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Experiencing Swamy Desika -- #98


SrI:
Shrimate Shri Lakshmi Nrusimha Parabrahmane Namaha:
Shrimate Shri Seetha Ramachandra Parabrahmane Namaha:
Shrimate Shri Ramanujaya Namaha:
Shrimate Nigamantha Maha Desikaya Namaha:
Shrimate Shrivan Satagopa Shri Narayana Yateendra Mahadesikaya Namaha:

"SrimAn VenaktanAthArya: kavithArkika kEsarI!
VedAnthAchArya varyO mE sannidhatthAM sadhA hrudhi"!!

In yesterdays Posting we saw Swami portraying Prapatti as an
atma vivAha (wedding) - the wedding between the Jeevatma and
the Paramatma. Hence every Prapanna (as Lord's wife), have a
code of conduct to be followed!

In the 36th Sloka of SaranAgathy Deepika Swami further
emphasises on the way an Prapanna spends his time as long as
he is in this world.

Swami Desika mentions four distinctive features on how
Prapannas lead their life.

1. A Prapanna is always amidst like minded people. Prapannas
relish the company of other Prapannas - godly men who have
surrendered to the Lord. This sat sangam makes even this
boolOkam a Srivaikundam!

2. Just as how it is necessary for Prapannas to have constant
sat sangam, it is equally important for them to keep away from
the company people who have a wayward tendency. Prapannas
should not associate themselves with people who are erring
personalities. He should run away from men who sin against
Lord as if they have seen serpents. They do not mix with people
who are devoted to other devatas.

3. The most important attribute visible in Prapannas is the
unflinching steadfast faith in blemishless conduct. Prapannas
follow anushtAnams very strictly for the sake of Bagavat
preetyartham (to please the Lord and not for any other material
benefits).

4. A Prapanna has no illusions about the power and position of
devas such as Brahma, Siva, Indra etc. He worships only
Sriya: Pathi. This does not mean that he hates other devas, it
is just that he is indifferent towards them. A Srivaishnava
considers everything to be Lord's property and so does not
hate anything!

In the 67th Sloka of Achyuta satakam, Swami explains how these
devas treat humans. Swami also explains that there is a drastic
change in the way Devas treat a Jiva when he becomes a Prapanna
and heads towards Srivaikundam.

"dEvAnAm pashusamAnO janturgatvA dEvanAtha tava padam !
tairEva sarvai: samsaramAnai: bhavati sadA datta bali: !!"

Swami states that every one is indebted to Devas, Rishis and
Pitrus. There are various ways to wipe out these debts. The
debts to devas can be wiped out by performing yagas and yagnas,
to Rishis by  Vedadyaya and by begetting progeny the debt to
pitru's gets liquidated. Swami hence explains that Devas regard
humans as mere sacrificial beings!

But the reaction of Devas is absolutely different when a person
by the grace of the Acharya and the liberality of the Lord
ascends to Sri Vaikundam. The muktas are instantly freed from
their indebtedness to the Devas. Not just this, the Devas and
even the persons who continue in this samsara treat the Mukta
with great reverence and respect and offer homage and tribute
to Him.

So, it is once again clear that a Prapanna should be grateful to
his Acharya (who by his upadesa) converts his atma and makes it
fit to be offered to God for eternal kainkaryam by doing Prapatti
which takes him to Paramapada.

The following things should be abandoned by a Prapanna at
any cost:

1. Worship of anya devatas

2. association with Devotees of other devatas

3. Showing disregard to a true devotee of Sriman Narayana and

4. Showing disregard, disrespect and neglect to his Acharyas.

The Prapannas thus spend their days, each karaNam and each Indriya
getting its full share of enjoyment on proper lines.

The above write up is based on "Tattva Rahasyartha Sangraha" an English
translation of "Upayukta Sangraham" by Srimad RangaRamanuja Maha Desikan
(Sri Koliyalam Swami) and Shri R.Ramaswamy Aiyangar's commentary on
Swami Desika's SaranAgathy Deepika and Achyuta satakam.

"Kavi Taarkika Simhaaya Kalyaana guna SaalinE!
SrimatE VenkateshAya VedAnta Gurave nama !!"

...To be continued!

dEsikan tiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

Praveena nAmni Ramanuja dasi