sri:

srimathe ramanujaya namaha
srimad varavaramunaye namaha

A Beginning or The End?

One of the core tenets of the Visishtadvaitha Srivaishnava Sampradaya as expounded by Swami Ramanuja, also known as the Emperumanar Darsanam, is the theory of causality known as the “satkaryavada”. It is defined by the axiom that the existence of any effect is implied in a latent form whenever a cause is exercised. It is a tenet that found favor with Swami Ramanuja in his explanation of our ontology, which resonates with the message in the Upanishads and lie in tune with the divine outpourings of the Azhwars. It principally helps rationalize the philosophy associated with creation. Much like the Law of Conservation of Energy, which states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, our sampradayam holds that anything which comes to being is wholly real and is only a transformation from something that existed before to another new, present form and has not been created from a previous state of non existence.

Srisailesa Thaniyan

Sri Varavaramuni Suprabhatham

This dictum is one that followers of this tradition hold at high regard and is one that draws a thin line between ours and other schools of Vedanta. Thus, one can always hold a point of view that the end of something is the beginning of another and also infer that the beginning of one signifies the end of some other. The same concept underlies the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, verse 27 - “jaatasya hi dhruvo mrutyuhu”. It is also indicative of the pasurams of Swami Nammazhwar which are composed in the Andhadhi style, where the beginning of the following verse in the same as the end of the current one.

Thus, it is quite clear that a very interesting Möbius strip like phenomenon is quite predominant in our sampradayam. Interestingly, this day is one that holds extreme significance in this regard. we follow a disciplic succession called the Oran Vazhi Acharya Guru Parampara. This lineage is held in the highest regard amongst our elders and to relive of their glories time and again during the day was a favorite past time of theirs. This succession begins with Sriman Narayana. After them comes Sri Vishwaksena, followed by Swami Nammazhwar. Then begins the era of Sriman Nathamuni. Yamuna Muni, Swami Ramanuja and so on unto Srisailesa or Sri Tirumalai Azhwar. Each of them were known as the “darshana pravarthaka acharya”, roughly translated as ‘The Preceptor Promoting the Vision’. Sri Tirumalai Azhwar was succeeded by the most compassionate, benevolent and illustrious Swami Manavala Mamunigal.

Stories abound the legend of how The Supreme Lord himself sought a teacher who was replete with all of the qualities that defined a preceptor in entirety. It was Namperumal, as one of his many displays of divine amusement, who submitted himself as an acolyte by submitting a salutary verse called as a “thaniyan”. This is the thaniyan that begins as “Srishailesha daya pathram”. It was ordained by Sri Namperumal himself that this thaniyan be recited by one and all at the commencement and conclusion of any gatherings.

Thus, we see two instances of where the beginning and the end have been conceived as symmetric expositions. The Lord took it upon himself to complete the Acharya Ratna Haram by ably forging the hook and fastener so that the disciplic succession is one of perpetual propagation. Also, the invocatory and concluding verse of all recitation has ordained to be the Srisailesa thaniyan, the Srisailesa Maha Mantram.

VEDICS Foundation invites you to listen and delve into the glories of one of the greatest events of our sampradayam. We present to you an upanyasam giving the meanings of the Thaniyan, some graphics that illustrate the incident via paintings and some more resources about Swami Manavala Mamunigal for you to enjoy. As always, we encourage you to share our information across your social media channels and with all your friends and family. Happy Learning!

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Sri Varavaramuni Mangalam

Sri:

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namha
Srimad Varavara Munaye Namaha

Aani Swathi Online Celebrations

SRI PERIAZHWAR, SRIRANGAM PERIYA KOVIL

VEDICS Foundation has always strived to try and establish an accessible yet undiluted bridge between the various teachings and expositions of Āzhwārs and Āchāryas. Often times the various works of our preceptors feel distant because of barriers in language, and understanding. We must always attempt to overcome these barriers and enjoy the timeless wisdom that has come forth from the erudite lands of our preceptors.

Today is the auspicious day of the Āni month, Swāthi nakshatram. This happens to be the annual birth star for various stalwarts of our sampradāyam namely Sri Periāzhwār, Sri Vadakku Thiruveedhi Pillai and Sri Vādhikesari Azhagiya Manavala Jeeyar. It also happens to be the asterism that is associated with Sri Narasimhar and Sri Garudazhwar.

Sri Periāzhwār was born in Srivilliputhur and is the father of Sri Āndāl. He has authored several pasurams and visited several divyadesams while residing in bhūlokam. Tirupallāndu which is one of the most oft recited song was composed by him.

One of the most important songs that is part of the collect termed "Divya Prabandham" is the Tiruvāimozhi sung by Swāmi Nammāzhwār. All of our āchāryās have spent their entire lives knowing and propagating the meanings of these divine songs. Swami Rāmānujā has prescribed this as one of his tenets to all his sambandhis. Tiruvāimozhi is replete with esoteric meanings as contained in the Tirumantram, Dwayam, Charama slokam, Bhagavad Gîtā, Vedās, Upanishads, the Brahma Sutra etc. Several of our elders have spent their entire lifetimes in helping teach and further the knowledge of samsaris and elevate them.

There are five commentaries written by various āchāryās of our sampradāyam for Tiruvāimozhi. They are:
1. Ārāyira-padi by Tiru-kurugai pirān Pillan
2. Onbadhināyira-padi by Nanjîyar
3. Iruvathinālāyira-padi by Periya Vāchān Pillai
4. Pannîrāyira-padi by Vadhikesari Azhagiya Manavala Jeeyar
5. Ēdu/Muppathiārāyira-padi by Nampillai

Of these, the most celebrated is the Ēdu maha-vyākhyānam. While the commentary itself is attributed to Swami Nampillai who delivered them as discourses, the scribe who has helped save it for all posterity was Swami Vadakku Thiruveedhi Pillai. In addition to this, he is the father of the illustrious Swami Pillailokachāriār and Swami Azhagiya Manavala Perumāl Nāyanar.

Vadhikesari Azhagiya Manavala Jeeyar was born in a small town called Brahmadesam-Mannārkovil in the present Tirunelveli district. His story is one of an amazing transformation, one that can come only out of the infinite grace of our pūrvāchāryās. He surrendered at the feet of Swami Periya Vāchān Pillai, who trained him in several branches of study and under his tutelage, went on to become one of the foremost scholars of their time. In addition to his commentary on the Tiruvāimozhi, he has authored the Dravidopanishad Sangathi(samskrit) and Gîtā Venba(tamizh) which are both critical works in the understanding of the Tiruvāimozhi and the Bhagavad Gîtā respectively.

A very interesting nexus of those born on this auspicious day can be observed. In the writings of Swami Vadakku Thiruveedhi Pillai, in the commentary for the pasuram "Māśūñā" (3-1-8) of the "Mudicchodhi" (3-1) decad, a beautiful explanation of Swami Periāzhwar's exposition can be found. In the commentary it says that the Āzhwārs alone have comprehended (the greatness of) his Divine Feet and accorded protective auspiciousness to them. A reference made to the Divine feet of the lord in the Tiruppallāndu is quoted while attempting to explain the inner meanings of the Tiruvaimozhi pāsuram. Similarly, a reference from the Tirupallāndu is taken while explaining some portions of the next pasuram "Muzhangādha" (3-1-9).

So, on the days that the Swathi Asterism occurs, we should all remember the songs of Periyāzhwār, whose songs when quoted have been dutifully recorded by Swami Vadakku Tiruveedhi Pillai. These have been propagated by Swami Azhagiya Manavāla Jîyar. The songs are about Sriman Nārāyanā one of whose forms is Lord Narasimha. Several of these pasurams have references to the Lord borne by his faithful vāhana Garudan.

VEDICS Foundation, due to the grace of Sriman Narāyana, has been helping propagate the traditional kalakshepam method of study for several works. Currently, Ēdu kalakshepam called the Bhagavad Vishayam is being delivered by U. Ve. Velukkudi Sri Krishnan Swami at Vāgāmruthavarshî Bhavanam, Srirangam. We are offering a web-streaming version of the same and continue to have the same divine experience delivered to our homes around the world. We also host several other upanyasams in our "Audio" section. Our readers are also encouraged to browse other sections of the website and recommend our Membership Program to their family and friends, through which a lot of the activities that we undertake currently, are made possible.

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Q:  Like the dharma sasthras, which does elucidate the anterior part of the Vedas and what works elucidate the posterior part of the Vedas, namely, the Upanishads?

Q:  What is the meaning of the word, ‘smrithi’? What are the smrithis and their functions?

Sri:

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha                                           Srimad Varavara Munaye Namaha

The Crowning Jewel

Celebrations peak at this time of the year. Every Srivaishnava's calendar is chock full of events to participate in and place to be at. The processional deities of nearly every divyadesam take it upon themselves to keep their devotees entertained. They provide ample fodder for one's senses of sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. Ten-day celebrations fill the four directions that have temples and each Perumal competes for the attention of the devotees bringing their best to the fore. This time of the year is also witness to the Sri Rama Navami Utsavams in Srirangam Periya Kovil and the annual asterism of Swami Ramanuja.

All of these celebrations are like the various jewels that adorn the Lord. Some like bangles, some like glittering necklaces. Some are like the bold brocades of his shawls and some like the quiet bracelets of his hands and then there are the chirpy chatelaines, grandiloquent gold brooches and aureate anklets. But what of his Crown?

Of all the characteristics that the twin-worlds have in a lavish spread, the one that is of utmost fondness to the Lord is that of "Acharya-Bhakti" or Love towards one's Preceptor. He holds this feeling above all else. Vishadavak sikhamani Swami Manavala Mamunigal says:

jnyaanam anuttanam ivai nandragave udaiya
nana guruvai adaindhakkal manilatheer!
thenar kamala thirumamagal kozhunan,
thaane vaigundham tharum

Bold words these! A rough translation of the above verse would be - "Oh Denizens of the Earth! If you were to attain a preceptor decorated by the two-fold qualities of Knowledge and Practice, The Spouse of the divine consort who resides amidst the nectar-filled lotus shall grant the eternal-realm of his own accord". By no means does the above translation match the lyrical beauty of Swami Manavala Mamunigal's verse and all our readers are encouraged to practice reading the tamizh original and the commentary by Swami Pillai Lokam Jeer. Moving on, this verse espouses a rather critical principle of the sath sampradayam which is that if one is to exhibit a sense of Supremacy and Sovereignty at the Lotus feet of one's Acharya, the Lord has enabled a "mechanism" by which their deliverance is organic and assured.

Two souls who have exhibited this sense of extreme devotion towards their preceptors have been Swami Anandhazhwan and Sri Madhurakavi Azhwar. They were born on the Chittirai month under the Chittirai asterism. Swami Anandhazhwan is told to have taken the intent of Swami Ramanuja and fulfilled his wish of creating gardens in the then hostile environs of Tirumala. Swami Ramanuja is said to have expressed his intent while explaining the phrase "sindhu poo magizhum Thiruvenkadam". In the august gathering of his followers, only Sri Anandhazhwan expressed the courage to undertake Swami's orders. When he did so, Swami Ramanuja embraced him with love and called him "Sri Anandha-Anpillai".

The life history of Swami Madhurakavi Azhwar and his devotion at the feet of Swami Nammazhwar is quite well known. Just like Swami Madhurakavi Azhwar has no singular bearing in life without Swami Nammazhwar, his life history has no singular bearing barring Swami Nammazhwar. His composition the Kanninun Siruthambu is an expression of nothing but the utmost adoration of his preceptor. "Devu mattru ariyen" he proclaims - which means, I know of no other Lord. No justice can be made to the magnitude of service done by this great soul to Swami Nammazhwar, when expressed in mere words.

Fittingly, it is the annual asterism that marks the birth of Swami Madhura-kavi Azhwar and Swami Anandhanpillai that the good Lord Sriman Narayana, the Purushottama adorns as his crown!

Q:  Other than the Vedas and the posterior Upanishads, what are the other books that authentically elucidate the Vedas? Can they be considered on par with the Vedas as authoritative?

Sri:

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha

Srimad Varavara Munaye Namaha

Vijaya Varusham Panguni Uthiram

Our sampradayam, that has come to be known as Emperumanar Darisanam, has at its core an aspect of crucial significance and serves as an overarching principle to all our elements. Our preceptors have termed this as a “mithunam” - a conjugation of sorts. They have gone as far as claiming that it is this conjugation that is sought after by every Jivatma as the object of its ultimate pursuit - “Or Mithuname Utthesyam”.

Panguni Utthiram marks the day for several important events in our sampradayam. Swami Nanjeeyar, an important gem occupying our Purvacharya Ratna Haram was born on this day. Thirukkoshityur divyadesam celebrates this day as the day their thayar Thirumamagal Naachiyar. In Srivilliputhur, this day is celebrated as the day on which Sri Andal and Sri Rangamannar were married.

The Panguni-Utthiram serthi utsavam, an annual celebration when Sri Ranganatha is allowed inside the divine quarters of Periya Pirattiyar Sri Ranganachiyar, is well known far and wide. Thousands throng the premises of the Periya Kovil earlier in the day to glimpse at this divine sight and drink in the nectar of the celebrations. This day marks the day on which Sri Periya Piratti of Srirangam Periya Kovil was born. What better celebrations can you ask for, than having Emperuman Sri Ranganathan himself attending to you with all his paraphernalia and tending to all your needs on your special day?

Earlier in the day though, an enactment of divine frivolity takes place in the hallways that mark the entrance of Sri Ranganayaki’s shrine. A few moments of joyous wonder and playful exchanges take place between the Father and Mother of the entire cosmos. A reaffirmation of the fact that Sri Ranganathan is singularly responsible for the creation, sustenance and destruction of the universe and that He does it all at the behest of the pleasures and displeasures of Sri Ranganayaki which he infers from the faintest murmurs of her brows! Swami Nammazhwar, the leader of the clan of Prapannas performs the duties of a mediator in this whole divine interlude and seemingly pacifies Sri RangaNachiyar and her attendants to allow Sri Ranganathan into her quarters.

Later in the day, marks the annual event that commemorates the divine outpourings of Swami Ramanuja named the Sharanagathi Gadyam. It is on this day that at the intercession of Periya Pirattiyar, Sri Ranganathan assures deliverance to Swami Ramanuja, his followers and the followers of his orders for all posterity. He does so by nullifying the effects of their karma - of the past, present and future.

 What inspired swami Ramanuja to take up this request at that opportune moment? What are the events that precede the celebrations inside Thayar’s premises? What happens after? More importantly, how is it that Lord Ranganatha makes up his mind to leave her presence?

All these questions and more are answered in the bastions of the Sriranga Rajadhani! We urge as many of you to try and be part of the celebrations physically in order to experience the bliss first hand.

VEDICS Foundation invites you to celebrate an event that has significance at several levels. This day has significance for Perumal Thayar, Azhwar, Emperumanar and Acharyas. We have amassed some media resources for you to enjoy and partake on this wonderful day! Stay tuned to this page for more additions in the days to come. Also, please share the links to this page on your social media feeds and reach the message of the Divine Couple out far and wide.

VEDICS Foundation would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Kum.Ramapriya for her excellent vocal and instrumental renditions. We would also like to thank Sri. Ecchur Srinivasan Rangarajan for his vocal renditions. We pray at the feet of the Divine Couple to bless them with more such services in future.

In order to be able to share the beauty of the Divine Couple constantly, VEDICS Foundation presents a wallpaper which you can download and save to your desktop:

http://vedics.org/index.php/downloads/free/wallpaper?task=document.viewdoc&id=123.