Swayamacharyars Thiru Nallan Chakravarty

[jpartha]

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Hi

I belong to Thiru Nallan Chakravarty Thengalai Swayamacharya clan. Since my parents had moved to Delhi in early 50s and my father had lost his father when he was only 12, he did not know who is our acharya nor he was very keen to find out.

Can any one tell how i should go about finding an acharya so that i can once again start practicising rituals that we are suppose to do? My father was from Salem Erode. I have only this information.

Thanks

Parthasarathy

 

[Vaagmi]

Sri Parthasarathyji,

There were many families which followed the Swayamacharya sampradhayam among Vaishnavites (in both kalais). I give below what I learnt from an elder:

In the swayamacharya sampradhayam (SS) usually the eldest in the family who is steeped in the vaishnavites traditions and literature becomes the Acharyan for the other members of the family. As the families lived in villages in those days there were several houses in which the members of the extended family lived and they lived in the nearby villages too as marriages connected those villages. I belong to one such SS family. The members of these families usually approached this elder who was also their Acharyan to get knowledge and clarifications. This Acharyan usually helped these members perform Samasrayanam and Baranyasam (in the case of Vadakalai). In course of time in the SS sampradayam as people took to English education this practice came to a stop and many of the families do not have a recognized Acharyan readily available as in the case of those who follow Matoms. Hence many of the families have accepted the Heads of Matoms as their Acharyan and are living happily without missing on the Samasrayanam or Baranyasam. This is also natural as there is no bar in intermarrying between SS members and Matom sishyas.

Coming to your specific question:

If you are looking for an Acharyan and if you do not have a SS Acharyan in your extended family circle, you can accept an Acharyan of your choice from the available Matoms in your sampradhayam. There are many such matoms which are headed by learned and respected Acharyans. You have only to visit these matoms to find one.

I have given the above advice from what I heard from someone I respect for his knowledge. If you want proof or back up from the sastras you will have to hunt for that yourself. Best wishes.

 

[krish44]

sri vaagmiji

thanks . I also got educated

 

[rishikesan]

Dear Vaagmi, I was not clear till now about real position of Suamacharya. Thanks for giving the clear picture as to how this has evolved & also shown the way of choosing a suitable Mutt for future Aacharan. Since I lived in North India & being the eldest in the family compieting 81 years of age & could not really know as to who was the Acharya ?
Besides, I must confess that we are not that religious as others & of course do not leave any of my duties like performing Tharpanam, performing Shrardhas for Parents without break & never felt I failed in such areas till now.
Ultimately it is the mental satisfaction of a Son performing his duties , destined by ihe earlier generation. Since We, live in Madras, there are, really no difficulties for all these .
Rishikesan

 

[jpartha]

sri vaagmiji

thanks . I also got educated

Dear Vaagmiji,

Thanks for the response.

I dont have any SS Acharyan in the extended family.

Is it possible to suggest or give the names of some madams so that i can approach them?

I live in Hong Kong, so i have to make a trip to India to get Samasrayanam.

Thanks

Parthasarathy

 

[renuka]

Besides, I must confess that we are not that religious as others
Rishikesan

Dear Rishikeshan ji,

I thought you were traditional! Now you are saying that you are not as religious as others?

This is shocking to me..I always thought you were extremely religious..traditional and orthodox.

 

[sangom]

I know one "Murthy Nallan Chakravarthy <[email protected]>" from Andhra, who has composed many kritis in Carnatic Music. If contacting this person will be of any use to the OP of this thread, perhaps Shri Vaagmi can advise.

 

[jpartha]

Thanks Sangom.

I am looking for an Acharya in the Tamil lineage.

Regards

Partha

 

[Vaagmi]

Dear Vaagmiji,

Thanks for the response.

I dont have any SS Acharyan in the extended family.

Is it possible to suggest or give the names of some madams so that i can approach them?

I live in Hong Kong, so i have to make a trip to India to get Samasrayanam.

Thanks

Parthasarathy

Sri Parthasarathyji,

I suggest the following acharyas from the Thenkalai sampradhayam:

1. Nanguneri Vaanumaamalai matom jeeyar swami.

2. Thirukkurungudi Matom jeeyar swami.

3. Thirumalai Appan jeeyar swami.

4. Sholingur Doddacharya swami.

5. Sriperumpudur jeeyar swami.


Depending on your convenience and depending on what you are looking for you can join one of these matoms as a sishya and get the Acharyan's advice. He will perform the samasrayanam for you too. If possible take your family with you for the samasrayanam and get it done for all. Best wishes. I would humbly suggest that you understand the following stanza before accepting an Acharyan:

sidhdham satsampradhaayE sthira dhiyamanagham shrOthriyam brahmanishtam
satvastam sathya vAcham samaya niyathayA sAdhu vrithyA samEtham
dambAsUyAthi muktham jitha vishaya ganam dheergha bandhum dayAlum
skAlithyE sAsithAram swa para hithaparam dEsikam bhUshnureepsEth.

Meaning: நல்ல ஆசார்ய பரம்பரையில் கற்றுவந்தவனும், புத்தி சஞ்சலமற்றவனும், எவ்விதக்குறைகளும் இல்லாதவனும், வேதாந்த சாஸ்த்திரம் பயின்று அதன் பொருளாகிய ப்ரஹ்மத்தினிடம் நிலைபெற்றவனும், ஸத்துவ குணம் படைத்தவனும்,சத்தியவாதியும், காலத்துக்கேற்ற பெரியோர்கள் ஒப்பிய ஒழுக்கமுடையவனும், பெருமை பொறாமை என்ற துர்க்குணங்கள் கழிந்தவனும், புலனடக்கம் செய்தவனும், தொடர்ந்து உதவுகிறவனும், தயாளுவும், தவற்றைக்கண்டித்துத்திருத்துபவனும், தன்னோடு பிறர் நலத்தையும் நாடுபவனும் ஆன ஆசார்யனை சிஷ்யன் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கவேண்டும்.

Ajnaana dwaantha rOdhAdaya pariharaNaathaathma sAmyAvahathvAth
janma pradhvamsi janmapradha garimathayA divya drushti prabhAvAth
nishprathyUhAnrusamsyAnniyatha rasathayA nithya sEshithva yOgAth
AchArya sabthiraprathyupakaraNa thiyA dEvavath syAthupAsya:

Meaning:உள்ளிருளைக்கடிவதாலும், பாவங்களை விலக்குவதாலும், சிஷ்யனைத்தன்னைப்போலாக்கும் உதார குணத்தினாலும், கர்மமடியாக வந்த ப்ராஹ்மணாதி ஜன்மங்களைப்போக்கும் உயர்ந்த ஞான ஜன்மத்தைத் தரும் பெருமையினாலும், குளிரக்கடாக்ஷிப்பதாலும், தங்கு தடையின்றி கருணை கூர்வதனாலும், அண்ணிக்குமமுதூறுவதாலும், என்றும் தமக்கு ஸ்வாமியாகையாலும், ஆசார்யனை சிஷ்யன் என்றும் கைம்ம்மாறு கருதாமல் கடவுளைப்போலவழிபடத்தக்கவனாவான்.

 

[rishikesan]

Dear Dr Renuka, good thing you have written about your assessment about me, obviously reading my writings in this forum., I do not know as to how you judged me as Orthodox & very Religious Etc, Let me briefly clarify . I belong to lower middle class family, following all customs of Iyengar esp. following the foot-steps of my un-educated Grand mother by way of simple living, up to my 16 years of age. I had Clean habits timely food, concentrate on studies upto SSLC ( 11 th std in 1949. I studied under an Hurricane Lantern, No electricity up to 1958 in our house However my Aunt who lived in Trichy/ Srirangam, liked my soft nature & took me to Srirangam & made me comfortable in her small portion of a house on rent. With the help of one of the uncles , who was earlier helped, by my Father to settle at Srirangam in turn helped me getting Admission in the prestigious College , which I could have never/ ever dreamed ? & got me entry in the famous St. Joseph ;s College,
In those days 2 year college known as INTER_SCIENCE, was a prescribed Qualification for opening many sources . Since I spent 4 years in the famous Bhooloka vaikundam I had the unique chance to visit the temple at the closing hour of 10 PM & worship all alone for 10/ 15 mts when Keeping my hands folded, looking to the ANANTHA Sayanam / Head to Foot , & my eyes used to get shower tears of Extreme pleasure. Eat the Sweet pongal , called Aravanai , & drink flavoured milk & return home with the priest , locking the sanctum 7 take the Keys home ( it was the practice 65 years back.)

In 1952 I got Rs 110/-as salary After 39 years of Service in PUNE ./ 10 years & in Jabalpur 25 years, I retired as Works Manager now getting Pension of Rs 30, 000/-

Why I write this much detail , because my days were not bed of roses. Struggle & struggle. faced unemployment , majority led the life within income & never aspired for any luxury, not even simple furniture in many homes , no clocks , BUT all were happy, united & helped with each other , in every aspect except money , which was scarce. I boldly say that Money is dead- Cheap now , because, All, I mean, All have Money much more than they need/ deserve ?

Hope you will appreciate the hard realities of life , all had lived.

Sincerly,
Rishikesan

 

[renuka]

Why I write this much detail , because my days were not bed of roses. Struggle & struggle. faced unemployment , majority led the life within income & never aspired for any luxury, not even simple furniture in many homes , no clocks , BUT all were happy, united & helped with each other , in every aspect except money , which was scarce. I boldly say that Money is dead- Cheap now , because, All, I mean, All have Money much more than they need/ deserve ?

Hope you will appreciate the hard realities of life , all had lived.

Sincerly,
Rishikesan

Dear sir,


Why do you say money was scarce?

You have wealth of character and knowledge.

That money can never buy.

You are indeed blessed.

 

[jpartha]

Dear Vaagmi Ji,

thanks for the information.

Before making up my mind, I will go through website of each of the Swamis listed by you. I have seen the website of Nanguneri Swami but i dont see any reference to Thiru Nallan Chakravarti.

My elder brother says i hv to look for TNC

Nevertheless, you have given me a vital lead and I am very grateful to you. Are you living in Cheenai?

Regards

Partha

 

[tbs]

Sri Parthasarathyji,

I suggest the following acharyas from the Thenkalai sampradhayam:

1. Nanguneri Vaanumaamalai matom jeeyar swami.

2. Thirukkurungudi Matom jeeyar swami.

3. Thirumalai Appan jeeyar swami.

4. Sholingur Doddacharya swami.

5. Sriperumpudur jeeyar swami.


Depending on your convenience and depending on what you are looking for you can join one of these matoms as a sishya and get the Acharyan's advice. He will perform the samasrayanam for you too. If possible take your family with you for the samasrayanam and get it done for all. Best wishes. I would humbly suggest that you understand the following stanza before accepting an Acharyan:

sidhdham satsampradhaayE sthira dhiyamanagham shrOthriyam brahmanishtam
satvastam sathya vAcham samaya niyathayA sAdhu vrithyA samEtham
dambAsUyAthi muktham jitha vishaya ganam dheergha bandhum dayAlum
skAlithyE sAsithAram swa para hithaparam dEsikam bhUshnureepsEth.

Meaning: நல்ல ஆசார்ய பரம்பரையில் கற்றுவந்தவனும், புத்தி சஞ்சலமற்றவனும், எவ்விதக்குறைகளும் இல்லாதவனும், வேதாந்த சாஸ்த்திரம் பயின்று அதன் பொருளாகிய ப்ரஹ்மத்தினிடம் நிலைபெற்றவனும், ஸத்துவ குணம் படைத்தவனும்,சத்தியவாதியும், காலத்துக்கேற்ற பெரியோர்கள் ஒப்பிய ஒழுக்கமுடையவனும், பெருமை பொறாமை என்ற துர்க்குணங்கள் கழிந்தவனும், புலனடக்கம் செய்தவனும், தொடர்ந்து உதவுகிறவனும், தயாளுவும், தவற்றைக்கண்டித்துத்திருத்துபவனும், தன்னோடு பிறர் நலத்தையும் நாடுபவனும் ஆன ஆசார்யனை சிஷ்யன் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கவேண்டும்.

Ajnaana dwaantha rOdhAdaya pariharaNaathaathma sAmyAvahathvAth
janma pradhvamsi janmapradha garimathayA divya drushti prabhAvAth
nishprathyUhAnrusamsyAnniyatha rasathayA nithya sEshithva yOgAth
AchArya sabthiraprathyupakaraNa thiyA dEvavath syAthupAsya:

Meaning:உள்ளிருளைக்கடிவதாலும், பாவங்களை விலக்குவதாலும், சிஷ்யனைத்தன்னைப்போலாக்கும் உதார குணத்தினாலும், கர்மமடியாக வந்த ப்ராஹ்மணாதி ஜன்மங்களைப்போக்கும் உயர்ந்த ஞான ஜன்மத்தைத் தரும் பெருமையினாலும், குளிரக்கடாக்ஷிப்பதாலும், தங்கு தடையின்றி கருணை கூர்வதனாலும், அண்ணிக்குமமுதூறுவதாலும், என்றும் தமக்கு ஸ்வாமியாகையாலும், ஆசார்யனை சிஷ்யன் என்றும் கைம்ம்மாறு கருதாமல் கடவுளைப்போலவழிபடத்தக்கவனாவான்.

hi

well said....thanks...u educated me in acharya sampradayam of vaishnavites....i know ahobilam/aandavan swamigal matom

abt vadagalai sampradayam...not much abt thengalai sampradayams...

 

[rishikesan]

Dear Dr Renuka,
I am very Happy to read the few lines you have written, Yes I am Blessed. '"Sarve Janaha Sukhino Bhavanthu ''

A.Srinivasan ( Rishikesan )