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CD-Rom Project.

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Sadagopan • July 4, 1998 


Dear Professor Alwar :
Thnaks very much for your note .
I am looking forward to receiving the 
copy of the CD ROM prepared by 
AnanthA Research Foundation .

Inview of the broad interest in the sacred
subject matter , I have taken the liberty 
of copying excerpts from your note to our fellow members
of the Bhakthi list , who reside in the many states of
USA , Middle east , Simgapur , Sweden , UK , Germany ,
India et al. I thought that they would like to join in and 
help spreading the message about the noble efforts underway 
to use the latest in technology to reach out to Sri Vaishnava 
and other interested communities on Sri Bahgavadh 
RaamAnujA's blessings to us as a ParamAchArya . 

My scholarship is limited compared to 
many MahAns in India . I will however make up
for it by my enthusiasm to help in whatever way I can .
As the project progresses , I am reasonably confident
the creativity and aastheekhyam of this group's
membership would help a great deal in spreading 
the message of AchArya RaamAnujA .
Best wishes ,
V.Sadagopan   

that reaches    

>Return-Path: alwar@bg1.vsnl.net.in
>Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 20:37:02 +0530 (IST)
>From: "M.A.alwar ph 3444975 malleswaram" 
>X-Sender: alwar@bg1.vsnl.net.in
>To: Sadagopan 
>Subject: CD-Rom Project.
>
>Respected Sir,

>Thank you very much for your kind letter.  I have made arrangements for 
>the CD to be sent to you.   I am also sending herewith the Viewguide to 
>view the program, titled "Ramanujacharya", just to explain our main idea 
>behind the whole thing.  Also included is a Multi Media presentation on 
>"Swaminarayan", a philosopher and social reformer of Gujarat, who was 
>also an indirect disciple of Ramanujacharya and subscribed to the 
>Visistadwaitic point of view as far as his philosophy was concerned.
>
>Please let me know about your frank opinion about the whole program, i.e. 
>regarding the different aspects like content, visualization, graphics, 
>audio and everything else that is involved.  You yourself, being a great 
>scholar in all aspects of our philosophy and sampradayam, is the best 
>person to authenticate what has been done in the program.
>
>Thank you very much for your kind encouragement.  

>
>Thanking you, 
>Yours sincerely,
>Alwar.
>
>A guide to view the CD Title Ramanujacharya
>
>Opening Screen
>The Opening Screen begins with a verse sung in traditional Indian 
>Classical style.  The visual is in accordance with the meaning of the 
>verse whose meaning is as follows: 
>"The sun called Ramanujacharya rose, in this world, to dispel the 
>darkness of sin and to make the lotus of virtue and righteousness 
>bloom".  This verse very concisely tells us the main aim of the 
>appearance of Ramanujacharya. To convey this message, in the visual, it 
>can be seen that as the sun is about to rise, an unbloomed lotus can be 
>seen in the background.  Even as Ramanujacharya, personified as the sun, 
>rises, the darkness gradually fades out and makes the lotus bloom.   Thus 
>the opening screen conveys the complete theme of the appearance of 
>Ramanujacharya.
>
>Title Screen
>The title screen tells the user about Sri Ramanujacharya's greatness, and 
>the difference between Him and the others, who are generally mentioned on 
>par with Him.  Apart from this it also tells the user the main fields of 
>achievements of Sri Ramanujacharya, in a nutshell.  The image of Sri 
>Ramanujacharya, shown here is a photograph of His divine idol in Melkote 
>in South India, where He stayed for over twelve years, and started the 
>propagation of the philosophy known as Visistadwaita.  The idol was cast 
>and consecrated in His very presence, giving great importance to depict 
>even minute details of His divine physical structure.  After 
>consecration, true devotees are said to have received real response form 
>the idol whenever they fervently thought about Him.   
>
>Main Menu Screen
>The Menu Screen shows the different menus that leads the user to 
>different parts of the software.   On moving the mouse on these menus, 
>the details about each of them is displayed.  In the middle is the 
>photograph of the image of Sri Ramanujacharya, which is still there in 
>Sriperumbudur, near Chennai in South India, the place of His appearance.  
>This image too, almost life-size, is very significant and truly portrays 
>His divine presence.  In fact tradition tells us that He Himself 
>acknowledged that the image portrayed all His features and was most fit 
>to be worshipped by all His devotees.
>
>
>Charitram (Life History) 
>When the user clicks on this ("Charitram") button, the program goes into 
>the menu screen of this section and shows the different buttons leading 
>to the subsections of the program.  Of these, the button "incarnation" 
>only is functional.  In the background the verse giving the details of 
>the incarnation of Ramanujacharya is sung.  Further, when the user clicks 
>on this button, the details of the incarnation are given, which includes 
>the explanation (in English too) of the verse sung before. 
>
>Granthamala (Works of Ramanujacharya)
>When the user clicks on this ("Granthamala") button, the program goes 
>into the menu screen of this section and shows the different buttons 
>leading to the subsections of the program.  Here, the famous nine gems 
>which are of great significance in religious and practical, are shown, 
>and each of them are made to represent a particular work of 
>Ramanujacharya.  The gem representing the particular work is known by 
>moving the mouse on it.  The orders of the works are according to the 
>chronology in which Ramanujacharya composed them.  Of these, the button 
>"Saranagati Gadya" only is functional.  When the user clicks on this 
>button, a few details about Saranagati Gadya are given.  Of them, the 
>ancient shloka that lets us know about the essence of Saranagati Gadya is 
>sung in a traditional manner.  Further, a narration lets the user know 
>about the essence of Saranagati Gadya.  The visual shows flowers being 
>showered on Ramanujacharya to signify the Lord showering His grace on 
>Him, especially after the advent of Saranagati Gadya. 
>
>Vaibhavam (Anecdotes depicting the greatness of Ramanujacharya)
>This section is self-explanatory.  The shloka which is sung in the 
>background, gives a list of holy places, like Srirangam, Kancheepuram and 
>so on, which Ramanujacharya patronized with great devotion, and are of 
>great importance to all Srivaisnavas.  
>
>Aradhanam (Performing of Pooja according to the instructions of 
>Ramanujacharya)
>This section instructs the users about the procedure to perform the Pooja 
>or worship (popularly known as Aradhana) of the Lord, as instructed by 
>Ramanujacharya. The Pooja, as Ramanujacharya says, has six main 
>components, given in the form of buttons.  Of these buttons only the 
>button "Punar Mantra Asana" only can be activated.  When the user clicks 
>on this button, the procedure for performing this part of the Pooja is 
>shown. Instructions given online instruct the user as to what needs to be 
>done.  The significance of the action that is to be performed is also 
>given online.  The shlokas to be chanted while doing so are sung in the 
>background.  The visual also depicts what needs to be done
>
>Fun (Quiz and Info)
>This section contains two small subsections -- Quiz and Info.  Of these, 
>The Quiz section is self-explanatory.  When the user completes this 
>section, the Info section comes into view.  
>
>Quit
>When the user clicks on the button and confirms that he wants to quit, an 
>ancient and famous song is sung in the background.  The song gives a very 
>picturesque account of the divine body of Ramanucharya and explains its 
>greatness.  The visual focuses on the particular part of the body that is 
>explained in the particular part of the song.  It concludes with an 
>account of the advantages, a person begets when he meditates on 
>Ramanujacharya.  Meanwhile, the names of the persons involved in the 
>development of this program are also displayed.
>
>
>