Gnana Boomi cover page - போய் வா நதியலையே

 

திருவல்லிக்கேணி பாரதி சாலை ஒர பழைய புத்தக கடைகள் - புத்தகப்பிரியர்களுக்கு பொக்கிஷம்.  இன்று மாலை, ஒரு பழைய இதழ் - முக்கியமாக அதன் அட்டைப்படம் என்னை கவர்ந்தது !

 

டோலக்  என்று ஒரு தோல் வாத்தியம் -  ஒரு பக்கம் சிறியதாகவும் மறுபக்கம் சற்று பெரியதாகவும் இருக்கும். சிறியபகுதி ஆட்டுத் தோலாலும், பெரிய பகுதி எருமைத் தோலாலும் முடப்பட்டிருக்கும் என அறிகிறேன் ! . இதன் உருளைப் பகுதி சிசே மரம் அல்லது மா மரத்தால் செய்யப்படுகிறது.  கே.வி.மகாதேவன் இசையில்  கே ஜேசுதாஸ், டிகே கலா குரலில், கே வி மஹாதேவன் இசையில் இந்த பாடலை கேட்டு இருப்பீர்கள் 

 

போய் வா நதியலையே இவள் பூச் சூடும் நாள் பார்த்து வா  !!

வா வா நதியலையே  ஏழை பூமிக்கு நீர் கொண்டு வா  !!

 

ஆனந்த விகடன் இதழில் தலைமை உதவியாசிரியராகப் பணியாற்றி, 'இதயம் பேசுகிறது'  என்ற தலைப்பில் தனது பயணக்கட்டுரைகளை எழுதினார் மணியன்.  பின்னர் சொந்தமாக வார  இதழ்களை வெளியிட்டார்.  சில திரைப்படங்களையும் எடுத்தார்.  1975ல்  கே. சங்கர் இயக்கத்தில் வெளிவந்த  -  எம். ஜி. ஆர், லதா நடிக்க, இவர் தயாரித்த படம் பல்லாண்டு வாழ்க 1975.  திரு மஹாதேவன் டோலக்கைச் சிறப்பாகப் பயன்படுத்திய  பாடல்  “போய் வா நதியலையே" 

மணியன் பின்னாளில் - இதயம் பேசுகிறது என்கிற இதழை, ஆனந்த விகடனில் இருந்து வெளிவந்து நடத்தினார். அவர் நடத்திய மற்றைய இதழ்களில் ஒன்று - : ஞானபூமி - இந்து மத மாத இதழ் - 1985ல் வெளிவந்தது. 

இந்த ஞானபூமி இதழின் ஜனவரி 1991 பதிப்பின் அட்டைப்படத்தில் - நம் திருவல்லிக்கேணி ஸ்ரீபார்த்தசாரதி எம்பெருமானின் புறப்பாடு படம் இடம் பெற்றது. காலஞ்சென்ற லக்ஷ்மணன் என்கிற ஸ்ரீபாதம்தாங்கி படத்தில் உள்ளார்.

 

இதற்கு நேரடி சம்பந்தம் இல்லாத ஓர் செய்தி - மஹாகவி சுப்பிரமணிய பாரதி  பத்திரிகைகள் நடத்தியது போல - பெரிய போராட்ட வீரர், தியாகி  சுப்பிரமணிய சிவா நடத்திய மாத இதழ் "ஞானபாநு".   இது ஏப்ரல் 1913 முதல் 1916 வரை வெளிவந்தது.   சுப்பிரமணிய சிவா சுதந்திர தாகத்தை ஏற்படுத்தும்  கட்டுரைகள் நிறைய எழுதினார்.  பாரதியாரின் 'சின்னச் சங்கரன் கதை'யின் ஆறு இயல்கள் இவ்விதழில் வெளியானது 

நன்றி !! - திருவல்லிக்கேணி ஸ்ரீ சம்பத்குமார்.

20.12.2024
Pic of the cover of the magazine taken with Samsung A34 phone in low light !

எம்பெருமானின் சௌலப்யம். : deontological ethics !

எம்பெருமானின் கல்யாண குணங்களில் ஓர் சிறந்த குணம் - சௌலப்யம்.  Ever heard of :  deontological ethics !

 

திருவாய்மொழி முதல் பத்தில் 3ம் திருவாய்மொழி - பத்துடை அடியவர்களுக்கு எளியவன் ! - எம்பெருமானது எளிமையை கலிநிலைத்துறையில் வியக்கும் பாசுரம்.  இந்த பத்து பாசுரங்களின் சாராம்சத்தை,  திருவாய்மொழி நூற்றந்தாதியில் ஸ்வாமி மணவாள மாமுனிகள் ஒரே பாசுரத்தில்  சிறப்புற மொழிகிறார். 

In today’s fast-paced environment,  a general rule is how simple it is to make things and how complicated it is to simplify them – you have to be terse and simple as  people never had so little time to absorb information ever before. There are  Pretentious individuals who punctuate complex words pretending to be simple !!  

In moral philosophy, deontological ethics or deontology (from Greek: δέον, 'obligation, duty' + λόγος, 'study') is the normative ethical theory that the morality of an action should be based on whether that action itself is right or wrong under a series of rules and principles, rather than based on the consequences of the action.  It is sometimes described as duty-, obligation-, or rule-based ethics. Deontological ethics is commonly contrasted to consequentialism, utilitarianism, virtue ethics, and pragmatic ethics.  In this terminology, action itself  is more important than the consequences. The term deontological was first used to describe the current, specialised definition by C. D. Broad in his 1930 book, Five Types of Ethical Theory.  

Simplicity, otherwise called minimalism or essentialism, can be considered most broadly as that which reduces complexity, confusion, and clutter in both our physical spaces and our emotional lives. This is the minimalist’s strongest trait. By keeping life simple, there is no reason to covet or lust, lie or steal, nor boast or squabble. More than making the virtuous life easier to practice, simplicity allows the virtues to arise almost spontaneously. 

Simplicity - From Middle English simplicite,  is the state or quality of being simple

1.      The quality or state of being unmixed or uncompounded

the simplicity of metals or of earths

2.      The quality or state of being not complex, or of consisting of few parts. quotations   

Simplicity is the virtue of removing the unrelated things to reveal the essence. Simplicity is the direct alignment with reality and it is the opposite of false and its various manifestations including pretension, prevarication, bloviating, masquerading, exaggeration, denial, grandiloquence, falsehood, or misunderstanding. Simplicity is the opposite of excess, and its various manifestations including opulence, extravagance, gaudiness, ostentatiousness, and waste. Simplicity is also the opposite of indirect, and its various manifestations including oblique, roundabout, convoluted, devious, and circuitous. Simplicity fully enjoys the magnificent essence it has revealed.

 

English word, its meaning, expression and revelation all could be far different and away from our Srivaishnava philosophy of ‘being simple and being accessible to all !” 

                       திருவாய்மொழி நூற்றந்தாதி –  தேன் போன்று இனிமையானது.   ஸ்வாமி  நம்மாழ்வாரின் திராவிட வேத சாகரமான திருவாய்மொழி.  100 பதிகங்கள் கொண்டது.  இதில் உள்ள ஒவ்வொரு பதிகத்துக்கும் ஒரு வெண்பா என 100 வெண்பாக்கள் மணவாள மாமுனிகள் திருவாய்மொழி  நூற்றந்தாதியில் நமக்கு அருளிச்செய்துள்ளார். ஆழ்வாரின் ஒவ்வொரு பதினோரு பாசுரமான ஒரு திருவாய்மொழிக்கு அப்பாசுரங்கள் அனைத்தையும் ஒரே வெண்பாவில் அதாவது பதினைந்து சொற்களில் மாமுனிகள் ஆக்கிவைத்தது உலக இலக்கிய அதிசயம். ஒவ்வொரு பதிகத்திலுமுள்ள தொடக்கச் சொல்லை அப்பதிக வெண்பாவின் முதற்சொல்லாகவும், பதிகத்தின் இறுதிப் பாடலிலுள்ள இறுதிச் சொல்லை வெண்பாவின் ஈற்றுச் சொல்லாகவும் அமைத்து வெண்பா வரும்படி அமைத்து இந்த அற்புத நூற்றந்தாதி,  நம்மாழ்வாரின் புகழைப் பாடுகிறது.  

மூன்றாம் பாசுரம். மாமுனிகள், ஆழ்வார் பகவானின் ஸௌலப்யத்தை (எளிமையை) உபதேசித்த பாசுரங்களை அடியொட்டி அருளிச்செய்கிறார்.  

பத்துடையோர்க்கு என்றும்   பரன் எளியனாம் பிறப்பால்

முத்தி தரும் மாநிலத்தீர்! மூண்டவன்பால் – பத்தி செய்யும்

என்றுரைத்த  மாறன் தன் இன்  சொல்லால் போம்  நெடுகச்

சென்ற பிறப்பாம் அஞ்சிறை

ஆழ்வாரின் இனிய வார்த்தைகளில்:    “ஸர்வேச்வரன் தன்னுடைய அடியவர்களால் எளிதில் அடையப்படுபவன்; தன்னுடைய அவதாரங்கள் மூலமாக அவர்களுக்கு மோக்ஷத்தை அளிப்பவன்; இந்தப் பெரிய உலகில் வாழ்பவர்களே! கனிந்த அன்புடன் அவனிடத்தில் பக்தி செய்யுங்கோள்” என்பதை அனுஸந்திப்பவர்களுக்கு, நெடுங்காலமாகத் தொடர்ந்து வரும் பிறவி என்னும் கட்டு விலகும்.

 

Reminiscing the interesting past, here are some photos from Aadi Amavasai purappadu – a decade ago – on 26.7.2014

 

adiyen Srinviasa dhasan
Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar
20.12.2024.

Acknowledge with thanks Sri Thotadri Sarathi Swami, 
வலைத்தளம் – https://divyaprabandham.koyil.org/

 

 

                       Sri Parthasarathi Emperuman & Kothai Nachiyar pinnazhaghu ! 

what happened next ?? - Crocodile mouth open

 

Temple reopened after 46 years in Sambhal

A temple in ruins, buried or something else built over is something that hurts our hearts ! – Sadly, here is another instance – not so many centuries ago ! – not in some far hinterland !! 

The valley of Kashmir is famed around the world for its mystical and magical beauty. Christened as "Paradise on Earth", Kashmir is admired for its lush green valleys, rolling woods ringed by snow-capped mountains, crisscrossed by rivers and studded with lakes, its rich profusion of trees and flowers and fruits.  The mystical beauty of Kashmir can be attributed to the story of its creation which has an air of fantasy typical of Indian mythology and folklore. Once upon a time, the valley was a lake, deep as the sea, and the playground of the Gods.  It was haunted by a demon that plundered the valley and tortured its people. The miserable inhabitants appealed to Rishi Kashyap to save them. Rishi Kashyap struck a depression and drained the lake of its waters. The demon was slain, and the valley was named after its saviour, Kashyapa-mar or Kashmir. 

IT       once possessed glorious temples - Martand Sun Temple, the Awantipora temples, the Sankara-Gauresvara temple, temple of Sugandhesa at Patan, the Pandrethan temples, the Shiva Bhutesa and Siva Jeyshthesa temples at Vangath, the Parihasakesva, Muktakesva, Mahavarha and Goverdhanadhara temples in Parihasapura, and the famous Mameswara Siva temple at Mamalaka are some specimens of great archaeological value.  Today, all of the  temples lie in various stages of ruin not exuding any evidence of their glorious past.

The Avantiswami Temple pictured here was once such ancient ruined Hindu temple located on the banks of the Jhelum River, 28 km away from Srinagar in Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Its ruins once consisted of two temples dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu, and were built under king Avantivarman of the Utpala dynasty in the 9th century CE.   Locals call the temple Pandav Lari, meaning "house of the Pandavas”. 

Pic credit :  Varun Shiv Kapur from New Delhi, India, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

 

A post on temple that came to light recently, not in KaShmir but in Uttar Pradesh !! 

The district was announced on 28 September 2011, created by the state government (Ms Mayawati / then Akilesh Yadav regime) out of Moradabad district as one of three new districts in the state. At the time of its creation, the state government decided to name the new district "Bhimnagar" in honour of the social reformer, Bhimrao Ambedkar. However, massive protests broke out in Sambhal town and the adjoining rural areas against the move to rename to the ancient town.  Sambhal had been known by the same name for over 500 years, had been an important town in medieval India, and had never had any connection with Bhimrao Ambedkar, a Dalit icon. The protests were successful and the government retained the name of Sambhal. 

Iqbal Mehmood is the MLA of Sambhal Assembly constituency for  seven times, first from 1991 to 1992, and then for six consecutive terms starting in 1996 for which he is now the incumbent. He is a member of the Samajwadi Party. 

In Sambhal, where demographics has changed has many temples.  There is a famous temple dedicated to Goddess Kailadevi worshipped as Mahalakshmi and as Mahayogini.  She is the manifestation of the divine who was born as daughter of Nandha and Yasodha.  She was exchanged with the infant Lord Krishna. When King Kansa attempted to harm the child, she revealed her divine form and proclaimed that the one he sought to destroy was already beyond his reach, safe and protected. Another famous temple of  Kaila Devi Temple exists in Kailadevi village of Karauli district, in   Rajasthan. 

Sambhal is a city located in the Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh approximately 158 km (98 mi) east of New Delhi and 355 km (220 mi) north-west of the state capital Lucknow. It also falls within the Rohilkhand region in the Moradabad division of the state.  This place is considered sacred as ‘to be the birthplace of Kalki’ – 10^th incarnation of Sriman Narayana 

Sambhal is identified as Shambhala, a village mentioned in Mahabharata text. Tibetan Buddhism describes a mythological kingdom and a pure land beyond the Himalayas where the future Maitreya will emerge from. According to Ibn Battuta, Toghon Temür the last Yuan dynasty emperor of China had sent an embassy to the Sultan of Delhi Muhammad bin Tughluq, requesting permission to rebuild a Buddhist temple at Sambhal, which at the time attracted pilgrims from Tibet.   Two legendary battles between Prithviraj Chauhan and Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masud are claimed to have taken place here. At the time under local rulers, in the 13th and 14th-centuries it would go on to become a part of the Delhi Sultanate, first under Qutb ud-Din Aibak and later under Firuz Shah Tughlaq.  Later it became  capital of the Lodi dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate under Sikandar Lodi for four years.  After the collapse of the Delhi Sultanate, the city fell to the Mughals under Babur, briefly serving as the capital of the new empire. Babuis also claimed to have built a mosque here which is still extant. The city would later be governed by his son Humayun.  

On 24 November 2024, violence erupted during a court-ordered Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, a 500-year old mosque in Sambhal, protected by ASI, in Uttar Pradesh. The survey was initiated following claims that the mosque was constructed on the ruins of a Hindu temple allegedly demolished during the Mughal period. While the first survey had proceeded peacefully, tension escalated during the second survey when the wuzu khana (ablution tank) used before prayer in the mosque, had been drained, allegedly to check the depth, leading to rumours of the mosque being dug up.  There was rioting by a community. 

In 1978, one  temple was abandoned by  Rastogi family, the owner of the temple following riots. News18 spoke to the Rastogi family uncovering their struggles and the temple’s forgotten legacy. The temple, which was recently unearthed by the district administration, found its mention during Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s speech during the winter session of UP Assembly.  As many as 184 Hindus were allegedly burnt alive during the 1978 riots. Locals say that there were 45 families of Hindus in the locality of Deepa Sarai and Khaggu Sarai who left their homes gradually. Some reports even suggest that the population of Hindus significantly reduced from 45 per cent to 15 per cent after the 1978 communal riots. 

Recently, three damaged idols were found inside the well of the Bhasma Shankar temple in Sambhal which was reopened recently after being shut for 46 years, officials said. The Shri Kartik Mahadev temple (Bhasma Shankar temple) was reopened on December 13 after the authorities said they stumbled upon the covered structure during an anti-encroachment drive. The temple housed an idol of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling. It had remained locked since 1978.  The temple also has a well nearby which the authorities had planned to reopen.

 

District Magistrate of Sambhal, Rajender Pensiya, told media that the ancient temple and the well were being excavated.  The ancient temple, which is almost 40 feet high, is in a dilapidated condition and filled with debris currently. The temple was found along with the house where a Muslim family resided. The family members have agreed to open the temple, as per media reports.   Sanatan Raksha Dal state president  said that the temple is known as the Siddheshwar Mahadev temple and a well-known holy place Siddhatirtha exists near the temple. Kirtans and bhajans echoed through the Shiv-Hanuman temple in Sambhal two days after its reopening on December 14, which had remained abandoned for 46 years following the 1978 riots. 

The temple, located in Khaggu Sarai, had remained locked since 1978, following riots that forced many Hindus to flee the area. Vishnu Sharan Rastogi, 82, whose family was responsible for the temple's upkeep, recounted how his family had to leave the area. "In 1978, riots broke out, and we had to abandon the temple. My nephew locked the doors, and we left to ensure our safety.  Rastogi added that his family sold their ancestral home after moving to a safer locality. "At that time, there were 25 to 30 Hindu families here, all of whom left after the riots. It is a relief to see the temple reopening," he added. Authorities deployed a priest to conduct daily rituals at the temple. Shashikant Shukla, the priest who performed the first aarti, said, "Regular rituals will be conducted to restore the spiritual essence of this temple." Mohd Haneef, an 88-year-old resident, said, "I remember the temple from my childhood. It was left abandoned in the 1980s but has always been a part of this area's heritage."

 

On Monday, the district administration officially renamed the temple "Sambhaleshwar Mahadev" and announced plans for its restoration following the discovery of idols of Parvati, Lakshmi, and Ganesha in an ancient well. District magistrate Rajender Pensiya said, "The temple will undergo restoration and get a complete makeover. Efforts are being made to protect the site and its surroundings." Sambhal ASP Shrish Chandra said broken idols of Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya were found during the excavation of an ancient well. "The excavation is ongoing, and investigations are being carried out to determine the condition and origin of the idols," he said.  

Three idols of around four to six inches were  found during the digging of a well near the Bhasma Shankar temple in UP's Sambhal.  The idols, of which two appear to be of Goddesses Parvati and Lakshmi, were found in a damaged condition by workers who had dug to a depth of 15 to 20 feet. 

This Sambhal is entirely different than the Chambal known for its dacoit background. The Chambal   region lies  in north-central India,  along the Chambal and Yamuna river valleys, in southeastern Rajasthan, southwestern Uttar Pradesh and northern Madhya Pradesh. The ravines of Chambal were infamously known in India as a region favored by the lawless. Many dacoits, or bandits, including Phoolan Devi maintained hideouts in the ravines of Chambal.

 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
19.12.2024 

Smritis - Vedas - Sage Yajnavalkya

Imp Pre-script :  Trying to write something about our ancient scriptures and Sages in English collating info from the web is not exactly the right thing.  An attempt to write something on a great Sage.  If there are mistakes / distortions / wrong presentation, please bear and point out them – will learn and correct (adiyen dhasan)

 

The  Mitākṣarā, written by,  is a vivṛti (legal commentary) on the Yajnavalkya Smriti.  Vijñāneśvara was a scholar in the Kalyani Chalukya court.  The Salutation starts thus : He, in whom there exist under complete subjugation, the Dharma and non-Dharma, with their three-fold results, as well as the five kinds of pains, which overpower all living beings and who is untouched by qll these, is the Lord. I praise that Vishnu who is designated by the syllable Om. 

The sacred literature of the Hindus is known as Sruti & Smriti.  Sruti literally means – what is heard.  The Vedas, Aranyakas, Upanishads are included in this class.  Smriti means that which is remembered – hence traditions.  The law books, puranas, Ithihasas, et. al belong to this.   Smritis, therefore, are not like tho Vedas, considered to be eternal and unchangeable. Every Yuga or cycle had its own Smriti, hence  It is not necessary to enter into the question as to the origin of Smritis. Suffice to know that Smritis were brought into existence as circumstances called for them.   

Eternal truths of Hinduism, either in philosophy, or religion or dharma have come down to us through the Maharishis in the past. Vedas are the records of Maharishis, who comprehended the truths through their divine power, otherwise called tapas and yoga. Puranas describe penance for several years without food, which are only a description of such divine power. That divine power is revealed to mankind through some sages, who propagate the truths and tenets recorded in the eternal Vedas. 

Staal notes that though the name Yajnavalkya is derived from yajna, which connotes ritual, Yajnavalkya is referred to as "a thinker, not a ritualist." Yajnavalkya was a disciple  of Vaisampayana and the compiler of the Shukla Yajurveda Samhita. Yajnavalkya was the pupil of Uddālaka Āruṇi, whom he defeated in debate. 

Yajnavalkya was the seer who received the Shukla Yajurveda from the Divine. Thus, he is known as the founder of the Sukla Yujurveda tradition. Yajnavalkya or Yagyavalkya is a  Vedic sage featured  in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and Tattiriya Upanishad. Yajnavalkya proposes and debates metaphysical questions about the nature of existence, consciousness and impermanence, and expounds the epistemic doctrine of neti neti ("not this, not this") to discover the universal Self and Ātman.  Yajnavalkya himself mentions, “Anyone who desires to master yoga should know the Aranyaka that I received from the sun as well as the yoga treatise that I proclaimed.” (Yajnavalkya Smriti 3. It is written as a discourse from Yajnavalka to his sagely disciples about the laws or dharmas of society.  The scripture is broken into three sections discussing: (1) achara (i.e., behavior), (2) vyavahara (i.e., legal procedure), and (3) prayascita (i.e., atonement).  In the second section, Yagnavalkya breaks down the entire court process into four steps: plaint, plea, evidence and verdict. In the third section, Yajnavalkya claims that through prayascita, the soul and the world are pleased. 

Near Mithila, there lived in an ashram a Maharishi named Katyayana. His daughter Katyayani  was very beautiful and intelligent. She was proficient in many branches of learning.   Yagnavalkya accepted his offer and the marriage was conducted in an auspicious day. The couple led an ideal life of enjoyment, happiness, contentment and peace. In the course of time Katyayani presented Yagnavalkya with four sons and they were named Katyayana, Chandrakanta, Mahamedha and Vijaya. All these sons in their own time became great scholars and renowned for their knowledge in Vedas and Sastras. 

In the town of Janakpur, near the city of Mithila, assisting King Janaka as a minister was a learned Vedic scholar and sage name Mitra. He had an accomplished and extremely beautiful daughter called Maitreyi.  She had a thirst for theological truths and was interested in gaining knowledge of the Vedas, Upanishads and Sastras.  Maitreyi learnt and trained under Gargi.  Since Yagnavalkya was already married to Katyayani , she with the consent of her parents  went, along with Gargi, to Katyayani and dwelt in detail her objective of learning from the great sage and she said the only way was to become the second wife. She requested Katyayani to grant her the boon and consent for the marriage. Katyayani, realising Maitreyi's bent of mind, acceded to her request.   

Maitreyi  was a great scholar, studied metaphysics and was engaged in theological dialogues with her husband in addition to "making self-inquiries of introspection”.  The dialogues of wisdom  between Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi as husband and wife in Brihadaranyaka Upanishad explores the concept of Atman (soul or self) & its undisputed relationship with God Almighty to throw light on idea of "Non dual" nature of "living creature & their Creator".

 

sa hovāca maitreyī, yenāhaṁ nāmṛtā syām, kim ahaṁ tena kuryām, yad eva bhagavān veda tad eva me brūhīti.

 

"Then, what is the good of all this? If one day, death is to swallow me up, and transiency is to overwhelm me, impermanence of the world is to threaten us, and if everything is to be insecure at the very start; if all that you regard as worthwhile is, after all, going to be a phantom; because it is not going to assure us as to how long it can be possessed, how it may not be taken away from us and at what time we shall be dispossessed of all the status that we have in life; if this is the uncertainty of all existence, what good can accrue to me from this that you are bestowing upon me, as if it is a great value?"

 

Here is a vigraha of Sage Yajnavalkya at Athur Padashala for Vedas, run by - Sri Chaturvedha Vidhya Ganapathi Trust.  Couple of photos of Veda vidyarthis at the Padashala also feature here. 

Johan Frederik "Frits" Staal (1930 – 2012), a German,  was the department founder and Emeritus Professor of Philosophy and South/Southeast Asian Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.  Staal specialized in the study of Vedic ritual and mantras, and the scientific exploration of ritual and mysticism. He was also a scholar of Greek and Indian logic and philosophy and Sanskrit grammar. 

Lot of inputs extracted from Yagnavhlkya Smriti with commentary of Vijñāneśvara called ‘The  Mitākṣarā’,  and the notes from the gloss of Balambatta.   

Please condone mistakes, if any – in this post.
 
adiyen Srinivasa dhasan
Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar
18.12.2024 

Thiruvallikkeni Thirukarthigai celebrations 2024

 

Amidst all fears and apprehensions – there is hope ! .. on Thirukarthigai day, we light ‘chokkappanai’ – one of dried leaves – with wishes that all misgivings, difficulties will vanish like ash.  

Thiruvallikkeni Thirukarthigai celebrations 2024

 

Thiruvallikkeni Thirukarthigai deepam 2024

 

Thiruvallikkeni Thirukarthigai deepam – Sri TA Bakthisaran

Dusi Mamandur Deepam 2024 : தூசி மாமண்டூர் – தீப திருவிழா

 Dusi Mamandur Deepam  : தூசி மாமண்டூர் –  தீப திருவிழா

அருள் மிகு சுந்தரவல்லி தாயார் சமேத ஸ்ரீ லக்ஷ்மி நாராயண பெருமாள்

 திருக்கோவில் : https://youtube.com/shorts/6yPnnwdQ2fk

Kaisika Ekadasi 2024 ~ திருப்பாற்கடலில் பள்ளி கொண்டாயே ! ஸ்ரீமன் நாராயணா !!

Today 11.12.2024   is Karthigai (26) Aswini - ~ today is Ekadasi too – a very special one at that – “Kaisika Ekadasi”.   Sure you would have heard and admired that great song “Thirupparkadalil Palli kondaye – Sriman Narayana ” !! 

 

Ekadasi is an all important day ~  and today  assumes greater significance being Kaisika Ekadasi.  On days of Ekadasi – fasting, worshipping Sriman Narayana and listening to religious discourses are all valued.  Upavavasa could mean ‘remaining by the side of the Lord’ – and on these days, we should eat only food that is offered to Perumal, medidate, recite and think of Sriman Narayana all the time.  I have been writing about “Kaisika Mahatmiyam” and the story of Nampaduvaan.  Of the many Ekadasis, the one occurring in the Shukla paksha of Karthigai month is very important.  Kaisika is ‘Punn’ [raga / tune] – the legend of Kaisika puranam is associated with Numpaduvan at Thirukurungudi – which I would post  in detail separately.  

ஏகாதசி என்பது சந்திரனின் இயக்கத்தை அடிப்படையாகக் கொண்ட காலக் கணிப்பு முறையில், 15 நாட்களுக்கு ஒரு முறை சுழற்சி முறையில் வரும்  ஒரு நாள்.    இந்த நாட்கள் பொதுவாகத் "திதி" என்னும் பெயரால் அழைக்கப்படுகின்றன. அமாவாசை நாளையும், பூரணை (பௌர்ணமி, முழு நிலவு) நாளையும் அடுத்து வரும் பதினோராவது திதி ஏகாதசி ஆகும். ஏகாதச எனும் வடமொழிச் சொல் பதினொன்று எனப் பொருள்படும்.   30 நாட்களைக் கொண்ட சந்திர மாதமொன்றில் அமாவாசைக்கு அடுத்த நாள் முதல் பூரணை ஈறாக உள்ள சுக்கில பட்சம் எனப்படும் வளர்பிறைக் காலத்தின் பதினோராம் நாளும், பூரணையை அடுத்து வரும் நாளிலிருந்து அமாவாசை முடிய உள்ள கிருட்ண பட்சம் எனப்படும். 

கைசிகம் என்பது ஒருவகைப் பண் ஆகும். வராக அவதாரத்தின்போது பூமாதேவிக்கு வராகப் பெருமாள் (எம்பெருமான் ஸ்ரீமன் நாரணன்) இதை அருளியதாக வராக புராணம் கூறுகிறது. வைகுண்ட ஏகாதசி முன்னர் வரும், கார்த்திகை மாத வளர்பிறை ஏகாதசி அன்று பாணர் குலதிலகம் நம்பாடுவான் கைசிகப் பண் இசையில் பாடியதால் இந்த ஏகாதசியை கைசிக ஏகாதசி என்றும் அழைப்பர்,. திருநெல்வேலி மாவட்டம் நாங்குநேரி அருகேயுள்ள திருக்குறுங்குடிக் கோயிலில் குடிகொண்டுள்ள நம்பிப்பெருமாள் மீது பக்திகொண்ட பாணர் குலத்தைச் சேர்ந்த நம்பாடுவார் என்ற பக்தரின் இறைப்பற்றைக் கூறுவதுதான் கைசிக புராணம். 

Western Ghats, very rich in bio-diversity,  is older than the Himalayan mountain range. The  forests of the wide ranging region include some of the best representatives of non-equatorial tropical evergreen forests in the world. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Western Ghats has a significant impact on the monsoon weather pattern in the country.  At least 325 globally threatened (IUCN Red Data List) species occur in the Western Ghats. It possesses rich varieties of  flora and fauna and some of the critically endangered ones thrive here. Howsoever interesting it be otherwise, for us – this mountain range is most important to Srivaishnavaites for the great divyadesam .

It is “ThirukKurungudi” divyadesam  located on the  foot of the Mahendra Hill on the Western Ghat. From Chennai, one can take the Kanyakumari/Ananthapuri Express to Valliyur. From here, one can reach Thirukkurungkudi (10 km) in 20 minutes by boarding the Papanasam bound bus.   At this divine place, stands the most majestic Azhagiya Nambirayar Temple ~ sung by Periyazhwar,  Thirumazhisaippiran, Thirumangai Azhwar and Swami Nammazhwar.   The famous ‘Kaisika puranam’ is associated with this temple and is read on ‘shukla paksha’ dwadasi of the month of Karthigai, known as ‘Kaisika Dwadasi’ and enacted in drama form too .. .. ..  here is Swami Nammalwar’s pasuram on this divyadesam : 

எங்ஙனேயோ அன்னை மீர்காள்!   என்னை முனிவது நீர்?,

நங்கள்கோலத்   திருக்குறுங்குடி நம்பியை நான்  கண்டபின்,

சங்கினோடும் நேமியோடும் தாமரைக் கண்களொடும்,

செங்கனிவாய்   ஒன்றினொடும் செல்கின்றது  என்நெஞ்சமே !  

நம்மாழ்வார் நாயகி பாவத்திலே  எம்பெருமானிடம் ஆழ்ந்த மையல் கொள்கிறார்.  அவர் உரைக்கும் வார்த்தை !  அன்னைமீர்களே !  நீங்கள் என்னை சீறுவது எதற்கு? சீறிப் பயனென்? வேறுமாகில் திருக்குறுங்குடி நம்பியின் வடிவழகைச் சீறுங்கோள்!  திருக்குறுங்குடிப் பெருமானை, அந்த வடிவழகிய நம்பியை  நான் ஸேவிக்கப் பெற்ற பின்பு, என் நெஞ்சமமானது, எப்படி பொருந்தி என்னிடம் இருக்கும் ?  நாம் அநுபவிப்பதற்குரிய சிறந்தவனான - சங்கு சங்கரங்களோடும்,  அழகிய தாமரை  போன்ற  திருக்கண்களோடும், சிவந்த கனிபோன்ற ஒப்பற்றதான அதரத்தோடும் உள்ள எம்பெருமானை நோக்கியே செல்கின்றது.  அவனிடம் சேர்த்தலே நம் அனைவருக்கும் உலப்பு - நம்மை செம்மைப்படுத்த வல்லது.

இந்தக் கைசிக புராண நாடகத்தை 500 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்பே சங்கரக்கம்பர், நாராயணன், குறுங்குடி காந்தம்மாள் போன்றோர் நாடக வடிவில் இயற்றி நடித்து வந்தனராம்.  தமிழிசை மரபில் ‘கைசிகப்பண்’ என்றழைக்கப்படுவதே இன்றைய ‘பைரவி’யாகும். (ஹிந்துஸ்தானி இசையில் ‘பைரவி என்றழைக்கப்படுவது கர்நாடக இசையின் ‘தோடி’ ராகமாகும்).: ராகங்களும் திரைப்படப் பாடல்களும்  ~ அறந்தை மணியன் [லக்ஷ்மன் ஸ்ருதி இணையத்தில்].    ஸ்வாமி ஐயப்பன் படத்தில் பிரபலமான "திருப்பாற்கடலில் பள்ளி கொண்டாயே ! ஸ்ரீமன் நாராயணா" என்ற பாடல் இந்த பண்ணில் அமைந்துள்ளதாம்.   படம்: ஸ்வாமி ஐயப்பன்(1975);  பாடியவர்: கே ஜே யேசுதாஸ்;          இசையமைப்பாளர்: த.தேவராஜன்; பாடல் வரிகளை எழுதியவர் : கவியரசு  கண்ணதாசன். 

Here are some photos of  Sri Parthasarathi Perumal – with rains threatening – it was a very short purappadu – even as Perumal started, there was some strong drizzle, hence Perumal re-entered via southern vasal (in front of Geethacharyan house)

adiyen Srinivasa dhasan
Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar
11.12.2024