8/16/2008

Darsanam : 2 Sevai : 5

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Manner of communication

Going to temple is a great experience for most of the members of

Darshanam when we are on holiday in India. Most of us plan for the same
several months ahead. Exchanging notes among ourselves and sharing the experience
after we return to Muscat is itself like reliving the temple visit that lingers on for several
months. While all of us generally return with a
great sense of satisfaction, there are instances
when we have felt that the visit to some temples
could have been better. One common
shortcoming among some of temples staff has
been their insensitivity to the feelings of the
devotees. I have also been at the receiving end
of such insensitivity both from the temple staff
and also the kainkarayas of the temples and am
sure many of the readers of this issue would also
have had some forgettable experience. (I will not
enter in to the subject as to the status accorded
to the women devotees in the temple which in
my view needs to be reviewed by all albeit within
the established customs but giving due
Rajagopuram, PV Kalathur
consideration to the fact that women devotees
are equally involved in our sampradayam and
have a pivotal role in shaping the coming generation)

Coming back to the insensitivity, the usual diatribes that we are subject to are: ―don’t
stand there‖ ―go back‖, ―this place is not for ladies‖ , ―take out your shirt‖ etc all in
cryptic commands. Don’t mistake me that I am against tradition. I am all for following
tradition, but my objection is to the manner of communication as not all devotees are
aware of all the traditions and the protocol of every temple in this age. However in my
recent trip to Udayavar Sannadhi at Sri perumbudur on 31 July, I had two very
memorable experiences one of which concerns the topic that I have mentioned above. I
was prostrating before the Dwjasthambam as I do in every temple. I have been to this
temple several times and thought nothing wrong in this. To my surprise I was told by
the Bhattar (who was seeing me) that I should have prostrated at a different place
which was about 3 meters away. Explaining the reason as why the proper place a few
meters away he said that he wanted to correct me when I was starting to prostrate but
thought that I would be sensitive and therefore was waiting for me to finish. I

Darsanam – Avani2008 Page 2

expressed my sincere thanks to him for correcting me and I left the temple with great
satisfaction that someone corrected a mistake and
made me feel good about it. This is what we
should do in our lives as ultimately what we want
to achieve is a change for the better and if this can
be achieved by improving the way we
communicate , the experience is all the more
enjoyable.

The second experience in the sannadhi of Swami

Ramanuja was my baghyam of seeing the
devotion of a 3 year old girl in the temple. It was
satamurai time and she was with her grandfather.
After the Theertam and Shadari were over, I heard
her calling the name of the Acharaya (Ramanuja
Ramanuja). With the number of devotees less than
10 her voice was resonating in the corridor as
though the Acharaya had Himself given Her the
varam to repeat His Thiru Namam in His Sannadhi. I was so thrilled hearing this child
repeat His name that I asked her to repeat a few more times which she did without
hesitation. Whether the girl was repeating His name by habit or not is not relevant. The
very fact that she has been brought up to say His Thiru Namam is itself a great up-
bringing. If every household can inculcate Acharya bhak thi
from the age of 3 as I saw in Sriperumbudur, our
samapradayam will flourish even better.

Vazga Pallandu Nam Thirupavai Jeeyar

Vazga Pallandu Nam Arangar Mouli
Vazga Pallandu Nam Thoopul Pillai
Vazga Pallandu Nam Aththigiri Perumaal

Nangainallur Venkatesan

Darsanam – Avani2008 Page 3

 Name of the month : AVANI (SARVADARI)

Date Tamil Day Item Festival Special

AVANI GAYATHRI
17-08-2008 1 SUN
BEGINS JAPAM
23-08-2008 7 SAT ASHTAMI GOKULASHTAMI
MUNITHRAYA
24-08-2008 8 SUN ROHINI SRIJAYANTHI
SRI JAYANTHI
PANCHARATRA SRI MATAM
25-08-2008 9 MON
SRIJAYANTHI SRIJAYANTHI
KUMARA VARADACHARIAR
TIRUNAKSHATRAM
-DO- SRI PERIYAVACHAN PILLAI TN
26-08-2008 10 TUE TIRUVADIRAI EMBERUMANAR MONTHLY TN
EKADASI / EKADASI
27-08-2008 11 WED
PUNARVASU VRATHAM
PADUKA
28-08-2008 12 THU DWADASI
ARADANAM
PITRU
30-08-2008 14 SAT AMAVASAI
TARPANAM
HH 44TH JEER OF AHOBILA MUTH
02-09-2008 17 TUE HASTHAM
TIRUNAKSHATRAM
SRIMAD BHASHYAKARAR PANCHA
04-09-2008 19 THU PANCHAMI SAMSKARA UTSAVAM -
MADURANTAKAM
RAMANUJA DAYA PATRAM UTSAVAM
-DO-
- TOOPUL
11-09-2008 26 THU EKADASI VRATHAM
SRI HAYAGRIVA PADUKA
12-09-2008 27 FRI DWADASI
JAYANTHI ARADANAM
-DO- VAMANA JAYANTHI
15-09-2008 30 MON POURNAMI
16-09-2008 31 TUE MAHALAYA PAKSHAM STARTS
17-09-2008 PUR 1 WED PURATTASI MONTH BIGINS

Darsanam – Avani2008 Page 4

 Smt Subadra Ravindran, Muscat

Once a hunter went to a dense forest alone for hunting. He was sighted by a
tiger. The hunter, seeing the pouncing tiger, jumped and climbed a big tree.
He found a monkey sitting in one of the branches on the same tree. The monkey
took sympathy on the hunter and decided to save as he has taken refuge
in the same tree, where he was seated. Seeing the monkey sitting on the tree,
the tiger tried to entice the monkey.

The following dialogue took place between tiger and monkey:

Tiger : The hunter sitting near you is my prey. Though I can kill you and the
hunter both, I am not interested in you. I want only human flesh. so, you may
push him down the hunter, I will eat his flesh and let you go unharmed.
Monkey; Not possible. The hunter has taken refuge in
the tree where I am sitting. I can do not do the
heinous crime of forsaking a person who has taken
refuge either directly or indirectly. I shall protect him at
all cost.
Hearing these words the hunter was relieved. But the
tiger was waiting for an opportunity to catch either the monkey or the hunter.
After sometimes the monkey went to deep sleep. Seeing the monkey sleeping,
the tiger hit upon a plan. It called the hunter and requested him to throw
the monkey so that he could eat its flesh and spare the hunters life. The
hunter a great sinner as he was, in order to save his own life, threw the
monkey, which had earlier saved his life from the tiger.
The tiger got hold of the monkey and engaged in a dialogue.
Tiger : See your friend the hunter how ungrateful he is?
he has not thought of the kindness shown by you. In
order to save his own life, he is prepared to sacrifice the
life of you, his saviour. However I am not interested in
your flesh. Now I will let you free. You climb over the
tree and throw the hunter down. you will incur no sin
by throwing down the ungrateful man.
Monkey; Now I understand. I shall carry out as you
please.

Darsanam – Avani2008 Page 5

The tiger, believing the words of the monkey, freed monkey and the monkey
climbed up the tree.
Now imagine the plight of the hunter. He was terribly frightened and found no way to
escape. He was sure it was going to be the end of his life. To his surprise,
the monkey appeased the hunter and kept silent. Then the tiger addressed the
monkey.
Tiger : Throw down the hunter as promised by you.
Monkey : Sorry tiger, I will not do that.
Tiger : Why?
Monkey : It is a great sin to forsake a person
who has taken refuge. Though he has not taken
directly, he has taken refuge where I am
sitting. that is enough. I shall protect him at
any cost, though he is ungrateful.
Tiger : Then why did you lie to me that you
would throw him down? Is it not a sin to tell
a lie?
Monkey; No, one can tell lie when one's life is in
Swami Desikan, Tanjai Mamani Koil danger. If had not lied to you, then, you
would have killed me. I had told a lie only
from my mouth not from my heart. Even at the cost of incurring sin, I shall
protect the hunter from you.
Thus, the monkey, an animal, supposed to be an inferior being, protected a
man, ungrateful person from the clutches of death only for the reason he had
refuge at the tree where the monkey was sitting, thus bringing out the
greatness of surrender or SARANAGATI
This anecdote is brought out by our SWAMI DESIKAN in his minor Rahasyam
"SRI ABHAYAPRADAHANASARAM".
This dialogue between " A tiger and a monkey" known as "VYAGRA-VANARA-
SAMVADAM" is included in the rahasyam by SWAMI DESIKAN, in order to
emphasise the greatness of SRI RAMA in accepting the Saranagati of SRI
VIBISHANA.
When a vanara or monkey can protect a human being, SRIMAN NARAYANAN,
compassionate by nature, will surely protect us, from the clutches of Samsara
{Birth and Death} and grant the eternal bliss.
p.n this article is taken from Sri narasimha priya old edition written by R. Kannan.

Ramanuja dasi
Subadra Ravindran

Darsanam – Avani2008 Page 6

 Smt. Rajasree Venkatesan, Muscat
My first divine encounter with the 44 th Jeeyar of Sri Ahobila Mutt was in 1984 June. I
had gone to Srirangam along with my isn laws. I had never seen this
great Mahaan and being young and uninitiated did not know much
about him or the Mutt activities. My second son was only four month
old and going to temples with a baby in hand was not without its
trials as all mothers would agree. Travelling all the way from
kumbakonam we reached Srirangam and were in a hurry to meet
Mukkur Azhagia Singar. Getting down from the car I realized that my
Madisaaru was giving way and my second son was not in his best of
moods!! Tucking the madisaaru and handing the bundle of joy to my
mother in law I hurriedly walked with my husband to see the great
Aacharyan. I saw him sitting on a Simhasanam with two silver lions
flanked on both sides. For a moment I was in awe of the whole
atmosphere. It then dawned on me that I am meeting the most
respectful human being on this earth. As we prostrated in front of him He enquired
about us. He even wanted to know the age of my elder son and what name we have
kept. He had a keen eye for detail. His Thiru Ullam could
gather that we were keen in visiting the Rajagopuram.
Even without asking us he asked us to follow Him to the
Rajagopuram. We all trooped behind him. The
rajagopuram’s shell had been created and so there was a
―make shift lift‖ which run on a pulley to go to the top. He
climbed on the open wooden plank and asked us to come
along. I did not know what to do with my second son. I
quietly handed him over to my mother in law as I did not
want to be left behind. She on her part just climbed the
plank where we were standing with the A acharyan. He
immediately asked if the baby could withstand the height.
As we were groping for an answer He said ―just wrap him
tightly‖. His concern for a baby was really touching. Soon the lift was going to be
operated. He noticed that my husband had caught the wrong ropes. His presence of
mind was so sharp that he called out loudly and asked him to catch the correct ropes.

Darsanam – Avani2008 Page 7

We were surprised at his keen observant nature. With passion for the Lord Ranganatha
which is matched only by His devotion to Swami Desikan He showed us the progress of
the work and also asked us to appreciate the wonderful
view of Srirangam from the top of the Gopuram. He
insisted that we all should eat the Sri Sannidhi prasadam
and then go to Chennai. It is my Bhagyam to write about
this great Aacharyan on this Darsanam magazine.
Whatever I have gleaned from the internet I am
reproducing. I am thankful to Dr.Sagagopan Swamy and
others for compiling a book about this great Mahaan.
Aavani Hastam is auspicious for all the Sri
Vaishnavas. It is the Avatara Dinam of Ramanuja
Dayapaatram Thanian, the avatara Dinam of Srimal
Lakshmana…. For Our Naiyanacharyar. Both the
Thanians were sung by Brahmatantra Swantantra Jeeyar.
This day is also very important to all Sri Vaishnavas as it is
the day when 44 th Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt descended on
this Bhoolokam.
Mukkur Azhagia Singar was a
great Aacharyan who sat on the throne of the Sri Mattam
for 35 years. He assumed Sanyasramam at the age of 62.
He was appointed as 44th jeeyar in the auspicious
Sravana Nakshatram at Naimisharanyam. He was named
then Srivan Satagopa Sri Vedanta Desikan after the
luminary Swamy Desikan whose birth star was also
Shravanam. Devoting his life in meditating the Malolan,
He led an austere life of a Yatishreshtar. He was ever
pure of mind, body and soul. His towering personality
likened him to the lion and his booming voice resembled
the garjanai (roar) of the lion. No wonder He was the
beautiful lion. In him the Ahobila Mutt lived, moved and had its
being.
Quote-
―When some persons tried to scuttle the samprokshanam of the Srirangam temple
Rajagopuram in March 1987, he dared to go ahead with the muhurtam already fixed by
him, Ramachandran took charge of the situation and which put the State Government
in a fix. The then Vice-President, R. Venkataraman and the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister,
M.G.R. Ramachandran took charge of the situation and the consecration was performed
as scheduled. The Jeeyar lauded the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister as `Em Jeeyar’ meaning

Darsanam – Avani2008 Page 8

one who gave succour in the hour of need. Among the masses he is known as Gopuram
Swamy for the numerous temple towers he built and dedicated. The poor and the
needy found in him an ever ready and large-hearted donor for celebration of marriages,
upanayanams and obsequies. His magnanimity and generosity earned him the sobriquet
`Dana Shoora Karna’.

Vaazhi Aadi Van Satakopa Yatindra Mahadesikan

Vaazhi Srivan Satakopa Vedanta Desika Mahadesikan

Vaazhi Srivan Satakopa Naarayana Yatindra Mahadesikan.

Swami Desika Vandana

vaaidiWpiXaraoB a=\g a pHcaanana praËma: .
EaImaana\ vao=\kTnaaqaaya-: icarM ivajayataM Bauiva ..
First Brahmatantra Jeer of Parakalamutt
Let Swami Vedanta Desika, “Sriman” – blessed by Sri
Mahalakshami, who destroys the prosecutors of
Swami Desikan, Visishtradwaita siddhanta, like a lion which breaks the head of a
Vallipuram near
Chengalpattu wild elephant, live long in the world.

Darsanam – Avani2008 Page 9

 Kanakavalli Lochana chakora Chandra

Nangainallur Sri.Venkatesan, Muscat

Avani Rohini is a special day for Sri Krishna Bhaktas. Lord Krishna completed his
avataram by becoming a teacher to an eager disciple, Arjuna. He showed the world that
as Geeta Aacharyan he has to impart knowledge for the betterment of human being.
The decision to descend down to this Bhoolokam by Paramaatma on a particular day is
made by Him only. In the same way He decides to send
his Amsams also on days he thinks are best suited.
Thus the nakshatrams become Tirunatshatrams once
an Aacharya Purushan comes to this Bhoolokam. In this
context Aavani Rohini is blessed in many ways. It is not
only the Avatara dinam of Kannan, it is also the
avatara dinam of Vyakhyana Chakravarthy Peria
Vaachan Pillai and Kumara Varadar the illustrious son of
Swamy Desikan. Thus the day is doubly blessed for the
Desika Bhaktas as it is the avatara dinam of Our
Varadanatha – Nayanacharya, the Sri Satari of Swamy Desikan. Many do not know that
Kannan residing on top of Karigiri (Hastigiri, Kanchi) decided to descend on this
Bhoolokam to firmly establish the teachings of Aacharya Saarva Bhouman Swamy
Desikan in the form of Kumara Varadan. His Avataram was to firmly establish what Our
Swamy had preached, just like Swamy Desikan nurtured the tender sapling of
Vishishtadwaitam of Sri Ramanuja. Same way Sri Kumara Varada with other disciples of
Swamy Desikan established Our Swamy’s teachings firmly
everywhere. Varadanatha’s thaniyan is

ShrAvaNe mAsi rohiNyAM jAtam venkaTa deshikAth

vishvAmitrAnvayAbdhIndum varadAryam-aham bhaje ||

―Bow we to the great Varadanatha, who was like the full

moon decorating the ocean of Vishvamitra's lineage and
who was born to the illustrious Vedantha Deshika in the
month of shrAvaNa and the asterism of rohiNi‖.

Varadanatha Nayanaracharya was born with the divine

grace of Lord Varada in the year Kali 4418, month of

Darsanam – Avani2008 Page 10

Avani, Nala-varsham in the asterism of Rohini to Swamy Venkatanatha (Vedantha
Desika) and Thirumathi Kanakavalli Nachchiyaar

Swamy Varadanatha Nayanaracharya's works include on Swamy Desika -

Desika Mangalashasanam, Desika Prarthanashtakam, Desika Prapatti, Desika
Dinacharya, DesikaVigrahadhyanam, Pillai AnthAdi - All these on Swamy Desikan. (these
books are published with meaning and commentary in www.sundarasimham.org)

Other works on sampradayam include –

SArArtha sangraham, AbhayapradAna sAram Virodhi

bhanjani,Prabandha sAram, Tattva traya chuLakam,
Rahasya traya chuLakam, AhAra niyamam, Nyasa tilaka
vyAkhyAnam, SaguNa brahma samarthanam,
shankAkathakam, Abheda khandanam, AvidyA
khandanam, tyAga shabdArtha nirnayam, Tattva muktA
kalApa shAnti, Adhikarana chintAmaNi, mImAmsA
pAduka paritrANam, HariNa sandesham, Kokila
sandesham

He had disciples ranging from monarchs to ascetics

similar to Swamy Desikan. HIs prime disciples include –

PrativAdi Bhayankaram Annan, KandADai Annan,

Hanumantha Vahanam
KomAndUr AchchAn, PoLipAkkaM nayinAr, Thirumalai
appar, KidAmbi appar, NadAdUr Azhwan, Ananthappan, KandAdai appan,
EmperumAnArappan

Though Swamy Desikan sung and extolled many

Divya Desa Archa Murthys, he still held Kanchi
Varadan as his favorite. It is therefore only
natural that, a son (Varadacharya) was born
to him as the divine amsham of Lord
Varadan Himself. Swamy Desika held
Varadan very close to his heart. He wrote
many works extolling the grace of Varadan.
Varadaraja Panchashat Our Swamy
declares as ultimate truth that he has no
desire to go SriVaikundam (Vaikundvaase pi
car festival, Kanchi
na me abhilaasha) No other Stotra of Our
Swamy has such detail about the Brahmoutsavam as
described in Varadaraja Panchashat. Perhaps for this reason
Devaraja Perumal of Kanchi considered being born as his illustrious son. He wanted the
rare privilege of being his only son to study under our Swamy’s guidance.

Darsanam – Avani2008 Page 11

Kumara Varadar had the rare privilege to do prapatti at his father’s lotus feet. If Our
Swamy did prapatti to Devarajan of Kanchi, Kumara Varadar had to only seek his
father’s lotus feet for prapatti.

Kumara Varadar’s acharya bhakti was unparalleled. He

held Swamy Desikan, his father as his Acharya and
God. He knew no world or God other than his
Acharya Swamy Desikan. He is extolled as the
boatsman who has the capacity to ferry the bhadda
atamas cross the ocean of samsara. Varadacharya
celebrates Our Swamy as his guru, matha, pitha,
daivam, praapyam and praapakam. If we have
become Swamy Desika bhakta it is only the due to
the kripa kataksham of Swamy Varadanaatha.

The illustrious son of Our Swamy, the amsam of Lord

Varadan is none other than the Sri Satari of Our
Evvul : Veera Raghavan
Swamy Desikan.

Vaazhi Nam Thoopul Pillai

Vaazhi Nam Varadaariyan

Vaazhi Nam Desikan Sri Satari

Smt. Suchitra Rajan, Muscat

Narada muni is a great devotee of the Supreme Lord Sriman Narayanan, can
Srinivasan, Muscat
travel all over space and beyond, was
once in Vaikuntaloka and was eager to
taste the Mahaprasadam or sanctified
food from the plate of Sriman Narayanan
Himself. He tried to please Sri Lakshmi for
this purpose, so that she would help him
in getting some Mahaprasadam from the
Supreme Lord’s plate. Sri Lakshmi was
very pleased with Narada Muni’s sincere
service and promised to get some

Darsanam – Avani2008 Page 12

Mahaprasadam from the Lord’s plate. However, the Lord forbade in giving
Mahaprasadam from His plate to anybody. Sri Lakshmi requested the Lord to allow her
to take little Mahaprasadam from His plate as she had promised Narada Muni. The
Supreme Lord allowed Sri Lakshmi to take some when He was not aware of it. In this
way Narada Muni somehow managed to get a handful of Prasadam which he
immediately ate up. He was in great ecstasy and in transcendental bliss as his heart
was filled with love for the Lord and was singing energetically glorifying the Supreme
Lord and travelling over space in the material world without being affected by the
modes of material nature.
Lord Shiva spotting Narada Muni, questioned him on his great ecstasy and
happiness. Narada Muni revealed the secret of his great bliss to Shiva. Lord Shiva said,
―Surely you must have kept some left over prasadam for me, who am your close and
intimate associate?‖
Narada Muni was embarrassed as he did not think of anyone in his eagerness to
consume the Mahaprasadam, but at the
same time did not want to disappoint
Shiva. He saw a small particle of rice of
the Mahaprasadam between his nail and
little finger and gave it to Lord Shiva,
who delightedly put it into his mouth.
Immediately he became mad in love for
Supreme Lord Sriman Narayanan and
began dancing very vigorously in great
ecstasy. All the three worlds shook at
Lord Shiva’s thunderous dance and his
consort Parvathi devi came running to check whether it was the end of cosmic
manifestation because usually Shiva would dance like this at the time of destruction. As
she spoke to him, Shiva came out of his deep ecstatic meditation and was displeased
for being disturbed but shared the reason for his transcendence with his wife. She
expressed confidence that her husband Shiva would certainly have saved some
remnants for her too.
Lord Shiva told her slightingly that she was not qualified to accept this Mahaprasadam!
Parvathi got angry and said that she was Narayani or the Lord’s sister and so well
qualified to accept the Mahaprasadam. She was eager to get the Mahaprasadam both
for herself as well as for all the jivatma’s in this material world out of great compassion
for them and so approached Sriman Narayanana Himself for the same. The Supreme
Lord assured her that He would appear as Lord Jagannath in the Kali-yuga and when
extravagant quantities of His Mahaprasadam would be offered to everyone after being
first given to her. This satisfied Parvathi Devi.

Darsanam – Avani2008 Page 13

 That is why to this day in Jaganath Puri temple in Orissa, 56 items of prasadam
are offered to Their Lordships Sri SriJagananth, Baladeva and Shubhadra in a day, few
items every twenty minutes and distributed to the public every day after offering the
Mahaprasadam to the Deity of Vimala Devi or the expansion of Parvathi Devi within the
temple complex.
So it is important for all of us to purify our mind, body and atma to serve the
Supreme Lord better and so we should only take food which are offered to the Lord
first and then partake the food as Mahaprasadam and experience the same bliss like
Narada Muni. All glories to His Mahaprasadam and His devotees who takes His
remnants.

Nangainallur Sri. Venkatesan

Aacharya Kripai and his Katakshams are always preordained. It happens only when He
gets into our ―Pundiyil puhundu aadaravushevaar‖. Aacharyan’s
mahopakaram has no end and his action of lighting the lamp of
knowledge in our mind (Etri mannathu ezhil gnayna villakkukai, erul
anaithyum maatrinavar) has no price.

In our Guruparamparai we read many incidents of how Aacharyan’s

nirhetu kripai and kataksham fell on the then disciples—like Sri
Alavandar’s kataksham fell on Sri Ramanuja, Sri Nadadur Ammal
kataksham fell on the small boy holding his uncle’s hand wearing a
raakudi on his Tirumudi – Sri Swamy Desikan and many others.

During Peria Vaachan Pillai’s time knowledge and erudition was at its peak. He being a
Vyakhyana Chakravarthy had many disciples. It is surprising that in his house there was
a Niraksharakukshi (unread, ignorant) young boy who was doing all the household
chores blissfully unaware of the atmosphere that was charged with knowledge and
anushatnam. Perumal had to create a situation where Aacharyan Periavaachan Pillai
had to show his nirketu kripai on this ignorant illiterate youth. For every action there is
a reaction same way for this youth also it had a reaction. The story unfolds
thus.Varadan’s life is a unique one. He was serving as a cook cum errand boy in
Vyakhyana Chakravarthy Sri Peria VaachanPillai’s house. One day some learned scholars
who knew Sri Peria Vaachan Pillai came to his house. These scholars came to this

Darsanam – Avani2008 Page 14

Aacharyan’s house to clarify some doubts. They were all huddled in one corner and
were reading some book and discussing. They were waiting for Sri Peria Vaachan Pillai
to come home so that they can discuss their doubts. This youth whose name was
Varadan being illiterate was curious to know what they were discussing so animatedly.
He went near them and asked as to what Grantham they are reading. The scholars who
had come there knew about Varadan’s lack of knowledge about Granthas. They said
that they were reading an
important Grantha
called Musalakisalayam
(a pestle which cannot
bring forth tender
leaves). Not knowing
the meaning of the
word, Our Varadan
resumed his daily
chores. In the night
when Sri Peria
Vaachan Pillai was
going to retire, Varadan
wanted to flaunt his newly
learnt Grantha’s name and asked his master if he knew any Grantha called
Musalakisalayam. When Sri Peria Vaachan Pillai asked as to what he was talking,
Varadan told him all that had happened. The Parama Kaarunikar Perai Vaachan Pillai
told Varadan that he has been mocked by those scholars about his ignorance. Varadan
was all tears as he did not even know that he was made fun off. The great Aacharyan
decided then and there to teach Varadan everything from the beginning. Varadan
started his spiritual learning at the age of 32. With the Aacharyan’s Paripoorna
kataksham he learnt all in a short span of time. Starting from Aksarabhyasam, kavya,
Nataka, Alankara, Tarka, Mimamsa and other shastras. He soon became a great
scholar. He debated with others and won the title Vadi Kesari Azhagia Manavala Jeeyar.
He wrote many books out of which nine were in Manipravala style. He even wrote a
kavya called Musalakisalayam – the word that had been used to scoff at him. Later he
became a great saint. He wrote the word to word translation and explanation of
Sri Periyavachan Pillai
Tiruvaimozhi called Pannirayirappadi.
Vaazhi Vyakhyana Chakravarthy
Vaazhi Paramakaarunikar Peria Vaachan Pillai
Vaazhi Num Poorvaacharyas.

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 Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple, Tirupukuzhi
Serankulam Setlur Venkatasan

About the Temple:

This Divyadesam is situated about 7 miles away from Kanchipuram in west direction.
1/2 Kilometer away from Baluchetti Chattiram which is in between Chennai - Vellore
highways. By travelling about 50 miles from Chennai, we can reach this sthalam. There
is no proper lodging facility.
Sthlapuranam :
Emperuman, Sriman Narayanan born to King
Dasaratha as Sri Ramar, left all of his properties
and went to the forest as told by his father.
When they went to the forest, Seetha pirattiyaar
asked for the deer, which was actually not the
deer, but it was Maareeshan, sent by Ravana.
Then, Ravana came to Seetha piratti and took
her along with him to Lanka, On the way to
Lanka, Jadayu, the Eagle bird stopped him and
fought with Ravana to release Seetha. But, in
the end, Jadayu's wings were cut by Ravana and
fell down on the earth.
When Rama along with Lakshmana came there
in search of Seetha Piratti, they found Jadayu
fell down in the Land. Jadayu told that Ravana
has took away Seetha along with him and on
finally telling this, he died. Since, Lord Ramar
gave the Sthanam (level) to Jadayu as his
father, he did all the final ceremony to it and stayed there for a while.
As sugessted by Jadayu, the Perumal here gives his seva in the form in which he did
the final funeral to Jadayu.
Jadayu belongs to Pul (a separate family of eagle ) family was burried in the pit (kuzhi)
, this sthalam is called "Thiruppukkuzhi".
Ramayana which is one of the Great epic explains to the world about caste interactions
and human love to each o ther. It also seeds the brotherhood culture into all the hearts
of human society.
Guhan, who is the hunter, Sukgreev, who is a Monkey man and Vibeeshanan, who is
the person belong to Arakka (Demon) family were treated as his own brothers by Sri
Ramar.

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Like this same way, Sabari, who was a old lady, who offered him with food and
Agalikai, who became a stone because of Sabham, came back as a women, when Sri
Rama's feet was touched on that stone. Both were given the place of his mother. The
Primary moral is that we can belong to any community (or) caste, but to attain God's
grace, out aathma should be pure and if it is in that way, we can attain it.
Treating, Guhan, Sukgreev and Vibeeshan as his brother and Sabari and Agalikai as his
mother, Sri Ramar keeps Jadayu in his father's stage and did all the final funeral.
Since, he way away from his father's and he could do the final ceremony to him, he
kept Jadayu in his fathers place and did all the final thing to him.
Eagle is the bird which lives by eating dead bodies and the tissues. By doing the final
ceremony to that kind of bird, Sri Ramar's great character of loving and helping does
not stop only towards human, but it is even extetnded to the animals is well explained
to the world.
In this sthalam, the Moolavar is Vijaya Raghava perumal. He holds Jadayu in his hands.
Both the Naachiyaars, are found on both the sides, but in opposite manner.
In this temple, ladies who doesnt have children, gives the dhal, (Paruppu) to Madapalli
(place where the Lord's food is prepared). After its given, the dhal is soaked inside
water and it is tied around their stomach and said to sleep. After waking up from their
sleep, if the seed buds, it is confirmed that they will give birth to a child.
Special poojas are done on every Amavasai in a grand way.
Udayavar, Sri Ramanujar's Guru, Yadhava Pirakasar started to teach the vedanthams
to his followers here.
Moolavar and Thaayar: The Perumal of this sthalam is Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal.
Moolavar in found in Sitting position facing East direction. Prathyaksham for Jadaayu
(Eagle).
Thaayar :Maragathavalli Thayaar. She has her own temple. Every year a grand
festival is done for all the Perumals in this temple.
Sannadhis: There is a seperate sannadhi for Jadayu.
Mangalasasanam: Thiru Mangai Alwar - 2 Paasurams. Total - 2 Paasurams.
Udayavar, Swami Desikan and Manavala Maamuni has done lot of Mangalasasanam
here.
Pushkarani:
Jadayu Pushkarani. Near this theeratham, in Thai month Theppa utsavam is done in a
very big manner and special prayers are done on every Amaavasai.
Vimanam: Vijaya Koti Vimanam.

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