SUNDARARAMAN  IYER

And in appreciation of my well accomplished, bold, strong limbed, erudite, dutiful and highly intelligent elephant kid brother who maintains the family discipline, culture, traditions, and values  in life. He is almost on par with me in ethics but falls a bit short in humanatarianism  Expert in cooking, he prepares dainty dishes for me, serves me with food, snacks, tea, cold drinks, lifts and cleans my plates, washes my clothes, and manages the household work rightt from indenting and ordering the monthly grocery and vegetables to getting delivery of snacks and miscellany online or on telephone.  ,A major support to me in social and religious activities, pilgrimages, Amavasya and puja day observances, giving away in cash and kind and buying food for the poor, needy and destitutes, we obtained the sobriquet Ram Laxman ki jodi in social circles. Most of the time, walking behind me during outings, the son of our Chief Ghanapadigal in Kashi who is also my friend remarked something like this on our previous  visit -  Bhrataashree aagay ..... (anuj peechay). Expert in many computer applcations he resolves issues related to my personol and Trust office management. public interactions, legal compliances, co ordination with those associated with me or who work  for me, and in efficient management of our house and our family assets.   Events of relevance in our personal and public life are well appraised, designed, co-ordinated and implemented.  Our life hums with interest and activity.  Never is there a dull day in our life.   The focus is not only on our own lives, but on benefiting the lives of others, especiallly the good, the distressed, the oppressed, the weak, the poor and the needy.   

Nature, environment, the flora and fauna are of deep interest and concern to us and so our work for the welfare of animals and nature cannot be diluted and is a priority area in our life.  

I obtained good support from my multitudes of male and female fraternal friends, who made my life in the office a home away from home and with whom I could relate literally at a personal level.   

And unto my bosses. they were friends, philosophers and guides to me and allowed me to work on my own terms and fully supported me in my efforts in the public field.  

And then my friends and associates outside the Bank, and those working with me as a team, no words can describe their loyalty and support to me and my family spanning over two and a half decades.   

 A  special line to my Vaadhiyars, Brahmanas, lady and gent cooks and supportive  household members of the Vaadiyars and Brahmanas who made my religious works  especially Sraardhams a grand success, not only in Mumbai, but also in Kashi, Prayag and Gaya.  Many of the Vadiyars and Brahmanas became good friends of mine during these 25 years. The ceremonies including 13 day rituals all oonams,masigams, shodhakumbhams during the first respective year of elevation to the heavenly abode and subsequent annual ceremonies called aabdhigams, were meticulously  planned and executed to near perfection with optimum convenience provided to the anthanargals (Vadhiyar and Brahmanas) with Thanjavur Sraardha / Samaaradhanai shamaiyal. 

Traditional (Tamil cuisine):   No brinjal, onion, coconut, lasoon,  No green or red chillies,  Molagu to be used.  Molagu jeeraan should not get mixed.    The standard cuisine has been 

3 curries - bittergourd, plaintain,  Kotharangai / Sheppankazhangu  - 3  kinds of fruits

3 Bakshanam -  Ulathamparuppu vadai        Adhirasam or Appam, the mandatory -  Elluurundai -  3 rice combinations - morkuzmbu rice, rasam rice and      

Murungakka Poruchakorzambu,  Vendakkai Morkozambu. lemon rasam (no tamarind in rasam), payathamparuppu for rice, Snake gourd, tindsa, Cucumber, cabbage, cauliflower, plaintain flower and and limda can be used suitably.   Avial and a mix of vetables Pitalai also can be made, though it is usually in Samaradhanai Shamaiyal on shodhakumbam day. Similarly with Paal payasam ( milk and rice kheer),  In  Sraardham, it is usually Paruppu payasam or Kheer made of payatham paruppu (Moong dal).

Mango pachdi, thair pachdi, inji Urugaa - Adhrak pickle, curd rice, karugupalai thogaiyal (limda achar)

A NOTE ON Apasthamba Srardha Prayogam involves the following stages :

The Kartha must do Snaniyam and Sandhya vandanam upto Madhyanigam, and short Gayatri Japam.  In my view Brahma Yagnam is not mandatory,  And can be done at the end if the Srarddham is done without Homam.  

Achamaniyamnam - Shukalam Bharadharam,,, -  Pranayamam (1)

Anugnai from anthanargal - token dakshinai - metal coins 

Sankalpam - Snanam or atleast Prokshanam by anthanargals, naveena vastra dharanam - 

Padhyam, Arghyam, Achamaniyam,  Alankara Upachaaram, Samitha dhaanam, Homam, Hastha Prakshalanam, Achamaniyamn Brahmana Bhojanam, Hastha Prakshalanam, Achamaniyam, Vikira Annam, Kaaka Pinda Pradhanam, Hastha Prakshalanam, Achamaniyam Dakshinai, Pradakshinai of Brahmanas, Namaskaaram, Ashirvadham from Brahmanas, Havishobanam after Pradakshanai thrice, Pinda Pradhanam, Srardhanga tarpanam, Hastha Prakshalanam, Achamaniyam, Rakshai from Homa Fire ashes, Hastha Prakshalanam, Achamaniyam,  In my view, the Kartha must take one more bath / Snaniyam before taking meals for the day.  Late evening, the Kartha and those who have partaken of Srardham food. cannot take a full meal and mandated not to take rice food, but can take Vadai, Appam, Eluurndiai,and remants of the morning feast only with curd, apart from fruits, milk, tea, coffee.  Perfect Brahmacharya must be maintained atleast 3 days before and 3 days after the Srardham.  No seeing movies or attending to non essential wordly business on the day of Srardham. 

The main Vaadhiyars were specially requested to allow all Brahmanas to retain the quality gifts given to them during the Srardhams as per the principles  of Apasthambha Sraardha Prayogam.  I was very lucky to get good Vaadhiyars and Brahmanas and not even one Amavasya or Srardham was left unobserved in the last 25 years.  

I  acknowledge with thanks those officials in Politics, Government and in Corporate institutions,  and to my colleagues who were with me in Governmental bodies where I was nominated and who  over the years, became close to me and supported me. Such support has been invaluable in making my efforts in public life effective and useful at large.

Above all, in eternal Bhakti to my deity Adhi Parashakti who has given me an opulent, affluent, eventful and fulfilling life where there is really nothing  much  to seek or add, but lots to give and smile. The Goddess has indeed given me a key in life which can open anything desired for by me at a material level, alongwith the wisdom to avoid those that could hinder mine and my family's spiritual journey. And beyond that the Goddess has freed me from the sins, attractions, indulgences and snares of mundane self obsessed existence.  I rejoice in the grand vision of the supreme shakti - while my heart reverberates in singing the glory of the Devi  -   Na Moksasya Akaanshaa Bhava-Vibhavaan cha Api Cha Na May,  Na Vignyaana Apekssaa - Shashi-Mukhi - Sukha-Iccha Api Na Punaha | Ata-Tvaam Samyaache Janani Jananam Yaathu Mama Vai, Mrudaani Rudraani Shiva Shiva Bhavaanithi  Japataha |

I neither long for wealth, nor do I  seek supreme Knowledge,  nor luxurious indulgences nor even Moksha,  as much as to allow my life pass away impelled by the supreme bliss  in the recitation of your holy names of Mridani Rudrani Shiva Shiva Bhavani.

Naaraadhitaasi Vidhinaa Vividho-Upachaaraiyaha                Kim Ruksha-Chintana-Parair-Na Krtam Vachobhiha   

Shyaame Tvameva Yadi Kin chana May-Anaathe             Dhatse Krpaam-Uchitam-Amba Param Thavaiva 

I have not worshipped you with various rituals in the various methods of worship,  What  sacrilegious offences I might not have committed in my thoughts, by words and in action ? Yet, O Shyama, if you are a bit  lenient to this repentent  orphan. it is only becoming and possible with  you O merciful Mother.

Aapatsu Magnaha Smarannam Thvadiiyam                     Karomi Durge Karunaar na veshi |      

Naitach - Chata-Tvam Mama Bhaava yethaaha\           Shudhaa-Thrusaar thaa Jananim Smaranthi 

In my times of danger aand calamity I remember you always O Supreme Mother, who is an ocean of Compassion, because it is but natural for children who are afflicted with hunger, thirst and fear to call out their Mother,

Jagadambay Vichitra matra Kim Paripurnaa Karunaa-sthi Chenmayi | Aparaadha-Parampara vritham  Maathaa Samuphekshatay Sutham 

O Jagadamba, there is nothinhg to be wondered at if you are full of compassion for me as you will  not abandon your kid even if  he has many  faults.. 

Math samaha\ paathaki naasthi paapagni tvath samaa nahin  evam gnyaatvaa Mahaadevi Yathaa-Yogyam Tathaa Kuru 

O Supreme Shakthi, I may be a great sinner, but  surely there is no greater  reliever from sins than  you, knowing this please do whatever is right.  (so that I become worthy of your  mercy)  

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