About Sarva Vaishnava Samgoshti
In the wake of present day context, to create a sort of awareness among Sri Vaishnav Acharyas, Vaishnav Parishath conducted a National Conference with all Jeeyars, Mahanths Acharyas, Vaishnava Peettadhipathis, Pandits, Archakas etc., to facilitate an exchange of views and formulate a plan of action for preserving the Sri Vaishnava traditions in the country. 16 Jeeyar Swamijis and 40 Mahanths from major Mutts, also from North, have participated in the conference. Each one is renowned in their own subject in their own state. The response was spontaneous and excellent and the dignitaries from all over the country as well as from Nepal have enthusiastically participated in the conference held at Hyderabad on 12th and 13th June 2004 at Cyber gardens Madhapur Hyderabad, a place of natural beauty and serene atmosphere.
HH Sri Vanamamalai Kaliyan Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamiji, HH Sri Gadhi Peettadhish Prathivadi Bhayankara Srinivasacharya, have presided over the meeting. HH Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji introduced all the Jeeyar Swamijis, eminent Scholars, Traditional Archakas and other dignitarieswho came from south. HH Sri Kosalendra Prapannacharya Phalahari Swamiji, introduced all the Sri Vaishnav Mahanths who came from North India. HH Sri Rangaramanuja Jeeyar Swamiji introduced the purport behind necessity in organising this conclave. Sriman Jagadguru Ramanujacharya Peetadhish Vidya Bhaskar Vasudevacharya an young and erudite scholar in six sasthras and also Vedantha, a very popular saint gave a rejuvenating message for protecting Vedic Sri Vaishnava tradition. Every saint who participated in this conclave, blessed their wonderful message and firmly resolved unanimously on the issues put forth.
Sri B.S.Narayan Maharaj from Chaithanya Mutt, extolled the greatness of Sri Vaishnavism and duty of Sri Vaishnavites. Santh Deva Prasad Swami Maharaj of Sri Swaminarayan Gurukul explained Srivaishnava activities, Sri Yajneswara Swami dasji conveyed the blessings of Sri Pramukh Swami Maharaj and appreciated the service activities performed by Srivaishnavites to the world.
Scholars and traditional Archakas belonging to Sri Pancharathra, Vaikhanasa Agamas from different traditional temples in South India participated and discussed a number of issues exhaustively in the convention.
In the history it is the first time to hold such a big convention with all the Divine personalities. All the issues for discussion were classified into the following topics
1. Sri Vaishnava (Va:ngmayam) scriptures, Vedic excerpts (vaidikatha), and virtuous practices (Sishta:cha:ram).
2. Interrelationship and dependencies among Ithihasas (histories), Puranas, Agamas.
3. Temple Traditions, customs & usages, protection of historic ancient structures and symbols.
Discussing the first topic the definition to the word Vedic was taken up and all those which fall in this category and those which do not come under this were discussed. It is decided that Vedas are the Supreme authority and they are unquestionable by nature. Sciptures that comply with Vedas, may be from any language, from any part of the world, the person born in any race or region become Vedic. The scriptures and those who deny this become non-vedic which need not be considered as authority.
Discussing the second topic, the scholars decided that Smrithis and Ithihasas, Puranas elaborate the essence of Vedas respectively. Preceding one becomes authority than the latter one when the authenticity issue comes. Agama is a scripture describing the processes which should be dealt with at different places called temples through a process of worship pertaining to different time zones. Wherever the Agamas go beyond the recommendation of competitive scriptures mentioned above, need not be recognised or followed.
Practices followed traditionally by great people become invaluable when they are not involved with the prohibited activities said by Vedic scriptures. So there is an interdependent relation among Ithihasas, Agamas, Puranas as well as the Sishtachar, practice of great people.
Coming to the 3rd topic, Temple Traditions, customs & usages, protection of historic ancient structures and symbols, are infact the essential ones that reveal the greatness of a place or a Nation. These are to be preserved impeccable by all means. Due to the irresponsible officials, selfish holders of different rights, many usages of tradition, customs and practices are disappearing in temples which reveal not only the greatness of that place or temple or area but also the deep feelings of devotion of great personalities of different ages. Discussing this issue all the participants of the Sangoshtti were curious about happenings in Tirumala. Then HH Sri Swamiji showed the Video presentation about the Tirumala Past, the present and the future. HH Sri Swamiji also presented the secret master plan prepared by the officials as a part of which 1000 Pillar Mandapam was pulled down. The Tirumala Hill which is considered as incarnation of the serpent bed Adisesha himself also was excavated to 240 feet length and approximately 20 feet depth. Special focus was given on the Golla Mandapam, Hathiramji Mutt, a mutt established by Ramanuja himself 1000 years ago which is now being called as Pedda Jeeyangar Mutt. HH Sri Swamiji revealed about the defects of proposed Mahaprakaram and brought to the attention of participants as and how they are proposing to create pathways beneath the compound wall. HH made it very clear that it is only enemies that enter either from underground or from above the compound wall. Acharyas astonishingly paid attention on the issue of Laddus which was not a part of temple system earlier but, became a major issue now for all sorts of corruption at all levels by the TTD. A very unfortunate fact noted during presentation by all was preparation of small Laddus in the canteen outside the temple by common people, bringing them into the temple and distributing them as Mahaprasadam to the public in queue whichis a mere sacrilege of the system itself. It was explained that TTD dismantled the Mandapam to construct a new compound wall just for preparation of Laddus within that area, not for offering something to Lord Venkateswara, but, to sell them out again on the name of Prasadam not making any offering to Lord at all which is a mere business. A lengthy discussion took place between traditional Vaikhanasa Scholars and other Acharyas about the usages and customs prevailing in the temples following Vaikhanasa system. All the participants expressed their deep concern that these days some people who don't know or follow the traditional practice are talking too much in the media and misleading people creating confusion among the devotees. All the participants made it very clear in single tone that present practices in TTD are very much irreligious and sacrilegeous too. They warned the TTD to be restrained from this sort of activities and they passed 16 resolutions. Everyone endorsed those resolutions. These resolutions were presented to the Government, to the Minister of Endowments, to the TTD and also presented to other dignitaries.
Everybody reiterated that both Sri Pancharathra and Vaikhanasa are Vedic scriptures. Every Vishnu related temple has any one system, as initiated during the installation of the deity. They also pitied the ignorant Swami's popping up these days who are bifurcating Swamijis and Archakas based on the Agama. They informed that people should not be called as "Pancharathras and Vaikhanasas because that classification is to the temple systems.
Also, scholars and pontiffs showed a number of examples of traditional temples where Kalyanothsavams to Lord are being performed outside the temple and scriptural authority according to Vaikhanasa Agama that they can be conducted outside the Prakaras were brought into light.
Everybody expressed deep regrets to the attitude of TTD that instead of developing Tirumala as a great Shrine by preserving each and every historic piece, they are trying to convert Tirumala into a tourist spot by building parks and buildings, roads and galleries, by destroying the existing Divine atmosphere and the "sacred look and feel of the temple ", demolishing ancient age old sacred heritage structures etc. Everybody condemned the demolition of the giant structure of 1000 Pillar Mandapam in front of the Tirumala main temple and demanded to reconstruct it at the same place as it is.
On 12th evening, as a mark of this great congregation of the Divine Personalities, all the saints have planted the saplings of fruit bearing tree each, on their name in Shamshabad area on the request of HH Sri Swamiji. This is a 50 acre area that belongs to JET (s) for establishing a centre for all our activities. Being an adjacent place to the international airport Hyderabad, this saplings stand memory for this unique Vaishnava congregation and the powerhouse of all their good will. Holy Winds off these trees, the shade, the leaves, the flowers and the fruits grow in multiples, spread the Divine fragrance of the Sri Vaishnava tradition for the future generations, transforming the land into a Divine abode.
On 13th evening a public meeting was organised with all the saints on a single dias that was attended by more than 1,00,000 people, fully packed and even stood on the roads around the vast ground in Nizam College grounds Hyd. People volunteered with lot of interest and devotion, to participate in the programme though there was no intimation well before to any one, nor there are any advertisements or promos publicised in the media, to inform the public. Acharyas explained events of Sangoshtti and warned the public not only to be aware of the present happenings but, alarmed them to keep ready to protect our Dharma.
On this auspicious occasion, rain god showered his grace with cool breeze and with flowery rain in the middle of the programme, but, the crowd didn't move a little bit, being totally awe struck at the outpouring dazzling Divine grace of so many great Acharyas in front of them, with HH Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji as the centre of attraction. People expressed their concern and highly appreciated the programme and felt that Sri Vaishnava Saints are taking positive and constructive steps to protect our "Dharma" and sacred traditions. People expressed their anguish against ruthless behaviour of officers in the temples and traditions specially in the world famous Divine shrine like Tirumala.
Sri Vaishnav Sangoshtti and Santh Sandarsan have been wonderful programmes which brought a great change in understanding and realising the truths, values. They motivated every one to take a firm stand in protecting the heritage, age old customs and usage, traditional practices, structures and also re-emphasised the limits to the extent Government involve in religious matters.
Vaishnav Parishad honoured all the Jeeyars, Mahanths and the scholars in respective manner and gave a farewell to all the Acharyas to their respective places.
Sarva Vaishnava Samgoshti is organized by Vaishnava Parishath Hyderabad. About 100 Mahanths from North India & Nepal, 16 Jeeyar Swamijics from South India have graced the Goshti. Under the aegis of HH Sri Vanamamalai Jeeyar Swamiji the holy congregation was conducted. On 12th and 13th of June, intensive discussions were conducted regarding protecting Sri Vaishnava tradition and also protecting Sri Vaishnava Temples and traditions.
Some Jeeyar Swamijis who attended the Samgoshti:
1. H.H. Sri Sri Sri Vanamamalai Kaliyan Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamy of Totadri
2. H.H. Sri Sri Sri Vadikesari Alagiya Manavala Jeeyar Swamy of Kanchipuram
3. H.H. Sri Sri Sri Appan Vishnuchita Ramanuja Embar Jeeyar Swamy of Sriperumbudur
4. H.H. Sri Sri Sri Varadtha Ethiraja Jeeyar Swamy of Sriperumbudur
5. H.H. Sri Sri Sri Nambiramanuja Jeeyar Swamy of Thirkkurunungudi
6. H.H. Sri Sri Sri Vainatheya Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamy of Alwar Tirunagari
7. H.H. Sri Sri Sri Srinivasa Ramanujachary Swamy of Tirukovilur
8. H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sriranga Narayana Jeeyar Swamy of Sri Rangam
9. 10. H.H. Sri Sri Sri Chinnajeeyar Swamy of Tirupathi
11. H.H. Sri Sri Sri Yedugiri Yethiraja Jeeyar Swamy of Melkote
12. H.H. Sri Sri Sri Ranga Priya Jeeyar Swamy of Bangalore
13. H.H. Sri Sri Sri Vrathadhara Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamy of Hyderabad
14. H.H. Sri Sri Sri Ranga Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamy of Kakinada
15. H.H. Sri Sri Sri Ramachandra Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamy of Bheemavaram
16. H.H. Sri Sri Sri Astakshri Yethiraja Sampath Kumar Jeeyar Swamy of Vijayawada
17. H.H. Sri Sri Sri Krishna Saranya Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamy of Ramatheertham, Srikakulam
18. H.H. Sri Sri Sri Tridandi Chinna Srimannarayana Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamiji of Sitanagaram,Vijayawada
Bhattars from both Vaikhanasa and Sri Pa:ncharathra A:gama temples of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
About 100 Mahanths from North India have attended the Goshti.
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