From the Bhakti List Archives

• July 25, 1998


                         SRI:
         SRI GOPALA DESIKA MAHADESIKAYA NAMA:

Dear Bhagavottamas:

Regarding calling Appa.  Call him by any name there is nothing sweeter 
than Appa.  Of course he comes after Amma.  Amma can not be equalled.

In my family my Periappa was the head of the family and everybody 
including his children called him Anna. My Periamma was called Manni by 
everyone.

My paternal grandmother was called Ammamma by all her grandchildren 
(includes me and my brothers and sisters, cousins)and great 
grandchildren.  Even for her acquaintances and extended family people, 
she was Ammamma. 

The word "Anna" brought back memories of a great scholar and person who 
was the headmaster of Sri Ramakrishna Mission High School, 
Thyagarayanagar, Madras.  After retirement he was at Sri Ramakrishna 
Mutt, Myalapore, Madras. He has written a number of books.  I have one 
gem - which is Srimad Valmiki Ramayana Saram published by Sri 
Ramakrishna Mutt, Mylapore.  This book has about 6000 verses selected by 
him from The Ramayana.  He has given beautiful explanations for the 
verses. 

I do not know why he was called "Anna".  I think his name was Sri 
Subramania Iyer.

adiYen dAsan
Lakshmanan

                      NAMO NARAYANAYA
                SARVAM SRI KRISHNARPANAMASTU
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com