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An Update on HH Sri Sri Vanamamalai Jeeyar Swamiji's Chaturmasa Vrata

Reported By: Srima:n Srikantha, Computer System Analyst to Sri Swamiji

As many of you are aware, our HH Sri Va:nama:malai Jeeyar Swamiji in recent part had two short yatras to Katni, Madya Pradesh, Jabalpur and Indore and Faridabad, Hariyana respectively. The first yatra was to attend Sri Sudarshan Maha yaga at Katni. In this trip Sri Swamiji, with his retinue went and stayed at New Delhi Uppal Farm House for three days also. The second tour was to attend Sri Vaikuntotsav of Anantha shree Vibhushit late Sudarshana charya Maharaj. After words again he went to New Delhi and stayed for couple of days. At Katni and Fardabad, all the programmes were excellently held under the Charimanship of our Sri Jeeyar Swamiji.

Now, My Dear SriVaishnava and Astika Friends, Srimath Paramahamsetyadi Our Sri Vanamamalai Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamiji will leave Vanamamalai for Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, tomorrow at 5.30 a.m.-via-Mumbai, for performing his Chaturmasya Vrata. His Chaturmasya Sankalpa will be held on 23-07-08. at Sri Lakshmi Venkatesh Mandir, Chatribag, Indore-02. Till 22-08-08 the Vrata Anushtan will be here at Chattribag and 23-08-08 on wards till 15-09-08 at Sri Padnavati Venkatesh Devasthanam Aerodrome Road, Indore -7.

This is for information and reminding sake that from among previous Chatumasyas, the following venues were out side Vanamamalai, as follows:-
1996- at Sri Ram Pratap Bhavan, Hyderabad – 1, Andra Pradesh.
1997-at Maharaja Farm House, New Delhi.
2000 at Uppal Farm House, New Delhi
2005 at Sri Vanamamalai Mutt, Sri Ranaganatha Swami Temple at Secuderabad & Sri Ram Pratap Bhavan, Hyderabad
2006 – at Uppal Farm House, New Delhi.

Dear Friends, this is the 14th Chaturmasya of our Sri Jeeyar Swamiji.
In this connection, I wish to explain the significance of this Chaturmasya Vrata. This is performed by all Sanyasins every year in particularly stipulated period-viz-approxemtely July to September. Although, the Chaturmasya-word means four months duration, now –a – days, it is performed for two months only, taking a fortnight as a month, according to Shastra Vachan – "Paksha Vai Masah" . To explain this Vrata, we may take some simple examples.- This is like vacation period for students of Educational Institutions. Long long ago, this vacation in out Gurukulas and Hermitages of sages was for 6 months- viz- January to June. This was called as Anadhyayana period. The rest duration of six months was keenly devoted for studies- viz- Adhyayana. Even emperors and Kings were following this system. Just like other Ashrama persons- the Brahma charis ( Bachelors) etc., the Sadhu-Santh-Sanyasins also have this period for staying in a good place, not moving out, and preaching and teaching Dharma to all the people that come to them. This is the quintessence of this Vrata. My Dear Friends, Our Sri Jeeyar Swamiji Conveys his most affectionate Mangalashasanas to you all.