Which Acharyan must we meditate upon when we recite ‘asmad gurubhyo namaH, asmad parama gurubhy namaH’? Adiyen performed samashrayanam under Srimushnam Periyandavan and bharanyasam under the present Andavan Svami. Hence this query.
Vidwan’s reply:
Here one can meditate upon three acharya-s – the current Srimad Varaha Mahadesikan, his predecessor Srimad Andavan Srirangaramanuja Mahadesikan, and his predecessor, Tirukkudantai Andavan.
If one has offended a bhagavata (bhagavata apacAram), will the resultant sin be removed by atoning through prayschitta prapatti? Moreover, if the bhagavata who was offended has departed for the Eternal Abode (attained Acharya Tiruvadi), how to remove the sin due to an offense committed against that bhagavata?
Vidwan’s reply:
Sins committed against a bhagavata are the most grievous of the sins; it will make Emperuman’s Divine heart furious. Hence repenting for offending a bhagavata itself is a good start and at once it is sagacious to seek forgiveness from the concerned bhagavata. If that bhagavata has attained Acharyan Tiruvadi, mentally repenting for the offense and must seek forgiveness from Emperuman.
If one’s Acharya assents, he will make one perform prayaschitta prapatti. One can supplicate to one’s Acharyan stating the intention to perform a prayaschitta prapatti sharing the details of the offense committed. If the Acharyan agrees, one can perform the prayaschitta prapatti.
Can one move house during the month of Purattasi (which involves auspicious activities such boiling of milk as offering prior to moving house)?
Vidwan’s reply:
Generally shifting houses during Purattasi is not done.
In matters related to rituals to ward off evil eyes, what must be the attitude of a Prapanna? Can a prapanna follow practices put in place by elders to ward off evil eyes?
Vidwan’s reply:
In temples it is a customary practice to undertake rituals to ward off evil eyes towards Perumal; after Perumal returns to the temple after his ceremonial processing in the streets, he is placed in his sanctum after undergoing ritual to ward off evil eyes. To this day, this can be witnessed at many temples. Similarly, it is a practice at homes for elders to ward off evil eyes related to youngsters.
A prapanna need not fear the ill effects of evil eyes, but an absolute faith that Emperuman will protect is a must. All the practices to ward off evil eyes are in place to remind us of the absolute faith in Emperuman that he will protect us. It appears the elders follow these practices to reinforce the faith in Emperuman as our protector.
Before rendering prapatti, we used to celebrate Sarasvati puja with Sarasvati idols. After prapatti, we only perform Hayagriva aradhanam alone. What to do with Sarasvati idols?
Vidwan’s reply:
In a Hayagriva aradhanam during Golu period, many households will include idols of Lakshmi and Sarasvati. It is a practice to offer flowers and other offerings along with other idols in the Golu. Sarasvati Devi is a subordinate of Hayagriva as per Svami Desikan.
“dAkSinyaramyA giriShasya mUrtiH
dEvI sarOjAsanadharmapatnI |
vyAsAdayO’pi vyapadEshyavAcaH
sphuranti sarvE tava shaktilEshaiH ||”
from this, it is evident that Sarasvati’s power is a minuscule fragment of that of Hayagriva’s power. It appears there is no harm to make the offerings to her from this perspective.
Though it is not a practice of our household, is it appropriate for women to feed crows?
Vidwan’s reply:
It is appropriate for women to feed crows.
We follow the practice of lighting maavilakku; but some say that it is sufficient for those who have performed prapatti to offer the dough mix as an offering instead of lighting up the maavilakku, which will be construed as a prayer for a want. Kindly clarify the confusion. It is also said that maavilakku must not be lighted on those Saturdays which fall during a Navarathri Golu period or fall during Mahalaya Paksham or that fall during the Bramhotsavam period at Thirumalai and instead can be lighted during Aippasi Shravanam. Kindly clarify.
Vidwan’s reply:
Prapanna’s can certainly light maavilakku on a Purattasi Saturday. There is no basis for suggesting that only a dough be offered instead of lighting up a maavilakku. Many elders follow the practice of lighting up maavilakku at home.
A few households do not light maavilakku during Brahmotsavam. It is left to one’s household practices; some households do not light during Brahmotsavam Saturday or Saturdays that occur during a Navarathri. It is permissible. Some households will light maavilakku only on Saturdays that fall during Navarathri. It is not a practice to light during a Mahala Paksha Saturday; hence it must be avoided.
It seems it is not practiced anywhere that due to certain reasons maavilakku can be lighted on Aippasi Saturday. Lighting maavilakku on a Purattasi Saturday is suitable for Tiruvenkatamudiyam and it is a must to light during such a Saturday.
Namaskaram; what must be mandatorily shunned after bharanyasam?
Vidwan’s reply:
The Association of demi-gods and bhagavata apacram must be certainly avoided after bharanyasam.
Namaskaram – what must be done to protect us and our family from the evil eyes and thoughts of others?
Vidwan’s reply:
No evil thoughts and eyes will affect the devotees of Emperuman. To protect ourselves from evil, we can meditate upon Sudarshanazhvar; can circumambulate his sanctum, and recite Sudarshanashtakam.
Adiyen resides in Pune. Adiyen underwent bharanyasam through prakrutam Azhagiya Shingar. Sant Gnaneshwar is popular in Pune and his Jiva Samadhi is located here; as he is a Vishnu devotee, can adiyen visit his Jiva Samadhi?
Vidwan’s reply:
It is a practice to visit many places as part of tourism. Sant Gnaneshwar is a great devotee of Vittalan. It is not appropriate to worship at his Samadhi. No harm in visiting Vittalan’s temple at Alandi where the Samadhi is located.
Will offending a bhagavata (bhagavata apacAram) be an obstacle to the attainment of moksham? Or will Emperuman punish suitably and grant moksham?
Vidwan’s reply:
It is said that bhagavata apacAram can be an obstacle to moksham; it is a serious offense and must be avoided at all costs.
Adiyen recently witnessed that at a temple of Emperuman, a clan called Ramanuja Kulam reciting Divya Prabandham and one from the goshti chanting Vedas during Emperuman Thirumanjanam; will one’s varnashrama dharma (duties of caste and order) also change after Ramanuja Sambandham?
Vidwan’s reply:
Duties of caste and order will never change after becoming servants of Ramanuja; such people will acquire the trait of a Vaishnava and there will be no changes to their varna and ashrama dharma-s. It is wrong to violate varnashrama dharma.
Have Brahma and Shiva been granted the status of Srivaishnava status in our Srivaishnava tradition?
It is known from the Itihasa-s and Purana-s that they serve Narayana through stotram-s and performing services; if so, why do we not worship them as a servant of a servant?
It looks like they have realized that Narayanan alone is the Supreme Being (Paramatma). Why then do they not make their devotees realize this truth?
Vidwan’s reply:
Yes, Brahma and Shiva have been granted the status of Srivaishnava, as per Srimad Bhagavata Puranam. Svami Desikan also mentions them as primary among the Sirvaishnava-s.
As asked, one can recite any stotra-s if it is available as a servant of a servant; there are some such mantras found in the Vedas; the Purana-s have some stuti-s. We do recite such mantras and stuti-s. But we must not consciously do so as a servant of servant and worship them at temples. These practices have been put in place as protective measures – that we must not be misled from the fact that Narayanan alone is the Supreme Truth; there must not be any compromise in this. It is enough that we follow the recommendations from Itihasa-s and Purana-s and nothing additional needs to be attempted.
As per the Purana-s, both Brahma and Shiva do reveal that Narayanan alone is the Supreme Truth (Paratattva); they will reveal this truth after a while and not at once. Purana-s say that after 7 or 8 births or several births, they will unite their followers with Emperuman. Many Purana-s have mentioned this – one who has been a devotee of Rudran for many births transforms into a devotee of Perumal. These depend on one’s dedication. Because certain prescribed methods are to be followed, they will not reveal this truth at once and will do so after a while.
On alpa Dwadasi days, must paranai be undertaken only after performing Madhyanikam? (Are there no time restrictions?)
Vidwan’s reply:
It is stipulated that only after performing Madhyanikam must paranai be undertaken on alpa Dwadasi days. So, after sunrise, if it is possible to do Sandhyavandanam and Madhyanikam, one must do so and partake food. Even otherwise, only after completing Madhyanikam must one partake food.
If the situation makes one perform Madhyanikam before sunrise, it is also said that Madhyanikam must be done again during the stipulated time.
Though in general the Vadakali sect are followers of Svami Desikan, what is the reason of existence Ahobila Mutt and Andavan Ashramam traditions?
Vidwan’s reply:
Svami Desikan did not have a single disciple who propagated a single tradition. He had many disciples and through them, the tradition has spread widely.
This did not apply to Desikan alone; Upto Ramanuja’s time, there was a single tradition until his period. Ramanuja had many disciples. He anointed 74 Acharya-s. As a result, there are 74 lineages of followers of the tradition. Among these followers, there could be minor differences of opinion in messages, ritualistic practices, etc. Such differences become a tradition on their own. These are permitted by the scriptures; Svami Desikan himself has said this – ‘Due to differences of place and time, scriptures are agreeable to differences in ritualistic practices.
Scriptures have accepted that not all places can follow the same code of practices and there could be differences due to place and time. The important message is that Sriman Narayanan is the Supreme Truth; we must surrender unto Him; among the followers of Svami Desikan tradition, none of us differ in this aspect.
Can Vedas be recited during an eclipse?
Vidwan’s reply:
Vedas must not be recited during the eclipse. If there are any special Utsavam-s at temples, goshti recitations are allowed.
Can Perumal tirtham be partaken before tharppanam?
Vidwan’s reply:
It is not in practice partaking Perumal tirtham before tharppanam. After Perumal Tiruvaradhanam, complete the tharppanam and partake Perumal tirtham.
Certain questions on eclipse
Does the charity offered during eclipse malefic? Can we accept the offerings gifted by a bhagavata?
If thirumanjanam done during eclipse punya kalam is considered special, why then the temples are kept closed during the eclipse?
We believe the eclipse time to be auspicious (punya kalam); then why do we take bath after the eclipse (shuddhamandala snanam)? Why is eclipse period is considered tainted?
What are the austerities that we need to follow taking vimocana snanam?
Vidwan’s reply:
Charity done during an eclipse is not tainted; so one can give or receive charity during that period.
Yes, it is considered special to do thirumanjanam and Tiruvaradhanam during the eclipse; but temples have to follow many ritualistic ordains as per the tradition, temples had to adhere strictly to the agamas like pancha rathra and hence their rituals vary as per their tradition. They must follow purifying rituals that are relevant to Perumal. There are many codes, traditions, rituals based on the scriptures. These are the ordains of the scriptures.
Punya kalam does not mean auspicious time per se; as performing bath, tharpanam during that period are considered special, it is called as punya kalam. There is something called eclipse-based taint and that taint is present always. It is also considered punya kalam, for example when we offer charity during that period, it is considered superior to that gifting during other periods. Hence performing charity, bath, tharpanam, japa, Tiruvaradhanam during this period is considered superior as it results in good benefits, states the scriptures. From another perspective, an eclipse is associated with certain dosham. So, the eclipse contains both punya kalam and dosham without any contradiction.
After performing vimocana snanam, one can proceed with daily austerities.
Our brhaspati says we should not perform thirumanjanam during Tiruvaradhanam to Salagrama deities on sraddha day; is it appropriate?
Vidwan’s reply:
It is not stipulated that one should not perform thirumanjanam during Tiruvaradhanam; but we have heard that those from smartha tradition do not perform thirumanjanam to Salagrama deities on sraddha day. But followers of Srivaishnava tradition must perform thirumanjanam to Salagrama deities during Tiruvaradhanam on sraddha day.
What is pitru dosham? Would a prapanna who had performed sharanagati and who does daily rituals without fail need to worry about pitru dosham?
Vidwan’s reply:
It is said that the birth chart indicates pitru dosham; it occurs when the oblations are not performed properly by us or by our forefathers. The ancestors get dissatisfied when we do not perform the ordained rituals or during an unnatural death. Their dissatisfaction results in bad fruits for their family like not having a progeny or having malefic effects on children. The birth chart indicates such dosham; scriptures do indeed mention on this.
Those who have performed sharanagati and do the tharpanam, sraddham, etc. accordingly need not worry to a large extent about pitru dosham as Perumal will take care. If greater problems persist in a family, they can remedy within the stipulations of Srivaishnava tradition; our elders do not perform tharpanam at Rameshwaram for atonement, instead, we do other remedies.
Can we recite pasuram, shlokas during vriddhi theetu (stipulated period after the birth of a child)? What can be done at home without going to the temple for worship? Or shall we just recite shlokas alone without Tiruvaradhanam during that period?
Vidwan’s reply:
One can recite Desika shlokas and pasurams, except performing Tiruvaradhanam during a vriddhi theetu.
As per the practice of our household, a child is tonsured at Katumavadi Virannak Koil which is followed by offering hair at Tirumalai. As of now, all of us have performed bharanyasam under 46th Azhagiya Shingar. Is it enough that we offer only Tiruvenkatamudaiyan? The vidwan’s has already answered this query of adiyen. But the elders of our house for some reason hesitate to change the tradition followed. How to make them understand?
Vidwan’s reply:
‘sarva dEva namaskAraH keshavam pratigaccati’ – as per this, satisfying the Lord of the Lords Emperuman, will satisfy all demi-gods. The Vedas say “angAnnanya dEvatAH” – that is, we think that offering only to Emperuman and not demi-gods will anger the demi-gods. The truth is, offering to Emperuman will satisfy all others. All the scriptures say that all the devas belong to Bhagavan.
So, offering to Bhagavan will satisfy him and this satisfies others and not anger him. As they are a component of Emperuman, they will not angry and will be joyous. Make them understand this perspective.
Purana-s say that offering to Bhagavan is akin to watering the root. Watering a root will reach the flowers, leaves, etc. of a tree. Similarly, are the offerings to Emperuman.
Adiyen had asked this question in the previous issue of Sudarshanam as well; if an Aiyyangar boy has married a North India Kshatriya bride, can he perform the funeral rites for his parents if they attain Acharyan Tiruvadi?
Vidwan’s reply:
Even if he has married a North Indian Kshatriya girl, the boy must perform the final rites for his parents, he cannot avoid it.
As adiyen is staying abroad, could not perform the annual sraddha as per the norms due to a lack of facilities. Can adiyen do their sraddha during any month on their shraddham tithi when I visit India or should adiyen perform it during the exact month on their shraddha tithi? Also, adiyen could not come to India on the tithi in which they departed.
Vidwan’s reply:
Scriptures have not given any concession to perform during different months; it is called sraddha as it must be done with faith and belief (shraddhA), and it must be done on sraddha day.
If a taint occurs on that day, one must do sraddha on the day when the taint ends. If one forgets, scriptures have stated a particular day for sraddha performance, which can never be a day as per one’s convenience.
What if a sixtieth birthday occurs for a prapanna during Kaisika Ekadasi? Adiyen’s sister-in-law’s grandsons are having upanayana ceremony during Kaisika Ekadasi. As a prapanna we cannot eat the festive food on a Ekadasi day even though we are maternal uncle and aunt. In some weddings, private cooking (maDi thaligai) is prepared for a few family members only, and the guests are served the general preparation which we are unable to avoid. Is there a solution for such situations?
Vidwan’s reply:
During Ekadasi it is appropriate to avoid food, if the hosts compel the guest to eat, we should also be as forceful in avoiding food especially cooked rice. We can stress that we cannot partake food that is not offered to Perumal. We need not hesitate and bend rules as ordained by the scriptures.
This is a continuation of the query that adiyen had asked last month – The Vidwans said that panchangam is prime most and even when the moon is not visible, the grahana kala tharppanam must be performed accordingly. Is this also applicable to vimocana snanam when we are unable to view the moon due to cloudy skies? For example, on 28 July 2018, the lunar eclipse period was from 3.49 am to 6.21 am. But the moon was not visible in the morning. In case, can we perform vimocana snanam and continue with our daily rituals? Or must we wait until evening when the moon is visible to continue with our daily rituals?
Vidwan’s reply:
It is a general rule whether it is a solar or lunar eclipse, vimocana snanam must be done only after looking at the sun or moon respectively at the end of eclipse.
At times, they might set at the end of eclipse which makes it impossible to look at them. One must wait until the next time they are visible to partake food.
At other times, when they are about to rise, they might not be visible due to cloudy skies. With the help of panchangam and the surrounding brightness caused by them, it appears we can do the vimocana snanam.
Why does Vadakali sect not celebrate Manavalamamunigal’s Thirunakshatram? Likewise, why does the Tenkalai sect not celebrate Swami Desikan’s Thirunakshatram? Has Manavalamamunigal provided any reference to Swami Desikan in his books? Do we not celebrate Mamunigal as Swami Desikan being our prime preceptor? And is the reason why Tenkalai sect does not celebrate Swami Desikan as Mamunigal is their prime preceptor?
Vidwan’s reply:
Though both are Acarya-s and since in respective traditions there arose a difference of opinions, the rituals and virtues laid down by Swami Desikan were not accepted by Manavalamamunigal. Similarly, the followers of Desika Sampradyam did not accept their rituals, resulting in sectarian differences. The spirit to celebrate Acarya Thirunakshatram seems to be on the decline but there is no hostility and no stipulations that it should not be celebrated at all.
Manavalamamunigal had referred to Swami Desikan as Thupul Pillai in some of his works. Swami Desikan did not mention Mamunigal as he was the predecessor to Mamunigal.
