In recent months, the Paruveta Utsavam of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at Ahobilam has entered the national spotlight with a Parliamentary resolution seeking UNESCO recognition—either as an Intangible Cultural Heritage element or as part of a broader heritage‑conservation framework. The Ahobila Mutt, custodian of the Ahobilam temple for over 750 years, stands at the centreContinue reading “UNESCO, Ahobilam, and the Limits of International Recognition for Hindu Temples”
Tag Archives: Srivaishnavism
What is present population size of Ayyangars? And how large is the size of the “Vadakalai” subsect?
Recently, some friends of mine on a WhatsApp group were engaged in chatter while discussing comparative Jain community population versus Ayyangar community size. Although , the Jains represent a religious minority while Ayyangars represent a Hindu sect , the lively discussion continued nevertheless. My views stated during the discussions were as follows : Ayyangars areContinue reading “What is present population size of Ayyangars? And how large is the size of the “Vadakalai” subsect?”
Sri Thyagaraja, the undeclared Sri Vaishnava “prapannan”
Like millions of Rasikas all over the world , I too consider myself an ardent Sri Thyagaraja bhakth who loves so many of the saint’s exquisite kritis and often, whenever swept away by the mood, I do sing a few of them in the privacy of my home purely for the delight of my ownContinue reading “Sri Thyagaraja, the undeclared Sri Vaishnava “prapannan””
Dushyant Sridhar’s jingoistic FB comment only proves the point made in my 2024 book: “The Decline and Fall of the “ubhaya vedantins”
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1818EjnJ4E/?mibextid=wwXIfr https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17puU48Ue2/ The above URL of Sri. Dushyant Sridhar short-video clip of course will be music indeed to the ears and hearts of Vadakalais . I’m sure Dushyant’s fan following might increase by a few hundreds. It will most certainly be red rag waved in the raging faces of the Tenkalais . But the questionContinue reading “Dushyant Sridhar’s jingoistic FB comment only proves the point made in my 2024 book: “The Decline and Fall of the “ubhaya vedantins””
Tenkalai and Vadakalai Sri Vaishnavas’ endless legal battle: Can a Phyrric victory for either side erase the “writing on the wall” for both?
Pyrrhic means a victory won at such a devastating cost that it’s almost a defeat. King Pyrrhus of Epirus: his army suffered huge losses winning battles against the Romans, leaving him too weak to continue. It describes any success that ultimately proves worthless due to the immense price paid, like winning a lawsuit but losing everything in legalContinue reading “Tenkalai and Vadakalai Sri Vaishnavas’ endless legal battle: Can a Phyrric victory for either side erase the “writing on the wall” for both?”
Bhakti’s triumph over plunder and mayhem: revisiting the legend of Sri Rangam “thulaka naachiyaar” with “Eepa”
This morning “Eepa” — a doyen of Tamil literature known for his Sahitya Akademi Award-winning novels and plays — Indira Parthasarathy sent me a sharp question as a WhatsApp message. It tested my familarity if not knowledge, as a Sri Vaishnava (albeit an “Unknown and Unusual” one!), of age-old temple customs and traditions in theContinue reading “Bhakti’s triumph over plunder and mayhem: revisiting the legend of Sri Rangam “thulaka naachiyaar” with “Eepa””
How the mantric “ma” syllable (“म”or “ம”) inspired Andal’s “Tiruppavai” and Vedanta Desikan’s “Paduka Sahasram”
Today’s Tiruppavai “paasuram” is Verse 9 which reads as follows : தூமணி மாடத்து சுற்றும் விளக்கெரியத்* தூமம் கமழத் துயிலணைமேல் கண்வளரும்* மாமான் மகளே மணிக்கதவம் தாழ்திறவாய்* மாமீர் அவளை எழுப்பீரோ உன்மகள்தான்* ஊமையோ அன்றி செவிடோ அனந்தலோ* ஏமப் பெருந்துயில் மந்திரப் பட்டாளோ* மாமாயன் மாதவன் வைகுந்தன் என்றென்று* நாமன் பலவும் நவின்றேலோர் என்பாவாய்! ஆண்டாள் நாச்சியார் In this verse , it is intriguing to see theContinue reading “How the mantric “ma” syllable (“म”or “ம”) inspired Andal’s “Tiruppavai” and Vedanta Desikan’s “Paduka Sahasram””
The SWOT-grid and “ARTHA-PANCHAKA”: (Part 2 of 2 – CONCLUDED)
It is only very late in my life today, and I regret to say it, that I have received the Grace of Bhagavan to embark finally upon a serious study of the Rahasyatrayasaram in the traditional learning mode of “grantha kaalakshepam” under an erudite Sri Vaishnava scholar-Acharya. Because of ageing factor and also the lackContinue reading “The SWOT-grid and “ARTHA-PANCHAKA”: (Part 2 of 2 – CONCLUDED)”
The SWOT-grid and “ARTHA-PANCHAKA” (Part 1 of 2)
What does the Greek derived Biblical word Soteriology mean? It is the branch of theology that studies “salvation”: i.e. what the human problem is, what it means to be saved or liberated, and by what means and conditions that liberation is effected. Generally, in religious studies across the board, soteriology covers doctrines about (a) deliveranceContinue reading “The SWOT-grid and “ARTHA-PANCHAKA” (Part 1 of 2)”
“Is there a case for Religion?”: Well… no, not to India and not in the Western sense
https://open.substack.com/pub/jimpalmerauthor/p/is-there-a-case-for-religion?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email I read the Op-Ed above with amused interest… interest because matters of Religion always have stoked my curiosity; and amused because I’m reminded of two old sayings — “The more things change, the more they remain the same” and “What goes round always comes around”. Religion went out of fashion and favour for theContinue reading ““Is there a case for Religion?”: Well… no, not to India and not in the Western sense”