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Monday, March 25, 2013

Vijaya Varusha Panchangam release : Brahmin Welfare Association, Triplicane


Do you know …: Jaya, Manmatha, Thunmuki, He’ Vilambi, Vilambi, Vikari, Saarvari, Pilava, Suba Kruthu, Sobha kiruthu…………. It was a grand gathering at Gangai Kondan Mandapam in Thiruvallikkeni…….. reason… ‘Panchangam release of ‘Brahmins Welfare Association’, Triplicane and Yours Truly was on stage compering.

In the ‘Vaivasvatha Manvantharam, after passage of 27 Maha Yugas ~ now in the 28th Mahayuga – after passage of 3 Yugas ~ in the Kali Yuga – after passage of 4 lakh 28 thousands of years – in the year 5113 ~ Salivahana Saha  1935 ‘Year Nanthana’ 11th day in the tamil month of Panguni  - on Dwadasi day with Maka Nakshathiram’………….that is Sunday, 24th Mar 2013” - was held the ‘Vijaya Varusha Panchanga release function’.

A panchāngam (பஞ்சாங்கம்) is a Hindu calendar and almanac, which follows traditional units of Indian timekeeping, and presents important dates and their calculations in a tabulated form. Panchāngams are published in India by many learned authors, societies, academies, and universities. Different publications differ only minutely, at least for a casual or un-trained reader. They forecast celestial phenomena such as solar eclipses, forecast weather (rain, dryspells) as well as more mundane occurrences. The study of Panchāngams involves understanding Rasi phalan, the impact of the signs of the zodiac on the individual. Astrologers consult the Panchāngam to set auspicious dates for weddings and the like. 

Panchangam literally translates to having five parts [angas].  They are :
•        Tithi - Ending Moment (EM) of elongation of the Moon, the lunar day, the angular relationship between Sun and Moon
•       Varam – the weekday ~ the seven days of the week
•        Nakshatra - the stellar mansion in which Moon is located for an observer at the center of the Earth. There are 27 Nakshatras.
•        Yoga - EM of the angular relationship between Sun and Moon
•        Karana - EM of half of a Tithi. One Karaa equals 6 degree difference between Moon and Sun.

At Thiruvallikkeni Gangai Kondan Mandapam, it all started with the group singing ‘Nama Sangeerthanam’  by Cuddalore Gopi Bagavathar and his troupe.  Kadalur Gopi bagavathar in his inimitable style kept the audience totally engrossed.

At 06.30 the function started with prayer ‘Vethathai Vethathin Suvaipayanai’ sung by Yours Truly and KV Srinivasan, Vice President.

On the podium were

The Chief Guest : Prachavana Thilakam Sri U. Ve. Damal S. Ramakrishnan

Other Special Guests :

Vedha Bashya Rathnam Mahamahimopadhyaaya Brahmashree Dr R Krishnamurthi Sastrigal, MA, P.hd., [Retd Principal, Madras Sanskrit College]

Sri U. Ve. Dr MA Venkata Krishnan, MA, M.Phil., Ph.D., D. Litt., [Prof & Head, Department of Vaishnavism, University of Madras]

Thiru Pammal Ramakrishnan, District Secretary, Tamilnadu Brahmins Association.

In the function, ‘Vijaya varusha Panchangam’ was released by the Chief Guest Sri Damal S Ramakrishnan and copies were received by Dr R Krishnamurthi Sastrigal, Dr MA Venkata Krishnan and Pammal Ramakrishnan.

It is not simply a vedic almanac, this Panchangam contains amongst other things : the important uthsava details of Sri Parthasarathi swami temple; important days of Sri Ahobila Mutt, Sri Utharathi Mutt, Azhwargal Acharyargal Thirunakshathirangal, dos and donts, Parayana slokas, Avani avittam sangalpam, tharpana sangalpams, host of significant details of hindu religious practices; telephone nos. of Thirumana mantaps at Thiruvallikkeni, contact details of Prahaspathigal and more…… no doubt a very useful book for every Brahmin – a must have at home. 

The Guests introduction was done by me and they were honoured on stage.  First Dr Krishnamurthi Sastrigal spoke at length.  He first spoke in Sanskrit for a couple of minutes and then spoke about the significance of Panchangam and various other details.  Dr MAV spoke about the significance of following the prescribed rituals, about Thiruvalluvar and his quotes on religion and practices and the ideal aspects of being a Brahmin; Mr Pammal Ramakrishnan spoke about the various activities of Brahmins Association and stressed on the need for being united under one banner and helping the cause of the community. 

The audience were enthralled with the flow of words in the description of ‘Krishna Vijayam’ pravachanam by Sri Damal Ramakrishnan who has been delivering such lectures from his childhood. 

While it is Day : 24 hours : 60 Minutes : 60 seconds ….. the calculations are much more minutely accurate in Vedic and computation of Panchangam ~ it is 48 minutes = 1 muhurtham; 24 minutes = 1 nazhigai; 60 nazhigai = 1 day; 2 ½ nazhigai = 1 hour…….. 15 days is = 1 paksham; 2 months = 1 ruthu;….and minutely …. 1 Paramaanu = 0.0002 seconds  … Kanchi Krishna, Secretary was honoured on the dias for preparing this panchangam. In all, it was a grand show organized by Brahmin Welfare Association of Triplicane.  Copies of Vijaya varusha panchangam were distributed to all those present at the mantap.  

The list in the starting para ‘Jaya… to .. Sobha kiruthu’ ~ are the names of the 10 years next to the present year ‘Vijaya’.  Here are some photos of the function taken by Thirumazhisai Kannan.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.
25th Mar 2013.
Photos courtesy : Thirumazhisai Kannan.

 Cuddalore Gopi Bagavathar performing
 A view of the audience
 Me speaking
 On the dias : Pammal Ramakrishnan, Dr Krishnamurthi Sastrigal,
Damal Ramakrishnan and Dr MA Venkatakrishnan
Release of Panchangam


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