Dear Venkatesh, I don't want to prolong this discussion anymore because you find nothing wrong in calling profound scholars fanatics and in ridiculing their views without knowing the whole story. I really don't want to unwittingly be a party to this so this will be my last post on this subject. For the record I did not find the statements downplaying Maamunigal's greatness in any way acceptable and those who know me know that I have condemned similar disparaging remarks in the past as well. I only want to write a few more words and I will not discuss this issue again. 1) I am certain that Sri Uttamur Swamy had responses to every question Sri PBA Swamy posed, as would Sri PBA Swamy to every question Sri Uttamur Swamy would have posed. These matters eventually become complex and are an issue of personal faith. Many of them (such as prapatti's svarUpa or the nature of Lakshmi-tattva) simply go back and forth and there will *never* be an objective resolution. Everyone is colored by their background. In other words, after a while there is no point to argument and I am not surprised if one side or the other gives up and just goes home to be at peace. 2) The so-called "fanaticism" of Sri Madurantakam Swami is a criticism easily levelled. But for each time he could be so condemned so could many acharyas that are close to your heart. This, simply put, is *not* the way to carry out discourse. I could argue that Sri PBA Swamy has taken Swami Desika out of context here and there, but this gives me no right to ridicule him in public or call him a fanatic. These vidvAns deserve a separate level of respect, not only for their learning, but for their anushThAna and for their status as acharya- purushas in our tradition. Sri Madurantakam Swami was an acharya-purusha of the Eechambaadi aachaan vamsa and has sishyas in this country. At least out of concern for these sishyas we should demonstrate more care, in my opinion. In other words, critize the *view* and not the *person*. 3) Everyone in the lIla-vibhUti is subject to the three guNas, even great people such as Chaturmukha Brahma. If Sri D.T. Tatacharya Swami, a recipient of the Panditaratna title, or his brother made some errors in reference to a temple mentioned in a paasuram, it does not seem like a hangable offense to me. We should look at someone's merits and not their defects. I will not convince you, I am sure, but I felt duty-bound to at least mention that these great scholars were worthy of respect, certainly more respect than you are giving them. May we never forget those paasurams beginning with 'payilum sudaroli', 'nedumaarkku adimai', and 'en adiyaar adhu seyyaar'! aDiyEn rAmAnuja dAsan, Mani
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