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Sri:

Srimate Ra:ma:nuja:ya Namaha
Srimad Varavara munaye Namaha

Svami Manava:laamamunikal Thirunakshatram Celebrations
Sarvadhari Iypasi Thiru mu:lam
November 1st & 2nd 2008

Sri Azhagia Manava:laa Ma:muni, born in the month of Ippa:si in the asterism moolam in the year 1371 as an incarnation of Sri Adisesha and re incarnation of Bhagavad Ra:ma:nuja, is a unique star in the galaxy of our preceptors. One of his many disciples who were transformed by his grace presents his gratitude as under:

(The Asterism Mula of Asvayuja month which became the source of the manifestation of Manava:laa Mahamuni, ocean of compassion *par excellence*, and that which formed the cause for the existence of even me, counted among the non-existent entities, is verily, the unique source of prosperity for the entire universe.) 

Sri Manava:laa Ma:munigal, guided by his illustrious acarya Sri Tiruvoimozhi Pillai, expounded Sri Bhashya once and spent the rest of his life propagating Nammazhvar’s Tiruvoimozhi. Sri Nambillai, one of the gems in the necklace of  Srivaishnava preceptors, revealed the sense of Nammazhvar’ magnus opus Tiruvaimozhi at Srirangam which was then recorded as ‘Eedu 36000 padi’ by Sri Vadukku Tiruveedippillai. This magnificent commentary was concealed for about 200 years and it was Sri Manava:laa Ma:munigal who discoursed on this at length taking the deserving close to divinity. He was at ease elucidating both the lofty and logical arguments of Vedanta and the simple, sweet bridal mysticism of Nammazhvar. His eloquence re-established the fact that Tiruvaimozhi is the tamil import of the Upanishads and also earned him the title “Visatha vak Sikhamani” (Crest Jewel of Exponents Extraordinaire). Attracted by his explanation, not only did many scholarly acarya purushas offer themselves to be his sishyas , but also Sri Ranganatha Himself listened to his discourses with devout attention for a year !  

So, it can well be said:

“mAsattra sempon Manava:laa mAmunivan vandhilanEl

Atril karaindha puLi allavO thamizh AraNamE” 

(Had not the unalloyed spotless gold Manava:laa Mahamuni manifested himself (in this world), the Tamil Veda (Divyaprabandha) would have indeed become tamarind dissolved in a river. Isn't it?)

 Those were the golden days when Sri Manava:laa Manunigal lived in Srirangam spiritually transforming thousands of people with his wisdom and modesty. Says his disciple Sri Erumbi Appa:

 (Hail to Srirangam, the Highest Abode which is the repository of superb splendour! Safely abiding therein is  Some Indescribable Opulence (Lord Sriranganatha), associated with Goddesses Bhoo (Earth) and Maa (Lakshmi). May the Preceptor of Preceptors Sri Varavara Muni bestow divine glory upon that Opulence, rendering auspicious benedictions from time to time!) 

Now, we have the opportunity to celebrate his tirunakshatram, Ippa:si mulam, on Sunday the 2^nd November 2008. It would be our pleasure and duty to unite and get absorbed in the works and life of Sri Manava:laa Ma:munigal during the celebrations.

Venue:

Sri Venkatesvara Lotus Temple  

12501 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA, 22030.

Phone: 703-815-4850

Nearest Airport: Washington Dulles (IAD)

Please follow the link below to register to attend the Utsavam:

http://www.svlotustemple.org/AzwarAcharyaUtsavam.html

Agenda of the Function:

Saturday November 1st, 2008

Morning: Mudhal Azhvar Thirunakshatram Celebrations

07:30 AM :    Suprabatham

08:00 AM :    Nityapadi Goshti (Thiruppallandu, Thiruppalliyezhuchchi, Thiruppavai)

08:45 AM :    Snapanam for Periya Thirumanjanam (Perumal, Azhvar and Acharya)

09:00 AM - 09:45 AM :  Thirumanjanam (Upanishads, Suktams, Thirumanjana Pasurams)

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM :    Mudhal Thiruvandhadhi, Irandam Thiruvandhadhi, Moonram Thiruvandhadhi Goshti

12:00 NOON :    Sattrumurai and Prasadam

Saturday November 1st, 2008

Evening: Swami Pillai Lokachariar (Ulagarian) Thirunakshatram Celebrations

04:30 PM :    Sahasranama Parayanam

05:00 PM :    Saaya Rakshai (Nityanusandhanam), Mantra Pushpam Kovil Thiruvaimozhi, Srivachana Bhushanam,

06:30 PM :    Sattrumurai

07:00 PM - 09:00 PM :    Upanyasam - Sri U Ve Velukkudi Krishnan Swami

Sunday November 2nd, 2008

Morning: Svami Manava:la Ma:munikal Thirunakshatram Celebrations

07:00 AM :    Suprabatham

07:30 AM :    Nityapadi Goshti (Thiruppallandu, Thiruppalliyezhuchchi, Thiruppavai)

08:00 AM :    Thirumanjanam for Swami Manava:laa Mamunikal

08:30 AM - 09:45 AM :    Ra:ma:nuja Nootrandhadi and Upadesa Rathinamalai, Yathiraja Vimshathi and Uththara Dinacharya Goshti

10:00 AM :    Upanyasam - U Ve Velukkudi Krishnan Swami - Title: “masattra sempon Manava:laa mA munivan vanthilanEl Atrril karaintha puli anrO thamiz Araname” ("Greatness of Svami Manava:laaMaMunikal: Saviour of Dravida Vedantha")

12:30 PM :    Sattrumurai and Azhwar Acharya Sambhavanai

01:00 PM:    Prasadam