Guest guest Report post Posted January 5, 2002 SrimatE Raamaanujaaya Namaha // SrimatE Nigamaanta Mahaa Desikaaya Namaha // SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anubadravam anudhinam Samvardhaya/ SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anubadravam anudhinam Samvardhaya// KAvEri VardhathAm kAlE, kAlE varshathu vAsava: / SrI RanganAthO jayathu Sri Ranga Sri cha VardhathAm// ================================================================ SRI RANGA SRI VOL 03/ ISSUE 11 dated 5th January 2002 =============================================================== IN THIS ISSUE: 1. “TIRUVENKATAMUDAIYANUM AZHWAARGAL ANUBHAVAMUM”- PART 6: (10) TIRUVENKATAMUDAUYAN IS IN MY HEART! Excerpts from talk delivered by Anbil Ramaswamy during the Tirunakshatram Mahotsavam of Tiruvenkatamudaiyan and Swami Vedanta Desikan celebrated jointly by “Swami Desika Darsana Satsangam”, “Sri Ramanuja Mission” and the Hindu Cultural Society (HCS), Buffalo, New York on 29th September 2001. This also marked the 5th Anniversary of “Swami Desika Darsana Satsangam and the 1st Anniversary of “Sri Ranga Sri” Electronic journal. 2. “DASAAVATAARA STOTRAM OF SWAMI DESIKA”- PART 6: NRISIMHA AVATARAM AVATAARAM (Half-Lion, Half-Human) – Anbil Ramaswamy 3. SRI RANGA VIJAYAM – PART 27 – “THE 3rd ENCLOSURE” >From "Sri Ranga Vijayam" by Purisai Sri Krishnamachariar Swami, Editor, "Nrisimhapriya" (translation in English: Anbil Ramaswamy) 4. "LEARN OUR TRADITION THE EASY WAY"- SAMPRADAYA LESSONS FOR KIDS GRADE 2 LESSON 15: “SWAMI DESIKA’S STOTRAS” (Written in Tamil by Desika Bhakta Ratnam, U. Ve. Seva Srinivasa Raghava chariar Swami under his "Jayamangala Paada Thittam" and translated in English by Sri M.K.Srinivasan Swami of Vedanta Desika Research Center) --- FOR YOUR INFORMATION; The issues have been archived for public view at- IF you are satisfied with the quality and contents of “Sri Ranga Sri”: Tell your friends to join by sending an email to "-Subscribe (AT) (DOT) com" IF not: Tell us, as to how we may improve. Dasoham Anbil Ramaswamy, Editor & Publisher, “Sri Ranga Sri” ====================================================================== 1. “TIRUVENKATAMUDAIYANUM AZHWAARGAL ANUBHAVAMUM”- PART 6: (10) TIRUVENKATAMUDAUYAN IS IN MY HEART! Excerpts from talk delivered by Anbil Ramaswamy during the Tirunakshatram Mahotsavam of Tiruvenkatamudaiyan and Swami Vedanta Desikan celebrated jointly by “Swami Desika Darsana Satsangam”, “Sri Ramanuja Mission” and the Hindu Cultural Society (HCS), Buffalo, New York on 29th September 2001. -- This is a favorite theme with all Azhwars especially the 3 Mudal Azhwars, Naamaazhwar and Tirumangai Azhwar. Let us enjoy a random sampling of their Paasurams: (i) POIGAI AZHWAR IN “MUDAL TIRUVANTADHI” (99) uLan kaNDaai nannenjE! Uthaman enrum uLan kaNDaai ulluvaar uLLathu - uLan kaNDaai veLLathiln uLLaanum vEnkatathu mEyaanum uLLathiln uLLaan enru Oore/ Meaning: “Oh! My heart! You know that the Lord of TiruvEnkaTam is the Supreme Being (uthaman). He is always with us. He is not only in the milky ocean and TiruvEnkaTam but also in the hearts of those who have Him in their heart. So, please always remember Him” (uLLam is heart, not mind -because the heart can show the right path while the mind will run after worldly pleasures) (ii) BHUDATHAZHWAR IN “IRANDAM TIRUVANTADHI” (54) verpenru irum sOlai vEnkaTam enru ivviraNDum nirpenru nee madhikkum neermai pOl - nirpenru uLam kOyil uLLam vaithu uLLinEn ‘velLLthu iLam kovil kai viDEl enru’ Meaning “Oh! Lord of TiruvEnkaTam! I know that you have made my heart your favorite temple (Moola sthaanam) just like Tirumaalirum SOlai and TiruvEnkaTam. I would advise you not to abandon the milky ocean. Remember that it is also your “Baalaalayam-(Ilam Kovil)” - temporary resting place” (iii) PEYAAZHWAR IN “MOONRAAM TIRUVANTADHI” (39) iraiyaai nilanaagi eNDisaiyum thaanaayi maraiyaai marai poruLaai vaanaai – pirai vaaindha veLLathu aruvi viLankoli neer vEnaktathaan ulLLathuin uLLe uLan Meaning “ Oh! Lord of TiruvEnkaTam! You are the possessor of all the worlds. You are the in-dweller (antharyaami) of this earth and all that is in it. You are occupying all the eight directions. You published the Vedas. You are yourself the subject and object of all the Vedas. You are the Lord of your permanent abode (nityavibhoothi). You came down to the sky-scraper mountain of TiruvEnkaTam from which flow the pristine clear waterfalls with a huge roar. I know why you had chosen this mountain. It is only to gain access to my heart! I also know that having got into my heart, you will never like to leave it!” (iv) PEYAAZHWAR IN “MOONRAAM TIRUVANTADHI” (40) uLan kaNDaai nannenjE! Uthaman enrumu uULan kaNDaai uLLuvaar uLLathu - uLan kaNDaai viNNoDungak kODu uyaraum veenkaruvi Venkatathaan maNNoDunga thaan aLantha mann Meaning: “ Oh! My good heart! This Lord of TiruvEnkaTam is known to come into the hearts of those who think of Him. That is why He abandoned His permanent abode and has taken shelter under this mountain with peaks touching the heavens and which is full of beautiful waterfalls; He is the one ever anxious to save those who resort to Him. Did He not take back His own earth from Mahaabali after assuring Himself of the correctness of its measurements? When He has come into my heart, what more is there for me to desire?” (Note that he almost repeats verbatim the first 2 lines what Poigai Azhwar says (vide (i) above) (v) NAMMAAZHWAR IN “TIRUVOIMOZHI” (2,6.9) yennthaai! thaNN TiruvEnkaTathuL ninraai! Ilangai setraai! Maraamaram painthaaL yEzhu uruve oru vaaLi kOtha villaa! kondhaar ThaNNan thuzhaayinaai! AmudE! unnai yennuLLE kuzhaitha vem maindhaa! VaanErE! ini engu pOginrathE? Meaning: “Oh! MY father! You stand on top of the cool VEnkaTa Mountain! You destroyed Lanka! With your bow and a single arrow you pierced holes at one stroke in each of the SEVEN stout trees (maraamaram)! ; You wear the fragrant bunches of the holy basil! You are my nectar! You who has made TiruvEnkaTam your abode. You are the Lord of all the celestials. Leaving all these, how come you chose to get into me, and become one with me - a poor human being? Having thus got into me, no way can you go away anywhere!” (vi) TIRUMANGAI AZHWAR IN “PERIYA TIRUMOZHI” (1.10.6) manna im manisap piraviyai neekki thannaakki thann innaruL seyyum thalaivan minnaar mughil sEr TiruvEnkaTam mEya yennaanai ennapppan enn nenjil uLLaanE Meaning “Oh! Lord of vEnkaTam! You have on your blue hued chest Mahaalakshmi who shines like lightning! You are the one to rid us of this wretched human life and take us unto your kingdom by your sheer compassion. For this purpose, you have taken your abode in TiruvEnkaTam on whose peaks the clouds with the lightning rest and you yourself shine as a mammoth elephant! What a wonder that you have now chosen to take your seat in my heart” (minnaar mughil sEr can refer to both Mahalakshmi shining like lightning on the chest of the Lord and the mountain peak shining with lightning) (vii) TIRUMANGAI AZHWAR IN “PERIYA TIRUMOZHI” (1.10.7) maanEi maDa nOkki tirathu ethir vandha aanEzh viDai setra aNIvarai thOLaa! ThEnE! TiruvEnkata maa malai mEya kOnE! yen manam kuDi koNDirunthaayE! Meaning: “ For securing the hand of the deer-eyed Nappinnai, you charged at and killed the SEVEN proud bulls. Your shoulders were so huge and high like the lofty mountain. But, at the same time your demeanor is sweet like honey. Oh! Lord of TiruvEnkaTam! How come, you seem to have leased my mind and stayed put permanently there?” (viii) TIRUMANGAI AZHWAR IN “PERIYA TIRUMOZHI” (1.10.9) vandhaai enn manam pugunthaai manni ninraai! Nandhaatha kozhum suDarE! yengaL nambee! ChinthaamaNiyE! TiruvEnkaTam mEya yenthaai! ini yaan unnai enrum viDEnE! Meaning “You came! You saw! And, you conquered my mind by gate – crashing into it! Not only that. You also stayed put permanently in my mind! Hereafter, I will never ever let you go! You know why? You are the ever-shining brilliant flame. You the one who can grant all that one could aspire for! You are the one who rested at Tirumalai” COMMENT: Number 7 seem to have some mysterious appeal to Azhwars. - The Mountain is called the 7 hills. (Yezhumalai) - The Lord vanquished 7 bulls, to claim the hand of Nappinnai. - The Lord pierced the 7 trees. ------ To Continue: Tiruvoimozhi PaasurangaL ====================================================================== 2. “DASAAVATAARA STOTRAM OF SWAMI DESIKA”- PART 6: NRISIMHA AVATARAM (Half-Lion, Half Human) – Anbil Ramaswamy ----- Slokam 5 prathyaadishTa puraathana praharaNa graama: kshaNam paaNijai: avyaath threeNi jaganthi akunTa mahimaa vaikunTa kaNTeerava:/ yath praadur bhavanaath avandhya jaTaraa yaadrichikaath vEdasaam yaa kaachith sahasaa mahaasura griha sthooNaa pithamahi abhooth// Meaning "The King of VaikunTam Himself came down in the form of Lion-king. Discarding the antiquated conventional weapons, He converted His own nails as the weapon. He appeared in some pillar in the palace of the great Asura and rid it of its sterlity by delivering Him, thus transforming it as the Paternal Grandmother of Brahmas! May that Lord Nrisimha protect all the three worlds" THE BACKGROUND STORY NARASIMHA AVATAR (Man-Lion) On learning of the death of his brother at the hands of Lord Vishnu, Hiranyakasipu vowed to kill Bhagavan and his devotees (Bhaagavatas) who were engaged in a Yaga. With this end in view, he did penance propitiating Brahma and got several boons. That he should not be killed by any created thing, on earth or sky, at night or day, inside or outside, by man or beast, celestial beings or Asuras, by any poisonous beings alive or dead or by any weapons. He became invincible and commenced tormenting all good people. When he was busy doing penance, Indra took away Hiranyakasipu's wife, who was pregnant. Sage NARADA stopped him and proceeded to explain to her the glory of MAHAVISHNU. The fetus growing in the womb listened to the discourse of Sage NARADA and became an incorrigible Bhakta of Sri VISHNU. On return from penance with all the boons he got from BRAHMA, Hrianyakasipu proclaimed that he was himself God and nobody should pay obeisance to VISHNU. When the baby was born to Hrianyakasipu, he was named PRAHLADA meaning one that is supremely happy. When he came of age, PRAHLADA was sent to the Gurukula of his preceptor SUKRACHARYA. Sukracharya tried to inculcate the new syllabus of adoring Hrianyakasipu as God. However hard he tried, Sukracharya could not divert the attention of PRAHLADA from his attachment to VISHNU. Having failed in his efforts, Sukracharya complained to Hrianyakasipu who became angry with his son, roared and threatened him. But, nothing would move PRAHLADA from his devotion and determination to worship Lord Vishnu. When asked where from he got the courage to defy, the son replied he got the strength from the All-powerful VISHNU. - He ordered PRAHLADA to be cut asunder but only the weapon used got broken. - He had him cast away into the ocean but the Lord of the ocean brought him unaffected. - He was hurled from top of a mountain but the boy was saved by the gentle hands of Lord Vishnu. - He let snakes bite Prahlada but the Lord who reclines on Adisesha saved the boy. - He ordered elephants to trample him and - He ordered the boy to be burnt by fire. But, Prahlada emerged unscathed every time. Hrianyakasipu became exasperated. Enraged, Hrianyakasipu vowed to kill Vishnu and then Prahlada. He asked Prahlada where Vishnu was and showed a pillar that was in his palace and asked if Vishnu was in it. Prahlada replied in the affirmative and asked him to say where He was NOT! Hrianyakasipu kicked the pillar with a bang. With a resounding crash the pillar cracked and, Lord Vishnu emerged from it in the form of half-lion half- man to substantiate the words of Prahlada. On seeing a creature that was neither human nor animal, Hrianyakasipu realized that it could be none other than Lord Vishnu himself. Almost instantly NRISIMHA seized him and crushed him in a close embrace but he slipped through his hands, and charged him with a sword. By that time, dusk had arrived which was neither day nor night, NRISIMHA carried the Asura to the doorstep where under the arch of the doorway he sat laying the Asura on his lap. Thus, it was neither earth nor sky, neither inside nor outside. NRISIMHA tore Hrianyakasipu to death with his claws. Claw is not a weapon, one that was neither alive nor dead. Periyazhwar explains why he embraced Hrianyakasipu before killing him saying that he was searching whether there was at least an iota of compassion towards his son. Since he did not find any, he decided to kill the Asura. Sri Swami Vedanta Desika while referring to this AVATARA says, that the pillar in the ASURA'S palace had the luck which other pillars elsewhere in the world did not enjoy because it was from there Bhagavan emerged thus ending her sterility. He jocularly remarks that by this, the pillar had become the grandmother of BRAHMA thus: Brahma is known to be “Pithaamaha” Grandfather. Vishnu is his father. By giving birth to Vishnu, the pillar had become Brahma's grandmother. He calls this Avatar "YADRUCHA HARE" meaning that the Lord appeared instantly and no preparations were made by him for his incarnation. That the Lord exhibited both his wrath and grace all at the same time is very well brought out in the Sloka 'Satapatala Bheeshane' in Swami Sri Vedanta Desika's Kamasika Ashtakam. When asked how it was possible that the two incompatible emotions could be perceived in the same personality all at once, Emperumanar is reported to have replied that the lioness even when pouncing on its prey, the elephant, would continue to breast feed with love its calf. COMMENTS: 1. Kshanam = In a trice, Suddenly. Nrisimha Emerged unexpectedly from the pillar 2. Paanijai: = Fingernails; They grow on the hands (paaNI+ja) and can be clipped without hurt. So, they are both alive and dead at the same time since Hrianyakasipu wanted NOT to be killed by anything living or dead! 3. Prathyaadishta Praharana graama: = Discarding the old routine weapons like disc, mace etc. known as Panchaayudham, Shodasaayudham etc. because the Lord had to deal with Hrianyakasipu without offending any of the contrary boons Hrianyakasipu had obtained from Siva. 4. Akunta mahimaa = One of immeasurable glory cf Andal’s “Kurai onrum illatha Govindaa”. 5. Threeni Jaganthi avyaath = It is such a one who can protect the 3 worlds. 6. Vaikunta Kanteerava: = can mean both the Lion residing in Vaikuntam or the Lion called Vaikuntan. Since Hrianyakasipu wanted NOT to be killed by human or animal, the Lord took the Half-lion, Half-human form, which cannot be deemed as either human or beast! 7. Sahasaa = Immediately and with supersonic speed 8. Avantya Jataraa = The pillar was relieved of barrenness (Maladu) And, what happened? 9. Mahaasura Gruha Sthoonaa Piathaamahi abhooth = Swami Desika’s imagination runs riot when he humorously says that the pillar in the great Asura’s palace gave birth to the Lord thereby becoming the Grandmother for Brahma! Brahma is known as Grandsire (Pithaamaha); Lord Narayana is the father, having created Brahma; the pillar gave birth to Narayana in the form of Nrisimha and automatically became the grandmother to the grandsire himself! 10. Of all the leelas of the Lord, the most wonderful is that of Nrisimha. It is described as “Athiadbutham” more wonderful than that of Kishnaavatara described only as “adbutham”. He had to devise a stratagem appropriate in form, time, location, and place, mode etc. without transgressing the opposite conditions Hrianyakasipu had demanded and was granted in the form of boons. 11. In 12th Sloka, Swami Desika calls the lord “yadruchchaa Hareh” This can mean that He took the form never seen or heard of before and that He took everyone by surprise including Hrianyakasipu, Brahma and Prahlada by suddenly appearing from a stone pillar! This is also another aspect of Leela. 12. Vedasaam: Brahmas: The word is in plural to indicate that there were several Brahmas from time immemorial. A story in Upanishads describe Brahma as a worm living inside the fruit of a fig tree imagining that the entire world was within the fruit it lived in, not knowing that there were numerous other Brahma worms inside the millions of fruits on the mother tree! There is also a Slokam that says that it may be possible to count the number of sands on the banks of the Ganges or the tiny drops when torrential rains lash but it is not possible to count the number of Brahmas who were born and disappeared! Gangaayaa: sikathaa: dhaaraa thathaa varshathi vaasave / Sakhyaa ganayithum lokE na vyatheethaa: pitaamahaah // 13. It used to be said that the Lord appeared to make the words of His devotee true. When Prahlada said that the Lord WAS in the pillar, He actually WAS there to prove him true. “Nija Brithya Baashitham” Who is the true Brithya here? Not only Prahlada but Siva also because He had to be true to every single faulty boon Siva granted to Hrianyakasipu! 14. Another episode, which some people project is, the story in which Siva is shown as taking a queerer form than Nrisimha as Sarbeswara and killing Nrisimha. This is a concocted story found in an unreliable Tamasic Sthala Purana. Exploding the myth behind this, it is said that “Saraba” perished like a firefly (“salabaha”) falling into a burning flame that was Nrisimha! “Sarabaha SalabhaayatE”. Note the alliteration! 15. Swami Desika variously describes Nrisimha as “Adbutha Kesari” (wonderful lion) “kaamaasikaa kesari” ( who became a lion of His own choice), “KapaTa Kesari” (deceitful lion) ,”kelee narasimham” (Playful), “Vishama vilochana” ( One who displays at the same time opposite emotions of anger at Hrianyakasipu and compassion at Prahlada) like a lion which even while pouncing ferociously on its prey continues to breast- feed her cub) ------ TO CONTINUE: VAAMANA AVATAARAM ====================================================================== 3. SRI RANGA VIJAYAM – PART 27 – “THE 3rd ENCLOSURE” >From "Sri Ranga Vijayam" by Purisai Sri Krishnamachariar Swami, Editor, "Nrisimhapriya" (translation in English: Anbil Ramaswamy) ----- Before entering the 3rd Enclosure called “kuklasEkaran Sutru” we have to enter the “AryabhaTTar Vaasal”. Once upon a time, some Brahmins known as “Arayas” are believed to have been taking care of this entrance. Hence, the name. GaruDaazhwaar and Chakrathhaazhwar are said to guard this entrance. As we enter, we see the gold plated sacrificial altar (BalipeeTam) and flag-post (Dvaja Sthambam). This is the famous “aNiyaranganTirumutram”. On our left, we have the “PavitrOtsava mantapam” where are the Sannidhis of Lord Hayagrivar and Goddess Saraswati. It is said that KulasEkara Azhwar built this mantapam. A little further on the north, we have the summer festival mantapam (kODai TirunaaL mantapam) built by Vijayaranga Sokkanaathar. Adjacent to this is the “Veda mantapam” where they offer their petitions to the Lord before He proceeds to “Paramapada vaasal” on VaikunTa Ekaadasi day. Devotees believe under this runs the mythical “Viraja” river. On one of the pillars here is depicted the scene in which VibheeshaNa is shown as carrying the “Sri Ranga Vimaanam”. As we turn northwards, on our left is the famous “Paramapada vaasal” which is opened only on VaikunTa Ekaadasi day. We can see devotees offering their prayers to Varaaha PerumaL by clapping their palms. Here is the royal kitchen known as “aranga naayakiyaar Tiru maDappaLLi’, Next to this is the “’DOlOtsava mantapam” where during the month of Aippasi, NamperumaL has His swing festival. There are two wells known as “Ghee wells” nearby. Opposite to this is a 4-pillared mantapam where the Lord presides over the flag hoisting ceremony (Dvaja AarOhaNam) during the annual festival of BrahmOtsavam. The Sannidhi of “Siriya TiruvaDi” is on an elevated plane on this mantapam. He is considered a great “Vara prasaadhi” (one who grants boons). Devotees used to adorn Him with garlands of cakes made of black-gram (VaDaimaalai). We now stand in front of the “ BalipeeTam” where we chant our “Guru parampara” slokas and enter the 2nd Enclosure. We cannot complete the circum-ambulation of the 3rd, 2nd and 1st Enclosures. We have to come back only anti-clock-wise unlike in other Enclosures where we have more than one exit. - To Continue: 2nd Enclosure =============================================================== 4. "LEARN OUR TRADITION THE EASY WAY"- SAMPRADAYA LESSONS FOR KIDS GRADE 2 LESSON 15: “SWAMI DESIKA’S STOTRAS” (Written in Tamil by Desika Bhakta Ratnam, U. Ve. Seva Srinivasa Raghava chariar Swami under his "Jayamangala Paada Thittam" and translated in English by Sri M.K.Srinivasan Swami of Vedanta Desika Research Center) Among over 100 works of Swami Desika are 28 Stotras or hymns addressed to the Lord in His various forms, Goddesses Sridevi, Bhoodevi, Sri ANDAL and other deities besides verses on some specified topics. These are listed below with benefits which will accrue on studying / reciting them. Name of the Stotra/No. of verses/Dedicated to whom/Benefits AbheethiSthavam/29/Lord Ranganatha/Freedom from fear of any sort Achyuta Sathakam/101/ Lord Deva nayaka/ A place in the Lord’s domain AshTabuja ashTakam/10/Lord AshTabuja/Delight in serving the Lord Bhagavad Dhyana SOpaanam/12/Lord Ranganatha/Development of devotion BhooSththi/33/ Sri Bhoodevi/Forbearance, landed property Dasaavataara StOtram/13/ Incarnations/ Health, wealth, Speech, Fame etc. Dayaa Sathakam/108/Lord Venkateswara/ Lord’s grace and auspiciousness Dehalisa Sthuthi/28/ Lord Dehalisa/ Fulfillment of desires Deva Naayaka Panchaasath/53/ Lord Deva Naayaka/ Truthful utterances Godhaa Sthuthi/29/Sri ANDAL/Blessings of Lord Ranganatha and GOdha Gopla Vimsati/ 21/ Lord Krishna/Realization of God within Hayagriva Stotra/ 33/ Lord Hayagriva/ Acquisition of knowledge Kaamaasika Ashtakam/9/Lord Nrisimha/ Fulfillment of desires Nyaasa Tilakam/32/Lord Ranganatha/ Service to the Lord Nyaasa Dasakam/11/On Surrender/Removal of fear and burden of life Nyasa Vimsati/22/Lord Varadaraja/ Secret of Nyasa Vidya Paramaartha Sthuthi/10/Lord Vijayaraghava/ Delight to Prapanna Raghu Veera Gadhyam/-/Lord Rama/Remedy for worldly ills SaraNAgathi Deepikai/60/ Lord Deepa Prakaasa/ Removal of ignorance ShODasa Aayudha Stotram/19/Lord Sudarsana/Prosperity Sree Sthuthi/ 25/ Goddess Lakshmi/ Prosperity Sudarsana Ashtakam/8/Lord Sudarsana/ Wish fulfillment GaruDa DanDakam/-/Lord GaruDa/Antidote to poison and diseases Vairaghya Panchakam/6/Lord Varadaraja/Renunciation Varadaraaja Panchaasath/51/Lord Varadaraja/ All kinds of welfare Vegaa Sethu Stotram/10/Lord YatOtkaari/ Lord acceding to devotees’ wishes Yathiraaja Saptadi/74/ Bhagavad Ramanuja/ Blessings of Preceptor and acquisition of knowledge Although these hymns have been composed more than 7 centuries ago, they have a great relevance for us in modern times who always find time running out whenever we want to do something for our spiritual good. Couched in comparatively simple Sanskrit, these hymns can be easily memorized and recited, the purer the better, for immediate and spectacular results. They are stated to contain Bija Mantras and hence success is vouchsafed for the reciter. They contain basic philosophical truths as well, besides references to the Lord’s incarnations. ------ To be continued ====================================================================== _______________ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
