January 18:Thaippoosam Festival.

Thaippoosam day that falls today the 18th January is indeed a very sacred and holy day for the devotees of Lord Muruga/Karthikeya.

Thaipusam, also spelt as Thai Poosam, is a sacred Hindu festival that is celebrated to commemorate the triumph of good over evil. The day of Thaipusam is observed annually during the ‘Pusam’ star in the Tamil month of ‘Thai’. The Thaipusam festival assumes immense significance since it celebrates the day when Goddess Parvati presented the Divine ‘Vel’ to Lord Murugan to vanquish the demon army led by ‘Surapadman’. The day is widely celebrated in the Southern regions of the country including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The Thaipusam festival usually occurs in the last week of January or the beginning of February.

Significance of Thaipusam

The ‘Vel’ (lance) was given to Lord Murugan to eliminate the three demons, Surapadman, Singamugan, and Tarakasura, who represent the forces of hatred, greed, and arrogance. The mighty ‘Vel’ was invested with the ‘Shakti’ or power of Goddess Parvati and used by Lord Murugan to kill the three asuras. Thus, it has come to be regarded as a symbol of purification. The ‘Vel’ also serves as the protective and purifying force of Lord Murugan, and the occasion of Thaipusam is celebrated to glorify these benign forces. Many devotees observe the festival of Thaipusam by performing acts of penance such as carrying the ‘Kavadi’. This entails carrying a horizontal branch of a tree with two pots of milk tied at each end, decorated with a wooden arch, flowers and peacock feathers. Worshiping Lord Murugan on the occasion of Thaipusam is said to alleviate the effects of bad karma, abstains one from committing wrong doing and generally makes life more positive.

Legend of Thaipusam

The festival of Thaipusam commemorates the day when Lord Murugan received the ‘Vel’ from his mother, Goddess Parvati to destroy the demon Surapadman. It is also believed that it was on this day that Lord Shiva commenced the cosmic dance ‘Ananda Tandava’ in the ‘Nataraj’ form. The Gods, sages and priests gathered at the Shiva temple of Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu had the privilege of witnessing this awesome form of the Lord on the occasion of Thaipusam. Though the festival of Thaipsuam is observed in Shiva and Muruga temples, it has come to be more popularly associated with Lord Muruga. Rituals and Celebrations observed on Thaipusam Lord Muruga is also known as Skanda, Karthikeya and Subrahamaniya. He is almost always portrayed with his powerful ‘Vel’ and worshiped with deep reverence and dedication by his devotees. The Thaipusam festival celebrated in his honor is widely observed not only in India, but also in many parts of the world with a sizable South Indian population. The sacred ritual of body piercing (especially the tongue or cheeks) with the ‘Vel’ (lance) is highly popular among devotees and has also made waves in the International community as a means of attaining divine blessings through the practice of severe penance. On the occasion of Thaipusam, devotees make offerings of yellow or orange fruits or flowers which are considered Lord Muruga’s favorite colors. Devotees also carry a yoke (Kavadi) on their shoulders with pails on either side laden with milk, water, fruits and flowers to Murugan temples.

Besides it is a holy day for the followers of Vadalur Ramalinga adigaLaar.

Thousands of people witness the ‘Jyothi Darshan’ at Sathya Gnana Sabha (Hall of True Knowledge), founded by Ramalinga Adigalar, popularly known as Vallalar, at Vadalur on the occasion of Thai Poosam festival on Thursday.

A large number of devotees from Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry thronged the Sathya Gnana Sabha to have a glimpse of the holy light kept in the sanctum sanctorum.

Serving of free meal from the very kitchen where Vallalar lit the ever burning stove for preparing and serving food to the people who suffer due to hunger is a tradition here.

The Cuddalore district police make elaborate arrangements to regulate the crowd and the traffic. .

The Jyothi Darshan is considered as a special event by the followers of the Samarasa Sutha Sanmarga Sathya Sangam, because it is on that day that all the seven screens of different hues in the Sabha would be removed one after another to reveal the holy light of the lamp kept in the sanctum sanctorum.

Sacred festival

January 17th: POEMS IN METVERSE MUSE

METVERSE MUSE
Nos. 67th to 69th Triple Issue – January 2022
Presenting over … poems in structured verse
by Poets representing around 45 countries.
Edited by Dr. H. Tulsi
Founder-Leader: World Renaissance for Classical Poetry
………..By the Editor (H. Tulsi)
Dr. H. Tulsi
(At the age of 85+)
‘THANKS-GIVING’
(Petrarchan Sonnet – Sestet rhyming cde-cde)

This is one of the best English Poetry journals edited and published from Vishakapatnam by 85 year old English poet madam Dr. H. Tulsi.

The following two poems find a place in this issue which we hope our esteemed viewers will enjoy:

1. S. Nivetha, India

1. 
   
   NIGHT AT THE DARK FOREST..!
   The white moon was hidden behind the dark clouds,
   Fearing about ghost that were wearing the white shrouds,
   I entered into the dense area having a dark sky,
   Seeing the beauty of moon which was so high,
   I was surrounded by lots of bushes and trees at the dark,
   In the middle of the forest looking at the blinking spark(s),
   Travelling throughout the forest without anyone,
   Waiting near the mountains for the rise of sun,
   Barking of the wolfs made me fear a lot,
   Without any food and water in the forest spot,
   Eagerly waiting for someone to help me out,
   Nearby I found a river were I found a trout,
   There I saw mermaid sitting on a stone,
   She was just like me all alone,
   When I went near her I was reflected into the water,
   She was sitting there and waiting for her daughter,
   I just meet her and left the place and started moving,
   There I saw a black cat with green eyes mewing,
   I walked for long distance in search of my home,
   In the dark light Here and there I Rome,
   There I found a treasury at a distance,
   And touched it which was at its existence.

2. Dr. N V Subbaraman, India

GREAT REPUBLIC DAY!

Great Indian Republic Seventy Two
Sure going fast and hefty!
On this day – a solemn day
Services displayed might and strength
To all in the world – breadth and length!
To the pride of many and the pain of a few
President to unfurl the majestic National Flag!
PM sees and thanks all from his heart
Martyrs known and unknown revered.
In all the States the tricolor unfurled
Speeches made, parades held
Awards presented, copters soared!
For the white collared, perfect holiday enjoyed.
Forgetting the flag, children enjoyed the day
In the scorching sun, cricket they play !
Vigilant warriors watched the borders
Terrible terrorists planned their next!
In the biting cold and shivers
Sweepers swept the roads
Scavengers cleaned the drains
Milkmen brought the sachets
Vegetable vendors sold their stocks!
Building workers carried concrete on heads
Half clad ladies brought bricks and sand
Labourers dug the pits to earn their daily bread!
R-Day comes and the R-Day goes
Security beefed here and there, everywhere
Keeping vigil over the land and air!
Like water I came and like wind I go!
When, how and who to find lasting remedies
For the evils of terrorism, poverty, ignorance
And lack of education?
Nice poems

FARMERS’ FESTIVAL- 16th January

This week’s Sunday Story -Number 2691 on the 2541st day is on the significance of a VERY VERY IMPORTANT DAY- 16th January! Yes this post is on FARMERS’ FESTIVAL.

FARMERS the backbone of the Society is the very important professional for whom today is dedicated!

Men or women they toil and get us food!

The Festival Of Pongal – Tamilnadu’s Pride

From the fresh crunch of sugarcane, foams of rice boiling over to the bulls adorned with flowers the festival of Pongal brings along with it vibrant memories and colourful experiences. Even when we are sitting in the hustle-bustle of our city among honking cars and towering skyscrapers the moment the word Pongal echoes in our ears we get teleported to acres and acres of lush green fields(probably our hometown), women singing traditional folk songs and men wrestling Jallikattu bulls. Pongal is a festival that Tamil people take pride in celebrating and we have proven time and again.

Pongal or Thai Pongal as it is formally known as is a four-day Hindu festival which marks the start of the sun’s six-month-long journey northwards. The festival is dedicated to the Sun God Suryan for blessing the crops with an abundance of sunshine. Though celebrated by Tamils worldwide the festival is of great significance to farmers as it indicates the start of harvest. It is fondly referred to as ‘Thamizhar Thirunaal’ or ‘Day of the Tamil people’. The first day of Pongal coincides with Makar Sankranthi which is a harvest festival celebrated in other parts of our country.

The first day of the festivities is Boghi. On this day households are cleansed by burning old articles and clothes. People gather together on the street, dump the unwanted stuff and light them. Houses are then cleaned and decorated for the following days

For the next 3 days, there are several customs and traditions which have been faithfully upheld since generations. A rice dish which is also known as Pongal is prepared and offered to the Sun God on all three days. The dish is cooked in a decorated Mann Paanai (clay pot) under the sun. A clay stove fired with firewood is used for this. We all have the memory of huddling around the stove waiting for the rice to boil over. When it does, we would chant ‘Pongal O Pongal’ thrice. The rice would then be turned into Chakkara Pongal and Ven Pongal and offered as neivedhyam to the Gods along with sugarcanes, flowers and other regular offerings. 

The third day is Mattu Pongal or ‘Pongal for Cows’. It is also known as ‘Uzhavar Thirunaal’ or ‘Day of the Farmers’. For farmers, it is the day to celebrate the cattle that provide them with food and fertilizer. Farmers adorn their cattle with flowers, turmeric and kunkumam and feed them with the prepared Pongal, bananas and other treats. We also prepare huge feasts for our relatives at the farm. Traditional games like Jallikattu and Rekla race are held. Farmers also host their relatives and entertain them with feasts.

The fourth day is Kaanum Pongal. Kaanum means to see or visit. On this day in villages, women and children visit the temple with offerings and throng around to perform the Kummi, a traditional dance in which women and young girls dance around in circles. Family get-togethers are held and in the cities, the day is marked by visits to public attractions like the beach. On this day in villages, women and children visit the temple with offerings and throng around to perform the Kummi, a traditional dance in which women and young girls dance around in circles.

There is also this tradition where all sisters pray for their brothers by offering ‘Kannu Pidis’ where small balls of coloured rice are placed on a banana leaf along with sugar cane and offered to crowd and sparrows.

Let’s carry the baton of our tradition together !

Wishes all a very happy & prosperous Kaanum Pongal!

In Tamilnadu these professionals are called UZHAVARGAL and the day is called ”உழவர் திருநாள்”

Uzhavar Thirunal

Uzhavar Thirunal is a public holiday, and a farmer’s festival observed in Tamilnadu in the month of January for thousands of years. The date is based on a solar calendar rather than the phases of the moon. Uzhavar in Tamil means the farmer and Thirunal mean the festival. Pongal festival is popularly known as Uzhavar Thirunal acknowledged as a way to thank and honor their livelihood, i.e. agriculture and farming. Uzhavar Thirunal extends literally for four days, starting from Bhogi the first day, the main Pongal festival, the Mattu Pongal on the third day and Kaanum Pongal or the meeting day of family members coming as the fourth day. People of Tamilnadu celebrates this by making their festive dish Sarkarai Pongal which will be made of rice, dhal, and jaggery in a traditional pot mostly outside the house using firewood. Uzhavar Tirunal is celebrated with a lot of joy and happiness where women folks sing and dance with music specific to the occasion. The homes will be decorated with sugarcanes and turmeric. The Pongal festival was earlier celebrated as Puthyeedu linking it to the harvest season, later getting the name Pongal.

Happy FAEMERS’ FESTIVAL! Great and grand festival !

ITHAKA POEMS=SKY SCRAPPERS and AFTER A Long Journey.

POEM ONE

Here is a communication from my Spanish Poet frind

My dear friend,

Seeing the beautiful buildings in Austria at the Vienna New Year’s Concert, even of simple houses, I thought what values offer us the modern times? Ugly buildings, “music” torturing one’s ears, paintings one does not understand their meaning…The images inspired me to the enclosed poem.

Best wishes

Germain

See weekly the Poem of the Week – Poetry without Borders
Excellent poetry from all over the world
in English, Spanish, Dutch, Arabic, Bangla, Armenian,  Catalan, Chinese, Farsi, Filipino, French, German,
Greek, Gujarati, Hebrew, Hindi, Icelandic, Indonesian, Irish (Gaelic), Italian,  Japanese, Kannada, Kiswahili, Kurdish, Macedonian, Malay, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Sicilian, Tamil and Turkish
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Attachments area

SKYSCRAPERS

A longer distance is no guarantee
for a higher quality of a trip

and neither the larger height
guarantees a meaningful flight.

Although they scrape the clouds

they do not delight the eye:

the skyscrapers.

Germain Droogenbroodt

Translation Tamil

DR. N V Subbaraman, Chennai, India.

மிக உயர்ந்த கட்டிடங்கள்

உயர்ந்பயணத்தின் தரத்திற்கு

உத்தரவாதமல்ல

மிகுந்த உயரமும்

பொருள் பொதிந்த

வானில் பறப்பதற்கு

உத்தரவாதமல்ல

மேகத்தை உரசினாலும்

மிக உயர்ந்த் கட்டிடங்கள்

கண்களிற்கு

களிப்பூட்டுவதில்லை

ஜெர்மெய்ன் ட்ரூகன் ப்ரூட்ட்.

POEM TWO

Dear Tamil friend,   I hope you had a nice transition from the old to the new year,  even though the situation of the corona epidemy, especially here in Spain, is not bright with infections increasing day by day, at the moment already over 3000 per 100.000 inhabitants. But since they don’t seem to know anymore what to do or what to say, the politicians are now copying Trump & Johnson who claimed before that the Coronavirus was just a flu… At the conference last year in Scotland, to reduce CO2, the “Leaders” decided to stop the production of cars other than electric after 2030.  Electricity and gas prices are already doubling NOW. BUT So far the “Leaders”  did not yet discuss where they will find additional electricity! And reducing CO2? THOUSANDS of flights are happening now with EMPTY airplanes to avoid losing landing rights, consuming enormous quantities of gasoline AND polluting senseless the air. Fortunately, our forefathers created beauty and we continue to offer nice poems to those who appreciate them. Wish you a nice week end Germain       See weekly the Poem of the Week – Poetry without Borders Excellent poetry from all over the world in English, Spanish, Dutch, Arabic, Bangla, Armenian,  Catalan, Chinese, Farsi, Filipino, French, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hebrew, Hindi, Icelandic, Indonesian, Irish (Gaelic), Italian,  Japanese, Kannada, Kiswahili, Kurdish, Macedonian, Malay, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Sicilian, Tamil and Turkish http://www.point-editions.com         Attachments area     AFTER A LONG JOURNEY     I sit down on the balcony to watch the night. My mother told me it was senseless to be depressed. “Move, do something!” she shouted at me. But I was never very gifted at being happy. My mother and I were different, and we never managed to understand each other. However, there is something I would like to tell: Sometimes, when I miss her very much, I open the wardrobe where her clothes are, and as if arriving at a place after a long journey, I go inside. It seems absurd: But in the dark and with that smell, I feel sure that nothing separates us. Fabián Casas, Argentina, 1965 Translation Germain Droogenbroodt – Stanley Barkan   Después de largo viaje     Me siento en el balcón a mirar la noche. Mi madre me decía que no valía la pena estar abatido. Movete, hacé algo, me gritaba. Pero yo nunca fui muy dotado para ser feliz. Mi madre y yo éramos diferentes y jamás llegamos a comprendernos. Sin embargo, hay algo que quisiera contar: a veces, cuando la extraño mucho, abro el ropero donde están sus vestidos y como si llegara a un lugar después de largo viaje me meto adentro. Parece absurdo: pero a oscuras y con ese olor tengo la certeza de que nada nos separa.   Fabián Casas, Argentina, 1965

pués de largo viaje

Me siento en el balcón a mirar la noche.
Mi madre me decía que no valía la pena
estar abatido.
Movete, hacé algo, me gritaba.
Pero yo nunca fui muy dotado para ser feliz.
Mi madre y yo éramos diferentes
y jamás llegamos a comprendernos.
Sin embargo, hay algo que quisiera contar:
a veces, cuando la extraño mucho,
abro el ropero donde están sus vestidos
y como si llegara a un lugar
después de largo viaje
me meto adentro.
Parece absurdo: pero a oscuras y con ese olor
tengo la certeza de que nada nos separa.

Fabián Casas, Argentina, 1965

நீண்ட பயணத்திற்குப் பின்

இரவைப் பார்ப்பதற்காக நான்

பால்கனியில் உட்காருகிறேன்

எனது தாய் ”மனச்சோர்வடைவது பொருளற்றது”

என்று சொல்லி

“எழுந்திரு, ஏதேனும் செய்” என என்னிடம் உரக்கக் கூறினாள்.

ஆனால், நான் மகிழ்ச்சியாக இருக்கும் அதிர்ஷ்டத்தைப்

பெற்றவனில்லை

நானும் எனது தாயும்  வேறுபட்டவர்கள்!

நாங்கள் ஒருவரை ஒருவர் புரிந்து கொள்ளும் முயற்சியில் வெற்றி பெற்றதில்லை.

இருந்தாலும், உங்களுக்கு ஒன்று சொல்லுவதற்கு இருக்கிறது;

சில நேரங்களில் அவரை மிகுதியாகத் தவறிவிடும் பொழுது

அவருடைய உடுப்புகள் உள்ள அலமாரியைத்திறக்கும் பொழுது

நீண்ட பயணத்திற்க்குப்பின் திரும்பிவருவதுபோல

உள்ளே செல்கிறேன்

பைத்தியக்காரத்தனமாக காணப்பட்டாலும்

அந்த இருளிலும் அந்த மணத்தோடும்

எங்களை எதுவும் பிரிக்க முடியாது

என்பதை உறுதிசெய்து கொள்ளுகிறேன்.   

ஆக்கமும், மொழி மாற்றமும்

Fabián Casas, Argentina, 1965

Translation Germain Droogenbroodt – Stanley Barkan

OUR PONGAL FESTIVAL AT THANJAVUR

OUR PONGAL FESTIVAL AT THANJAVUR! This late post is at the instance of my brother’s daughter Mrs. Latha Raja.

Thanjavur,  granary of the South, is our home town for the last six decades and more!

We have a lovely house in the North Main Street – now only a portion of a GREAT HOUSE where in the pre- Independence days leaders like Anne Besant, Tilak, VOC and others have visited! Yes our grandfather, one great High Court Vakil of those days whose proficiency and efficiency would earn him Rs. 1000 per hour in the court- but then when important cases were there, he will ignore and be attending an All-India Congress Session in Ahamedabad and such other places. Naturally he landed as an ordinary middle-class person. BUT WE NEVER REGRETTED!  

Thank God for having bestowed us with memory power! My parents continued to live in that house with my younger brother a teacher with MA, MSc. Med and worked in a nearby great school Sir Sivaswa my Ayyar Higher Secondary School in Thirukkaattuppalli.

We two other brothers- employed in State Bank of India and LIC of India in enviable employment, used to visit Thanjavur for all PONGAL DAYS with our families in our cars wherever we were working.     

We shall reach Thanjavur previous day of BHOGI, return after Pongal days were over. By tradition we will have PONGAL only on the MAATTU PONGAL Day and on all Pongal days we used to visit Nagapattinam which is our ancestral place.  N in our names stands for NAGAPATTINAM.    

We the members of our all the three families  around a dozen members will leave for Nagapattinam in a happy and gay mood in two cars or a van. After visiting temples and friends at Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur etc. we used to return home by the night of Pongal day.

Getting up early morning next day, readying for the holy PONGAL FESTIVITIES, while elders preparing Pongal and other delicious  items in the menu, children keeping drum like, will be making sounds as the milk boils and spills shouting “ PONGALO PONGAL” .

After pujas were over almost by the noon, we will have lunch, spend time going to Sivaganga Garden, Brahadeeswar temple etc. We used to get back to our respective places next day.

15th January Thiruvalluvar Day

India that is Bharath with its hoary culture
Intellectual and spiritual literature
Add greatness and earn place of pride among the nations
One great work was Thirukkural- winning admiration!

Tamil saint Poet Thiruvalluvar was born this day
More than two thousand years ago- a sacred day
Authored the great work of couplets thousand three hundred
And thirty-covering virtues, wealth and love- a wonder.

Greatness of a country depends on the quality
Of its people- culture, knowledge and nobility.
Culture and literature it has produced for long
Greatly valued and recognized by the world along!

Valluvar Kottam in CHENNAI Tamilnadu

15th January: INDIAN ARMY DAY.

This day is celebrated at all Army Command Headquarters. While the preparations are going on, due to the third wave of the global pandemic of COVID-19, the day will be celebrated amidst stringent protocols.

The transfer of power from the British to India is the most important chapter in the history of India and its independence from foreign rule. (Representational image)

India will be celebrating 74th Army Day on January 15, 2022. Each year on this day, the soldiers of the army are honoured, who have served the nation selflessly and set the greatest example of brotherhood. This day is celebrated at all Army Command Headquarters. While the preparations are going on, due to the third wave of the global pandemic of COVID-19, the day will be celebrated amidst stringent protocols.

Why Jan 15?

On April 1, 1895, the Indian Army was officially established. However, in 1949, once India got its independence the Army got its first chief. It was on this historical day, the formal handing over of the Indian Army took place. General Sir Francis Butcher handed over the baton to Lieutenant General KM Cariappa.

In 1947, in the war against Pakistan on the western border, Lt Gen Cariappa led the Indian Army. On January 14, 186, he became the second highest ranking officer in the Indian Army when he received the title of Field Marshal of India. The first officer to receive this highest ranking was Sam Manekshaw in 1973.

Historical Background

The transfer of power from the British to India is the most important chapter in the history of India and its independence from foreign rule.

On this day all the Command Headquarters as well as the main headquarter in New Delhi celebrate this day, when there are military parades as well as display of the latest technology the Indian Army has either acquired or incorporated in service.

What to expect on display this year?

They will showcase their arsenal of weapons and platforms including drones, Advanced Light Helicopters, the new Light Combat Helicopter from the state owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) which the Indian Army has plans to deploy in the Galwan sector.

Also on show will be the BLT T-72 ‘Bharat Rakshak’ tank, the 155mm Soltum Gun, and the BrahMos Missiles.

Each year, the main event is the parade, at Cariappa Parade Ground at Delhi Cantt. The Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, takes salute and on this day Bravery awards like unit credentials and Sena medals are also awarded.

Is this India’s version of US Veterans Day?

In a way, yes. On November 11, the US celebrates Veterans Day and pays homage to the soldiers who served the nation.

Who has the largest army in the world?

According to the numbers in the public domain, China has the largest army in the world. On number two is the Indian Army and has around 1.4 million military personnel in active duty. Technologically, India is far behind the US, China and Russia.

Army Day 2022: Know about Field Marshal KM Cariappa

He was called ‘Kipper’, by his colleagues, and during World War I (1914-18) he had received military training.

In 1919, he was in the first group of Indians to be selected and he was sent to Indore for training.

At the end of his training he was commissioned in the Carnatic Infantry. And after a long outstanding career he became the first chief of the Indian Army in 1949, January 15.

He was first ever Indian officer who was conferred the ‘Order of the Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit’ – by the US President Harry Truman.

When he retired from the Indian Army, till 1956, he went to serve as High Commissioner to Australia and New Zealand.

An achievement indeed!

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With the 141st view at 18.00 hours yesterday the FOURTEENTH January Twenty Twenty Two -the sacred day of PONGAL- the Blog crossed a thrilling THREE LAC FORTY NINE THOUSAND views from more than 210 countries of the Globe on 2539th day of the Blog and on its2689th post thanks to the support extended by our esteemed viewers which kindly continue. Regularity and content of the post will be hopefully continued thanks to God’s grace and blessings.

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PONGAL FESTIVAL TODAY!14th January.

Pongal festival a sacred and happy festival for all to be happy!

But the day has a special significance to me as it was on this day in the year NINETEEN SIXTY ONEas a final year college student in Alagappaa CVollege, Karaikudi that I stopped taking tea/coffee!!

BYE TO COFFEE!

NO SPACE FOR COFFEE/TEA!!!

NO KAPHY- Totally a tea to-taller!!!!!

Taking coffee or tea  is not bad; yet not taking coffee or tea has its own significance and advantage. Here is an account of how I said “Good Bye to coffee” exactly 60 years ago  on the Sankaranthi day in the year 1961. This was published in the CENTENARY SOUVENIR brought out fifteen years ago on the occasion of Centenary Celebrations of Maha purusha His Holiness Chandra Sekara Saraswathi Swamigal of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham       

  Good Bye to Coffee!

HH Mahaperiyava Chandrasekarendhra Saraswathi

A spiritual leader of the highest order, who came down to mundane world of things and as ‘obiter dictum’, dwelling on a subject for a few minutes made an addict to coffee / tea till nineteen years of age ,turn into a teetotaler ,in its strictest meaning!

Yes. His Holiness Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Swamigal who adorned the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam for 87 years, was a beacon light of spirituality and devotion, an embodiment of grace and simplicity and an incarnation of love and compassion. It was that great spiritual leader who brought about the change.

I was one of the few hundreds of devotees, who had the good fortune of having heard him on that divine evening, towards the end of December 1960 at Karaikudi ( Tamilnadu ), where I was doing my final year of graduation. His Holiness, while delivering His Anugraha bashan for about an hour ,descended to the mundane matter like the people getting into the habit of taking coffee / tea and described how the habit affects the individual, family and society!

While dealing with this topic for about ten minutes He emphatically made it clear that the perceived benefit of taking coffee is not based on scientific basis and in fact it brings more woes than benefits. He was lamenting how the present day society has fallen into the habit and even the poor who can not afford to go in for coffee, borrow and drink even though they have no rice to eat. Coffee, in the name of modern civilization is taken in the bed even without brushing the teeth!

He went on quoting the case of a factory engaging 1000 workers – taking a couple of cups of coffee a day- waste about 4000 man minutes! He was expressing His anguish as to how and when the good sense will prevail in the people and give up the habit in their own
interest and that of the family and the society.

This made a deep impact on me and I decided to give up coffee / tea immediately but bid good-bye on the Sankaranthi / Pongal day of 1961 and to this day, when I have crossed 80, I have not sipped a spoon of coffee or tea, even though I had to spend a few years in places like Ooty in Tamilnadu or Bikaner in Rajasthan, where the mercury touches at times as low as 0 or -1 / -2!

I could experience the efficacy of not falling a prey to the habit when I was in Audit and Inspection department of a nationalized Institution for about four years. During that period I had to go to different States of the country on tour. In some of the places in the interest of economy, we, a team of three or four used to stay in the R and B bungalows where coffee/tea may not be available when one needs!!!!

With this we end this Pongal Post!

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Thiruvempaavai 21

hiruvempavai 20th Pasuram – போற்றி அருளுக நின் ஆதியாம் பாதமலர் என்ற திருவெம்பாவை பாடல் 21ல் வயல்கள் சூழ்ந்த திருப்பெருந்துறையில் வீற்றிருக்கும் சிவபெருமானே காளை பொறித்த உயர்ந்த கொடியை உடையவனே ! என்னை உடையவனே எம்பெருமானே ! பள்ளி எழுந்தருள்க என குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.

• சமயம் தமிழ் விருதுகள் 2021 – உங்கள் வாக்கு யாருக்கு?

திருவெம்பாவை பாடல் – 21 ( திருப்பெருந்துறையில் அருளியது )

போற்றி ! என் வாழ்முதலாகிய பொருளே !
புலர்ந்தது; பூங்கழற்கு இணைதுணை மலர்கொண்டு
ஏற்றி, நின் திருமுகத்து எமக்கருள் மலரும்
எழில்நகை கொண்டு நின் திருவடி தொழுகோம்;

சேற்றிதழ்க் கமலங்கள் மலரும் தண்வயல் சூழ்
திருப்பெருந்துறை உறை சிவபெருமானே !
ஏற்றுயர் கொடியுடையாய் ! எனையுடையாய் !
எம்பெருமான் பள்ளியெழுந்தருளாயே !

போற்றி ! என் வாழ்விற்கு முதலாக அமைந்த பொருளே !
பொழுது புலர்ந்தது. உம்முடைய பூப்போன்ற கழலடிக்கு அதுபோன்ற
மலைகளைக் கொண்டு வழிபட்டு, உம்முடைய திருமுகத்தில்
எங்களுக்கு அருள் செய்யும்பொருட்டு மலர்கின்ற அழகிய புன்னகையைக்
கண்டு, அதனால் (உறுதி பெற்று) உம் திருவடிகளைத் தொழுகின்றோம்.
தேன் தவழும் இதழ்களைக் கொண்ட தாமரைகள் மலர்கின்ற குளுமையான
வயல்கள் சூழ்ந்த திருப்பெருந்துறையில் வீற்றிருக்கும் சிவபெருமானே !
காளை பொறித்த உயர்ந்த கொடியை உடையவனே ! என்னை உடையவனே !
எம்பெருமானே ! பள்ளி எழுந்தருள்க !

சேறு – கள்/ தேன்; ஏறு – இடபம்

Thiruppaavai 28

திருப்பாவை பாசுரம் 28 பாடல் – கறவைகள் பின்சென்று கானம் சேர்ந்துண்போம்

4

Thiruppavai Pasuram 28 : கறவைகள் பின்சென்று கானம் சேர்ந்துண்போம் என்ற திருப்பாவை கண்ணா! மணிவண்ணா! கருணாகரா! என்றெல்லாம் உன்னிடமுள்ள உரிமையின் காரணமாக ஒருமையில் அழைத்தோம். அதற்காக கோபித்துக் கொள்ளாதே. எங்கள் இறைவனே! எங்கள் நோன்பை ஏற்று அருள் தருவாயாக என குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.

• சமயம் தமிழ் விருதுகள் 2021 – உங்கள் வாக்கு யாருக்கு?

திருப்பாவை பாடல் 28

கறவைகள் பின்சென்று கானம் சேர்ந்துண்போம்
அறிவொன்றும் இல்லாத ஆயர்குலத்து உன்றன்னை
பிறவி பெறுந்தனை புண்ணியம் யாமுடையோம்
குறைவொன்றும் இல்லாத கோவிந்தா! உன்தன்னோடு

உறவேல் நமக்கிங்கு ஒழிக்க ஒழியாது
அறியாத பிள்ளைகளோம் அன்பினால் உன்தன்னை
சிறுபேர் அழைத்தனவும் சீறி யருளாதே
இறைவா! நீ தாராய் பறையேலோர் எம்பாவாய்.

விளக்கம்: குறையொன்றுமில்லாத கோவிந்தா என்ற வார்த்தையைப் படிக்கும் போது, கண்ணனுக்கு ஏதோ குறை இருந்தது போலவும், இப்போது தீர்ந்து விட் டது போலவும் தோற்ற மளிக்கிறது. அவனுக்கு என்ன குறை? ராமாவதாரத்தில், ராமபட்டாபிஷேகம் நடந்த போது, இந்திர லோகத்தில் எட்டு திசை காவலர்கள் பட்டாபிஷேகம் நடத்தியது போல, அயோத்தியில் வசிஷ்டர், வாமதேவர், ஜாபாலி, காஷ்யபர், காத்யாயனர், ஸுயஜ் ஞர், கவுதமர், விஜயர் என்ற எட்டு முனிவர்கள் என்று வால்மீகி ஏதோ ஆர்வத்தில் எழுதிவிட் டார். ராமனுக்கு இது ஒரு குறை. இந்திரனை ஜெயித்து இந்திரஜித் என்று பட்டம் பெற்றவனை நாம் நம் தம்பியை வைத்துஜெயித்தோம். அப்படிப் பட்ட கீழான இந்திரனுடன் நம்மை வால்மீகி ஒப்பிட்டு விட்டாரே! அது மட்டுமல்ல, அவன் கவுதமரின் மனைவி அகலிகையுடன் தப்பாக நடந்தவனாயிற்றே! அவனோடு நம்மை ஒப்பிடலாமா? என்ற குறை இருந்ததாம். கிருஷ்ணாவதாரத்தில், அந்த இந்திரன் தனக்கு செய்த பூஜையை ஆயர்கள் நிறுத்தியதால் சீற்றமடைந்து மழை பெய்யச் செய்தான். கோவர்த்தனகிரியை தூக்கி மக்களைக் காத்த கண்ணனின் காலில் அந்த இந்திரன் விழுந்தான். ராமாவதாரத்தில் ஏற்பட்ட குறை கிருஷ்ணாவதாரத்தில் நீங்கிவிட்டதால், ஆயர்குலப் பெண்கள் அவரை இப்படி வர்ணித்தார்கள்.

Very Divine