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Vaishnavism-Shiivite conflicts..

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a.prathivadi-bhayankaram-a • March 21, 1996 


Dear Bhagavathas,

I have been following the debate with much interest. I have no knowledge 
to contribute to the debate. It however reminded me of one Annamacharya's 
kriti which is sung by MS (in volume 2 I think) in Balaji Pancharatna 
malai. I try to translate (in my limited capacity) it for those not familiar 
with Telugu

"Enta matramuna evvaru talachina antamatrame neevu
antaraantaramulu enchi chooda endante nippadi annatlu"

Tran: You are to different people as to what they think you are.
      It is like seeking to measure the inner meaning...

"Koluthuru mimu vaishnavulu koorimi tho vishnuvani
Palukuduru vedantlulu parabrahmambanuchu
Talathuru mimu shaivulu tagina bhaktulunu shivudanuchu
Alari pogaduduru Kapalikulu Aidbhairavudanuchu"

Tran : Vaishnavas pray with much devotion to you as Vishnu
       Those who follow Vedanta say that you are the prabrahmam
       Shaivites and other such think of you as Shiva
       Kapalikas think of you as Adibhairava

"Sarinennuduru Shakteyulu Shakti Roopu Neevanuchu 
Darisinamula mimu nanavidhulanu talapula koladi bhajinthuru
Sirula mimu ye alpabudhhi talachina vaniki alpanbavuduvu
Garimala ninu ye ghanamani talachina ghanbuddhulaku ghanidavu"

Tran : Shakteyas equal you with Shakti
       And many others view you in many different forms
       If any small-minded person thinks small about you, you look small 
       to him/her; if one the contrary someone thinks that you are great, 
       for such greatminded people, you are great.

"Neevalana korathe ledu mari neeru koladi tamaravu
Aamala bhagirathi bavula na jalame oorinayatlu
Srivenkatapathy neevaithe mamu chekoni unna daivamani
Neevalane nee sharananiyeda nidiye paratatvamu naku"

	There is no dearth of you as you are like the lotus depending on 
the amount of water. And it is as different as the water in the 
numerous wells on the banks of river Ganges is different from Ganga water 
itself. (i.e., even though you may think you are drawing from a well, the 
water comes from Ganga itself). SO, as long as you are here as 
srivenkatapathy, looking after us, you are "the" paratatvam for me.


Hope my translation conveys even 1% of the depth of this beautiful hymn 
by Annmachrya of which MS rendition makes it even more beautiful.

Adiyen, Anand