Venkataramana

 

Vatsalya

 

Kamakshi and Mahaperiva

 

10-04-26 | Utsav , Devi , Guru and Devotee

Sri Rama Jayam
Guru Sharanam

 
Srimathi Padma Vaidyanathan, is an Upasaka of Sri Raghavendra and Sri Mahaperiyava. They keep speaking to her in order to bless many devotees. 

 

A few weeks back, the Paramacharya (Thatha, as she addresses him) she was asked to get a picture of Sri Kamakshi, clad in a green saree. Immediately, Smt. Padma Vaidyanathan tried to fetch such a Kamakshi and tried many shops. She could not get what she wanted. She left it to Periyava to find a solution. 

 

Sri Gurunatha blessed her and suggested the form of a grand Kamakshi akin to an Ai interpretation. Now her task was to translate the image into a full-fledged painting.

 
At this moment, a friend of Smt Padma Amma, Smt Veena (also a devotee Sri Thatha), suggested that her friend’s husband was an artist for a popular magazine and he can be approached. 

  
Immediately, both Smt Padma Amma and Smt Veena, approached the artist with the specific request. He accepted to paint Kamashi ambaL considering it a blessing and began immediately on an auspicious date and time fixed by Sri Thatha.  

But the form of AmbaL was elusive. Each time a preview was shown (through WhatsApp) there were corrections suggested by Thatha. And some additions, like Amba should be seated on a SriChakra. He mentioned some flaws in the proportions and the ornaments. He also pointed out geometrical errors in the Srichakra. The painting was stuck for some time. Even after repeated attempts and corrections, the painting of AmbaL was quite elusive for the artist. The errors never seemed to end.

 

He never had felt such a predicament anytime in his career as an artist. But he realized he lacked something. 

 

He felt so diffident and he felt everything about his career was at stake. Can he continue?

 

This mood was conveyed to Smt Padma Amma. Sri Thatha asked Smt Padma Amma to approach the artist and bless his brushes and colors, after placing it in Periyava’s feet. Smt Padma immediately did so. But despite this, there seemed to be a problem. This time, Sri Thatha asked why the artist has not prayed to MahaGanapathy before commencing the work. It was because of that, it was not progressing well.  This was also done by the artist, albeit half-hearted.  He resumed painting with inspiration.

 

It was then the magic began to evolve on the canvas. There was this beautiful song, “Srichakraraja simhasaneshwari..” the lyrics which mirrored the subject, kept repeating in his mind while he painted. He felt as though his hands were being guided by Periyava himself. Then day by day, the painting progressed. Each day the development of the work was shared with Smt Padma Amma for suggestions or any detail which may be missing. Periyava’s face had to be bright and beaming. His face shifted a bit, for proportional reasons. Perhaps, the artist thought, Periyava did not want his face obstructing the SriChakra. Once the face of Ambal and Mahaperiyava in the painting was cleared, the rest of the painting fell in place. In due course, The painting was complete. The artist felt it was not done by a human hand. It was Sri Raghavendra swamy and Sri Mahaperiyava who created the entire work, teaching the nuances of painting and guiding the artist at every moment. The artist felt he was just an instrument - and what a blessing it was. 

When the word of completion was communicated to Smt. Padma Amma, she sent the work to SriVidya upasaka Sri Prabhu Sarma. He said it was ‘adbhutam’.   Then only it was decided to take the painting to Sri Thatha’s home. With Thatha’s complete blessing, it was installed in Thatha’s sannidhanam on a Thursday, 16th April 2026.  Smt Padma Amma thought of Akshaya trithiya, as the most appropriate date for this,  but was surprised in the change in date. But, Sri Krishna Prasad achar quoted mantras which said that Kamakshi Ambal’s prathishta was consecrated on a chaturdasi only, and prayed to Her.  Then it was crystal clear. All that happened was a wonderful and divine episode in this kaliyuga, which was orchestrated by Mantralaya Mahaprabhu Sri Raghavendra Swami and Sri Kanchi mahaperiyava together. 

————
With 
Smt. Padma Vaidyanathan, Smt. Veena 
And written by Sri Mannai Narayanan, an astrologer and devotee of Thatha and Mahaperiyava. 
Your’s truly, is the artist. 
Periyava sharanam. 
___

Vishwaroopa

 

Vishwaroopa - Details

Sarngapani on Garudavahana

 

Srinivasa

 

Shiva and Parvati seated on Nandi

 Wishing all a very blessed and blissful Mahashivarathri

Malayappa Swamy

 

Muruga

 

Muruga - Wishing all a very happy Thaipusam

Shree

 

Tiruppavai

 13-01-26 | Utsav , Bhaghavata , Gopika , Tiruppavai

Krishna accepts the gopikas’ request for eternal servitude. Everyone was happy.

Suddenly, Andal went close to Krishna and started prostrating repeatedly. Krishna held her by her shoulders and gently lifted her up.
“What is this, child? I have already given all that you desired. Is there something more you want? Don’t worry, reveal whatever you have in mind. ”

Andal was in tears. She was overwhelmed.

Slowly, she begins to speak: “We have come early in the morning, sung your glories and paid obeisance to you. There is one invaluable request that we wish to put forward at your lotus feet. Please listen.

“You were born as a cowherd amongst us. It is only natural that you should command and happily accept our services at any time…”

Krishna: “ I have already assured all that. But why the tears?”

“O’ Govinda! We agree that you’ve blessed us with everything, to the last detail. We are elated. Overjoyed. But then, the afterthought was devastating. You will go back to your mansion, and we’ll have to go back home.

“How do we suffer your separation? How do we spend our life? Even if it is heaven, the life of luxury is perishable. Fear grips us. The joy of being with you wanes. So I fell at your feet, seeking solace.”

Krishna: “Charming girl! …then, what more do you seek?”

“This sacred vow will be complete now. But we want the assurance that it will continue in all our successive births. Every day of every life, we want you to be amongst us. Not even a second of separation. We seek daily service to you — only you.”

Krishna: “It is customary for devotees to ask for servitude without rebirth — but you seem to have different ideas. Your nature is noble. Your Bhakti is endearing. Let everything happen according to your wish. ”

Andal: “We cannot trust that, Krishna! The cosmic power of illusion can hide you from us, and show itself as most desirable. Slowly it will lead us away from you!

“So we ask: Let our mind seek nothing else but you. Let it remain pure. Yes, the mind cannot remain without desires. If our desires go astray - please direct it towards you."

Krishna smiles: "Smart girl! Forever it'll be! Be at peace!

Tiruppavai 14

 29-12-25 | Vatsalya , Utsav , Bhagavatha , Gopika , Tiruppavai , Vishnu

Andal goes to the next devotee.  

 

She begins respectfully — “O’ noble lady! You are gifted with an eloquent tongue. People would love to hear you speak. You are a bhagavatha of a high order (devoted of Krishna). You are endowed with the discipline of Gnyana, Bhakti and Vairagya. And you have the ability to inspire people and induct them in the service of the Krishna.

 

“Also, when we are in the presence of Krishna, if he asks us ‘Why have you come here;  what do you want?’ It is only you who can respond convincingly. Please lead us all to the lotus-eyed Krishna, who holds the conch and the Sudarshana.” 

—————

Traditionally, the sudarshan chakra is mentioned first and then only the conch Panchajanya. Andal reverses it. She prefers the conch to the chakra. The conch is a symbol of Gnyana. She says it is the conch which protects the devotees from fear.  Krishna’s conch in the Mahabharata war is a case in point. 

 

(In the picture, the conch is held in the right hand and the chakra in the left. As in Tirukkovilur).

Ksheerasagara Shayana

 

Prasanna Anjaneya

 

Trivikrama

 

Guruvayoorappan!!

 

Eka Danta

 

Gajanana

 

Vinayaka

 

Wishing all a very happy Ganesha Chaturthi.

May Vinayaka remove all obstacles and bestow peace, prosperity and good health

Gajalakshmi