CHERISHED MEMOIRS 88 – MY GURU AS I SEE HIM

This series chronicles sweet experiences recounted by the devotees of HH Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji as well as some divine experiences of Sri Swamiji himself. These articles are translations from the series “Madhuramaana Mahaneeyar” that is published every month in Madhuramurali Tamil monthly magazine.

The First Adhyayana Utsav

It is doubtful whether all that has happened to our Perumal has happened to any other Perumal! Every year, 10 days of Bhrahmothsavam around Gokulashtami time, 3 days of utsav around Sri Rama Navami, procession in a Garuda vahana during Vaikunta Ekadasi, Avatara utsav during the Puratasi Shravanam, special worship during all the 30 days of the month of Dhanur, 10 days of Vasanthothsav and on top of these, numerous Radha Kalyanams often, Srimad Ramayana, Srimad Bhagavatha and Veda parayanams have been held too.

Besides these, concerts and discourses by eminent musicians and scholars are held too. Depending on the utsav of the season, Bhagavan gets decked up and celebrated in special ways.

Sri Swamiji, desired to conduct an Adhyayana Utsav too for Perumal, starting this year. Adhyayana Utsav was set from Jan 1st through 10th and was held in a grand manner in Premika Bhavanam, Chennai. Everyday, Perumal was decorated specially. Bhagavan graced on the swing, all decorated with flowers in the newly constructed porch. Nithyasooris are those who are always with Perumal in Sri Vaikuntam. They incarnated as Azhwars and hence the 12 Azhwars are called Divyasooris. Those places that were sung by them are called Divya Desam. The compilation of their works is Divya Prabandham.

All of Nammazhwar’s pasurams, are the essence of Vedas. Content from Srimad Ramayana, Srimad Bhagavatham, Vishnu Dharma, Mahabharatha, itihaasa and puraanas are found in the prabhandas by Periya Azhwar, Kulasekara Azhwar and the like. Thirumangai Aazhwar’s prabandhams contain the 6 aspects of Vedhas in its entirety. Ramanuja Nootrandhaadhi is set upon the Gayathri Chandhas. All the above have been specified by numerous learned scholars.

Chanting the entire 4000 Dhivya Prabandham is called Adhyayana Utsav. From 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm everyday, 400 pasurams were chanted with utmost devotion. In the 10 days, the 4000 pasurams were completed.

A devotee named Sri Srinivasa Kannan undertook this service and successfully did it. Sevilimedu Sri Raghavan chanted the pasurams, immersed in devotion. On the concluding day, chanting of the Vedas was also held followed by Nama Sankeertan. Next day was Koodaaraivalli utsav. Perumal was adorned with jewelry. At night, Andal Kalyana Vaibhavam was wonderfully conducted in Bhagavata Sampradhaya by Brahma Sri Mallikaarjuna Bhagavathar & troupe. And the 10 days passed so joyously.

Original Tamil article published in Madhuramurali Magazine, Feb 1997 issue
Chronicled by Smt. Jayanthi Janakiraman and translated by Smt. Mangala Gowri Sridhar, Jacksonville FL

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