Covid 19 fear ! - travelling to places - divyadesams - Sri Peyalwar mangalasasanam

The month of May 2020 is about to end – and the one Q in our minds is would the lockdown end or would it be 5.0 ~ and the more pertinent Q is We the Chennaites and most other cities – did we follow the regulations of lockdown ? – what caused that feared community spread ! .. everyday we are hearing unsavoury news.  Today, Tamil Nadu saw a fresh spike in novel coroanviurus cases today after 874 new patients were tested Covid-19 positive in the last 24 hours. This is the highest single-day spike in the state so far. The last biggest 24-hour spike was 827, which was recorded on Thursday – Chennai’s contribution is 618 ! – (almost 75%).  To see some positivity still, the number of COVID-19 containment zones in Chennai has come down to 254 even as cases soared by 618, taking the tally in the city to 13,362. Seven more people died in the city taking the total deaths to 113.  According to corporation data, 897 containment zones have been taken off the list so far. This means these zones did not record any COVID-19 case for the past 28 days.

Humanity has always feared this – the feat that one day, a virus as contagious as this new strain would spread insidiously across the globe. Yes it is well and truly a pandemic threatening the mankind across continets.

A simple solution is indeed, humble handwashing, because it is the first defence against COVID-19. It literally saves lives. But, the simple act of handwashing is unachievable for far too many people. For the more than one-in-three on the planet who lack basic water access, handwashing is not just a lifesaver, it is a privilege.  Besides washing of hands, drying is also very important.  Hand drying not only removes moisture from the hands but it also involves friction, which further reduces the microbial load and the environmental transfer of microorganisms. And the transmission of microbes is more likely to occur from wet skin than dry skin.

Confirmed coronavirus cases have surpassed 5.8 million worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 360,000 people have died from the virus, while over 2.4 million have recovered.  When the Countries ease lockdown restrictions, residents might return  to old spaces that now feel unfamiliar. The places themselves did not change – but from wearing masks to avoiding crowds, the way we are allowed to navigate them is going to be radically different. Many of these changes may remain for some time. Even once the spread of coronavirus is contained, the risk of a new wave of contagion will remain as long as a vaccine is not available, which may take between nine months and two years. Moreover, scientists say, new, equally destructive diseases could paralyse humanity in the future, just as the coronavirus has done in 2020.

Twitter has flagged a tweet written in March by a Chinese government spokesman that suggested the U.S. military brought the novel coronavirus to China, as the social media platform ramps up fact-checking of posts. Twitter posted a blue exclamation mark under a tweet by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, with a comment urging readers to check the facts about Covid-19.  “When did patient zero begin in US? How many people are infected? What are the names of the hospitals? It might be US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan. Be transparent! Make public your data! US owe us an explanation!” Zhao wrote on March 12.

One of the best ways to remain happy is to think back of the glorious things that we had enjoyed in the past – the moment need not be restricted to our birth and happenings thereafter – it shall include so many things that we relish, of History, of Sports, of Religion, of mankind and more .. ..

Chennai is in Thondaimandalam, erstwhile ruled by Pallavas.  The span of Pallava’s reign  from 275 A.D. to 897 A.D  can be categorized into three phases - Early, Middle and Later. They were the most influential rulers of South India and contributed enormously in the fields of religion, philosophy, art, coins and architecture. Pallavas were at their peak during the reign of Mahendravarman I and Narsimhavarman I. Throughout their rule in Tondaimandalam, they were in constant conflict with both Chalukyas of Badami in the north, and the Tamil kingdom of Cholas and Pandyas in the South.  The shore temples and the rock carved sculptures of Mahabalipuram would bear testimony to them forever.

Simhavishnu reigned around AD 550 (a reign of thirty-plus years), beginning the Pallava revival that defeated the Kalabhras. He recreated a strong Pallava kingdom by subduing many kings in the south.  His kingdom soon extended beyond Kanchi (as far as the River Kaveri). Through his naval expeditions he subdued Malaya (Indo-China) and Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Simhavishnu also patronised literature and poetry. He was said to be a patron of the great Sanskrit poet, Bharavi, and was himself a Vaishnavite Hindu by religion. Bharavi, wrote of the duel between Siva and Arjuna known as Kirata Arjuneeya, after which Lord Shiva blessed Arjuna with the divine 'Pasupata' missile.

Before  24.3.2020, when lockdown was promulgated in the interests of the Nation, people were travelling and we derived great happiness in visiting divyadesams and abhimana sthalams associated with our Azhwargal and Acaryas, worshipping the Emperuman at those places, getting associated in kainkaryam and were largely happy.

Among the 12 Azhwaars of Srivaishanva Tradition, Poigai Azhwar, Boothath Azhwar and Peyazhwar – were the ones to have descended on this Earth earlier.  They were contemporaries and are praised as “Muthal Azhwars (the first among the Azhwars).  Sri Peyalwar was born in a tank in Mylapore (thence known as Mylai Thiruvallikkeni).  His birthplace is in the present day Arundel Street in Mylapore closer to Mylai Madhaava Perumal Kovil.  Every year Sri Peyalwar of Sri Adhi Kesava Perumal thirukovil, Thirumylai visits Sri Parthasarathi Perumal – does mangalasasanam and would have purappadu with Sri Parthasarathi on the thiruveethigal of Thiruvallikkeni.

18^th Nov. 2014 was Ekadasi day.  The Ekadasi purappadu on that day was very special – at around 3.45 pm – Sri Peyalwar in palanquin  was received with sri sadari  & Senai muthaliyar maryadhai at the junction of South Mada St / TP Koil Street, with chinna mada veethi purappadu entered Thirukovil, did mangalasasanam at every sannathi and around 0715 pm had grand periya mada veethi purappadu with Perumal – then returned back late in the night. 

The purpose of our birth is to appreciate and pray Sriman Narayana with folded hands calling Him by His various names.  The mouth should chant His name, hands should remain folded in prayer, eyes should be fixed at His lotus feet.   Let us  surrender to His feet and enjoy His great qualities, which will stand us in good stead.

Travelling back down memory lane could be exciting – some of the photos would reveal a much younger Triplicanities and in one of the photos, stands Dr VV Ramanujam an erudite scholar (around 95 years of age at that time) alongside   His Holiness Sri Perumpudur Appan Parakala Ramanuja Embar Jeeyar Swami who was into his nineties.

Here are some photos taken during that purappadu at Thiruvallikkeni on 18.11.2014.

adiyen Srinivasadhasan (thiruvadi sambantham of Sri Ubhaya Vedantha Kovil Kanthadai Chandamarutham Singarachar Swamy (periyappangar swami)).

Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar

29.5.2020.