SrI :
Dear respected List Memebrs :
Our lists contain memberships from SrIman NaarAyaNa
BhakthAs and others , whose ishta dhaivams are
different
(anya devathAs). Many worship SrIman NaarAyaNan
as well as other DevathAs at the same time and
feel
comfortable . Others worship Sriman NaarAyaNa
exclusively following their AchAryan's guidance and
UpadEsams . Our intent as moderators is not to
offend
anyone and seek to learn from each other , when
subjects
like anya devathA worships come up for discussions
. We will
stay frim on core principles of VaishNavism in
these discussions.
There are times , when there is more heat than
light from
prolonging discussions . The appropriate thing to do is to
close the discussions and let private exchanges go
off line.
My respected colleague , SrI Anbil Swamy
exercises this rite very well .
Here are some additional comments , while we are on
this
subject ..
From time to time , we come across topics , which
have been
amply discussed before . One such topic is about
anya devathA
worship for a VaishNavan , who has performed
SaranAgathi .
Not every one has been blessed to perform
SaraNAgathy or Prapatthi or
BharanyAsam or Aathma NivEdhanam , which is
surrendering
one's soul at the sacred feet of the owner , SrIman
NaarAyaNan .
That is a sacred act and commitment to follow some
ancient rules
established by VedAs , Upanishads and VaishNavite
AchAryAs of illustrious
paramparai .
For those , who have performed Saranagathy ,
their devotion to SrIman
NaarAyaNa is total and is of the nature of
avyapachArika Bhakthi
or chaste Bhakthi that a wife would display to a
wedded husband
at all times . She
will never even look in the direction of another man .
That is pathivrathA dharamam . Same for VaishNavAs
, who
have performed Prapatthi through the grace of an
AchAryan
and got married to the Lord . Trying to convince
them to take
another route is a waste of time . These blessed
souls are
respected as ParamaikAnthis and are aadarsa
purushAs
(Some One to look up to as role models for a true
VaishNavan).
They will not be distracted by any other
temptations of desired
gains since their mind is made up to gain the
parama purushArTam
of Moksham or liberation from the cycles of births
and
deaths and eternally serve SrI VaikuntanAthan
at His
Supreme abode after this earthly life is over .
Their conviction
based on upadesams for their AchAryans is that
SrIman
NaarAyaNan alone can grant the supreme goal of
Moksha Sukham .
There is little to debate here for one who has
performed Prapatthi
with the help of a compassionate VaishNavite
AchAryan .
Not worshipping other gods or seeking anything from
them
does not mean gestures of insult towards them or
their devotees.
This should be clearly understood so that there are
no endless
debates on this subject , which can get acrymonious
and pompous .
The motto should be Live and let Live . Follow
One's AchAryan's
directions and be true to your faith and
committments . SrI Bhagavath
GithA is the best source for understanding this
SaraNAgathy dharmam
taught by the compassionate Lord Himself for the
benefit of all of us.
At your service ,
Daasan , V.Sadagopan
Moderator of Oppilappan and Saranagaty List
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