1. NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
from the desk of the President, SDDS Dear Bhagavatas,

WELCOME ABOARD
Welcome aboard and wish you a very happy Satsangam ahead again. The Satsangam in the name of Swami Desikan was started because quite a number of members desired to study the Rahasya Granthas especially, Rahasya Traya Saram of Swami Desika and RTS was completed before Ieft for India in March 97.

VISIT TO INDIA
I went to India to visit Dwaraka- the only one left out earlier out of the 106 Divyadesams consecrated by Alwars. I also revisited a number of other Kshetrams also. I had the good fortune of meeting with almost all the Yathivaras and Acharyas belonging to our Siddhantam and brought home their blessings for our efforts here. I met also a number of Scholars, Philanthropists and just friends.These interactions provided a breathtaking range of new insights. Some of you might have read mytravelogue experiences posted in the Bhakti list.

NEW MEMBERS
A number of requests from India have been received for admission to this forum on seeing the writes up in religious monthly journals like Sri Nrisimhapriya, Sri Ranganatha Paduka, Kanchi Perarulalan, and Seva and daily newspapers like Indian Express etc. We thank these journalists for their coverage and we thank the members who have sought to join us as a result.

BOOKS AND MATERIALS
Besides, rare books that can fill a whole library have been forwarded by sea mail and are expected to arrive anytime now. Besides, Poundareekapuram Andavan Swami has handed over about 30 pages written in his own handwriting on the Guru Parampara of this glorious lineage of Acharyas. Thus, I have brought millions and millions of gigabytes of information to share with you. I am sure that they will be as interesting as they are instructive. I will be flashing them in due course in the appropriate contexts.

HIATUS AND RESUMPTION
There was a hiatus in the postings during my absence and even after my arrival last month due to some operational difficulties(e.g) My Computer got messed up during the shift to our new home and got fixed only recently. We resume our postings.

FREQUENCY OF POSTINGS
For now, the postings will be on a weekly basis. We will increase it to twice or even thrice, if the members desire. So, We need your constant feedback to determine whether and if so, how useful are our postings.

INTRODUCE YOURSELVES
We request you all to write a brief introduction about yourselves and your Srivaishnava background, interests etc. Also, please furnish your surface mail address and Phone /Fax numbers so that we can have a more frequent and fruitful interaction. The above information will be kept confidential (unless you desire it otherwise) and will beused to update into our World Wide Web under construction. The details may please be sent by e. mail to - srengara@ford.com

CONTRIBUTE YOUR ARTICLES
You are invited to send articles on our Siddhanta and related topics that you deem informative. The articles may be of about 2-3 pages at the most and should as far as possible non-controversial and couched in couteous expressions.

PLEASE QUESTION US !
You may also direct your concerns, doubts, suggestions and questions on any subject relating to our Siddhanta with the superscription "Question Box" and sent to - srengara@ford.com Every attempt will be made to to provide you appropriate answers with reference to source materials. In cases where sa ready answer cannot be provided, we will refer them to our Acharyas to provide you with an authoritative explanation. But, as this naturally takes time, you will have to bear with us for any delays.

NEXT MEET
We propose to have our next meet in New York on 30th and 31st August 1997 at Sri Ranganatha Temple, Pomona. We invite you all to attend the august event with your family and friends. Details of the Agenda is given elsewhere in this issue.

Dasoham
Anbil Ramaswamy

2.SDDS MEET - 30 & 31 AUGUST, 1997

The next meet of SDDS will be held in New York at Sri Ranganatha Temple, Pomona. We invite all of you to attend the august event with your family and friends.

(1) Please inform us in advance to enable us to arrange for your stay and comforts.Please send an e. mail before 10th August 1997 to srengara@ford.com

(2) Several eminent Bhagavatas who have attended the Kalakshepam classes at the feet of our Acharyas will participate. If you desire to talk on any subject or wish to participate in any other manner, kindly confirm the same with details (preferably in the form of a short synopsis) to reachus before 10th August 1997 so that we can accommodate you in an appropriate time slot. Please send e. mail to srengara@ford.com

(3) A mammoth exhibition of rare books and Cassettes containing the Kalakshepam discourses of our Acharyas will be on display. Those desirous of ordering copies may do so after viewing the exhibits. SDDS will arrange to procure the materials required.

TENTATIVE PROGRAM will be posted by Sri Sampath Rengarajan separately

Dasoham
Anbil Ramaswamy

3.  151st TIRUNAKSHATRAM CELEBRATIONS OF
POUNDARIKAPURAM SWAMI POUNDARIKAPURAM ANDAVAN'S

Dear Bhagavatas,

The 151st Tirunakshatram Celebrations of Srimad Andavan of Poundarikapuram Asramam will be held from 9th to16th August 1997.

The lineage of Acharyas down from Tirukkudanthai Maha Desikan (1701-1783) has been marked by an unbroken successors of self- effacing ascetics, a central pendant like figure being Sri Poundarikapuram Andavan (1847 - 1934). He was a true Jnana- Viraghya- Anushtana storehouse. It was he who put this Acharya line on a sound footing by founding a hermitage with pristine purity.

His mantle is being borne today by H.H. Paravakkottai Andavan, Sri Gopala Desika Maha Desikan Swami, who received his first initiation from this founder himself.

The present pontiff is hailed by one and all WITHOUT EXCEPTION as THE MODEL ACHARYA. Simple and unassuming, profound in knowledge and strict in observing disciplines of Sannyasa Dharma, he is easily accessible to all those who yearn to learn. The present and previous Jeeyars of Ahobila Mutt and all other Yathivaras extol his virtues in NOTHING SHORT OF SUPERLATIVE TERMS.

In fact, once when I asked our present 45th Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt (in his Poorva Asramam) just as we should diagnose the doctor before letting him diagnose our ailment, whether it was not necessary for a would-be- Sishya to find out whether the would-be-Acharya is qualified enough to be an Acharya before resorting to him for Samasrayanam and / Bharanyasam. He replied that he knew of one Acharya who was most eminently qualified in every sense of the term. And, that was H.H. Poundarika Puram Paravakkottai Andavan Swami. And, he described him as " A living God walking on earth". Literally also, this Swami goes by foot even long distances during his Sancharams.

Very strict on himself as a Sannyasi, he is absolutely compassionate to understand the constraints we face (especially on this side of the Globe) and tenders practical advice as to how we can still practice the disciplines enjoined in our Sastras within the parameters of the ground realities.

He has planned a week long festival with Ubhaya Vedanta Parayanam and Vakhyartha Sadas. H.H. Sri RANGAPRIYA SWAMI of the Ahtanga Yoga Kendram, Bangalore is the CHIEF PATRON of the Celebrations. A number of Yathivaras and masters of our Siddhanta will participate.

This is a fitting occasion for all of us to contribute our mite for the Celebrations and secure the blessings of the glorious lineage of this Acharya Parampara.

Your tax-exempt contributions may be sent to Ahobila Muth, 5 Pissaro Court, Gaithersburg, Maryland- MD - 20878 so as to reach before 5th AUGUST 97. The Ahobila Muth will send a consolidated cheque to the Celebrations Committee. Please remember to record a note on the Cheque / Pledge that the amount is for Poundarikapuram Swami 151st Tirunakshatram Celebrations.

Thank you in advance.
Anbil Ramaswamy

4.WORKS OF SWAMI VEDANTA DESIKA
AN INTRODUCTION

Dear Bhagavatas,

Before I left for India in March last, excerpts of the book "Hinduism Rediscovered" were flashed on the SDDS netmail with a view to explain the contents of Swami Desika's "Rahasya Traya Saram". This was very much appreciated by the members.

We will flash them again separately for the benefit of the new members. If anyone already in the list likes to have a copy sent to them, this will also be done on receipt of a specific request in this regard.

Besides Rahasya Traya Saram, his magnum opus, Swami Desika has written several other works by way of explaining the various aspects dealt with in the RTS. We propose to bring out the salient points in these works in the postings that follow.

Dasoham
Anbil Ramaswamy
----------------------

Dear bAgwathALs,

Ever since Sri AR left for India, the digests were not sent due to some broadcasting difficulties at my end. We are starting to send the digests once again and our initial frequency will be once in a week. We have received numerous requests for members from India for their admission to this forum on seeing the writes up in Sri Nrsimhap priya and Sri Ranganatha padhuka. We welcome you all on board and wish you a very happy sathsangam ahead. In the meantime, we also request you all to write to srengara@ford.com a brief introduction about yourselves and your Srivaishanava background and interests etc. This will be updated into our World Wide Web under construction by Sri Anbil Ramaswami.

adiyEn
Sampath Rengarajan
-----------------------------

Dear bAgawathALs,

The follwing is the *tentative* agenda of the proposed SriVaishnava meeting in Sri Ranganatha swami sannithi at pamona, NewYork, . We invite all of you to attend this event with your family and friends. Please inform us in advance so that we can arrange for your stay.

SDDS Committe

1.00- 1.10 :  Prayer            ----            .10
1.10- 1.20 : Welcome  - Venkat                  .10
1.20- 1.35 : Intro -            Jagan           .15
1.35- 1.45 : Overview - AR                      .10
1.45- 2.30 : Talk - India member 1 (SR)         .45
2.30- 3.15 : Talk -              AR             .45
3.15- 4.00 : Talk -             India 1         .45
4.00- 4.15 : Tea Break                          .15
4.15- 5.00 : Talk-              Mohan           .45
5.00- 5.45 : Talk-              PD              .45
5.45- 6.15 : Break for Sandhyavandanam  & rest  .30
6.15- 7.15 : Sahasranamam etc Group            1.00
7.15- 7.30 :    Interval                        .15
7.30- 8.15 : Bhajan                             .45
8.15- 9.15 : Dinner                             .00
9.15- 10.00:Talk                Venkat          .45

Day 2 : Sunday 31/8/97
4.00- 6.00 : Abhigamanam                       2.00
6.00- 7.00 : Tiruppalli Ezhuchi etc            1.00
7.00- 10.00  Tirumanjanam etc                  3.00
10.00- 10.05 : Prayer                           .05
10.05- 10.15 : Overview                         .10
10.15- 11.00 : Talk             India 2         .45
11.00- 11.45 : Talk             VijaySrinivasan .45
11.45- 12.15 : Slide Show SR & AR               .45
12.15- 01.15 : Dinner                           1.00
01.15- 02.00 : Talk             Kidambi         .45
02.00-  02.45 :Talk             India II        .45
02.45- 03.30 : Talk             Sri VS          .45
03.30- 03.45 : Break for Tea                    .15
03.45- 04.30 : Talk             Kannabiran      .45
04.30- 05.15 : Talk             Ramesh  .       .45
05.15- 06.00 : Talk                             .45
06.00- 07.00  Sahasranamam etc group           1.00
07.00- 07.50 : Panel discussions
               (10 participants)                .50
07.50- 08.15 : Quiz Session on Panel
                discussions                     .25
08.15- 08.20 : Summing up by Chairman           .05
08.20- 08.30 : Vote of thanks   Venkat          .10
08.30- 09.30 : Dinner                          1.00
09.30- 10.00; Talk on RTS       AR              .45