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From: Mani Varadarajan (mani_at_alum.calberkeley.org)
Date: Mon Jun 12 2000 - 10:20:55 PDT
[from varadha@vsnl.com]
I am not sure how many are aware that Sh Sudararajan Swami of Srirangam
was asked by the Devasthanam Authorities to write a small book in English
about SriRangam Koil for the benefit of the then visiting President of
India. The book which was published bears a stamp of authenticity and it
is heartening to note that the Swami has taken up the issue with regard to
the Offer made for Golden Chariot. To me there are two basic issues which
are to be addressed to. One the offer made by a devotee and two the
contemplated action or attitude of the temple authorities. in trying to
accept it . On the first issue, I salute the devotee , must be a true
bhaktha of Lord Ranganatha, who must be dreaming to take is beloved Lord in
a golden chariot as according to him the Lord has given him all the wealth
and also the desire to do Kainkaryam in the form of offering a golden
chariot.All perceptors and Azhwars have sung in praise of Lord and the
Aabharanams adorning Him .We learn from various commentaries ,teachings,
the Lord readily accepts the unpolluted ,pure, offerings however small
it may be if the devotee offers it with Bhakthi To the Lord if this
offering was made with pure love and Bhakthi he is bound to be happy.It is
possible the Hosur devotee may not be aware of the customs and practces of
the Great Temple.I continue to read with pain a sense of controversy being
built around this issue. If only any one of the bhakthas had approached
and explain ed the matter to the Hosur devotee I am sure he would have
reaDILY UNDERSTOOD THE SENTIMENTS and in all probability agreed to do
kainkaryam to the Lord in a different form. My concern is , by our action we
should not distance devotees like the Hosur BHaktha. Eventhough i am not a
scholar nor a learned srivaishnavan, I am seeing a number of persons
desiring to come into the fold of srivaishnavism and do service to Lord
Sriman Narayana. Let all our action invite more and more people into the
fold and not get frightened .
The real issue is the action on the part of the temple authorities in
proposing to accept the Golden chariot .There cant be any two opinon on
this Their action is condemnable as administrators of the Great Temple
they do not have any right to alter the customs and procedures.Recently a
similair action by the Thirupathi Devasthanam officials got into avoidable
cotroversy.The best way to avoid these controversies is by having two
bodies. One to have administration of the temple and the other to
supervise and oversee the ritual/customary practice part.. The second body
should consisit of only learned true practising Srivaishnavan.All the
temple functions, rituals should have the approval of the second body.To
day we see persons professing faith in differnt philosophy manning the
administration of the Temple to which he does not belong.To him ,change of
the customary practice is not a serious flaw.A time has therfore come for
all to rally around and impress on the Govt the need to have two committes
in all the temples and lay down the fuctions of each of the committes.An
assurance should also be sought from the govt that the Govt will not
interfere with the rituals/practices.Is it difficult to acheive it.? I have
my apprehensions as experiece shows we talk and write and act very
little. I am prepared to gather like minded Srivaishnavas .Will the
Learned ,Respected ,Knowledgeable Scholars take the lead and show us the
way.
Jaya Sriman Narayana
Mudaliandan Swami shiya Sampaths
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