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The Jayanthi Day     Sri Swamigal's writings     Jayanthi Celebration Reports           from other places

THE GURU:

Gururbrahma Gururvishnuhu Gururdevo Maheswaraha |
Gurureva Parambrahma Thasmy ShriGurave Namaha ||     (Guru Gita 1:46)

The Guru is Brahma, the Guru is Vishnu, the Guru is Maheshwara and
GURU IS THE PARABRAHMAM
Unto this Guru I salute!

Sri Swamigal's Song

Thvameva gatir mama, Hey Gurunatha!
Iha loke, para loke cha         (Thvameva gatir mama)

Sumukhohumva vimukhohumva
Punyohumva paapohumva
Punditohumva moodhohumva
Dhanikohumva daridrohumva         (Thvameva gatir mama)

Shaktohumva ashaktohumva
Susheelohumva duhsheelohumva
Aashritohumva anaashritohumva
Niraparadhohumva aparadhohumva     (Thvameva gatir mama)

Vijnohumva ajnohumva
Viraktohumva raktohumva
Vaidikohumva lowkikohumva
Bhagavatohumva Muralidharohumva    (Thvameva gatir mama)

Click here for the song in Tamil
Click here for the song in Sanskrit

The Translation:

Hey! Gurunatha!
You are my only refuge
Be it (in) this world or (in) the higher world

(You are my only refuge)
Be I,
Pleasant or unpleasant of face
Virtuous or sinner
Wise or fool
Wealthy or poor

Strong or weak
Good-natured or bad-natured
Worship (You) or (am) indifferent
Innocent or guilty

Knowledgeable or ignorant
Dispassionate or desirous
Pious or impious
Devotee or 'Muralidhara'!

'Gu' means darkness and 'ru' denotes one who removes the darkness. As such HE is called 'THE GURU'. The 'jiva' is dazed caught up in the forest of 'janma' (life) and it is the Guru who shows the way to freedom. The relationship between the Guru and the disciple/devotee is of the highest order and cannot be related to any human relationship. It is said that he is an orphan who has no Guru . Lord Krishna pointed out to his friend Kuchelar during the latter's visit to Dwaraka that in spite of him (Lord Krishna) being wealthy and in spite of Kuchelar being in utter poverty they were both joyful due to the blessings of their Guru Sandeepani. Only a Sadguru can give peace of mind.

'Kimatra bahunokthena shastrakotishathairapi |
Durlabha chithavisraantir vina Guru krupaam paraam ||   (Guru Gita 2:20)

(What can be attained through hundreds of crores of Shastras?
It is impossible to attain peace without the Grace of the Guru.)

It is in the Indian tradition to celebrate the birth ('Jayanthi') anniversary of the various avatars of the Lord. The various 'Guru paramparas' also follow this tradition of celebrating the birth anniversaries of their Gurus as a mark of affection, gratitude and as an act of 'smaranam' (remembrance).

THE JAYANTHI DAY - 27th October 2000, FRIDAY began at 6.00 a.m. with the auspicious and melodious sound of Nadaswaram.

Sri Swamigal performed 'Prabodanam' -

'Bhaktargalai mayakkum Premika Varada
Pozhudu pularndadai ariyaayo?..'

(Oh!Premika Varada! The charmer of devotees
Are you not aware that the day has dawned?!)

This was followed by the daily recital of 'Tiruppavai'.

Premika Bhavanam wore a festive look. The hall was sprayed with the 'yellow' of 'saamandi' flowers. The deft hands of the ashram garland maker, Sri Balan, had made wonderful garlands of 'Saamandi'(chrysanthemum) flowers mixed thinly with 'Tulasi', 'Arali' and 'Marigold'. These were tied up criss-cross across the hall giving a 'golden touch' to the whole setting.

Devotees began pouring in and by the time the Sun was out 'Premika Bhavanam' was overflowing with them. The devotees offered variety of flower garlands to Sri Swamigal. Variety of crowns adorned Sri Swamigal's head that day.

Number of devotees offered their 'pranams' through music. Sri Rajasekhar rendered violin recital.

Devotees then chanted Sri Swamigal's favourite -

'Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare!'

Sri Swamigal performed abhisheka to 'Periyaval's Paduka'. 'Krishna Jananam' was read out from Srimad Bhagavadham and Upanishad chanting enhanced the richness of the place.

Meanwhile in the 'Mani Mandapam' 'Ayushya and Aavahanti homams' were being performed by the Vaidigals, headed by Sri Mallikarjuna Sarma, the Veda Patashala Adyapak.

Sri Srinivasa Perumal was colourfully dressed up and so were Madhuri Sakhi - Premika Varadan. Perumal wore the fragrant jasmine garland mixed with a little 'marukozhundu'. The two big silver 'kuthu vilakku' (lamps) added to the beauty of the Sanctum Sanctorum. And so did the two 'paavai vilakku' placed just outside the 'Sannidhi'.

It was almost mid-day when Sri Swamigal performed 'archanai' to Sri Srinivasa Perumal and Madhuri Sakhi - Premika Varadan. The Ladies performed 'aarathi' for Sri Swamigal.

The 'Homam' was completed and Sri Swamigal walked down to the 'Mani Mandapam' to receive the 'theertham' from Sri Mallikarjuna Sarma. The holy water was sprayed on the devotees and 'theertham' given.

Sri Swamigal then blessed the devotees with 'theertha prasadam'.

Devotees were all blessed with special prasadam on this auspicious day.

At Malaipattu Ashram 'annadanam' (free offering of food) to the villagers was done to commemorate the 'Jayanthi' of Sri Swamigal.

2.30p.m. - 6.00 p.m. - 'Kal Vaitha Vaaram'

A healthy atmosphere prevailed in this testing the ability of the participants in their knowledge in Yajur Veda. Tiruvidaimarudur Sri Srinivasa Ganapadigal, who presided over this event said that this 'kal vaitha vaaram' was first conducted by 'Maha Periyaval' (Sri Chandrasekhara Saraswathi Swamigal, the earlier Pontiff of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham) in 'Tiruvidaimarudur' in 1962 - 63. It was on that day that 'Maha Periyaval' also conducted the 108 shawl 'archanai' to the Paduka of Sri Bhagavadhpaadaal (Sri Adi Sankara). He highly appreciated Sri Swamigal in taking up and continuing the tradition set up by Maha Periyaval. Four participants won the test and were presented with 'sanmaanams'(gifts). The judges were honored by 'Kalpatharu (Mumbai) G.K. Ramamurthy.

Premika Bhavanam was lit up with colourful bulbs in the evening adding to the cheerfulness of the atmosphere.

6.15 p.m.

The daily chanting of Vishnu Sahasranama Paaraayanam was done.

7.00 p.m.

One by one Bhagavathars started coming in and Naama Sankirtanam commenced around 7 p.m. Premika Bhavanam hall was filled by the Bhagavathars who participated very enthusiastically in Naama Sankirtanam, led by our Satsang's Sumanth Bhagavathar, and later in Divya Naamam.

As a part of the Jayanthi celebrations Ramayanam Upanyasam was done by Sri Ravi Sarma from 7.00 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. from 17th October 2000 to 25th October 2000.

8.00 p.m. - 11.30 p.m. - Divya Naama Sankirtanam.

Sri Swamigal started off the Divya Naama. The devotees sang along with the Bhagavathars. The whole evening was filled up with the fragrance of Bhagavan Naama!

11.30 p.m. Dolotsavam

Sri Thiagaraja Swamigal 'Paddhati' (style) was sung. Devotees sang - "Ashtadala pookkondu seididuvom pujai Sishtargale naam ishtappadi!...' Click here for the entire song

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