An imaginary dialogue has been conceived and recorded below between a student and a Sri Vaishnava Acharya being held during the course of a traditional “kaalakshepam” (small intensive study-group class) session conducted by the Master for his band of disciples on the sacred Vedanta text, “Rahasya Traya Saaram” written by Swami Vedanta Desikan (1268-1368CE) TheContinue reading “A Dialogue on Veda…self-existent, uncaused revealed scripture un-authored by human agency: the Visishtadvaita “darsana” (Part 1 of 2)”
Tag Archives: Srivaishnavism
Ageing, “Kama” as “purushaartha”, “Chamaka Prashna” and Andaal “Tiruppavai”
A very well-read and dear relative of mine — himself who just recently turned an octogenarian— forwarded to me this morning via WhatsApp a very interesting and insightful message on what is “GROWTH in OLD AGE” and really what it means with reference to the famous Vedic passage known as “CHAMAKA PRASHNA” (Krishna Yajurveda, specificallyContinue reading “Ageing, “Kama” as “purushaartha”, “Chamaka Prashna” and Andaal “Tiruppavai””
Tirumala Temple Annadaanam: Religious Charity or PR extravaganza?
There is no doubt that in our Hindu religion , “annadaanam”or charitable feeding of pilgrims is a very ancient and cherished tradition or custom . However , reading the above news item makes one wonder if this mega-project proposal serves religious charitable purpose or whether it is PR extravaganza catering more to the spirit ofContinue reading “Tirumala Temple Annadaanam: Religious Charity or PR extravaganza?”
Is a false narrative being presented about Sri Ramanujacharya’s “74 simhaasanaadipathi” institutions and so-called “tennaachaarya sampradayam”
Being a Sri Vaishnava myself, reading the above news item troubles me greatly in mind. I wonder if this is some sort of strategy that seeks to build a Tenkalai narrative presenting Sri Ramanuja’s 74 simhasanaadhipathi peetams as exclusively belonging to “tennaachaarya sampradayam” distinct from the “Desika sampradayam”. If it is so then I mustContinue reading “Is a false narrative being presented about Sri Ramanujacharya’s “74 simhaasanaadipathi” institutions and so-called “tennaachaarya sampradayam””
Sri Vishwaksena or “Senaimudaliyaan”, the third foremost of Sri Vaishnava Acharyas: Let us today celebrate his “Jayanthi” Day – “Pooraadam” asterism, October 28, 2025
Today in the month of ஐப்பசி (or Pooradam asterism of the Vedic lunar almanac) is a very sacred day being the “tirunakshatram” (the anniversarial ascent of asterism) of Sri Viswaksenar (known in Tamil as “Senai Mudaliyaan) who appears as the 3rd of the foremost Acharyas in Guruparampara — the lineage of preceptors — worshipped inContinue reading “Sri Vishwaksena or “Senaimudaliyaan”, the third foremost of Sri Vaishnava Acharyas: Let us today celebrate his “Jayanthi” Day – “Pooraadam” asterism, October 28, 2025″
Now Available for sale in a bookstore near you: “The Epistles of a Prolific Pontiff” (My book of English translations of the Tamil “arul mozhi” of the 44th Azhagiyasingar of Sri Ahobila Mutt)
Musings on “Bhakthi”explained in Swami Vedanta Desikan’s “Rahasya Traya Saaram” as a “virtuous cycle”
ஸ்வாமி வேதாந்த தேசிகரின் “ரஹஸ்ய த்ரய சாரம்” எனும் அபூர்வ கிரந்தத்தில் விளக்கப்படும் பக்தி தத்துவம் குறித்து எழுந்திருக்கும் சிந்தனைகள் — அது ஒரே நேரத்தில் ஆன்மீக உயர்வையும் நற்பெருக்கையும் விளைவிக்கும் ஒரு புனிதச் சுழற்சியாகப் பதிவாகின்றன. எங்கள் ஸ்ரீ வைஷ்ணவ சமூஹத்தின் காவலனாகிய ஸ்ரிமத் வேதாந்த தேசிகரின் “ரஹஸ்யத்திரய ஸாரம்” என்பதின் திவ்யார்த்தங்களை விளக்கும் ஸதாசார்யர் உ.வே. ஸ்ரீ வளையப்பேட்டை இராமாச்சார்ய ஸ்வாமிகள் அவர்கள் ஆவாராந்திரம் ஓவ்வொரு வார இறுதியிலும் அருளும் கலாசேபங்களில், அடியேன் தன்னுடையContinue reading “Musings on “Bhakthi”explained in Swami Vedanta Desikan’s “Rahasya Traya Saaram” as a “virtuous cycle””
September 30, 2025: An Evening to remember forever at Kanchipuram, all due to “Sri Perundevi Thaayaar’s” Grace!
பச்சைமா மலை போல் மேனிபவளவாய் கமலச் செங்கண்அச்சுதா அமரரேறேஆயர்தம் கொழுந்தே என்னும்இச்சுவை தவிர யான் போய்இந்திரலோகம் ஆளும் அச்சுவை பெறினும் வேண்டேன்அரங்கமா நகருளானே O Achyuta! With a body like a great green mountain, a mouth like coral, with eyes shaped like a red lotus—O Lord of the celestials! O tender sprig of the cowherds! Apart from the pleasure of uttering theseContinue reading “September 30, 2025: An Evening to remember forever at Kanchipuram, all due to “Sri Perundevi Thaayaar’s” Grace!”
What is the Agama ritual of Pavithrotsavam? Why it is conducted for our Sri Vaishnava temples?
Rangamannar and Sri Lakshminarasimha Swami Perumal Kovil , Bheemana Street Abiramapuram commenced on September 27 through 30th, 2025 . Pavithrotsavam: Sri Andal Rangamanar Sri Lakshminarasimha Kovil , Bheemana St. Abiramapuram, Chennai – Sep 27-30 2025 … I had the mahaabaagyam to participate in kainkaryam as one of the three Homam Ritwiks. (Following behind) The pavithrotsavamContinue reading “What is the Agama ritual of Pavithrotsavam? Why it is conducted for our Sri Vaishnava temples?”
Belief and Faith: what’s the difference?
“What is the exact Tamil word for faith?”, asked an old ex-colleague and friend of mine who lives now with his children in far away America. It was a casual question but I somehow could not get myself to be anything but serious about it. I replied: Sir, you are the expert …Is it நம்பிக்கை?Continue reading “Belief and Faith: what’s the difference?”