Sri Kulashekara Azhwar Thirunakshatram – March 5, 2012

Dear Perumal,

Here is an Azhwar who shares Your name – Kulashekara Perumal! Here is an Azhwar who shares Your nakshatram – Punarvasu (Punar poosam) when Sri Ram was born!

Kulashekara Azhwar

Kulashekara Perumal’s life is relevant to us in many ways. We struggle through life everyday to get ourselves the best of comforts. Here was a king who, despite having all the wealth, knowledge and skills, only wanted to be a stone step outside the sanctum of the lord Srinivasa, so that he be trampled by the devotees!

Humility, devotion and a complete immersion in love which took them closer and closer to the lord by the day… such is the typical nature of all the Azhwars. Would we ever reach these unparalleled levels of control of our minds, thoughts and actions.. and thus gain self realisation, hence realisation of the lord Himself? We can only keep trying. And keep loving.

Sri Kulashekara Azhwar Thiruvadigale Sharanam.

Srimathe Narayanaaya Namah l

Srimathe Ramanujaaya Namah l

Varthamaana Mudaliandan Swamy Thirunakshatram, 2011

Dear Perumale,

Adiyen has missed out on a long list of significant events over the past month. Let me start with the janma nakshatra of Sri Mudaliyandan Swami – the current (varthamaana) Acharya in this lineage. His birthday – Karthigai/Pooram – was held on the 20th of November in Kesava Perumal Koil street (Mylapore) in Ramanuja Kootam. I was happy to know that the Acharya had attended the celebrations with his family and the event went on well with sevakalam. I am taking the liberty of pasting a picture here from an e-group of sishyas.

Varthamaanaswamy seen here with his son, who has his duty cut out for the future as well… to show us all the path to Perumal of course! 🙂

Long live Acharya and his family.

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namah l

Srimathe Narayanaaya Namah l

Vamana Jayanthi 2011

Dear Perumale,

Today – on the day of nakshatra Uttiradam in the month of Avani – is observed as Vamana Jayanthi.

I salute You dear lord incarnate who revealed Your form of a dwarf-priest who, though quite unassuming in appearance, took on the might of a powerful asura-king. I salute You Sri Vamana…

I surrender to Your mighty form as the one who took three giant steps to conquer the world, and hence conquered our pride. I surrender to You, Sri Trivikrama! Ulagam alandha perumale…the one who measured the world!

Srimathe Ramanujaaya Namah l

Srimathe Narayana Namah l

Garuda Jayanthi 2011

Dear Perumale,

How is it that the most majestic and beautiful of creatures become part of the nitya suris, in devoted service under your leadership and care? So what if the mighty Garuda has the privilege and pleasure of carrying you by your divine feet rested on his wings…

End of the day, we have all come from you and would eventually have to go back to you, dear Narayana…

Garuda - Indonesian wood carving

Dear Periya Thiruvadi, Sri Garuda… today You may be with the lord, but we shall all be with you in service some day! 🙂

My respects to you on your birthday! (Adi masam, Swathi nakshatram, August 6th – 2011).

Srimathe Ramanujaaya Namah l

Srimathe Narayanaya Namah l

Sri Nammazhwar Thirunakshatram, 2011

Vedam Tamizh Seida Maran Sadagopan!

Today is the birth nakshatram of the greatest of the great among divine saints – Sri Nammazhwar. Adiyen hopes to reach a point where I would be able to learn atleast a fraction, if not more, of the wisdom imparted by you in your works, especially the Sama Veda re-established by Thiruvaimozhi.

On another note, it was heartening to see a write-up on our Sadagopan, Sri Nammazhwar in the Times of India ‘Speaking Tree’ section today (the paper otherwise tends to give exaggerated accounts of mostly irrelevant stories!). By the very act of speaking of our Sadagopan, TOI is blessed for the day! 🙂

Dear Sadagopan, we worship you to help in a revival, a return to true devotion across the world… devotion which only has love as the primary force of function, not hatred.

Srimathe Narayanaya Namah l

Kinchit Yuva Vikas Spiritual Retreat, May 2011

Dear Perumale,

Everything is supposed to happen by karma and otherwise free-will is what I learnt. But still, I would like to thank you Perumale!

Thank you for giving spiritual aspirants like me the opportunity of having attended a spiritual workshop by Velukkudi Sri Krishnan Swami last month. The two-day workshop was held on the 28th and 29th of May in Chennai, Vani Mahal mini hall. Sri Krishnan Swami is well known for in-depth lectures on Sri Vaishnava philosophy, the life and contribution of Azhwars and our ithihaasas. This 2-day upanyasam by Swami was a ‘back-to-basics’ workshop, tackling topics starting right from why we are here and why religion is necessary, right up to the point of how to apply religion in our daily lives. Swami could not have stressed more on the importance of understanding how our body is different from our soul, which is the basic undelying belief of Sanatana Dharma.

The 2-day workshop was very well-conducted complete with food-served, and notes handed out after group discussions which were held at the end of each session. The workshop was like a new lease of life for aspirants like me, and I would like to thank Sri Krishnan Swami for this opportunity.

As is true with any religious path, it is essential to read, learn and understand the theories, the philosophies, the scriptures and other texts, but it is also essential to soak in the bhakti in the cells of our minds and bodies to enable our atma to function in this life in the most ideal way possible. As always, there is nothing simpler once one has understood this concept – to simply follow the path of SARANAGATHI!

Sri Ramanuja Jayanthi, 2011

Adiyen Ramanuja Dasan.

The nakshatram of Ramanujar was celebrated this on the 7th of May, for 2011. How can adiyen ever thank you enough for giving me this new perspective on life in this Bhuloka? Adiyen has not had the bhagyam of being in your presence physically, but you have continued to inspire devotees of the lord for this generation and I am sure, for generations to come.

On having completed another year of divine existence in our minds and our atmas, adiyen prays for continued support for all of humankind, dearest swamy!

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namah

Sri Ramanujar - Sriperumbudur

Sri Ramanujar - Melkote

Sri Ramanujar - Tamizh Calendar

Victory be to Sriman Narayana! Victory be to Sri Ramanuja! Victory be to the universal power of love and devotion!

Azhwar Acharyargal Thiruvadigale Sharanam l

Srimathe Ramanujasya Charanau Sharanam Prapadye l

 

 

Rama Navami and Khara Varsha Pirappu

Dear lord,

A lot of time has passed since I have written to you on the cyberspace. But in this time adiyen has only grown in love for You. Is it ever enough to love You as much as I do today? No, I need to grow my bhakti even more. At the same time is it even possible to love You as much as the Azhwars did… is it achievable? I do not know. But life in this Bhuloka is definitely worth living if adiyen keeps trying, and growing in affection for you… oh lord Krishna!

I have missed out on individual posts on special events in the past month.

Jai Ram, Seeta Ram! Sri Rama Navami happened on the 12th of April for the year 2011. Oh lord Ram, You are the ultimate truth and a guiding force for all of humanity. I cannot imagine anyone to have an exemplary personality, than an avatara of Your own self – perhaps as seen in Sri Kuresa. Ram naam satya hai!

Sri Rama Navami 2011

Rama Lakshmana Janaki, Jai Bolo Hanuman ki!

Another event was Tamizh Putthaandu/Varsha Pirappu on the Chithirai Day, which occurred on the 14th of April – marking the beginning of the ‘Khara’ year. Subsequent to that was the birthday of Madhurakavi Azhwar on the 18th. I am mighty thrilled that adiyen shares the nakshatram (Chitrai) of this azhwar! As devoted as the Azhwar was to Nammazhwar, adiyen shall strive to be of service to all the Azhwars and Acharyas. And of course. anyone in need of help in this Bhuloka. Service to the devotees is afterall service to the lord Himself!

There was Varaha Jayanthi this weekend, on the 30th of April. It marked the birth of an avatara of Vishnu due to which Bhumi Devi was saved from being submerged. And of course, I am waiting with bated breath for the nakshatram birthday of my favourite, supreme, mahaan.. Bhagavad Ramanuja! Emperumaanar Thirunakshatram (Chitrai month, Thiruvadirai Nakshatram) for the year 2011 falls on May 7th. Adiyen hopes to be able to do justice for the day.

Narayana, Sriman Narayana… forever at your service, forever longing to be united.

Adiyen Ramanuja Dasyai

Thinking of Sampath Kumara…

Dear Perumale,

We meet again on the cyber waves after a while, a period of hectic events taking place in adiyen’s material world.

In the last two weeks I had the chance of attending Swamy Velukkudi Krishnan Swamy’s lecture on Seetha Kalyanam. This lecture happened on the day of a cousin’s wedding at Chennai. It was adiyen’s bhagyam and great joy to be seated on stage, just few steps away from Swamy. I was mesmerised by his lecture as always.

In the last month I have missed out on wishing our dear Kulashekara Azhwar on his birthday during February and our dear Thirukachi Nambigal (Kanchipurna) whose birth nakshatra fell on 8th of March. Kulashekara, the one devoted to lord Rama and ever ready to join Ram’s army in His defence. Sri Thirukachi Nambigal, who was both honourable as a person, as well as had the honour of being associated with Sri Ramanujar. Thirukachi Nambigal reminds me of Sri Kurathazhwan for some reason – both simple in character, modest, extremely loyal and devoted to Sriman Narayana.

Today, the 22nd of March 2011 is a ‘Serthu Sevai’ utsavam at Melkote, which holds a special place for me. I was supposed to, but unfortunately was not able to attend this event but I shall think of you Sampath Kumara… the dear deity of Sri Rama, and Bibi Nachiyar, as well as Ramanuja’s little child…Chella Pillai or Selvap Pillai… by whichever name one chooses to address the sweetest lord. Sampath Kumara, I think of you today. Of your beauty. Of the the affection with which Sri Ramanujar called out to you… the same love and affection with which Yashoda called out to our darling lord Krishna…Sampath Kumara, adiyen is forever your dasan.

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namah l

Srimathe Narayanaya Namah l

Azhwar Acharyargal Thiruvadigale Sharanam Prapadye l

 

Thank you motherland – Bharat Mata

Dear Perumale,

On this Republic Day, 26th of January 2011, adiyen owes a special thanks to our mother, India.

Dear Bharat Mata, dear daughter of Bhumi Devi, I am grateful to you for giving us a rich cultural heritage. Not one, but multiple cultures across multiple religious communities. No matter what spiritual path one chooses, you give us the unique position in the world to grow by leaps and bounds in awakening of the soul. Dear mother, you are the cradle of the human soul. Thank you for nurturing the mahaans, their writings and our resultant awakening. Thank you.

May this spiritual richness last forever, till mankind exists.

Adiyen Ramanuja Dasan.