A Tribute to PouNDarikapuram ANDavan SwAmi
From the Bhakti List Archives
• March 16, 2001
A tribute to H.H. Srimad Andavan of Poundarikapuram Ashramam Dear Bhagavatas: The Tanian (dedicatory verse) of Prakritam Srimad ParavAkoTTai GOpAla Desika MahAdEsikan of ANDavan of PounDarikapuram Ashramam, reads as follows: SrivAsa Ranga ParakAla MunitrayAbda LakshmAtma RakshaNa Yathitva YugAga MAntham / AachArya Bhakthi Pari bhootham Anargha Seelam GOpAala Desika MUNIM GURUM AasrayAmah // (meaning) "We seek refuge at the sacred feet of our revered AchAryan, Sri GOpAla MahA Desikan, who received the sacred rites of SamAsrayaNam , Bhara SamarpaNam, ThurIyAsramam and the wealth of Ubhaya VedAntham from the three great AchAryAs, Srinivasa MahA Desikan, Sri RanganAtha MahA Desikan and ParakAla MaTam SwAmi. He shines with illustrious sadAchAram and is resplendent with his limitless AachArya Bhakthi" You will find two very significant words in this Tanian. Can you guess what? They are the words "Munim" and "Gurum". What is so special about this? "MUNIM" The word "Muni" means "a Saint, Sage, Seer, Ascetic, Monk, Devotee, Hermit (especially one who has taken the vow of silence)" Vide Monier Williams Sanskrit to English Dictionary (page 823). It is derived from the root "Mouna" meaning "Silence, Holding one's tongue"(ibid p837) All the AchAryas of our RamAnuja - Desika SathsampradAyam are indeed "munis" and "Gurus" in terms of the above definition. Srimad ANDavan of PounDarikapuram Ashramam is verily a "MunisrEshTa"- a living example for every definition of the word "muni" as mentioned above. He is known not only for his "JnAnam" (Knowledge), "AachAram" (Cleanliness both physical and personal) and "anushTAnam" (strictest adherence to the Code of conduct enjoined in the scriptures for the ascetic order) but also for his conscientious adherence to this characteristic of a true "muni" "The acid test of real spiritual leaders is that they never project themselves as 'somebody', never show off their powers of Siddhis, never indulge in magic, never seek after disciples and never presume to indoctrinate others. They withdraw into seclusion, practice their Dharmic duties unostentatiously in humble dedication to God, shun publicity and are content to be inconspicuous, selective in choosing only deserving students who would follow their own code of conduct before imparting to them the eternal truths. They have to be 'searched for and sought after' than their 'searching, and scanning'. They do not hanker after name or fame, are prepared to pass into oblivion 'Un-sung. Un-honored, Un-wept' by the mere mortals because their minds and vision are truly fixated on the transcendental reality". (Quote from the concluding paragraph of the series "Oh! My God!" now being serialized in Religious journals in India like "Sri KAnchi PeraruLALan" and " Nrisimhapriya" diglot edition, published in Hyderabad from this YugAdhi day). Our SwAmi answers precisely to the above description: * To this day, in the matter of discipline, he is absolutely and uncompromisingly strict on himself and those who approach him. * To this day, he has lived almost always in Srirangam; * To this day, he had never sought after name or fame. * To this day, he never went out soliciting Sishyas; * To this day, to genuine seekers who seek his advice he has never failed to impart true knowledge * To this day, he has lived in seclusion SILENTLY meditating on the Lord. * He is blind to others' faults; deaf to scandals; mute in the sense of avoiding vain talk. Living in the 21st century, he still upholds the old-world values. Strict on himself, he is practical enough to understand the predicament of common folk like us. He offers sensible and really "sage" advice on the appropriate "modus operandi" to reconcile the great time-divide and space-divide to prove how even in the so called present circumstances and the much touted modern day compulsions, one can and should practice Srivaishnavam. He is the one who can advise exactly where "relaxation ends and where repugnance starts" in observing "anushTAnams" for us (who seek to excuse ourselves on grounds of being away from our mainland and away from the values of yore). Thus, the words "Muni" and "Guru" just fit him well. He is the Senior most of all Prakritam yathivaras of Bhagavad RamAnuja-Swami Desika SathsampradAyam both in point of age and assumption of the ascetic order (Ashrama sweekaraNam), which latter is the criterion for determining the seniority among them. He is not only a fitting successor to the glorious lineage of the PounDarikapuram Ashramam but also a role model for all other yathivaras, in the matter of his superb "AtmaguNas". No wonder, he is hailed verily as "VasishTa" among them and held in very high esteem by all. The fact that all yathivaras of our SathsampradAyam are congregating to celebrate his SathAbhishEkam "speaks" volumes about this "silent" MunisrEshTa. VADOOLA GOTRAM: You will remember that a while ago, I had mentioned about the glory of "Naitrava KAsyapa" GOtram and how the word "MADabhoosi", became a variant form of "MAtrubhooshaNam" which the famed "Naitrava KAsyapa" Rishi was. Every GOtram has its own unique glory. I have heard in Kalakshepams that the uniqueness of `VAdoola GOtram" is that those belonging to it are such `Viraktas" that they never ask for any favors, much less any pecuniary favors from anyone, however dire their circumstances may be. Their palm when outstretched is always "down-facing" (signifying giving) and never "up-facing" (signifying receiving). I understand that this mahAn belongs to this "VAdoola GOtram". He never asks for anything either for himself or even for any kainkaryams he undertakes or even for running the Ashramam. If Sishyas or AbhimAnis offer any genuine and voluntary help, he accepts them regarding it as "Bhagavad anugraham". His rectitude can be seen in how personally and scrupulously he monitors that assistance received in this manner is spent precisely for the purpose for which it is received from the donors. PANGUNI- ROHINI I remember to have read somewhere (but at this point of time, I do not remember where). When the Lord decided to take His abode between the two kAvEris (ubhaya kAverI), He did so on a "Panguni ROhiNi" day. Our SwAmi's Tirunakshatram is also "Panguni ROhiNi". I believe that this is not a mere coincidence but seems to have a special significance. When we celebrate his "SathAbhishEkam", we are simultaneously celebrating this sankalpam of the Lord of "BhoolOka VaikunTam". In a fund raising appeal, MahAkavi BhArathiyAr said: "nidhi migunthavar porkuvai thAreer nidhi kuraindhavar kAsugaL thAreer" Meaning: "Those who have lots of money, donate pots of gold Those who do not have enough, give whatever they can, even some coins" While true to his nature, the AchAryan may not expect, it is our duty to provide funds for the celebrations and make it a grand success. May I humbly request you to contribute generously for the 81st Jayanthi celebration slated for March 24-31, 2001? Contributions from the USA are tax exempt. Please mail 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 draw the checks or drafts in favor 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. I would request everyone of you to donate whatever you can for this once-in–a lifetime SathAbhishEkam celebrations of this AchAryan hailed as "God walking on earth" (naDamADum deivam) The celebrations will start in the next few days. Here is your golden opportunity to be a part of these celebrations by contributing your mite and receive the blessings of the Lords of Panguni-RohiNi, the Divyadhampathis of Srirangam and the Sage of Panguni-ROhiNi, YathisrEshTa of Srirangam. Dasoham Anbil Ramaswamy _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com -------------------------------------------------------------- - SrImate rAmAnujAya namaH - To Post a message, send it to: bhakti-list@yahoogroups.com Archives: http://ramanuja.org/sv/bhakti/archives/ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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