Search:
Bhakti List Archives

Appeal from Srikaryam Swami Srimad Poundarikapuram Ashramam

From the Bhakti List Archives

muralidhar rangaswamy • November 13, 1999 


Sri:

SrimatE Gopaladesika MahadesikAya Namaha,

Dear Bhaktas,

Adiyen is forwarding an appeal by Srikaryam Swami, Srimad Poundarikapuram 
Ashramam for the
publication of a book, the details of which are provided below. Smt. Nagu 
Satyan has kindly agreed to
set up the vehicle through SVSS/SMSS for forwarding your tax exempt 
contributions from the USA
Please contribute generously to this most worthy cause. Please mail your tax 
exempt contributions to
Sri Malolan Seva Association (SMSA)
7821 West Alder Drive
Littleton, CO 80128-5522

Namo Narayana,

SriMuralidhara Dasan

***************************Appeal***********************************************

I am intending  to bring out a book in Kannada entitled "Samskara Sourabha". 
A synopsis of the book
is enclosed herewith. The cost of printing is expected to be around Rs. 1.30 
lakhs for 1000 copies
of 1000 pages in  1/8 demmy size. So, I am requesting you Sir, to kindly 
finance for the same and oblige.
I shall be ever grateful to you Sir, for the financial assistance for this 
publication.

Thanking You,

Yours Faithfully,

Dr. A. Anantha Narasimhachar

****************************Synopsis*********************************************

The text Samskara Sourabha is a book of a critical study of the South Indian 
Brahminical Samskaras. As
the book gives the hidden fragrance (sourabha) of the Samskaras to the 
readers, the text has thus been
entitled Samskara Sourabha (the fragrance of Samskaras).

The Vedas are unique in expounding the relationship of man with universe. 
This approach of Vedas is
gaining recognition in the present day scientific world. The effect of 
cosmic radiation on humans is now
well known and is being extensively used all over the world for Holistic 
method of healing ailments.

Samskara is a Sanskrit word which means purificatory rites. Our sages felt 
that a birth as a human is unique and should be utilized fully. The 
Samskaras are primarily a means to improve the qualities of
human beings. This can be illustrated as follows: A boulder is just a rock. 
If a figure is carved out of it an
installed in a temple, it becomes an object of worship.

In this book, an attempt has been made to trace the Brahminical Samskaras 
through their origin and
development. They have a long and varied past. Many of them go back to a 
hoary antiquity and some
of them still survive. In course of time, they hav undergone many changes 
and modifications because of
the influence of the economical, sociological, psychological, and 
geographical conditions of the people.
The Samskaras are described in some hymns of the Vedas, a few Brahmanas, the 
Grhyasutras, the
Dharmasutras, the Smrutis and the later treatises. So an endeavor has been 
made here to link together
these scattered materials into a comprehensive whole and to supply a 
historical perspective for their
proper understanding.

The book presents a comprehensive account of the rites, ceremonies, and 
customs underlying the
Samskaras; an examination of these samskaras from the modern practical point 
of view; the intrinsic
merits and practical utility and significance; the impact of sociological, 
psychological, economical,
physiological, religious and philosophical influences in the practice of 
these Samskaras; and finally
an intent to present the material in a manner that can be readily understood 
by the present day younger
generation.

This work was originally written as a thesis for which Bangalore Univsersity 
awarded the author a
Ph.D. degree in 1998. It represents work carried out by the author for more 
than 25 years and
presents insights gained by the author's experience and training under his 
father (who was
the Srikaryam Swami of Srimad Poundarikapuram Ashramam) and great Mahans, 
who have
adorned the Peetam of Andavan Swami of Srimad Poundarikapuram Ashramam. As 
many of the people
from Karnataka have requested the author to write the thesis in Kannada, the 
author has written the
same in Kannada. The author intends to translate the thesis into Tamil, 
English, and Hindi for the
benefit of other interested readers.



______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com