Sree Ramar thiruther purappadu 2016

இன்று 14.04.2016  ஸ்ரீ ராம நவமி உத்சவத்தில் எட்டாம் நாள் - ராமபிரான் திருத்தேர்.  இதிஹாச புராணமான ஸ்ரீ இராமாயணத்தில், இந்திரன் கட்டளைப்படி தேர் வந்தது.   இந்திரன்   "பொரு இல் தேர் கொணர்தி" - ஒப்பற்ற தேரினைக் கொண்டு வருக; என (மாதவியாகிய தன் சாரதியிடம்) கூறினான். அக்கட்டளையை கேட்புற்றதும் , தேவர்கள் -  'இது செயற்கு உரியது' என்றார்கள்.  இந்திரனின் சாரதியான மாதலி, தேரை செலுத்தினான்.

குலக் கிரிகள் ஏழின் வலி கொண்டு உயர் கொடிஞ்சும்,

அலைக்கும் உயர் பாரின் வலி ஆழியினின் அச்சும்,

கலக்கு அற வகுத்தது; கதத்து அரவம் எட்டின்*

வலக் கயிறு கட்டியது; முட்டியது வானை.

ஏழுகுல மலைகளின் வலிமையைத்  தன்னிடம்   கொண்டதாய்;  உயர்ந்த  கொடிஞ்சு என்னும்  உறுப்பையும்; அலைகளால்  இடையறாமல் அலைக்கப்படுகின்ற நிலவுலகத்தின்    வலிமை   கொண்ட   சக்கரத்தில்   பொருந்திய   அச்சினையும்;  இடைவெளி இல்லாமல் நெருக்கமாகக் கோக்கப்பட்ட  அந்த தேர்;  வானத்தையே   முட்டிக்கொண்டு நின்றது ~ என்கிறார் கவிச்சக்ரவர்த்தி கம்பர்.

Tomorrow is Sree Rama Navami ~ today is 8^th day of Uthsvam – it was Thiruther – the chariot of Sri Rama and it was ‘Ramanuja Noorranthathi’ in the goshti.  Sri Ramar with Sitapiratti and Lakshmanan had kulakkarai purappadu and thence had periya maada veethi purappadu in Thiruther – the chariot. 

In the Ithihasa purana, Sree Ramayana, Indira orders his charioteer Mathali, to bring the best of the chariots and place it before the Lord who had vowed to protect Devas from Asuras.  At Thiruvallikkeni, it is no warfront – it is peaceful thulasi aaranyam.  Today, Sree Rama on rath was so pleasing to the eyes of devotees.

Here are some photos of the purappadu – Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan.

Panduranga Vittala ~ Pandarinatha Vittala - Bhajan culture - Cuddalore Gopi Bagavathar

“In the ‘Vaivasvatha Manvantharam, after passage of 27 Maha Yugas ~ 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 5117 ~ Salivahana Saha  1938 ‘- 27^th day in the Tamil month of Panguni  - that is Saturday, 9^th  Apr 2016 occurred  ‘Durmugi Varusha Panchanga release function’.  ~  more about that later – this is about what preceded it ! Miles away, ages ago, at Pandharpur lived a shoe-maker by name Rohidas. 

Every morning he first broke his fast, so that he might meditate the more easily on the excellence of the Lord Krishna ; how he lived piously doing his job with passion and his ultimate devotion to the Lord were heard with rapt attention the other day at Gangaikondan Mandapam nearer Triplicane vegetable market.

Pandharpur is the most popular pilgrimage city on the banks of Bhimā river in Solāpur district, Maharashtra.  The Vithoba temple attracts millions of people.  Pandharpur Wari is an annual pilgrimage (yatra) to Pandharpur -  palakhis (palanquin processions) carrying the paduka (foot prints) of various saints - most notably Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram - from the Varkari  sect (which venerates Vithoba).  The tradition is believed to be  more than 700 to 800 years old.

Music is heavenly when it is purely devotional – in our cult, it is Nama Sankeerthanam, more colloquially bhajans.   They are simple expressions  in soulful language  portraying  emotions of love for God, a complete submission or self-surrender to him through singing.  Singing of Bhajans and devotional songs unites people.  More of bhajans are offered to Lord Krishna, in specific the Lord Sri Vittobha, Pandarinathan, Pandurangan of Pandharpur. 

Before Panchanga release function, was the soul-stirring performance of singing, drama and highlighting of bakthi kirtans by Cuddalore Gopi Bagavathar, a veteran who has been uplifting this culture for close to 3 decades now.  He is no ordinary person; he is a banker, in a high position with a prestigious Bank – fully devoted to singing bhajans and performing at various places.  In 2011, had the fortune of attending his Radha kalyanam at Vijay Avenue and later when his bakthi drama was staged for the 1000^th time  at T Nagar Krishnaswami marriage hall, there were more than 5000 people jostling to have a glimpse of the performance.

It is not that he performs for the crowds – this Saturday too, the attendance was much – his enthusiasm and calibre were undiminished.  His singing of Abhangs, nama Sankeerthanam mingled with Divyaprabandham, Sanskrit slogas, Geetha Govindam was a rich experience, that stirred those of us, hearing and watching, feeling one with Lord.  In between, he lamented on the opening of old age homes, asking how would one ever leave one’s dear parents to languish in such places, when people were earning so high venturing to various parts of the World.  He emphasized on filial duty, devotion to Lord, leading a disciplined life and more.

Sri Gopi Bhagavathar is an exceptional  person, he is the founder of Bhagavan Naama Prachara Mandali Trust  promoting and bringing many youth to adopt  Bhava and Bhakthi,  singing paeans with  jeevan.  He has performed day long programmes and has been taking his group to various important places of bakthi movement.  Those who waited for the function at Gangaikondan Mantap were truly blessed to hear soul-stirring voice and more enthralled to witness the drama story of Rohidas, the footwear maker.  His young daughter Sruthika performed the role of Lord Krishna. 

Here above are some photos taken at Ganganna mandapam Thiruvallikkeni … and  below some more taken by me in 2011.

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan.

Sri Rama Chandra Murthi Pattabishekham at Thiruvallikkeni - 2016

அங்கணெடு மதிள்புடைசூழ் அயோத்தியென்னும் அணிநகரத்துலகனைத்தும் விளக்கும் சோதி* வெங்கதிரோன் குலத்துக்கோர் விளக்காய்த் தோன்றி விண்முழுது முயக்கொண்ட வீரன்…..

In that famed beautiful city of Ayodhya with lofty walls, in the Surya dynasty , came the Saviour of celestials, much as a beacon of the lineage of great Kings, shining with radiance – Lord Rama.   Pleasant things give happiness to everyone and there cannot be more pleasant sight than that of Sri Rama Pattabishekam ~ the eternal state of bliss- the most complete picture of happiness to everyone in the Kingdom. 

Mere chanting of the name ‘Sree Rama’ would provide everything to us ~ he is the greatest benefactor ~ the Maryadha Purush ~ the greatest epitome of all virtues Lord Rama. It is our total belief that by listening to the highly meaningful and auspicious poetical composition of Sri Ramayana, a person gets family-prosperity, augmentation in money and grain, superior quality of life, peace of mind,  exquisite happiness and all the acquisition of wealth on this earth.

The greatest of the Ithihasa puranam has had its influence across centuries, countries and cultures -  Valmiki’s description of the  tour de force of Maryadha Purush Sri Ramapiran   has set rules for war and peace, for daily life and during times of crisis propagating the importance of justice, virtue, love and sacrifice and indicting greed, lust, the evils of power and covetousness ….. and it culminates with ‘Sri Rama Pattabisheka Mahothsavam’ - the coronation ceremony of Lord Srirama,  performed on the majestic scale -   Rama, the foremost among most valorous Kings,  accompanied by sounds of conches buzzing in the ears and sounds of kettle-drums, proceeded to the city of Ayodhya, having a series of palaces.   Vasishta, Vamadeva, Kashyapa, Katyayana, Suyajna, Gautama and Vijaya consecrated Rama the Lion among men, with clear and fragrant water, as the eight Vasus (Ashta vasukkal). At the request of Bharata to take back the kingdom of Ayodhya, Rama accepts the offer and sits on a seat. Bharata and Rama take their bath and get adorned for the occasion. Rama, mounting on an excellent chariot, sallies forth on a procession in the city accompanied by Bharata, Shatrughna, Lakshmana and Vibhishana. Nine thousand elephants follow the procession, with Sugreeva and other monkeys mounted on them. The citizens of Ayodhya host flags on every house. Rama returns to his paternal palace in Ayodhya.

மங்கல கீதம் பாட, மறை ஒலி முழங்க, வல்வாய்ச் சங்கு இனம் குமுற, பாண்டில் தண்ணுமை ஒலிப்ப, தாஇல் பொங்கு பல்லியங்கள் ஆர்ப்ப, பூமழை பொழிய, விண்ணோர், எங்கள் நாயகனை வெவ்வேறு எதிர்ந்து, அபிடேகம் செய்தார்.

 [from Kamba Ramayanam]

Kosala Kingdom was replete with happiness.  The only trouble was that nobody could donate ~ for the simple reason that there were none to seek and beget things from others. People lived in such a perfect harmony that there was no fight and there was no opportunity to display valour ~ the subjects were well educated and lived life full of honour… its capital which had no wars was known as ‘Ayodhya’.    At Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam, Thirumangaimannan describes Rama as one with his family of Barathan, Satrugnan, Ilakkuvan and Mythili – the one who destroyed Ravana [Ravananthakan] – the most cheerful and calm Rama blessing all his devotees.  

Today 10^th April 2016, it was Thavanothsavam and Sri Ramar in Pattabisheka Thirukoalam was a great sight to behold.  Here are some photos of the day…

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

Sri Ramapiran Garuda Sevai at Thiruvallikkeni 2016

There can seldom be a better way to start the day ~ early morning Gopura vasal darsnam of Lord Sri Rama – Garuda Sevai ! – blessed are the people of Thiruvallikkeni and other divyadesams.

Very many centuries ago, descended on this earth, the Greatest Maryada Purush, the epitome of all virtues, who showed to all human beings on how to lead the life…. “Lord Sri Rama”.  His birth celebrations ~ Sri Rama Navami Uthsavam is on…. Today, 9^th April 2016  is the third day of the Uthsavam and at Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam Sri Ramar had purappadu on Garuda vahanam. Sri Ramanavami is on Friday, 15^th  April 2016.

Lord Rama descended on earth for the purpose of upholding righteousness and rewarding virtue. Ramayana is the greatest Ithihasa detailing the life and journey of the immortal Perfect man’s adherence to dharma despite harsh tests of life and time. Lord Rama is the epitome of all virtues and the perfect heman being who abandoned the throne and served exile in the forest for the sake of honour of his beloved father.  Here is how Kambar describes the joyous occasion of Lord Rama’s birth.

ஆடினர் அரம்பையர்; அமுத ஏழ்இசை*  பாடினர் கின்னரர்; துவைத்த பல் இயம்;

'வீடினர் அரக்கர்' என்று உவக்கும் விம்மலால், *ஓடினர், உலாவினர், உம்பர் முற்றுமே.

தசரத சக்ரவர்த்தியின் புதல்வர்களின் வருகையால், அயோத்தி மாநகரமே பெருமகிழ்ச்சி கொண்டது.  அரம்பை முதலிய தேவமாதர், களிப்புற நடனம் புரிந்தனர்;   கின்னரர்கள் அமுதத்தை ஒத்த இனிய ஏழ் இசைகளைப் பாடினர்;   பலவகை  வாத்தியங்கள்  இசைக்கப்பட்டன.  விண்ணோர்கள், இனி யாது ஒரு கவலையும் இல்லை;  தீய  அரக்கர்கள்  அழிந்தனர் என்று உவகை கொண்டு வானவீதியெல்லாம் உலா வரலாயினர்.

In the blessed city of Ayodhya created by Brahma himself,, even the meanest small insects without exception lived happily ~ the ruler, the blemishless Sri Rama gave exalted status to all  ~ Swami Nammalwar asks will anyone learn of  anything else other than the exalted story of Sri Ramapiran !!!

         கற்பார் இராம பிரானை அல்லால் மற்றும் கற்பரோ?*

         புற்பாமுதலாப் புல்லெறும்பாதி ஒன்று இன்றியே*

         நற்பால் அயோத்தியில் வாழும் சராசரம் முற்றவும்*

         நற்பாலுக்கு உய்த்தனன் நான்முகனார் பெற்ற நாட்டுளே.*

Lord Hanuman was closest to Him and carried HIM everywhere…. still ‘Periya Thiruvadi [Garudan] gets a chance to carry Lord Rama on his shoulders  during this Sri Ramanavami Uthsavam.   Periya Thiruvadi and Siriya Thiruvadi have had the glory and fortune of carrying the Greatest Lord on their shoulders – but perhaps – while carrying they could not have seen without taking eyes the golden visor shining on the forehead of their Master, the garland made of sweet fragrant flowers adorning their Master; the radiance illuminating from His face and the eyes that shower munificence ~ and that greatest Lotus feet, falling at which only will provide salvation to us all…………. We, the bakthas are more blessed as we are able to enjoy and prostrate at the feet of Lord Rama, more than the Thiruvadis could do. 

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan

9^th April 2016.