Plava Varsham PURATTASI / AIPPASI ISSUE

Jaya Jaya Sri Sudharshana

Global Stotra Parayana Kainkaryam

“SUDARSANAM”

Plava Varsham PURATTASI / AIPPASI ISSUE

Questions and Answers by GSPK Vidwans Vol 4 – Release Date - 29th Oct 2021



GSPK SUDARSANAM – PURATTASI/AIPPASI 2021 2

Questions and Answers by GSPK Vidwans Plava Varsha Purattasi/Aippasi Masa Panchangam 3

Preface 5

Acaram and Anushtanam 6

Stree Dharmam 18

Sri Sukthis of Purvacharyas 19

To ask Questions 20




Plava Varsha Purattasi/Aippasi Masa Panchangam Plava Varsha – Purattasi Masa Panchangam

Tamil Month

(Purattasi/Aippasi)

English Month (Oct / Nov)

Day

Janama Nakshatram

Shraddha Tithi

Tirunakshatram/ Festivals

Purattasi 29

Oct 15

Fri Tiruvonam Dasami

Srimad Vedanta Desikan, Vijaya Dasami; Ambu

podudhal

30 16 Sat Avittam Ekadasi Ekadasi

31 17 Sun Sadayam Dwadasi

Vishu Punyakalam (As it is Dwadasi,

after Sandhyavandanam

, do tharpanam, tiruvaradhanam

and paranai)

Aippasi 1

18 Mon Purattadhi Trayodasi Commencement of

Tula Snanam; Mahapradosham

2 19 Tue Uttiratadhi Caturdasi

3 20 Wed Revati Paurnami

4 21 Thu Ashvini Prathamai

5 22 Fri Bharani Dvitiyai

6 23 Sat Karthikai Tritiyai

7 24 Sun Rohini Caturthi

8 25 Mon Mirugasirsham Panchami

9 26 Tue Tiruvadhirai Sashti

10 27 Wed Punarpusam Saptami

11 28 Thu Pusam Ashtami

12 29 Fri Ayilyam Navami

13 30 Sat Magham Dasami




14 31 Sun Puram Ekadasi

15 Nov

1 Mon Utram Dwadasi Sarva Ekadasi

16 2 Tue Hastam Trayodasi Dwadasi;

Mahapradosham

17 3 Wed Cittirai Caturdasi

18 4 Thu Svati Amavasyai Dawn Dipavali

Snanam; Amavasyai

19 5 Fri Visakham Prathamai

20 6 Sat Anusham Dvitiyai

21 7 Sun Kettai Tritiyai

22 8 Mon Mulam Caturthi

23 9 Tue Puradam Panchami Senai Mudaliar;

Tirukkurugai Piran Pillan

24 10 Wed Utradam Sashti

Saptami

25 11 Thu Tiruvonam Ashtami Poigaiazhvar

26 12 Fri Avittam Navami Bhudathazhvar

27 13 Sat Sadayam Dasami Peyazhvar

28 14 Sun Purattadhi Ekadasi

29 15 Mon Uttratadhi Dwadasi Kaisika Ekadasi

30 16 Tue Revati Sunya Tithi Karthikai masa

pirappu; Dwadasi; Mahapradosham

Karthikai 1

17 Wed Ashvini Caturdasi

2 18 Thu Bharani Paurnami Vaikhanasa Agama

Deepam

3 19 Fri Karthikai Atithi

Sripancharatra Deepam,

Tirukarthikai; Tirumangaiazhvar




Preface "Sudarsanam" is a perfect guide to be used by every Srivaishnava. The

launch of this e questionnaire is an attempt to encourage Srivaishnavas

to know and get clarity on various Shastric aspects.

A panel of highly qualified Vidwans has come forward to provide

answers very kindly for questions posted by bhaagavataas. These

answers are compiled and made available as an ideal manual that can

be used as an authentic resource for practicing and understanding

Sampradaya principles.

As much authentic and stringent as the answers provided are, they are

the most idealistic ideologies that could be followed. Some may not

be comprehensible to current day practices, in such cases, it is always,

advisable for bhaagavataas to take the guidance of practices observed

by their elders.

It’s an appeal to bhaagavataas to make good use of Sudarasanam.

SUDARSANAM - The means to show us the right path of

following our Ramanuja Darsanam!




Acaram and Anushtanam (Questions & Answers)

Q18PUR21001

Can one, who has performed Bharanyasam, offer milk to termite mounds

(where snakes live) on Adi and Thai Fridays at any Perumal temple or

Tiruvahindirapuram Sesha kinaru (well)?

Vidwan`s reply

It is a practice to offer milk to the snakes that live in termite mounds or

Sesha kinaru considering them as a part (amsham) of Adiseshan.

Q18PUR21002

It is said that after one has performed Prapatti, one must not perform archana at

temples in one’s name, lineage (gothram) and star (nakshatram); kindly clarify.

Vidwan`s reply

It is inferior or secondary for anyone to perform archana in one’s name,

lineage and star, not restricted only to those who have performed Prapatti. It is

superior to perform archana taking a vow that one does so to please Perumal

(Bhagavad preetyartham) and doing archana in His name

Notes:

If Perumal is pleased, He will grant all our wishes without the need for us

to ask Him; He will grant them all on His own volition. If one still wants to ask

Him over and above this, one must seek His satisfaction alone, which by itself

will grant us all health, comfort, wealth, or anything that we desire.




Q18PUR21003

Can women go to temple in the morning on the day of their parents’ shraddham?

Vidwan`s reply

• They are not prohibited from going to temple, but it is good to avoid as a

mark of respect.

• Moreover, those who can participate during shraddham must help out in

the kitchen or aid any related works. Those who are unable to do can

observe it mentally.

• Helping out during a shraddham accrues benefits that is equivalent of

visiting temples.

Q18PUR21004

Can women partake milk, curd and butter during Ekadasi?

Vidwan`s reply

If women cannot observe total fast, they are permitted to take milk, curd

which is not considered sin.

Q18PUR21005

Approximately 150 years ago, my ancestors migrated from Kanchipuram to

Salem. My great-grandfather is Kotikannikadhanam Thathacaryar. As my

grandfather and father were not made aware of who our kula daivam was, pray

clarify.

Vidwan`s reply




• For all Srivaishavanas, kula daivam is Bhagavan Sriman Narayanan.

Alavandar says ‘stoshyAmi naH kuladhanam kuladaivatam tat’.

• For Tirumalai Thathacaryar Svami and his lineage, Tirumalai

Venkatachalapathy is kula daivam

• For the one who has raised this query is from the lineage of

Kotikannikadhanam Thathacaryar for whom Kanchipuram Varadaraja

Perumal is the kula daivam. Based on this, the questioner can consider

that Kanchi Varadaraja Perumal as the kula daivam

Q18PUR21006

Adiyen has two Salagrama deities at my home in America donated by my

father and father-in-law. It is considered inauspicious to have two deities as

one, four or more deities are to be worshipped. I shall try to obtain the

required set of deities. But my question is will Perumal harm his devotees

for this?

Vidwan`s reply

• One Salagrama deity is allowed to be worshipped

• If there are two Salagrama deities, thirumanjanam and other offerings

should be conducted in a grand and elaborate manner for one of the

Salagrama deities and they can be kept separately in a box or two

different boxes.

• Thirumanjanam should be done primarily to one of the deities along

with other offerings while all the offerings except thriumanjanam are




to be done to the other deity until one obtains two more Salagrama

deities.

Q18PUR21007

What is the state of Prasadam that is offered to Bhagavan while there are no

such things as hunger or thirst in Paramapadam?

Vidwan`s reply

• We do not offer food to satiate His hunger; instead, we offer it as a service.

• Moreover, they accept the subtle portion of the food and grace us back as

a pious food which in turns become a prasadam that we partake. Agama

also says the same.

Q18PUR21008

What are the vegetables that can be cooked during Dvadasi?

Vidwan`s reply

• Vegetables that can be cooked during Dvadasi are

1. Pumpkin

2. Yellow Pumpkin

3. Ladies finger

4. Broad beans

5. Colocasia

6. Cluster beans

• Vegetables that are to be avoided are

1. Raw plantain




2. Brinjal

• All Plantain based vegetables are to be avoided during Dvadasi, some

households do not cook snake gourd as well. One should follow as per the

elders’ practise of their respective household.

Q18PUR21009

Can adiyen repeat in thiruvai at 10pm the stotra patam that adiyen had learnt

through GSPK? Are there any specific timings for learning stotra patam?

Vidwan`s reply

Stotra Patam are meant for all to practise at all times. There are no rules as

such and one can learn them at nights also. That is why Swami Desikan had

mercifully graced us with such Stotrams.

Q18PUR21011

Can we accept the prasadam from non Srivaishnava devotees who had

performed Saranagathi? Will we be committing any offence against a bhagavata

if we do not accept it?

Vidwan`s reply

It is not a must for an orthodox Sri Vaishnava who strictly follows the

ritualistic practises to accept the prasadam from a non Srivaishnava devotee. As

their strict ritualistic practise are nothing but Bhagavad Thiru Aradhanam, they

will not do something that causes hinderance to their worship. It is not a sin if

one rejects it.

Notes:




There are two matters that are to be considered - one is austerities and the

other is the devotion. It is considered superior to accept the prasadam that are

offered to Perumal by the devotees with utmost devotion.

True devotees will not cause hinderance to an orthrodox Srivaishnava, as

they are aware of their strict adherence to rituals; hence they will stay away and

will not distribute their prasadam to such people.

Q18PUR21013

There was a topic on misdeeds and atonements in the previous Sudarshanam

issue. Due to time, place and the current pandemic outbreak we could not

perform certain rituals; how to atone for such misdeeds? Please clarify.

Vidwan`s reply

• In general, we atone by submitting our prayers to Perumal seeking His

pardon. One does it exclusively by performing prayaschitta sharanagati.

• Scriptures have provided atonements for each misdeed. If we are aware

of the misdeeds, then we can atone accordingly, or we can recite the

following verse from Swami Desikan’s Nyasa Dasakam and pray to

Perumal as such for atonement.

akrutyAnA ca Karanam krutyAnAm varjanam ca me |

kshamasva nikhilam deva pranatArtihara prabho ||

Q18PUR21014

As I am desirous to become a Sri Vaishanava, what are the practises that I

should follow?




Vidwan`s reply

There are many books on Ahnikam that provides details on practises of

Srivaishnavas. You can learn this from an elder about such practises and

through Sri Vasinava Dinacharya.

Importantly, Sri Vaishnavas should apply Thiruman on their forehead,

perform Sandhyavandanam, Thiruvaradhanam, visit temples to worship

Perumal. Apart from this they should address themselves as ‘adiyen’. These are

the traits of a Sri Vaishnava.

Q18PUR21016

At the outset, adiyen would like to ask for forgiveness if adiyen’s query is

meaningless. We are followers of principles of Vishisthadvaitam; for

emancipation, we perform Prapatti and the liberated souls are blessed with

eternal servitude to Permual in his eternal abode; we are fortunate to be part of

such a sublime tradition. But what is the need for Perumal to reveal himself?

Why did he incarnate and why did he create this world? While there is no

bondage because of the karmas for him, why does He strive to elevate us from

the bondages of this material life? Why does he exist and why did He create

this universe?

Vidwan`s reply

• The question of why Perumal exists and why this universe was created

does not arise at all as this query will be relevant only when something is

created new; Perumal exists eternally and so is this universe.




• Before creation began and during the time of universal dissolution

(pralaya kalam), the universe and other beings were in subtle forms. To

enjoy the experience of playing with His children, Perumal beings the

creation – this is similar to a mother waking up a child that has been

sleeping for a long time to feed that child.

• Instead of suffering in this material world, if we reach Srivaikuntham,

where there no hunger and thirst, and we can have supreme and eternal

happiness. We can be with Perumal like how children live with parents.

Perumal incarnates to make us realize this and leads us to Him.

• Like how parents care for their children, Perumal does all of these because

of his affection for us, His children.

Q18PUR21019

We have witnessed that Azhagar bringing bridal gifts during the wedding of

Meenakshi; why then Sri Vaishnavas do not worship Ambal? Why do we not

celebrate Varalakshmi Vratam?

Vidwan`s reply

• Perumal performs many activities on behalf of Devas like carrying

bridal gift for Meenakshi, appearing at the tip of Paramasiva’s bow for

Tripura samharam; he also appears as Upendran for Indran’s army.

This is his way of gracing the Devas.

• Emperuman is awaiting to grace us directly. We can acquire all

auspiciousness if we directly worship Perumal.




• As all demigods are under the control of Emperuman, we will not beget

their wrath if we do not worship them and worship only Perumal.

• It is appropriate that we do not worship other gods as it is akin to being

a chaste wife who is faithful to her wedded husband. Emperuman is

our only husband and after being wedded to Him, it is our duty to

worship Him alone.

• As it is not a custom, Sri Vaishnavas do not celebrate Varalakshmi

Vratam.

Q18PUR21020

How to celebrate Deepavali traditionally? As adiyen had felt for a long time

that bursting of crackers are latest additions over a passage of time. Please

let us know how our elders celebrated Deepavali.

Vidwan`s reply

• It is important ritual to take Ganga snanam on Deepavali. One must wake up

at early dawn before sun rise, apply nalangu (turmeric mixed with quicklime)

take oil bath with hot water.

• One must wear new clothes that has been offered to Perumal, partake the

sweets and savouries offered to Perumal.

• Bursting of crackers is a part of tradition. Elders have followed this practise

for many years. It is also in practise to light up a sparkler before the sanctum

of Emperuman. So, one should follow all these to celebrate Deepavali

traditionally.




Q18PUR21021

What is the purpose of Navarathri? Our temples have a festival of launching

arrows (ambu podudhal) during Navarathri; does this signify slaying of

Ravana? Are there any special stotrams that women can chant during this

period?

Vidwan`s reply

• The purpose of Navarathri is

o Worshipping of auspicious Goddess Lakshmi Devi

o Worshipping of Lord Hayagreeva

o To celebrate the victory of Lord Sri Rama

o To render nine different devotions

• Women can recite Lakshmi Sahasram, Chatusloki, Sri Stavam, Sri

Gunarathnakosam, Swami Desikan’s Sri Stuti, Bhu Stuti, Godha Stuti

and Padhuka Sahasram during Navarathri. If women are desirous to

read Ramayana, they can recite Mahaveera Vaibhavam on all the nine

days which is equivalent to reciting Ramayana completely. Temples

celebrate the utsavam of launching arrows on Vijaya dasami to

showcase how Emperuman had become Vijayaraghavan after

defeating Ravana.

• This tradition is in practise to ascertain the number of years a king had

ruled the kingdom. The number of Vanni trees at the border of a

country that are cut down by the kings with arrows signify the number




of years the king had ruled. As Emperuman is the king of all kings, he

appears on a horse and cut the Vanni tree during this festival.

• To know about this in detail please click this link below

https://youtu.be/Ml_HoQAEXdo

Q18PUR21022

Has Swami Desikan mentioned about Deepavali in any of his works? Kindly

clarify

Vidwan`s reply

This is traditional festival. Swami Desikan has mentioned about

Deepavali in a shloka and in continuation he has provided many details. To

know more on this please click the following link

https://youtu.be/DwjapWcD_Q0

Q18PUR21023

What is Swami Desikan’s instructions on how to eat?

Vidwan`s reply

Out of many ways on how to eat, here are a few - one has to follow these

instructions before partaking prasadam

1. Honoring guests

2. Acamanam

3. Asanam (Seating)

4. Preparing the place

5. Placing the leaf from which food is partaken

https://youtu.be/Ml_HoQAEXdo

https://youtu.be/DwjapWcD_Q0




6. Ensuring five parts of the body are wet

7. Sitting on the place prepared

8. Most important is related to uttareeyam – upper garment

To learn more in detail about the above 8 points, what entails anna shuddhi

(purification of cooked rice), vandanam, etc., before one eats, please refer to the

YouTube channel available on this link

https://youtu.be/3s2Ay38e9LU

https://youtu.be/3s2Ay38e9LU




Stree Dharmam (Questions and Answers)

Q18PUR21012

Can women recite Ashtakshara mantra after Samashrayanam or should it be

recited only after performing Bharanyasam?

Vidwan`s reply

• Women can very well recite Ashtaksharam after Samashrayanam.

• Mantra upadesam is done only during Samashrayanam; it is a must to

recite this mantra if one has obtained upadesam through an Acarya. It is a

part of the daily austerity.

Q18PUR21015

Can Srivaishnava women wear garland made of Thulasi beads? Iskcon allows

only those who wear thulasi bead garland to perform kainkaryam; as adiyen

goes there to render kainkaryam, can adiyen wear it to perform service?

Vidwan`s reply

• It is not customary for women to wear garland made of thulasi beads.

• In our Srivaishnava tradition, one must wear the garland only after

ceremonial purification. There are many rules for such purified garlands.

It should be kept untainted like sacred thread.

• Elders and Preceptors wear the purified garland during rituals and

religious discourses.




Sri Sukthis of Purvacharyas (Questions and Answers)

Q18PUR21018

Adiyen, can you please explain the Thiruvaimozhi second decad pasuram

Annallan, Pennallan, Ala Aliyumallan?

Vidwan`s reply

• To understand Perumal, he must be referred to someone known to us. Azhvar

specifies that Perumal is not any women or men of this world nor he is like

any other materials that are prevalent in this world.

• One should understand that He is unique and incomparable.




To ask Questions To ask your doubts related to Sampradayam please fill the form given

below and get your doubts clarified by GSPK Vidwans

https://forms.gle/U2tvnfhesWJsfaTz8

To know the answers, please join the “SUDARSANAM” telegram

group by clicking the below link

https://t.me/GSPKSudarsanam

Join our other groups to know more about us and to learn/grow in

sampradaya

https://t.me/dgspk

https://t.me/gspkstotras

https://t.me/sampradayamanjari

dAsan

https://forms.gle/U2tvnfhesWJsfaTz8

https://t.me/GSPKSudarsanam

https://t.me/dgspk

https://t.me/gspkstotras

https://t.me/sampradayamanjari




Dhanyavada: Please subscribe to our channels by clicking the logos!

https://www.youtube.com/c/globalstotraparayanakainkaryamgspk

https://www.instagram.com/GSPKStotras/

https://www.facebook.com/dspkglobal

https://twitter.com/GSPKstotras

https://t.me/dgspk

Documents

Plava Varsham PURATTASI / AIPPASI ISSUE