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From: Madhavakkannan V (srivaishnavan_at_hotmail.com)
Date: Wed May 23 2001 - 22:16:08 PDT
SrI:
SrImathE Gopaladesika mahadesikaya namah:
Dearest srivaishnavas,
I would like to remind myself of the qualities that we, as srivaishnavas
need to inculcate and cultivate. It is difficult; but if one knows the true
nature of jIva and the sEshathvam/dAsathavam to Emperumaan Sriya: Pathi
Sriman Narayanan, there should be less difficulty in attempting this. Easier
said than done:-)
Sri AndAl paved the way for this Srivaishnava lakshaNam- it is naanEthaan
Ayiduga. (may I be at fault- fogive me for wrong translations)
This comes in the 15th verse of ThiruppAvai "ellE iLankiLiyE.". This is
supposed to be how one should behave in BhAgawatha sannidhi, while 30th
verse siRRam siRukaalE- is for Bhagavath sannidhi..
The words ' Naanethaan Ayiduga' are quite significant and important.
A man is known by the
- books he reads;
- friends he has and
- the mistakes he admits
Normally, most people do not admit their faults; (I for one never..)
Some might do so when cornered (I get angry only even in this case)
Some will accept if found out. But, it is Srivaishnavas -the rare ones are
those who need to accept even when unjustly accused of faults that they had
never committed.
Sri Bharatha lamented, "It is only due to my fault of being born as Rama's
brother, now Sri Rama is suffering in the forest.. What a quailty! He could
have simply pointed the finger at kaikEyi or his father or even to the
fate..
We should aim to be like Bharata who owned responsibility for what his
parents did in banishing Sri Rama.
This is considered to be the very essence of SRI VAISHNAVA
LAKSHANAM - a charcteristic trait of Srivaishnava.
Swamy Desikan has elaborated this in Srimad Rahasyathrayasaram in 14th
Chapter- Swanishtaabignaana adhikaaram. I am not qualified to even write
this; however, I have been doing all that I should not be doing from time
immemorial; Let me add this too to the list. At least it will do good to few
(if not me) (this post- I had posted earlier last year- I am reproducing as
this needs to be mulled over again and again day after day.. We need to
remind ourselves of this as this is the most essential quaility we need to
possess.
swarUpa nishtai:
1. If we happen to listen to the statements (derogatory) about us, like "He
is short; He is dark; He is of ugly face; He is lame; He is stupid- not
intelligent; He is of low caste" and any other abusive statements, do not
worry. These statements are all for our body (sarIram) and nothing of that
sort relates to our AthmA, which is permanent, pure always. Hence, we do not
need to scold back or howl at them for such statement; nor we need to sulk
and feel remorseful.
2. Further, if someone really scolds or abuses us with such statements as
above, or any other disparaging remarks against us, feel sorry for him that
he unnecessarily incurs paapams (sins) by such statements and pray to
Emperumaan to have krupai on him (remember Sri KooratthAzhwAn forgiving
Nalooraan).
3. Sometimes, we may not adhere to saaasthras (I always fall in this
category) and due to laziness, or exertion, may skip some deed; if someone
finds us with that defect and corrects us, we should not get angry for being
caught red handed; instead, we need to feel thankful and be grateful to him
for correcting us at the most appropriate time. (Once ThirukkOshtiyUr Swamy
due to feeling tired, leaned on a pillar in Srirangam temple during VaikuNTa
EkAdashi festival, another person (like me, waiting to find someone at
fault), approached Swamy and pointed that Swamy should not do that being an
AchArya. (One is not supposed to lean on and relax in Bhagawath Sannidhi).
Immediately Swamy apologized and thanked him for correcting him. He felt
indebted to him for preventing him do that apacharam which he had committed
without even realizing that he was doing.) What a quality! -I would have
said "sardhaan pOm Swamin.. Unga vElayai paathuNdu pOvIngaLaa?")
4. Even when one finds us committing apacharams and tells us, we need to
consider as if Emperumaan is speaking to us through him to correct us and
consider it a Divine will. We should not think of any ill against such
people. Even when it is false accusations, we should think that Emperumaan
is only testing us for balanced mind to face insults.
5. When one accuses without proper analysis, and without any reason, only
based on prejudices, we should feel delighted that our praarabhdha karma is
getting dissolved by through his such false accusations and be thankful to
Emperumaan for enabling us get dissolved of our praarabdha karma so easily.
UpAya nishtai:
1. Except for SarvEshawaran, Sriya: Pathi Sriman Narayanan, we and our
family (wife, children) are not servants or daasa bhUthars to anyone else.
2. Even when we are in the evening of our life, or suffering from deadly
disease, and are going to die, since we have already surrendered to
Emperumaan, we should feel happy that the time has come to unite with Him at
SrivaikuNtam through archiraadhi maargam and gladly welcome death with
smiling face. We should know fully well that we are going to be sitting on
the soft lap of our Father Sri Parama padha nAthan looking and enjoying His
red coral like lips and be along with His samastha parivaaram.- Nithyars and
mukhthars.
3. Having surrendered to the Sriya: Pathi, we should not worry about our
protection and not be scared of any event happening. He is there to protect
us and whatever happens is His Divine will. (It need not be what we desire.
It will be what He desires for us.)
4. Having surrendered to the Sriya: Pathi, we should not undertake any other
means (like bhakti yOgam). We have surrendered to Him with an unflinching
faith (mahAviswaasam). He has already taken a pledge to save us from all
sins and has assured us Not to worry. (so why worry?) We should not do some
yaagams /homams or any other karmas simply because it is going to give us
some puNyam, but simply as Bhagawath preethyartham.
5. Having surrendered to the Sriya: Pathi, We should always think that it is
all in Emperumaan's will to alleviate our sorrows and to grant us something
good until our death. Whatever happens is for His will.
Purushaartha nishtai:
1. Having surrendered to the Sriya: Pathi, we should NEVER ever seek for
material comforts, nor should we unduly be worried about some problems
occurring at home with our family, - with a thinking that everything is
happening only due to praarabhdha karma.
2. By worrying about anything, nothing gets resolved. It has to happen as
per Bhagawath sankalpam. - With that jnAnam, we should not brood about the
domestic problems occurring. (if we do, we become nAsthikan -athiests!)
3. If there is some unexpected wealth or comfort comes our way also (of
course through dharmic way), we should not shun them. We should consider
them as Bhagawath sankalpam and think that that is way to get rid of
(praarabdha karma phalam) puNyams as they will also be stumbling block for
SrivaikuNTa prApthi.
4. We should view both happiness and sorrows equally with a balanced mind
and have ruchi (taste) only for kaimkaryam to Emperumaan Sriya: Pathi Sriman
Narayanan.
5. Having surrendered to the Sriya: Pathi, we should develop an intense
desire (tvarai) for the Paramapadha prApthi and utter Dwayam, (contemplating
its esoteric deep meaning) at all times.
All above qualities are for us, Srivaishnavas, who have surrendered to
Emperumaan Sriya: Pathi Sriman Narayanan.
If we attempt to inculcate and cultivate these guNAs, Sri AndAL and AchArya
saarva bhouman Swamy Desikan will be pleased.
Swamy Desikan also explains how a prapaannan (one who has unconditionally
surrenedered to Sriya:Pathi Sriman Narayanan)should behave after his
prappatti. This chapter (18th) is called "aparaadha parihaara adhikaaram
(Atonement of Offences)
I have made use of Sriman Anbil mama's translation here (Thanks to him.)
This describes how we need to atone for our sins /offences committed earlier
and the ones that are being committed..
After Prapatti, a Prapanna will not indulge in committing any sins
(1) Should he commit any without intention, such sins will not accrue to him
(2) Sins knowingly and deliberately committed can be neutralized by
atonement -prayaschitta prapatti (not for the purpose of mOskham)
(3) Should one indulge in sins deliberately and does not atone, minor
punishments will be imposed on him like becoming blind, lame etc., or
disobedience by spouse, children etc. In such an event also the Prapanna
would not be denied Moksha because his papas will be
negatived by atonement or suffering punishment as aforesaid. It will only
get delayed. Do we need that delay with more suffering? Koovik kollum kaalam
innum kuRugaadhO? should be our
attitude.
(4) Even major sins except what is stated in (5) below will be excused by
the Lord by inflicting a light punishment in exercise of his patience, love
and compassion towards the Prapanna (vaaL koNdu veesinaapOlE..). That is the
greatness of Emperumaan; and that does not
give us a clea chit to
(5) The only heinous and unpardonable sins which will nullify the effects of
Prapatti are:
(a) Disrespect to Bhagavatas and Acharyas and
(b) Adherence to deities other than Bhagavan.
(6) Though the means and Phala of Moksha are identical as between a Prapanna
and the great Nityas and Muktas like PARASARA,VYASA,SRI NATHAMUNI and
others, the Prapanna should not arrogate himself by equating himself with
these extraordinary luminaries since they are far
superior on account of their birth, character, knowledge, discipline etc
which are not comparable to those of the Prapanna.
(7) THE PRAPANNA SHOULD NOT DISCRIMINATE ANY ONE AS INFERIOR ON ACCOUNT OF
THE LATTER'S CASTE, CREED, SEX OR OTHER DIFFERENCES
(8) The Apacharas committed towards Bhagavatas can also be expiated but Only
by seeking the forgiveness of the same Bhagavatas
None is Perfect except for Emperumaan (and His Divine Consort..) So, why to
look for others' slips, mistakes, errors, and blow it up? When we point one
finger towards others, three are towards us.. :-(
Please forgive me for any adhigaprasangitthanam.
Regards
Narayana Narayana
adiyEn Narayana dAsan madhavakkannan
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