June 2016

Volume 1, Issue # 1

PERIYAVA Times
Shreyo bhUyAt sakala janAnAm

What is Anugraham? - Deivathin Kural Part 6

think of a meaning for the word anugraham.

This is how there is a running race between the

Anu means following. Graham means to

jiva and Iswara. When the jiva tries to get hold of him

get hold of. When we follow Iswara in Nirguna

He will not allow Himself to be caught thinking if

Brahma Swarupam and try to get hold of Him,

we give Him the highest form of wealth, namely,

Iswara also follows us and gets hold of us this is

sakshathkaram when he has so much karma yet to be

Listen to Periyava Puranam

anugraham. Instead of being keen to get hold of Him,

nullified it is neither just not it is dharma; because

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this mind will run somewhere. But His following it

of this the mind of the jiva becomes tired and thinks

we are unable to catch Him and then goes after

PERIYAVA Puranam

all sorts of things; at that stage Iswara follows him

with compassion, gets hold of him and makes him
get hold of Himself; yet, since doing this all at once
leniently is not in accordance with the dharma related
to karma, He does it in a subtle manner and in a way
that the jiva does not know that He is following him
and catching him gently and makes the mind involve
itself in spiritual matters now and then. Instead of the

A treasure trove of
Sri MahaPeriyava and

and making it take hold of Him is anugraham. Him

Sri Sivan SAR experience videos means Iswara who is in association with maya and
www.periyavapuranam.org

also Brahmam not associated with maya. Although

Iswara also is associated with maya like us, He is no
subservient to maya and has not forgotten His own
true form like us. He has maya under his control and
does so many maya actions but still he is in the state
of experiencing the Brahmam. Therefore, even if we
get hold of Him as Iswara with maya He will unite us
with Him as Brahmam unassociated with maya.

jiva tightening such a light grip and getting released

before the due time, it slips away from Him and
allows the mind to go haywire; Iswara takes pity on
him thinking If we keep ourselves away from Him
because we think that He should not get immersed
in amruth so soon, he does not dip himself even in
water but gets sunk in gutter water, allows Himself to
be caught slightly after doing tug of war like this for
quite some time He makes the jiva involve the mind
fully in the goal and the Iswara bestows his grace and
takes in to sakshatkaram this is how it happens.

FROM THE EDITOR:

t gives us immense joy and excitement to launch a quarterly newsletter for the devotees of Sri MahaPeriyava. The intent and purpose of
starting the newsletter is three-fold: develop a regular ongoing engagement between the devotees and the Sri MahaPeriyava Manimandapam,
NJ USA initiative; share thoughts, articles and experiences with Sri MahaPeriyava; and provide updates about upcoming events and initiatives

at Sri MahaPeriyava Manimandapam, NJ USA. This newsletter is designed in relevance to all age groups and has a dedicated section on leadership
lessons for modern day managers from Sri MahaPeriyava (titled as Paramacharya CEO). In a burgeoning era of crowd-sourcing, let us join hands
and contribute to the newsletter with our experiences, thoughts and anecdotes about Sri MahaPeriyava, for HE has influenced and impacted each
of us in a distinct way!

Sri MahaPeriyava Manimandapam, NJ, USA

Visit us www.mahaperiyava.org

Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara

Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara

PERIYAVA Akashavani

PERIYAVA Times

Sri MahaPeriyava Manimandapam - NJ ,USA

or many decades now, devotees across North America have had a very big dream. A dream to
have a Mani Mandapam for Sri Maha Periyava. A devoted place for celebrating our Sri Matam
occasions in a grand manner. The prayers of all devotees are answered. This divine initiative

started with a Sankalpam in Sri MahaPeriyava Adishtanam. Sri MahaPeriyava has chosen a place for HIS
abode in Flemington, New Jersey. It is a 10 acre property approved for house of worship. With the blessings
of our Acharyas, the land was registered on Oct 26, 2015. Sri MahaPeriyava is unfolding HIS divine plan
through enthusiastic volunteers and sponsors from unexpected places, to shoulder this initiative, and not
once have we not felt an invisible hand guiding us through this divine journey.

We Desired, HE Destined
Any Deiva Karyam is not complete without Divine Intervention. This divine initiative is no exception...here is the story behind Moolavar.
They desired Utsavar for Sri MahaPeriyava Manimandapam, Orikkai,
HE destined it as Moolavar for Sri MahaPeriyava Manimandapam, NJ.
They desired Utsavar to be 30 kgs, HE destined the same to be 120 kgs.
We desired Sri MahaPeriyava Manimandapam, New Jersey three years ago,
HE destined the same seven years ago.
We desired Dhaanya vaasam, Jala vaasam for HIM,
HE destined to be in Garbha Vaasam at Orikkai for seven years.

Who knew all about HIS divine plan that HE decided

7 years ago, until now?
The trustees of Sri MahaPeriyava Manimandapam, Orikkai gracefully sent their Utsavar as Moolavar to Sri MahaPeriyava Manimandapam, New Jersey.
The Moolavar arrived on auspicious Guruvaram. Even more auspicious, is that, the Peetarohana Pattabhishekam and First Kanakabhishekam of Sri
MahaPeriyava happened on the same day more than 100 years ago.

Outreach Program

ith a Sankalpam to bring forth Sri MahaPeriyava Manimandapam in New Jersey, USA, Mahanyasa Poorvaka Ekadasa Rudra
Padhuka Abhishekam is being conducted every month to the Holy Padhuka of HH Sri Maha Periyava and HH Sri Pudhu Periyava
across all states in USA and Canada. We have been placing stalls in several cities on major religious and cultural events (at the Ati

Rudram in Atlanta and Cleveland Thyagaraja Swamy Aradhana to name a few).

Cleveland Aradhana
Covered by Abhilash Sridharan
A month ago, we had put up a stall for the Sri MahaPeriyava Manimandapam in New Jersey, USA
at the Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana. It was very energizing talking to devotees and learning
about their keenness to know about this divine initiative. The degree of emotional involvement
that devotees show at the mere utterance of Periyavas name or on seeing HIS picture is always
astonishing. An unforgettable incident was Smt. Aruna Sairams experience during her concert at
Cleveland. She had been down with cold and fever on the day before her concert and few minutes before she entered the hall, Aarthi Suriyanarayanan
(Treasurer SDF Inc) gave a picture of Sri MahaPeriyava to her and wished her good luck saying Periyava Paathupaa. She felt emotional about it
and had placed Periyavas picture in front of her throughout the concert. At the end of an outstanding concert, she shared with the entire audience
that her voice was in bad shape and that it was because of Periyava (showing the photo to the crowd) that she was able to sing. It was a divine
intervention for her and us!

Sri MahaPeriyava Manimandapam, NJ, USA

Visit us www.mahaperiyava.org

Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara

Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara

By Suriyanarayanan Subramanian

Upcoming Important Paramacharya

Dates:
impeccable leader!
June 2nd Pradosham
June 17th Pradosham
June 18th Anusham,
Mahanyasa Ekadasa Rudram

CEO - Management lessons from an

By Abhilash Sridharan
here have been several wonderful books
written on Paramacharyas life history,
his spiritual teachings, his views on rituals

and religious practices and his travel experiences

July 2nd Pradosham

through the entire Indian subcontinent. However, the

July 15th - Anusham

one overarching facet of his personality, which rarely

July 17th Pradosham

July 21 Pradosham
st

gets touched upon is his extraordinary leadership

credential. His career at the Matam started when,
Swaminathan (Paramacharyas poorvashrama name)

August 11th - Anusham

a 13-year old student at the Arcot American Mission

August 16th Pradosham

High School was summoned at an emergency

August 29 Pradosham
th

(at the unexpected death of the incumbent) to

take on the role of the Peetathipathi. By the time
he had attained Jeevasamadhi, nearly 9 decades
later, he had shaken the Matam off its debts and
injected constant sources of revenue; overhauled,
reorganized and compartmentalized the Matams
administration; rebranded the Matam as a spiritual
fountainhead with a staunch and deeply connected
followership, and most importantly groomed his
next line of successors and took the Matam back to
its past glory in his own lifetime. To give a sense
of time, he took charge of the Matam even before
Mahatma Gandhi returned back to India and by

from his team and followers, even in his young days

as a chief.
We take inspiration for our title and approach,
from the works of American historian/writer, Alan
Axelrod, who has written books titled Napoleon
Bonaparte CEO, Mahatma Gandhi CEO, Teddy
Roosevelt CEO where he offers management
lessons to modern day business leaders from the
lives of historical figures. Through the course of this
section, we intend to write about leadership lessons
from Paramacharyas life, and how he managed

LAKSHMI COW SANCTUARY the time he had left it, India had moved to the post to transform the Matam, without altering the core

Bangor, PA

Liberalization Privatization- Globalization phase.

values that the Matam stood for, never making

While most of Paramacharyas devotees firmly

short term compromises while also understanding

believe that he is an incarnation of the Lord

the practicalities of certain tactical measures and

Parameshwara, his strategic and farsighted approach

balancing it out between them. As Jack Welch the

towards each and every discipline of management

former legendary CEO of General Electric once said,

finance, operations, branding, people development,

Its very important to balance long term shareholder

thought leadership and how he inspired individuals

value, with short term growth and financial results,

We only use GHOSALA

for the larger good, without ever compelling them and

and its important to strike a balance between the

AHIMSA MILK FOR our

only through the subtlety of influence, requires deep

two. Probably no one, understood this better than

poojas

scrutiny and offers invaluable lessons for modern day

Paramacharya! He held a fine balance between

business managers. Even as a thought leader, who

inspiring an idealistic vision, while also recognizing

was sought after by several political leaders for his

the necessity for daily chores, routines and an

counsel, his tone was always suggestive and never

uncompromising discipline.

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instructive. His style was that of a servant leader

This would be a recurring section in each of the

who led from the front, imposing the sternest of

upcoming editions and we believe that several

conditions on himself and never expecting from his

nuggets of leadership from Paramacharyas life

team or followers what he could not do himself. This

would be of interest and offer inspiration to the

gave him the moral authority to command respect

leader and manager in each one of us.

Sri MahaPeriyava Manimandapam, NJ, USA

Visit us www.mahaperiyava.org

Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara

Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara

PERIYAVA Times

PERIYAVA Times

Periyava Experiences
Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara

Dr. Sundararaman

I thought He was giving me VishvaRupa Darshan

ll my conversations with Periaval and others mentioned in

this article were in Tamil, but I have done the translation
with extreme care. The main points of his narration about

his early story, had been imprinted in my mind.

When he became the Head of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham at the
age of thirteen, he soon found that the Matam was in disorder. Workers

that the conversation would end like this. I told Periaval immediately;

in the Matam were not serious about anything. The Matam was in

Periaval is now playing with me and teasing me. I AM nothing. I will

debt. The people managing the lands of the Matam were not giving

never have a chance to write about anything, certainly not about you.

even the minimum of the produce from the lands. Not enough devotees

Preparing to take his bath, he said, You are certainly going to write

were coming forward to meet the daily expenses of the Matam. Then

and I am certainly going to see. After his bath and short meditation,

he narrated about his first All India trip. With lot of emotions, he

he told me, You must be feeling hungry; I have forced you to eat in

mentioned about the various difficulties he had to experience during

six houses, one day a week in each house. I know you dont like this

this trip. During this trip, he said he had a very good understanding

arrangement. But I want to see that you complete your University

of India and of her then problems. He breezed through the British Raj,

education successfully. When you are hurrying to your class, if in the

Mahatma Gandhi and Freedom Movement. I was deeply touched when

day of the house food was not ready, you would go to the class without

he expressed his deep feelings for Mother India. (From my experiences

eating, I am sure. That is why I told earlier that you must have by now

I came to regard him as one of the most patriotic and greatest Indians).

become used to skipping you meals. He asked me to eat the rice flakes.

To stop him from this somewhat sad narration, I told him humorously,

I waited for him to begin eating first. But he asked me to eat and after

Your situation when you became the Peetadhipathi seems to be worse

seeing that I had eaten some handfuls he ate. I was completely dazed.

than my present situation. But he continued, Nowadays people write

While I was eating the rice flakes, I was simply staring at his radiant face

eulogizing me and our Matam. They dont seem to know my difficult

with penetrating eyes. I had a distinct feeling that I was seeing in his

initial years. Nobody writes about my difficult times. When you will

face the entire world of the compassionate Almighty! I thought He was

have a chance to write about me, mention especially about my difficult

giving me VISHVARUPADARSHAN. This is probably the best way I

initial years, - he said concluding his narration. I did not expect the least

can describe this experience.

Childrens Corner

Art of the day

Word Puzzle - Find the below set of words in the puzzle

By Aarya Suriyanarayanan, Age 10 yrs

By Umesh Sadasivam, (Hyderabad, India)

ANUSHTANAM
PERIYAVA
ANUGRAHAM
ANUSHAM
MANIMANDAPAM
DHARMA
VIZHUPURAM
SANYASI

KANCHIPURAM
GURU
VEDAM

Volunteers and Sponsors, willing to support this initiative

contact:

Sanatana Dharma Foundation Inc.

(A non-proft tax exempt organization Tax ID #20-4404415)
12 Old Warson Ct, Skillman, NJ 08558
Suri: 609-456-5096 | Narayanan: 609-865-3212
sdf@mahaperiyava.org

To contribute articles to Periyava Times, contact:

periyavatimes@gmail.com
EDITORIAL TEAM
Abhilash Sridharan
Saravanan Srinivasan

Sri MahaPeriyava Manimandapam, NJ, USA

Aarthi Sundaram

Visit us www.mahaperiyava.org

Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara | Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara

An excerpt from the book I lived with God by