SHLOKA OF THE MONTH SEPTEMBER 2008

Sa thu nithyam prashanthathma mrudupoorvam cha bhashathe
Uchyamanopi parusham noththaram prathipadyathe

Sa thu nithyam prashanthama
Sri Ram is the embodiment of peace. His mental peace was not disturbed at any time, in any state and by anybody. The laymen are disturbed and face mental agony even for trivial losses. SriRam was different. The previous day he was informed about his coronation. The arrangements were being made with great festivity. The very next day Kaikeyi called him to say” You will not be coronated king; nor can you earn on your own. You should retire to the forest for 14 full years.” Sri Ram’s face did not wither. He accepted it calmly, without any kind of resentment and proceeded to the forest. The loss of a kingdom, the sufferings of the forest life did not afflict any disturbance on his mental peace.He remained in absolute peace and contentment.

Mrudupoorvam cha bhashathe
“ One word well spoken is better than a thousand unneccessary words”- so say great men.
SriRam spoke very kind words to one and all. He was amicable, social and friendly. He used to start a vista(conversation) on his own accord. He conversed according to one’s ability and comprehension. He spoke to Sabari on Dharmas, to Bharatha on political laws, to Kousalya on the Law of Women ( Sthree Dharmam). To Sita he conversed about the greatness of Kshatriya Dharma ( the Law of Warriorship). His speech was always gentle, beneficial, soft and laden with truth.

Uchyamanopi parusham noththaram prathipadyathe
If ever anybody admonished Ram he never retarded. For example Dasaratha had once instructed Ram to complete a political affair. Sri Ram had at once executed it. However Dasaratha thought that the work remained unfinished. He admonished Ram for his negligence. However Ram did not retaliate. He remained silent. Sri Ram would never for instance ask “ Why do you unnecessarily admonish me. I have completed the given task”. However Dasaratha would somehow come to know of the completion of the work by Ram and would repent for having scolded him.

EVENTS OF THE MONTH AUGUST 2008

I SRIMAD RAMAYANA NAVAHA MAHASAMRAJYA ATTABHISHEKAM,CHENNAI

On behalf of Asthika Seva Samithi a grand mahasamrajyapattabhishekam of Srimad Ramayanam was conducted at Ayodhya Mandapam, Mambalam, Chennai from July 21 st to 29th. The very first day an immaculate reception was given to Sri Anna. There were more than 1000 devotees assembled, hence the premises was overfilled with people and suffered from want of space. Everywhere there were only heads visible. It was indeed an impeccable sight. Sri Anna inaugurated the function and in his inaugural speech began “Here is assembled a huge audience which shows your pure love towards me. This affection is only called by the name “ Rama”.
Mahasamrajya Pattabhisekam is the recitation of Ramayanam 125 times. Here 125 devotees gathered and recited the Ramayana in one sweet voice. Every day Sri Hari anna delivered the pravachanams in the evenings and Sri Ranganna in the nights. The devotees enjoyed the pravachanams and felt as if they were transported to Ayodhya. Smt Vishakha delivered Shabari moksham and Sow Subadra rendered Sita kalyanam. Sri Anna concluded the function with the Pattabhisheka mahothsavam. Sri Anna performed the abhishekam to Lord Rama of ayodhya mandapam. Everyday Raghava shathaka bhajan, Divyanamam and Unchavruthi went on with grandeur. Ayodhya mandapam was immersed in the ocean of people.

II BHAGAVATA SAPTAHAM KANCHIPURAM

Kanchipuram is one among the 7 mokshapuris ( cities of salvation). This Mahakshetra is also a divyadesham. Srimad Bhagavatham declares that Sri Balarama swamy while touring the length and breadth of India visited Kanchipuram also. Here there are almost 70 temples.The sampradayas of Ramanuja and Sankara prosper here.Sri Harianna’s sapthaham at kanchipuram was conducted by KanchiKamakoti Sanakara mutt from July 30 th to Aug 5th. Sri Anna inaugrated the sapthaham with an inaugural upanyasam on the very first day. An extract from his speech is as follows; “ Srimad Bhagavatham is a paramahamsa samhitha. Now it is the time of Chathurmasya. It is very special that this sapthaham is held during the chathurmasya of Periyaval”. The parayanam and pravachanam was held in the very premises of mahaperiyaval’s adhistanam. Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal attended and graced each and every pravachanam. Bala periyaval too blessed the sapthahm with his presence. Hari Anna’s pravachanams were filled with Vedantham. He interspersed the pravachanams with slokas of Acharyal. Everyday he reminded one and all of Kanchi Varadan. Andal kalyanauthsavam with Varadan was celebrated with grandeur on the day of Adi puram. Hari anna went for the darshan.

III SRIMAD BHAGAVATA SAPTAHAM ,GURUVAYUR

Every year in July/Aug sapthahams are being conducted in Guruvayur on behalf of Sapthaha samithi, Mumbai. This year the sapthaham at Guruvayur was being conducted from Aug3 to 10th. Sri Anna discoursed the first three days. Hari anna followed. Parayanam and pravachanam was conducted from morning 7.00 to evening 7.00. In between it was blissful to have Sri Guruvayurappan’s darshan.. The devotees were all immersed in the nectar of Bhagavatham. Dates they knew not, days they knew not, the outer world they knew not.. Sri Hari anna while concluding spoke as follows: “ Heart filled with the darshan of Guruvayurappan, ears filled with nectarine Bhagavatham, mouth filled with His Divine name, hands laden with the Bhagavatha book we return home. We have no craving. We desire nothing else.” More than 500 to 600 devotees attended the sapthaham. They were provided accommodation, boarding and lodging. All the devotees were well taken care of by the sapthaha samithi.

EVENTS OF THIS MONTH (SEPTEMBER 2008)

I UTSAVAM OF THIS MONTH ( SEPTEMBER 2008)

DATE: SEPTEMBER 5 TO 10
TOWN: BRINDAVAN
UTSAVAM: RADHASHTAMI

II HARI ANNA'S PROGRAMS (SEPTEMBER 2008)

1.BHAGAVAD GITA PRAVACHNAM, MUMBAI

DATE: SEPTEMBER 13 TO 22
CITY: MUMBAI
VENUE : SIES COLLEGE, SECTOR 5,NERUL EAST,NEW MUMBAI
TIME : 6:30 PM TO 8:30 PM
TOPIC: BHAGAVAD GITA

III VISHAKA HARI'S PROGRAM (SEPTEMBER 2008)

1. VENKATACHALA MAHATHMYAM PRAVACHANAM ,MUMBAI

DATE: SEPTEMBER 13 ,14

CITY: MUMBAI

VENUE : SHANMUGA NANDA SANGEETA SABHA ,SION

TIME : 6:30 PM TO 9 PM

TOPIC: VENKATACHALA MAHATHMYAM

QUIZ ON SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM (SEPTEMBER 2008)

Rules and Regulations:
1. The answers should be mailed within 25th of the month to annahariji@gmail.com
2. Points will be alloted for the First, second and Third prizes.First - 10 Second - 8 Third - 6
3. The points will be cumulated every month if you get first, second or third.
4. The participants with the maximum points will be awarded first, second and third prizes at the end of the year.
5. The prizes will be distributed by Hariji at a grand function held at the end of the year.

QUESTIONS:
1) Svaayambuva kaya vruthya… Who is Swaayambuva in this context?
2) How did Narada’s mother die?
3) How did Narada perceive his mother’s death?
4) Which direction did Narada proceed after his mother’s death?
5) Narada meditated on the Lord’s feet ,the very first time under a particular tree. Which tree is it?
Answers for the month of August:
1. Devarshi: praha viprarshim – Who is Devarshi and who is viprarshi in this phrase?
A: Devarshi -Narada ,viprarshi - Vyasa
2. How old was Narada in his previous birth when he was blessed with Satsangam?
A: 5 years old
3. Did Narada have brothers and sisters in his previous birth?
A: No
4. How many times did Narada partake the prasadam offered by these Sadhus?
A: Only once.
5. During Narada’s previous birth Sadhus stayed at his place. Which season did they stay there?
A: Autumn season and rainy season.
AUGUST WINNERS:
1. Sethuraman- I-40+10 points
2.Padma narayanan -I-8+10 points
3.Usha shekar- I-10+10 points
4.Aparna Ganesh -II-32+8 points
5.Shri vidhya shri-II-8 points
6.Karthik venkataraman-II -8 points
7.Natraj Punjai -III-6 points

KSHETRA FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2008

SHRIVILLIPUTHUR - PART III

Sri Devi signifies compassion.
Bhu Devi signifies forbearance and endurance.
Neela Devi is the epitome of infinite love to God.
. Andal is the abode of all three; forbearance, love and compassion. One fine morning Periyazhwar heard a sweet cry of an infant admist his tulasi plantations. Immediately he rushed to find its source. Lo and Behold, he found a lovely girl baby in the midst of the tulsi plants. He fondly took home the baby and named her Goda. Goda grew up to be a beautiful, devoted, skilful girl. Periyazhwar continuously recited to her the stories of Lord Krishna and his transcendental pastimes.Andal thence fostered madhura bhava ( The devotion of a lover to her beloved) towards the Lord. She wanted to marry the Lord. While her relatives discouraged her devotion and regarded it as baseless Periyazhwar nurtured it. He advised her to follow the pavai nombu during the month of margazhi ( December-January). Goda immediately began the tiruppavai nombu. It was then that she composed the 30pavai verses beginning from margazhi thingal to vanga kaddal. Each tiruppavai is soaked with devotion and beckons to the world to “Awake, arise and attain the feet of the Lord.” Goda waited for the Lord to come to her and take her hand. She waited and waited but in vain. Finally it flashed to her that instead of her waiting for the Lord why cannot she marry Him of her own accord? Yes. This is what she proposed to do. One fine morning she adorned herself with the garland made exclusively for the Lord. Before none could see she wore it around her neck and sent it to the Lord through her father. Periyazhwar took it to the temple as usual and when the archakar ( the temple priest) was about it offer it to the Lord Lo! He noticed strands of hair. With uncontrollable anger he returned it to Periyazhwar who in turn took it back home with utmost agony. Goda was in despair again. Periyazhwar now made a new garland and took it to the temple premises again. This time the Lord spoke “ Periyazhwar, I will not accept this new garland. Bring unto me the same one which Goda adorned on her neck.” Periyazhwar was only too joyous to hear this and rushed to fulfill His command. The Lord accepted Goda’s garland and now her heart was filled with pride and merry. She became Andal-“ Shoodikodutha shudarkodi”. It was then that she dreamt of her Lord, Sri Ranganathar arriving on an elephant back and taking her hand in marriage. As dreamt in a few days the Lord did come to Srivilliputur, asking of her hand. The marriage was celebrated with great pomp and show. The couple had to now go back to the groom’s place- Srirangam. They all proceeded to Srirangam and as they walked towards the temple, Periyazhwar followed the stride with swiftness. Lo! The groom enetered the sanctum sanctorium and disappeared along with Andal. Periyazhwar beckoned to the lord to take him along. The Lord replied “ May you build a temple at Srivilliputur for Andal and me and conduct all the uthsavams as Andal did during her lifetime.” Periyazhwar did so with the help of VallabhaDeva Pandya King. Now this temple at Srivilliputur shines in all its glory.
Glory be to Periyazhwar
Glory be to Andal
Glory be to Srivilliputur