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PRAKRITAM AZHAGIYA SINGHAR (PART 16)

From the Bhakti List Archives

Ramanbil • December 14, 1998 


PRAKRITAM AZHAGIYA SINGHAR, 
MY ACHARYA, FRIEND, PHILOSOPHER AND GUIDE (PART 16)

Dear Bhagavatas,
Presented below is Part 16 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
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SANNYASDA SWEEKARANAM (CONTD)

· "ABISHINCHYA NARA VYAAGRAM":
Parvaakkottai Sri Gopala Desika Maha Desikan being the Seniormost of the
Yathis (next only to 44th Jeeyar) both in point of age as well as date of
assuming Sannyasa Asramam is hailed as "Vasishta" by all other Yathis of our
Satsampradayam. As such, he had the honor of presiding over the whole
function. He blessed our Swami with Vasishta Maharishi's Sri Rama
Pattabhisheka Slokam " Abishinchya Nara Vyaagram" and sprinkled holy waters
brought from many Punya Theerthams especially for the function.

· TRIDANDAM AND KAASHAAYA DHAARANAM
The most important appurtenance for a Sannyasi in our Sampradayam is the
holding of Tridandam and donning the ochre robe. Around 12 noon, the Tridandam
made of bamboo brought specially from Ahobilam (where Aadhi Vann Satakopar
received Tridandam from Lord Nrisimha himself) and Azhagiya Singhar presented
the robes to our Swami. Our Swami then proceeded to Kaveri (Kollidam) for
Avabruta Snaanam.

· ASSUMING AS CHINNA JEEYAR: 
On return from the river, straight our Swami proceeded to where Azhagiya
Singhar was lodged and fell at his feet three times. The Azhagiya Singhar took
him to the Malolan Sannidhi and called him "Chinna Jeeyar" and presented him
to Malolan, like a mother would present her baby to her husband! Thus,
knighted as it were the two came to be recognized as "Periya Jeeyar"and
""Chinna Jeeyar". Periya Jeeyar also presented him the Prasadams received from
Tiruvallur, Ahobilam and other Divya Desams and told our Swami " From today
onwards, you take over the responsibilities of Tiruvaradana Kramams". Thus,
from day 1, our Swami assumed full charge of these Kainkaryams. Even Injimettu
Azhagiya Singhar had to wait for 12 years from 1929 to 1941 before he could
assume the Tiruvaradana Kainkaryam 

· THE GRAND PROCESSION: 
With Veda gosham reverberating, with Vaadhyams being played loud and clear,
our Swami was taken in procession atop the elephant belonging to the Asramam
to the special place allotted for him in the same premises. Thus, started the
grand regime of Chinna Azhagiya Singhar with a bang.

· SWAMI'S ONLY REGRET: 
Our Swami confided in a private conversation that he did not mind giving up
all else. But, his only regret was that he would be missing the devoted
Srothas who were attending his Kalakshepams with such keen interest. He openly
expressed " Where will I get such Srothas like you? Even if there are a few,
my preoccupations with the affairs of the Matam will not let me take
Kalakshepam classes a I have been doing ". But. Today, millions of Sishyas
across the world are listening to his Pravachanams through Tele conferences
What was our private privilege so far has now become public property and
rightly so.
(To Continue)
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