Premika Bhavanam: Navarathiri Celebrations
28th September 2000 - 6th October 2000

Kolu was arranged artistically at Premika Bhavanam for the Navarathiri Celebrations.

Daily routine: Morning

6.00 am to 11.30 am

• 'Moola Ramayana Parayanam' by Sri Srikanth Sarma

• 'ChathurVeda Parayanam' by

  

  • Sri Mruthyunjaya Sarma - Saama Veda
    (our Veda Patashala Adhyapak)
  • Sri V. Kalayanaraman - Rig Veda
  • Sri Kannamani Dikshitar - Yajur Veda
  • Sri Bashyam Iyengar - 'Naalaayira Divya Prabandam'

  

• Sri Swamigal performed Vishnu Sahasranama archanai eleven times and Radha Sahasranama archanai once apart from 'abhisheka' to Madhuri-Sakhi Premika Varadan/ 'Periyava' Paduka/Saligramam.

  Sri Srinivasa Perumal was decorated with jewels, flower garlands and the two big silver ‘kuthu vilakku’, placed on either side of the Perumal, lit up the whole Sannidhi. Sri Swamigal then blessed all the devotees present with 'thirtha prasadam'.

  

Daily routine: Evening

• 4.30 pm

  Archanai to Sri Srinivasa Perumal/Madhuri Sakhi-Premika Varadan by Sri Swamigal.

• 6.00 pm

  Vishnu Saharanama Parayanam by the devotees led by Dr. Vasudevan.

• 7.00 - 9.00 pm

  Discourse on Radhika Shatakam(100 verses on Radha Devi) by Sri Srikanth Sarma, Professor, Sanskrit College, Mylapore, Chennai.

  

• 9.00 pm

  Dolotsavam

Sri Srikanth Sarma, Professor, Sanskrit college, Mylapore, Chennai, discoursed on Radhika Shatakam (100 verses on Radha Devi) for nine days beginning from 28th September, 2000 to 6th October, 2000.

Sri Sarma stressed the need for Satsang. Man is caught up in the net of Maya thrown by the Lord and only by surrendering to Him, who has woven the Maya, can he be redeemed. Only the Guru can cut the nets of Maya and lead you to Truth. Sri Sarma cited the example of a dog that gets into the pond to get rid of the flies flocking its body. He said, "A dog when attacked by flies tries to be rid of them but in vain. It then enters a pond. The flies leave the dog as soon as it enters the pond filled with water. Now the dog happy that at last it has been able to rid itself of the flies comes out of the water. But lo! The flies that are just outside the water awaiting the dog jump on to its skin once again and hold on.

So, too, a man tries to overcome the fetters of the mind but in vain. But when he enters a Satsang (company of the Guru) he is rid of the impurities and is cleansed. He mistakes that he does not need the Guru's company anymore as he is now well armed to move in 'samsara' (the world) without being stained and decides to leave the company of the Guru. But what happens? The Maya that is just waiting outside takes hold of him once again! Until one is fully prepared and armed one should regularly seek Satsang."

Sri Sarma explained that it is the 'Hladhini Shakthi' that had taken a concrete form as Radha Rani. She is seen in this form along with Sri Krishna and in the Gopis in the form of 'Bhakthi'. The simple, unostentatious love of the Gopis and the Gopas of Vrindavan for Sri Krishna is held as the highest form of Bhakti by one and all. Everyone, be it the Rishis, Jnanis or Bhakthals like the Alwars all hold the Bhakti of the Gopis in reverence. It is well-known that Uddava the beloved devotee of Sri Krishna was sent by Sri Krishna Himself to Vrindavan to realize what real Bhakthi was.

Premika Bhavanam: Saraswathi puja/Ayuda puja
6th October 2000

A picture of Goddess Saraswathi was placed on a platform in the south-east corner of the hall. She was clothed in a white saree. A veena was placed to her left. Sri Swamigal explained, " The work of creation requires knowledge. As such Lord Brahma, the creator, has for his consort the Goddess of Knowledge, Saraswathi. Purity is always represented by white and true knowledge that is pure is represented by the Goddess wearing a white sari, white lotus, holding a 'spatika mala' and she plays the veena.

Later during the day 'Chandana alankaram' (Sandal paste attire) was done to Sri Srinivasa Perumal.

Bhagavatha Mela
8th November 2000

• 2.30 pm

  'Ashtapathi' rendering commenced. By 3.30 p.m. the hall of 'Premika Bhavanam' was taken over by Bhagavathars from all over the City and outside converting it into 'Bhagavatha Bhavanam'! Eventually it turned out to be a 'BHAGAVATHA MELA'!

• 6.00 pm

  'Vishnu Sahasranamam' was chanted by the devotees.

• 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm

  'Astapathi' rendering continued.

  9.30 pm- 12.00 (midnight) - 'Divya Nama Sankeerthanam'

  The hall that had become the veritable 'fort of the Bhagavathars' was sprayed with the innumerable Names of the Lord. Accompanied by harmonium and dholaks Bhagavathars, the young and the elderly, danced around 'Divya Nama Krishnan' in joy. Could there be another heaven? That evening this was the foremost thought in everyone's mind!

• 12.05 am - Dolotsavam