81st Tn Celebrations of H.H. Srimad Poundarikapuram Andavan Swami

From the Bhakti List Archives

• January 26, 2001


Sri:

SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,

Dear Bhaktas,

Adiyen wishes to salute AsmadAcharyan's Sarva BhUta Daya and remember 
with gratitude the MahOpakAram bestowed upon adiyen. H.H. Sri 
Paravakottai Andavan Swami blessed adiyen with Prapatti on May 26 
1999. Upon receiving Prapatti adiyen truly felt wedded to the Divya 
Dampatis through H.H. Prior to granting Prapatti, H.H. instructed 
adiyen to perform Sethu snanam at TirupullaNi. H.H. described with 
great attention to detail, the route from Srirangam to TirupullaNi, 
pointing out the places of significance to Lord Narayana along the 
way. H.H. very affectionately described the Kaimkaryam of 
Tirukoshtiyur nambi, when focussing on the Kshetram of Tirukkoshtiyur. 
H.H. also informed adiyen of the place at TirupullaNi, from where 
adiyen could partake of Perumal Prasadam after performing Sethu 
Snanam. Adiyen was immensely moved by the overbearing concern of H.H. 
for every aspect of adiyen's welfare. Adiyen's return to Srirangam was 
delayed by a few hours since we lost our way.  Consequently, it was 
10.30 pm when adiyen reached the Ashramam. Adiyen was shocked to see 
H.H. waiting with concern at the entrance to the Ashramam. Adiyen 
entered the ashramam with the words "apacharam apacharam" (for causing 
so much concern to H.H.and keeping him awake at that late hour of the 
night) on his lips. H.H. smilingly remarked "I just now came out of 
the Ashramam upon hearing the noise of the car. I was not waiting 
outside all along." Adiyen was overwhelmed upon experiencing the 
Vatsalyam of H.H. The term Vatsa denotes a calf. A cow that has just 
given birth to a calf is called "Dhenu". The affection of a Dhenu for 
its Vatsa is known as Vatsalyam. It is an understatement to say that 
H.H. exudes Vatsalyam at all times for all of Shishyas and Abhimanis. 
The greater the apacharams of the shishya, the greater is the 
Vatsalyam bestowed by H.H. as he corrects the erring jivan. Adiyen 
wishes to remember this experience with H.H. in the context of Swami 
Desikan's Hayagriva Stotram salutation "navam navam pAtramAham 
dayAyA:"

Swami Desikan eloquently glorifies  Daya Devi in 108 exquisite verses 
of the Daya Shatakam. In verse 15 of the Daya Shatakam, Swami Desikan 
states "Oh Daya Devi ! Lord Srinivasa, the house-holder at the 
Thirumalai Hill shines with His qualities of Jnana, Bala, Aishwarya, 
Veerya, Sakti and the like, only because of Your presence therewith. 
If only You, Daya were not present, then all His qualities 
would become devalued and turn out to be mere doshas or defects. You, 
Daya Devi, make Him what He is." In the Padhuka Sahasram, Swami 
Desikan glorifies the Padhukas (Swami NammAzhwar and Sadacharyas in 
his line) as verily the embodiment of the Lord's Daya. Adiyen wishes 
to remember H.H.'s MahOpakaram in blessing adiyen and his family with 
Prapatti through these salutations of Swami Desikan and the Stotra 
Ratnam salutation of Swami Alavandar, a pre-eminent Acharya, of our 
Sampradayam.

Swami AlavandAr, in a mood of intense naichyanusandhanam 
(self-depracation) states in the Stotra Ratnam "na Dharma nishtOsmi 
na...." However these words characterize adiyen to perfection. 
Consequently, the Lord's Daya is of paramount importance to 
adiyen. The most merciful Lord Narayana blessed adiyen with SadAcharya
sambandham-"Pesum Daivam NadamAdum Daivam" for his reformation and 
redemption. The compassion exuded by H.H. is similar to the Ganges 
river, which cleanses everyone that takes a bath in it regardless of 
caste, creed, sex, attainment or background. H.H. is totally 
non-discriminatory in the matter of granting refuge to a Prapanna. 
In this respect, he is verily the "Ashrita vatsalyaIka mahOdadhE"

Such a great Mahan-an incomparable ocean of mercy, the unfailing 
refuge of one in distress! Adiyen humbly requests all Bhaktas to 
contribute to the 81st Tirunakshatram celebrations of H.H. which is 
fast approaching (March 24-30, 2001). 

Contributions from the USA are tax exempt. Please send your checks to 

SMSA Inc,
c/o Smt. Nagu Satyan,
7821 W Alder Drive
Littleton, CO 80128

Please indicate on the memo of your check that your contribution
is for Srimad Poundarikapuram Ashramam. 

For those in India, please send the cheque or drafts in favour of 
"S.P.A.V Trust, 81st Jayanthi a/c and send to Srikaryam, Srimad 
Poundarikapuram Andavan Ashramam, 43- A/13, Asramam Road, Srirangam, 
TRICHY. PIN 620006, India.

Namo Narayana,

SriMuralidhara Dasan



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