Is the act of dipping or submerging during the Theerthavari Utsavam, equivalent to taking a bath? Must this be performed with snAnashAtI (bathing clothes) and sankalpam?
Vidwan’s reply:
The act of dipping or submerging during the Theerthavari Utsavam is bathing. As a specific sankalpam exists, it is proper to take this bath with appropriate sankalpam; it is considered superior. Some specifically take this bath clothed in snAnashAti; a few takes bath with the dress they are clothed in; sankalpam, snAnanga tharppanam, etc. are all applicable for this.
What is AcAram? Kindly explain.
Vidwan’s reply:
AcAram can mean the required cleanliness to perform religious austerities.
Cleanliness is vital for Sandhyavandanam, Tiruvaradhanam, etc. The cleanliness is referred to as AcAram.
As per the scriptures, religious austerities without cleanliness will result in improper performance of the austerities.
Adiyen so far has not performed Vaishvadevam as part of a householder duty; From whom should adiyen acquire the necessary knowledge?
Vidwan’s reply:
Vaishvadevam must be learned from those married couples who still stay married and perform Vaishvadevam; one can learn this from one’s friends and relatives who are householders (married) and who perform Vaishvadevam.
We notice that discourses by non-Hindus and non-Brahmins about our tradition are available in YouTube. Is this appropriate? Can we listen to them?
Vidwan’s reply:
There is no need to listen to discourses on tradition by non-Hindus and non-Brahmins. We must listen to the details about our Srivaishnava tradition that were propounded by our esteemed preceptors only form Srivaishnava elders and must avoid listening to others on related matters.
How many counts of Gayatri mantram must be chanted as part of Sandhyavandanam during Pradosham? Is it 10 or 28 times?
Vidwan’s reply:
In the Sandhyavandanam during Pradosham, Gayatri mantra japam is done 10 times.
It is said that each word in the Vedas have their unique musical note (svara) and at all instances where a said word occurs, the musical note is the same; but at times, for words such as svAhA, bhavati, etc. occurring in the same section or passage (anuvAka), their respective musical note differs; why so? If Vedas have been passed on by a single lineage, why then are there differences in recitations (as an example Andhra pATham, Dravida pATham, etc.)?
Vidwan’s reply:
The terms of Vedas have unique musical notes, and they will not change. If note does change, there will be a reason. These reasons are documented in analytical works such as “Svara Prakriyaa” and “Prati Sakhyam”. We can understand when we talk to elders.
There are no pATha bhEdam in the Vedas. The differences you alluded to is found only in the AraNyaka; there are no pATha bhEdam in Samhita and Brahmanas.
There are no pATha bhEdam from Kashmir to Kanyakumari; there could be differences in style of recitation (such as in loud and elongated manner).
At homes, can we recite Tiruviruttham during daily recitations (daily sEvAkAlam) and during Prabandham recitation?
Vidwan’s reply:
It is a practice to recite Tiruviruttham during Prabandham recitation; the daily sEvAkAlam at homes is something we follow as per our convenience; no harm in including Tiruviruttham in this; there is nothing that prohibits this practice.
Can Paduka Sahasram be recited in the evenings or at night times? Can Paduka Aradhanam be performed at these times?
Vidwan’s reply:
Paduka Sahasram stotram can be recited any time. Paduka Aradhanam is similar to Perumal Tiruvaradhanam that is done during day times with prescribed requirements such as maintaining cleanliness, etc. to be followed. Generally, state of purity from daytime might not continue to the evening times. Paduka Aradhanam is usually performed during daytimes and not done in the evenings.
Must we do parishESanam for temple mixed rice prasadams such as Pulioyodharai, Pongal when partaking them for lunch or dinner?
Vidwan’s reply:
In the prasadams such as Puliyodharai from temple, salt is mixed; generally parishESanam is not performed for food items with salt.
Should Perumal Tiruvaradhanam be performed only after performing Madhyanikam?
Vidwan’s reply:
As per the order of anushthanam, Perumal Tiruvaradhanam is performed only after performing Madhyanikam at the prescribed time period.
Due to certain reasons if one has to perform Tiruvaradhanam earlier, a special abhigamana aradhanam before Madhyanikam can be done first and after Madhyanikam a brief aradhanam can be done.
Usually, the householders will do a brief abhigamana aradhanam – with suprabhatam for Perumal and a few stotras for the brief aradhanam; later a detailed Ijya aradhanam is performed. The sannyasi-s could do a detailed abhigamana aradhanam and a brief Ijya aradhanam.
The householders due to want of time, could do a detailed abhigamana aradhanam followed by a brief Ijya aradhanam.
Can Naalaayira Divya Prabandham be recited at Vishnu temples which does not have idols of Azhvars, Acharyas are not consecrated, or which do not offer shathari?
Vidwan’s reply:
If the temple authorities allow, Naalaayiram Divya Prabandham can certainly be recited at all Vishnu temples.
Are there any shlokas like Ahobila Mutt’s ‘yasyAbhavat…ahobilE’ for Andavan Ashrama disciples?
Vidwan’s reply:
Scriptures (shAstram) and tradition are two different aspect. Recitation of ‘yasyAbhavat’ is tradition of Ahobila Mutt. Not aware about other tradition’s details.
As a general practice, we have ‘SrimAn vEnkata…’. Similar is the tradition of reciting ‘yasyAbhavat’. There might not be any similar practices for Srimad Andavan Ashramam.
What are the anusthanam-s that one must follow in the mornings during the month of Margazhi? More specifically, kindly advise what should those who do not perform Perumal Tiruvaradhanam and those who stay in hostels.
Vidwan’s reply:
The important anusthanam for Margazhi is waking up in the dawn and reciting Tiruppavai. Women must wash the entrance, draw kolam and light lamp. It is auspicious to light lamp early at the dawn. Even when Tiruvaradhanam is not performed, Tiruppavai recitation is a must. If one knows Goda Stuti, can recite that.
What are the rules and yardstick for one to become an upanyasakar? Forgive for asking this – over the last few years, Christians, non-brahmins, women have become upanyasakars and preach the meaning of Rahasyam. It his right?
Vidwan’s reply:
To become an upanyasakar to preach Bhagavad Vishayam, primary requirement is that one must learn and well understand Bhagavad Vishayam through a qualified preceptor. Only after this and only when permitted by that preceptor can one preach to others. Without the Acharya’s permission, this must not be done.
It is not appropriate for those who do not belong to the tradition to talk about the messages of tradition. What they say might be different. No need for Srivaishnava-s to listen to such talks. If the upanyasakar has learnt it from a preceptor and preaches with the permission of the preceptor, we can list to them, even if they are women or non-brahmins.
Can we recite Paduka Sahasram at the temples not run by the Brahmins or with no association with Sriramanuja tradition?
Vidwan’s reply:
It is a funny question – if one wants to recite Desika stotras, how can that person be without any association with Ramanuja tradition? Adiyen is unable to understand how one who does not belong to Srivaishnava tradition will have the desire to recite Desika stotram. If one learns Paduka Sahasram and desires to recite, it shows their affinity for Desikan. This could mean they are also interested in Ramanuja sampradaya.
There are several stipulations for reciting at temples and one should follow the relevant stipulations to recite at the respective temples. In the temples at Divya Desam, other than authorized goshti, no one is permitted to recite. But in the newly constructed temples, anyone can recite any shloka.
Can a prapanna recite shloka about Raghavendra? Can such a person go to worship at Mantralayam? Can Raghavendra be accepted as a Acharya?
Vidwan’s reply:
A prapanna must not recite Raghavendra shloka, go to Mantralayam or accept Raghavendra as an acharya. Only those who have come in the Srivaishnava guruparampara are to be accepted as acharya; only the prapatti initiated by such an acharya, will lead us to the divine feet of Sriman Narayana. After having undergone prapatti under such an acharya, only that acharya and others who have appeared in that Parampara can be accepted as acharyas.
What and how many grains are included in the sokkappAnai (bonfire with palmyra leaves) at houses?
Vidwan’s reply:
For the sokkappAnai at homes, grains of paddy must be included; paddy grains are tied into a bundle made of new cloth and soaked in ghee. At some homes, it is a practice to include wheat or horse gram.
If the Salagrama murthi at home is chipped or split into pieces, can we perform Tiruvaradhanam for that murthi? Or must we replace it with a new Salagrama? Kindly also explain how and where to procure Salagrama murthi.
Vidwan’s reply:
It is mentioned in the scriptures that a few harms are associated when Tiruvaradhanam is performed for chipped or split Salagrama. So, one must replace the Salagrama. Until such time one can continue with the existing Salagrama.
Why is Upanishad recited during Perumal Thirumanjanam?
Vidwan’s reply:
Upanishad talks exclusively about Emperuman alone; other parts of the Vedas talk about a demi-god first and then talk about Bhagavan as an in dweller of that demi-god. As those who perform Thirumanjanam are required to recite a shloka, they recite Upanishad as it is about Emperuman. Svami Desikan himself has said that this is auspicious. Hence, we recite Upanishad.
For the early morning Tiruvaradhanam during the month of Margazhi, at what time must we gather flowers, Tulasi, etc.? Can they be plucked before sunrise on the same day, or must they be gathered the previous day?
Vidwan’s reply:
Tulasi can be plucked the previous morning; Tulasi must not be plucked in the afternoon or before sunrise.
Full blown flowers can be gathered; at times flowers are full blown around 5 AM, before sunrise and such flowers can be gathered during that period.
Are there any rules and regulations to recite Divya Prabandham like the Vedas? Sri U.Ve Kannan swami had mentioned the set of codes like being in svarupam, being mindful of anadhyayana kalam, sandhya kalam, asaucam period, etc. that has to be followed for reciting Vedas. Please explain.
Vidwan’s reply:
Divya Prabandham should not be recited during anadhyayana period, Sandhya kalam, and during asaucam. You have already mentioned the codes for reciting other than that there are no special adherences.
How to celebrate Acharya’s Tiruvadhyayanam as per the tradition?
Vidwan’s reply:
Acharya’s Tiruvadhyayanam has to be celebrated in a special manner like how a son performs it for a father, though there no compulsions it has to be celebrated grandly. If it can be done briefly, one can do it by arranging sevakalam, satrumurai, sambhavanai and a brahmin can be invited for food and dakshina. This has been in practise and followed by many people.
Can we adorn the jewels to Perumal that was worn by us after cleansing it with Tulasi water with intention of not using it again personally?
Vidwan’s reply:
There is a special cleaning process for gold ornaments worn by us. Gold becomes clean only by heating it in fire repeatedly. Then the cleansed gold can be adorned to Perumal. Normally gold is processed through fire for making ornaments, same process is used to clean the used gold. Shops will have the facility for cleaning gold, it can be done and offered to Perumal.
Certain questions with regards to Tulasi garland offered to Perumal
Can we wear the garland offered to him as his prasadam and perform japa, tharppanam and Tiruvaradhanam?
Should it be worn separately or along with lotus bead garland?
Can it be worn the entire day including alpa shankai time?
Can we wear it during asaucam?
Vidwan’s reply:
One can wear the Tulasi garland offered to Perumal and do the rituals, but it is not in practise to wear the entire day.
It should not be worn during alpa shankai and asaucam period.
One can wear it separately but not permanently. There are two types of garlands – one is made of Tulasi leaves and another one is made of Tulasi beads. Garland made out of dried Tulasi beads are used while performing austerities and not garland made out of leaves. Not sure what is your question about.
Tulasi bead garland can be worn along with lotus bead garland or can be worn separately also, it should be pure; during taints (asaucam and theetu) it should not be used. While travelling it should be avoided as we might come in contact with taints.
We have bought a new wooden box for Perumal, what is the cleansing process before placing Perumal into it?
Vidwan’s reply:
The box can be cleaned well and after performing punyahavacanam, Perumal can be placed inside the box.
