Srirangam Serthi

A unique experience on Panguni Uthiram day:

Every morning at 6 o'clock, Namperumal leaves from His abode and returns to Srirangam the same day. Even when He goes out, within a day, Namperumal would return to His original place, where He had started. Today is the tenth day since He left, and He has completed the trip. Today, with the grandeur of Sri Vaishnavas, Namperumal returned to the temple, commencing His journey from Chitra Street.

On one side, the devotees, including maidservants, gathered at the entrance to witness Namperumal's return. The entrance to the shrine of the Goddess opened, and outside the temple, a certain person stood with great excitement, waving his hand like a child, eagerly waiting to see Lord Ranganatha. The joyous moment has come when the doors open, and he is delighted to see the Lord's divine form. As soon as Sakkarathazhvar's shrine door opened, he started swaying his body, indicating the arrival of the King. After that, with great joy, he jumped, danced, and merrily moved around. The deity, like a child, joyfully moved forward, leaving behind the confusion and excitement.

In this same manner, he joyfully stepped into the temple with the deity, moving like a little child. Later, he stands alone at a distance and performs service with devotion. He completely forgets the pain and difficulties he went through, just to be in service. With a smile on his face, he worships Namperumal wholeheartedly, and the heart fills with joy. The other devotees join, and one by one, they embrace the deity with love and admiration. It is such a divine experience that one would forget everything else in the world.

As the moment passes, he becomes sorrowful, like a child who wants to play for a little longer. It's tough for him to let go of the deity. However, the responsibility of performing the next service awaits him, and so he finally steps back, knowing that he will meet the Lord again soon.

This unique experience happened today during the grand festival. We can witness all the forms of Namperumal at this very place. No matter what work or responsibilities we have, nothing compares to the joy of serving Him. Without any hesitation, we wish to embrace Him with our hands, for that is our ultimate satisfaction. Even if there are tasks to do, we long for that moment when He would hold us close with His arms. It is a secret that can be understood only by those whose hearts have experienced such joy. The hands that swayed joyfully are our crown, as they hold the secret to our true happiness.

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