"We Have Sinned, Acharya"

Thanks, Swati. All great things in life are quite simple - love, devotion, trust, hope, faith et al. It is our minds that make them complicated.
Ramanuja had always been the very embodiment of humility. We are going to learn more about his humility in the coming episodes.
You are right, Ponnachi's love is much greater. In Ramayana everybody would praise Bharatha for his sacrificing the kingdom for Rama.
Virtually no one has even thought about a character called Mandavi. You know who she is? Yes, she is Mrs. Bharathan.
For no fault of hers, she is deprived of the love of her husband for 14 years. For when Rama was in forest Bharatha lived the life of a sanyasi.
So is the case of Lakshmana's wife Urmila. At least Sita was with her husband throughout but for the period of captivity in Ravana's palace. And Sita could say with courage, "Wherever Rama is, that's Ayodhi for me."
But Urmila or Mandavi could not say the same thing about their husbands. They suffered in silence.
You are right, we have not been fair to our women.
With your good wishes I'll continue to write in IL and the next post will also be on similar lines.
regards,

Originally Posted by kswati

Thanks Sridhar for sharing with us this real life story. So well written as usual and so many simple things said : Love, devotion, trust of the couple, Guru shishya relationship, humbleness of the shishya and I liked the humbleness of Ramanuja acharya when" he looks up as if to ask Lord Renganatha, ‘Did I treat your favoured children well? Did I use them to convey the message of love? Is my mission accomplished?’" Still being humble before god.
But I have grat reverence for Ponnachi, who followed her husband, he was connected to Ramanuja personally, but Ponnachi was coneected to God/Ramanaju/husband mentally and kept quiet when the disciples came to steal and felt she had sinned when they left w/o taking jewellery from other side. Too good.
I had tiff in my house today, and was feeling very low probably even back of my mind questioning god why me why to me? but reading this episode gave me strength and trust one should have in god and his doings.
Thanks once again. Do keep writing In IL Hope to read more of spritual articles about our Acharyas and Azwars.

Swati



Swati

Dear Lalitha,
Itha, itha, ithathaan naan ethir pathen.
That is the greatest advantage of writing something for young mothers. When your little one hears the story through you, love gets into her mind and will illuminate the whoe of her life.
By narrating the story to your daughter, you have actually added to my merit.
This story would have made not just one night peaceful for your daughter; it'd gift her a lifetime of love and peace. Take it from me, your daughter might forget the mathematical formulae, she may even forget the alphabets; but she'd never forget this story and that I am sure is going to make her a better person in life.
You have added a new dimension to my writings. And now it's my turn to thank you, Lalitha.
love,

Originally Posted by lalitha shivaguru

Dear Sridhar,

I read all the three at one stretch. I was just dumb founded and awe struck.

At home, I have a practice of narrating a story to my younger daughter when we go to bed. After listening only she goes to sleep. Due to this practice I have narrated all mythological stories to both of them ( Thanks to amar chitra katha which I used to read when I was young). Hence, I narrated this story to her and beleive me, after hearing she was very quite for some time. I thought she had slept but slowly she told me " evvalovu nallavva indha villium ponnachium". I knew this story had soothing effect on her and she would have a peaceful night. (But my narration would not be anywhere near to your writing skills)

Dear Swetha,
best of luck for your semester exams. Focus on your studies. Varalotti's writings, fortunately, are not perishable commodities. They'd wait for you. So study well, write well and make my friend proud of you.
Best wishes,

Originally Posted by swethakrishnan

Dear Varalotti Sir,
I will be having my semester exams from sunday onwards ... so I may not get the time to read your next set ... we have exams on consecutive days ... unfortunate for me as I wont be able to read your post immediately ... but I'm sure I'll hear about it from Amma ... I will be done with my exams on the 15th, and that day, I will read all your posts!!! I may be among the last ones to reply ... but I'll surely read them ... and comment too!!!
I'm sure they will be as good, if not better than your work till date.

Dear Mythili,
Thanks. When the woman who writes the finest posts, post after post, praises my style, I feel like winning a literary award.
I am happy and proud that you liked the post, Mythili.
regards,

Originally Posted by mithila kannan

Dear Sridhar,
You are doing a great service by writing,narrating these incidents from Acharya's life for all of us to read and learn.I read the story at one go.Simple elegant style,though Iam no one to praise your style of writing ,even lesser mortals like me would surely munch over this and somewhere the effect would rub on us.
Thanks.
Regards
mythili

Dear GFs,
It is because I wrote this series; it's because all of you blessed me and wished me luck in all my endeavours. It's because the great Acharya seeing me from above decided to eliminate a millionth of the huge sin-bag I am carrying with me- which I have been doing for countless lifetimes.
I was able to lay my hands on a set of books which I have been wanting to possess and read for the past several years.
And now you will have to pray to Her to give me the perseverance to read those books and the wisdom to understand them. May the great Acharya destroy a little more of my sins so that I can understand the contents of those rare books.
With Love,

Dear GFs,

This whole story (Villidasan-Ponnachi-Ramanujar-Renganathar) has come out as a book.

The title is "Kavarntha Kangal" by Saandilyan. It is published by Vaanathi Pathippakam, Chennai.

The first part of the story deals with the beautiful love between Villidasan and Ponnachi. The second part deals with Villi's and Ponnachi's sacrifice and Ramanuja's grace.
It is a 150 page book.Interesting read.

love,

My Dear GFs,

As promised I will be posting the first part of the next story a few seconds from now.

I have written a few love stories myself. My next serial in IL is going to be a love story. And I have read thousands of love stories. But never have I heard a story like this.

Hence I am giving this title to the post.

"Yet Another Love Story - This Time, A Perfect One"

I am afraid it is rather short. But I promise to post the next part as early as possible.

Love,

Dear Sir
I have written my one experience in the "Snippets" section with title as "Bitter Payasam". I want you to read it with keeping in mind this episode of Sri Ramanujar's life you have written.

Thank you.

Will surely do that,Swarnalatha.

regards,

Originally Posted by swarnalata.N.S.

Dear Sir
I have written my one experience in the "Snippets" section with title as "Bitter Payasam". I want you to read it with keeping in mind this episode of Sri Ramanujar's life you have written.

Thank you.

Dear Sir


Thank you so much for giving time to read it . I really did not expect you will read so immediately and reply me. I am really become tongue-tied by your kindness.

i know it is not fault of our religious codes and rishis who wrote them. It is all fault of people who cannot understand properly and will turn all good teaching to suit their own crooked thinkings.

You say forgive them for they know not. Who am i to forgive or scold them sir ? I am not a Mahan myself. I can only pity them. And i can thank them for teaching me because from their behaviour i can learn lesson that i should not be like that but think of all people as myself.

Thank you again Sir.
Mathippil perithum uyarnthuvitta panbaalarukku, vanakkam pala.