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PRAKRITAM AZHAGIYA SINGHAR (PART 9)

From the Bhakti List Archives

Ramanbil • December 8, 1998 


PRAKRITAM AZHAGIYA SINGHAR, 
MY ACHARYA, FRIEND, PHILOSOPHER AND GUIDE (PART 9)

Dear Bhagavatas:
Presented below is Part 9 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.
Dasoham
Anbil Ramaswamy

SAPTADI MAHOTSAVAM OF POUNDARIKAPURAM ANDAVAN

· March 22, 1991, was a memorable day. That was the Saptadi day of Sri Gopala
Desika Maha Desikan, Prakritam Parvakkottai Andavan of Poundarikapuram Swami
Asramam.

· I had booked two berths by the Rockfort Express for Our Swami and myself for
attending the celebrations at Srirangam. Sri Lakshmi Narasimhan, who is an
Officer in the State Bank of India, Alwarpet Branch, Madras and the first son
of our Swami in his Poorvasramam (whom we call by his pet name Raghu) brought
our Swami to Egmore station where I was waiting to receive him as previously
arranged.


· When during one of his visits to my house (in the interval between two
Kalakshepam classes), I expressed my desire to take up some advertisement
space in the Saptadi Mahotsava Malar of PP Andavan as a token of dedication to
my Acharya.  Our Swami suggested  the passage occurring  as  the Prathama
Prasnah in Sikshavalli - Saamhineer Devata Upanishad -  Santhi Paatam of
Taittriya Upanishad, which prays for the protection of both the Acharya and
Sishya 
" Sanno Mitras Sam VarunahÂ…Tanmaa Avatu, Tad Vaktaaram Avatu, Avatu Maam,
Avatu VaktaaramÂ…" as the appropriate wordings to appear. Accordingly, this has
appeared in the Saptadi Mahotsava Malar immediately after the conclusion of
the article by Sri Ranga Priya Yathi "Sriranga Srees Cha Vardhathaam." That PP
Andavan Swami was very pleased to see this needs no mention.

· As we arrived at Srirangam, we took an Autorikshaw to the Asramam. Since the
Veda Paaraayanam was going on there, Swami told me- "Take Prasadam of
Abigamanam at Ahobila Mutt itself; It will be too late for your lunch at the
Asramam" How thoughtful and how concerned he was that I should be fed on time!

· The Yathi and the Yathi - to - be were closeted for a while discussing some
personal matters. I was standing at a respectable distance, lest I should feel
an intruder in their conversations. I was thrilled and pleasantly shocked when
both of them beckoned me to come near and join them. I still wonder how both
the Acharyas deemed me worthy of being invited to the privy of their meeting!
And, I still wonder how I deserved this bhagyam! One thing I could understand
was that our Swami was seeking guidance on some sensitive issues from, his
mentor, the PP Andavan. As the discussions were too private, I am leaving them
out here. 

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