his continual duty to devolutionfather's of one's many over son are now. where we dozen several now have we labors, of divisions four having Instead of with one an competing each jAtis, even though two jAtis the other for problems of society. So, blaming may actuallybelong to one varna, th varna of the degradation the to led which has is this It castes. different Vedas. for system and a general disrespect the not be possible to move While it may our when that recognize we must jAti, and of varna 30 from But 4 Vedas. compiled one who actually was the Vedavyasa Sri example, to he was not born our teachings, Vedic line with in that, recognize to important is What pUrvacharyas of their irrespective people, All another. than lower being one or another, their in and world, for this Good do to ability their in equal are Varna of Feet the Lotus to surrender through obtain salvation to ability Narayana began to expect theirbegan sons to take to expect over in the father's duties over son taking of the aspect Due to the continual matter ain the 'work associated' became and ofsociety, later birth days, right. as a birth identified became Question: 29 were Brahmins, Mukundan Pattangi Pattangi Mukundan (Caste) (Caste) d on division of labor. Those labor. d on division of guna and so on. JAti ' which means one's occupation. one's occupation. ' which means the attitude of an individual and the attitude of an individual rtain duties. The source of these The source of these rtain duties. e's birth. As a result, some people some result, a birth. As e's Vri is ' Kshatriyas ' and so on. and so ' Varna ormation for personal gains. Much of this Much gains. personal for ormation were ? Brahmins (Occupation) and and (Occupation) : Q & A: CASTE SYSTEM Varna ', the warriors. Those who had skills in teaching and and in teaching who had skills Those warriors. ', the Varna Rajasic Guna What is What is VEDICS view on Caste system? Is it true that the the that true it Is system? Caste on view VEDICS is What system was hence originally base originally was hence system Is that just your opinionanyIs that just your proof this? or there is for Popular misconceptions say that the Vedic religion encourages encourages religion Vedic the that say misconceptions Popular The root word for Kshatriyas To quote from Lord Krishna’s words in Chapter 4, Verse 13 of 13 of Verse 4, Chapter words in Krishna’s Lord from quote To Varna Sri mad Bhagavad Gita Bhagavad Sri mad Question: Answer: guna-karma-vibhagasah srstam catur-varnyam avyayam viddhy akartaram api mam kartaram tasya The Lord says that according to the threematerial modes of nature and the work associatedthem, He created with the four divisionshuman of society. whose duties were to protect the men, animals and properties were were and properties whose duties were to protect the men, animals called as ' ' were scholarly thought The Answer: The truth about from individual each of karmas the of result the based on was solely system The Varna were ce for performing his/her propensity that inner or gunas, as being the Gita Srimad Bhagavad the in identified qualities, had more of lives. Those who previous those who had Question: birth? on based people divides religion Vedic Answer: based on beings division of human this abused have while others uneducated and backward kept have been misconceptions and misinf misconception can be attributed to the use of the words 'Varna' and 'JAti' how wrong these just reveal will analysis A closer interchangeably. are. misconceptions Question: Mukundan Pattangi Mukundan

atedlife. on his He thought to to his bedside. He said to his first He said to his first to his bedside. Won't you stay with me in this pressed his love by adorning her her love by adorning pressed his much so, in fact that the merchant fact that the merchant much so, in exquisite delicacies. He took great great He took exquisite delicacies. vorite,also the merchant very was she fact that of the so proud was he Now that I'm dying, will you follow me you I'm dying, will Now that The Four Wives The Four MORAL STORY 32 himself, "I have lived virtually my entire life under the care of four four of care the under life entire my so virtually be will I own? lived my on have Beyond "I Great the into go I himself, can How wives. them." ask I will me. wives with can take my I perhaps I know, lonely. of his wives So, the merchant called all and keep me company?" The "No way!” the first wife replied. words sharp knife. a like hit the merchant much you so loved ""I have wife, his second then spoke to The merchant just pained felt I have and joy, and my pride been have You life. my all atever losing the very thought of you. his of four all of care take to best his did he was The merchant four wives. life with entire lived his A rich merchant although and man, good a wife, first the For different. was wife each for affection of level his wives, who was his favorite, the merchant ex treating her to and with fine clothing best. but the gave her nothing and her care of fa his wife remained first While his So wife. second his with love much in So, he her away. steal going to someone was that fear lived in constant But, since her. guard to sure made to show her off his friends. opportunity take every he would was his, as in his third wife, confidence trust and The merchant felt a great deal of to be chose her So, the merchant and patient. considerate she was very would merchant there was a problem, the Whenever his confidante. turn to her. And in return, thisalways wifewould be there to help him of times. most difficult in the him, even support and asNow, to the fourth wife, the merchant hardly took any at notice all. humble and silent she was dearly, loved him and loyal was she While three. to the other when compared his that knowing merchant, the life, successful and long a end of the At fast approaching,death contempl was with showered you of you, and care great you most, took "I loved wife, and rich foods. jewels, clothing, now. up give to good too far is life "My ?"into "No!” the second wife the withoutjourney replied even a voice, her in compassion of hint

. , The jAti , it is , it is Vedas 31 Harijan and His His and ' (a servant ' (a servant

Acharyas. Acharyas.

was born into a a into born was tradition, caste is caste tradition, throughout his life throughout his life Sriman Narayana ThirumAl adiyAr Sri Vachana Bhushanam Sri Vachana Sri Vaishnava Srirangam Sri Vaishnava , irrespective of race, caste, or , irrespective of race, caste, propagator in equality of various various of equality in propagator . Despite this, he is the regarded to he is the regarded Despite this, .

lived in lived , we must not divide ourselves by not divide ourselves by , we must Sudra , works such as varna Sri Vaishnava Svami Satagopan (Nammazhvar) Svami Satagopan Varna

, who became very learned and, in his turn, had and, in learned became very , who th ) (Approx dates: 10000 dates:(Approx BC to 600 AD) are not born in Sri Vaishnava as his disciples. In the eyes of the Lord all are same and and same are all Lord the of eyes the In disciples. his as Sri Pillailokacharya Azhvars In recent years are there examples of Non-Brahmin born Non-Brahmin of examples are there recent years In 4000 Years ago: Years 4000 : Are there any examples in the last few hundred years? years? few hundred the last in examples any there Are : Yes, there are many examples in examples Yes, there are many of our lineage of teachers, who revealed the essence of the the essence of teachers, who revealed of lineage of our families, but we keep their idols in the temple and homes and and and homes temple in the idols we keep their but families, ilAncolaippiLLai Brahmins Upanishadsto all of us. Scholars who in turn had Brahmin born students? (Your previous (Your born students? Brahmin in turn had Scholars who ago) years of very old, thousands is of Veda example We are all one family bound together by bound together family all one We are us. of one every and each for Love Unconditional Question: Answer: family belonging to 4 to belonging family gender should be revered and respected as ' and respected be revered gender should of the Lord and the duties perform and must respect while we Consequently, specific our of obligations called v and was a strong believer, preacher & preacher believer, a strong and was was a One of his foremost disciples varnas in the eyes of God. In many of the the of many In that a clearly emphasized everyone has been given this blessed birth. This is an opportunity to fall fall to opportunity an is This birth. many blessed this given been has everyone of irrespective life, purpose of realize our true God, and in love with gender. race, caste, or noted scholar irrelevant; being a devotee of the Lord is what matters. (Any living being being living (Any matters. what is Lord of the devotee a being irrelevant; devotee) His be to qualified is equally Question Answer: worship them. This clearly shows thatin important most the also and is Azhvars 10 the among greatest the be AchArya and Most of the Brahmin

Sri

(a cradle that is is that (a cradle , which is known as as known is , which thuli in the month on Ani Sri P B Rajahamsam Svami Sri P B Rajahamsam prasadam anusha the one listed as his immediate immediate as his listed the one work consisting of the glories of work consisting of the glories

d, Sri Parasara Bhattar inherited inherited Parasara Bhattar d, Sri about only after the couple had ernal Consort, Sri RanganAyaki, were afforded high status among among status high afforded were was due directly to the blessings of to the blessings of directly due was ssed down through the descendants of the descendants down through ssed , chief priest to Sri Ranganatha Himself Himself Ranganatha Sri to priest , chief – literally, "the mirror that shows the literally, – that form the succession form of teachers that the that followed THE GREAT CONVERSATION (the eight verse slOka) – concise exposition on the concise exposition (the eight verse slOka) – was one of two twin sons of Sri Ramanuja’s scribe and Ramanuja’s was one of two twin sons Sri

Acharyas Sri RangEsa purOhitha Sri aShta slOki Bhagavad guNa DarpaNam (this year, this appearanceday will be taking place on June2003).13, Bhattar Svami is It AndAl AmmAl. his wife, and KurattAzhvAn, Sri disciple, closest believed that the birth of these boys Lord's evening of the partaken and received aravaNai prasAdam. age, the two boys an early Even from the communityasso, that they were treated of devotees. So much the Themselves. RanganAyaki Sri and Ranganatha of Sri sons adopted were brought to theDivineUnder the orders of the boys the Couple, placed in and every evening, sanctum sanctorum made a by tying sari to two pillars asuch that to form cradle), they could Parents. Eternal of Their eye under the watchful lulled to sleep be gently When Sri KurattAzhvAn left this worl the title of and preceded Bhagavad Sri Ramanuja, Sri Bhagavad and preceded day appearance holy whose Bhattar, ParAsara Sri noble the is successor star of the ascendance the on place takes their birth came since Sri Ranganatha, Among the 34 (a titleto be pa that has continued Sri ParasaraBhattar to this very day),and it is through these mystical his as a son would the Lord, in which he served them connections to own parents, that Sri Parasara BhattarSvami brought out the beauty of and His Et Srirangam, the Lord and the Lord of Srirangam works. devotional and philosophical through his profound ofmany Sri works Among the Parasara Bhattar, the following out stand known: well most the as being (i) on Sri Vishnu commentary Lord". This is a the of qualities Sahasranamam. (ii) mantras three great the of meanings a sanskrit – stotram Ranganatha Sri (iii) 33 he had hardly noticed, and the he had hardly noticed, d. The fourth wife is our soul, the the soul, our is wife fourth d. The to join. "I am sorry, My Dear", she she Dear", to join. "I am sorry, My While they can provide us with all While they can provide us -marrying when you die." At this, you die." At when -marrying far too much to bear, and merchant merchant and bear, to much too far

me. Now I need your help again. When I die, will you follow me and and me about re In fact, I was even thinking follow you the merchant's heart sank. will die, I When again. But, not willing to give up, the merchant turned to his third wife and help your for been there always and you've for help you to turned always said, ""I need you I Now with me. be than compassion more little a had wife third The company?" me keep will and the other two, but she too did not wish The burial." now, proper a for arrange to is you help to do can I best "the said, you with felt was merchant now the pain that here am cried in disillusionment. I Love. My But, then, the merchant heard a soft, affectionate, voice calling out, "Do fear, not the voice direction of The man turned in the forever." are, wherever you fourth wife, the one whom and saw his who now appeared the one about, hardly cared for or one whom he ignored. completely being of years after and exhausted before him, pale said, and wife fourth the embraced the man great mistake, his Realizing the for you of caring years all these After with me? are you "My Wife, you others, on the love my all away of wasting years these all after least, take was I not wiser in the past, why did are here? Dear God, why should I only why And have? should way I woman the this care of is?" truly she late, how precious far too it is know now, when the Story of The Moral us. one of every and represents each The merchant with whatever which we pamper and shower body, is our wife The first us with it take cannot we it, for love utmost our despite But, desires. it and material when we leave this world. The second wife is our wealth wife possessions, which go to someone else when we die. The third friends. and our family all represents can do they life, in this are we we need while help that and support the worl this leave when we us for nothing Great the or life, next the life, this in eternally, us with is that only thing Beyond. like the merchant,Let us not end our lives realizingonly too late that he are that on things away life his while wasting soul his ignoring had been now, the spirit should begin and nurturing for only temporary. Caring Purpose. True Life's is For this lives. our end of not at the at this moment,

) in divya divya were kavi kattiyam kattiyams describes the emperumAn this article is kattiyams and poetry that that poetry and Bhattar Sruthis, " (You belong to me, I I me, to belong (You " , then a brief introduction Sriman Narayana, Sriman Narayana, slOka . Over time, the . hip, a person could declare thatdeclare he hip, a person could i kutaha idam vEdamUla pRamaNAth. pRamaNAth. vEdamUla idam kutaha i ceremonies, with specific with ceremonies, is as follows: follows: as is full range of wisdom full (scriptural evidence). evidence). (scriptural is presented; after that is presented; after that of great teachers. What is most amazing to to amazing most is What teachers. great of (sacred basil), and proclaiming in a public in a and proclaiming basil), (sacred today. today. kattiyam kattiyam takes us to Sri ParasaraBhattar's feeling on by quoting verses from the by quoting verses kattiyam thirumanjanam thulasi praamaNam kattiyam kattiyam kattiyams, "Tvam mE, aham mE mE, "Tvam kattiyams, kattiyam thirumanjana kattiyams (one whose vows always become the truth); yet His Garb begins with a Sanskrit a Sanskrit begins with and the and the about the kattiyam satya It is little wonder, then, how upon seeing this beautiful scene, the beautiful scene, this then, how upon seeing It is little wonder, by surrounded Lord in this very mood of Mercy and Grace, Handsome the such joy spiritual of states to Svami Bhattar Sri took his devotees out withsing the poeticwould Sanskrit (known praises as 36 Sanskrit). Indeed, this occurred on several occasions, and led to the the led to and occasions, on several occurred this Indeed, Sanskrit). 27 creation of incorporated into into the incorporated assigned to specific holy days when appropriate. appropriate. when days holy to specific assigned Each (avathArikai) the Lord in his the Lord in While virtuallylifetime aof study could be devoted to the subtleties of the kattiyams and their descriptions of intended to offer just a taste of the prabhandham prabhandham extemporaneously, composed been having observe is that despite their and every each validate Bhattar was easily able to Sri Parasara with the appropriate is one occasion that Namperumal was like a person seeking a judge, a a judge, seeking a person like was that Namperumal one occasion referee, who would validate His Position thatindeed, all this Souls, there code, when to ancient what According Alone. His were entire Universe is dress of of owners indication was no clear-cut style exact This was the rightful owner of a property by bathing inwaters, sacred truth. was said he of a wearing what that assembly appear to continues how he is this and day, wore on that Ranganatha Sri the when receiving a such in who was as one Namperumal describes thus Svami Bhattar Sri to appear to referee or a judge for searching clothes, wet wearing state, thistakeattempt concur to to validate Word. Our Lord ( His thadAp kuthasthath, mE aham Tvam mE Eva, sAkrOsha sOpi vibhavath sidhdhAth anAdi yEthatcha hantha sudhI syAth kOtra gItAdishu mama viditha kasya kvAkrOsha tvam. mrugyamadhyasthavat nrukalahE ithi cha pakshapAdi tvad this The origin of the of one be to consider Ramanuja Sri of followers what in contained is most significant full The myself). belong to is is 35 that he It is said is said It tIrtham, that He is the the is He that in tamizh) and and tamizh) in kattiyams (Our Lord!), His His (Our Lord!), qualities of the Divine Divine of the qualities Sriman Narayana. Sriman Narayana. nam perumaL nam perumaL describe the infinite beauty of the ciates the great qualities of Sri – – of Sri qualities ciates the great – these are extemporaneous these are extemporaneous – (the right hand that is the refuge the Divine bathing ceremony Divine bathing the ly squeezing it from the vestment vestment from the it squeezing ly vattil thirumanjanamvattil time immemorial. Thus, at that immemorial. Thus, time To this day, the descendants of Sri Sri of descendants the day, this To kattiyams

– a sanskrit work that wonderfully describes describes wonderfully work that a sanskrit – (a compendium of the the of compendium (a (sacred body). This sacred water, This sacred body). (sacred abhaya hastham abhaya (a to bring His pretext) Grace to all devotees. The thirumEni thirumanjana – in tamizh, – literallythe Holy Bath) for the Lord of stand over and above these works because of their soul- of their because works and above these stand over sahasrArtha thirumanjanam. vyAjam vyAjam kattiyams Sri Ranga rAja sthavam Sri Ranga ) Sri guNa ratna kOsham thirumanjanam (iv) Azhvars and the Ramanuja of philosophy wonderful the and qualities, (v His about racing very restless, is generally Namperumal Sri while that cannot He even His people, to see nearby communities Temple town and resist the opportunity to enjoy the poetry of Sri Parasara Bhattar's stands thus, and Him, to dedicated are that hymns extemporaneous perfectly still when they are recited. Parasara Bhattar aregiven sole chanting right to the is Sri Namperumalbetween the timeLord composed to that Himself, the bathedwater using from small pots ( Srirangam, the Lord of Srirangam – Srirangam Lord of the Srirangam, Consort) – aConsort) Sanskrit – work that enun Lakshmi. Various (vi) the time that He receives His conclusionary bathing in water from a sieve1000 containingshower ofa streams, that known in produces t as Sanskrit by the is used that ceremony is sacred bathing of the The significance Lord as a are that the waters by drenched are in is bathed vestments that the Lord purified the recitation by of sacred hymns and by the touch of the Namperumal's compilations composed during during composed compilations ( compositions these Usually Srirangam. qualities. auspicious Lord and countless His The stirring poetry in describing the beauty of the beauty poetry in describing stirring distributed to the devotees by direct by the devotees to distributed into the devotee’s impatient hands. This the sins of water the removes since devotees that have accrued moment, the devoted become direct receptaclesNarayana's to Sriman Lord, His Grace. The is presences divine His of all and devotees) from the fear removes that for the good of the individual soul, He assures the redemption. The Supreme Lord has nothing to achieve refuge and the is only to protect his devotees His existence for Himself by His own Self. the are all only for abode - weapons, divine - the divine form, benefitindividual of the souls. ” – ” – as as jnAni tu jnAni - well, they are they - well, d says “Well, then he d says “Well, l to You”. The soul has soul The to You”. l - It is said by Me in the the Me in by is said It - bhagavad gIta bhagavad timeless philosophy, but timeless philosophy, ” – But that is repudiated – – repudiated is that But ” – ” – Where and by whom is it is by whom and Where ” – ) are dear to Him. Him. to are dear ) . The Lord replies to the question to the of . The Lord replies quotes. He jnAni Etat cha anAdi sidhdhAth anubhavavibhavAth Eva sAkrOsha sOpi kvAkrOsha kasya That is because of the argues The soul – on experience this is based by the presented that the evidence with the Lord unwrittenLord is only text whose source is is soul’s) the (i.e. evidence that his but unknown, own experience. on his based says and of soul words the The Lord denies independence “though you have for enjoyed a and right, claim it as your cannot you long time, actuallythe factMe”.isEven that you belong to long a for a house though a tenant may enjoy house; to the claim ownership time, he cannot similarly though has enjoyed the the soul right. as his it claim he cannot independence, Lord the questions now The soul repudiated? – soul’s ownershipasobjects to the of to how He it is by whom and “Where asks and itself, repudiated”. viditha:” mama “gItAdishu bhagavad gIta the soulHe Himself that says that the in bhagavad gIta evidence as it is a renowned text; moreover it it moreover text; renowned a is it as evidence is a Arjuna to Arjuna. was a teaching representativeall ofand the souls, hence the apparentlymightLord it help to quote thought thisfrom questioning to the bhagavad soul. gIta sa” pakshapAthi tvath “hantha biased and partial to You – The stubborn soul – and to You partial biased Lord, of the all the statements of disapproves of people learned the accept to unwilling is and anas the witness,wisdom partia is wisdom) (man of gIta, bhagavad the from verses the mind in his of the people that declares where the Lord wisdom ( JIVA “ GOD “ JIVA “ GOD JIVA

38 – 37 questions him questions – from the mUla pRamaNam mUla pRamaNam – “It is so because because “It is so – and conveys to him and conveys to jIva emperumAn , jIva “patim visvasyAthmEsvaram” “patim Him, made him appearin Bhattar's ) calls the ) calls the – “How is what YOU say” - The - YOU say” what is “How – proclaims exists between proclaims Himself ) disagrees with emperumAn, and emperumAn, and with ) disagrees – “How is that” - On hearing the the On hearing - that” “How is – – “Ibelong to myself” – The soul, – “you are mine” – our Lord – are mine” “you – emperumAn svatantran tvam mE tvam ( that “you belong to Me”. Me”. to belong “you that aham mE being independent an as itself which regards ( as to how he regards himself as independent. as independent. regards himself he as to how api kutah tad by questioning question the soul now returns the to know how It now wants the Lord’s claim. Lord’s claim in valid! mUla pRamaNAth vEda idam The so” – says is the evidence, the vEdAs, which Lord conveys to the soul of the that, on the basis as is regarded which Vedas asserts its independence by saying “I belong to “I saying by its independence asserts myself” kutha: tat statement of the the soul that declares evidence), He (primary some familiarity Those having Him. belongs to the of some reading may enjoy with Sanskrit passagesareappropriatefrom the Vedas to be here - quoted from the sUktha, a part of the Rg vEda; Rg vEda; a part of the sUktha, from the purusha AsIth” eVa Narayana vai ha “EkO Upanishads. GOD JIVA JIVA GOD GOD

mystical enjoyment of Him as though He needed to defend His His defend to needed He though as Him of enjoyment and the thulasi garland that adorned mystical all souls. ownership of the to question begins would, lawyer or judge good as any So, Bhattar, anin Himfrom the sEsa-sEsi effort"testimony" thatLord, to obtain (owner-owned) that he relationship Ramanuja's Sri which is the hallmark of and Universe, and the philosophical position, is valid. a brilliant in engages Bhattar Parasara Sri manner, lucid In a delightfully that should share perhaps each and every with soul conversation God: composed by . This web page, . This web Harini Raghavan Harini Raghavan 000 hymns) of the stotras (1008of names Lord of the Upanishadic sages, the sages, of the Upanishadic ives host a vast repository of ives host a vast repository its kind to have come up on the the on up come have to kind its ourings (all the 4 ourings (all the (Ramanuja's Commentary on the on the Commentary (Ramanuja's s aspects of the Sri Vaishnavite s aspects of the Sri Vaishnavite www.Ramanuja.org , the philosophical love poetry of the of the love poetry philosophical , the (hymn of creation). creation). (hymn of

.” Sri Bhashya Vishnu Stotra Stotra Vishnu Sahasranama WEBSITE IN FOCUS temple culture (summary of the meaning of Vedas) by Svami by Vedas) meaning of of the (summary Vedanta discourses Vedanta Purusha Suktam Purusha and the and the

Visishtadvaita , the Vedarthasangraha Vishnu) and the Vishnu) and the andThe azhvarsite the temple carry of sections beautiful the web of the temples the Azhvars and presiding deities pictures of brief Some of the temples have to the eyes. a feast They are respectively. about talking the salientwrite-ups features of the temple. presented. They are are Ramanuja works of Sri a couple of Summary of the Sri , Desika, the Sri Vedanta varied and The poetry section of the website presents a wonderful diving outp It contains the collection. with in English present They are format. in downloadable saints mystic many carries also it this from Apart transliteration. penetrating insight of the acharyas -- all culminating in the grand in the culminating all -- acharyas of the insight penetrating philosophy of internet. The site isafter named Sri Ramanuja,the most important one of website the from Quoting Vaishnavism. of Sri propagators and teachers “These pages attempt to present a glimpse into a few sides of this -- its vibrant religion dedicated to , is first of Vaishnavism, Sri to dedicated 40 Azhvar saints Azhvar is website reviewed In this issue the Brahma-Sutras establishing the philosophy of Vedanta) by S.S the philosophy of Vedanta)Brahma-Sutras establishing two these to an introduction as read a good They form Raghavachar. great works. is an list Bhakti archives. list Bhakti is the website of this The highlight and religion of the philosophy, discussion on email list which focuses The arch Sri Vaishnavism. history of variou the discussing information the who answer subscribers It presents views of different philosophy. forum for discussion It forms a good of questions posed. multitude age.through the electronic in medium this modern a good as serves Ramanuja.org said that be it can In summary Vaishnavism). Sri of (philosophy Vedanta Visistadvaita to introduction philosophy. forflavor the a Pleasewebsite to get do go through this Adidevananda . 39 Sriman Narayana Sriman – finally, the the finally, – yO hi jnAni… aham sa aham jnAni… hi yO accepted by the people accepted by the – Who is the witness to that? – the witness to that? Who is – – this DivineConversation is that – by quoting the relationship relationship the by quoting – on assured by Him, and with Him. Him. and with Him, by assured on ”- People of wisdom are the wisdom of ”- People

kO atra sAkshi?” kO atra syAth sudhI Atmaiva mE matham”, “pri Atmaiva mE matham”, the soul is not ready to accept the statement of questionsand the veracity he now the Lord, of is not He quotes! that the Lord the evidence Lord, the given by the answers convinced by anda now asks forto prove the witness “Who is the witness”. - ownership are the witness. and that they of wisdom, mrgyamadhyastha” “iti nrukalahE this of the with debate up Lord becomes fed swear to other than to other option no finds jIva, an oath by wearing takes and His ownership, and the thulasi garland.wet clothes ca mama priya” ca mama people of wisdom (as and the between the Lord soul argues the Himself!), the Lord asserted by the Lord quoted by that the referees/witnesses to the Lord are close of wisdom) (i.e. the people Himself, and hence partial to the Lord. His that soul the the Lord tells – witnesses the soul is ownership of GOD “ GOD “ JIVA Therefore, by simply placing our trust in knowing that we are His, we we His, are we that knowing this, the Lord in His us from While our false ego prevents knowing in isInfiniteall Grace makingMercy and efforts to prove thisus. The to trust our Nature whose very is one He blemishes. all of is devoid Supreme Lord placing simply Benefactor. Ultimate our He is qualities. auspicious countless is of by Therefore, redempti protection and find our can that the individual soul's True Nature lies in realizing its utmost utmost its in realizing lies Nature True soul's individual the that Lord, Supreme upon the and dependence subservience be gained by The essential message to nthi, Kanchi nthi, Kanchi Mukundan Pattangi Pattangi Mukundan Event Amavasai Narasimha Jaya Narasimha Varadar GarudaSevai Bhattar Sri Parasara Thirunakshatram

du). Festivals are shown based on shown based are Festivals du). a name for Sri Ramanuja? not Star aseersham g VEDICS QUIZ

Lunar Lunar Calendar Calendar Vaikasi 1 Vaikasi Svathi 5 Vaikasi Pooradam 12 Vaikasi Utthirattadhi 16 Vaikasi Ekadasi Sarva Karthikai Thiruther Varadar Kanchi Amavasai Sarva 29 Vaikasi Vishakam 30 Vaikasi Anusham Thirunakshatram Nammazhvar 31 Vaikasi Kettai Ani 11 Ani 15 Bharani Paurnami Mru Ekadasi Sarva

Which of the following is following the Which of (a) Ilayazwar (b) Yathiraja Yathiraja (b) (a) Ilayazwar Philosophy) Ramanuja (Sri Visistadvaita As per open to: is (salvation) Scholars Vedic (a) Sanyasis (c) Men only (b) beings All (d)

1. (c) Emperumanar Emperumanar (c) Jeeyar Periya (d) 2. Date in is followed that calendar based on the are listed The festivals Na Tamil (Triplicane, Thiruvallikkeni the time in India,result,as maya and represent the date not necessarily your contact Please countries. and other US in the falls the festival Acharyaa temple priest or to determine the exact date and of time a festival. specific June 2003 NOTE 42

05/15/03 05/19/03 05/26/03 05/30/03 06/12/03 06/13/03 06/14/03 06/25/03 06/29/03 41 Event Event dar Utsavam Starts Madhurakavi Azhvar, Azhvar, Madhurakavi AnandAzhvar Thirumalai Sri (except at Sri Sri Rama(except Navami rangam) Thiruvallikkeni Paurnami, Chithra Starts Utsavam Parthasarathy Parthasarathy Thiruvallikkeni Garuda Sevai Parthasarathy Thiruvallikkeni Thiruther Star Star Rohini Thiruvadirai Thirunakshatram Jayanthi Thirunakshatram Sri Ramanujar Punarvasu Mudaliyandan Jayanthi Magam Vara Pooram Vasavi Navami Rama Sri rangam Sri Kanchi Hastham Chithirai

Lunar Lunar Lunar Lunar Calendar Calendar Calendar Calendar

Panguni 18 Utthrattathi Amavasai Sarva Panguni 19 Revathi 27 Panguni Punarvasu New Year Ugadhi, Telugu Panguni 30 Magam 1 Chithirai Pooram Sarva Ekadasi 3 Chithirai Chithirai Year New Tamil 5 Chithirai Vishakam 9 Chithirai Pooradam 14 Chithirai Poorattadhi Ekadasi Sarva Chithirai 21 Chithirai 23 Chithirai 24 Chithirai 27 Chithirai 28 Chithirai 30 Chithirai 31

CALENDAR - SECOND QUARTER 2003 CALENDAR - SECOND

Date Date April 2003 May 2003 04/01/03 04/02/03 04/10/03 04/13/03 04/14/03 04/16/03 04/18/03 04/22/03 04/27/03 05/04/03 05/06/03 05/07/03 05/10/03 05/11/03 05/13/03 05/14/03

106 Mukundan Pattangi Pattangi Mukundan

Heart Service to Humanity Indicates Servitude to GOD Servitude Indicates

Re-Kindle Our Relationship with HIM with Relationship Our Re-Kindle Dedications to Lord (Kainkaryam) to Lord Dedications Azhvars NO-One Minimal Suffering to other to other beings Minimal Suffering Help Others Others Help ANSWERS TO LAST ISSUE’S QUIZ ANSWERS What unique message does Ramayana teach us? teach Ramayana message does What unique (Sharanagathi) Surrender Total How many divya dEsams are there in this Bhooloka? in this Bhooloka? are there dEsams divya How many 102 105 108 What is Atma (Chith)? (Chith)? Atma is What Object Having What is the purpose of Life? Life? of What is the purpose Knowledge Seek Moksha Enjoy Life & Eat Drink Seek Boons from HIM Seek Boons GOD VEDA VYASA VYASA VEDA Veda? Who authored Rig GOD MANU

Meet people Healthy (Prasadam) Good Food Delicious Inexpensive Human Living Thing Thing Living Human What does not contribute to one’s Karma? Thought (Mana) Actions (Kaaya) (Vaak) Speech Friends Importance of VedasFour could not explain______Him. But did Upanishad Good over Evil Puranas What is the significance of applying Thiruman to our body? body? our to Thiruman applying of significance the is What Indicates Devotion Looks cool To Follow Tradition

8. 3. 6. 10. 1. Why do we go to the Temple? we go to the do Why 1. 4. Vegetarianism? we practice should Why 2. 7. 9. 5.

44

43 one of the six doubts? the six one of e” Moksha (liberation from (liberation Moksha e” not chi Nambi (b) Koorathazhvan Koorathazhvan (b) Nambi chi Sri Ramanuja is considered an incarnation of? incarnation an considered is Ramanuja Sri AdisEsha (b) Narayana Sriman Lord (a) VisvaksEna (d) Garuda (c) Ramanuja?? Sri of avathara) (punar the Who is Embar (b) Mudaliyandan (a) Ramanuja? of Sri the Acharya Who is NOT Nambi (b) Thiru-k-kOshtiyUr Nambi (a) Periya Sri of special meanings the Ramanuja Who taught Sri Ramayana)? Who gave Sri RamanujaWho gave the name Emperumanar? Yadavaprakasa (b) Nambi Thiru-k-kOshtiyUr (a) Sri of the six doubts clarified Varadaraja Lord Through whom Ramanuja? Which one of the following is the following Which one of the at Lord of remembrance (is needed smarana anthima Is (a) Moksha)? for essential breath last God)? (Supreme para-thatva is (b) Who Sri in living body (celestial Suris Nithya (c) Are Azhvars Vaikuntam)? Moksha? for adopted be to mean appropriate the is What (d) “ensur will Whose relationship samsara)? Acharya (b) Narayana Sriman (a)

3. 4. 5. 6. Arayar Perumal (b) Thiruvaranga Nambi Thirumalai Periya (a) Nambi Thiru-k-kOshtiyUr (d) Alavandar (c) 7. 8. 9. 10. (c) Varavaramuni (d) Parasara Bhattar Bhattar Parasara (d) Varavaramuni (c) Embar (d) Nambi Thirumala Periya (c) (c) Koorattazhvan (d) Alavandar Alavandar (d) (c) Koorattazhvan (a) Thirukka (c) Mudaliyandan (d) Embar Embar (d) Mudaliyandan (c) (c) BhAgavatha (d) Sri Ramanuja Ramanuja Sri (d) BhAgavatha (c)

Song The Lord past the of Teachers Spiritual and present Parts Surrender Mantras Secret The three Great Tradition Ascetics Code of conduct in of being The quality Servitude Verse of the Supreme The abode Lord, where all souls are in a bliss permanent state of the Lord serving lord The supreme of praise Poem in the who is one Literally, owner. Generally used as a Svami respect as in mark of Ramanuja Nature Holy water Divine garland Basil leaves Birth anniversaries of songs given The collection Nammazhvar Svami by procession love Parental Idol Qualified Commentary paasuram perumaaL poorvachaaryaas prakaraNams prapaththi rahasyatrayam sampradaayam sannyasis saastraas sEshatva slOkaa Sri VaikuNTam Sriman nArAyaNaa stOtra svami svarUpam thiru-maalai thiru-th-thuzhaai, thuLasi thirunakshattiram thiruvaimozhi utsava vaatsalya vigraham visistadvaita vyaakhyaanam

pasuram perumal poorvacharyas prakaranams prapaththi rahasyatrayam sampradayam sannyasis sastras seshatva sloka sri vaikuntam narayana sriman stotra svami svarupam theertham malai thiru thiru thuzhai, thulasi thirunakshatira m thiruvaimozhi utsava vatsalya vigraham visistadvaita vyakhyanam 46

45

Meaning teachers Spiritual Devotees Your servant Wealth bliss Incarnations saints Mystic Devotees devotees feminine and Servant in gender masculine One of 108 Sacred Temples revere Vaishnavasthat the Sri Divine verses The Lord Ramanuja Tower School Individual soul Knowledge Mercy Hymn Ascetic orders Salvation Goddess Daily rites Abode The Supreme who souls The eternally-free reside with the Lord abode Highest soul Supreme Lineage GLOSSARY Pronunciation Pronunciation aachaaryaas adiyaars adiyEn aishwaryam aananda avataar aazhvaar bhAgavathaas bhaktaas / daasan daasi dEsham divya divya- prabhandham emperumaan emperumanaar gOpuram gurukulam jeevaatmaa krupa mantraa matham mOkshaa nAchchiyaar nithya aaraadhanam nithya nithyasUrIs paramapadam paramaatmaa parampara

Words acharyas adiyars adiyen aishwaryam ananda azhvar bhagavathas bhaktas dasi/dasan desham divya divya- prabhandham emperuman emperumanar gopuram gurukulam jeevatma jnana krupa mantra matham moksha nachiyar nithya aradhanam nithya vibhuti nithyasuris paramapadam paramatma parampara

Swami Ramanuja @ Melkote during the grand festival Ramanuja @ Melkote during the grand

48

47 Swami Ramanuja @ Sri perumbudUr during the grand festival Swami Ramanuja @ Sri

Live discourses on the Tele-bridge

Pray with sincerity humility and gratitude for atleast 15 minutes a day. Wednesdays 9:30pm CST: Bhagavad Gita - English FALL IN LOVE WITH GOD HH. Tridandi Srimannarayana Chinna Ramanuja Jeeyar Svami RESTRICT FOOD CONSUMPTION Eat anything only after offering it to God. 1st Sunday 11AM CST: Srimad Bhagavad - Telugu Sri U.Ve. Satuluri Gopala Krishnamacharyulu MEDITATION Meditate on the beauty of God, atleast thrice a day, 1st Sunday and 4th Sunday 7:45pm CST: atleast a minimum of 3 minutes each time. Chant Sri Vishnu Sri Vachana Bhooshanam - Tamil Sahasranamam (the 1000 Holy Names of Lord Vishnu) once a day. HH Vanamamalai Ramanuja Jeeyar Svami RESPECT FOR ALL THAT IS HIS 2nd Saturday 9AM CST: Siria ThiruMadal - Tamil Strive to lead a life in which you will never hurt Sri U.Ve. Venkatakrishnan Svami a fellow living being for any reason.

2nd Sunday 9AM CST: Ramayana Tanislokam - Tamil MONEY Sri U.Ve. Velukkudi Krishnan Svami Earn to live, educate, support and serve and not for the sake of pursuing materialistic desires. 3rd Saturday: 9AM CST: Athimanusha Sthavam- Tamil Sri U.Ve Elayavilli S Bhoovarahan Svami CHARITY Donate however little it may be to noble causes. 3rd Sunday 11 AM CST: Srimad Bhagavatam - Telugu Feeding the needy is the highest form of charity. Sri U.Ve. Satuluri Gopala Krishnamacharyulu CONTENTMENT Last Saturday 10AM CST: Purpose of Life- Telugu Be happy and content that you are His. Thank your preceptors at least HH. Srimannarayana Chinna Ramanuja Jeeyar once a day for blessing you with this awareness.

Sundays: 6 PM CST: ABSOLUTE FAITH Sri VPS Varadan Svami Acharya Param- Tamil Place complete trust in the supreme LORD. Do not go against His way.

Sat 2PM CST: SELF – CONTROL Dhivya Prabhandam and Stotra patam santhai: Strive to live a life free from selfish desire and anger.

Always adorn a peaceful smile; it will work on others and on you too