Shrimathe Ramanujaya Nama:

Welcome to ShriVaishnava Sampradaya daily Sandhai class, conducted by Shri U. Ve.

Parasara Thirumalai Bhattar Swamy from Srirangam. Here are the answers for some Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQs) related to our class.

(1) I got this FAQ from someone but I have not registered to this class. What should I do?

(2) I am still confused about how to attend this class. Please help.

(3) I didn’t receive the audio recording of today’s class in my WhatsApp or Email. When will you
send it?

(4) Why are we not doing Video class? Why are we doing only Audio class?

(5) I am attending the class via my Smartphone. But if a phone call comes in-between, then my
class is getting disturbed. What to do?

(6) Can Girls / Women attend this class and learn Azhwar Divya Prabhandham and other slokas
like ShriVishnu Sahasranaamam?

(7) What do we need to bring for this Sandhai class?

(8) What should we do during this Sandhai class?

(9) How should we learn in this class?

(10) How come the kids who learn in person from Swamy are reciting very well? Do I have to
put extra efforts after the class is over?

(11) Swamy’s voice is clear, but the voices of those who learn with him are not clear or their
audio volume is low. What to do?

(12) I am confused about the usage of the letter ற (Ra) used during this class. Please clarify.

(13) Why we have to learn Adivaravu for some Prabhandams and not for others?

(14) Why Swamy started Thiruvoimozhi Sandhai from 7th pathu (after skipping first 600
paasurams) and not from the very first “Uyarvara Uyarnalam” paasuram?

(15) Why are we saying the same paasurams everyday?

(16) Why are we not able to download the audio recording? Why a given recording will be kept
for only 5 or 6 days?

(17) I am joining via Smartphone app. How can we stop the annoying chat notification sounds?

(18) Sandhai in Tamil usually means Market. So, what’s the meaning of Sandhai class?

(19) At the very beginning of our Sandhai class, Swamy says “Please chant your sampradaya
thaniyan” and then the line goes silent for few seconds. What should we do at this time?

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(20) Sometimes the students who are learning in-person with Swamy are repeating very fast. I
am unable to follow. Please help.

(21) Swamy is doing an excellent job of taking this class. Can I do anything for Swamy? How
much dakshina or fees I should give? Swamy will accept in cash or digital money or in kind?

(22) Why the length of paasuram being taught (called “speed”) increases every few days?

(23) Why are we doing Thiruvai Ghosti? Is it must to attend? What are the topics and the order
in which they are covered in Thiruvai Ghosti?

(24) What are the flowers that Periyazhwar offered to ShrimanNarayanan in “Poochoottal”
Prabhandham? [Poochoottal is nothing but Periyazhwar Thirumozhi 2nd pathu 7th Thirumozhi]

(25) What is so special about “Thiruvezhukootrirukkai” prabhandam?

(26) I am not getting the regular updates sent by Swamy via WhatsApp. What should I do?

(27) What is the significance and role of Goddess Saraswathi in our ShriVaishnava
Sampradayam? Can ShriVaishnavites celebrate Saraswathi Puja during Navarathri festival?
Why Swamy said Saraswathi is a "neutral" devathaantharam?

(28) Swamy asks us to fold our hands (Kai Kooppudhal) at some places. Why only those certain
lines in the Prabhandham or Slokam? Why not in some other places I like?

(29) What is Anadhyayana period? When it starts and when it ends? Why don’t we recite Divya
Prabhandham during that period? What else can be recited in that period?

(30) I am unable to get books for the Stotrapaadam that is being taught. What can I do?

(31) What are the best practices one must follow to get high quality and continuous audio during
the Live class?

(32) Are there any Audio Tracks and Videos available for Slokas taught in this class?

(33) Why sometimes Swamy splits the meaning / vyakyanam of one paasuram into multiple
parts?

(34) I am unable to play full recording in Apple iOS devices (iPhone / iPad / iPod). What to do?

(35) I have some more questions. What to do?

(1) I got this FAQ from someone but I have not registered to this
class. What should I do?

OR

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I have a relative or friend who is interested to register for this class. What should I tell
them?

OR

I am attending this class based on information I got from a friend / relative, but I am not
getting regular updates from Swamy. What should I do?

With Namperumaal’s Sankalpam, our class will continue for many more Pakshams to come.
Updates for each and every paksham will be sent by Swamy only to those who have registered
for this class. So, if you have not already registered and is interested to join this class, then
please register using following link. Please also forward the following link to all those who wants
to register. It’s never late for them to join!

If you have already registered, please do NOT register again.​​ To register, go to this link and
fill up a simple form ​https://tinyurl.com/sandhai

(2) I am still confused about how to attend this class. Please help.

Please do NOT call Swamy’s number to join the class​ or to know how to join the class.
Everything required to attend the class has been explained in the below mentioned instructions,
which has detailed steps and pictures. Hundreds of people have used these clear instructions to
join daily classes successfully. So, please read the instructions slowly and carefully. Please take
help from some knowledgeable relatives or friends, if required, to follow the instructions.

There are 4 different ways to attend this class. To know how to attend this class via in-person or
Telephone or Computer or Smartphone, for live or recorded class, please read instructions
available in the links below (both leads to same content):

Short link - ​https://tinyurl.com/sc-bhattar

OR

Long link -
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vS18voNxWG0k9jp-4y8i70UmCBcz8gZJ8ZjD3
kzVQ-heWQ5n7zhS1-PdWdh32wvzAAgGXvI196R2rjF/pub

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(3) I didn’t receive the audio recording of today’s class in my
WhatsApp or Email. When will you send it?

This has been already clarified in the instructions. ​We cannot and will not send audio recording
via WhatsApp or Email or any other means​, on a daily basis, because it will be a big file in size.
You need to listen to the audio recording by yourself from internet. Read below.

Method #4 - Recorded class via Internet

Click this link at any time comfortable for you to learn -
https://www.freeconferencecall.com/wall/bhattar​ - from your Computer or your Smartphone or
Tablet. Audio recording for last 6 days or so will be available under the “Meeting Resources” or
“Resources” table (at the bottom of that webpage). The audio recordings will be named with the
date of recording. Click the one you want, listen, read from the book and recite along 3 times to
learn.

Latest recording will be available in the second page. In the bottom of that table, press 2 (if
available) to go to next page / second page.

(4) Why are we not doing Video class? Why are we doing only
Audio class?

Many of those who attend this class have low bandwidth. So we cannot do Video class. Only
audio possible.

(5) I am attending the class via my Smartphone. But if a phone

call comes in-between, then my class is getting cut. What to do?

In all Smartphones, there is something called Airplane mode. Once you enable it, all your SIM
cards will be disabled and so you won’t get any more calls. Then you can enable just WiFi to
attend this Sandhai class. Please remember to disable this Airplane mode after the class is
over.

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Caution #1:​​ If you enable Airplane mode, you won’t get any incoming calls. You also can’t
make any outgoing calls including Emergency calls. Please don’t say Swamy has told you to do
it, because he didn’t. Please do this at your own will.

Caution #2:​​ If you use mobile data and not WiFi for connectivity, then enabling Airplane mode
will stop mobile data. So instead of playing with Airplane mode, go to Settings of your phone
and see if you can disable just the calls and not the data. Ex: for Jio connections in India, many
phones have the option to disable just VoLTE. That will disable calls but not the mobile data.

(6) Can Girls / Women attend this class and learn Azhwar Divya
Prabhandham and other slokas like ShriVishnu Sahasranaamam?

Definitely yes. Our shastram prohibits Girls / Women to learn Sanskrit Veda only. So, all Girls /
Women can definitely learn everything else, like Azhwar Divya Prabhandham and other slokas
like ShriVishnu Sahasranaamam etc. We have had many many learned Women in our
Sampradaya during last several centuries, including during the period of Swamy Ramanuja.
Even today we have many. We certainly need more learned Women for our Sampradaya in the
future! This class can become a stepping stone for Girls to learn more about our Sampradaya.

(7) What do we need to bring for this Sandhai class?

● Your interest, dedication, effort and discipline to learn everyday.

● Please bring 4000 Divya Prabhadha or other required books to read along in our class.

● If you want, download 4000 Divya Prabhanda book for your language from these links -
English​, ​Kannada​, M
​ alayalam​, H
​ indi​, ​Telegu​, ​Tamil

● Please keep bookmarks for the chapters / Prabhandha being taught in a given paksham,
well before the Sandhai class starts. This way, you won't waste time turning or searching
pages during the class.

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(8) What should we do during this Sandhai class?

● Your eyes should see the book, the words in particular paasuram or sloka that’s being
taught at a given moment.

● Your ears should listen to what Swamy says.

● Your mouth should loudly repeat 3 times of what is being taught (sometimes at a slightly
faster pace than the pace used by Swamy) along with the kids who are learning in
person from Swamy.

(9) How should we learn in this class?

● You MUST have your sampradaya Thiruman (Thenkalai or Vadakalai) in your forehead
during this class.

● Dress code - traditional attire recommended, but anything you are comfortable with
should be fine. What matters most is the inner Bhakti or Devotion.

● Preferably learn it in groups - with your relatives and friends - if possible. It’s more fun
and meaningful to learn as a group compared to learning alone.

● Please make sure your children or grandchildren (aged 7 and above, boys or girls)
attend this class without fail everyday.

(10) How come the kids who learn in person from Swamy are
reciting very well? Do I have to put extra efforts after the class is
over?

Normally, there is no need to put additional efforts. Just attending this class everyday to learn
and attending the Thiruvai Ghosti every Sunday to practice, is more than enough. [Please see
FAQ #23 below for more details on Thiruvai Ghosti.] This is one class where you won’t get any
homework :-)

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At the same time, if time permits, certainly try to recite on a rotational basis all that you have
already learned, very regularly. You can do that say during Thiruvaradhanam for your Perumal
in your home on a daily basis and / or during Azhwar / Acharya ghosti in a nearby temple on a
regular basis. The more you recite all that you learned, the more easily it will come for you. For
example, most of the kids who learn in person from Swamy gets the opportunity to attend
Perumal, Thayar, Azhwars and Acharyas ghosti in Srirangam temple sannidhis and festivals, in
nearby Divyadesams like Thiruvellarai, Anbil, Appakudathan etc. and also in many Acharya
Purusha Thirumaaligais in Srirangam. Thus their mastery of Prabhandham and various slokas
has become better over time.

Another important factor is, not everyone is blessed with same great memory capacity. Some
have photographic memory while others struggle a bit to remember things. Age also plays an
important role. But if there is a will there's a way! So if you are having difficulties with full or part
of a Prabhandham / Slokam, then please take additional time to recite it 2 or 3 times each day,
continuously for many days. Very soon you will be able to recite it fluently, maybe from your
memory itself without needing a book!

Repetition is the key to remember! Not everyone is same when it comes to remembering things.
Not everyone has similar environment for regular repetition. So some of us might have to put
little extra effort - like doing daily Thiruvai - over and above the weekly Thiruvai Ghosti - might
be required for them. If that effort is made part and parcel of your daily routine - say 30 mins of
Thiruvai everyday to recite what you have already learned - then it will help you in the long run.
Remember - repetition is the key!

(11) Swamy’s voice is clear, but the voices of those who learn
with him are not clear or their audio volume is low. What to do?

Please don’t worry about this. Please listen to Swamy’s guiding voice and repeat afterwards at
good pace. That’s more than enough. Please try to increase the pace to adjust to the time gap
available, so that you can repeat 3 times. We are always running out of time in this class. So
sometimes you might have to repeat at a pace that’s slightly faster than the pace used by
Swamy. To put it simply, just stick to the pace of students who are reciting after Swamy.

(12) I am confused about the usage of the letter ற (Ra) used

during this class. Please clarify.

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Take the word ஒ as an example. That’s how you write it. But when you read it, you will say it
as Onnu instead of Ondru.

So, in the Azwar paasuram line like “பிரிவி றி ஆயிர ப லா ”, you say the word பிரிவி றி as
pirivinni (ri becomes ni).

Basically the letter ற is spelled as ன. But this won’t happen in all places!

To avoid confusion, simply repeat and learn what Swamy is teaching. Don’t get confused or
worried too much about this.

(13) Why we have to learn Adivaravu for some Prabhandams and

not for others?

Good amount of Azhwar Prabhandams are based on Andhadhi style - end of one paasuram is
beginning of next. So if you know the first paasuram, like a chain, you can keep on reciting next
and next passurams. Examples: Kanninun Siruthambu, Thiruvoimozhi, Ramanuja
Nootrandhadhi etc. For such Andhadhi like paasurams, you just have to learn the paasurams.
There is no need to separately memorize the beginning or end of each of those paasurams.

But some Prabhandams (like Thirupallandu, Thiruppalliyezhuchi, Amalanadhipiran, Perumal

Thirumozhi etc.) are not based on Andhadhi style. In such Prabhandams, there is no relation
between end of one paasuram and beginning of next. So, for us to recite such paasurams
properly one after another, we need to separately memorize the starting of each and every
paasuram. That’s where Adivaravu helps us. ​Adivaravu is nothing but collection of starting
words of each and every paasuram in a given Prabhandam.

For Thirupallandu, we not only have to learn Adivaravu (to know beginning of paasurams), we
also have to learn the ending of each paasurams. That’s why, after learning Adivaravu, we also
learn the following - Aadhi Koorudhum (first paasuram ends with Kooruthum), Anantharam
Koorumin (next paasuram ends with Koorumin), Andam Enmin (the paasuram that starts with
Andam ends with Enmin) etc.

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(14) Why Swamy started Thiruvoimozhi Sandhai from 7th pathu
(after skipping first 600 paasurams) and not from the very first
“Uyarvara Uyarnalam” paasuram?

It’s due to combination of two reasons:

● Swamy’s Gyanacharyan used to say “If we start at the beginning of a big Prabhandham,
then the learning might abruptly end for that. So let’s start at the middle somewhere”.

● From previous batch, many students who are learning from Swamy in-person at
Srirangam, have finished till 6th pathu.

So to start in the middle and to make it continuous for those students learning in-person, Swamy
has started from 7th pathu.

(15) Why are we saying the same paasurams everyday?

This is Sandhai class. Aim is to almost by-heart all the Azhwar paasurams and other slokas. So
we need to learn and repeat the same paasurams, by saying it continuously for 12 days (one
paksham) with increasing length of sentences (called “speed”). In the next paksham, new
paasurams will be taught.

(16) Why are we not able to download the audio recording? Why
a given recording will be kept for only 5 or 6 days?

This is daily Sandhai class. By the definition of it, one need to attend almost daily to learn
properly. If we make the audio recording downloadable (so that you can save it forever) or if we
make the recording available for more than 6 days or so, then it will defeat the whole purpose of
this class and it will result in misuse of the intention behind this class. When everyone realises
that they can’t download the recording and even the recordings available in the internet will be
gone after 5 or 6 days, it will instill some discipline in them to attend this class (live or via
recording) almost on a daily basis.

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(17) I am joining via Smartphone app. How can we stop the
annoying chat notification sounds?

Yes, by default, Chat Notifications are enabled in the FCC Smartphone Application. So, for
every chat message entered by users or for every chat notification that says a user has joined
or left, a sound or audio tone will come. No doubt in a big conference like ours in which
hundreds of people participate, this notification sound will be a huge nuisance because it will
come very frequently.

At the same time, we cannot disable Chat because there is no provision to do so.

Thus, the only solution is for you to disable Chat Notifications. Please follow the steps given
below to do the same.

Step #1:
Click the Menu button which has just 3 small lines, located in the top left side. See the red color
highlighted portion in the screenshot below.

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Step #2:
Select ‘Preferences’ menu option, as highlighted in red below.

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Step #3:
Set ‘Chat Notifications’ to off state. See the red color highlighted portion below. Actually, if you
can set all your settings to be exactly same as the ones in the screenshot below, it would be
useful for you.

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(18) Sandhai in Tamil usually means Market. So, what’s the
meaning of Sandhai class?

Yes, the word Sandhai usually means Market in Tamil - as in Uzhavar Sandhai which means
Farmer’s Market. But in this context, the Tamil word Sandhai comes from Sanskrit word
SandhA, which means association or union. In this class, we associate one word after another
in our memory via a step by step manner, so that we can recite them properly together as one
union from our memory. Crude translation of Sandhai - joining together of words in our memory.

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(19) At the very beginning of our Sandhai class, Swamy says
“Please chant your sampradaya thaniyan” and then the line goes
silent for few seconds. What should we do at this time?

Our ShriVaishnava community has (sadly) split into two separate groups - Thenkalayars and
Vadakalayars. While 99% of Shastra and Sampradaya is common for both groups, there are
some subtle differences - like they both have some unique practices and Acharya lineage. One
among the difference is the first sloka that’s being recited as part of Podhu Thaniyan.

Vadagalayar Podhu Thaniyan​, which praises the glories of Swami Vedantha Desikan:
rAmAnuja dhayApAthram jnAna vairAgya bhooshaNam |
srImath vEnkatanAthAryam vandhE vEdhAntha dEsikam ||

Thenkalayar Podhu Thaniyan​, which praises the glories of Swami Manavaala Maamuni:
SrisailEsa dayApAtram dhIbhaktyAdi guNArNavam |
yatIndra pravaNam vandE ramyajAmAtaram munim ||

Thus, at the very beginning of our Sandhai class, based on the Sampradayam that you belong
to, you should recite just one of the above two thaniyans. Then, we will all continue from
common thaniyans, starting with the slokam “Lakshminaatha Samaarambhaam …”.

If you don’t know your sampradaya specific thaniyan, please learn it from your Acharyan or from
your elders.

One more question might arise here. Why don’t we recite both? Yes we can, but there are some
people who are of the opinion that “I belong to this sect and so I won’t recite the one belonging
to other sect” etc. We are in this Sandhai class to learn Azhwar paasurams and various other
slokas that are common for all of us. Why get into our differences which is actually very very
small? Let’s focus on the 99% stuff that is common to us. So, let’s recite our sampradaya
thaniyan alone and then move on with further learning that is common for all of us.

(20) Sometimes the students who are learning in-person with

Swamy are repeating very fast. I am unable to follow. Please
help.

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Yes, those students tend to go fast frequently. Swamy will do his best to apply brakes to slow
them down multiple times during a day’s class. But sometimes due to less amount of time
available, repeating at a faster pace will be good and required. Swamy will teach at a slightly
slower pace for you to listen and repeat properly. But the pace at which you have to repeat can
be slightly faster than the pace used by Swamy. There is nothing wrong with that. To simply put,
please try to repeat at the same pace as the students. Don’t worry. As days passes, you will
easily catch up and be able to repeat at the slightly faster pace used by the students.

(21) Swamy is doing an excellent job of taking this class. Can I do

anything for Swamy? How much dakshina or fees I should give?
Swamy will accept in cash or digital money or in kind?

Swamy is teaching this class as a form of pure Kaikaryam only. He also learned everything for
free from many of his Gyanacharyans. So for these reasons he will not accept anything from
anyone via any manner. Here are the only things he expects from you:

● Please attend our class almost every day (via live class or recording) to make sure your
learning happens properly. Please don’t lose focus.

● Please do your best to make sure children (boys and girls) above age 7 from your family
and friends circle (irrespective of where they are located in this world) attend this class
everyday, so that we can make sure our next generation is properly taken care off.

● Please make note of ShriVaishnava principles that you learn from this class and from
other places. Please try to follow them as much as possible.

● If possible, please try to create and manage a Remote Chapter / Branch for our class in
the place where you live.
○ Please canvass and assemble a group that will consist of like-minded elders and
children (girls and boys) aged 7 or above from your neighborhood - from your
own street and from nearby streets.
○ Aim is to learn from live class or recorded audio as a group, compared to learning
alone.
○ This class can be arranged in your home or in a common place near to your
home like in a nearby ShriVaishnava temple or in a school or in your apartment
complex etc.
○ To keep it interesting, one day the class can happen in your home, next day in
another member’s home etc.

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 ○ Please try your best to canvass and gather children (both boys and girls aged 7
or above) from your neighborhood because they are the future of our
Sampradayam.
○ It's not must to attend live class. You can have this class arranged anytime that’s
suitable for everyone and to learn from recording.
○ You can also arrange more than one timing, thus catering to multiple groups. For
example you can have live class in the evening for one group and recorded class
in the next day morning for another group.

Creating such Chapters / Branches for our class so that many adults and children can
benefit no matter where they live, would be the ultimate Kainkaryam!

(22) Why the length of paasuram being taught (called “speed”)

increases every few days?

Aim of this class is to almost by-heart the Azhwar paasurams or Acharya slokas being taught by
the end of a given Paksham (usually 12 days). We cannot start learning full paasuram on first
day, because it will be very tough to learn the whole thing. So we start by reciting smaller parts
of the paasuram. Then every 3 days, we increase the length such that, in the last day (12th day)
we will be able to recite the full paasuram or sloka almost comfortably.

Those who are not used to such Sandhai class might find it slightly difficult to follow the increase
in speed every few days. Please don’t worry about it. Just keep reciting and in no time you will
get comfortable with all this.

Here is the formula being followed by our Swamy on this “speed” front:

Day # Speed # Length for Sandhai

01 to 03 1 Quarter line - 1/16 of paasuram
04 to 06 2 Half line - 1/8 of paasuram
07 to 09 3 One line - 1/4 of paasuram
10 to 11 4 Two lines - 1/2 of paasuram
12 to 12 5 All 4 lines - Full paasuram

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(23) Why are we doing Thiruvai Ghosti? Is it must to attend? What
are the topics and the order in which they are covered in Thiruvai
Ghosti?
● The way human brain works is like this - if you learn something and you don’t recall that
for a long time, then it will be slowly forgotten. Kids especially will forget at a rate faster
than the rate at which they learn.

● So we have to keep repeating (Thiruvai) what we have learned on a regular basis. Given
just 1 hour duration of our daily class, we don’t have time to repeat old lessons in that
class.

● So we do this repetition in separate sitting, in the classic Ghosti style (like how the Divya
Prabhandam recitation happens in Divyadesa temples). This way, we get to enjoy Ghosti
in our home regularly and also we can keep all that we learned intact in our memory.

● Thus ​it goes without saying that it’s absolutely important that all of us MUST attend each
and every Thiruvai Ghosti without fail​.

● In this Thiruvai Ghosti, ​please do NOT recite entire passuram or sloka​. Please recite
only the first half or only the last half. That way you will have energy and throat in proper
condition, to recite continuously for full one hour or so.

● Thiruvai Ghosti will be conducted on every Sunday morning at 9.30am IST​​. It might
run for approximately one hour or little more. To attend it in live manner, please attend
the same way you would attend our live Sandhai class. Those who are unable to attend
live Ghosti, please do catch up and recite along from recording without fail.

● Following is the order of Prabhandham and Slokas that will be covered in rotational basis
during this Thiruvai Ghosti. It simply covers everything that has been already taught in
this class so far.

Sunday #1:
1. Thiruppallaandu
2. Neeraattam (Periyazhwar Thirumozhi 2nd pathu 4th Thirumozhi)
3. Poochoottal (Periyazhwar Thirumozhi 2nd pathu 7th Thirumozhi)
4. Kaappidal (Periyazhwar Thirumozhi 2nd pathu 8th Thirumozhi)
5. Senniyongu (Periyazhwar Thirumozhi - 5th pathu 4th Thirumozhi)
6. Mudhal Thiruvandhadhi
7. Thiruvezhukootrirukkai
8. Sharanagadhi Gadyam

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 9. AshtaSloki

Sunday #2:
1. Perumal Thirumozhi
2. Thiruppaavai
3. Vaaranamaayiram (6th Thirumozhi in Nachiyar Thirumozhi)
4. Thirumaalai
5. Thiruppalliyezhuchi
6. Thirunedunthandagam
7. ChathusSloki
8. Vaikunda Gadyam

Sunday #3:
1. Amalanaadhipiran
2. Kanninunchiruththaambu
3. Thiruvaimozhi - 7th and 8th pathu

Sunday #4:
1. ShriVishnu Sahasranaamam
2. Thiruvaimozhi - 9th pathu onwards
3. ShriRanga Gadyam
4. Raamaanusa Nootrandhaadhi

(24) What are the flowers that Periyazhwar offered to

ShrimanNarayanan in “Poochoottal” Prabhandham? [Poochoottal
is nothing but Periyazhwar Thirumozhi 2nd pathu 7th Thirumozhi]

Please see here for full details -

https://gdoc.pub/doc/1cRmWUKUSEcPcjArFfwtmH1DJ5bF0WAE-t4dSBS-TAkA

(25) What is so special about “Thiruvezhukootrirukkai”

prabhandam?

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Some interesting details about “Thiruvezhukootrirukkai” Prabhandham available at
https://gdoc.pub/doc/e/2PACX-1vSdP3kC0wG1HoTntpDTzN707V6L4w6oBO1NNz2iF5R7MiMq
hd4ab-_8BxsMMR5WyBZG4m94NTCMqXRB

(26) I am not getting the regular updates sent by Swamy via

WhatsApp. What should I do?

Swamy uses WhatsApp to send regular updates mostly only once in every 15 days i.e every
paksham, to keep everyone informed about next paksham schedule and various other
information related to our class.

For this communication purpose, Swamy has created multiple WhatsApp groups related to this
Sandhai class. All registered participants are added in one of such groups. So to receive the
regular updates, please make sure you don’t leave that group.

If your number by some chance is not part of any Sandhai class related WhatsApp group or you
left one accidentally, then please message Swamy via WhatsApp. He will help you out.

(27) What is the significance and role of Goddess Saraswathi in

our ShriVaishnava Sampradayam? Can ShriVaishnavites
celebrate Saraswathi Puja during Navarathri festival? Why
Swamy said Saraswathi is a "neutral" devathaantharam?

Goddess Saraswathi is consort of Brahma and so she is a devathaantharam (deities banned

from worship for ShriVaishnavites). She is certainly recognized in Veda itself as athi devatha for
Knowledge. Still ShriVaishnavites do NOT worship her at all and do NOT perform
Thiruvaradhanam (Puja) for her on daily basis. We don't keep her idol or photo in our Perumal
Sannidhi (pooja room). Still, why some of us celebrate Saraswathi Puja during Navratri? Why
haven’t we totally banned Saraswathi from our homes like we did other devathaantharam? Here
are some Pramaanams (evidence) answering all such doubts.

Pramaanam #1:​​ Those who do daily SandhyaVandhanam as per Vedic Shastram, has to say
mantras like “Saraswatyeem Aavaahayaami”, "Saraswatyai Namaha" etc., on all 3 times of a
day everyday! From this it’s clear that many ShriVaishnavites, including all of our Acharyas and

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almost all Upanyasakas, recite her name at least few times everyday. Thus we haven’t totally
rejected Saraswathi like we rightfully rejected all other devathaantharam!

Pramaanam #2:​​ As per Koil Olugu, our beloved Swamy Ramanuja visited Sharadha Peedam in
Kashmir and received the title "Shri Bashyakaarar" from none other than Goddess Saraswathi.
From this we can learn that our Emperumanaar didn't turn his back or rejected the title given by
Saraswathi. Even today we refer our Jagadacharyan as "Shri Bashyakaarar" with utmost love
and devotion. From this it's clear that Saraswathi has some place in ShriVaishnavism, however
remote that is.

Pramaanam #3:​​ Swamy Koorathazhwan says the following about Saraswathi in 9th Slokam of
ShriSthavam.

Loke​ - In this world (there are people who are)

Vanaspathi​ - Idiots like trees and

Bruhaspathi​ - Super smarts like Bruhaspathi.

Thaara thamyam​ - This ups and downs in intelligence or knowledge

Yasyaa prasaada parinaamam​ - is being attributed to grace of someone

Udaaharanthi​ - by learned people.

Saa Bhaarathi​ - That someone is Saraswathi a.k.a Bhaarathi

Bagavathi thu​ - who is worshipable too.

Yatheeya daasi​ - But that Saraswathi is a daasi (servant) to adiyars of

Devadeva mahishim​ - Periya Pirattiyar the consort of Devadeva / ShrimanNarayanan.

Aashrayaamaha​ - (So) Let us all worship

Thaam Shriyam​ - that Shri or Periya Pirattiyar.

From this Slokam it's clear that:

A. Saraswathi is a devathaantharam who is simply a servant to adiyaars of Periya
Pirattiyar and thus we should NOT keep her in our Perumal Sannidhi (Puja room)
and should NOT worship her in our daily Thiruvaradhanam (Puja).
B. At the same time Saraswathi is worshipable for the knowledge she bestows on
everyone and so we honor her for just one day in a year on Saraswathi Pooja but

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 not daily. That too, we only honor her in the Golu that is kept in the hall of our
homes and not beyond.

Pramaanam #4:​​ Swamy Vedantha Desikan says the following about Saraswathi in 7th Slokam
of Shri Hayagriva Sthothram

Devi sarojaasana dharmapathni​ - Saraswathi, whose abode is a white lotus and who is
the wife of Brahma

Spuranthi sarve thava sakthi leshaihi​ - gets her ability to become "Goddess of Learning
or Knowledge" from a small portion of power given by ShriHayagriva

From this Slokam it's clear that:

A. Saraswathi is totally dependent on ShriHayagriva / ShrimanNarayanan for her
powers to bestow knowledge on others
B. But she is recognised as "Goddess of Learning or Knowledge"

Conclusion:
● Given Goddess Saraswathi’s lower status compared to our worshipable deities, but a
slightly elevated status compared to other devathaantharam (based on all the above
pramaanam or evidence), our Swamy said in Sandhai class that “Saraswathi has this
‘neutral’ or ‘middle’ status in our ShriVaishnava Sampradayam”.

● Given such a status, if a ShriVaishnavite family insists based on their family tradition,
then it would be OK (though not recommended) for them to keep Saraswathi photo in
their homes or her idol in Golu. But they should NEVER keep her photo / idol inside their
Perumal Sannidhi (pooja room).

● Since Saraswathi is clearly a devathaantharam, it's totally recommended and ideal for all
ShriVaishnavites to NOT have Saraswathi photos / calendars or her idol in our homes at
all. We can choose to optionally honor her only for just one day in the year during
Saraswathi Puja in Navarathri, that too in the form of books, musical instruments etc.
Thus we can totally avoid having Saraswathi photo or idol even in Golu. Also, celebrating
Saraswathi Puja is not mandatory for ShriVaishnavites.

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(28) Swamy asks us to fold our hands (Kai Kooppudhal) at some
places. Why only those certain lines in the Prabhandham or
Slokam? Why not in some other places I like?
Where we fold our hands changes from teacher to teacher and from people to people.
Wherever you want to fold your hands, you can certainly do it. Swamy won’t stop that. But
Swamy asks you to do it in few special places that fulfills one of the following reasons:
● Where an important ShriVaishnava Sampradaya meaning is present (Ex: “Kurai Ondrum
Illadha Govindha” in Thiruppavai #30)
● Where a Divyadesam’s name or it's Emperuman’s name is mentioned (Ex: “Mugil
Vannan” for Periya Perumal in many places)
● Where Azhwars are mentioned (Ex: “Inkavi paadum parama kavigal” in Thiruvaimozhi
7.9.6) or an Acharya is mentioned (Ex: “Yadhigatku Iraivan Yamunaith Thuraivan” in
Ramanuja Nootrandhadhi #21)
● Where the name of the Azhwar or Acharya who composed that prabhandham comes
(Ex: “Vankurukoor Sadagopan” or “Maaran” in last paasuram of all Thiruvaimozhi pathu)
● Azhwars Prabhandham and Acharyas Slokams are full of ShrimanNarayana’s various
Thirunaamam (names). While we can, we don’t fold our hands for all those because it
will become too much. But we do fold hands for very special and unique Thirunaamam
(Ex: “Manathukkiniyaan” in Thiruppavai #12)

Thus, we keep our learning interesting and memorable by folding our hands (Kai Kooppudhal) in
special / unique places only and not in all places.

(29) What is Anadhyayana period? When it starts and when it

ends? Why don’t we recite Divya Prabhandham during that
period? What else can be recited in that period?

All these questions have been properly answered by many scholars in various books and
websites. If you do Google Search for “Anadhyayana Kalam” you will come across many such
published answers. One such write up having very nice explanation, written by Sarathy
Thothadri Swamy, has all details. Please ​click here​ for Tamizh version and ​click here​ for English
version.

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(30) I am unable to get books for the Stotrapaadam that is being
taught. What can I do?

It's recommended that you buy books sold by reputed publishers. If you are unable to do so,
then you can download necessary books from Internet in a language that you prefer and take
printout if necessary. Here are the various choices you have.

ShriVishnu Sahasranamam:

Sanskrit choice#1

Sanskrit choice#2

Sanskrit choice#3

Tamizh choice#1

Tamizh choice#2

ChathusSloki (by Swamy Alavandar):

Sanskrit choice#1

Sanskrit choice#2

Tamizh choice#1

Tamizh choice#2

GadyaTrayam (by Swamy Ramanujar):

Sanskrit choice#1

Sanskrit choice #2 - ​ ​Sharanaagadhi Gadyam​,​ ​ShriRanga Gadyam​, ​Vaikunta Gadyam

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 Tamizh choice#1

Tamil choice #2 - ​ ​Sharanaagadhi Gadyam​,​ ​ShriRanga Gadyam​, ​Vaikunta Gadyam

AshtaSloki (by Swamy Parasara Bhattar):

Sanskrit choice#1

Sanskrit choice#2

Tamizh choice#1

Tamizh choice#2

To get these books in other languages like Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, English etc., please
check ​this link​ or ​this link​.

(31) What are the best practices one must follow to get high
quality and continuous audio during the Live class?

We use Free Conference Call (FCC) platform for HD audio service. Since this service is free, it's
not perfect. So one has to follow the best practices given below to get high quality audio without
any break during this class.

● Most probably this FCC service is not designed with mobility in mind. During this class, if
you move around with your phone or tablet which is running the FCC application, then
you might face audio disturbance. Because, when you move around, you might reach a
place which has low WiFi or low mobile data signal. Unfortunately, once the audio
disturbance starts, it remains as is, even when you get back to a place that has very
good signal. Sadly, that’s the way this FCC app has been designed it seems. So please
do NOT move around during this class. Please keep your phone or tablet statically in
one place where you get very good WiFi or mobile data signal.

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● Even when you sit statically at one place during entire duration of this class, your WiFi or
mobile data might get disconnected or disturbed in between. Even in that case you will
face audio disturbance. So please make sure you connect to a internet source which
stays stable throughout the duration of this class.

● To get High Definition (HD) audio

○ Via WiFi connection, you need high speed broadband internet (like 8Mbps or
above).
○ Via mobile data, you need 4G or above connectivity. Sometimes 4G might
become 3G or 2G when the data network is stressed, so please keep that in
mind.

● Major reason for disconnection is to get a call in your phone during the class, the same
phone in which you are running the FCC app. Even an incoming SMS text message can
cause minor disturbance. So it might be a good idea to keep your phone in Airplane
mode which blocks all incoming calls and SMS messages. But that mode has certain
disadvantages. Please see ​FAQ#5​ for more details about that mode.

● Please avoid charging your phone or tablet during this class. It can result in audio
disturbances. It would also overheat your phone or tablet which then can result in
dangerous explosions.

● For whatever reason your audio ends up bad or lost, please wait for 10 seconds for it to
auto-correct. If it is still bad or lost after 10 seconds, then quit FCC app and start it again
to get good audio reception.

● Please don’t disturb Swamy and other participants by sending messages in FCC app like
“Bad audio”, “No audio” etc., because it could be an issue only in your end. But even
after you restart the app and if the bad audio or lost audio persists, then please do send
a message to Swamy and other participants via chat in FCC app.

● If everyone faces bad audio or lost audio, then the issue could mostly probably be in
Swamy’s side. This has happened but very rarely. To mitigate such rare scenarios,
Swamy always keeps a backup internet connection ready and available, to quickly
switchover when required.

● Please don’t worry or stress about missing few minutes of audio in-between the class.
Entire class gets recorded. So you can always catch up just the missing portion from
recording, at any time that’s convenient for you, within next 5 to 6 days. Please see
FAQ#3​ for more details.

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(32) Are there any Audio Tracks and Videos available for Slokas
taught in this class?
Professionally made Audio Tracks and Videos of some Stotrapaadam that were taught in this
class are available. Please listen to these regularly, to improve your learning of these Slokas.

YouTube playlist for all videos showing text in Sanskrit is ​here

YouTube playlist for all videos showing text in Tamizh is ​here

YouTube playlist for all videos showing text in Telugu is ​here

YouTube playlist for all videos showing text in English is ​here

(1) Swamy Alavandar’s ChathusSloki

(a) Audio only in mp3 format - you can listen or download from ​here

(b) YouTube video showing text in Sanskrit is ​here

(c) YouTube video showing text in Tamizh is ​here

(d) YouTube video showing text in Telugu is ​here

(e) YouTube video showing text in English is ​here

(2) Swamy Emperumanar’s Gadya Trayam - 1st - Saranagathi Gadhyam

(a) Audio only in mp3 format - you can listen or download from ​here

(b) YouTube video showing text in Sanskrit is ​here

(c) YouTube video showing text in Tamizh is ​here

(d) YouTube video showing text in Telugu is ​here

(e) YouTube video showing text in English is ​here

(3) Swamy Emperumanar’s Gadya Trayam - 2nd - ShriRanga Gadhyam

(a) Audio only in mp3 format - you can listen or download from ​here

(b) YouTube video showing text in Sanskrit is ​here

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 (c) YouTube video showing text in Tamizh is ​here

(d) YouTube video showing text in Telugu is ​here

(e) YouTube video showing text in English is ​here

(4) Swamy Emperumanar’s Gadya Trayam - 3rd - Vaikunta Gadhyam

(a) Audio only in mp3 format - you can listen or download from ​here

(b) YouTube video showing text in Sanskrit is ​here

(c) YouTube video showing text in Tamizh is ​here

(d) YouTube video showing text in Telugu is ​here

(e) YouTube video showing text in English is ​here

(5) Swamy Parasara Bhattar’s AshtaSloki

(a) Audio only in mp3 format - you can listen or download from ​here

(b) YouTube video showing text in Sanskrit is ​here

(c) YouTube video showing text in Tamizh is ​here

(d) YouTube video showing text in Telugu is ​here

(e) YouTube video showing text in English is ​here

(33) Why sometimes Swamy splits the meaning / vyakyanam of

one paasuram into multiple parts?
Most of the times Swamy gives meaning / vyakyanam for one Sloka or Paasuram at one stretch
itself, if that can be covered within five minutes or so. But when that vyakyanam for one
Paasuram is very lengthy, Swamy has no choice than to split that into two or more parts. It all
boils down to one simple reason - our class is kids-friendly. We encourage and even have lot of
kids who are 7 years old and above attending this class on a daily basis. As you know, attention
span of children is very less compared to that of adults. We always have to keep such children
in mind for whatever we do in this class.

(a) Ours is a one hour class. We have to take serious efforts to make sure we don’t overspill
that regularly. If we overstretch our class to become 1 hr 15 mins or 1 hr 30 mins,

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 children will lose their interest gradually because they are not used to sit for such long
durations. If the vyakyanam for one Paasuram is very lengthy, like in the case of
Thiruppaavai, Thirunedunthaandagam etc., Swamy splits that into multiple parts spread
across multiple days. This will keep the children engaged and will also make sure our
class doesn’t spill over one hour duration.

(b) Even if we have time to explain full lengthy vyakyanam at one stretch in one day, Swamy
still tends to break and explain that in two or more parts within the same day. It's again
due to so many children who eagerly attends our class. Swamy has witnessed in person
many times and also heard anecdotes from others via WhatsApp, that when the
vyakyanam stretches beyond 5 mins or more, the children lose attention and stops
listening to the meaning. Their eyes start to wander off and they slowly close their eyes
due to drowsiness. So Swamy splits the meaning into multiple parts, each part not
crossing more than 5 minutes or so. Once a part is over, Sandhai immediately resumes
for kids to become attentive. Then the next part of meaning continues for five minutes or
so. Then Sandhai resumes again and so on.

No doubt splitting the meaning / vyakyanam for one Paasuram can be inconvenient for adults
who are used to continuously listening 1 hour or more of upanyasam at one stretch. But we
must have to be kids-friendly in this class, because they are the next generation for our
Sampradayam. Those children may not understand full vyakyanam like adults do. But keeping it
in short 5 minutes like duration, will increase the probability of the awesome meaning given by
our Purvacharyargal getting into the childrens mind.

Also, if the meaning / vyakyanam for a paasuram is very lengthy, Swamy does NOT try to
compress that into within 5 minutes. Swamy’s intention is to share that full detailed meaning as
much as possible. Splitting such lengthy meaning into multiple parts is a win-win for everyone -
it helps the children by making them constantly attentive and it helps the adults who gets to
listen to detailed uncompressed vyakyanam.

Conclusion:
● If meaning / vyakyanam for a Paasuram / Sloka is short (as per what our
Purvacharyargal has written), then it will be covered in one stretch.

● If meaning / vyakyanam for a Paasuram / Sloka is lengthy, then it will be split into two or
more parts. Those parts will then be explained within the same day or across multiple
days.

Our aim is to cover almost full detailed vyakyanam for a Paasuram / Sloka and to keep the
children engaged at the same time. That is achieved via one or more parts of vyakyanam!

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(34) I am unable to play full recording in Apple iOS devices
(iPhone / iPad / iPod). What to do?
Attention:​ This is not about live class - there is no problem in attending live class using Apple
iOS devices. Also most importantly, not everyone who attends recording class via Apple iOS
devices face these problems. Most of the people are able to nicely attend recording class too
via Apple iOS devices. So no need to panic. You can certainly attend our live class or recording
class (based on your comfortability) using iOS devices.

At the same time, very few people who participate in our recording class via Apple iOS devices
(iPhone or iPad or iPod) have faced these issues. They are either unable to play the recording
or once started it stops playing the recording after some minutes. Either way they are unable to
attend our recording class to learn properly. By working with them, Swamy has found two
different flavor of issues related to the iOS devices and our recording class:

1. Sometimes the in-built Safari browser present in Apple iOS devices doesn’t play the
recording. Even if you try to play the recording from FCC app, it will use the in-built
browser only to play the same. So install and launch a different browser like Firefox or
Chrome. Then within that different browser, open ​this​ link that contains recorded audio.

2. Sometimes Safari or other browsers play the recorded audio but then the audio stops
abruptly after few seconds or minutes. This is because of Auto Lock feature in iOS
devices. Please try to figure out and extend the Auto Lock timeout in your device, so that
recorded audio can play till the end. If the Auto Lock timeout is set for 10 seconds, 30
seconds etc, set it to 1 minute. If it is set for 1 minute and you still face the problem,
increase the timeout to 2 minutes or so. ​Caution:​ By extending Auto Lock timeout, your
device will be wide awake for long durations, which can result in potential misuse,
reduced battery life etc. So once you finish using your device for making calls etc, each
and every time please remember to manually turn off the screen by pressing the side
button, which will then lock the device immediately. Or reduce Auto Lock timeout each
and every time after listening to our Sandhai class recording.

(35) I have some more questions. What to do?

If you have a question ​related to this Sandhai class​ that you couldn’t get clarification from your
elders or from Google search in internet, then please ask the same to Swamy only via
WhatsApp message. Please don’t call his number via phone call or WhatsApp call. Please don’t
send SMS to him. Dhanyosmi.

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PS: If you don’t have Swamy’s WhatsApp number, please don’t worry. If you have already
registered by giving your WhatsApp number, then Swamy will communicate with you via
WhatsApp within a day or two.

Shrimathe Ramanujaya Nama:

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