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JAGATH PATHI:

DARSANAM
taic[mf
Monthly BI-LINGUAL Emagazine
YATHI PATHI:

YEAR: TAMIL MONTH : ENGLISH MONTH :


SARVAJITH THAI JANUARY
2008
MAKAR SANKRANTHI DAY - “PONGAL O PONGAL”

TOOPUL KULAMANI

SRIMAD VEDANTA DESIKAN TIRUVDIGALE SARANAM


INTORDECTION PAGE
SRI:
SRIMATE SRI SRINIVASA PARABRAHMANE NAMA:
BHAGAVATE BHASHYAKARAYA NAMA:
SRIMATE SRI NIGAMANTA MAHADESIKAYA NAMA:
ASMAT GURUBHYO NAMA:
Priya srivashnavas,
The new emagazine has been initiated with the blessings of our acharyan Srimad
Vedanta Desikan for the benefit of learning our sampradayam, acharyas,
vaibhavam of all alwars, acharyas and emberuman, works of alwars and acharyas,
our daily activities etc. through interaction on Tuesday, Pongal Festival day, 15th
January 2008. This magazine is really needed? Yes or no. Our Srivaishnava
community in Muscat is now on the track of learning our sampradayam. Now in our
community adiyen see that all have been blessed by their acharyas with
samasrayanam and bharanyasam. Adiyen can see the drastic change in the satsangh
betweeen 2000 and 2008. It is good news to our sampradayam. We organise
Sravanam every month from 1994 without break. But it was started even before in
late 1980s. The Acharyan Tirunakshatrams such as HH Srimad Azhagiya Singar, HH
Srimad Andavan, HH Srimad Poundarikapuram Swami, the grand celebration of
Vaikunta Ekadasi Garuda-Seva, Sri Padmavathi Srinivasa Perumal Kalyanotsavam,
Purattasi Sravanam show our interest and dedication towards our sampradayam and
emberuman. Learning Nithyanusandhanam, important Vedic Hyms are completed.
Learning Srimad Vedanta Desika Stotra Patas are still going on in the two areas
since 2000. We had many upanyasams on various topics in the middle. What is
next? Next is we should know about our sampradayam, greatness of emberuman,
alwars, acharyas, sastras, scriptures etc. and should live happily in this world.
kavyaXaas~ivanaaodona kalaao gacCit QaImatama\ .
vyasanaona tu maUKa-NaaM inad`yaa klahona vaa ..
The intelligent people spend their time by enjoying the scripture and the foolish
people will spend their by quarrel, sleep and worries.
What is the order and wish of sri krishna paramaathma? In this busy world what is
the best way to live?
manmanaa Bava mad\Ba@tao maVajaI maaM namaskuÉ .
mamaovaOYyaisa sa%yaM to p`itjaanao ip`yaao|isa mao .. 18 ,65
Meaning: give your mind to me, be devoted to me, worship me and bow to me.
Doing so you will come to me alone, I truly promise you, for you are exceptionally
dear to me. (Gita:18.65)
The clear instruction is given that we should not miss the flight to Srivaikuntam in
this birth itself. So, to reserve a seat in the flight the Tiruvadi of our Acharyan is very
important and continuous meditation on god, learning sastras will get boarding pass

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for us. Learning about the great Alwars, Acharyas and their works will also please
Emberuman. There is ocean of books written by our great linage of Acharyas. We
cannot learn them in a human life span. So let us know some portion about them.
This magazine will be useful to every one.
We would like to request your recorgnition for this magazine and need your support.
This is for your kind information that we all are in the editorial body and
all are chief editors and sub-editors. So praying to our acharyan let us
start.
This magazine includes (kindly suggest more)
Editor's page
Panchangam of this Month
Vedic information
Photo Gallery (Photo of the month)
Alwar Stories
Alwar Amuda-mozhi
Our linage of Acharyas
Swami Desikan
Story of this month
Tit Bits
Quiz on Vaishnavism
Gita Madhuryam
Events
Vachagar Kadiam
Know about our family member
(Monthly one member of our group)
Divya Desa Oorvalam
Learn about this work
Inda Vaara Karuthu
Enga Veettu Nigazhchi
Appeal if any.

On behalf of DARSANAM eMagazine


VILLIAMBAKKAM
GOVINDARAJAN

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PANCHANGAM
Name of the month : thai
“thai pirandal vazhi pirakkum” is the ancient proverb. Let everyone enjoy the new
life and experience.
Date Day Item Festival Spl
Makar Pongal paanai
15-01-08 Tuesday Pongal festival
sankranthi 7 am to 8 pm
19-01-08 Saturday Ekadasi Ekadasi vratham
20-01-08 Sunday Dwadasu Paduka aradanam
Embar tiru
22-01-08 Tuesday Poornima
Nakshatram
Tirumazhisai
25-01-08 Friday Magham Alwar tn celebration
alwar tn
Republic day of
26-01-08 Saturday
india
Koorathalwar We can start reciting
28-01-08 Monday Hastham
tnakshamtram divya prabandam
03-02-08 Sunday Ekadasi Ekadasi vratham
04-02-08 Monday Dwadasi Paduka aradanam
Tirunangur 12
Amavasai Samudra snanam
garuda seva
06-02-08 Wednesday
Swami desikan Swami desikan tn
Sravanam
monthly tn celebration
13-02-08 Wednesday Masa pirappu Maasi month begins

Thai month beginning on: 15th January 2008. Pongal Paanai can be kept
between 6.30 am to 8 am (sources: Srimad Ahobila Mutt, Srimad Andavan
Ashramam)

WISH YOU ALL VERY HAPPY PONGAL


FROM DARSANAM

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Photo Gallery (Photos of the month)

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Alwar whom Emberuman followed
(kindly download Shusha and mylasri fonts)
Records for life history of Alwar : Ari Samaya Deepam, Tiruchanda
viruththam, Nanmugan Tiruvandadi, Diyvasoori Charitam, Abhidhana
Chintamani

Alwars birth :
Bhakti Sarar is the another name of Sri Tirumazhisai Alwar. Alwar was born to
Sri Bhargava Muni. His mother delivered as ball of a flesh on Thai Magam in Mahi
Saram @ Tirumazhisai, so they threw that flesh ball into a nearby bamboo bush. But
by the blessings of Lord Narayana the flesh ball turned as a beautiful baby. Goddess
Mahalakshmi herself fed the baby with her breast milk and blessed the baby with all
kinds of knowledge. More over whenever the baby sucks his thumb, the nector
(devamrtham) will flow frequently.
Childhood and his blessings:
The child was found and adopted by a bamboo seller called Tiruvalan.
Tiruvalan was very happy with the child and taking care of the child. But the child
was not feeling hunger, thirst and sleep and all the time meditating on God. People
came to know about this child and came forward to feed him. An old couple was one
among them. They used to bring milk to the child. One day the child gave them
some remaining milk and they also consumed it with great dedication and devotion.
What a surprise they both turned young and in course of them they got a baby
called “Kanikkannan”. Kanikkannan became Tirumazhisai Alwar’s deciple and serving
him day and night.
Becoming Siva Vaakyar:
After 7 years in Tiruvalan’s house started toward Atmajnanam and went on
trip to holy places. He learnt all philosophies and practiced them such as Saakyam
(Buddhism), Samanam (Jainism) and Saivism and became a Siva Siddhanti (follower
of Saivism) at last. He was called “Siva Vaakkiyar” and has been considered as one
of the 18 Siddhas in Tamil Nadu. His compositions on Siva were collected and
available now in Saivism. Some of his poems are also included in his works in Tamil
Prabandams. It is told that he lived for 4000 years. But how far it is true!!!
Meeting with Peyalwar:
Siva Vaakyar used to cross the Nandavanam (garden) maintained by Peyalwar
every day. Once Peyalwar wanted to teach him a lesson about Vaishnavism, so he
was uprooting all the Tulasi plants and planting them ups and downs same way he
was trying to fill a pot which had many holes with a broken thread. Looking this Siva
Vakiya laughed loudly. But Peyalwar kept quiet, continued his work. The upset Siva
Vaakiya asked Alwar “Your action looks foolish and really the water will reach the
plants? Are you ghost or a mad?” Now slowly Peyalwar turned towards Siva Vaakiyar
and told “I am not a fool or mad. But just to show you that you behave like a fool, I
behaved like this.” Now Siva Vaakiyar stunned with these words and requested
Alwar to explain this more. Now Alwar explained
The broken thread is Atma, the broken pot shows the condition of Atma
which got many holes due to the verities of philosophies, the plantation of Tulasi
plants shows that the Atma which is deviated does not understand the beginning
and the end. This is the condition of millions of souls in the world and your condition

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is also like this. I decided to show your condition, so I behaved like this.” Now Siva
Vakkiyar flet ashamed and worried for his mistake finally surrendered to the feet of
Peyalwar. Peyalwar taught him all the Vishnu Tatvam and Rahasyas. Whatever he
learnt from Peyalwar, he followed and became Tirumazhisai Alwar. Alwar describes
this thus :
cakfkiygf kbfEbamf, cm]mf kbfEbamf – cgfkr[aaf
~kfkiy ~km N\lf ~rayfnfEtamf – pakfkiytftalf
ecgfkdf kaiya^[cf EcafnfEtamf tItilEm
'gfkdf kaiy eta[fbilf.
After sometimes he got permission from Peyalwar, went on holy trip to Vishnu
Kshetrams. Finally he settled in Tiru Vekka which is in Kanchi near Varadarar
Temple.
Episode of Kanikkannan :
When Alwar was stying in a hut, an old lady with the anxiety of getting
blessed by this great soul (Alwar), cleaned the front side of the hut
every day. Alwar also was very much happy and blessed her with
young, beautiful personality that she wanted. The king of Kanchi
married this lady looking her beauty. After some years he found that
he becomes old as per the nature, but his wife was still young and
beautiful. He was so curies and asked about this to his wife. Wife
told about the blessings of Tirumazhisai Alwar. So he also wanted to
turn young and handsome. He called Alwar’s disciple Kanikkan and
requested to bring Alwar to his palace. But Kanikannan told that
Alwar never enters into the Palace and will not praise a human.
Then the king said if it so then you bless me with young and handsome personality.
He also refused and composed the following poem :
~dvafkqf 'gfg[f `k[febazivaf ev#kav<mf
padkMmf UrkMmf pwfcrma – nIFymalf
ni[fba[f ;Rnfta[f kidnfta[f ;Tv[fEba
m[fbaaf epazilf kcfci ma]fp<
Means the Saints and devotes will not sing anyone other than the Lord in Vekka
(yathokta-kari emberuman is in sleeping position) in sleeping posture, in Padagam
(Pandava-dootar in sitting position) sitting posture and Ooragam (Ulagalanda
perumal is in standing position) standing posture.
Emberuman follows Alwar’s request :
The king was angry and ordered Kanikannan to go out of the country.
Kanikannan accepted and informed Alwar. Alwar was very much upset and thought
if Kanikkannan go for exile then no work to me here, so I am going. He went to the
temple and requested Emberuman thus :
k]i k]f][f Epaki[fba[f kamR p>gfkcfci
m]iv]f]a nI kidkfk Ev]fda – T]iv<Ady
ecnfnapf p<lv{mf Epaki[fEb[f nIy<mf u[fb[f
Apnfnakpf payf CRdfFkf ekaqf”
Kanikkanan leaves Kanchi, so I am also going. Manivannana !
you need not sleep here, bundle your bed of Adisesha and
come with us. What a surprise!!! Emberuman accepted
Alwar’s request started moving with his bed Adisesha. When Emberuman followed
Alwar, all the deities in Kanchi also lost their charm staying Kanchi left the city.
Darkness spread everywhere in Kanchi, bad signs were seen in the palace, the

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message was conveyed to the king. The King convened the meeting with ministers.
Then all the ministers pointed out King’s mistake and now King repent for his
mistake, went to Alwar and fell on his feet. At that time Alwar crossed Kanchi city
and staying in a place whole night. Every early morning King came with his team
asked to pardon his mistake and requested to come back to the city. Alwar forgave
is mistake and looked at the face of Kanikkannan. Kanikkannan who follows the
orders of Alwars and understands Alwar’s message accepted Alwar’s wish. Then
Alwar looked at Emberuman and requested him thus:
k]i k]f][f Epakf ekazinfta[f kamR p>gfkcfci
m]iv]f]a nI kidkfk Ev]fDmf – T]iv<Ady
ecnfnapf p<lv{mf EpakfekazinfEt[f nIy<M[fb[f
Apnfnakpf payf viaitfTkf ekaqf”
Again another surprise. Emberuman also accepted the request of Alwar and all of
them came back to Tiruvekka. Then Emberuman is called “(Alwar) sonna vannam
seitha perumal” in Sanskrit “Yatokta-kari”. The place where Emberuman, Alwar and
Kanikkan stayed is being called as “or-iravu-irukkai” now “orikkai”. This episode has
been enacted every year on this day in this temple. Emberuman have Tiruveedhi
utsavam on Sesha Vahanam. After some years Alwar went to Tiruvallikkeni on his
visit to Divya desams and performing his Kainkaryam to Emberuman.

Siva and Parvathi :


Once, in Tiruvallikeni Alwar was stitching the torn dress of Emberuman. At
that time, Siva and Parvathi was travelling in the sky. Alwar was very much keen in
stitching. He did not look up. Parvathi asked about this great person after seeing
Alwar, then Siva replied “He is sole servant of Narayana who will not worship other
deities”. Parvathi was so happy for his devotion and asked Siva to go to him and
bless him with some boons. They both appeared in front of Alwar. Alwar did not see
them and seriously engaged in his stitching.
Siva : Do you know who has come?
Alwar : Yes I know.
Siva : Why don’t you recognize it?
Alwar : I have nothing to do with you.
Siva : Why not? Ask for some boons.
Alwar : I want Moksham.
Siva : That is possible only by Narayana.
Alwar : if it is so, make the people die tomorrow instead of today.
Siva : Death is fixed according to their Karma. It is already fixed.
Alwar : Then make the thread to follow the needle all the time.
Now Siva was very angry and opened his third eye towards Alwar. The fire broke out
towards Alwar. Alwar was not afraid and lifted his right thumb. Fire more powerful
than Siva’s was broke out from his thumb and troubled Siva. Then Siva called a
cloud called “Putkala” and showered heavy rain to control the heat happed from
Alwar. Then Siva recollected previous episodes and realized that no can defeat
Adiyars and granted him the title “BHAKTI SARAR”.
Even today we can have the darsanam of the eye in the right thumb of Alwar in
Tirumazhisai. This episode has been indirectly described in 99th pasuram of
Tiruchanda viruththam.
(to be continued…….)

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43. TIRUKKACHCHI
Vishnu Kanchi
Travel Base: Kancheepuram
TIRU ATTIGIRI - ATTIGIRI PERUMAL KOIL

Deities
Sree Varadaraja Perumal, Sree Perundevi Thayar
Posture
Standing, West Faced
Vimanam
Punyakodi Vimanam
Theertham
Vegavati River, Anantasaras
Prathyaksham To
Birugu Maharishi, Naradha Maharishi, Brahma, Aadi Seshan, Gajendran
Mangalasasanam
Total: 7 Pasurams
Boothatazhwar - 2, Peyazhwar - 1, Tirumangai Azhwar - 4
Feature
The original idol of Sree Atthi Varadar here was made from Atthimaram (Atthi Wood) is
kept inside the puskarani and is brought out only once in 40 years and kept for dharshan
for ten days.
This is the birth place of Poigai Azhwar and Swami Desikar.
Access
This temple itself in Kancheepuram and about 1km from Kancheepuram railway station
and 90km from Chennai by road on Chengalpat Arakkonam route.
Courtesy : http://www.geocities.com/chittu108/t43.html

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SRIMAD VEDANTA DESIKA MANGALAM
Vedantha Desika was the brightest star in the firmament of VisishtAdvaita next only
to Sri Ramanujacharya. Initial exposure to Vedas, Divya Prabandhams, and
SaasthrAs provided him with an independent and individualistic insight into the
secrets of the world of knowledge. Hence, his knowledge was encyclopedic. His
knowledge offered him modesty, which is rare commodity among scholars. In him,
there was a synthesis of moral fervour and spiritual insight. He was a saint to the
core and detachment, the like of which is hard to notice among others.

He was a poet, philosopher, scrupulous in the


performance of his duties and upholder of the
righteous cause. He was imbued with the sense of
responsibility to uphold the concepts, which SrI
Ramanujacharya preached. He adopted almost all
possible ways of writing to achieve this purpose. No
writer among the followers of Ramanuja fought for
the right place for AhzwArs, as much as Swamy
Desikan. His compositions in pure Tamil and in maNipravALam and their graded
classifications from the simple to the complex bear ample testimony to this.

With all these achievements and attainments, which no single scholar could ever
dream of possessing, he has an embodiment of humility, he shunned pelf, repute,
gain and adoration and was ever a devout devotee of a Srivaishnava, not slighting
anyone. His son SrI Kumara Varadachrya observes: yak khyAthi laabhapUjAsu
vimukO vaishnavO janE krayaNIyadasaam praaptah:

His appeal to the Lord of Srirangam, that he should be allowed to live amidst those
who are mutually well-disposed. “paraspara hithashiNAm parisarEshu mAm
varthaya:”. An indefatigable crusader for Vaishnavism like the AchArya Swamy
Desikan is quite needed in the present day. Let us pray to the Lord for fulfillment of
this prayer of ours.

Let us conclude this series with a mangalam verses on Swamy Desikan written by
His illustrious son- Sri Kumara varadarya).

Sri Vedanta Desikan’s son Sri Nayinacharyar (or Kumara Varadacharyar) composed
13 verses singing mangaLam for Swamy. He reminisces the upakarams of Swamy
Desikan in his eulogy.

Srima lakshmaNa yogeendra: ...aham bhajE..

I bow down to Varadacharyar, born in Viswamithra kulam (gOthram), who is like the
victory flag of Emperumaanaar Sri Ramanuja Siddhaantham Sarvathanthra
swathanthraaya… venkatEsaaya mangaLam..
MangaLam to Sarwaswathanthrar, Lion among poets, Vedantacharya by name
VenktEsan. (to be continued……..)
(COURTESY : SRIRANGASRI)

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