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Sriman! Sri Ranga Sriyam anubadravam anudinam samvardhaya/

Sriman! Sri Ranga Sriyam anubadravam anudinam samvardhaya/

Kaveri VardhathAm KalE, kAlE varshathu vAsava:/

Sri RanganAthO jayathu Sri Ranga Sris cha VardhathAm//

=============================================================

SRI RANGA SRI

Volume I / Issue 3 dated 21stth October 2000

=============================================================

In this Issue:

Deepavali Greetings from Sri Ranga Sri and Editorial

1. "Sriranga Vijayam" Purisai Sri Krishnamachariar Swami.

2. "Sri BAshyAmrutham"- Part I : An Introduction

3. "AchArya Vamsa Vriksham" - Part 31 A - Anbil Ramaswamy.

4. "Learn our Sampradayam the easy way" -Lesson 8 " Dharma"

5. "Sri Vaishnava Sampradayam" - Sri D. Soundararajan Swami.

=============================================================

Deepavali Greetings from Sri Ranga Sri :

Dear Bhagavatas:

We wish you a very Happy Deepavali.

Thava JyOthir Jwalathu!

Let your light shine.

Let the festival of lights light and delight our live

=============================================================

Editorial :

Hope you have gone through the first 2 issues of "" inaugurated

on 8th October 2000 on the Tirunakshatram day of Swami Desikan, with the

Srimukhams blessings of almost all YathisrEshtas and AchAryas.

Membership :

Within a week, the number of rs to the journal has hit the century

mark and many more requests are being received everyday. If You are

satisfied. tellyour friends, who may be interested, to join by sending a

message to

Srirangasri-

If not, please tell us !

Materials received:

We have been blessed with not only the Srimukhams but also with a plethora

of articles of quality on the various aspects of our Sampradayam - running

to several hundreds of pages besides several recordings on audio cassettes

exclusively for publishimg in "" (e. g) HH. ParakAla Matam

Jeeyar,

SarvaSri Purisai Krishnamachar Swami, V.S, Karunakaran Swami, Seva Swami,

M.K.Srinivasan Swami, Srivatsankachar Swami, Uruppattur Soundararajan

Swami and many others. We have to stagger the releases and the articles with

minimal editing to suit the electronic journal format.

In this Issue, we feature the following:

1. SRIRANGA VIJAYAM: Since the journal is named "Sri Ranga Sri", Sri Purisai

Swami commanded that we commence with his series "Sriranga Vijayam" on the

glory of Srirangam and the Divya Dhampathis there.

2. "SRI BASHYAMRUTAM" - An introduction by HH Srimad Andavan of

Poundarikapuram Asramam and a short synopsis of the contents of Bhagavad Sri

Ramanyjacharya's "Sri Bashyam" by Late Tirupputkuzhi Narasimha Tatachariar

Swami of Sri Hayagriva Vidya Peetam.

(Due to space constraints, other topics relating to "GitAmrutam",

"PrabandhAmrutam" and "DesikAmrutam" will be taken up subsequently)

3. "ACHARYA VAMSA VRIKSHAM": This series was commenced as

commanded by HH Srimad Andavan of Poundarikapuram Asramam and

was being serialized in "SaraNAgathi" journal earlier, upto Part 30. The

Parampara of Ahobila Matam has been exhaustively dealt with in

"AchArya Vaibhavam" by Sri VisishTadvaita Pracharini Sabha. As for

TennAchArya lineage, Sri A. Krishnamachari Swami of "Sri Vaishnava Sri"

informed that they have already provided information through their

Home page. As per HH's direction and the demand from many readers, we

continue the series now from Part 31. featuring the details of Munitraya

lineage of Poundarikapuram Asramam and Srirangam Srimad Andavan of

Periyasramam. For the latter, Sri R. Srinivasan of Brakes, India Ltd, and

Sri Natteri Rajagopalan Swami, Editor of Sri Ranganatha Paduka have

made available relevant materials. After this, we propose to cover the

AchArya Parampara of other Munitraya lineages (for which we have secured

materials from concerned Sishyas) as well as Sri ParakAla mutt, for which

HH Abhinava Vageesa Brahma Tantra Swatantra Swami has provided a couple of

books (1 in English and 1 in Kannada) besides 2 other articles in Kannada.

We hereby convey our heartfelt thanks to them.

4. "SAMPRADAYA LESSONS": Sri Seva Swami had asked that his Tamil lessons be

translated into English and published in the Internet journal. 7 out of 20

lessons for Grade I were published in "SaraNAgathi" journal. While some felt

that the series was "kidstuff", we have received encouragement from many

readers who demanded continuing the same, as being most useful for the

younger generation, especially on this side of the globe. In fact, it was

meant to be "kidstuff" and written with the specific purpose of educating

the kids (being raised here) on the basics of our tradition. Sri

M.K.Srinivasan Swami has also translated both the parts in English and has

kindly provided the same to us. We will serialize his translation for Part

II after completing the lessons of Part I.

He has observed-

" I shall be writing in the form of letters to children. It will be really

"KIDSTUFF". As long as there are kids and kids continue to come into this

world, we cannot stop kidstuff! Does anyone stop manufacturing toys? In

fact, they make newer and newer toys each time. "Arichuvadi" continues to be

published with glossier pictures. Let me be known as a 'Kidman' rather as

anything else"

5."SRI VAISHNAVA SAMPRADAYAM- A FEW IMPORTANT POINTS". Tiruvheendrapuram

Uruppattur Chakravarthi Soundararaja Iyengar, Chairman of Hayagriva Vidya

PeeTam and of the Board of Editors of "Sri Kanchi Perarulalan" has provided

us with his booklet entitled as above. This will be useful for those who

have outgrown their "kid stage". The author provides in a capsule form the

salient points relating to our Sampradayam so lucidly that it will be a kind

of "refresher" for the "learned ones" also.

Dasoham.

Anbil Ramaswamy.

Editor and Publisher

"Sri Ranga Sri"

=============================================================

1. "SRI RANGA VIJAYAM" -

(Sri Bashya Saramruthavarshi Sri Bashaya Simhasanam, Sri U.Ve. Purisai

Nadadur Krishnamachariar Swami, Editor & Publisher, Sri Nrisimhapriya)

=============================================================

The word "Koil" may apply to all holy places where the Lord appears in His

iconic (archa) form but Srirangam is known as "Periya Koil" to signify its

unparalleled importance. The Lord Himself is known as "Periya PerumAL"

 

BhagavAn whose permanent abode is in Paramapadam, in His Archa form

descended to Satyalokam where He was worshipped by Brahma and other Devas.

When the same Bhagavan, descended down to earth, He was worshipped by Sri

Rama in His Vibhavam. Since Sri Rama Himself is an emanation of PerumAl, the

Lord worshipped by him came to be known as "Periya PerumAL".

 

When Sri Rama presented his IshTadevata to his Companion, VibheeshaNa,

(thuNaiyAna VeedaNarkku thunaiyAm) and the latter carried Him towards his

capital in Lanka, the Lord, attracted by the beauty and the holiness of

Srirangam, the island that lay between the two branches of the river Kaveri,

(ubhaya KAvEri madhyE) decided to take His abode on earth there and promised

Vibheeshana that He would forever bless Lanka with His benign glance. No

wonder, Srirangam is known as the "BhoolOka VaikunTam".

 

All the AzhwArs and all the Poorva and Prakritam Acharyas (including

Sankara, RamAnuja, Anandatheertha and other streams) have enjoyed and

praised our Periya PerumAL. We publish below this series "SriRanga Vijayam"

to familiarize the glory of Srirangam and the divine couple to everyone

especially the younger generations.

(foreword by Sri Narasimharaghavachariar Swami)

=============================================================

KAvEri Viraja sOyam VaikunTam Ranga mandiram/

Sa VasudEvO RangEsa: prathyaksham paramam padam//

VimAnam praNavAkAram vEda srungam mahAdbutham/

SriRangasAyee BhagavAn praNavArtha prakAsa://

Meaning: This Kaveri river which is holier than even Ganga, is verily the

Viraja that flows on the outskirts of SrivaikunTam, where the Lord reclines

on the five headed serpent as "ParavAsudEva". Therefore, this Srirangam is

verily Paramapada but one that can be seen with mortal eyes by SamsAris. The

turret over the sanctum (VimAnam) is the very embodiment of "PraNavam"; the

golden domes atop are the "Vedasrungam"- (i.e.) the Upanishads.. This Lord

who is reclining under this VimAnam is proclaiming the meaning and

significance of PraNavam for our emancipation.

(To Continue: The Lord's five forms and the greatness of ArchA)

=============================================================

2. SRI BASHYAMRUTAM

VidwAn Tirupputkuzhi Sri Narasimha Tatachariar Swami, (with a foreword by

HH. Srimad Andavan of Poundarikapuram Asramam, Srirangam)

Foreword from Srimad Andavan:

"After the great Sri NammAzhwAr, our VisishTAdvaita SiddhAntam came to be

redeemed by Sri Natha Muni through his yOgic powers; nourished by Sri YAmuna

Muni , but finally systemized by Sri RamAnuja Muni - this came to be known

as "RamAnuja Darsanam". Subsequently, however, due to the some malign

influences, doubts arose in the minds of people. Swami Vedanta Desika,

effectively and efficiently cleared all doubts through his numerous works

firmly re established it once again. So, our Siddhantam came to be called

also as "Desika Darsanam". What is Siddhantam? That which is based on the

Vedas. Therefore, it is also known as "Vaideeka Matham".

 

"Dvaitam" means "two". Dvaita philosophy holds that the two entities of

ParamAtma and JeevAtma are true but also truly different from each other.

"Advaitam" means " not two". Advaita philosophy holds that only Brahman is

true and all else is false. Jeeva is himself Brahman but suffers under an

illusion that it is different from Brahman. Once this illusion is dispelled

by knowledge, the Jeeva will shine in its true colors as Brahman.

"VisishTadvaitam" holds that the world with the sentient beings and

insentient objects and Brahman are true and constitute the body of Brahman

and in this sense may be deemed to be one. Together (VisishTa), they are One

(Advaita). This is the view of Srivaishnavas. ParAsara Muni in Vishnu

PurANam and VyAsa in MahA BhAratham and especially in Brhama Sutram have

confirmed this view." (Other portions of Foreword relate purely to the

author. Hence,

not reproduced here)

Sri Narasimha Tatachariar Swami:

"All beings in the world seek happiness and take efforts to obtain this.

But, what they need seems to elude them but sometimes, they seem to get what

they want, unexpectedly. What does this show? That we are dependent

(parAdeenam) on some other force. What is this force? On whom are we so

dependent? This is answered unambiguously by our Vaideeka Siddhantam, as no

other philosophy has been able to . Upanishad declares: "bhOktA bhOghyam

prEritAram cha matvA yajushTa: tatha: thEna amrutatvamEthi". This means that

EmperumAn is the one on whom everyone and everything depends. He accepts our

total surrender to Him and relieves us from all sins and grants Moksham

where one can get

whatever one desires without let or hindrance. Vedam is true; ParamAtma who

is known through Vedam is true; this Universe created by ParamAtma is true;

So also, the Vaideeka matham that declares these is true. This has been

established by great AchAryas like BhOdAyana. BodhAyana wrote a "vritti" for

the Brahma Sutram of Sage VyAsa. Natha Muni and YAmuna Muni wrote several

"prakaraNa granthas" like NyAya Tattvam, Siddhitrayam etc. Based on all

these, Sri RamAnuja Muni wrote a commentary. This clearly brings out the

inner meanings of Vaideeka Siddhantam and was, therefore, praised by Goddess

Saraswati who named it "Sri Bashyam" and named its author "Sri

BashayakArar". This contains 4 Chapters (Adhyayas), 16 Sections (Padas), 156

Headings (AdhikaraNas) and 545 Aphorisms (Sutrams).

(To Continue)

=============================================================

3. "AchArya Vamsa Vriksham" -

AVV Part 31-A: Period - K : Between the branching off of Parakaala Mutt and

that of Ahobila Mutt - (Anbil Ramaswamy)

=============================================================

The Guru-Sishya Parampara from the time of branching off of

Parakaala Mutt and that of Ahobila Mutt may be understood as follows:

(Authority: AVV Chart, VED and PPM).

After Swami Vedanta Desika -

Branch I

1. Nainarachariar*

2. Vatsya Varada Guru

3. Varada Vishnuvarya

4. Mahadayadeesar

5. Ahobilachariar

6. Shashta Parankusa Swami

Branch II

1. PB Annan*

2. Kidambi Nayanar

Branch III

1. Srinivasacharya*

2. Narasimha Desikar

3. Lakshmanacharya

4. Narasimhacharya

5. Tatasuri

Branch IV

1. Vadakku Tiruveedhi Pillai*

2. Srirangachar

3. Kesavachariar

4. Srinivasachariar

5. Kesavachariar

6. Adi Vann Satakopar

(Numbering given for identification of details below.

Available details given. Bhagavats may add further inputs.)

=============================================================

3. "Learn our Sampradayam the easy way" -

(Course for kids & beginners)

7 out of 20 lessons of Grade I have so far appeared in "SaraNAgathi Journal

and archived at www.Srivaishnava.org/sgati We continue with Lesson # 8

=============================================================

Learn our Sampradayam the easy way

(Course for Kids) Grade 1 for Beginners

Lesson 8: Dharma (That which sustains)

(translated from the original in Tamil by Sri Seva Swami)

(Anbil Ramaswamy)

The word "Dharma" means "That which sustains". Because it is the basis of

honor and harmony, which sustain all life in this world, it is called

"Dharma". Without honor and harmony that stem from principled conduct, there

can be no peace in the world. It is Dharma that ensures the well being of

one's own self and at the same time of those of others with whom one is

cast.

 

Dharma is considered the foremost among the four "Purusharthas" (Objectives

of life). The practices governing duty, respectability, obedience to law are

all founded on scientific principles as much as on Vedanta philosophy. These

were handed down to us by our foresighted forefathers as the correct way of

life in tune with this Dharma.

Dharma should blossom forth in action. All virtuous deeds are called Dharma.

Our forebears assure us that these good deeds have the innate capacity to

protect our spiritual well being and promote harmony. Dharmic deeds result

in "Punya" (Spiritual merit)."Punya" alone can elevate one's soul. People

used to bless the King who ruled with Dharma (Righteousness).

 

In the olden days, the great Maharishis (Sages) spelled out for our benefit

what Dharma meant. They classified Dharma into two categories - "SAmAnya

Dharma" also called "SanaAtana Dharma" (General / Eternal Dharma) and

Special Dharma called "Varnaasrama Dharma" based on Caste and stage of life

of the individual. "SAmAnya Dharma" is common to all like Truth, Ahimsa etc.

These include such acts as building temples, digging wells and tanks, laying

roads, erecting stone platforms on roadsides to rest head loads

(Sumaithaankis), performing Yaagas and Yagnas, raising groves, gardens and

shade yielding trees, providing water supply in kiosks (Thanneer Pandals) to

the weary wayfarers,

giving succor to the needy and rendering community or social service etc.

 

Special Dharmas differ for those belonging to different Varnas and Asramas.

Dharma also varies according to the constraints of Space- divide and

Time-divide. Dharma differs as between the husband and wife, the parents and

their children, the brother and the sister, the preceptor and disciple, the

ruler and the ruled and in short, every relation that could be conceived as

between different individuals.

 

In any case, those who strictly follow the individual Dharmas incumbent on

them are called "Dhaarmikaas" Lord Rama and Lord Krishna were recognized as

the very personification of Dharma. Those who act contrary to these Dharmas

(laid down for us humans) are deemed to be bestial.

 

When the disciple leaves the Gurukula (Preceptor's home) after completing

his studies, the preceptor used to instruct him some basic codes of conduct.

Some of them are -

· "Satyam Vadha" (Always tell the truth)

· Dharmam Chara" (Act that which is right according to your Dharmas),

· Never swerve from what you have learned

· Go, get married and beget virtuous children by following the Grihstaasrama

Dharmas

· Never live off truth and righteousness, even for the sake of dirty lucre

· Studying and teaching the Vedas and other scriptures are your duties

· Take great care about performing rites towards God (Deva Kaaryam) like

Nitya and Naimittika Karmas (Obligatory and occasional duties) and towards

forefathers (Pitru Kaaryam)

· Respect mother as God (Matru Devo Bhava)

· Respect father as God (Pitru Devo Bhava)

· Respect your preceptor as God (Aachaarya Devo Bhava)

· Respect your guest as God (Athithi Devo Bhava)

· You should follow the good conduct advised to us by our elders

· You should take care not to be misled by the practices (of others) that

are repugnant to Dharma, however attractive they may appear

· When you give, give wholeheartedly to those who deserve, and according to

your capacity

· When in doubt, consult our elders who are well versed, who are selfless,

who are devoid of avarice and who have "Vairaghyam" (detachment from worldly

attractions)

· These are not empty platitudes

· Take them as commands as to how you should conduct yourself in day to day

life

· This is because "Dharma" is the only power that stands by you throughout

your life"

Though we have not gone through Gurukula Vaasam to get the benefit of these

advises directly from our Gurus, they are, nevertheless, equally applicable

to us and we can make our lives meaningful by following these tenets.

=============================================================

QUESTIONS

1. What is the meaning of the word "Dharma"?

2. Describe the various categories of Dharma?

3. Detail a few of the advises an Acharya imparts to his Sishya at the

conclusion of studies?

4. Mention a few "SAmAnya Dharmas"?

=============================================================

5. "Sri Vaishnava Sampradayam- Some Salient points to ponder"

(Tiruvaeendrapuram Uruppattur Chakravarthi U.Ve. D. Soundararajan Swami,

Chairman, Hayagriva Vidya Peetam & Editor, Kanchi Perarulalan)

=================

We have seen generations of Srivaishnavas who staying in such holy places

like Kanchi, Srirangam etc., scrupulously observed the religious practices

(anushTAnam) doing incessant Bhagavad Kainkaryam so that that the very

mention of their names evoked respect and reverence.

 

We have also seen how the generations that followed slowly forgot these

practices, took to other occupations abandoning their own, due to economic

and other compulsions.

 

We also see how the next generation is heading towards further degeneration

and will become rudderless, losing their moorings, worse still, decrying our

matham and Sampradayams and running after false gods, Samiyars and ParivAra

devatas hoping to seek instant relief for their immediate but petty

problems.

 

What a fall for the glorious tradition so laboriously built up by our

spiritual masters like NammAzhwAr, Nathamuni, Yamunamuni, Ramanujamuni and

Swami Desikan!

 

Today, we have come to a stage when instead of aspirants seeking

enlightenment, the preceptors are compelled to carry the message to their

doorsteps, only to be cold shouldered! To stop the rot, we have to educate

ourselves or refresh ourselves first before proceeding to teach the younger

generation.

 

It is in this context, that I have been asked and encouraged by revered Seva

Swami to write some of the salient points in the form of short hints, so

that those who desire but are too busy may yet have a chance to refresh

their memory on the essentials of our Sampradayam. Since, some may be put

off on hearing the very mention of "Tattvam", I have attempted to present it

in a capsule form in as simple a manner as possible.

====================

There is an old saying that it is rare to get human life and that too

without any disabling physical and mental defects. Rarer still is to be born

into the Srivaishnava - Sri Desika tradition. Unfortunately, we are not

aware of the treasures bequeathed to us by our forefathers.

 

We toil hard all the 24/7/365 running after the mammon without realizing

that the wealth so built is but impermanent. We see so many investing in

dubious financial schemes lured by high returns promised, only to lose the

hard earned money!.

 

This is not to say that money is not needed, For running a family, it is

absolutely necessary. It is not how much one earns that is important but how

it is earned - whether on dharmic lines or not. Again, it is not how much

one spends that is important but how it is spent - whether on dharmic lines

or not.

 

This is possible only for those with character and good conduct. What can we

do to acquire and nourish these? It is by refreshing ourselves with what our

Sampradayam lays down because they are meant to elevate us spiritually. We

should first familiarize ourselves with the basics before attempting to know

deeper. With this in view, let us begin our study.

 

1. What is Religion (Matham)?

To put it simply, it is a code of conduct for regulating life on earth that

has been laid down and followed from time immemorial.

2. What is Vedic Religion (Vaideeka Matham)?

Religion which accept the authority of the Vedas and are based strictly on

the injunctions laid down therein. By this is precluded all those like

Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, Christianity and many others which are outside the

ambit of the Vedas (VedabAhyam).

3. What are Vedic Religions (i.e) those which accept the authority of the

Vedas?

There are 3 branches of Vedic Religion viz., Advaita, Dvaita and

VisishtAdvaita.

Advaita: is based on the views of Aadhi Sankara. Those who follow this are

called 'Advaitins" This is also known as "smArtha Sampradayam"

Dvaitam: This is based on the interpretations of Sri Aanandatheertha, the

founder of Madhva matham. Followers of this are called " Dvaitins"

VisishTAdvaita: Though this has been in existence from time immemorial, it

was Bhagavad RamAnuja who codified the views of earlier preceptors like

NammAzhwAr. Natha muni and others. Hence, it is also known as "RamAnuja

Darsanam". The followers of this are called "visishTAdvaitins.

It would appear that before the period of Sri Aadhi Sankara, this Vaideeka

matham functioned without different interpretations.

4. What Religions are "Avaideekam"?

Those who either do not accept the authority of the Vedas or misrepresent

the Vedic thoughts, started their own faiths which they claimed to be

religions like ChArvAkam, Bouddham, Jainam etc. These are "Avaideekam"

5. What are Vedas?

Vedas also called "Sruti", consist of Rik, Yajus, Sama and Atharva

recensions.Each is divided into two parts called "KhANDam" and 'SAkhai"

There are 7 KhANDas which prescribe the rituals (IshTis) like "Putra

KamEshTi" which can yield material benefits. These are also known as

"karmakhANdam". It is to explain these that Sage Jaimini wrote what is known

as "Poorva mimAmsai in 16 Chapters.

The 'Sakhai" part contains the "Upanishads". Also called "Uttara MimAmsai"

and "Sareeraka MimAmsai", it was written by Sage VyAsa himself. This is

"Brahma Sutram" for which commentaries were written by Sankara, RamAnuja and

others.

(To Continue)

=============================================================

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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