90th Thirunakshathram of His Holiness ParavAkkoTtai Andavan of Srirangam Poundarikapuram Ashramam (March 21st)

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SrI:

SrImathE Goapaldseika mahadesikaya nama:

 

Dearest all,

asmadhacharyan His Holiness Srimad Paravakkottai Andavan Sri Gopaladesika

Mahadesikan's 90th Thirunakshathram is on March 21st (Panguni Rohini)

Please accept adiyEn’s dhaNdavath praNAmams at your feet.

 

THE ROLE OF GURU IN SPIRITUAL SADHANA "

by Dr. Sri U VE N.S. AnantaRangachariar Swami, Bangalore,

 

" It is no exaggeration to say that there is nothing on earth by paying which,

we could free ourselves from our indebtedness to a Guru. The benefaction

bestowed by the Guru is so great that we have to be ever grateful to him. A

number of teachers have taught us different things and have given a shape to our

life. We have to grateful to all of them.

 

An Aachaarya is celebrated personage who is a SROTRIYA and a BRAHMANISHTA.

Without initiation by an Aachaarya, it is not possible for one to gain the

knowledge of the ultimate reality.

 

Sri Vedanta Desika declares that there is no God greater than the Aachaarya

himself- 'Aachaaryaita Devatam Samadhikam Anyam Na Manyaamahe'

 

The Guru shows the path of knowledge, fills one with faith by his own example,

initiates the procedure, plans for his progress, gives him the necessary

technique, corrects him whenever he goes wrong and leads him to the ultimate

goal surely and safely.

 

The Mundaka Upanishad says that one who has developed dispassion on seeing the

hollowness of the earthly gains should go to such a Guru alone who is a Srotriya

and Brahmanishta for gaining knowledge of the Supreme reality.

 

The Guru to be sought should be endowed with the following qualities.

 

i) he must have gained realization;

ii) he must be of a firm understanding,

iii) sinless,

iv) well versed in the scriptures,

v) established in Brahman,

vi) Satvic in nature,

vii) truthful,

viii) endowed with virtuous behavior,

ix) free from jealousy, vanity and other vices,

x) endowed conquest over his sense organs,

xi) forgiving,

xii) compassionate,

xiii) corrective whenever there is a lapse and

xiv) mindful of his and other' welfare.

 

The Prakritam Aachaarya, Sri Paravaakkottai Aandavan Swami fulfills everyone of

these parameters admirably well and is truly a Srotriya and Brahmanishta fit to

be worshipped as God himself as ordained by Taittriya Upanishad-' Aachaarya Devo

Bhava' and as voiced by Apasthamaba-'Devamiva Aachaaryam Upaaseetha "

 

We are planning to celebrate the Satabhishakam (the 90th Thirunakshthram) of H.

H. Sri Paravakottai Andavan for five days ending on March 21st Sunday at

Srirangam.

 

It is the duty of all spiritually-minded persons to contribute their mite

towards this celebration. (Thanks to Sri Dr. VN Vedantha Desikan Swamin for

giving permission to make use of his article.)

 

I humbly request with my folded hands to each Bhagawatha of this list, to

contribute your mite for the 90th Jayanthi celebration. Please pay your

obeisance by contributing your mite and donate generously to the cause of

the 90th Tirunakshatram celebrations planned for March 21, 2010

 

Contributions for 90th birthday celebrations of Srimad Paravakkottai Andavan Sri

Gopaladesika Mahadesikan may be sent in any of the following modes:

 

(1) Remittances can be sent in favour of Srimad Andavan Poundarikapuram

Swami Asramam Trust, SRIRANGAM which is enjoying 80G Income Tax exemption. The

same can be drawn payable at Srirangam, Trichy-620 006 and sent by post or

courier to the following address:

 

Srimad Andavan Poundarikapuram Swami Asramam

 

43-A/13, Asramam Road

Srirangam

Trichy 620 006

Ph : 0431-2436100

(OR)

 

(2) Remittances can be made in favour of the Trust account which is holding

an SB A/c with ICICI Bank Ltd., Srirangam, Trichy – A/c No. 612501121724.

However, even if the remittance is directly made to this bank a/c, the details

of the remitter’s address should be sent to the Asramam for sending the

receipt alongwith 80G exemption certificate copy.

 

Achaaryan ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam

Regards

namo narayana

dAsan