Dear BhakthAs : Thanks for Sri Krishnaswamy's note requesting restraint and Sri Balaram Sriram's note reminding one of realities . Under Sri Bhagavadh RaamAnuja SiddhAntham , every one is indeed an AdhikAri to seek SaraNAgathi at the Lotus feet of Sriman NaarAyaNA .Although it is possible to pile up PramANam on PramANam for both sides of the argument to steer it towards the direction one wants , I think it is more an intellectual exercise compared to seeking a qualified AchAryA and seek the needed guidance from him or her to get us beyond these discussions .Bhagaavadh/ Bhagavatha kaimkaryam and AchArya Vandanam are the most central purposes of our lives here . At the outset , let me categorically state that the rahasya manthrAs have to be understood and cherished with the reverence that they deserve instead of in a casual manner .I have no disagreement there . I have had the good fortune of participating in this forum for three years now and have learned a lot from the devout bhakthAs about Sri VaishNavism. I CONTINUE TO LEARN .Please permit me to share some thoughts on the current controversy . There have been previous instances of controversy and exhibition of zeal , while discussing some of the topics dear to us , but this time , it is a little more strident. May be because the subject matter under discussion is a profound one & dear to many . This controversy as to who is the proper adhikAri is nothing new . It appears to me however that this particular discussion smacks of elitism and holier-than-thou attitudes .There are indeed pramaaNams that one can pile up for one side or other of the argument across a historic time scale . I do not think it is necessary for enhancing one's Bhakthi for Sriman NaarAyaNA and to prepare one for performing SaraNAgathi at the sacred feet of the Lord thru an appropriate AchAryA . There has been controversies in the past about the appropriateness of according a respectful position for AzhwArs , who did not belong to " the elite class " . Swami Desikan himself has tackled it for our benefit and has established the sacredness of AzhwArs like NammAzhwAr and ThiruPPANAzhwAr , who were not from " the higher Castes " . The issues whether they performed Bhakthi Yogam or Only practised Saranagathi could be debated based on one's sampradhAyam and accepted . Even if we get to the bottom of that thru scholarly debate , it does not really matter to us since their lives are way beyond any comparison with ours . Swami Desikan was rewarded in this context for his important service to establish the sacredness of the parama BhakthAs , when there was a noisy protestation about the appropriateness of the Paasurams of NammAzhwAr being recited during the procession of Lord VardarAjA at Kanchipuram . The Lord Himself rewarded Swami Desikan for upholding the thesis that the Prabhandhams of AzhwArs have an equal status with the other Vedams . As a result , The divya Prabhandha ghOshtis continue their celebration of Sriman NaarAyaNA even today , thanks to the illustrious services of Swami Desikan . BTW , we must remember that there are more commentaries by our PurvAchAryAs on NammAzhwAr's Thiruvaimozhi than on anyother Prabhandhams . The great Brahmin Scholar Mathurakavi, who was many years older than the non-Brahmin NammAzhwAr took refuge at latter's feet and declared that he recognizes no God other than his AchArya , ThirukkuruhUr SatakOpan . Swami Desikan defeated his opponents at Kanchi and Srirangam , who questioned the sacredness of AzhwArs based on their birth status using his extraordinary skills in tarkam and defeated them . With the same logical rigor that he used in his granthams like SarvArtha Siddhi and Tattva Muktha Kalapam , he settled this matter . With the skills in Tarkam that earned him the title of " KavithArkika Simham " , he showed the following logical errors in the arguments of his opponets , who contested the qualifications of AzhwArs and later composed his own devotional tribute to ThiruppANAzhwAr ( Muni Vaahana BhOgam ) . The 8 among the many logical errors that he pointed out in his opponent's arguments were : 1.AathmAsrayaa or assuming the consequence (example: He Mounted on his own shoulder ) 2. anyOnyAsrayaa or mutual reliance fallacy (the case of a point that is being proven by another and if latter is supported by the former ) 3. chakrakaashrayaa : Circular reasoning 4. anavasthaa : Case of Infinite regression in one's attempt to prove a point . 5. pramaa-haana : argument that neglects evidence and thus becomes a fallacy ( Tarka DhOsham ) 6. Kalpanaa Gouravam : respect for imagination as opposed to respect for facts 7. UpajIvya VirOdham : " Incorrect inference opposing the source of its own antecedent " 8. apa-siddhAnthA or Invalid thesis " VirOdha ParihAram " was achieved thru his power of logic . We must remember that disagreement is not disrespect . We must also remember the difference between FORM (style) and SUBSTANCE .Vigilantism has to be avoided at all costs . Personal faith is one thing and excoriating others for nonconformity to one's point of view -right or wrong - is another thing .While our AchAryAs do not yield one inch on their adherence to the SampradhAyams/ShAsthrams handed to them , they are most merciful in attending to the diverse spiritual needs and help every one , who cross their blessed paths to advance the disciples spiritually .Some times , they are angry and disappointed at our laxity , but out of their most merciful nature , they pull us up by lending their hand and bless us .In the ultimate analysis , this is what counts in my opinion .We are like particles displaying Brownian motion and the AachAryAs , who are parama DayALUs steady us and speed us towards the main path leading to Moksham . I know for sure that the discussions on this Bhakthi list has shaped and changed many bhakthA's lives and enhanced their appreciation for the wealth that has been bequeathed to us . We must also remember that no one has all the answers and it is perfectly alright to ask questions or express opinions without being put down in public .Constructive criticism is very welcome and some times , the dialog has to be private . Finally , Let us not try to take on the mantle of AchAryAs and get befuddled from inconclusive debates on a limited medium such as electronic journal .There is a lot that we can learn on the great works of AchAryAs , anushtAnams , AzhwAr's bhakthi-laden poetry thru the medium of Internet that unites us across all sorts of boundaries . I conclude this posting with the following appeal from Sriman Krishnaswamy : > >The late Rajaji once defined Culture as Restraint. It is in this sense >that I appeal for restraint in discussing matters relating to the >conduct of others. The fact that our discussions are held over a global >network is relevant in this limited context of the need to exercise >restraint . V.Sadagopan
Home Page
http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia |
oppiliappan-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To subscribe to the list |