Echangudi Patasala

I strongly believe that the world around us is a clear manifestation of our own thoughts, desires, perceptions and feelings. You may call it any but I term that as destiny or Karma which I strongly believe.

If you have a strong desire, then simply believe that the universe will fulfill it. You need to have a strong faith and determination for what you seek. “Where there is faith, there is no doubt.” Fear is a mere absence of faith.

A spark of thought that erupted some 2 months ago about providing Vastra Dhaan to the students of Vedha Patasala. The things that followed this thought cannot be expressed but I will try my best to narrate the same.

When this thought flashed immediately the contemplation of picking the vedapatasala(which one?) to provide the dhaan was hovering in the mind. Periva did guide me on that, received a whatsapp video on the same night about Echangudi vedapatasala. Echangudi is the place near Thiruvaiyaru and this is Mahaperiva’s maternal ancestor’s place. Mahaperiva on his last day(few hours before siddhi) gave his padhuka and requested Mr Hari to build a Patasala. Having decided the Patasala, chalked out the plan.

That Video had a contact number, spoke to that person and got the details of the students. Able to get the vastram and saree for the mami who cooks for the students and the materials were with me for more than a month. I was not able to get the train ticket, we have only one train from Bangalore to Kumbakonam.

I was having complete faith that I will be able to accomplish before Periva Jayanthi since the dhaan is part of Jayanthi gift from Periva to students. One travel agent came forward to help me but not able to get tickets during first week of May but able to in the subsequent week.

Got down at Tanjore and got the details of public transport that run through that village, the frequency of the bus is every one hour. The Patasala is walkable distance from the bus stop and I was greeted by admin person who is taking care of Patasala. On completion of my morning daily routine, I was invited to be part of daily Pooja and then before the lunch gave the Dhoti and saree along with the prasadam that I got earlier from Sri Matam when I shared my details to Bala Periva.

  There were couple of messages I received when I was in Patasala which I perceive to be directly from Periva. These messages were received from those with whom I interacted over there but answered some of my queries.

If you need any help reaching to this place, which is worth an experience, please feel free to check with me for details.

Bhangaya Kala

Making of Kala. This is not about any movie whereas it’s a real short story from my office.

In my office the house keeping staffs will have different costumes depending on the work they execute.

Red colour for those who work in the toilet area and Black overcoat with tie for those who work in the pantry area. Floor supervisor will have different to distinguish.

Kishore a guy from other side of Vindhyas mountain with Red Tshirt costume has been working for a year now. Meticulous Guy. Often I admire his attitude towards his task, with minimum supervision he on his own ensures not only cleanliness but also during spare time takes up other tasks that uplifts the place. Be it polishing of Tap or the mirror, name any he will do it on his own. Seldom these people are observed or motivated in our always-engaged schedule.

This week I saw a guy in pantry area filling up the coffee vending machine who was alike Kishore but the costume was different. With a microscopic stare realized that it was same Kishore with black overcoat and tie. With a bit of astonishment started a conversation with him and came to know that he was promoted which did not surprise me. The guy deserves this elevation. My only piece of advise to him was not to sojourn with this elevation and stop proclaiming “ From where to Here” instead he should ponder about “From Here to There”.

During my conversation, the stress was on the aspect of "Kahan se Yahaan nei….Yahaan se Vahaan"….Only thing he should fix is his Vahaan with a timeline to reach. He moved away with a ray of optimism in his eyes that gave a confidence to me that I will soon see this guy in a different costume.

Would like to share another experience encountered during recent train journey from Bangalore to Chennai. A couple along with two kids were travelling and I happened to be their co-passenger. The permissive parents were able to handle the hyperactive kids for an hour. Later on with more energy flowing from kids the couple had no option but to change the style that oriented towards Authoritarian. I was thoroughly enjoying every bit of the drama and at times relate my personal experience with Ananya's mischeifs during her infancy.

When any one of the kids shoe touches me, then either of the parent will start shouting at the kids. “ Uncle mela kaal touch aguthu paaru” “Uncle la disturb pannatha” etc… That touch of shoe has never disturbed my deep sleep but I will woke up due to the yelling from either of them. I did share my thoughts with the parents that the kids never troubled me when compared to their yelling. In fact to some extent I enjoyed all those mischief.

This paved way for some exquisite thoughts to deliberate. 

How easily an external stimuli makes changes to our nature as a grown up but not for those kids. In this case me acting as a stimulus to change the nature of parents from indulgent. Kids are always natural and never heed the surroundings. These hypocritical acts of adults not only shows a dirty picture but also flags off health hazards internally. Ending the episode with a wish, that either we should be always kids or carry the innocent heart when we grow. Both are next to impossible. 

MAIDEN GIRIVALAM @ Tiruvannamalai

The month of February 2018 was remarkable for me, I was able to check out couple of big tickets from my to-do list. Tiruvannamalai Giri Pradakshina was staying on the top among the first 3 items of the list.

During a recent conversation, a person wanted to have a discussion on this place and I had to stop the conversation and told him that I will not be able to comment since I have not experienced. That person expressed his surprise since he knows I travel a lot and have not been to this place. Response was I would be able to only if HE desires/commands.

What better day could I ask for in sowing that thought into me, Masi (11th month of Tamil calendar) and a combination of Magha star and Full moon day. Being a mid-day of a week, doubts of getting approved leave was hovering the entire day, considering the communication from my Boss that this week was important due to people visiting from other geographies. There were couple of meeting with those folks that needed my participation and presence.

I put up this request to Mahaperiva and sought his help to pick me out of this agony. Usually for an unplanned leave or permission, I will select from a bunch of tarot cards that consist of untruth stories built around health of family members. Exceptionally this time the thought of providing the true reason erupted and told my Boss the real reason. Without any word it was approved to my astonishment with an order it will be for a day alone and subsequently booked my bus ticket prior to few hours of travel. I was shocked to witness the pace at which the things were falling in place and helping me. Some folks in office wanted to join which I did not reciprocate since I want it all alone and do the Pradakshina in silence. According to scriptures, the walk around the Hill should be conducted at a slow pace either in silence, thoughts on to the Hill of Fire or one could sing and listen to songs of HIM

I was told the crowd on this particular day would be humongous and hence sought an aid from a person who stays in that town which was declined gently due to his travel plans. I have to fall back on Mahaperiva again to sort the things out and with his blessing started around 23.00 hrs from Bangalore.

Reached there around 3.30 in the morning and was checking with people around Rajagopuram who had completed the circumambulation on the route. With that help started around 4.00 am all alone with stillness in mind and emitting HIS name. Till Ramana Ashram I was alone and slowly crowd gathered and two women who were walking along were playing audio of Thiruvasagam from their phone. During the interval between two verses it was filled with “ Jaya Jaya Shankara Hara Hara Shankara”. In that pitch dark and deep silence that was loud and clear message from Periva.

Sri Bhagvan Ramanar told “The greatness of this Giri Pradakshina has been described at length in ‘Arunachala Puranam’. To go round this hill is good. The word ‘Pradakshina’ has a typical meaning. The letter ‘Pra’ stands for removal of all kinds of sins; ‘da’ stands for fulfilling the desires; ‘kshi’ stands for freedom from future births; ‘na’ stands for giving deliverance through Jnana.” Really, it is difficult to describe the pleasure and the happiness one gets by this Pradakshina. The body gets tired, the sense organs lose their strength and all the activities of the body become absorbed within. It is possible thus to forget oneself and get into a state of meditation. As one continues to walk, the body automatically gets harmonized as in the Asana state. The body therefore becomes improved in health. Besides this, there are several varieties of medicinal herbs on the hill. The air that passes over those herbs is good for the lungs”.

Completed the Girivallam in 3 hours and with a skeptic thought in mind of standing in a long serpentine queue entered the Rajagopuram. To my wonder completed the darshan in less than an hour and was waiting for Urchavar to start the theerthavari procession towards Pallikondanpattu. The pinnacle of Masi Magha is this event “ Theerthavari”. The procession started around 10.00 am towards that village which is not far. This event happens at a place 6 kms away from Tiruvannamalai called “ Pallikonda Pattu”. I was not able to keep the pace of the procession after the tiring Girivallam so hired an Auto and reached the place before the arrival of Urchavar. Pooja was performed by temple authorities at a small mandapam constructed on the riverbanks after immersion of idol.

Each temple has its own myth of celebrating Masi Makam, in the case of Arunachaleswar Temple, the legend for Masi Makam is related to King Vallalan and Lord Shiva. King Vallalan of Tiruvannamalai was an ardent devotee of the Lord, and he had no child. He felt very bad that there is no descendants to perform his last rites and Shradh ceremonies. Lord Shiva in all his compassion appeared in front of the King in the form of a small lad and assured him that He would take the personal responsibility of performing his last rites and the Shradha ceremonies every year. To fulfill His word, the Lord appeared on the day when the king departed on the day of Masi Magam and performed the last rites of the King. The Lord also assured that those individuals who take a holy dip on this day will attain liberation with His blessings. . The promise is still remembered in Tiruvannamalai and each year King Vallalan’s funeral is re-enacted to commemorate the event. This was a grandeur event.

In a concluding verse on King Vallalan in the Arunachala Puranam we could trace this event that Lord Siva undertakes to perform King Vallalan’s funeral rites for him, a task which is normally performed by the son of the deceased Lord Shiva also blessed the king by saying that whoever bathes in the sea during Masi Magam will merge with him and will get ‘mukthi.’

With tired physical body but fully charged internally and with a bit of heavy heart started my return journey to Bangalore and reached around 16.00 hrs. If someone would have told the previous day around the same time that next day will be a memorable one I would have laughed at their ignorance.   For more pictures click here - Pictures and Videos

This surprise element of life could be termed as “Destiny” and I effusively accept this with AVAN ARULALE AVAN THAL VANAGI

Dasama Varsikotsava (10th Anniversary)

Recently with the help and support of friends and relatives was able to perform Ganapathi Homam and Abishegam for Prakasa Ganapthy on Feb 25th Sunday. Several questions and doubts on performing the rituals by me now(year 2018), when the association with this temple got severed 18 years ago. I normally do not trade off my actions, as HE knows the intentions behind my actions.

Being the 10th death anniversary of my father, I was pondering on how to make this a special year so that his soul is pleased apart from the routine yearly shradham. Immediately this thought came as I felt that there can’t be better action to please him. I do not want to feed my ego by performing on my own so alms were sought so that it will be a combined effort of all.

Before proceeding, I should provide some lineage on the relationship between us. It was a typical Indian heritage where many sons idolize their father till the age of teen and with the arrival of adolescent the differences start. With the advent of my pubescent age, we both were simply polar in our thoughts that resulted in cold war most of the times. These mutinies is due to the act of seeking a self-identity that paved way for rough weather. In some families, however this revolt turns to be a lifelong disconnect whereas fortunately it was not in my case. We both cherished each other with a third person and never embraced each other directly. He shared my professional and personal victories with others (in my absence) with pride and similarly I shared his triumphs when he is not present.

My father’s association with this temple dates back to year 1987, it was built with public money inside our flat premises in T.Nagar. The Ganapthy was named after our street “Prakasa” means bright. Irrespective of his work shift hours, he used to perform daily, monthly and yearly rituals till year 2000 without any fail. Year 2000 we moved out to a different house due to space constraints. The relationship between my father and Ganapathy was evident when he returned to the flat in year 2008 and within few months succumbed to severe cardiac arrest just in front of the temple and respired his last breathe before starting to meet his maker.

As a mark of respect to his devotion and sincerity, I wanted this event before his tenth anniversary to please both(Ganapthy and him). Ganapthy is craving to have a feast for the last 10 years that was fulfilled on this occassion. Would like to personally thank each of the members who convened for this occasion and those who supported physically and financially to make this dream come true.

PHOTOS AND VIDEO CLICK HERE

Would like to end with a quote from my favorite author valluvar under “Makatperu”

மகன்தந்தைக்கு ஆற்றும் உதவி இவன்தந்தை
என்நோற்றான் கொல்எனும் சொல். 

The duty of the son ( children ) to father ( parents ) is to make others to wonder, What penance the father ( parents ) had done to beget him(them). Children by the virtue of their behavior, attitude, and knowledge should make others to wonder. 

தந்தை மகற்காற்று நன்றி அவையத்து
முந்தி இருப்பச் செயல் 

The duty of the parents is to bring up their children in such a way that they sit in the front row in any assembly of wise. To achieve this, the children should be given right education. Apart from the formal education, children should be trained to live within the law and ethical parameters, spend within the prescribed norms etc., 

My father not only told me how to live; He lived and made me to watch his living.

Veda Rakshanam - First Update

First, a BIG THANKS for all those who supported us. It was good response from 60 odd people and finally we embargoed when the list reached 56 people considering the date we committed.

It was a nice blend of not only the amount of Rs 100 and Rs 200, we also had good fusion of people contributing Monthly, Half yearly, Annually. There were people who contributed more than Rs 1200 and Rs 2400 as an annual amount, with their agreement moved the excess annual contribution to Capital Reserve Account. The Capital reserve will be parked aside and will be used for some special expenses of patasalas.

The collection constitutes a monthly amount of Rs 9200 and Rs 26,400 as capital. I will send the second month reminder to those who are contributing monthly. Will share the receipt of first month as soon as we receive.

As updated earlier, there was a change in Patasala from Pondichery and the amount increased to Rs 10,000 per month (Shortfall of Rs 800 was pulled from capital)

The first month cheque was presented after getting the blessing of HH Bala Periva from Srimatam on 13th Feb 2018. The day had Pradhosam, Sivarathri and Janma Nakshatram of HH Bala Periva, what else we could order to start this venture. Along with the cheque the covering letter and list of people who contributed was attached for Periva blessing. (Please find both attached)

CLICK HERE FOR LIST OF CONTRIBUTION

CLICK HERE FOR THE LETTER

The contribution will benefit Sri Pratyaksha Charitable Trust who are leading 5 residential patasalas under their umbrella. All the Patasalas inoculate spiritual and academic education to Vidhayarthis.

 
1.Vaikhanasa Patasala. Syllabus are Archaka Nithya Karmanushtanam, Thiruvardhanam, Brahmotsavam, Mahasamprokshanam, Kumbhabhishekam, Prayaschitha vidhanam. This is being taught from a school in Avadi Chennai.

2.Sampradaya Patasala. The main objective of Sampradaya is to educate young women who cherish our tradition, it also combines mainstream education by offering a University degree along with training in various vocations, languages, music, fine arts, handicrafts, childcare, yoga and other relevant subjects.Syllabus include Valmiki Ramayana, Acharya Stotras(Bhaja Govindam), Panchanga Pathatanam, Pooja Vidhanam, Music & Instruments, Making of Pooja Dravyas like Kum Kumam, Akshata, Naivedya, Practical Home Remedies (Kashayam etc.), Tailoring, Arts & Crafts. This is being operated from Tirupati AP.

3. Jyotishya Smartha Patasala, from Karvet Nagar near Puttur. Syllabus taught are Nithya Vidhi (Sandhya vandhanam, Agni hotram & Brahmayagnam). Aapasthamba sutrokta panchadasha karma, Nakshatreshti, Mahanyasa, Rudrapadha, Navagraha makha, Udakashanthi Prayogaha., Aabdeeka prayogaha. Katakas , Aarayanka mantra bhaga, Sanskrit Language development Course, Mridhangam and Yoga Classes.

4. Nadhaswaram Patasala, this one operates out of Nallatoor for boys and Karvet Nagar for girls. The subjects taught here are Nadaswaram, Dhol, Mulika Vaidhyam, Rangoli and garland making.

5. Samskrutha Patasala.This is unique when compared to others where vidhyarthis are inculcated spiritual education alongside academic studies from CBSE rest of the above are from State Board education. This Bangalore based Patasala has been designed on the lines of the ancient Ghatikasthanams it offers specalised training in Sanskrit, Vedic Studies, Namasankirthanam and Music. It has has a central dining hall and a separate Dhyana Hall, Vidyarthis also use this space for special congregations, Homams and during festivities that include Upakarma, Jayanthi Celebrations of the Acharyas.

Veda Samrakshanam

Periva Saranam...

On Jan 4th 2018 we initiated our first communication seeking contribution towards “Veda Rakshanam”. All these days we were planning and working on this and able to reach the final stages.
The idea was initiated by Mrs Padmini Chandrasekaran( my Cousin) and we have sent WhatsApp messages and have got good response from like-minded people. Thanks for your response and based on that we have arrived an amount that can be passed on to a Veda Patasala every month.

Before proceeding further would like to answer one question that was common across all of them who responded “ Why only Rs 100 or Rs 200? Why not more? I can afford to do more, can I?"

You could find the reason in the heading Veda Rakshanam in Deivanthin Kural. He states 

“I am asking you to give me one “sampathi daan”. Everyone should study Vedas daily and make your children do it – let this be on one side. It is no doubt an important duty. There is another work much more important than this. You should help to run Veda Patashalas continuously uninterrupted. For this purpose, you should give financial help both to students and the teachers. Further, you should establish many more schools to teach the Vedas, to teach their meaning and to conduct tests on those subjects. During the period of studies, the students should be given stipends. On passing examination, suitable prizes depending on marks obtained, should be given. Veda can exist only if you do so. For all these, funds are necessary. Every month, on the day of your birth star, put one rupee* in a Savings Box, remembering me (am I not asking you to give?). On your birthday, add another five rupees**. At the end of the year, send the accumulated amount to Veda Rakshana Nidhi Trust., You are spending a lot, You pay taxes, This is the tax I levy on you. For me you have to pay a rupee a month. Thus, if everyone does this, just like the saying “many drops of water make an ocean”, Veda Rakshana Nidhi Trust will become self-sufficient”.

"வேத ரக்ஷணத்தை அடுத்த சந்ததிக்கு ஜீவிய கர்மமாக, ஆயுட்காலப் பணியாக வைக்க முடியாவிட்டால் கூடப்போகிறது. எட்டு வயசிலிருந்து ஆரம்பித்து அப்புறம் பத்து வருஷங்களுக்கு தினம் ஒரு மணி இளம்பிள்ளைகளுக்கு வேத மந்திரங்களிலும் பிரயோகங்களிலும் வகுப்பு நடத்தப் பேட்டைக்கு பேட்டை கூட்டுறவு அடிப்படையில் ஏற்பாடு பண்ணுங்கள் என்கிறேன். இதுதான் எனக்கு வாஸ்தவமான கனகாபிஷேகம், உத்ஸவம் எல்லாம்.

நானும் ஒரு “ஸம்பத்தி தானம்” கேட்கிறேன். அவரவரும் அத்யயனம் செய்து, தங்கள் பிள்ளைக்கும் செய்விக்க வேண்டும் என்பது ஒரு பக்கம் இருக்கட்டும். இது அவசியம் செய்ய வேண்டியதுதான். அதைவிட அவசியமாக முதலில் செய்ய வேண்டிய காரியம் ஒன்று உண்டு; அதாவது, இப்போது மூச்சைப் பிடித்துக் கொண்டு நடந்து வருகிற வேத பாடசாலைகள் மூடிப்போகாமல் அவற்றைத் தொடர்ந்து நடைபெறப் பண்ண வேண்டும். இதற்காக வித்யார்த்திகள் (மாணவர்கள்) அத்யாபகர்கள் (ஆசிரியர்கள்) இருவருக்கும் நிதி உதவி செய்ய வேண்டும். இன்னும் பல பாடசாலைகளை வைத்து வேத மூலத்தை சொல்லிக் கொடுப்பது, அப்புறம் அதன் அர்த்தத்தை – வேத பாஷ்யத்தை – சொல்லிக் கொடுப்பது, இவற்றில் பரீட்சை வைப்பது ஆகிய காரியங்களைச் செய்ய வேண்டும். படிக்கிற காலத்தில் வித்தியார்த்திக்கு ஸ்டைஃபண்ட் (உபகாரச் சம்பளம்) கொடுக்க வேண்டும். பரீட்சையில் பாஸ் பண்ணியவுடன் மார்க்கைப் பொறுத்துக் கணிசமான சம்பாவனை செய்ய வேண்டும். இப்படியெல்லாம் செய்தால்தான் வேதம் இருக்கும். இதற்கெல்லாம் மூலதனம் வேண்டும்.

அதாவது ஒவ்வொருவரும் மாஸா மாஸம் தங்கள் ஜன்ம நக்ஷத்திரத்தன்று என்னை நினைத்துக் கொண்டு (நான் தானே கொடுக்கச் சொல்லிக் கேட்கிறேன்!) ஒரு ரூபாயை ஒரு உண்டியில் போட்டுவிட வேண்டும். ஒரு வருஷம் ஆனதும் இந்த 12 ரூபாயை வேத ரக்ஷண நிதிக்கு அனுப்பிவிட வேண்டும். எத்தனையோ செலவு செய்கிறீர்கள். வரிகள் (tax) கொடுக்கிறீர்கள். இது நான் போட்டிருக்கிற டாக்ஸ். மாஸம் ஒரு ரூபாய் எனக்காகக் கொடுக்க வேண்டும். எல்லோரும் அப்படிச் செய்தால் பல துளி பெறு வெள்ளம் என்று வேத ரக்ஷணத்துக்கும் பெரிய பலம் கிடைக்கும்.
We have substituted Re 1 to Rs 5 and considering a family of 3 or 4 does the savings for 12 stars in a year and 1 birthday we roughly get Rs 200 to Rs 240.

On Jan14th 2018 being Pradhosam, we did visit Sri Matam and got directions. The contributions will flow to Sri Pratyaksha Charitable Trust(Will share details on what they do later)

Let us assure that funds collected will be accounted with highest transparency and responsibility. We have pooled in Mr. Ganapathy Subramaniam an experienced person to help us in this journey. We three will be the point of contact and reachable through call or whatsapp for any details.

Mrs Padmini Chandrasekaran – 9884613369 - Bangalore
Ganesh Babu C – 9600006173 – Bangalore
Mr Ganapathy Subramaniam – 9789847448 – Chennai

All three of us have other commitments and want to make this as easy to manage. Hence suggesting the few below points

1. Please transfer the amount to the below mentioned bank account. This account is newly opened and will be used for this cause only.

Account Name - Ganapathy Subramaniam, Account Number - 37950100003694, Bank of Baroda Kamaraj Nagar, Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai 600 041, IFSC code - BARB0THICHE

2. While transferring please mention your name in the description and drop a message with your amount to record the contribution received

3. Most of you use online banking and in case if you don’t have please message me to provide an alternate solution

4. You can contribute every month or half yearly or annual.( For example Rs 100/200 every month, Rs600/1200 every 6 months, Rs 1200/Rs2400 every year)

5. We have committed to provide our first contribution during first week of February’18 and hence will have January 30th 2018 as the end date to accept contribution.

Thanks for reading this long message. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Thanks for participating in this drive. Periyava will bless all of us for even thinking about helping a veda patasala and imagine if we participate in an event like this.


Jaya Jaya Shankara Hara Hara Shankara