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Re: Avataars- reply from Dilipan

From the Bhakti List Archives

D2C30T8 • January 4, 1996 


     At the very outset, I would like to point out two things:

     1. As I already wrote in my introductory note, I am trying my best to
     avoid controversies like plague. Hopefully, the parasuraama avathaaram
     issue will be my last.

     2. As per my commitment in the note 'Few points to be made urgently',
     I would just like to stick to discussions on our sampradaayam, maybe
     kaavyaas, ithihaasaas or other sanskrit/tamil/english literature of
     interest to Sri Vaishnavam.

     I write replies making an earnest attempt at removing any
     misconceptions about a god or godly persons. The idea is definitely
     not to generate fresh controversies. To that effect, I am willing to
     correct myself regarding any inadvertant disinformation that I myself
     may be responsible for. I CONTEND POINTS OF VIEW, NOT PEOPLE.

     Thanks to Sri Sampath for his timely information about Parasuraama
     Celebrations. I was only expressing a concern (angalaaippu) few other
     friends of mine shared regarding how Parasuraama's avathaara mahimai
     has not been given due recognition.

     Sri Sampath Rengi has written a boiling hot rebuttal on what I wrote
     earlier. I gather from the tone of the letter, that there is a
     protective, groupist tendency with certain people. My 'Avataaram' mail
     is not a rebuttal with intended offense to a/the person, if that is
     what prompted the mail from Sri Sampath. I only wrote my view about
     parasuraama avathaaram. All that I really try to come up with in my
     mail is information. Please read my lips: I AM NOT ATTEMPTING, EVEN
     REMOTELY, TO PROMOTE AYYAPPA RELATED TOPICS IN OUR GROUP. THE IDEA IS
     MERELY TO MENTION A BELIEF ABOUT PARASURAMA AVATHAARAM's CONTRIBUTION
     IN LATER YEARS. AS I UNDERSTAND, PENANCE CAME MUCH AFTER HIS CONQUEST
     OF KSHATTRIYAAS. MORE SO, HIS KILLING OF KAARTHAVEERYAARJUNAA WAS AN
     ACT OF ANGER AND REVENGE, NOT AN INTENT TO CLEAN UP THE EARTHLY MESS.
     THAT SUPPOSEDLY CAME LATER. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY AUTHORITATIVE
     VAISHNAVAITE TEXT THAT CLEARLY DELINEATES PARASURAAMA's LIFE AND TIMES
     IN ITS ENTIRETY AND IN VAISHNAVAITE CONTEXT. PLEASE INSTRUCT ME ON
     WHERE I CAN FIND ONE.

     I am reminded of a thamizh vachanam - "Pattaththaan theriyum
     paappaanukku". I learnt my lesson.

     Request to Sri Paarthasaarathy Dileepan:

     I did not have an opportunity to write to you in person thanking you
     for all the details provided about Thondar Kuzhaam. Please provide us
     with further information on how our group can participate in its
     activities and growth. I invoke the divine grace for its growth as a
     banyan tree providing spiritual solace to those who seek its shade.
     Also, I am planning to get Aaraayirappadi Guruparamparaa Prabhaavam
     from India. If you do not already have one, I will try to make copies
     and send them to you post haste for the 108CD project paramparaa
     related info. I will write to you personally regards few other
     questions I have regarding Dhivya dhesha jeernOdhdhaaram.

     By the divine couple's anugraham, may the year 1996 bring happiness,
     prosperity, peace of mind, and amity to all of us.

     Om Shanthi! Om Shanthi! Om Shanthihi!

     Dilipan.