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Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts

Saturday, October 25, 2025

Do subscribe to Srivaishnava Magazine - "Chanda Marutham"

 

அக்டோபர் 12ஆம் தேதி அன்று நம் ஆசார்யன் ஸ்வாமி முன்னின்று  “சண்டமாருதம்” என்ற பத்திரிகையினை வெளியிட்டது அனைவரும் அறிந்ததே. இப்பத்திரிகையின் ஃபேஸ்புக் பக்கத்துக்கான லிங்க் கீழே கொடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581951733615&sk=about

 


 

To subscribe for the next issue of the Chandamarutham Magazine, scan the QR Code given or click on the link to record your details.https://forms.gle/faHtHVf6k4tWP6PC7 

ஸ்ரீவைஷ்ணவர்கள் அனைவரும்   இந்த பக்கத்தை ஃபாலோ செய்யுமாறு கேட்டுக் கொள்கிறோம். தவிரவும் இந்த லிங்கை தங்கள் உறவினர்கள் மற்றும் நண்பர்களுடன் பகிர்ந்து இந்த பத்திரிகை பிரபலமடைய வழி செய்யுமாறு கேட்டுக்கொள்கிறோம். 

எடிட்டர்,  சண்டமாருதம் பத்திரிகை.

 

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Sri U Ve Kovil Kanthadai Chandamarutham Doddachar (Periyappangar)  Swami Thirumaligai

ஸ்ரீ கோயில் கந்தாடை சண்ட  மாருதம் ஸ்ரீ யோக ந்ருஸிம்ஹன் சுவாமி.  

[வர்த்தமான ஸ்வாமி]

Old No.16 / New No.39, Sannathi Street,, Sholinghur,  , Tamil Nadu

Thursday, January 2, 2025

Panchajanyam magazine to stop publishing !!

 

Shocked and saddened to read that Issue no. 210 - Dec 2016 of Sampradhaya magazine of Sri Vaishnavasri A. Krishnamachar "Panchajanyam" - will be the last issue... the magazine enlightening us on Srivaishnava sampradhayam, voice against any wrongdoing against our Sampradhayam is to fall silent - we all have contributed to this closure by not supporting such great people. Writing and publishing is so difficult - more so, when it is on Sampradhaya matters. Sad, indeed !!!!!! 

Jan 2 2017



Monday, December 30, 2024

HH Sri Vanamamalai Jeeyar Swami - 100 years ago !!

திருவரமங்கை என்னும் வானமாமலை  108 வைணவத் திருத்தலங்களில் முக்கியமான ஒரு திவ்யதேசம்.  

Sri  Vanamamalai mutt, also known as thOthAdhri mutt  was established by Sri Ponnadikkal Jeeyar.  HH Madurakavi Vanamamalai Jeer Swamy is the  present pontiff. 

Here is a century old photo of Vanamamalai Jeeyar with sishyas and Jeeyar being carried in pallakku found in Catalogue of South Indian Hindu Metal images in Madras Govt Museum by FH Gravely & TN Ramachandran published in 1932  (book available at Connemara library)

 




Going by the timeline it is likely His Holiness Sri Sri Kaliyan Ramanuja Swami  who was the pontiff during the period  1905 – 1933

 
adiyen Srinivasa dhasan
Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar
30.12.2024 

Thursday, October 17, 2024

நீர்க்குமிழிகள் ~ Wealth of Nations – Rich & Poor: வாழ்ந்தது மாமழை மொக்குளின் மாய்ந்து மாய்ந்து

 

நீர்க்குமிழிகள் ~  Wealth of Nations – Rich & Poor

வாழ்ந்தது மாமழை மொக்குளின் மாய்ந்து மாய்ந்து

 


மொக்குள்  என்ற பெயர்ச்சொல்லுக்கு -  அல்லியின் (பூக்களின்)  மொட்டுகள் என்று பொருள்.  பூக்கும் செடிகொடிகளில் மலர்வதற்கு முன் இதழ்கள் குவிந்து இருக்கும் நிலை. மலரும் முன் ஆனால் மலரும் நிலைக்கு நெருங்கிய நிலையில் உள்ள மலர் (மலரும் பருவத்தை அடைந்த அரும்பு). இச்சொல்லுக்கு மற்றோரு பொருள் – நீர்க்குமிழிகள்

 


Not only for individuals, even for Societies, Nations, life keeps changing over a period of time.  We are not, what we were a decade ago !  

There is pronounced inequality among Nations and its people !  Would you rather be rich in a poor country or poor in a rich one? Measuring the wealth of nations is not that easy.  Determining how rich you are depends to a large degree on how rich and poor countries are defined.  

What is known as Super powers or rich or advanced economies now would be : USA, Germany, France, Japan, Canada, Italy, and the UK. These are known as the G7. In antiquity, the advanced economies included China, India, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Greece, and Italy.  When Sumerians were writing poems like the Epic of Gilgamesh in 2100 BCE, Brits were living in small, kin-based, illiterate tribes. While Brits were arranging big stones in a circle and calling it a monument (Stonehenge), the Egyptians were building the Great Pyramid, which was the tallest human-made structure for 38 centuries. When Julius Caesar needed a mathematician to help revise the calendar, he found him in Africa – Egypt in particular (Sosigenes of Alexandria). Egypt had been using a 365-day calendar for centuries.  

If we simply consider a nation’s gross domestic product—the sum of all goods and services produced by a country during one year—then we would have to conclude that the richest nations are exactly the ones with the largest GDP: United States, China, Japan, Germany. But how could the economies, for example, of Singapore or Luxembourg ever match that of such powerhouses when they are no more than small dots on the world map ?  Another problem with GDP is that it does not measure income inequality, that is, how a country’s riches are distributed among the population. That is why a more accurate representation of people’s living conditions begins with dividing a nation’s GDP by the number of people that live there: per capita GDP and its growth rate tell us much more about the social wealth potentially available to each person and whether this wealth is either increasing or decreasing over time.  

A common misconception is that people suppose  the birth of economics as the publication of Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations in 1776. Actually, this classic’s full title is An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, and Smith does indeed attempt to explain why some nations achieve wealth and others fail to do so. Yet, in the 241 years since the book’s publication, the gap between rich countries and poor countries has grown even larger. Economists are still refining their answer to the original question: Why are some countries rich and others poor, and what can be done about it?  

In common language, the terms “rich” and “poor” are often used in a relative sense: A “poor” person has less income, wealth, goods, or services than a “rich” person.  Life is not all about being rich, but living it well and longer – can you find one person who would trade his life years  for abundance of wealth ??   - life longevity is often likened to that of a bubble.  Ever wondered why there is always the odd bubble floating around in the glass, even though you poured still water !   

Water contains dissolved air, molecules of which accumulate around tiny imperfections on the glass. This process of “nucleation” continues until a bubble forms, breaks free and rises to the surface. Dropping something light but crinkly like a lemon pip into fizzy water can trigger repeated cycles of nucleation and bubble formation, making it rise and fall repeatedly.  A soap bubble (commonly referred to as simply a bubble) is an extremely thin film of soap or detergent and water enclosing air that forms a hollow sphere with an iridescent surface. Soap bubbles usually last for only a few seconds before bursting, either on their own or on contact with another object.  When light shines onto a bubble it appears to change colour.  The longevity of a soap bubble is limited by the ease of rupture of the very thin layer of water which constitutes its surface, namely a micrometer-thick soap film.  





Life is also too sensitive and the bubble of life can break in less than a minute, throwing life of those around out of gears !!   ஸ்வாமி நம்மாழ்வாரின் திருவாய்மொழி பாசுரம் இங்கே :

 

வாழ்ந்தார்கள் வாழ்ந்தது மாமழை மொக்குளின் மாய்ந்து மாய்ந்து,

ஆழ்ந்தாரென்றல்லால் அன்று முதலின்றறுதியா,

வாழ்ந்தார்கள் வாழ்ந்தே நிற்பர்  என்பதில்லை நிற்குறில்,

ஆழ்ந்தார் கடல்பள்ளி அண்ணல் அடியவர் ஆமினோ.

 

இக்கரைக்கு அக்கரை பச்சை என்பதாக, வாழ்வில் பலர் நன்கு சீரும் சிறப்புமாக வாழ்கிறார்கள் என நாம் நினைக்கிறோம்.  நிஜங்கள் மாறுபடலாம். நன்றாக வாழ்ந்தவர்களென்று நினைக்கப்படுகிறவர்கள் வாழ்ந்த வாழ்வைப் ஆராய்ந்து பார்த்தால் அவர் தம் வாழ்வும், பெருமழையில் தள்ளாடும் நீர்க்குமிழிபோலே அலைக்கழிப்பட்டு,அழிந்தழிந்து அதோகதியைபடைந்தனர் என்று சொல்லப்படுவது தவிர அன்று   பரஹ்மஸ்டிருஷ்டி காலம் தொடங்கி இன்று வரை, நாளை தொடர, வாழ்ந்தவர்கள் ஒரு தன்மையாக ஸ்திரமாக  வாழ்ந்தேயிருத்தல் என்பது கிடையவே கிடையாது; வாழ்க்கை நிலையற்றது.  நிலைநின்ற வாழ்வடைய வேண்டில்  ஆழமான  திருப்பாற்கடலில் துயில்கின்ற ஸ்வாமி ஸ்ரீமன் நாரணனுக்கு  அடிமைப்பட்டிருங்கோள் என மொழிகிறார் சடகோபன் இந்த பாசுரத்தில். 

Today is Pournami – gleaning archives, found these photos of Sri Parthasarathi Emperuman purappadu at Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam, occasion being Pournami – 27.9.2015.  life has changed much, ever since,  for most of us.

 

அடியேன் ஸ்ரீனிவாசதாசன்
மாமண்டுர் வீரவல்லி ஸ்ரீனிவாசன்  சம்பத்குமார்
16.10.2024








Friday, July 26, 2024

Sri Gajendra moksha sthavam book release

Very fortunate to receive a copy of a book titled ‘Azhwargal anubavitha Gajendra moksham marrum Sri Gajendra mokshasthavam’.  Read and understood from the book that Sri Gajendra mokshasthavam forms part of  Sreemath Bagavatham.

 


Efforts to conserve elephants in Africa are the subject of a global debate.   Several countries in the continent are struggling to safeguard their elephant numbers. Still, many other countries are finding it hard to manage their vast population and reporting a rise in cases of human-wildlife conflict.  

On  21st July 2024    occurred grand purappadu at Thiruvallikkeni ……  even a child would know having heard so many times the puranic legend of ‘Gajendra moksham [salvation of elephant Gajendra]’ ~ whence   Lord Sriman Narayana  Himself  came down to earth to protect Gajendra (elephant) from the death clutches of Makara (Crocodile).   It also offers us great learning – the  otherwise mighty elephant too could get into difficulty and in its extreme distress the elephant after testing its power and understanding  its futility, still had the presence of mind to think of  bhatki (devotion) and gnana (spiritual knowledge) ….. the plea of elephant was immediately answered by Lord Sriman Narayanan, who came rushing in to protect  His devotee – making the earthly human beings realise that if God does so for an elephant, He sure would protect  all of us too.  

 


Dr Madabhusi Varadarajan Swami is a very learned person, and it is our fortune that he is living in Triplicane now.  He retired from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupathi and has authored and published more than 90 samprathayic books in Tamil, Telugu, Sanskrit and English – the range of works from simplification of original commentaries of authentic texts, translations, lexicography and critical research papers reveal his versatility.  Among the many recognitions, he was awarded the prestigious Gopalopayanam Award conferred by HH Sri Sri Sri Tridandi Chinna Sriman Narayana Ramanuja Jeeyar Swami.

 


On the Gajendra moksham day, his book “ஆழ்வார்கள் அனுபவித்த கஜேந்திர மோக்ஷம் மற்றும் ஸ்ரீ கஜேந்திர மோக்ஷஸ்தவம்” was released.  It is my fortune that the cover page photo of Sri Parthasarathi Emperuman Garuda sevai is one taken by me.  Felt so happy in receiving copies of this book from the hands of the reverred author – Dr  Madabusi Varadharajan swami.  Many many thanks and pranams to him. 



adiyen Srinivasadhasan
Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar
26.7.2024  

Monday, June 14, 2021

Mithilapuri getting bedecked for Sree Ramapiran celestial marriage : அஞ்சன ஒளியானும்; அலர்மிசை உறைவாளும், எஞ்சல் இல் மணம்

Today (13.6.2021) is Punarvasu nakshathiram in the month of Vaikasi – the masa thirunakshathiram of Sree Rama Piran – in normal days, there would have been purappadu of Sree Ramachadnra murthi and Perumal thirumozhi goshti inside  the temple. It is also the masa thirunakshathiram of Sri Kulasekara Azhwar, Mudaliaandan and Embar.



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.  The greatest of the Ithihasa puranamn * Sri Ramayanam * has had its influence across centuries, countries and cultures -    Maryadha Purush Sri Rama  has illuminated the lives of millions imparting lessons in various spheres.  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.      

கொரோனா தீநுண்மியால் உலகம் கட்டுண்ட வேளையில், முந்தைய நன்னாட்களில் நிகழ்ந்த நல்லவற்றை எண்ணி, அவ்வாறு மறுபடியும் அமைய வேண்டும் என எம்பெருமானிடம் பிரார்த்தித்தால் நல்லது நிச்சயமாக  சீக்கிரம் நடக்கும்.

வால்மீகி முனிவரின் இராமாயணத்தைப் பெரும்பாலும் அடியொற்றி, சில இடங்களில் மாற்றம், திருத்தம்  செய்து    கம்பன்   தனக்கேயுரிய    முறையில்    கம்ப இராமாயணத்தைப் படைத்துள்ளான்.   இராமபிரானுக்கும்   ஜானகி மாதாவுக்கும்   நிகழ்ந்த    திருமணத்தை  விவரிக்கும் பகுதி  கடிமணப் படலம் - இது சிறப்புற நடந்த இடம் : 'மிதிலாபுரி'.   மிதிலையின் தற்போதைய பெயர் ஜனக்பூர். இது நேபாள நாட்டில் உள்ளது. பீஹார் மற்றும் நேபாளத்தின் தென்பகுதி அந்தக் காலத்தில் விதேஹ தேசம் என்று அழைக்கப்பட்டது. 

                      மிதிலையில்   அனைவரும்   மகிழ்வில்   திளைத்திருக்க, ஸ்ரீராமச்சந்திர மூர்த்தியின் திருமண நாள் அதி அற்புதமாக கொண்டாடப்பட்டது.     மிதிலையில் தெருக்களை அழகான மகளிர்,  அகில் சாந்தொடு- மணக்கின்ற சந்தனம் ஆகியவற்றைத் தேய்த்து அரைத்த குழம்பை; தெரு எங்கும்  சிந்தினர்; வாடா மலர்களை வீதிகளில் எல்லாம்  தூவினர்.  இந்திரவில்  எனப்படும்  வானவில்   நாணுமாறு   ஒளிவீசும்   மணிகள் பதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள மாடங்களாகிய உப்பரிகைகளில்  ஆரக்  கோவைகள்  அணிவாரும்  -  அளவற்ற  விலைமதிப்புடைய முத்து வடங்களைத் தொங்க விட்டு அலங்கரிப்பவர்களும் அலங்கரித்து கொண்டாடினார்கள். இந்த திருமணத்தை காண கதிரவனும் வந்ததை கம்ப நாட்டாழ்வான் : 

‘அஞ்சன ஒளியானும்;    அலர்மிசை உறைவாளும்

எஞ்சல் இல் மணம். நாளைப்    புணர்குவர்’ எனலோடும்

செஞ் சுடர் இருள் கீறி     தினகரன். ஒரு தேர்மேல்

மஞ்சனை அணி கோலம்    காணிய என. வந்தான்.  ~  என்கிறார். 

அஞ்சன மை போன்ற கருநிறங்  கொண்ட  இராமனும்;   தாமரைப் பூவில்  வாழ்பவளாம்  திருமகளாகிய  சீதையும்;   ஒருவகையிலும் குறைவில்லாத  திருமணம்  கூடுவார்கள்   என்று   முரசறைந்த  செய்தி கேட்டவுடன் -  தினகரன்  தனது குல மைந்தனான  இராமனின்  திருமணக்  கோலத்தைக்  காணத்   தனது   ஒப்பற்ற   தேர்மேல்  தன்  சிவந்த ஒளிக்கற்றைகளால் இருளைக் கீறிக் (கீழ்வானில்) உதித்தான்.  குலப்பாட்டன்     கொள்ளுப்பேரன் திருமணம் காண வந்தாற்போல வந்தான்   எனச்   சூரிய   உதயத்தை   இடம்   காலத்திற்கேற்றவாறு புனைந்துரைக்கும் திறம்  -  ஏதுத்தற்குறிப்பேற்ற அணி.   [தற்குறிப்பேற்ற அணி என்பது இயல்பாக நடக்கும் ஒரு நிகழ்வின் மீது கவிஞர் தன் குறிப்பை ஏற்றுவதாகும்.  கருமையில்  ஒளிகூடின்   காகுத்தன்   நிறமாகும்  என்றவாறு எம்பெருமானின் நிறத்திற்கு உகப்பாக இயம்பப்பட்டது.

Reminiscing the past happier days – here are some photos of Sri Ramapiran purappadu in Yanai vahanam and at Thavana uthsva bungalow taken on 9.4.2011.

Adiyen Srinivasa dhasan
Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar
13th June 2021. 












Saturday, June 12, 2021

Swami Ramanujacharya - Yuva Bharati - Vivekananda Kendra Publication May 2021

Today is Thiruvathirai in the month of Vaikasi – masa thirunakshathiram of our Swami Emperumanar Ramanujar.

Thiruvallikkenivasis know very well this imposing building standing next to Samarao School, in Singarachari Street, Triplicane, Chennai 5 – many of us would have attended some seminar or attended Yoga classes there. Yesterday had the fortune of meeting Sri VV Balasubramanian who has been associated with Triplicane unit of Kendra and instrumental in spreading good thoughts for decades.  He handed over copies of ‘Yuva Bharati’ vol 48 : issue 10 (Vaisakha Jyeshta 5123 May 2021) issue – here is the photo of the cover page of the magazine. 


Man-Making and Nation Building ~ as its twin objectives !

Vivekananda Kendra would require no introduction – it is a great social organisation   founded by the RSS functionary Eknath Ranade to commemorate the Swami Vivekananda rock at Kanyakumari where Vivekananda sat and meditated for three days in 1892.  With his visionary zeal,    Vivekananda Kendra - An Extraordinary Organisation with Ordinary Men came to existence. Mananeeya Eknathji Ranade, the Man behind the Memorial started Vivekananda Kendra a spiritually oriented service mission in 1972 as the living memorial to Swami Vivekananda comprising of a cadre of dedicated Jeevanaratis, Sevavratis, Vanprasthi and Thousands of Local Karyakarata as well as lakhs of patrons , well wishers.  Vivekananda Kendra is centered around the noble thought service to man is worship of God - and is guided by the national ideals RENUNCIATION and SERVICE.

For actualising vision of Swami Vivekananda , the Kendra has more than 850 branch and activity centres spread over India to work for all stratas(phases) of the society to rebuild the nation. To achieve this Vivekananda Kendra carry's out various service activities through Yoga, Swadhyay Varga(Study Circle), Samskar Varga, Rural Development, Education, Development of Natural Resources, Organising Youth and Women and Publications based on the life and message of Swami Vivekananda, Indian Culture, Vedic studies. The Kendra urges all to join this task of national regeneration.

Their magazine : YUVA BHARATI ! — The Voice of Youth is ever a voice of renewal, - a voice of renaissance, like the music of the onrushing stream, which cutting across the rocks that come in its way, ever sings — shall find a way or make it; and dances forward and onward to form a river, whose waters then meandering and flowing majestically and musically, fertilise the land and make it smile with beauty and laugh with plenty. Youth of the World shall reshape the New World to be, and the Youth of India shall build a new Bharat nearer to their heart's desire.  

Doubly happy as my post on Sri Ramanujacharya is featured in this issue ! ~ and it is reproduced below too .. ..





adiyen Srinivasa dhasan
Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar
12th June 2021.

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Our Nation, is a sacred land – the place that gave us supreme Ithihasa puranas. Blessed are We, the present generation –  we celebrated 1000 years of Swami Ramanuja on  1st May 2017 – going by His Thiruvavathara Nakshathiram ‘Thiruvathirai the month of Chithirai’.  This year the  10 day annual brahmothsavam of Swami Ramanujar started on 9.4.2021. ‘Ananthah sarasi dhere  Ramye  Bhoothapurivare’ – on the bank of Ananthasaras the temple pushkarini, is the temple of Sri Adhi Kesavar.   Boothapuri, better known now as Sri Perumpudur is the most divine place for us –  the place where our Greatest Acharyar  -  the reincarnation of Adi Sesha and Sri Lakshmanar was born. 

Of the three great exponents of Vedanta philosophy, Bhagwad Ramanuja with his aesthetic beautiful interpretations occupies the central place.  Sri Ramanujar has the pride of place in the list of our Acharyars; he is hailed as Udayavar, Emperumanar, Bashyakarar, Ilayazhwaar, Yathirajar, ThiruppavaiJeeyar, NumKovilannan, amongst other names.  Worshipping Sri Ramanujar at his Avathara sthalam (birthplace) Sriperumpudur  and elsewhere will cure us of all sins and rid all diseases, keeping away mental distress and strain.   

It is astounding to learn, try to understand the path of Bhagawat Ramanuja – who thousand years ago, came to this earth for enlightening us all.    The ethical side of Vaishanavism emphasises absolute self-surrender to Sriman Narayana -  its mystical aspect presents God as the personification of love and bhakti, as longing for communion with Him.   Spiritually awakened, athma  will be satisfied with nothing more and nothing less than communion. Separation becomes an intolerable burden and the futility of the body in a space-time setting. Before Sri8 Ramanujacharya , perhaps stress was exclusively on learning and wisdom, Ramanujar emphasized that the  strength of a philosophy depended upon the following it commanded, that knowledge was auxiliary to action. He recognised karma as observance of  the moral law of Dharma.  The great preceptor ensured that the great movement spread by him would never languish once he left this earth – and in ensuring continuity, he created  the loving care of Seventy-four of his disciples. 

The fountain of knowledge, he was,  handed over to the generation his wealth of knowledge through his many works which include the Magnum Opus ‘Sri Bashyam – the Vishishtavaida commentary of Brahma sutram of Vyasa Bhagavan.; VedanthaDeepam, Vedanta Saram, Vedanta Sangraham, Gadyathrayam and many many more …. The  3 Gadyams – Saranagati Gadyam, Sriranga Gadyam and Vaikunda Gadyam are collectively known as ‘Gadyatraya’ ~ are in someways considered to be swan song of our Acharyar.   Our Acharyar describes the unique qualities of NamPerumal  with words ‘Sathyakama, Sathyasankalpa’ which would mean the most loveable quality of resolve to protect His devotees and the will to be incarnated in any form to come to the succour of devotees – He is Creator, Protector and Sustainer.   

His birth occurred   in the year 1017  to Kesava Somayaji and Gandhimathi couples.   Ilayavalwar as he was known at birth, Ramanujar was born in the year of grace of Pingala corresponding to year 939 of Salivahana era  and lived for a period of 120 years.   He was named Illayazhwar [denoting Lakshmana] by his uncle Srisaila Purnar foreseeing his wisdom, infinity and eternity.

His birth is associated with the temple tank ‘Kairavini’ at Thiruvallikkeni for his father Kesava Somayaji conducted yagna seeking birth of a son – and the great Ramanujar was born. He paid his first visit to Thiruvarangam in his 25th year but could only pay homage to Acharyar Alavanthar.  He lived and taught undisturbed in Srirangam for some more decades before had to leave the place proceeding to Melukote Thirunarayanapuram.  Ramanujacharya travelled far and wide, the entire Bharath varsh by foot propagating our religion; the prominent places would include holy Kanchipuram, Srirangam, Tirupathi, Thiruvananthapuram, Thirukurungudi, Simhachalam, Puri, Delhi, Kashmir and more.  In all these places, thousands followed him, Srivaishnavaite tradition of care for humanity and spirituality flourished all through.

More than  a thousand year ago, our Acaryar Sri Ramanujar on a pilgrimmage visited Srinagar searching for manuscript of Bodhayana-vritti, a commentary  on the Brahmasutra by Bodhyana.  His ardent disciple Kuresar was able to memorise it in one glance; the commentary of Udayavar is known as Sri Bashyam ~ Goddess of learning Saraswathi approving Sri Bashyam conferred the title  ‘Bashyakara’ on Sri Ramanujar.  Thus was fulfilled the main desire of Alavandhar – writing of an authoritative and illuminating commentary on Brahma sutra.

Ramanujacharya was a great social reformer.  He ensured proper maintenance of holy Thiruvarangam,Thirumala Tirupathi,  Melukote Thirunarayanapuram, and many other places by establishing customs and accountability for those in charge of various activities of the temple.  Associating people of every creed, he ensured that temples became the core of life of people.  He created flawless systems creating employment, ownership and more importantly oneness among people. He established 74 mutts as his following to spread and ensure propagation of Srivaishna philosophy which primarily ensured that  none were devoid of Divine Grace.  The great social reformer, had the vision of introducing most acceptable way of life for every baktha inculcating respect and love among fellow human beings.  

Sri Ramanujar at ripe old age of 82 went to Melukote, and returned to  Thiruvarangam at  94.  Ramanujacharya stayed in Melukote for 12 years, changing the life of the people around.   At nearby Thondanur,  farmers of surrounding areas requested him to help them overcome the drought situation.  He planned and executed construction of   a huge lake and named it Tirumalasagara. Even today, Thondanur lake water is used for drinking and agriculture.

A visionary par excellence who possessed all the virtues and characteristics of a yathi, he was hailed Yathirajan [King of Hermits].  Throughout his life, he exhibited compassion, and worked for upliftment and betterment of society as a whole.   A humanist to the core, he went beyond casteist hurdles and had immense love for the Supreme Lord and His devotees.  He with a deep vision evolved Ramanuja kootams providing the basic physiological needs – food, shelter and clothing for the masses.

In those golden days when Swami Emperumanar walked on the streets of Thiruvarangam and other Divyadesams – tens of thousands of his disciples and hundreds of Jeeyars followed him hailing “Ramanujo Vijayathe – Yathiraja Rajaha”  We fall at the feet of the Great preceptor Ramanujacharya, praying that whole humanity is protected from all evils including the dreaded Covid 19 and people live forever in peace and harmony.

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