PRAKRITAM AZHAGIYA SINGHAR (PART 20)

From the Bhakti List Archives

• December 17, 1998


PRAKRITAM AZHAGIYA SINGHAR, 
MY ACHARYA, FRIEND, PHILOSOPHER AND GUIDE (PART 20)

Dear Bhagavatas,
Presented below is Part 20 (the last Part) on the above subject being excerpts
from my talk during the 600th Anniversary Celebrations of Ahobila Matam held
at New York during the first week of September 1998. 

With this, we conclude our series on the subject. 
Thank you for your patience.
Dasoham
Anbil Ramaswamy
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· THANKS TO AHOBILA MUTH INC. U.S.A
Kindly permit me to place on record my heartfelt thanks to Ahobila Muth Inc.
USA for giving me this opportunity to speak on my Acharya, friend, philosopher
and guide, our dear Idaaneem Azhagiya Singhar, on this memorable occasion of
the 6ooth Anniversary Celebrations of the founding of Ahobila Matam by Aadhi
Vann Satakopa.

· WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT 600th ANNIVERSARY? The Hindu Calendar is designed
to cover 60 years in a cycle. Aadhi Vann Satakopar completed 60 Chaturmasyams
during his lifetime. Today, we are celebrating the completion of 10 times in
respect to the Hindu cycle of Calendar and 10 times in respect to the 60
Chaturmasyams of the founder of this great institution. A rare privilege which
none of the other centenaries is endowed with. And, we are blessed to
participate in this ONCE IN A LIFETIME MEGA EVENT!

· WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT AHOBILAM?

Another significance relating to the time factor associated with this Kshetram
(to which our Matam is connected so intimately) is this: 
Narsimha Avatara is known to have taken place in the first of all the yugas-
Krita Yuga. Swami Desikan points out in his own unique style how the pillar in
the Asura's palace, gave birth to Sriman Narayana in his form as Narasimha and
thus became the grandmother of the four faced Brahma himself (who is the son
of Perumal, as you all know)
"Yaa Kaachit Sahasaa Mahaasura Griha Sthoonaa Pithaamahee Abooth" 
The hoary past of this Kshetram can be understood from this. And, our
association with our Azhagiyasinghar links us up to this time immemorial.

· KURAI ONRUM ILLAATHA GOVINDANUM 
ARIVU ONRUM ILLATHA AAICHIYARUM
It is really foolhardy on my part (Seelam Illa Siriyanand Arivu Onrum Illaatha
Aayan) to attempt to talk about one (Kurai Onrum Illaatha Govindan) whose
Kalyana Gunas are legion (Asankhyeya). I know that it is an impossible task
like the Vedas that attempted to praise the Lord but could not do so and
returned crestfallen 
"Yatho Vaachaa Nivartante Apraapya Manasaa Saha". 
I admit my incapacity and seek forgiveness from the Acharya for my temerity.

· BUT, WHY THEN SHOULD I ATTEMPT AT ALL?
Like Ilayalwar who pleaded with Lord Rama "Gunair Daasyam Upagathah", I have
become a slave to these very Kalyanagunas that I could not resist attempting,
though it is like showing "Kalpoora Harathi" to the blazing Sun and like
trying to measure the waters of the ocean with just a teaspoon!

· MY GRATITUDE TO MY ACHARYA
Sastras say that one cannot repay the debt of gratitude to one's Acharya.
Except for remembering and basking in the memories of his immeasurable
Upakaarams in constantly showering his Anugraham on me, without regard to my
qualification to deserve it  (like for example, spontaneously offering prayers
to Laksminarasimhan and rushing Mantra Akshadai immediately on hearing of my
ailment in January 98).

·  YOUR COMMENTS, PLEASE!
I thank one and all of you, Dear Bhagavatas, for investing your valuable time
in reading these posts. I will be grateful if you could favor me with your
feedback so that I may know whether I have been able to convey my message
effectively.

Dasoham
Anbil Ramaswamy

(CONCLUDED)






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