The moment eyelids open, eyeballs becomes visible. The moment a shell cuts open, its contents become visible. Similarly…

The departed souls possess sathya sankalpa, as one of the 8 divine qualities. They ‘live’ with us in the form of  jnana even after departing the physical world. They are at the eternal abode of God in swaru:pa, form and they are all-pervasive in the form of swabha:va, qualities.

It’s not because we are performing this utsavam that a departed soul reaches the final destination.

Then why do we perform the paramapadotsavam? We perform it because of three reasons:

• it gives everyone a chance to express gratitude through an offering (chanting Nalayira Divyaprabandham) that pleases God which in turn benefits the departed soul
• it is our responsibility to practice this so that the others understand the journey the departed soul embarks on
• sa:sthra dictates that we perform it once a soul departs the physical body

One of the most complicated works Dr. Kandadai Ramanujacharya took up and delivered to a certain extent is the exposition on Sri Bhashyam. Explaining Sruthaprakasika of Sri Bhashyam is quite complex. The effort required to do this is like trying to stay alive on a boat which has a failed engine and has no oars in the middle of a tough whirlpool’s rough waters.

Background: We requested the most eligible scholar and devotee, extraordinarily skilled writer of our times Mahamahopadhyaya N.C. Raghunathacharya Swami take up the enormous task. He had an exceptional ability to elaborate the most difficult Vedic terms and theory in the simplest words such that even a beginner can understand it easily. That’s because he not only understood the text but also experienced the rasa, divine emotion of Lord’s qualities. All his works are the only guiding light for us.

While he completed the task, we wished there was more explanation, in-depth revelation even if it meant 1000s of pages of work. If at all, one develops interest, it is only his work that can quench that thirst. As the output wasn’t fully elaborative, it left a troubling ‘wound’ in us. This specific work of Dr. Kandadai Ramanujacharya Swami acted like an anulepanam, applying of an ointment, on that wound of long time unfulfilled wish. It sprinkled a few water droplets on the ‘barren land of an unsatisfied longing and need’ for the elaborated text on Sri Bhashyam.

All such great souls have a strong internal drive to teach others. If they find one good student, they experience the joy of a new mother who delivered a baby. They go to the extent of knocking someone’s door and asking if they can spare time to listen to Vedic literature.

As an example, Gopalacharya Swami found way to Sri Bhasyam Appalacharya Swami’s house and knocked his door! Sri Bhashyam Appalacharya Swami, not realizing the value of the teachings that Gopalacharya Swami can offer, felt as if he was favouring him by allocating about 45 mins of time left between his morning routine and work. Later, he felt immense gratitude for Gopalacharya Swami, sought his tutelage and learnt from him.

Kandadai Ramanucharya Swami also belongs to the same category of scholar teachers who lived to share knowledge and protect the sampradaya, the practical essence of Vedas.

We should all be proud to have witnessed such a person in our lifetime. The only way one can show gratitude to such mahanubhavas is by spending at least 15 minutes learning the text they taught and practiced; and pass it on to at least one other. No other awards on their name or large gatherings can satisfy them.

That moment when he departed the physical body has passed, however it led to a new beginning of his eternally prevailing presence in the form of jnana…  Let all his students remember that he is continuing to exist with us in this new powerful form and practice what he taught.

-From the address of HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji
– 21^st Nov 2024, Paramapada Utsavam of
– Ubhaya Vedantha Pravarthakacharya
– Dr. Kandadai Ramanucharya Swami